Book Review: Where There's Smoke by Rachel Louise Adams

 

Rachel Louise Adams returns to the world she created in No Rest For the Wicked with her follow up book, Where's There's Smoke, Coldren County series book 2.

Where There's Smoke

Minotaur Books

Small Town Medical Thriller

Find all the buy links HERE

My Rating for Where There's Smoke: 3.5 Stars

Dr. Dolores Diaz (Hawthorne) has divorced Max and moved to Coldren County in a job as medical examiner. When she's called to a crime scene where a body was found at the local slaughterhouse Dolores is trying to survive, being near her family in Wisconsin This case catches the attention of her friends at the FBI and as more questions come as she investigates, answers are few and far between. As the team continues to get closer tot he truth, someone is determined they don't figure out the murder and why it happened.

My Review of Where There's Smoke:

Where There's Smoke is the first book of Rachel Louise Adams books I have read and I haven't read the first book, No Rest for the Wicked, and I was slightly confused over mentions of past events and secondary characters from book one showing up in Where There's Smoke. I liked Dolores Diaz and felt her character was interesting and enjoyable. The one thing I noticed was it had a lot of content warnings/triggers mentioned within the first few pages of the books but not on the back of the book with the blurb. This was only one of the issues I had with Where There's Smoke. The author does a good job capturing her characters personalities within the pages of Where There's Smoke and the story flowed smoothly from the start to the end of the book.

There is subplots between Dolores and Kate who is from the first book and new FBI agent. I had no trouble following along with the main and sub plots within Where There's Smoke and it added a depth to the two FMC's within the book. The mystery was intriguing and felt the author does a good job capturing the characters well within the pages. Where There's Smoke is more a character driven story than a crime plot driven story. The crime and protaganest was easy to figure out but that was secondary to the characters driving the storyline in my opinion.

Where There's Smoke is an interesting story but I think you need to read book one, No Rest for the Wicked before reading Where There's Smoke. You will get a better overview of the returning characters in the new book and what happened to them in book one. This is a new to me author I found enjoyable and I am now going back to read No Rest For The Wicked and reread this one afterwards to get a better understanding of Dolores and everyone mentioned in this new book. 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement. 

Book Spotlight Tour Stop/Giveaway: Killer Friends by Chris Karlsen

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Chris Karlsen will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Henrietta Newell stormed into the detective bureau. She claimed her adult son was missing and feared for his safety. The detectives attempted to reassure her that the absence of a bachelor in his thirties, in a city like London, wasn’t extraordinary. Despite their efforts, she insisted an investigation be conducted, reminding them of her political connections.

Detective Rudyard Bloodstone and his partner were told to look into the matter. Their investigation reveals evidence of suspicious and unusual activity but no clues regarding the man’s disappearance. The few leads they develop take them from the world of wealthy families and into the secret society of sexual peculiarities.

The detectives discover the victim didn’t simply disappear. He was murdered. They have the evidence except for one problem, they’re missing the victim’s body.

Read an Excerpt

Newell counted to one hundred out of excess of caution in case Eric and Leo remained nearby. At one-hundred he stood by the door, delayed for a couple of seconds, searching for a way to open the door. His vision, cut off by the bag when they hustled him into the room, he was unaware the knob had been removed.

Newell kicked the lock housing. The door didn’t budge. He took a few steps back to build momentum and kicked the lock again. The force knocked him on his bum and sent a shock wave of pain from his ankle to his knee. He scrambled to his feet and, gave his kicking leg a few good jerks, hoping to shake off the pain. He couldn’t say why he thought that would help other than he’d seen workmen shake limbs after hurting themselves.

The effort didn’t ease the pain. No point in repeating another kick. He took the only option left and screamed for help.

No one came.

Outside, drunks shouted challenges and curses to each other. London was never truly quiet. The seedier the neighborhood, the louder the inhabitants. Foot traffic along the river was constant, increasing during the day, but still busy at night. Surely, someone should hear him. He yelled, loud as he could.

Nothing.

He shouted for help again and again.

No one came.

