Mar 31, 2023

#BlogTour #Extract #FanMail #JosephLewis #RachelsRandomResources

 


 Fan Mail

One Sentence Pitch:

Fan Mail is a multi-layered coming-of-age story about a family of adopted brothers, embedded in a gripping thriller that will keep the reader guessing who is behind the letters and the car bomb, and fearing one or more of the boys may die before the culprit is found.

 

Short Blurb:

A car bomb, threatening letters, and a heart attack cause the once tight-knit and supportive family of adoptive brothers to turn on each other. Can Detectives Graff, O'Connor and Eiselmann solve who is behind it before the family is torn apart? Before anyone is seriously injured? Before one or more of the boys die?

 

Long Blurb:

A barrage of threatening letters, a car bomb, and a heart attack rip apart what was once a close-knit family of adopted brothers. Randy and Bobby, along with fellow band member and best friend, Danny, receive fan mail that turns menacing. They ignore it, but to their detriment. The sender turns up the heat. Violence upends their world. It rocks the relationship between the boys and ripples through their family, nearly killing their dad. As these boys turn on each other, adopted brother Brian flashes back to that event in Arizona where he nearly lost his life saving his brothers. The scars on his face and arms healed, but not his heart. Would he once again have to put himself in harm's way to save them? And if faced with that choice, will he?

 

Purchase Link: 

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fan-Mail-Joseph-Lewis-ebook/dp/B0BLNTBTMG/

US - https://www.amazon.com/Fan-Mail-Joseph-Lewis-ebook/dp/B0BLNTBTMG/


 Extract from Fan Mail by Joseph Lewis

 

 

When I wrote this book, like any author, I had a story idea and I wrote it. It wasn’t until after it was completed, with all the edits finished, did I realize just how much each chapter or paragraph or sentence impacted the whole and led to the climax. 

 

Having been in education for 47 years and counting as a teacher, coach, counselor, and administrator, I’ve come to understand the importance of making connections, of mentoring the kids in your charge. I certainly tried to do that, especially as a coach and teacher. The stories that had been shared with me as a counselor ran the gamut of joyful, to sad, to tragic. 

 

In Fan Mail, five of the seven brothers play on the school basketball team coached by Tommy Harrison. His players, especially the five Evans boys like him and not only see him as a coach, but as a friend and mentor. Harrison often pulls his players aside and talks to them, not only about basketball and school, but about life. In the passage below, he and Brian have a conversation that ends up playing a huge part in the book.

 

“You’ve had quite a couple of months,” Harrison said as he nodded at Brian. 

Brian knew Harrison meant the scar around his right eye. 

“Then your dad with his heart thingy,” using the term the boys used. “How are you doing, Brian? Really doing?”

He didn’t want to go into the shitty week he had, which was topped off by last night, which was shittier than the week. He didn’t want to go into the scar around his eye or the other scars. Brian didn’t know how much Harrison knew, but he suspected Brian or Billy or even his dad had filled him in on some of it.

Brian said, “I’m okay. Not great, but okay.”

Harrison marveled at Brian’s honesty, and his ability to compartmentalize his life. There was Brian’s school life, separate from sports, and each sport separate from each other. There was life at home, and there was his social life. Tony seemed to be a part of Brian’s life now.

“Anything I can do?”

Brian smiled and said, “No, I’m okay.”

Harrison nodded and said, “Yes, that’s what you said. If you ever need anything, I’m here.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

Changed subjects, Harrison asked, “Is your dad going to be at the game tonight?”

Brian shrugged and said, “We don’t know yet. I think we’ll find out at game time.”

“Your dad has a pregame ritual with you guys.”

Brian nodded and said, “I’ve got it covered. I’ll talk to each of my brothers, along with Mikey and Gavin.”

Harrison smiled and said, “I figured as much.”

Brian smiled and felt himself blushing.

“You would have made a helluva captain. Last year, you and Brett were Co-Conference Players of the Year. You earned the respect, not only of your teammates but also the coaches in the conference.”

