Cold Revenge

Thursday, October 4, 2018

COLD REVENGE by Jo Hiestand

My Review

This is a good mystery, a little touch of the British, easy to read. I didn't get one other thing done while I was reading it because I didn't want to put it down. There’s a little bit of everything in this McLaren mystery…he’s a former cop, now a laborer, a repairer of stonewalls and one who likes his solitude. Yet he is still a friend to some of the Constabulary and very much needed for his intellect and instincts. There are good friendships and a touch of love or passion in the book. This character, Michael McLaren, that I am so crazy about while moody, is also a very caring person.

I am a mystery nut and one thing that makes all of the difference to me about a good mystery is the ability of the author to create a character, maybe a rascal, maybe a little bit of a rebel, maybe someone that thinks those little sarcastic things in their mind that I'm thinking, just someone I'd like to meet. And Jo Hiestand does that with Michael McLaren in this series, appropriately called the McLaren Series. Hiestand puts plenty of twists and turns in this book and she describes her settings (which I think of as scenes), as well as she does her characters. She has you sitting right in the midst of the story with her characters. She has a way with words that can make you see as if you are right next to her character. Not always beautiful descriptions, most mysteries aren’t always beautiful but always distinct, clear cut visions. Writing like that causes you to become a part of the story.  When that happens, you don’t want to put it down. This is Book 1 of the series. I won't miss another book.

about my review...

This is an author whose every book I have loved; one who I have begged for every McLaren book I could get after I discovered them. A writer whose character development and whose descriptive writing is above many. Also a very truly nice person. Is my review biased? I don't think so. You see, books and reading are so very important to me that I don't think an actual person could overcome them. Wow, I have an extremely skewed personality don't I, but I wanted you to get an idea of what was in my mind when I wrote my review.  

about Jo...
Books, Girl Scouts and music filled Jo's childhood.  She discovered the magic of words and the worlds they create: mysteries, English medieval history, the natural world.  She explored the joys of the outdoors through Girl Scout camping trips and summers as a canoeing and swimming instructor and camp counselor.  She had the usual childhood pets: cats, hamsters, turtles, a chicken...and a skunk.  She's vacationed in many countries but not Bermuda, as yet, which is something she'd like to try.  Her travels have introduced her to a variety of food, and as fond as she is of Scotland, she's not tried haggis or Drambuie (in or

out of coffee).  Brought up on classical, big band and baroque music, she was groomed as a concert pianist until forsaking the piano for the harpsichord.  She also plays a Martin guitar and has sung in a semi-professional folkgroup in the US and as a soloist in England.

     This mixture formed the foundation for her writing.  A true Anglophile, Jo wanted to create a mystery series that featured a British police detective who left the Force over an injustice and now investigates cold cases on his own.  The result is the McLaren Mysteries, featuring ex-police detective Michael McLaren.  Her insistence for accuracy -- from police methods and location layout to the general “feel” of the area -- has driven her innumerable times to Derbyshire.  These explorations and conferences with police friends provide the detail filling the books.

     In 1999 she returned to Webster University to major in English.  She graduated in 2001 with a BA degree and departmental honors.  Her love of writing, board games and music came together when she and a friend invented a mystery-solving game, P.I.R.A.T.E.S., which uses maps, graphics, song lyrics, and other clues to lead the players to the lost treasure.

     Along with fellow mystery author Pam DeVoe, Jo teachs a mystery writing course at St. Louis Community College.

     Jo founded the Greater St. Louis Chapter of Sisters in Crime, serving as its first president.  In addition, she's also a member of Mystery Writers of America.  Besides her love of mysteries and early music, Jo  enjoys photography, reading, crewel embroidery, and her backyard wildlife.  Her cat, Tennyson, shares her St. Louis home.

Find Jo here:

https://www.johiestand.com/

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=jo%20hiestand%20-%20mystery%20author

Final Notice

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Van Fleisher will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The year is the very near future. A brilliant young doctor and mathematician, Vijay Patel, has invented a new health/sport watch that monitors blood chemistry so accurately, it can actually predict when someone will die – within 10, 20, or 30 days. The intention of this “Final Notice,” as it is called, is to allow people to get their affairs in order and reach out to loved ones before it’s too late. But when those notified have easy access to a gun, the result is sometimes lethal for more than just the watch-owner.

These are the stories of several people who receive their Final Notice and their very different reactions ... including a desire to get revenge with impunity. They range from an 89-year-old resident in a retirement home to a U.S. Senator...from a benevolent widow to a crass tycoon to a noted climate change scientist.