Newell’s throat felt like he’d swallowed broken glass when he finally stopped for the night. Exhausted, he curled up on the cold floor and tried to sleep. Every part of his back ached. Shoulders to his tailbone throbbed like he’d been beaten with an iron rod. The pain traveled and no matter how he positioned himself, his calves and thighs cramped. When he had found a sliver of comfort, rest continued to escape him. Questions plagued his thoughts. After a while he sat up with his arms wrapped around his knees and his head pressed to them.

Another gust of fetid air from the river wafted through the only window. Three millennia of foul matter, human and otherwise, hung like a cloud over the room. He idly wondered if there was ever a time the Thames wasn’t a filthy cesspit.

“Bloody hell.” To escape the worst of the stink, Newell moved to the far corner and slid down the wall to sit on the floor.

Initially, with all the daytime activity around the river, Newell didn’t think Eric could keep him prisoner for long. Someone would discover what Eric had done. A day passed and then another passed. He still hoped he’d be heard. He removed a shoe and pounded the wall that bordered the wharf. Between hits he and screamed and screamed, “Help me, please. Someone, help me. I’m locked inside. Help me.”

No one heard or if they did, they had no desire to heed the call. Still, someone should’ve been curious enough to investigate but who knew how thick the brick walls were? Eric was clever. It wouldn’t surprise Phillip if Eric had tested how well a scream traveled.

Newell lay in a fetal position on the floor, shivering. He began to sob as he waited for Eric’s return, waiting to beg for release. He was weeping when Eric finally arrived.

About the Author:

Chris is a Chicago native who grew up with a love of history and books.

Passionate about traveling her travels have taken her Europe, the Near East, and North Africa, in addition to most of the United States.

Chris spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two agencies. Harboring a strong desire to write, upon retiring, Chris decided to pursue her desire. She writes three different series. Her Bloodstone series, which is set in Victorian London, features homicide Detective Rudyard Bloodstone.

She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four wild and crazy rescue dogs.

Website: https://www.chriskarlsen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.karlsen.90
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZ5ZJ39T
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/killer-friends-books-to-go-now/1148667244
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/killer-friends-2
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243484020-killer-friends
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Killer-Friends-Audiobook/B0FXDQDL9B

Tour Stop/Giveaway: Hook, Line & Murder by GG Calpo

Hook, Line, and Murder
GG Calpo
(The Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery)
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: February 9th 2026
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Mystery

What does Meg, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!
When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

The day was beautiful, with clear skies and a mild snap in the air. It was cold yet warm with the right amount of heat from the sun, making it the perfect spring day. Motorboats and sailboats dipped in and out of the water, out by Poet’s Bay. And at the edge of the harbor were the fishermen, alone or in groups of two or three, a rod in their hands and their tackle boxes opened beside them. We rounded the corner, almost done with our walk, when we saw mothers dragging their children away and fathers covering the eyes of the children in their arms. Pushing against the stream of parents scrambling away were others whose eyes were fixed on the man by the harbor’s edge. A man on whose fishing line dangled a catch with, what I thought were, red fins and a red tail swaying lazily around the hook.

Red? In the salt waters of Poet’s Bay? As I stood there trying to figure out what I was seeing, Barbara shoved her way into the crowd. I followed, my curiosity getting the better of me. Murmurs of “Good morning” and “Good to see you, Mrs. B” trailed behind me, changing to “You sure you want to see this, Mrs. B?” and “I wouldn’t go any further if I were you, Mrs. B.” We fetched up to the front and looked down on the ground before us while the fisherman beside us puked his guts out.

It wasn’t a fish he had caught.

Instead, on the ground was a hand. Just a hand. Nothing else.

Author Bio:

GG Calpo is a retired lawyer and accountant who traded contracts and numbers for the far more enjoyable chaos of fictional crime. Now she writes cozy whodunits featuring warm-hearted golden-aged sleuths who’ve seen it all, heard it all and will investigate a murder with zero hesitation. She loves stories where the stakes are personal, family and friendships are paramount, with characters who refuse to follow the outline and endings that pull the rug out. When not plotting twisty crimes—on paper only, of course—she spends her time reading, crocheting blankets and sweaters for her five grandchildren, watching mystery TV shows and taking long walks in her neighborhood. She lives in Central New Jersey with her husband and two corgis, Whiskey and Nugget.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook

GIVEAWAY!

