Category: Book Tour

Book Tour, Family, Fantasy, Historical, Mythology, Partners In Crime

Circle of Nine: The Novella Collection by Valerie Biel

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour October 27 – December 31

Description

Return to the Celtic magic that began with the suspenseful, award-winning novel Circle of Nine – Beltany.

Descended from a legendary Celtic tribe that guards the secrets of the ancient stone circles, the Quinn women have a great responsibility to protect their pagan rituals and way of life. As members of the formidable Circle of Nine, they celebrate the holidays of the year from Yule to Samhain, keeping the traditions of the Tuatha de Danann alive through the centuries against insurmountable odds. We first met these women in Circle of Nine – Beltany, and now a set of three novellas reveals more of their engaging stories.

In Bressa’s Banishment the power struggle between Father Banan and village healer Bressa Gormley unfolds amidst accusations of treachery, heresy, and murder. Can the Circle protect their trusted healer and the path of the Tuatha against a growing religious fervor?

Dervla’s Destiny brings us to medieval Ireland where the beloved character Dervla Quinn learns of her gifts and fights tremendous loss, betrayal, and violence, all the while never giving up on finding the love she deserves.

In Phoebe’s Mission, when an evil force on a quest for ultimate power threatens the Circle of Nine, Phoebe Quinn must leave Ireland for the first time and travel to the United States to protect their way of life. Along the way, she meets the handsome Macklin Scott, taking her mission, and possibly her future, on a far different course than expected.

My Thoughts

The Novella Collection provides a fascinating backstory for the characters we first met in Beltany. The Quinn heritage, awash in Irish folklore, comes to life through Bressa, Dervla, and Phoebe. The injustice of the historic times in which the women lived will make your blood boil, but the golden thread holding it all together is the heritage and the importance of what the Quinn family guards.

Dervla’s story is especially violent and upsetting, as she comes very close to sexual assault.

The author continues to build the world of the Quinns with beautiful descriptive narrative, engaging characters, and lovely language.

Author Bio

Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She’s a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she’s away from the computer, she’s likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world–often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.

Catch Up With Valerie Biel:

ValerieBiel.com
Valerie’s Substack Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @valerie_biel
BookBub – @ValerieBiel
Instagram – @valeriebielauthor
Threads – @valeriebielauthor
X – @ValerieBiel
Facebook – @ValerieBielBooks
YouTube – @ValerieBielAuthor
Pinterest – @ValerieBiel

Book Tour, Fantasy, Magical, Mythology, Partners In Crime

Beltany by Valerie Biel

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Circle of Nine Series Virtual Book Tour 1 – October 27-December 31

Description


Brigit Quinn has always felt like an outsider. Growing up in a small town where her mom’s pagan practices are the stuff of local gossip, she’s spent her whole life trying to be normal. On her 15th birthday, Brigit makes the same wish she always has—to just fit in. But the universe has other plans.

Instead, Brigit discovers she’s descended from a legendary Celtic tribe—guardians of Ireland’s mystical stone circles. A spellbound book reveals her astonishing family history and the incredible abilities of her ancestors—powers she’ll inherit if she chooses to embrace them.

When an ancient evil resurfaces, threatening her family’s legacy, Brigit is forced to quickly make this impossible decision. Will she accept her magical heritage and fight to protect it? Or reject it to live the “normal” life she’s always wanted?

This thrilling mix of magic, self-discovery, and Irish mythology will captivate fans of coming-of-age stories with a mystical twist. Lovers of ancient legends, enchanted stone circles, and family secrets will be drawn to Brigit’s journey into a world where her true power could be her greatest strength… or her downfall.

My Thoughts

First in a series of four books, Beltany introduces readers to an unusual and appealing clan of magical women. The author skillfully develops the ancient story of the Quinn women through the powerful coming-of-age time of Bridget.

The coming of age of a young woman possessed of powerful magic isn’t new to fans of fantasy and folklore, but Biel does a wonderful job of blending modern teenage life with ancient tradition. Bridget acts like a regular teen while she begins to unravel the mystery of her family. She’s a bit of a brat, but Biel spins a captivating story that shows us how Bridget grows, learns, and matures into her power. Biel writes a compelling narrative about mothers and daughters, which is an added layer to the book.