But in this fresh, fast-paced page-turner, their stories are all set against the all-too-recognizable backdrop of a guns-gone-wild America, and the relentless push by the NRA and their surrogate politicians to make guns even easier to acquire.

There is plenty of dark humor and political satire in FINAL NOTICE, as well as touching scenes and outright suspense. So expect to laugh out loud, dry some tears, and bite your nails (not necessarily in that order).

Read an Excerpt...

Taking a deep breath, he charged into the small clearing and faced the two guys across the flickering fire, aiming the gun at them. The guy holding the pipe dropped it behind them. In a voice as menacing as possible, Vince demanded, “Where’s Rambo?”

About the Author:

“After 21 years with an airline, and 30 years in management consulting, I retired and found that my phone didn’t ring and the only emails I got were asking for money. So, since I was at my computer, I decided to write a novel.”

This is only half the story. (Van is notoriously modest.) The author was Director of International Marketing with TWA, and an International Management Consultant – taking him behind the closed doors of boardrooms and executive offices around the world. He knows how business works, which gives the slightly “sci-fi” premise of Final Notice a realistic feel. Moreover, his two careers led him to live abroad for much of his life. After growing up in New Jersey and Florida, where he never thought much further than the length of a football field, and going to college in New Mexico, he wound up living in England, Scotland and France, travelling frequently to the Middle East and Asia. He even spent a year living in India. And his first-hand experience with – and respect for – other cultures is apparent in this book.

“Final Notice is meant to highlight, my concerns with America’s handling of three important issues: gun control (not anti-gun), ageism and the importance of immigration. The book won’t fix these issues, but there are a number of great organizations with even greater people working on our behalf to right these wrongs. Proceeds from sales of Final Notice will help support those efforts.”



http://www.finalnoticebook.com

https://www.facebook.com/finalnoticebook

https://twitter.com/vanf44

https://www.amazon.com/FINAL-NOTICE-What-would-certain-ebook/dp/B0798XNY6P









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What a Widow Wants

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jenna Jaxon will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter.

Widowed by the Battle of Waterloo, the ladies of Lyttlefield Park are returning to London society—with their futures in their own hands . . .

The widowed Lady Stephen Tarkington, Fanny to her friends, has finished mourning her cad of a husband and is ready to enjoy her freedom. The kind of freedom neither a gently bred miss nor a close-watched wife is permitted: dressing up as Aphrodite for a masquerade, drawing gentlemen away from the party, and hinting at late-night assignations with her dance partners. All is going pleasurably according to plan—until the Roman god Fanny kisses during a masquerade turns out to be Matthew, Lord Lathbury, whose proposal she refused years ago . . .


Lathbury is charming, passionate, inventive, everything Fanny wants in a lover—but unfortunately, he’s on the hunt for a wife. He’s more than willing to use all his wicked skills to persuade her back to the altar, but he can’t wait forever. And now Fanny’s position is more precarious than she once thought. If the tongues of the ton set to wagging, it’s possible no offer in the world will save her from ruin. But does she want to be saved? . . .

Read an Excerpt:

Heart pounding, Fanny ran on tiptoes in an effort to keep up with him. This was madness. Wherever was he taking her? And what on earth did he have in mind? Oh, but she knew what that was. That deep desire in his eyes told her exactly where his intentions lay. Would she allow him to have his way with her? She didn’t quite recognize him; the mask hid just enough of his face. Still he reminded her of someone. Someone who had been most dear to her what seemed a lifetime ago. But that man had left London, swearing never to return to the ton years before. He’d retreated to his country estate and had not been seen in Town for seven years.

They raced down the corridor, Pollux still in the lead, Castor right behind her. That gave her some comfort. Pollux wouldn’t ravish her in front of his brother, or friend rather. Still, the urgency of his headlong flight, dodging wide-eyed guests left and right, persuaded her that this man would stop at nothing to get her alone.

He turned a corner into a deserted hall and slowed finally. Stopping at a door on the far end, he glanced around then put his hand on the latch. “Keep watch, Cas. No one enters.”

Castor grinned. “Not a soul, Pol. My word as a gentleman.”

Pollux pushed down the latch, opened the door into a shadowy room, and drew her inside.

The flickering fireplace across the room gave the only light. Fanny’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimness. A moment in which Pollux pulled her hard against him, crushing her breasts against his unyielding chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pinning her to him, and sank his mouth onto hers.


About the Author:

Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical romance in all time periods because, she says, “passion is timeless.” She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She’s a theatre director when she’s not writing and lives in Gloucester, Virginia with her family, including two very vocal cats and one silent one.



