Today, I have a new children's chapter book to share! Learn about Katy in Central Park from the Kitty in the City series by author Ella English, read a quick excerpt from the book & be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post. 

Book 2 in the Kitty in the City Series

 Read an Excerpt

A prickly feeling crept up my neck like icy pinpricks. The hairs on my arm stood up straight.
 

Weasel let out a soft, worried meow.

I whirled around. A chunky calico cat was perched on top of the wall, glaring down at us. The
sun lit him up like a spotlight. He wore a little red vest, and a black bandanna was tied under his
chin.

“Well, looky what we have here,” he said. His eyes narrowed, and his pointy teeth poked out. “If
it isn’t Weasel, my old pal. And look, he even has a little girlfriend with him.”

The cat leaped off the wall and landed with a thud. He strutted up to Weasel, who gulped.

“Who are you?” I asked. My heart skipped a beat. This cat was scary.

“I’m Calico Jack,” said the cat.

A fluffy gray cat with a black eye patch crept along the wall. With a squeak, she somersaulted
and landed next to Weasel. The gray cat rubbed her head on Weasel’s cheek. She purred loudly.

Weasel’s furry face lit up. “Hi, Mary!” Weasel said.

“How’s it going?”

Calico Jack was still glaring at us. His tail swished from side to side.

Mary circled Weasel, bumping him with her head.
“Some friend you are, leaving us high and dry. Just ran away in the middle of the night, didn’t
he, Jack?”

“A traitor is what you are. A no-good bum.”

Calico Jack pushed his face close to Weasel’s good ear.
“Want me to rip this one up too? It would make a nice matching pair, eh, Mary?” Calico Jack
gave a belly laugh, and Mary joined in.

EEEEYYOOWWW!

A sudden shrill cry pierced the air. Something slammed onto Weasel’s back.
Weasel yelped as an orange and white striped cat dug her claws into his back. With a twist, he
shook her off onto the ground.

The new cat’s fur stood straight up, like she’d been zapped with electricity. A jagged scar marked
her pink nose. She wore a tiny white shirt with a belt wrapped around her middle.

“Well, well, look who finally decided to show his face,” the frizzy cat said in a crackly voice.
She licked a paw and smoothed down her spiked neck fur. 

Meet the Author 

Ella English is a British author and illustrator known for her children's books, particularly her Kitty in the City series and the Merblood Saga. She writes and illustrates imaginative stories, often with themes of dreams, adventure, and friendship. After moving from London, Ella English now lives in Baltimore, USA, with her two daughters. 

Native American Literature, Family Saga Fiction, Western, Biographical Fiction, Western

Date Published: 06-01-2025

Told with vivid detail, this is the story of a man caught between loyalty and his past, between a brother’s shadow and the light of his own becoming. A tale of love, betrayal, and the quiet courage it takes to change your fate. 

From a stagecoach town in Tennessee to the first railroad towns of the Indian Territory, we delve into the lives of the charismatic and flawed brothers, Matt and Robert. Their sibling dynamic shapes the lives of the entire Brown family, steering them down a road of familial struggles and cultural clashes. 

Matt always idolized his oldest brother, Robert – a smooth-talking charmer who taught him at a young age to live hard and win big. Following Robert’s footsteps, Matt is drawn into a life of high-stakes games and deception. Then he meets Milla. Sharp-eyed, brave, and unafraid to speak the truth, Milla is a woman rooted in her Choctaw heritage, carrying both strength and sorrow in equal measure. For the first time, Matt imagines a different future. But the past doesn’t let go easily and buried secrets never stay buried for long, clawing their way back to the surface when you least expect it. Now, Matt must choose between what consumes him and the life he wants to build. 

Set against the raw beauty of the Choctaw Nation, this is a powerful story of blood ties and hard choices, of the people we love and the ones we betray. Gritty, tender, and unforgettable—this is where redemption begins.

About the Author

With no close relatives nearby, R.G. Stanford turned to online resources in search of extended family. That search became a twenty-year journey through genealogy websites, Federal Census records, the National Archives, and old newspapers. Along the way, R.G. Stanford uncovered incredible stories about her family and the people who once lived in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. 

Compelled to record the truth of her family in the lore, sprinkled with imagination, R.G. Stanford is a history lover, a research buff, and a passionate genealogy enthusiast. She is also a mother, a grandmother, and a teller of stories, now living near Orlando.

