A.L. Butcher's Blog

To solve a baffling murder – search both sides of the grave…

The Crooked Medium’sGuide To Murder

by Stephen Cox

Genre: Spooky Paranormal Victorian Murder Mystery

London 1881. Can twocrooked women stop a murder?

Extravagant medium Mrs Ashton and her lover,blunt working-class Mrs Bradshaw, run a spiritualist scam. Mrs Ashton secretlyreads minds.

Believing that Mrs Ashton is genuine,grieving Lady Violet craves the truth behind her mother’s untimely death. ButLady Violet’s powerful husband Sir Charles hates spiritualists. Has he killedbefore?

Uncovering this MP’s wicked crimes will putall three women in terrible danger…

To solve a shockingmurder, look on both sides of the grave.

“An astonishing feat of twisting plots and perceptions”

“It’s deliciously twisty, with women who won’t be told, a young bridein peril, and the delicate art of a con.”

“A book I’ve been looking for all my life. Queer found family allwrapped up in a supernatural murder mystery. Absolute perfection.”

“a brilliant, gripping story. .. if you’re looking for a great new bookto read, I encourage you to check it out.”

“…an actually intriguing mystery.”

“with a new murder thrown in and a couple of pre-existing onesuncovered, we get an astonishing story of redemption with well-plotted butnever signposted twists and turns thrown in at every stage.”

“…a murder mystery with a supernatural spin. … the premise and plotwere great. The story is very atmospheric with a very nasty aristocrat villain...an entertaining read…”

**Only.99cents!**

Amazon * Author’s Site * Bookbub* Goodreads

Stephen Cox is a writer living in London.He’d read every Holmes, Christie, and Sayers before he was 21 and did Holmesfanfic in school. He has also read the Moonstone six times. With a sciencedegree he has always been a fan of history and the imagination.

The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murdercontains the strong characterisation, women protagonists, authentic periodsetting, and wide roaming imagination of his other works.

He says ‘It’s a rip-roaring twisty story,with relationships under stress and surprising readers at every turn.”

His first two novels, Our Child of the Starsand Our Child of Two Worlds were called “heartfelt, imaginative and gripping”,with wide praise in the national press.

Stephen says ‘I wanted female rogues as myleads – people who lead a crooked life, who need to keep secrets, yet can bekind and generous too. This is a rigorous detective story with a client introuble and old crimes to be solved. It has everything – a brutal man, a Ladyin danger, and the past and present feeding the action. Can these outsiderspossibly win? Queer women certainly existed and made lives together inVictorian England, as those with eyes to see can see,’

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Follow the tour HERE for special contentand a $10 giveaway!

Never Marry the Best Man

(Whatever It Takes, Book 4)

Author: Julia Kent

Release Date: September 9, 2025

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer:  Staci Hart

Audiobook Narrators:  Coming Soon

Tropes/Themes:  Younger man/older woman, British hero, Fake marriage, Road trip/forced proximity, Vegas!, He falls first, Royals

Description:

There’s no way the hot relative of a minor British royal is hitting on her. She’s misreading everything, right?

Except there’s no mistaking that proposal.

When 50something Ranney Martini (yes, Nessa’s mom!) finds herself being courted by the very English best man in a minor royal’s wedding she’s managing, she can’t help but laugh. He’s 17 years her junior, smoking hot, and an award-winning architect. The flirting is all in her imagination.

Of course it is.

But when a strange twist of fate leaves them trapped in Las Vegas, and Tom has a sudden need for American citizenship – faster than fast – Ranney proves she’s the consummate professional.

Because when you’re a wedding protector, you do whatever it takes to make the perfect wedding.

Even marrying the very handsome best man.

