Tag: #bookdescription

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Where No One Will See by Felicia Watson

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for WHERE NO ONE WILL SEE by Felicia Watson on this Virtual Author Book Tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, an excerpt from the book, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

Lucia Scafetti, a Philly private eye, has tried to move out of the shadow of her infamous crime family. She has her own business, her beloved dog Rocco, and she’s starting to date the cute lawyer down the hall. Her life is upended when her notorious hitman father disappears while in search of the diamond and gold coins he stole from his last victim. Lucia races to unravel the mystery of her father’s disappearance before a crooked and powerful cop beats her to it. Though Lucia’s allies are scanty and her enemies numerous, she tries to resist the questionable help on offer from her Mafiosi family. It looks like Lucia must finally decide on which side of the law she truly belongs, knowing the wrong choice could send her to prison – or an early grave.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75555214-where-no-one-will-see?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ohrMcyuRD5&rank=2

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

WHERE NO ONE WILL SEE by Felicia Watson is an exceptional P.I. crime mystery/thriller with romantic elements that grabbed me immediately and I could not put it down. The female P.I. protagonist is hard-boiled and yet very empathetic and dealing with a unique family. I am very glad I signed up for this book tour and was introduced to this character, story, and author.

Lucia Scafetti works as a P.I. in Philadelphia. Lucia and her dog, Rocco live in her basement office as she saves to buy her own home. She is working hard to make her business profitable even as she tries to live down the fact that all her relatives work for or have ties to the Mafia. Unexpectedly her hitman father shows up after his release from prison. It is rumored he hid a large diamond and eleven gold coins after killing the courier, but he disappears while searching for them.

Lucia suddenly has plenty of enemies and few allies. A crooked cop has been waiting for Lucia’s father to recover the missing items for himself, a rival Mafia family wants them, and a mysterious hitman may be on the hunt also. Lucia works to unravel the mystery, decide which law enforcement officials and family members she can trust, and stay alive in the process.

This story has everything that makes me a happy reader. A protagonist with sarcastic wit, determination, intelligence, loyalty, and a dog she loves, a plot that is action packed and perfectly paced, and realistic romantic entanglements. Lucia’s investigation is filled with surprises, but the ultimate surprise at the climax I was not anticipating at all. I love it when that happens. The ending is believable with what you learn about Lucia throughout the story, but I still felt it was not what everyone might be expecting.

I highly recommend this P.I. crime mystery/thriller!

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Excerpt

It was a rather dull surprise for Lucia when the next day, Detective Pike called her down to PPD Headquarters to make a statement about the death of Paul Lugano, found in his car, killed by a bullet to the left eye. She told Colona and Pike what she knew about the murder, which was nothing – except it was further proof that Carlo Scafetti was still alive. She learned nothing new during the interrogation except that both murders had employed the same weapon and surmised that her father had somewhere picked up a Sig Sauer P226.

Upon leaving the police station, she noticed a black BMW E38. It was a distinctive car, especially in that neighborhood. She went over to the driver’s side and tapped on the tinted-glass window. When it slid down slightly, she leaned in. “Hey there, looking for me?”

Her cousin Micky eyed her impassively. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Please get in.”

She wanted to refuse but knew Dominic Vetere was a dangerous man – one only an idiot would trifle with. She wasn’t feeling particularly idiotic that morning, so slipped into the passenger’s seat, saying, “Good to see you, Mick.”

“I wish I could say the same.”

“You could if you lied, like I just did.” Okay, maybe she was feeling a little bit idiotic – but Micky’s pomposity was too tempting a target.

“You’re making jokes? Che cozz’?” He moved into her personal space, growling, “Don’t you realize you are in big trouble?” Lucia didn’t respond but started scanning the area to see if there were other cars of a suspicious nature in evidence. Micky took that as a sign to continue. “You know, if you had just stopped at Frankie, we could’ve looked the other way. That gavone was dragging the organization down and my Gabriella is better off without him. Which she will see in time. But Paulie.…” He shook his head, continuing, “He was a good soldier and D’Amico is not gonna’ let this go.”

“D’Amico thinks I killed Frankie and Lugano?”

“Yeah, he does. I’m warning you, do not try and play Salvatore D’Amico for a fool.” While Lucia was fighting the urge to roll her eyes at him, Micky continued, “Because you’re family, I might be able to make a bargain with him and get you out of this. I need to give him something though, so you have to hand over the diamond and coins to me right—” She couldn’t suppress a snort of laughter, causing Micky to snap, “You still think this is funny?”