Website

Facebook

Instagram

https://mybook.to/TheBrothersBrown

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

Enter the Giveaway

A Len Buonfiglio/St. Pierre Caribbean Mystery

In Calypso Blue, Brian Silverman crafts a gripping tale of mystery, revenge, and redemption set against the backdrop of New York and the Caribbean. The novel follows John Saint John, a man torn between his faith, past, and responsibilities as a father, as he grapples with a life-altering decision driven by a desire for justice. As his story unfolds in the shadow of a significant historical event, another narrative emerges—one centered on Leonard Buonfiglio, an American expatriate running a bar on the island of St. Pierre. When a legendary calypso singer, Lord Ram, dies under suspicious circumstances, Leonard is reluctantly pulled into an investigation at the behest of the island’s police superintendent.

Blending elements of crime, culture, and personal reckoning, Calypso Blue explores themes of loss, second chances, and the ghosts of the past that refuse to be forgotten. With vivid storytelling and rich atmospheric detail, Silverman transports readers into a world where music, memory, and mystery intertwine.

Expect Another Engaging Mystery. This book continues the Len Buonfiglio/Caribbean mystery series. While readers can read this novel as a stand-alone mystery, I think I enjoyed this book more because I could learn a little more about Len and his past as we meet some new characters and explore new relationships and plot lines. This novel blends New York City with the Caribbean in a well-organized, well-written style that is easy to read and entertaining. Readers learn more about Len, and the elements of faith, redemption, and second chances help create an interesting novel that is difficult to leave at the end.  

Calypso Blue Combines Mystery and Life Very Well. As with the first book in the series, the author does a great job keeping his characters real and even relatable. I enjoyed the mystery elements of the novel--but the characters and their side stories that combine to create the storyline make the novel believable and much more than a crime drama. Secrets and piecing together (and facing) pieces of the past create a very full story for readers. 

Would I Recommend Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman? I have enjoyed both books from this series and would definitely follow more of Len's adventures. I enjoyed the author's writing style, realistic characters, vivid settings and the well-written mystery plot. If you enjoy strong characters who jump in to find the truth--expect to love Len. Mysteries are my favorite genre--but I also love watching relationships unfold, and secrets reveal themselves. While you could read this novel as a stand-alone story--I would begin the series at the beginning. I think I enjoyed this novel even more than the first because I am building a better understanding of Len and the dynamics surrounding his story. 

Meet the Author

Brian Silverman’s writing career has spanned over 30 years. He has written about travel, food, and sports for publications including the New York Times, Saveur, Caribbean Travel and Life, Islands, the New Yorker, New York, and others. From 2004 through 2013, he was the author of the annual Frommer’s New York City guidebook series. He co-authored the acclaimed Twentieth Century Treasury of Sports with his father, Al Silverman.

His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications, including Mystery Tribune, Down and Out Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. His stories have been selected to appear in The Best American Mystery Stories in 2018 and 2019, and The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories 2021. His other short fiction has appeared in publications such as Down and Out Magazine, Mystery Magazine, Dark Waters, and Vautrin. Freedom Drop is his first published novel. He lives in Harlem, New York, with his wife, Heather, and his sons, Louis and Russell.

Connect with the Author

www.BrianSilvermanWrites.com
Goodreads
BookBub
X - @BSsilverman

Follow the Book Tour

Enter the Giveaway

 Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Brian Silverman. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours 

This morning, I have a culinary themed cozy mystery to share! Learn about Truffles to Die For from The Cook and Inspector Mysteries by Joanne Pence! 

The Cook and Inspector Mysteries, Book 9

Date Published: June 25, 2025

When culinary dreamer Angie Amalfi sets her sights on chocolate stardom, her kitchen becomes a cocoa-covered lab of decadent disasters and divine delights. Her goal? To invent the perfect chocolate candy—“angelinas”—a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece that could finally make her name in San Francisco’s cutthroat foodie scene. 

But when Angie donates her “not-quite-there-yet” test batches to a local charity mission, she stumbles into more than gratitude. The mission’s minister seems to have secrets simmering beneath his saintly smile, and when Angie volunteers for their big fundraiser, she’s suddenly stirring up something far more sinister than ganache. 

Her fiancé, Inspector Paavo Smith, warns her to stay away—especially with rumors swirling of police corruption and a killer on the loose. But when Paavo is framed and suspended, Angie ditches her spatula for sleuthing gear. Someone’s cooking up a setup—and she’s not about to let Paavo take the fall. 

To help clear his name, Angie will need more than her confectionery skills… and the clock is ticking. 

Sink your teeth into Truffles to Die For—a deliciously suspenseful cozy mystery. Indulge yourself in murder with a chocolate twist!

