Spotlight Book Tour -THE PROMISE OF UNBROKEN STRAW BY KEN STEELE.

 

Join Us for This Tour from Mar 26 to Apr 15

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Promise of Unbroken Straw by Ken Steele
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 379 pages
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Yorkshire Publishing
Release date:   Mar 2024
Content Rating:  PG

Book Description:

Paul’s teachers say he’s distracted, and they’re not wrong. With the demands of a struggling farm, Allied boots in Europe, and secrets surrounding his mother’s death, who can blame him? And the expectations of his father are seemingly unachievable.

​When a financial windfall sparks a rags-to-riches transformation, it also sets in motion events that will test young Paul to his core. This coming-of-age story connects Paul’s tumultuous adolescence to his unfulfilled adulthood. Across those decades, he searches for redemption and reconciliation with the ghosts of his past.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ken Steele holds degrees in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University and MIT.

​The Promise of Unbroken Straw is Ken’s debut novel, a work of historical fiction. He resides in Colorado with his wife of 41 years where his days are filled with pickleball, golf, hiking, and all that the mountains can offer.

connect with author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram 

Spotlight Book Tour – SPILLED INK AND COFFEE STAINS by M.K. Standby.

 

Join Us for This Tour from Mar 21 to Apr 10!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Spilled Ink & Coffee Stains by M.K. Standby
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 158 pages
Genre:  Poetry
Publisher:  Yorkshire Publishing
Release date:   Mar 2024
Content Rating:  PG

Book Description:

Spilled Ink & Coffee Stains is a debut poetry collection, exploring the impact of connection, both romantic and platonic, on self-perception and identity. Blended with an appreciation of nature, particularly that of unkempt or abandoned spaces, the collection draws parallels between the natural and emotional facets of life. Spilled Ink & Coffee Stains is non-traditional prose, using a free­ verse structure and a unique voice to redefine the boundaries of modern poetry.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

M.K Standby is a free-verse poet from Melbourne, Australia. She notes that her poetry helps her to focus on the beautiful, often overlooked details of life. In 2020 she launched an Instagram page – originally posting under the name ‘Confessions of a Lily’, a childhood nickname. As the page grew, a decision was made to change the pseudonym to M.K. Standby – paying homage to her great-grandfather, a prolific writer in the 1950’s.

M.K. Standby shares her writing in the hope that it supports, connects, and empowers others.

connect with author: instagram 

Spotlight Book Tour -Squirrels in Antarctica by Sari Karplus.

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Squirrels in Antarctica​ by Sari Karplus
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 34 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Tip Top Story Shop
Release date:   Mar 2024
Content Rating:  G.  Suitable for everyone.

Book Description:

This fantastical book of animals in unusual places will tickle your brain, leading readers of all ages imagining their own silly combos. You’ll see a skiing seal in Switzerland, a pufferfish piloting an airplane, a sloth who runs a marathon (but isn’t ever done), and so much more! With fun illustrations and an educational twist, this book encourages readers to embrace their limitless imagination, explore the world, and experience animals big and small in their not-so-natural habitats. Perfect for bedtime reading or as a classroom favorite, Squirrels in Antarctica sparks boundless imagination. So, come along on this epic journey and “Let your thoughts fly limitless like snails on shooting stars.” Is it a book? Is it a word game? Can it be both?!

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Sari Karplus got her storytelling start as a comedian and filmmaker in Los Angeles. But when an improvised bedtime story to her three young children inspired her first kids’ book, she officially joined the ranks of the book writing world. Sari loves to create stories with fun journeys and teachable moments… with a healthy side of humor. Sari has written all 3 books of the Robotastic! series. “Sari” rhymes with “Mary.” Sari loves rhyming.
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connect with author: website ~ instagram 

Enter the Giveaway:

Squirrels in Antarctica by Sari Karplus Book Tour Giveaway https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js

Spotlight Book Tour -GRATITUDE: TWO HUNDRED SHORT POEMS by A. H. Morris.