Hook, Line, and Murder Blitz

—

Discover Craving Silence by Freya Barker in this Excerpt Reveal

Title: Craving Silence (Silence, #5)

  Author: Freya Barker 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Release Date: October 16, 2026 

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Nurse practitioner, Dana Kerrigan, finds her steady and comfortably predictable life suddenly turned upside down as the result of a family emergency. With no choice but to take a leave from work, she has to hustle to keep Silence’s favorite pub running and her parents looked after. When heartbreak brings with it an unexpected opportunity to realize a long-held dream, it presents a new set of problems. One that involves murder, and the man sent to investigate.

As a recent transplant to Silence, sheriff’s detective, Rick Althof, was aiming for less stress and more solitude. Instead, he finds himself frequently drawn to The Kerrigan, a popular pub in town, to enjoy a meal, a beer, and—if lucky—a friendly chat with the owner’s pretty daughter. Still bearing the invisible scars of past mistakes, he’s determined to keep things friendly, despite a growing attraction. However, his resolve is put to the test when she lands in the middle of an elaborate development scheme involving bribery, blackmail, and even murder.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO

“What’s the deep sigh for?” he asks from his perch on the ladder, as I fold the last of the towels. “It’s a satisfied sigh,” I explain, picking up the stack of laundry to carry upstairs. “The kind that comes with being able to check a box off my list.” A faint smile appears on his lips. “You’ll have another to check off soon,” he offers. “I’m almost done here.” I’ve been so busy studying the man, I failed to notice how quickly he’s made his way around to the last remaining wall in the kitchen. “I see that. It looks amazing.” I glance around the space, mentally noting some patchwork that will need to be done, but at least the horrific wallpaper is gone and the walls will be ready for some paint soon. Maybe I can do some of that after work this week. “Let me run these upstairs real quick, and I’ll help with the clean up.” My linen closet sports organized stacks of linens and towels, everything sorted by type and size. I guess I’m a little anal, but I love when everything has a place. It makes life so much easier. Maybe that need for predictability is why my life had become such a rut before Mom’s health took a nosedive and forced me to pivot and adapt. But that process also showed me there is so much more to life if you can be open to change. That kind of flexibility takes time though, and like a muscle that has been dormant for a long time, it needs to be used and exercised. I’m working on it. Half an hour later I haul the last garbage bag stuffed with discarded wallpaper to the back porch. Leaning over the railing, I twist my head to look up at the sky which is studded with stars. I missed the sun going down, and the temperature must’ve dropped about fifteen degrees. It’s cold out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we drop below freezing tonight. Inside, I find Rick in the kitchen with a serious expression on his face. He may have been watching me. “You have to go…” I guess. He shakes his head in response and slowly approaches. His hands slide around the sides of my neck as he tilts my chin up with his thumbs. His eyes are deep blue pools I find myself drowning in. His voice is low and his words send a delicious shiver down my spine. “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.” Closing my hands around his wrists, I lift up on my toes until my lips almost touch his. “Yippie,” I whisper, before taking the initiative.

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

GRAB YOUR COPY AND START TODAY!

 

Be part of the buzz — join The Hype Hive today!

Book Tour Stop/Giveaway: The Au Pair's Deception

 

She was looking for a fresh start,

but some families hide dark truths behind closed doors.

The Au Pair’s Deception

by C.J. Covino

Genre: Psychological Domestic Suspense, Crime Thriller

Claire Sinclair knows what it means to survive.

After a childhood shaped by trauma, she’s built a life rooted in stability—a thriving career, a home filled with love, and a devoted husband everyone envies.

But when Bella arrives as an au pair, the carefully constructed world Claire depends on begins to unravel.

At first, it’s subtle. A shift in tone. A look held too long. A moment that feels wrong—but not wrong enough.

Until it is.

As Grant’s behavior escalates, Claire begins to question herself—her instincts, her memories, the quiet unease she can’t quite explain. For the sake of her daughter, she holds on…even as something inside her starts to fracture.

