Monday, April 6, 2026

A Real Collusion by Stu Strumwasser ~ Literary Thriller ~ @GoddessFish


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Stu Strumwasser will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


A Real Collusion is about the secret conspiracy between the Republican and Democratic parties to control the US government through an illegal duopoly.

From the author of the bestselling novel, The Organ Broker, (hailed by Lee Child, New York Times # 1 bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series as, "Exciting and thought-provoking--the perfect package") comes, A Real Collusion, a stunning political thriller and expose.

A Real Collusion is a David Vs. Goliath(s) story about a man who accidentally becomes the leader of an independent political movement that nearly takes down the two-party system in America, while exposing a conspiracy that affects the results of the 2016 election. It explores universal and deeply human themes of loss, and the tension between justice and power. In the opening sentence the narrator points out that, “Ordinary people often do extraordinary things.” The characters in the book do, and the action is driven by the fantastic events of a unique political satire. It is also the heartfelt story of regular people struggling with lost love, alienation and nearly universal disaffection who find strength in enduring loyalty and friendship

This is the story of John Campbell (a regular guy from the lower east side of Manhattan) as recounted by his friend Skip Winters. Skip becomes John’s campaign manager and later, a congressman in his own right. He narrates the stunning-but-plausible story of how John Campbell and The American Coalition race to popularity, raising over a hundred million dollars from grassroots contributors—and become a threat to the political duopoly of the Democratic and Republican parties. The book sprinkles in references to real events from recent history, and real political leaders including Trump, John McCain, and more. This imbues the novel with a sense of realism, albeit one of an alternate reality. Skip discovers a deep-seated conspiracy within our political system whose leaders orchestrate a murder, destroy his friend and tip the scales of the election. The novel turns out to be Skip’s exposé of the secret collaboration between the two major political parties in our country—a cooperation to protect the duopoly that is, in part, real.

Genre:

Literary Thriller 



Read an Excerpt:

"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is John Campbell, from the lower east side."

The crowd responded with another enthusiastic round of cheers, but this time John held up his palm and said, "Please, please…." And that threw a quasi-hush over the audience.

"Thank you for coming to this little park tonight to hear me speak. Three nights ago, on the evening of July 10th, I attended our local Community Board meeting to propose that cigar smoking not be allowed on the sidewalk in front of bars and restaurants. That's all. I was not there to critique our government and I didn't ask for any of the attention that I have since received. I'm just like most of you, and I never anticipated that newspapers and newscasters would ever solicit my opinions on political issues. But now they're asking, and I have decided that I have a responsibility to answer. I am not embarrassed to say… I care."

Then, John paused. He had their rapt attention and he knew it. He looked directly at me, suddenly brimming with confidence. It might have been the kind of glance that Keith and Mick sometimes give to the roadies right before they go into the encore. I think that the feeling which washed over me then was pride. John turned back to the crowd and loudly said, "So, would you like to hear my answer?!"

Thunder from the crowd. "Yeah!" they yelled, some pumping their fists in the air.

"I won't give it to you!" John shouted, but then quickly added, "Instead, I will give you my proposal for OUR answer!" which elicited yet another roar.

"In recent years our system of government has broken down. Everyone knows it. Washington has become caught up in never-ending partisan fighting. It was on display during the recent government shutdown. The two major political parties no longer represent us. Frankly, how could they represent the spectrum or sum total of the thoughts, feelings and will of three hundred million citizens? There is a reason that more young people now choose "Independent" than either party when they turn eighteen. The political parties today exist as little more than machines for the never-ending raising of money to combat the enormous amount of money raised by their opponents (their "enemy counter-party" or, as I prefer to refer to them: "fellow Americans.") Let's stop standing for it. The Democrats and Republicans currently run our nation like two petulant children fighting over which show to watch on TV and who gets to hold the remote. When one party chooses the program, the other storms out of the room. Is that really the way we want to be led?

About the Author:



Stu Strumwasser is a modern-day muckraker who writes literary novels that address important sociopolitical issues. His first novel, The Organ Broker, was published by Skyhorse (distributed by Simon & Schuster) and shortlisted as one of five finalists for the Hammett Prize for literary excellence in crime writing. Strumwasser was also the primary songwriter and drummer for the indie rock band Channeling Owen. He is a longtime investment professional (investing in sustainable technology that improves the manner in which we make food) and hails from Brooklyn NY. His new novel, A Real Collusion, is both an exposé and analysis of broken government and a fictional David Vs. Goliath(s) story of the man who almost took down the two-party system in America.