Brian shifted uncomfortably in his seat and said, “Thank you, but honestly, being a captain means more to Brett and Billy. Brett, because he is the point guard and the coach on the floor. He’s our leader in a lot of ways, besides basketball. Billy, because he’s a leader and he works so hard. The guys see it.”

“Just so long as you don’t shrink from leadership if it comes to you.”

“I’d never do that.”

Harrison nodded, thought for a minute and said, “Seems like you and Tony have hit it off.”

Brian blushed and said, “He’s a good guy. All the guys like him.”

“I think he’s as good for you as you are for him.”

“Meaning?” Brian asked.

“This is philosophical, but I believe people come into other’s lives for a reason, just like people leave other’s lives for a reason. I know you, and I know your heart, and I know you’ve struggled in ...” he wagged his head and said, “relationships. I think Tony is good for you.”

“I’m not sure,” Brian said, but stopped.

“I believe everyone needs to live their own life. Unless we’re talking about an axe murderer or some psycho. But when it comes to living your own life, there is no wrong or right. We are given a life. We are given moments. We have to make the most of those moments in our lives.” He paused, smiled, and said, “That’s all I’m saying.” He leaned forward and said, “I want you to make the most of your moments. In whatever you do, and with whoever is in your life. After all, it’s your life.”

Brian tilted his head, and he was pretty sure Harrison was tip-toeing around the issue. Brian’s issue. He didn’t know how he should respond or even if he should respond.

“Kids follow you. They look up to you. That’s an enormous responsibility. What you do and what you say can have a great impact on others.”

Puzzled, Brian shook his head.

He leaned forward and said, “I watch kids in the hallways, or the cafeteria or in my class. Some are shy. I get it. Some are struggling with who they are. I feel sorry for them. They are wasting their lives and their moments. Hiding who they are. I know our society and maybe our school isn’t ready for them, and it makes me sad.”

Brian shook his head, unable, and perhaps unwilling, to say anything.

“I want you happy. I want you to live your life and live your moments. If along the way you can help others do the same,” he smiled, letting the statement hang there.




After having been in education for forty-six years as a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator, Joseph Lewis has semi-retired and now works part-time as an online learning facilitator. He uses his psychology and counseling background to craft thriller/crime/detective mysteries, and has taken creative writing and screen writing courses at UCLA and USC. 

 

Lewis has published eight books, all available on Amazon and each to excellent reviews: Taking Lives (May 2021) the prequel to the Lives Trilogy; Stolen Lives (May 2021) Book One of the Lives Trilogy is a BestThrillers 1st Place Award Winner for Crime Fiction, and a Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner; Shattered Lives (May 2021) Book Two of the Trilogy; and Splintered Lives (May 2021) Book Three of the Trilogy (May 2021); Caught in a Web (April 2018), which was a PenCraft Literary Award Winner for Crime Fiction and named “One of the Best Crime Fiction Thrillers of 2018!” by Best Thrillers; Spiral Into Darkness (January 2019), which was named a Recommended Read by Author’s Favorites; Betrayed November 2020 is a Top Shelf Award 1st Place Fiction-Mystery; Top Shelf Award Runner-Up Fiction-Crime; PenCraft Award 1st Place Winner, Maxy Award Runner-Up for Mystery-Suspense, a Literary Titan Silver Book Award Winner, and a Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Rating Winner; Blaze In, Blaze Out January 2022 has already won a Literary Titan Gold Book Award, A Reader’s Favorite Recommended Read, and was an Editor’s Pick by BestThrillers.com . Lewis has another thriller-crime-mystery, Fan Mail hitting the market March 30, 2023.

 

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Lewis has been happily married to his wife, Kim. Together they have three wonderful children: Wil (deceased July 2014), Hannah, and Emily. He and his wife now reside in Virginia.

 

Social Media Links – 

Social Media Contact:

 

Author Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

 

Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/jrlewisauthor

 

Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author

 

Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Lewis/e/B01FWB9AOI /

 

Blog at: https://www.simplethoughtsfromacomplicatedmindsortof.com





Mar 30, 2023

#BlogTour #ILoveYouAlwaysForever #CharlieDean #RachelsRandomResources

 


 I Love You, Always, Forever

Life is full of highs and lows, but it’s who helps us through that counts.