Beltany is a powerful beginning to an un-put-downable series that will appeal to fans of fantasy, romantasy, and historical fiction with a fantasy bent. The family dynamics here set the stage for the next books in the series, which I devoured over the course of a few days. Watch for those posts later in December.

Author Bio

Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She’s a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she’s away from the computer, she’s likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world–often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.

Catch Up With Valerie Biel:

ValerieBiel.com
Valerie’s Substack Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @valerie_biel
BookBub – @ValerieBiel
Instagram – @valeriebielauthor
Threads – @valeriebielauthor
X – @ValerieBiel
Facebook – @ValerieBielBooks
YouTube – @ValerieBielAuthor
Pinterest – @ValerieBiel

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: BELTANY on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Click here to read an excerpt!

Praise for Circle of Nine: Beltany

“This was a truly beautiful read. Valerie Biel has a captivating, almost lyrical quality to her work that helps the flow and the smoothness of the piece wonderfully. You can just feel the words slide along as you read and it’s a remarkable experience. I enjoyed her storytelling as much as I enjoyed the characters and the plot! Circle of Nine: Beltany is a wonderful blend of present and past, mixed with a healthy dose of Celtic mythology to captivate the brainiacs among us.”
~ FIVE STARS from Readers’ Favorite for CIRCLE OF NINE: BELTANY

Book Tour, Cozy, Mystery, Partners In Crime

Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour November 3 – 28, 2025

It’s Christmas. It’s cozy. It’s culinary. It’s chaos! It’s the fourth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron.

Description

Have yourself a merry little . . . murder?

Ricki James-Diaz gets the best present ever when her parents arrive in New Orleans for the holidays. Not only is it a chance to catch up, it’s also an opportunity to jog her mom Josepha’s memory about Ricki’s adoption. The details have always been shrouded in mystery, and Ricki understands why when she learns her mother was blackmailed for years, simply for not wanting to lose her precious daughter.

But digging into the past soon lands the James-Diaz clan in water hotter than a big pot of gumbo! When the woman who extorted Ricki’s mom is found dead at her home, Josepha becomes the primary suspect. Now Ricki has another murder to solve, and tracking down a killer in Crescent City is going to take a miracle.

Luckily, ‘tis the season! And Ricki has all the staff at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum on hand to help. Can she prove her mother’s innocence and have the case wrapped up in time for Christmas?

My Thoughts

I’ve read past entries in Byron’s Vintage Cookbook Mystery series so had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I found exactly that with a delightfully presented cozy mystery that includes Christmastime in New Orleans, preparations for Mardi Gras Krewes, lots of delicious food, and of course a whole raft of human shenanigans!

This is one of the cozy series I return to again and again and recommend to other readers constantly. The story is fun as well as suspenseful, with characters who pop off the page. If you have any familiarity with the New Orleans food scene, you’ll recognize some familiar characters who may or may not be based on real people.

Byron is equally skilled at narrative description and dialog, setting scenes that build tension up to the final, white-knuckle final scene. That said, there’s a lot going on here – Ricki’s adoption, Josepha’s extortion, Phyllis’ murder, Olivia’s Krewe Queen situation, Patrick’s temper and mysterious disappearances, and, finally, Mr. Bongle’s thefts. While it’s a lot to keep track of, I found that all of the varied plot lines made me feel that nerve-jangling feeling you get when the holidays are coming and you are NOT ready. If the author intended that, she 100% succeeded!

As I said earlier, this is a series I keep recommending and will continue to do so. It’s fun, clever, and very well-written. While part of a series, this can be read on its own.

Author Bio

Ellen Byron is a USA Today bestselling author and recipient of multiple Agatha (Best Contemporary Novel) and Lefty (Best Humorous Mystery) awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries (published by Crooked Lane), Vintage Cookbook Mysteries (Berkley and Severn House), Catering Hall Mysteries (Kensington, as Maria DiRico) and Golden Motel Mysteries (Kensington). She is also an Anthony Award nominee and an award-winning playwright.

