thriller

Book Blast: The Moscow Affair by Nancy Boyarski ($20 Giveaway)

Today we have mystery thriller The Moscow Affair by author Nancy Boyarski. This is book 6 of the Nicole Graves Mysteries series.

Read more about the book below and check out the intriguing excerpt! And, of course, enter the blog tour giveaway at the end of the post. Enjoy! :)

The Moscow Affair (A Nicole Graves Mystery)

MoscowAffair_BookCover_

“The Moscow Affair is a thoroughly entertaining and unforgettable thriller punctuated by smart dialog, richly crafted scenes, and a topical plot.” –Dave Edlund, USA Today bestselling author of Valiant Savage

In this fast-paced mystery, P.I. Nicole Graves agrees to an unusual, short-term assignment working for MI6 in Russia. It sounds straightforward, even pleasant: a two-week luxury riverboat cruise on the Volga, observing a group of fellow passengers and filing a daily report on their activities. It’s simple enough, except for one caveat: No matter what these people do, she’s to tell her handler at MI6—no one else, especially not the Russian police. When one of the riverboat passengers winds up dead, Nicole realizes this assignment was anything but straightforward.

Soon, Nicole is immersed in a high-stakes game of murder and espionage where trusting a stranger can be as deadly as a bullet.

“Nicole Graves is the best fictional sleuth to come down the pike since Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone.” –Laura Levine, bestselling author of the Jaine Austen Mysteries

The Nicole Graves Mysteries have been compared to the mysteries of Mary Higgins Clark and praised for contributing to the “women-driven mystery field with panache” (Foreword Reviews) as well as for their “hold-onto-the-bar roller coaster” plots (RT Book Reviews).

Add this book on Goodreads. Buy on Amazon or B&N.

About the Author

Nancy Boyarsky is the author of the Nicole Graves Mysteries. Her sixth installment of the series will be released September 2021.

Nancy has been a writer and editor for her entire working career. She coauthored Backroom Politics, a New York Times notable book, with her husband, Bill Boyarsky. She has written textbooks on the justice system and contributed to anthologies, including In the Running about women’s political campaigns and The Challenge of California. She has also written for the Los Angeles Times, West magazine, Forbes, McCalls,  Playgirl, Westways, and other publications. She was communications director for political affairs for ARCO.

In addition to writing mysteries, Nancy is producer and director of the “Inside Golden State Politics” podcast.

Nancy can be contacted through her website: nancyboyarsky.com. You can find the other books in the Nicole Graves series at https://www.torchflamebooks.com/nancy-boyarsky.

Read an Excerpt

When Nicole opened the door, Kolkov was even more abrupt than on his previous visit. No greeting, just, “Get dressed. I take you in for questioning.” He talked fast and fairly vibrated with impatience.

“Why can’t we do it here like before?” Nicole said.

“Get dressed!” He shouted, pointing to the bedroom. “I give five minutes.”

Kolkov was waiting at the door and seemed to be in a tremendous hurry. As she approached, he stepped toward her and firmly gripped her by the arm, as if he expected her to try to escape. She pulled back, pointing to the closet. “I have to get my jacket,” she said, pointing to the hall closet. He let go so she could pull out her zippered hoody and put it on. It was going to be cold out, and longed for her warm coat, but it was in the hamper, stained with Chet’s blood. Before she could finish zipping up the hoody, Kolkov took hold of her arm again and was pulling her out the door.

Other passengers stared as Kolkov led Nicole down to the main deck and across the ramp to the ship next to theirs. Surely they could tell she was being taken from the ship involuntarily; perhaps they recognized Kolkov from the day before. But no one stepped forward to ask what was happening. Nicole wondered what they were thinking.

The pair of them drew an even larger audience as they walked through the four vessels anchored between Queen of the Volga and the dock. Finally, they reached the street, where a boxy black sedan was standing at the curb with a uniformed policeman at the wheel. Kolkov put Nicole in back, not relaxing his hold on her until he was about to close the door. He climbed in the the front seat, and they took off.

