MIRRORED REFLECTIONS by J.F. Ridgley

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Mirrored Reflections by J.F. Ridgley
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+) ,  418 pages
Genre: Christian Romance
Publisher: R Pride Publishing
Release date:   December 2022
Format available for review: print-softback (USA), and ebook (EPUB and PDF).
Will send print books out:  USA
Tour dates: Mar 20 to Apr 7, 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 +M.  This is a Christian Romance, no sex. two hot kisses. Lots of trauma but a happy ending. There is a language warning: Chad's debridement is painful, being a burn survivor is painful and the story is about also about sexual trafficking.

Book Description:

“I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU” - Hebrews 13:5

Opposites attract and Chad and Sierra are that.

Chad is destroyed on the outside by a suicide bomber while Sierra is broken on the inside by human trafficking. They are each other’s reflection of who they are - beautiful but ravaged by life.

Chad Michaels, an Afghan vet, comes home to a suicide bomber who destroys not only his family but the man he was. Now, he must deal with life as a burn victim -- as a monster. But Sierra sees what a beautiful man Chad truly is.

Not all wounds are flesh. Many are inside one’s soul where Sierra Smith’s scars run deep. Yet, Chad sees the innocence that Sierra fails to see. Kidnapped at the early age of six, Sierra was raised to become a high-end prostitute who now dreams of becoming a nurse...someone who helps heal people not service them. But her past relentlessly haunts her.

​Sierra and Chad are determined to help each other heal from their traumas – whatever it takes. And, somehow, with God’s help, they will survive to see a brighter day.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
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Meet the Author:

JF Ridgley is the author of eight novels and short stories set in ancient Rome and three contemporary romance novels. She loves researching history and writing fiction based on real stories of real people. She also loves to write contemporary romance because the ancient Roman saying of ‘Live. Love. Laugh.’ is just as true today.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

How Did I Get Here? -Traveling The Road To Resilience by Andrew Fitzgerald

 

Book Details:
Book Title:  How Did I Get Here? -Traveling The Road To Resilience by Andrew Fitzgerald
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 110 pages
Genre: Memoir / Self-Help / Inspirational
Publisher: Fitzy's Branded Books
​Publication Date: Feb, 2023
Formats available for review: ebook (PDF)
Tour dates: Mar 20 to Apr 7
Content Rating: G - For Everyone and no bad language or explicit scenes

Book Description:

HOW DID I GET HERE?

As he woke up after dying for the second time, Andrew Fitzgerald asked himself, “How did I get here?”

As he and his wife left Ireland and stepped foot on American soil to begin their lives in the US, he asked himself, “How did I get here?”

As his wife delivered their baby after four miscarriages, he asked himself, “How did I get here?”

As he sat in a customer sales meeting and negotiated the new listing, authorizations, and launch for what is now the no.1 Hard Seltzer in the USA, he asked himself, "How did I get here?"

As he stood on the first tee about to play golf with one of his sporting heroes and a three-time major champion, he asked himself, “How did I get here?”

As he sat in a board room meeting, asserted himself, and rebuked some negative assertions about him, he asked himself, “How did I get here?”

In this poignant memoir about resilience, Andrew Fitzgerald shares his story of immigrating from Ireland to America, only to return to Ireland, and then back to America for good. He explores his struggles with health crises, corporate culture, miscarriage grief, and adapting to his new country.

You’ll follow Andrew’s story as he shares his key learnings from the highs and lows of his journey, such as:

• Talk about your challenging experiences; find someone to help you process your feelings
• Follow your dreams; know they’re right for you no matter how they sound to others
• Give yourself time to adjust; when making big life changes avoid running back to what was comfortable
• Be true to your values; define what your values are and stick to them
• Learn to trust; trust yourself, have confidence and don't forget your purpose in everything you do
• Negotiate in partnership; practice techniques that are customer-centric and deliver a win/win for your customer and company
• Celebrate success; you deserve it

Andrew will affirm and demonstrate in his book that the journey is just as important as the destination, with the stark realization that the journey filled with highs and lows is sometimes more fulfilling than the destination. So come with Andrew on this journey to learn how he overcame the various obstacles in his life, flourished, and ultimately traveled the road to resilience a key trait you too can develop in your personal and business life.

​Resilience is for everyone.....Are you ready?

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon

Meet the Author:

Andrew Fitzgerald is a native of Ireland and now resides in Oceanside, California. A father, husband, and author, he speaks on what it takes to be successful in the corporate world, and how to overcome health crises and loss. He has recovered from serious setbacks to flourish and thrive with resilience. Andrew enjoys all sports, plays golf, and loves to cook and hike when he is not thinking about the next big brand launch.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ linkedin ~ instagram 

QUEEN'S CATACOMBS by Jordan H. Barlett

 

Book Details:

​Book Title:  Queen's Catacombs (The Frean Chronicles #2) by Jordan H. Bartlett
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  416 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy 
Publisher:  CamCat Books 
Release date:  Mar 2023
Formats Available for Review: print (softback) (USA ONLY), audiobook (Book Funnel or Kobo download code), ebook (EPUB, PDF, Book Funnel download)
Tour dates: Mar 14 to Apr 10, 2023
Content Rating: PG. Very clean, but there is some brief violence.

