mystery | Ellwyn Autumn

The Angel Scroll Virtual Book Tour

GENRE: Spiritual Romance, Mystery/Thriller

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BLURB:

ONE ANCIENT PROPHECY, TWO HEARTBROKEN LOVERS, AND A WORLDWIDE SCAVENGER HUNT FOR THREE MIRACULOUS PAINTINGS.

After her husband’s death, New York artist Claire Lucas has baffling dreams and waking visions as she channels an enigmatic and healing painting of a holy man in India at the deathbed of a young woman.

When widowed antiquarian Richard Markson announces that Claire’s canvas is one-third of three paintings prophesied by the Angel Scroll, a recently discovered Dead Sea parchment, she is pulled into an international scavenger hunt to find the stolen scroll and the paintings it predicts.

As she pursues the paintings with Richard across historic and holy sites in America, Israel, and Europe, Claire encounters a series of remarkable teachers.

A Buddhist, a Benedictine monk, and a professor of early goddess worship all provide rich explanations for the artist’s compelling and perplexing psychic experiences — until she assembles the incredible triptych and deciphers its inspirational message for the modern world.

Excerpt:

Richard looked at the beautiful young woman who strolled beside him, the sun picking up copper highlights in her rich dark curls and catching golden flecks in her green eyes. She had been through a lot.

He wanted to put his arm around her shoulder and draw her close, hold her, and protect her. Instead, he pressed his hand for a moment on the small of her back, allowing himself to feel her warm skin through her white cotton artist’s blouse before he let his hand drop.

His touch caught Claire by surprise. The gentle pressure on her back felt so intimate and filled her with unanticipated pleasure that stirred sensations in her groin.

She felt an aching need to lean into him. Instead, she wandered away from his side to regain her balance. Looking in a shop window, she let herself be distracted by the display of distinctive, hand-painted pottery.

Richard felt chastened. She was so light and free with me on that amazing afternoon we spent together in Jerusalem, he thought.

She seemed to love exploring the old city and markets, but since London, she’s been cool. Whenever I get close, she tenses up. I should keep some distance and not crowd her.

It’s a bad idea to push unwanted affection on her when she’s obviously still grieving for Jake. It’s too soon for her to think about being with another man. And then there’s the lie I told her about Hilde.

About The Author:

Penelope Holt was born and educated in England and now lives in New York. She is a novelist, playwright, business writer, and marketing executive, whose work has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, York Arts Center, and New York’s American Folk Theater.

In addition to writing fiction, The Angel Scroll, and The Apple, based on the controversial Herman Rosenblat Holocaust romance, Holt is a prolific writer, editor, and co-author of non-fiction, including Business Intelligence at Work A Personal Operating System for Career Success, Singing God’s Work, the story of the Harlem Gospel Choir, and many other works.

She is married with two children.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Angel-Scroll-Prophecy-Destiny-Novel-ebook/dp/B0D56KD3N5/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5043

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/11/fs-nbtm-virtual-tour-angel-scroll-by.html

Get To Know Penelope Holt

What group did you hang out with in high school?

I was a day pupil at an all-girl Catholic convent school in England run by nuns from the Order of the Cross and Passion. I ran with a gang that included Margaret, Claire, Tammy, and Helen.

We talked boys, movies, fashion, and celebrity crushes. We gossiped and moaned because we were forced to wear restrictive uniforms.

What are you passionate about these days?

I’m experiencing a renewed passion for writing with so many ideas flowing, and not enough time to bring them all to fruition.

My other career is in marketing and advertising, and I’m currently helping to build a mentoring platform to support young people in career exploration. Working with a founding group on a passion project offsets the solitary pursuit of writing.

If you had to do your journey to getting published all over again, what would you do differently?

I’m not sure. Publishing is so dynamic these days. Initially, self-publishing was considered vanity publishing, but now it’s preferable in many ways.

Self-published books are often excellent and well-received. They make more economic sense for authors, especially since there are so many great low-cost marketing tools out there.

Writers must decide when it serves them to secure a publishing house to represent them, and when to self-publish.

My only regret is that my career in marketing often left little time for creative writing, even though it always gave me daily opportunities to undertake creative writing tasks for business.

Ebook or print? And why?

Both because target readers embrace one or the other and it’s important to reach as many as possible.

What is your favorite scene in this book?

Announcing my favorite scene would give away the ending. I do love the early dream sequences where Claire sees a Christlike figure at the deathbed of a beautiful young woman in India whom he does not save.

The scene is so powerful that Claire channels it into a healing masterpiece that is one-third of the miraculous triptych that the Angel Scroll prophesies.

Double Takedown Book Tour

What happens when a closed case cracks wide open?

Double Takedown

A Mike Stoneman Thriller #6

by Kevin G. Chapman

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

What if everything you thought you knew was wrong?

The glittering lights of Broadway are just a cover for the dark secrets hidden behind the curtains.

NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson are about to find out how many layers one story can have in their latest case.

