Sparks, S'mores, and Scandals ~ Great Escapes Book Tours Guest Post & Giveaway!

SPARKS, S'MORES, AND SCANDALS

A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery, #3

by MICHELLE L. CLIFTON

Cozy Mystery

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Salty Inspirations

Publication Date: April 13, 2026

Print length ‏ : ‎ 293 pages

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About Sparks, S'mores, and Scandals

 

Wildfires weren’t part of Taryn O’Kelly’s summer plans. Neither was arson.

When a string of suspicious wildfires erupts in the mountains, authorities clear out the KOA Campground and surrounding homes, forcing Taryn to postpone her long-planned summer kick-off picnic. As smoke drifts over town and neighbors settle in at the fairgrounds, unease spreads right along with it. Then an insurance adjuster goes missing, and rumors of arson begin to take hold.

Determined to protect her town and her livelihood, Taryn starts asking questions. Corporate land grabs, bitter zoning disputes, and simmering grudges point in several directions. Even Silver Springs’ resident prankster seems to know more than he is saying. But the deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that someone is playing a dangerous game, and the fires may be only the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of a Colorado mountain summer, Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals blends small-town charm, wry humor, and heartfelt community spirit with a mystery that smolders long after the last ember fades.

CLICK TO GET YOUR COPY ON AMAZON

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GUEST POST

BY MICHELLE CLIFTON

What Kind of Sidekick Would You Be in a Cozy Mystery?

Thank you so much for sharing your space with me. Meeting new readers is the reason I love writing.

Let me introduce myself. I’m Michelle L. Clifton, and I write high-stakes, lighthearted cozy mysteries where you’ll find humor, romance, quirky friends, unlikable killers, and a quick escape from the real world.

Personally, I feel like the world can be a little dark, so I try to brighten it with my series.

What Kind of Sidekick Would You Be in a Cozy Mystery?

The crazy, off-the-rails best friend, the straight-and-narrow worrywart, a cat or dog companion, or maybe even an attractive detective with way too much attitude? Whatever you choose, remember: not all of us are cut out to be the sleuth, but every sleuth needs someone in their corner.

The real question is … if a murder happened in your town, what role would you play?

The Crazy Off-the-Rails Best Friend

The one who doesn’t hesitate. The one who pushes, guides, and, if necessary, dives headfirst into trouble right alongside her friend. Probably with a “this might be a bad idea … but let’s do it anyway” attitude.

Taryn, the amateur sleuth in my series, has a best friend just like that.

Kandice Rossi, her best friend since kindergarten, is somewhat of an adrenaline junkie. She’s smart, sexy, confident, and not afraid to say exactly what’s on her mind. She has saved Taryn a couple of times with her self-defense knowledge.

Kandice is loyal, fierce, and protective. But push her too far, and you’ll hear about it. Then again… at least you always know where you stand.

The Straight-and-Narrow Worrywart

This is probably me, more realistically. And Taryn falls somewhere in the area as the reluctant sleuth.

Every story also needs that friend who sees danger from a mile away. The one who says, “This is a terrible idea,” while already grabbing their keys to come along anyway.

They’re the planners. They notice small details, ask the hard questions, and keep everyone (mostly) out of trouble. They may not love chaos, but they’re often the reason things don’t spiral completely out of control.

The Loyal Companion (Cat or Dog Energy)

Some sidekicks don’t need to say much at all. They’re steady, observant, and always paying attention.

Maybe you’re the loyal, enthusiastic “dog energy” friend who sticks close no matter what. Or maybe you lean more toward “cat energy,” quietly watching and noticing what others miss until it really matters. Either way, these companions are the ones who make a difference without saying a word.

In Taryn’s world, that would be Giselle, her cat. She’s not much of an investigator, more interested in naps, cuddles, and judging everyone. But she’s always there for moral support… and the occasional warm lap. Either way, these companions are the ones who make a difference without saying a word.

The Attractive Detective with Too Much Attitude

The one who insists they’re in charge and tells the sleuth to stay out of it … but secretly knows they won’t. There’s often a grudging respect for the amateur sleuth who keeps showing up where they shouldn’t, and sometimes a spark.

In Taryn’s world, that would be Detective David Parker, Alex’s best friend. He’s capable, clever, maybe a little intimidating, and keeps the investigation on track, sometimes with a bit of tension or witty banter when Taryn can’t help but get involved.

Then there’s Alexandar Cruz, Taryn’s boyfriend. As a private investigator and pilot, he often helps out in a professional capacity while navigating the fine line between wanting to protect Taryn and knowing full well she’s not going to stay out of anything for long.

The Complicated One (Past Complication)

And then … there are people from your past. The ones who know you a little too well.

For Taryn, that would be Robert Campbell, her ex, who brings his own complications into the mix. Because sometimes it’s not just the mystery that keeps you on your toes; it’s the history you didn’t expect to revisit.

The truth is… No mystery gets solved alone.