 

Stumbling across her teenage diaries in her childhood home, Charlie is instantly transported to the 1990s.

 

Charlie relives all the emotions and feelings as memories come flooding back, from first kiss to first love and everything in between.

 

Back in the present and Charlie discovers that even in the darkest of times, light and laughter can ALWAYS be found.

 

A heartfelt journey through life, from teenage angst to the trials and tribulations of adulthood. Family love, friendship and romance weave throughout but who will love you, always, forever?

 



Pre-order Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Love-You-Always-Forever-ebook/dp/B0BSYSTC2Z/

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/I-Love-You-Always-Forever-

ebook/dp/B0BSYSTC2Z/


About the Author 


I’m a 70s baby, 80s child and a 90s teenager. My family and friends mean the world to me. I love most animals especially horse and dogs, but not snakes, never snakes. Writing is a great passion of mine. I love creating stories and characters, they help me escape from the world for a while and I hope readers feel the same. I am a huge fan of All Creatures Great and Small, Call the Midwife and Bridgerton. I love history and romance. I also write for children as Lily Mae Walters and adults as Florence Keeling.


 

Follow Charlie Dean on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CharlieADean


I Love You Always Forever

Written By 

Charlie Dean

Review By 

Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews


First, I want to thank Charlie Dean and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review. 


YES!!! I Love You, Always, Forever all things related to the 90’s!!! This is a huge reason I adored Charlie Dean’s book!!! She took her readers down memory lane when things were oh so simple! I could not help but have a Koolaid grin on my face with all the pop culture references. 


The graphic designers did such a cute job with the cover graphics for this book. Just with one look you knew that it was going to be a fun read. 


Charlie wrote I Love You, Always, Forever from her heart and it showed through her writing! She allowed her readers to feel compassion, empathy, sympathy within many of the storylines. Charlie based her characters and storylines on her own personal life. Learning this made the book so much more meaningful. 


One thing I loved about the book Charlie took us back to the 90’s where we got to see Christian and the character Charlie’s relationship unfold. 


I was quite impressed by how up to date this book was with the topics and subject matters. She mentioned Covid and a lot of things that went along with it. I do 1000% agree with her on the GP’s not caring for patient’s like they used to. Besides that she was very up to date on Olivia Newton John passing! 


This was a beautifully written book that should be on your tbr list. 




Mar 28, 2023

#BookBlitz #Excerpt #Giveaway #Prowl #CaraDee #XpressoTours

 

Prowl
Cara Dee
(The Game Series, #12)
Publication date: March 28th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

The Game Series • Book 12 • Sequel to Apex Predator • MMMM • Primal Play • D/s • Hurt Comfort • ADHD

In Apex Predator, Lane and Macklin headed down to South Florida for a wild week in the sun, but now it’s time to return to reality. Things back home might feel a bit…unsettled…for both men, and even more so when they notice two apex predators on the prowl.

Ty and Walker will take it from here, boys.

The Game Series is a BDSM series where romance meets the reality of kink. Sometimes we fall for someone we don’t match with, sometimes vanilla business gets in the way of kinky pleasure, and sometimes we have to compromise and push ourselves to overcome trauma and insecurities. No matter what, one thing is certain. This is not a perfect world—and maybe that’s why the happily ever after feels so good.

Goodreads / Pre-order

EXCERPT:

Walker McKenna

“Let’s not buy Macklin’s false confidence either,” Ty murmured. “We’re coming for them.”

A shudder ran through me, and I nodded once.

“I’m gonna give Macklin the day to think things over,” I decided. “If he doesn’t fess up about what’s wrong, I’ll show him tomorrow.”

“It’s a plan.” He kissed my cheek, and when he backed away again, the devil seeped into his eyes. “You grew up in the South, so you must’ve seen your share of snakes in your day.”

My eyebrows flew up. “Uh, sure. Yeah.”

“Well, plenty of them have their ways of attracting prey…”

Okay, he had my attention. “I’m listenin’.”

