Murder, Just Because (+ Giveaway)

I am beyond thrilled to welcome author Yolanda Renee to Thoughts in Progress today so we can talk about her latest release, MURDER, JUST BECAUSE.

This mesmerizing thriller is the fifth installment in the author’s Detective Quaid Mysteries series. If you’d like to learn more about the book (and the author) you can follow along on her virtual Blog Tour at MCBook Tours.

The author is offering an awesome tour-wide international giveaway. More information on the giveaway is listed below.

MURDER, JUST BECAUSE
by Yolanda Renée

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
◊ Publisher: Yolanda Renee
◊ Series: Detective Quaid Mysteries
◊ Paperback: 291 pages
◊ Print & eBooks
◊ ISBN-10: 0985820632
◊ ISBN-13: 978-0985820633
◊ Contains explicit sex & graphic violence

"While this book does contain explicit sexual language and graphic violence, it could easily be taken from the daily headlines. The content is plausible and realistic as we look at the world around us. The events in the book are not overly done but give a pragmatic look at the terrifying actions killers can and sometimes do take."

It was a matter of beginner’s luck, but rookie detective Steven Quaid’s career and reputation as an elite investigator skyrocketed when he captured one of the most sadistic serial killers in Alaskan history: Stowy Jenkins, AKA the Snowman. But that was ten years ago.

And now…Jenkins is back. Escaped from prison and on the move, his bloodlust is stronger than ever, and his methods of torture are even more horrifying than before. As his bloody rampage continues and the number of mutilated bodies mounts, terrified Alaskans increasingly doubt Quaid’s ability to catch the killer again. The detective’s reputation is on the line, and he’s going to need a lot more than luck, because this time, Jenkins is driven by more than the thrill of a random kill.

This time, it’s more personal. He’s out for revenge…and his ultimate target is Quaid. In a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, Jenkins starts picking off the people in Quaid’s life…slowly, gradually tightening his circle of corpses and drawing ever closer to the most important person in Quaid’s life...his wife. Can Quaid do the impossible again? Can he outmaneuver the killer, or has the detective's luck finally run out?

Now I’d like to share my thoughts on this captivating story.

While we are faced with a real global pandemic the likes of which might have been envisioned by Stephen King or the late Michael Crichton, we can still enjoy a gripping murder mystery.

Events throughout MURDER, JUST BECAUSE easily relate to daily real-world headlines where a killer preys on unsuspecting victims. The author does an excellent job of putting the reader in the middle of the action. Her vivid descriptions can cause the readers to feel the emotions of the events for both the victims and the killer, as well as the detective.

The story moves at a good pace holding your attention from beginning to the chilling end. The author blends bits of humor and touches of romance throughout the story giving readers a chance to catch their breath before the next surprise. The rich details of the setting bring the story to life and paints a beautiful picture of the area as the tale unfolds.

MURDER, JUST BECAUSE reminded me there are monsters in the real world and how easy it is for them to target people (especially women) even when we think we’re being careful. This story is violent, graphic, and terrifying but not overly done. While it may not be a read for everyone, it will be an eye-opener for those who do. All the elements included are necessary and make for a realistic, heart-pounding story. It will keep you on the edge of your seat holding your breath as you anticipate the next move.

This story is one of those you don’t want to read at night when you are alone, but you can’t put it down because you are drawn into it. You can’t stop yourself as you say, ‘just one more page’ or ‘just one more chapter’ hoping to see who wins – killer or detective.

Author Yolanda Renee

For those who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a bit of background on her in her own words.

At one time Alaska called to me, and I answered. I learned to sleep under the midnight sun, survive in below zero temperatures, and hike the Mountain Ranges. I’ve traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and the memories are some of my most valued. The wonders, mysteries, and incredible beauty that is Alaska has never left me and thus now influences my writing.

Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and I have two handsome sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure!