It’s the mix of personalities, the bold, the cautious, the observant, and even the stubborn, that brings everything together. Friendship, trust, and a little bit of chaos are often just as important as the clues themselves.

In Taryn’s world, she might be the one asking the questions… but it’s the people around her who help her find the answers.

I would like to think I would be the crazy best friend, but in reality, I would be the voice of reason. But maybe with a crazy edge!

So Tell Me: Which Sidekick Would You Be?

• The fearless one charging ahead?
• The voice of reason?
• The loyal observer?
• The one trying (and failing) to keep everyone in line?
• The mysterious one quietly watching from the sidelines?
• Or the blast from the past, complicating things while helping?

And more importantly… would you watch a cozy mystery from the safety of the couch, or dive right into the middle of it?

If you’re curious about Taryn and her quirky, chaos-loving friends, join her latest adventure, Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals, and find out which sidekick you’d be!

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About Michelle L. Clifton

Michelle L. Clifton writes lighthearted, high-stakes cozy mysteries filled with humor, romance, and small-town shenanigans. She is the author of the Taryn O’Kelly Mysteries, a fast-paced series featuring party planner and amateur sleuth Taryn O’Kelly and her growing circle of friends who somehow keep stumbling into trouble. Her stories blend the charm of traditional cozies with the quick pace and comedic flair readers love in Janet Evanovich books, always with a satisfying, happy ending.

Michelle serves on the board of the Southwest Florida Fiction Writers and is Editor-in-Chief of Inkwell Magazine. She is also the founder of Salty Inspirations, her blog, journal pen name, and publishing imprint, which serves as a home for her writing, creative projects, and behind-the-scenes insights into life as a cozy mystery author.

She lives in Cape Coral, Florida, with her husband. Her books are perfect for readers who enjoy humorous mysteries with heart, memorable characters, and a touch of romance mixed with murder.

You can learn more about Michelle and her books at her website and blog, Salty Inspirations. 

Facebook ** Instagram ** Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

Three winners each receive an ePUB copy

of Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals

(US and Canada; ends 4/27/26)

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

April 13 – Salty Inspirations– AUTHOR KICK OFF
April 13 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
April 14 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
April 14 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
April 15 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 15 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
April 17 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
April 18 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
April 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 20 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
April 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
April 21 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
April 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 22 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
April 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
April 24 – Hall Ways Blog – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
April 26 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

  

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The Missing Corpse ~ Partners in Crime Tours Book Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway!

THE MISSING CORPSE

The General's Project, Book 2  

BY YASIN KAKANDE

Crime Fiction / Political Thriller

Published by: Black Writers Ink LLC

Publication Date: September 11, 2025

Number of Pages: 379

SCROLL DOWN FOR A GIVEAWAY!

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SYNOPSIS:

THE GENERAL'S PROJECT

The president is dead. His son’s pretending he’s not. And the corpse? Well, that’s missing.

When the CIA sniffs out whispers that an African general—who also happens to be the president’s darling son—may have murdered dear old dad and stashed the body like last week’s leftovers, they send in their best bloodhound: Agent Shawn Wayles. He’s good at two things—digging up dirt and getting shot at in places the U.S. swears it’s not involved.

This time, Shawn’s not alone. He’s paired with an LGBTQ couple who have more secrets than the Vatican and fewer moral brakes.

Their mission? Retrieve the dead president’s body from the general’s paranoid, trigger-happy security team.

Because in this twisted power struggle, it’s not the living who rule—it’s the guy in the coffin. And whoever has the corpse... controls the country.

BUY THE BOOK:

 Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble

BookShop.org | BookBub | Audible

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BOOK REVIEW

I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above.

HALL WAYS HYBRID REVIEW: THE MISSING CORPSE by the talented Yasin Kakande is the second book in The General’s Project series, but it works perfectly as a stand-alone. I had no problem jumping in, but holy cow, did I need to hold on tight. THE MISSING CORPSE is an intense and disturbing story that takes readers into the darkest pits of corruption and parts of humanity. It’s relentless in blanketing readers in the horrible realities of power-hungry, immoral people who have no boundaries – it's much like watching a train wreck; readers will be spellbound.

“Dictatorship, it turns out, runs on favors. And blood. Mostly blood.”

Kudos to Kakande for providing a graphic content warning at the beginning of THE MISSING CORPSE. He’s not kidding around in depicting the ugliness that exists in the world, particularly in Uganda, “where the old and new collided in vibrant symphony.” The author’s descriptions pop from the pages, forcing visceral reactions: noses will wrinkle at the smells; eyes will tear from the conditions; cheeks will burn from rage and shame. The juxtaposition of the modern world against a less-developed one is striking. The author deftly jabs at the systems that allow such extreme, brutal oppression “in places where democracy was just another word for the promises men made before loading their guns.”