Links:

Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/Never-Marry-Best-Whatever-Takes-ebook/dp/B0DGJL6MD7/

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Marry-Best-Whatever-Takes-ebook/dp/B0DGJL6MD7/

Amazon AU:  https://www.amazon.com.au/Never-Marry-Best-Whatever-Takes-ebook/dp/B0DGJL6MD7/

Amazon CA:  https://www.amazon.ca/Never-Marry-Best-Whatever-Takes-ebook/dp/B0DGJL6MD7

Apple Books:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/never-marry-the-best-man/id6670730472

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/never-marry-the-best-man

Nook:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-marry-the-best-man-julia-kent/1146274015?ean=2940185784419

Google Play:  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Julia_Kent_Never_Marry_the_Best_Man?id=e_kfEQAAQBAJ

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/never-marry-the-best-man-whatever-it-takes-book-4-by-julia-kent

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218680661-never-marry-the-best-man

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men’s room toilet (and he isn’t a billionaire she met in a romantic comedy).

She lives in New England with her husband and three children where she is the only person in the household with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers by email at julia@jkentauthor.com, on Twitter @jkentauthor, on Facebook at @jkentauthor, and on Instagram @jkentauthor. Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://jkentauthor.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jkentauthor/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jkentauthor

Newsletter:  http://bit.ly/2PIBi9n

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jkentauthor/

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julia-kent

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3238619.Julia_Kent

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Kent/e/B00A99V268/

Excerpt (PLEASE CHOOSE ONLY ONE TO ADD TO YOUR POST):

#1

Tom cleared his throat.

“I know you’re on the clock, and this is a mess, but Jack’s with Chunk and we have no idea what’s happening next. Emergency rooms take hours, so we have some time. What would you like to do? Are you hungry? Shall we get some dinner? I’ve never seen Las Vegas before. Shall we take a look around?”

“From what I’ve seen of your work, I don’t think you’re going to like the aesthetic here very much.” Ranney had only been there once before, with Carmine, for some sort of packaging expo. She’d spent most of her time by the hotel pool and therefore avoided the stereotypical Vegas experience. The desert weather had been lovely, the hotel food was exceptional, and she never set foot in a casino or even pulled a slot machine handle.

“But it’s iconic! Come on, I can’t be here on the ground and not see it, I may never be back!”

“Tom, what about the wedding party? You’re supposed to be hanging out with them!”

“I already explained that. They’re my relatives and a bunch of future in laws of Charlie’s. I can be with them anytime. I can’t be with you anytime. And certainly not in Las Vegas, Nevada.”

And that was the moment when she realized just how much she wanted to go with him. She wanted to see Las Vegas–with him. She wanted to sit next to him in the back of an Uber and listen to him talk. Lean against him, close enough to breathe the scent of his skin. Hear everything that had ever happened to him before they met, even if he told her in that annoying British accent–which was becoming less annoying and more charming by the minute.

Dear God, was this some unanticipated perimenopausal side effect? In all the articles that she’d read on the subject, had this ever been mentioned? Intense and inappropriate lust for a virtual stranger?

Speaking of inappropriate, what exactly was his age, anyway? She needed another look at his profile and she needed it now. Because if he was anywhere near her daughter’s age–if he was young enough, say, to have attended one of Nessa’s childhood birthday parties–she was going to fake stomach flu and get on the next plane home. Claire could have this entire field all to herself, whether she was capable or not.

“Are you all right?” Tom asked. “You’re looking a bit… shaken up. I thought emergencies were your specialty?”

Release blitz organized by Writer Marketing Services.

When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook  #Paranormal #Ghoststory

https://books2read.com/SecretBlossomRise

 

Love, laughter, and a little kitchen chaos are on the menuin Recipe for Love!

When a sous chef with secrets clashes with a showrunnerchasing a viral hit, sparks fly hotter than the stove.

Recipe For Love

A Cat’s Paw Cove Book 24

by Sharon Buchbinder

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Comedy

When it comes to love, all bets are off…

Karmen Artos, a sous chef at Feline Fine Retirement Home, is horrified when twoof the residents hijack her kitchen. Worse yet, they’ve created an Internetcooking show that has gone viral. The recipes are revolting, but viewers arewild for ‘Grandma’s Witchin’ Kitchen!’

Devon Winger, a down-on-his-luck showrunner, arrives in Cat’s Paw Cove toconvince the eccentric elderly Internet stars to take the show to the nextlevel — a ShowFlix series. The magical stars are tickled at the idea, butKarmen is dead set against revealing the sanctuary for supernaturals to theworld.

Can Karmen convince the sexy Devon that the show will be a dud? Or will Devonrealize there’s more to the quirky retirement home than meets the camera’s eye?

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Sharon Buchbinder has been writing fiction since middleschool and has the rejection slips to prove it. A retired RN and professor, sheis the author of the Hotel LaBelle Series, the Jinni Hunter Series, and theObsession Series. She also has seven books in the Cats Paw Cove Series, amagical place where anything can happen–and does! When not writing, she can befound walking her dogs, herding cats, or breaking bread and laughing withfamily and friends.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

Love reading? Love a bit of dark fantasy with sizzle? Love short stories?

Check out my author page on Barnes and Noble. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22A.%20L.%20Butcher

“I am known to some as the Grim Reaper, or the Angel ofDeath. Death is my preferred name. It’s stylish and modern, and it goes wellwith my Armani suits. I don’t have a fascination with robes, scythes, orskeletons, especially when I’m releasing souls.”

My Name Is Death

by Laura Daleo

Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

My Name Is Death takes the Grim Reaper concept in a creativedirection. Put aside the image of a scary, sickle-carrying, robe-clad entity.There are no shortages of Italian suits, velvet neckties, and oxford shoes inDeath’s wardrobe.

Death encounters a terminally ill young lady, Annalise,during a holiday in New Orleans. As she approaches the afterlife, Death wantsto ensure she makes the best of her final moments. It is not long before theybecome friends.

A peaceful coexistence between angels and humans is what Goddesires. This plan is contrary to one of God’s other sons’ belief that angelsare far superior to humans.

Devastation begins, and only God knows how it will end.

“Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. Ihold this statement in high regard. Why? There are two possibilities. I couldbe a tax accountant-borrrinng-or I could be Death. If you guessed the latter,advance to go and collect $200. My name can influence anyone in a room; somesay Grim Reaper, others say Angel of Death. I like to call myself Death. It hasa pleasant ring and a powerful effect on people. The way “Death”embodies the style and pizazz of my attire, which includes Armani suits, ties,and shoes, influenced my decision to select it as my name. It had neveroccurred to me to dress in a dark robe, to carry a scythe or an hourglass, orto assume a skeleton physique.”

Amazon * * *

I was born and raised in sunny San Diego, California. Acreative writing class in junior high ignited my passion for storytelling;however, it was Anne Rice who truly inspired me. Her novel, Interview With TheVampire, has become one of the best-selling books of all time and fueled mydesire to craft my own vampire legend. In 1996, I created Immortal Kiss, whichpatiently waited until 2014 for its publication.

At present, my published works include Immortal Kiss, Boundby Blood, The Vow, The Vampire Within, The Soul Collector, The Doll, Once WeWere Witches, and My Name Is Death. My current project is an urban fantasytitled The Wolf Experiment.

Here are some fun facts about me: I love enjoying Starbuckscoffee while I write. I’m also obsessed with shoes. I have two furry kids namedRose and Cooper. And, of course, I’m a huge fan of all things vampire.

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Follow the tour for special content and a $40 giveaway!

Ηχώ Ενός Τραγουδιού

https://books2read.com/EchoesGreek

Δώδεκα ταραχώδη χρόνια, μετά τα δραματικά γεγονότα στην Όπερα των Παρισίων, τον Ραούλ, Κόμη Ντε Σανί, εξακολουθεί να στοιχειώνει το μυστηριώδες Φάντασμα της Όπερας – το θρυλικό πλάσμα που είχε θέσει υπό τον έλεγχό του το προσωπικό της Όπερας, είχε απαγάγει την ερωμένη και είχε δολοφονήσει τον αδελφό του Ραούλ.

Μέσα στην ταραχώδη φαντασία του Ραούλ, τα φαντάσματα του παρελθόντος είναι παντού, και μία παράξενη και συγκλονιστική μουσική εξακολουθεί να έρχεται στα όνειρά του.

Τρέλα, εμμονή και τα βάρη του παρελθόντος υφαίνουν τη μαγεία τους σε αυτήν τη σύντομη, τραγική ιστορία που είναι βασισμένη στο «Φάντασμα της Όπερας».