“I shouldn’t but…I do think it’s funny how you all got your tongues hanging out for those damn things that are probably in some European collector’s vault. And that my old man has you all chasing your tails like this. He’s outsmarted everybody and is probably having a good laugh about me taking the heat for it.”

“Lucia – your father is dead.”

“No, he’s not. The proof is staring everyone in the face. He’s killing everyone they send for him.”

Micky gripped the steering wheel and threw his head back against the seat. He whispered to himself, “Managgia, Patsy was telling the truth.” He looked back at her and spoke very deliberately. “I know you don’t like me, I know you don’t trust me, but I think you know I am not a stupid man. You can believe me on this: Carlo Scafetti is dead. Hai capid?”

Doubt about her father’s status creeping into her mind for the first time, Lucia stared at Micky. She started shaking her head. “No. You’re wrong. These killings…it has to be him. My father isn’t a stupid man, either. He’s just hiding out.”

“He’s not. I’m sorry.” He reached over and clasped her briefly on the shoulder. “I’ll tell D’Amico it doesn’t look like it was you. He’ll trust me on this matter. I can do that for you, at least.” He stared at her for a moment before asking, “And you have no idea where the diamond and coins are?”

“How could I? My father never had them, Micky.” He shook his head in disgust whether at her supposed naiveté or subterfuge she wasn’t sure and didn’t care. She categorically refused his offer to drive her back to her office and exited the car in a hurry.

During the subway ride back home, Lucia ruminated on the situation. She still believed her father was responsible for the murders, but Micky was right about one thing – she knew he was no fool. What was going on? How had her father managed to convince so many people that he was dead? She knew what Bac would say: stop assuming and start looking. And the place she needed to look was at the piers, where Lugano tended to dispose of bodies. She didn’t believe she’d find much of anything. Colona and Pike had to have already been there, but it was time to see what they might have missed.

©Felicia Watson

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About the Author

Felicia Watson started writing stories as soon as they handed her a pencil in first grade. She’s especially drawn to character driven tales, where we see people we recognize, people who struggle with their mistakes and shortcomings, acknowledge them, and use that knowledge to grow into wiser human beings.

When not writing, Felicia spends her time chasing after her not-so-brilliant, but darling and beloved dogs, is chased by her truly brilliant, darling and beloved husband, is known to friends and family as an amateur pastry chef, and still finds time for swimming and her day job as a scientist.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.feliciawatsonwrites.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FeliciaTes?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/felicia-watson-aaf9819a-530d-4ff8-bbfe-8b7545a0a582

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Forever Family in a Small Town and A Cowboy Worth Waiting For by Melinda Curtis

Book Descriptions and Elise’s Thoughts

Melinda Curtis is one of those special authors than can write stories within different genres.  She is known for her cowboy series, romantic comedy series, and mystery series.  Although there are some similarities between the plot and characters the one major difference is how the mystery is presented. What they do have in common is the fabulous banter between the characters and family closeness.

“The Love in Harmony Valley series” also has a mystery surrounding its main characters.  The latest, Forever Family in a Small Town features a heroine, Kathy Harris that is a recovering alcoholic. She is working at a veterinary clinic and meets, Dylan O’ Brien.  He was hired to work with difficult horses but was also asked by Kathy’s brother to secretly help in her recovery.  Unfortunately, she finds out and feels betrayed by both her brother and Dylan. What Dylan and Kathy have in common are that both have damaged childhoods and have gone through difficult times as adults. Kathy is fresh out of rehab for the second time and trying to regain the trust and love of her young son. After an accident with a horse, Dylan lost his “horse whisperer” reputation which led to him losing visitation rights with his son. Readers want to turn the pages to find out what is behind Kathy’s mysterious addiction, causing her to turn to alcohol and have such low self-esteem.  This is a story of overcoming and fighting addiction, finding redemption and forgiveness, and moving on to the happily ever after for both Kathy and Dylan.

A Cowboy Worth Waiting For, book 1 of the Cowboy Academy series, has former rodeo queen Ronnie Pickett deciding to go into the matchmaker business. Her first client is her good friend Wade Keller. Wade is now a widower with a young daughter and Ronnie is trying to keep a promise that she made to her friend and Wade’s late wife, to find Wade a new wife. The problem is he doesn’t want anyone but Ronnie, and Ronnie is trying to set aside her secret crush to honor her promise. Both are good people and want to keep their life-time friendship, afraid to lose it by going into a romantic relationship. Wade adores his friend Ronnie, but she already told him years ago that they are too much alike to be a couple, willing to ignore the attraction between them.

