Tag: Book Spotlight Page 20 of 33

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Mostly Invisible Boy by A.J. Vanderhorst

On June 18, 2021

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

I’m very pleased and excited today to welcome The Write Reads Blog Tour for the first in a a MG Fantasy Series The Mostly Invisible Boy by A.J. Vanderhorst . This Tour Stop consists in this little spotlight post and then my take on the novel coming along a little later today. Let’s start by learning a little about this novel, okay?

Book Details:

Book Title: The Mostly Invisible Boy by A.J. Vanderhorst
Publisher: ‎ Lion & Co
Release date: May 6, 2021
Format: Ebook/Paperback
Length: 298 pages

Book Blurb:

Eleven-year-old Casey is stubbornly friendly, but he’s eternally the new kid at Vintage Woods Middle School. Students look right through him—and they’re not faking. Casey doesn’t know why he’s mostly-invisible, but when he scales a colossal oak, he discovers a fortress in its branches. The forgotten sentry tree marks the border between his safe, suburban life and a fierce frontier.

Casey and his little sister Gloria infiltrate Sylvan Woods, a secret forest society devoted to ancient, wild things. Sky-high footpaths. Survival sewing. Monster control. Shockingly, people here actually see Casey—but being seen isn’t enough. He wants to belong.

Keeping his identity hidden–while struggling to prove he fits–is hard enough, but Butcher Beasts have returned to Sylvan Woods after a hundred years. Trickery is under siege. As the monsters close in, and the fearsome Sylvan Watch hunts Casey down, he and his newfound friends must unearth abandoned magic, buried at the forest’s roots…or be devoured along with everyone else, Sylvans and civilians alike.

A fast-paced middle-grade fantasy/adventure book with all the monsters kids could ever hope for.

About the Author:

AJ Vanderhorst has had many jobs, including journalist, paramedic, escape artist, and baby whisperer. One time in fifth grade, he built a traffic-stopping fort in a huge oak tree, using only branches and imagination, and slept there for a week.

Now he and his wife live in a woodsy house with their proteges and a ridiculous number of pets, including a turtle with a taste for human toes. This makes AJ an expert on wild, dangerous things—invisibility spells, butcher beasts, hungry kids, you get the idea.

He is the only author in the world who enjoys pickup basketball and enormous bonfires, preferably not at the same time. He and his family have drawn up several blueprints for their future tree castle. Visit AJ online at ajvanderhorst.com.

My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Meat is Murder (Stonebridge #3) by Chris McDonald

By HCNewton

On June 15, 2021

In Book Tour, Chris McDonald/Frost, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, The Stonebridge Mysteries

I’m excited to welcome the Book Tour for the third installment in The Stonebridge Mysteries, Meat is Murder by Chris McDonald this morning. Check back next hour for my take on the novella, but for now, let’s start by learning a little about this book, okay?

Meat is Murder Tour Banner

Book Details:

Book Title: Meat is Murder by Chris McDonald
Series: The Stonebridge Mysteries
Publisher: Red Dog Press
Release date: June 8, 2021
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook
Length: 142 pages

Book Blurb:

McNulty’s Meats, one of Stonebridge’s oldest businesses, is about to be taken over in a lucrative deal that would make brothers Ron and Kevin very rich men indeed. Unfortunately for them, local activist Tyler Love has other ideas. Convinced that the deal would be bad for the town, he burns the place to the ground and inadvertently kills himself in the process.

At least, that’s what the police think.

Tyler’s mum disagrees and pleads with amateur sleuths Adam and Colin to investigate. Although, going up against the psychopathic McNulty brothers, a rival businessman, a group of hippies, and a girlfriend with secrets of her own might not be such a good idea… Someone has something to hide, and will go to great lengths to keep that secret buried.

Meat is Murder is the third book in The Stonebridge Mysteries series of Cosy Crime novellas.

About the Series:

Stonebridge is a small town on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Most of its inhabitants are friendly, happy people. Most of them… Because bad things happen even in the happiest of places. It’s a good thing, then, that Adam Whyte and Colin McLaughlin call Stonebridge home.

Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of detective shows, a misplaced sense of confidence, and a keen desire to see justice done, these two are the closest thing the town has to saviors. Which isn’t that reassuring…

About Chris McDonald:

Originally hailing from the north coast of Northern Ireland and now residing in South Manchester, Chris McDonald has always been a reader. At primary school, The Hardy Boys inspired his love of adventure before his reading world was opened up by Chuck Palahniuk and the gritty world of crime. A Wash of Black is his first attempt at writing a book. He came up with the initial idea whilst feeding his baby in the middle of the night, which may not be the best thing to admit, considering the content. He is a fan of 5-a-side football, heavy metal and dogs. Whispers in the Dark is the second installment in the DI Erika Piper series, and Chris is currently working on his latest series, The Stonebridge Mysteries, published by Red Dog Press in 2021.

