The Serpant Woman - a thought-provoking crime novel

S.Z. Estavillo delivers another gripping, page-turning thriller in The Serpent Woman, the second book in the Serpent Series. Having been blown away by the first book, The Serpent’s Bridge, I eagerly dove into this sequel—and it did not disappoint. Once again, Estavillo combines a tight, complex plot with deeply developed characters and an intense emotional core that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

About the Book: The Serpent Woman

At the heart of the story is LAPD Detective Anaya Nazario and FBI Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley, who must team up to track down a dangerous and enigmatic serial killer known as The Serpent Woman. As the body count rises, Nazario and Huxley are forced to confront not only the complexity of the case, but also their own complicated relationship. The killer herself is a fascinating and multi-dimensional character—at once a victim and a vigilante—making it easy for readers to sympathize with her, even as they recognize the horror of her actions. Estavillo’s ability to make us care about such a morally ambiguous character is a testament to her skill as a writer.

The mystery is tantalizingly intricate. The Serpent Woman leaves behind disturbing evidence at each crime scene—folders containing classified documents, criminal records, and other revealing materials—that add layers of intrigue to the investigation. As Nazario’s sharp instincts and keen eye begin to unravel the puzzle, the story keeps readers guessing. The cast of suspects is well-crafted, each with their own believable motivations and alibis, creating a web of uncertainty that keeps the pages turning in anticipation.

The stakes are high, not just for the characters, but for the reader as well. The story raises fascinating questions about justice, morality, and revenge, forcing the characters—and us—to wrestle with who truly deserves justice: the killer or her victims? This is a case that is anything but straightforward, and the resolution, while surprising, feels earned and satisfying.

BookHookup Review: The Serpent Woman

One of the standout elements of The Serpent Woman is Estavillo’s characterization. From Nazario’s no-nonsense approach to her investigations to the endearing bond between Von Schlange and her loyal canine sidekick Zeus, the characters feel alive and real. The relationship between Von and Zeus adds a unique emotional layer to the story, blending action and tenderness in a way that enhances the overall reading experience. The dynamics between the characters are multifaceted, and their personal struggles add depth to the already intricate crime story.

The book does come with a warning for sensitive readers, as it contains graphic content including violence, abuse, and sexual themes that are central to the case at hand. However, Estavillo handles these difficult subjects with care and respect, ensuring that they serve the narrative rather than shock for shock’s sake.

In conclusion, The Serpent Woman is a thrilling, thought-provoking crime novel that expertly blends suspense with character-driven storytelling. The intricate plot, complex characters, and moral dilemmas make it an exceptional read. If you’re a fan of crime fiction with strong, multi-dimensional leads and a relentless pace, this is a book you won’t want to miss. I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the Serpent Series. Highly recommended!

5/5 Stars

The Hangman's Master: Historical fantasy with a supernatural twist

As a fan of Elyse Hoffman’s books, I was eager to dive into The Hangman's Master. However, I did find myself struggling to fully engage with the plot at first. It took me about a quarter of the way into the book to really connect with the story. Since I’ve only read the first two books in the series (The Vengeance of Samuel Val and Black Fox One), I think I was still getting reacquainted with the world and some new characters (though I did recognize a few from books one and two). That being said, once I got past that initial hurdle, I couldn’t put the book down.

The main character, Stefan Harkel, is brilliantly complex—someone you can both love and hate at the same time. His internal conflict and growth throughout the story make him one of the most intriguing protagonists I’ve encountered in Hoffman’s work. The plot itself is unpredictable, with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. As with Hoffman's style, the ending is satisfying yet leaves just enough open to make you eager for more.

 

The Hangman's Master is a historical fantasy that blends the horrors of WWII with a supernatural twist. It touches on themes of vengeance, redemption, and power, all wrapped in Hoffman’s signature gripping writing. It’s a captivating and dark read, and I’d recommend it to fans of historical fiction with a supernatural twist, as well as those who enjoy complex characters and unpredictable plots.