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Author Interview

Elise Cooper: Are there any similarities and differences between each series?

Melinda Curtis: “The Love in Harmony Valley series” is more of an emotional mystery series.  The plot goes into how the characters are affected by their backstory.  Readers might tear up, but hopefully by the end they have a good feeling since they went through the journey with the characters and saw that everyone was able to come out OK. 

“The Cowboy Academy series” has heroes who are foster boys, growing up on a ranch.  They all have troubled backstories.  The emotional journey of the characters is not as deep as in the Harmony series. There is a little more of lighthearted humor.

The Romance Comedy series is less emotional, and more humor driven.  The humor foil is Grandma Dotty who realizes she is losing touch with reality, creating a bucket list to visit her grandchildren.  She is not matchmaking, but there is a backdrop of a romance going on. They are the easiest for me to write.  They do not go deep into the emotions and are buffered.

EC:  Lets discuss book 5 in the Harmony series, Forever Family in a Small Town.  When does it come out?

MC:  It comes out May 16th.  Let me explain what happened with this series. Harlequin published fifteen books way back when in the early 2000s. Now that I have the rights back, I am in the process of re-editing them.  I have eighteen scheduled to come out and will write three new ones. I am self-publishing and am in the process of redoing all the covers. These are all stand-alone books with a common setting of Harmony Valley.  There is no common character thread. These books are “real issue books.”

EC:  The mystery of Forever Family in a Small-Town centers on alcoholism, a serious subject?

MC: The heroine does have a trigger warning.  I do have a very large family and many of them have gone through the issues in these books.  The writing helped me process a lot of it.

EC:  How would you describe Kathy, the main character in Forever Family in a Small Town?

MC:  She has low self-esteem, honest, vulnerable, and prickly.  She is deeply affected by her condition of alcoholism, being haunted by her past life. The alcoholism has affected her relationship with her eight-year-old son, Truman.  She now works with horses who have had a bad experience and feels if they can be redeemed so can she. She wants a second chance and not to be a victim.

EC:  How would you describe the hero, Dylan O’ Brien?

MC:  He has regrets from his past. He has boxed his past away, so he did not work through it.  He is on a journey.  He is caring, patient, and a good listener.  His job is to help horses and humans recover. 

EC:  What is the role of Truman, Kathy’s son?

MC:  Angry and resentful toward his mom.  He did not want to be hurt again by her. He is mistrusting of her.  There is a need to rebuild the mother-son relationship.  She tells him, “People make mistakes, and you try to forgive them.  If you love them enough, forgiveness comes.” This quote is so true to life.

EC:  What about the relationship between Dylan and Kathy?

MC:  At first, she feels betrayed but then comes around. He has encouraged her to release her secrets to overcome her demons.

EC:  In the Harlequin book, A Cowboy Worth Waiting For, how would you describe the heroine, Ronnie?

MC: She is loud, colorful, assertive, bossy, and brash.  She feels she is a magnet for disaster. She is brave enough to put herself out there.  But in the back of her mind, she feels she is a failure. Partly because her family cocooned her at an early age.

EC:  How would you describe Wade, the hero?

MC:  Recluse, stubborn, distant, determined, and a charmer. 

EC:  What about the relationship between them?

MC:  They are teasers, friends first.  She is trying to ignore her feelings.  He realizes first that they should get together. 

EC:  Next books?

MC:  I have a book in the “Cowboy Academy series” releasing the end of June, A Cowboy Fourth of July. There will be another Harmony Valley book and a Christmas romance comedy. I wrote an Alaskan book with two other authors that came out in February, Her Alaskan Matchmaker.  The next Alaskan book comes out in October.

THANK YOU!!

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BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Blog Post/Feature Post and Book Review: New Beginnings in the Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for NEW BEGINNINGS IN THE LITTLE IRISH VILLAGE by Michelle Vernal on the Bookouture Blog Tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

Welcome to the little Irish village of Emerald Bay where the sun is shining, the locals are gossiping, and romance is in the air. But will returning home be the fresh start Imogen Kelly needs?

