Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth by Holly Bell (September 14-18, 2026) #WitchyCozyMystery #ParanormalCozyMystery #BritishUrbanFantasy #UrbanFantasyMystery @sharonledwith @Saphs_Books

About Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth:

Amanda Cadabra’s life LOOKS perfectly normal...
But looks can be very deceiving.

In the picture-perfect English village of Sunken-Madley, a young covert witch is laying
low. Amanda Cadabra has her reasons.

Orphaned when her family’s van mysteriously plunged over a Cornish cliff many years before, Amanda is keeping herself to herself, quietly working for her grandfather’s furniture restoration company, hoping the world will leave her alone.

However, soon Amanda’s peace is disturbed by the arrival in the village of the inquisitive Inspector Trelawney, dogging her footsteps as he investigates the strange fate of her family. But the persistent detective becomes the least of her problems, as a restoration job at the Tudor manor propels the young witch into a swirl of mystery and intrigue.

Events quickly conspire to drag Amanda into the building’s murky past and its even more dangerous present. Armed only with her wits, her grumpy feline familiar, Tempest, and a wand, Amanda Cadabra is going in.

A body, ghosts, hidden passageways, and a host of unanswered questions soon emerge. Can Amanda dodge the inspector long enough to solve the Manor’s many mysteries and unravel her own past before the scandal of murder engulfs the village?

Follow the tour to read exclusive excerpts, interviews, and spotlight posts:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2026/09/book-tour-schedule-amanda-cadabra-and.html

Meet the Author:

Cat adorer and chocolate lover, British author Holly Bell’s life changed in a day. A best-

selling author friend convinced Holly that she could write cozy mysteries, after many years

experience with non-fiction, photography and video making.

Holly devoured all of the Agatha Christie books long before she knew that Miss Marple was

the godmother of the Cozy Mystery. Her love of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings meant that

her first literary creation in this area would have to be a cosy paranormal. Since then, the

series has grown to include the genre of urban fantasy mystery.

Having derived immense delight from the adventure of writing Amanda Cadabra and The

Hidey-Hole Truth, its 8 sequels and 1 prequel to date, Holly has more in the pipeline, with

the 10 th book in the series now in the making. The third in the series Amanda Cadabra and

The Flawless Plan has just come out on Audible in audiobook format, joining the first two

books. The World of Amanda Cadabra shop for bookish gifts on Redbubble has just begun

rolling out its Sunken Madley School collection.

Holly lives in London, somewhere near the place that inspired her quaint, peculiar but

apparently perfectly normal fictional village. Readers will know better.

Her favourite feline is a black cat called Bobby. He is black. Like her favourite hat. Purely

coincidental.

Holly loves to hear from readers. Find her on the contact page of the amandacadabra.com

website, or on Facebook as Holly Bell Author. She always responds in person.

Links:

The Amanda Cadabra Urban Fantasy Cozy Mysteries (in order):

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth

Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets

Amanda Cadabra and The Flawless Plan

Amanda Cadabra and The Rise of Sunken Madley

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths

Amanda Cadabra and The Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr

Amanda Cadabra and The Hanging Tree

Amanda Cadabra and The Nightstairs

Amanda Cadabra and The Twilight Toxin

Prequel: The Grange Trilogy - The Philip Rayke Mysteries

Prequel Short Story: Tempest’s First Day (Free on amandacadabra.com)

Audio books:

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Amanda Cadabra and The Flawless Plan

Amazon UK

Amazon US

The World of Amanda Cadabra Shop

#ExclusiveExcerpt ~ Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth by Holly Bell (September 14-18, 2026) #WitchyCozyMystery #ParanormalCozyMystery #BritishUrbanFantasy #UrbanFantasyMystery @Saphs_Books

About Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth:

Amanda Cadabra’s life LOOKS perfectly normal...
But looks can be very deceiving.

In the picture-perfect English village of Sunken-Madley, a young covert witch is laying
low. Amanda Cadabra has her reasons.

Orphaned when her family’s van mysteriously plunged over a Cornish cliff many years before, Amanda is keeping herself to herself, quietly working for her grandfather’s furniture restoration company, hoping the world will leave her alone.

