Review: Murder at Briar House (A Poppy James Cozy Mystery #7) by Gemma Harper

Murder at Briar House

A Poppy James Cozy Mystery #7

by Gemma Harper

Published: May 21, 2026

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense 

 

Blurb:

An elegant estate sale. A body beneath the library ladder. And one beagle who knows trouble when he sniffs it.

Café owner Poppy James expects silver-polishing opinions and vintage gossip when she brings coffee to Briar House, the grand old home of the late Eleanor Vale Ashcroft. Then estate manager Simon Creel is found dead in the library, and the room goes so still Poppy can hear Midsip’s low growl from beneath the desk.

“Tell me that was already broken,” Nadine whispers.

It wasn’t.

The sheriff sees a tragic fall. Poppy sees a staged scene, missing auction tags, and guests who keep looking anywhere but at the truth. Celia Ashcroft needs the sale to rescue what’s left of the family fortune. Antiques dealer Daniel Voss is circling the wrong heirlooms. And family attorney Andrew Pike seems a little too certain which papers belong buried.

With Theo chasing old property records and Midsip nosing out one clue too many, Poppy follows Briar House’s secrets into a scandal someone has protected for years.

Simon wasn’t killed for what he stole.

He was killed for what he found.

And Poppy may be next.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

My Review:

Murder at Briar House serves as an excellent sequel in Gemma Harper's Poppy James Cozy Mystery series. From the very first page, it evoked the essence of the library, in the film Clue, making me recall memorable lines like, “Colonel Mustard did it in the library with the candlestick.”

This feeling intensified when the estate manager, Simon Creel, was discovered dead in the library. While the sheriff considers Simon's demise a tragic accident, Poppy and Nadine suspect something far more nefarious.

In the room, numerous suspects avoid glancing at the man sprawled at the foot of the ladder. Poppy notices the expressions on their faces, fearful looks that suggest they are terrified of what Simon might have known and the secrets they wish to conceal.

As Poppy, Nadine, Theo, and Midsip dig deeper, they inch closer to the truth, putting Poppy in increasing peril. Someone is watching her closely, and she might become their next target before she unravels the mystery of Simon's death in the library.

The tension kept me on the edge of my seat, breathless with every twist and turn as I followed Poppy, Midsip, Nadine, and Theo in their quest to uncover what really happened in the library. I was eager to discover who killed Simon, with what weapon, and how it all unfolded.

A thrilling and enchanting read, Murder at Briar House captivates you from the opening line to the final page. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Poppy James Cozy Mystery Series.

I wholeheartedly recommend picking up a copy of Murder at Briar House today for another enthralling mystery to unravel!

Check out all the books in the Poppy James Cozy Mystery Series I’ve read.

Caffeine and a Corpse

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NightBlooms and a Burial #1

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Killer Crust #2

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Amazon

Whistle Stop Murder #3

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Amazon

Murder at the Heritage Festival #4

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Amazon

Murder on the Bunny Slope #5

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Amazon

Death by Choreography #6

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Amazon

Murder at Briar House #7

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Review: Murder at the Steeplechase: A Thrilling Southern Horse Racing Cozy Murder Mystery (A Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery #8) by Greta Sinclair

Murder at the Steeplechase: A Thrilling Southern Horse Racing Cozy Murder Mystery

A Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery #8

by Greta Sinclair

Published: May 21, 2026

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mystery

 

Blurb:

Hattie is looking forward to a stylish day at the Hillshire Farms Steeplechase with her bestie and Detective Bo Beckett. Fancy outfits, horse racing, and Southern fun make it the perfect double date—until the first race ends and the stables turn into a crime scene.

A jockey and his prized horse are found dead inside a stall.

Police call it a tragic accident, since Austin Grimes had medical issues. But Hattie notices something unsettling: his mouth is open, as if he swallowed something. She suspects poisoning—and that means murder.

With authorities determined to take over, Hattie quietly begins her own investigation.

Debts, insurance motives, and scandal swirl around the steeplechase grounds, and nearly everyone has something to hide.

Alongside her grumpy Chow Chow, Moose, feisty Yorkie, Mini Pearl, and crime-magnet British Shorthair, Cecil,— Hattie races to uncover the killer before someone else ends up dead.

Bonus Recipes Included!

