December 22, 2017

Beyond Forever by D.D. Marx - Review and Giveaway



Book Details:
Book Title: Beyond Forever (Book #3)
Author: D.D. Marx
Category: Adult Fiction, 200 pages
Genre: Chick-Lit
Publisher: Beyond Dreams Publishing
Release date: December 2017
Tour dates: Oct 16 to Dec 22, 2017
Content Rating: PG 13 (Light sex scenes/not explicit; language (couple f bombs)

Book Description:
Just as their life is seemingly back on track, Finn McDaniel’s gets news that sends him into a tail-spin. He is faced with the prospect of losing Olivia Henry forever. He immediately turns to Dan, Olivia’s deceased best friend, who is her loyal and constant guardian angel from the beyond, imploring him for his help. In the midst of all of the chaos a special package is delivered that changes their lives forever.

While Finn is determined to grow his restaurant to new heights by chasing after the coveted Michelin Star, it is Olivia who finally sees her dream come to fruition in a way never thought possible. Finn is determined to support Olivia through her shocking breakthrough and even has a very special surprise up his sleeve that she never sees coming. Just as their plan is set in to motion and they settle in to their new normal, they have an earth shattering encounter. In that moment it is revealed that they have much more than just a spiritual relationship with the beyond.

To read more reviews, please visit D.D. Marx's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy Beyond Forever:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Add to Goodreads

Watch the trailer:


Meet the Author:
D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger, as well as a lover of all things social. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always had a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest



My thoughts
I have enjoyed this series from the first book I have read. I am sorry to see it end as it has been a crazy ride with Olivia, Finn and Dan. As with the rest of the books in this series. these books are a quick read. The author did a good job with the character development and you find yourself becoming friends with Olivia and wondering what she is up to. There is a little drama, a little romance and a little fun all rolled into one neat little package for you to enjoy. The scenes were also well thought out and described and I felt like I was a part of the story. A great chick-lit series to warm your heart. 

Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Dec 28






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December 21, 2017

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell - Revoew


Book details
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: The Overlook Press; 1 edition (July 26, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1468308939
ISBN-13: 978-1468308938

Book description
This irresistible collection is proof positive that booksellers everywhere are heroes

A simple Twitter question posed by John Cleese―“What is your biggest pet peeve?”―inspired Jen Campbell to start a blog collecting all the ridiculous conversations overheard in her bookstore.
“Did Beatrix Potter ever write a book about dinosaurs?”
“Did Charles Dickens ever write anything fun?”
“I’ve forgotten my glasses, can you read me the first chapter?”
“Excuse me . . . is this book edible?”

Filled with fun and quirky illustrations by the award-winning Brothers McLeod and featuring contributions from booksellers across the United States and Canada, as well as the author’s native UK, Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores is a celebration of bookstores, large and small, and of the brilliant booksellers who toil in those literary fields, as well as the myriad of colorful characters that walk through the doors everyday.

60 b&w illustrations

Meet the author - Jen Campbell
Jen Campbell is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling 'Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops' series, the first of which was published in 2012. Its sequel, 'More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops', was released in 2013. 'Weird Things...' is available in ten languages, and was a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards

Her new non-fiction book 'The Bookshop Book' is the official book of the Books Are My Bag campaign.

Jen is also an award-winning poet and short story writer. Her poetry pamphlet 'The Hungry Ghost Festival' is published by The Rialto, and she is currently writing a short story collection.

Jen grew up in a small village by the sea in the north-east of England. After studying English Literature at Edinburgh University, she moved to north London to sell books and write stories. She works part-time at an antiquarian bookshop and runs a Booktube channel at www.youtube.com/jenvcampbell.

She is represented by Charlie Campbell at Kingsford Campbell.

My thoughts
This was a funny book that made me laugh out loud, which by the way I do not normally do. I was able to read this book in one day it was so good and easy to read. I just can't imagine all the dumb things or weird things that people say to booksellers - oh but wait yes I can. Some of my favorites were I loved the "Diary of Anne Frank" did she write a sequel? Where is your true fiction section? This "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter" book is the more historically accurate fiction book I have read. There were many more like Are ebooks paperback or hardback? Are books edible? This book was well worth the time I took to read and made my day. 
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December 18, 2017

Mary Ingalls The College Years by Marie Tschopp - Review


Book details
Paperback: 70 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (June 21, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1545241899
ISBN-13: 978-1545241899

Book description
At the young age of fourteen, Mary Ingalls suffered an illness, causing her to lose her eyesight. Despite this trauma, Mary—the famous older sister of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, who is best known for her children’s book series—led a remarkable life.