WEBSITE: https://www.arealcollusion.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244895746-a-real-collusion
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/stuthemeddler
Tik Tok: http://www.tiktok.com/@stuthemeddler
To read the first two chapters of the novel please visit: https://arealcollusion.com/first-two-chapters/

Amazon: https://amzn.to/417IY8b
BN.com EBook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-real-collusion-stu-strumwasser/1148954359?ean=2940185040737
BN Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-real-collusion-stuart-strumwasser/1148954359
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-real-collusion
Google Play EBook: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=NxSlEQAAQBAJ&hl=en_US
Google Play Audiobook: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAEDqp1LnqM&hl=en_US
Apple Books: http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6757249400
Payhip for the book: https://payhip.com/ARealCollusion


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Sunday, April 5, 2026

#BookReview ~ Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash ~ #Romance @KimTheBookworm @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks


Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash


About the Book:

💔 How do you mend a broken heart? 💔

Michelle finally thought she’d found love with her hot Greek doctor. But when Demetri reveals he’s returning home to care for his sick mother, Michelle’s dream future crumbles. Choosing not to follow him feels like losing more than just love - it feels like losing who she’d started to become.

Determined not to fall apart, Michelle decides to throw herself into rebuilding her life in Sandpiper Shore, but then unexpectedly, Demetri’s brother, Makkis, arrives on her doorstep. Offering him a room seems like the kind thing to do… but the constant reminder of her lost love is difficult for her heartbroken soul.

And the more time she spends with Makkis, the clearer it becomes: there are parts of Demetri she never knew… Just as Michelle starts to heal with a little help from her friends, she’s faced with a decision: fight for the love she knows she deserves, or finally learn how to let go…

My Review:

Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage is the third book in the Sandpiper Shores series. I've only read this book but will be going back to read books one and two. 

I enjoyed meeting Michelle and getting to know her and the rest of the characters from Sandpiper Shores. Michelle's story is complex with twists, turns, and surprises around every corner. I make it sound like an action/adventure but it's not. This book is about love, loss, and second chances. There are aspects that will anger you, get you excited, and encourage you. 

Michelle has a lot happen to her in this book. Some events you expect, others surprise you. Her boyfriend, Demetri, poses an impossible choice, one that will completely upend her entire life no matter which selection she makes. Follow Michelle's story as she makes choices that she thinks are best and discovers that not everything is as it seems. 

I was engaged in Michelle's story from the very beginning. The author crafted a complex novel with likeable characters, a smooth plot, and a story that's easy to follow, even if you haven't read the previous books. I love the friendship group in the story and am glad that Michelle has such a great group of friends to lean on not just during the tough times but at all times.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:


Meet the Author:

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, romantic, feel-good fiction, having wanted to write books since she was a little girl. She works as both Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture. She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni. When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog and reading, as well as running a book club in Staffordshire and organising local and national reader/author events. 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: @KimNashAuthor

Twitter: @KimTheBookworm

Instagram: @KimNashAuthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KimNashNews

Bookbub profile: @KimNash18

Purchase Link:

Amazon



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Saturday, April 4, 2026

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen ~ @MaggieChriste33 @rararesources #Romance


Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing


About the Book:

Rhana Black has always been content with her quiet life in the Pelican Crossing hinterland, where she spends her days breeding spaniels. Following a traumatic incident at her school formal and weighed down by her own insecurities about her appearance, Rhana has shied away from any romantic relationships. That is, until a chance encounter with a hot air balloonist changes everything.

Steve Morton has been struggling to move on after the tragic death of his pregnant fiancée. In search of solace, he finds himself in Pelican Crossing, where he rediscovers his love for flying and starts offering hot air balloon rides and scenic helicopter flights along the coast. When he meets Rhana, he is taken aback by the intense emotions he feels towards her.

As Rhana and Steve navigate their complicated pasts and undeniable chemistry, they must decide if they are willing to break their self-imposed barriers and take a chance on love. But with their old wounds and deep insecurities threatening to keep them apart, can they be able to overcome their fears and find happiness together?

My Review:

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing is the eighth book in the Pelican Crossing series. Rhana is living the best life she can allow herself in Pelican Crossing. She lives alone outside of town and breeds English Spaniels. She has a couple close girlfriends but mostly sticks to herself. Past trauma has prevented her from seeking romantic relationships. A chance encounter with her only neighbor has her rethinking her isolation and how the past has affected her entire adult life.

Steve has just moved back to Australia after the devastating death of his fiancée. He bought a parcel of land in Pelican Crossing where he established a hot air balloon business and sightseeing via helicopter ride. His loss closed off a part of him he thought was lost forever until he met his neighbor. I enjoyed Rhana and Steve's characters. The author wrote a realistic story with believable characters, situations, and emotions. The book has strong characters, complications, and various types of relationships.

