Night and Day by Ann Summerville - Spotlight and Giveaway

Published: May 27, 2015

Number of pages: 172

Genre: Cozy Mysteries

Series: Pecan Valley Mystery #3

Synopsis:

Not all is what it seems in Pecan Valley and Bea can’t quite put her finger on what is wrong. She’s hoping Marge won’t become a permanent house guest and encourages her to look for a new home, but while they are scouting the neighborhood they end up looking for more than a house for Marge. What Bea wants to uncover is the unsavory dealings of a ruthless realtor and a murderer that might put Bea on the list of victims.

About the author:

Ann Summerville moved from her native England to California before arriving in the Lone Star State. Her publications can be found in Lutheran Digest, Long Story Short, The Shine Journal, Doorknobs & Bodypaint, Associated Content, Trinity Writers’ Workshop newsletters and also their collection of Christmas stories. Ann is currently working on the fifth book in the Lowenna series set in Cornwall.

Author Links:
www.cozyintexas.blogspot.com
www.annsummerville.com

Purchase Link
Amazon

Interview:

1. Who or what inspired you to start writing?
I made up stories when I was quite young and began writing them down as a teenager. It wasn't until I was in my fifties, that I actually started to take my writing seriously and after winning several online competitions for short stories, began writing cozy mysteries.

2. What do you do to help you get over writer's block?
I can't say that I've ever felt a loss for words. If I don't have inspiration for one story, I start writing another and juggle between the two.

3. Do you have scheduled writing time or a certain amount of words you write each day?
I prefer to write in the mornings before my mind gets cluttered with other things. I usually try and write 1600 words a day during National Novel Writing Month in November. The goal is to have a 50,000 word novel by the end of the month.

4. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
Ideas come from difference sources. It might be an overheard conversation, a story in a newspaper or something I see. I do warn my friends that something they say and do might end up in a novel!

5. When you are not writing what do you like to do?
I like to stay busy. My latest project is making hats for newborn babies. It's called the Happy Hats project organized by a local church and the crochet hats are sent all over the world. They usually distribute over 700 a month. Some go to Operation Shower for military wives.

6. What one piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring writers?
Love what you do and write for the joy of it. If writing is your passion then never give up. There are plenty of people who are negative. Don't let them discourage you and surround yourself with positive people who encourage you. To help you learn your craft find a book you like in the same genre
that you write and study it. Do a synopsis, breakdown the chapters and make notes on how the story is developing.

7. Who is your favorite author or book that you would like to recommend to your readers?
One book that was inspirational to me is Empire Falls by Richard Russo. He is a gifted writer (Pulitzer Prize winner) and makes his characters come to life. Donna Leon is another writer I enjoy but anything about Venice is an enjoyable read for me.

8. If you could meet any famous person dead or alive who would it be and why?
I'm reading a book by Stephen King (my first) and he's an amazing writer. I'd love to talk to him, but it would have to be in the daylight hours!

9. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you like to visit?
I love Italy and would like to spend more time exploring small towns especially the Cinque Terre

10. Five interesting facts about yourself
1. I once worked for Sotheby's in London

2. I like the concept of pay-it-forward and am always volunteering to help others in need 

3. I once ran into Ringo Starr while working in London (literally) I ran around a corner and ran smack into him. He promptly climbed into a limousine before I realized who it was.

4. I don't give up easily. If someone says "no" my first question is "why not." Often there are different ways to attack a problem. For instance publishing. After having little success with traditional publishing, I studied how to self publish and it turned out to be a much better route to take (traditional publishers can remove your books from print without consulting you.) 

5. I love being a grandmother. I have three grandchildren under the age of 4 and we have such fun together.

Thank you for inviting me.
Ann

Giveaway:

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Tour participants:

September 19 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review

September 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – Guest Post

September 21 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Review

September 22 – Nadaness In Motion – Guest Post

September 23 – Thoughts in Progress – Review, Guest Post

September 24 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Interview

September 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight

September 26 – deal sharing aunt – Review, Interview

September 27 – Frankie Bow – Guest Post, Spotlight

September 28 – Omnimystery News – Interview

September 29 – fuonlyknew – Review

September 30 – Book Splurge – Review

What Color is Your Parachute? 2016 by Richard N. Bolles

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review

Published: August 11, 2015

Number of pages: 368

Genre: Self-help

Synopsis:

What Color Is Your Parachute? is the world’s most popular job-hunting guide, revised and updated annually, with more than ten million copies sold. This 2016 edition features the latest studies and perspectives on today’s job-market, including proven strategies for finding jobs even when everyone tells you there are none. Career expert Richard N. Bolles reveals surprising advice on what works—and what doesn’t—so you can focus your efforts on tactics that yield results.