I did a hybrid reading of this book, alternating between the paperback and the virtual-voice narration. When listening to virtual narration, I’ve learned that you can tell quite a bit about the writing – not just syntax but also punctuation. A virtual narrator will pause as the writing instructs it, and in THE MISSING CORPSE, it’s an easy listen because Kakande’s sentences are so well-written. In the paperback, I didn’t find a single typo or misplaced comma, and for that I am grateful. The author nails dialogue, internal thoughts, and exposition. Well-done!

“…as they climbed the narrow, chipped staircase – an artery of old concrete curling up toward Uhuru Restaurant like a forgotten vein of the building.”

I have only two editorial gripes, which is amazing given I’m *a tad* persnickety. The first is that much as I love figurative language, and even as near perfect are Kakande’s similes, metaphors, and personifications, there are just too many to really appreciate any one of them.  To double-check my impression, I opened the book to a random page, and I re-read an opening paragraph: it is three sentences long and includes three similes and one metaphor. The next paragraph was five sentences, four containing figurative language. It's overkill. The second issue is regarding the length of one chapter that doesn’t really do much to move the story forward and barely gives more insight into the characters. It is nearly twice as long as the next longest chapter and more than double most others. While it does graphically illustrate the horrific sex-trafficking market, it could make the point in half the time, and truly, the entire chapter could have been cut without consequence to the story. A good copy editor would take a red pen to rectify both of these situations, which would take this very good book to truly outstanding.  

“Even if they are our people, how can they speak if they are dead or too terrified to talk?”

THE MISSING CORPSE is timely and underscores that political corruption is not bound to any one government. One can’t help reading and thinking about our current situation in the United States and the unsavory influences our leaders are asserting (and attempting to assert) in other countries and within our own. There are more parallels than this citizen is comfortable with, and more than once I wondered if what I was reading was fact or fiction. Again, it’s a mark of great writing when the author can make his reader uncomfortable and contemplative.

For readers seeking raw, action-packed, international political thrillers, THE MISSING CORPSE proves to be time well spent between its uncomfortable pages. It leaves us with much to ponder and scenes we’ll never forget. The preview of book three, THE PRESIDENT’S FUNERAL, is intriguing and hopefully provides a spectacular comeuppance readers are left craving after book two.

I voluntarily reviewed this book and received an e-ARC from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

The General knew—like a rotting tooth you can’t stop tonguing—just how hard his old man had worked to hammer him into something resembling a real man, using boot camps, backdoor deals, and enough disappointment to fill a graveyard.

Before the president found Twitter—sorry, X—for him, he mostly just found disappointment. And not the subtle, quiet kind. No, this was loud, public, teeth-grinding failure. The kind that makes a father grip his whiskey glass hard enough to shatter it. The boy was dull. A wet match in a thunderstorm. The people ignored him like a pothole they’d grown used to swerving around.

The president, who fancied himself a blend of warlord and wise grandfather, had done all the right things—by dictator standards. He’d oiled the machinery, laid the bricks. He'd shipped the lad off to Sandhurst, the British womb for future coup-makers and ceremonial dictators. But the academy spat him out like a bad oyster after just one year. Reason? "Intellectual capacity insufficient for command responsibilities." That's British for “the boy was dumb as soup.”

Panic set in. The president, no stranger to coups or cover-ups, scrambled for another boot camp that would accept his undercooked progeny. And God bless Africa—it never disappoints. Egypt, under old mummy Hosni Mubarak, opened its arms. The president’s warning was clear as day and sharp as a bayonet: “If you fail here, don’t ever mention my name again.” The boy emerged months later with a piece of paper that said he could command a battalion. No one bothered to ask if it was his own handwriting.

Still not satisfied, Daddy rang his buddies in Langley. Mr. Taylor—CIA spook with a neck like a tree stump—hooked him up with a slot at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. That’s where the U.S. trained its foreign military friends—the ones that smiled for cameras by day and broke skulls by night. The General graduated. Barely. His grades so low they had to be excavated.

Back home, the president, desperate to turn the boy into something—anything—decided to mold him into a public figure. He hired speech coaches, media whisperers, ex-BBC anchors, even a former Miss Uganda who once read the weather on WBS Television. Still, every time the General opened his mouth in public, it was a horror show. His hands trembled like a leaf in a blender. He couldn’t pronounce words. Once, he called “sovereignty” soup-ver-nanny and the room went so silent you could hear careers dying.

But then came the miracle: Twitter. Well, X. Rebranded like a shady funeral home. The president's advisors—witchdoctors in suits—pitched a bold idea: give the boy a Twitter account. Hire a comedian ghostwriter. Make him sound dangerous. Sexy. Unhinged. Like Idi Amin with a smartphone.

Enter the ghostwriter—a washed-up tabloid journalist who once faked an alien sighting in Karamoja and got sued by a Catholic bishop. The guy was perfect. He knew how to stir the pot with one tweet and have the country boiling by lunch.

