Tag: thriller

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ARC Book Review: I’m Not Sorry by Rissa Blakeley

What could strengthen friendships better than a murder, a funeral, and digging up a body?

I’m Not Sorry

Publish Date: October 14th, 2025

Genre: Mystery/ Supernatural/ LGBTQ+ Mystery/Mystery Thriller/ Mystery Suspense

Pages: 430

Eighteen-year-old Billie-Ashley arrived at Thornes University with a secret and an envelope, containing a promise of a life-changing amount of money and to learn more about her past once she completes a task.

The problem? The task wasn’t stated.

She planned to be a wallflower. But within minutes that plan becomes a tangled mess. She is placed in the room once occupied by the girl who disappeared a couple of weeks prior.

Thanks to a handsome stranger, who is now wearing her iced mocha, Billie-Ashley learns the value of friendships. She intertwines herself within a group of guys while secretly gathering tidbits of information even when a warning turns deadly.

With the threat breathing down her neck, can Billie-Ashley keep her secret and complete the task?

GET IT HERE

REVIEW

When fellow author Rissa Blakeley came asking if I’d do an ARC review of her new book, “I’m Not Sorry,”  I was more than happy to. My kindness almost killed me, though, as I piled too much on my work plate. By some miraculous grace, I did manage to finish the book just in time for its release day tomorrow (October 14th), and oh my gosh, what a book! Blakely writes with a nice contemporary realism that carries you through this suspense thriller mystery. We met a college-age Billy- Ashley. Someone gave her a ton of money to attend the specific Thorne University. It could hold the secrets to her twin sister’s disappearance. Billy-Ashley was just going to be a wallflower while she searched for the truth, but when she was greeted and welcomed by the welcoming Rex and his crew, Billy-Ashley could not help but feel accepted for the first time in a long time. 

Billy-Ashley wasn’t there to make friends, though. When Billy-Ashley investigates the school’s recent mystery of a former student whose room she now occupies, she uncovers a connection to the cold case of her missing sister. Danger ensues for Billy-Ashley and her friends.

“I’m Not Sorry” is beautifully written. A haunting story that will linger in your soul long after you have read it. It’s a mix of a stealth murder mystery thriller with a dash of supernatural, which hooked me instantly. Every character is essential and written to be well-rounded and believable. 

It also made me think. If you read Blakeley’s introduction before reading, you will discover how this story was personal and a struggle for her to write. Keeping this in mind, while reading, I thought I’d see the revelation, but I didn’t. It was not until I read the acknowledgment that I understood why this story was personal to Blakely. Which made me wonder what this means about myself? All I saw was a beautiful story with beautiful characters and an engrossing murder mystery. I did not see this as an LGBTQ themed story. It was just a story, and a darn good one. It’s also a story about friendship and feeling accepted, which I think everyone on earth can relate to, yet we exclude so much in this world.

Therefore, I give “I’m Not Sorry” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  5/5 stars. 

Like this review? Feel free to support and buy me a coffee, and read other book goodie stuff at

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rissa Blakeley is the author of a fantasy paranormal series, Corvidae Guard, a post-apocalyptic series, Shattered Lives, and a horror short, Grammy’s Supper.

As a native New Yorker, Rissa is now a Georgia transplant, who is completely addicted to black coffee and La Croix. When Rissa isn’t writing, she can be found procrastinating on social media.

Follow Blakeley and her books at https://www.rissablakeley.com/ and on Instagram @rissa_blakeley

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Book Spotlight Thursday: RARE by Patrick de Moss

A darkly magical tale of loss, courage, and the power of music to heal even the deepest wounds is caught in the spotlight today. This is a story that explores the fragile beauty of hope and the strength it takes to face the shadows. RARE is a spellbinding modern fable.

… Some songs can change the world. Some songs can change you. Let’s look deeper into RARE.

Rare

Publication Date: March 2, 2025

Genre: Thriller/Supernatural

Some songs aren’t meant to exist.
When sixteen-year-old Emma receives a mysterious Beatles record—a cover of The Girl Can’t Help It, a song they never recorded, her life changes in ways she never imagined. Grieving her grandmother’s death and lost in the heavy fog of depression, Emma doesn’t expect much from the strange package. But the moment the needle drops, magic ripples through the world.

Angels shiver. Dragons stir in their hoards. Vampires feel an ancient hunger awaken. The song calls to them all, and it calls to Emma too. For the first time since her grandmother’s death, Emma feels something spark inside her: hope. But magic has a price, and the Dark has heard the song as well.

