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April 30, 2018

Cake & Punishment by Maymee Bell - Spotlight and Giveaway

 

Book details
Cake and Punishment: A Southern Cake Baker Mystery 
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 
Setting - Kentucky 
Crooked Lane Books (May 8, 2018) 
Hardcover 257 Pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1683315711 
Digital ASIN: B075QJM2W8
 

Book description
In the first of a delectable new Southern-set baking cozy series, Sophia Cummings, pastry chef extraordinaire, must craft the perfect cake for an old friend’s wedding while sifting through the suspects in a murder. Bucolic Rumford, Kentucky has glowing fields of bluegrass, a fine selection of bourbons, and now a professional pastry chef. Broken-hearted Sophia Cummings has come home from New York City. She’s not there a minute before she’s charmed into making her high school friend Charlotte’s wedding cake. The kitchen at the Rumford Country Club seems perfect until Chef Emile’s body is discovered, sprawled near the stove, a cast iron skillet on the floor close by. With one look at the shiny, new frying pan, Sophia knows it’s not Emile’s. She offers her knowledge to Sheriff Carter and her talents to Evelyn, the manager, who needs an interim chef. The mood in the country club is grim: Emile’s peppery personality had burned members and staff alike. Sophia wonders which one of them burned him?

Meet the author - Maymee Bell
Maymee Bell is the pen name of USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes. She lives in Kentucky with her family and her two schnauzers. She likes strong coffee, slow-country days, and fresh-baked cookies - but she like telling stores best of all. This is her first SOUTHERN BAKER MYSTERY. 

Visit Tonya: Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes, https://www.facebook.com/authortonyakappes Kappes Krew Street Team https://www.facebook.com/groups/208579765929709/ 
Website tonyakappes.com 

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo 

Giveaway

Tour Participants 
April 25 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – CHARACTER GUEST POST 
April 25 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
April 26 – Babs Book Bistro - SPOTLIGHT 
 26 – Bibliophile Reviews - REVIEW 
April 27 – The Book Diva's Reads - CHARACTER GUEST POST 
April 28 – Ms. Cat's Honest World – REVIEW 
April 28 – MJB Reviewers - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 29 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY 
April 30 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW 
April 30 – A Holland Reads - SPOTLIGHT 
May 1 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW 
May 1 – Mysteries with Character - AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
May 2 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW 
May 2 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
May 3 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW 
May 3 – Valerie's Musings – GUEST POST 
May 4 – The Power of Words – REVIEW 
May 4 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
May 5 – Varietats - REVIEW 
May 6 – Brooke Blogs - SPOTLIGHT 
May 7 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW 
May 7 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST 
May 8 – The Montana Bookaholic - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
May 8 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – RECIPE POST 
May 9 – Moonlight Rendezvous - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
May 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - REVIEW, GUEST POST 
May 10 – That's What She's Reading - REVIEW, GUEST POST 
May 10 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW 
May 11 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, RECIPE POST 
May 11 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW  
at 2 comments:

April 26, 2018

Blame it on Scotland by Patience Griffin - Review

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

Book details
Series: Kilts and Quilts (Book 7)
Paperback: 330 pages
Publisher: Kilts & Quilts Publishing (April 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1732068402
ISBN-13: 978-1732068407

Book description
From the author of It Happened in Scotland—a charming new romance set in the magical Scottish Highlands.

The quilters of Gandiegow expand more than their quilting enterprise into the village of Whussendale. They bring along a heavy dose of good-hearted meddling, too. What’s the outcome? Love will never be the same…

When Tuck MacBride, Gandiegow’s favorite scapegoat, is blamed for a fisherman’s tragic accident, Tuck takes on extra work to secretly funnel his earnings to the maimed fisherman’s family. Haunted by the mistaken turn of events, Tuck is working night and day. Even so he can’t stop thinking about the new lass who has just arrived in town.

Ryn Breckenridge has no one left in the world. To fulfill her mother’s last request, Ryn travels to Scotland to return a quilt to her long lost cousin. Hoping to rebuild family ties, Ryn volunteers to help her cousin at the upcoming quilt retreat. But there is more than quilting on Ryn’s mind. The irresistible Tuck MacBride is proving to be a dangerous distraction.

