GIVEAWAY: Black-Eyed Susans

I recently had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin. As a born & raised Texan with close ties to Fort Worth, I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading & found that the story is set in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The author grew up in Decatur, Texas, which is near Ponder, Texas, the setting for her previous novel Playing Dead.  (Author portrait by Jill Johnson)

Here is a description of Black-Eyed Susans:

For fans of Laura Lippman and Gillian Flynn comes an electrifying novel of stunning psychological suspense.

A girl's memory lost in a field of wildflowers.

A killer still spreading seeds.

At seventeen, Tessa became famous for being the only surviving victim of a vicious serial killer. Her testimony put him on death row. Decades later, a mother herself, she receives a message from a monster who should be in prison. Now, as the execution date rapidly approaches, Tessa is forced to confront a chilling possibility: Did she help convict the wrong man?

Of course, these days just about every mystery is compared to Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl. However, Julia Heaberlin earns the high praise, but is definitely her own type of author. I am a big fan of mysteries, but I don't like gore. Black-Eyed Susans was the perfect book for me because it kept me interested from page one, had me in suspense, but wasn't graphic and scary like many other suspenseful mysteries, especially one about a serial killer!

I am really looking forward to reading Julia's previous books, Lie Still and Playing Dead. All are set in Texas, but please don't let that deter you if you aren't a Texan! If you are a Texas resident, be sure to check out one of Julia's upcoming book signings celebrating the release of Black-Eyed Susans. 

US release date August 11th
UK release date August 14th

August 11th, 7 p.m. • Black-Eyed Susans Publication Day • Talk & Signing

Barnes & Noble - Hulen Center, 4801 Overton Ridge Blvd. #100, Fort Worth, TX

August 17th, 6:30 p.m. • Talk & Signing

Decatur Public Library, 1700 S. Hwy 51, Decatur, TX

More events listed on Julia's website.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Chey-Anne Smart & @daniewoods (Instagram) ***

 PRIZE: Two lucky winners will receive a copy of
Black-Eyed Susans! (US residents only)

TO ENTER: Like author Julia Heaberlin on Facebook and leave a comment noting you have done so.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Share this giveaway on Facebook or another social media site, then leave a comment noting that you shared.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Leave a comment noting a favorite book you have recently read.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Visit our Instagram feed @funky_finds & like the photo of Black-Eyed Susans for an extra chance!

Giveaway ends at 6pm CST, Friday, July 31st, 2015.

GIVEAWAY: Laid Out and Candle Lit

I love to read & mysteries are among my favorite stories to immerse myself in. (I'm on Goodreads, are you?) Also, being a Texan, I am always happy to discover talented Texas-based writers. That's why I was so happy to learn about author Ann Everett. Creator of White-Trash-Face-Lift and Halter tops, Ann is a native Texan & an award-winning short story author. For many years, Ann enjoyed doing stand-up comedy for businesses, corporations, & non-profit organizations.

Her first novel, Laid Out and Candle Lit, is a humorous, romance mystery that has been released by Briona Glen Publishing under their Raven’s Wing imprint. Ann’s writing style of over-the-top humor & zany characters has been compared to Janet Evanovich and her Southern voice to Charlaine Harris. Those are mighty talented writers and Ann deserves every bit of the praise. This fast paced story will have you rooting for love & justice the entire time! It's very enjoyable & keeps you guessing to the end.

QUESTION: What do Sweet Thangs, Org@sm Pie, & murder in Brownsboro, TX have in common?
ANSWER: Tizzy Donovan

Small town girl, Tizzy, is a widow, single mother, sister to the county sheriff & known as the local girl who talks to the dead. After almost five years without a man, she’s pent up & hot-to-trot. And in small town Brownsboro, the roster of available men is just plain lousy. When Tizzy discovers a dead body in the cemetery, she quickly becomes a suspect. With each lead placing her credibility on the line, she knows there will be no talking her way out of this one with saucy come-backs and a helping of Better Than Sex Cupcakes. Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper arrives in town to cut his teeth on his first murder case, and becomes torn between duty & desire. His job gets a whole lot harder as he works to find a viable suspect other than the sexy woman with a sassy mouth.

Jory Sherman, Pulitzer Prize nominee & author of The Ballad of Pinewood Lake, gave the following endorsement of Ann's book. “Laid Out and Candle Lit is an enchanting tale of murder & deception teeming with endearing Texas characters. Tizzy Donovan is a captivating character & her relationship with Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper, investigating the murder that occurs in the first chapter, will keep the reader enthralled throughout. The novel takes you into a story that fairly crackles with originality & verve. Lest you think this is just another run-of-the-mill grim murder mystery, this tale of rural Texas is laced with an undercurrent of rollicking humor that will lay you out & light your candle.”

Ann’s second novel, You're Busting My Nuptials, will be released this summer. Currently, she’s busy adding to her line of White-Trash beauty, fashion, & decorating tips, as well as working on a cookbook titled Sweet Thangs. Laid Out and Candle Lit is available in paperback and e-book format at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and ibooks. Ann is also on Twitter @TalkinTwang.

*** GIVEAWAY - Closed - Congrats Julie McCall! ***

PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Laid Out and Candle Lit.

TO ENTER: Subscribe to Ann Everett's blog & leave a comment on this post noting you have done so.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post noting which book(s) you have most enjoyed recently or are looking forward to reading this summer.

ENDS: 9pm CST, Saturday, June 16th.

Please note that this giveaway is open only to residents of the Continental United States.