Mary Ingalls—the College Years explores the young adult life of the oldest Ingalls sister, following her years spent at the Iowa College for the Blind. Readers learn of the subjects Mary studied, Mary’s academic performance, her success after graduation, and the sacrifices the Ingalls family made for their eldest daughter’s education. Additionally, readers are introduced to the history, development, and controversy surrounding one of America’s earliest schools for the blind.

In this book—decorated with never-before-published archived photos—celebrated storyteller, historical performer, and author Marie Tschopp paints a historically accurate picture of Mary Ingalls’s life as a student. Fans of Ingalls Wilder’s beloved novels will enjoy this captivating biography that explores the real life of Mary Ingalls.

Meet the author - Marie Tschopp
Marie Tschopp is a professional storyteller, performer, and celebrated author. For more than twenty-five years, Tschopp has performed as Laura Ingalls Wilder throughout the Midwest. As a member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association, Tschopp became inspired to research the life of Mary Ingalls, Laura’s older sister, to further educate her audience of Ingalls enthusiasts.

Marie is a lifelong midwesterner and is married with two adult children, a daughter-in-law, and one rambunctious granddog.

My thoughts
With me being a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder I am always looking for more books about her and her family. This book tells the story of the Iowa School for the Blind that Laura's sister Mary went to to get an education after she went blind. It also tells the story of Mary and what she did after school. It is not a very long book and can be read in one sitting. I thought it was interesting even though I would have liked for it to be a bit longer as I wanted even more information about her. A nice addition to my collection of Laura Ingalls books. 
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The Teaberry Strangler by Laura Childs - Review


Book details
Series: A Tea Shop Mystery (Book 11)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425240207
ISBN-13: 978-0425240205

Book description
Charleston is bustling with shoppers looking for antiques-and, of course, Theodosia Browning's delicious teas. But when the cobblestone alleys clear, Theodosia finds the map store owner strangled to death. Many wanted her shop-but enough to kill? Most alarming, however, is Detective Tidwell's theory: that the killer mistook her for Theodosia.

Meet the author - Laura Childs
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries - set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries - set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

My thoughts
I was happy to continue on my journey with Theo, Drayton and Haley in their tea shop. Theo happened to witness a murder, but was she the one the killer intended to hurt. The person who was killed just happens to be a friend of Theo's so she is hot on the trail to figure out what happened. There were a few suspects I had in mind but the author likes to give you some twists and make you second guess yourself. Two of my favorite characters are Theo and Drayton. I love the way Drayton talks about teas, educates you, and tells about his ideas for tea parties. Haley was a little more subdued this time which was fine by me, but Delanie made up for it and was her good 'ol annoying self. I did miss hearing about Theo's boyfriend and hope he appears in the next book. I am of course looking forward to the next book in this series. 

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The Lady Travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger by Victoria Alexander - Review

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own

Book details
Mass Market Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (November 28, 2017)

Book description
Join the Lady Travelers Society in their latest romantic misadventure, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander

She must secure her future

A lady should never be obliged to think of matters financial! But when Lady Wilhelmina Bascombe’s carefree, extravagant lifestyle vanishes with the demise of her husband, her only hope lies in retrieving a family treasure—a Renaissance masterpiece currently in the hands of a cunning art collector in Venice. Thankfully, the Lady Travelers Society has orchestrated a clever plan to get Willie to Europe, leading a tour of mothers and daughters…and one curiously attentive man.

He must reclaim his heritage

Dante Augustus Montague’s one passion has long been his family’s art collection. He’s finally tracked a long-lost painting to the enchanting Lady Bascombe. Convinced that the canvas had been stolen, he will use any means to reclaim his birthright—including deception. But how long before pretend infatuation gives way to genuine desire?

Now they’re rivals for a prize that will change everything

Willie and Dante know they’re playing with fire in the magical moonlit city. Their common quest could compromise them both…or lead them to happily-ever-after.


Purchase Links
Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Meet the author - Victoria Alexander
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.

Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas.
.
Connect with Victoria
Website | Facebook | Twitter

My thoughts
I have to say this is one of my favorite historical romance authors. She has a way of transporting you back into the time period in which the story takes places. I love the way she develops her characters and always makes the women strong. The author drew me in from the first page and I had a hard time putting this book down. I liked the art theme as a background to the story. It was an interesting but good addition for me. There is also some adventure added to the story which was another good addition. This was a good addition to this series and I look forward to more books in this series. 


TOUR STOPS:

Friday, December 1st: View from the Birdhouse
Friday, December 1st: The Sketchy Reader – spotlight/excerpt
Monday, December 4th: Moonlight Rendezvous
Tuesday, December 5th: Reading Reality
Wednesday, December 6th: Books a la Mode – spotlight/excerpt
Thursday, December 7th: The Romance Dish
Friday, December 8th: What I’m Reading
Monday, December 11th: A Chick Who Reads
Tuesday, December 12th: The Sassy Bookster – spotlight/excerpt
Wednesday, December 13th: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, December 14th: Blogging with A
Friday, December 15th: OMG Reads
Monday, December 18th: A Holland Reads
Tuesday, December 19th: A Night’s Dream of Books
Wednesday, December 20th: Jathan & Heather
Wednesday, December 20th: BTH Reviews
Thursday, December 21st: Books & Bindings
Friday, December 22nd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy
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December 16, 2017

The Build by Paul Teutul, Jr. - Review

I received this book free from the publisher - all opinions are my own

Book details
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook (November 7, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160142888X
ISBN-13: 978-1601428882
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.8 x 9.4 inches

Book description
The Build reveals the "behind the scenes" story of the popular TV reality series American Chopper for the show's millions of fans.
Author Paul Teutul, Jr., is arguably the most creative builder of custom "chopper" motorcycles in the world. His talents were revealed to millions of TV viewers worldwide on American Chopper, as well as later on a spinoff series, American Chopper Senior vs Junior. The Build gives the reader at Paul Jr.'s life behind the camera, which included volcanic conflict with his father and business mentor, Paul Sr. Using his own story of improbable success as an illustration, Paul Jr. offers insights on how anyone can find and activate often hidden talents. In a charming, often humorous way, The Build is a rallying cry to unleash God-designed creativity and live life to the fullest.

Meet the author - Paul Teutul Jr. 
PAUL TEUTUL JR was just 27 when American Chopper: Jet Bike premiered on the Discovery Channel, featuring “Paulie” and his father, Paul Sr., building a custom chopper for 2002's Laconia Bike Week. Part of Bike Weekend, the one-off special and the intrinsic family dynamics so captivated audiences that a full series following the Teutuls and their business, Orange County Choppers, soon followed in 2003. Six years of family ups and downs ensued, culminating in 2009 with Senior firing Junior, who waited out his one-year non-compete clause before establishing his own business, Paul Jr. Designs. Today, Paul Jr. Designs continues to thrive, producing custom bikes for a variety of individual and corporate clients. There have been TV commercials and personal appearances since 2012 as well, but the most important development in Paul's life occurred when his wife, Rachael, gave birth to their son Hudson Seven Teutul in February 2015.

My thoughts
I was a fan of the TV show American Chopper and liked Paul so when I got the chance to read his story I jumped on the chance. This was a good book to read if  you are a fan of the stow. It gives you a little background into his life and things that happened behind the scenes. I did learn a few new things about him and his family. It was easy to read and entertaining. 
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A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert

 

Book details
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 
Crooked Lane Books (December 12, 2017) 
Hardcover: 336 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1683314394 
E-Book ASIN: B072396C2L
  

Book description
Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble.

Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families... including her own.

When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest in A Murder for the Books, the first installment of Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries.

Meet the author - Victoria Gilbert
Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian. She has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director.

When not writing or reading, Victoria likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers, and is represented by Frances Black at Literary Council, NY, NY.

Victoria lives in North Carolina with her husband and some very spoiled cats. This is her first Blue Ridge Library mystery.