Byron spent twenty-five years writing TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, plus pilots for all the major networks, before segueing into writing humorous mysteries. She blogs with Chicks on the Case, is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America, and serves on the national board of Mystery Writers of America. But she’ll always consider her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for the iconic Martha Stewart.

A native New Yorker, Byron is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups.

Book Details

Genre: Culinary Cozy Mystery
Published by: Severn House
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Number of Pages: 240 (HC)
ISBN: 9781448313181 (ISBN10: 144831318X) (HC)
Series: A Vintage Cookbook Mystery, 4

Book Trailer


Shortlinks

Author Links: 

Website https://pictbooks.tours/fO1Qj8vf
Amazon Author https://pictbooks.tours/bFM5xQuS
Goodreads https://pictbooks.tours/rw22rlqv
BookBub https://pictbooks.tours/Q59X9FPq @EllenByron
Instagram https://pictbooks.tours/dfVM34L8 @ellenbyronmariadirico
Facebook https://pictbooks.tours/GcfJBZlE @ellenbyronauthor
YouTube https://pictbooks.tours/2IFoRSQi @ellenbyron-mariadirico

Book Links:

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BN – https://pictbooks.tours/h9ZlDtwe
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Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/NfqoA2l8
BookBub – https://pictbooks.tours/tSBobB8K
Kobo – https://pictbooks.tours/gemMStzO
Google Play – https://pictbooks.tours/VkpSPGBv
Apple Books – https://pictbooks.tours/wqaeEdos
Severn House – https://pictbooks.tours/tuEo4mc8

Vintage Cookbook Mystery Series

Series – Amazon https://pictbooks.tours/EFI8a4kC
Series – Goodreads https://pictbooks.tours/zNdCvdxM

Tour Links

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Severn House

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Book Tour, Cozy, Family, Mystery, Partners In Crime

The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour October 20 – November 14

Description

An abandoned estate encased in stagnant darkness . . .
A haunting legacy intent on silencing all within reach . . .

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle’s and aunt’s murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle’s eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning the reasons for her uncle’s paranoia. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly–as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek–are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended.

In present day Newton Creek, whispers of a family curse still cling to the century-old, abandoned property of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after her mother’s passing, she is intent on solving the mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still plague the property. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

My Thoughts

From the first page, I was transported back to my teenage reading years when I devoured gothic romance novels by Barbara Michaels, Phyllis Whitney, Velda Johnston, and many others. Jaime Jo Wright successfully updates all the tropes from those earlier books and delivers a fresh, well-plotted mystery that spans two lifetimes.

I’ve read Wright’s earlier books and enjoyed them very much, but she rises to a new level here. The character development is remarkable, considering Waverly’s story takes place over just a few days. In that short time, Wright creates a character who grows from a sheltered, confused child to a resourceful, determined woman almost overnight.

Our present day protagonist, Jennie, dives into the mystery at Traeger Hall full force and discovers answers and (yes!) a treasure hidden for over a century. She drives this story forward as she untangles all the threads related to the Hall.

Through it all is the Bell (and I capitalize it because it seemed like another character in the story!). Bells were used in past centuries to announce major events like marriages, births, death, and danger. Wright uses the imagery beautifully in both centuries.

Fans of gothic mysteries will burn through this one in a few hours, it’s that good.

Author Bio

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of thirteen novels, including Christy Award-winner and ECPA bestseller The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill, and Carol Award-winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Jaime has also written two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. She lives in Wisconsin with her family and fabulous felines.

Book Details

Genre: Dual Timeline Gothic Suspense
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: October 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780764243806, paperback

Shortlinks

Author Links:  

Website https://pictbooks.tours/sMjXSuVD
Amazon Author https://pictbooks.tours/gXQs53lW
Goodreads https://pictbooks.tours/kDHrwl4k @JaimeJoWright
BookBub https://pictbooks.tours/hHRXd4wx @JaimeJoWright
Instagram https://pictbooks.tours/qKK50oIb @JaimeJoWright
Threads https://pictbooks.tours/W0hWLWT7 @JaimeJoWright
YouTube – MadLit Musings https://pictbooks.tours/zyGkCqNP @madlitmusings
Spotify – MadLit Musings https://pictbooks.tours/oOQvV8tp

