Wednesday, May 7, 2025

A Pawsome Summer For Murder by S. A. Kazlo Interview & Giveaway

 

A Pawsome Summer For Murder 

(Samantha Davies Mystery)

by S. A. Kazlo

About A Pawsome Summer For Murder

 

A Pawsome Summer For Murder (Samantha Davies Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 7th in Series 

Setting - New York

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Adk Foothills Publishing 

(May 1, 2025)

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 218 pages

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8230299592

Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DXC8QFZH

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It's summer in Wings Falls, New York and Samantha Davies is geared up for the annual trout tournament sponsored by Al Gorman, owner of the Sport's Shop. Sam, along with her Southern Belle cousin, Candie Parker-Hogan, are determined to beat the pants off their significant others, Sam's new fiancé, Hank Johnson, a detective on Wings Falls police force and Mark Hogan, Candie's husband. The ladies feel they have a secret weapon-they learned from the best fisherman in Hainted Hollar Tennessee, Grandpop Parker. Sam once won a trophy for the largest fish in the Fins and Tails Fishing Derby. To Sam's surprise instead of reeling in the day's biggest catch, she "hooked" into the body of the town's most vocal activist, Luna Wheeler. Raylene Carrigan, owner of a traveling doggie daycare Sam uses for her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, becomes a prime suspect, when it becomes known Luna tried to shut down the town's doggie park she depends on for the pets in her care. Since Sam has successfully helped solve murders in the past, Raylene begs her for help to prove her innocent. Sam reluctantly agrees but knows her fiancé won't be happy with her involvement in yet another murder case. Determined to help Porkchop's buddy, Sam starts digging for clues only to discover that Luna, with her over-zealous demands to many of the town's businesses to recycle, upset more than a few of her friends. Can Sam land Luna's murderer before she gets 'hooked' by the killer?

About S. A. Kazlo

Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and two lively dachshunds. She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family. Her newest book, number seven in the series, A Pawsome Summer For Murder, was released May 1, 2025

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1.  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’d say it was in high school and I was an editor of our newspaper. The teacher always praised my work.

2.  How long does it take you to write a book?

If I’m a good girl and write at least 500 words a day I can finish a book in 6 months. That’s not a lot but it’s doable for me as I watch my grandkids in the afternoon.

3.  What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I’m a morning writer. Can’t do it in the evening. I try to write Monday to Friday and leave the weekends for marketing.

4.  What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Hmmm, I need to have a square of dark chocolate along with a hand full of walnuts by my computer as I write for brain food.

5.  How do books get published?

With my latest book, A Pawsome Summer For Murder, I’ve gone the indie route. I use Draft 2 Digital.

6.  Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

By observing my surroundings and tidbits I pick up on the news. The inspiration for my latest book was a school bus I saw going down the road that was for a doggie day care. For Pups, Pumpkins and Murder I read about a farmer growing a 2,000 pound pumpkin and thought it would make a great murder weapon,

7.  When did you write your first book and how old were you?

In my 40’s I originally wrote for kids’ magazines and wrote a couple of books. I only pursued having one book published. After I retired, I read a bunch of cozy mysteries and thought, “I can do this.”

8.  What do you like to do when you're not writing?

When I’m not writing, like my main character, Samantha Davies, I like to hook, rug hook that is.

9.  What does your family think of your writing?

They are very supportive, especially my hubby of over 50 years. He is my chauffeur to my in-person events.

10.             What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Even if you have a traditional publisher you have to do 99% of the marketing.

11.             How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve published one middle grade book and with my newest book it is number 7 in my Samantha Davies Mystery series.

12.             Do you have any suggestions to help me becomea better writer? If so, what are they?

Never give up on your dream and network with other authors.

13.             Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I belong to a number of cozy mystery Facebook groups and whenever I do a post I hear from a great number of them. They are very supportive and I enjoy their comments. They will tell me how much they love the stories and about their pets since I have one, Porkchop, featured in my books.

14.             Do you like to create books for adults?

I love it. It makes my soul feel happy.

15.             What do you think makes a good story?

Believable and nice characters, except maybe for the murderer.

16.             As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a nurse until I became a Candy Striper and realized, nope, this wasn’t for me.

17.             What Would you like my readers to know?

That I hope they enjoy the sleuthing adventures of Samantha and her dachshund, Porkchop.

 

Author Links 
Twitter-@sakazlo
Instagram- sakazlo
Facebook- sakazlo
LinkedIn- sakazlo

Purchase Links
 AmazonB&N – Smashwords – KoboBookshop.org

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
May 7 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
May 7 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 8 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
May 8 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
May 9 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
May 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
May 10 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 10 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW
May 10 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
May 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST
May 12 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
May 12 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT
May 13 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
May 14 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
May 14 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT


Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here

Monday, May 5, 2025

LOVE LETTERS TO ME, MYSELF AND HIM by Rayan Khamis Excerpt & Giveaway



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Rayan Khamis will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

"No two souls meet by accident"

Have you ever felt like you've missed someone you've never met? Like your soul is yearning to meet another soul that fate has destined for you to meet? As I tackle the challenges of everyday life I come to realization that there's a higher power guiding me to my soulmate. These love letters have become my anchor and devotion towards my soulmate though we've never locked eyes. Come on a journey of self- discovery, self- reflection, faith, destiny and hope. Unwind to my truth of what love, guidance and faithfulness means to me.


