The newly released romantic, murder mystery, The Death of Me by Carolyn M. Bowen has garnered 5 stars from the Chick Lit Café for excellence in storytelling. Read the review here: https://chicklitcafe.com/2022/01/05/the-death-of-me-by-carolyn-m-bowen/
Order your eBook today during this special introductory (limited offer) for just $1.99. Kindle Unlimited fans can read this exciting romantic mystery suspense free now.
Enjoy the gorgeous month of May when the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping with novels by Carolyn Bowen. Travel to scenic vistas and experience native cultures as the mysteries unfold.
We’re celebrating with an eBook deal (May 3rd-5th) on the latest mystery in the Sydney Jones Series, ONE —A Novel. Grab a bargain and read this month’s romantic mystery-thriller deal for just 99 cents.
“ONE the 3rd novel in the Sydney Jones Series is a captivating well-written story that hooks you with its imaginative plot, bold characters, and scenic venues.” 5/5⭐
“I was so intrigued because of the settings of the storyline and I must say, it’s not a usual thriller or detective novel because it is filled with drama and action which keeps it more edgy and sharp.”
“The author does an excellent job of pacing the story leaving bits and crumbs for us to follow. Bowen provides a dynamic ending with clues making me believe there’s another series in the works. A must-read for romantic mystery lovers.”
“If you like fearless heroines, page-turning action, and shocking twists, then you’ll love Carolyn Bowen’s gripping story.”
Sydney Jones Mystery Series … “Bold & entertaining reads for mystery lovers.” Book 1: Primed for Revenge; Book 2: Chance, and Book 3: ONE. Available in eBooks or paperbacks
Oh, happy day! I just received a new 5-star rating for my latest novel, ONE, in the Sydney Jones Series.
I love it when readers love my novels and leave a rating. This one is from an excellent book blogger, Kathleen Van Lierop, My Crazy Life Full With Books. Click below to read the full blog post. Also, I’d appreciate your sharing this with your mystery lover friends.
Writing novels that readers find interesting and noteworthy is a passion of mine. If you’re a mystery lover, and enjoy reviewing novels, join my VIP group to receive advance copies of my latest novels. We have some great surprises planned for you in 2021.
Take care and stay safe, Carolyn Bowen
I’m excited to announce the release today of my latest mystery-thriller, ONE, Sydney Jones Series, Book 3. Tap the link below to download and read FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
Reviews for ONE from Advance Readers
ONE ~ 5 Stars
“All the action and surprising twists and turns this story takes kept me turning the pages quickly hungering for more.” Chick Lit Café
ONE ~ 5 Stars
“This fast-moving thriller will hold your attention, as no one is really safe.” Theodocia McLean (Book Marketing Global Network)
ONE ~ 5 Stars
“This psychological thriller is an outstanding addition to the Sydney Jones Series and is sure to gratify any mystery lover’s thirst for a great read.” Amazon Reviewer
Here’s a little background info about my quirky writing life during the research and writing of this novel.
I began writing ONE immediately following the release of Chance, Book 2, in the Sydney Jones Series. I’d already begun plotting the new story and named it before beginning the manuscript. This is a mysterious phenomenon for me and hopefully, it will continue for future books. This knowing adds to the excitement of writing for I’m trying to understand why I chose the name while the story unfolds. If you’re an author, I’d like to know your decision-making process for naming your novel.
Getting in the mood…
Mentally I prepare to write by listening to the music from the settings in the novel before beginning my day. I research the favorite foods of the locale and prepare them to add flavor to my writing. I take on the persona of someone living the story sometimes including clothing and accessories, a fun activity for me.
You’ll find from reading my novels, I enjoy adventure and scenic locations. I hope that I’m able to give you a taste of the land in my writing and you’ll embrace the culture.
Travel is an important part of my writing process. At times, I sense a story is waiting at my destination. This is a great experience and I attempt to take in the sight, sounds, smell, and feel of cities and towns in my stories.
I hope you enjoy reading ONE and look forward to your comments and reviews. The Sydney Jones Series, book 1: Primed for Revenge, book 2: Chance, and book 3: ONE.
Stay safe and believe we’ll travel again! Carolyn Bowen
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Quote of the Day: “Becoming conscious of what we’ve learned unconsciously (about love relationships) is a necessary step in getting control over our love lives.” Dr. Thomas Jordan
We are beginning a new month amidst a global pandemic never experienced in our lifetimes. This deadly virus has catapulted us into severe economic conditions when we were expecting growth and prosperity.
Adding to our mental overload is civil unrest from generations of pent-up grief turned to anger over righteous grievances. This painful reality resulted in the loss of and/or injuries to personal lives. The trail of destruction in our cities adds another blow to businesses trying to hang on until we reach a new normal.