Jenna is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as an active member of Chesapeake Romance Writers, her local chapter of RWA. She has four series currently available: The House of Pleasure, set in Georgian England, Handful of Hearts, set in Regency England, and Time Enough to Love, set in medieval England and France, and The Widows’ Club series, also set in Regency England and available from Kensington Publishing in both print and digital.


She currently writes to support her chocolate habit.


Find Jenna Jaxon online:


BLOG: https://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/


TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jenna_Jaxon


FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570


AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/Jenna-Jaxon/e/B005CHPBD2/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1



Buy the book at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1516103297/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i6

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-a-widow-wants-jenna-jaxon/1128297334





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Vengeance

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gail Z. Martin will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When undertaker brothers Corran and Rigan Valmonde became outlaw monster hunters and fled beyond the walls of Ravenwood, they thought they had defeated the source of the abominations that killed so many of their friends and loved ones. But the more successful they become at destroying the creatures, the more they realize a greater evil is at work – larger and more monstrous than they ever could imagine…

Read an Excerpt...

A powerfully built creature crouched in the middle of the workshop, muscles tensed to fight. The monster stood, revealing itself to be the height of a tall man, but more powerfully built. Leathery gray skin with patches of sparse brown hair covered its naked body. Its arms were muscled like a dockhand, with equally massive thighs. The feet looked like the paws of a big dog, while the hands had thick fingers that ended in claws. The wolf-like face and head and the four red eyes confirmed Rigan’s guess. Capcaun.

Training and practice had Rigan moving left while Corran went right. The capcaun tracked them both, showing no sign of fear. Rigan grounded his magic, calmed his thoughts, and raised one hand, focusing all his will on his intention.

A stream of fire lanced from his hand, striking the capcaun in the chest. Rigan set his jaw and narrowed his gaze, widening the flame jet, forcing it to burn hotter. The smell of burning hair filled the workshop, and the capcaun roared in anger, but though its skin blistered and charred, the fire did not destroy him.

Rigan’s heart pounded in his chest. They had agreed to lead with their strongest defense, seeing no reason to get hurt working up to a magical assault. He knew with certainty that the fire would have immolated a normal man, and more than one type of monster would have fallen to the flames as well. Yet the capcaun stood before them.


About the Author:

Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Vengeance is the second in the new Darkhurst epic fantasy series. Also new is The Dark Road, the second in the Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures series, and Assassin’s Honor (coming, October 2018), the first in the new Assassins of Landria series.

Her Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC has a new novel, Tangled Web, and two new collections, Trifles & Folly, and Trifles & Folly 2.

Other work includes the Chronicles Of The Necromancer series, the Fallen Kings Cycle, the Ascendant Kingdoms series, and the alternate history novel Iron & Blood and the Storm & Fury collection (co-authored with Larry N. Martin) She is also the co-author (with Larry) of the Mark Wojcik monster hunter series (Spells, Salt and Steel) and the upcoming Wasteland Marshals series and the Cauldron/Secret Council series from Falstaff Books.

As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance. New and upcoming books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, Badlands, and Lucky Town.

Website: http://www.GailZMartin.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GailZMartin

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WinterKingdoms

Blog: http://www.DisquietingVisions.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/GailZMartin

She is also the organizer of the #HoldOnToTheLight campaign: http://www.HoldOnToTheLight.com. Join her email update and never miss a new release—plus get great free stories just for signing up! http://eepurl.com/dd5XLj


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Dickensen Academy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Christine Grabowski will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

See below to sign up for the GIVEAWAY and for all other stops on the tour.

Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.

Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs.

When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?

Read an excerpt...

“I feel like there’s something big we don’t know about. Something those students were protecting. I mean, really, why are we here?”

I thought it was just me who was confused. “Well…the recruiters said we’re creative and focused.”

“Yeah, that’s what Principal Locke said too.”

“And we have the right personality.”

Ben looked up at the sky, sighed then turned toward the forest. “What did he say…something about how it will soon become clear why we’re here, and there’s some ultimate purpose for our creativity?”

“I know. That whole creativity part was a bit bizarre.”

He shrugged. “It seems everyone is going with the flow. But I have so many questions.” Then he touched my arm to stop me, so I turned toward him. “I’m thinking they’re isolating us for some special reason,” he admitted in an embarrassed tone.

I tried not to laugh—he was acting paranoid. But I didn’t know Ben well. Maybe he was joking, trying to freak me out. Or was he hitting on me? The flutter in my chest moved to my stomach. I was already anxious about being away from home and whether or not I could hack the academics. I didn’t need to obsess about anything else. But I still had to know about Ben’s dream.

“So…I also had a dream about Dickensen before I accepted the offer.”

Ben’s head snapped toward me. “You did?”

