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February 28, 2018

The Cold Light of Dawn by Anna Belfrage - Review and Giveaway

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

Book details
The Cold Light of Dawn by Anna Belfrage
Publication Date: February 16, 2018
Matador & TimeLight Press
eBook & Paperback; 434 Pages
Series: The King's Greatest Enemy, Book #4
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book description
After Henry of Lancaster’s rebellion has been crushed early in 1329, a restless peace settles over England. However, the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents’ puppet, no matter that neither Queen Isabella nor Roger Mortimer show any inclination to give up their power. Caught in between is Adam de Guirande, torn between his loyalty to the young king and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer. Edward III is growing up fast. No longer a boy to be manipulated, he resents the power of his mother, Queen Isabella, and Mortimer. His regents show little inclination of handing over their power to him, the rightful king, and Edward suspects they never will unless he forces their hand. Adam de Guirande is first and foremost Edward’s man, and he too is of the opinion that the young king is capable of ruling on his own. But for Adam siding with his king causes heartache, as he still loves Roger Mortimer, the man who shaped him into who he is. Inevitably, Edward and his regents march towards a final confrontation. And there is nothing Adam can do but pray and hope that somehow things will work out. Unfortunately, prayers don’t always help. The Cold Light of Dawn is the fourth in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord and his king. 


Meet the Author - Anna Belfrage
Anna was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result she’s multilingual and most of her reading is historical- both non-fiction and fiction. Possessed of a lively imagination, she has drawers full of potential stories, all of them set in the past. She was always going to be a writer – or a historian, preferably both. Ideally, Anna aspired to becoming a pioneer time traveller, but science has as yet not advanced to the point of making that possible. Instead she ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for her most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career Anna raised her four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive… For years she combined a challenging career with four children and the odd snatched moment of writing. Nowadays Anna spends most of her spare time at her writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and she slips away into her imaginary world, with her imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in her life pops his head in to ensure she’s still there. Other than on her website, www.annabelfrage.com, Anna can mostly be found on her blog,  http://annabelfrage.wordpress.com – unless, of course, she is submerged in writing her next novel. You can also connect with Anna on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads

My thoughts
This was a good addition to one of my favorite historical series. I really like this author's writing style and how she feels the story with enough details to keep you interested until the last page. In fact she leaves you wanting more when you are done. I also like how all the author's research shows through in all the historical details she used. Following Kit and Adam's story was interesting to me and I felt like I had known them forever by the time the story was over. The author's writing style makes this book easy to read and you don't want to put it down. I look forward to whatever she has in store for us next.

Giveaway
During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a complete set of The King's Greatest Enemy series to one winner & two winners will win a paperback copy of The Cold Light of Dawn! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. The Cold Light of Dawn

Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, February 26 

Tuesday, February 27 
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books 

Wednesday, February 28 
Review at A Holland Reads 

Thursday, March 1 

Friday, March 2 
Review at Book Drunkard 

Monday, March 5 
Review at A Bookaholic Swede 

Tuesday, March 6 

Wednesday, March 7 

Friday, March 9 
Review at A Chick Who Reads 

Monday, March 12 
Review at Pursuing Stacie 

Tuesday, March 13 

Thursday, March 15
Feature at Passages to the Past 

Friday, March 16 
Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog 

Monday, March 19 

Wednesday, March 21 
Feature at A Literary Vacation 

Thursday, March 22 
Review at Back Porchervations 

Friday, March 23 
Feature at Button Eyed Reader 

Monday, March 26 

Wednesday, March 28 
Review at Broken Teepee 
Review at Impressions In Ink 

Friday, March 30 
Review at Bookramblings

February 23, 2018

By Love Divided by Elizabeth St. John - Spotlight and Giveaway


Book details
By Love Divided by Elizabeth St. John
Publication Date: October 12, 2017
Falcon Historical
eBook & Paperback; 381 Pages
Series: The Lydiard Chronicles, Book Two
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book description
Royalist Sir Allen Apsley thinks his choice is clear, but when his mother embraces the Puritan cause, and his beloved sister Luce falls in love with John Hutchinson, a Roundhead soldier, his loyalties are tested. Is it family first? Is it country first? As England falls into bloody civil war, Allen must fight for king and country, while Luce embraces Parliament’s radical views and confronts the very core of the family’s beliefs. And when their influential Villiers cousins raise the stakes, Allen and Luce face a devastating challenge. Will war unite or divide them? In the dawn of rebellion, love is the final battleground. Based on surviving memoirs, court papers and letters of Elizabeth St.John’s family, By Love Divided continues the story of Lucy St.John, The Lady of the Tower. This powerfully emotional novel tells of England’s great divide, and the heart-wrenching choices one family faces.