Purchase Links:

Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Google ~ Red Dog Press

My thanks to Red Dog Press for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Creature Feature (Audiobook) by Steven Paul Leiva, Seamus Dever, and Juliana Dever

By HCNewton

On June 10, 2021

In Audiobook, Book Tour, Fiction

Today I welcome the Book Tour for the audiobook for Creature Feature by Steven Paul Leiva and narrated by Seamus Dever and Juliana Dever. Following this spotlight post, I have an excerpt (from the text version) here in a bit, and then I’ll be giving my take on the audiobook. But let’s start by learning a little about this here book, okay? Oh, and be sure to check out the Giveaway of the audiobook below!

Book Details:

Book Title: Because You’re Mine by Luna Miller
Narrators:
Publisher: Magpie Press (print edition)
Release date: September 21, 2020 (print edition), April 13, 2021 (audiobook)
Format: Paperback/Ebook/Audiobook
Length: 158 pages; 4 hours and 23 minutes

Book Blurb:

THERE IS SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENING IN PLACIDVILLE!

It is 1962. Kathy Anderson, a serious actress who took her training at the Actors Studio in New York, is stuck playing Vivacia, the Vampire Woman on Vivacia’s House of Horrors for a local Chicago TV station.

Finally fed up showing old monster movies to creature feature fans, she quits and heads to New York and the fame and footlights of Broadway.

She stops off to visit her parents and old friends in Placidville, the all-Ameican, middle-class, blissfully normal Midwest small town she grew up in.

But she finds things are strange in Placidville.

Kathy’s parents, her best friend from high school, the local druggist, even the Oberhausen twins are all acting curiously creepy, odiously odd, and wholly weird. Especially the town’s super geeky nerd, Gerald, who warns of dark days ahead.

Has Kathy entered a zone in the twilight? Did she reach the limits that are outer? Has she fallen through a mirror that is black? Or is it just—just—politics as usual!

About Steven Paul Leiva:

A Scribe award-winner, receiving the praise of Ray Bradbury and the Oscar-winning film producer, Richard Zanuck, Steven Paul Leiva is no stranger to the business of telling a good story. Author of several novels, and with a writing-style that lays hard on the satire, this Hollywood-escapee doesn’t pull punches when it comes to politics.
Need to know more? Follow him on Amazon or Goodreads, or check out his blog here: http://emotionalrationalist.blogspot.com/p/about-steven-paul-leiva.html

About Seamus Dever:

Seamus Dever is best known to television audiences as Detective Kevin Ryan on ABC’s Castle. He played Sherlock Holmes in the Audie Award-winning “Hound of the Baskervilles” with LA Theatre Works and has 10 other radio plays with them and the BBC. He is the voice of the villain John Seed in the hit video game “Far Cry 5” and originated the DC Comic’s bad guy Trigon on “Titans.” Dever has performed in over 80 plays and has 300 hours of television to his name. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Juliana.

About Juliana Dever:

Juliana Dever is a professional actor, writer, and world traveler. She’s best known for her role as Jenny Ryan on the globally popular show Castle. Recently you may have seen her brilliant performance in “Stalked by My Husband’s Ex” on Lifetime. Having traveled to over 60 countries, her award-winning travel blog CleverDeverWherever.com (named Best Independent Travel Blog in North America) helps readers find unexpected experiences in unusual places. She curates adventures through former communist countries and Frommer’s listed her tours as a trend that will shape travel.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My thanks to Let’s Talk Promotions and Psst…Promotions for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including a copy of the audiobook) they provided.

PUB DAY BOOK BLITZ: Division [The Crows Over Cross Hill] by John Bowie

By HCNewton

On June 1, 2021

In Book Tour, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

This morning I’m pleased to host a Book Blitz for John Bowie’s Division [The Crows Over Cross Hill]–the third book in the Black Vicking Thriller series–to celebrate its publication today.

Book Details:

Book Title: Division [The Crows Over Cross Hill] by John Bowie
Publisher: Red Dog Press
Release date: June 1, 2021
Format: Ebook/Paperback
Length: 197 pages

Book Blurb:

Darkness Follows Wherever He Goes

John Black returns to Northern England for a family funeral, having left the woman he loves to protect her from his past.