Thirty-two-year-old Imogen Kelly is meant to be living her best life in Dublin but the bright lights of the city aren’t making her truly happy. So she leaps at the chance to take on an interior design job at the big country manor at the edge of Emerald Bay. It also gives Imogen an excuse to return to the place where she spent an unforgettable summer with her first love, Lachlan Leslie, the heir to Benmore House.

Imogen’s heart is full of hope at the thought of seeing her childhood sweetheart but on the way there she nearly has an accident on the winding, muddy country road. She arrives at Benmore House late and flustered, only to discover the builder working with her on the renovation project is none other than Ryan O’Malley – the class prankster who was forever pinging her bra strap at school.

Within seconds it’s clear he’s still a cheeky charmer, even if he’s transformed into a gorgeous guy who unexpectedly sets her pulse racing. Forced into close proximity with relentlessly cheerful Ryan, who’s forever (badly) singing rock ballads at the top of his voice, Imogen at first finds him an annoying distraction.

With St Patrick’s Day celebrations in full swing, Imogen has her work cut out to keep the job on track. Spending more time with Ryan, she discovers that, behind his warm smile and generous ways, he’s nursing heartache. But when she finally sees blue-eyed Lachlan again, Imogen has to face up to the truth about the secret summer romance they shared.

Will she leave Emerald Bay broken-hearted? Or will Imogen realise that home really is where the heart is?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123279464-new-beginnings-in-the-little-irish-village?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=pVLxR3fNIt&rank=1

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Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

NEW BEGINNINGS IN THE LITTLE IRISH VILLAGE by Michelle Vernal is a heart-warming contemporary romance set in the small Irish village of Emerald Bay. The Kelly family owns the local pub and is a loving family with five daughters. This is Imogen’s story, the second sister of the five. The eldest Kelly sister’s story is in Christmas in the Little Irish Village, which is also a wonderful read, but this story does stand on its own.

Imogen Kelly is thirty-two-years-old and a successful interior designer. She has been living and growing her business in Dublin, but she travels the country for various jobs. She jumps at the offer of the job to redesign guest rooms in the big country manor in her hometown. She is happy to visit and stay with her family, but she also wants to revisit the manor house of her first love, Lachlan Leslie.

When she shows up for her job, she is surprised to find the builder on the project is the cheeky Ryan O’Malley from her school days. Imogen finds she is attracted to the handsome builder, but her love life is complicated. Imogen must decide if she can get closure with her first love, find happiness with her current beau who is 27 years older than her and already has a grown family, or choose the builder who she finds she cannot quit thinking about.

This is a wonderfully charming contemporary romance with realistic characters and a setting that makes me want to pack my bags and move. Imogen is an intelligent and successful businesswoman but is struggling to find her soulmate and HEA. Her journey is made interesting with the choices she must make between the men in her life. Her family and best friend are fully drawn and give her support and love through her journey. There is humor, love and plenty of heart written into this story. The author makes Imogen and the small Irish village come to life. I cannot wait to return for the other sister’s stories,

I highly recommend this delightful contemporary romance!

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About the Author

Michelle Vernal is the Amazon UK top 100 bestselling author of Christmas in the Little Irish Village. In 2015 her debut novel, The Traveller’s Daughter, was shortlisted for the Love Stories award and in 2020, The The Letter won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Award for Chick lit. In addition, The Autumn Posy, Book 1 in the Liverpool Brides timeslip series, was a finalist in the 2021 Page Turner Book awards. She also writes the popular Guesthouse on the Green series featuring the hilarious O’Mara family. Michelle’s books are full of laugh out loud moments and warmth. Her readers describe her novels as unputdownable, feel-good and funny. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand, with her husband, two teenage sons and attention-seeking tabby cats, Humphrey and Savannah.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.michellevernalbooks.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleVernal

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/michelle-vernal

Blog Post/Feature Post and Book Review: Ghostly Games by Christine Feehan

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for GHOSTLY GAME (GhostWalker Book #19) by Christine Feehan on this blog tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, an excerpt from the book, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

Gideon “Eagle” Carpenter is used to rolling with the punches life has thrown at him. It’s the only thing that’s kept him alive. He and his team of GhostWalkers have seen and experienced it all. He does his best to live with all the sins written on his soul. Then he hears the laughter of a woman with the ability to erase—even for a few precious moments—the darkness of his past.