Praise for the book
"I am completely blown away by Elizabeth St. John’s follow up novel, By Love Divided. The depth of her characterization, the elegance of her prose (and dialogue) and the masterful way in which she presents the realities of the English Civil War such that we’re bleeding for both sides is nothing short of brilliant. If you want a compelling, exquisitely written story to immerse you in the past, By Love Divided is a must read! I consider it one of my favourite historical reads and it's earned a place on my keeper shelf! 5 plus stars!" -Cryssa Bazos, Author of The Traitor's Knot

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Meet the author - Elizabeth St. John
Elizabeth St.John was brought up in England and lives in California. To inform her writing, she has tracked down family papers and residences from Nottingham Castle, Lydiard Park, and Castle Fonmon to the Tower of London. Although the family sold a few castles and country homes along the way (it's hard to keep a good castle going these days), Elizabeth's family still occupy them - in the form of portraits, memoirs, and gardens that carry their imprint. And the occasional ghost. But that's a different story... By Love Divided, Elizabeth's sequel to The Lady of the Tower, follows the fortunes of the St.John family during the English Civil War, and is out now. For more information, please visit Elizabeth St. John's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of By Love Divided to one lucky winner! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US & UK residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. By Love Divided #2


Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 19 
Interview at Passages to the Past 

Wednesday, February 21 
Interview at Let Them Read Books 

Thursday, February 22 

Friday, February 23 
Feature at A Holland Reads 

Monday, February 26 
Feature at A Bookaholic Swede 

Thursday, March 1 
Feature at Bibliophile Reviews 
Guest Post at Clarissa Reads It All 

Friday, March 2 
Review at 100 Pages a Day 

Thursday, March 8 

February 22, 2018

The Once & Future Queen by Nicole Evelina - Spotlight and Giveaway


Book details
The Once and Future Queen: Guinevere in Arthurian Legend by Nicole Evelina
Publication Date: November 21, 2017
Lawson Gartner Publishing
eBook & Paperback; 281 Pages
Genre: History & Criticism/Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

Book description
Guinevere’s journey from literary sinner to feminist icon took over one thousand years…and it’s not over yet. Literature tells us painfully little about Guinevere, mostly focusing on her sin and betrayal of Arthur and Camelot. As a result, she is often seen as a one-dimensional character. But there is more to her story. By examining popular works of more than 20 authors over the last one thousand years, The Once and Future Queen shows how Guinevere reflects attitudes toward women during the time in which her story was written, changing to suit the expectations of her audience. Beginning in Celtic times and continuing through the present day, this book synthesizes academic criticism and popular opinion into a highly readable, approachable work that fills a gap in Arthurian material available to the general public. Nicole Evelina has spent more than 15 years studying Arthurian legend. She is also a feminist known for her fictional portrayals of strong historical and legendary women, including Guinevere. Now, she combines these two passions to examine the effect of changing times and attitudes on the character of Guinevere in a must-read book for Arthurian enthusiasts of every knowledge level. 
Meet the Author - Nicole Evelina
Nicole Evelina is a multi-award-winning historical fiction, romantic comedy and non-fiction writer, whose four novels have collectively won over 20 awards, including two Book of the Year designations (Daughter of Destiny by Chanticleer Reviews and Camelot’s Queen by Author’s Circle). Her most recent book, THE ONCE AND FUTURE QUEEN, traces the evolution of the character of Guinevere in Arthurian legend from her Celtic roots to the present day, showing how the character changed along with the period’s views of women. Nicole is currently working on MISTRESS OF LEGEND (2018), the final book in her Guinevere's Tale trilogy. As an armchair historian, Nicole researches her books extensively, consulting with biographers, historical societies and traveling to locations when possible. For example, she traveled to England twice to research the Guinevere’s Tale trilogy, where she consulted with internationally acclaimed author and historian Geoffrey Ashe, as well as Arthurian/Glastonbury expert Jaime George, the man who helped Marion Zimmer Bradley research The Mists of Avalon. Nicole is a member of and book reviewer for The Historical Novel Society, as well as a member of the Historical Fiction Writers of America, International Arthurian Society - North American Branch, Romantic Novelists Association, Novelists, Inc., the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, Alliance of Independent Authors, the Independent Book Publishers Association and the Midwest Publisher’s Association. For more information, please visit Nicole Evelina's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads. Sign up for Nicole's newsletter to receive news and updates. 

