Groundwork for Murder by Marilyn Baron and Sharon Goldman

 

Welcome to the book blast for Groundwork for Murder by Marilyn Baron and Sharon Goldman! Please enjoy an excerpt from this romantic suspense, women's fiction novel. Leave comments and questions for the authors. Please follow the tour for even more excerpts and plenty of chances to enter the giveaway!

Groundwork for Murder

Landscape artist Alexandra Newborn dreams of a one-woman show at the Diamond Gallery. But the gallery owner dismisses her paintings as "old, tired, and dull. Lacking excitement." Those words also describe Alex's unhappy marriage.

Alex's shocking reunion with her college art professor, Dominick "Nick" Anselmo—once a world-celebrated Italian artist, now a homeless lawn man—reignites their passion and fuels a creative spark for both, helping Nick recover from his wife's death.

With Nick's provocative sketches, art imitates life, but Alex doesn't realize they reveal a dangerous liaison between her husband and the gallery owner. Without Nick's knowledge, Alex arranges an art opening that includes his drawings.

When the torrid affair between Alex's husband and his mistress is exposed, the seeds are sown for murder, mystery, and romance.

Read an excerpt:

The subject matter was unexpected and provocative. She’d thought that, in his new life as a lawn man, Nick might just draw a tree, or a garden, not a couple caught in a passionate embrace—her face against his cheek, his face buried in her neck to hide their identities and keep the world at bay.

He had captured them in a clinch that seemed to portray more lust than love. The sketch spoke of forbidden moments. The lines revealed movement, as if the couple had had to love and leave. All that sexual desire was combustible. And yet there was love there. Maybe not love between this couple, but Nick had obviously transferred his own feelings of lost love and longing onto the paper.

“Always leave something of yourself in your work.” That’s what Professore Anselmo had taught his students in college. And he had managed to do that brilliantly in this drawing. The passion was raw, and it exposed everything that was missing in her relationship with Mark. And everything that was missing in her art. Something vaguely familiar about this couple tugged at her memory, but she quickly dismissed it.

Alex knew great art could have that effect on your soul. It was similar to a writer who paints word pictures that draw you into the story and elevate the everyday into the sublime—word pictures that are often too close to home, too real to examine too closely.

Available on Amazon 

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About the authors:

Marilyn Baron and Sharon Goldman are sisters. Groundwork for Murder won first place in the Suspense Romance category of the Ignite the Flame Contest, sponsored by the Central Ohio Fiction Writers Chapter of RWA.

Marilyn Baron

Marilyn Baron writes in a variety of genres, from women’s fiction to historical romantic thrillers and romantic suspense to paranormal/fantasy. She and her sister even wrote a musical called Memory Lane.

She’s received writing awards in Single Title, Suspense Romance, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements, and Paranormal/Fantasy Romance. She was also The Finalist in the 2017 Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA) in the Romance Category for her novel Stumble Stones, and The Finalist for the 2018 GAYA Awards in the Romance category for her novel The Alibi. Her novel The Siege was nominated for the 2019 GAYA Awards in the Romance Category.

Groundwork for Murder is her 24th work of fiction. A public relations consultant in Atlanta, she is chair of the Roswell Reads Steering Committee.

A native of Miami, Florida, Marilyn graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, with a B.S. in Journalism—a major in Public Relations and a minor in English (Creative Writing). She met her husband at UF and both of her daughters graduated from UF. Marilyn now lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband.

Find out more about Marilyn on her website.

Visit her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @ MarilynBaron.

Sharon Goldman

Sharon Goldman is an award-winning artist whose paintings are in private collections and who has exhibited in numerous galleries throughout northeast Florida, including the Haskell Gallery in the Jacksonville International Airport.

As a native Floridian, Sharon strives to create work that captures the spirit of Florida. Her colorful palette, unique cropping, and background as a designer and art director help her envision her novel compositions, which she describes as painterly realism.
Sharon has taught art school in her home studio to more than 200 students in her community. Sharon has also written and illustrated a children’s book.

Sharon is on the Dean’s Leadership Council at the University of North Florida’s Thomas G. Carpenter Library, where she gives monthly tours of one of the largest permanent art collections of regional artists in the state.

A graduate of the University of Florida in Fine Arts, Sharon had a long career in the advertising business. After having three children (now college graduates), she has more time to bring her ideas to light.

