Book Tour and Giveaway: The Tarnished Son by Elizabeth McKenna

 

Book Details:

​Book Title:  The Tarnished Son by Elizabeth McKenna
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  400 pages
Genre: Domestic Suspense
Publisher: Elizabeth McKenna
Release date:  July 2024
Content Rating: PG-13 +M:  No F-bombs, but mild profanity. Sex scenes are not explicit. Situations include drug use, drinking (underage and legal), gun violence, and adultery.

Book Description:

Grab some popcorn and watch the destruction unfold in this fast-paced and unpredictable family drama!

“This is a nice, quiet town. Things like that don’t happen around here.”

But they do.

In THE TARNISHED SON, a tourist’s death, an alluring young teacher, a father’s carnal desires, and a stepdaughter’s vendetta ultimately destroy a village dynasty.

The respected Clark family has governed Williams Bay since 1837. On a hot August day, seventeen-year-old Liam causes a tragic boating accident. What happens next—infidelity, drugs, theft, and more—deepens long-hidden cracks in the family’s façade, exposing their secrets and tarnishing their golden image.

Meet the family:

• William Sr., the grandfather who rules the family and the village with an iron fist
• Hank, the father who lets temptations lead him on a path of self-destruction
• Liam, the shining son who gets away with everything
• Rose, the stepdaughter who has had enough and pushes the whole house down

ELIZABETH MCKENNA weaves a tense plot with unique characters that lovers of domestic suspense novels won't be able to put down.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
BookBub
add to Goodreads

 

Meet the author:    

Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories.

Her novels reflect her mercurial temperament and include romances, mysteries, and suspense. Some are “clean,” and some are “naughty,” so she has a book for your every mood.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband and Sidney, the rescue dog from Tennessee. When she isn’t writing, reading, or walking the dog that never tires, she’s sleeping.

Connect with the author:   Website ~  X/Twitter ~  Facebook  ~ Instagram ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

My Review:    

I have had the joy in reading novels from Elizabeth McKenna in the past and was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest book, The Tarnished Son. I was not disappointed. I loved how the author's imagination was able to write a story that was so realistic. This was one of those tales that is like riding on a thrilling roller coaster with all of the ups and downs, twists and turns. I never knew which way I was headed from page to page, chapter to chapter. At first, I was having hard time keeping up with all of the characters. But once I caught on who was who, I did not want to put the book down. It was easy for me to jump on this adventure that was face paced, suspenseful, and action packed. I wanted to keep reading for find out what could possibly happen next. What a fun and entertaining novel.

I am going to give The Tarnished Son a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love suspense filled fiction and I believe they will not want to miss out on reading it. It is definitely worth diving into. I look forward to getting my hands on more releases from Elizabeth McKenna in the future. 

I received a paperback copy of Elizabeth McKenna's The Tarnished Son from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Killer Resolutions by Elizabeth McKenna

 

 

Join us for this tour from Dec 2 to Dec 13, 2019!

Book Details:
Book Title:  Killer Resolutions by Elizabeth McKenna
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  174 (excluding bonus materials, which should not be reviewed)
Genre:  Mystery - Suspense
Publisher:  Elizabeth McKenna
Release date:   October, 2019
Tour dates: Dec 2 to Dec 13, 2019
Content Rating: R: There is profanity, including 12 F-bombs. There are numerous murders, though nothing is described in over-the-top gore. There are sexual conversations between characters and kissing as well as an off-page love scene.

Book Description:
For fans of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None . . .

In a remote lodge in northern Wisconsin, friends gather for a festive, New Year’s Eve weekend. When a blizzard traps them with a murderer, who will be left to kiss at midnight?

Five years ago, a tragedy shattered the friendship between Dani, her older brother, and their college pals. When her brother invites the old gang for a weekend of outdoor winter fun at a remote lodge, she sees it as a chance to reconnect and heal. But when her friends are murdered one-by-one, Dani must determine whom she can trust before she becomes the next victim.

Contains profanity, violence, and mild sexual content.

