Let’s ask Alicia to tease us just a little about what inspired these authors to write these books.

The Story Behind These Gothic Mysteries

A group of authors from countries all over the world were drawn together by our love of the classic gothic mysteries by authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney.

While the stories are stand-alone, they each share a recurring thread of a Spinel stone, which can play a small or large part in the plot. We have stories set in Scotland, Greece, Oklahoma, Florida, France, Ireland, and more.

We hope readers have as much fun reading these stories (we recommend you do so with the lights on) as we had writing them.

A World of Gothic…Gothic #Mystery Novellas ON #SALE for ONLY 99 cents each through Halloween! #AWOG99
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Dark Hunt ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Tamrie Foxtail

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Hunt-Florida-World-Gothic-ebook/dp/B078MPBXVT/

Ghost in the Rain ~ A World of Gothic: Scotland by Marie Treanor

https://amzn.com/B01ES21KZE

House at the Edge ~ A World of Gothic: Greece by MM Jaye:

https://amzn.com/B01G7B1FI6

Haunting at Spook Light Inn ~ A World of Gothic: Oklahoma by Alicia Dean

https://amzn.com/B01GNGTU96

Haunting in the Pines ~ A World of Gothic: East Texas by Janis Susan May

https://www.amazon.com/House-Pines-World-Gothic-Texas-ebook/dp/B01JSYOHFC/

Raven of Blackthorn Manor ~ A World of Gothic: Ireland by Gemma Juliana

https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Blackthorn-Manor-Gothic-Ireland-ebook/dp/B01LRXCILW/

Blood-Stained Memories ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Kathy L Wheeler

https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Stained-Memories-Gothic-United-ebook/dp/B01K82OKJG/

Sea of Darkness ~ A World of Gothic: France by Amanda McCabe

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Darkness-World-Gothic-France-ebook/dp/B01LWKXVO6/

Shadows and Lies ~ A World of Gothic: Louisiana by Raine English

https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Lies-Gothic-United-States-ebook/dp/B01M9BY010/

Sinister Ceremony ~ A World of Gothic: Maine by Stacey Coverstone

Available for pre-order https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRZ2KZ2/

Are You Ready to Get Your Gothic on This Season?

The post Treat Yourself With this Gothic Mystery Sale appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

If I’m sharing my secret snack here, it won’t be a secret anymore, but what I’m sharing most people wouldn’t consider a snack and it’s not all that secret.

P.S. Be sure to scroll to the bottom if you want a great sale to snack on!

Defining a Snack

A snack could mean different things to different people. In fact, when my twins were small, they loved to snack. Pretty much

all day long (no idea where they got that from—stashes fruit.) They loved food and there was not much that they wouldn’t eat, which made it easy on us as parents.

When I’d come home from the grocery store they’d rush to gather all the groceries and make a snack tower on the floor. I have no idea where they got the idea that cans and bottles and bags could make a fantastic tower of snacks—but it pleased them immensely.

So putting the groceries away took a little longer than usual since I had to wait until the snack tower was complete and they got bored.

My Favorite Snack

There are many food I like to eat, but there are a few things that I go for when I need just a little bit of something, or maybe a taste of something sweet. One is peanut butter and the other is marshmallow crème. They can be eaten together or individually and neither require a plate, only silverware and —no double dipping!

I usually cut up a banana with the peanut butter so I kept a jar of peanut butter at work. That became a recipe for disaster (and a belly full of too much peanut butter) when I realized the banana was merely a vehicle to get to the peanut butter and I’d just end up having a spoon (too many spoons!) of peanut butter.

A few months ago, one of my girls pulled out the tub (getting the larger size is not a good idea to start with—learn from my mistakes!) of marshmallow crème and said, “What’s this?” The look on her face told me that she knew what it was but what she didn’t understand was why I kept buying it and none of the recipes for fudge on the container ever materialized, not even so much as a fluffer-nutter sandwich.

I don’t just have a sweet tooth, I have a whole mouth full of them. #snack #MFRW
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That’s because it’s too darn good on its own. I’m not even that big of a fan of marshmallows, but there is just something about melted marshmallow on a spoon for a quick bit of sweetness. (P.S. check a mirror after your snack, it’s not so secret when you’re walking around with marshmallow lining your lips. Don’t say that you weren’t warned.)

Still Hungry?

Hop around to the other author blogs to find some other great ideas for more snacks!

Need a book to read with that snack? If you haven’t picked up your copy of EVIL SPEAKS SOFTLY grab it now while it’s on sale for .99 cents for a limited time!

A perfect read to ease into what I love to call paranormal season where we get to have fun with the things we imagine go bump in the night.