This helpful manual shares proven tips for writing impressive resumes and cover letters, as well as guidance for effective networking, confident interviewing, and the best salary negotiating possible. But it goes beyond that by helping you to zero in on your ideal job—and life—with its classic Flower Exercise. Whether you’re searching for your first job, were recently laid off, or are dreaming of a career change, What Color Is Your Parachute?will guide you toward fulfilling and prosperous work.

What did I think of this book:

This is and interesting book with some very helpful tips to help you find your perfect job. Even though this book has many editions this is the first one I have read. I was impressed with how much information was packed into this book. It will be one book that I will refer to over and over again. Don't forget to check out the appendix as there is even more information that will be helpful to you. I recommed this book for anyone looking for a new career. 

Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

Published: October 20, 2013

Number of pages: 368

Genre: Romance

Series: Cousins O'Dwyer #1

Synopsis:

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horseman, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

What did I think of this book:

I really enjoyed this book and thought it was different than other books I have read by Nora Roberts. I liked the witch theme and to me it was interesting. Ioana fit is so well with her cousins and their friends that it did feel as if she belonged there. The darkness of Cabhan was eeire and I of course did not like him. The bond of the cousins was very great. I felt as if this book moved right along and kept me wanting to see what was going to happen next. The descriptions of the castle and the landscapes made me jealous of Ioana for getting to experience all of that. The County Mayo sounds so beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. 

Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy

#1 A Dark Witch

#2 Shadow Spell

#3 Blood Magick

Montmartre Mysteries by Jean-Pierre Alaux & Noel Balen - Review and Giveaway

I received this book from France Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: September 3, 2015 Le French Book 

Number of pages: 146

Genre: Cozy Myster

Website | Goodreads 

SYNOPSIS

Wine expert Benjamin Cooker travels to the French capital, where his is called to help care for some vineyards in Montmartre, a neighborhood full of memories for him. He stops in on an old friend. Arthur Solacroup left the Foreign Legion to open a wine shop good enough to be in the Cooker Guide. But an attempted murder brings the past back into the present. But which past? The winemaker detective and his assistant Virgile want to know more, and their investigation leads them from the sands of Djibouti to the vineyards of Côte du Rhône.

WHAT DID I THINK OF THIS BOOK

This is one of my favorite series. I like how there is always a vineyard and/or wine incorporated into the story. An added bonus for me is that this book takes place in Paris - I love all things Paris. Each of the books in this series give us a lesson in winemaking and history of France, which is fun. As always I enjoy how Benjamin and Virgile play off of eah other. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep this book moving along. Even though this is book eight in the series you are able to read it as a stand alone book and not be lost. My only complaint would be is that I wish this book was a little longer. Although it is a shorter book it is full of punch and a great story. 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen, wine lover and music lover respectively, came up with the idea for the Winemaker Detective series while sharing a meal, with a bottle of Château Gaudou 1996, a red wine from Cahors with smooth tannins and a balanced nose.
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR

Translator Sally Pane studied French at State University of New York Oswego and the Sorbonne before receiving her Masters Degree in French Literature from the University of Colorado. She has translated several titles in this series.

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Buy the book | on Indiebound | Amazon | on Barnes & Noble 

WINEMAKER DETECTIVE SERIES

#1 Treachery in Bordeaux

#2 Grand Cru Heist

#3 Nightmare in Burgundy

#4 Deadly Tasting

#5 Cognac Conspiracies

#6 Mayhem in Margaux

#7 Flambe in Armagnac

#8 Montmarte Mysteries

GIVEAWAY

You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blogs participating in this tour. Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook, they are listed in the entry form below.

Enter here

Visit each blogger on the tour: tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] Global giveaway open internationally: 5 participants will each win a copy of this book. Print/digital format for US residents Digital for all other residents 

CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ OTHER REVIEWS AND EXCERPTS

Three Days to Forever by Lauren Carr - Review and Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: January 16, 2015

Number of pages: 438

Genre: Mystery

Series: Mac Faraday Mystery #9

Synopsis:

In this latest Mac Faraday Mystery from best-selling mystery author Lauren Carr, readers will embark on a rollercoaster adventure with old friends (including the Lovers in Crime team of Prosecutor Joshua Thornton and Homicide Detective Cameron Gates), but also meet new ones as Mac Faraday’s daughter Jessica Faraday and Joshua Thornton’s son Murphy Thornton join the team in the race to get the love birds to the altar!