*Bonus Materials:
Contains Chapter 1 of the following Elizabeth McKenna novels:
• The Great Jewel Robbery (cozy mystery)
• First Crush, Last Love (contemporary romance)
• Venice in the Moonlight (historical romance)

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Meet the author:   
Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). Her novels reflect her mercurial temperament and include historical romances, contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and dark mysteries. With some being “clean” and some being “naughty,” she has a book for your every mood. Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

Connect with the author:   Website ~  Twitter ~  Facebook  ~ Instagram

Interview: 

How long have you been writing? I started writing my first book, Cera’s Place, in 2008, but I didn’t publish it until 2011. It took a bit of time to write due to working full time and being a mom to young kids. Killer Resolutions is my fifth book. I’ve written three romances and two mysteries.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories? Killer Resolutions was inspired by the 2015 version of And Then There Were None. I love mysteries, I love Agatha Christie, and I love Aidan Turner (Poldark) shirtless and in a towel. (If you’ve seen this version, then you understand that last line.) I was watching the movie during a time when I didn’t think I would ever write another story again. Suddenly, I had my inspiration for my next book. I was going to reimagine And Then There Were None but set the story in a remote lodge in northern Wisconsin on New Year’s Eve. Obviously, my plot doesn’t follow Agatha Christie’s plot, but there’s a killer, the characters are trapped, and they are dying one by one.

What advice would you give budding writers? Get honest feedback on your writing, use a professional editor, and find beta readers before you publish a story. You can’t successfully edit/evaluate your writing. You need unbiased input. And once you publish, it’s out there forever, so you want to put out the best that you can.

Favorite travel spot? Anywhere in Europe. I love the architecture and history of the various countries.

Favorite dessert? Well, I’m gluten free and not by choice, which has taken all of the fun out of sweets. Previously, I would have said a mud pie from a certain bakery in the town I grew up in. Now, I will have to say Crème Brûlée. I actually daydream about desserts – like what sweet I would eat if I were to breakdown and eat gluten.

Tour Schedule:
Dec 2 – Life as Leels – book review
Dec 2 - Library of Clean Reads – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 3 – Working Mommy Journal – book review
Dec 4 – From the TBR Pile – book review / giveaway
Dec 4 - The World As I See It – book review
Dec 5 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 6 - Literary Flits – book review / giveaway
Dec 9 - Momfluenster – book review / giveaway
Dec 10 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review
Dec 11 – Bookmark and fork – book review / author interview
Dec 12 - A Page Before Bedtime – book review / giveaway
Dec 13 – Adventurous Jessy – book review / giveaway
Dec 13 - Cheryl's Book Nook – book review / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway!

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My Review: 

Killer Resolutions is another exciting suspense filled mystery by Elizabeth McKenna. She takes readers on a thrilling ride with this book. Dani and her friends find themselves in the state of Wisconsin at a secluded lodge for a New Year’s celebration. The festivities soon turn sour and things quickly go downhill when a blizzard strands them in the lodge. Suddenly, Dani’s friends are being killed. She panics who do not know who the killer is or she can turn to. Will she be able to trust anyone? Will she find out who is the murderer before she becomes a victim herself? 

I thought Killer Resolutions was a pretty good book. I did not find it to be predictable and was surprised who the killer was in the end. There is quite a bit of twists and turns that left my head spinning. I never knew what was going to happen next. There were a few scenes that I had a hard time following, but was quickly able to catch on and keep turning the pages. It is not a long book, so I had no problem reading in a just a few hours – hours well spent. 

I give Killer Resolutions four and a half stars. I would love to read more like this one by Elizabeth McKenna in the future. She is gifted mystery writer and want to see where else her imagination will take her readers to next. I believe many mystery fans will want to pick this one up. 

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Great Jewel Robbery by Elizabeth McKenna

Book Details:
​
Book Title: The Great Jewel Robbery: A Front Page Mystery Book 1 by
Elizabeth McKenna
Category: Adult Fiction, 204 pages
Genre: Cozy mystery
Publisher: Elizabeth McKenna
Release date: May 28, 2019
Tour dates: August 19-30, 2019
Content Rating: PG-13 (There is no profanity. There is drinking, desire, and a kiss.)

Book Description:

Mystery with a splash of romance…Chicago Tribune reporters Emma and Grace have been best friends since college despite coming from different worlds. When Grace is assigned to cover an annual charity ball and auction being held at a lakeside mansion and her boyfriend bails on her, she brings Emma as her plus one. The night is going smoothly until Emma finds the host’s brother unconscious in the study. Though at first it is thought he was tipsy and stumbled, it soon becomes clear more is afoot, as the wall safe is empty and a three-million-dollar diamond necklace is missing. With visions of becoming ace investigative journalists, Emma and Grace set out to solve the mystery, much to the chagrin of the handsome local detective.