 

Join Us for This Tour from Feb 26 to Mar 15!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Gratitude: Two Hundred Short Poems by A. H. Morris
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 214 pages
Genre:  Poetry
Publisher:  BluePen
Release date:   Nov 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 +M

Book Description:

Travel through the human condition with succinctly worded verses that linger long in your mind even after you’ve closed the book. These poems offer a different perspective and a lovely way to view the world.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

A.H. Morris was born in NYC in December of 1949. He lived there until he married for the first time in 2006. He and his wife, Melissa, moved to New Canaan, Ct where they continue to live. His first book of poetry, Secrets of the Universe, was published in the fall of 2000. His daily meditations are the source of inspiration for these poems.

connect with author: X ~ facebook ~  instagram ~ goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway:

GRATITUDE; TWO-HUNDRED SHORT POEMS Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js

Spotlight Book Tour -TO BE LOVED: AIN’T GONNA BE DENIED by Ronald D. Steele.

 

Join Us for This Tour from Feb 26 to Mar 8!

Book Details:

Book Title:  To Be Loved: Ain’t Gonna Be Denied by Ronald D. Steele
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 463 pages
Genre:  Memoir / Autobiography
Publisher:  Ronald D. Steele
Release date:   July 31st, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M

Book Description:

Born in poverty and violence, without love, the author goes to the streets to find love, becoming successful at everything he applies, even crime.

Convicted for a crime the victim said he did not commit, at 19, he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years for robbery. Determined to correct the injustice, the author turns to writing. Over 18 months and on the brink of suicide, the author’s letters led the sentencing judge to reduce the sentence by 10 years.

So begins the journey of a self-made man.

The author seeks counseling, which was a social taboo and a Godsend. The author confronts the past, determines his future, adopts positive thinking discipline, and uses the ex-con stigma to qualify for a college program. He graduates with a B.A. degree, pursues a career in public affairs in the federal government, serving seven cabinet secretaries, and serving as president of a writers guild, travels the world, sues the agency and local police, and retires at the top of the salary pyramid, a husband, father, and grandfather.

​The author illustrates the many life lessons he learns to steer readers from the pitfalls he faced.

Additionally, the author inspires readers to think positive, be true to their beliefs, and believe in themselves, even when family and friends may not, and, regardless of their past mistakes, have the attitude that you “ain’t gonna be denied.”

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
Apple ~ Google ~ Kobo
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Ronald D. Steele is a versatile talent, renowned as a writer, photographer, world traveler, and ardent tennis player. With a career spanning over two decades in federal government public affairs and information technology, Steele’s remarkable journey is a testament to his adaptability and dedication. As a freelance journalist, his work graced media outlets nationwide, and he made appearances on various television and radio stations.

Steele’s leadership as the president of the African American Writers Guild from 1989 to 1992 underscores his impact in the literary world. Born in Manhattan, he now calls Prince George’s County, Maryland home.

connect with author: website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram 

Spotlight Book Tour – Dead Letters by P. J. Murphy.

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Dead Letters by P.J. Murphy
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 349 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Literary Fiction
Publisher:  P.J. Murphy
Release date:   May 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 +M. The book is not violent, and swearing is infrequent. There are a number of references to ghosts, but the atmosphere is more gothic than scary (with one exception). However, it is a book aimed squarely at adults, with references to depression and mental illness.

Book Description:

​“If you want to find me, search within these pages.”

Bestselling author Richard Debden is missing. The only clue: a copy of his unpublished final novel delivered to his ex-girlfriend, Amy. When those closest to Richard reunite for his memorial, Amy turns to Chris, his former best friend, to help unravel the mystery. Could Richard still be alive and in need of their help?

Richard’s manuscript tells of two abandoned children in wartime Britain, instructed by a shadowy Postmaster to deliver letters to ghosts and release them from their torment. As Chris and Amy delve into the text, they identify parallels between fiction and reality; clues to a trail that leads across the country and – they hope – to Richard.

