Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts

November 1, 2016

Release Day Review! Detective Fox & The Christmas Caper by Isobel Starling


Every good Dick needs a sidekick…

Actor Tom Lewis’s world came crashing down when a honey trap and tabloid expose outed him and put pay to his flourishing career. The housewives favorite was most well-known for his role as ‘Detective Fox’ in the quaint British series 'Malmesbury Murders'. But after the media speculation about his sexuality, the show is in hiatus and Tom hasn’t worked six months.

Now things are getting serious, money running out and Tom needs a job desperately. So when his agent offers him a seasonal acting job, he reluctantly agrees… and takes on the role of Santa for a top London department store.

This decision changes Tom’s luck. When Tom overhears two unidentified store workers discussing a "job to get a little Christmas bonus”. He realizes the 'job' is of the illegal sort. Now, Tom could call the police, but then again, wouldn’t it be great for his flagging career if Detective Fox saved the day?

So Fox is on the case, and as every good Dick needs a sidekick, Tom decides a sexy young elf named Eli Mason will fit the role, in more ways than one.”

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Oh, God! Where do I start? This novella was all kinds of fun. 

Beggars can’t be choosers and Tom has realized this after he was outed as gay and is facing unemployment. 

He’s an actor and he loves it but, he has reached the point where he can’t allow his pride to win and refuse a well paid job just because it might make him look silly.

If this means playing Santa Claus for one of London’s top stores, so be it. He’s still not ready to give up being Detective Fox though and, when the opportunity presents itself for him to get into character on more time, he grabs it with both hands. 

There’s a bonus, too. The detective’s sidekick is one hot elf who knows how to handle whatever is thrown his way and more. Things are about to get messy.

Add Isobel Starling and mix with humor, mystery, action, suspense and sprinkle of drama, and you’ll have an explosive story which will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end, and leave you breathless and asking for more. 

Follow Eli and Tom’s story as they try to save the day, and navigate what is the beginning of a tentative relationship, all while playing Santa and his elf for hordes of over excited children and exhausted parents the week before Christmas. 

I cannot wait to read the next book because this has got to be a series. Right, Ms. Starling? You cannot spring two smart, sexy and fun as hell men on me and leave it at a novella. It’s not fair. 

Thank you for another awesome and entertaining read. You rock, as always!





Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art. She relocated to the UK and, faced with the dreaded artist’s creative block, Isobel started to write and found she loved it more than making art.

Isobel’s first novel “Fall Together” was a bestseller in the GLBT-Bisexual genre on the ‘All Romance e-books’ site. Her second novel “As You Wish”(Shatterproof Bond #1) is an Amazon bestseller, and its sequel “Illuminate the Shadows”(Shatterproof Bond #2) was awarded a bestseller star on All Romance too. She has just completed her eighth book and signed French and German, translation and publishing rights deals for the whole Shatterproof Bond series. 

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May 4, 2016

Book Promo! The Case of the Thwarted Lovers, A Mark Julian, Vampire P.I. Mystery #6 by L.G. Fabbo Gonella


It’s been a long shift for Detective Vincent Pasquale. Back at his desk at the station he finds a phone message from his vampire spouse, Mark, waiting for him. 

“Hi. I figured calling your station phone number was more secure than using a cell. Listen our friend Dexter found something about who may have tried to frame Jean-Claude. Turns out that there is a lot more to this thing! It’s big. Jean-Claude and Jaime are meeting me here before we all head over to see Tortego at his offices. We should be there in a half hour and we figure this meeting will run most of the day. If you can join us fine but if not I’ll tell you about it later after your shift is over. Call me.” 

A few moments later a report comes into the station about a possible terrorist bomb explosion at a Midtown office building. No survivors are reported. To his horror Vinnie realizes the bombsite’s address is the exact location of Tortego’s offices. In a panic Vinnie rushes to the scene where, out of nowhere, he is shot from behind by an unknown assailant. Its’ four funerals and a wedding, as the newest Julian book unfolds.





L.G.Fabbo-Gonnella is a resident of NYC. He has often said Manhattan is the underlying unspoken character in many of his books. "I guess it’s a love affair that I have with her," he once said. "I could live here forever and yet still find magical things about her that I never knew existed.”

When not seeking out interesting new locales for his books he can be found dinning with friends and enjoying all the city he adores has to offer.

Though he has not yet met the supernatural denizens of NYC, he does hope too one day. And yes, there is a "letter Lounge" albeit under a different name.



April 6, 2016

Teasers, Excerpt & Giveaway! Can't You See by Dawn L. Chiletz


Her Truth: Meredith O'Neal is a book editor who just moved into town. She doesn't believe in happily ever afters.

His Truth: Devin Stone is an insurance adjuster who's bad with people and doesn't have any real friends. He's tired of his boring day to day existence and is searching for a little excitement in his life.

Two stories - Two people. Nothing is what it seems.

Someone is a liar. Someone is wicked and deceitful but this time they might have gone too far.

Nothing is fair in love and revenge. Hearts will be broken. Lives will be ruined. But that's all just a part of the game.

The cruelest burns don't leave scars. Can't you see? The truth is right in front of you. Just keep reading.



