Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Coming in June: The Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine



Julia Gooden remembers nothing about the worst night of her life. Thirty years ago, her nine-year-old brother Ben—the person who promised he would always protect her—was abducted from the room they shared. Try as she might to recall any clue or detail, there is a black hole where Julia’s memories of that terrible event should be.

Now a crime reporter at a Detroit newspaper, Julia tries to give others the closure she’s never found. But guilt and grief over Ben’s disappearance have left her fearful that whoever took her brother is going to come back. Nowhere seems safe—not the city, not the suburbs, not even the secluded lake town where she plans to raise her children. And then, on the anniversary of Ben’s disappearance, Julia’s worst fears are realized when her two-year-old son, Will, is snatched from his bed.

Convinced that the crimes are related, Julia tries to piece together memories from her final day with Ben. Are the sudden reminders of her brother clues that will lead her to her son’s abductor, or merely coincidence? Julia knows she has hours at best to find Will alive, but the deeper she digs, the more personal and terrifying the battle becomes, and an undying promise may be her only hope of saving herself and her son.

Series: A Julia Gooden Mystery (Book 1)
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Kensington (June 28, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1496704053
ISBN-13: 978-1496704054

Pre-order here!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Kindle Freebie: Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday



L.A. shoe designer, Maddie Springer, lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion. But when she stumbles upon the work of a brutal killer, her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder. And things only get worse when her boyfriend disappears—along with $20 million in embezzled funds—and her every move is suddenly under scrutiny by the LAPD's sexiest cop. With the help of her post-menopausal bridezilla of a mother, a 300 pound psychic and one seriously oversexed best friend, Maddie finds herself stepping out of her stilettos and onto the trail of a murderer. But can she catch a killer before the killer catches up to her...

Books in the High Heels Series:

#1 Spying in High Heels
#2 Killer in High Heels
#3 Undercover in High Heels
#3.5 Christmas in High Heels (short story)
#4 Alibi in High Heels
#5 Mayhem in High Heels
#5.5 Honeymoon in High Heels (short story)
#5.75 Sweetheart in High Heels (novella)
#6 Fearless in High Heels
#7 Danger in High Heels
#8 Homicide in High Heels
#9 Deadly in High Heels

File Size: 946 KB
Print Length: 481 pages
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing (December 1, 2013)
Publication Date: December 1, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00492CK1M

Purchase here!

Friday, April 15, 2016

Interview with Sandra Bretting, Author of Murder at Morningside

Sandra Bretting works as a freelance feature writer under contract at the Houston Chronicle. She received a journalism degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and wrote for other publications (including the Los Angeles Times and Orange Coast Magazine) before moving to Texas.

Her Missy DuBois Mysteries series debuts from Kensington/Lyrical Underground in May 2016. Bretting’s previous mysteries include Unholy Lies (2012) and Bless the Dying (2014). Readers can reach her online at www.sandrabretting.com and through Facebook at www.facebook.com/sandra.bretting

Did you like mysteries when you were growing up?

Definitely. Not only the Hardy Boys (I can still picture some of their book covers) and Nancy Drew, but even Agatha Christie, especially if it was the film version. Remember Ten Little Indians?   

What was the first story in that genre that you wrote?

The first one fit for human consumption was a mystery I wrote for a class at the University of Missouri. When one of the other students assumed I'd come to Mizzou to learn how to be a novelist, something went "ping!" in my brain.

What is your favorite part of writing in this genre?

Getting to know the characters. Since I write a series, I've come to view my characters as friends. (Though they did forget my birthday this year.)

What do you find most difficult about writing in this genre?

Making my lead character believable. I mean, come on, how many of us snoop around for clues when we hear someone's been murdered?

Is there an author in this genre you admire the most?

Probably Louise Penny, since her writing is so literary. She makes police investigations sound so poetic.

What is up next for you?

Right now I'm working on book three in the series. The first one debuts in May and the second in December, so the clock is ticking for me.

Do you have anything to add?

Just that I think mystery readers are the best readers on the planet. They pay attention to the details, which is a dream come true for a writer. Thank you for having me here today!







