Blog of Children and Young Adult Author Ellwyn Autumn

The Cost Of Magic Book Tour & Giveaway

What would you risk to prove you belong –

Your life? Your freedom? Or the fate of a kingdom?

The Cost of Magic

Prequel to The Intrigue of Magic Series

by L.J. Evias

Genre: YA Epic Fantasy, Swords & Sorcery

She’s young, gifted, and desperate to prove she belongs. But some lessons come with a cost.

Torvia has one goal: to earn her place as a royal guard and repay the prince who saved her life. But despite her powerful magic, the prince refuses to send her into danger, and the princess wants her in court.

Everyone has a plan for Torvia’s future. None of them match her own.

So when a charming older boy offers secret lessons and a chance to escape her overprotective guardian, Torvia is tempted. He’s clever. He listens. And the magic he shows her is unlike anything she’s seen before.

But every step she takes draws her further from the path she planned – and one wrong move could cost her the mission, her future, and the prince who’s counting on her.

The Cost of Magic is a dark coming-of-age prequel to The Intrigue of Magic, a young adult epic fantasy series, perfect for readers who crave fierce heroines, tangled loyalties, and the high price of choosing your own path.

Start The Cost of Magic today and discover how one girl’s ambition can change the fate of a kingdom.

** Only .99cents for a limited time! **

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGB88PGF

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-cost-of-magic-the-gathering-storm-before-the-intrigue-of-magic-by-l-j-evias

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237778728-the-cost-of-magic

The Discovery of Magic

The Intrigue of Magic Book 1

A world ruled by magic. A palace full of secrets. A girl who refuses to back down.

Seventeen-year-old Alice Harper had her future mapped out—win an archery scholarship, protect her friends, and stay in control. But when a portal hurls her into a kingdom where magic rules and obedience means survival, she lands in a palace gripped by fear—and under the eye of the most powerful man in the realm.

The Royal Mage doesn’t just control the court—he controls people. With power, with fear, with enchantments no one dares resist. And for reasons Alice can’t explain, he’s taken a disturbing interest in her.

The only person who seems to want to help is the prince. He’s charming, clever—and very possibly lying. Caught between dangerous truths and beautiful deceits, Alice must decide who to trust before her friends are lost forever.

She’s not afraid of a fight. But in a world where magic is control, and trust is the most dangerous choice of all, surviving will take more than arrows—it will take everything she’s got.

The Discovery of Magic is the thrilling first book in The Intrigue of Magic, a YA epic fantasy series perfect for fans of court intrigue, character-driven fantasy, and bold heroines who don’t just survive—they fight for each other.

Buy The Discovery of Magic today to enter a world where freedom is fragile—and every alliance comes at a cost.

What readers are saying:

‘A creative first novel in the Intrigue of Magic series, the contemporary characters are endearing and believable figures with magical threats, delicate alliances, and savvy manipulators at every turn. The world-building is strong, with thematic undercurrents pointing back to contemporary life in a way that inspires a continuing sense of empathy for the characters. Evias’ care with character interaction and modern-day social parallels make it a distinctly compelling start to a new series.’ – Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

‘The world-building is great with detailed political structure and magical elements…Evias dishes up the angst that accompanies young love, and…is authentic in depicting the frustrations of youth…Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-executed entry to a new series and I look forward to seeing where we go next’ – Asher Syed, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★

‘…offers a balance of lightheartedness and tension, making it accessible to both younger and older audiences. This first book in the series holds great promise and delivers a charming and enjoyable story.’ – Carol Thompson, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★

‘L. J. Evias’ thrilling fantasy adventure will keep readers glued to the pages…The Discovery of Magic is a well-written, clean fantasy to be enjoyed by fantasy lovers young and old’ – Delene Vrey, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★

‘The Discovery of Magic is a compelling start to what promises to be an exceptional fantasy series for readers who appreciate carefully crafted magical worlds and meaningful character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.’ – K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★

‘A suspense-filled, magical adventure with a strong, reckless protagonist to root for. Highly recommended!’ – The Wishing Shelf, ★★★★

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6Z7T26R

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-discovery-of-magic-the-intrigue-of-magic-book-one-by-l-j-evias

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214622042-the-discovery-of-magic

About the Author

L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.

The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.

When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.

Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author’s website.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://ljevias.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561444597899

X: https://x.com/LJEvias

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/l-j-evias

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/L.-J.-Evias/author/B0D74M47KX

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50364595.L_J_Evias

Giveaway

$20 Amazon or Paypal

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://sdbook.promo/TheCostOfMagic

Where Birds Land Release Tour & Giveaway

An inspiring story of determination and grit . . .