Ryn’s past is riddled with bad boys like Tuck, who have left her alone and broken. She vows to stay away, but can’t help taking a closer look when she realizes there is more to Tuck than meets the eye. Both of their pasts contain shattered promises, but Scotland is known to bring reluctant hearts together. Will the two of them be willing to cross the deep chasm between them and find love? If they do, they will only have Scotland to blame…

Meet the author - Patience Griffin
Award-winning author Patience Griffin has been writing and sewing her whole life but didn’t discover her love of quilting until her late thirties. She decided the best way to acquire her first quilt was to make one for herself. At nearly the same time, she started commuting three and half hours a day for her dream engineering job. To pass the time on the long drive, she got hooked on audiobooks—especially books with love stories. Within a couple of years, she was writing stories of her own. It was no surprise to her family and friends when she combined her love of quilting, her small town roots, and her obsession with Scottish romances into novels. She has gained some recognition with her September 11th Story Quilt which has toured the country as the property of the Pentagon. Her first book, To Scotland with Love, received a Publishers Weekly *starred reviewed, won the New England Readers’ Choice award and Golden Quill for best first book and was also a double RITA® finalist. Patience’s Kilts and Quilts series takes place in small town Scotland and set around a group of quilters. She loves to write about home, heart, and community.

My thoughts
Another hit by Patience. This book grabbed me from the first page and I am still thinking about it after I am done with it. Tuck really found a place in my heart after reading this book. I know we got to know him a little in the last book but we now know him even better. My heart went out to Ryn as we got to know her. Then you have the horrible accident to John which made you feel for him and his family but it just seemed like Tuck could not shake his bad luck. Of course Deydie was her good ole' self keeping everyone in line. It was nice to catch up with all the old friends from the previous books. This book was well worth the read. 
at No comments:

April 21, 2018

Winning Miss Winthrop by Carolyn Miller - Review

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

Book details
Series: Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope (Book 1)
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (March 27, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825445337
ISBN-13: 978-0825445330

Book description
Years ago, the man who stole Catherine Winthrop's heart rejected her--and she's never recovered from the grief. Now tragedy has brought him back into her life. This time it isn't her heart he's taking, it’s her home and her family's good name.

Jonathan Carlew's serious demeanor and connection to trade, not to mention the rumors surrounding his birth, have kept him from being a favorite of the ladies, or their parents. Now, suddenly landed and titled, he finds himself with plenty of prospects. But his demanding society responsibilities keep pressing him into service to the one woman who captured his heart long ago--and then ran off with it.

These two broken hearts must decide whether their painful past and bitter present will be all they can share, or if forgiveness can provide a path to freedom for the future.

Set in the sumptuous salons of Bath, Regency England's royal breeding ground for gossip, Winning Miss Winthrop is the first volume in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series. Fans of the wholesome and richly drawn first series won't want to miss this new set of characters--or appearances by their old favorites.

Meet the author - Carolyn Miller
A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of Romance Writers of American (RWA) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Her favorite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but she also enjoys contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

Her stories are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges we all face at different times.

My thoughts
This was a great start to this series. I have enjoyed each of this authors books as she has a way of taking you to a different place and time. Each of the characters are well developed and likeable in their own way. I like how the author sets each scene and does well with the descriptions so you can feel like you are a part of the story. I also like how she incorporated a few characters from the first series into this one. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. 
at No comments:

Murder at the Mushroom Festival - Spotlight and Giveaway

Book details
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series 
Lyrical Underground (April 17, 2018) 
Paperback: 176 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1516104239 
Digital ASIN: B07465HNVP
  

Book description
There’s a corpse among the chanterelles!

Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast manager Kelly Jackson is hosting a cooking class during the Week of the Mushroom festival to attract guests, not drama. But soon after she finishes foraging for an edible mushroom species on sacred Native American land, a local newspaper reporter gets shot dead at the same site. With suspicions spreading like fungi in the quaint Northern Californian community over the culprit’s identity, Kelly and a savvy gang of sleuthing seniors known as the “Silver Sentinels” must uncover the truth about the secluded property before a tricky killer prepares another lethal surprise . . .