Giveaway
During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two paperback copies of The Once and Future Queen! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on February 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. The Once and Future Queen


Blog Tour Schedule
Wednesday, January 31 
Interview at Passages to the Past 

Thursday, February 1 
Review at Pursuing Stacie 

Friday, February 2 
Feature at A Bookaholic Swede 

Tuesday, February 6 

Wednesday, February 7 
Excerpt at What Cathy Read Next 

Thursday, February 8 

Friday, February 9
 Interview at Donna's Book Blog 

Monday, February 12 
Review at Bookworms Anonymous 

Tuesday, February 13 
Feature at A Literary Vacation 

Wednesday, February 14 

Thursday, February 15 
Feature at Just One More Chapter 

Friday, February 16 
Guest Post at The Writing Desk 

Monday, February 19 

Thursday, February 22 
Feature at A Holland Reads 

Monday, February 26 
Review at Cup of Sensibility 
Feature at The Lit Bitch 

Tuesday, February 27 

Wednesday, February 28 

February 20, 2018

Death by a Whisker by T.C. LoTempio - Spotlight and Giveaway

Book details
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 
Crooked Lane Books (February 13, 2018) 
Hardcover: 320 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1683314875 
Digital ASIN: B072395VJN
  

Book description
Getting used to life back home in Deer Park, North Carolina, Sydney McCall and her right-hand tabby, Toby, are helping her sister Kat run the local animal shelter. Syd and Kat are all excited about the prospect of the shelter’s newest fundraiser: shopping channel queen Ulla Townsend. Shelter admin Maggie Shayne vehemently refuses to have anything to do with the woman, but the fundraiser ensues as planned. That is, until Ulla turns up dead in the middle of the event.

The cause of death is determined to be an allergic reaction, but Syd and Toby are sniffing out something fishy. When Syd met Ulla, it was clear she was distasteful and rude. And right before the event, Syd spotted some behind-the-scenes drama between Ulla and her manager. As they begin to investigate, they realize there is no shortage of suspects, and Maggie is at the top of the list.

Now Syd and Toby must claw their way to the truth before everything goes paws up at their animal shelter in Death by a Whisker by national bestselling author T. C. LoTempio.

Meet the author - T.C. LoTempio
While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – the first volume, MEOW IF ITS MURDER, debuted Dec. 2, 2014. Followed by #2, CLAWS FOR ALARM. #3, CRIME AND CATNIP, was released in December. She, Rocco and Maxx make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them at www.tclotempio.net and www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Where to find them: ROCCO’s blog: www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com 
Twitter: @RoccoBlogger - https://twitter.com/@RoccoBlogger 

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Google Play 

Giveaway


TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
February 12 – Mochas, Mysteries, and Meows - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
February 12 – Books Direct – GUEST POST 
February 13 – Mysteries with Character – INTERVIEW 
February 13 – La libreria di Beppe – SPOTLIGHT 
February 14 – My Reading Journey – SPOTLIGHT 
February 15 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST 
February 15 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – GUEST POST 
February 16 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST 
February 17 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW 
February 18 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
February 18 – Varietats – REVIEW, GUEST POST 
February 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST 
February 19 – Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf – INTERVIEW 
February 20 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW 
February 20 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
February 21 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – GUEST POST 
February 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 
February 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy –REVIEW, GUEST POST 
February 23 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW 
February 24 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW 
February 24 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW 
February 25 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST 
February 26 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW

February 17, 2018

Lagom by Niki Brantmark - Review


Book details
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Harper Design (October 3, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062748793
ISBN-13: 978-0062748799

Book description
In a fast-paced world, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could slow down and enjoy a life with less pressure, less stress, and more time for the things you love?