The General gave him ideas—half-mumbled thoughts between sips of imported whiskey—and the ghostwriter turned them into gold. Tweets like: Kenya has two weeks left. Consider this your final warning. #WeMarchAtDawn

The country gasped. The president “fired” the General. He even sent an apology to Kenya. A public scandal. Oh no, Daddy can’t control his baby boy! The media gobbled it up like pigs at a buffet.

But behind the curtain, the ghostwriter kept churning out wild, headline-drenched tweets. The General was now lusting after Beyoncé and Ayra Starr like a horny war god in fatigues. He made bizarre threats about airstrikes on Tanzanian Bongo Flava concerts. People were horrified. People were entertained.

***

Excerpt from chapter 24 of The Missing Corpse by Yasin Kakande. Copyright 2025 by Yasin Kakande. Reproduced with permission from Yasin Kakande. All rights reserved.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Yasin Kakande is an international journalist, TED Global Fellow, and author of several critically praised nonfiction books, including Why We Are Coming and Slave States, which offer fresh perspectives on immigration and geopolitics. His journalism career includes contributions to outlets such as The New York Times, Thomson Reuters, Al Jazeera, The National, and The Boston Globe. Yasin holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and resides outside Boston.

Catch Up With Yasin Kakande:

Amazon Author Profile ** Goodreads ** BookBub - @yasikak

Instagram - @yasikak ** Threads - @yasikak ** X - @yasikak

Facebook - @yasikak

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a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

(US only; ends 2/28/26)

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

THE MISSING CORPSE by Yasin Kakande | Gift Card

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A Spy in Saigon ~ Great Escapes Book Tours Spotlight & Giveaway!

A SPY IN SAIGON

A Kat Lawson Mystery, Book 4

BY NANCY COLE SILVERMAN

International Mystery Series

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books

Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 25, 2025

Paperback Print length ‏ : ‎ 230 pages

Scroll down for a giveaway!

About A Spy in Saigon

The truth will set you free – or it will kill you.

Kat Lawson’s new undercover assignment has turned deadly. A trip to Vietnam to write a travel feature for Journey International while making a drop to deliver cash and passports for a top-secret operation has gone awry. 

Kat has a choice to make and a target on her back. She can live with a secret, or she can reveal a truth that puts her in the crosshairs of an enemy sworn to kill her. 

With the lives of trafficked children at stake in a country where agents and double agents trade secrets, Kat must choose between the acceptance of a truth that will forever change her life or living a lie that will save the lives of others.

 

CLICK TO BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON 

 

About Nancy Cole Silverman

After twenty-five years in news and talk radio, Nancy Cole Silverman retired to write fiction. Her crime-focused novels have attracted readers throughout America, and her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies.

Silverman writes the Carol Childs and Misty Dawn Mysteries (Henry Press) and the Kat Lawson Mysteries (Level Best Books). 

Website **  Facebook 

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

EIGHT WINNERS!

4 receive paperbacks, 4 receive eBooks!

(US only; ends 1/19/2026)

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 

January 5 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
January 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
January 6 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
January 7 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
January 8 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
January 8 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 9 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 12 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT (no post)
January 12 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
January 13 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – SPOTLIGHT
January 13 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT
January 14 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
January 15 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
January 16 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
January 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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A Fatal Silence: Detective Kay Hunter Book 14 by Rachel Amphlett ~ Book Review

 

A FATAL SILENCE

A Detective Kay Hunter Novel

Book #14

by

RACHEL AMPHLETT

British Police Procedural / Women Detectives / Crime Fiction

Saxon Publishing

February 3, 2025

298 Pages

ABOUT THE BOOK: After the music stops, the killing begins…

When the body of a young woman is discovered at an outdoor music festival, Detective Kay Hunter’s investigation stalls almost as soon as it starts.

Because the killer has left no trace, and the victim’s identity is unknown.

Amidst a media backlash, and faced with thousands of potential suspects, Kay must piece together the last hours of the woman’s life before her killer can escape.

But when Kay finds out the truth, her discovery will shake her investigation team to its core…

A Fatal Silence is the 14th book in the Detective Kay Hunter series from USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett, and perfect for readers who love fast-paced crime fiction.

BUY THE BOOK

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Kindle   ***  Audiobook

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HALL WAYS AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: This is the fourteenth book in my favorite British police-procedural series, the Detective Kay Hunter series, and I've enjoyed every single book by Rachel Amphlett. This one leans heavily on the procedural side, and readers feel like they are working right alongside the team as they gather information and pursue leads. The author makes the story even more realistic by bringing in the real world where budgets are slashed, staff is bare bones, and everyone is overworked and underpaid. And Amphlett reminds readers that detectives and law enforcement are real people, with lives beyond the crimes. Kay's partner, Adam, is always a welcome light-hearted respite from the heavier stuff.

