A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 34
March 21, 2024
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
March 13, 2024
The Other Murder – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Mystery #Suspense
Sometimes, the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.
The Other Murder
by Kevin G. Chapman
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
“A sleek, gripping thriller that raises important questions about truth and justice.” ~Kirkus Reviews
FINALIST — 2023 CLUE AWARD
Sometimes, the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.
For disgraced cable news producer Hannah Hawthorne, covering the shooting of a pretty NYU sophomore is a chance for redemption. When the story snowballs into a media circus, Hannah’s reporting fans the sensationalistic flames and earns her acclaim. The tragic murder, seemingly the result of random urban gun violence, prompts protests and vigils that further magnify the story.
Meanwhile, Paulo, a reporter for a small online neighborhood newspaper, is following the other murder in Washington Square Park that same night – a Hispanic teen. He discovers an unexpected connection that is political dynamite. When Hannah and Paulo team up, they uncover disturbing facts, leading them to question everything they thought they knew. Their reporting also leads them to the man who might be the killer.
When the story is ready to explode, the truth may be hotter than anyone can handle. Breaking the next scoop could ruin Paulo’s paper and wreck Hannah’s career – and it could get them both killed.
If you like David Baldacci’s page-turners, Michael Connelly’s cops, and Sara Paretsky’s quirky characters, you will love The Other Murder.
What readers are saying:
“With intelligent characters and believable dialogue, Chapman has managed to create a riveting whodunit that also speaks volumes about social issues plaguing the justice system. . . . The social issues are skillfully woven into the narrative, making readers seriously consider these problems even when they’re immersed in conversations with possible snitches and the chaos of climactic shooting scenes.” ~Kirkus Reviews
“Haunting, chilling, and heroic . . . a must-read novel.” ~Chanticleer Book Review (5-star “Best Book”)
“Chapman once again knocks it out of the park.” “The author did a superb job of developing all the essential players.” ~Feathered Quill Book Reviews
“Chapman’s attention to building a fast-paced story filled with satisfyingly unpredictable twists and turns creates a memorable, compelling saga. . . .
Worthy of a top recommendation.” ~Midwest Book Review
“The Other Murder will grip you from the start and keep you reading through all the twists and turns until the surprising end.” ~ReadorRot.com
“Magnificent.” “An excellent story, it is a must read for mystery-suspense/thriller lovers!”
~InD’Tale Magazine
“The story is a mystery that kept me involved as the different pieces of the whole story came to light. But there is also a side story that sent my thoughts off on tangents, pondering the press, what we can and should expect from them. Chapman’s story ought to get us all thinking.”
~Big Al, Big Al’s Books & Pals (5-stars)
“The writing is gorgeous, the narrative is filled with realism and mystery, and the action moves in unexpected directions.” ~The Book Commentary (5-stars)
“Absolutely chilling. It’s a gripping and harrowing storyline! A great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and pulls you in.”
~Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews (5-stars)
“A captivating story with a thought-provoking premise.” ~Bookpleasures.com
“Fans of a ‘whodunit?’ mystery will love trying to piece together this mystery. . . . With its suspense, mystery, and twists, this book is a must-read.” ~ Georgia Lyonhyde for Reedsy Discovery
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Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. In 2021, Kevin finished the first five books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous Assassin (CLUE Award finalist), Deadly Enterprise (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal Voyage, (Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE finalist), Fatal Infraction (Best Police Procedural of the year – CLUE Award), and Perilous Gambit. In late 2022, Kevin published a stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award – Best Suspense/Thriller of the year). Kevin is a resident of Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$30 Amazon
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March 12, 2024
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
March 5, 2024
Athena – Blog Tour and Giveaway #YA #FantasyRomance
Even the wise can be fools in love.
Athena
Gods and Monsters Book 1
by Eva Pohler
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Even the wise can be fools in love . . .
She grows up in the belly of her oppressive father, where she watches her mother build her armor and hatches plans for escape. Once freed, she becomes her father’s favorite–a loyal subject, warrior, and advocate who stands by her father even when her favorite is sentenced for treason and chained to a rock, where his liver is eaten daily by Zeus’s eagle. Then, her hopes for a reunion with Prometheus are crushed when he disappears, and years of searching prove futile. With a hardened heart, Athena becomes a powerful leader of the Olympians.
But when Prometheus returns from the shadows, her loyalties are challenged, her heart stirs with unquenchable passion, and her immortal life is forever changed.
**Get 30% off when you preorder directly from the author HERE!**
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Eva Pohler earned her Ph.D. in English in the mid-nineties, specializing in twentieth-century British and American narrative strategies. She has taught writing and literature for over twenty years at a university in San Antonio, her hometown, where she lives with her husband, two of her three adult children, and three rescue dogs.