Sweden is ranked in the top three of the world’s happiest places to live, and lagom, which means “not too much and not too little—just right,” is the Swedish philosophy for enjoying balance in every aspect of life—from work and leisure to family and food, and everything in between. Experienced bakers know by touch when the dough they are kneading is lagom—not too moist and not too dry. At the office, professionals who work hard—but not to the detriment of other parts of their lives—are following the lagom ideal. Lagom is moderation, balance, and equality.

By using the Swedish lifestyle as an example, Niki Brantmark offers insightful suggestions and bite-sized actions to help you make subtle changes to your life, so you too can make time for the things that matter most and find greater happiness.

Meet the author - Niki Brantmark
Niki Brantmark is the founder and curator of the award winning daily interior design blog My Scandinavian Home, which was inspired by her move to Sweden from London over ten years ago. Myscandinavianhome.com is extremely popular, having received over 18 million hits and averaging around 550,000 page views per month from readers all over the world. Modern Pastoral is her first book. Niki lives with her family in Malmö, Sweden.

My thoughts
This was a very good book. I got a copy from the library but I may have to purchase my own copy later. There were many good things I found I would like to incorporate in my life. I made notes while reading so I would not forget things. One thing I liked was work for 52 minutes rest for 17 or get away from your desk every hour. I may not be able to be away from my desk for 17 minutes at a time but I am going to try to make it a point to at least get up and take a two minute break. I do already get away from my desk for lunch but I am going to try and "get away" by taking my lunch in a quieter area than I do just to recharge. I highly recommend this book for those looking for a way to make your life a little more simplistic. 

February 14, 2018

An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White - Cover Reveal and Giveaway



Book details
Series: Shadows Over England (Book 3)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 4, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764219286
ISBN-13: 978-0764219283

Book description
Once London’s top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war. But not until he rescues a clockmaker’s daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold.

Evelina Manning has constantly fought for independence, but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end the engagement and enlist in the army. When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clockwork repair with her father, she can’t help being interested. But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems.

As 1915 England plunges ever deeper into war, the work of an ingenious clockmaker may give England an unbeatable military edge—and Germany realizes it as well. Evelina’s father soon finds his whole family in danger—and it may just take a reformed thief to steal the time they need to escape it.

Meet the author Roseanna M. White
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

LINKS



Giveaway

February 13, 2018

A Cast for Murder by Jeanne Quigley - Review

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

Book details
Print Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Jeanne Quigley (February 12, 2018)
Publication Date: February 12, 2018

Book description
Former soap opera actress Veronica Walsh is recovering from her first holiday season in the retail world when she is pulled from retirement to star in a community production of Blithe Spirit. Delighted to play the part of a medium, Veronica must soon also assume the role of amateur sleuth when she finds the play’s director shot dead behind the theater.

Teaming with stage manager Sophie Morrissey, Veronica’s hunt for clues to the murder of Gigi Swanson leads her to a cast of colorful behind-the-scenes characters and a stunning Act Three finale. Will it be a triumph for Veronica, or will the curtain close on more than her career?

Meet the author - Jeanne Quigley
Jeanne Quigley grew up reading mysteries, watching soap operas, and vacationing in the Adirondacks, never imagining these pleasures would be the foundation of her debut novel. Her love of characters-real and fictional-led her to study Sociology and English at the University of Notre Dame. Jeanne has never been a soap star, but she has worked in the music industry and for an education publisher. She lives in Rockland County, New York.