As they prepare to testify in a high-profile murder trial, they begin to question if they got it wrong. The Broadway director claims evidence was planted to frame him and that Mike and Jason developed tunnel vision.

If they did, can they live with themselves, knowing that an innocent man might be convicted . . . and that someone else got away with the perfect crime?

With orders to stay away from the closed case, Mike and Jason are plagued by doubts and can’t let it go.

When new evidence leads to even more questions, the detectives race to put the pieces together and uncover the whole truth.

But their unauthorized investigation could lead to catastrophic collateral damage, could cost them their badges, and the director may still be guilty.

For fans of intense crime thrillers and complex characters, Double Takedown is a must-read.

What readers are saying:

“A fantastic story with delicious plotting! A crime thriller that’s more than a cut above the rest.” ~Anna Willett, author of the Cold Case Mysteries featuring Detective Inspector Veronika Pope.

“The sixth installment in the Mike Stoneman Mystery series, Double Takedown is a mind-blowing and perfect detective mystery read.” ~Feathered Quill Reviews https://featheredquill.com/double-takedown/

“Mike and Jason are probably my two favourite detectives. Their side stories with their wives and families enhance what is already sure to be a great read. Another page-turner, you won’t put this down till the end, I promise!” ~@Roxxisreading

“A compelling mixture of mystery, police procedural, and thriller. I couldn’t put it down.” ~ Guy Wheatley author of From the Delta Mud.

“As a retired Homicide Investigator after thirty years, trust me when I tell you that Double Takedown reads as real and as gritty as any case that I ever worked. A mystery tour de force for the ages.” ~ Frederick Douglass Reynolds, Award Winning author of Saint Bloodbath, and Black, White, and Gray All Over.

“In this gripping installment to the Mike Stoneman detective series, we dive into the underbelly of the theatrical world where drugs are routine and the line between accident and foul play blurs. I couldn’t put it down.” ~Daniel V. Meier Jr., Award winning author of the Sam Adams Investigator series.

Amazon * Audible * B&N * BookShop.org * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCH2CZCN

Audible: https://www.amazon.com/Double-Takedown-Mike-Stoneman-Book/dp/B0DLLLPY46

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-takedown-kevin-g-chapman/1146139502?ean=9781958339237

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/double-takedown-a-mike-stoneman-mystery-kevin-g-chapman/21708047?ean=9781958339237

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/double-takedown-mike-stoneman-6-mike-stoneman-thriller-by-kevin-g-chapman

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217285611-double-takedown

Excerpt

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FIRST ACT of the ballet, Rachel pulled down her sparkling purple facemask and whispered into Jason’s ear, “What’s going on down there?”

They were seated in the next-to-last row of the orchestra level. At the front of the house, partially illuminated by the stage lights, someone was standing.

Rachel could not see who it was, but could hear the buzz of people talking. Then, a woman’s scream attracted everyone’s attention. Necks strained to see. More people stood.

The music stopped in the middle of the piece. The performers continued dancing for several seconds on a silent stage.

The conductor, standing on a raised podium so she could see the stage and the orchestra pit, turned toward the audience.

She was talking into her headset microphone. There was another scream. Then the conductor’s voice boomed over the sound system.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats. We have a medical emergency in the front row. If there are any doctors in the house, we need assistance right away.”

Rachel’s EMT training kicked in before the conductor finished saying “emergency.”

She leapt over Jason’s lap, then kicked off her heels as she sprinted barefoot down the long, sloping path toward the stage.

Dozens of people began filming on their phones. Despite the conductor’s instruction, half the house seemed to be standing.

Mike jumped up as soon as he saw Rachel leave her seat. He grabbed Jason’s sleeve. “Let’s go, we need to work crowd control down there. Michelle, call 9-1-1.”

Jason and Mike were forty feet behind Rachel. When they reached the front of the theater, a small group of gawkers had already gathered in the aisle.

“NYPD! Please take your seats and keep this aisle clear for emergency services!” Jason shouted, his baritone carrying throughout the auditorium.

Mike gently eased several men in formalwear away from the space between the front row and the orchestra pit.

Jason did the same. The two detectives took up positions on either side of the aisle, casting authoritative glares at anyone who seemed interested in venturing toward the commotion in front of the stage.

Jason glanced down the front row and saw Rachel’s bare back hunched over someone lying on the floor.

The straps of her purple dress flashed in the house lights, which had come on. Rachel and two men worked together to drag a figure on the floor toward more open space.

Jason saw black shoes and pants, but could not see the man’s face. An usher ran down the aisle, holding a small red case that Mike assumed was an automated external defibrillator.

He dashed past the two cops and handed the device to Rachel, who had taken charge of the emergency situation.

Rachel barked instructions while prepping the AED, then administered an electric charge to the victim’s now-bare chest.

On the elevated stage, twenty dancers leaned over the edge to watch.

One minute later, an actual EMT team barreled down the aisle with a gurney on wheels carrying their own equipment.

Rachel remained on her knees, working on the supine man, while the two tuxedoed doctors stepped back.