Where Birds Land

by Mary Ruth Barnes

Genre: Native American Women’s Fiction

An inspiring story of determination and grit . . .

Ella McSwain is a Chickasaw woman raising her family amidst evolving turmoil within the budding state of Oklahoma. After Ella is left with an unusable plot of land, she finds herself fighting for her family’s rightful allotment. Faced with crooked businessmen, land grifters, and grueling court battles, can she summon the strength to persevere against all odds?

In this stand-alone companion to Little Bird, Mary Ruth Barnes crafts an engaging family saga that spans from Indian Territory to Oklahoma statehood against the backdrop of the state’s changing landscape.

Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTBQ3561/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-birds-land-mary-ruth-barnes/1147562641?ean=9781952397493

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/where-birds-land-by-mary-ruth-barnes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235693553-where-birds-land

About the Author

Mary Ruth Barnes graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from North Carolina State with high honors and a Master’s Degree from Montana State. After college, Barnes taught high school and college English, Art and Computer Science for 14 years.

Barnes has received numerous awards for her art and writing on the state and national level from 2011-2022. Barnes recently published her first novel “Little Bird” with the Chickasaw Press about her great-great-Grandmother’s journey in Indian Territory. “Little Bird” won two 2022 Ippy awards, receiving gold for the cover design and silver for best Midwest regional fiction.

Barnes is extremely active in her community through Rotary (a member since 1996), P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), and Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association. She is also a current member of the National Watercolor Society.

In 2022, Barnes was inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame and Capitol Hill High School Hall of Fame for leadership in her community. She also won the 2022 “55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans” award for making a difference in the lives of others.

In 2019, Barnes won the Women in the Arts Recognition award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. And in 2015, Barnes was selected as the Chickasaw Dynamic Woman of the year.

Barnes has had many short stories and watercolors featured in several issues of the journal of Chickasaw History and Culture, Ishtunowa. She was also honored as a Chickasaw Artist in the July 2015 issue of the Distinctly Oklahoma magazine.

Her story of inspiration leading to painting and drawing was featured in a book by Allison Fields, Chickasaw Artisans. In 2017, Barnes was selected for the registry of Native American Artists located at the Heard Museum in Scottsdale, AZ.

While traveling and vacationing in South Texas with her art, Barnes was interviewed and featured in the RV Wheel Life Magazine for the 2017 issue. Barnes retired from a career as the Director of Planned Giving for American Cancer Society in 2017, where she raised over 35 million dollars for cancer research.

Her artwork “Fight of Hope” is currently featured in the Cancer Journal of Native American Research and is on display in the surgery waiting room of the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center. Her watercolors can also be found at several locations across the State of Oklahoma, including the Artesian and the Welcome Center located in Davis.

She has been a long-time equestrian, Barnes and her husband, Mike live on a ranch in south central Oklahoma. They have two sons, Wiley and Selby Barnes, and six grandchildren. Both sons work for the Chickasaw Nation. Mrs. Barnes enjoys traveling with her husband in retirement.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Amazon

Author Links

Website: https://maryruthbarnes.com/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryruthbarnes1/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Ruth-Barnes/author/B0BBXPWGPP

Giveaway

$10 Amazon or Paypal

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://sdbook.promo/WhereBirdsLand

Direct link:

https://gleam.io/Acd29/where-birds-land

Rising Ember Book Tour & Giveaway

A kingdom divided will burn

Rising Ember

The Ember Crown Book 1

by Sara Wright

Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy

Dangerous games. Kill or be killed. Can she survive a king’s ruthless arena?

Clarissa craves an escape. An orphan forced into criminal acts with other kids by their caretaker, she longs to break free and become a healer. But when an archenemy provokes a deadly confrontation, the seventeen-year-old awakens hidden powers in an explosive and fiery defense.

Seized by soldiers and taken to the capital along with her only friend, Clarissa trains alongside other slaves to fight in the royal army. But surrounded by mysterious strangers and running low on trust, the desperate captive fears graduation day will be her last.

Is Clarissa destined to die in chains?

Rising Ember is the thrilling first book in the Forbidden Chronicles YA dystopian fantasy series. If you like strong-willed heroines, nail-biting drama, and clean slow-burn romance, then you’ll love Sara Wright’s action-packed adventure.