Read an Excerpt

“When we sleep our souls partially or temporarily leave our bodies. Sleep is a minor form of death, where the body is present, but the soul is elsewhere. Some people underestimate the significance of dreams by completely disregarding them, while others make too much of them and make every decision in their life based on a dream. Both the Quran and Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, highlight that some dreams have symbols and meanings.”

The Prophet, peace be upon him, categorized dreams into three types:

1. A vision or true dream that is from God
2. A false dream which comes from the devil
3. A meaningless everyday dream which could come from one’s lower self or subconscious thoughts

I am someone who goes to sleep every night saying a prayer to protect me from the devil. At least I try, but when I do, I know that I either go to sleep dreaming from my subconscious or I go to sleep getting a dream from Allah. And it’s easy to decipher the two. As a pious Muslim woman, God is trying to tell us something when we get a dream from Him. For the past 5 years I’ve been dreaming, getting visions after praying for this soulmate of mine. Insha’Allah, because I’ve written a whole book about him, there are some parts where I thought I almost found the one, but I was foolishly blind. However, in the end something great came out of it. I’m a grateful person. I’m trying to stay positive through life because in Islam life is just a test, but the thing is we get lost chasing this dunya (life) We get lost chasing this life when it’s not worth anything. It sounds depressing, I know, but it’s the most beautiful religion I’m still living for. Alhamdulillah (praise be to God)

About the Author: Rayan, a talented 27-year-old author, hails from Sudan, North Africa. She moved to Canada at the tender age of four, where she has cultivated a unique voice in the literary world. Though she discovered her passion for writing later in life, it was in 2019 that she first picked up a pen to craft love letters, a genre that has since become her signature.

Known for her wit and quiet demeanor around most people, Rayan's true personality shines brightly when she is among her loved ones, where her loud and vibrant nature comes to life. Her writing reflects this duality, blending sharp humour with heartfelt emotion to create deeply resonant works that captivate her readers.

Rayan's journey from Sudan to Canada and her experiences growing up between two cultures provide a rich backdrop for her writing, infusing her love letters with a depth and authenticity that set her apart in the literary scene. As she continues to write and share her stories, Rayan remains a dynamic and compelling voice, one that speaks to the complexities of love, identity, and connection.

Instagram : http://www.instagram.com/rayanroseay
TikTok : http://www.tiktok.com/@aboutusletters

IN SEARCH OF RECOGNITION by Jim McAllister Excerpt & Giveaway



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jim McAllister will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In Search of Recognition: The Story of Search and Rescue in British Columbia provides background on why and how organized volunteer search and rescue became a reality in the province, and how search and rescue evolved over many years to meet the increasing demands of finding lost people and rescuing those injured outdoors. The primary focus of the thousands of volunteers is to save the lives of persons lost or injured outdoors; training and fundraising for equipment and other costs also require time and energy. Through personal involvement and references, the author provides insights into how funding and other support for the volunteer service was achieved, through government, responsible agencies, organizations and individuals working together to find ways to assist those who strive "so others may live."


Read an Excerpt

As long as people have lived together, there has been some form of search and rescue. Family and community members would go looking for someone overdue from a hunting/gathering trip. A community member would be lost or injured in the backcountry, and the local sheriff would form a posse to search for and rescue the individual. Mariners would respond to sinkings and vessels in distress to save lives, long before maritime laws required such. With the advent of flight, pilots would keep their eyes open for missing persons or aircraft, and respond to pick up and transport injured people as the fastest way to get them to medical attention.

About the Author: Jim McAllister has been involved in search and rescue for over 45 years, starting as a volunteer member in the Rocky Mountains in 1977 with Golden and District SAR and then Cranbrook SAR. He became the SAR specialist for the Province of B.C. in 2002. In 2008, Jim retired from the provincial government as a director with Emergency Management British Columbia and became a volunteer director for special projects with the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. Jim has been involved with many major projects: the establishment of Avalanche Canada, the updating of volunteer reimbursement rates, the establishment of health and safety guidelines, the formation of a joint health and safety committee, Swiftwater Rescue standards, sustainable funding for search and rescue and the establishment of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial. Jim wrote a book on the last project, titled A Monument to Remember, and one on incidents, titled One Week in August: Stories from Search and Rescue in British Columbia.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1779627394
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/519145.Jim_McAllister

Saturday, May 3, 2025

You Will Be Peter by Jerry Lathan & Steven Manchester Review

 


2023 Paris Book Festival Winner · 2023 New England Book Festival Winner

The extraordinary story of a young fisherman who became the Founding Father of Christianity, the most influential and enduring institution in history.