The public address system announced that there would be an intermission in the performance due to the medical emergency and asked everyone to calmly return to the lobby.

As the crowd slowly rose and meandered to the exit, those still filming remained standing until Mike, Jason, and several ushers shouted them into submission and herded them toward the doors.

On the floor, the EMT crew loaded the unconscious man onto their gurney, then hustled out an emergency exit door at the left corner of the stage.

As soon as the crew passed them, Jason and Mike rushed toward Rachel. Jason gently pulled her to a standing position.

She hugged Jason in her bare feet as Mike stood back. Before Jason and Rachel disengaged, a tap on Mike’s back caused him to spin around.

Michelle held out Rachel’s sparkling heels with a concerned expression.

“Don’t like following instructions, huh?” Mike said.

Michelle flashed a tiny smile. “I told the usher I’m a doctor and he let me stay.”

“Thanks,” Rachel said, slumping into a front-row seat and working to slide back into her shoes.

“Do you know who that was on the floor?” Michelle asked.

Rachel stood. “Oh my God. You couldn’t see, could you? It was Alex Bishop.”

“The lead in Godfather? He was just nominated for a Tony!” Michelle grabbed Mike’s sleeve.

“He was,” Rachel said, “but unless the EMT crew works a miracle, he won’t be there to win it.”

Don’t miss the rest of the series!

Find them on Amazon!

Giveaway

Hardcover copy of Double Takedown (US only),

$20 Amazon giftcard – (WW) – 1 winner each!

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

https://bit.ly/DoubleTakedownTour

About the Author

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Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. In 2021, Kevin finished the first five books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous Assassin (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Deadly Enterprise (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal Voyage, (Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE finalist), Fatal Infraction (Best Police Procedural of the year – CLUE Award), and Perilous Gambit.

In late 2022, Kevin published a stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award – Best Suspense/Thriller of the year).

Then, in 2024 came The Other Murder, winner of the CLUE Award Grand Prize (best suspense/thriller of the year) and finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award. Now, in 2025, Mike Stoneman is back in book #6, Double Takedown.

Kevin is a resident of Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.

Website * Facebook * FB Group * Twitter * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://kevingchapman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078121015900

FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/703027696777079

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kgchapman

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kevingchapman.bsky.social

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kevin-g-chapman

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kevin-G-Chapman/e/B00J1GJZNM

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5194743.Kevin_G_Chapman

The Life & Times of Sherlock Holmes Book Tour

A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.

The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes

Essays on Victorian England Book V

by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Genre: Nonfiction History, Literary Criticism

Rediscover Victorian England’s forgotten history and culture.

Volume V of The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes explores the cultural, scientific, and historical allusions found throughout Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective stories.

This collection of essays unpacks twenty-four topics mentioned in the original mysteries, from everyday details like hats and plumbing to complex issues such as international spying, the binomial theorem, and relations with Russia.

Through such insights, readers gain a deeper understanding of the Victorian world in which Holmes operated.

Other essays explore both the familiar and the obscure, touching on subjects like the KKK’s presence in England, the significance of whaling, and legal concepts like insanity and blackmail.

Unique cultural topics—such as the role of curry in the British Empire, the rise of bohemianism, and the Victorian obsession with rejuvenation through animal hormones—reveal the rich complexity of the era.

The collection also features a bonus essay on Sarah Cushing from The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, offering fresh insight into one of the most sinister characters in the Canon.

Whether examining automata, wax figures, or the legal definitions of murder and suicide, The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes provides a compelling lens through which readers gain a deeper understanding of the historical and social backdrop of the Holmes mysteries.

A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKMWQFW3

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-life-and-times-of-sherlock-holmes/id6737251368

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-life-and-times-of-sherlock-holmes-volume-5-liese-sherwood-fabre/1146455207?ean=2940186119128

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-life-and-times-of-sherlock-holmes-7

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/bPnVQd

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-life-and-times-of-sherlock-holmes-the-fifth-compelling-collection-of-essays-examining-the-familiar-and-the-obscure-in-sir-arthur-conan-doyle-s-original-essays-on-victorian-england-book-5-by-liese-sherwood-fabre

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220690557-the-life-and-times-of-sherlock-holmes

Excerpt

The Sinister Side of Insurance

In The Sign of the Four, Holmes tells Watson that one should not be fooled by outward qualities.

As an example, he states, “The most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance money.” Insurance policies were quite popular in Victorian times, and, sadly, more than one insured person met their end under suspicious circumstances.

The sudden inheritance of a sum sometimes equivalent to a working man’s annual salary was a temptation some couldn’t resist. Two sisters went so far as to recruit other women in a sort of club to collect insurance benefits.

Ancient Romans were the first to create life insurance policies in the form of burial clubs. Burial was necessary because if the person wasn’t interred correctly, they were doomed to an afterlife as an unhappy ghost.

These burials, however, cost money, and Caius Marius organized his troops into clubs that pledged to pool resources to cover the cost of these rituals. Over time, the clubs included a sum of money provided to any of the deceased’s survivors.

