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I am honored to feature Lost and Found in Harlem by Delia Pitts! She is an incredible and accomplished woman. We see each other around on social media, but when our books were delivered in the same box, I took it as a sign that we should meet for the book club.  Delia has written four books in the Ross Agency Mystery series: Lost and Found in Harlem; Practice the Jealous Arts: Two Ross Agency Mysteries; Black and Blue in Harlem; Pauper and Prince in Harlem. Her cover art is to die for! I’m certain I’ll be diving into book two because Delia has enchanted me! Please read her own bio from Amazon to see what an amazing woman Delia is. Paperback is $6.99 and Kindle version is $2.99. Link to purchase is here. Cover and summary are below the bio. Don’t forget to follow her on Instagram at @deliapitts50 “I've been enchanted with books from my earliest days; one of my first memories is of sitting on the floor in the golden motes of dust flying around the booklined porch my father used as his office. Second grade found me crafting a pastiche on the great Walter Farley novel,"The Black Stallion." I sold that story, with original cover painting, for .02 cents at our school's spring book fair. My writing took a turn from animal lore when I discovered Sherlock Holmes in seventh grade. Agatha Christie, Langston Hughes, Margery Allingham, P.D.James, Walter Mosley, Ralph Ellison,so many fine practitioners of detective and other fiction influenced me over the years. Perhaps the biggest single influence, however, was my long-standing love affair with newspapers. I worked for professional papers in the rough-and-tumble news town of Chicago since my late teen years. Pursuing a doctorate in African history and a career in the United States Foreign Service reinforced my interest in people, places, and writing. Though the settings were not quite so exotic as West Africa, my subsequent career as a university administrator took me to Texas, New Jersey, and right around the world recruiting international students and promoting study abroad programs. I jumped into the world of fiction writing through the stimulating and fun adventure of fan fiction. To date, I've published over sixty fan fiction stories since 2012. My wonderful husband, who's traveled this journey with me, has been a source of insight and common sense for decades. And our twin sons --smart, sensitive, and fun --are the inspiration for everything I do.”  When Shelba Rook’s home burns down, he realizes he has nothing left. What’s a jobless, homeless private detective to do? He’s feeling more than a little lost.
Shelba Rook’s “home” was in fact a room in a Harlem brothel. Not only does the catastrophic fire at Auberge Rouge take the few items he could call his earthly possessions; it ends up killing an innocent woman. As Rook struggles to find a job, his thoughts keep returning to the woman at the Auberge Rouge. Who was she? Did someone set the fire intending to kill her? As Rook ponders these mysteries, he stumbles on one of Harlem’s best-kept secrets—the Ross Agency. The detective agency, run by the magnanimous Norment Ross and his far more practical daughter, Sabrina, takes tiny neighborhood cases the police are too busy to solve. They’re looking for a new agent, and Rook knows a job is a job. Rook may look down on the types of cases Norment and Brina take, but the two will prove to be invaluable allies as he searches for an arsonist and a murderer. From tiny cases to huge investigations, the Ross Agency is ready for anything!