Meet the author - Janet Finsilver
Janet Finsilver is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Kelly Jackson mystery series. She worked in education for many years as a teacher, a program administrator, and a workshop presenter. Janet majored in English and earned a Master’s Degree in Education. She loves animals and has two dogs–Kylie and Ellie. Janet has ridden western style since she was a child and was a member of the National Ski Patrol. One of the highlights of her life was touching whales in the San Ignacio Lagoon. MURDER AT REDWOOD COVE, her debut mystery, was released on October 13, 2015. Her second book, MURDER AT THE MANSION, was released on June 7, 2016. Book 3, MURDER AT THE FORTUNE TELLER'S TABLE was released on March 14, 2017.

Author Links Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/janetfinsilverauthor/?fref=ts 

 Purchase Links Amazon B&N Kobo Google+ BookBub 

Giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
April 16 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 
April 18 – Babs Book Bistro - SPOTLIGHT 
April 19 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
April 19 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
April 20 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 21 – A Holland Reads - SPOTLIGHT 
April 22 – Community Bookstop – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 23 – The Power of Words – REVIEW 
April 24 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
April 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy - GUEST POST 
April 25 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST 
April 26 – Varietats – SPOTLIGHT 
April 27 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
April 28 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW 
April 29 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW 
April 30 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW
at 7 comments:

April 18, 2018

A Hole in One by Judy Penz Sheluk - Spotlight and Giveaway

Book details
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 
Barking Rain Press (March 6, 2018) 
Paperback: 178 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1941295731 
Digital ASIN: B079VJLVQ4
  

Book description
Hoping to promote the Glass Dolphin antiques shop, co-owners Arabella Carpenter and Emily Garland agree to sponsor a hole in one contest at a charity golf tournament. The publicity turns out to be anything but positive, however, when Arabella’s errant tee shot lands in the woods next to a corpse.

They soon learn that the victim is closely related to Arabella’s ex-husband, who had been acting as the Course Marshal. With means, opportunity, and more than enough motive, he soon becomes the police department’s prime suspect, leaving Arabella and Emily determined to clear his name—even if they’re not entirely convinced of his innocence.

Dogged by incriminating online posts from an anonymous blogger, they track down leads from Emily’s ex-fiancé (and the woman he left Emily for), an Elvis impersonator, and a retired antiques mall vendor with a secret of her own.

All trails lead to a mysterious cult that may have something to do with the murder. Can Arabella and Emily identify the killer before the murderer comes after them?

Meet the author - Judy Penz Sheluk
Judy Penz Sheluk is the author of two mystery series: The Glass Dolphin Mysteries (THE HANGED MAN’S NOOSE and A HOLE IN ONE) and The Marketville Mysteries (SKELETONS IN THE ATTIC). Judy’s short crime fiction appears is several collections. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Crime Writers of Canada, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Regional Representative for Toronto/Southern Ontario. Find Judy on her website/blog at www.judypenzsheluk.com, where she interviews and showcases the works of other authors and blogs about the writing life.

Author Links Website http://www.judypenzsheluk.com Facebook https://business.facebook.com/JudyPenzSheluk/?business_id=736294013145101 


Giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
April 17 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW 
April 18 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
April 19 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 20 – The Montana Bookaholic – SPOTLIGHT 
April 21 – T's Stuff – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 22 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT 
April 23 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 24 – cherylbbookblog – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 24 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 25 – Books Direct – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 26 – Maureen's Musings – REVIEW 
April 27 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
April 28 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 29 – Laura's Interests – SPOTLIGHT 
April 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
at 7 comments:

April 16, 2018

The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr - Review

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

Book details
Series: Sullivan's Crossing (Book 3)
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: MIRA (April 17, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778330761
ISBN-13: 978-0778330769

Book description
An exceptional storyteller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr beautifully captures the emotionally charged, complex dynamics that come with being part of any family. Readers will laugh and shed a few tears as they discover what it means to be loved, supported and accepted by the people who mean the most.

Having left the military, Dakota Jones is at a crossroads in his life. With his elder brother and youngest sister happily settled in Sullivan’s Crossing, he shows up hoping to clear his head before moving on to his next adventure. But, like every visitor to the Crossing, he’s immediately drawn to the down-to-earth people and the seemingly simple way of life.

Dakota is unprepared for how quickly things get complicated. As a newcomer, he is on everyone’s radar—especially the single women in town. While he enjoys the attention at first, he’s really only attracted to the one woman who isn’t interested. And spending quality time with his siblings is eye-opening. As he gets to know them, he also gets to know himself and what he truly wants.