About the Series

The Cook and Inspector Mysteries

A Quiche Before Dying, Book 2

The Marinara Murders, Book 3

Close Encounters of the Deadly Kind, Book 4

Death by Devil’s Food, Book 5

Blind Date’s Bitter End, Book 6

The Taverna Affair, Book 7

The Music Box Mystery, Book 8

Truffles to Die For, Book 9

Buy the Book

Amazon

B&N

iBooks

 Buy the series on Amazon

About the Author

"Joanne Pence is a master of the mystery genre. She pulls the reader in and sets the roller coaster in motion."--Carolyn Haines, USA Today bestselling author 

"Joanne Pence provides laughter, love, and cold chills." --Carolyn Hart, NY Times bestselling author

"Angie Amalfi is the Queen of the Culinary Sleuths" --RT Book Club

"Joanne Pence is a master chef"--Mystery Scene magazine

"Pence's tongue-in-cheek humor keeps us grinning." --San Francisco Chronicle

Connect with the Author

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Goodreads

BookBub

BookBuzz

This morning, I have a paranormal romance with an LGBTQ theme. Learn about Jack & Gil and author Emily Carrington and pre-order the box set.  

Date Published: June 27, 2025

Rhyme of Longing (Jack & Gil 1): When Prince Gilbert Sullivan meets Jack Sowerby, the new head of SearchLight, his attraction won’t let him stay away. Jack’s need for Prince Gilbert blossoms and he’s unable to resist -- until he’s forcibly changed into a magical creature. Will their shattered relationship ever be restored?

Rhyme of Longing (Jack & Gil 2)

Jack is falling apart, but no one seems to notice. As Jack withdraws, the tide of war rises. Jack must find a way to regain his strength and determination or SearchLight will fall. And he’s convinced he must do it alone.

Rhyme of Love (Jack & Gil 3)

Gil struggles to hide his loss of status from Jack, but when he finally confesses, Jack blurts out his secret. Jack knows he screwed up. Well, almost. Running the risk of losing Gil, Jack must learn to lie convincingly, or he’ll lose SearchLight, his life, and Gil, as well.

About the Author

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.

Connect with the Author

Author’s Website

Emily on Facebook

Emily on Twitter

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15

This morning, I have a personal growth novel in our book release spotlight! Learn about Rising From the Roots and author Jasmine Farrell! 

Poetry. LGBTQ. Personal Growth.

Date Published: June 24, 2025

Farrell's work resonates with readers seeking authenticity and connection, offering a blend of vulnerability and strength that encourages introspection and healing. Through her writing, she continues to inspire and uplift individuals navigating their own paths toward self-acceptance and understanding.

Website

YouTube: @JasmineFarrell

Instagram: @authorjfarrell

Twitter: @jfarrellwrites

TikTok: @jasminefarrellpoetry

Applebooks

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Author Website

This morning, I have a historical fiction novel to share! Learn about Whiz Kid and authors Joel Burcat & David S. Burcat and read an excerpt from the book! 

Historical Fiction

Date Published: 07-01-2025

Publisher: Sunbury Press, Inc.

Pressured by his pregnant wife to finish his novel or take a secure job at a prestigious ad agency, Ben must also navigate the era’s class divisions and antisemitism. His best friend’s elite world clashes with his working-class South Philly roots and Jewish identity. 

Temptation, ambition, and loyalty collide—especially when Ilene, a captivating classmate, threatens to unravel his carefully balanced life. As the Phillies’ Whiz Kids chase a pennant, Ben’s own reckoning builds to a climax, culminating in a surprising decision that redefines his future. 

Co-written with David S. Burcat, Joel Burcat’s late father, Whiz Kid is a deeply American story of resilience, legacy, and the true cost of following one’s heart.

Read an Excerpt

[Ben Green is talking with his friends about his professor’s reaction to a chapter of his novel. He’s glum.]

Ben sat next to Stan, facing Ilene. She looked at him and gently touched her fingers to the top of his hand. “What is it, Benji? You don’t look so good.” 

Ben slowly pulled his hand out from under hers, turning it over briefly to squeeze her fingers before letting go. “Oh, it’s nothing. You know I’m writing this novel. I showed it to Chesterfield. He called it ‘interesting.’” 

“Interesting? That’s good, isn’t it?” asked Stan, raising his eyebrows and smiling. 

“That might be the single-most intentionally vague word in the English language. It means absolutely nothing. Nothing. Interesting painting. Interesting play. Interesting manuscript. It’s a nice way for the professor to say ‘no comment.’” Ben rested his elbow on the table and put his hand on his chin. “Hey, Ilene, give me one of those Kents, would you?”

David S. Burcat was a Navy corpsman in World War II, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (English Literature and Dentistry), and a proud son of Camden NJ and his adopted town of Philadelphia. He worked in advertising in the 1950s before returning to Penn to study dentistry. He wrote Match Point, the novella within the novel, in about 1950. He died in 1998. Whiz Kid- A Novel is his first published book. Dave was the father of co-author, Joel Burcat.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

Instagram

LinkedIn