Retail Links:

Amazon – https://pictbooks.tours/vpH49Zzr
BN – https://pictbooks.tours/Urjohrib
Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/qZSe3UMJ
BookShop.org – https://pictbooks.tours/9GVGqAoL
Baker Book House – https://pictbooks.tours/xHyg41sP
BookBub – https://pictbooks.tours/qWJIjg7E

Tour Links: 

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PICT Giveaway Page https://pictbooks.tours/HEd24ca9

Publisher — Bethany House Publishers
Instagram @baker_book_house @bethanyhousefiction
Twitter @bakerbookstore @bethany_house
Facebook @bakerbookhouse @bethanyhousepublishers

Catch Up With Jaime Jo Wright:

JaimeWrightBooks.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @JaimeJoWright
BookBub – @JaimeJoWright
Instagram – @JaimeJoWright
Threads – @JaimeJoWright
YouTube – MadLit Musings
Spotify – MadLit Musings

Book Tour, Mystery, Partners In Crime, Suspense

The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour October 20 – November 28, 2025

Description

Emily Grace has endured the worst loss imaginable. But can she survive a remote manor haunted by more than just memories . . .?

Drowning in grief, Emily Grace has lost everything: her home, her friends, her career. Only one lifeline remains—a job working for an eccentric millionaire. Along with his wife, he’s been building a mansion on a secluded island surrounded by a harsh and unforgiving sea. But when the wife disappears under mysterious circumstances, Emily Grace is hired to finish the project.

Locals believe the house is cursed, but their warnings go unheeded as Emily Grace works to rebuild her life. After what she’s been through, nothing can scare her—except perhaps the attention of a handsome man offering more than friendship. And yet, there’s something strange about this solitary fortress. Accidents. Mishaps. Ghostly whispers through the surrounding forest, footsteps when she’s completely alone . . .

Is there truly a curse or is the ethereal specter in the window an omen of something more sinister?

This spooky standalone from phenomenal crime author Elena Taylor will have readers sleeping with the light on for weeks! With vibes of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, fans of Riley Sager and thrillers with light horror elements will love The Haunting of Emily Grace!

My Thoughts

I adore an atmospheric, spooky, well-plotted mystery read on a stormy night and Elena Taylor delivered that in spades with this one! From the first page to the last, I was turning pages late into the night just to find out what happened next.

The character development, particularly the reveal of Emily Grace’s personal tragedy, is paced beautifully and enhances the overall storyline of the missing wife and mysterious incidents on the island.

I was constantly questioning who Emily Grace should trust, what she should or shouldn’t do. The author strings you along, offering bits and pieces of hints, through to a powerful conclusion.

I had some Paula Hawkins vibes throughout, and fans of atmospheric, haunting mysteries will throughly enjoy this one.

Author Bio

Elena Taylor spent several years working in theater as a playwright, director, designer, and educator before turning her storytelling skills to novels. Her first series, the Eddie Shoes Mysteries, written under Elena Hartwell, introduced a quirky mother/daughter crime fighting duo.

With the Sheriff Bet Rivers Mysteries, Elena returned to her dramatic roots to bring readers more serious and atmospheric novels. Located in her beloved Washington State, Elena uses her connection to the environment to produce tense and suspenseful investigations for a lone sheriff in an isolated community. The third in the series, Kill to Keep, launches summer 2026.

The Haunting of Emily Grace is Elena’s first standalone suspense novel.

Her favorite place to be is at Paradise, the property she lives on south of Spokane, Washington, with her equines, dogs, cats, and hubby.

