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CORAL COTTAGE

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COLD WOODS

This Week At Silver's Reviews

 

Hope to see you this week!!

 

Spotlight of Witcha Gonna Do by Avery Flynn

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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WITCHA GONNA DO

AVERY FLYNN

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF TINA JOELL | PUBLICIST | BERKLEY | PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

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This is the first novel in a new, spicy, and fun series where magic, love, and social media converge. Book Riot raves, “Sexy and hilarious… an ideal mash up of contemporary romance and magic.” 

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THE STORY:  Tilda Sherwood might be the unluckiest woman in all of Witchingdom. What could be worse than having absolutely no magical abilities when you’re a member of the most powerful family of witches ever? 

Having to partner with the annoyingly handsome magical academic Gil Harding—that’s what. 

When evil-minded nefarious forces bent on world domination come for Tilda’s family, she and Gil must work together to save the day… all that while fighting against the attraction building between them. 

Tilda might be more powerful than either of them could fathom, and her effect on Gil is nothing short of magical.

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December 6

Berkley/Penguin Random House

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PRAISE FOR WITCHA GONNA DO:

“With a sexy train ride, a cocky hero and a big-hearted heroine, Witcha Gonna Do? blends romance, heat and wickedly modern magic.”—Lauren Blakely, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Witcha Gonna Do? will make your heart bubble, swoon and giggle with its fantastic mix of hilarity and heat. Appealing characters and a delightfully unique setting make this vibrant, witchy romcom really shine!”—India Holton, national bestselling author of The League of Gentlewomen Witches

“Adorable, hilarious and positively sizzling with charm, this is a delightfully magical read I’m going to come back to again and again!”—Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

"Sexy and hilarious, Witcha Gonna Do? is an ideal mash up of contemporary romance and magic.”—Book Riot

“There's plenty of charm in the wise-cracking characters, hot-as-hell chemistry, and pun-filled worldbuilding. This sexy romp of a romance is sure to win fans.” —Publishers Weekly

“Flynn's enemies-to-lovers romp is replete with the titillating details of Tilda's and Gil's escalating relationship. Fans of fast-paced, sexy romances in magically transformed contemporary settings will enjoy this clever, breezy rom-com.”—Booklist

 

**PRAISE TAKEN FROM AUTHOR'S AMAZON PAGE **

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ABOUT WITCHA GONNA DO:

A witch with no magical abilities and her know-it-all nemesis must team up in the first of a new, hot romantic comedy series from USA Today bestselling author Avery Flynn.

Could it possibly get any worse than having absolutely no magical abilities when you’re a member of the most powerful family of witches ever? It used to be that I’d say no, but then I keep getting set up on dates with Gil Connolly whose hotness is only matched by his ego. Seriously. I can’t stand him. Even if I also can’t stop thinking about him (specifically kissing him) but we’re going to pretend I never told you that part.
 
So yeah, my life isn’t the greatest right now, but then it goes straight to the absolute worst hell when I accidentally make my sister’s spell glitch and curse my whole family. And the only person who can help non-magical me break the spell? You guessed it. Gil the super hot jerk. 
 
Now we have to work together to save my family and outmaneuver some evil-minded nefarious forces bent on world domination. Oh yeah, and we have to do all that while fighting against the attraction building between us because I may not be magical, but what’s happening between Gil and I sure feels like it.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling romance author Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip. 

 

She lives outside of Washington DC with her family, Dwight the cat, and a pack of five dogs all named after food. 

 

If she’s not reading romance or binging reality TV, she’s most definitely plotting to take over the world so she can banish Crocs from existence.

 

**AUTHOR'S PHOTO TAKEN FROM HER AMAZON PAGE**

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Spotlight of In It To Win It by Sharon C. Cooper

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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IN IT TO WIN IT

SHARON C. COOPER

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF CHELSEA PASCOE | PUBLICIST | BERKLEY | PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE.

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Sharon C. Cooper’s cheeky multicultural romantic comedy...

 

IN IT TO WIN IT follows two entrepreneurs competing for one special property and just might secure the biggest win of all—each other—in this second chance romance.