The murder to be solved is a curious one, with the crime scene a music festival. As the team gets closer to solving this crime, a more sinister killer and more gruesome details come to light. Amphlett's never shied away from sharing the gory details of the deaths, but it does feel like they've become more spectacular as the series has progressed. (Again, sadly matching the real world of crime.) There is more swearing than I remember being present in other books (including the F bomb), but it is likely more accurate than always-polite and controlled investigators and suspects.

Alison Campbell, as always, provides an outstanding performance. Campbell’s pacing is even, her diction perfectly clear. I listened at 1.2x for my own patience and comfort, but regular speed was fine. At this point in the series, she has mastered the voices for the key returning players, and that's something awesome that these characters each sound the same as they have from the beginning. 

I'm looking forward to reading (with my ears) the next installment, WHAT EVIL HIDES, coming February 2026.

Click to link up to Hall Ways reviews of books 1-9

*forgive the broken links on the posts*

     

Book 10 Review on Goodreads

Book 11 Review on Goodreads

Book 12 Review

Book 13 Review

NEXT UP IN THE SERIES:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.

She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.

Rachel’s stories are available in eBook, print and audiobook formats from libraries and retailers as well as her own shop on this website.

A keen traveler and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.

Yes - YOU Matter, YOU are Enough ~ Partners in Crime Tours Book Review & Giveaway!

Yes-YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough

The Power of You Series

by Karin J. Lund

Young Adult / Self-Help 

Published by: G-Power Global Publishing

Publication Date: September 23, 2025

Number of Pages: 241

Synopsis:

The Power of You Series 

Yes-YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is about celebrating your life  and understanding and creating your value, while building confidence and resiliency.

The cover was designed with interlocking and layering lines to illustrate the many interrelated paths in our lives that give us the opportunity to change our direction at any time. This design reflects a journey toward self-reliance and resilience, encouraging us to embrace our true selves and build a strong inner foundation.

This is the book that will always remind you that:

YES-I MATTER, I AM ENOUGH.

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon | KindleUnlimited | BookBub | Goodreads

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BOOK REVIEW

I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above.

HALL WAYS REVIEW: 4.5 STARS. Uplifting and thoughtful, YES - YOU MATTER, YOU ARE ENOUGH by Karin J. Lund is a terrific motivational coach for all stages of life. 

For those of a certain age, reading YES - YOU MATTER, YOU ARE ENOUGH will channel memories of Daily Affirmations with Stewart Smalley (IYKYK). While initially, the target audience seems mature middle-school-aged to high-school-aged kids, this mom of five sent photos of selected pages to her thirty-something kids, and found a few pages that seemed eerily apropos and relevant to her nearly sixty-year-old self. 

Early on, YES - YOU MATTER, YOU ARE ENOUGH shifts from pure pump-you-up motivation towards a self-help angle. With questions and topics posed and space given for readers to write responses, the level of reflection and introspection required lends itself to the book being beneficial for older readers as well. People going through relationship or job challenges, or even letting go of a friendship that has run its course, will benefit from the guidance provided. Don’t be intimidated - it’s not full-on journaling. There are checklists and even circle-yes-or-no sections that feel less pressured.

“Any time YOU feel sorry for yourself, reach out and help someone else instead. You will immediately feel better.”

The recurring emphasis on YOU, always all in caps, encourages readers to accept themselves, warts and all. YES - YOU MATTER, YOU ARE ENOUGH addresses life’s naysayers and how one must stay true to oneself and one’s path or purpose.  Yet it also reminds readers that sometimes self-help and self-growth starts with gratitude, looking out for and helping others, and taking responsibility for not only consequences but decisions. 

“If we don’t love, respect, and value ourselves, how do we teach others to love, respect, and value us?”

Rather than a one-sitting, cover-to-cover read, taking the book in chunks allows time for reflection and synthesizing of concepts, without being overwhelmed with trying to tackle and resolve every challenge. Pages get wordier as the book progresses, but the author doles out the advice appropriately, building up to the bigger, more complex hurdles in life.

There are not chapters, but the repeated, “Just remember, YOU matter. YOU are enough,” pages are dropped regularly throughout the book at critical moments remind the reader to take a break and breathe and think. There are a few shifts to the narrator intruding with first person opinions instead of general ones, which could be off putting or even preachy for kids (or adults) who are tired others telling them what to do. But this is a minor quibble in a stellar, valuable book that counselors, clergy, and teachers should keep multiple copies on hand.

“Celebrate YOU today, tomorrow, and forever.”

Well-designed, well-written, and well-edited, YES- YOU MATTER, YOU ARE ENOUGH offers just the right dose of motivation for anyone. Whether you’re experiencing self-doubt, some life confusion, or just feeling a little adrift in the world, YES- YOU MATTER, YOU ARE ENOUGH is sure to provide a beacon of light for readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this book and received an e-ARC from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Author Bio:

Karin J. Lund, Founder of G-Power Global Enterprises, works with corporations, universities, and non-profit groups, that want to embrace a compassionate, culture empowered, workplace environment. A culture that employees, and management, actively support, because the culture acknowledges personal and professional values, understands the importance of an inclusive work environment, and includes a corporate dedication to improving the local, and/or global community.