Book Details

Genre: Suspense with a touch of light paranormal/horror 
Published by:  Severn House
Publication Date:  November 4, 2025
Number of Pages:  288 pages, Hardcover
ISBN:  9781448317370 (ISBN10: 1448317371), Hardcover

Shortlinks

Author Links:  

Website https://pictbooks.tours/ka9qu
Amazon Author https://pictbooks.tours/4pqqb
Goodreads https://pictbooks.tours/jnN99
BookBub https://pictbooks.tours/frUri @elenataylorauthor
Instagram https://pictbooks.tours/IgYKG @ElenaTaylorAuthor
Twitter https://pictbooks.tours/DYlt9 @Elena_TaylorAut
Facebook https://pictbooks.tours/FMtlI @elenataylorauthor
BlueSky https://pictbooks.tours/YVtBiDKt ‪@elenataylorauthor.bsky.social‬
YouTube https://pictbooks.tours/ryFhpsmu @ElenaHartwellAuthor
Blog https://pictbooks.tours/0DC2IC56

Book Links:

Amazon – https://pictbooks.tours/Ncd0UPcV
BN – https://pictbooks.tours/F4qR1Yxv
BookShop.org – https://pictbooks.tours/aDJz1JSh
Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/l7IGpUml
BookBub – https://pictbooks.tours/ra8gsKSX
Publisher – https://pictbooks.tours/qjQysIcF

Tour Links

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PICT Tour Giveaway https://pictbooks.tours/GyW99LZg

Publisher – Severn House

Instagram @severnhouseimprint
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Book Trailer:
 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HuWMJs32S2w?si=3dRtSSqty5hU0Bqb

Book Tour, Mystery, Partners In Crime, Psychological, Suspense

Maximum Pressure by Sheila Lowe

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour – October 6 – 31

A Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting Mystery Series

Description

Old grudges die hard—some never die at all

Forensic handwriting expert Claudia Rose never expected much from her high school reunion, just the usual mix of mean girls, jocks, nerds, and bullies. But when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of someone she knew, the night takes a deadly turn. As secrets resurface and old rivalries ignite, Claudia finds herself caught in a dangerous game where the past is more than just a memory—it’s a motive for murder.

My Thoughts

This book gave me lots of connective vibes – Pretty Little Liars, Sarah Michelle Gellar (who should totally play Claudia if this series is ever adapted for the screen), and even Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion’s mean girls. All of that is incidental, though, to a killer plot held together by some well-developed and intriguing characters.

High school reunions can be fraught with tension, old fears and grudges, and buried secrets. But, people change as they mature and none of Claudia’s old school friends counted on her becoming a forensic handwriting expert and someone who unravels mysteries for a living. Big mistake!

Those old secrets are bound to resurface, especially when a missing person is involved. Old friends want answers, while some of them want to keep those answers buried.

While the mean girl trope is prevalent here, it’s folded into a more intricate story about old friendships, loves, and all that drama usually left behind in high school.

Lowe does a great job of telling the story – stringing you along to the final, pulse-pounding conclusion. This is a new series for me but one I will surely follow. Lowe has created a likable, smart, and engaging main character in Claudia Rose, and I would really love to see this adapted for television. Lowe’s personal experience lends an authenticity to the character which you don’t always see in mysteries.

Recommended.

Book Details

Genre:  Psychological Suspense 
Published by:  Write Choice Ink
Publication Date:  June 2, 2024
Number of Pages: 314
ISBN: 978-1970181487 (print)
Series: A Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting Mystery, #9

Author Bio

Sheila Lowe is a forensic handwriting examiner, author, and educator with over fifty years of experience decoding the written word. Her nonfiction books include Reading Between the Lines: Decoding Handwriting and her memoir, Growing From the Ashes. In the bestselling Forensic Handwriting suspense series, Sheila’s real-world expertise drives unforgettable fiction as she bridges science and mystery with every stroke of the pen. Her Beyond the Veil paranormal suspense series features a woman who talks to dead people.

Catch Up With Sheila Lowe:

SheilaLoweBooks.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @sheilalowe
BookBub – @SheilaLoweBooks
Instagram – @SheilaLoweBooks
Threads – @SheilaLoweBooks
X – @sheila_lowe
Facebook – @SheilaLoweBooks 
YouTube – @SheilaLowe
BlueSky – ‪@sheilalowebooks.bsky.social‬

Shortlinks

Author Links:  

Retail Links:

Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting Mystery Series

Book Tour, Detective, Mystery, Partners In Crime, Suspense

Throwing Shadows by Claire Booth

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour – August 4 – 29, 2025

Description

A Sheriff Hank Worth Mystery

When a hiker stumbles from the woods raving about a dead man, Sheriff Hank Worth launches a search. Near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks – a Civil War era hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers – they unearth two bodies and a skeleton.