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing is a sweet, heartwarming novel. The story is multi-dimensional with complex characters and complex situations. Both characters carry an intense amount of trauma (Hers: SA; His: Death) so please go into this story carefully. The author did a spectacular job presenting each character and their backstories with care and sensitivity.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

My Rating:



Purchase Link:

Amazon

Meet the Author:


After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea. It is warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.

From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call to ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/maggiechristensenauthor


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Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries) by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek ~ Cozy Mystery

 

Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries) by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

About Arson, Old Lace and Murder:

 

Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

8th in Series

Setting - Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s

Publisher: Love-Based Publishing

Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 25, 2026

Number of Pages 200

Paperback ISBN: 9798893510393

ASIN : B0GNZPYN1L

Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FHQHXNGR

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Charlie Kingsley is not a private investigator. She makes and sells custom teas out of her home. Which is why she initially refused to look into a recent case of a bar that had burned down. Yes, it was tragic that the owner's body was found inside. But this is an arson case, and what does she possibly know about arson? Except...one of the waitresses is missing. Who's pregnant. Who everyone thought was having an affair with the owner of the bar. How can Charlie say no to the owner's widow? And when Charlie accidentally finds the pregnant waitress, things start to take a strange turn. And suddenly, Charlie finds herself thrust into a decades-old mystery that haunts Redemption to this day. A mystery that could very well cost Charlie her life. Meet Charlie. Also known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She's back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.

About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek:

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

While each book is a standalone, you may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order, which is: The Murder Before Christmas Ice Cold Murder Murder Next Door Murder Among Friends The Murder of Sleepy Hollow Red Hot Murder A Cornucopia of Murder Arson, Old Lace and Murder Masquerading as Murder (coming 2026) Other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series include: A Grave Error (prequel) Loch Ness Murder A Wedding to Murder For Three French Hens and a Murder A Room For Murder Margaritas and Murder Secret Santa Murder (coming 2026) 

Author Links:


Purchase Link


TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

March 23 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
March 23 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
March 24 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
March 25 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW
March 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
March 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
March 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 29 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 30 – Sarandipity's – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 31 - Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW
April 1 – Because I said So – REVIEW
April 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read- REVIEW
April 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 2 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
April 3 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 4 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 5 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

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Friday, April 3, 2026

Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery) by Leslie Karst ~ Cozy Mystery

 

Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery) by Leslie Karst

About Murder, Local Style:

 

Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Setting - Hawaii

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House

Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2026

Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages

Hardcover ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1448316588

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448316588

Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448316571

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FVLW3ZL8

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Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious poisoning in this Orchid Isle cozy culinary mystery, featuring a feisty queer couple who swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions in tropical Hilo, Hawai‘i. A dinner to die for! It’s been an eventful transition, but retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen are finally settling into life on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Val’s even joined the neighborhood orchid society to make some new friends. So when she’s asked to step in to cater their latest social event, as the newbie of the group she can’t exactly say no. But what should have been a straightforward gig is soon a dining disaster when the food from the event poisons and kills the society president. As Val herself becomes a suspect in the murder investigation, she’s determined to uncover the truth. Who would want to kill the mild-mannered president of the orchid society? Turns out the list is longer than a celebrity chef's tasting menu. Apparently some of the residents did not "love thy neighbor." Can she reveal the killer’s identity before they strike again? This mouthwatering cozy mystery is perfect for fans of Ellen Byron, Jennifer J Chow, Lucy Burdette, and Raquel V Reyes, and includes a selection of delicious Hawaiian recipes to cook at home.

About Leslie Karst:

Leslie Karst is the Lefty and Macavity Award-nominated author of the Orchid Isle mysteries Waters of Destruction and Molten Death, of the Sally Solari mystery series, and of the IBPA Ben Franklin and IPPY award silver medal-winning memoir, Justice is Served: A Tale of Scallops, the Law, and Cooking for RBG. After years waiting tables and singing in a new wave rock band, she decided she was ready for a “real” job and ended up at Stanford Law School, then returned to school to study the culinary arts. Now retired from the law, Leslie splits her time between Hilo, Hawai‘i and Santa Cruz, California, spending her days writing, cooking, cycling, gardening, and observing cocktail hour promptly at five o’clock.

Author Links:


Chicks on the Case https://chicksonthecase.com/



Purchase Links:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 30 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 30 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

March 31 - Read Your Writes Book Reviews – RECIPE

April 1 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 3 – Sarandipity's – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 3 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 4 – Because I said so – REVIEW

April 5 – Elizabeth McKenna - Blog – SPOTLIGHT

April 6 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

April 7 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

April 8 – Ruff Drafts - SPOTLIGHT

April 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

April 9 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

April 10 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 11 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW

April 11 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

April 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.