Giveaway

Nancy Boyarsky will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Visit the other tour stops and leave a comment for more chances of winning! Check out the tour dates here:
https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2021/11/book-blast-moscow-affair-by-nancy.html

Blog Tour [Review]: The Fallen In Soura Heights by Amanda Jaeger

The Fallen in Soura Heights header

This week we’re featuring a thriller, The Fallen In Soura Heights by author Amanda Jaeger.

Read more about the book below and don’t forget to follow the blog tour as well. Enjoy!

The Fallen In Soura HeightsThe Fallen in Soura Heights

Author: Amanda Jaeger
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: 15 March 2021
Age group: Adult
Genres: Thriller

Synopsis:

Fey Anderson has dreamt about Soura Heights and how picture-perfect it appears to be. What she never expected was for her husband’s body to be found in the forest. Determined to find out the truth behind his death, she moves there and finds herself weaving into the fabric of the small town.

But things aren’t always as they seem. As she learns more about Bruce’s “accident,” she unravels secrets about the town and its people she wishes she never learned. It’s all about survival in Soura Heights. Will Fey uncover what happened and bring justice for her husband, or will she be the next to fall?

Trigger and Content Warnings: Mild language, mild violence, insinuated animal cruelty

Get this book on Amazon. Add on Goodreads.

About the Author

Amanda Jaeger has always had an interest in true crime, suspense, and mystery. As a long form copywriter, she has always had a hand in writing creatively for businesses to boost their income.

She’s the wife of her college sweetheart and the mother of two spit-fire girls, but she’s also been a sign language interpreter, transcriptionist, and a book slinger. Working with words isn’t her job, it’s her career.

Now, she uses her knowledge and experience in engaging an audience and applies it into her author career, crafting suspense and mystery to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Residing in Virginia, you can bet on Amanda listening to true crime podcasts, watching cold case documentaries, and playing with her kids. (Not simultaneously.)

Connect with the author on her website, Goodreads, Instagram and Twitter.

Mystery and suspense in a small town

This is an interesting read! The book kicks off with a pretty dramatic prologue that straight away lets you know that this is going to be some sort of whodunnit.

The story is told in an interesting way – alternating between the past and present. I have to admit it was slow going for me at first and I couldn’t get into it right away, but as the story slowly unraveled, it became more intriguing and made me want to keep on reading to find out what happens in the end. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) for me, this is not a long book and I was rewarded with the ending soon enough.

Fey is an interesting character. She comes off as weak and helpless, but she’s really just someone dealing with a lot of grief and pain. She’s also very determined to find out what happened to her husband and she eventually comes to recognize and accept her own strength.

The town, Soura Heights, itself is a fascinating character. It’s a seemingly nice and happy little town with friendly people and cozy shops that have punny names, but you also get the feeling that there’s more to it and that there’s something dark hiding behind the surface. I would’ve loved to know more about each character and the place, especially the forest.

As I mentioned earlier, this isn’t a long book but it’s an easy and interesting read. If you like mystery and suspense, you might enjoy this one.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. All opinions and views expressed here are my own.

The Fallen in Soura Heights
Follow the tour and check out the other stops! You can find the blog tour schedule here: Caffeine Book Tours

Blog Tour: Bolder Guilt-Edged by Janice Tremayne (plus an ebook giveaway)

Bolder Guilt-Edged_TourBanner

Today we have Bolder Guilt-Edged, the third instalment in the Zack Bolder supernatural suspense series by author Janice Tremayne. I reviewed book one, Bolder Blindsided, back in January and it was not a bad read.

Read on to know more about the book, check out my short review and read an excerpt. Enter the blog tour giveaway for a chance to win an ebook copy!

Bolder Guilt-Edged coverBolder Guilt-Edged (Zack Bolder #3)

A demon hell-bent on playing psychological games to torment its victims. A guilt-edged past comes to the fore to be relived again. Can Bolder overcome his mental suffering and destroy the voracious demon?