MULTIPLE BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND THE 2025 GLOBAL BOOK AWARDS SILVER MEDAL WINNER FOR A VERY STICKY MURDER.
If you enjoy clean cozy mysteries by authors like Ellery Adams, Ashley Weaver, Poppy Dennison, Jenn McKinlay, and Sophie Green, you’ll love Murder at the Steeplechase. Each book in this series reads as a satisfying standalone — no cliffhangers, no unfinished threads, just cozy charm and clever sleuthing.

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My Review:

Hattie, along with her boyfriend Detective Bo Beckett, her grumpy Chow Chow Moose, her spirited Yorkie Mini Pearl, and her crime-magnet British Shorthair Cecil, is enjoying a day at the races with her best friend Gracie and Gracie's boyfriend Tim by her side.

Moose, Mini Pearl, and Cecil have the delightful opportunity to meet a few new friends, including Shadow, a cattle dog, and Olive Branch, one of the horses participating in the race.

Everyone is enjoying a wonderful time at the races until Austin Grimes, a jockey, is discovered dead and his horse, Olive, is found drugged in her stall. Initially, it seemed Austin had succumbed to health issues, but upon closer examination, Hattie notices something quite different from the first impression. It appears Austin may have been poisoned.

There are numerous suspects, yet all the evidence seems to point toward one individual in particular. However, she is not the only one who had a motive against Austin or felt wronged by him.

I thoroughly enjoyed the involvement of Moose, Mini Pearl, Cecil, and Shadow in the investigation as they uncovered clues and interviewed the horses to determine whether they had witnessed or heard anything that could help solve Austin's case. Their conversations with one another were quite entertaining.

Murder at the Steeplechase is an incredibly charming and captivating tale that had me racing toward the conclusion as I attempted to uncover the truth about Austin. The story of Murder at the Steeplechase is just as much Mini Pearl, Cecil, Shadow, Olive, and Austin’s story as it is Hattie’s and Moose’s.

The world-building is absolutely splendid and ranks among the best I’ve encountered in a while. I would love to read more stories set at the racetrack and hope to see Moose, Mini Pearl, and Cecil take on larger roles from time to time.

Make sure to grab a copy of Murder at the Steeplechase for another engaging read, and join Hattie, Moose, Mini Pearl, and Cecil for a thrilling day at the races!

Check out all the books in the Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery Series I’ve read.

Murder, Music & Mischief #1

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Fiddling with Murder #2

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Dancing with Murder #3

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Murder, Relics & Rivalries #4

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Murder, Mistletoe & Spirits #5

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Heartstrings and Hijinks #6

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The Great Nashville Bake Off Mishap #7

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Murder at the Steeplechase #8

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Book Blitz: Dan Tesson: A Thriller by Sean O’Leary @RABTBookTours

Dystopian Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Science Fiction Thriller, Supernatural Thriller

They tried to erase this book. That’s why you should read it.

Stamped BANNED — DECREE 2039, wrapped in warnings that say DO NOT READ. DO NOT BELIEVE, Dan Tesson: A Thriller refuses to stay buried.

Written two decades ago and now resurfacing, this dystopian psychological thriller feels less like fiction—and more like a message that arrived early.

In a world shaped by control, perception, and quiet manipulation, Dan Tesson is forced to confront something far more dangerous than power: truth. As reality fractures and the rules governing society begin to reveal their cracks, he’s pulled into a system designed not just to influence behavior—but to redefine belief itself.

What happens when authority decides what is real?

What happens when questioning becomes a crime?

What happens when truth is labeled dangerous?

Blending dystopian fiction, science fiction, supernatural elements, and psychological tension, this novel explores uncomfortable territory—where control isn’t always visible, and freedom may be an illusion people willingly accept.

 

This is not a safe story.

It is not designed to reassure.

It asks questions many would rather avoid.

 

And that may be exactly why it was banned in their time.

 

If you’re drawn to provocative, thought-driven thrillers that challenge perception and push beyond the expected, Dan Tesson will not let you look away.

 

You were told not to read it.

 

Read to believe.

About the Author

Sean O'Leary is a local Utah author whose work moves between dystopian thrillers, science fiction and fantasy, children's stories, photo essays, literary collaborations, and reader-focused projects built around libraries, curiosity, and story.

 

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Review: Desperate World (EMP Aftermath #9) by Grace Hamilton

Desperate World

EMP Aftermath #9

by Grace Hamilton

Published: May 20, 2026

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic 

 

Blurb:

All they want is a safe haven. They’ll have to fight to get it…

Dr. Laurel Rivera, Bear and their small band of survivors have left their home, fleeing into the wilderness near Lake Superior. With children to protect, they’re forced to make ruthless choices, as they run a gauntlet of desperate survivors willing to kill for vital supplies.