This practice appeared again in the 1500s in London when Richard Martin bought a policy underwritten by 16 others for a man named William Gibbons. Martin collected £4800 for the premium of £384. This practice continued for the next 200 years until outlawed in 1774.

By 1700, life insurance shifted from speculation on a particular person’s death to that of tontines. In this arrangement, individuals would pay each year into a common account, and those surviving until the end of the year would receive a payout based on the number surviving.

Over time, these groups would even invest funds to increase the pool. The Amicable Society for a Perpetual Assurance Office used this concept of a tontine to establish the first recognized life insurance company.

Founded by William Talbot, the Bishop of Oxford, and Sir Thomas Allen, 2nd Baronet, in 1706, the society began with 2000 members who paid a fixed amount per year for one to three shares. At the end of the year, the widows and children of any of the members who passed during the year received the deceased member’s portion.

Unfortunately, life insurance companies and practices faced little to no regulation on who could be insured. Fraud abounded in the industry with some being covered under numerous policies, and some of those insured (particularly children) murdered for the benefits.

While actual figures cannot be calculated, Renee Noffsinger examined reported homicide cases to estimate the vulnerability of children under 5 was at least 40 times greater than that for older children.

Master of the Art of Detection

A Collection of Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

By Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Genre: Mystery

Decipher. Deduce. Deliver.

Sherlock Holmes, the most cerebral of detectives, finds his deductive powers put to the test in this intriguing collection of cases.

Each adventure presents a web of secrets, clues, and deceptions. Only his highly honed observational skills lead him to the truth.

In a locked-room murder, did the victim succumb to “The Curse of Kisin?” And how had the daughter of Squire Northridge disappeared from her own locked bedroom?

Can Holmes, an ocean away, determine if a missing treasure hunter ran off with Jean Lafitte’s fabled buried plunder? The disappearance of a beloved dog is an adventure filled with whimsy and humor, as are the return of Lady Frances Carfax and the howling dog of Baker Street.

Holmes’ unrivaled deductive powers rise to the test with each case. He shines as the consummate master of the art of detection and will captivate from beginning to end.

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Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Art-Detection-Sherlock-Collection-ebook/dp/B0CW1J4DWB

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/master-of-the-art-of-detection/id6504698982

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/master-of-the-art-of-detection-liese-sherwood-fabre/1145861548?ean=2940185617205

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/master-of-the-art-of-dectection

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/mB1W1p

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/master-of-the-art-of-detection-by-liese-sherwood-fabre

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215146483-master-of-the-art-of-detection

Excerpt from “The Adventure of Lafitte’s Missing Treasure”

Master of the Art of Detection

Sherlock Holmes receives a package with the following letter inside:

“My husband has always considered himself something of a historian but has limited himself to treasure hunting. He has become obsessed with the pirate Jean Lafitte, a privateer who operated first out of New Orleans and later, Galveston.

Talk of Lafitte’s missing treasure has been a matter of speculation for more than seventy years. The pirate established a base on Galveston Island in 1817 but was forced to leave in 1820 after attacking an American merchant vessel.

“Recently, a Mr. James Farthington approached my husband, stating he had found a letter written to one of Lafitte’s acquaintances detailing the location of a treasure buried on the island.

As proof, Lafitte included this coin for the friend. My husband agreed to finance the search in return for half the find.

“A week ago, George and Farthington set off for the island. There have been no storms or other occurrences that would explain his ship’s disappearance, and I, therefore, fear the worst.

Someone has heard of this discovery, and the expedition has fallen into nefarious hands and my husband is in grave peril.

“Given the distance, by the time you get this letter, another week will likely have passed. Please respond by telegram as soon as possible to let me know if you have any advice on how I might find George and the others.”

When I turned to the other piece of paper, I found the thin paper held a map. “It looks as if she included a copy of the directions Farthington shared with her husband.”

Holmes lowered the coin and returned to the desk, where he held out his hand. I placed the map into it, and he held it up to the light. “A very lightweight paper used for tracing.

She must have traced the original map to share a copy with me.” He faced me. “It seems we have a mystery on our hands, Watson. And one that may lead us to uncover the lost treasure of Jean Lafitte.”

My interest was piqued. “Lost treasure? Sounds like something from a yellowback novel.”

Holmes waved a hand dismissively. “It is not a fairy tale, Watson. Jean Lafitte was a real pirate, and there have always been rumors of a treasure buried somewhere on Galveston Island. Many have searched for it over the years, but none have discovered its whereabouts.”

“So, you believe that this Farthington fellow may have discovered the location of the treasure, and now someone is after it and them?”

“It is a possibility, Watson. And one that we cannot ignore.”

“Then what do we do?”

“Send off some telegrams.”

About The Author

About the Author

Liese Sherwood-Fabre is an award-winning author known for her meticulously researched works of historical fiction and mystery.

With a background in social sciences, she brings a unique depth to her characters and settings, particularly in her acclaimed series The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes, which explores Victorian England through the lens of the famous detective’s world.