To view Sharon’s art, visit her website.

The authors will be awarding a 16X20 Signed Matted Print "Flora Blanca" by author, Florida artist Sharon Goldman, to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Chantal Fernando, author of Saint, shares her writing journey and a giveaway

Welcome to the book tour for Saint by Chantal Fernando! Today you can check out an excerpt from this latest book of hers, plus take a look at her journey to becoming a writer. Be sure to download your own copy! And then follow the tour for even more insight into her and the book, plus multiple chances to enter the giveaway as you leave comments and questions along the way.

Saint

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Wind Dragons and Cursed Ravens MC series comes sinners, saints and secrets…

*Dear Skylar,

Five years. That’s a long time to go without talking to somebody, especially someone who was such a huge part of your life…*

A letter from my first kiss and my childhood everything…from prison.

He may be nicknamed Saint, but this sweet, sexy biker most definitely has a wild streak. Hearing from him draws me right back into the Knights of Fury motorcycle club—the people I’ll always think of as family.

He’s still the only man I’ve ever wanted.

Each good, old-fashioned letter from my “prison pen pal” has my heart racing. Which is nothing compared to how I feel when Saint surprises me in person, as a free man.

I was just a kid the last time we saw each other, but the connection between us now is anything but innocent.

He’s the type of man who would do anything to protect his woman. And with my world crashing down around me, that’s exactly what I’m going to need.

This book is approximately 67,000 words

Please note: This book is part of the Knights of Fury MC series but can be read as a stand-alone.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise*: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!*

Read an excerpt:

Age 15

“What are you doing here?” Saint asks as I step inside the clubhouse, frowning as he takes in my denim shorts and white top. “And dressed like that?”

I roll my eyes at him. I’ve known Saint for about three years now, and normally I’d think of him as a friend, just another one of the guys. Okay, that’s a lie. I’ve always thought he was good looking—in fact, he’s probably the hottest guy I know in real life—but it was always just in a “yeah, he’s cute” type of way. But recently something has changed. My heart beats faster when he’s around, and I want to look nice for him. I even put on a little makeup before I got here.

It’s time I admit that I have a crush on Saint, a crush that is completely one-sided.

Before we could hang out and everything would be normal, but now I get nervous every time he’s around, and I think it’s because I’m now seeing him in a different light. I wish things would just go back to the way they were before, because we’d just chat, give each other shit or watch movies or something, but now I’m awkward around him and don’t know how to act.

Let’s add that he’s five years older than me and a prospect for the Knights of Fury MC.

The MC my father is president of.

So basically, he’s never going to see me as anything more than Hammer’s daughter. I need to nip this little crush in the bud as soon as possible, because it’s a huge inconvenience to my life.


Copyright © 2019 by Chantal Fernando

Buy Links

Amazon / Harlequin / B&N / iBooks / Google Play / Kobo 

My journey to becoming a writer

At the age of twenty six I found myself ready to pursue a dream of mine.

To write a book.

After getting married young and having a young family I had dedicated my life to, I knew that I was ready to start a new chapter, so I enrolled myself in University to study a degree in writing, editing and publishing. Books had stolen my heart at a young age, and after falling back in love with them to the point I was reading one romance novel every single day, I knew that I wanted a career that had something to do with reading and writing. I started blogging, and reviewing books whilst studying, and tried my hand at writing a few books, only to find myself getting stuck around the three quarter mark and being unable to finish them. Finally, I came up with a book idea that I loved, and co-wrote it with another author. It was edited by ourselves and other authors in the community, and it was raw. When we hit publish, the book hit the top 100 in the Amazon charts, and the rest is history. I started writing by myself, I got an agent, and publisher deals. I dropped out of University, and pursued writing full time. That was six years ago, and thirty or so books later, I’m still in awe of the path that my life took me, and grateful every day that I’m able to do something I love, and that people actually want to read my words.

About Chantal Fernando

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Chantal Fernando is twenty six years old and lives in Western Australia.

Her published novels include four books in the Resisting Love series – Chase, Kade, Ryder and James; the New York Times Bestselling novel Maybe This Time and its follow up, This Time Around. Her latest releases include Toxic Girl, Saxon, and a USA bestselling biker romance novel Dragon’s Lair.

When not reading, writing or daydreaming she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.