Karin was only the 3rd woman to be hired in Central Operation Sales for J & L Steel, in Pittsburgh, Pa. She later accepted a position with a Canadian steel company who was expanding operations into the United States. As a regional sales manager with an international territory, Karin managed a $140M sales territory, and saw firsthand how various steel mills, and manufacturer’s work culture and environments, impacted morale, productivity, and profits.

As an author, speaker, and facilitator, Karin was a civilian responder directly after 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina. Working with the children and families from Bay St. Louis, MS after Katrina showed her the expansiveness of loss, life events, and the resilience of this special community. Karin is an adult facilitator for Caring Place, where families can receive help after the loss of a spouse, parent, child, or extended family member.

Through these experiences she has witnessed how life events impact employees, and what employees need from management to help them adjust and move through these life events. Productivity and morale need not suffer if embraced appropriately.

Her online program, “Your Journey through the Islands of Grief and Loss,” encourages individuals and employees to confront issues related to their personal journeys around different aspects of life events and loss. Corporate comfort gifts, journals, and other products support this effort. Catch Up With Our Author:

g-powerglobal.com ** Amazon Author Profile

LinkedIn  **  Goodreads

Instagram - @lundkarinj  **  YouTube - @g-powerglobal

X - @GPowerGlobal  **  Facebook - @GPowerGlobal

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Killer Tracks ~ Partners in Crime Book Tours Excerpt, Book Trailer, & Giveaway!

October 27 - December 12, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

KILLER TRACKS

A Misty Pines Mystery, #3

by Mary Keliikoa

Genre: Police Procedural; Detective and Mystery; Crime Fiction; Suspense

Published by: Level Best Books

Publication Date: September 30, 2025

Number of Pages: 319

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Synopsis:

A Misty Pines Mystery

A peaceful retreat. A maze of smoke and murder. Is their remote getaway about to become a death trap?

Sheriff Jax Turner is worried about going off-grid and leaving his young team of deputies behind. But while his getaway with his ex is meant to help them reconnect, Jax is distracted by signs of a break-in at their rented lookout.

After a string of unsettling events and an approaching wildfire turn their isolated retreat into a danger zone, he’s stunned to find a dead body with marks tying it to a killer he put away a decade ago.

Terrified that his attempt at reconciliation has led them both into a fatal setup, Jax rushes back to his estranged wife before she joins the list of victims. But his dedication to serving and protecting could become an Achilles heel as other players join them among the darkening trees.

Can he fight his way out of the woods before the flames of revenge consume everything?

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Praise for Killer Tracks:

"Keliikoa is the Queen of immersive small-town mystery. Killer Tracks is cleverly plotted with deftly drawn relatable characters who face off with a deadly threat from the past." ~ James L’Etoile, award winning author of River of Lies and the Detective Nathan Parker series

"Mary Keliikoa’s Killer Tracks is a wonderful addition to the Misty Pines mystery series. Great pacing, strong plotting, and compelling characters. Highly recommended!"  ~ Bruce Robert Coffin, international bestselling coauthor of The Turner and Mosley FilesThe Misty Pines Mystery Series

Step into the thrilling world of Misty Pines today with the first ebook, HIDDEN PIECES, now just $0.99!

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Watch the Killer Tracks Book Trailer:

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Read an excerpt:

PROLOGUE

Click. Slide. Clang.

If he never heard that sound again, it’d be far too soon. That, and the sleepless nights under a thread-bare wool blanket that chafed his exposed skin, the looming threat of death... in the yard, the shower, the halls to and from the cafeteria or his cell.

Death and desperation seeped from the pores of this godforsaken place. So thick he could almost taste it. No amount of soap, no amount of ritual, would rid him of the stench that clung to him—though he’d be willing to try.

It was over now. Dying among these second-class men would not be his fate. A man of his intellect, a man far superior to the minions around him, deserved better than what he’d endured these past years.

He’d eagerly reeducate those who believed otherwise. They’d all see it by the time he was through with them, just like those that came before.

Click. Slide. Clang.

A voice echoed off the concrete walls.

“Inmate 22-A-4242. Gather your crap. Time to go.”

He stood, hands to his sides.

“Ready to face the world?”

He remained silent. None would get the satisfaction of his acknowledgement.

The voice continued. “They gave you a goddamn Hail Mary. Bleeding heart liberals anyway. Don’t screw it up.”

He bowed his head to obscure his smirk.

“Right. I know your type. You’re innocent.” The guard continued rambling. “That’s what all you convicts say. ‘I didn’t do it.’ ‘I was framed.’ ‘It’s unconstitutional.’” The guard’s voice dropped to a growl, prickling his skin. “Tell that to the victims and their families. I’d reckon less than one percent of you bastards got a legit claim.”