What’s Your Favorite Snack?

The post My Not So Secret Not Really Snack appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Connie’s back to let us know about a the fabulous .99 cent sale for Jade’s Redemption for the month of August. I don’t know about you, but I love a sale. It’s your chance to pick up a new read for these last few weeks of August. Let’s take a closer look at Jade’s Redemption.

Blurb for Jade’s Redemption

Someone is kidnapping newborn infants and selling them to the highest bidder. Police Chief Patrick Carter has his hands full investigating the case. To complicate matters, he’s short on staff.

Jade Harlowe has secrets, ones that she vowed no one would ever know. She used to be a police officer, but when a tragedy occurred—one that everyone held her responsible for—she resigned and moved to another state to start over, accepting a job as a dispatcher for the police, fire, and ambulance departments.

When Patrick discovers Jade’s past police experience he offers her a job on the force. He needs help working the kidnapping cases, and Jade previously solved a similar case, so she could be a valuable asset. But will they be able to fight the attraction that’s sizzling between them? Something that could be very distracting if they can’t control it.

The clock is ticking. They have to find those babies and prevent more from being taken. But a very nosy news reporter may compromise everything if she digs deep enough to uncover Jade’s past.

Neither Patrick nor Jade thought they had room for each other in their lives, but working so closely together makes it impossible to deny the chemistry. Can Patrick break through the wall Jade has built up around her, or will her past finally catch up with her and she loses everything once again?

Content Warning: contains sexual content

He's an overworked police chief, and she's a disgraced cop. Can he rescue her from her own depths of hell without losing his heart to her in the process? #sale #book
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Excerpt for Jade’s Redemption

“Jade, in my office. I need to talk to you,” Patrick said.

“Okay.” She didn’t report to him, so why did he want to see her? She entered his office.

“Close the door,” he commanded, his voice terse.

She closed the door and sat in the chair in front of his desk.

“There was another kidnapping last night. Here’s the file on both kidnappings and files from other known cases to cross-reference. I need you to investigate the cases and try to get these babies back and prevent another one from being taken. I want you to go out into the street, ask questions, get in people’s faces, and help solve this crime.”

“Um, not an officer, Patrick.”

“You are now. If you’ll stand, I’ll swear you in.” He opened the desk drawer to get the book out.

“You can’t make me an officer, just like that.”

“Yes, I can. I know you were an officer in Oklahoma City, and I know your credentials are up-to-date. You are certified and ready to be an officer. All I need to do is swear you in.”

“You checked up on me?” Jade asked, her voice faltering.

“No, at first, I called the Oklahoma City Police to find out about the kidnapping case you mentioned. In the course of my discussion with the chief, I asked if he knew you, which he said he did.”

“Then you know what happened there.”

“No, they couldn’t tell me due to your non-disclosure stipulation.”

“Then you shouldn’t hire me.”

“I’m giving you an opportunity here. This is your chance to prove yourself. You are given full range to investigate the cases. You’ll report back to me every day as part of your training. I will guide you to where and how to solve this crime and many others. Now, are you up to it and ready to start?”

“But…Patrick…um…Chief. This is so sudden. I…” She was speechless, she didn’t want to do an investigation into a possible kidnapping. She didn’t want to handle cases that involved children. How could she get out of this? Did she really want to get out of this?

“Say yes so we can get started.”

“You sure about this?” She wasn’t, but she couldn’t tell him no. This was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you didn’t turn down. It felt strange though; he never talked this fast, and he wanted her decision now.

“Yes, I’m sure. So, what do you say?”

“Chief, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“Why not?”

What could she tell him? “I’ve been away from police work a long time, and I’ve never been a detective. I was only in training to be one.”

“Your previous employer said that you were showing signs of being a good detective. Jade, I need a detective. I need fresh eyes, someone quick to analyze the situation and get to the bottom of this. I’m offering you a chance to prove you are the right person to do the job. Anyone else would jump at the opportunity. Why are you hesitating?”

“I…um…” She couldn’t tell him she didn’t want to work baby or children cases. You couldn’t be selective when you were a detective. You took all jobs, no matter how difficult or painful it was.

“Have you talked to the fire chief? Does he know?”

“Yes. I talked to him this morning. He’s going to hire someone to replace you.”

“What about the police commissioners?”

“I’ll deal with them.”

She stared at Patrick and swallowed a big lump in the back of her throat. A detective? Her heart hammered hard in her chest. Could she do it? If he knew her past, why would he even consider her for the job? Talk about a bombshell dropping. Couldn’t she have time to consider it?

But a little glimmer of hope sparked in her heart.