An award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels in multiple genres, Eva writes paranormal mysteries, thrillers, and young adult fantasy based on Greek mythology. Her books have been described as “addictive” and “sure to thrill”–Kirkus Reviews.
Whichever genre you read, you will find an adventure in Eva Pohler’s stories. They blur the line between reality and fantasy, truth and delusion, and draw from Eva’s personal philosophy that a reader must be lured and abducted into complete captivity in order to enjoy the reading experience.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
A signed paperback copy of Dionysus,
$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner each!
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March 4, 2024
The Guest House – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Thriller
When a young deaf entrepreneur rents a guest house from a stranger at a coffee shop, she soon finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and danger.
The Guest House
Silicon Valley Series Book 2
by Bonnie Traymore
Genre: Psychological Thriller
“This twisty, spine-tingling thriller will have you hooked to the very last page.” – Leslie Lutz, Award-winning author of Fractured Tide
Wow! What a ride. I was hooked from the first page. I did not see that ending coming. Full of suspense and intrigue. A good follow-up to book 1, but it could be read as a stand-alone. There’s an entirely new storyline, but it also returns to wrap up some unfinished business from book 1. The addition of a deaf protagonist with a cochlear implant who can sometimes hear and sometimes not was original and refreshing. It added another dimension of complexity and sense of danger. A great read. – Netgalley
He holds out his business card, and she plucks it from his fingers without touching them. “Hope to see you around, Allie Dawson,” he says. That was over a month ago. It seemed too good to be true, but Allie told herself to ignore the nagging feeling in her gut. That was her first mistake.
When she saw Laura Foster’s email welcoming her into a cohort of grant recipients, Allie literally jumped for joy. She was headed to Silicon Valley with a chance to bring her innovative product to market.
But she had no idea how tight the rental market would be, or how cutthroat the competition is for everything from housing to venture capital. So, after a futile search to find a short-term apartment she could afford, she rented a guest house from a chummy real estate agent who approached her at a coffee shop.
But it’s clear now that she should have trusted her instincts. Because there’s something off about her landlord. And his moody wife. And the cryptic Hungarian guy renting his master suite.
Are they after her technology? Did he see her, peeking out the window when he was dragging a suspicious duffel bag across the lawn? She knows what it feels like to see her life flash before her eyes, and she doesn’t need that kind of stress right now.
So why is she still living there?
And has she already seen too much?
Innovation, greed, and danger collide in The Guest House, Silicon Valley Series Book 2, a stand-alone sequel to the best-selling hit page-turner The Stepfamily.
For fans of Freida McFadden, Shari Lapena, Daniel Hurst, Shalini Boland, and Kaira Rouda.
This was such a good book! I loved the characters, and their story. The dialogue was realistic and enjoyable. I was very surprised by the ending! – NetGalley
This was a quick and easy read for me. As a reader who loves a psychological thriller it’s sometimes easy to see through the plots, but this story had me guessing for the most part until the end. Just the right level of spooky for me without the blood and gore that some authors choose to use. Would definitely recommend. – NetGalley
The StepfamilySilicon Valley Series Book 1
“I couldn’t put it down!” – Amazon
“Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. Definitely one of the best books this year.” – NetGalley
Laura Foster’s not the type to go looking for trouble. But it seems to be looking for her.
Laura’s on the verge of living the life she’s always wanted. At the age of twenty-seven, she put her career plans on hold, married handsome widower Peter Foster, settled down in his Silicon Valley home, and helped raise his two children.
Twelve years later, it’s her turn to shine. Her career is thriving, the kids are out of the house, Peter’s company is on the verge of an FDA approval that could garner a windfall in stock gains for them, and she’s training for the Kona Ironman. But when a series of freak accidents can no longer be chalked up to bad luck, it becomes clear that someone is out to get her. Is it someone from work, jealous of her promotion? Or is it perhaps someone more dangerous? Someone closer to home?
Laura has no enemies that she knows of, but she senses that husband Peter is keeping secrets. And when she starts digging into the family’s past, a twisted and unsettling story starts to slowly reveal itself. But with the walls closing in on her, she needs to find out why someone would want to harm her…and what really happened to his first wife.
Before it’s too late.
“I devoured this in a few short hours. Very easy to read and the story keeps you coming back for one more chapter.” -NetGalley
“Full of suspense and twists and turns!” – NetGalley
For fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, Shari Lapena, Shalini Boland, Miranda Rijks, or Minka Kent.
**On Sale for Only .99cents 3/1 – 3/8!**
Bonnie Traymore is the award-winning, Amazon best selling author of page-turner mystery/thrillers that hit close to home. Her books feature strong but relatable female protagonists. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She’s an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
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What is something unique/quirky about you?