Author Links: Website/blog: http://victoriagilbertmysteries.com/ 


Giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
December 11 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW 
December 11 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT 
December 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
December 12 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – REVIEW 
December 13 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT 
December 13 – Readeropolis – INTERVIEW 
December 14 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW 
December 14 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW 
December 14 – Bea's Book Nook – REVIEW 
December 15 – Jane Reads - CHARACTER GUEST POST 
December 15 – That's What She's Reading – REVIEW 
December 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, INTERVIEW 
December 16 – The Power of Words – REVIEW 
December 16 – A Holland Reads - SPOTLIGHT 
December 16 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - REVIEW 
December 17 – The Montana Bookaholic – SPOTLIGHT 
December 18 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST 
December 18 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
December 19 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW 
December 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 
December 19 – A Blue Million Books - CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
December 20 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW 
December 20 – Curling up by the Fire – REVIEW 
December 20 – Brooke Blogs - GUEST POST 
December 21 - I Wish I Lived in a Library – REVIEW 
December 21 - Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT 
December 21 - Girl with Book Lungs - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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Seeds of Hope by Barbara Cameron - Review

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own

Book details
Series: Harvest of Hope (Book 1)
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Gilead Publishing (November 7, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1683700554
ISBN-13: 978-1683700555

Book description
A heartwarming tale of discovering love right in front of you
Miriam Troyer has had a secret crush on Mark Byler since she was a teenager, but she knows they can never have a relationship: Mark is a big-city attorney and an Englischer. Her Amish community is too far removed from all he knows-and she loves her quiet way of life.

Mark has always loved his visits to his grandfather's farm, but he's convinced the Amish life isn't for him. There's so much of the world to see and experience, and the excitement of his successful law practice can't be matched by the slow pace of life found back home in the country.

But when things go wrong and his firm distances itself from him to try to save themselves, Mark finds himself back at his grandfather's farm. Could life in this simple world be worth living after all? Especially when the teenager he remembers has grown into a woman that could be his future. Suddenly, these two people whose lives seem so far apart may get a chance to really see each other for the first time.


Meet the author - Barbara Cameron
Barbara Cameron has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the best-selling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Her books have been nominated for Carol Awards and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award from RWA's Faith, Hope, and Love chapter. Barbara resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Find out more about Barbara at http://barbaracameron.com.

My thoughts
This is the first book in a new series by this author. I thought it was a good start and look forward to more in the series. The characters were well developed and made me think of them as real people that we may all know. Both the main characters Miriam and and Mark had some big decisions to make in their lives. It was nice to be able to "see" what they were thinking as they were going through the process. This author likes to add all the little details to make this story not only fun to read but also emotionally involved. Another good book by Barbara Cameron - always a joy to read her books. 
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December 15, 2017

Daughters of the Night Sky by Aimie K. Runyan - Review

I received this book free from the author - all opinions are my own

Book details
A novel—inspired by the most celebrated regiment in the Red Army—about a woman’s sacrifice, courage, and love in a time of war.

Russia, 1941. Katya Ivanova is a young pilot in a far-flung military academy in the Ural Mountains. From childhood, she’s dreamed of taking to the skies to escape her bleak mountain life. With the Nazis on the march across Europe, she is called on to use her wings to serve her country in its darkest hour. Not even the entreaties of her new husband—a sensitive artist who fears for her safety—can dissuade her from doing her part as a proud daughter of Russia.

After years of arduous training, Katya is assigned to the 588th Night Bomber Regiment—one of the only Soviet air units composed entirely of women. The Germans quickly learn to fear nocturnal raids by the daring fliers they call “Night Witches.” But the brutal campaign will exact a bitter toll on Katya and her sisters-in-arms. When the smoke of war clears, nothing will ever be the same—and one of Russia’s most decorated military heroines will face the most agonizing choice of all.

Book description
Hardcover: 316 pages
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (January 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1503946770
ISBN-13: 978-1503946774

Meet the author - Aimie K. Runyan
Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history’s unsung heroines. She is the author of two previous historical novels: Promised to the Crown and Duty to the Crown. She is active as an educator and a speaker in the writing community and beyond. She lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband and two (usually) adorable children. To learn more about Aimie and her work, please visit www.aimiekrunyan.com.

My thoughts
I don't read a lot of WWII fiction but the idea of this story sounded interesting to me. I liked that the author did a lot of research when writing this book. For me it helped to make the story that much more interesting to me. I did not know that Russian women bombed Germany, I have learned many things reading this book. For me this book was not only a book about history but a book at strong women. The author did a good job of describing all that they women especially Katya went through. Which is why they had to be so strong. This book was well written and read quickly. Highly recommended especially if you want to read about a part of history that most people do not know about. 
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December 14, 2017

The Discombobulated Decipherers by Julie Seedorf - Spotlight and Giveaway

 

Book details
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 
Self Published (November 21, 2017) 
Print Length: 195 pages 
ASIN: B076Z3YFYQ 