Book Description:

Winning the crown was only the beginning.

Jacs, now the rightful Queen of Frea, seems to be Queen in title alone. She scrambles to learn the customs and traditions of a Realm she had only read about in books. The Council of Four have her firmly under their thumb, and their ideas for the Queendom are oppressive and outdated. Their knowledge of her mother and Master Leschi’s whereabouts is the only leverage they need to make the new Queen dance to their tune.

​Jacs is determined to find those who were taken from her and do what’s right for her Queendom. But in her search for answers, Jacs uncovers a much darker truth from the Queendom’s past that will forever change its future.

Buy the Book:
CamCat Books
Amazon
B&N ~ IndieBound ~ BookShop
Audible 
add to goodreads

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Also Available for Review:

Book Details:

​Book Title:  Contest of Queens (The Frean Chronicles #1) by Jordan H. Bartlett
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  464 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy 
Publisher:  CamCat Books 
Release date:  Jan 2022
Formats Available for Review: ebook (EPUB, PDF, Book Funnel download), and audiobook (BookFunnel download or Kobo audio code)
Tour dates: Mar 14 to Apr 10, 2023
Content Rating: PG. Very clean, but there is some brief violence.

Book Description:

In a Queendom divided, can one girl unite the realms?

Jacs, an inventor’s apprentice from the Lower Realm, has only ever dreamed of what the land among the clouds holds. That is until she finds a letter from Connor, an Upperite boy hoping to learn more about the land below. Little does Jacs know, Connor is actually Prince Cornelius of the Queendom of Frea. With wooden boats and hot air balloons, the two begin a secret correspondence. But their friendship is divided by a heavily-guarded bridge and an inescapable prejudice.

The strength of their bond was thought to transcend distance and time, but when the royal family visits the Lower Realm, the Queendom’s feud is reignited.

​To save her people, Jacs must infiltrate the Upper Realm and earn her place to compete in the Contest of Queens. In a story about friendship, love, bravery, and defying gravity, Jacs will strive to prove that a Queendom is strongest when united.

Buy the Book:
CamCat Books
Amazon
B&N ~ IndieBound ~ BookShop
Audible 
add to goodreads

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Meet the Author:

Jordan H. Bartlett is a New Zealand-born Canadian with a love for children’s literature and female empowerment. She grew up reading books about boys for boys and found it hard to find a strong female heroine she could relate to. Bartlett wrote Contest of Queens to give young readers that character she so longed for in a world where gender norms are reversed. Bartlett currently resides in Banff, Alberta where she works as a Speech Language Pathologist and is a certified yoga instructor.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM by Kaleb Thompson

Book Details:

Book Title:  Peace in the Midst of the Storm by Kaleb Thompson
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 86 pages
Genre:  Poetry
Publisher:  Wipf and Stock
Release date:   December, 2021
Tour dates: March 20 to April 7, 2023
Content Rating: G because it provides positive, wholesome content through spiritual poetry that seeks to encourage and inspire others.

Book Description:

Anxiety and fear seek to prey on the damaged and create heavy burdens that scar the soul, being heartless and insensitive to the lost, unkempt, and broken-spirited in a troubled, unwholesome world. However, they do not reign for eternity, as faith, resilience, and empowerment remain planted from within to help overcome pressing obstacles, regardless of how difficult they may be. Peace in the Midst of the Storm primarily focuses on the beauty of positivity, selflessness, and honorable confidence that symbolizes the importance of light being present within darkness. This book also holds accountability in facing the realization that as life may prove frustrating at times, giving up is never an option! This shows that regardless of our mistakes, life does not promise us that we will remain positioned in negativity. What we were in our pasts will not seep into who we have grown to be as positive individuals. What we have now realized is that we often must prepare to speak victory over our storms and, as we continue to encourage ourselves to do that, we will overcome anything.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Target
Books-a-Million ~ Walmart ~ BookBub
add to the goodread

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Meet the Author:

Kaleb Thompson is a dedicated and optimistic individual who enjoys living life to the fullest. Being a native of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kaleb received his Bachelor's degree and Master's Degree from Coastal Carolina University where he has valued much of his educational experience and career within the hospitality and tourism industry. He has recently started to write poetry to not only inspire others but to help relieve stress as a whole.

connect to the author: website ~ goodreads

  

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Connection Game: A Novel by S.S Turner
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+) ,  272 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: The Story Plant
Release date:   Feb 2023
Format available for review:  print-softback (USA ), e-book (MOBI FILE (FOR KINDLE), EPUB, PDF, NetGalley download)
Will send print books out:  USA
Tour dates: Mar 21 to Apr 11, 2023
Content Rating: PG: There’s some violence and a small bit of profanity.