Chantal Fernando Links

Website: https://www.authorchantalfernando.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChantalFernando
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchantalfernando
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7056719.Chantal_Fernando

Chantal Fernando will be awarding (US Only) a giveaway of 1 print copy of SAINT to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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99 cent Sale! Promise Forever: Fairy Tales with a Modern Twist

Promise Forever: Fairy Tales with a Modern Twist on Sale for 99c

Yes, this is my Amazon affiliate link. That just means I may earn a few pennies should you make a purchase through it. Thank you for supporting my websites!

Same old fairy tales - but with a modern twist.

Everyone knows the stories of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and more, but you haven't heard the stories quite like the ones in this limited edition set! Some of these tales take place in our time, others take place in the past or a fantasy world, but all of them will twist what you think of the old stories. This set has a PG-13 rating, so expect some language and moderate adult situations.

Included in this limited edition box set:
Cindi/Ella: When Shoes Speak By Bokerah Brumley
Sea Witch By USA Today Bestselling author, Pauline Creeden
The Beast's Pretend Marriage By Award-winning author Cheryl Wright
Entangled By J. R. Castle
Hannah's Second Chance By Award-winning author, Margaret Tanner
Crimson Hunter By USA Today Bestselling author N. D. Jones
Obsidian Stone By LJC Fynn

With more than 700 pages of captivating fiction, you'll be enchanted by Merlin, dive the depths with the little mermaid, and fear whether the beast is friend or foe.

Are you ready to see old friends in a new light before your chance is lost forever? Then order this limited-edition collection of exclusive material from these USA Today and award-winning authors TODAY!

Good Trouble (Alpine Valleys Book 2) by L. Simpson

Welcome to the book blast tour for Good Trouble by L. Simpson! Please check out an excerpt of the book before you download your own copy. Be sure to follow the tour for even more excerpts and reviews. Leave comments and questions for the author along the way for bonus chances to enter the giveaway!

Good Trouble

WRONG BEFORE IT'S RIGHT

Annie Clarke knew fairy tales were only in books, and love was a disaster. Nothing could convince her to go down that road again. But local football hero, Erik Strathmore, wore her down. Too cocky by half, and too damn good-looking for his own good, when he suggested they give friends with benefits a try, she relented. At first, it worked. Erik was a great friend, and a fantastic lover. But then their hearts entered the field of play, and Erik betrayed her. Annie cursed herself for allowing it to happen again, she'd loved and lost for the last time. After realizing his mistake, Erik couldn't have agreed more. Annie would never love anyone else again. She was his, and he intended to keep her by his side forever.

Read an excerpt:

“That’s enough for today, you can put your shoes on.” Her words confirmed that the door was firmly shut. I set about doing as I was told, trying to find a way to get that warm look back in her eyes. I felt like today was the day to push it. She had let down her defences, if only for a moment, and I’d had enough waiting.

“So,” I said, moving in to stand close enough I could smell her. Shit. That sexy aroma would stay with me all day.

“The answer is no, again,” she muttered, not looking up from her device.

“You don’t know what I was going to ask.”

“Yes I do. You are going to ask me out for a drink or dinner. Again. And I am going to blow you off. Again.”

“And what if I have a different sort of proposal?”

“Will it end up with you asking me out?” she asked on a sigh but looked up at me with her big eyes partially hidden by her dark hair dancing across her brow and falling at her cheek. This look, the dancing spitfire eyes, a smirk on her mouth, head tilted to the side exposing her neck and shoulder as she waited to pounce on my next words, was one of my favourites. It’s what I conjured when I took care of myself lying in bed, in the shower… Enough.

“Well, that would be up to you. If you want to go out after, then sure, but I don’t do relationships,” I told her, unable to hide my grin as her brows furrowed.

“After what?” she asked, trying to look bored and failing. I could see the heat in her cheeks as she figured it out. I stepped closer, forcing her back, and she ended up against the shelves.

Buy on Amazon

This is my affiliate link. Should you make a purchase through it, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers. Thank you for supporting my websites! 

About L. Simpson

As a girl growing up in Australia, Laura was lost in the world of Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. During high school, volleyball dominated her life. There had to be something positive about being 6’1” with red hair. Representing Australia from a young age she eventually took a scholarship at the University of Iowa. Living in America and being a full time athlete in a college town was an eye-opening experience and lots of fun (from what she can remember). #gohawkeyes

Returning from the States, her career took a different turn as she started working at the Red Cross and completed her Masters of Law in Human Rights. As one of the few non-lawyers in the class, her essays were far more floral than the rest, something that caused the discerning professors to shake their heads. Through working and studying, she realised there are other ways to win hearts and minds.