Then Mae collapses.

Pregnant, feverish, and slipping fast, she needs medication Laurel doesn’t have—and can’t make. The only remaining supply belongs to another group: armed, organized, and determined to protect what’s theirs at any cost.

Stealing the medicine could ignite a war they won’t survive. Walking away will condemn Mae and her unborn child to death.

As time runs out and enemies close in, Bear and Laurel must decide how far they’re willing to go to save one life—and how many others they’re willing to damn in the name of survival.

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My Review:

A sorrowful beginning, having everything returned to you in such a manner. It felt akin to awakening from a dreadful disaster and having to relive it all once more. My heart ached for Mae and the struggles she was facing.

Then they were forced to abandon their home, gripped by fear of who or what might be pursuing them. The Rossis are still in pursuit, searching for Laurel, eager to seize their medical supplies and likely anything else they possess.

With the Rossis hot on their heels, Laurel and Bear feel they have no option but to gather the group and flee. They decide to head to an island on Lake Superior, believing it will offer them a safe and isolated existence.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Desperate World, particularly about their preparations for the journey, especially with the children contributing in every way they could. I adore narratives that feature children and families. I could vividly picture the kids on the beach, assisting with the boat repairs. I could almost hear the gentle sound of the waves lapping at the shore.

Then Mae falls ill while pregnant. Laurel suspects she might have gestational diabetes. Concern fills Laurel as they lack the necessary medicine to help Mae. The only way to obtain the required medication is through theft. Acquiring the medicine could ignite a conflict. Laurel and Bear are torn about the best course of action. Should they instigate a war to save one individual, or should they prioritize the welfare of the entire group?

I eagerly anticipate diving deeper into this world, the EMP Aftermath series, or at least I sincerely hope more installments are forthcoming. I am excited to follow the journeys of Laurel, Bear, Kate, Mae, Trent, and the rest to see where their paths lead next.

I wholeheartedly recommend Desperate World to all fans of post-apocalyptic tales. Be sure to grab a copy today!

Check out all the books in the EMP Aftermath Series I’ve read.

Broken World #1

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Amazon

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Chaotic World #2

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Amazon

BookBub

Dangerous World #3

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Amazon

BookBub

Divided World #4

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Collapsed World #5

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BookBub

Lawless World #6

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Amazon

BookBub

Sabotaged World #7

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Amazon

BookBub

Plagued World #8

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Amazon

BookBub

Desperate World #9

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Amazon

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Book Blitz: Princess and Scruffy by Sean O’Leary @RABTBookTours

Children's Book

Princess, a graceful cardinal, and Scruffy, a lovable silvery-gray squirrel, discover an unlikely friendship in the forest. As the seasons change, Scruffy must face his greatest fear and learn that courage often begins with a friend by your side.

A tender forest friendship story about courage, trust, and overcoming fear.

 

About the Author

Sean O’Leary is a local Utah author whose work spans dystopian thrillers, heartfelt children’s stories, and reflective literary nonfiction. From dark futures to woodland friendships, his writing is driven by imagination, emotional depth, and the belief that every story should leave a mark. Backstory: Nearly four decades ago, what would one day become Princess and Scruffy began not as a children’s book, but as a love letter. When Sean O’Leary was first dating the woman who would become his wife, he put his feelings into story form. In his heart, he saw himself as Scruffy—the hesitant, lovable squirrel learning to climb beyond his fears—and her as Princess, the graceful cardinal who drew him toward courage, wonder, and love. What began as an intimate letter between two people slowly took on the shape of a fairy tale, revised and cherished across the years of their life together. Then, two years ago, with the arrival of his first grandchild, the story found its true home. Sean wanted to leave behind more than a book; he wanted to preserve a living piece of family history—a bedtime story born from the love he felt for the child’s grandmother, now transformed into a legacy for the next generation. Brought vividly to life through the enchanting illustrations of Turkish artist Hatice Bayramoglu, Princess and Scruffy is both a woodland fable and a quiet love story that has endured for 38 years.

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Teaser: Audit This! by Anne Kane @AnneKane @RABTBookTours @changelingpress

 

Interracial Romance, Mystery & Suspense

Date Published: May 22, 2026

No matter how you add the numbers, Nick is one hunk of an auditor!

When government tax auditor Nick finds himself obsessed with the work of romance author Khloe Matters, there's only one thing to do. Audit her! But getting a closer look at the author in her own home just makes him switch his obsession from the writing to the writer.