     Laurel “Rory” Chappel has always been a nomad. She’s accustomed to taking care of herself, despite the physical challenges she lives with. She thinks she’s too weak to find real love, but that doesn’t stop her interest in Gideon from turning into a full-on addiction. He’s all rough edges and danger contrasted with a tenderness that makes her feel safe. Still, after a life spent in motion, she’s not sure she knows how to stay in one place.

     Gideon hopes he can persuade Rory to take a chance on him with every electric touch. But soon, life conspires against him, forcing the GhostWalker to risk everything to protect the woman he loves….

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62888153-ghostly-game?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=7Py7Wvmqbg&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

GHOSTLY GAME (GhostWalkers Book #19) by Christine Feehan is a slow burn paranormal romance in the long lived GhostWalker series featuring genetically engineered soldiers and the mates that are made to match them. I have read many, but not all the books in this series. Each book is easily read as a standalone paranormal romance with a secondary mystery/suspense plot with characters and their talents from other books included without the need to read them all in order.

Gideon “Eagle” Carpenter is recuperating from his last mission which almost killed him as he saved a fellow GhostWalker. He is always the protector, but never believes he is worth saving because of the terrible things he has done. As he is meditating on his roof, he hears a woman’s laughter that pulls him out of the darkness.

Laurel “Rory” Chappel is a wanderer and never stays more than a few months in any one place. She supports herself by bartending and is amazing in her abilities. She does not date because she believes her severe asthma makes her too weak for anyone to be interested in her for the long term.

When Gideon enters the bar Rory is immediately interested in the dangerous looking man who makes her feel safe, but she is not sure she can settle down in one place and she feels Gideon is hiding things from her. Gideon soon realizes Rory is a GhostWalker and he is determined to protect her from the danger around her and get her to stay.

This is a change from the other books I have read in the series. This book has a very slow burn romance due to Gideon’s healing injuries at first and then Rory’s in the latter part of the story. They work more on emotional issues and trust between them where the other books have a lot of steamy sex scenes between the H/h. The two mysteries/suspense plots are a police investigation going on around Rory and her friends in her apartment building which puts them all in danger and there is also Gideon and the other GhostWalkers wondering if Rory is a danger to them sent by the doctor who created them. For me, this was a good addition to the series, and I was happy Gideon finally met his match, but the police investigation did not feel fully developed.

Overall, I enjoyed this return to the GhostWalker series. They keep me coming back for more.

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Excerpt

“I’m not getting the GhostWalker vibe off her,” Gideon said, his eyes on the woman talking to one of her many male customers.

It didn’t matter that her hair was piled on her head in a sloppy knot that was falling out tendril by wayward tendril; it was obvious she had masses of hair, and it was dark cherry red. The real deal. Cherry red. He’d never seen that color of hair on anyone before. Every time she moved under a light, it blazed into vibrant life. It was difficult to keep his eyes off her.

She had those eyes. A deep green. Emerald? Jade? No, emerald for certain. Her eyes sparkled when she talked to her customers. She looked directly at them even when she was mixing drinks, her rhythm never faltering. Sometimes she would laugh softly, the sound musical, turning heads no matter how low it was in the noise of the crowded bar.

“You’ve been here several times over the last couple of weeks, Javier.” Gideon made it a statement. It would be difficult to get anything past Javier.

Gideon had held out as long as he could. The doctor hadn’t given him permission to come see Rory in person, but he couldn’t resist the compulsion any longer. Javier wasn’t happy about it, but he’d come along to ensure Gideon didn’t tear open any wounds. In other words, Gideon thought a little ironically, babysitting.

“I’ve watched her closely,” Javier admitted. “I can’t see any indication that she’s a GhostWalker, other than she has extraordinary reflexes. Her bartending skills are amazing. She’s fast and can handle multiple orders. She doesn’t seem to forget faces or names. On the other hand, I’ve followed her home every night, and she doesn’t run or exhibit any kind of behaviors or skills a GhostWalker might under cover of darkness. She walks, Gideon. Even if there’s a threat to her, which, on more than one occasion, I shut down.”

Gideon didn’t like that. The bartender everyone called Rory was a very attractive woman, although she didn’t seem to notice that she was. She didn’t flirt with her customers so much as genuinely try to connect in a friendly, positive way. If a man asked her out, she gave him a grin but refused gently.

Gideon liked the sprinkling of freckles across her nose and her generous mouth. It would be easy to fixate on both. “You did a background search on her?” Javier was a genius with computers. Gideon knew Javier had. He’d read the report multiple times and committed it to memory. He hoped Javier had updated it.