Prologue

Although it was midafternoon, it was as dark as night in his office. The curtains were drawn, as if to make light an unwelcome visitor, much like me. I flicked the tip of my middle finger against my thumb as I stared at the ticking clock in the corner. I’d been sitting in here for nearly ten minutes and he had yet to speak to me. He was writing feverishly in his notes and seemed oblivious to my stare.

I’d tried to take advantage of the moment of silence to read him, but my disgust for him was clouding my thoughts. I didn’t like him. I never had. I knew I’d managed to hide it well from him. I could tell by the way he looked at me. There was compassion in his eyes. I’d seen it before in the others before him. Once I saw that look I knew I’d gotten under their skin. I knew they’d believed me. Who wouldn’t? I was a master of deception. I’d hidden everything about myself for so long that even I wasn’t sure what was real. An outsider might have found me crazy. I just might have been, but my reasons ran deep. They were a part of me now. Retribution ran through my blood like a disease, contaminating every cell. I had no regrets. I no longer allowed them. 

I chuckled internally, careful to not let him see the corner of my lip curl upward. I stared at his glasses as they hung from the tip of his crooked nose. His salt and pepper hair had grown over the last few weeks. I supposed he was in need of a trim. Wrinkles brought on from obvious stress had robbed him of his youth. I imagined I might have been responsible for the crease on his forehead. I’d christened it with my name and I took pride in giving it to him. He was no one to me, much like every other person who came into my life. He might have believed he was important, maybe even helping me, but nothing about me was what it seemed.

I couldn’t believe I’d even considered telling him the truth a few days ago. It had been a fleeting moment of weakness that left a bitter taste in my mouth. If he had stopped and turned around, maybe I would have told him. Maybe he could have finally helped me out of the perpetual hell of lies I’d created. But it was my universe. It was the only existence I’d ever known. I would never admit to anything. I would not be powerless under another person ever again. He tapped his pen briefly and raised his eyes to me. I immediately resumed my role of innocence. It was one I’d perfected.

“So tell me,” he began. “When did you know something was wrong?”

I made sure to glance off to the right as if to ponder his question. He needed to believe I was considering his words. In reality, I’d rehearsed this moment for months. This would be the moment I would tell my side of the story—the moment I would exact my revenge in the sweetest way possible.

“I think deep down inside I knew from the start. I didn’t want to see what was there. I didn’t want to believe it was real.”

“Why didn’t you want to think it was real?” he asked as he shifted his posture and turned slightly in his chair, leaning forward so that the light from his desk lamp cast a glow and simultaneous shadow on the sides of his face.

“My emotions got the best of me, I suppose. I guess I always want to believe the best in everyone.” I glanced down at the floor and sniffled to show how sad the whole thing made me. “You have to know I’m telling the truth. Do you believe me?” I swallowed hard and made direct eye contact. Most liars couldn’t do it very well, but I was a pro.

“It’s not about whether or not I believe you. There are two sides to every story and yours is no exception.”

I nodded my head sheepishly, even though my blood was boiling inside. I wished I could have told him to fuck off.

“I need you to start from the beginning. Tell me everything you remember in the order in which it occurred, including every detail. I know this might be painful for you, but the only way I’ll make any sense of this is by understanding the facts.”

I nodded my head and took a deep breath. You’re on, I told myself. This needed to be the performance of my life.

“Okay, Dr. Andrews, this is what happened…”





Dawn L. Chiletz is the author of The Contest and Waiting to Lose. She currently resides in Illinois with her husband, two boys, and two dogs. When she's not binge writing or reading, Dawn drinks large amounts of coffee and checks Facebook instead of doing laundry.




March 24, 2016

Excerpt & Giveaway! Chasing Shadows by Annabelle Jacobs


Jamie Matthews goes to Cornwall to find his missing brother. The police are convinced Michael drowned, but Jamie knows better. No way would Michael swim to his death, especially on a beach with a wicked rip tide. Finding a stranger in his brother’s cottage only deepens his misgivings.

Felix Bergstrom is recently discharged from the British Army. Unable to put the past behind him, he takes an unhealthy interest in old acquaintance and millionaire businessman Karl Weston, hoping to catch him up to no good. Michael’s disappearance adds fuel to Felix’s suspicions. Weston’s clifftop home overlooks the beach where Michael supposedly walked into the sea, but Weston has an alibi for that day.

When Jamie and Felix meet, the physical attraction is instant. Mistrust keeps them from acting on it until finally all their secrets are laid bare. But time isn’t on their side. Before they’re able to work out whether they have a future, danger catches up with them and threatens to put an end to everything.




Jamie’s gaze swept down over Felix’s bare chest and lingered on the tattoo on his right pec before snapping up again. Felix had got it five years ago: four soldiers in silhouette. It was one of his favourites. “Um.” Jamie swallowed and started again. “Sorry it’s so early. I’ve been awake ages and didn’t realise the time until I got over here.”

Jamie’s cheeks flushed pink as his gaze dropped again, as though he couldn’t help himself. Warmth flared in Felix’s belly. It had been a while since he’d been so openly admired. He grinned and raised an eyebrow. 

Instead of getting embarrassed as Felix expected, Jamie stood up straighter and shrugged. “If you answer the door like that, then what do you expect.”



Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with her three rowdy children, and two cats.
An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They're usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.