However, soon Amanda’s peace is disturbed by the arrival in the village of the inquisitive Inspector Trelawney, dogging her footsteps as he investigates the strange fate of her family. But the persistent detective becomes the least of her problems, as a restoration job at the Tudor manor propels the young witch into a swirl of mystery and intrigue.

Events quickly conspire to drag Amanda into the building’s murky past and its even more dangerous present. Armed only with her wits, her grumpy feline familiar, Tempest, and a wand, Amanda Cadabra is going in.

A body, ghosts, hidden passageways, and a host of unanswered questions soon emerge. Can Amanda dodge the inspector long enough to solve the Manor’s many mysteries and unravel her own past before the scandal of murder engulfs the village?

Exclusive Excerpt:

Excerpt 1 — Senara meets Trelawney

‘Fresh blood,’ observed Mrs Cadabra.
Detective Sergeant Thomas Trelawney looked at her doubtfully. She registered that he was in his late thirties, tall, light-haired, grey-suited and attractive in a manner appropriate to a policeman.
‘Do come in.’
He stepped over the threshold and into the clean, bright hall. She closed the door behind him.
Trelawney’s boss, Chief Inspector Hogarth, was on the verge of retirement and had sent his junior to acquaint himself with a case that had remained open for 28 years.
Mrs Cadabra led the way into the living room, gestured to the sergeant to sit down, then decisively pulled a photo album from one of the stacked bookshelves flanking the brick fireplace. She laid it open on his knees and pointed to a portrait of a power-dressed couple holding a baby.
‘1987. Our darling Amanda, held by my obnoxious daughter,’ she uttered in clipped tones.

Follow the tour to read exclusive excerpts, interviews, and spotlight posts:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2026/09/book-tour-schedule-amanda-cadabra-and.html

Meet the Author:

Cat adorer and chocolate lover, British author Holly Bell’s life changed in a day. A best-

selling author friend convinced Holly that she could write cozy mysteries, after many years

experience with non-fiction, photography and video making.

Holly devoured all of the Agatha Christie books long before she knew that Miss Marple was

the godmother of the Cozy Mystery. Her love of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings meant that

her first literary creation in this area would have to be a cosy paranormal. Since then, the

series has grown to include the genre of urban fantasy mystery.

Having derived immense delight from the adventure of writing Amanda Cadabra and The

Hidey-Hole Truth, its 8 sequels and 1 prequel to date, Holly has more in the pipeline, with

the 10 th book in the series now in the making. The third in the series Amanda Cadabra and

The Flawless Plan has just come out on Audible in audiobook format, joining the first two

books. The World of Amanda Cadabra shop for bookish gifts on Redbubble has just begun

rolling out its Sunken Madley School collection.

Holly lives in London, somewhere near the place that inspired her quaint, peculiar but

apparently perfectly normal fictional village. Readers will know better.

Her favourite feline is a black cat called Bobby. He is black. Like her favourite hat. Purely

coincidental.

Holly loves to hear from readers. Find her on the contact page of the amandacadabra.com

website, or on Facebook as Holly Bell Author. She always responds in person.

Links:

The Amanda Cadabra Urban Fantasy Cozy Mysteries (in order):

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth

Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets

Amanda Cadabra and The Flawless Plan

Amanda Cadabra and The Rise of Sunken Madley

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths

Amanda Cadabra and The Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr

Amanda Cadabra and The Hanging Tree

Amanda Cadabra and The Nightstairs

Amanda Cadabra and The Twilight Toxin

Prequel: The Grange Trilogy - The Philip Rayke Mysteries

Prequel Short Story: Tempest’s First Day (Free on amandacadabra.com)

Audio books:

Amanda Cadabra and The Hidey-Hole Truth

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Amanda Cadabra and The Flawless Plan

Amazon UK

Amazon US

The World of Amanda Cadabra Shop

#BookReview ~ The Mystery of the Blue Train (Mini Mysteries) by Marci Kay Monson; Illustrated by Greg Paprocki #AgathaChristie #ChildrensBook #Mystery

 

About the Book:

This retelling of Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of the Blue Train is the second book in the Mini Mysteries series of interactive picture book mysteries for children.