“Not much to find. She moves around a lot. Lost her parents early. Put herself through bartending school and uses that to earn her way. She doesn’t stay in one place very long. She goes to a state, travels within that state for a little while and moves on to the next one.”

“Anyone following her?”

“Not that I can find.”

Gideon slid his fingers around the neck of the beer bottle and rolled it back and forth. “I’m really drawn to her, Javier, more than any woman I’ve ever been around. The chemistry for me is off the charts. That doesn’t happen. Not like this. Not just with the sound of her voice. Her laughter. Now, watching other men around her, my attraction to her could be a little on the dangerous side, and you know I’m really not that man.”

Javier studied him, one eyebrow arched.

“Not over a woman,” Gideon clarified. “How can I trust it? You know Whitney pairs us. Would he pair someone who isn’t a GhostWalker just to experiment?”

Javier shrugged. “I wouldn’t put it past the bastard to do anything, but what would it matter even if he did pair the two of you? Look at Kane and Rose. They’re happy together. Whitney didn’t make that happen. He might be able to make you attractive to each other, but he can’t manipulate your emotions.”

“And if she’s a plant?”

Again, Javier shrugged. “Then she’s an enemy, Gideon, and I’ll kill her. Whitney doesn’t get to have spies in our home.”

Every cell in Gideon’s body instantly rejected Javier’s casual threat. “Not happening, brother. I wouldn’t be able to let you do it,” he admitted. “That’s another black mark to put in the column against her.”

Excerpted from Ghostly Game by Christine Feehan Copyright © 2023 by Christine Feehan. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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About the Author

 Christine Feehan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Carpathian series, the GhostWalker series, the Leopard series, the Shadow Riders series, the Torpedo Ink series, and the Sea Haven novels, including the Drake Sisters series and the Sisters of the Heart series. She also writes stand-alone romantic suspense novels set in the California backcountry.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.christinefeehan.com/index.php

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCFeehan

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christine-feehan

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Breakneck by Marc Cameron

Book Description

Off the northeast coast of Russia, the captain and crew of a small crabbing vessel are brutally murdered by members of Bratva, the Russian mafia—their bodies stuffed into crab pots and thrown overboard. The killers scuttle the vessel off the coast of Alaska and slip ashore.
 
In Washington, DC, Supreme Court Justice Charlotte Morehouse prepares for a trip to Alaska, unaware that a killer is waiting to take his revenge—by livestreaming her death to the world.
 
In Anchorage, Alaska, Deputy US Marshals Arliss Cutter and Lola Teariki are assigned to security detail at a judicial conference in Fairbanks. Lola is tasked with guarding Justice Townsend’s teenaged daughter while Cutter provides counter-surveillance. It’s a simple, routine assignment—until the mother and daughter decide to explore the Alaskan wilderness on the famous Glacier Discovery train. Hiding onboard are the Chechen terrorists, who launch a surprise attack. While they seize control of the engine, Cutter manages to escape with Justice Townsend by jumping off the moving train—and into the unforgiving wilderness.
 
With no supplies and no connection to the outside world, Cutter and the judge must cross a treacherous terrain to stay alive. Two of the terrorists are close behind. The others are on the train with the judge’s daughter—and they plan to execute her on camera. With so many lives at stake, Cutter knows there are only two options left: catch the train and kill them all . . . or all will be killed.

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Elise’s Thoughts

Breakneck by Marc Cameron comes alive with a train ride deep into the Alaskan wilderness. US Marshal Arliss Cutter along with the Alaskan setting plus the Russian mob make for a good thriller recipe. There is plenty of action, suspense, and mystery.

The main plot line has Deputy US Marshal Arliss Cutter and his partner, Lola Teariki assigned to a security detail at a judicial conference in Fairbanks.  They are appointed to the protective detail of US Supreme Court Justice Charlotte Morehouse and her teenage daughter Ramona. After the conference ends, they decide to take a scenic train ride to explore the Alaskan wilderness on the famous Glacier Discovery Train. Unfortunately, no one suspects the Russian mobster, Maxim Volkov, who wants the Justice dead in retribution for the role she played in the death of his wife.  The Russians are brutal, unrepentant, and have no qualms about killing anyone who gets in their way.  The train’s confined space makes the Justice an easy target.  To save the Justice, Arliss has them both jump overboard.  This is where another antagonist, the setting, comes into play.