In the Australian ghost town of Ravenswood in North Queensland, a gruesome suicide occurs after the famous annual Halloween ball. Bolder is called in by Detective Wellock to help track the evil incarnate responsible.



However, has Zack Bolder met his match? Can a trained parapsychologist by the Church withstand the guilt-edged torments of the demon? This poltergeist dangles psychology as its weapon by tempering that frail part of the mind to those that get in its way. Bolder is taken back to relive dark secrets—ridden and guilt-edged.



Can Bolder overcome this tempest of the mind and save the town before more people take their lives?

Add this book on Goodreads. Get this book on  Amazon.

About the Author

Janice Tremayne Bolder Blindside

Janice Tremayne is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning ghost and supernatural writer. Janice is a finalist in the Readers’ Favorite 2020 International Book Awards in fiction-supernatural and was awarded the distinguished favorite prize for paranormal horror at the New York City Big Book Awards 2020.

She is an emerging Australian author who lives with her family in Melbourne. Her recent publications, Haunting in Hartley and Bolder Blindsided, reached number one in the Amazon kindle ranking for Occult Supernatural, Ghosts and Haunted Houses categories hot new releases and bestseller. Janice is well-versed in her cultural superstitions and how they influence daily life and customs. She has developed a passion and style for writing ghost and supernatural novels for new adult readers.

Connect with the author on her website, via email or on Facebook.

Review: a fast-paced and easy read

Bolder Guilt-Edged is another interesting supernatural mystery. It feels very similar to the first book – same type of setting, a few scenes that felt the same, similar plot – and maybe that’s just because the books are part of a series that basically tackles the same thing: eerie and supernatural mysteries in small towns known for ghost stories.

One thing different from the first book though is that we get to find out more about Bolder’s back story and the reason why he does what he does. Actually, the book kicks off with that so that was really interesting to read and elements of it are interspersed in the whole book.

We also get to read more of Bolder and Wellock’s dynamic, which is quite fun and amusing though I wish Wellock did more “sleuthing.” Sometimes he just felt like Bolder’s bodyguard or assistant with a gun. I’d like to read more about him uncovering clues and what not instead of just going with what Bolder says. Although I can’t blame him about that since Bolder’s the one who’s tuned in on the paranormal. I don’t know how Wellock can do more when it comes to their cases, but I’d love to see more of him being a detective. (Sidebar: I love procedural TV shows, so maybe that’s why I want to see Wellock shine. LOL.)

Anyway, this wasn’t a bad read. The ghost encounters are gripping and there was a scene (or two) that’s the stuff of nightmares. It has quite a closing scene, too. I mean, yikes!

If you like supernatural mysteries, you might like this one!

Note: I received an ebook copy of this book as part of my participation in this blog tour. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read an Excerpt

Bolder handed him the book of prayers and marked out the section containing the love of worship. “We plan to compel the negative energy to leave her body and direct it to another place—to cross over to the other side. We are lightworkers, remember? Not exorcists.”

“I can at least bless her with holy ointment … can’t I?”

Bolder nodded and said, “Well, why don’t you start with that first?”

Father Brennan walked toward Kelly as the old rustic timber floors creaked underneath. He opened his small container with holy ointment and brushed his index finger across it. Then he gently marked her forehead with the sign of the cross.

“In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit … amen.”

Kelly jolted as though something had bitten her and her body trembled for a few seconds. She was still sleeping but aware of what was going on around her.

“What was that?” said Bolder.

“What was what?”

“You mean you didn’t see it? The dark shadow that was standing beside her.”

“I didn’t see it … but I felt something gripping my hand.” Father Brennan was perplexed.

An ominous image of a woman in a faint white dress glided across the bed—motionless and stoic but holding her stomach with both hands in hurtful prose. Within seconds it was gone with barely enough time for Bolder to capture a glimpse of it.

“I sense something else in the room,” Bolder said.