But Bella sees what Claire can’t. She recognizes the signs. The patterns. The danger.

Because she’s lived it before.

As the tension inside the house builds toward something neither woman can ignore, the line between endurance and survival begins to blur—and the choice Claire makes next could cost her everything.

A layered psychological thriller told through dual perspectives, The Au Pair’s Deception explores what happens when two women—both shaped by their pasts—are forced to confront the same danger from different sides. Combining escalating suspense with emotional depth, it’s a character-driven story of survival, resilience, and the cost of breaking free.

Trigger Warning: This book contains depictions of domestic abuse and violence which may be triggering to some readers. Please read with caution.

 

**NEW RELEASE!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

The warmth of her home should've been comforting, but Claire couldn’t stop trembling. Every breath scraped her throat. Outside, the storm raged through the upscale suburban neighborhood of Wellesley, muffling the world in white. The eerie silence was broken only by the wind's howl.  

She tried to sit up, but a wave of nausea forced her back into the blood-soaked sheets. The air held the metallic tang of iron. Somewhere in the house—or was it the wind?—something creaked. Her breathing grew labored, and something wet and sticky clung to the back of her long blonde hair.   

A fresh surge of nausea swept over her as she attempted to sit up again. Squeezing her eyes shut and reopening them didn't wake her from what felt like a nightmare. Each failed attempt spiked her panic.  

Rolling onto her side made her wince in pain. How long had she been lying here? Her mind was foggy. Who else was home? Why wasn’t anyone coming? Someone must’ve broken in during the storm. She remembered a rattle at the downstairs door earlier that night.   

A figure took shape in the shadows—tall, or maybe it seemed that way in the flickering light. His face was hidden, and his slow, deliberate breathing filled the room. A scream formed in her throat, but what escaped was a broken whisper, swallowed by the darkness.  

A dull, persistent ache throbbed at the back of her skull. Dizziness and nausea pinned her in place. Each pulse landed like a hammer. 

She fluttered her eyelids. The figure was gone. Where had it gone?  

This has to be another nightmare, she thought. 

She wished he were here. He always made her feel safe. Imagining his strong arms wrapped around her and his deep, comforting voice brought a fleeting calm. Her dry lips parted, but no name came out—just a hoarse whisper lost to the wind pressing against the window.  

Claire propped herself up on one elbow and tried to gather her thoughts. She focused, her vision adjusting to the darkness.   

The figure emerged again, and a familiar voice whispered, “It's me. I've been looking for you.”    

 

By day, C.J. Covino is an online fitness coach helping people live healthier lives. By night, she channels her devious side into writing psychological suspense, starting with her debut novel, The Au Pair's Deception: When Love Turns to Lies. She resides in sunny Albuquerque with her husband of 40 years, three grown kids who safely flew the coop, and a literal zoo consisting of three dogs, a parrot, and a cat. She is powered almost entirely by coffee, a passion for travel, and the thrill of a good plot twist. Learn more at cjcovino.com and follow her writing journey on TikTok @cjcovinoauthor.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Enter The Au Pairs Deception Giveaway

Book Tour Stop/Giveaway: All That Remains by Samantha Grosser

All That Remains
Samantha Grosser
Publication date: September 15th 2026
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance

A choice shaped by war. A life in its shadow. One last chance to make peace with the past.

1998. Eva Marlowe has never asked her husband if he regrets his decision – she isn’t sure she wants to know the answer. But when news arrives that his estranged son has died, she feels the foundations of their marriage begin to shift beneath her. Then the funeral draws them back to Silverwood Hall where it all began, and she can no longer avoid the question.

1939. As Europe teeters on the brink of war, young socialite Eva Ravensby has been sent home from the Riviera in disgrace. Grounded at the family seat of Silverwood Hall, she chafes against the constraints of her upbringing, until her brother brings aspiring writer Ben Marlowe home for the summer.