When all the Jones siblings gather for a family wedding, the four adults are drawn together for the first time in a way they never were as children. As they struggle to accept each other, warts and all, the true nature and strength of their bond is tested. But all of them come to realize that your family are the people who see you for who you really are and love you anyway. And for Dakota, that truth allows him to find the home and family he’s always wanted.

Meet the author  - Robyn Carr
Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of almost sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series. The third novel (THE FAMILY GATHERING) in her fan-favorite new series, Sullivan's Crossing, will be released in April 2018. Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at www.RobynCarr.com.

My thoughts
This was a great book. I loved going back to Sullivan's Crossing and seeing what was happening with all of the great characters. I miss hearing a little more about Maggie and Sully but it was nice to learn more about Dakota and to meet Sid. I also liked hearing more about how Sierra and Connie's relationship was going. I have to say though that Robyn put a lump in my throat a couple of times during their story. Sid was a good addition to the story and watching her and Dakota get to know each other. Oh and how can I forget about Lola and Tom and how they are doing. There was so much goodness packed into this book that I did not want it to end. I wonder what is in store next - let's hope crazy Neely is gone for good but I am not so sure that is the case.
at No comments:

April 15, 2018

Welcome to Moonlight Harbor by Sheila Roberts - Review

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

Book details
Series: A Moonlight Harbor Novel (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: MIRA (April 17, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 077836805X
ISBN-13: 978-0778368052

Book description
USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts returns with a brand-new series set on the charming Washington coast

Once happily married, Jenna Jones is about to turn forty, and this year for her birthday—lucky her—she’s getting a divorce. She’s barely able to support herself and her teenage daughter, but now her deadbeat artist ex is hitting her up for spousal support…and then spending it on his “other” woman.

Still, as her mother always says, every storm brings a rainbow. And when she gets a very unexpected gift from her great-aunt Edie, things seem to be taking a turn for the better. Aging Aunt Edie is finding it difficult to keep up her business running The Driftwood Inn, so she invites Jenna to come live with her and run the place. It looks like Jenna’s financial problems are solved!

Or not. The town is a little more run-down than Jenna remembers, but that’s nothing compared to the ramshackle state of The Driftwood Inn. Aunt Edie is confident they can return it to its former glory, though Jenna feels like she’s jumped from the proverbial frying pan into the beach fire.

But who knows? With the help of her new friends and a couple of handsome citizens, perhaps that rainbow is on the horizon after all. Because, no matter what, life is always good at the beach.

Featuring all the warmth, romance and trademark humor of Sheila Roberts’s writing, this new series will delight longtime fans and welcome a generation of new readers.

Meet the author - Sheila Roberts
USA Today best-selling author Sheila Roberts lives in the Pacific Northwest and has three children and one long-suffering husband. Her books have been printed in a many different languages. Her Christmas perrenial "On Strike for Christmas" was made into a movie for the Lifetime Channel and her novel "The Nine Lives of Christmas" was made into a movie for Hallmark. When she's not playing with girlfriends or on the tennis court Sheila can be found writing about those things dear to women's hearts:family, friends, and chocolate. You can visit Sheila on Twitter and Facebook or at her website (www.sheilasplace.com).

My thoughts
I was sad to see Sheila's Icicle Falls series end but was very happy to hear that she was going to write a new series. This book was a good start to a new series and a great introduction to a  new town (Moonlight Harbor) and a who cast of new friends. From the start I fell in love with Jenna and her aunt Edie. Her daughter Sabrina was your typical teenage girl - acting out her emotions. Out of the two guys in the book I have to say I like Seth better than Brody. Don't get me wrong they are both good guys I just had a soft spot for Seth. Pete was a grumpy old fart but he kind of grows on you. You can't forget all the townspeople that you get to meet. They are a unique bunch but great people. I liked that the author included tidbits about Icicle Falls in this story. Without giving away too much of the story I will say that the author did a good job of having your emotions all over the place but in the end this was a real feel good book. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. 
at No comments:

April 7, 2018

Secrets of Cavendon by Barbara Taylor Bradford - Review

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

Book details
Series: Cavendon Hall (Book 4)
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (November 21, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250091454
ISBN-13: 978-1250091451

Book description
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford, comes a striking, breathtaking saga featuring the aristocratic Inghams and the Swann family, who have loyally served them for generations.