Buy Rising Ember to ignite destiny today!

**Get signed & special editions with maps, bookmarks & sprayed edges at Sara’s Store!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Sara’s Store: https://www.sarawrightbooks.com/wrightshop

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP7H2FMB

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/rising-ember-the-ember-crown-a-ya-dystopian-fantasy-series-by-sara-wright

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240934997-rising-ember

Book Trailer:

https://youtu.be/fEzTHBXsh4I

Excerpt: The Moment Everything Changes for Clarissa

Instead of reaching for my daggers, a molten heat surges beneath my skin, erupting from my outstretched hands in a blinding flash of light as I shoot a tremendously bright fireball at Abby. The group of friends scream as they duck, dropping Luna, and the flames smash into the wall of the tavern behind them, catching it on fire.

I’m frozen in place as I watch the tavern burn.

What did I just do?

About the Author

Sara Wright is the author of The Progenitor Chronicles and Forbidden Chronicles, a YA dystopian fantasy series packed with rebellion, elemental powers, and clean slow-burn romance.

She currently lives on Earth, her favorite vacation planet, with her husband and their very opinionated fur baby. But most days, she’s off exploring shattered kingdoms, star-spanning civilizations, and the occasional multiverse with her lifelong companions: Imagination and Creativity.

Raised on bedtime stories and fueled by a steady diet of fantasy, sci-fi, and a sweet topping of romance, Sara now writes tales for readers who crave action, heart, and hope. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cycling, hiking, or singing dramatically to songs she swears are soundtracks to her books.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://www.sarawrightbooks.com/theembercrownseries

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

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarawrightbooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sara-wright

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sara-Wright/author/B09YDQR9MG

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22328095.Sara_Wright

Ruined Ashes – prequel novella in the same series

Free when signing up for my newsletter.

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/s1w3rkeoe9

Giveaway

$10 Amazon or Paypal

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://sdbook.promo/RisingEmber

Danielle Gomes Guest Post

What is something unique/quirky about you?

My first job after college was a belly dancer at The Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas where I also learned to walk and dance on stilts.

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I didn’t grow up knowing that I wanted to be a writer, it happened by accident. I was always obsessed with stories, movies first and then as I got older, I became a reader.

When I was getting my Master’s Degree in Media and Journalism Studies, we had to take a graduate course outside of our degree focus. I thought I wanted to be a film critic so I took screenwriting as my outside course.

The only assignment for screenwriting was to pitch and write a full-length screenplay. So, I pitched and wrote a screenplay about my dad’s life story. He had been an investigator for the Nevada Gaming Control Board in the 1970’s and uncovered the skim portrayed in the movie casino.

The class loved the story. The pitch was supposed to be around twenty minutes, but I ended up talking for the entire class period which was about an hour and a half. I ended up turning that screenplay into a treatment, getting an agent, and writing my first book—Hit Me! Fighting the Las Vegas Mob by the Numbers. In that process, I found that I loved writing and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Who is your hero and why?

My parents are my heroes. They both had incredible careers and raised my siblings and me with so much love and support. My dad was a law enforcement agent and then went into the casino business and became one of the most successful casino executives in the industry.

He passed away about ten years ago, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. His motto in life was “Love is the most powerful force in the Universe.” He truly believed that. He helped so many people.

My mom was a professional dancer and ballerina. She’s the epitome of grace and beauty. Now in her 70s, she recently launched her second career. She invented and patented a new nail care tool. She’s incredible and so filled with love.

What inspired you to write Roll Them Bones?

I grew up in the casino business. When I was about twelve, we even lived in a casino for almost a year. When my family moved from Las Vegas to Atlantic City and our house was being built we lived at the Taj Mahal (now Hard Rock) Casino.

Then later in my dad’s career, he worked at Resorts Casino Hotel. While he was there, I learned about the history of the building, I toured the basements, saw the twelve-and-a-half floor, and heard all of the ghost stories.

The building has such an incredible history and trust me when I tell you, the basement is creepy! I thought it would make the perfect setting for a horror.

Convince us why you feel your story is a must read.

Roll Them Bones is inspired by a real place with an incredible history. The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel, which is now Resorts Casino Hotel, was built in the 1920s.

During World War II, the hotel was converted to the Thomas England General Hospital which was the largest surgical hospital during that time. Roll Them Bones takes the history of the building and infuses it with the true history of the occult, some conspiracies from that era, and merges it with a modern spin.