Book Description:

Benny Basilworth makes connections. A rare intellect, he sees things that others don't see and draws conclusions that others completely fail to grasp. He has the kind of mind that can make a person a national sensation on the television gameshow "The Connection Game"– and the kind of mind that can be the target of predators.

Despite his brilliance, Benny and his family find themselves destitute, living in a basement apartment with one tiny window that affords them only the view of the feet of passersby on the street above. It is from this vantagepoint that Benny once again starts making connections. Mad, inconceivable connections. Connections that can change lives . . . and turn the entire world upside down.

​Humorous, surprising, wise, and remarkably perceptive, The Connection Game is a novel unlike any other and one that you are unlikely to forget.

BUY THE BOOK:
(release date Feb 2023)
The Story Plant
coming soon to
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indigo
Apple Books ~ Book Depository

Meet the Author:

S.S. Turner has been an avid reader, writer, and explorer of the natural world throughout his life, which has been spent in England, Scotland, and Australia. He worked in the global fund management sector for many years but realized it didn't align with his values. In recent years, he's been focused on inspiring positive change through his writing as well as trying not to laugh in unfortunate situations. He now lives in Australia with his wife, daughter, two dogs, two cats, and ten chickens. He is the author of one previous novel, Secrets of a River Swimmer.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Books

 

The History of Books

Books have been around for thousands of years. The earliest forms of writing were on clay tablets, which were used in Mesopotamia 6,000 years ago. These tablets could be broken into pieces and reassembled at a later date.
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1439 was a major step forward in bookmaking because it allowed more people to read books than ever before. Before this time, books had been handwritten by scribes who would copy out each page individually; now they could be printed on large sheets using movable type that could then be assembled into pages with glue or stitching (in contrast to today's paperbacks).
Books became more accessible thanks to advances like these--but they weren't always cheap! In fact, many early readers couldn't afford their own copies: instead they would borrow them from libraries where other people stored their personal collections as well as shared resources like encyclopedias and dictionaries for reference purposes only (no taking home!).

The Benefits of Reading

Reading is a powerful tool for personal growth and development. It can help you improve your literacy, expand your knowledge, develop empathy, and increase imagination.
Reading improves literacy skills by helping you learn new words and absorb information faster than if you were just listening or watching someone else read (or speak). Reading also helps build vocabulary so that when someone says "I'm going to the store" instead of thinking "What does 'store' mean?" you'll know that it means where people buy things like food or clothes or toys. And if someone says "I've been waiting all day for my friend to come over" instead of having no idea what they're talking about because this word doesn't exist in any other language besides English? Well then! You've got yourself another word down pat!
Reading expands knowledge by exposing us not only to things we already know but also introducing us to new ideas and perspectives--and sometimes even changing our minds about things we thought were true before reading them! For example: did you know that some people think climate change isn't real? Or maybe they think humans aren't causing global warming at all (even though there's tons of evidence proving otherwise)? If so then keep reading because these topics are covered extensively throughout history books written during different time periods as well as scientific journals published today which detail findings from research conducted over decades worth analyzing data collected during experiments conducted around world wide locations including Antarctica where scientists have been studying penguins since 1988 - yes indeedy folks those little guys have been around longer than most humans alive today...

The Impact of Books on Society

Books have the power to shape culture, promote democracy and inspire revolutions. They also advance technology by providing the framework for new inventions.
Books have been used as weapons against tyranny since ancient times; they were banned by monarchs who feared their subversive potential, censored by governments that wanted to control what people read and burned by religious zealots who considered them heretical.

The Types of Books

There are many different types of books, including fiction and non-fiction. Fiction is a story that's made up by the author--it could be anything from a murder mystery to a love story. Non-fiction is non-fiction, which means it's based on real events or people. Poetry is another type of literature that uses words in different ways than prose does; it can be very emotional and powerful when done well! Short stories are shorter than novels but still tell an entire story over the course of one book (or sometimes even less). Graphic novels combine images with text to tell stories visually as well as verbally; these can be great for younger readers who may not have mastered reading skills yet! Audiobooks are recordings of books read aloud by narrators with different voices for each character if necessary (or just one voice if there aren't too many characters).

The Benefits of Owning Books

The benefits of owning books are numerous. First, you can build a personal library that will serve as an ever-expanding reminder of your journey through life. Second, creating a sense of accomplishment is important to many people, and a book collection is one way to do that. Finally, having a tangible connection with the characters and stories in your books can help bring them to life in ways that reading on an e-reader or tablet just doesn't offer.