It’s the summer of 1949, and things have run smoothly at Cavendon Hall for years, with very few quarrels, dramas, or upsets between the two families. But since the end of World War II, changes have arrived at Cavendon. A new generation is at the helm, and also at the forefront of new scandal and intrigue. With romance, betrayal, heartbreak, and possible murder threatening to tear them apart, the Inghams and Swanns will have to find a way to come together and protect each other in the face of threats they never could have predicted.

Told with Bradford’s inimitable deftness of prose and a beloved cast of characters, Secrets of Cavendonis a captivating novel that will draw readers in and grip them until the very last page.

Meet the author - Barbara Taylor Bradford
BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD was born and brought up in England and started her writing career as a journalist. She has written more than thirty international bestsellers. Secrets of Cavendon is her thirty-second novel. In 2007, Queen Elizabeth awarded her the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her literary achievements. She lives in New York with her husband, TV and film producer Robert Bradford.

My thoughts
This author is one of my favorite authors. I love that she writes about strong female ladies and this book is just as good as the first one she ever wrote. One of the things I like that the author does is she makes her stories historically accurate when telling them, as she captures the time and place of when and where it takes place. It was nice to see what was going on with the Inghams and Swans - it was like catching up with family. This book was full of romance, mystery, friendship, hardship and so much more. I am looking forward to the next book that Barbara Taylor has to offer us. 
at No comments:

All Things Beautiful by Keely Brooke Keith - Review

I received this book free from the author

Book details
Print Length: 184 pages
Publisher: Edenbrooke Press (April 17, 2018)
Publication Date: April 17, 2018
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B07954FB2B

Uncharted Beginnings:
#1 Aboard Providence
#2 Above Rubies
#3 All Things Beautiful

Book description
It’s 1868 in the settlement of Good Springs, and Hannah Vestal is passionate about writing fiction and keeping her stories to herself. By lantern light she slips into her story world and dreams the adventures she’ll never experience. When her father asks to read her work, she decides to have it printed secretly for his 50th birthday. Hannah tries to arrange the printing with the settlement’s pressman, but the witty and dapper Henry Roberts won’t make it easy for her to prove her writing is worthy of his ink.

If Henry Roberts did nothing else for the rest of his life but print and bind books, he would die a satisfied man. In order to secure settlement support for his printing press, the elder council says Henry must print an error-free copy of the New Testament before the settlement’s 8th anniversary celebration. He is determined to meet their challenge, but when the enigmatic Hannah proves to be a beguiling distraction, Henry longs for something more than a life at the letterpress.

Get swept away to the hidden frontier settlement where love requires sacrifice, faith-filled adventures await, and sweet romance makes people glad to be alive. Read All Things Beautiful today and embark on an unforgettable journey of the heart in this inspirational story.

Meet the author - Keely Brooke Keith
Keely Brooke Keith writes inspirational frontier-style fiction with a twist, including The Land Uncharted (Shelf Unbound Notable Romance 2015) and Aboard Providence (2017 INSPY Awards Longlist). Keely also creates resources for writers such as The Writer’s Book Launch Guide and The Writer’s Character Journal. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely grew up in a family that frequently relocated. By graduation, she lived in 8 states and attended 14 schools. When she isn’t writing, Keely enjoys playing bass guitar, preparing homeschool lessons, and collecting antique textbooks. Keely, her husband, and their daughter live on a hilltop south of Nashville, Tennessee.

My thoughts
I love this third installment of the Uncharted Beginnings Series. One of the things that I liked the best besides the time period was that it was about writing and publishing books alongside the characters stories. I understood Hannah's wanting to keep her stories private but when she did decide to have them printed I was upset that Henry did not really want to help her. But then again he had his own challenges he was dealing with. Hannah was a determined writing doing whatever she could to get paper and ink - her determination was one of the things I really liked about her. When I started this book I felt like I was visiting old friends and catching up with what was going on with their lives. Even thought this book is a part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book. A good historical fiction book with a touch of romance added in. 
at No comments:

Lessons From the Prairie by Melissa Frances - Review

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

Book details
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Hachette Books; Reprint edition (April 3, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602863172
ISBN-13: 978-1602863170

Book description
For fans of the beloved TV show Little House on the Prairie, a self-help book by Melissa Francis, bestselling author of Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter and child star of Little House, revealing important life lessons inspired by a childhood on set.