My thoughts 
Well Veronica has gone and done it again and got herself mixed up in another mystery. She just keeps getting stuck in helping out.  I liked how the author kept me guessing with the twists and turns. The characters worked very well together and I think that may have been where the twists were coming in for me. Just when I thought I liked someone something was brought up that made me change my mind. It is also nice to see Veronica and Mark have a relationship that keeps growing throughout this series. This was a fast paced read for me and very enjoyable. I wonder what Veronica will be up to next time. 

February 10, 2018

A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White - Review

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

Book details
Series: Shadows Over England (Book 2)
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 2, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764219278
ISBN-13: 978-0764219276

Book description
Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I--to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales.

Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he's won--until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father's work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe.

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn't--that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

Meet the author - Roseanna M. White
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two kids, designing book covers, editing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books . . . .to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

My thoughts
This is the second book in the Shadows over England series and I thought it was a fitting addition. You can't help but fall in love with Willa once you meet her even though she was a thief. She had to do what she thought she had to to survive I wanted nothing more for her to have a happy life and find someone who truly cared for her. The author did a really good job of setting the scene for this story. I felt like I was along side Willa at times.  I also liked that there was history, romance, adventure and suspense all rolled into one nice little package. Another great book for the year that I would recommend. 

A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green - Review

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

Book details
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 6, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764219073
ISBN-13: 978-0764219078

Book description
Lacemaker Vivienne Rivard never imagined her craft could threaten her life. Yet in revolutionary France, it is a death sentence when the nobility, and those associated with them, are forced to the guillotine. Vivienne flees to Philadelphia but finds the same dangers lurking in the French Quarter, as revolutionary sympathizers threaten the life of a young boy left in her care, who some suspect to be the Dauphin. Can the French settlement, Azilum, offer permanent refuge?

Militiaman Liam Delaney proudly served in the American Revolution, but now that the new government has imposed an oppressive tax that impacts his family, he barely recognizes the democracy he fought for. He wants only to cultivate the land of his hard-won farm near Azilum, but soon finds himself drawn into the escalating tension of the Whiskey Rebellion. When he meets a beautiful young Frenchwoman recently arrived from Paris, they will be drawn together in surprising ways to fight for the peace and safety for which they long.

Meet the author - Jocelyn Green
Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage.

The honors her books have received include the Christy Award in historical fiction, and gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.

Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, Toblerone chocolate bars, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville.

Visit her at jocelyngreen.com, and receive a free gift when joining her e-newsletter mailing list at jocelyngreen.com/subscribe.

My thoughts
I am going to start off by saying I love this cover. There is just something about it that draws me to the book. I liked how the author did a great job in describing everything from the landscapes to the clothing to the emotions. Doing this gives you a good understanding of the the whole picture the author is trying to show you. She also did a good job of giving you just enough of a history lesson which leads you to wanting to learn more about this time and the people who experienced it. Then the author throws just a bit of romance into the mix which adds to the story. This is one of my favorites by this author. Highly recommended. 

February 9, 2018

Clairvoyant and Present Danger by Lena Gregory - Review and Two Giveaways

 

Book details
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series 
Berkley (February 6, 2018) 
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-0425282779 
E-Book ASIN: B071L5C99M
  

Book description
Whoever said that dead men tell no tales has never met Cass Donnovan... Cass has always relied on her abilities to guide her, but after communications with a ghost land her in the middle of a murder investigation, she has to wonder if her gifts are really more a curse. Cass knows she is meant to help track down the killer--much to the chagrin of local law enforcement--when the apparition leads her to a dead body on the beach near her psychic shop, Mystical Musings. But the police are not the only ones who wish Cass would stick to reading palms. Someone is trying to scare her off, and it will take all her powers of premonition to catch the killer before Cass herself becomes the next victim...

Meet the author - Lena Gregory
Lena Gregory lives in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband and three children. When she was growing up, she spent many lazy afternoons on the beach, in the yard, anywhere she could find to curl up with a good book. She loves reading as much now as she did then, but she now enjoys the added pleasure of creating her own stories. 