“The second charming installment in the Mini Mysteries series makes murder feel marvelously cozy. The playful rhyming text is a pleasure to breeze through....Bustling, vibrant illustrations are packed with detail....A wonderful way to get young readers hooked on whodunits.”—Booklist

The Mystery of the Blue Train is one of Agatha Christie’s early detective novels (a cozy mystery—no violence or gore), and where she continues to use the fictional detective Hercule Poirot as a major character. The story, set on a train bound for the French Riviera, is a true who-done-it full of mysterious characters, missing jewels, and teasing clues. Monson’s retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Christie’s mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children’s engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

There is also a glossary of terms and French words.

My Review:

The Mystery of the Blue Train is not just a #MiniMystery but an activity book. Developed for children, this book features vibrant illustrations, enrichment activities, and a shortened but engaging mystery.

I love the introductions of the players, the development of the mystery, and the solution to the mystery. The author also includes a glossary of English and French terms.

Children will enjoy working with Hercule Poirot to solve The Mystery of the Blue Train.

My Rating:

Amazon

  

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ The Light Beside the Sea (A Zodiac Mystery) by Connie di Marco ~ @askzodia #Mystery #ZodiacMystery

The Light Beside the Sea by Connie di Marco

The Light Beside the Sea (A Zodiac Mystery)

Traditional Mystery

5th in Series

Setting: San Francisco, California

Publisher: CMA Literary (May 6, 2024)

Paperback: ‎341 pages

ISBN-13: ‎979-8989009596

Digital Print length: ‎318 pages

ASIN: ‎B0D393JQ87

About The Light Beside the Sea:

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti has been haunted for years by the hit and run death of her fiancé, Michael Sefton. The driver of the vehicle was never apprehended. The lone witness to the accident spoke to no one and now is dead. Even the cold case detective assigned to the case died before any resolution was found. Every time Julia thought she might be getting close to an answer, each clue led only to a dead end.

Michael, a graduate student, had just returned from an archeological dig in Guatemala when he was killed. But why did he mail his journal to Julia for safekeeping before his return home? What was he afraid of? Why did another graduate student fall to his death on that trip? And now, another man connected with that journey has been murdered closer to home. And the murderer hasn’t finished.

When Julia finally finds the courage to delve into the journal Michael sent to her years before, she learns of the undercurrents, jealousies and anger between members of the group. She begins to understand the pressure and fear her fiancé was coping with and his suspicions of their University mentor who was most likely engaged in unethical and illegal behavior. But events soon take a darker turn when Julia finds a likeness of the Maya god Hunhau, god of death and the underworld, on her doorstep. A strange man covered with markings and tattoos keeps appearing to her but no one else seems to see him. With guidance from another professor she’s introduced to a world she never knew existed.

Is the man she sees human? And is he under the sway of the Maya god of death?

Will he unleash evil or is he here to right a wrong done to his people?

Julia must move quickly or her death will be the next.

My Review:

The Light Beside the Sea is the fifth book in the Zodiac Mysteries. Julia is still reeling from the untimely and sudden death of her fiancé, Michael Sefton. After returning home from Guatemala, Michael was run down and killed. Was the archeological dig he was part of, the reason for the death? Is the death of one his colleagues on that same trip related to Michael's death? Now, Julia learns of another recent death of someone related to that trip. Julia finally has the courage to read the journal Michael mysteriously mailed to her prior to leaving Guatemala. The journal, filled with passages of anger and jealousy, pushes Julia down the path of a world she was unaware of until now.

The Light Beside the Sea is a great addition to the Zodiac Mystery Series. The twists and turns in the book had my head spinning as I desperately tried to piece things together. The author pulled in characters that had motive, means, and opportunity. I enjoyed at the ebb and flow of the book and how the author tied everything together. The multi-faceted story kept me engaged and interested throughout the entire book.Of course, the death of Michael has haunted Julia for years and during the parts where she had to revisit her past, I really felt her emotions bleed through the pages. She’s still grieving because there really hasn’t been any closure to the tragedy that struck. When she has to fully engage in the journal, new world she comes involved in, revisit the cold case death, and deaths of others from the same trip, her emotional wounds reopen.

The Zodiac Mystery series is very interesting. I'm glad I've been along for the ride. The author does a great job weaving together different threads.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Review previously published on Sapphyria's Books

My Rating:




Visit Connie di Marco:

 
Blog: http://conniedimarco.com/blog

Purchase Link:

Amazon

This blog uses affiliate links.