I have a lot of fears. Turns out that most of us who write these kinds of books do, which is why we come up with these crazy stories. I don’t like elevators because I’m claustrophobic, I can’t watch medical dramas because I’ll start thinking I have every disease on the planet. I’m afraid of spiders. Heights. And sharks, of course, but that’s a prudent one. I still swim in the ocean, but not too far out. But I try not to let them paralyze me, and I push myself out of my comfort zone. More importantly, I put the fears into my books and characters which is therapeutic.
Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!
I’ve been chased up a tree by a one-horned rhinoceros and circled by sharks at ninety feet depth in the ocean. As I said, I try to push myself out of my comfort zone. And both of those incidents were very uncomfortable! P.S. both of those events happened decades ago, and now most all my adventures are fictional.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I was reading a review of one of my books. I think it was The Stepfamily. And it said something like “another great book by Bonnie Traymore. I love this author.” I was like, I’m this author?? Holy crap! And no, it wasn’t my husband. I swear.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
Book 1 was inspired by one of my former students who became a successful entrepreneur. She’s from Hawaii and talked about how she had to learn to assert herself in the world of venture capital, as the culture in Hawaii is very different. Since I lived in Hawaii and Silicon Valley, I thought it would be interesting to have a protagonist who grew up in Hawaii and moved to Silicon Valley, and that was the basis for Laura Foster. My husband worked in biotech there, like Peter in the book, so I knew that world. But that’s where the similarities end as far as the husbands! All his exes are still alive and well, I promise.
Book 2 was inspired by my daughter who, like the protagonist, is deaf with a cochlear implant. In it, Allie Dawson comes to Silicon Valley after receiving a grant from Laura Foster, to bring her captioning device to market. I wanted to educate people about what it’s like to sometimes hear, sometimes not, and most of the time, not be able to hear very well. Cochlear implants have internal and external parts, and the external part can’t get wet. They don’t work as well in noisy places. I tried to pepper this into the scenes and not hit readers over the head with it. Just enough to get the feel of what it’s like. Advance reviews have been positive.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
If people only read one book of mine, I’d like it to be The Guest House. It’s important to me because of my daughter, and my desire to honor her struggles and accomplishments. I also think it makes for a great thriller read, playing with the different senses that need to compensate for not hearing. I’m most proud of this book.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I usually spend about 3-4 months on a first draft. Then I’ll have my alpha readers give me feedback. It’s important to have people you trust enough to show them your crappy first draft and give you feedback on the plot. I don’t want to waste a lot of time perfecting the prose if I’ve somehow given away the murderer too early, or if it’s dragging, so getting that reader feedback is critical. I know some writers who feel like they need to have it perfect before they show it to anyone, but with my genre, I think it’s a waste of time. After I know the plot works, then I’ll go back and smooth out the dialogue, add more description, and make it pretty. I feel bad that the people closest to me have to read my book when it’s at its worst, but I’m lucky to have that option.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I believe in thinker’s block. When I’m stuck, it’s because the story hasn’t progressed enough in my mind. If that happens, I go for a walk or do some cardio at the gym and let it play out in my head some more. Once I can envision the scenes, I write like the wind. A bomb could go off outside my house and I’d keep going. Oh yeah, I’m afraid of bombs too. And crowds. Psychos. Clowns. Etc.
March 3, 2024
Check out the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles for a sizzling sorcery adventure
Looking for an audiobook or awesome read? Check out The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I
In a dark world where magic is illegal, and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.
18 rated (for adult content).
Available Amazon, Audible, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, Google Play, Scribd, Angus and Robertson, and more on the link below – hardback, paperback, ebook and large print editions.
#Fantasy or #FantasyRomance #Darkfantasy #Sexnsorcery Universal Link
https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
March 1, 2024
Shake Off the Winter Doldrums – Book Event and Giveaway – March
Welcome to March – And the NN Light Book Heaven Event.
Battle the winter blues at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Shake Off Winter Doldrums Book Festival. 35 books, 27 authors, a giveaway plus sure-fire ways to combat your winter melancholy! https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/shake-off-winter-doldrums
Check out all the Awesome Books.
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db7750256
Open internationally.
Runs March 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on April 1, 2024.
One lucky reader will win a $35 Amazon gift card.
I’m thrilled to be a part of this event. My book, The Stolen Tower will be featured on 25th March. Wait until you read my cure for winter doldrums. You won’t want to miss it.
Bookmark this bookish get-together and tell your friends:
The Poison Dart – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Mystery #Thriller
Some tales don’t want to be told. They’re shrouded in the dark and cloaked in danger. Sensible people leave those mysteries well enough alone. But not Debbie Bradley. After all, that’s how she makes her living.