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Hello, Friends! I am thrilled to feature Grim Secrets by Nannette Kreitzman! The description on the cover reads: “Tales of Murder, Manipulation, and Loss,” and boy is this book a doozy! Get ready for an emotional ride and gasp-out-loud moments! Nannette lives in California with her husband and a furry friend. Her children are grown, and she is retired from all things except writing. We have these things in common, along with being associated with the secret squirrel society of the criminal justice system. Nannette often posts excerpts from her short stories as she is writing them. Her stories contain more depth and character development than some novels! I met her when I read “When a Good Man Dies”. I cried throughout the story and had to keep messaging her about the details and her vivid descriptions. Below is the cover and book description. Paperback is $7.00; Kindle Unlimited is free; and Kindle purchase is $2.50. Purchase here on Amazon and don’t forget to follow Nannette on Instagram at @netts_shorts!  A collection of the following stories:
“Discovering Me” I woke up in the hospital not knowing who I am or how I got here, but I think I know the missing girl on the news! What happened to me? To her? And what price will I pay for discovering me? “Willow’s Secret” Willow’s Tale continues... Willow has been keeping a secret since escaping slavery. She has a chance for a normal life, but will her haunting nightmares kill the dream? “When a Good Man Dies” What would you do if your worst fear came true? This is a story of raw grief and perseverance in the wake of the unthinkable. “Fire and Ice” Theona is attracted to dominant men. She likes when a man knows what he wants and takes it. Will wants Theona and will do what is necessary to have her. But is it love, or manipulation? “When the Third Sun Rises” She has been called goddess. She has been called witch. She calls herself healer. If only she had the power to heal worlds. Hello, friends! Next up for the KC reads book club is Winter Takes All! I am happy to feature this book by ML Erdahl! He is making waves and winning awards for his cozy mystery! Dig in and enjoy! I used Mike’s self-written bio because I couldn’t have said it better! Get to know him here, then meet him in person! Award-winning author ML Erdahl lives amidst the trees of the Pacific Northwest, where he pens humorous cozy mystery novels set in the wilderness he has spent his lifetime exploring. The only thing slowing him down is when his adorable rescue dogs, Skip and Daisy, demand to be petted and cuddled on his lap while he types. When he's not wandering the mountains, you can find him gardening, reading, or searching for the best coffee in Seattle with his wife, Emily. Don’t forget to follow ML Erdahl on Instagram at @ML Erdahl and Facebook at ML Erdahl! Cover art (which I absolutely love!) and description are below. Purchase the book here.  Crystal Rainey is aghast when she realizes her new year's resolutions haven't changed one whit from the previous year. Wanting to escape a future as dreary as a Pacific Northwest winter, she walks out on her dead-end office job, despite her tenuous savings account.
Stumbling across a job opening posted by a wilderness guide outfit, an intrigued Crystal bluffs her way into the position. With handsome fellow guide, the stalwart Conner Oakes, she leads a corporate retreat on a snowshoe hike to a majestic alpine chalet. But when the company's detestable owner turns up dead in the snow, she fears her new life and budding romance slipping away. She finally has something worth fighting for and is determined to solve the murder and grab her chance at happiness before it's too late. Catrin Russell is one of my heroes! We met on social media, and we often have long messaging conversations from across the world! Catrin hails from Piteå, Sweden, so she now holds the title of being the KC Reads featured author who lives the farthest from us all! She is a wife, mother, writer, artist and reader. Catrin is crazy talented and tech savvy! She has done all the art for her book covers, as well as the formatting and publication through Amazon. She always answers my tech questions without even sending me a rolling eyes emoji! She also reads and reviews books for many authors. Recently, she and Laura from Magic Book Corner set up a book giveaway that lasted an entire month! I have no idea where the time or energy come from, but Catrin is immensely supportive of all writers! And if you ever get lucky enough to see a picture of her children, you’ll want to fly right over to Sweden and give them a squeeze! I am honored and thrilled to feature The Power of Conviction by the magnificent Catrin Russell! The Prime Series includes The Power of Conviction, Righteous Dawn (a Prequel to the series) and The Path of Salvation . . . so far. They are fantasy novels in medieval settings. You might want to ask how long it took her to write 300,000 words for these books! Here are the cover art, summary and link to purchase The Power of Conviction. The Kindle version is $2.99 and the paperback is $9.99. Don’t forget to follow Catrin on social and review her book after reading or the author discussion! Instagram: @catrinrussellauthor Facebook: catrinrussellauthor (she also has a Prime Series readers group on Facebook!)  The Darkness was closing in over the Midlands, with the Priesthood being the only one daring to stand up against its terrifying presence.