While she’s spent the last 14 years as an advocate against poverty and homelessness, the desire to change the world through storytelling has only got stronger. She now lives in the Alpine Valleys of North East Victoria, Australia with her husband, daughter, son, two dogs and seven chooks. When she’s not doing the whole mum thing, working at a homelessness agency, renovating her farmhouse, or trying to do laundry bleary-eyed at midnight, she is writing.

Say G’day to Laura:
website: www.lsimpsonauthor.com
facebook: facebook.com/l.simpson.romance
twitter: @ladyporepunkah
instagram: @lsimpsonauthor
linkedin: linkedin.com/in/laura-simpson-47278971

L. Simpson will be awarding an e-copy of Beyond Today + $10 Boroughs Bucks to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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The Reunion by Victoria Banks

The Reunion

Following a rather bad breakup, Stell is back in her little town for the holiday. The supposed fun-filled holiday slowly turns into a disaster when she runs into the arrogant and outspoken Randy at a reunion party. The fact that the seemingly one-night stand that they shared slowly metamorphosed into a serious affair seemed not to go down well with more people, rather than one. 

Stell thought she had seen the worst of it all until Randy starts receiving threats messages in all forms. Is Randy safe? Is Stell safe? And above all, who is behind the threats? Is it that a crazy ex or a jealous lover like the Detective thinks or is it simply a prank?

Available on Amazon

About Victoria Banks

Victoria Banks is the independent best selling fiction writer having great passion towards romance suspense, thriller and mystery genre.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Review of Come a Little Closer by Chrissy Brown

Welcome to the book blast for Come a Little Closer by Chrissy Brown. This is the second book in her Georgia Boys series. I reviewed the first book, Can't Let Go, earlier this year here. Today I am sharing my thoughts on this book, as well as an excerpt. If you follow the tour, you will get to see more excerpts and reviews. Remember to leave Chrissy comments and questions along the way and get bonus chances to enter the giveaway.

Come a Little Closer

Sophie was the love of my life. Okay, we were twelve the last time I saw her but still. I've tried everything to move on—whiskey, women, weed. Nothing seemed to fill the void. Now, ten years later, she shows up out of the blue. The problem, I'm not the boy she used to know. I have a reputation that could ruin everything. Still, I have to try. Even if nothing happens between us, having Sophie in my life as a friend is better than not having her at all. Come A Little Closer is the second installment in the Georgia Boys Series. It can be read as a standalone novel.

Read an excerpt:

I blush and shake my head. “We should get started on the bedroom.”

Kevin follows behind me, fiddling with his phone. I refill the paint tray and set it on the bedroom floor. Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” starts playing. Kevin comes up behind me, puts his hands on my hips and begins to move them to the music. He presses against my back. My hands fall to my sides, and I tilt my head against his chest.

“This is not helping my walls get painted,” I whine.

“Come on, dance with me.” he pleads.

I turn around and stare into his eyes. It would be so easy to get lost in them but I can’t. I won’t. My hips stop moving, but Kevin’s still dancing. I raise the paintbrush that’s in my hand and slap him in the face with it. Slap sounds violent. It was more like I grazed him with cream colored paint while my hand slowly moved in front of his face. Kevin stops dancing. His jaw hangs open.

“Game on babe.”

Available on Amazon 

**My thoughts**

When we met Kevin in the first book in this series, I had a feeling that there was some reason why he was such a man whore. In this book, we get a bit of insight into that. Basically, he had met his safe person, Sophie, when they were kids. After she moved away, he was having a hard time replacing her in his heart and basically just didn't know how to let his feelings for anyone show. He also had a rough time with losing his mother and in dealing with his dad and stepmother. So I get it. It doesn't mean I agree with his choices, but I get it.

Sophie reappears in his life when they are adults. Kevin is suddenly hit with a dose of reality that she is what he has been looking for all along. She realizes that she really did have a crush on him all those years ago and it has never quite gone away. Yet she is understandably wary of him, given his current reputation. 