Local legend says there’s caches of stolen gold buried in the area. And – thanks to some recent nationwide publicity – the Ozark backwoods are now swarming with out-of-town treasure hunters, who have little concern for Hank’s murder investigation. With the clock ticking, Hank must identify the victims . . . and the killer. But could the new pursuit of long-lost plunder really have led to multiple deaths?

My Thoughts

The Hank Worth series is new to me so I did find some of the content which referred to previous books unfamiliar. However, none of that content (and my lack of reference) intrudes on the author’s ability to tell one hell of a story.

For me, the sign of a really, really good author is their ability to write a series that carries a thread throughout but with each entry able to stand on its own. That is accomplished by solid and clever storytelling supported by well-developed and interesting characters. All of that and more is here in Throwing Shadows.

The story which drives the action is fascinating – murder and mayhem on the backroads of the Ozarks during a very dark time in American history, lost gold, and plenty of intrigue coupled with 21st century treasure-hunting and podcasting. This is what kept me reading.

The back stories of the characters, particularly Hank Worth, didn’t really grab me because of my unfamiliarity with the series, but I liked this one well enough that I’ll now go back and read the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to some very enjoyable reading!

Book Details

Genre: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural
Published by: Severn House Publishers
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
Number of Pages:  240 
ISBN: 9781448313914 (ISBN10: 1448313910) eBook
Series:A Sheriff Hank Worth Mystery, Book 7

Shortlinks

Author Links: 

Website https://pictbooks.tours/ULtH8R
Amazon Author https://pictbooks.tours/mWLMfRzR
Goodreads https://pictbooks.tours/6MJ9JydS
BookBub https://pictbooks.tours/QZnXDawn
Instagram https://pictbooks.tours/4FM950gZ
Twitter https://pictbooks.tours/swdlkoFI
Facebook https://pictbooks.tours/oHKRA0Po
BlueSky https://pictbooks.tours/4eMVQ36R
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Retail Links:

Amazon – https://pictbooks.tours/24v7ZHiK
BN – https://pictbooks.tours/HZmYbGHP
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Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/0TV0taZ8
BookBub – https://pictbooks.tours/gabUe0Gf
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Hank Worth Mystery Series:

Amazon https://pictbooks.tours/y7pfAoFb
PICT Tour Page https://pictbooks.tours/F0yHpLH9
Giveaway https://pictbooks.tours/iXiXJFB0

—

Publisher: Severn House

Instagram @severnhouseimprint
Threads @severnhouseimprint
Twitter @severnhouse
Facebook @severnhouse

Author Bio

Claire Booth is a former newspaper reporter whose writing career has taken her from Missouri to Washington, D.C., South Florida, the Seattle area, and the Bay Area. She’s reported on many high-profile cases, including the Laci Peterson murder and the San Francisco dog mauling case. The case of a deadly cult leader became the subject of her nonfiction book, The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God. After spending so much time covering crimes so strange and convoluted they seemed more like fiction than reality, she had enough of the real world and decided to write novels instead. Her acclaimed Sheriff Hank Worth mystery series takes place in Branson, Missouri, where the small-town Ozarks meet big-city country music tourism.

Visit Claire Booth at:

www.ClaireBooth.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub
Instagram – @claire.booth10
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Severn House

Action Adventure, Book Tour, Mystery, Partners In Crime, Suspense

The Ignoble Lie by Matthew Peters

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour
July 7 – August 1
Of Gods & Men Series

Description

What if the Ark of the Covenant isn’t a reference to the chest containing the Ten Commandments God revealed to Moses atop Mount Sinai?

What if it refers to the contents of a tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh which would revolutionize religious history?

As ex-Jesuit Scott Larson and adventuress Zady Jones learn, such a discovery can be deadly.

A terrorist attack on the Great Pyramid of Giza ratchets up the tension in Washington, D.C., where President John Jenkins has been impeached for an order declaring the U.S. a Judeo-Christian nation. The terrorists threaten more attacks in Egypt and the U.S. unless their demand is met—and it’s something only Larson and Jones can give them.