Roll Them Bones is a spine-tingling read with a unique setting. At its heart it’s the origin story of a new female anti-hero, Lillith, that will leave you craving more of her.

What is your advice to new authors?

I will give new writers the same advice that I received and led me to write Roll Them Bones—write what you know.

I know the casino business and as a trained researcher and journalist I know how to do research. With Roll Them Bones, I started with a strong foundation built on what I know.

This foundation allowed my imagination to run wild and create a completely off-the-wall, fun, terrifying story that’s grounded in fact.

Roll Them Bones Book Tour & Giveaway

Winning at this casino can be HELL

Roll Them Bones

by Danielle Gomes

Genre: Supernatural Thriller, Horror

A gripping supernatural thriller where the house always wins—unless you’re willing to burn it all down.

When Lilith Umbra flees Las Vegas for a fresh start at the Golden Sands Casino in Atlantic City, she thinks she’s escaping her tragic past. But some fates can’t be outrun.

Strange occurrences plague the crumbling casino: phantom sounds, impossible shadows, and visions that feel disturbingly real. Local journalist Sharp insists the building is cursed, while her charismatic boss Amon dismisses such claims as nonsense.

But when Lilith uncovers a mysterious book detailing the rituals of a powerful occult organization, she realizes the truth is far more sinister than any ghost story.

As ancient prophecies collide with modern ambition, Lilith discovers she hasn’t stumbled into evil’s path—she’s been guided there. With allies who may be enemies and time running out, she faces an impossible choice that will determine not just her fate, but the fate of humanity itself.

Perfect for fans of supernatural thrillers who love unreliable narrators, shocking twists, and stories where nothing is as it seems.

Some games are rigged from the start. But sometimes, the only way to win is to change the rules entirely.

Excerpt:

Excerpt from Roll Them Bones by Danielle Gomes

“How big is the basement area?” I ask, a weak attempt to dispel the quiet.

“It’s very large. The shipping dock unloads to an underground warehouse, so we have some storage areas. Facilities has a few offices down here. Then everything’s connected by these tunnels. It’s very safe, just don’t explore alone ‘til you really learn your way around.”

“I don’t plan on spending much time down here.”

“The tunnels can be very confusing. Some lead nowhere. They used to run under the street and connect multiple buildings, but most of those buildings have been torn down and the tunnels closed off.”

I have to jog a little to keep up with Peter, he’s moving so quickly . . . for which I’m grateful. We take a quick left, followed by a right, and another left—I think.

“Am I going too fast?” Peter yells back to me.

“Nope,” I say as my heel catches and I stumble, nearly going down. As I regain my balance, I turn to look for whatever caught my heel. It felt like a trick kids do to each other, but I don’t see anything that could have tripped me.

“Sorry,” Peter says. “I should’ve told you to wear your walking shoes.”

“I should know better than to wear shoes like this to work.” Mom’s insistence that heels belong in a workplace hadn’t considered a basement tour. The lights flicker then go dark. It’s pitch black. “Peter!” I grope at the darkness, searching for something to hang onto. My fingers brush across something soft—Peter’s sweater. I grab on. The dark is so absolute that my fingers instinctively tighten into a frenzied clutch, as though this sweater is the only thing that anchors me to the real world. “I’m sorry,” I say.

“Did you say something?” His voice is much too far away. Whatever I’m holding onto, it isn’t Peter’s sweater. Immediately, I let go and swallow as a current of cold, dense air pours down on me. “Peter?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” he yells from up ahead.

“Where?” I know someone is right by me and it’s not Peter. My scalp tingles like thousands of ants have poured out of the darkness and are working their way through my hair. As I gasp for air, I’m hit with the acrid aroma of old fabric, wet and rotten. Part of me wants to thrash my arms, wildly fighting off whatever is close, but the other part wants to shrink back and hide in the dark.

“Just a little farther up. It’s very dark. Hold on.”

I freeze. Even my breath becomes shallow. Tears burn.

I’m completely and utterly paralyzed.

Something inches closer.

Edgeweaver Books * Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Edgeweaver Books: https://www.edgeweaverbooks.com/product-page/roll-them-bones-digital-epub

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5B2N7K

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/roll-them-bones/id6748436658

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/roll-them-bones-danielle-gomes/1147826382?ean=9781968100124

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=oJJuEQAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/roll-them-bones-3

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/roll-them-bones-by-danielle-gomes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238520162-roll-them-bones

About the Author

Danielle Gomes is an accomplished author, freelance journalist, and brand development specialist known for her dynamic, cinematic storytelling and ability to blend real-world themes with suspenseful narratives.