When he accompanies her to a writers' festival, things heat up in a hurry. Neither of them is being entirely honest, and as the weekend progresses so does the hilariously tangled webs of deceit as each of them seeks to further their own agenda.

 

EXCERPT

"What do you mean you're disallowing ninety percent of the expenses I claimed?" Khloe tried not to scream at the smug smile on the auditor's face. Hard to believe her libido had jumped to attention when he'd first showed up at her door. Just went to show how bad a judge of character she was. "You can't do that. They are all legitimate business deductions."

"Really?" The man raised one of those perfect brows. "Care to explain how a trip to Spain qualifies as a business expense? You're a writer. You don't have to leave the house. You don't even have to get dressed."

Khloe gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath to calm herself down before she answered. She knew his name. Nicholas Carver. She just didn't think a government auditor deserved such an impressive name. Calling him a dumb-assed bean counter probably wouldn't help her situation, though.

"Although I have not claimed any clothing expenses, I assure you I do have to get dressed. My neighbours are a conservative bunch. I do have to leave the house occasionally, and I generally make a point of putting some clothes on before I do. That trip was for research." Well, duh, what else would it be? Maybe this guy got all the looks and none of the brains. "My last mystery novel was set in Madrid during the running of the bulls. I needed to be there to get the feel of the place and understand the atmosphere, how the crowd reacted. I wouldn't stay in business long if I didn't pay attention to the little details. Readers can smell a mistake a mile away, and if I lose their trust I'll be working at the grocery store for a fraction of what I make writing."

The auditor snorted. "Quite the drama queen, aren't you? I might accept the research excuse if the tone came through in your work, assuming we're talking about a published manuscript. Do you have a copy of that alleged book?"

The sceptical tone of his voice, not to mention his use of the word "alleged," set Khloe's teeth on edge. How dare he sit there in his perfectly pressed suit and make her justify every item on her tax return? Oh right. He was the almighty tax department auditor! Maybe it would help if she curtseyed or kissed his ring or something.

She smiled sweetly. "Of course." Turning, she ran her fingers along the spines of the books on the shelf. Plucking Bullfighter's Downfall out, she handed it to him. It took quite some effort to keep her smile from turning into a snarl. "I hope you enjoy it. It spent two months on the New York Times Best Sellers list."

He took the book, his brows rising at the cover picturing a couple in a passionate embrace against a backdrop of the famous bull run. Turning the book over, he read the back cover before looking up at her. "Romantic suspense? You're one of those kinds of authors?"

Okay, he might be the big-shot auditor, and he had the ability to make her life, not to mention her finances, a living hell, but he had no right to use that tone of voice when describing the genre she loved.

"Exactly what do you mean by that?" She straightened up to her full five feet five inches and glared down at him. "If you mean one of those authors who can take two characters, introduce them to each other and make them fall passionately and fervently in love while they dodge bullets, murder, mayhem and other nasty plot points, then yes. I'm one of these kinds of authors. And in case you don't believe me, you might want to ask the thousands of readers whose buying habits have put me on the New York Times Best Sellers list time and again."

"No need to get defensive. It's hardly War and Peace but I'm sure it's a very nice story."

It took all of her willpower not to grab the heaviest book on the shelf and smack him over the head with it. War and Peace indeed! "Have you ever tried to read War and Peace?" She took a step forward, gratified at his flinch. "My books are meant to entertain people and take them away from their everyday lives, not bore them to death."

He had the grace to look uncomfortable. "Well, no, I haven't actually read it. I'm more of a John Grisham fan. Lots of war but not much peace."

She felt the tension in her gut relaxing a bit. He wasn't quite the pretentious prig he looked like. Actually, if she took an honest look at him, he resembled the cover models for some of her steamier books.

And that gave her an idea.

 

About the Author

Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue dog whose breed defies description, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act normal, but finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance in 2008, and her fate was sealed when she won a publishing contract with Red Sage Publishing and just a month later Changeling Press accepted her first submission. Since then she has published more than thirty stories in a variety of sub-genres, all with a happily ever after.

She has two handsome sons and six adorable grandchildren and enjoys spending time with them whenever she can. Her hobbies, when she’s not playing with the characters in her head, include kayaking, hiking, swimming, playing guitar, singing and of course, reading.