#BookReview ~ Deadly. Set. Vegas. (A Vegas Victory FC Novel, Book 1) by Vanessa M. Knight ~ Romantic Mystery #Mystery #Romance

DEADLY. SET. VEGAS.

Vanessa M. Knight

Genre:

Romantic Mystery

About the Book:

Kennedy Romero is not a murderer. Why is she the only one who believes that? Well, her and her best friend believe it. And, yes, she knows it’s a little coincidental that she arrived in Vegas the same day her best friend’s husband was killed. But she swears she had nothing to do with it.

Unfortunately, Vegas Metro has other ideas—and they all lead to Kennedy. So instead of enjoying her vacation in Las Vegas, she’s stuck smack-dab in the middle of a murder investigation.

What she would give for an all-you-can-eat buffet and watching her best friend's soccer team play a match. But no. Instead of hitting the casinos, she’s trying to interview the players of the Vegas Victory FC and wishing she wasn’t the main suspect.

The body is growing as cold as the trail of the murderer. But if she doesn’t find the killer soon, Metro will be giving her a red card and she’ll be sitting in jail. Permanently.

My Review:

Deadly. Set. Vegas. is a fantastic murder mystery. Kennedy is a Chicago cop assigned to desk duty and mandatory AA meetings - you do the math. She finds herself in Vegas to support her bestie, Darcy Perrault, who is receiving an award. On the same day Kennedy arrives in Vegas, her bestie's husband, Chuck Perrault, is found dead in a VIP box at the stadium he owns. Since there's no love lost between Kennedy and Chuck, and her unfortunate and coincidental arrival, Kennedy shoots to the top of the suspect list, right next to Darcy. Knowing she didn't do it and neither did Darcy, Kennedy uses her training to dig up clues to exonerate them both. If only Detective Pagonis was easier to work with on this case.

I really enjoyed this mystery. There were twists and turns throughout. The sheer amount of betrayal put a couple of people at the top of my list. I was completely engaged in this story and surprised at who the murderer turned out to be at the end.

The characters are all flawed - significantly, making them more realistic. Kennedy is a great heroine and I enjoyed her encounters with Detective Pagonis. While Kennedy was a thorn in Pagonis's side, she ultimately was a great unofficial sidekick.

This book is so good I read it in one sitting.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:





Visit the Author:

Website: www.VanessaMKnight.com

Purchase from Amazon

This blog uses affiliate links.

#Review ~ The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery ~ @AuthorGaylord @MirrorWorldPub

Welcome to the -Week Virtual Book Tour Schedule for The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery 

March 17-22, 2024)

About The Pheeworker’s Oath:

Humans don’t belong on this world. The refugees who crash-landed on the Atipok homeworld can’t see or touch phee, the elemental power which flows through rock and stone like living rivers of light. From the moment of his hatching, healer Takey has manipulated phee to heal, bending strands to his will to mend muscle and bone for both human and Atipok alike.

But when the Atipok queen is murdered and her death blamed on an orphaned human child capable of pheework, the first of her kind, a rift is torn between the two races that could spell the end of humanity. Anti-human factions seize power and the Atipok army is on the march. Can Takey survive long enough to unravel the strands of conspiracy, protect the child, and broker a peace to avoid genocide without betraying his own people or himself?

Genres: 

SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery

My Review:

The Pheeworker's Oath is an amazing novella. I love the blending of humans and Atipok together on the Atipok homeland. The author brought a story filled with exciting characters, excellent imagery, and a suspenseful plot. I was on the edge of my seat as Takey had to unravel the murder mystery involving the queen.

I enjoyed the author's writing style. Smooth and concise, Adam Gaylord wove together a fantastic scifi fantasy. I loved the mystery surrounding the death of the queen, the path the author took the reader on in order to solve the case, and the complexities Takey faced in the attempt to keep the peace. The story pulled me in and kept engaged from the very beginning.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Book Tour Schedule: 

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/03/book-tour-schedule-for-pheeworkers-oath.html

Praise:

From Aimee Ogden, Nebula Finalist:

A compellingly alien protagonist, who also has the deeply-held and familiar belief that a better world is possible. 