His solace is broken as the sands shift, crows and gulls circle overhead, and children run on the beach where John used to play as a child… and where a body is found in the dunes by Cross Hill — the body of a woman John once knew.

With a set of coordinates left for him in a haunted pub, the body count grows, and the police are made fully aware of John’s connection.

As he drives the ancient coastal and rural landscapes, from Alnwick Castle, Hadrian’s Wall, Cragside to Kielder, racing to confront the killers, John wrestles the pain of bringing the evils of his past to his homelands and to all who know him.

Will Death Ever Leave Him?

Purchase Links:

The Red Dog Shop ~ Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Google Play

About the Author:

John writes articles, poetry, reviews, short stories and novels. His fiction is a semi-autobiographical mix of dirty realism, crime fiction and noir. Ghostly references to a heritage that includes the Vikings, Scotland, Ireland and the North, flavour the words throughout. Often with a dark but humoured edge.

John’s writing has appeared online and in print for the likes of Bristol Noir, Storgy Magazine, Litro Magazine, Punk Noir Magazine, Necro Magazine and Deadman’s Tome.

He grew up on the coast in rural Northumberland, a region steeped with a history of battles, Vikings, wars and struggles. These tales and myths fascinated him as a child, and then as an adult. In the mid to late nineties, he studied in Salford enjoying the bands, music, clubs and general urban industrial-ness of Greater Manchester, including the club scene and the infamous Hacienda. He was also there when the IRA bomb went off in 1996.

John has been partly inspired by 50s pulp hard-boiled detective fiction and the beat generation authors and poets. John aims to celebrate his female characters from his real-life through his writing, whilst retaining the hard-drinking, cynical honesty and the accessible writing style of these genres.

John lives in Bristol with his wife and daughters, where he has been since the late nineties. He is a professional designer, artist and writer as well as a proud husband, father, brother and son.

My thanks to Red Dog Press for the invitation to participate in this blitz and the materials they provided.

PUB DAY BOOK BLITZ: Fake News by C. J. Dunford

By HCNewton

On May 31, 2021

In Book Tour, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

This morning I’m pleased to host a Book Blitz for C. J. Dunford’s YA Novel Fake News to celebrate its publication today.

Book Details:

Book Title: Fake News by C. J. Dunford
Publisher: FledglingPress
Release date: May 31, 2021
Format: Ebook
Length: 197 pages

Book Blurb:

Four teenagers, and one dog, suffer at the hands of online media and come up with a plan to show people they should never trust what they read on the internet. They launch their own news site detailing amazing, shocking, utterly believable but totally untrue stories. They always intend to come clean, but success goes to their heads and before long they are enmeshed in a world of spies and aliens. How will they get out of this unscathed? What happens next will change all of their lives forever.

About the Author:

Author of over 30 books, C J Dunford is best known for her crime and spy stories set around the world wars (The Euphemia Martins Mysteries and The Hope Stapleford Adventures).

She has been, in no particular order, a hypnotist, a drama teacher, a journalist, a psychotherapist, a voice actor, a playwright, and a novelist. She is currently a part-time Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh where she teaches creative writing, freelance journalism, and statistics. Never one to follow the usual route she holds degrees in both arts and social science, as well as a smattering of professional qualifications. She is good with a blow torch, but better behind a steering wheel (her youngest son believes she used to be a racing driver). It was, in fact, a desperate attempt to get her two sons to read, and because she thinks all the best stories are YA, that she wrote Fake News. After all, with spies, cyber threats, disinformation, and aliens, why wouldn’t you want to read it?

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this Blitz.

A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs by Sophie Loosveldt, Isabella Croker (Illustrator): Secret Agent Pug? A Spy for the House of Love?

By HCNewton

On May 13, 2021

In Book Tour, Dogs, Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs

by Sophie Loosveldt, Isabella Croker (Illustrator)

PDF, 39 pg.
Sunshine Stories, 2020

Read: May 12, 2021

What’s A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs About?

Ahh, pugs. Over at SheldonComics.com, you’ll see them described as “God’s Little Wierdos.” But in A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs, they’re some of the Universe’s “Secret Agents” here to spread love (through a varieety of means). Both ideas work, really, if you’ve ever spent time around them.

In particular, this book is looking at Pugini and her person, Sophie. There’s not really a narrative arc here, it’s a series of vignettes looking at the things that Pugini and Sophia do as these Secret Agents to brighten the lives of those they come into contact with and spread love.