The other sub-plots involve the growing romance between Lola and Anchorage Policeman Joe Bill Bracket, the pursuit for truth about Arliss’s brother Ethan’s death, and the need for Arliss and his sister-in-law Mim to address their feelings for each other.

This story takes off, putting readers on a wild ride with the characters who are fighting for their survival.  The action is authentic, the characters well written, and the plot intense.

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Author Interview

Elise Cooper: The idea for the story?

Mark Cameron: All these books are boiling around in my mind from my career. I wanted to write about the different jobs of US Marshals including a protection “gig” for my main character Arliss.

EC: How would you describe US Supreme Court Justice Charlotte Morehouse?

MC: For many years my primary focus in the Marshal service was protecting Supreme Court Justices and District Judges. It is something I am familiar with including the setting of Alaska. Justice Morehouse lives in an insulated world and has a position of power.  She rises above people waiting on her and doing all the research. She is a good listener and a good person. I did not write her as a damsel in distress, but Arliss did help her survive Alaska. She has a teenage daughter, Ramona who Lola, Cutter’s partner, protects, interacts with, and can show a playful side.

EC:  Was Morehouse based on anyone?

MC:  None of the characters are based on any one person.  But she was inspired by those I met.  I was on Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s detail a few times. I met her when she had come to Alaska to fish.  I always respected her demeanor, a wise human being. I interacted with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg since I was the Chief when she came to Alaska. I wanted to write about how the US Marshals protected them. We protect everybody equally and stay out of the politics.

EC:  You mention in the book another types of law enforcement, VPSO?

MC:  It stands for Village Public Safety Officer. They have a motto, “First Responders in the last frontier.” They are funded by the state and the tribes.  It is a quasi-law enforcement type.  They help the state troopers.  They are generally unarmed but do carry teasers, pepper spray, and a baton. Many times, they are in places where there are no troopers stationed and do have power to arrest. They do everything from combating criminals, fires, and do search/rescue. I wrote about this profession with the character George Polty.

EC:  How did the setting of Alaska play into the plot?

MC:  The Alaska setting is an antagonist because it is so brutal. The Alaskan wilderness is uncaring and scary. The wind, the snow, and the river.  Whether a billionaire or pauper the river can drown someone. People must learn to go on the wilderness’s terms.  If someone fights it head on, they will lose. There is no fair. If someone is not smart the setting can kill them.

EC:  There was also the Alaskan train.  Did you do any research?

MC:  My wife and I rode it just last year. I flew over it, took some boats, and then four wheelers to make sure I was familiar with the area. It is wild, off the grid. The train goes through once a day during the season, but the rest of the time it is locked in snow and ice. When the snowpack melts there are chunks of ice, scouring the riverbank. The river rises and turns turbulent.

EC:  What is the role of Captain Tom Walker, a former Army Ranger sniper?

MC:  He represents those people who is a loner, odd duck.  He hides out, sick of civilian civilized life.  Arliss Cutter is envious of his simple life.

EC:  Why the Russian mob angle?

MC:  I said in the beginning of the book, Russia is just like Alaska except they have tigers. It is the same setting.  The wilderness is the same.  Russia is just across the water from some of the Alaskan islands.

EC:  Where are you going with the relationship between Mim and Arliss?

MC:  She married his brother, Ethan, who died a few years ago. She is a little scared of her own feelings.  The next book will show where they will be headed.  Some readers will think that there is an attraction between Mim and her brother-in-law, Arliss. Hopefully I laid the groundwork that he is not a stalker, but their feelings have been a long slow burn. But I think most people will think that if they get together it will be organic and natural.  He is damaged, having lost his last wife to cancer; she is widowed; and they do have a past when they were sixteen and dated.

EC:  Can you explain the meaning of Grandfather Grumpy’s credo, “never go anywhere for the first time”?

MC:  It means talk to people who have been there already, don’t go anywhere blind. Read up about it. Get all the information you can. All these sayings I have learned along the way. I started in law enforcement in the eighties.  I worked with cowboys, Viet Nam vets, my own grandparents.  I used their rules and put them in Grumpy’s words when they fit the narrative.

EC:  Next book?