Interview with Susanna Calkins, Author of the Lucy Campion Mystery Series

Susanna Calkins writes the Lucy Campion mysteries, set in 17th century England.  Her books have been nominated for several awards; her third—The Masque of a Murderer (Minotaur Books, 2015)—was shortlisted for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, the Agatha for Best Historical Mystery, and the Bruce Alexander Historical Mystery Award. Her fourth book—A Death Along the River Fleet—was released April 12, 2016. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she lives outside Chicago now with her husband and two sons. With a Ph.D. in British history, she works at Northwestern University. She also blogs about writing, history and mystery at www.susannacalkins.com and can be found on Facebook and Twitter (@scalkins3).


When did you begin writing?

I began writing when I was in second grade, and in fact started my first novel when I was eight years old (and its one that no one should ever read!) I worked on that novel off and on for several years, and it was heavily influenced by whatever I happened to be reading at the time (e.g. Narnia, Prydain, Alice in Wonderland). I wrote stories all the way through high school, but in college, the urge to write creatively was sort of beaten out of me. It was only when I working on my PhD many years later did that creative urge finally re-appear, although I did not start my first novel until several years after that period.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

Because I have a full-time job, two kids, and just a lot going on, I think I’m a very chaotic writer. I do grab time whenever I can; I definitely do not wait to have a three-hour block of time to write, because that rarely seems to materialize. But there are two benefits to my chaotic approach: (1) I’m completely thrilled if I even manage to write a single paragraph in a given week, given how busy I am; (2) I do not make myself guilty if I don’t write or meet some word limit; and (3) I don’t ever have writer’s block or stare at a blank page. I’m usually thinking about writing even when I’m not writing, so by the time I have those few minutes, I’m ready to put a scene down, or even a chapter. I also think that writing fast helps me write a better-paced mystery, so it works well for me all around.

What is this book about?

A DEATH ALONG THE RIVER FLEET opens with Lucy Campion, 17th c. printer’s apprentice and bookseller, on her way to deliver some books to a customer several miles from her shop. As she crosses the River Fleet and enters the vast wasteland created by the Great Fire of London of 1666, she encounters a strange woman who speaks of being chased by the Devil. The woman is barefoot, clad only in a shift, covered in blood that is not her own, and unable to remember her identity.  Worried that the woman will be set upon by fearful villagers, Lucy brings the woman to the home of a physician she knows. When they suspect that the woman may be a noblewoman, the physician does not wish to throw her out of her house and presses Lucy to tend the woman while the woman’s family is being located. To make matters more strange, the body of a murdered man is found in the ruins nearby, and the odd woman may well be the murderess.


What inspired you to write it?

My novels always start with an opening image—usually something very simple that triggers a number of questions for me. So for A DEATH ALONG THE RIVER FLEET, I had the image of a senseless young woman, running as if the Devil were chasing her. I was interested too in the medical questions of the day—on closer inspection, not only did this woman have odd wounds on her hands and an amulet of rosemary around her neck, but it was clear that someone had been doing bloodletting on her neck. As the questions arose, it became fun for me to answer them.


Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

My books are available through bookstores across North America as well as online, through sites such as BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com.


What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Ironically, my advice is to ignore most advice by other authors—even those who appear to be very successful. Blanket statements like “Set a word quota every day and stick to it” or “Write at the same time every day,” or “Don’t watch TV while you write your novels” can set authors up for a sense of failure if they don’t follow the rule. [Okay, no one ever says the last one, which is good, because I sometimes write or edit while my husband is watching TV]. The thing is, authors need to figure out for themselves how to persevere and turn a collection of ideas and words into a novel. Sometimes the inability to move forward is about ‘butt in chair,’ but sometimes, its about the decision to set a manuscript aside. So I guess my advice is, Know Thyself.

What is up next for you?

I am working on some other novels—a Young Adult set in 19th century Paris which I hope to shop around soon, another mystery set in 1930 Chicago, and a contemporary.


Thank you so much for having me!


Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Kobo



Tuesday, April 5, 2016

New Release: Braking for Bodies by Duffy Brown


Evie Bloomfield puts the pedal to the metal—in the latest Cycle Path mystery from the national bestselling author of Geared for the Grave.

Moving from Los Angeles to small, picturesque Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop might seem crazy, but Evie knows it’s the best decision she’s ever made. That’s not to say she’s gotten rid of all her stress; after all, the upcoming Lilac Festival has everyone in town riding in circles.