To protect the record, Emma must venture into the Hidden States of America—a surreal, shadowed version of the country where myth and reality blur. It’s a country shaped by the stories we tell and the secrets we keep, where ordinary towns hide extraordinary truths.
As Emma struggles to carry the song to where it belongs, she’ll have to confront her grief, face her deepest fears, and discover if she has the strength to resist the pull of the Dark.

Content warning May Contain: 
Suicidal Ideations, racial themes, gun violence victims, attempted kidnapping.



Get Now On Amazon!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Playwright, poet, and prose writer Patrick de Moss lives and works in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He is also a former gravedigger, hotline psychic, line cook, chef, waiter, and a few other things in between.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: ALPHA MALE (Blood Red Moon Book 2) by Mark Allen


Today, my spotlight shines on ALPHA MALE by Mark Allen. The cover is astonishing and caught my eye. I am like, I got to spotlight this baby.  ALPHA MALE is the second installment of Allen’s werewolf trilogy, which follows the events of the 2021 award-winning, BLOOD RED MOON.

ALPHA MALE ( A Caleb Jacobsen novel) (Blood Red Moon Book 2)

Publishing Date: April 15th, 2025

Genre: Horror/Thriller/ Suspense

Pages: 432


Synopsis

Since defeating the evil Global Alpha saving mankind from annihilation, Caleb and Marla have gone back to their quiet lives.

Sadly, "quiet" never lasts.
 
A werewolf delegation explains to Caleb that by killing the last Alpha and then not assuming the position himself, the werewolf world has fallen into chaos, fractured packs, and bitter infighting. Born followers, the werewolves NEED a strong leader to restore balance and order.
 
Realizing his responsibility for this situation, Caleb must step up and be the leader they need, even though it is the last thing he wants to do.
 
But there are those who do not recognize him as legitimate. Rejecting his policy of détente with humankind, they still want a Werewolf Apocalypse and a Human Holocaust. And they are willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.
 
War is brewing, and no one can remain neutral. Everyone must choose sides. It all comes down to one cataclysmic fight to the death between Caleb and the rebel leader, Logan Olivier. The survivor will guide the combined destinies of both werewolves and humans for the next thousand years.
 
 There's only one ALPHA MALE.

The hero, Caleb Jacobsen, once again faces deadly enemies and fights to protect his mate, Marla, as they race to bring order to a chaotic werewolf world and quell a violent insurrection by ascending to a position Caleb does not want but feels morally compelled to claim: Alpha Male of the Global Pack.

GET IT ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Allen was born and raised in Jacksonville, Texas in the 60s and 70s. He wrote his first short story for a 4th grade English assignment. He got an A+ on the assignment, and he’s been writing ever since. In 1980, he joined the U.S. Navy. He served as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, and was designated a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Warfare Specialist. He retired in May 2001.

Mark returned to his first love, this time writing screenplays for feature films. He wrote and directed DELIRIUM (York Entertainment 2007) and wrote and co-produced EARLY GRAVE (Fenix Pictures 2013). Mark’s most recent screenwriting release, RESTITUTION (2024 Terror Films Releasing) premiered worldwide on Oct 4, 2024.

In 2014, Mark was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. During radiation and chemo, he began writing what would become his debut novel, NOCTURNAL. Mark is now 11 years in recovery and suffers long-term disabilities related to the cancer and the treatments that killed his cancer. But, grateful to be alive, Mark pushes on. No longer fit for the rigors of the film industry, Mark concentrates almost exclusively on novels now.

Mark is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association. He lives quietly in a small coastal town in northwest Washington state. Other literary works include NOCTURNAL, JUST BEFORE DAWN, and BLOOD RED MOON.

He writes every day.

To learn more about Mark Allen and his books, follow him on LinkedIn / Instagram / X(Twitter) / FB /  Blue Sky / SlasherTV.

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Book Feature Spotlight: The Wraith’s Return & Widow’s Walk by Raemi A. Ray

Back in May, I spotlighted the first book in the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series, A Chain of Pearls. Well, I am back with AME to spotlight books two and three in the series, which are making their debut! The Wraith’s Return and Widow’s Walk!