When the efforts to meet the terrorists’ demand goes awry and Zady’s sister is kidnapped, Larson and Jones race to save her. Along the way, they receive a series of mysterious clues that point to the existence of a shocking historical secret, one that could not only topple Jenkins’ presidency but upend Judeo-Christianity itself.

My Thoughts

I’ve read a good amount of speculative fiction concerning “great secrets” that will forever change Christianity, Democracy, Science, History, and so on. But, it’s rare that I’ve read one based on such an obscure, wild premise as this story (right up there with ‘Jesus was an alien” theories).

Peters does a good job of building tension as the plot moves along. He keeps the characters to a minimum so he’s able to develop them as the story progresses and focus on the core of the plot – what really was in that tomb and what does it mean for Christianity?

I was reminded of early Steve Berry books as I read this, which made me happy. I often enjoy the first books in a series more because they are surprising and unexpected. Once a series progresses, the reader begins to predict what will happen as they become more familiar with the author and characters. There’s a delicious element of surprise in Peters’ narrative, supported by tightly crafted narrative and dialog, all leading up to the explosive conclusion.

Recommended for fans of Steve Berry, Clive Cussler, and James Rollins.

Author Bio

Matthew Peters has a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.A., and Ph.D. from Duke University. He is a member of International Thriller Writers and currently resides in North Carolina. He is passionate about exploring religious, political, and socioeconomic issues from a variety of different perspectives and especially values the views put forth by marginalized groups or people. His writing involves a good deal of research, and he is committed to writing plausible novels, in the hope of giving readers food for thought.

Book Details

Genre: Political/Religious thriller
Published by: Mélange Books
Publication Date: May 12, 2025
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 979-8886533712 (print)
Series: Of Gods & Men, Book 1

Shortlinks

Author’s Links:

Website https://pictbooks.tours/O0BmBPF0

Goodreads https://pictbooks.tours/kADyVJbs

BookBub https://pictbooks.tours/xaWyDi7J @matthewpeters 

Instagram https://pictbooks.tours/6IMhHm6o @matthewpetersbooks

Amazon Author https://pictbooks.tours/CgRPRGfb

BlueSky https://pictbooks.tours/Nx7RLQkg @matthewpetersitw.bsky.social

Retail Links:

Amazon – https://pictbooks.tours/5FeYdXOg

BN – https://pictbooks.tours/uESUjlMB

Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/oB5o2yA1

BookShop.org – https://pictbooks.tours/5Dtkp1pF

BookBub – https://pictbooks.tours/jzxmdOx6

Publisher – https://pictbooks.tours/jhmGYQl6

Apple Books – https://pictbooks.tours/02QKGDiE

PICT Tour Page https://pictbooks.tours/IkJrsjSB

PUBLISHER: Mélange Books 

Facebook – @MelangeBooksLLC

Instagram, X & Pinterest – @MelangeBooks

Book Tour, Mystery, Partners In Crime

Elegance & Evil by DK Coutant

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

Virtual Book Tour June 2 – 27, 2025

Description

Cleo Cooper left ocean-dipping weekends as a psychology professor in Hawaii to sample life in the high desert of Santa Fe for her sabbatical. With her romantic relationship on the rocks in Hawaii, Cleo falls for Luc, a charming international expert in her field and is tempted to make the change permanent. She enjoys the people, the work, and the sparkling conversations, even if they come with a bite. But, when a wealthy backer of her project is killed, the snarky scientists, artists, and a Saudi ex-pat, who Cleo thought were her new friends, are now at the top of the suspect list. And with a killer on the loose, Cleo finds her life, and her love, in danger.

My Thoughts

The second entry in the author’s Cleo Cooper mystery series is a deftly plotted and casually narrated, semi-cozy mystery sure to appeal to mystery readers. I very much enjoy the current trend of what I call “casual” narration where the dialog and description are well crafted but not overly complicated. The characters seem like real people – those I like and who could be my friend (Cleo) and those who I would immediately walk away from (Jon). This kind of narration makes the reader feel a part of the story and is not as whimsical and silly as most cozy mysteries.