READ A GREAT INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINE. Click HERE

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Dickensen Academy is Christine’s debut YA novel. After graduating from the University of

Washington, she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.

When she isn’t reading or writing, Christine can often be found running, skiing, or hiking. She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers, and their energetic wheaten terriers.

https://www.christinegrabowski.com/

https://facebook.com/christinegrabowskiauthor

https://twitter.com/christinegrabo

Buy Links:

https://amzn.to/2KJ9XgD

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dickensen-academy-christine-grabowski/1129315140

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dickensen-academy/id1419915501

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Christine_Grabowski_Dickensen_Academy?id=3LpsDwAAQBAJ

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dickensen-academy

https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6044-dickensen-academy.html

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November 19: Rogue's Angels
November 20: BooksChatter
November 21: Kit 'N Kabookle - review
November 21: Hearts and Scribbles - promo
November 23: Andi's Young Adult Books
November 23: Books in the Hall
November 26: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
November 27: The Children's and Teens' Book Connection
November 28: Sharing Links and Wisdom
November 29: Sybrina's Book Blog
November 30: Fabulous and Brunette
December 3: This and That Book Blog
December 4: Books,Dreams,Life
December 5: Edgar's Books
December 6: Long and Short Reviews
December 7: Jazzy Book Reviews
December 10: The Avid Reader - review
December 11: Bookaholic
December 12: Locks, Hooks and Books - review only
December 13: T's Stuff
December 14: Two Ends of the Pen

Assassin's Honor

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gail Z. Martin will be awarding a $25  Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

See below to sign up for the GIVEAWAY.

Buddy flick epic fantasy! Joel Breckenridge and Garrett Kennard are King's Shadows, elite assassins serving the crown of Landria. When a shadowy itinerant holy man starts captivates the nobility with treasonous whispers, Ridge and Rett go rogue to stop the threat, save the kingdom and protect the king--while landing on the 'Most Wanted' list themselves.

Read an excerpt...
They wove a crooked course over the rooftops until they were several blocks north and a couple of streets west of Destwiler’s building. Ridge chanced a look over his shoulder and saw the glow from the fire in the distance. With the amount of gunpowder Rett had packed into the crate, the whole building would burn like a pyre.

“Here,” Rett said, coming to a stop at the edge of a building with a stout, solidly built chimney. He secured the rope and held it out to Ridge, who grabbed hold, turned, and stepped off into the night.

Kelvin stifled a cry as Ridge rappelled down the side of the building. At the bottom, he stepped away and whistled, Rett’s signal to descend. Ridge spun and faced an empty street.

“He’s not here,” Ridge grated.

“He’ll be here,” Rett replied, unperturbed.

Racing hoof beats thundered in the night, and a black carriage turned the corner so fast it rose up on two wheels. The wild-eyed black stallion bore down like it meant to trample the three of them, reined in at the last moment by the short, balding, pudgy driver.

“Right on time!” Henri, the driver, exulted. Ridge glowered but said nothing as Rett threw open the door of the carriage, and they climbed inside, Kelvin between them. The carriage started up at a gallop before they had taken their seats, throwing them against the sides.

“Hang on,” Ridge advised Kelvin. “The driver is a madman.”

READ a great interview with the author. HERE

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Vengeance is the second in the new Darkhurst epic fantasy series. Also new is The Dark Road, the second in the Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures series, and Assassin’s Honor (coming, October 2018), the first in the

new Assassins of Landria series.

Her Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC has a new novel, Tangled Web, and two new collections, Trifles & Folly, and Trifles & Folly 2.

Other work includes the Chronicles Of The Necromancer series, the Fallen Kings Cycle, the Ascendant Kingdoms series, and the alternate history novel Iron & Blood and the Storm & Fury collection (co-authored with Larry N. Martin) She is also the co-author (with Larry) of the Mark Wojcik monster hunter series (Spells, Salt and Steel) and the upcoming Wasteland Marshals series and the Cauldron/Secret Council series from Falstaff Books.

As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance. New and upcoming books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, Badlands, and Lucky Town.

Find her at www.GailZMartin.com

Twitter @GailZMartin

Facebook.com/WinterKingdoms

DisquietingVisions.com

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/GailZMartin

Gail is also the organizer of the #HoldOnToTheLight campaign www.HoldOnToTheLight.com. 

Join her email update and never miss a new release—plus get great free stories just for signing up! http://eepurl.com/dd5XLj

Buy on Audio, ebook, paperback or free on Kindle Unlimited here: http://a.co/d/aLiSoFi

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A Recipe for Murder by Jo Hiestand

A neat book on sale right now at Amazon.  