Ben is utterly compelling. And wholly unsuitable. So when he asks Eva to marry him the night before he leaves for war, she refuses. Duty must come before love, and her father would never forgive her. But how can she possibly know the train of events her answer has set in motion? As the war takes its toll on them both, her refusal shapes their lives in ways they can never undo. Then, in the aftermath, an unexpected second chance arises. But the price they must pay for it is more than they could have imagined.

Now, decades later, as Ben grieves for the son he never knew, Eva faces the question she has spent a whole marriage refusing to ask: was she ever truly the life he chose?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Nobles / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

On the day of the funeral, Eva drives with her signature brand of recklessness and skill. When they were young, the thrill of it was intoxicating: Ben can still recall with absolute clarity the heady feeling of that long ago summer before the war – an awareness of their youth and vitality and a belief in the wonders the future had in store for them. He had never felt so alive. But as he grew older and more aware of his mortality, each swerve and near miss became nothing short of terrifying.

Now, watching Eva in profile as she slams her palm with impatience against the steering wheel at a slow car ahead of them, he finds himself thinking it would actually be quite a fine way to go, wrapped together in tangled metal, a definitive end.

Eva lets out a curse as the column of traffic slows to a crawl and he quenches a smile, taking the opportunity to watch her a little longer. He will never tire of looking at her face, marvelling at the fine chiselled lines of her cheekbones and her jaw, the forget-me-not blue of eyes that are still as bright and clear as on the day they first met. She catches him watching her from the edge of her eye and turns her head.

‘Are you all right?’

Her question drags his thoughts reluctantly back to the purpose of their journey.

George’s funeral.

His son.

He shifts awkwardly in the seat of the car. The trousers of the wool suit are rough and itchy – it’s been a while since he’s worn it and his skin has become more sensitive with age. He stretches out as much as he can in the confined space and tries not to think about how stiff his hips will be after an hour and a half in the car.

‘I’m fine,’ he says, and they both know it’s a lie.

He’s still in two minds about going at all and with each successive roundabout they come to, it crosses his mind to ask Eva to drive right around it and take them back home. But he says nothing, and the Audi bears them in sleek leather comfort ever closer to their destination.

‘We don’t have to go,’ Eva offers, reading his discomfort with her usual clarity.

‘But you think I should,’ he replies, which is unfair, because they’ve talked about it endlessly in the days since the letter arrived and they came to the decision together. But he’s in no frame of mind to be reasonable. Anger seethes in his gut, bitter and relentless, and he only hopes he can contain it once they get there. Eva says nothing, eyes trained with uncharacteristic attention on the road ahead.

Abruptly, the anger slides into guilt. Such a pointless emotion, but he’s spent most of his life in its grip, one way or another. Guilt for dreaming and wanting more; for hurting people and for poor decisions; for living a life that is full of regret for what he lost instead of gratitude for all he has. He loves Eva desperately and always has, but he’s conscious he has not always been the best of husbands. He lets out a low sigh.

‘I’m sorry,’ he offers.

His wife flashes him a quick look of forgiveness, and he touches his fingers to where her hand rests on the gear lever. The last person in the world he wants to fight with is Eva.

Author Bio:

Samantha Grosser is a very British author who doesn’t function without tea. Having spent many years teaching English in Asia and Australia, she has now made her home on the sunny beaches of Sydney, Australia, where she lives with her husband, son, and a very small dog called Livvy.

She is the author of wartime dramas Another Time and Place, The Officer’s Affair, and Out of the Ashes, and the historical novel The King James Men. When she isn’t writing or reading, (which isn’t often) you can find her either doing yoga, going for long walks, or watching old movies.

You can find out more at samgrosserbooks.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

All That Remains Blitz

—

Book Tour Stop: Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth by Holly Bell

 

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth by Holly Bell

Book 1 in the Amanda Cadabra British Urban Fantasy Series

Urban Fantasy, British Humor/Satire

Amanda Cadabra’s life LOOKS perfectly normal...
But looks can be very deceiving.

In the picture-perfect English village of Sunken-Madley, a young covert witch is laying
low. Amanda Cadabra has her reasons.

Orphaned when her family’s van mysteriously plunged over a Cornish cliff many years before, Amanda is keeping herself to herself, quietly working for her grandfather’s furniture restoration company, hoping the world will leave her alone.