Book description
It’s Christmas in Brilliant, Minnesota, and Brilliant is known for its glitzy Christmas traditions. A world-renowned Christmas pageant, the town square decked out with Santa’s Village and a live nativity scene bring visitors to Brilliant each year. Just as the tourists arrive, Jezabelle Jingle and her mystery writer friend, Miranda, find the body of Ernest the elf dead and wrapped in a bundle of Christmas lights in the town square. Is Ernest part of a new holiday puzzle the Discombobulated Decipherers need to solve? Or is dead Ernest part of a bigger plot? Will Jezabelle decipher the clues so Brilliant can celebrate Christmas in peace? Or will Jezabelle be the next gift-wrapped box under the village tree?
Meet the Author - Julie Seedorf
As human beings, we are always a work in progress. From birth to death we live, hurt, laugh, cry, feel, and with all of those emotions we grow as people, as family members, and as friends. I am a dreamer and feel blessed to have the opportunity in my writing to pass those dreams on to others. I believe you are never too old to dream and to turn those dreams into a creative endeavor. I live in rural Minnesota and I am a wife, mother, and grandmother.

I have worn many hats throughout my lifetime such as working as a waitress, nursing home activities, office manager and finally computer repair person eventually owning my own computer repair business. I never forgot my love of writing and quit my computer business in 2012 after signing a contract with Cozy Cat Press for Granny Hooks A Crook, the first book in my Fuchsia, Minnesota Series.

Adding four more books to the Fuchsia Series, adding a new Brilliant, Minnesota Series and writing a column for local newspapers feeds my writing creativity.

I also dabble a bit in watercolor painting and hope to eventually add pictures to my children’s book series, Granny’s In Trouble.

Oh, and did I tell you I like to be a little bit silly.

Author Links: Website: http://julieseedorf.com 
Sprinkled Notes Blog: http://sprinklednotes.com 
Merchandise from my books: https://www.zazzle.com/hermiony 

Purchase Link - Amazon 

Giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
December 7 – Babs Book Bistro - SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE - E-Book Giveaway 
December 8 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW 
December 9 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE 
December 10 – Laura's Interests - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
December 11 – T's Stuff – INTERVIEW - E-Book Giveaway 
December 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy - CHARACTER GUEST POST 
December 13 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, GUEST POST - Print Book Giveaway 
December 14 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
December 15 – Valerie's Musings - REVIEW, GUEST POST 
December 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT - E-Book Giveaway December 17 – The Self-Rescue Princess - REVIEW 
December 18 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews - SPOTLIGHT 
December 19 – StoreyBook Reviews - SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE 
December 20 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW
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Blackmail, Sex and Lies by Kathryn McMaster - Review and Giveaway

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own

Book details
Paperback: 198 pages
Publisher: Drama Llama Press; 1st edition (September 14, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 8894122859
ISBN-13: 978-8894122855

Book description
Blackmail, Sex and Lies is a story of deception, scandal, and fractured traditional Victorian social values. It is the tale of a naïve, young woman caught up in a whirlwind romance with a much older man. However, both have personality flaws that result in poor choices, and ultimately lead to a tragic end.

For 160 years, people have believed Madeleine Smith to have been guilty of murder. But was she? Could she have been innocent after all?

This Victorian murder mystery, based on a true story, takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, 1857. It explores the disastrous romance between the vivacious socialite, Madeleine Hamilton Smith, and her working class lover, Pierre Emile L’Angelier.

After a two-year torrid, and forbidden relationship with L’Angelier, that takes place against her parents' wishes, the situation changes dramatically when William Minnoch enters the scene. This new man in Madeleine’s life is handsome, rich, and of her social class. He is also a man of whom her family approve.

Sadly, insane jealous rages, and threats of blackmail, are suddenly silenced by an untimely death.



Meet the author - Kathryn McMaster
Kathryn McMaster is a writer, entrepreneur, wife, mother, and champion of good indie authors. She co-owns the book promotion company One Stop Fiction (www.onestopfiction.com), where readers can sign up to receive news of free and discounted 4 and 5 star reviewed books. She is also a bestselling author of historical murder mysteries set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Her debut novel, "Who Killed Little Johnny Gill?" was well received. All her novels are based on true stories, and she melds fact with fiction, writing in the creative nonfiction style. She lives on her 30 acre farm in the beautiful Casentino Valley, Italy for 6 months of the year, and during the other half of the year, on the small island of Gozo, Malta. 