In THE PHEEWORKER'S OATH, neither compassion nor cruelty are traits limited to humankind. There are no easy answers to the complexities of human refugees building a new home for themselves on a different world--but it is easy to care about the compellingly alien Takey, and about his deeply-held and familiar belief that a better world is possible. 

From Rachael Jones, WFA Finalist & Tiptree Award honoree:

The Pheeworker's Oath is a timely science fiction tale about a stranded human colony dependent upon the Atipok, aliens with near-mystical abilities that allow them to control their environment and their very bodies. It is a fascinating examination of how manipulative leaders harness fear of the other to gain power, and how the only way to break that power is to find kinship with the very beings you've been told to fear. This adventure story showcases timeless themes and intriguing worldbuilding. Come for the cool alien powers, stay for the lizardlike Atipok--but don't you dare call them Lizards!

Purchase Links:

MIRROR WORLD PUBLISHING:

Paperback: 

https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-paperback-/109

Ebook: 

hhttps://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-e-book-/110

AMAZON: 

https://amzn.to/3IBPqLw

Meet the Author:

Adam Gaylord (he/him) lives in Colorado with a wife that is smarter than him, their two monster children, and a very handsome dog. When not at work as an ecologist, he’s usually writing, baking, drawing comics, or some combination thereof. Look him up on GoodReads or find him on Twitter/BlueSky @AuthorGaylord.

Connect with Adam Gaylord :

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AuthorGaylord

Amazon US: 

https://amzn.to/4acJJPB

Goodreads Author Page: 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8011638.Adam_Gaylord

Publisher Website: 

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery ~ @AuthorGaylord @MirrorWorldPub ~ Read an #ExclusiveExcerpt

 

Welcome to the -Week Virtual Book Tour Schedule for The Pheeworker’s Oath by Adam Gaylord - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery 

March 17-22, 2024)

About The Pheeworker’s Oath:

Humans don’t belong on this world. The refugees who crash-landed on the Atipok homeworld can’t see or touch phee, the elemental power which flows through rock and stone like living rivers of light. From the moment of his hatching, healer Takey has manipulated phee to heal, bending strands to his will to mend muscle and bone for both human and Atipok alike.

But when the Atipok queen is murdered and her death blamed on an orphaned human child capable of pheework, the first of her kind, a rift is torn between the two races that could spell the end of humanity. Anti-human factions seize power and the Atipok army is on the march. Can Takey survive long enough to unravel the strands of conspiracy, protect the child, and broker a peace to avoid genocide without betraying his own people or himself?

Read an Exclusive Excerpt:

I looked the girl over, then shook my head. “Setting aside the very real chance of death by dehydration, she’s more than just physically trapped. She’s trapped within her own mind. Unless her parents were secretly pheeworkers, which I doubt, then she’s had no training. She needs a guide to coax her out of her own head or she might destroy herself.” Small bumps arose on the girl’s naked skin. I pulled a blanket from the nearby debris and draped it over her. The poor thing was just a nestling. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her, which might explain why I didn’t take the time to consider the implication of my next words. “There is another option. I can take her to Salitat and get her the help she needs.”

Hassan’s thick eyebrows arched skyward. “I didn’t think humans were allowed in Salitat.”

“They’re not,” I conceded, equally surprised by my offer. “It will be a risk.” That was an understatement. Anti-human sentiment had been increasing. To bring a human to Atalan could easily be construed as treason. I would be putting us both in danger. “But I don’t think she has any other options.”

Hassan sighed, massaging his temples with one large, calloused hand. “Very well, I’ll pull together a few men and we’ll—”

I help up a hand. “No one else. Only the girl.”

“But I can’t let her go alone,” Hassan protested.

“She won’t be alone.”

“You know what I mean. I can’t just let you take her.”

“Then she will stay, and she will die.” I didn’t like being so blunt with Hassan. He was a caring man and a good leader, but the situation was grim. I shouldn’t have made the offer in the first place and there were no other options.

I could see conflict play on the human’s features. He looked around, like he was searching for another way. “Crap,” he said finally. “Gimme a minute.” He stomped off in the direction of his people.