Warnings:

• Profanity
• Sexual themes (not graphic)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Black Coffee Book Tours and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

Rewriting Success: Lillian Brummet on the Art of Evolving Books and Building Reader Engagement (Part 2)

This is part 2 of 2 with award-winning poet, author, blogger, and entrepreneur Lillian Brummet. She joins us to discuss how she’s rewritten the narrative of her own career, from the healing power of poetry to evolving her books for lasting success. Lillian also reflects on Poetic Wanderings, a collection of her father-in-law's poetry, which she and her husband published as a tribute to his life. Learn more about Lillian’s creative journey, explore her blogs, and discover her books via this link, or visit her Amazon page.

 

BookHookup: With so many projects in the pipeline, including Poetic Wanderings and the upcoming memoir collection, how do you manage your time and prioritize tasks?

We do so with a plan–an organized but flexible action plan that will walk us through each step, eventually leading to our goals. We allowed for 1 year of promotional activities after releasing Poetic Wanderings. During that timeframe, promotional activities were balanced with getting the memoir (Down The Road) readied for publication. When it is published, our attention will be redirected to promotional activities for 6 months, before we are ready to release the next book... or take on the next major project.

I like to space out the project or product release dates to allow for appropriate promotions to take place. Creating space in the action plan also allows us to maintain other business services and activities, like managing the blogs and channel.  

 

BookHookup: How do you maintain consistency in your writing voice and quality when working on multiple projects simultaneously?

Scheduling is the solution. We get anywhere from 20,000 to 240,000 visits per month on Brummet's Conscious Blog, so I will prioritize 80% of my time to create content for a short period. When I have generated enough content to last several months ahead, I can relax and focus on creating content for the other blog.

The Drum It With Brummet blog does not take as long to schedule content for several months in advance. So we will focus on that project for just a couple of weeks. At that point, I am ready to create 7-10 videos for the Brummet Media Channel, which I can accomplish in just a couple of days. Once I have all the content scheduled for publication on those 3 platforms I can relax; I can go back to focusing on either writing the next book, querying new markets, or creating promotional opportunities depending on the action plan.

 

BookHookup : What challenges have you faced during the update and republishing process?

I felt the logistics and data analysis tasks were wearying and draining. However, now that I have learned the formula I feel the process will be easier in the future. I mean, we really had to plan what CTA's and which tools to use for improved read through and reader engagement. That took a lot of time, a lot of research, a lot of mentors helping us out before we got the hang of it and decided which ones to use for each audience. It got easier with each book we updated and we have learned how to improve upcoming publications giving them a better chance at success from the get-go.

 

BookHookup: Can you tell us more about the upcoming memoir collection, Down The Road?

This is a passion project honoring Dave's family ancestors (the Brummet clan). It shares 3 generations of memoirs. It starts with Dave's grandmother who writes in broken English, as an elderly woman looking back on her life beginning with her childhood memories of a rural Romanian village to her journey to Canada where she met her new husband and his children. She tells about witnessing a suicide, a neighbor who was murdered on the farm nearby, and raising her children. Her intense religious upbringing intensifies as she ages and becomes her main focus before her passing. 

Her eldest son, Dave's Uncle (Tony Brummet), started his career as a high school principal and later became an Education Minister and then Environment Minister within the Canadian government. His biography is included, sharing the impact of his father's death on his childhood.

Dave's father, (Frank Brummet), also shares his life experiences growing up during the depression, sharing how various spots around the Okanagan (BC, Canada) got their names, stories of early settler families from that area, and his personal experiences re: being a father, grieving a wife and facing the end of his own life–he shares it all.

To complete the story... Dave and I are publishing all of this in one book: Down The Road (November 2024).

 

BookHookup: What are you most excited about in the release of the backyard garden guidebook and the short story collection?

Well the garden guidebook is a personal bucket list project. It captures 3 generations of education and experience–master gardeners who really know their stuff... or "knew" their stuff, since everyone but us are passed on now. We felt it was important to share this now that they have passed, especially now that Dave and I have downsized and are not gardening like we once were. Gardening is coming back again and people are struggling with finding ways to reduce the workload, conserve water, increase variety, get better nutrition and learn what to do with those harvests too. So we put a plan together for them. From One Small Yard is in rough draft manuscript stage, but will act like a "sister" or companion to the FromOne Small Garden cookbook. 