Melissa Francis was only eight years old when she won the role of a lifetime: playing Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on the world's most famous prime-time soap opera, Little House on the Prairie.

Now in Lessons from the Prairie, she shares behind-the-scenes stories from the set, and lessons learned from the show's dynamic creator, Michael Landon, that have echoed throughout Melissa's adult life. With novel insights on hard work, making mistakes, and even spirituality, Francis shares inspirational and practical life lessons that will appeal both to her current TV fans, and fans of one of the most adored TV shows of all time.

Meet the author - Melissa Francis
Melissa Francis is an anchor, inspirational speaker, and host on the Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel, and a regular contributor on financial, economic, and political issues on shows such as The Five, Outnumbered, Happening Now, and America's Newsroom. Prior to her role at Fox, Melissa spent nine years at CNBC anchoring Power Lunch, The Call, and On the Money. She co-hosted It's the Economy on MSNBC with Contessa Brewer. She contributed to The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and Weekend Today.

As an actress she appeared in numerous motion pictures, television series, and commercials. She is best known for her role of Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.

Melissa grew up in Los Angeles and earned an honors degree in Economics from Harvard University. She now lives in Manhattan with her husband and three children.

My thoughts
I have grown up not only loving the Little House on the Prairie books but I also enjoyed the tv show. I have spent many an hour watching reruns. So when I got asked to review a book by one of the actresses from the show I thought sure I would love that. I did like this book even though it did not have as much about her behind the scenes of Little House as I was expecting. That part was a little disappointing to me since I have so many books about Laura Ingalls and her life. But I did not let that keep me from enjoying the book. The author's stories were sometimes funny and always well told. I also thought she did a good job of making the reader feel relateable to her in her adventures through life. 
at No comments:

April 5, 2018

The Killing at Kaldaire House by Kate Parker - Spotlight and Giveaway


Book details
The Killing at Kaldaire House (The Milliner Mysteries) 

Cozy Mystery New Series 
Self-Published Release Date - April 2, 2018 
Paperback: 318 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-0997663716 
Digital ASIN: B079ZBJ935


Book description
A dying man. The painting within her reach. What’s a thief to do?

Talented London milliner Emily Gates creates amazing hats for Society ladies, but to collect from those who don’t pay her bill, she burglarizes their homes. She needs every penny to send her deaf brother to school. Late one night, she sneaks in to find Lord Kaldaire badly injured in his study. Unwilling to abandon him, she calls for help.

When Kaldaire dies without revealing who attacked him, his widow agrees to keep Emily’s secrets ― if Emily will help find her husband’s killer. A bigger danger is a Scotland Yard inspector who threatens to arrest Emily — unless she spies on her father’s family of swindlers and conmen. Worst of all are the attacks from an unknown assailant. What will Emily face first, jail or death?

This cozy mystery is set in the era of My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins, of early automobiles and aeroplanes, and of King Edward VII and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If you enjoyed the Victorian Bookshop Mysteries, you’ll like Emily Gates and the collection of aristocrats and thieves in her world as they step into the 20th century.



Meet the author - Kate Parker
Kate Parker has wanted to travel to 1930s England since she read her mother’s Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers mysteries when she was a schoolgirl. After many years of studying science, she decided a time travel machine was out of the question so she found herself limited to reading about the period and visiting historic sites. Her love of this fascinating and challenging period led her to the research from which the Deadly series grew. Eventually, she found it necessary to spend several days in the British Library reading old newspapers, which meant another trip to England. Near Christmas. A sacrifice she’d gladly make every year.

Author Links: Website: www.KateParkerbooks.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Author.Kate.Parker/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KateParkerbooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7123001.Kate_Parker

Purchase Links - Amazon Kindle Amazon Paperback B&N Kobo BookBub

Giveaway


Tour Participants 
April 2 – Carole's Book Corner – REVIEW 
April 2 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT 
April 3 – Valerie's Musings – GUEST POST 
April 4 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
April 4 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT 
April 5 – Jane Reads – REVIEW 
April 5 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
April 6 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT 
April 7 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT 
April 8 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT 
April 9 – T's Stuff – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 9 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT 
April 10 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT 
April 11 – Bubble Bath Books – REVIEW 
April 11 – Books Direct – GUEST POST 
April 12 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW 
April 12 – Varietats – REVIEW 
April 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
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April 3, 2018

Deadly Reception by Karen Randau - Spotlight and Giveaway

Book details
Suspense Thriller Mystery 
Self Published (April 16, 2018) 
Paperback: 138 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1984380807 
Digital ASIN: B079DGBW37


Book description
Deadly Reception is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.