Trained in the arts of the Light, the priests walked a bloodied path through the scores of demons, seeking to rid the world of their unholy presence. But the fight against demonkind was becoming increasingly perilous, and danger rose to threaten the Priesthood’s very survival. The priestess Anaya stands resolute in her conviction. Despite the dangers she must endure along her dedicated path, her unwavering faith in the Goddess and Her divine supremacy doesn’t falter. She’s set on following the orders of her High Priest, no matter how gruesome. Until one day, when all her beliefs are challenged... A fateful meeting with the elusive demon Samael opens the doors to doubt and Anaya begins to question the very path of the Priesthood and of all those steadfast in the preachings of the Goddess. Were they wrong about demonkind? Was her purpose in life truly for naught? Teresa Mathews lives on a farm in Alabama. She is an avid gardener and an artist. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association, and she is a member of the Mobile Writers Guild. Teresa has been quite busy during recent times; she is a gem who has been working long hours in her plant nursery. Did I mention she wrote a bestselling book? Thirteen Steps to the Cellar (Tirgearr Publishing) is one of my all-time favorites! I was absolutely drawn to it by her son’s spectacular videos! Pop over to her Instagram and check out some of them! Though 13 Steps to the Cellar is a work of fiction, it was inspired by the murder of Teresa’s aunt. Teresa is one of the nicest and most-talented people I’ve met on social media. I am thrilled to feature her book, 13 Steps to the Cellar, as the next KC Reads Book Club selection! Please follow Teresa on social media at @teresamathewsauthor on Instagram and TeresaMathewsAuthor on Facebook. And don’t forget to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads! Below are the cover and summary. The Kindle version is $4.99; there is no paperback.  There were thirteen steps to the cellar. They were steep and they were narrow—but was a fall down them enough to have caused the twenty-seven deep lacerations to her aunt’s head?
Callie Harris travels from her home in Alabama to her aunt’s former mansion in Maine to unravel the haunting forty-year-old mystery of Dr. Laverne Harris Doss’ brutal death. Why wasn’t a murder weapon found? Was her uncle justly convicted of the killing? Was his mistress involved? Or was the murderer the bearded stranger rumored to have arrived by train that night? In the charming town of Richmond, located on the banks of Maine’s historic Kennebec River, Callie uncovers the community’s darkest secrets—a botched police investigation, a betrayed widow’s lie, a dead woman’s blackmail, and a wealthy philanthropist’s shame. The web of intrigue extends far beyond Callie's suspicions and its connection to her personal story pierces her to the core. A.M. Ialacci is an award-winning author who was introduced to sleuthing by Angela Landsbury’s character, Jessica Fletcher, in the Murder She Wrote television series. She also devoured Nancy Drew books. A.M. - Anna - dreamed of being a writer, but she entered the noble profession of teaching. She left after 20 years and is now the proud author of three books. Sight in the Dark is a novella in the Crimson Falls series. Anna has published two books in her Crystal Coast series: Diamonds, Teak, and Murder and Lenses, Lust, and Murder. Her greatest love is her teenage son, who is on the autism spectrum. I met Anna on Instagram. With posts like these, I knew we were meant to be together:  I am thrilled to feature Diamonds, Teak, and Murder in the KC Reads Book Club! You might want to ask about Trumpy yachts - I did. Turns out they are quite rare. Book cover and description are listed below. Here is the Amazon link. Don’t forget to follow Anna at AMIalacci on FaceBook and Twitter and @amialacciauthor on Instagram. Message me on Instagram or FaceBook or click the email link on the first page of my website to let me know you’re participating. Happy reading!  Upon the sudden deaths of her parents in a car accident, credit fraud investigator Allie Fox traded her fast-paced life in Chicago for a boatyard bookkeeping job in sleepy Carteret County, North Carolina. It is a huge transition, especially as she is now the sole caregiver for her younger autistic brother. But when the yard foreman mysteriously ends up dead at work, she can’t resist being pulled into the mystery.