I watched him, mulling over another consideration I hadn’t shared. In the thirteen solars since their crash landing, other than some initial hostilities and the Battle of the Red Plain, humans and Atipok had managed a tenuous peace. We mostly kept to our own, them in their adobe villages, us in our stone cities. But there were a few individuals, such as myself, who worked to bridge the gap. I felt it was my duty as a healer to help them. I’d taken an oath to do so. And over time I’d developed a certain respect, even a fondness for their ways. But my time with them had also revealed their tendency toward violence. They loved their weapons. I rarely saw an adult human who wasn’t carrying a plasma pistol or rifle. Even now, Hassan carried one of each, a pistol on his hip and a rifle across his back. Such things were unknown to us before their arrival and while they were no match for skilled pheework, humans still managed to kill each other on a regular basis. I sometimes wondered how readily they would abandon their makeshift towns in favor of our great stone cities if not held at bay by their fear of phee. If this girl represented a new trend, if humans gained the ability to pheework, it would completely change the balance of power between our species.

I had to present this girl to the queen.

Hassan returned looking no less frustrated. “I asked around and nobody seems to know if she has any other family. Her group’s been on their own for the last couple years, really sticking to themselves. She’s all alone now.” He looked down at the girl. “My guys think I should decide but…”

“You think it should go before the council,” I finished for him.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Genres: 

SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery

Book Tour Schedule: 

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/03/book-tour-schedule-for-pheeworkers-oath.html

Praise:

From Aimee Ogden, Nebula Finalist:

A compellingly alien protagonist, who also has the deeply-held and familiar belief that a better world is possible. 

In THE PHEEWORKER'S OATH, neither compassion nor cruelty are traits limited to humankind. There are no easy answers to the complexities of human refugees building a new home for themselves on a different world--but it is easy to care about the compellingly alien Takey, and about his deeply-held and familiar belief that a better world is possible. 

From Rachael Jones, WFA Finalist & Tiptree Award honoree:

The Pheeworker's Oath is a timely science fiction tale about a stranded human colony dependent upon the Atipok, aliens with near-mystical abilities that allow them to control their environment and their very bodies. It is a fascinating examination of how manipulative leaders harness fear of the other to gain power, and how the only way to break that power is to find kinship with the very beings you've been told to fear. This adventure story showcases timeless themes and intriguing worldbuilding. Come for the cool alien powers, stay for the lizardlike Atipok--but don't you dare call them Lizards!

Purchase Links:

MIRROR WORLD PUBLISHING:

Paperback: 

https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-paperback-/109

Ebook: 

hhttps://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/the-pheeworker-s-oath-by-adam-gaylord-e-book-/110

AMAZON: 

https://amzn.to/3IBPqLw

Meet the Author:

Adam Gaylord (he/him) lives in Colorado with a wife that is smarter than him, their two monster children, and a very handsome dog. When not at work as an ecologist, he’s usually writing, baking, drawing comics, or some combination thereof. Look him up on GoodReads or find him on Twitter/BlueSky @AuthorGaylord.

Connect with Adam Gaylord :

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AuthorGaylord

Amazon US: 

https://amzn.to/4acJJPB

Goodreads Author Page: 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8011638.Adam_Gaylord

Publisher Website: 

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

#Mystery #Review ~ Sleight of Hand (Maisie Doss Mystery, Book 1) by Tonya Kappes #TonyaKappesBooks

Sleight of Hand

Maisie Doss Mystery

Book 1

Tonya Kappes

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0CL8P2C63

Publisher:‎ Tonya Kappes Books

Publication Date: ‎ January 18, 2024

Print Length: ‎ 194 pages

Amazon

Goodreads 

About the Book:

Maisie Doss knew the weight of secrets all too well. Once a troublemaker in her small Kentucky town near Cincinnati, she struck a dangerous bargain to become a confidential informant for the police. But when betrayal led her to send a family member behind bars, the lines between right and wrong blurred. Unable to bear the weight of her actions, she fled into the secluded heart of Appalachia, praying her past wouldn't catch up.

For a time, the hills kept her secrets. Determined to atone, she tried to lead a quiet life, but old habits die hard. When Maisie stumbles upon a mystery that begs her attention, she can't resist diving in. Yet, this isn't just any crime; it's tangled with threads from her concealed past. And as fate would have it, a detective from her old life discovers her hidden refuge.

Now, he presents her with a chilling Return to her role as a CI and face the ghosts of her past or find herself behind bars.