However, soon Amanda’s peace is disturbed by the arrival in the village of the inquisitive Inspector Trelawney, dogging her footsteps as he investigates the strange fate of her family. But the persistent detective becomes the least of her problems, as a restoration job at the Tudor manor propels the young witch into a swirl of mystery and intrigue.

Events quickly conspire to drag Amanda into the building’s murky past and its even more dangerous present. Armed only with her wits, her grumpy feline familiar, Tempest, and a wand, Amanda Cadabra is going in.

A body, ghosts, hidden passageways, and a host of unanswered questions soon emerge. Can Amanda dodge the inspector long enough to solve the Manor’s many mysteries and unravel her own past before the scandal of murder engulfs the village?

 

Follow the tour to read exclusive excerpts, interviews, and spotlight posts:

 

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2026/09/book-tour-schedule-amanda-cadabra-and.html

 Interview with Holly Bell:

Describe the vibe of your new book in 3 words (or 3 emojis!!!!)
The one I’m now writing, the 10^th in the series: intriguing, suspenseful, humorous

Taking the story from a concept to a published book is a long and involved process. How does that usually work for you?
I have a set process that can take anything from 3 months to the longest, 3 years, depending on what crops up in the meantime, but the process is the same.

Apart from the first book, the idea for the next one and sometimes even the one beyond that comes to me while writing the one I’m working on. I write or note down the idea, and sometimes whole chapters, passages or dialogue, as the plot forms. I will collate these and use a large sketch pad to diagram the plot.

There follows a combination of new writing, tidying up what’s already down and filling out notes. Once it’s all correct in Word, then it goes through an app called Grammarly for thorough grammar and spell-checking and checks for things like repeated words or weak vocabulary.

Next, and this is more of the fun part, I print out the book and go and read it through somewhere that is not my desk, like tucked in the corner of the sofa. I become a reader. I mark what needs correcting and put those in.

Then I format it for ebook and again read it somewhere away from my desk, seeing it as my ebook reader will, mark and correct. Then the fourth pass is recording it as I will eventually for audiobook, mark and correct. After that it’s off to my subediting team.

Once their suggestions, where appropriate (nearly always!), are in, it’s ready for my paperback formatter over in the States. Meanwhile, my friend and illustrator will be preparing the cover, and I work with him on that, collecting or creating, with the help of my AI friends in Midjourney and ChatGPT, whatever reference images he needs. In the background, I’ll be creating the launch machine, a series of reveals from title to launch day for both the ebook and paperback, when I’ll book a promotion for another book on Freebooksy or possibly BookBub.

This time, I’ll see when this book wants to be let loose on the world. Just how fast it goes, but I have to say I’m riding the dragon at the moment!

Which of your books would you recommend for readers to choose first if they’re new to you and your books?
The first, Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth, the one that this blog tour with Sapphyria’s Book Promotions is introducing to new readers looking for a cozy urban fantasy series with a difference.

If your latest book were a soundtrack, what song plays over the end credits?
I really had to think hard about this one, but then it came to me, and I’m glad you said ‘soundtrack’ and not ‘song’, because I couldn’t imagine one that was big enough, and this answer may be unexpected. But although I rarely listen to this sort of music these days, it’s Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, the sixth in his series.

It's so English village, you know? As is Sunken Madley, where Amanda Cadabra lives, on the borders of Hertfordshire, with its rural roots. Then comes the storm in all its suspense, threat, danger and violence, in a meteorological event that has happened over and over again, just as the events in the book plunge into that sequence in both the past and the present. And then ... the music delivers us into the calm; the sun and beauty return in the resolution, as they do in the story with the discovery of the murderer, finding them, and securing the village once more, and, of course, the happy ending. No wonder Beethoven’s piece was used for the Disney film, Fantasia. And fantasy, albeit urban cozy mystery, is what I write, with magic at the heart of the books.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Yes, the main characters are very much inspired by real people and some minor ones too. Any others are, I’d say, composites of people I have known.