He smirked. “It’s time to drop some bait for the boys and see what sticks.”

Author Bio:

I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex.

There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly.

Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.

I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Newsletter


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Mar 26, 2023

#BookReview #DoNoHarm #JackJordan #SimonandSchusterUK #CompulsiveReaders

 

O MY CHILD HAS BEEN TAKEN.
AND I’VE BEEN GIVEN A CHOICE . . .
KILL A PATIENT ON THE OPERATING TABLE
OR LOSE MY SON FOREVER.


The man lies on the table in front of me.
As a surgeon, it’s my job to save him.
As a mother, I know I must kill him.
You might think that I’m a monster.
But there really is only one choice.
I must get away with murder.
Or I will never see my son again.


I’VE SAVED MANY LIVES.
WOULD YOU TRUST ME WITH YOURS?




 Jack Jordan is the global number one bestselling author of Anything for Her (2015), My Girl (2016), A Woman Scorned (2018), Before Her Eyes (2018) and Night by Night (2019). 

His latest thriller, Do No Harm, was an instant Times bestseller and shortlisted for the Most Recommended Book in the DeadGood Reader Awards. Coined the thriller of the summer for 2022, it was described as “relentlessly tense” by Sunday Times Bestseller Lesley Kara, and “Chilling and perfectly paced” by New York Times Bestseller Sarah Pearse.

To find out more about Jack, enter numerous annual giveaways to win signed copies of his books, and be the first to hear of new book releases and news, follow him here:


Instagram: @JackJordan_author

TikTok: @jackjordan_author

Twitter: @JackJordanBooks

Facebook: JackJordanOfficial

Goodreads: JackJordanOfficial


Do No Harm 

Written By 

Jack Jordan

Review By 

Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews


First, I want to thank Jack Jordan, Simon and Schuster  and Compulsive Readers for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.


OMG!!! Jack Jordan I must know where you got your inspiration for your totally addictive, twisted, emotionally and mentally charged Medical Thriller Do No Harm?! You will have me questioning next time I see a surgeon! Oh this book was pure genius and will have all of your readers talking!


You may want to clear your schedule for this one. Instantly from page one he hooked me into the story and by the time I looked up it was evening. It was just so good that I couldn’t put it down. 


Jack Jordan did a phenomenal job with his descriptions and his eye for detail. He made you feel like you were right there with the character. 


Do No Harm encorporated my love for all things medical, mystery, suspense, thriller, and a little emotional pulling on my heart strings. 


Jack threw in a few curve balls that I didn’t see coming at all that totally surprised me. 


#BlogTour #TheGoodPatient #AlexStone #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #RachelsRandomResources

 


 The Good Patient

Appearances can be deceptive...

I was taught that life is pain. That love is pain. It was unavoidable. Acceptable. I never had anything, or anyone I could count on. Not really. Not even myself.

Until I met Dr Menon...


To the outside world Lauren Taylor’s relationship with her boyfriend Josh is perfect. He is supportive and loving and has been there for Lauren during her darkest moments. But behind closed doors, secrets and lies can be hidden…


And when Lauren wakes up in a hospital bed and is told Josh is missing, those secrets come bubbling up to the surface.

Because the police think Lauren knows exactly what’s happened to Josh; that she could even be capable of his murder…


The only person who believes in Lauren's innocence is Dr Menon, who has cared for Lauren as his patient for the last few weeks. He can't believe she's capable of murder.  He knows just how good she really is.


Isn’t she? 


Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3GdGHNL



Alex Stone, originally an accountant from the West Midlands, is now a psychological suspense writer based in Dorset. This beautiful and dramatic coastline is the inspiration and setting for her novels. She was awarded the Katie Fforde Bursary in 2019 and her debut thriller The Perfect Daughter was published by  Boldwood in October 2021.




Social Media Links – 

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/AlexStoneAuthor

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alexstoneauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlexStoneNewsletter

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alex-stone-69a67039-4aed-4e8c-9319-9e93eba46d5b



The Good Patient 

Written By

Alex Stone

Review By

Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews


First, I want to thank Alex Stone, Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review. 