Fiction is where we really want to head next... and so the short story collection is a way to introduce readers to our fiction. I'm super excited about releasing this one too!

 

BookHookup: How has the relocation transition period affected your work, and what strategies have you used to get back on track?

As we aged it became too heavy to bear the financial and physical burden of running a 1,900 sq. ft. home, the large yard, edible landscaping and 10 raised garden beds. The business was gaining speed and our upcoming projects were weighing us down. We decided to pursue a semi-retirement lifestyle, slowly transitioning Dave from his former "day job" to working the business from home full time.

Downsizing to a smaller home in a retirement community meant we had to shut down the office for a few months in order to accommodate the transition. Once we started up the office again I felt totally overwhelmed and depressed, actually exhausted, by all that needed to be done. I felt so far behind–that there was so much to do, that I didn't even want to face it. Instead of letting myself feel defeated before I even started–we decided to create a simple list of things that we felt were a priority. We started with clearing the clutter by catching up on emails and reorganizing the filing cabinet. Then we focused on the follow-up activities (reconnecting with the previous year's contacts) and creating content for the main blog.

Now that these things are done, I can schedule time for creating content for the channel. Doing things in this order will allow us to get back to the publication schedule with less pressure, less weight on our shoulders.

***

Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites

 

 

 

 

 

Rewriting Success: Lillian Brummet on the Art of Evolving Books and Building Reader Engagement (Part 1)

This is part 1 of 2 with award-winning poet, author, blogger, and entrepreneur Lillian Brummet. She joins us to discuss how she’s rewritten the narrative of her own career, from the healing power of poetry to evolving her books for lasting success. Lillian also reflects on Poetic Wanderings, a collection of her father-in-law's poetry, which she and her husband published as a tribute to his life. Learn more about Lillian’s creative journey, explore her blogs, and discover her books via this link, or visit her Amazon page.

 

BookHookup: What inspired you to update so many of your published books?

One of my mentors inspired us to re-examine our backlist for several reasons. You see - most of the time, authors (or their publishers) only pay attention to the most recent book release. However, it is important to recognize that every single promotional action results in people checking out the author's entire list of books - not just the most recent. Also when a reader finishes the most recent release, they are likely to check out the author's backlist.

So for us - it was important to ensure the backlist, the foundation of an author career, was updated. There is a new book coming out in the Purple Snowflake Marketing series and we wanted it to be upgraded to compliment that upcoming book release. 

 

BookHookup: How do you decide which of your books need updates or new formats?

That is a great question! Once we updated the entire backlist, and ran some marketing campaigns, we were able to retest each book - and each format that book is available in. Taking a hard look at the resulting data helps with future decisions.

The resulting data might reveal that it is worth investing more advertising dollars into Purple Snowflake Marketing's e-book, and reduce advertising dollars spent on the other formats.

The data might disclose that e-books are selling in Canada for that particular book, while the .com market (which is not just USA, but also includes other countries) is selling paperbacks. Therefore, ads for Canada will focus on the e-book, while paperback format ads will be reserved for the.com market.

The end goal here is to focus on profitable activities, save time and money. The only way to do this is to get data - and we do that by updating the entire backlist, releasing each book in multiple formats, and then study the analytics.

 

BookHookup: What steps are involved in updating an existing book? Can you walk us through your process?

The first thing is to check out recent reviews to see what readers are saying about the book. Next, examine the top 100 best selling books in that genre and read their book reviews to see what readers are saying. Pay close attention to what the readers like but even closer attention to the flaws they point out. Of the top 100 best sellers, I'll find the top 3 books that seem most similar to mine. I'll visit their landing pages, check out their book covers, read a sample download, check out the Also Bought and Also Read carousels... taking notes about the things I am noticing.

Armed with that information I will re-examine my book before making any updates or changes.

The most important Viral Catalysts include:

• Author Central Page
• Cover design
• Increased Distribution
• Landing Page & use of Keywords
• Metadata
• More Products To Choose From
• Marketing Efforts
• New Formats
• Price Alteration and Promotions
• Read Sample (formerly Look Inside)
• Read Through
• Reader (or customer) Engagement
• Reviews, testimonials, awards, referrals, recommendations
• Subtitle

 

BookHookup: How do you approach redesigning a book cover that will play a role in the success of a book?