Αναδείχτηκε καλύτερο βιβλίο φαντασίας από την ιστοσελίδα βιβλιοκρισίας NN Light Book Heaven!

#Ιστορική Φαντασία, Φάντασμα της Όπερας, Φάντασμα, Σύντομες Ιστορίες Φαντασίας

‘Εξω Από τα Τείχη
Όταν η παλίρροια του πολέμου κυλήσει ποιος θα παρασυρθεί στο πέρασμά της; Μια σύντομη ιστορία φαντασίας για την αποφασιστικότητα μιας γυναίκας σε καιρό πολέμου.

https://books2read.com/OTWGreek

#φαντασία, #ιστορικήμυθοπλασία, #φανταστικό, #νουβέλα


Η βρετανικής καταγωγής A. L. Butcher είναι μανιώδης αναγνώστρια και δημιουργός κόσμων, ποιήτρια και ονειροπόλα, λάτρης της επιστήμης, της φυσικής ιστορίας, της ιστορίας και των πιθήκων. Η πεζογραφία της έχει χαρακτηριστεί ως “σκοτεινή και σκληρή” και η ποίησή της ως “υποβλητική”. Γράφει με μια σίγουρη και ενίοτε ερωτική ευαισθησία για πράγματα που θα μπορούσαν να έχουν υπάρξει, δεν υπήρξαν ποτέ, αλλά θα μπορούσαν να είναι.
Είναι συγγραφέας των “Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles” και της σειράς λυρικής φαντασίας “Tales of Erana”. Με υπόβαθρο στην πολιτική, τις κλασικές σπουδές, την αρχαία ιστορία και τους μύθους, οι κλίσεις της προσδίδουν μια εκλεκτική και μοναδική γεύση στο έργο της, αναμειγνύοντας την πραγματικότητα και το όνειρο σε αλχημικές αναλογίες που ζωντανεύουν τους χαρακτήρες και τους κόσμους της.

In a world where magic is forbidden on pain of death and elves live as slaves, dare you hear tales of magic, monsters and mischief?

A collection of short stories and novellas set in the fantasy world of Erana – from the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles.
Containing:
The Moon on the Water
The Tale of Treyna the Beloved
Storm Born
The Blue Phial
The Legend of Oeliana
The Warrior’s Curse
Just One Mistake
Meet the Characters

https://books2read.com/ToECollection1

Οι Καλικάντζαροι της Κουζίνας και άλλα Σκοτεινά Διηγήματα

Έξι σύντομες ιστορίες χάους και αταξίας. Νικητής της καλύτερης φαντασίας 2018 στο NN Light Book Heaven. Άτακτοι καλικάντζαροι, αγνοούμενες κάλτσες, πονηροί κλέφτες και μπερδεμένοι θεοί εμφανίζονται σε αυτή τη συλλογή σύντομης φαντασίας.

https://books2read.com/KitchenImpsGreek
#Καλικάντζαροι , Μέγα Μάγος, Θυσαυρός

Η Βρετανίδα A. L. Butcher είναι μια ένθερμη αναγνώστρια και δημιουργός κόσμων, ποιήτρια και ονειροπόλος, λάτρης της επιστήμης, της φυσικής ιστορίας, της ιστορίας και των πιθήκων. Η πεζογραφία της έχει περιγραφεί ως “σκοτεινή και τραχιά” και η ποίησή της ως “ενθυμητική”. Γράφει με μια σίγουρη και μερικές φορές ερωτική ευαισθησία για πράγματα που μπορεί να ήταν, δεν έγιναν ποτέ, αλλά θα μπορούσαν να γίνουν.

Βραβεία: Έξω από τα Τείχη, που έγραψε από κοινού με την Diana L. Wicker έλαβε το βραβείο Chill with a Book Reader’s Award το 2017. Τα βραβεία NN Light Book Heaven: Οι Καλικάντζαροι της Κουζίνας και άλλα Σκοτεινά Διηγήματα κέρδισαν το καλύτερη φαντασία για το 2018 Echoes of a Song – ένα από τα φανταστικά παραμύθια της – κέρδισε την καλύτερη φαντασία το 2019 .