Tag Archives: suspense

December 18, 2022 · 7:00 am

Kiss Me This Christmas: A Steamy Holiday Romance by Cynthia Eden (Book Spotlight)

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…absolutely nothing. Because he had no idea that he was my true love. What a jerk.

Noelle Lennon has been in love with Brady Breckridge for as long as she can remember. A sad, unrequited love that causes her nothing but trouble as she pines over her brother’s best friend. Now the gorgeous, muscled, secretive special ops bane of her existence is back in town, back in her life…and because a few dangerous incidents may have happened recently, Brady is suddenly declaring himself her personal protector. So unnecessary. Also…so strangely hot.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Too much temptation to handle.

Brady thinks Noelle is in danger, so he vows to stand between her and any threat. Full disclosure? He’s been obsessed with Noelle for years and learning that she’s in danger, that she could have been hurt or killed while he was a continent away…that truth has rocked him to his core. Brady knows he has to fight for the woman he wants, and what better way to win her over than to use the magic of Christmas in his battle? Christmas has always been Noelle’s weakness, and he is not above using that weakness to his advantage.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…A final chance at love.

Brady will keep her safe, and he’ll charm Noelle into falling for him. His plan has to work because Brady can’t imagine his life without her. But as the nights grow colder and the fierce desire Brady feels for Noelle rages ever hotter, he knows that his control won’t last long. He wants one thing for Christmas this year…just one thing…his true love. And he will do whatever it takes to win Noelle’s heart.

Author’s note: Tis the season for steam, a little suspense, and lots of romance! KISS ME THIS CHRISTMAS is a fun novella containing 30,000 words and a guaranteed happy ending. Get merry and bright and read all night!

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About Cynthia

A picture of Cynthia Eden.

Cynthia Eden is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.

Cynthia is a “hybrid” author. She has published extensively with New York (her New York publishers include Avon, Kensington, Grand Central, and Harlequin), and she has also enjoyed success in her indie writing career.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate.  Her favorite hobbies include hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

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December 9, 2022 · 7:00 am

Coney – A Trip to Luna Park by Jeffrey Lindberg (Book Review)

It is 1904, and a new amusement park is being built in Coney Island. Unfortunately, the construction is happening right on the dunes that Selena, a scrappy little rabbit, calls home! From her trolley car one day, Millie spots Selena, and the two become fast friends. Together, they discover and confront the men and the machines that are doing something extraordinary– building a modern, even futuristic, theme park – while also doing something destructive to the land and its inhabitants. Their mission to save Selena’s home becomes quite an adventure!

Filled with historical accuracy and a captivating tale in and of itself, this book takes readers on a ride through the old Coney Island. We follow Selena and Millie as they explore the sights and thrills of Luna Park for the first time. Against the fantastic and extravagant backdrop of creator Fred Thompson’s Luna Park, the story reaches a dramatic height in the nighttime Coney Island, lit up by thousands of Edison bulbs! We hold our breath as they also encounter the “mean” men with the bulldozers. Can Millie and Selena preserve the land and still reach for the stars?

Join Millie and Selena for a trip back in time to Luna Park, when for a few pennies, you could travel all the way to the MOON!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Coney – A Trip to Luna Park by Jeffrey Lindberg was a period piece based on clothing and design that also contained elements based on fantasy. The flying boat was a cool idea but, sadly, not an actual mode of transportation. Yet. But if and when this becomes a reality, I’m buying a ticket!

Okay, I wouldn’t encourage my daughter to play a prank on someone to teach them a lesson about being nice. However, I did find it amusing the tricks Millie and Selena played on the mean man in the suit (Skip). The exploding cake was humorous. 

I would tell your young listeners never to try these stunts at home. Fire is dangerous, and so is making someone trip on a high structure. Plus, pulling pranks could land you in hot water! 

In Coney – A Trip to Luna Park, Selena’s home is in jeopardy due to construction. In real life, many animals lose their homes to humans. Rest assured, Selena got her happy ending. Skip learns to be nice to people and animals. And everyone lived happily ever after.