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December 13, 2022

Berkley Trade Paperback Original

 Multicultural & Interracial; Romantic Comedy

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PRAISE FOR IN IT TO WIN IT:

“Morgan and Drake’s palpable chemistry, emotional connection, and admirable personal growth make them easy to cheer on. Readers will be charmed.”—Publishers Weekly

**PRAISE TAKEN FROM PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE'S PAGE**

ABOUT IN IT TO WIN IT:

Spoiled, fickle, and prissy are only a few adjectives that have been used to describe Morgan Redford. 

Though she’s never had to worry about money, she’s determined to make a name for herself on her own terms. 

Her new venture won’t be an epic fail like her former professional cuddling service or the pet hotel that never got off the ground. 

No, through the nonprofit she founded, Morgan is doing something meaningful—helping teens who are aging out of the foster care system—and she’s got her eye on a property that could house these kids. 

But the competition is steep, and one of the bidders is someone she never expected…

When Los Angeles real estate developer Drake Faulkner learns that his eccentric mentor is selling property that is a part of Drake’s legacy, he jumps at the chance to buy it. 

 

But he soon learns the billionaire has other ideas: buyers must compete in an Iron Man competition of sorts for the property. 

 

Drake refuses to play along with this ridiculous demand…until he finds out Morgan, his ex who ghosted him years ago is one of the potential buyers. 

 

No way is he letting her—Little-Miss-Can’t-Run-A-Block-Without-Gasping-For-Air—win the property he wants. Bitter? Yes. Petty? Probably. 

 

But as the gauntlet of games heats up and forces them to face the past, they are met with a pull that feels all too familiar.

 

Now, if they could only keep their eyes on the prize and off each other—but who’s to say they can’t do both?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today bestselling author Sharon C. Cooper loves anything involving romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. 

She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, as well as romantic comedy and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

Sharon’s stories have won numerous awards over the years. Most recently, she’s won a Reading Warriors Choice Award – The Beverly Jenkins Author of the Year (2021) and The Rochelle Alers Best Series award for her Atlanta’s Finest (Romantic Suspense) series (2021 & 2022). 

When Sharon isn’t writing, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work, or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net

Sharon has written over 25 romance books and is a self-described ‘romance-a-holic,’ loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after. 

Her last novel, Business Not As Usual, received major praise from PopSugar, Book Riot, Kirkus Reviews, BookPage, and a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

**AUTHOR PHOTO AND INFO TAKEN FROM PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE'S PAGE**

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Spotlight and Giveaway of Chaos At Carnegie Hall by Kelly Oliver

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December 5 - 30, 2022 

Virtual Book Tour

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CHAOS AT CARNEGIE HALL 

by Kelly Oliver

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ABOUT CHAOS AT CARNEGIE HALL:

 

Agatha Christie meets Downton Abbey in the Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery series opener.

 

Can Fiona catch a killer and find a decent cup of tea before her mustache wax melts?

1917. New York.

Notorious spy, Fredrick Fredricks, has invited Fiona to Carnegie Hall to hear a famous soprano. It’s an opportunity the War Office can’t turn down. Fiona and Clifford are soon on their way, but not before Fiona is saddled with chaperon duties for Captain Hall’s niece. Is Fiona a spy or a glorified babysitter?

From the minute Fiona meets the soprano aboard the RMS Adriatic it’s treble on the high C’s. Fiona sees something—or someone—thrown overboard, and then she overhears a chemist plotting in German with one of her own countrymen!

And the trouble doesn’t stop when they disembark. Soon Fiona is doing time with a group of suffragettes and investigating America’s most impressive inventor Thomas Edison.

When her number one suspect turns up dead at the opera and Fredrick Fredricks is caught red-handed, it looks like it’s finally curtains for the notorious spy.

But all the evidence points to his innocence. Will Fiona change her tune and clear her nemesis’ name? Or will she do her duty? And just what is she going to do with the pesky Kitty Lane? Not to mention swoon-worthy Archie Somersby…

If Fiona’s going to come out on top, she’s going to have to make the most difficult decision of her life: the choice between her head and her heart.

Read an excerpt:

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Inside, the cabin was the opposite of Hugo Schweitzer’s. Whereas the German’s room was disorderly and repulsive, this man’s berth was tidy and attractive. In fact, it hardly looked occupied. The bed was made in a neat military style. There wasn’t an article of clothing nor a personal item in sight. A faint scent of pine and citrus graced the room. Like a familiar embrace, the uniform order and pleasing smell put me at ease.