 

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Blurb Blitz + #Giveaway: TWINKLE OF DOUBT by Patricia Leavy @PatriciaLeavy @GoddessFish

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Patricia Leavy will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Blurb:

For fans of Colleen Hoover, this inspirational follow-up to Shooting Stars Above continues the love story between internationally best-selling novelist Tess and counterterrorism agent Jack as they both fight to overcome their deepest fears.

Tess Lee is a wildly successful and world-famous novelist whose inspirational books explore our innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jack Miller is a federal agent who has spent decades working in counterterrorism—a violent world that has left an inevitable residue on his psyche. Two years into their marriage, as Tess and Jack both heal from past trauma, their epic love, fostered by their ability to truly see one another, has brought them profound happiness. When an anonymous threat is made against Tess’s life, however, everything changes. Will they learn to lean on each other, or will they fall apart into the darkness?

In Twinkle of Doubt, the second Celestial Bodies Romance, Tess, Jack, and their chosen family explore the nature of doubt and the struggle to feel worthy of love.

 

Purchase TWINKLE OF DOUBT on Amazon, She Writes Press, Simon & Schuster , and The Celestial Bodies Romances

 

Read an Excerpt

The next morning, Tess and Jack were snuggling in bed. Jack was playing with Tess’s hair and teasing her. “I’m serious. You’d look good in a tiara; maybe you should have gone for that royal.”

“First of all, everyone looks good in a tiara.”

“That’s your first of all?” he said, tickling her mercilessly.

She giggled uncontrollably until he stopped.

“Okay, I should have said, ‘In no particular order.’ But my other points were that royalty is absurd, and that man was dull and uptight. And furthermore, Omar is out of his mind. He wasn’t in love with me.”

“Well, that’s where you lose all credibility. I trust Omar on this one. It’s impossible not to fall for you.”

She slid her hand behind her head, pulled out her pillow, and walloped him in the face.

“You did not just do that,” he said through laughter.

“That’s what you get for saying such silly things,” she said, now lying flat on the bed.

“Hey, I’m just grateful you’d give up a crown and palace for a guy like me,” he said.

“Jack, there are no guys like you. There’s only you.”

He leaned over, caressed her face, and kissed her.

“Give me my pillow,” she said.

“Oh, now you want it back?” he teased, holding it in his hand as far away from her as he could stretch. “You’re gonna have to come and get it.”

She started to crawl over him when his cell phone rang. “Ah, you’re in luck,” he said, handing her the pillow. “It’s Bobby.”

“See if they want to go to the movies with us later,” Tess said, propping herself up against her pillow. “If Gina’s there, we can persuade you two to see a romantic comedy and not one of those killing spree monstrosities.”

Jack laughed and answered the phone. “Hey, Bobby. What are you guys up to later? Save me from a chick flick.”

About the Author:

Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She is also the publisher and CEO of Paper Stars Press. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book awards. Her novel Shooting Stars Above was featured on People “10 Romance Books to Read After Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry” and was the 2025 Firebird Book Award First Place Winner in Contemporary Novel, Romance, and Summer Beach Read. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” In 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established “The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.

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Giveaway:

$10 Amazon/BN GC

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Book Blitz: 101 Laws of Power by John “Doc” Fuller @MeetJohnFuller @RABTBookTours

Prison Lessons. Corporate Power. Street Truth.

 

Self-Help, Motivational, Business

Date Published: April 25, 2026

 

101 Laws of Power is a bold, category-defining leadership manifesto that fuses hard-earned prison survival wisdom, corporate strategy, street psychology, and modern influence into one unforgettable framework for winning in life and business. Written with raw authority and sharp insight, it offers readers 101 practical laws on leverage, respect, discipline, negotiation, reputation, and resilience—positioning the book as The 48 Laws of Power for a new era shaped by authenticity, adversity, and execution.

 

About the Author

 

John "Doc" Fuller is an author, speaker, and strategist whose life story embodies resilience, reinvention, and earned authority. Having overcome profound adversity and transformed hardship into wisdom, he now channels those experiences into powerful lessons on discipline, influence, leadership, and personal growth.

Known for his direct style and real-world perspective, John Doc Fuller bridges the worlds of street intelligence, business strategy, and mindset development—offering readers insight that is both practical and hard-earned. His work challenges people to break mental limitations, build respect, and create leverage in every area of life.

As the author of 101 Laws of Power, John Doc Fuller delivers a modern blueprint for navigating competition, mastering self-discipline, and rising with purpose. His mission is simple: help others turn setbacks into strength and obstacles into opportunity.

 

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