But they are not the only interested party. A mysterious society is following them, their motives unclear. Can Chris and Amy unlock the secrets of Dead Letters, or will more sinister forces get there first?

Dead Letters is the captivating second novel by P.J. Murphy, author of Troubleshot.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Amazon.UK
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

P.J. Murphy writes novels that introduce unusual and humorous twists to classic genres. If you pick up one of his books, you’re in for an interesting read that never loses its sense of fun. As a writer, P.J. tries to stick to the adage ‘write what you know’, although with the addition, ‘just make sure you exaggerate and distort it beyond all recognition’. He is planning to write a novel about taking a road trip with a parrot. He has never owned a parrot.

connect with author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:

DEAD LETTERS by P.J. Murphy Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway

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Spotlight Book Tour -THE PSYCHOLOGIST’S SHADOW BY LAURY A EGAN.

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Psychologist’s Shadow by Laury A. Egan
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 336 pages
Genre:  Psychological Suspense
Publisher:  Enigma Books, imprint of Spectrum Books, UK
Release date:   Nov 18, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13. One scene of violence, no sexual scene
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“…a ‘I-read-it-in-two-days’ book. Egan creates a gifted analyst and gripping case studies of her clients, one of whom is a disturbed admirer. The novel delivers chills in a highly sophisticated, wise, and ultimately poignant psychodrama.”—Karla Linn Merrifield, author of Psyche’s Scroll

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Click Here to Read Book Excerpt

Book Description:

In October 1992, Dr. Ellen Haskell begins a new therapy practice in Princeton after a tragic error with a former client. Demoralized by her failure, Ellen strives to restore her emotional and professional confidence. Her parents have departed for Greece, leaving Ellen alone in their secluded country house. As the reader is introduced to her roster of clients through their individual sessions, Ellen becomes unnerved when she receives hang-up phone calls and a series of bizarre gifts from an anonymous admirer—at first at her office and then at home. As the obsessive lover increasingly invades her life, Ellen’s anxiety crescendos and she begins to fear the stalker’s behavior will escalate into violence.

The Psychologist’s Shadow is a portrait of a compassionate, introspective therapist who finds herself in a dangerous struggle with an unknown stalker. The novel is a simmering literary suspense, one in which tension accumulates as the reader gains insights during sessions with clients—one of whom may be the psychologist’s shadow—and through the stalker’s journal entries, which serve as a discordant counterpoint.

Buy the Book:
Amazon 
add to Goodreads

Also available at all other fine bookstores!

Meet the Author:

Laury A. Egan is the author of eleven novels, The Firefly; Once, Upon an Island; Wave in D Minor; Turnabout; Doublecrossed; The Swimmer; The Ungodly Hour; A Bittersweet Tale; Fabulous! An Opera Buffa; The Outcast Oracle; and Jenny Kidd; in addition to a collection, Fog and Other Stories. Four limited-edition poetry volumes have been published: Snow, Shadows, a Stranger; Beneath the Lion’s Paw; The Sea & Beyond” and Presence & Absence.”She lives on the northern coast of New Jersey.

connect with author: website ~ X/twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Spotlight Book Tour -DELAWARE FROM RAILWAYS TO FREEWAYS BY DAVE TABLER.

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 110 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
Content Rating: G. None needed. Works for all audiences.

“Delaware from Railroads to Freeways by Dave Tabler is a visually stunning book that takes readers on a captivating journey through Delaware’s 19th-century history. With engaging narrative and stunning graphics that seem to leap off the page, this book provides an immersive and enthralling reading experience as Tabler chronicles the rich history of Delaware. This is his second installment of a three-part series on the history of Delaware – the First State…. For Delaware natives and enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best-illustrated background books of Delaware’s 19th-century history as you can find about the First State. It is truly a captivating book.“ — AuthorsReading

“Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a fascinating history text covering important sites and artifacts from the first state. The book includes a wealth of historical and social insights into the production techniques and ultimate significance behind the early Delaware artifacts and events it covers. It makes note of the geographical importance of certain buildings and landscapes as well. Detailed images appear on each page of the book alongside brief, evocative descriptions of their meaning and significance. The result is an involving pictorial history of the evolution of Delaware, complemented by distinguishing coverage of the development of the state’s transportation infrastructure.” — Foreword Reviews

​“Tabler’s second entry in a trilogy covering the history of Delaware rides the rails into the First State’s storied past, covering the tumultuous yet prosperous 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, that era of iron, steam, Civil War, suffragettes, technical marvels, and surprises both fun—like the history of scrapple, or the suspender-and-pants rig known as a “breeches buoy” used to rescue mariners—to the morbid, like public whipping posts or the jolting tale of a child’s corpse being sent through the mail. The stories of trends, people, and material goods that Tabler highlights, in short and inviting bursts of text, are interesting and well buttressed by the copious illustrations.” — Booklife

“The contents are entertaining and varied, offering glimpses of little-known aspects of American history, from Colonial-era enmity between Whigs and Tories to inventions such as the Manby mortar, a cannon-like device used in rescuing people from sinking ships, to a bartending goose.” –– Kirkus Reviews
 
“Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the second book in a series that began with Delaware Before the Railroads and whose planned conclusion is Delaware from Freeways to e-Ways. In his preface, author Dave Tabler touts the advent of the railroad, saying that it “ushered in a prosperous era for the First State” due to Delaware’s “strategic location” on the Delaware Bay. The book is mostly photographs, all of which are vibrant and compelling and include objects that would not be present in most histories of the state, such as John Jones’s adjustable peach sorter: an 1874 invention that revolutionized peach sorting. Or the crawlspace in the home of Quaker couple Daniel and Mary Corbit, in which they hid a fugitive slave in 1845. Tabler’s captions are bite-sized yet satisfying, offering readers a plethora of history without making them feel overworked. …More a coffee-table book than a proper history, Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a worthy read for any devotee of Delaware’s past.“ — Indie Reader
 
“Delaware from Railways to Freeways offers readers a captivating journey through Delaware’s lesser-known history. It is an excellent choice for those who relish reading about unusual facts and harbor a passion for history, even if it occasionally leans toward trivia. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding Delaware’s rich heritage.“ — Literary Titan

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Book Description:

Delaware from Railways to Freeways covers eye-opening information about the region and its residents from 1800 to 1907. Laying out a captivating journey through pictures and offering up little-known anecdotes, entertainingly educational stories, and a comprehensive deep dive, Tabler gives insightful commentary on inventions, contributors to society, and transformative technology. History lovers of all ages will immensely enjoy this trove of 19th-century lore.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N  ~ BAM
Indiebound ~ BookShop ~ BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler’s father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.’

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics, which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote ‘Deliverance.’

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:

DELAWARE FROM RAILWAYS TO FREEWAYS Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway

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Spotlight Book Tour – MURDER BY THE STROKE by C.S.McDonald.

 

Join us for this spotlight tour from Oct 2 to Nov 2, 2023!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Murder by the Stroke (A Fiona Quinn Mystery) 
Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 260 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Nov 2023
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald’s books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults–no bad language or sexual content.

Book Description:

Detective Landry’s old flame is drop-dead gorgeous, and so are her paintings!

​Pittsburgh’s most influential cultural enthusiasts are overjoyed when famous artist, Vashti, has scheduled a gala followed by a weeklong exhibit of her latest works. On the other hand, Detective Nathan Landry isn’t so excited about the invitation he has received to the gala. Back in the day, he and the renowned painter were lovers. That is, when her name was Sadie Jensen, or as Nathan’s sister liked to call her, “Psycho Sadie.”

Art experts, and collectors alike, have been intrigued by a tiny brush stroke, known as an invisible stroke. So subtle and out of place is the technique, that Vashti’s elusive stroke has become as famous as a Where’s Waldo search.