Her essays delve into the cultural and historical intricacies of the era, uncovering hidden details that enhance her stories’ authenticity.

Her fiction weaves real historical events and social insights into suspenseful plots, creating immersive narratives that captivate fans of both history and mystery.

An avid traveler and lifelong scholar, Dr. Sherwood-Fabre combines curiosity and expertise to craft stories that transport readers to fascinating past worlds filled with intrigue and insight.

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Author Links

Website: https://www.liesesherwoodfabre.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liese.sherwoodfabre

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@liesesherwoodfabre

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/liesefabre.bsky.social

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/liese-sherwood-fabre

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Liese-Sherwood-Fabre/author/B00810INE6

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5758587.Liese_Sherwood_Fabre

Rumi And The Retribution Schedule Book Tour

The Da Vinci Code meets Rumi in a global thriller/mystery

Rumi and the Retribution

Gabriel McKnight Book 1

by Pooneh Sadeghi

Genre: Global Thriller, Mystery

You Are What You Seek.

Gabriel McKnight, a decorated former U.S. Navy SEAL and bestselling author, sees his perfect life come unraveled when he’s named the prime suspect in a murder case after his twin brother vanishes without a trace.

Now on the run from the law, Gabriel embarks on a desperate worldwide quest to clear his name and uncover his brother’s fate.

His only ally is Noor Rahman, the scion of a once-powerful Iranian dynasty whose past intertwines with a mysterious book of Rumi’s poems left behind by her deceased parents.

Together, Gabriel and Noor decipher cryptic passages suggesting a link between the historic murders of Noor’s family and his brother’s disappearance. From the back alleys of Washington, D.C., to the bustling streets of Paris, and the vibrant vistas of Tehran, they navigate a labyrinth of danger and deception leading them inexorably to Rumi’s mystical resting place in Turkey.

But discovery comes with a perilous cost. With every revelation, Gabriel and Noor inch that much closer to unlocking the sinister truth behind their parallel destinies.

Can they outwit their unseen foes and decode the final mysteries before they themselves become the final casualties in this deadly game?

Get the paperback on Amazon or B&N!

Or get the ebook:

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

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rumi-Retribution-Gabriel-McKnight-Book-ebook/dp/B0CZ1DBZLR

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/rumi-and-the-retribution/id6504419789

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rumi-and-the-retribution-pooneh-sadeghi/1145815063?ean=2940186008590

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

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rumi-and-the-retribution

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/rumi-and-the-retribution-gabriel-mcknight-book-1-by-pooneh-sadeghi

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214676717-rumi-and-the-retribution

Excerpt:

CHAPTER ONE

Paris, July 14, 1997

Dying for your loved ones is a noble sacrifice, but outsmarting a killer before you die is a sweeping triumph. That’s what Shiraz Rahman thought as she rushed out of the Trocadero metro station on a balmy summer evening.

The sun had begun its descent, making way for midnight blue skies. Paris dressed in lights, welcoming all to its various restaurants and cafés. Shiraz’s gaze darted around as she turned into the Delessert Boulevard. Her posture was stiff, her pace fast, and her breath labored.

Up ahead, the Café Delessert bustled with activity. Waiters rushed about delivering trays of food. The aroma of coffee and French cuisine drifted in the air. Parisians and tourists clustered around the tables lined by the sidewalk, their carefree laughter carrying into the night.

Shiraz recalled the days when she, too, laughed freely, unaware of the evil surrounding her. A loud clatter broke through the night. Shiraz bit back a scream and jerked around.

A waiter had dropped a tray on the sidewalk. He bent over to pick it up. Shiraz clutched her purse and hastened her pace. Every so often, she looked back to make sure she wasn’t being followed.

The Delessert Boulevard swarmed with people. It was no surprise. This area offered the best view of the Eiffel Tower. Each year, thousands of people gathered here to celebrate and watch the dazzling fireworks display from the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero gardens.

It seemed like a normal night, and by all accounts it should have been, but Shiraz knew better. I will die tonight. Beads of sweat formed on her upper lip. I’m not afraid. I’m prepared.

After all, her daughter’s life depended on it. Noor, my sweet Noor! Shiraz rubbed her chest as she considered her options another time.

There was one way to keep Noor safe, and when the time was right, Noor would know the truth. Shiraz had made sure of it. She approached her bookstore and risked another glance over her shoulder.

A shiver ran up her spine. The killer was in the crowd, waiting for an opportunity to strike. She squared her shoulders. Come and get me. That’s all you’ll get.

She entered her bookstore and let her head fall against the door. The scent of worn leather, polished wood, and new books were welcoming and familiar.

Jean Luc, her friend, and the bookstore’s sole employee, sat by the reading nook. Shiraz pasted a smile on her face. “Why are you working when you should be outside celebrating with the rest of the country?”

Jean Luc placed a book on a shelf close to the armchair he occupied. “Cheri, we have a splendid view. I can watch the celebration from here.”