MC:  The overall arc about Ethan’s death will continue. It is titled Bad River. There will be a murder investigation in the far Alaskan north, around Utqiagvik.  It will be out a year from now.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Amish Wilderness Survival by Mary Alford

Book Description

To stay alive,

she must escape a killer’s clutches

When her brother goes missing, Leora Mast will do anything to find him…even if it means putting her life in danger. Upon arriving in Montana, she finds an ally in Fletcher Shetler, but almost as soon as they meet, they’re running for their lives. With Fletcher’s help, Leora must unravel the truth about her brother’s disappearance…before the man who wants them dead tracks them down.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

***

Elise’s Thoughts

Amish Wilderness Survival by Mary Alford blends an Amish story within an intense thriller. The plot is action-packed as the hero and heroine are immediately thrust into a dangerous situation where they must run for their lives.

Leora Mast is trying to find her twin brother, Tanner, who has gone missing.  After losing her parents to a fire and surviving cancer she only has him left, with an unmistakable link.  She travels to Montana to speak with Tanner’s Marine buddy, Ethan Connors.  Leora had tasked Ethan with finding her brother since he runs a SARS (Search and Rescue) program.

Ethan went into partnership with Fletcher Shelter and his brother, using dogs to find people in the mountains of Montana. Fletcher and Ethan are more like family than friends, and when Ethan stopped returning his phone calls, Fletcher goes to his home to investigate. There he finds Leora, a ransacked house, and no signs of Tanner or Ethan.

Shortly after arriving Leora and Fletcher are confronted by unknown assailants who kidnap them and want answers to what Tanner has stolen and where he is hiding it. Able to escape, both journey into the woods where they find Ethan’s search and rescue dog, Molly. With the help of Molly, they try to stay one step ahead of the bad guys as they try to find Ethan and Tanner. With their lives on the line Fletcher and Leora open up about their past and realize they have feelings for each other.

The story is riveting as readers will not want to put the book down.  They will feel as if they are right there with the characters, going on the journey with them.

***

Author Interview

Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the story?

Mary Alford: I always enjoy writing Ethan into my stories.  Regarding the heroine, she has had a troubled past, but is very strong.  I also wanted Fletcher to have his own story, since he has been a hero in other books. It was kind of a wrong place at the wrong time story since Fletcher was just checking on Ethan. The heroine was also going to Ethan’s house to follow up on any news about her brother.  Unfortunately, they both saw the house in chaos and were greeted by evil people who kidnapped them.

EC:  You refer to SARS?

MA:  SARS stands for Search and Rescue.I did a lot of the research on-line and found out how interesting are the animals. In the story, Molly is a former military dog, a German Shepherd, adopted by Ethan. Fletcher was trained in the SARS program by Ethan. They now do rescue missions in the mountains.  There will be future books with these dogs.

EC:  What was the role of Molly?

MA:  She is a Search and Rescue dog.  Because Ethan disappeared, Molly went out on her own looking for him. After escaping from their kidnappers, Fletcher and Leora run into the woods and find Molly.  She has been trailing Ethan so the three team up.

EC:  How would you describe Ethan?

MA: Former military. He is strong, helpful, and courageous. Leora’s brother, Tanner, relates to Ethan when they served together in the military.

EC:  How would you describe Fletcher?

MA:  He is one of five brothers. He is the one who tries to keep the family together.  His life is embedded in the Amish community. Once engaged to marry a woman who ran out on him, he has decided that he might never get married. He is very protective, kind, tender, and never gives up.

EC:  How would you describe Leora?

MA: Leora is guilt ridden, caring, and a worrier. She has been through a lot.  Tanner is her twin.  They lost their parents in a fire when they were teenagers. The fire was ruled to be arson. After they moved to Colorado, Tanner leaves the Amish community.  The story begins after she has finished her chemo because of breast cancer.  Leora is strong emotionally, but weak physically.

EC:  What about the relationship between Fletcher and Leora?

MA: Because of her cancer she is afraid to get involved with anyone, not wanting to put anyone through heartache. Fletcher gains Leora’s trust. They realize they care about each other but struggle with their past. He even told her how he feels with this quote, “This is the life. We love them for a while, and then mourn them for a lifetime.” He wants her to know he would cherish every moment he has with her, no matter how long.

EC:  Does Tanner play a role?

MA:  He is torn between being Amish and English. He has struggled with his life.  To Leora, Tanner is everything, which is why she looks for him.

EC:  Next books?

MA:  The next book will feature Ethan, titled Amish Country Ransom, coming out in August. The heroine in the story is Jade, who was also in this book.

Deadly Mountain Escape comes out in 2024 with different characters and a new setting, Ruby Valley Montana.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.