A pulsating wave of energy screeched from within, penetrating the bodies of Father Brennan and Bolder. They shook from the sensation—there was no movement or breeze, and the windows to Kelly’s room shut. But it still required they hold their balance as the snappy spiritedness vibrated their eardrums with a ringing noise.

“Whatever is in here is not going to give up with prayers of love,” said Father Brennan. He was ready to launch into a full-blown exorcism.

Giveaway

Janice Tremayne will be awarding 5 digital copies of the book during the tour! Enter via the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit the other tour stops for more chances of winning! Find the tour schedule here:
https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2021/03/vbt-bolder-guilt-edged-by-janice.html

Blog Tour [Review]: Bolder Blindsided (Zack Bolder #1) by Janice Tremayne + paperback giveaway (US/UK only)

Bolder Blindsided Tour Banner

So we’re kicking off the new year with Bolder Blindsided (Zack Bolder #1) by author Janice Tremayne!

Is it weird to start the year with a random book spotlight? Nah, right? I thought this book was intriguing that’s why I joined this blog tour and the post schedule that I happened to snag was this day, the first day of the year. I’d like to think that’s a good thing. Maybe it’ll mean I’ll be reading and reviewing books a lot this year. Hah! We shall see. ;)

Anyway, read on to know more about the book. Check out the blurb and my short review. Then if you’re in the US or UK, enter the blog tour giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the book! Enjoy!

Bolder Blindsided Book CoverBolder Blindsided: A Zack Bolder Supernatural Suspense Thriller (Book 1)

An Australian alpine ghost town. A priest turned supernatural detective. A missing persons cold case. Will bolder track down the voracious demon?

When Detective Wellock hushers in Zack Bolder to investigate a missing person case in the Australian ghost town of Walhalla, they form the most formidable tag team of supernatural investigators, working for the police branch for unexplained crimes. Perched amongst the alpine area, this tourist backed ghost town is renowned for its gold mining past and stories of hardship, deprivation, and death. It becomes a perfect setting for an unexplained missing person’s cold case.

When Bolder realizes every demon has a weakness—it’s blindside, he confronts the demonic presence, head on for an ultimate encounter to save the town. As this evil entity is sly as a fox with more turns that a two-mile car racetrack, Bolder must be at his best to overcome the devil that has cursed the town since 1876.

Can Bolder uncover the curse that strangleholds the town and thrust out the evil entity before more innocent people go missing and suffer an imminent fate?

Bolder Blindsided is the first book of the Zack Bolder Supernatural Suspense Thriller Series. If you like a fast-moving, energetic, and nail-biting supernatural suspense thriller guaranteed to raise your heartbeat, then you will love this story by 2020 USA Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Finalist in Supernatural Fiction, Janice Tremayne.

Pick up your copy today and meet Zack Bolder!

Add this book on Goodreads. Get this book on Amazon US or Amazon CA.

About the Author

Janice Tremayne Bolder Blindside

Janice Tremayne is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning ghost and supernatural writer. Janice is a finalist in the Readers’ Favorite 2020 International Book Awards in Fiction-Supernatural.

She is an emerging Australian author who lives with her family in Melbourne. Her recent publication, Haunting in Hartley, reached number one on the Amazon kindle ranking for Occult, Supernatural, and Ghosts and Haunted Houses categories, for hot new releases and bestsellers.

Janice is well-versed in her cultural superstitions and how they influence daily life and customs. She has developed a passion and style for writing ghost and supernatural novels for new adult readers.

The concept of writing the Haunting Clarisse series was spawned over a cup of coffee many years ago, and she has not looked back since. Her books contain heart-thumping, bone-chilling, and thought-provoking ghost and paranormal experiences that deliver a new twist to every tale.

Connect with the author on her website, via email or on Facebook.

Super fast-paced, interesting supernatural detective story

This is a quick read with pretty straightforward writing. The text sometimes feels weird and not quite smooth in some places, but it doesn’t take away from the story. The whole thing is fast-paced and kind of reads like a sprint because there’s always something happening on every page.