With three days left to the year, Deep Creek Lake is hopping with holiday vacationers and wedding guests pouring into the Spencer Inn for Mac Faraday and Archie Monday’s huge wedding ceremony which is being touted as the social event of the year.

But droopy flowers and guests who failed to RSVP are the least of Mac’s and Archie’s problems when a professional hit squad hits Spencer Manor to send the groom, Joshua Thornton, Archie’s mother, and Gnarly running for their lives.

With time running out to the big day, Mac Faraday and Spencer’s small police force have to sort through the clues to figure out not only who has been targeted for assassination, but also who is determined to stop everything … FOREVER!

What did I think about this book:

I have enjoyed reading this book. This book is a part of a series and I have not read any of the others in the series. I would recommend reading them in order. I am able to read this as a stand alone but think it would be even better in order. One thing that helps is that there is a character list in the front of the book. I like the author's writing style and how she can keep me guessing throughout the story line. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book which makes it read that much faster and add in a little romance for good measure. It is fun getting to know the characters. This was different than most of the mysteries that I read but I have to say it was a nice change. 

About the author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday Mysteries, which takes place in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Open Season for Murder is the tenth installment in the Mac Faraday Mystery series.

In addition to her series set on Deep Creek Lake, Lauren Carr has also written the Lovers in Crime Mysteries, which features prosecutor Joshua Thornton with homicide detective Cameron Gates, who were introduced in Shades of Murder, the third book in the Mac Faraday Mysteries. They also make an appearance in The Lady Who Cried Murder.

Three Days to Forever introduced Lauren Carr’s latest series detectives, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday in the Thorny Rose Mysteries. Look for Kill and Run, the first installment in this series, to be released September 1, 2015.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, editor, cover and layout designer, and marketing agent for independent authors. Visit Acorn Book Services’ website for more information.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She also passes on what she has learned in her years of writing and publishing by conducting workshops and teaching in community education classes.

She lives with her husband, son, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Giveaway: ​ 

1. Win an ebook copy of Kill and Run with a $15 Amazon gift card (open internationally - 5 winners)
2. Win a print copy of Kill and Run (USA only - 4 winners)
3. Win a print copy of both Three Days to Forever and Kill and Run with a $25 Amazon gift card (USA only)

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Tour Schedule:

Aug 31 - Book Stop Corner - review of Three Days to Forever/author interview /giveaway

Aug 31 - Cheryl's Book Nook - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Aug 31 - The Travelogue of a Book Addict - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Aug 31 - The Booksnake Etc. - review of Three Days to Forever

Aug 31 - Coffee, Books & Art - book spotlight / giveaway

Aug 31 - Manic Mommy of Two - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Aug 31 - readalot - review of Kill and Run

Sept 1 - Book Stop Corner - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 1 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Sept 1 - My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - review of Three Days to Forever

Sept 2 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 2 - Mystery Suspense Reviews - review of Three Days to Forever

Sept 3 - Bound 2 Escape - books spotlighted / giveaway

Sept 3 - Rockin' Book Reviews - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Sept 3 - Library of Clean Reads - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Sept 4 - Griperang's Bookmarks - review of Three Days to Forever/ guest post / giveaway

Sept 4 - Manic Mommy of Two - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Sept 7 - Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine - guest post

Sept 7 - 3 Partners in Shopping - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 8 - My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - review of Kill and Run

Sept 8 - Nighttime Reading Center - review of Three Days to Forever/interview/ giveaway

Sept 9 - T's Stuff - review of Three Days to Forever / guest post / giveaway

Sept 9 - Vic's Media Room - review of Three Days to Forever

Sept 10 - Rockin' Book Reviews - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 10 - fundinmental - review of Three Days to Forever / author interview / giveaway

Sept 11 -Vic's Media Room - review of Kill and Run / author interview / giveaway

Sept 11 - Cassidy Salem Reads and Writes - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 13 - Writers and Authors - book spotlight / giveaway

Sept 14 - The Autistic Gamer - review of Three Days to Forever

Sept 14 - Mystery Suspense Reviews - review of Kill and Run

Sept 15 - The Booksnake Etc. - review of Kill and Run

Sept 15 - Life as Leels - review of Three Days to Forever

Sept 16 - Readers' Muse - review of Three Days to Forever

Sept 16 - T's Stuff - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 17 - fundinmental - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 17 - Library of Clean Reads - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 18 - Cheryl's Book Nook - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 21 - The Autistic Gamer - review of Kill and Run