Deadly Reception features characters from Karen Randau’s Rim Country Mysteries series.

Each book in this multi-author series is a standalone novella, and the series can be read in any order. The Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series includes:

Leona’s Last Resort by Karen M. Bryson Dark Side of the Mountain by R.J. Rosatte Deadly Reception by Karen Randau Black Diamond Graves by Wendy Fallon Deadly Misfire by Laurie Fagen Cassidy’s Deadly Exit by Marla J. Hayes The Quinnipiac Disappearance by Lee Tidball

A severed head. A philandering husband. A skeleton in the basement. This was not the perfect wedding Rita Avery planned for her daughter Zoe! Rita Avery and her detective husband Cliff arrive at New Jersey’s Tawnee Mountain Resort prepared to greet Zoe’s wedding guests in just three hours. Who would have expected to find a man’s torso in their closet? Things explode into high gear when the victim’s head shows up at the golf equipment shack. A good look at his social media makes Rita wonder if a wife murdered her husband as revenge for infidelity. Or did a secret admirer decide to liberate the wife from her scoundrel husband? Worse, is Zoe in life-threatening danger . . . again? And will Rita and Cliff escape the trap in which the murderer snares them? Murder and a passel of twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Zoe’s wedding is the most exciting you’ll attend!

Meet the author - Karen Randau
Karen Randau is the author of the Rim Country Mystery series. Her fast-paced novels include Deadly Deceit, Deadly Inheritance, and Deadly Choices, each with intricate plots and lots of action and told from the point of view of protagonist Rita Avery. 

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

Purchase Link – Amazon 

Giveaway


Tour Participants 
April 1 –StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
April 1 –Valerie's Musings - CHARACTER GUEST POST 
April 1 – Blogger Nicole Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
April 2 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT 
April 2 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
April 3 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
April 3 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 
April 3 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
April 4 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 4 – The Cozy Pages – REVIEW 
April 5 – Varietats – REVIEW 
April 5 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST 
April 6 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW 
April 6 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST 
April 7 – MJB Reviewer – REVIEW 
April 7 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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April 2, 2018

Prestige, Privilege & Murder by Christa Nardi - Spotlight

 

Book details
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 
Self Published (January 10, 2018) 
Print Length: 182 pages 
ASIN: B078N1M422
  

Book description
Money isn't worth killing for, or is it?

When her estranged husband is murdered, Stacie Maroni Noth is quickly identified as the main suspect. With divorce papers not yet signed, she may get a substantial inheritance – a clear motive in the eyes of both Noth’s family and the police. His family and law firm strive to keep up the pretense that all is above reproach and idyllic. In her quest to prove her innocence, however, Stacie discovers she's not the only one with a motive for murder. Could it be a colleague at the prestigious law firm where he worked? Or is it tied to the victim's stance on domestic violence? Or maybe even his threats to reveal family secrets? Whatever the true motive may be, it soon becomes clear that Stacie might be the next victim.

Meet the author - Christa Nardi
Christa Nardi is and always has been an avid reader. Her favorite authors have shifted from Carolyn Keene and Earl Stanley Gardner to more contemporary mystery/crime authors over time, but mystery along with romance are her preferred choices for leisure reading. Christa also has been a long time writer from poetry and short stories to cozy mystery. She is the author of the Cold Creek Series and co-authors a young adult mystery series with Cassidy Salem. 

Author Links 
Sign up for monthly newsletter http://smarturl.it/NardiNewsletter 




TOUR PARTICIPANTS 
March 26 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT 
March 26 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
March 27 – Readeropolis – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
March 27 – Varietats – REVIEW March 28 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW 
March 28 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW 
March 29 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW 
March 30 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
March 30 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
March 31 - Mysteries with Character – SPOTLIGHT 
March 31 - My Reading Journeys – REVIEW 
April 1 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
April 2 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

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