The two of them dance around intimacy and crossing the friend line for a very long time. They have a great chemistry and attachment to each other and you would hope that they could eventually make it as a couple. I found myself torn between rooting for them to make it and hoping that Sophie would try to keep him more in the friend zone, because after all of these years of sticking it into anything that moves, Kevin isn't going to be able to change overnight. And I have been in this situation before.

I really like Sophie and completely understand her character. I do also somewhat like Kevin, and have known many guys like him. But he really has some horrible moments that make it hard to maintain a lot of affection for him. I don't know that I would be able to forgive him so easily in their situation. And yet I also kind of understand why.

This was a really quick read for me, as it is somewhat short. I wanted it to be a bit longer so that we could really see how a situation between Sophie and Kevin really developed, instead of it being such a quick thing at the end. There's such a jump between the ending of the story and the epilogue. Having that fleshed out more would have made me like this one a bit more.

There is also an allusion to a sort of cliffhanger that clues you into what is going to happen in the next book in the series, which I do hope to read at some point. It doesn't detract from this story at all, though I had a split second of "Why is this being dropped in here right now?"

This book is definitely a standalone book, so it isn't necessary to have read the first book. As always in these situations, you do end up with a greater appreciation for the story as a whole when you read all of the standalone components together. 

About Chrissy Brown

Chrissy Brown lives in Fort Myers, Fl with her hubby, two beautiful girls, one dog who loves to cuddle and another dog who pees on everything. She enjoys going to hockey games, reading romance novels and having “Netflix and Chill” nights.

She’s addicted to everything related to the amazing emotion of love, and has been referred to as a "hopeless romantic" which she took as a compliment. It may not have been and she’s okay with that.

Her Georgia Boys Series is New Adult romance that has three novels published in 2018. She has a young adult romance standalone in the works as well as an erotic New Adult standalone started. She’s a busy writer, but she loves it.


https://www.facebook.com/chrissybrownauthor

https://twitter.com/Thechrissybrown

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18213007.Chrissy_Brown

Chrissy Brown will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Rescued By a Mountain Man by Marin Black

Welcome to the blurb blitz tour for Rescued by a Mountain Man by Marin Black! Please enjoy an excerpt before you download your copy. Follow the tour to get even more of them. And be sure to leave the author questions and comments along the way and get bonus chances to enter the giveaway!

Rescued by a Mountain Man

Desperate for an escape, Jae Copeland takes a solo kayaking trip into the lush wilderness of the Smoky Mountains. When she ends up stranded and soggy, she makes camp and hopes to avoid dangerous, wild animals. She should have been more worried about dangerous, wild humans, but she's both alarmed and thrilled when Hanson Sykes, a fellow kayaker, happens upon her. He's an experienced mountain man…and sexy as hell.

The sparks between them light up the uninhabited darkness, because survival in the mountains isn't his only talent. He knows exactly how to touch her in ways that make her burn.

Read an excerpt:

"You look like a mountain nymph who took a dip in the stream with that blonde hair all wild and your"—he swallowed—"clothes all plastered to your skin. Stunning."

He caressed my hair, running his hand through the strands just over my ear.
My breath caught again, my heart picking up speed. I didn't feel stunning—stunningly stupid maybe—standing half-naked and wet in his jacket, my hair drying into a long, frizzy mangle. I let out a nervous laugh. "What could possibly be stunning?"

"Your lips. You have luscious lips. They're pouty, almost swollen, like you've been kissed." He ran one finger lightly over my bottom lip, a touch so feathery it tickled. "I want to kiss you, Jae. I know that's crazy."

My lips parted, and a half-sigh came out. I wrapped my fingers around his wrist, felt the tendons in his arm strung tight. I deserved one kiss, didn't I? After surviving my near-drowning, I deserved a man as delicious looking as him kissing me senseless in the starlight. "Kiss me, Hanson."

Book Links

Goodreads * Barnes and Noble * iBooks * Amazon 

About Marin Black

Marin has the mountains in her blood, heart, and soul. Her favorite romances would include an untamed setting (maybe an Irish ruin), a historical love affair (especially if there’s a ghost), or just a bad boy with a good heart.

She loves to spend time with her son, hike, travel to wild and remote places, read, and camp in insanely crowded campgrounds—so she can burn all the food, keep the neighbors up all night with her campfire, and dream about what her characters will do next. At home, she loves to create new characters and their worlds, and is a freelance editor too.

Website: www.marinblack.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarinBlack7

Marin Black will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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