Shiraz placed her hands on her hips and furrowed her brows into a mock frown. “It’s Independence Day. Go drink wine, celebrate your freedom, and flirt with someone nice. I’ll close the store tonight.”

“Come with me,” Jean Luc pleaded. “We’ll find two delicious men and party all night.”

Shiraz snorted. “The only man I’ll ever love is Parviz.” She rushed on before Jean Luc could say anything. “I know my husband died years ago, but what Parviz and I had was unique. Something like that happens once in a lifetime.” She made shooing motions with her hands. “That’s why I’m closing, and you’re leaving. It’s your turn to find your soulmate.”

A movement outside of the window caught her eye. For an instant, Shiraz saw a familiar figure standing in the crowd outside of her store. She gripped the armchair and craned her neck to get a better look.

The Trocadero gardens overflowed with people wearing France’s national colors. Its fountains switched from red to blue and back. The Eiffel Tower shone tall and proud.

Her heart thudded wildly. “Why did it take me so long to figure out the truth?”

“Shiraz, are you all right?” Jean Luc asked, concern evident in his ruddy round face. “You were mumbling to yourself.”

Shiraz studied her hands. Her knuckles had gone white. She let go of the armchair and relaxed her features. “I’m fine. I was just thinking, that’s all.”

Jean Luc looked uncertain. “Are you sure you want to stay here?”

Shiraz bobbed her head. “Yes, Noor and I have plans. Go enjoy your evening.”

Jean Luc finally gave in and left the store. Shiraz shut the door behind him then poured herself a cup of tea. She sat behind the counter and picked up a volume of Rumi’s poems.

“Life is a multitude of patterns that rise, fall, and flow together. You taught me that.” She traced her hands along the book’s spine. “It’s Noor’s turn to find her place and purpose in life. I know you’ll guide her as you did me.” Shiraz opened the book and lost herself in Rumi’s compelling verse.

The sound of chimes announced a newcomer. Footsteps echoed in the silent store. The grandfather clock ticked in the corner, counting every second that remained of her life. Shiraz closed the book and stared into the stone cold eyes of a killer.

The killer aimed a gun at her. “I put the ‘Closed’ sign up. Let’s go to the back of the store.”

Shiraz grimaced, revulsion evident in her face. “I can’t believe it. All the lies, and the betrayal. How could you do it?”

The killer spoke with a coldness Shiraz had never heard before. “Easily. Now move. I don’t have all night.”

She rose and headed toward the small office at the back of the store. Her enemy held the gun at her back and pushed her into the office. She stumbled and straightened herself. “I know why you’re here. You shouldn’t have come.”

“Where is the package?”

Shiraz raised her chin. “I don’t know.”

Her enemy slapped her with enough force to knock her head against the bookshelf behind the desk. Shiraz stumbled and straightened herself. She spat blood, and at that moment the future of her daughter was all that mattered. Her face flushed.

There was a moment of stillness on both sides, then Shiraz charged her foe. She was no match for her opponent’s strength, but it took her assailant off guard.

They fell to the floor in a struggle. Shiraz kicked her opponent as hard as she could and struggled to rise to her feet. Outside, voices rose as thousands of Parisians sang their national anthem.

The murderer grabbed Shiraz’s ankle and dragged her back down. Shiraz reached out and grabbed the volume of Rumi’s poems. She knocked her assailant over the head with the book.

“Argh!” her assailant grunted, nonplussed.

Shiraz wobbled to her feet. Her breath hitched as she forced her shaky limbs to move. She made it halfway to the exit when the murderer grabbed a fist full of her hair and dragged her back to the office.

Shiraz’s chest heaved, and her lungs burned as she gulped air.

The killer aimed the gun at her. “I’m in no mood to play games. I’ll ask one more time. Where is the package?”

Shiraz met her foe’s gaze defiantly, and for an instant, her mouth turned up. “You’ll never find it.”

Nostrils flared. “Then you’re no use to me.”

Gunshots echoed in the store just as the fireworks at the Trocadero started. Shiraz blinked. She felt nothing for a few seconds, then fell to the floor as pain gripped her body. She tried to rise. Her body didn’t cooperate. Her body twitched and convulsed as blood drained from her wounds. She flung her hand out, trying to reach for the telephone cord a few feet away. Her vision grew blurry, and her breath came gasps.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when footsteps approached her. A man bent over her. Shiraz squinted through the haze of pain. It was Morris, her late husband’s friend. Morris pressed his hands over her wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. He shouted something, but a tremor shook her body, drowning out his words.

She coughed blood.

Sweat formed on Morris’s upper lip. “Hold on.” He tore strips of his own shirt to bind her wounds. The pain began to ease and grow distant. A bright haze filled her vision. Shiraz felt light, as if she was floating. She looked up and blinked.

Her late husband, Parviz, stood by the doorway of her office. He gazed at her lovingly, then opened his arms.

No, not yet! Shiraz mustered all her strength and gripped Morris’s arm. “Noor,” she whispered.