Meanwhile, Fiona finds herself captivated by more than Vashti’s flair for the obscure. Rather, she is far more interested in the gorgeous artist and Nathan’s past. Against his wishes, Fiona, her mother, and her mother-in-law attend the exhibit.

Indeed, Vashti’s paintings are killing it in the art world, and in more ways than one.

Buy the Book:
(available for pre-order)
Amazon 

Meet the Author:

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries includes nine books with a tenth slated for 2021. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg.

Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh and the female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Nest Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister. 

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook ~ Instagram

Spotlight Book Tour – Beverly Bonnefinche is Dead by Kristen Seeley.

 

Join us for this tour from Oct 2 to Oct 20, 2023!
Book Details:

Book Title:  Beverly Bonnefinche is Dead by Kristen Seeley
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +), 388 pages
Genre:  Women’s / Book Club Fiction
Publisher:  Rising Action Publishing
Release date:   September 5, 2023
Content Rating:  PG + M Please review content warnings in blurb.

Author’s Note: Books should always bring pleasure, and never cause harm, for this reason if you have any content that may be harmful to your mental wellbeing, I encourage you to visit https://mariestill.com/contentwarnings to ensure Beverly’s story is one you wish to read.

Please know that you are never alone. If you are in crisis or in need of someone to speak with, please reach out for help.

Below are the crisis lines. US readers dial 988 UK readers, text SHOUT to 85258 Canadian readers (youth) call 1-888-668-6810 or text WELLNESS to 686868; Canadian readers (adults) call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741. Wherever you are, there are people who care, I encourage you to reach out when in need.

Beverly’s story, more than any of my other stories, is a personal one. As a society we get physicals annually, we talk openly about physical diseases, and support those battling them. Mental health isn’t treated with the same care and openness. While we have taken great strides, there is still more work to do. Preventative mental health is a lifesaver. You deserve to be happy just like you deserve to be physically and mentally healthy.

Each person’s journey with a mental health crisis or disorder is different. This story, while completely fictional, has been my way of processing one of the hardest battles I’ve had to fight.

Please show empathy for each other, you never know what demons someone is fighting internally, or if they are fighting a battle for someone they love very much.

​Take care of yourself and those around you. No matter how different and unique your mind is, you, like Beverly, are perfect the way you are.

XOXO, Marie (aka Kristen Seeley)

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“Beautifully written, Seeley delivers a brave and poignant tale that is unforgettable.” – Kim Michele Richardson, NYT bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series.

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Book Description:
​Socially awkward, anxiety-riddled Beverly Bonnefinche only loves three things in life: her parents, books, and a homeless man named Bill. Without them, the only way Beverly manages to get by each day is with the help of a peculiar coping mechanism that allows her to dissolve her feelings. Yet everything changes for Beverly when she meets Henry, a persistent, friendly man who sees something in Beverly most people have missed. As their relationship develops, despite her best intentions, Beverly soon finds herself stepping outside of her carefully controlled life and forging new friendships.

It’s only when a series of twists and turns threatens to unravel her new life, and her mind, that Beverly must determine if she’s got it in her to stop trudging through life—and finally start living it.

Emotional, witty, and uplifting, Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead is an unforgettable story of love, loss, friendship, and what it means to ultimately find the courage to be who you are.

​Content Warnings: stillbirth, pregnancy loss, mental health, attempted suicide, suicidal ideation

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
Target ~ Indigo ~ BAM
BookBub ~ Audible
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

​Lover of books, Kristen spends her time overly caffeinated in front of her computer in the Tampa Bay area with her husband and four children.

Kristen’s debut novel, Beverly Bonnefinche is Dead was selected by Barnes & Noble as a Top Indie Favorites August/September 2023 Kristen Seeley is the pen name of Marie Still (which she writes suspense/thrillers under)

connect with the author:  website ~ newsletter ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ tiktok 
​~ pinterest ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:

Beverly Bonnefinche is Dead Book Tour Giveaway

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