So there was a chance for her to redeem herself? She’d be stupid to turn down the opportunity. #Book #JadesRedemption
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To Purchase Jade’s Redemption:

Amazon            Barnes and Noble           ITunes              Kobo

Author Bio for Connie Bretes

I started writing contemporary romance and contemporary romance suspense fifteen years ago, and after multiple rejections, got my first contract for Delayed Justice, released in 2014.

I lives in Basin, Montana, where three feline furballs own me and my husband, and a dog that lives next door named Sara, who thinks she also lives with the Bretes family. I love the mountains that surround my home, I love basket weaving, jewelry making, and just visiting all the folks in the small community we live in.

I currently have seven books published, and a number of other ones in various stages of edits. Right now, I’m working on a new book, called Roadside Love. A murder mystery/romance is a small town in Wyoming. I have two other books that are at the end of their editing days and now at critique partners, the books are Elkhorn In The Moonlight and Rocky River Gold. Both are small town romances.

Connie can be reached through the following media.

http://constancebretes.com

https://www.facebook.com/conniebretes/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7737457.Constance_Bretes

Email:  bretesc@gmail.com

http://beachwalkpress.com/constance-bretes/

Tweets by ConstanceBretes

The post Author Connie Bretes Returns with a Sale for Jade’s Redemption appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Looking for a spicy romantic comedy to unwind with this weekend? Look no further! My guest Monique DeVere is sharing her awesome sale! Grab your copy now—this .99 cent sale is going faster than the month of August. Check out all the details below about Ethan’s Temporary Fling from Monique’s Sexiest Eye Candy Series for a delicious calorie-free indulgence with a little spice.

He’s so sexy he has the title to prove it!

Super-hunky, weight-loss celebrity Ethan Stone brings out Dr. Karis Van de Burke’s inner bad-girl. To prove it, when Ethan accepts the challenge to persuade the sassy, love-rejected cosmetic surgeon to appear as a guest on his show, she ends up inviting him into her bed for one night of guilty pleasure instead.

Used to women throwing themselves at him boobs first, Ethan knows his way around every female erogenous zone, but the sizzling chemistry he has with Karis blindsides him. Soon he’s convincing her to extend their one-night to another … and another … and…

Karis can’t resist! Yet, if Ethan discovers her secret, he’ll ditch her as fast as her ex-fiancé had – but really, what could go wrong in a one-week tangle-free affair?

Excerpt From Ethan’s Temporary Fling

Copyright © Monique DeVere 2014/Crystal Swan Publications/All Rights Reserved

Ethan Stone.

The reason his name seemed familiar was that his producers had been hounding her to agree to appear on a segment on his health and weight loss show. They claimed to want the sisters to try to mend their relationship so Andie could have closure.

Karis knew better than to put herself within arm’s reach of her sister.

The doorbell rang.

Karis puffed out a delicious sigh of relief and binned the carton. At eight p.m., it could only mean one thing.

“Thank the Lord—dinner.”

“What did you order?” Her mum’s chastising tone filtered into her ear. “Nothing unhealthy, I hope.”

“It’s usually a surprise. A few times a week my friend from the deli drops by with food. She knows I hardly have time to shop and takes pity on me.”

Karis practically bounded to the front door. She was star-ving. She yanked open the door, ready to devour whatever mouth-watering yumminess was on the other side and nearly dropped the phone.

Her mouth fell open. She blinked, unable to believe her eyes. For sure, something yummy stood before her, but not hers to devour—not that she wouldn’t have equally welcomed dinner in this form. She let her gaze roam down then back up again.

Ethan Stone—he of the title Sexiest Eye Candy To Lust After—towered outside her door. He was tall, far taller than she imagined from his magazine photo. At five-foot-eight—eleven in heels—she looked most men in the eye, but to do the same with Ethan Stone she had to tip her chin six inches.

She must have conjured some kind of freaky fantasy after snagging her own copy of the gossip magazine. Because there was no way Ethan Stone would be standing outside her door at eight-o-five at night in a dinner suit holding a single white rose as he unleashed that incredible smile. Karis glanced behind her to where she’d left the magazine, then back at him.

“Karis Van de Burke?” His deep intonation did something strange to her solar plexus. Made it quiver.

“Darling? Are you still there?” Her mum’s voice was an unwelcome intrusion.

“I’ll call you back, Mum.” She cut the call without taking her eyes off the man in front of her. He was striking, with a straight-edged aquiline nose, chiselled features so even and appealing she couldn’t stop staring. His hair was a lighter brown than his photo depicted, but his eyes … those eyes were just as remarkable. Dark-blue rings surrounded the vivid blue irises, creating a contrast, which added a mysterious air that surely made him stand out in a crowd.