Bolder and Wellock are a fun and interesting duo but I feel like more could be done with their character development. There seems to be so much more behind their individual back stories and how they started working together and it would’ve been nice to read more about them. I mean, we are given quick explanations, but a deeper dive would be nice. Maybe we’ll get more of that in the next books.

Anyway, the story is cool and exciting and, though I wasn’t terribly blown away, I enjoyed reading it. I’d read more of Bolder’s adventures.

If you like mystery and detective stories that involve hauntings and demonic possessions, you might enjoy this one, too!

Note: I received a copy of this book as part of my participation in this blog tour. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read an excerpt from Bolder Blindsided

The ghost wore a red-and-blue-checked shirt with suspended loose-fitted corduroy trousers, covered by an oversized sack coat and wavers for shoes—a type of waterproof gumboot. It had a white handkerchief tied around the neck and a broad felt hat. It peered with a skinny, sunken face, white and devoid of any existence. With an elongated nose and red bloodshot eyes—Gazza knew it was not from this world.

Gazza was a panderer, a good-looking guy that liked to mix with beautiful girls—he was not a fighter. And yet, he realized he was going to confront the most significant battle for his life. He stood firm, upright and arms folded—a natural reaction as his defence mechanism kicked into overdrive. But that could not hide his vulnerability as he trembled inside in fear for his life.

He continued flashing his torchlight at the phantasm circling him with prancing eyes, ready for its next move. Whatever happened to Jamie, I’m next, he thought.

The icy cold wind blew a gust across the mining shafts, and the moonlight made way for darkness as the clouds rolled in suffocating any virtue of hope. It was pitch black, and his torchlight was starting to fade slowly as the battery life dwindled. He tapped on his torch to get back the light he so desperately needed, but it was only temporary. The phantom continued circling and stomping on the hallowed turf, peering at him with penetrating eyes—ready to make its move. His phone torchlight was his next best thing, but that power source was also dwindling.

The phantom lifted a gold miner’s pickaxe and raised it into the air as a glitter of light reflected off the tips of the sharp end. Gazza instinctively covered his face by raising his right arm. The phantom came for him, and with an almighty swoop, the pickaxe fell on Gazza. He screamed for help, just like Jamie did—but no one was there to hear his final plight to the world. Had the demon murdered Gazza or taken him, prisoner?

Giveaway

Janice Tremayne will be awarding a paperback copy of the book (USA & UK) to two randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the other tour stops and comment for more chances of winning! Find the tour schedule here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2020/10/book-blast-bolder-blindsided-by-janice.html

Review of Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott (plus a Giveaway!)

Today we’re featuring Violet Grenade, a YA psychological thriller by author Victoria Scott. This blog tour is presented by Entangled Teen via Chapter by Chapter and runs until June 9th.

Read on to know more about the book and check out my thoughts on the book! Don’t forget to enter the blog tour giveaway and check out the other tour stops!

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Spotlight: The Beast of London by L.D. Goffigan

Today we’re featuring The Beast of London, book one of The Mina Murray series, by author L.D. Goffigan. This book sounds like something I would really enjoy and I really wanted to review it but I just don’t have enough time right now. I already ordered my copy though so hopefully I’ll get to it soon.

Check out that gorgeous cover! Read more about the book and find out how you can get your hands on a copy!

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Review of The Boy Without a Heart (Defragmenting Daniel #3) by Jason Werbeloff

Aaand finally we get the last instalment of Defragmenting Daniel by wickedly imaginative author Jason Werbeloff. This trilogy is seriously super weird and seriously really good.

Read more about the book, The Boy Without a Heart, and check out my review. ;)

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Defragmenting Daniel #1, The Organ Scrubber by Jason Werbeloff

Today I’m participating in a book blitz for Defragmenting Daniel #1: The Organ Scrubber by Jason Werbeloff. I posted a review of the book a while back and I’m such a big fan of Jason’s work that I’m happy to help spread the word about his crazy insane work. Seriously, it’s crazy good.

Read on to know more about the book, read an excerpt and enter the giveaway!

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