The guard had forgotten betrayed, of which he surely had been. But he shrugged, not to agree, but to stave off the urge to wrap his hands around the guard’s throat. So close to freedom...

Whether he was innocent or not had no bearing; it had not been among the criteria for the help he’d received. Being wrongfully convicted qualified. According to the junior team that had embraced his cause when he’d written the letter, they agreed that’s what had happened in his case. Even if it took them ten years, he loved a system that allowed more loopholes than the cable-knit sweater Mother had dressed him in for school.

“Sell it to someone else, you psycho,” the guard snapped. “Bet you money. We’ll see you again real soon.”

A jagged smile crossed his face. The guard had part of it correct—but he’d never be back here. Next time, he’d be less gullible.

And he intended to snuff out anything that could hurt him, like the light of every other woman who hadn’t seen his worth.

CHAPTER ONE

Some days, it didn’t pay to get out of bed.

Sheriff Jax Turner had experienced more than his fair share of those mornings in the past six years. First, when his daughter Lulu died from leukemia. Then, when his marriage dissolved—more like shattered into a million pieces. Followed by a couple of cases that had tested his limits of trust. They’d destroyed some, too.

Today was different.

Abby Kanekoa, his ex-wife with whom he’d shared the gutting grief of those past years, had offered hope for reconciliation—the chance to glue a few of those pieces back together. It would never be the same without their little girl... but perhaps they could create something new.

Leaving for the mountains just after Labor Day was less than ideal. Though with the tourist season coming to an end in Misty Pines, and Abby due a vacation at the Bureau, it was the best time. Deputy Rachel Killian, his new hire and right hand, was turning out to be as capable as he’d hoped. Applicants for filling the gaps at their station had been sparse. Few, it seemed, wanted to work these days—or work at the often cool and foggy Oregon coast. He’d at least been able to get most of his young crew on full-time payroll, so Rachel had help.

Bottom line, getting away was Abby’s idea. He would not tell her no.

Now to get through the pep talk with the team. The two major events of the past year had allowed them to punch a few notches into their experience belt, but wisdom and reliance on gut instinct were born with time. Leaving them to run Misty Pines without his guidance had his muscles taut.

He entered the sheriff’s office with his duffle flung over his shoulder.

“Oh hon, don’t tell me that’s all you’re taking for the week?” Trudy said. Jax’s long-time secretary, and overall, Team Mother to him and his ragtag group of deputies, lifted the headset off her ears.

He suppressed a smile. “Glad to see your accident hasn’t made you any less opinionated.”

Eight months had passed since the event that had nearly stolen her from him and the team. A warm and fuzzy Trudy would be hard to get used to—he was grateful he didn’t have to learn.

Trudy rested the headset around her neck. “Looks like Abby hasn’t given you any clue about where you’re going.”

“Other than the mountains, not much. I’ve tossed a few essentials in my truck.”

“Like?”

“A good book and a board game.” He smiled. “A couple of bottles of wine.”

She arched her brow.

“What? I’m assuming she’s arranged for us to be at some luxury resort.”

“You think so?”

“Abby likes her massages, saunas, breakfast in bed.” Not to mention time basking on the deck with a steaming cup of coffee. For being a tough no-nonsense woman, and a hell of an FBI agent, she liked the finer things—and she’d earned every damn one of them.

“And what do you like?” Trudy asked.

He chuckled. Not much of what he’d just mentioned. “Roughing it.”

“Hmmm…and she arranged this for the two of you to reconnect?”

His smile faded; he dropped the bag at his feet. “Are we camping?”

Trudy laughed and shook her head. “When it comes to women, you do take a minute to catch up. Might I suggest a few more items?”

“Like a tent?” He’d have to dig it out of his garage, which wouldn’t take long.

“No. But a communication device might come in handy.”

“Abby said something about our phones being off for the week.” He shifted on his feet. “Are you saying we’re headed somewhere with no service?”

She returned to her desk in response.

Of course they were. Several interruptions to his and Abby’s conversations had come from the station over the past months. Too often, when they’d just settled into talk or were on the edge of a sensitive topic. Tourist season was like that every year with the random fender bender, a too-loud party on the beach, a drunken brawl at the pub. Some infraction demanding his attention.

Added to that, Brody had slid his motorcycle on wet pavement and nearly dislocated his shoulder in the spring. Garrett had a few interviews in Portland, one in Seattle. Matt was called in to stock shelves by his boss at the IGA grocery store when they were short staffed, which had become more consistent.

Time with Abby had been the price, although the last time they’d carved out a night together still brought a smile to his face. Maybe this trip signaled her intention of wanting more quality togetherness. That thought alone made having limited phone access worth it regardless of where they went, even as the uneasiness of being out of contact with his crew niggled at him.

He flung the bag back over his shoulder and headed to his office.

The click of claws on the linoleum sounded behind him.

“Boss.” Rachel and Koa, her black lab, came out of the kitchen. “You all set?”