In a game of cat and mouse, where trust is a luxury Maisie can't afford, she must use every sleight of hand she knows to outwit the law, uncover the truth, and keep her freedom.

From Tonya Kappes, the Queen of Southern Charm and Whimsical Whodunits...

Immerse yourself in the allure of the South, where the tea is sweet, the mysteries are deep, and the humor is downright sinful. Tonya Kappes, celebrated for her delightful mix of southern charm, captivating mysteries, and wickedly funny humor, introduces a brand-new amateur sleuth that's bound to become a reader favorite.

Dive into the Maisie Doss Mysteries and get ready for a roller coaster of emotions, suspense, and laughter. If you've loved her previous series, this new addition promises all the signature Kappes charm and then some. Join Maisie as she dances on the edge of danger and digs deep into the heart of the South's most intriguing crimes. It's a journey you won't want to miss!

My Review:

Sleight of Hand is the first book in the new Maisie Doss Mysteries by Tonya Kappes. As a fan of her books, I went into this one not knowing what to expect. It's not your normal cozy mystery. It's much darker and less Dottie-esque. It took me a bit longer to read than other books/series in the author's catalog due to the complexity of the characters and plot.

Maisie is a very complex character with a complicated past and a seemingly twisted future ahead of her. As a CI for the FBI, Maisie is on the run, hiding from her past because of the implications to her family. When a mystery pops up in her refuge, Maisie can't help but get involved. Unfortunately for Maisie, that curiosity puts her right back in the crosshairs of the detective who has been actively tracking her down.

This book was fantastic. There are a few continuity errors but I was able to look past them. Sleight of Hand is an edge of your seat kind of mystery. There are twists and turns that take the reader on a wild ride. The author also tosses in a domestic issue with an old friend and side stories with her family. The author set the mystery up well and I was shocked at how everything played out. Well done!

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

#Review ~ It Hurts Every Time by L.P. Mills - SciFi, Speculative Fiction, Political, Multiverse, Mystery @liampmills10 @MirrorWorldPub #SciFi #Mystery

Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions present the 1-week virtual book tour for

It Hurts Every Time by L.P. Mills

About It Hurts Every Time:

“Death is not the end, sir,

No, sir, not the end of the line,

Just remember what I say to you;

It hurts, baby,

It hurts every time.”

Pluto Garcia is a lieutenant in the Community Militia of Morrisette, a post-communist city-state where a miracle drug has advanced enough to allow the dying a second chance at life by launching them into the nearest available universe in which they are still alive.

In his latest incarnation, Pluto is tasked with investigating the death of Krishna Klein, a brilliant but troubled philanthropist who has been found with a bullet in his head following a week-long bender. With the aid of his assigned partner, Esther Dupont, Pluto uncovers a techno-fascistic plot to plunge the flawed Utopia of Morrissette into authoritarian control once and for all.

My Review:

It Hurts Every Time is a exceptionally written scifi novel. I loved the idea of reincarnation in a new universe upon pending death of a character. The pharmaceutical advancement of a drug capable of saving a dying person by launching them into an alternate universe is interesting. The author did a wonderful job plotting this story and fleshing out his multiverse concept. The added mystery and political implications Pluto unravels bring even more excitement to this book.

I enjoyed the author's writing style and creativity. The character development was done well, as was the world-building. I found myself immersed in the story, attempting to solve the murder mystery and reasons behind the assassination. It Hurts Every Time is a great speculative fiction story with great writing, characters, and settings. 

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Follow the Book Tour:

https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/11/book-tour-schedule-it-hurts-every-time.html

Release Date:

December 1, 2023

Purchase Links:

Paperback: https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/it-hurts-every-time-by-l-p-mills-paperback-/107?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

Ebook: https://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/product/it-hurts-every-time-by-l-p-mills-e-book-/108?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZUeghc

Meet the Author:

LP Mills is an author, game designer, journalist, and beard owner. He currently lives in front of a computer screen in Nottingham, UK, where he feverishly tells stories in an attempt to ignore his day-to-day responsibilities. His dog, Jack Daniels, has yet to compliment him on his writing.

Find L.P. Online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/liampmills10

Author Website: https://sealightstudios.bigcartel.com/

Publisher Website: http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/