Coutant uses her real life expertise to craft appealing characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing. Cleo is smart, sassy, and loyal to a fault. She wends her way through an unfamiliar environment made more complicated by a murder but still manages to outwit the bad guys. I enjoyed this one enough I’ll seek out Coutant’s first Cleo Cooper mystery and will look forward to the next one.

Author Bio

DK Coutant graduated from Davidson College with a Psychology degree and initially applied her behavioral training to animals at Sea World, working with dolphins and whales. After a couple of years, she realized that scrubbing fish buckets might get old, and went back to Graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology, specializing in Cross-Cultural Issues. She began her academic career in Maine. A few years later, she made the jump to Hawaii and worked at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, rising to Department Chair of the Psychology Department. After many happy years in Hawaii,  her love for travel led her to make the move out of academics. She accepted positions as a professional geopolitical forecaster with GJ Inc. and Rand Forecasting Initiative. She splits her time between Olympia, WA, Santa Fe, NM, and France, with her husband and an Old English Sheepdog, Beasley. Evil Alice and Borzoi was released by the Wild Rose Press in 2023. Elegance and Evil is the second in the Cleo Cooper Mysteries.

Book Details

Genre: Traditional Mystery, Amateur Sleuth
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: June 4, 2025
Number of Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-1-5092-6136-9
Series: Cleo Cooper Mysteries, Book 2

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PICT Tour Page https://pictbooks.tours/tGT8uG7e

Publisher — The Wild Rose Press 

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Book Tour, Books About Books, Cozy, Family, Magical, Mystery, Partners In Crime

By Hook or By Book by Misty Simon

Patricia McDonald Uttaro

June 2 – 27, 2025 Virtual Book Tour
The Charmed Inn Mysteries #1

Description

Roxy Gleason, an innkeeper by trade and a bibliomancer by birth, has lived in the same small town on the Susquehanna River in Central Pennsylvania for her entire life. Tradition is strong here. Roxy understands the rules and is willing to play by them most of the time. She runs the Charmed Inn, which has been in her family for decades.

The inn is all set to host a writers’ professional business weekend that’s been planned down to the very last hand-folded napkin, and Roxy is ready for the influx of creatives. She knows she’ll have a lot of different and sometimes unusual personalities to deal with, but this is a yearly function, so she’s not expecting anything to go awry.

Her expectations are completely tanked when she finds a dead body on her daily walk by the river’s shore. Owen Schultz had checked in for the conference a few hours ago, and she’d last seen him having tea with her aunt in the dining room.

How did he get down here on the ferry, and who killed him?

Fans of Lucy Score, Melissa F. Miller, Dianne Harman, Lynn Cahoon, Deany Ray, Kathi Daley, and Merryn Allingham will enjoy Misty Simon.

My Thoughts

I always enjoy the beginnings of a new cozy mystery series, and Misty Simon’s Charmed Inn Mysteries is very promising, indeed. The writing is loose and flowing, lending an air of familiarity and comfort to the reader as the story progresses.

I enjoyed the colorful characters, especially Roxy and her bibliomancy skills. I’ve read a few stories where books “speak” to the protagonist, but Simon handles that piece of the story with colorful imagination, helping the reader to imagine the letters, sparking and dancing in the air, form the crucial messages that help Roxy unravel the mystery.

Simon successfully introduces an endearing and appealing cast of characters who will undoubtedly continue to encounter murder mysteries in future books. I was hooked from the first sentence describing Roxy’s uncle as “Cheezy Rider,” which immediately clues in the reader to expect a fun story.

Recommended for cozy mystery fans.

Author Bio

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com.

Catch Up With Misty Simon:

MistySimon.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub – @MistySimon
Instagram – @mistysimonwrites
Threads – @mistysimonwrites
Facebook – @misty.simon.18

Book Details

Genre: Rom Cozy (Paranormal Cozy mystery with Romantic elements)
Published by: Rowan Prose Publishing
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Number of Pages: 300
ASIN: B0D98KM21B
Series: The Charmed Inn Mysteries, Book 1

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