To read more reviews, please visit Elizabeth McKenna's page on iRead Book Tours.

​

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com

Add to Goodreads​

Meet the Author: 

Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She combined her love of history, romance, and a happy ending to write the historical romance novels Cera’s Place and Venice in the Moonlight. Her contemporary romance novel, First Crush Last Love, is loosely based on her life (she eventually married her first crush)

The Great Jewel Robbery is her debut cozy mystery, and she hopes readers will like it as much as they have enjoyed her romances. Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

Connect with the author: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Sept 6, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review

The Great Jewel Robbery is the beginning of Elizabeth McKenna’s series, A Front Page Mystery. This is my first introduction to Miss McKenna’s writing. It definitely will not be the last for me. In this book, the reader is introduced to best friends since childhood and now Chicago Tribune reporters, Emma and Grace. Grace is set to work at yearly auction and charity ball. She invites Emma to join her. While at the mansion where the event is held, Emma stumbles across an unconscious man inside. What once thought to be a simple passed out drunk, turns out to be something more! The wall safe is emptied, including a diamond necklace worth three million dollars. The two best friends quickly start their investigation of what happened and where the necklace has gone. 

I really enjoyed The Great Jewel Robbery. This is a fun and delightful cozy mystery. I was caught up in the suspense and mystery along with Emma and Grace. I never knew where the two would end up next. I had no problem what so ever continuing to read until the end. I had it read in just a few short hours. It was fun getting to know the two friends and enjoyed their bond. Such a beautiful and special friendship. 

I am giving The Great Jewel Robbery a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy a quick cozy mystery. I look forward to the next installment from A Front Page Mystery series. 

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion. 

Grand Finale Blitz and Giveaway: First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

First Crush, Last Love

By Elizabeth McKenna

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

I hope they, for a moment, remember how bittersweet love can be - especially that first love. I hope they are reminded that a bad relationship has to be ended, no matter how insecure you are, and I hope that the belief that things will get better is reinforced in the reader's mind.

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

She shook her head. For all the bravado she showed in front of Lee, here she was acting like a scared twelve-year-old, alone for the first time while her parents were on a date night. Her mom had offered to cancel her trip to London when Jessie told her the date of the class reunion, but Jessie had insisted she go. Since retirement, these trips had become her mom’s main source of entertainment.

She rummaged in her purse until her fingers found her pepper spray. With the canister at arm’s length, she circled each room on the first floor, testing the locks on the windows. Everything seemed in order. She let out a breath and grasped the banister leading upstairs with her free hand while her foot straightened the rug.

underneath the covers - Review

"If you are looking for a sweet, fun read, then First Crush, Last Love is the book for you. Elizabeth McKenna is a talented writer who does not force the characters together and sets a beautiful stage for a wonderful story. Make sure you add this book to your To-Be-Read Shelf."

E-Romance News - Excerpt

Part I Senior Year, July 4, 1983 (beach during fireworks display)

Now, here they were side by side at the fire pit, and Jessie still couldn’t believe it. She didn’t know what had changed, but she wasn’t going to question whichever star had granted her wish.

Lee’s head dropped back to better take in the night sky. “I like the really big ones the best.”

Jessie forced herself to look away from his profile to watch the finale. Color upon color assaulted her eyes as the exploding fireworks mimicked the sounds of war. The last one shot into the night sky and a cloud of smoke drifted over the water.

Two Points of Interest - Review

"The heartwarming novel was fun and interesting to read. The characters were all flawed but trying to do the best they could with their circumstances. . . . The novel had an interesting premise of two people who liked each other coming together in the end despite the obstacles that stood in their way."

Stacking My Book Shelves! - Excerpt

Part I Senior Year, May 1984

At a party hosted by Sarah, they had their first big fight. After half a dozen beers, Billy accused Jessie of flirting with Lee. Later in front of Billy’s house, Jessie turned off the car and rested her aching head on the steering wheel. Billy hadn’t spoken to her since their public shouting match at Sarah’s house. She was scared she’d blown her first real relationship all because of a misunderstanding.

“Why, Jessie, why?” He slurred the question, and her name came out “Jeth-thee.”

“I wasn’t flirting. I pumped the keg for Lee, and we talked about the physics final next week. It was no big deal.”

Colorimetry - Excerpt

Part III 10-Year Reunion, Saturday October 15, 1994

In the main banquet hall of Penbrook’s Restaurant, the band closed their first set with a slow song, and the Class of 1984 and their spouses headed to the dance floor. Jessie hadn’t slow-danced since her wedding reception and her mood turned bitter at the memory. She downed the rest of her drink. Love sucked. That was the bottom line.