Plenty of people had reason to want Ty Guthrie dead, but he had been kind to her as a kid, and even the sheriff’s department thinks there may have been foul play. Despite the possibility of alienating all of her co-workers and risking her livelihood, Allie becomes a consultant on the case to discover the murderer in their midst. The deeper she digs, the more secrets she unravels, and the killer turns his sights on her, and even worse, her brother. At odds with law enforcement and the DA while a massive hurricane bears down on the coast, the only thing that matters is that her brother is in danger. With everything to lose and time running out, it’s up to Allie alone to stop the killer, or die trying. Ivan Scott lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Writing is a side-gig for him, but he makes it look like his only gig. Ivan and I connected on social media over a love of pens and a twisted sense of humor. You’re right, it’s not just pens, but all things lead and ink. Early on, I taunted him with competition about who had the most, but a few posts in, I was the one with pen envy. His true love is the Redhead he calls his wife. Kim is the inspiration for his strong female protagonists. There could be a story about her - and boots - in case you’re curious. Ivan also belongs to two children and a rat terrier. I am featuring Ivan’s first book, Redhead in a Blue Convertible. In this book, Doctor Sarah Farnsworth is at a crossroads. A chance meeting with a stranger will take her on the ride of her life - in 24 hours. You will laugh; you will cry. And when it’s all over, you’ll be speechless for a few minutes. Ivan serves up hope and redemption in the midst of loss and grieving. While writing Redhead and entering the publication world, Ivan adopted wise words: “I remembered something my father told me years ago, and that is if you can't find the circumstances you want, you get off your butt and make the circumstances you want to happen.” Ivan is working on his second book, which will be out soon! Just you wait - he’s going to drag you through all the emotions a second time. I think we should ask him about Jasper and his new Redhead . . . Don’t forget to follow Ivan Scott on Instagram and Facebook! See the book cover below; here’s the Amazon link to purchase the Kindle version for $2.99 or the paperback for $15.99  Sandra is one of the first writers I met on Instagram, and she remains one of my favorite people. She hails from Canada and is quick-witted, as you will discover in her book. Sandra is an award-winning author who has written numerous short stories, and her claim to fame, the Megan Scott/Michael Elliott mystery series. She has written six books in this series, which makes her my hero! I hear whispers from her social media accounts, however, that she may be starting a new series. Sandra loved the Nancy Drew series when she was young and dreamed about being a writer. She pursued a career in banking but never lost track of her desire to be an author (I think we should ask her about bank robberies). False Impressions is KC Read’s first virtual book club feature. This book arose from Sandra Nikolai’s dream: “She pursued her passion with the Megan Scott/Michael Elliott mystery series, weaving ordinary people into extraordinary, life-threatening situations, using the premise that evil often lurks in familiar places.” Links follow the book description! And you’re in luck! Sandra is doing a giveaway, so the e-version of False Impressions is FREE for a limited time. Grab it now and start reading! Don’t forget to follow Sandra Nikolai on Instagram and Facebook! Don’t forget to message me on Instagram or Facebook or select the email button on my Home page to confirm your participation for an invite to the author discussion!  Montreal ghostwriter Megan Scott falls under police suspicion when her husband and a female friend are found murdered. In what a Québec detective calls a crime passionnel, startling evidence surfaces to implicate Michael Elliott, a young investigative reporter who’d rather rub elbows with scumbags than live the posh lifestyle he inherited.
Clutched out of her comfort zone, Megan is flung into Michael’s dark world of criminal investigation. As they make a last-ditch attempt to prove their innocence, an elusive enemy closes in and threatens their lives. Who wants them out of the way and why? Their only path to freedom is to catch the twisted killer before they become the next victims. But not knowing who to trust or where to turn can have consequences that are just as lethal… Links to ebooks and/or paperbacks available for purchase at: amazon.com | amazon.ca | amazon.co.uk | kobobooks.com | overdrive barnesandnoble.com | itunes.apple.com | indigo.ca | other Hello book lovers! Welcome to KC Reads, a book club that connects readers and writers in a virtual environment.
I am starting this club because books connect us all. No matter who we are, we can all relate to - and fall in love with - characters. I miss socializing with friends and connecting with people in a meaningful way. Don’t you? Let’s come together in a safe environment to dish on books and make new friends! Selected books will be written primarily by independent authors. Why? Because there are many out there who are brilliant writers! Self-publishing is a choice made for many reasons that are personal to each writer. Let’s support authors and show them some virtual love! That said, if Robert Bryndza wants to participate, he is welcome any time! (Check him out - he writes great thrillers!) Name of the Game: I will feature a new book every two weeks on social media and my website. Purchase it, read it, then meet with a virtual group to discuss it. Message or email me to let me know you are participating, and I will send you an invitation through Zoom (you do not need an account to participate; just follow the prompts to the “meeting”), then MEET THE AUTHOR FOR A PERSONAL CONVERSATION about the book! Rules of the Game: 1. Absolutely NO harsh words or arguments. Zero cruelty toward others. Period. I will remove you from the group for breaking this rule. 2. Please be kind to authors. Find the positive in each book. It is such an honor that these authors are willing to participate in a book club. Show them some virtual love! Come up with questions and comments (if you're comfortable doing so). |
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