 WRAITH'S RETURN ((Martha's Vineyard Murders Book 2)

Publication Date: August 22nd 2024

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Synopsis

London based lawyer Kyra Gibson returns to Martha’s Vineyard and the beach house she inherited for an extended summer holiday. Still reeling from her father’s brutal murder and the role she and the handsome detective, Tarek Collins played in uncovering it, Kyra is hopeful for some peace and quiet. But when a summer squall reveals the wreckage of the pirate ship, Keres, rich with rumored treasure, all hopes of peace are dashed. Conservationists and treasure hunters descend on the exclusive island to lay claim to the ship. When two of the salvagers are killed, Kyra and Tarek’s friend, pub owner and amateur historian, Gully Gould is arrested for murder.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

WIDOW'S WALK (Martha's Vineyard Murders Book 3)

Publication Date: November 6th, 2024

Genre: Thriller/ Mystery

Synopsis

Attorney Kyra Gibson has a lot on her mind this Thanksgiving. She’s been working long hours on a multi-billion dollar corporate merger, her family is visiting from London, and her relationship with former police detective Tarek Collins is heating up. When she and her companions are invited by her aristocrat client to attend a formal gala at a historic mansion on Chappaquiddick, Kyra reluctantly agrees.
But Chappy is more than just a playground for the wealthy. It’s a wild, remote place cut off from civilization. When the first body is found, the occupants are worried. Was it an accident or murder? When a second guest is brutally killed and then a third, there’s no doubt and the guests fearfully turn on each other. They are locked in a house with a murderer picking them off one-by-one. Kyra, her best friend Chase Hawthorn, and Tarek must survive the night and find the killer, or one of them could be next.

COMING NOVEMBER 6TH ON Pre-Order on AMAZON

While part of the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series, each book can be read as standalone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raemi A Ray’s travels to Martha’s Vineyard and around the world inspire her stories. She lives outside Boston. When not writing or traveling she earns her keep as the personal assistant to the resident house demons, Otto and DolphLundgren.

Follow Ms. Raemi at https://raemiray.com/ and on Instagram @miss_raemi

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Cul-de-Sac by Liz Crowe

Joining with AME (Author Marketing Experts) in my spotlight today is Cul-De-Sac by Liz Crowe.

Welcome to Connelly Court. A secluded, old-money neighborhood harboring a web of desires and deceit behind pristine facades and manicured lawns, where the lives of a group of neighbors, bound by their shared secrets and unconventional lifestyle, are about to unravel.

Cul-De- Sac by Liz Crowe

Published: June 11th 2024

Genre:  Fiction/ Psychological /Suspense/ Thriller

Synopsis

Michael and Amelia Ross move into their dream home, and get drawn into the seductive allure. But their house once belonged to a family whose lives were seemingly ruined by their participation, which leads Amelia to question everything about her new-found friends. Suspicions run rampant as the close-knit group turns on each other. Lies, betrayals, and hidden agendas are revealed, ripping apart the fabric that once bound the group together.

“Cul-de-Sac” is a dark tale of marriage, friendship, desire, and betrayal, where nothing is as it seems, and the truth may be more shocking than anyone could have imagined. Discover the twisted secrets of Connelly Court in this chilling domestic suspense novel that will leave you questioning just how well you truly know—or should know—your neighbors.
Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville living in South Carolina. She’s spent her time as a three-continent expat trailing spouse, mom of three, real estate agent, brewery owner, and bar manager, and is currently a digital marketing and fundraising consultant, in addition to being an award-winning author.

The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.

Her favorite things to do when she’s not scrolling social media for cute animal videos are walking her dogs, cuddling her cats, and watching her favorite sports teams while scrolling social media for cute animal videos.

Learn more about Liz and her books at Lizcrowe.com

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Book Spotlight 2: Tenebrium by Elanor Miller

The cover caught my eye, and the blurb was even more interesting, so happy to spotlight this baby with R&R BookTours. Enter TENEBRIUM It’s a romantic, dystopian, noir detective thriller set in a futuristic Gatsby Era by Elanor Miller. Think Peaky Blinders meets The Great Gatsby, with a dash of the game BioShock!

Tenebrium (Flappers and False Gods #1)

Publication Date: January 2023
Genre: Noir Thriller/Dystopian/Romance 

Features


🏢Dystopian 
🚬Noir
🕵️‍♀️Detective Thriller
🍸Set in a futuristic Gatsby era
🎷Jazz
👥Cults
🔫Mobsters
💔Forbidden Romance

The year is 2425, and the Jazz Age is in full swing—again.

Guys, dolls, gangsters and molls, drugs, and prohibition are just the tip of the iceberg for Detective Thea Williams and her mentor, Walt, as they struggle to solve a horrific series of murders, all the while dealing with the consequences and complications of their not-so-professional relationship.

Embroiled in the case and stymied at every turn by the corrupt District Attorney, who also happens to be her estranged father, Thea quickly discovers a much more sinister plot.