Morris’s eyes glistened with tears. He nodded grimly. “I’ll keep her safe. You have my word.”

Satisfied she’d done everything she could for her daughter, Shiraz Rahman took her last breath and stepped into her husband’s arms.

Giveaway

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About the Author

I was born to a diplomat and housewife in Tehran-Iran then whisked across the globe to whatever country my parents had been assigned to.

Raised to appreciate various cultures, landscapes, languages, and viewpoints, my life was one grand adventure until a revolution took place in my country and turned our lives upside down.

Between then and the age of eighteen I had experienced both the joy, freedom, and magic our world offers as well as wars, deprivation, and oppression.

My undergraduate studies were in the Middle East and my post graduate studies were at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France.

So, when did I become a writer? Books had always been my greatest friends, teachers, refuge, and the inspiration to forge my own future.

In college I realized I wanted to write engaging mysteries and thrillers. At the same time, I wanted to give readers more than a story. I wanted to share the rich beauty of Persian literature as well as that of other cultures.

For that I embarked on a twenty-two-year journey, traveling to various countries, and experiencing life while establishing a successful career.

Gabriel McKnight and his first story had been on my mind for several years yet it wasn’t until my mid-forties that I picked up the proverbial pen. The time had come to share my stories.

The next step was making my dream come true. I queried several agents and one glorious day in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic my wonderful literary agent reached out to me with an offer for representation. She took my story to publishers and before I knew it, we had a publishing contract –and here we are.

Today, I live in Oklahoma City, USA with my family and two dogs. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the power of words. Words can heal, teach, entertain, inspire, and evoke change. I hope you enjoy Gabriel’s adventures as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://poonehsadeghi.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557188217131

X: https://x.com/SadeghiPooneh

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

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Pooneh-Sadeghi/author/B0D7DPZ2VD

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50396878.Pooneh_Sadeghi

Interview With Author/Sports Journalist John Coon

John Coon lives for adventure whether it be through writing or hiking through his favorite mountainside. John is a sports journalist who has turned his pen to fiction novels. His first novel, Pandora Reborn, debuted in 2018.

A native of Utah, John finds peace in nature and believes “life without creativity and imagination is hollow.”

Now that I’ve introduced you to John let’s get to know him a little better.

Hello, John, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What inspired you to be a writer?

I’ve loved creating stories ever since I was a kid. I always had an active imagination. When I was in elementary school, for example, I daydreamed about being an actor starring in my own movies.

I had movie titles figured out and knew what each movie was about. Some characters and fictional worlds I’ve created as an adult author can trace their roots back to this early time in my life.

Is writing your full-time profession?

Only if you include journalism into the mix. Reporting on pro sports and college sports remains my day job at the moment.

Fiction writing is a part-time pursuit for now. I hope to change that in the not-too-distant future.

Photo courtesy of: Devanath; courtesy of: Pixabay

How long have you been writing?

My first novel was published in June 2018, but I’ve been writing for three decades. I started writing my earliest stories when I was 12 years old. My parents owned an old manual typewriter and had set it up on a table in the back of the kitchen.

An older sister of mine wrote some short stories, and I decided one day I could write stories too. I grabbed some orange typing paper and started typing up stories on the typewriter.

Those early stories were about a litter of mischievous kittens based on some pet cats our family owned at the time. I eventually wrote nine connected stories about the kittens by the time I got into high school. Since that time, I have continued to write fiction and poetry.

Can you tell us about your experiences as a sports reporter?

When someone finds out I work as a sports reporter, their reaction is something like: “That must be so exciting getting paid to watch sports! You have a dream job.”

It surprises them when I reply it’s like any other job. Some days you enjoy it. Other days you can’t stand it. I’ve had tons of fun experiences in my 15 years of writing about sports.

I’ve ridden in a race car at 160 miles per hour. I’ve been able to witness athletes set world records. I’ve covered March Madness (the NCAA men’s basketball tournament) on several occasions.

I’ve also endured more stressful deadlines and sleepless nights than I care to remember. It can take a toll. Covering sports such as football or basketball creates a demanding day-to-day schedule, especially with social media basically demanding fresh content around the clock.

How has being a sports reporter influenced your work?

Being a reporter has helped me strengthen my observation skills. I see how people act, talk, and react in a wide variety of situations. I see how different personalities mesh with one another.

It has proven useful in crafting characters and dialogue that feel drawn from the real world. One of my primary goals in creating stories is to build a world populated with characters and settings that feel authentic. What I’ve observed and learned as a reporter helps me to better achieve such a goal.

How many books have you written?

I’ve published one novel so far and I’m currently working on my second one. Pandora Reborn, my debut novel, was released in June 2018.

Which genres do you write?

I write in multiple genres because I have ideas for stories and characters I want to develop that fit into different genres. Sometimes, I blend multiple genres within the same story.

Pandora Reborn is primarily a young adult horror story that also blends elements from fantasy, mystery, and thriller genres. My upcoming novel will primarily be a science fiction thriller, but could also include a few horror elements because of the characters and the setting.