OH YES!!! The Good Patient is GOOD!!! Alex Stone is becoming one of my favorite authors! Her latest The Good Patient I found completely intriguing and fascinated me to no end!! She has a habit of writing her stories so creatively outside of the box! One reason she is becoming my go to author! 


Instantaneously Alex lured me into her fast paced storyline by feeling empathy and compassion to what was going on in Lauren’s life. You know my heart strings were pulled with this storyline! She hooked me and I had so many questions that needed to be answered just from the prologue itself. Needless to say, I binge read this book!!


If you were to ask me which storyline was my favorite it would have to be Lauren’s and her relationship with her Mother. That story was deep, intense, emotional, and there were times I wanted to reach in and hug Lauren! I appreciated how Alex went back in time to when Lauren was little then flash forward to modern day. 


There was a time in the book that Alex totally shocked and stumped me! I thought I knew the medical diagnosis Lauren had but I was so wrong! Alex taught me something new (besides that I am human and make mistakes). 


I loved how Alex took us back in time when Lauren was young to fast forward today. In doing so we got to learn more of her backstory and see the person she became today. 


By the end of the book you get a better picture of why Alex chose the title The Good Patient. Guaranteed you have not read a story like The Good Patient! This needs to be put on your TBR list and moved to the top! Oh and this book deserves way more than 5 stars! 







Mar 24, 2023

#BookReview #MindToBend #AureliaKnight

 

Mind to Bend (Stolen Obsessions Book 1)


The last thing I expected when I married at twenty-two was to remain a virgin at twenty-four.


My husband didn’t want me, he married me out of obligation rather than love, and I thought nothing could hurt worse than that.


But my solution, marriage counseling, was only the beginning.


The first time I saw Shane, I knew I was boarding an express bus to hell because my husband never made me feel a flicker of that spark, and that was before we shook hands.

He doesn’t just want me; he wants all my firsts, my very soul, and damn it. I think he’s going to get them.

***Mind to Bend is a standalone dark romance and book 1 in a series of interconnected standalone. There is graphic adult content that may be disturbing to some readers. Please check content warnings.***


Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDBDQ3QD


Aurelia Knight is a hot mess, doing her best to keep it together most days. Words are the greatest love of her life second only to her husband and sons. If she's not typing away, 

getting lost in her own world, she's reading and slipping away into the worlds of other writers. A caffeine addict who believes sleep is secondary to the endless promise of "just one more chapter".

Follow Aurelia:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09LXLRM6V

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aureliaknightauthor/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aureliaknightwrites

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aurelia-knight

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18147077.Aurelia_Knight

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/669696184345504

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/aureliaknightauthor


Mind To Bend

Written By 

Aurelia Knight

Review By

Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

First, I want to thank Aurelia Knight for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review. 


DANG!!!!! If you are looking for a HOTT, STEAMY and TABOO read well then let me introduce you to Aurelia Knight’s Mind to Bend!!! Your mind will be more than bent with this one let me tell you!! Oh I knew it was going to be spicy (and I am more than ok with that) but WOW!! 


Mind to Bend is NOT for those close minded readers out there. Oh no you must have a very open mind to read this book. That being said, there are trigger warnings attached that Aurelia posted. 


This is my first time ever reading an Aurelia Knight book so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. Like I mentioned before this is a very spicy book but OMG she went places that left me totally speechless! Like who takes their husband to couples therapy because they caught him masturbating?! I was literally laughing out loud with that one! Oh but that was just the beginning of the shocking things about this couple! I was literally shaking my head with this storyline!! 


The part I think I liked a little way too much was the taboo relationship between Shane and Serephina. It was hott, steamy, intense, shocking and oh so totally forbidden!! It is a part of the book I feel every reader who reads this will be talking about! 


I absolutely loved the beautiful and unique names that Aurelia chose for this book. 


Aurelia has a very vivid imagination!! I would just love to pick her brain and see how she came up with such a twisted storyline!! 



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Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews (heidilynnsbookreviews@gmail.com) Published @ 2014 by Crossroad Reviews