The Power of Book Clubs

A book club is a group of people who meet to discuss a particular book or books. It's a great way to explore diverse perspectives and gain new insights about the world around you.
Books are powerful because they can help us learn about different cultures and traditions, as well as get us thinking about things from new perspectives. A good book will make you feel like you're part of another world--and that's one reason why so many people love reading!

The Role of Books in Education

Books are a powerful tool for education. They encourage critical thinking skills, independent learning and engagement in the classroom.
In addition to helping students develop their reading skills, books can also be used as an aid for teaching history and science topics. For example, if you're teaching your students about dinosaurs or the solar system you could use books as a visual aid or even have them write their own book about these topics!

The Future of Books

We've seen the rise of e-books, which have taken over the market and made it possible to carry hundreds of books on a device that fits in your pocket. But what's next?

• Interactive books: These are still just in their infancy, but they have great potential. Imagine being able to click on a word or phrase in your book and get more information about it--or even hear someone speak it!
• Augmented reality: If you're not familiar with augmented reality (AR), think Pokémon Go--but imagine those monsters were actually real! You could walk around town seeing them everywhere (and maybe even catching them).

The Magic of Books

The magic of books is how they can transport you to new worlds, connect you with characters, and discover new ideas. When I read a book that's especially good, I feel like I'm part of the story--like it's happening right now. The best books make me forget where I am and who I am for a little while.
When we read books together as a family, we're able to share these experiences together. We get excited when something exciting happens in one of our favorite stories; we laugh at jokes that only adults would understand; we cry over sad parts (and sometimes even when there aren't any).

CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +) 
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Feb 22, 2023
Format available for review:  print, mobi, epub, PDF
Will send print books out:  USA 
Tour dates: Feb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

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Carr's Geezer Squad has brought sexy back to mature men and women, whose kickass attitude and smarts sizzle as they melt the clues to those cold cases!" - Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads

"For the whodunit mystery buff who loves ever-increasing suspense and danger, Lauren Carr's newest series offers up a big dose of both." - 5-Star Review of ICE (a Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery / Book 1) at Blooming with Books

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Book Description:
​It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.
​
With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.

Buy the Book:
(available for preorder)
Amazon.com 

Also Available for Review: 

Book Details:

Book Title: ICE  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction,  364 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  February 26, 2018
Available for review in:  ebook (mobi, epub, PDF), audiobook (audible download code)
Tour dates:  Feb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

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"Lauren spins an amazing web of lies, murder and love that will have you on the edge of your seat...I love the way Lauren spun this novel - I could not put the book down! I had to know what happened to Sandy and her unborn child and how this disappearance was tied into a string of other murders. I never saw the end coming but it was perfect and suited the novel. A definite must read novel!" 5-Star Review by Carla at Working Mommy Journal

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Book Description:
​When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappeared, the court of public opinion found young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. 

With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!

​Buy the Book:
Amazon.com
Audible ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads

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Book Details:

Book Title: Winter Frost  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction,  332 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  January 22, 2019
Available for review in:  ebook (EPUB, MOBI, PDF), audiobook (Audible download)
Will send books:  USA 
Tour dates:  Feb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

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"Filled with twists and turns, Winter Frost reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it is part of a series. The author creates tension and suspense throughout by keeping the reader guessing; she keeps readers engaged with well fleshed out characters and a dash of humor. Sterling, the retired German Shepherd police dog turned card shark, is a new favorite. As the story flows, the truth unfolds, layer by layer, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

"Winter Frost was an entertaining, at times humorous read with suspense, some surprises, and even cute animals in the mix." Review of Winter Frost by The iRead Review

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Book Description:
​It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.

Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas. 

Nothing is as it seems. 

In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com 
Audible ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads

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Book Details:

Book Title:  The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  386 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   July 22, 2019
Format available for review:  ebook (MOBI, EPUB, PDF), audiobook (Audible download)
Will send print books out:  USA 
Tour dates: Feb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

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"Too many twists and turns to easily share about this book. Nevertheless, Carr has pulled off another "hit" that kept me reading in one setting until the clues were so well together that the villain fell into our laps...or Chris's, LOL Carr has put a lot into the book beyond the mysteries this time...Characters enjoyed chocotinis, visited book stores...and even blundered into getting engaged (the ring had been purchased 4 months ago)... But, for me, a special thank you for the political spoof at a time when politics at the national level is devastating, gave me a laugh and lightened the load of it all!" - Review by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven

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Book Description:
​“I’m working on the greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.

For decades, the writer’s fate remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!
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Buy the Book:
Amazon.com 
Audible ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads

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Meet the Author:

​Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor. 

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.  

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. 

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV. 

connect with the author: website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ pinterest