As a nation, we need a peaceful way to spearhead and process change. It’s time we came together and looked for answers to solve our problems. I believe the first step is looking at ourselves and our love relationships. Learn to Love: Guide to Healing Your Disappointing Love Life by Dr. Thomas Jordan resonated with me. 
This is my review for this timely book that I recently posted on Goodreads. I hope you’ll give it a chance to warm your heart and create an understanding that’ll help you live a love-centered fulfilling life.
Learn to Love: Guide to Healing Your Disappointing Love Life by Thomas Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Learn to Love was an amazing find for learning about how to develop and maintain healthy love relationships. The content is informative and provides a well-structured guide for fleshing out problems and resolving them to become a better version of you in your love relationships.
Thomas Jordan Ph.D. provides expert analysis of what a love relationship is and isn’t. He then leads us through the discovery process as a professional complete with exercises to further our learning on our own or by following his offerings: seminars, webinar, and private consultation.
The book is built upon his clinical research over the course of his thirty-year practice and his personal experiences. The outcome has substantial value to us for envisioning, learning, and creating the love life we desire.
This book will teach you something about your love life and broaden the chances of your finding and sustaining a healthy love relationship. A 21st Century Love Relationship Class that provides the training we need in today’s world. A must-read!
Let’s celebrate! One of the milestones authors dream about achieving is knowing readers and book bloggers are reading and loving their books. Today is my happy day!
The writing life has its ups and downs sometimes feeling like you’re riding a merry-go-round. However, when readers respond with comments and reviews it makes the day brighter. Today is one of my soaring days. I just received a 5 Star review for Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series Book 1 by Chick Lit Café. Look below!
5 Stars Chick Lit Cafe
Primed For Revenge: Sydney Jones Novel Series by Carolyn M. Bowen
Synopsis:
Practicing law in a large partnership, Sydney Jones was primed for making partner. Then her life turned upside down after a disagreement with her boss at Birdman & Birdman.
Leaving the office, she was swiftly kidnapped and taken to her assailants’ hideaway, beaten, and raped. With no memory of whom she was put her at a disadvantage with her captors. Through gritted teeth, she promised a day of repercussions for their actions while mentally visualizing her revenge.
Warned by her assailants to keep her mouth shut or else, she was delivered to her home. Not recognizing her former living quarters, she was careful in exploring her options for regaining her memory.
Piecing together the reasons for her kidnapping brought her into contact with people, some she could trust and others risky. The problem was the amnesia prevented her from recognizing the difference.
Tapped for a crime once nudged her toward caution for something afoul was going on at Birdman & Birdman. She prepared for a fight. With a vision of fury, she made a chilling decision – never to be a victim again.
Primed For Revenge, the first book in a new and exciting psychological thriller series by Carolyn M. Bowen brings readers a captivating mystery filled with crime, conspiracy, and deceit. The author pulls no punches with a dynamic observation into the emotions and actions taken when one’s life is confronted with unexpected, debilitating and life-changing events, of the horrific kind.
Sydney Jones has a bright career as an attorney at a large law firm, prepared to become a partner. However, a disagreement with her boss at Birdman and Birdman infuriates Sydney and she does not take it lying down, causing unforeseen negative consequences.
When she is kidnapped, tortured, brutally raped and returned to her home, Sydney is warned to keep her mouth shut. Sydney has no idea why she was targeted and she has now lost her memory too. Now, suffering from amnesia, she tries to get her life back. She begins to exercise and work out and goes to the gun range, learns to handle and shoot a gun. She becomes stronger, learns to protect herself and tries to overcome such a horrific attack on her body and life. She wants revenge and gets prepared for a fight. As she starts to regain some of her memory and put the pieces together, disturbing events are brewing behind the scenes while deceptive friendships and situations come her way.
Primed For Revenge by Carolyn Bowen is an exceptional crime and mystery story filled with intrigue, romance, action and unexpected surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, which ended with a tremendous twist. The exciting, deep, complex and fully believable plot is brought to life with Bowen’s expressive descriptive words, vivid scenery, settings, and of course, the shocking scenes. Sydney Jones is a fabulous character with strength and determination. She should not trust those who come to befriend and help her but takes her chances. Because after all, she did forget everyone she knew, and even the house she lived in. What a struggle for one woman to endure. Many readers will identify with her vulnerability, and be inspired and encouraged by the strong woman she becomes after being victimized in such a brutal manner.
Carolyn M. Bowen has captured the essence of various authentic, interesting and compelling characters. She has an original clever ability for writing about fascinating people, unique places and astonishing unusual occurrences. The dialog between the characters is brilliant and impressive, sometimes heated and many times, warm.