She holds a Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), a foundation that supports her diverse work in nonfiction, fiction, and media. Gomes gained recognition with Hit Me!

Fghting the Las Vegas Mob by the Numbers, a gripping true crime book co-authored with Jay Bonansinga that chronicles her father’s efforts to dismantle mob influence in 1970s Las Vegas.

She later ventured into science fiction with EVE-0 and Lucien, a high-stakes thriller series exploring genetic engineering and global pandemics. Her work has earned critical acclaim, including a Telly Award and a Videographer’s Award of Excellence for a documentary short on homelessness. She is a member of the Authors Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Horror Writers Association.

Website * Website * Facebook * Facebook * X * Instagram * Instagram * Bookbub * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://danielle-gomes-writes.com/

Website: https://www.edgeweaverbooks.com/

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

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

X: https://x.com/EdgeWeaverBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielle.n.gomes

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/danielle-gomes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6544137.Danielle_Gomes

Giveaway

Choice of print or ebook of Roll Them Bones,

$20 Amazon/Paypal – 1 winner each!

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://sdbook.promo/RollThemBones

Switch Book Tour & Giveaway

A fast-paced techno thriller that brings a gripping conclusion to the E&A Investigations series as Mari Ellwyn faces her past, her nemesis, and a web of high-stakes crimes.

Switch

E&A Investigations Book 3

by Lisa Towles

Genre: Mystery Crime Thriller, Suspense

A body vanished from the morgue. A coastal town gripped by bank heists.

The only link is a past that someone will kill to keep buried.

In Book 3 of the E&A Investigations series, Mari Ellwyn and Derek Abernathy return to track a string of unsettling bank robberies. Their case takes a dark turn with the bizarre disappearance of a body from the local morgue, a mystery connected to the vanishing of the previous Medical Examiner, Dr. Camille Bota. Their investigation plunges them into the dangerous world of a multi-national organization involved in suspected fraud and fringe technology research. For Mari, the case ignites a personal quest, forcing her to confront the long-unresolved disappearance of her father, CIA operative Richard Ellwyn.

The deeper she digs, the more Mari realizes that both she and her father are inextricably linked to their lifelong nemesis, the notorious international crime boss Jacques Martel. The missing body and the secrets surrounding Dr. Bota become entangled with her father’s shadowy past and Martel’s deadly machinations. In a high-stakes collision of family secrets and criminal enterprise, Mari must confront her father and their shared enemy before they both become casualties in Martel’s lethal game.

REVIEWS:

“A taut, high-intelligence thriller with real emotional teeth…” – The Prairies Book Review

Fast-paced, smart, and full of twists, this is a thriller that delivers both heart and heat.” —Scott Olsen, San Francisco Book Review

“A breakneck techno-thriller that crackles with smart dialogue, raw emotion, and relentless tension.” – Literary Titan

This exhilarating, action-infused crime thriller deftly incorporates suspense with harrowing drama to keep readers turning the pages. – The Book Commentary

**Releases on Sep 30th!!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FHJ7NZRH

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/switch-e-a-investigations-thriller-series-book-3-by-lisa-towles

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238761162-switch

Book Trailer:

Salt Island

E&A Investigations Thriller Series Book 2

“This book is an intricate, immersive, and riveting thriller, with plenty of surprising twists and turns.” — Readers’ Choice

In the heart-pounding international thriller Salt Island, Mari Ellwyn, a former-CIA private investigator, finds herself thrust into a perilous world of high-stakes corporate espionage and ecoterrorism. As her newly formed partnership with Derek Abernathy is put to the ultimate test, Mari faces a daunting challenge that forces her to confront powerful ghosts from her past.

When billionaire CEO Jack Darcy’s reputation and IPO deal are under threat, Mari finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, lies and corporate fraud. The disappearance of Jack’s glamorous wife, coupled with the unraveling of a dark secret within his esteemed environmental startup, leaves Mari with unanswered question and a thirst for Justice.

While Mari’s partner Derek goes undercover to investigate a series of suspicious deaths on a local farm in California’s Central Valley, Mari grapples with the haunting truth about her missing father—a man with a double identity and secret agenda. Determined to uncover the depths of her father’s involvement with her case, Mari embarks on a solo journey to the British Virgin Islands, a hidden Caribbean refuge that holds the key to her own identity and future.