Social Media Links – 

My thoughts
This was an interesting book to read. It has all the things I love, history and mystery. The author did a good job of describing the setting to make you feel as if you could really see what she was talking about. Her character development was good as well. You can tell she did her research as she got the little details right. I did not know much about Madeline Smith until I started reading this book. Now I want to find out more about her and why she did what she did. The author's writing kept me very interested in the book as I was waiting to see what would happen next. I liked Madeline even though I knew she should not being doing what she was doing I could not help but like her. It was nice how she used letters in the story as well. For me that added a little personal touch to the characters story. A highly recommended book. 

Giveaway
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December 11, 2017

Unnatural Causes by Dawn Eastman - Spotlight and Giveaway

 

Book details
Mystery/ Amateur Sleuth 
New Series 
Crooked Lane Books (December 12, 2017) 
Hardcover: 288 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1683313137 
Digital ASIN: B0767G2XLL
  

Book description
Katie LeClair has finally settled down as the new doctor in Baxter, MI. After years of moving, schooling, and training, she wants nothing more than to find a place she can call home, and a small town outside of Ann Arbor seemed perfect.

Katie quickly gets to work in building a life for herself in Baxter, and beyond reviving her love life, she also finds a pair of business partners in a team of father and son family practitioners. But that idyllic dream is immediately shattered when one of her patients is found dead. That wouldn't be the worst thing, except the death is ruled a suicide, and as evidence has it, the suicide was a result of the medication Katie had prescribed. But she doesn't remember writing it.

When a closer investigation reveals it was murder, Katie is catapulted into an off-the-books investigation that leads her down a dark path of past secrets. But someone is willing to kill to keep part of the town's history in the shadows, and Katie must race to find out who before it's too late in nationally bestselling author Dawn Eastman's riveting series debut Unnatural Causes.

Meet the Author - Dawn Eastman
National bestselling author Dawn Eastman was a family medicine physician in Michigan. Now she lives in Iowa with her husband, son, and daughter. When not writing, she keeps busy catering to the whims of a bossy bichon-shih tzu mix who wants to rule the world. This is her first Dr. Katie LeClair mystery. She is also the author of THE FAMILY FORTUNE MYSTERIES.

Author Links Webpage – Facebook – Goodreads Twitter – @DawnAEastman 

Purchase Links Amazon B&N 

Giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
December 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy - INTERVIEW 
December 9 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW 
December 9 – Books,Dreams,Life - SPOTLIGHT 
December 10 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
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December 19 – That's What She's Reading – REVIEW 
December 20 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW 
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December 8, 2017

The Villainous Viscount or The Curse of the Venn's by Lucinda Elliot - Spotlight


Book details

Publication Date: February 24, 2017
Paperback & eBook; 284 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-0992736156
Genre: Fiction/Satire/Gothic/Romance
Book description
An appreciative satire of the cliches of traditional Gothic.

When Clarissa Greendale inherits the fortune of disreputable uncle she hardly knows, she does not expect to find herself forced into marriage with an aristocratic fortune hunter and wild, brawling, debauched social outcast. Still, she has always found Harley Venn set off the most unmaidenly tinglings in her; that is one consolation.
Yet neither did Clarinda expect to inherit the legacy of evil from half a century before. For the wicked if beguiling Lord Venn seems to have inherited a family curse, which, having dispatched the main perpetrators of the old crime, now moves on to their heirs, who are just as wild a set of rakes as their elders. There are rumours of violent deaths preceded by appearances from an inexorable hooded spectre, of inexplicable strikes of lightning, and of haunted mirrors.
The light-hearted Harley Venn dismisses all these as conjuring tricks. He even hires a drunken charlatan of a professional magician to prove it.
Clarinda is far from sure that there is any rational explanation. Still, it would take more than an enforced marriage to an incorrigible pugilistic libertine or persecution from malevolent spectres to damage her steely nerves and sense of the ridiculous.
This lively Gothic comedy, written as a good natured satire, gives the reader a kind and courageous heroine, a rascally but beguiling anti-hero and an authentic historical background to the delightfully over-the-top adventures, a cast of wholly believable characters, an engaging love story and many chills on its way to its tumultuous conclusion.

