Archive | March 2024

Sicillian Roulette

Book Link

From Amazon:

Alvario Di Sano dreams of making movies in Hollywood and running away with the woman he’s fallen in love with. Unaware of his father’s clandestine activities, the young son a high-ranking member of the American La Cosa Nostra, enjoys his life of privilege. However, when Alvario witnesses his father’s murder, his world crumbles. Reeling from the devastating loss, Alvario is blamed for the death and soldiers of the crime syndicate pursue him. Alvario is forced to suppress his feelings and flee for his life. Meanwhile, the true murderer claims the high seat of power and is declared the leader of the Di Sano crime family. Alvario is exiled to the country of his ancestry, Sicily. His attempts to live a quiet, legitimate life seem futile. The boy’s innocence, dreams of becoming a Hollywood star and artist, desire to lead a different life than his father, fade to black. Driven by revenge, Alvario enters the Sicilian crime syndicate to gain the power required to face his nemesis and avenge his family. Sicilian Roulette is a crime drama/thriller with cinematic appeal—an epic story of family, loyalty, and love. It’s a timeless tale that reveals how some men of honor live by their own laws, and sometimes die by them.

My Review:

This is a story full of danger. The character of Alvarado goes from being an innocent teen to the killings of his father and brother and the reality of the world they lived. Alvarado sets off for Sicily and survival, leaving th woman he loved, Fabrizio behind. Three years later, he is a master baker, and the mob world is prevalent, taking money from merchants each week. One of those collecting money strips and tries to rape an innocent woman, and Alvarado tries to stop the mobster. Alvarado is kicked, punched, face slashed in two long cuts, his throat slashed, but not an artery, and Alvario is close to death. His broken ribs don’t puncture a lung, and the stab wounds don’t cause sepsis. He recovers in a monastery, and with time, he is well enough to seek revenge. That part is for the next reader.

** Stay With The Wagons **

Media Kit

Book Title: Stay with the Wagons

Series: Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail

Author: David Fitz-Gerald

Publication Date: March 15, 2024

Publisher: David Fitz-Gerald

Page Length: 221

Genre: Western, Historical Fiction

Series Trailer: https://youtu.be/sWvp6dtbXvA

Twitter Handle: @AuthorDAVIDFG @cathiedunn

Instagram Handle: @authordavefitzgerald @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #WesternAdventure #AmericanWest #Pioneers #BlogTour

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-tour-stay-with-the-wagons-by-david-fitzgerald.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Stay with the Wagons: A Pioneer Western Adventure

David Fitz-Gerald

Blurb:

Venture deep into the uncharted wilderness and crest the continental divide.

Stay with the Wagons is the enthralling third chapter in the Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series. Dorcas Moon has discarded her mourning dress and yearns for freedom and independence amidst the vast frontier. But a perilous world and a commanding wagon master keep her tethered. Ultimately, it’s a brutal bout of fever and ague that confine her to camp.

Relentless disasters and beguiling challenges unfold in this installment. A young man is crushed beneath a wagon wheel. Dorcas’ son breaks an arm, a grizzly bear attacks the wagon train, and the looming threat of attacking outlaws whips the emigrants into a worried frenzy. How many must perish before they reach the end of the trail?

As chaos reigns, her troubled daughter, Rose, disappears once again, leading Dorcas on a perilous quest. Tracking Rose to a sacred site, they encounter a blind seer and a legendary leader, Chief Washakie. Rose’s enchantment with Native American adornments sparks Dorcas’ concern about an unexpected suitor and raises worries about Rose’s age.

Stay with the Wagons is bursting with action, adventure, and survival. It is a story of resilience and empowerment on the Oregon Trail.

Claim your copy now and re-immerse yourself in a tale of high-stakes survival, unexpected alliances, and the indomitable spirit of Dorcas Moon.

Buy Links:

This title / series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/stay-with-the-wagons

Author Bio:

David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.

Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.

Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.itsoag.com/GATOT

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorDAVIDFG

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

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorDaveFITZGERALD/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/david-fitz-gerald

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/dfitzgerald

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17341792.David_Fitz_Gerald Linktree https://linktr.ee/authordavidfitzgerald

This entry was posted on March 19, 2024. 2 Comments

Who’s Smiling Now?

Book Link

From Amazon:

Laura Foley hooks up with the handsome author Cohan Laity while on holiday in Spain. For Laura, a holiday fling is just what she needs – but that’s all she needs, refusing to see him again once the holiday comes to an end. But a besotted Cohan won’t take no for an answer. He follows her back to the UK and infiltrates every aspect of her life to get to her, threatening everything she loves and holds dear. She tries reasoning. She tries hiding. She even tries involving the police as Cohan stalks her every move and worms his way into her family by dating her sister. Laura is terrified but won’t capitulate. She must take matters into her own hands, and he may well have underestimated her as the hunter becomes the hunted.

My Review:

What a book filled with suspense and multiple persons in one body? Well, okay, two in one body. The things people do to match what their father did or how easy it is to cheat when in Spain and not in England for a whole week? And what about stalkers? Stalkers turned murderers? This novel has it all. Is anyone sane in this novel? Read to find out.

George the Boss

Book Link

From Amazon:

George the Pony lives among the tall beautiful Thoroughbreds at Pap-pap’s farm. In spite of his short stature, George has a big personality, which makes him the boss. It doesn’t take long for George the Boss to learn about the downside of being bossy.

My Review:

George is a very bossy pony who likes to rule the roost, as in, which horse can stand under a tree with him. Soon, George finds himself alone, and that gives him time to think about his bossiness. In the end, George finds out that being bossy can be bad thing. Cute story.

This entry was posted on March 15, 2024. 2 Comments

Murder on Pointe

Book Link

From Amazon:

Fiona can’t wait to attend the performance of Coppelia at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. Her old friend, Silja Ramsay, is dancing the principal role. They have dinner after the show, but when they return Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is down one dancer! Ballerina, Alexis Cartwright, has been found dead in the dressing room. Is this murder a result of hot tempers among the cast members? Or is it a random act of violence? Will there be more murders? Homicide Detective, Nathan Landry, isn’t taking any chances. After finding out Fiona has a strong background in ballet he recruits her to go undercover among the cast of Coppelia. Can Fiona help catch a killer, or will she be the next victim?

My Review:

First off, I’ve not read any of the books in this series in order. I’m okay with that. Reading book one was perfect since the last in this series was book twelve. Anyway, Fiona has a grandmother, now deceased, who starts fresh coffee for Fiona. That’s sweet. As in the other books I’ve read, this one involves murder and laughter both. Not that murder is funny since it isn’t, but being this is fiction, the humor is nice to have. Fiona goes undercover as a ballerina to help catch the one responsible for another ballerina’s death. The shenanigans go from there. Fiona lives to tell this story, and she’s in book 12 as well, so never fear, she lives.

Romance in Evergreen Cover Reveal

Book Two in Heart of Evergreen Trilogy

Prologue

“What did you just say? The senior officer (Special Agent Thompson) of the two men from Homeland Security, that both Nancy and Kim knew prior, repeated, ‘Rob and Liza Caldwell were taken out as a hit’ in Boston last night and we think their assassin is the agent handler extraordinaire, who put out the hit job on the President, and on you, Kim, last November. The hit man’s name is Jeffrey Sanders, we do not know any alias, ethnicity, or if male or female. Security cameras were disabled before the actual hit. Rob and Liza were asleep when it happened early this morning. A silencer was used, and neighbors heard their dog barking non-stop and became worried. The couple checked on them, found them dead in their bed, and called 911. The police detectives could tell it was a professional hit and called us. Special Agent Hughes and I flew directly here from Washington, DC. A note left at the scene read, ‘Two down, eleven to go’ and the eleven to go are both of you, the President, and people unidentified. Make no mistake. The hit man will take out anyone with you, when, NOT if, they find you.” 

***

“How dare you take out my two best assets! I am coming for you, Kim, and your friend, Nancy! Never mind, my best assets died in a roll-over accident! They were after you, Kim! Now I am going to finish the job! Both of you and yours are going down! I know where you are and who you have in your life! Tit for tat. The same back to both of you!”

This entry was posted on March 14, 2024. 2 Comments

The Cows Went Berserk!

On Monday, 11 March 2024, of all the things to happen on my street was a cow in the yard across the street after having run away from the butcher and made a break for it. For real. It was breathing hard, had all the saliva and mucous pouring from its nose and mouth, had the nerve to pee in the yard across from me. Look at the saliva. It had been running and was chased by vehicles and police cars. Right in front of me so photos are through glass as I wasn’t going outside. It was funny, yet terrible, as the cow was so anxious and upset.