With Derek gone and time running out, Mari must decide whether to risk everything to uncover the truth or succumb to the powerful forces that seek to bury it forever. Get your copy of Salt Island now and brace yourself of a relentless rollercoaster. Secrets can’t stay buried forever, but now Mari is alone, exposed and fighting for her survival.

What readers are saying about the award-winning Salt Island:

“An often engaging tale of money, danger, and family.” – Kirkus

“An intricate, gorgeously written, character-driven page-turner with some shocking twists.” – Prairies Book Reviews

“An intoxicating read, hugely entertaining.” – The Book Commentary

“An exceptional thriller and a riveting work of espionage, wrongdoing, and discovery.” – Midwest Book Review

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BW4QLC2R

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/salt-island-e-a-investigations-thriller-series-book-2-by-lisa-towles

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122826130-salt-island

Book Trailer:

Hot House

E&A Investigations Book 1

Who killed Sophie Michaud? Stay up all night reading this award-winning psychological thriller that has readers obsessed.

Shot in the line of duty, ex CIA operative Mari Ellwyn is again chasing adrenaline, when she reinvents herself as a private investigator on a quest to find the killer of college student Sophie Michaud. Every door Mari opens proves to be more perilous than the last, but she’s hell bent on bringing the killer to justice—for Sophie, students, and all women.

Teaming up with seasoned investigator and former detective, Derek Abernathy, the crime-savvy pair discover Sophie’s journal, which is filled with names and controversial secrets—listed among them is Mari’s own father.

What secrets was Sophie hiding?

As they connect the dots leading to Sophie’s death, the blackmailing of a federal judge, and Mari’s own family, Sophie’s murderer is closing in for the next kill. Facing an adversary like none she’s ever experienced before, Mari must find her missing father and reconcile her broken past before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

A multiple award-winning novel, Hot House is a page-turning psychological thriller packed with tension, secrets, suspense, and surprises. If you like Blake Crouch, Harlan Coben, and Lisa Gardner, discover Lisa Towles’ E&A Series today.

First Place Winner of The Book Fest 2022 Literary Award, Mystery & Crime category
Literary Titan Gold Award for Fiction

Escape into this devious mind mystery by getting your copy of Hot House now, so you can solve the puzzle of who killed Sophie Michaud.

What readers are saying:

“A dark, edge-of-the-seat thriller. Highly recommended!”Chanticleer Reviews

“Memorable characters make for a winsome, absorbing detective tale.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Towles does a fantastic job of pacing the storyline so that the reader hangs on to every clue… I recommend this for fans of crime fiction writers Baldacci, Slaughter, and Gardner.” San Francisco Book Review

“Award-winning author Lisa Towles delivers again and again with her gripping thrillers…” Sarah Lovett, Bestselling author

“The plot is propelled forward by the clever use of suspense, measured action, and ingeniously written conflict. It is a moving and delightful read with cinematic scenes and characters that will stick with readers for a long after they turn the last page.” – The Book Commentary

“Hot House is an intricate maze of blackmail, surprise and suspense delivered by quirky characters, pithy dialog and LOL humor. Another hit by my favorite thriller writer, Lisa Towles.” – Ana Manwaring

“Fans of investigative thrillers and mysteries will be the audience for Hot House, but its ability to craft a sassy, fun series of dialogues and inspections… creates an exceptional read with a powerfully unexpected conclusion... This will attract audiences both within and beyond the thriller and mystery genres.” – Midwest Book Review

“Towles has produced a knockout novel with Hot House. Towles’s plot is as twisted and unpredictable… Nowhere will thriller fans find a more engaging keep-you-on-your-toes read.” – Literary Titan

“This meticulously constructed, remarkable mystery deftly explores people’s darkest flaws while revealing hard truths about the hidden workings of the world. A fast-paced and psychologically astute thriller.” Prairies Book Review

“Hot House is one of those books that pries your eyelids open and doesn’t relent until you’ve reached the end. Good luck getting Mari out of your head!” – Benjamin Bradley

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09R2D22FW

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-house/id1607582241

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-house-lisa-towles/1140942933?ean=2940165766688

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-house-7

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1129151

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/hot-house-e-a-investigations-book-1-by-lisa-towles

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59917875-hot-house

Book Trailer:

About the Author

Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist and a passionate speaker on the topics of fiction writing, creativity, and Strategic Self Care.

Lisa has 11 crime novels in print with her newest title Specimen freshly released in November 2024. The first two books of her E&A Investigations Series (Hot House and Salt Island) were both #1 Amazon Kindle Bestsellers.