Coney – A Trip to Luna Park by Jeffrey Lindberg offers the viewing audience suspense, adventure, and comedy with a fantasy twist. Children too young to understand the dialogue and plot have plenty of animals in the story for them to look at. Jeffrey Lindberg did a remarkable job on every single image. Each page was beautifully designed.

I will be recommending Coney – A Trip to Luna Park by Jeffrey Lindberg to family, friends, and our local library.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

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About the Author

Jeffrey Lindberg is a professional illustrator and author whose new book is Coney – A Trip to Luna Park is forthcoming from Flying Rabbit Press in early fall, 2022. Coney is a 48-page, fully illustrated picture book; it will be printed offset in hardcover.

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October 27, 2022 · 7:00 am

The Mystery of the Teacup Quilt (Harland Creek Mystery Quilters) by Jodi Allen Brice (Book Review)

Hi! I’m Dove Agnew, former successful dress designer who was living the high life in New York, until my sleazy business partner used my business to move his drugs, leaving me to pack my ruined reputation and move back home to the tiny town of Harland Creek.

Despite the setback, all was going relatively well until I found Gertrude Brown’s body on the floor of my mom’s quilt shop. Now, rumors are flying and all eyes are on me. I’m a murder suspect! Even my ex-boyfriend, the current chief of police, is suspicious of me.

Now, it’s up to me to clear my name and find out who the real killer is before someone else gets hurt. But I’m going to need help, and the Harland Creek Quilters, and a goat named Petunia, are just the group to get things done.

Welcome to the new series set in the beloved town of Harland Creek.

With the quilting club ladies and a sidekick, which happens to be a goat, this book will keep you guessing and laughing out loud!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from R&R Book Tours.
I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.


The Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt by Jodi Allen Brice was entertaining. I loved the antics of the quilting group. The breaking and entering getaway scene was hilarious! 

“Who killed Gertrude” was not a slam-dunk, an easy mystery to solve. I had my suspicions but was on the fence for quite a while. Certain suspects on the quilters’ board were way too obvious. I had to think who wasn’t obvious. That’s when I narrowed it down to two suspects. By the way, I was right. I figured out the who but not everything the murderer had been up to. Let’s just say, murder was not their only crime. 

The break-out star of The Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt was Petunia, the goat. I thought goats were cool before this, but now I think they are my favorite barnyard animal! 

Even though Dove (police’s prime suspect) and Dean (police chief) butted heads about the case, there was still a spark from their high school sweetheart days. They didn’t “hook up” in this book, but I’m hoping that changes in the sequel — which I can’t wait to read.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

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Jodi Allen Brice is a USA Today best-selling author and has written numerous books under a different pen names. Under Jodi Allen Brice she writes fiction, small town clean and sweet romance and cozy mystery.

She transitioned away from paranormal romance in the year 2020 when the virus hit and currently writes  under Jodi Allen Brice.

Jodi Allen Brice

 

 

 

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October 14, 2022 · 7:00 am

The Pain Eater by LaShane Arnett (Book Review)

For most people, discovering the truth of who you are can be a harrowing journey, but when you’re 21-year-old Sadie Reed, discovering your truth can be downright deadly.

After her twenty-first birthday, Sadie has an undeniable vision and learns she’s psychic. She uses her gift to reconnect with her estranged father and spirals down an emotional rabbit hole…

When she has a vision of missing woman, Maxine Powell, being brutally murdered, she learns true evil does exist– and it’s killing gifted women just like her.

With the help of her best friend, Adrian, whom she is falling in love with, and Angel, an old dying Psychic, Sadie embarks on a journey to find the missing woman and quickly learns the path to her full potential lies within death.

Will it be hers, or someone she cares about?

The Pain Eater uniquely touches on the lasting pain associated with loss, the power within true love, and the strength of family.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from R&R Book Tours.
I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Sadie was born special, different than other babies. She could “read other babies.” As she grew, her “powers” grew with her. She didn’t quite understand them. At times, they got her in hot water at school. Sadie didn’t have a parent to speak to regarding her abilities. Her mom was stripped of her life (dead), and her father checked out immediately (mentally and often times physically). Sadie was not alone though – she had her best friend Adrian to lean on. A friend who eventually became more than a friend.