Reviewer Praise
"I'm still smiling from this one. What a great book! Lucinda Elliot has a sense of humour I've never come across before. It's so firmly tongue in cheek, and you can tell that she's having great fun with her writing, probably chuckling to herself as she goes. To the reader, this comes across. The enthusiasm is infectious and the book very enjoyable. She throws many a nod to the old romance genre and its authors, yet the story comes across as new. The story is well told, with twists and turns and supernatural events that put the characters through their paces. I won't say any more as I don't want to give too much away. Suffice to say, I loved it The Villainous Viscount, and look forward to the next one." -Goodreads Reviewer

Meet the Author - Lucinda Elliot
Lucinda Elliot loves writing Gothic style stories, which isn’t surprising because she was brought up in a series of big old isolated houses which her parents were refurbishing (it wasn’t so fashionable back then). After that, she lived, studied and worked in London for many years and now lives in Mid Wales with her family.

She loves writing about strong women to complement gung-ho males.
Her interests do include weight training and body shaping,and she was once a champion Sportsfighter, but apart from that her interests are quite geeky. Reading classic novels, conservation, gardening, and even names and their meanings (bring on the carrot juice). She loves a laugh above anything.

For more information, please visit Lucinda’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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Of Murder and Men by Lynn Cahoon - Spotlight and Giveaway

 

Book details
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series 
Kensington (November 28, 2017) 
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1496704399 Digital 
ASIN: B06XFJCBTD 
Audio ISBN-13: 978-1541460300
  

Book description
Love is in the air in Aspen Hills, and it’s making a terrible mess of Cat Latimer’s writers’ retreat—especially when blood stains the plot . . . Ever since her business partner, Shauna, fell for a wealthy landowner in town, Cat has been working double time to keep her writers’ retreat running. And with the January session almost underway, that spells trouble. As if scheduling mishaps aren’t disastrous enough, Shauna skips out on kitchen duties one morning, forcing Cat to serve unsuspecting guests store-bought muffins . . . But best laid plans really go awry when Shauna discovers her beau missing from their bed. When his body later turns up in the horse barn, they quickly find out the victim’s scandalous lifestyle left many dying for revenge. While balancing an eccentric group of aspiring writers and a suspect list for the record books, Cat soon finds herself on the heels of a killer—and authoring her most deadly conclusion yet . . .

Meet The Author - Lynn Cahoon
Lynn Cahoon is the author of the NYT and USA Today best-selling Tourist Trap cozy mystery series. Guidebook to Murder, book 1 of the series won the Reader’s Crown for Mystery Fiction in 2015. She’s also pens the recently released, Cat Latimer series. She lives in a small town like the ones she loves to write about with her husband and two fur babies. Sign up for her newsletter at www.lynncahoon.com

Author Links
Goodreads –http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor
Amazon author page – http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Website – http://lynncahoon.com/

Purchase Links
Amazon
Nook
Kobo
Google Play

Giveaway


TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
December 1 – Valerie's Musings - REVIEW 
December 2 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW 
December 2 – Reading Is My SuperPower – GUEST POST 
December 3 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT 
December 3 – The Montana Bookaholic - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
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December 7 – Mythical Books - INTERVIEW 
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December 7, 2017

The Culinary Art of Murder by Heather Haven - Guest Post and Giveaway

 

Book details
Cozy Mystery 6th in Series 
The Wives of Bath Press (November 27, 2017) 
Print Length: 281 pages 
E-Book ASIN: B076HDD3JY
  

Book description
Lee’s Uncle 'Tío' is smitten with a visiting chef at a Silicon Valley culinary arts institute. When the lady is arrested for two murders, a fellow chef and the dishwasher, Lee Alvarez, lead investigator for Discretionary Inquiries, Inc., the family owned detective agency, agrees to help find the real killer. But undercover work at the institute proves to be more difficult than whipping up a chocolate soufflé. The killer tries to get Lee out of the way and permanently. But just who is it? The lady chef? One of her two sons? Or one of the other inmates from a cooking school with secrets as plentiful as sauces? Can Lee find the real killer before her own goose is cooked? And if it turns out to be the ambitious southern belle chef, will Tío ever forgive Lee for sending his new lady love to jail?