Hugo Schweitzer’s disgusting mess had allowed clues to remain hidden in plain sight. This man’s neatness required clever hiding places. Where would I hide a secret document in this room? Under the mattress? In the wardrobe? Sewn inside an article of clothing?

I crossed the room. Getting to the wardrobe was considerably easier than it had been in Schweitzer’s clutter. When I opened the wardrobe, a waft of pine and citrus caressed my nostrils again. I thought of Archie. When would I see him again?

Concentrate, Fiona. Now was not the time to behave like a lovesick schoolgirl.

Two neat suits hung on hangers, spaced apart like sentries guarding a gate. One was a uniform. A British uniform. Could this traitor be in the British army? The other was a black evening suit. Whatever the blackguard was wearing under that trench coat constituted his third and final outfit. There were no more.

Standing to attention at the bottom of the wardrobe were two tall black boots. I bent down to get a closer look. Inside a boot would make a decent hiding place.

“Looking for something?” a man’s voice boomed from behind me.

I gasped and squeezed my eyes shut tight.

If only I were wearing my maid’s costume—although what maid would be cleaning at this time of night? I should have changed into Harold the helpful bellboy. At least then I’d be dressed as a man. As it was, I was wearing a flimsy evening gown and as vulnerable as a lamb in a ship full of wolves. Did I dare turn around and face my accuser?

“Did you find it?” The voice was closer now… and softer… and familiar.

Good heavens. I whipped around and practically flew into his arms. “Archie.”

He chuckled. “I should have known I’d find you breaking into my room.” He pulled me into an embrace. “Fiona. Dear Fiona.” He kissed the top of my head.

I buried my head in his shoulder. Ahhh. The scent of pine and citrus… and those horrible Kenilworth cigarettes. The scent of Lieutenant Archie Somersby.

My heart was racing. From being scared out of my wits, or from being in Archie’s embrace, I didn’t know. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same.” He held me tighter.

“You, first.” I inhaled his familiar presence.

“I will tell you, but only because it’s necessary.” He pulled out of the embrace and held me out at arm’s length. “It’s crucial that you don’t expose me.”

“Expose you?” I had to censor my imagination. His earnest green eyes framed by those dark lashes and that wild lock of chestnut hair falling across his forehead made it deuced difficult.

“I’m on an important mission.” He fortified his countenance with a steely gaze. “You mustn’t let on that you know me. In fact, you should stay away from me.” He pulled a gold pocket watch out of his waistcoat pocket and glanced at it.

I pulled my arm out of his grip. “Does your mission involve Hugo Schweitzer?” My tone was pained, but I couldn’t help it. I wished my feelings for him weren’t so strong. After all, I hardly knew him. Still, I knew he worked for British Intelligence, despite Fredrick Fredricks’s accusations to the contrary. Afterall, who was more trustworthy? A German spy or a British soldier, an especially attractive one too?

Archie tilted his head and gave me a quizzical look. “How did you know?”

“I saw you together earlier on deck.” Without a doubt, the trench coat and fedora Archie was wearing, along with his sleek silhouette and graceful gait, were identical to those of my mysterious compatriot and Hugo Schweitzer’s clandestine companion.

He laughed. “I should have known that was you watching us.” He kissed me on the cheek. “Fiona, you’re an ace. I’ve never met a girl quite like you.” His eyes danced mischievously.

The way he was laughing, I didn’t know whether to be insulted or flattered. Wait a blooming minute. “Did you forget something?” I’d seen that amused expression before. “Why did you return to your cabin?”

“To catch you in the act, love.” Archie grinned.

“So, you saw me in the corridor?”

He raised his eyebrows and nodded. “Afraid so.”

I punched his shoulder. “And instead of saying anything, you pulled this trick?”

“I’m sorry.” He intercepted my hand and brought it to his lips. “Can you forgive me?”

I pulled out of his grip. “Only if you can tell me about Mr. Schweitzer and the chemists’ war.”

“You know I can’t do that.” He sighed. “It’s classified.”

“What does the war have to do with aspirin, the headache remedy?”

He led me to the bed, sat down, and patted the bedcover, inviting me to sit too.