December bullies its way into the village in a swirl of snow and biting wind, threatening to cancel the annual St. Nicholas festival. But winter’s slap pales when a body is discovered in the candlelit church. Someone is not living up to the seasonal wish of ‘peace on earth, good will towards man.’

But the village harbors more than Christmas gifts, DS Brenna Taylor discovers as she and her colleagues from the Derbyshire Constabulary begin working the case. There is the feud between two rival authors; a wife’s open disdain of her husband and his secret comfort in the arms of another woman; the pent-up emotions of a vicar’s wife forced to conform to idealistic conceptions; the tacit threat of a troubled teenager and his delinquent girlfriend.

Brenna also discovers emotions she didn’t know she had when DS Mark Salt, her harassing macho cohort, makes overtures of genuine friendship. Now Brenna must not only examine her love for her boss, DCI Geoffrey Graham, but also consider the likelihood of its ever being returned.

As if sorting through the affairs of the heart and the tangle of motive and suspects in the case weren’t hard enough, a series of arsons threatens the very village itself. And Brenna wonders if they are looking for two felons or just one very disturbed individual

MY REVIEW

Whoever thought a murder mystery could put you in the Christmas spirit? Nonetheless, this one is filled with all the trimmings and decorations, even the snow for Christmas time.

A cold as concrete in winter kind of church and a dead body. Scary, at least to me. That’s the opening to Jo Hiestand’s “A Recipe for Murder”. While it may sound cold and scary, the village was really preparing for the St. Nicholas Festival at the same time. One of their big celebrations at Christmastime. There’s greenery and hot cross buns and decorated trees of course, as well as every other Christmas delight you can think of. Everyone was busy doing their assigned tasks for the Festival, at least they all say they were.

Brenna Taylor is still wishing Graham would notice her. She knows it isn’t professional. Two coppers can’t have a relationship. But do you think that keeps her from thinking of him almost every waking moment. Someone had better knock some sense into her if she wants to stay on the force.

So, is this a light fun mystery? No, it’s a British murder mystery and a good one. One almost impossible to figure out the bad guy or girl before the very end. But it’s a well-written, great mystery for curling up and either watching the snow or dreaming of it, depending on where you live.

This is Book 2 of a series titled “Peak District Mystery”.  Many of the Peak District mysteries are based upon British customs and holidays. Hiestand has another series titled McLaren Mysteries. Also great. Check them out.

About Jo

In 2001 Jo graduated from Webster University with a BA degree and departmental honors in English.

She lives in the St Louis, MO area, and spends as much time as she can writing mysteries and watching the barges on the river.

Her love of writing, board games and music came together when she and a friend invented a mystery-solving game, P.I.R.A.T.E.S., which uses maps, graphics, song lyrics, and other clues to lead the players to the lost treasure.

  Along with fellow mystery author Pam DeVoe, Jo teachs a mystery writing course at St. Louis Community College.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Britmysteries/

Website:  https://www.johiestand.com/

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Jo-A.-Hiestand/e/B0057SO7VI

The Dark Road and The Storm Within

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Cerian Hebert will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.  CLICK HERE to sign up for the GIVEAWAY and to read an excerpt.

Blurb
Healed from her own loss, Juliana Hopkins wants nothing more than to mend reclusive artist Aidan Byrne’s heart, and help close a chapter in his life that has haunted him for over twenty years. Risking their newfound love, Juliana is determined to release the ghosts he can’t let go.

Aidan has been in love with Juliana since the first moment he saw her, but if she can’t leave the tragedies of his past alone, he won’t be able to make a life with her.
She offers him a love he never dared to want, but loving her could rip open all the old wounds he’d never been able to heal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gail Z. Martin will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.  CLICK HERE to sign up for the GIVEAWAY and to read an excerpt and for an Interview with the Author.

Jonmarc Vahanian fled from the raiders and monsters that killed his family, but when danger dogs his steps once again, he leaves the traveling caravan that gave him shelter to become a mercenary in nearby Principality. His fighting skills help him rise through the ranks, and draw the attention of a Nargi general—and the general’s undead mage. An old, unsettled score turns deadly, trapping Jonmarc in dangerous intrigue. He can save himself—and betray everything he holds dear—or die a hero as the raider’s curse holds true.

This collection is the second set of short stories and novellas that reveal another phase of Jonmarc’s growth from a blacksmith’s son to becoming one of the greatest warriors in the history of the Winter Kingdoms.

Soldier. Fight slave. Smuggler. Warrior. Brigand Lord. You may have encountered Jonmarc Vahanian in the Chronicles of the Necromancer but you don’t really know him until you walk in his footsteps.