Honestly, it’s fun to not limit yourself to a single genre as a writer. It allows more flexibility and creativity in telling the story you want told.

What do you find most challenging writing for these genres?

For me, the one challenge in every story is making sure it feels authentic. I want to make these fictional worlds feel real, even when fantastic elements are involved.

Every fictional world is the real world to the characters who live in it. For that reason, I want their actions, reactions, and interactions to feel true to life.

Nothing bothers me more in genre fiction than plot armor. Forcing characters to say and do things simply because the plot tells them that’s what they’re supposed to do. It makes for uninteresting stories.

Drama and suspense build organically when characters feel like real people. You become emotionally invested in their journey and their fate ultimately matters to you.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently writing my second novel, the aforementioned science fiction thriller. I plan to publish it later this spring.

The story will follow four college students who are confronted with the results of alien genetic experimentation after being trapped in an isolated Texas town during a spring break road trip. It’s a re-imagining of a short story I wrote in college.

I expanded the narrative and added some characters and subplots to help flesh it out to novel length. Beyond that story, I have other science fiction novels in the works and a pair of sequels to Pandora Reborn in development.

Where do you find inspiration for your characters?

My characters are a melting pot of various personalities I’ve encountered and interacted with throughout my life. Like I mentioned earlier, I always pay attention to how other people act, interact, and react in situations, so my characters feel like real people.

Still, I don’t intentionally base any character on a single individual for obvious reasons. Many people would not react favorably to encountering a fictionalized version of themselves within a story.

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

Honestly, it has been a thrill to see so many people enjoy Pandora Reborn. I’ve received more favorable reviews and positive feedback than I ever anticipated. I love seeing other people embrace characters and stories that kicked around in my head for years. It has given me tons of confidence while working on my second novel.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

Find your own voice. I often see advice to new authors that tells them to mimic what popular authors are doing or tells them to figure out which genre sells and dive in head first. That’s terrible advice, in my opinion.

The best thing you can do as an author is be true to yourself. Tell a story you want to tell. Then take plenty of time to craft it so that it is told in the best way possible. You will find an audience eventually and they will appreciate something that is authentic and well-written.

What readers don’t appreciate are slapdash by-the-numbers stories that are transparently designed to make a quick buck.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

I’m the type of person who tries to make the world around me a better place. Life is so much better when we all choose to be good people.

We can bring happiness into our lives and other people’s lives by being kind, honest, and caring. I strive to live each day with this philosophy guiding me.

What message are you sharing in your books?

It really depends on the book. I don’t set out to impose a specific message on a novel. It just evolves organically as the story unfolds.

With Pandora Reborn, for example, a key message that emerges is the danger of being isolated. You look at all the major characters and they are all isolated to one degree or another when the story begins.

Ron Olson illustrates this perfectly. He is in a new town cut off from his old friends and his dad. Ron wants nothing to do with Deer Falls. As the story progresses, he learns in a real way that he can’t live isolated.

He is forced to find allies when a terrifying ancient witch begins wreaking havoc. It also forces Ron to repair his relationship with his mother to ensure her survival. The overall message, in a way, is that life’s battles are not meant to be fought alone and cannot be won alone.

What are your favorite books/authors?

Growing up, my favorite authors were Jack London, C.S. Lewis, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and Edgar Allan Poe. I love the way they could build a world and make each character feel so real and alive — even in the most extreme or fantastic circumstances.

As an adult, I have also enjoyed fiction from authors like Michael Crichton, Stephen King, John Grisham, and Phillip K. Dick. My all-time favorite books are The Chronicles of Narnia. I’ve read every book in that series cover to cover multiple times.

What are your favorite movies, TV shows?

I have always loved Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s the perfect adventure movie with so many fun, iconic moments and memorable characters.

The original Star Wars trilogy ranks among my all-time favorites as well. My brother and I watched Star Wars so much as kids, we had memorized the dialogue from A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi word-for-word at one point.

The Simpsons is my no. 1 favorite TV show. Anyone who is around me long enough will hear me start dropping random quotes from episodes of The Simpsons into conversations. Sometimes, on Twitter, I’ll tweet out a quote of the day when I’m catching a first-run episode or a rerun.

When you’re not writing where can we find you?

If I’m not in front of my laptop, I’m most likely on a mountain conquering a new hiking trail or off finding something fun or interesting to capture in a photograph.

I grew up in a rural part of Utah, so I love the outdoors. I feel at peace when I can get away from the noise and lights of the city.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

My main author website can be found at johncoon.net. I have a blog up there where I share my experiences, offer useful writing tips, and spotlight books I’ve enjoyed from other indie authors.

Readers can also connect with me in the following places:

Facebook (www.facebook.com/jcoon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/jcoon312)

Twitter (www.twitter.com/johncoonsports)

Goodreads (www.goodreads.com/author/show/18159853.John_Coon)

Amazon (www.amazon.com/author/johncoon)