Meet the Author - Heather Haven
After studying drama at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida, Heather went to Manhattan to pursue a career. There she wrote short stories, novels, comedy acts, television treatments, ad copy, commercials, and two one-act plays, produced at several places, such as Playwrights Horizon. Once she even ghostwrote a book on how to run an employment agency. She was unemployed at the time. One of her first paying jobs was writing a love story for a book published by Bantam called Moments of Love. She had a deadline of one week but promptly came down with the flu. Heather wrote "The Sands of Time" with a raging temperature, and delivered some pretty hot stuff because of it. Her stint at New York City’s No Soap Radio - where she wrote comedic ad copy – help develop her long-time love affair with comedy. Her first novel of the humorous Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries, Murder is a Family Business, is winner of the Single Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award 2011. The second, A Wedding to Die For, received finalist nods from both Global and EPIC’s for Best eBook Mystery of the Year, 2012. It also won the Editors and Predators silver, 2012. The third of the series, Death Runs in the Family, won the Global Gold 2013. The fourth installment, Dead…If Only, won Global Silver 2015. The CEO Came DOA, Book Five, won the Global Gold Medal 2017 and Dan Poynter Legacy Award 2017. The Culinary Art of Murder, is the sixth book of the series. 

Author Links Website: http://heatherhavenstories.com/ 
Sign up for Heather’s newsletter at: http://heatherhavenstories.com/subscribe-via-email/ 

Purchase Link - Amazon 

Guest post
In THE CULINARY ART OF MURDER Lee Alvarez goes undercover in a culinary arts institute. 

Do you like to cook? Have you ever taken cooking classes?
I love to cook! And my husband, Norman, is a gourmet and a gourmand. What’s the difference between the two? I have no idea. My husband says one is someone who likes to eat everything. He’s a foodie, glutton, gastronome, epicurean, and connoisseur, so I think he covers everything. That said, I like to cook for him. I have taken cooking classes at the Culinary Arts School of San Francisco. The best investment I ever made. I learned so many things I don’t think I could list them all. I loved every moment!

What's your favorite dish to either make or eat?
I like to make what I call Tuscan Chicken, although it winds up being a cross between French and Italian. You can’t go wrong when you add lemons, Herbs de Provence, white wine, garlic, and capers to sautéing pieces of chicken. It’s so win-win.

Are you a fan of the variety of cooking shows on television now?
Yes! OMG! I watch PBS all the time and learn a multitude of things every time I do. I love cooking shows.

Was there a specific inspiration for this story?
I wanted to highlight Tío, Lee’s beloved uncle. He is a retired executive chef. I wanted to give him a love interest and highlight the world of gourmet cooking. It was so much fun. And I got to make Arkansan Possum Pie (no animal was harmed or involved in the baking). It’s actually a chocolate silk pie, only better! I mean, a pecan/butter crust? Does it get better?

Are you able to share any future plans for Lee Alvarez?
Yes, Book Seven is in the works, Casting Call for a Corpse. Lee has a dear friend, who happens to be a Broadway star. The actress goes on tour and winds up in San Francisco, renting one of the world-famous ‘Painted Ladies’ to live in while performing. Naturally, there is a dead body at every turn. This gives Lee a chance to show off some of the dancing skills she’s acquired through the years but never uses. Also, she finds out whose dead body winds up in the guest bathtub during a soiree and why. More to follow!

When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?

I am a panster, for sure. I know the first chapter and I know the villain (which sometimes changes during writing). Everything in between, I haven’t a clue. On rare occasions, a reader will write to me and say they knew all along who the bad guy was, I think to myself, “Really? Cause I hadn’t a clue, myself, until page 250.” But I’ll tell you. My readers are pretty sharp cookies. And we writers don’t often know what we’re writing until we’ve written it.

Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing?

There’s nothing much I like about marketing unless it’s a meet and greet and I get to interact with the readers at a bookstore or gathering. I love that part of it. The rest, not so much.

Will you share any other upcoming books? I am nearly done with Book Two of the Lee Alvarez Mystery Novellas, Marriage Can Be Murder. This is a slightly more romantic mystery than the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries, highlighting Lee Alvarez and her husband, Gurn Hanson. They are sort of the modern day Nick and Nora Charles of Silicon Valley. The first one, Honeymoons Can Be Murder, was a lot of fun to write and seems to be doing well. The third one, Anniversaries Can Be Murder, will be done around May. There is a definite theme here!

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Thank you! I appreciate it, Kathy.

Giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
December 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW 
December 1 – Books,Dreams,Life - SPOTLIGHT 
December 2 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW 
December 3 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT 
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December 5 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT 
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 December 8 – T's Stuff – INTERVIEW 
December 9 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST 
December 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
December 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - INTERVIEW 
December 13 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
December 14 – Dee-Scoveries – SPOTLIGHT
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