But things really go downhill when a ferry full of tourists—including Evie’s friend Fiona’s former boss, the editor of a sleazy rag in LA—arrives on the island. No one knows why Peephole Perry came all the way to Mackinac, but things aren’t looking good for Fiona when Peep is found dead. Now Evie has to gear up and get a grip on the truth if she wants to clear her friend’s name...

Praise for Geared for the Grave

“Sparkling dialogue, an unforgettable island setting, and all the charm a cozy mystery fan would want.”—Ellery Adams, New York Times bestselling author of the Books by the Bay Mysteries

“A charming setting, a determined heroine, and a love interest worthy of hunk status...Geared for the Grave speeds along and never puts on the brakes!”—Kylie Logan, author of League of Literary Ladies Mysteries

“Fast, funny, and full of heart! Geared for the Grave is a rollicking ride. I enjoyed every bump in the road and twist of the plot. I can’t wait for the next Cycle Path Mystery!”—Molly MacRae, national bestselling author of the Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries


Series: A Cycle Path Mystery (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (April 5, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425268950
ISBN-13: 978-0425268957

Purchase here!


Monday, April 4, 2016

Arch Enemy, The Coldest Fear and Time to Run VBT


 Arch Enemy


Title:
 Arch Enemy 
Author: Leo J. Maloney 
Release Date: March 1, 2016 
Publisher: Lyrical Underground 
Genre: Thriller 
Format: Ebook

"Maloney is the new master of the modern spy game."--Mark Sullivan


From real-life Black Ops veteran Leo J. Maloney--author of Twelve Hours and Black Skies--comes an electrifying novel of global terror that will enthrall readers right until the stunning climax . . .


Arch Enemy

The world is descending into chaos--and CIA warhorse Dan Morgan, after nearly

losing his head on a covert mission in Colombia, knows the worst is yet to come. Frightened employees of the enigmatic government contractor Acevedo International are mysteriously dying. Morgan's own daughter finds herself lured into the violent world of college extremists. And a ruthless enemy that has long bided it's time is prepared to strike at the very heart of America's intelligence and anti-terrorism infrastructure. Morgan and Zeta Division may be the only chance not for victory, but survival . . .



Praise for Leo J. Maloney and His Novels


"Fine writing and real insider knowledge."--Lee Child


"Everything a thriller reader wants."--Ben Coes


"Taught, tense, and terrifying!"--Hank Phillippi Ryan


"A ripping story!"--Meg Gardiner


"Rings with authenticity."--John Gilstrap



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Meet the Author:

Leo-Maloney

Leo J. Maloney is a proud supporter of Mission K9 Rescue, www.missionk9rescue.org, which is dedicated to the service of retiring and retired military dogs and contract dogs and other dogs who serve. Mission K9 rescues, reunites, re-homes, rehabilitates, and repairs these hero dogs. Leo donates a portion of the proceeds from his writing to this organization. To find out more about Mission K9 Rescue, or to make your own donation, please visit www.missionk9rescue.org or go to www.k9gala.org





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The Coldest Fear


Title: The Coldest Fear 
Author: Rick Reed 
Release Date: March 15, 2016 
Publisher: Lyrical Underground 
Genre: Thriller 
Format: Ebook

"Reed Writes As Only A Cop Can…. Impressive And Dramatic." --Nelson Demille


Take One Deranged Killer. Add One Determined Cop.

You Get One Deadly Obsession…

From the moment he sees the young woman's body in her hotel bathtub, homicide detective Jack Murphy knows he's looking at a truly demented but brilliantly designed puzzle. She's been drained of blood. Missing her left hand--and the killer left a special message just for him. Hours later, he sees her severed hand arranged on a second victim's body. The newspaper has the gruesome details. The FBI has a theory. But only Murphy knows how hard he'll have to push--and how much he'll have to risk--to thwart the killer's twisted game.