With Adrian by her side, she found a psychic (Angel) to help shield her mind and harness her powers. During their brief time together, she learned secrets about her family. These secrets would change her world forever. When Angel passed on, Sadie was thrust head-first into predicaments she wasn’t entirely prepared for. Anxiety, panic attacks, confusion, and fear were emotions constantly bombarding Sadie. I would be scared, too, if I suddenly saw menacing shadows, dead people, and glowing objects. 

We met the most interesting characters at Angel’s Celebration of Life shindig. Brianna, the three-boobed woman, gave me flashbacks to the Total Recall movies. There was also the bearded woman, hypnotist, sword swallower, contortionist, and so forth. I’ve never been to a “freak show” before, but I can imagine walking into a room with this group of individuals must’ve been quite an experience. 

Through Angel, we learn how Angel became powerful and where Sadie’s powers came from. No spoilers. 

The unsub’s identity of who took the numerous women was not divulged in this book; however, the final chapter made me think the sequel will center on him or her. Psychic versus Psychopath – I can’t wait!  

If you like paranormal thrillers or believe in psychics, pick up this book! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

Author Pic

LaShane Arnett is an African American poet and author living in Southern California with her husband of thirty+ years. She is the creator of Arnett Publications and the author of The Sadie Reed Series. The first book in the series, The Pain Eater, is highly recommended for anyone who loves Paranormal Thrillers.

LaShane Arnett | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

 

 

 

 

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September 4, 2022 · 7:00 am

Federico Exaggerated by Hazel Pacheco (Book Review)

Federico enjoys exaggerating. Especially when it means all eyes are on him! One day his inflated story of his bravery on the Rio Grande is interrupted by the announcement of ripe hackberries. Left without an audience, Federico stomps off and accidentally stumbles onto a way to recapture his friends’ attention—well maybe. What he finds might teach him that truth can be incredible without exaggeration.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

There were a few challenging words for young readers to decipher: covey, arroyo, bosque. There were also animals listed that might be unfamiliar to them: sagebrush sparrow and yellow-bellied sapsucker. I was happy to discover that Hazel Pacheco included a glossary after the story ended. 

I plan to use single words in spelling and vocabulary lessons in my classroom. I’ll also allow my class to explore the Rio Grande and look up real-life images of hackberry, roadrunners, sagebrush sparrow, and the yellow-bellied sapsucker. 

As a parent, I like to share the stories I get the privilege of reading with my child. She loved the suspense, the action, and the drawings. She pointed out that the feathers on the top of their heads resemble question marks. You know what, they do. Not all the time, but definitely in several spots. I don’t know if the artist (Kim Sponaugle) would be thrilled by the comparison, but I’m happy my daughter noticed a grammar mark. That means she’s retaining what she’s learning in school. She also said that the red on their head and fluffy white trim looked like Santa’s hat. What an observant child! I can also see what she’s talking about. Federico also had white feathers circling his head, giving him a Saint Nick appearance. I joked he must be Santa’s bird. That explanation delighted her. This whole story delighted her. 

Federico Exaggerated by Hazel Pacheco had action, suspense, and yummy watermelon. Not only did this story entertain my youngster, but it also made her ask for a slice of watermelon. She wanted one with seeds to eat like the birds in the story. She settled for seedless. 

Federico Exaggerated is perfect for school-age children who understand how to use a glossary. If you read this book to children six and under, explain the difficult words or substitute them for words they’ll understand. You can always define the more challenging words when they are a bit older. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

About the Author

After retiring, Hazel Pacheco discovered a new passion–writing. Since her home is in New Mexico, you won’t find her taking long walks along the beach, but she does have plenty of sandy paths to walk in her native Land of Enchantment. That is how she became acquainted with the gambel quail.

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