My cheeks flamed. It was only then that I realized I was alone in a gentleman’s room… after midnight, no less. Dilly Knox’s words echoed through my head. “Our Fiona will do anything for King and country, don’t you know.” That only strengthened my resolve. I was on official business and not a romantic getaway.

I took a seat on the bed and tucked my gown tightly around my thighs. “You were going to tell me about aspirin?”

“You’re nothing if not persistent.” Archie smiled and put his arm around my shoulders.

I scooted to the head of the bed and out of his reach. “Aspirin?”

He shook his head. “You really are quite a girl.”

I folded my arms over my chest and glared at him.

“Righto.” His smiled faded. “Aspirin is made from a chemical called phenol.”

Phenol. I’d heard Hugo Schweitzer mention it. And phenol was in the letter from the Kaiser. The Kaiser’s letter. Should I tell Archie about the letter? Or report it to Captain Hall first? “What does phenol have to do with the war?”

“We need phenol to make trinitrotoluene.” Archie gave me a knowing look.

I gave him an ignorant stare in return. “What is trinitrotoluene?”

“TNT.”

“The explosive?”

He nodded.

“Golly.” Still, why did it matter if aspirin and TNT shared one element? How did that affect the war? Could aspirin be turned into an explosive?

“Golly is right.” When he smiled, tiny dimples appeared at the corners of his mouth.

I had to stop myself from reaching across the bed to touch that tempting lock of wavy hair… and those dimples. Stop it, Fiona. You’re on an espionage mission and not on holiday. A holiday with Archie… how divine. Stop! Just stop.

“I’m sorry we can’t work together in the open.” He took my hand and kissed it. “But for now, I’m undercover and I have to stop Schweitzer at all costs.”

“I have a confession.” I sat on my hands to keep from touching him. “I broke into Hugo Schweitzer’s cabin.”

Archie sat up straighter. “Go on.”

“He has a briefcase full of papers and letters… in German.”

“Yes,” Archie said encouragingly.

“One of the letters was from the Kaiser.” I glanced over at him.

“I don’t suppose you can recount the letter verbatim?” He raised his eyebrows. He’d seen me do it before.

“I don’t suppose you have a pencil and paper?” I released my hands from their bondage.

Archie got up and went to the dressing table. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper and then withdrew a pencil from his breast pocket and held it up.

I joined him and sat down at the table.

He placed the paper on the table in front of me and handed me the pencil. “Work your magic, my love.”

My pulse quickened. Did Archie just call me my love? My cheeks warmed. With a smile in my heart, I closed my eyes and let the words form before my mind like captions across a black screen. I didn’t know what they meant, but I could see them as clearly as if I were holding the letter in my hands. I opened my eyes and began setting to paper what I had seen. My hand was flying across the page. When I finished, I scanned my reproduction and then held it up to Archie. He’d been breathing over my shoulder as I wrote, which was deuced distracting.

As he read, the grim look on his face spoke volumes. “Good God,” he gasped. “So that is what they’re up to. And the phenol plot goes all the way to the Kaiser himself.” He dropped the paper on the dressing table. “Schweitzer is siphoning off phenol from the allies on orders from the Kaiser himself.”

Siphoning off phenol. The chemical needed to make explosives. So that was the phenol plot.

The corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly. “Fiona, you’re a genius.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

His eyes hardened. “I’ve got to stop him.” Archie’s hand trembled as he ran it through his hair. “I’ve got to stop Schweitzer.”

I gazed up at him with as much resolve as I could muster.

“You mean we’ve got to stop him.”

***

Excerpt from Chaos at Carnegie Hall by Kelly Oliver. Copyright 2022 by Kelly Oliver. Reproduced with permission from Kelly Oliver. All rights reserved.

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
Published by: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: November 2022
Number of Pages: 298
ISBN: 9781804831564
Series: The Fiona Figg Mysteries
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

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Author Bio:

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning and bestselling author of three mystery series: the seven-book suspense series, The Jessica James Mysteries; the three-book middle grade series, Pet Detective Mysteries; and the four-book historical cozy series, The Fiona Figg Mysteries.

Chaos at Carnegie Hall is the latest Fiona Figg mystery, and the first to feature sidekick, Kitty Lane.

When she’s not writing novels, Kelly is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.

To learn more about Kelly and her books, go to:

www.KellyOliverBooks.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @KellyOliverBook
Instagram - @KellyOliverBook
Twitter - @KellyOliverBook
Facebook - @KellyOliverAuthor

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Spotlight of City Of Fortune by Victoria Thompson

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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CITY OF FORTUNE

VICTORIA THOMPSON

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF YAZMINE HASSAN | PUBLICITY BERKLEY | PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE.

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This December, USA Today bestselling author Victoria Thompson delivers the next gripping installment of her Counterfeit Lady series, which follows a young con woman who assumes a new identity in the early-twentieth century.

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December 6, 2022

Berkley

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PRAISE FOR CITY OF FORTUNE:

"Thompson’s command of period detail and her insight into such issues as the era’s blatant sexism put her in the forefront of historical mystery writers." --Publishers Weekly

“Thompson’s fans have been able to witness her fine ensemble cast grow and mellow through time….The stories continue to be engrossing and rich in historical detail as each illuminates another corner of the metropolis.” – Booklist

"Don't miss City of Lies, an exciting story of intrigue, deception and love --" --Catherine Coulter, Author of Insidious

"Suffragists, socialites, grifters, and goons at the last gasp of the Gilded Age. This is how to start a series! Thompson brings an irresistible heroine onstage, backs her up with a terrific cast of sidekicks, and delivers a rattling good plot. There's rich thread of US history skillfully woven in too. I loved it." --Catriona McPherson, bestselling author of the multi-award-winning Dandy Gilver series.

"Completely captivating! Clever, engaging and romantic, this unlikely suffragette will have you cheering her courage--and eagerly awaiting her next adventure. Loved it."--Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Mary Higgins Clark award wining author

**PRAISE TAKEN FROM AUTHOR'S BIO ON HER AMAZON PAGE **

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ABOUT CITY OF FORTUNE:

In CITY OF FORTUNE, Elizabeth Miles must use every ounce of her craftiness to even the score when a day at the races reveals sabotage and subterfuge.

After his venture into thoroughbred racing resulted in a step up in life, the wealthy but uncouth Sebastian Nolan is anxious for his daughter to learn the ways of polite society and attract a suitor, so he enlists the help of his lawyer and his new wife, Gideon and Elizabeth Bates.

However, Elizabeth is not exactly the society girl Nolan believes her to be, and Irene Nolan seems more interested in horses than husbands. When Irene jumps at the chance to introduce Elizabeth to her horse, Trench, and his rider, Cal Regan, Elizabeth soon realizes there is undeniable chemistry between Irene and Cal. 

But she knows that Sebastian would never allow his daughter to marry a jockey. When Cal and Trench injure themselves on the track, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the mishap was not an accident—the horse and rider are victims of sabotage.

It turns out that the skeletons in Sebastian Nolan’s closet are out for revenge, and it is up to Elizabeth to come up with the quintessential con to help Irene and Cal. 

She enlists the help of the ever-honest Gideon and those closest to her to come up with a scheme that will either ensure young Irene and Cal their happiness or have disastrous consequences.

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EXCERPT OF SPOTLIGHT OF FORTUNE:

The ladies recognized the yellow silks Cal Regan wore and they made all the appropriate remarks about how beautiful Trench was.  He was indeed.  A dark gray with white stockings and a white blaze on his face, he stood out from the all the other horses and not just because of his unusual coloring. He seemed taller and larger and gave the impression of being carved from living stone. Gideon had no trouble at all understanding why Nolan had placed all his hopes on this animal.

Irene had hurried on ahead and she was already beside Trench, in earnest conversation with Mr. Quaid and Cal Regan.

“I can’t find a thing wrong with him, Miss Nolan, and neither could the vet,” Quaid was saying.

“He worked out fine this morning,” Regan confirmed, obviously anxious to put her mind at ease. 

Irene reached up and gently stroked the enormous stallion’s face as if he were a lap dog. “I just have this feeling…”

“Females and their feelings,” Mr. Nolan said in an attempt to lighten the mood, but Irene scowled.  “Quaid knows what he’s doing, Irene, and so does Cal.  If they say he’s good to go, then we have to trust them.”

“It’ll be all right,” Regan said softly. “I’m going to win this one for you.”
Irene gave him what she might have thought was a grateful look in return, but even Gideon could see she felt more than gratitude for the jockey.  She might tower over him, but she obviously cared for him, and he undoubtedly returned her feelings. 

Could the two of them be in love?

 
Gideon glanced at Nolan to see if he had noticed, but he was too busy looking over his horse. What would Nolan say if he thought his daughter was in love with a jockey? Probably what any wealthy father would say if his daughter was in love with the chauffer. Jockeys as good a Regan earned a generous salary, but their careers were too often cut short by injury or simply by the bad luck of losing too many races. Nolan would want much more security than that for his only child. Irene would know that, of course, and she couldn’t possibly be seriously involved with Regan.

The call came.  “Riders up!”

“We need to get back to our box so we can see the race,” Nolan said.  “Come on, Irene.  Cal will take it from here.”

Irene cast the jockey one last longing look and then followed the rest of them as they made their way back.  Gideon was glad to see his mother link arms with Irene as they strolled.  She would do her best to calm the girl. Gideon gave Elizabeth his arm.
“Do you think there’s something wrong with the horse?” she asked him quietly so Irene wouldn’t hear.

“I have no idea, but surely the trainer wouldn’t let him race if there was.”

“Racehorses are such delicate creatures, for all their strength. So many things can go wrong with them.”

“Let’s hope it’s just pre-race jitters on Irene’s part.”

The horses were parading by the time they found their places again. They watched as each one reached the barrier.  It seemed to take an age for them all to line up, although it was probably no more than a minute or two.  

The remaining crowd yelled, “They’re off!” as the barrier flew up and the horses darted forward. It was a slow start, and Regan kept Trench from taking the lead, allowing the speedsters to charge ahead and wear themselves out. They had just rounded the first turn when he gave Trench his head.  The stallion started to pull away from the pack when something happened. 

They were all on their feet immediately, trying to see, but the horses were on the far side of the track and the rail was in the way.  One thing was for certain:  Six horses had come out of the first turn, but only five were entering the final turn.  None of those five jockeys wore the Nolan yellow silks.

“What happened?” Irene cried.  “Where are they?”

Then they saw Trench.  He had risen and staggered away from the rail, and to their horror they saw he was dragging Cal Regan whose foot was caught in a stirrup. 

Irene screamed, and she was running away from the box and down to the track before anyone could stop her.  Nolan ran after her without a word.

Excerpted from City of Fortune by Victoria Thompson Copyright © 2022 by Victoria Thompson. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

PHOTO CREDIT:   

Monica Z. Photography 2015

Edgar® Nominated author Victoria Thompson writes the Edgar and Agatha Award nominated Gaslight Mystery Series, set in turn-of-the-century New York City and featuring midwife Sarah Brandt, and the Sue Grafton Award nominated Counterfeit Lady Series set in early twentieth century New York City and featuring con artist Elizabeth Miles. 

She also contributed to the award winning writing textbook MANY GENRES/ONE CRAFT. 

A popular speaker, Victoria teaches in the Seton Hill University master's program in writing popular fiction. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and a very spoiled little dog. 

Learn more online at victoriathompson.com

**AUTHOR INFORMATION AND PHOTO TAKEN FROM AUTHOR'S AMAZON PAGE**

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A Mother Would Know by Amber Garza

How will your adult son coming home to live with you at your request work out?

Valerie’s husband passed away a few years ago, and she is now suffering with memory loss.

She hopes having her son with her will give her some peace of mind, but the opposite happens.

Her son Hudson isn’t the best person to have around. He has a history in the town. He was accused of murdering his girlfriend.

The murdered girl’s mother lives next door and hasn’t forgotten about Hudson especially since he was found not guilty of the crime.

What is going to happen now that Hudson is back home? 

Plenty...including one girl and then another murdered.

We keep getting a hint about something that Valerie did in the past, and she does things in the present that are a bit unbelievable.

Which character is hiding things?  I was thinking all of them.

A MOTHER WOULD KNOW has no likable characters in it, and the story line is very confusing.

One minute it’s in the present day and in almost the next sentence it’s in the past, and it takes a minute to figure out where you are in time.

Even though there are some surprises and a great ending, I was a bit disappointed because the book was all over the place, and I have enjoyed other books by Ms. Garza. 3/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.