Praise for Rick Reed and his novels

"Everything you want in a thriller: strong characters, plenty of gory story, witty dialogue, and a narrative that demands you keep turning those pages." --Book Reporter


"Like The Cruelest Cut, The Coldest Fear is Reed at his thriller best! Reed thrusts the boundaries of his story forward to bring us along on a ride we won't soon forget!" --Suspense Magazine

"As authentic and scary as crime thrillers get."--Nelson DeMille

"Put this on your must-read list."--John Lutz

"A jaw-dropping thriller."--Gregg Olsen

 "A tornado of drama."--Shane Gericke



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Meet the Author:

Sergeant Rick Reed (Ret.) is a twenty-plus-year veteran police detective. During his career he successfully investigated numerous high-profile criminal cases, including a serial killer who claimed thirteen victims before strangling and dismembering his fourteenth and last victim. He recounted that story in his acclaimed true-crime book, Blood Trail. Reed spent his last three years on the force as the Commander of the police department’s Internal Affairs Section. He obtained a Masters Degree and upon retiring from the police force, took a fulltime teaching position with a community college. He currently teaches Criminal Justice and writes thrillers. He lives in Evansville, Indiana, with his dog, Belle, and his two cats, Hannibal and Clarice.





Time to Run


Title:
 Time to Run 
Author: John Gilstrap 
Release Date: March 29, 2016 
Publisher: Lyrical Underground 
Genre: Thriller 
Format: Ebook

On The Road—And On The Run

In the first thrilling installment of John Gilstrap’s five-part novel, a young woman sets off on what could be her last joyride—with a man who is killing more than just time . . .

Nick Of Time

Part 1: Time to Run

Nicki Janssen’s days are numbered, but the feisty seventeen-year-old is not going to face her future lying down. Instead of enduring another round of medical treatments, she hits the road with a pocketful of cash, a bus ticket—and a romantic fantasy of riding into the sunset with her childhood crush.

Handsome, dangerous Alex Ward is facing a different kind of death sentence. Sent to prison for felony murder, he has escaped and rekindled his connection to Nicki. He’s sworn he’ll never be taken alive.

When Nicki’s father, Carter Janssen, discovers what she’s done—and who she’s with—he draws on all his skills as a prosecuting attorney, and all his love as a father, to rescue his daughter from an untimely death…


“When you pick up a Gilstrap novel, one thing is always true—you are going to be entertained at a high rate of speed.”—Suspense Magazine


“If you like vince Flynn and Brad Thor, you’ll love John Gilstrap.”—Gayle Lynds


“Gilstrap is one of the finest thriller writers on the planet.”—Tess Gerritsen


“Gilstrap pushes every thriller button.”—San Francisco Chronicle

Includes a preview chapter from John Gilstrap’s next thriller, Friendly Fire




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Meet the Author:

John Gilstrap is the acclaimed author of eight thrillers: Threat Warning, Hostage Zero, No Mercy, Six Minutes To Freedom, Scott Free, Even Steven, At All Costs, and Nathan’s Run. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. A safety and environmental expert and former firefighter, he holds a master’s degree from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. John has also adapted four books for the big screen: Red Dragon (uncredited) from the Thomas Harris novel, Word Of Honor from the Nelson DeMille novel; and Young Men And Fire, from the Norman Maclean book. He lives in near Washington, D.C.


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Tour Schedule

 Tuesday, March 15 - Books featured at As the Pages Turn
Wednesday, March 16 - Books featured at Harmonious Publicity
Friday, March 18 - Books featured at Write and Take Flight
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Monday, March 21 - Books featured at Literal Exposure
Tuesday, March 22 - Books featured at Review From Here
Wednesday, March 23 - Books featured at A Title Wave
Friday, March 25 - Time to Run featured at Books That Hook
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Monday, March 28 - Books featured at Heather Jacks
Tuesday, March 29 - Arch Enemy, The Coldest Fear and Time to Run reviewed at Stormy Nights Reviewing
Wednesday, March 30 - Books featured at The Writer's Life
Thursday, March 31 - Books featured at I'm Shelf-ish
Friday, April 1 - Books featured at The Dark Phantom
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Monday, April 4 - Books featured at Books Can Be Deadly
Tuesday, April 5 - Books featured at Inkslinger's Opus
Thursday, April 7 - Books featured at A Taste of My Mind
Friday, April 8 - Books featured at Bent Over Bookwords
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Monday, April 11 - Books featured at Cover 2 Cover
Tuesday, April 12 - Books featured at Voodoo Princess
Thursday, April 14 - Books featured at Deal Sharing Aunt
Friday, April 15 - Books featured at 3 Partners in Shopping
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