They failed to get it and it ran north two blocks and kept going. Small town of 2,500 people and police, packing plant people, and the public tried to capture three that broke loose and made a run for it. The THREE on the loose and running. It was sad to me. Hopefully, the butcher fixed their pens.

Then, mounted cowboys got into the act. It became nuttier. Finally the cattle were caught, two steers, and one bull, and placed in pens. I think if they hadn’t chased them to no end, retrieval would have gone easier on everyone involved, most the especially the cattle. Your thoughts?

This entry was posted on March 14, 2024. 1 Comment

**A Matter of Time: Henry VIII: The Dying of the Light**

Book Title: A Matter of Time: Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light (Book Three)

Series: The Henrician Chronicle

Author: Judith Arnopp

Publication Date: 2nd February 2024

Publisher: independently published

Page Length: 302

Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction

Twitter Handle: @JudithArnopp @cathiedunn

Instagram Handle: @tudor_juditharnopp @thecoffeepotbookclub

Bluesky Handle: @jarnopp.bsky.social @cathiedunn.bsky.social

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #Tudor #HenryVIII #NewRelease #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-tour-a-matter-of-time-by-judith-arnopp.html

Book Title and Author Name:

A Matter of Time: Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light

Judith Arnopp

Blurb:

With youth now far behind him, King Henry VIII has only produced one infant son and two bastard daughters. More sons are essential to secure the Tudor line and with his third wife, Jane Seymour dead, Henry hunts for a suitable replacement.

After the break from Rome, trouble is brewing with France and Scotland. Thomas Cromwell arranges a diplomatic marriage with the sister of the Duke of Cleves but when it comes to women, Henry is fastidious, and the new bride does not please him. The increasingly unpredictable king sets his sights instead upon Katherine Howard and instructs Cromwell to free him from the match with Cleves.

Failure to rid the king of his unloved wife could cost Cromwell his head.

Henry, now ailing and ageing, is invigorated by his flighty new bride but despite the favours he heaps upon her, he cannot win Katherine’s heart. A little over a year later, broken by her infidelity, she becomes the second of his wives to die on the scaffold, leaving Henry friendless and alone.

But his stout heart will not surrender and leaving his sixth wife, Katheryn Parr, installed as regent over England, Henry embarks on a final war to win back territories lost to the French more than a century before. Hungry for glory, the king is determined that the name Henry VIII will shine brighter and longer than that of his hero, Henry V.

Told from the king’s perspective, A Matter of Time: Henry VIII: the Dying of the Light shines a torch into the heart and mind of England’s most tyrannical king.

A Matter of Time

Snippet 1

Summer 1539 Greenwich – Henry looking at a painting

Ah, the discomfiture of love. I’ve been in love with one woman or another since before I reached manhood. I first met Caterina when I was a boy of ten, and when I tired of her, Anne was waiting who, in turn, was usurped in my heart by Jane.

I had not yet wearied of Jane when she was taken from me after giving me my heart’s desire – my son. I was not ready to lose her, and there was no woman waiting to take her place as my queen. Now, there is just a void where she once was and, according to my Council, it is a queen I need.

I have my son, my heir, but one boy is never enough, not for any king and especially not for me. They tell me a political match will not only secure the realm against the threat posed by the Holy Roman Emperor but will also provide a brother for Prince Edward; a young Duke of York who will stand at his sibling’s side in times of crisis – a younger stalwart brother such as I never had.

Although I did well enough.

A door opens, the curtain drifts in the movement of air, but I do not take my eyes from hers. I will make this woman my queen; she will warm my bed, she will soothe my aching need and she will further strengthen the Tudor line. She will bear my children. If anyone can give me strong sons, it is she.

A footstep, a light touch upon my arm.

I turn, still dazed by the painted vision of Christina.

“Anne,” I say, my voice husky from prolonged silence. “Is it that time already?”

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Links to the three titles in the series:

A Matter of Conscience: https://mybook.to/amoc

A Matter of Faith: https://mybook.to/amofaith 

A Matter of Time: https://mybook.to/amot

Author Bio:

A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies. She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for her novels set in the Medieval and Tudor period, focusing on the perspective of historical women but recently she has been writing from the perspective of Henry VIII himself.

This entry was posted on March 13, 2024. 4 Comments