For example, my detective is inspired by my brother, who was much older than I, but we were very close. Amanda’s grandfather is inspired by my own, and their relationship is very like ours was. Oh, and Tempest, Amanda’s familiar. Yes, my own cat I had growing up! But I think Tempest’s personality is one most cat owners will recognise straight away!

What have you learned throughout your writing process?
This is difficult to come out and say for me as a Brit, but what I’ve learned is that I’m good at this. I am good at the creative writing process, which, back when I wrote non-fiction, I would never have believed. But let’s say I am a good receiver and interpreter of what comes to me out of the ether, entirely on its own timescale.

The greatest emotional revelation, though, is how supportive readers are. I have felt so much, I have to say, love coming from those kind people who take the time to message me, or post, or especially email me with their appreciation and encouragement, and it so often moves me to tears.

As for learning information, I have learned a huge amount. I like to be meticulous in my research of everything I write about, which has included police procedure here in the UK, for example. For the last book, Amanda Cadabra and The Twilight Toxin, I had to find out a lot about how ambulance crews operate; I’ve learned about Cornwall, where two, so far, of the books are set, oh, and about accents! When you narrate your own audiobooks and hadn’t thought about that when you put characters in with different accents (nothing too challenging in the third audiobook, that’s just come out, fortunately), you really have to do your homework, and even get coaching! But I love research, so I find that side of things immensely rewarding.

How do you keep your ideas fresh and avoid traveling over well-worn territory?
The new ideas just arrive. I wish I could say I had a system! I do focus on different centres of the village, though: the Manor for the first one, others the library, the church hall, a grand house called The Grange and so on; this latest one involves the historic Tudor pub. The one thing that you might call well-worn is, at the end of each standalone mystery, the happy ending!

Thank you, Dawn, for asking me such interesting and original questions. I’ve very much enjoyed answering them, and hope your fans, friends and followers will enjoy reading them.

Meet the Author:

Cat adorer and chocolate lover, British author Holly Bell’s life changed in a day. A best-

selling author friend convinced Holly that she could write cozy mysteries, after many years

experience with non-fiction, photography and video making.

 

Holly devoured all of the Agatha Christie books long before she knew that Miss Marple was

the godmother of the Cozy Mystery. Her love of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings meant that

her first literary creation in this area would have to be a cosy paranormal. Since then, the

series has grown to include the genre of urban fantasy mystery.

 

Having derived immense delight from the adventure of writing Amanda Cadabra and The

Hidey-Hole Truth, its 8 sequels and 1 prequel to date, Holly has more in the pipeline, with

the 10 th book in the series now in the making. The third in the series Amanda Cadabra and

The Flawless Plan has just come out on Audible in audiobook format, joining the first two

books. The World of Amanda Cadabra shop for bookish gifts on Redbubble has just begun

rolling out its Sunken Madley School collection.

 

Holly lives in London, somewhere near the place that inspired her quaint, peculiar but

apparently perfectly normal fictional village. Readers will know better.

 

Her favourite feline is a black cat called Bobby. He is black. Like her favourite hat. Purely

coincidental.

 

Holly loves to hear from readers. Find her on the contact page of the amandacadabra.com

website, or on Facebook as Holly Bell Author. She always responds in person.

Links:

 

The Amanda Cadabra Urban Fantasy Cozy Mysteries (in order):

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth

Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets

Amanda Cadabra and The Flawless Plan

Amanda Cadabra and The Rise of Sunken Madley

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths

Amanda Cadabra and The Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr

Amanda Cadabra and The Hanging Tree

Amanda Cadabra and The Nightstairs

Amanda Cadabra and The Twilight Toxin

Prequel: The Grange Trilogy - The Philip Rayke Mysteries

 

Prequel Short Story: Tempest’s First Day (Free on www.amandacadabra.com)

 

Audio books:

 

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth

Amazon UK

Amazon US

 

Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets

Amazon UK

Amazon US

 

Amanda Cadabra and The Flawless Plan

Amazon UK

Amazon US

 

The World of Amanda Cadabra Shop

 

 

Tour Stop & Giveaway: Olympian Awakenings Trilogy by CB Samet

 

Cursed as children.

Empowered as adults.

Now, they’ve been summoned to stop a force older than the gods themselves.