For more on Yolanda and her writing, you can connect with her here:

Blog    *     Facebook     *     Twitter     *     Pinterest     *     Email

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This tour-wide giveaway is for a complete set of the Detective Quaid Mystery series books for one winner, paperback copies of MURDER, JUST BECAUSE for five winners, and a Kindle copy of MURDER, JUST BECAUSE for 10 winners.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. If the widget doesn’t show up, just click HERE and you’ll be directed to the widget.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to follow Yolanda on her month-long tour HERE. You never know what you might find out. Have you ever found a book that you liked so much you didn’t want to stop reading but at the same time it made you so scared you couldn’t read it when you were alone or at night?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

This and That

It’s time for a “This and That” post, which I haven’t done in quite some time. But let’s be honest, I haven’t done a lot of any posting here lately. I say I’m going to do better (with the best of intentions) and then life gets a little crazier and I let it sidetrack me.

I think some of my problem is that at heart I’m a list maker. And for some time now I’ haven’t been making lists. Without a list I feel a bit lost. I’ve never completely finished everything on a list, but I feel better knowing I’ve done at least a few of the things that needed to be done. I’m slowly starting to make lists again so maybe that will help. For some reason you can have five planners (which I do) but they don’t help if you don’t actually plan in them (LOL).

Before I get too carried away here, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who voiced concern over my sick family member. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging about that. The sick family member is my fur baby, Traveler. For those of you who have fur babies, you understand that even though he is a cat, he is my baby and a huge part of our family.

A short version of what’s happen with Traveler. End of September he got where he wouldn’t eat anything. Go to the vet who says he could be a virus. The vet said Traveler is probably older than we think (he was a stray that adopted me) and that he could have the beginnings of kidney problems. We got medicine, he started back eating and follow up showed kidneys not as bad as first thought but still need to watch closely. Weeks go by, he’s eating but looks like he’s losing weight and not really acting like himself. Begin to notice his breathing is also changing. Back to vet who say, “he doesn’t have long” fluid is building up. Get more medicine and a week later back for another follow up. This visit the vet say, “it’s like examining a different cat.” While he gives us a good report, he cautioned the fluid could return because Traveler’s heart isn’t pumping hard enough (due to his age). We’re advised to watch and if that happens begin giving him one of the medicines again once daily (for the rest of his life). He went two full days without any medicine before the breathing started changing again. We’re back on the medicine and his breathing is still not normal. He has some difficulty at times but other times does okay. I'm thinking he probably needs the medicine twice a day like before. We'll see what the vet says. (Ingrid, I just want to let you know I’m still heartbroken for you over your loss of Ruby. I’ve thought a lot about you during Travel’s illness. Prayers continue for you.) Thanks again everyone for your concern, it means a lot to me.

On to other things, I am hoping someone has a suggestion or recommendation for me concerning moving files from one computer to another. Back before Christmas I purchased a new HP laptop. I still haven’t started using it yet. I need to move all my programs and files to the new computer. I don’t have a clue how to do that. P-L-E-A-S-E someone help.

I’ve got a number of books that I want to share my thoughts on with you. In addition, there are several new-to-me authors I want to introduce to you. Hopefully I can get on track again sharing with you (no promises this time). There are so many wonderful books out there and I am so far behind. Two books I do want to mention (and I will go into more details about each at a later date) are MURDER, JUST BECAUSE by Yvonne Renee, the fifth installment in her Detective Quaid Mysteries series, and Jemi Fraser’s debut release, DANCING WITH DEMENTIA, coming out soon. Be sure to keep those two on your radar and check them out.

How do you relieve stress? Do you do exercises to help keep your mind sharp? Are the two things the same? Over the years, as crazy as it sounds, I’ve found that Spider Solitaire helps to relax me and helps me to concentrate. Granted I only play on the medium level, but it helps. It makes me focus on something different and for those few minutes I’m playing everything else melts away. I like to think it also helps my mind to stay sharp.

I don’t normally play any other games online, but I recently came across one that I’ve downloaded on my iPad. It’s called June’s Journey and it’s set in the 1920s. It’s all about finding objects hidden in a scene so you can advance to the next level. It’s entertaining and it works my mental process. If you haven’t seen the game, but sure to check it out. Besides, there’s a fun mystery plot that goes along with the game. If you have seen it, have you tried it? What do you think of it? Is it too childish for you? Do you like games that challenge you to remember where something was or find something that is not out in plain sight?

Well, I guess I’ve rambled on for long enough. Thanks for stopping by today and especially for continuing to support this blog. Y’all are the greatest. Now, what have y’all been up to?