Book cover updates are one of the major Viral Catalysts that can have a powerful impact on traffic, profits, sales, marketing, and ad campaigns. (We take a deep dive into catalysts in the upcoming The Next Step - book 2 in the Purple Snowflake Marketing series). It starts by researching the top 100 best selling books within the same sub-categories as yours.

If those books do not look similar to yours then you have chosen a category that doesn't actually fit your book–search other categories to find books more similar to yours. Once you have found 1-3 categories, search for the top 100 best selling books, in one category at a time, and then do the following:

Scroll quickly down the page, and note all the colors used by those book cover designers.

Scroll through the best sellers looking for book cover themes, such as: the use of graphics, cartoons or photos, scenes with women looking backward, covers that have profiles of faces or anything else that you notice.

Make notes on the type of font that they use. Ask yourself "Where are the author names placed, the size, and location of the book title? Did they use drop shadow or some other effect?"

 

BookHookup: How does releasing new formats enhance the reader's experience?

I feel the new format and new edition show a deep understanding of the reader’s expectations, challenges and experiences. Readers of both cookbook and how-to genres prefer hardcover formats because they know it will endure heavy use.

Paperbacks are a cheaper version while having something to hold, write notes in the margins, and store on a shelf. Readers will often invest in the hardcover, after they have worn through 1-2 paperbacks.

Readers like testing the water, so to speak, by purchasing the e-book first or get it through the KU program, because they save money and if they like it, they might buy a different format. While readers purchase e-books for themselves, people prefer to give paperback or hardcover books as gifts.

Audio books are a great option if you can afford the production, or have the ability to do the work yourself. They do not always bring in a profit, but some readers prefer audio books because they are entertained while driving, travelling, performing mundane chores, or patiently sitting in waiting rooms, etc. Some people like to listen to books before going to sleep, or while waiting for the household to wake up.

As such, we must branch into as many formats as we can to meet all reader expectations. However we should place priority on the formats we know do well in that genre–branching out to other formats later on.

 

BookHookup: Have you noticed changes in reader engagement or feedback since these updates?

We spent a great deal of time updating the Front Matter and changing the Back Matter, adding CTA's (call-to-action), our logo to the back cover, and employing QR codes. We are already seeing improved read-throughs, more followers on Socials, subscribers to our YouTube channel and an increase in Amazon followers. 

Read part 2 of this interview here. 

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Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites

Midnight's Child: WWII-era intrigue & an unforgettable protagonist

Midnight’s Child (The Midnight Series Book 2) by Tom Kane is a gripping historical war thriller that merges high-stakes espionage with a fierce, complex female protagonist, Jessie Fordham, whose journey through occupied France during World War II keeps readers riveted. This sequel to Walking Away from Midnight plunges readers back into a world filled with danger, suspense, and emotional depth, offering a fast-paced narrative full of unexpected twists.

The sequel builds on the series' hallmark suspense, with shocking turns and red herrings that ensure readers are kept on the edge of their seats. Jessie’s journey grows more complex and perilous with every chapter, pulling readers deeper into the world of espionage and wartime struggle. Central to her mission is a deeply personal task involving family ties—her uncle, a spy, is in peril, and she must rescue him. This adds a layer of emotional stakes that will keep readers invested in her journey. By the end, you’ll be left with a sense of urgency, eager to see how Jessie navigates the mounting threats and moral dilemmas that await her in this ever-dangerous world of wartime espionage.

Kane skillfully weaves historical facts into the narrative, blending real events with fictional intrigue. The stakes are high, and the tension never lets up, transporting readers to a time when the consequences of espionage were life and death.

In Midnight’s Child, Jessie’s character evolves in ways that are both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering moral compass are tested in the most grueling circumstances, making her journey even more poignant and relatable. This thrilling continuation of her story highlights the price of loyalty, sacrifice, and the personal cost of war.

For fans of historical fiction, especially those drawn to WWII-era intrigue and an unforgettable protagonist, Midnight’s Child is a must-read. Jessie’s courage, resolve, and the heart-wrenching moments that define her journey will stay with you long after you turn the last page. A thrilling continuation of an unforgettable story.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.