The Poison Dart
Debbie Bradley Crime Mysteries Book 2
by Geri Dreiling
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
An overdose. A drug bust. A captive of the cartel. When fates collide, who will survive?
The ripple effects of an overdose send shock waves through a community.
A sweeping drug bust upends lives, exposing the cartel’s deep reach into the Midwest.
A quest for a better life threatens to destroy a family.
As Debbie Bradley digs deeper into each story, startling connections emerge. When fates collide, who will survive?
What readers are saying:
“The narrative contains the right blend of mystery, crime scenes and action. It is one of those books that keeps one glued until the very end.“
“Dreiling relies more on intelligent conversations, on the proper and strategic use of lies, and on wordplay“
“Grab or download a copy, curl up with a blanket on the couch, and enjoy this good read and solid, accurate, crime story with interesting twists and turns.“
“With a talent for plot creation, patiently unwinding the threads of all angles, and never lacking for excitement, Dreiling is an author you will want to read time and time again.“
**On Sale for Only .99 cents until March 1st!!**
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Crime Beat Girl
Debbie Bradley Crime Mysteries Book 1
A girl is dead. A boy is locked up. Can Debbie Bradley discover the truth before more lives are lost…maybe even her own?
A series of deadly shootings. An outbreak of stolen cars. When journalist Debbie Bradley returns home to St. Louis, the summer crime wave has started. And she’s in the center: A witness, a reporter, a target.
Debbie’s reasons for leaving behind her promising career in Washington D.C. were complicated. Her mother, a prominent lawyer, was diagnosed with cancer. Her engagement was cooling. When she got offered a job in St. Louis that she hadn’t been looking for, Debbie recognized an opportunity. Or an escape.
But she didn’t expect to come home and see a girl die. Debbie never planned to investigate a boy behind bars. And she didn’t anticipate colliding with hostile cops and wary politicians.
As her work gains attention, Debbie gathers enemies. Will her assignment to cover the St. Louis crime beat be her last?
What readers are saying:
“Intense crime story full of unexpected twists and turns” — Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review
“Gripping crime story…with deep themes and highlighting very real problems” — Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review
“A page-turner, engaging the reader from the first page to the last” — Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review
Geri L. Dreiling is the author of Crime Beat Girl, the debut novel in the Debbie Bradley Mystery series, which received seven book awards. She is also the author of Erasing the Past. Dreiling is an award-winning journalist as well as professor and lawyer. She lives in St. Louis.
Check out the St. Louis on the Air interview for Crime Beat Girl!
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February 26, 2024
Not Quite A Scandal – Cover Reveal and Giveaway #HistoricalRomance #Regency
An inheritance lost. A betrothal threatened. A scandal brewing…
Not Quite a Scandal
Audacious Ladies of Audley Book 2
by Bliss Bennet
Genre: Historical Regency Romance
An inheritance lost. A betrothal threatened. A scandal brewing…
Outspoken Quaker Bathsheba Honeychurch knows how difficult it is for an unmarried woman to successfully champion political change. Her solution? Wed best friend Ash Griffin as soon as he comes of age and begin remaking the world. But when Ash’s urbane, aloof cousin arrives with inconceivable news, Sheba’s future dreams are suddenly at risk…
The death of the Earl of Silliman reveals an appalling lie: it is not Noel Griffin, but his long-lost cousin Ash, who is the true heir to their grandfather’s title. Raised to place family above all, Noel accepts his grandmother’s bitter charge: find Ash, disentangle him from his religious community, and train him to take on the responsibilities and privileges of a title that Noel had been raised to believe was his. Noel certainly won’t allow a presumptuous, irritating Quakeress to thwart him in doing his duty—no matter how fascinating he finds her…
When scandal threatens both their reputations, can Sheba and Noel look beyond past dreams and imagine a new world—together?
Bliss Bennet writes smart, edgy novels for readers who love history as much as they love romance. Despite being born and bred in New England, Bliss has always been fascinated by the history of that country across the pond, particularly the politically-volatile period known as the English Regency. Though she’s visited Britain several times, Bliss continues to make her home in the States, along with her spouse and an ever-multiplying collection of historical reference books.
Bliss’s Regency-set historical romances have been praised as “savvy, sensual, and engrossing” by USA Today, “catnip for the Historical Romance reader” by Bookworlder, “romantic, funny, touching, and extremely well-researched” by All About Romance, and “everything you want in a great historical romance” by The Reading Wench. Bliss’s latest book is Not Quite a Scandal, the second book in The Audacious Ladies of Audley series.
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$10 Amazon