It could be argued that Pugini’s method of spreading her message of love—via “tuneful toots” created from her “happy belly” which is “only sometimes SUPER smelly”—is pretty crass and not worthy of some of the elevated subject manner. But I can’t imagine anyone’s going to bother—particularly because it’s hilarious to a kid who’s still having picture books read to them.

The Illustrations

Croker provides some dynamic art. It’s very distinctive and attractive (although I thought the colors seems a little muted). I thought she nailed the art for Pugini—who is fairly cartoonish—especially the art revolving around Pugigini and hunting for snacks. It’s cute stuff that’s going to appeal to the target audience, I can assure you.

The, um, odor cloud depicting one of Pugini’s “fabulous farts” on one page is a great touch.

Okay, Sure, Maybe I’m Biased

A few years ago we adopted a senior pug/beagle mix, and I could see a little/lot of her in Pugini—her “squidgy face”, the “snorts and toots,” and the “hungry little monster nibbling on absolutely everything.” So, I’m an easy mark for this book—then again, how often do I have something less-than-complimentary to say about a Dog Book?

So, what did I think about A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs?

Sure, I’m not that wowed by the spiritual message of the book, but how many kids are going to grab on to it when they’re at the picture book stage anyway?

It’s a little saccharine-y, a little heavy-handed (but how many picture books are noted for their subtlety?). But ultimately it’s a cute book, with a nice premise, and some distinctive art. I’m not sure what else I have to say at this point, it’s a winner.

Get your hands on it had after a little fun with one of the goofiest critters around.

3.5 Stars

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the book) they provided.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs by Sophie Loosveldt, Isabella Croker (Illustrator)

By HCNewton

On May 13, 2021

In Book Tour, Dogs, Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

Today I’m pleased to welcome the Book tour for the children’s book, A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs by Sophie Loosveldt and illustrated by Isabella Croker. After this post, I’ll be giving my take on the book here in a little bit. But let’s start by learning a bit about the book.

Book Details:

Book Title: A Tale of Wonderful Whiffs by Sophie Loosveldt, Isabella Croker (Illustrator)
Publisher: Sunshine stories
Format: Hardcover
Length: 39 pages

Book Blurb:

Pugini
Pug on a mission

This is the story of little Sophie and Pugini.

Everyday adventures of whiffs and wonders.

Together they explore the mystery and beauty of the natural world.

There is more to life than meets the eye. With a heart full of hope and a furry friend overflowing with love little Sophie ventures on a bright journey into the magic of every new day.

We are surrounded by Secret Agents helping us understand that love is all and we are all part of it. Never alone, but all one.

About the Author:

I am a control freak by nature, which suits me very well as an air traffic controller at Gatwick. I would have never classified myself as creative. Having moved from Belgium to London, opening my horizons, I now realise we all are; naturally inventive, expressive and imaginative. All children are born with this creative seed waiting to sprout. It took a long time for my seed to crack and for me to bloom into myself.

It is important to allow yourself to dream and have trust in the world. As a late bloomer I have a strong desire to empower all children, so they can grow and learn to express themselves freely. Our inner child never forgets about the magic of our world. It is the key to connect to the present moment and to not get stuck inside our heads.

Purchase Link:

https://pugini.com/shop/

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the book) they provided.

PUB DAY BOOK BLITZ: Firepower by John Cutter

By HCNewton

On May 13, 2021

In Book Tour, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

This morning I’m pleased to host a Book Blitz for John Cutter’s thriller Firepower to celebrate its publication today.

Book Details:

Book Title: Firepower by John Cutter
Publisher: Lume Books
Release date: May 13, 2021
Format: Ebook/Paperback
Length: 219 pages
Purchase Link:

Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

Book Blurb:

White supremacists have climbed their way to the top. It’s his job to bring them down.

Vince Bellator, former Special Services operative, arrives in Dead Springs, Alabama to honor his late friend’s dying wish: to bury his hand under the porch of his hunting cabin.

But on the way, Vince has an unsettling run-in with a group of local heavily armed militiamen.

Sensing that the group is more than just a violent mob, Vince decides to infiltrate their ranks. He discovers that they are an outfit of white supremacists who call themselves The Brethren. But what sets them apart from other such extremists is that they are in the midst of planning an act of national terror.

Not only that, they are also harboring a prisoner – someone with a connection to Vince.

With the FBI unconvinced and government officials colluding with Brethren leaders, Vince realizes it is up to him to put a stop to the would-be terrorist cell. But can he do so before they wreak devastation on America and all it stands for?

Fans of Lee Child and James Patterson need look no further: full-throttle political thrills await you from the first page.

About the Author:

John Cutter is the bestselling author of The Specialist novels, which inspired the Sylvester Stallone movie of the same name. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, USA.