Author Links: Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/ 

Purchase Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Clairvoyant-Present-Danger-Psychic-Mystery/dp/0425282775/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clairvoyant-and-present-danger-lena-gregory/1126354172?ean=9780425282779#/
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/clairvoyant-and-present-danger
Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318719/clairvoyant-and-present-danger-by-lena-gregory/9780425282779
Books-a-million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Clairvoyant-Present-Danger/Lena-Gregory/9780425282779?id=7115717104541

My thoughts
This is a fun series. I like the physic/paranormal parts of this book as I find that whole thing interesting. I will tell you that these parts of the book are not in your face overwhelming but at the same time a great addition to the story. The main character Cass is growing as this series goes along. It was nice hearing more about her and her friends, it kind of feels like visiting your own friends. I like how the story flows and is a quick fun mystery. The author likes to give just enough clues to keep you guessing. Just when you think you have everything figured out you find you don't. This is the third book in this series but you are able to read it as a standalone. This is one of the series I recommend you give a try.

Giveaway #1

Giveaway #2



TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
February 5 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW 
February 5 – The Montana Bookaholic - CHARACTER GUEST POST, PRINT GIVEAWAY February 6 – Ruff Drafts – INTERVIEW 
February 7 – Socrates' Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT 
February 8 – Curling up by the Fire – REVIEW 
February 8 – DeeScoveries - SPOTLIGHT 
February 9 – Teresa Trent Author Blog - INTERVIEW, PRINT GIVEAWAY 
February 9 – A Holland Reads - REVIEW, PRINT GIVEAWAY 
February 10 – StoreyBook Reviews - GUEST POST, E-BOOK GIVEAWAY 
February 11 – Bibliophile Reviews - REVIEW, GUEST POST, PRINT GIVEAWAY 
February 12 – Valerie's Musings - INTERVIEW 
February 13 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT 
February 14 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW 
February 14 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
February 15 – Laura's Interest – REVIEW 
February 16 – MJB Reviewers - REVIEW, E-BOOK GIVEAWAY 
February 17 – Sapphyria's Books - REVIEW 
February 17 – T's Stuff - SPOTLIGHT, E-BOOK GIVEAWAY 
February 18 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW 
February 18 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 7, 2018

Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt - Review

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

Book details
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: MIRA (January 23, 2018)
ISBN-10: 077833113X
ISBN-13: 978-0778331131

Book description
Kat Grant and Alice Campbell have a friendship forged in shared confidences and long lunches lubricated by expensive wine. Though they’re very different women—the artsy socialite and the struggling suburbanite—they’re each other’s rocks. But even rocks crumble under pressure. Like when Kat’s financier husband, Howard, plunges to his death from the second-floor balcony of their South Florida mansion.
Howard was a jerk, a drunk, a bully and, police say, a murder victim. The questions begin piling up. Like why Kat has suddenly gone dark: no calls, no texts and no chance her wealthy family will let Alice see her. Why investigators are looking so hard in Alice’s direction. Who stands to get hurt next. And who is the cool liar—the masterful manipulator behind it all.


Meet the author - Margot Hunt
Margot Hunt is the pseudonym of a bestselling writer of twelve previous novels. Her work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER is her first psychological thriller.

Connect with Margot
Website | Facebook | Twitter

My thoughts
This was the first book I have read by this author and I thought it was a good book. It has suspense and was face paced. I liked how the author kept me guessing right up until the end. I liked reading about Kat and Alice's friendship and how it developed. The characters were well developed and the author did a good job with her descriptions of the scenes. I also liked how it had a double time line. So you got to see too different views. All in all a good book that you can read on a snowy weekend. 


February 4, 2018

Vangie Vale and the Strangled Strudel by R.L. Syme - Spotlight and Giveaway

 

Book details
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series 
Setting - Montana 
Hummingbird Books (January 4, 2018) 
Print Length: 330 pages 
E-Book ASIN: B077GK124B
  

Book description
You could call it the straw that broke the camel’s back but it was more like a Montana forest timber. Just when Vangie Vale’s life was getting back to normal after a murder that rocked her little Rocky Mountain tourist town, she found herself in the middle of another murder... as the chief suspect.

Vangie stood shocked on the side of the curb as the sheriff stretched yellow crime scene tape around the front of her new bakery. Wouldn’t this make a lovely headline in next week’s paper: Local Baker Kills Parishioner With Pudding. Vangie’s road back to good graces as a part-time pastor was bumpy enough already. This would be a roadblock. Can't have that.