Synopsis:


He’s one of the most well-known figures in cultures around the world, etched into stained glass, painted in frescoes, even caricatured as standing at the gates of heaven with a long white beard and keys in hand. But long before he was portrayed as a venerated and untouchable figure, Peter was simply known as Simon, a twenty-something fisherman in a far-flung Jewish province controlled by the Roman Empire.

Loyal and faithful, impetuous and passionate, Simon’s quiet life is upended by the arrival of a man called Jesus of Nazareth, rumored to be the long-awaited Messiah who would rescue the Jewish people from oppression. When Simon meets Jesus, the mysterious man tells him, “You will be Peter,” a prophetic statement that would slowly transform Simon’s life. Eager to be free of the Romans, Simon joins Jesus in hopes that he can guard this leader who will, undoubtedly, build an army to challenge Rome. But as Simon waits for the army to form, he watches Jesus show a compassion for others Simon has never seen before. The miracles Jesus performs—healing the sick, feeding crowds of thousands—show not a display of military might, but of service and love.

Real, relatable and impeccably researched, You Will Be Peter draws on the four Gospel accounts to weave Simon Peter’s story into one seamless tapestry. Readers get a front-row seat to Simon’s three-year walk with Jesus, as Simon watches the Son of Man feed the hungry, raise the dead, upend the status quo and challenge the elite during one of world history’s most pivotal seasons.

In perhaps one of the greatest miracles, we can see ourselves in Simon, this ordinary man Jesus chose to accompany Him. Simon wasn’t well-educated, but he was faithful and headstrong. Though he could rush to judgment and use a foul word from time to time, he was the kind of friend who loved fiercely and was doggedly loyal—until he wasn’t. Although he failed, Simon wasn’t cast away from Jesus’ mission. In fact, his failures and subsequent redemption made him a more empathetic and capable rock upon whom the Church was built.

With storytelling artistry that transports readers to the first-century world, with the sights, sounds, and smells of that time, You Will Be Peter shares an age-old story told from a new set of eyes: it’s possible for one ordinary person, however unlikely, to change the world forever.

My Review:

This was the perfect book to read around Easter. I loved that it was told in a story format, rather than in verse. I felt like I was in the time of Jesus. I was reminded of his miracles and the disciples that were with him. It was interesting to read how Jesus lived, other than what is in the Bible. How he got from place to place and who he saw along the way. However, this book is also about faith and how Peter believed in Jesus and changed his name. As a catholic, I knew how the book was going to end. I did not expect to enjoy the journey so much. There were times when I was reminded of certain scriptures. This is definitely a book to keep by my Bible. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy, all opinions are my own.

Friday, May 2, 2025

After Paris by Jacqueline Bacci Review

 


After Paris

They met twice that day. Once as Alyssa James, journalist and Xavier Montgomery, businessman and once as Mr Casanova and Papillon. Alyssa James had already had her heart destroyed once and so resisting Xavier Montgomery is the right thing to do. But she can’t. Xavier Montgomery is annoyed that he let Alyssa go. He should have got her number. The connection with her was real, she must have felt it too. Then he met Papillon.

It was only meant to be one night in Paris.

But sometimes, what happens in Paris doesn’t always stay in Paris….

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Paris-Jacqueline-Bacci-ebook/dp/B0DK3L9W4T/

https://www.amazon.com/After-Paris-Jacqueline-Bacci-ebook/dp/B0DK3L9W4T/

Author Bio –

Hey everyone

My name is Jacqueline Bacci. I am married with one son and live in the beautiful county of Essex, just outside of London.

I started writing books many moons ago, whilst still at school, and I have an old chest upstairs in my house filled with dozens of handwritten manuscripts. My writing was for my own pleasure, and I lost myself for hours in the love lives of the couples who only existed in my head and my heart. If I was a piece of seaside rock, I would have the word 'romance' written right through me.

I lived in Florence Italy for a few years in my twenties as I longed to learn the Italian language and I came away with a passion for everything Italian (plus an Italian husband!)

My books are about love and sizzling passion and couples who overcome every obstacle to be together and there is always a happy ever after.

After everything, love conquers all.

 

Social Media Links –  https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinebacciauthor



My Review:
This is a fun read. What would you do for one night of passion? In Paris? Only to realize that you met your soul mate? Someone that you only know by an alias. That was wearing a mask? Fate decided to let you meet again. Was it meant to be? Or just a cruel joke? This is definitely an adult read, because it contains sex scenes. I liked these two characters together and thought that the ending was a good fit for them, I would like a sequel to see what they are up to in a few years. This was a fast read, and kept me interested. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, all opinions are my own.