Stone Hearts

Olympian Awakenings Trilogy Book 1

by CB Samet

Genre: Greek Mythology Urban Fantasy Romance

Madison was cursed to destroy with a glance—until a prophecy calls her to fight beside the one man who sees through her walls… and into her heart.

Cursed to turn the living to stone, Madison has spent her life avoiding others—until a prophecy drags her to Greece to join a team of strangers to help stop an ancient evil. Among them, she meets Rex, a battle-scarred archaeologist with the power to heal and secrets of his own.

Together, they must survive deadly skirmishes, outwit mythical creatures, and recover the Armor of Achilles from the heart of Daedalus’ labyrinth.

The deeper they go, the more the maze twists not just the path, but their minds.

Failure isn't an option. Succeeding might cost them everything.

Magic. Monsters. A love forged in fire. The battle is only beginning.

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

Winds of Destiny

Olympian Awakenings Book 2

When a titan’s power surges, mortals pay the price—and the Olympians must answer the call.

Layla, Tyler, and the other Olympians are thrust on a perilous quest across the Mediterranean and into the sunken heart of Atlantis to reclaim Poseidon’s trident. Their sea voyage is fraught with danger with deadly monsters and diabolical magic at every turn. Only by learning to trust—and love—each other can they hope to survive.

Layla’s storm powers are tied to her heart, and to master them, she must first confront the emotions she’s spent years guarding. Tyler, a shapeshifter whose might can rival the fiercest beasts, may be the key to her control—but breaking through the walls around her heart won’t be easy. Their past mistakes still linger, and some wounds run too deep for even the strongest powers to heal.

Adventure, danger, and passion collide in this electrifying continuation of the Olympian Awakens series.

Grab Book 2 and continue the thrilling ride!

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

Flame and Shadow

Olympian Awakenings Book 3

A titan is rising.
And this time, the world may not survive.

Fire-wielder Zoey has spent her life afraid of her own power. Ancient soldier Alexios has spent centuries believing he was nothing more than a weapon. Together, they’ve survived monsters, gods, and impossible quests—but nothing prepares them for Kronos’s final move.

As fractures tear open between worlds, monsters pour into the mortal realm and the boundary between life and death begins to collapse. When a desperate sacrifice strands Zoey in the Underworld itself, ancient warrior Alexios must defy gods, fate, and death to bring her home—before she loses her memories… and herself.

The final battle will demand everything from all six champions who have fought side by side: fire and storm, stone and steel, courage, sacrifice, and unbreakable trust.

Because defeating a Titan will take more than power.

It will take a family forged in battle—and two souls willing to burn for each other and the world they refuse to lose.

The explosive conclusion to the Olympian Awakenings trilogy delivers epic Greek mythology, found family, and a sweeping romantic finale where love and legend collide.

 

**NEW RELEASE!!**

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

**FREEBIE ALERT!**

Stormborn & Flameforged

Olympian Awakenings Prequel

When fire meets storm, destiny ignites.

Zoey has always felt the burn of something more beneath her skin—an untamed fire that refuses to be extinguished. After years of hiding her power, she’s finally found belonging and a chance to be normal… as a stunt double on a Hollywood set.

Layla is the picture of grace and fame, a star with a global following. But behind the camera, she’s hiding a dangerous secret: she can control the weather.

When a monstrous creature straight from myth attacks during filming, Zoey and Layla are forced to reveal their powers—and discover they’re not alone. Chosen by ancient forces, bound by a forgotten legacy, the two women must join forces to face a truth that will shatter everything they thought they knew.

Because the world is on the brink of chaos.
And this is only the beginning.

 

Get It FREE HERE!

Christina is a four-time award winning author in thriller, romantic suspense, and fantasy. She is a mother of two energetic boys. She is a lover of suspense, adventure, and happy endings. She writes action and adventure in fantasy, thrillers, and romantic suspense genres. Her novels have empowered women overcoming powerful obstacles and the strong men who support them.

Favorite quote, ‘She needed a hero. So she became one.’ --Robin Reed

 

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Enter the Olympian Awakenings Trilogy Giveaway