Lisa also writes standalone thrillers, such as her 2022 political thriller, The Ridders, which won an American Fiction Award. Lisa is an active member and frequent panelist/speaker of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers.

She has an MBA in IT Management and works full-time in the tech industry.

Read more about Lisa’s book on her publisher’s website.

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Author Links

Website: http://lisatowles.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/writertowles

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisatowleswriter

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-towles

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Towles/e/B001JS7KWI

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16462448.Lisa_Towles

Giveaway

$20 Amazon or Paypal

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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The Rabbi’s Knight Book Tour & Giveaway

In possession of a cryptic ancient scroll, Rabbi Samuel, St. Clair and the others will risk everything to fulfill their shared and sacred destiny as guardians of the Temple Mount.

The Rabbi’s Knight

Prequel to Wages of Empire

by Michael J. Cooper

Genre: Historical Fiction

“The Rabbi’s Knight is instantly compelling and fascinating in its arcane plot and propulsive pacing. Literally, a page turner!” -Sylvia Boorstein, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Happiness Is an Inside Job

“A well-written historical adventure story . . . with unexpected twists and turns that keep you hooked . . . an exciting and historically fascinating read.” -Andrew Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of Blue Madagascar and the Homeland novels

The year is 1290. At the twilight of the Crusades, war-weary Knight Templar Jonathan St. Clair is garrisoned in the port city of Acre in the Holy Land. In possession of an ancient scroll with a cryptic inscription, he learns that it holds the key to unlock the secrets of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

But time is running out. Acre will soon come under siege, and the one man able to divine the scroll’s meaning, Rabbi Samuel of Baghdad, has been targeted for assassination. St. Clair apprentices himself to Rabbi Samuel and together they travel to Jerusalem.

On their pilgrimage, they are hunted by scheming emirs in the service of a bitter enemy of Rabbi Samuel. But they are aided in their quest by others: a brilliant young scholar, Isaac of Acre; a powerful young Scotsman, William Wallace; a learned Muslim mathematician, physician, and cartographer, al-Hasani; and a beautiful independent-minded woman, Zahirah, who avoids serving in an emir’s harem by hiding in a leper colony on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Rabbi Samuel, St. Clair and the others will risk everything to fulfill their shared and sacred destiny as guardians of the Temple Mount.

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLF6XRQ2

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-rabbis-knight/id6749653141

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rabbis-knight-michael-j-cooper/1121698524?ean=9798888248140

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-rabbi-s-knight?sId=6f84596b-25c4-412b-981c-9ecf4020db74

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-rabbi-s-knight/8431e19228eea20b?ean=9798888248133&next=t

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-rabbi-s-knight-by-michael-j-cooper

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239831974-the-rabbi-s-knight

Wages of Empire

Book 1

Winner — 2025 Pacific Book Award for Best Historical Fiction
Winner — 2025 International Impact Award for Historical Military Fiction

Grand prize winner – 2022 CIBA Dante Rossetti Award for YA fiction
First place honors – 2022 CIBA Hemingway Award for wartime fiction
#1 Amazon Best Seller—Jan 2024—Historical World War I Fiction

In the summer of 1914, sixteen-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to join the Great War for Civilization. Little does he know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.

Filled with such historical figures as Gertrude Bell, T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein and Chaim Weizmann, Wages of Empire follows Evan through the killing fields of the Western Front where he will help turn the tide of a war that is just beginning, and become part of a story that’s still being written.

“Masterful storytelling will keep you furiously turning the pages of this compelling (historical WWI) novel. A winner!”–Andrew Kaplan, New York Times Best-Selling Author of Blue Madagascar and the Homeland Novels

“The characters, historical and fictional, come to life on the page as the storyline drives relentlessly forward. Bravo!”–Matt Coyle, bestselling author of the Rick Cahill novels

“A beautifully written tale…exhibits seamless research in illuminating unforgettable historical and fictional characters…a tour de force!” –Professor Ronit Meroz, Dept of Jewish Philosophy and Talmud, Tel-Aviv University, Israel

“This superb historical novel is a must read…directly relates to issues we face today.” –Rizek Abusharr – Emeritus Director General of Jerusalem International YMCA

“Cooper has made this period of history come alive. It is a treat to read.” –Rabbi David Zisenwine, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Education, Tel Aviv University