“Yes, I’m Karis Van de Burke.” She cleared her throat. What was up with her voice?

“I’m Ethan Stone.”

“I know who you are.” She tucked the phone behind her back so he wouldn’t notice her slight nervous tremor. “Why are you here?”

He offered her the rose. “I came to proposition you.”

She blinked. The evening sun was still bright and framed him in golden light, making him appear almost dreamlike.

He smiled. Someone should outlaw such a lethal smile. #99cent #sale Ethan's Temporary Fling by Monique DeVere
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“I’m hoping you’ll let me take you out to dinner, ask you to reconsider my producers’ offer.”

Karis released her grip on the door and took the rose. “I’m sorry to inform you, you’re wasting your time, Mr Stone. As I’ve told your producer—Rob, was it—?”

“Ray.”

“Ray … I’m not interested in becoming a circus act.”

“He relayed your thoughts on the matter. However, I was hoping you’d give me one hour of your time so I can—”

“Try to convince me to let you make a fool of me on national television?” She handed back the rose. “Thanks, but no thank you.”

His fascinating blue eyes flicked to her outstretched hand. He left her hanging.

Choosing that moment, her stomach growled a ravenous reminder.

“You’re hungry, and I’m offering to take you to dinner.” He sniffed the air. “Since I don’t detect the aroma of food, I think I can safely presume you haven’t eaten yet.”

“I was just on my way to pick up something.”

His smile told her he knew she was fibbing. “In that case, will you allow me to join you?”

Arm tiring from its outstretched position, Karis drew the rose back and placed it, along with the phone, onto the side table next to the door.

“So you can talk me into appearing on your show?”

“Because I’m hungry too, and I’d like an opportunity to share my ideas for your sister’s follow-up episode, in the hopes you might consider rethinking your position.”

She couldn’t hold back the wicked smile tugging the corners of her lips, so she bit down on her bottom lip. Any position involving Ethan Stone did deserve some consideration.

Book Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords |

“If you love your romance with a dose of humor, this is the book for you. Monique DeVere is a master at tugging at your heartstrings and your funny bone, all at the same time. Highly recommend!” ~ Alicia Dean

Author Bio

Monique DeVere is a full-time author of Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance. She also writes Christian Supernatural Suspense movie scripts. She was born on the beautiful island of Barbados, where she grew up on a large plantation with enough wide-open space to let the imagination run free. She moved to the UK as a teen and shortly after met and fell instantly, and irrevocably, in love with her very own strong-silent-type hero. When Monique isn’t writing or spending quality time with her family, she likes to armchair travel to distant and exciting parts of the world and considers herself to have the best job on earth.

You can visit her at moniquedevere.com where she invites you to join her exclusive Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Readers Club packed full of goodies for her members. Monique loves to hear from her readers, do contact her at monique@moniquedevere.com.

Where to Find Monique:

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Amazon Author Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook Fanpage | LinkedIn | Wattpad | Pinterest |

The post Please Welcome My Featured Guest Monique DeVere appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

You Had Me at Hell-o

I love me some magic, demons, witches, warlocks and almost any kind of fantasy world you can think up. I grew up discovering hobbits, learning to fly and learning about the magical secrets of the world. All of this while never leaving my back yard. That’s the magic of a good book. 

It’s All About Me & a First Person Read

I love a story written in first person. Often this is a love or hate kind of thing with different readers. Me—I love it. I want to discover the secrets of the story along with my heroine and experience the world through her eyes. 

I Just Want to Be Loved

Who doesn’t want at least a little—or a lot—of romance in a story?

The high that comes along with falling in love experienced over and over again between the pages of a book can’t be beat. Especially when you’re looking for a little escape from the everyday. 

Want Me Some Kick Ass Sass

I’ve said it time and time again, I love to laugh. There’s nothing like an author who can add some genuine humor into a story. A kick ass heroine with some sarcastic wit is hard to refuse. (Don’t give me some TSTL (too stupid to live) heroine who always needs saving.)

It's okay to let the hero shine, but I love a heroine who can take care of herself. #books
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My Recipe for a Good Read

I’ve read all kinds of stories, and I’m always pleasantly surprised to find a new genre, or a new author to enjoy. Although there are a few key ingredients I look for in a book to know that I’m going to love to read the story.

Magic + Humor + Romance + Kick Ass Heroine +First Person

I incorporated everything I love in a story when I wrote Destiny Calling. It’s on sale for .99 cents now for a limited time.

Check out what the other authors on the #MFRW Blog Hop have to say about their Favorite Books to Read.

The post Magic & Romance & Sarcastic Wit—These are a Few of My Favorite Reads appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.