Thrown into a dark world of cults and corruption, Thea must fight for survival lest Tenebrium City eat her alive.

In Tenebrium City, even neon lights cast shadows…

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ALSO AVAILABLE CALIGO ( Flappers & False Gods Book 2)

This decopunk thriller is for lovers of The Great Gatsby, Blade Runner, and Altered Carbon will find a home in Tenebrium.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tenebrium is the debut novel from Glasgow-born Scottish author Elanor Miller. Elanor is an avid indoor climber, martial artist, and D&D player. She is also dyslexic. As well as a novelist, she is an award-winning screenwriter who has won several ‘Best Screenplay’ awards – many of which were for Tenebrium’s first iteration as a screenplay.

Elanor did NOT write the Fairfield Amish Romances, she just shares a name with the author!

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Book Spotlight II: Chloe’s Crusade (Teddy Bear Chronicles #2) by Donnalyn Vojta

SURPRISE! I double-booked myself again! In my defense, I just could not pass up on this unique gem piece! WARNING THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN’S BOOK! Chloe’s Crusade is a psychological thriller, and book two in The Teddy Bear Chronicles. Let’s hug our teddy bears tight to learn more!

In this second volume of the unique thriller/suspense series narrated by inanimate teddy bears, the ever-brave Chloe Stogdon inserts herself into the dark and chilling world of a global drug clan. Her fearless companion, Tiny Bear, provides a vivid account of the distressing, disturbing events that unfold around Chloe and her FBI team.
The story takes exciting turns and offers many layers of drama, including a love triangle, a star-struck stalker, and a tattered family relationship that may or may not recover. Chloe’s old friends, Richard and Sidney from Vol. I become entangled in Chloe’s perilous cartel crusade, and Love Bear, Fair Bear, and a debut bear, Rocco, reveal all the thrilling moments seen through their innocent eyes.

AVAILABLE NOW!

GET IT HERE

Don’t Forget Volume 1

Get It HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Formerly a litigation attorney, one constant in Donnalyn Vojta’s life is her love for writing, whether novels or screenplays. Vojta’s goal is always to entertain others as she’d like to be entertained. And for her, that means lots of suspense and thrilling twists!

Learn more at Donnalyn Vojta

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Book Blog Tour: The Last Train by Michael Pronko

Joining the blog tour for The Last Train by Michael Pronko let’s explore this thriller express!

The Last Train: A Tokyo Mystery
Genre: Thriller/ Suspense

*Winner 2018 Shelf Unbound Best Independently Published Book
*Winner 2017 Book Excellence Awards Best Mystery Solo Medalist
Winner 2017 New Apple Awards for Excellence

In Tokyo, murder’s easy to hide.

Detective Hiroshi Shimizu investigates white-collar crime in Tokyo. When an American businessman turns up dead, his mentor Takamatsu calls him out to the site of a grisly murder. A glimpse from a security camera video suggests the killer might be a woman. Hiroshi quickly learns how close homicide and suicide can appear in a city full of high-speed trains just a step—or a push—away. Takamatsu drags Hiroshi out to the hostess clubs and skyscraper offices of Tokyo in search of the killer.

Hiroshi goes deeper and deeper into Tokyo’s intricate, perilous market for buying and selling the most expensive land in the world. He teams up with ex-sumo wrestler Sakaguchi to scour Tokyo’s sacred temples, corporate offices and industrial wastelands to find out why one woman was driven to murder. After years in America and lost in neat, clean spreadsheets, Hiroshi confronts the stark realities of the biggest city in the world, where inside information can travel in a flash from the insiders at top investment firms to street-level punks and teenage hostesses, everyone scrambling for their cut of Tokyo’s lucrative land deals. Hiroshi’s determined to cut through Japan’s ambiguities—and dangers—to find the murdering ex-hostess before she extracts her final revenge—which just might be him.

GET IT HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Pronko is a Tokyo-based author who writes in three genres—murder, memoir, and music. He has written about Japanese culture, art, jazz, society, architecture, and politics for Newsweek Japan, The Japan Times, Artscape Japan, as well as other publications. He has appeared on NHK and Nippon Television doing video versions of his essays. He runs his own website, Jazz in Japan (www.jazzinjapan.com).

He teaches American Literature and Culture (novels, film, art, and music) at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo, and after discussing Kurt Vonnegut or Jackson Pollock is in the right frame of mind to wander Tokyo contemplating its intensity.

Follow Michael at Michael Pronko