Meet the author - R.L. Syme
R.L. Syme is a USA Today best-selling author of cozy mystery and small tow=n romance. She writes cozy culinary mysteries as R.L. Syme and small-town romance as Becca Boyd and. She is a writer of amateur sleuths worth loving and villains worth hating. Lover of fancy cheese, binge-watching, strawberries, and hope. A foodie and a baker herself, Becca grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries passed on by her grandmother. A Tweeter and Pinner of things. She loves to connect with readers via social media.

Author Links: Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bighopesbigheroes/ 
Twitter: @beck_a_tron 
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2xux8Ii 

Purchase Link Amazon 

Giveaway


TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
January 29 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW 
January 30 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
January 30 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW 
January 31 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW 
February 1 – Valerie's Musings - REVIEW, GUEST POST 
February 1 – Jane Reads - CHARACTER GUEST POST 
February 1 – Queen of All She Reads – GUEST POST 
February 2 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW 
February 3 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
February 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST 
February 4 –A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
February 5 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW 
February 6 – Laura's Interests - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
February 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GUEST POST 
February 8 – My Reading Journeys - CHARACTER GUEST POST 
February 9 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 3, 2018

Class Reunions Are Murder by Libby Klein - Review and Giveaway

Book details
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 
Kensington (January 30, 2018) 
Mass Market Paperback: 304 Pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1496713032 
E-Book ASIN: B072HS2JGM
  

Book description
For fortysomething Poppy McAllister, taking a stroll down memory lane in Cape May, New Jersey, isn’t just awkward—it’s deadly.

Newly widowed and stuck in a middle-aged funk, Poppy has been running on cookies, infomercials, and one-sided chats with her cat for months. There’s no way on earth she’s attending her twenty-five-year class reunion—especially after receiving a very bizarre letter from Barbie, the popular cheerleader who taunted her all through high school. At least, not until Poppy’s best friend practically drags her to the event . . . Using the dreaded homecoming as an excuse to visit her eccentric Aunt Ginny, Poppy vows to leave Cape May with pride and Spanx intact. Too bad Barbie is still the queen of mean at the reunion. And worse, that her dead body is lying right in front of Poppy’s old locker. Singled out as the killer, it’s up to Poppy to confront her past and clear her name. But between protecting her aunt from disaster and tackling a gluten-free diet, can Poppy crack the case before she’s voted “Most Likely to Die” by the murderer? Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

Meet the author - Libby Klein
Libby Klein dabbles in the position of Vice President of a technology company which mostly involves bossing other people around, making spreadsheets, and taking out the trash. She writes culinary cozy mysteries from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her cat Figaro off her keyboard.

Author Links
Webpage - https://libbykleinbooks.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/libbykleinbooks/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LibbyKleinBooks
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/libbykleinbooks/

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N kobo

My thoughts
This was a fun start to a new series. I liked that the character was close to my age it made me relate to her just a little. Class reunions are dreaded especially if there are mean girls involved - exactly why I have not been to any of mine. There were many suspects who could have done Barbie in. It was fun trying to figure out who was the actual one. The way the author describes things that many people go through like the weight issue really makes this book relate-able to many people. I think this is part of what makes this such a good book. It is funny as well as the character is so "real". Her dedication page was the best one I have seen in awhile. I liked how the author described the setting as well - it was easy to see the picture she was trying to paint. Poppy's aunt is a fun addition to this story. I liked that Poppy was trying to help her out. I will be waiting for the next book in this series. A must read. 

Giveaway


TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
January 30 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT 
January 31 – Readeropolis – INTERVIEW 
January 31 – Girl with Book Lungs - REVIEW 
February 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 
February 2 – Teresa Trent Author Blog - CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
February 2 – The Power of Words - REVIEW 
February 3 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
February 4 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
February 5 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW 
February 6 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT 
February 7 – Maureen's Musing – SPOTLIGHT 
February 7 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog - CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
February 8 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW 
February 9 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW 
February 10 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW 
February 11 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW 
February 12 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW 
February 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW