NBtM: The Hanged Man's Noose by Judy Penz Sheluk

The Hanged Man's Noose: A Glass Dolphin Mystery

by Judy Penz Sheluk

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GENRE: Mystery

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BLURB:

Small-town secrets and subterfuge lead to murder in a tale of high-stakes real estate wrangling gone amok.

Journalist Emily Garland lands a plum assignment as the editor of a niche magazine based in Lount’s Landing, a small town named after a colorful Canadian traitor. As she interviews the local business owners for the magazine, Emily quickly learns that many people are unhappy with real estate mogul Garrett Stonehaven’s plans to convert an old schoolhouse into a mega-box store. At the top of that list is Arabella Carpenter, the outspoken owner of the Glass Dolphin antiques shop, who will do just about anything to preserve the integrity of the town’s historic Main Street.

But Arabella is not alone in her opposition. Before long, a vocal dissenter at a town hall meeting about the proposed project dies. A few days later, another body is discovered, and although both deaths are ruled accidental, Emily’s journalistic suspicions are aroused.

Putting her reporting skills to the ultimate test, Emily teams up with Arabella to discover the truth behind Stonehaven’s latest scheme—before the murderer strikes again.

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Excerpt Two:

The faint scent of vanilla filled Emily’s nostrils. “Pure vanilla extract, the real stuff, not the imitation kind,” a man’s voice called from the back of the store. “Stir one tablespoon into a gallon of paint and you get rid of that new paint smell. I add it to every gallon I sell.” He came out into the open, held out his hand, and smiled. “Emily Garland, I presume.”

The main thing Emily noticed about Johnny Porter, beyond the fact he was roughly her age and drop-dead movie star gorgeous, were his eyes. Eyes so dark brown they looked black. Miner’s eyes, her old pals at boarding school would have called them, the kind of eyes that could dig their way into the depth of your soul. Emily made an effort to collect herself. Acting like an infatuated high school student was not the way to start off her new life in Lount’s Landing.

“And you must be Johnny Porter.” Emily shook his hand, noticing his grip was firm but gentle. Thought his hand lingered a moment longer than necessary. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Johnny said, although Emily got the distinct feeling he was assessing her. She wondered if she made the grade.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Judy Penz Sheluk’s debut mystery, The Hanged Man’s Noose: A Glass Dolphin Mystery was released in July 2015 through Barking Rain Press. Her short crime fiction appears in The Whole She-Bang 2, World Enough and Crime, and Flash and Bang. In her less mysterious pursuits, Judy is the Senior Editor for New England Antiques Journal and the Editor for Home BUILDER Magazine. Judy is a member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, International Thriller Writers, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Find Judy on her website www.judypenzsheluk.com, where she blogs about the writing life and interviews other authors.

Buy Links

AbeBooks.com: http://bit.ly/1PSyuAr

Amazon: http://authl.it/3jg

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1MF0ggO

Chapters.Indigo: http://bit.ly/1MGgxmz

Kobo.com: http://bit.ly/1Ti2Evo

Social Media Links

Website: http://www.judypenzsheluk.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JudyPenzSheluk

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JudyPenzSheluk @JudyPenzSheluk

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/judypenzsheluk

Triberr: http://triberr.com/JudyPenzSheluk

Amazon: amazon.com/author/judypenzsheluk

Interview with Judy Penz Sheluk

As a kid did you write or make up stories?

I’m the only child of strict immigrant parents—no sleepovers for this kid. So I spent a lot of time making up stories keep me company. I would start a story in my head and add to it every day. I used to think everyone did that, but I’ve since found out that isn’t the case. I never wrote them down, though. To me, those stories were part of what I like to think of as my secret life.

Where does most of your Character inspiration come from?

Everything I see, hear, and experience in my daily life forms the basis for my characters. I listen to talk radio all day as I write, and some of the people that call in…let’s just say they provide a lot of inspiration.

Do some qualities of your characters come from real people?

The characters are made up, but certainly there are qualities that are taken from real people. For example, in The Hanged Man’s Noose, the protagonist is Emily Garland, a freelance journalist. I’ve been a freelance journalist since 2003. But Emily is far more resourceful and fearless than I am. And she’s a whole lot younger!

What was the inspiration for your book?

The Hanged Man’s Noose started life as a short story in a Creative Writing class. As a short story, it wasn’t particularly good, but I loved the town (Lount’s Landing) and the feisty antiques shop character (Arabella Carpenter) that I’d created. In the book, Arabella becomes sidekick to Emily Garland, a freelance writer on assignment, but without Arabella, and that short story, there would be no book, and no Emily.

What is your favorite spot to write?

In my home office, which is painted a beautiful blue – Philipsburg Blue (Benjamin Moore). My Golden Retriever, Gibbs, likes to sleep under my desk as I work. I can’t imagine writing in a coffee shop, don’t know how people do it.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Agatha Christie said, “Write even when you don't want to, don't much like what you're writing, and aren't writing particularly well.” It’s great advice and it certainly worked for her.

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Judy Penz Sheluk will be awarding $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and the opportunity to guest on Judy Penz Sheluk's blog to a randomly drawn host.

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Release day blitz for Witch of the Cards by Catherine Stine

Witch of the Cards
Catherine Stine

Genre: paranormal historical suspense

Publisher: Konjur Road Press

Date of Publication: March 16, 2016

ISBN 13: 978-0-9848282-6-5   
ISBN-10: 0-9848282-6-5

ISBN 13: 978-0-9848282-7-2 
ISBN 10: 0-9848282-7-3

Number of pages: 265

Word Count: 76K

Cover Artist: Mae I Designs

Book Description:

Fiera was born a sea witch with no inkling of her power. And now it might be too late.

Witch of the Cards is historical, supernatural romantic suspense set in 1932 on the Jersey shore. Twenty-two year-old Fiera has recently left the Brooklyn orphanage where she was raised, and works in Manhattan as a nanny. She gets a lucky break when her boss pays for her short vacation in Asbury Park. One evening, Fiera and her new friend Dulcie wander down the boardwalk and into Peter Dune’s Tarot & Séance, where they attend a card reading.

Fiera has always had an unsettling ability to know things before they happen and sense people’s hidden agendas. She longs to either find out the origin of her powers or else banish them because as is, they make her feel crazy. When, during the reading, her energies somehow bond with Peter Dune’s and form an undeniable ethereal force, a chain of revelations and dangerous events begin to unspool. For one, Fiera finds out she is a witch from a powerful sea clan, but that someone is out to stop her blossoming power forever. And though she is falling in love with Peter, he also has a secret side. He’s no card reader, but a private detective working to expose mediums. Despite this terrible betrayal, Fiera must make the choice to save Peter from a tragic Morro Cruise boat fire, or let him perish with his fellow investigators. Told in alternating viewpoints, we hear Fiera and Peter each struggle against their deep attraction. Secrets, lies, even murder, lace this dark fantasy.

Excerpt:

The absinthe put me in a dreamy state. Added to the mix was the sensual comfort of sitting next to Peter, who served as a buffer between Alyse and me.

Somewhere in the room, a chorus of faint voices floated around, high and sweet. Or was the sound merely in my head? How could it be? Peter asked me a question, but it took three repetitions for me to understand him over the low-slung jazz notes infused with the chorus of invisible soprano cherubs singing at me.

“Have you always had a talent for the unseen?” I heard him ask.

“Whatever do you mean? It was you who saw things that weren’t there.” I had to right myself because I found myself swooning so much I nearly fell into Peter’s lap.

“But it was you who eked it out of me.”

“Little old me?” I giggled.

“Yes, you,” Alyse agreed. “I was there, too. You have some strange talent. Can you describe how it works? You must be aware of it.”

Everything was turning light and frothy like a magical cake icing. The barkeep was chatting up the fellows at his counter, the card players exhaled in cheery gusts of laughter, and the waitresses flounced around like so many sunny meadow flowers. I didn’t see the harm. “I do sense things. Always have.”

“What kind of things?” Peter and Alyse asked in tandem. Their unexpected accord matched the soprano voices singing harmoniously in and around my head.

I giggled again. “Do you hear them?”

“Hear what?” Peter looked around, spooked.

“Children, little voices.”

Alyse’s brows creased. “What are they saying?”

“They’re singing.” But the entire mood of the room had changed in an instant. Their radiant energy soured. The children of the ether weren’t singing any more. They were starting to weep, over something very sad.

Over me.

How did I know this? No idea. A hard frost shot through my bones. I took a big gulp of the absinthe. Perhaps it would block out the voices, the wailing of innocents.

“What is it?” Peter took my hand. His concerned touch cut through the horrible, chilling ache and melted me. “What’s the matter, Fiera?” His face paled, and right then, I knew he heard them too. “They’re crying, aren’t they?” he whispered in my ear, tickling my soft lobe. “Crying over you.”

“Yes.” I leaned on him, letting the voices cry for me.

We hugged and I swear I felt his sudden, hot tears melt through the shoulder fabric of my dress. It was infinitely sad, infinitely tender.

The invisible cherubs whirring inside my head took translucent form and slipped out of me. They soared around the room like hardscrabble angels, flitting past Dulcie as she danced; sliding, their soft baby feet gliding over the long bar counter, and right through the man with the hookah. He glanced up for a moment as if he, too, felt the supernatural breeze. Then he bowed his head back down and took a pensive draw on his smoking device. Eyes closed, I saw green paisleys and floating leaves, the rushing of a cold stream bubbling under me, which filled me with terror. I came to with a gasp.

“What is it?” Alyse asked. How could I tell her of this suffering, shot through with spectacular floating objects, and my strange, sudden affinity with Mr. Dune?

“I see children weeping,” I admitted. “They’ve been hurt.”

“How?” Her voice grew anxious.

I silently asked them. “They’re babies. They can’t say.”

When I looked over at Peter, it was obvious he was in the same deep trance he’d been in when we first met. His eyes were glazed as if whatever he was experiencing was far from this basement speakeasy. “What is it? What do you see?” I whispered.

“They’re fading. They’re dying. They’re being—”

“Snap out of it, Mr. Dune.” Alyse gave him a stern shaking. “You’ve had too much absinthe.”

 “It’s not that!” I insisted.

“Then tell me what it is, Fiera,” she said.

“It’s a vision. Of something real from long ago.”

“How long ago?”

“As long ago as there is a long ago.” I sounded ridiculous. Alyse Bone was right. The absinthe was crazy making. Or was it the taffy? I leaned into Peter’s limp shoulder, reached over and shook him, too, but with more patience than Alyse had.

His eyes fluttered open, and he gazed at me with that same calm as when he awoke after the séance. As before, his expression was clear of emotion, blissfully unaware of what he’d whispered to me minutes ago.

“Well, there you are,” he slurred. “You look positively ravishing. Dance?”

“Thanks, don’t mind if I do.” I bumbled to my feet.

“You two really drank the coffin varnish.” Alyse gave an unbecoming snort as she rose and drifted away.

Perhaps I was too far-gone, but I didn’t care. Peter and I danced and danced. The speakeasy filled with the overflow from the convention hall dance—young lovers, bootleggers with wide ties and cigars, older women with twinkling earrings and heavy bosoms, even a prostitute or two. They wore too much rouge and sat brazenly up at the bar with the gin rummies.

This time, I couldn’t say whether I stepped on Mr. Dune’s polished wingtips. He probably couldn’t be sure if he knocked his bony legs into mine. We had more nips of absinthe, and I wolfed down another green-swirl taffy. Before I knew it, I was leaning provocatively against Peter and laughing like a wild banshee.

I remember gaping up at him to see his black hair all disheveled and him indistinctly mumbling. And thinking that he was the most gorgeous human being I’d ever seen. I remember Peter and I howling at the crescent moon over the ocean, and the shocked sideways glance of the hotel proprietor as we stumbled in.

I recall pulling out the Tarot, and laying them out on my rug. I recall babbling at him—about a witch and a swindler and a boat. I can still picture his expression of shocked surprise.

And I remember Peter’s lips branding my forehead—how could I ever forget that—while shocks of his lush black hair dangled deliciously on my burning cheeks. The last thing I recall before things went dark was kicking off my shoes.

About the Author:

Catherine Stine’s novels span the range from futuristic to supernatural to contemporary. Her YA sci-fi thrillers Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire are Amazon bestsellers and indie award winners. Her YA, Dorianna won Best Horror Book in the Kindle Hub Awards. Heart in a Box, her contemporary YA was an Amazon Hot New Release in Teen and Alternative Family for over eight weeks. She also writes romance as Kitsy Clare. Her Art of Love series includes Model Position and Private Internship. Book three, Girl and the Gamer, launches this summer. She suspects her love of dark fantasy came from her father reading Edgar Allen Poe to her as a child, and her love of contemporary fiction comes from being a jubilant realist. To unwind she loves to watch “bad” reality TV and travel to offbeat places.

Catherine’s website: http://catherinestine.com/wp/

Newsletter: http://goo.gl/V7QltB

Blog: http://catherinestine.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kitsy84557/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1018139.Catherine_Stine

Catherine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcatherinestine

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crossoverwriter

Tour giveaway

One $40 gift card, two hand-painted heart-boxes (by Catherine) with secret treasure inside, one signed paperback of Dorianna by Catherine Stine, one signed paperback of Witch of the Cards by Catherine Stine, one brand new collector Tarot deck along with an envelope full of special swag!

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Coconut Oil Hair Mask - Deep Conditioner 100% Cold pressed Coconut Oil from Pure Body Naturals

My hair is a thick, curly, frizzy mess. So I wanted to try this coconut oil hair mask. I have tried the jojoba hair masks without much of a result. If you can get past the smell of this stuff it does work very well. It is taming my hair, but to me it stinks. It is worth it though. My hair is much softer and no where near as frizzy as it was last week before I tried this coconut oil hair mask. I have used this twice so far, as most masks are not meant to use daily. I put washed my hair the first time I used it and put the hair mask on and left it like 30 minutes with my hair pulled up into a plastic shower cap. Then I rinsed it out. The 2nd time I uses it I washed my hair when I got in the shower and used this instead of conditioner, finished my shower then rinsed it out. It really did a nice job. I tried adding a few drops of essential oil to it to conquer the smell of it and it did help some. My hair does not really stink after using it and rinsing it out well. I may just be sensitive to the smell others may not have a problem with it. I am not a huge fan of the smell of shea butter, and to me that is part of the odor. Even with the smell it really works and works very well.If you have ever put dye or had a perm, you have smelled  lot worse, so try it anyway.

I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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Romantic Paradise Essential Oil Synergy Blend - 100% Pure from Aviano Botanicals

I am a huge fan of essential oils. I have diffusers in ever room of my house. I have a diffuser necklace I wear all the time. I even have a diffuser necklace hanging in my car. I love the aroma of the different oils as well as the mood enhancing and healing qualities of the different essential oils.

I also like mixing different essential oils for new scents. Aviana Botanicals has taken the work out of it for me with this awesome Romantic Paradise Essential oil blend. They have blended  Lavender, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Mandarin, Palma rosa, and Lime oils in one little bottle. It has a floral scent to it. It only takes a drop or 2 to fill a room full of floral wonder. It is kind of strong so I add one drop at a time, and wait a few minutes between drops.

This bottle of Romantic Paradise Essential oil blend is 100% pure therapeutic grade oil. Therapeutic oil is great for aromatherapy and external uses. It should not be taken internally.  This oil is great in a diffuser, but can be safely added with carrier oils, or mixed into lotions and soaps. This makes a nice perfume when added to carrier oils like coconut or jojoba.

The oils comes in a amber glass bottle which helps protect the oil from harsh lighting. Harsh lighting and heat can make the oil go rancid quickly. Oils should b stored in cool dark places. I keep mine in oil boxes and also in the cabinet of my night stand. This oil has a screw on cap. Inside is what is called a Euro dripper. It is a plastic insert with a small whole in the top, shake the bottle downwards and a drop of oil will come out with each shake. This really is a great quality oil.

 I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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Mini-Factory Bling Galaxy S7 Crystal Glitter Diamond Rhinestone Cover

I am so in love with this beautiful case. I love all the little rhinestones on the back and the color is just beautiful. It is almost a chameleon type color it is purple in some lights and a magenta in other. I am waiting on my Samsung S7 phone, but since the size of the S6 and S7 are so close I did put this on my S6 and it fits very nicely. This is a 2 piece case. There is a inner silicone bumper case with the purple hard case on the outside. All of the buttons and cutouts fit my S6 phone perfectly. The only difference in the size of a S6 and S7 is about 1/10th of an inch in width.

The silicone inner case is black which really sets off the purple and the rhinestones of this case. The Silicone case has a small lip that comes around the phone and gives a gap between the phone screen and face down drop. Effectively protecting the screen.

The phone case also comes with a very nice matching stylus pen. The stylus barrel is made of aluminum. It is very sturdy.. It also has a pocket clip on it. It is not a ink pen type. The silicone end works great on my touch screen. I do not have to push real hard on the pen to get my screen to react to it.

This really is a very nice case and is very pretty.

  I received this product free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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Naturally Powerful Fruit Boost Face Moisturizer by Organity

I was hoping for a fruity smell, but I guess even better I got very a jar of rich, creamy moisturizer with virtually no smell at all. What little smell is in this cream dissipates very quickly as my skin very quickly drinks it in. I have very dry skin and this cream is doing wonders for it in the week I have been using it. It does not leave me feeling greasy or oily, just very soft and smooth. I have been using it all over my body, and I love it. I need a gallon sized jar of this stuff. It is one of the best moisturizers i have tried in a very long time. I really love that it is natural and organic, instead of full of chemicals and other junk that really do not help my dry skin. It only takes a little bit of this cream to works its magic, so this 2 ounce jar will last a while. When it runs out I will be back for more.

  I received this product free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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3 Compartment Bento Box with Lid 10 pack by Fit Simple

I love these bowls. They are really large and hold a lot of food. They are great for dinner left overs for lunches. These have 3 compartments in them, you can place a full meal in one bowl and everything is separated. I make enough food at dinner time so my Husband, Daughter, and Son In Law can take left overs for lunch the next day. It used to take a few bowls for each of them, now I can pack a full meal in one bowl. Less dishes for me to wash. Who wouldn't love that? The bowls are microwave and freezer safe as well. I really love that. Some things I make there is just so much left over, like with some stews and casseroles. Everyone burns out on it before we run out of it, I hate to waste food. Now I can store it in the freezer in these bowls and if we need a lunch just pull it out of the freezer the night before and let it thaw in the refrigerator over night and it is ready for lunch the next day.  I also love that these bowls set down into each other and the lids neatly stack on top of the pile. I have a very small kitchen with limited cabinet space, so these bowls are actually space savers for me. The lids fit very nicely on these bowls, I haven't actually put liquid in them and turned them upside down, but they say they are leak proof. I do know tomato sauce and a thick gravy did not spill out. These bowls are also dishwasher safe. I really like that they are black and do not show food stains. Tomato sauce does horrible things to some bowls. I don't have to see that with these black bowls.

  I received this product free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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