Overall, Primed For Revenge by Carolyn M. Bowen is an entertaining read, with a great fulfilling plot and storyline that flows nicely, is easy to follow and become engrossed in. The characters all play an important and vital part to this creative and original novel which is the beginning of a remarkable new psychological thrillers series, entitled Sydney Jones Novel Series by Carolyn M. Bowen. Don’t miss out on this captivating, compelling and thrilling 5 star read! Highly recommended by Chick Lit Cafe.
Purchase Primed For Revenge by Carolyn M. Bowen today!
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Primed For Revenge, Sydney Jones Series Book 1 is now also available online and at your favorite bookstores in eBook and paperback format now!
B&N
Books-A-Million
Google Play
KOBO
Smashwords
Foyles – UK
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Quote of the Day: There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. Ernest Hemingway
Lifelong learning around my home means studying the art and craft of writing. This means I do a lot of reading and writing.
We all have our favorites and my reference to Ernest Hemingway probably doesn’t surprise you. I am fortunate to have read many of Hemingway’s novels and came across a book about him written by his friend, Arnold Samuelson, an aspiring writer at the time.
For the next few posts, I’ll share some of his advice to writers from the book by Arnold Samuelson, With Hemingway, A Year in Key West and Cuba.
Note: The book was published after the author’s death in 1981. You may have seen the movie, if not watch it. The book is available in hard copy from Amazon and at most libraries.
“Never compete with living writers. You don’t know whether they’re good or not. Compete with the dead ones you know are good. Then when you can pass them up you know you’re going good. You should have read all the good stuff so that you know what has been done because if you have a story like one somebody else has written, yours isn’t any good unless you can write a better one. In any art, you’re allowed to steal anything if you can make it better, but the tendency should always be upward instead of down. And don’t ever imitate anybody. All style is, is the awkwardness of a writer in stating a fact. If you have a way of your own, you are fortunate, but if you try to write like somebody else, you’ll have the awkwardness of the other writer as well as your own.”
In the next post, we’ll look at what Ernest Hemingway thought was the “good stuff” writers should read.
Please take a moment and share your thoughts below. Thanks for following my newsletter. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Carolyn
Quote for Today: “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.” —Norman Vincent Peale
Spring is in the air and I’m enjoying my writing life – reading and working on book 2 of the Sydney Jones Series. As you know, I rotate my reading from craft, marketing, to the mystery-thriller genre. This is my latest read. Hope you’ll give this gripping fiction a shot!
Livia Lone by Barry Eisler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Livia Lone opens the dialog for talking about human trafficking. It’s a worldwide criminal operation partnering for taking and fulfilling orders for people, against their will, to be distributed worldwide. This fictional account shows the political corruption and horrors associated with this heinous crime.
The psychological effects of abuse take on many forms and we get a front row seat to seeing Livia deal with years of childhood and early adulthood abuse. The suspense of not knowing if her sister is dead or alive after both were sold by their parents in Thailand haunts her.
The love for her sister keeps her going. Learning how to defend them both was her objective. She excelled at martial arts, studied criminal justice and became a cop with one purpose in mind – find and free her sister. What she did with her new found knowledge crosses the line, but it fit her agenda – vendetta against those who caused their suffering.
Barry Eisler weaves a tale of deceit that’ll keep you turning pages. In the end, you’ll be ready for the next in the series.
I look forward to this new season and connecting with mystery lovers here and on social media. Carolyn Bowen
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Quote of the Day: “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” Ernest Hemingway
I’m counting down the days/minutes until the launch of the new Sydney Jones Series Book 1: Primed For Revenge. On April 2nd this new novel series will be available online for purchase (ebook or paperback), and in your favorite bookstores. Click here to order!
If you’re a book blogger/reviewer, please message me for a Kindle gift copy.
Birthing a novel deserves a celebration, don’t you think? Join the fun on Twitter and Facebook on April 2nd for a fun adventure. One lucky party-goer from each social site will receive a signed copy of Primed For Revenge, the first in the Sydney Jones Series. Hope you’ll stop by and say hello.
If you’d like a sample of this new thriller, follow my blog using your email address and I’ll forward you a PDF of the first 25 pages.
I look forward to this new season and connecting with mystery lovers here and on social media. Carolyn Bowen
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Quote for the Day: The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment. Marie Kondo
Spring is the season to clear away the cobwebs from the winter and breathe in the freshness of peace and joy in your surroundings. Most times this calls for deep cleaning of your home and office.
A friend recommended Marie Kondo’s cleaning method. After reading her book, I decided to pursue decluttering using her guidelines. And, let’s just say it’s a huge undertaking, but I’m game! Here’s my review from Goodreads.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō
Follow my blog for the latest news about new releases, giveaways, sweeps, and more. Check out novels by Carolyn M. Bowen. Thanks!
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Carolyn M. Bowen, Author 