She smelled Lee before she saw him. His clean, shower-fresh scent conjured up more memories. Sitting behind him in classes because “Baxter” came after “Archer,” she had breathed in his pheromones as if her life depended on it.

From behind, he nudged her shoulder with his own. “Hi there.”

Deal Sharing Aunt - Review

"I am a big fan of older music and I loved the music that was mentioned in this story! I also married someone that I went to grade school with, after not talking for awhile. There is a lot to be said about your first love, and your last love that you are meant to spend the rest of your life with. . . . The author did a great job of making Lee and Jessie these two people. . . . I am giving this book a 5/5."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Part I Senior Year, February 1984

“Hey, Jester, wait up!” Lee hustled down the school hallway. The red and pink Valentine hearts hanging from the ceiling fluttered in his wake.

When he reached Jessie, she offered him a tentative smile. Her wistful, blue-gray eyes met his before skittering away, and guilt hit him like a blitzing linebacker. He rubbed a palm across his stomach. He wished he could give her what she wanted—what she deserved—but he didn’t have it in him.

Bri's Book Nook - Review

"I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new romance novel, or to anyone who loves second chance romances. I’m not sure if this counts as second chance, because they were never together in the first place. However, I still consider it to be one, and this is definitely one of the best if not THE best second-chance romance novels that I have ever read."

Locks, Hooks and Books - Excerpt

Part II Marriage Interrupted, June 1990

Jessie kicked the back door closed with her foot and set the grocery bags on the kitchen table. The sound of the shower running told her Billy would be home for dinner. She put away the food and walked into the bedroom.

A trail of plaid shorts, an inside out polo shirt, bunched up socks, and golf shoes led to Billy’s dresser. Reigning in her annoyance, she gathered the dirty laundry in her arms and closed an open dresser drawer with her hip. A handful of coins and crumpled bills decorated the top of the dresser, along with a bank withdrawal slip. Her jaw clenched, and her annoyance turned to anger.

Teatime and Books - Excerpt

Part II Marriage Interrupted, August 1990

Jessie woke up from her nap on the couch to find college football blaring from the television and Billy gone from the recliner. She thumbed the mute button on the remote and stretched. Her stomach rumbled to remind her it was almost suppertime. As she debated what to cook, her eyelids drooped and she drifted off again.

She awoke to Billy’s deep laugh, though it took her a full moment to put a name to the muffled noise. For the past month and a half, the only sounds the walls in their house had heard were tense words or seething silence. She padded down the short hall to their bedroom and stopped at the closed door. Her hand fell away from the knob when she heard him laugh again.

SilverWoodSketches - Review

"Everyone remembers their first crush and the agony of loving someone who can't seem to love you back. But what happens when you don't get your happily ever after? Do you dare hope for a second chance? This is what Elizabeth McKenna explores in First Crush, Last Love...
A gripping, emotional tale more powerful because it based on a true story, First Crush, Last Love gives us the happy ending we all wish for."

Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader - Review

"First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna is a Novella that takes you through all stages of the romance. . . I found some of it difficult to read but over all it was a very enjoyable read."

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

First Crush, Last Love

By Elizabeth McKenna
Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 314 pages
August 1st 2017

Back in high school, Lee Archer made Jessie Baxter’s cheeks flush and her heart race. But the popular athlete never wanted to be more than just friends. Ten years later, after a failed marriage and with her journalism career on shaky ground, Jessie’s come home for her high school reunion—and Lee still has the power to make her knees weak and her pulse pound.

Lee’s teenage years were filled with more trauma and drama than anyone guessed. Though his damaged past has helped make him a successful police detective, it’s hurt every relationship he’s tried. But seeing the grown-up, stunning Jessie might just change his commitment-phobic mind.

Jessie’s psycho ex-husband had her convinced no one would ever love her, but Lee is ready to step out of the friend zone and into her heart. Can she learn to trust again before she loses her chance to turn her first crush into her last love?

Elizabeth McKenna’s novel will have you remembering the angst of high school, the grief of a failed relationship, and the joy of finding true love at last.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Though Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read a romance novel until her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). With the urging of her children, she decided to write her own Happily Ever Afters.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card and ebook of Venice in the Moonlight

- Open internationally
- Ends April 25th

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