“A Young Indiana Jones–style adventure.” –KIRKUS reviews

“Story is gripping and the characters that he describes come alive through his skillful writing. I couldn’t put it down!” –Rabbi Gordon Freeman, Ph.D., Rabbi Emeritus, B’nai Shalom, Walnut Creek, CA

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wages-Empire-Michael-J-Cooper-ebook/dp/B0CKH2L2DY

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/wages-of-empire/id6468759711

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wages-of-empire-michael-j-cooper/1144127293?ean=9798888241875

BooksAMillion: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Wages-Empire/Michael-J-Cooper/9798888241882?id=8952279777643

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/wages-of-empire-1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/wages-of-empire-michael-j-cooper/20653785?ean=9798888241882

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/wages-of-empire-by-michael-j-cooper

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199369144-wages-of-empire

Crossroads of Empire

Book 2

Winner — 2025 International Impact Award for Historical War & Military Fiction

Winner of the 2024 CIBA Hemingway First Place Prize for 20th Century Wartime Historical Fiction

2024 SF Writers Conference Writing Contest Finalist-Adult Fiction

“. . . both a gripping page turner and a series of carefully observed character studies. Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the era, Crossroads of Empire is a must-read for readers of all ages” -Chanticleer Book Reviews

The story of Evan Sinclair that began in Wages of Empire continues in Crossroads of Empire. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely survives his hospital ship’s sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is.

Likewise, Evan doesn’t recall that, despite the European war, the true source of conflict is in Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount that Kaiser Wilhelm II dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor over Arabian oil reserves and the Suez Canal.

The Middle East Front soon explodes with pitched battles at Suez and Gallipoli as Evan’s story is interwoven with those of historical figures Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann.

During his quest to recover his memory Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline-an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.

“Cooper masterfully crafts a novel that intertwines vivid characters and complex themes, blending historical fiction with elements of mystery and intrigue. This unique combination makes it a must-read for fans of both genres.”
—BookTrib Review

“In page after page of Crossroads of Empire, I was thrilled with how the plot widened with various actors added as history unfolded one step at a time. The book picked up speed as it moved along with rising tension as disparate subplots charged forward to the conclusion. I loved it! Bravo!”
—Sylvia Boorstein, PhD, bestselling author, teacher of Buddhist Insight Meditation, and co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center

“Crossroads of Empire dives into the tumultuous waters of World War I, presenting a thrilling narrative enriched by a blend of historical and fictional characters. Cooper’s writing is compelling and richly detailed, offering a tapestry of scenes that bring early 20th-century conflicts vividly to life.”
—Literary Titan Review

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLXXFVXY

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/crossroads-of-empire/id6737786993

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crossroads-of-empire-michael-j-cooper/1146286661?ean=9798888245132

BAM: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Crossroads-Empire/Michael-J-Cooper/9798888245125?id=9371349831887

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/crossroads-of-empire-1

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/crossroads-of-empire-michael-j-cooper/21795830?ean=9798888245125

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/crossroads-of-empire-by-michael-j-cooper

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219050197-crossroads-of-empire

About the Author

Michael J Cooper writes historical mysteries set in the Holy Land at major turning points of history—all the while subtly promoting the notions of coexistence and peace.

His books have won multiple awards and include; set in 1948 Jerusalem Foxes in the Vineyard (winner of the 2011 Indie Publishing Contest Grand Prize); set at the twilight of the Crusades in 1290, The Rabbi’s Knight (finalist for the CIBA 2014 Chaucer Award for historical fiction);

set at the start of WWI in 1914, Wages of Empire (winner of the 2025 Pacific Book Award for best historical fiction, winner 2025 International Impact Award for historical military fiction, the CIBA 2022 Grand Prize for young adult fiction as well as the Hemingway first prize for wartime historical fiction);

A sequel of Wages of Empire, Crossroads of Empire (winner of the 2025 International Impact Award for historical war & military fiction as well as first place in the 2024 CIBA Hemingway for 20^th Century wartime historical fiction, placed as a finalist in the 2024 SF Writers Conference and won first prize honors in the 2023 CIBA Hemingway wartime historical fiction category).

A native of Berkeley, California, Cooper absconded to Israel after high school and spent the next eleven years studying and working there.

He lived in Jerusalem during the last year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan, studied at Hebrew University, and graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School.

He returned to the US to specialize in pediatric cardiology, and after 40 years of practice, he continues to return to the Middle East for biannual volunteer missions serving Palestinian children who lack access to care.

Otherwise, he lives in Northern California with his wife and a spoiled-rotten cat. Three adult children occasionally drop by.

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