“Almost. Picking Abby up soon for what appears might be a wilderness retreat.”

Rachel laughed. “Don’t look so concerned.”

“I’m not.”

“Uh-huh. That’s why you have a crease between your eyebrows.”

He rubbed the spot. “Guess I’m not fond of surprises.”

“Never have been myself, but I have a feeling you’ll have fun.”

“According to Trudy, I will. Hope Abby does.” It was sweet she’d chosen a place that appealed to him—more imperative if she enjoyed herself. She’d never been one to sleep on the ground.

“Believe me, she did good.”

“Take it you know where we’re headed?”

“Not precisely.”

“How about a hint of what you do know, so I’m better prepared?” Having spent far too much time in the dark, he preferred to be ahead of things these days.

She did a zipping motion in front of her mouth. “I get that it’ll be difficult for you, but try not to worry. The men and I have everything covered.”

He nodded. Letting go of the wheel would never be easy, and in law enforcement things could change quickly. But Rachel was solid, and he trusted her… despite his former partner Jameson not agreeing with him hiring his only daughter. Jax had made the right call; he stood by it. There should be no hesitation about him and Abby taking a week for themselves.

“You’ll get a hold of me if there’s a problem?” he said.

“You won’t have any way…”

“I’m taking the satellite phone.”

Rachel folded her arms over her chest. “Suppose that’s smart after the last trek in the wilderness...”

“Exactly my thought.”

Rachel pursed her lips, likely recalling that day when radio silence had left her and the team wrought with worry as they waited for word on whether Jax and Abby were alive. But Abby should understand his decision, if it came up. Probably better it didn’t.

“Let’s do a briefing before I head out,” he said.

Rachel winked. “The men are waiting for you in the strategy room.”

He chuckled. That’s why there’d been no sign of them when he’d arrived.

In his office, he set his duffle bag on a chair, and retrieved the satellite phone, burying it near the bottom in a T-shirt. Once he checked his email for the tenth time and cleared his desk, he started toward the meeting room, until he heard voices in the reception area.

Trudy was holding open the station’s door. The men were grabbing their gear about to file out, Rachel and Koa behind them.

“What’d I miss?” Jax said.

Koa turned at the sound of his voice, trotting to his side. Jax squatted next to her, draping his arm gently over her back.

“Nothing to worry about, boss,” Rachel said.

“Just a routine traffic revision, chief,” Brody said. “We’ve got it.” He’d gelled down his wispy brown hair today, making him look young. Too young.

“I’ve got forty minutes before…”

“Oh no you don’t, Jax Turner,” Trudy said. “It’s a half-hour drive to Abby, and you will not be late.”

“I—”

“We’ve got it, Sheriff,” Rachel said, calling Koa to her. Koa didn’t budge.

“Koa’s siding with me on this,” he said.

Rachel lifted a brow at her black lab, who promptly returned to her side.

Fine. Jax stood. He’d wanted a team he could rely on, and he had one. So why did he feel left out? “Who’s in need of traffic revision anyway?”

“Fire department,” Trudy said.

“There’s an apartment complex on fire at the edge of town,” Rachel said.

Battalion Chief Mike O’Brien rarely requested assistance. With the remaining tourists eking out the last of their holiday weekend there could be a traffic log, he supposed.

“I’ll go with you,” Jax said.

Rachel held up her hands in a stop gesture. “Please. Get out of here and have a good time.”

Before he could protest, Rachel was out the door and Trudy shut it behind them. Through the glass, Jax watched his team slide into two of the patrol cars.

“You heard your deputy, hon. Get your stuff and head to Abby’s. And don’t come back until you and that saint of a woman have worked everything out.”

Trudy was right. He needed to check his ego. Misty Pines could handle a week without him.

A call came through Trudy’s headset which she tapped to answer. She settled behind her desk as he grabbed his bag, her voice fading as he walked outside.

“Yes, Mrs. Harper. Just a small fire. Nothing to worry about.”

***

Excerpt from Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa. Copyright 2025 by Mary Keliikoa. Reproduced with permission from Mary Keliikoa. All rights reserved.

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Author Bio:

Eighteen years in the legal field, and an over-active imagination, led Mary Keliikoa to plot murder—novels that is. She is the author of the domestic thriller DON’T ASK, DON’T FOLLOW, the newly released KILLER TRACKS, the third book in the Misty Pines mystery series which is an IPPY Silver and Bronze Award winner, Silver Falchion finalist, and a Foreword Indies award finalist, and the Shamus and CLUE Finalist, and Lefty, Agatha and Anthony nominated “PI Kelly Pruett” mystery series. Her short stories have appeared in Woman's World and the anthology Peace, Love and Crime. Catch Up With Mary Keliikoa:

MaryKeliikoa.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @Mary_Keliikoa
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X - @mary_keliikoa
Facebook - @Mary.Keliikoa.Author

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KILLER TRACKS by Mary Keliikoa

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