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this Blitz.

PUB DAY BOOK BLITZ: In the Blood by Margaret Kirk

By HCNewton

On April 29, 2021

In Book Tour, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

This morning I’m pleased to host a Book Blitz for Margaret Kirk’s In the Blood to celebrate the publication today.

In the Blood Blitz

Book Details:

Book Title: In the Blood by Margaret Kirk
Publisher: Orion
Release date: April 29, 2021
Format: Ebook/Paperback
Length: 294 pages
Purchase Link:

Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Apple ~ Google ~ Kobo

Book Blurb:

‘Ritual murder and ghosts from a chilling past haunt DCI Lukas Mahler in his latest case, set on the ancient Orkney Islands.’

Tied to a derelict pier on Orkney, the bloated remains of a man bob in the waves, under the shadow of forbidding Sandisquoy House. The locals know him as William Spencer.

But DCI Lukas Mahler identifies him as Alex Fleming – his former boss.

Unable to step away from the case, Mahler tries to piece together why Fleming would retire to such a remote location. But the deeper he digs, the more disturbing the investigation becomes.

Seal bones, witches’ salve, and runic symbols appear everywhere he looks, ushering Mahler towards Fleming’s most notorious unsolved case: the ‘Witchfinder’ murders. And towards a dark and uncomfortable truth someone has gone to great lengths to bury…

About the Author:

Margaret Kirk writes ‘Highland Noir’ Scottish crime fiction, set in and around her home town of Inverness.

Her debut novel, Shadow Man, won the Good Housekeeping First Novel Competition in 2016. Described as ‘a harrowing and horrific game of consequences’ by Val McDermid, it was published in 2017 by Orion. Book 2 in the DI Lukas Mahler series, What Lies Buried, was published on 13th June 2019. Book 3, In The Blood, will be released by Orion on 29th April 2021.

Margaret is also the writer of several award-winning short stories, including The Seal Singers, which has been published in translation in Germany. She has contributed a short story, Still Life, to the Noir From The Bar anthology, which has been compiled to raise funds for NHS charities.

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this Blitz.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Because You’re Mine by Luna Miller

By HCNewton

On April 16, 2021

In Book Tour, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Today I welcome the Book Tour for the second Gunvor Ström/The Fruängen Bureau novel, Because You’re Mine by Luna Miller. Following this spotlight post, I’ll be giving my take on the novel here in a bit. But let’s start by learning a little about this here book, okay?

Book Details:

Book Title: Because You’re Mine by Luna Miller
Publisher: Publish Authority
Release date: April 12, 2021
Format: Paperback/Ebook
Length: 277 pages

Book Blurb:

Gunvor Ström, a Swedish surgeon who had to retire because her hands weren’t steady enough to perform operations, accepts a position as a private detective and enters a new and surprisingly dangerous career.

In Because You’re Mine, she accepts her second assignment. Is it always for the best to look for a missing person? Gunvor is not entirely sure as she believes there are those who don´t want to be found. Despite this, she takes on a case. A wife needs help to find her husband, Per Cedergren. A simple case at first glance. Gunvor is convinced that he has sneaked off on an adventure with a mistress and soon will return voluntarily.

Gunvor’s good friend Aidan also makes his debut as a private detective when he helps a new acquaintance look for her missing friend.

When Gunvor and Aidan take the help of their young friends, Elin and David, the two parallel cases meander closer each other. But how do they relate? And what do the disappearances have in common with the murders that at first glance appear to be hate crimes.

Soon they find themselves in the eye of the storm, not knowing where the danger lurks.

Because You’re Mine is the second book in the series of private detective Gunvor Ström.

About Luna Miller:

Swedish author Luna Miller (pseudonym) specializes in Nordic Noir. She is the writer of the international best-seller Three Days in September and is one of the authors of the international anthology Love Unboxed 2.

In mid-life, after experiencing life and adventure throughout Europe, India, China, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand and a host of other countries, with her studies, children and work, Luna found quality time to write her debut novel Three Days in September followed by Den som ger sig in i leken – the original Swedish precursor of Looking for Alice and the first book in the series of private detective Gunvor Ström.

Gå vilse, hitta hem – the sequel in Swedish to Three days in September was published in May 2020.

Because you´re mine – the second book in the series of Gunvor Ström will be published April 12, 2021.

Luna Miller was born in Sundsvall, Sweden 1962.

Social Networks:

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Pinterest

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Kobo ~ Waterstones ~ Barnes & Noble

My thanks to damppebbles blog tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including a copy of the novel) they provided.