Sept 21 - Nighttime Reading Center - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 22 - Celestial Reviews - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Sept 22 - Griperang's Bookmarks - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 23 - fuonlyknew - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Sept 23 - Deal Sharing Aunt - review of Kill and Run

Sept 24 - fuonlyknew - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 24 - Readers' Muse - review of Kill and Run

Sept 25 - Mystery Suspense Reviews - guest post

Sept 28 - Celestial Reviews - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 28 - Christa Reads and Writes - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Sept 29 - A Blue Million Books - book spotlight / author interview

Sept 29 - Life as Leels - review of Kill and Run

Sept 30 - Olio by Marilyn - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Oct 1 - The Travelogue of a Book Addict - review of Kill and Run / giveaway

Oct 1 - Writers and Authors - guest post

Oct 2 - Book and Ink - review of Kill and Run / guest post / giveaway

Oct 5 - A Mama's Corner of the World - review of Kill and Run

Oct 6 - Jessica Cassidy - review of Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Oct 7 - Room with Books - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Oct 7 - Pause for Tales - review of Kill and Run

Oct 8 - Olio by Marilyn - review of Kill and Run / author interview / giveaway

Oct 9 - Jessica Cassidy - review of Kill and Run / author interview / giveaway

Oct 9 - Book and Ink - book spotlight for Three Days to Forever / giveaway

Fairy Tales by Thomas Gonzalez - Spotlight

Children's Picture Book

Date Published: January 2015

The Old West, Cowboy Boots, Sheriffs, Mayors, Horses….

Dogs, dogs, dogs and more dogs….

Fairy Tales is a children’s story about Western pooches Spike, Princess, Rocky, Wilbert, Black Jack, Chiquita, and of course the main man Mayor Tom. Set in an old west town, follow the dogs on their adventures, even being sworn in as deputies.

The author has used the names of his real life dogs for his story because he loves his dogs and wants the world to fall in love them too. All of Gonzalez’s dogs are rescues and he has promised them that they will have a good friend in him for the rest of their lives.

EXCERPT

Once upon a time, in the town of Whasumatter, lived Rocky, the Labrador and his most trusted friend Wilbert, The Chihuahua.

The story goes that no one knew where Rocky and Wilbert came from, or what they did before they arrived in Whasumatter.

Rocky was dark and handsome, he always dressed in black and kept his hair very shinny; Wilbert always dressed in brown and black, he liked to wear bow ties.

Some say, they were gunslingers, others say they were drifters, nobody really knew.

In the town of Whasumatter, there had been some disturbance in recent days, by the bandit Mad Dog Spike.

Mayor Tom knew that the town of Whasumatter was in desperate need of a sheriff, since no sheriff had been able to stay around or last more than a week, it was time to get a new sheriff.

The Mayor knew that Rocky and Wilbert were in town, so he decided to talk go to Rocky, and offers him the job.

          

About the Author

Thomas Gonzalez is a Vietnam veteran. He served his country with distinction during those horrific days from the years of 1966-1967. Gonzalez started with a squad of marines and ended up with a platoon of marines. At the beginning of his tour, his squad of marines was known as the Santa-Ana’s raiders because the squad had a few Hispanics. The troop would confiscate anything that was not nailed down. Despite the many times they were engaged with the enemy and were fired upon with thousands of bullets, by the grace of God, they all managed to survive and come home alive. It is for this reason that Gonzalez christen the squad, the Invisible Squad. As the years went by, he started to realize that he was getting into the autumn years of his life.

Because of his love for children and animals, Mr. Gonzalez decided to write short stories because he wanted to share with the world his thoughts and ideas. He has written two books about his Vietnam experiences (Sarge and The Invisible Squad) and has also written three short children’s books (Fairy Tales).

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Giveaway

$5 Amazon Gift Card

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Mailbox Monday - September 20

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share what came in their mailbox. This meme has a permanent home at Mailbox Monday and was created by Marcia at To Be Continued I am linking up to Mailbox Monday

I am proud to say that this stack of books I received this week are all books I won except one to review but I was good and did not buy any books this week

Murder Gone A-Rye by Nancy J. Parra

Baker's Treat Mystery Series

#1 Gluten for Punishment

#2 Murder Gone A-Ry

#3 Flourless to Stop Him

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis

Domestic Diva Mystery Series

#1 The Diva Runs Out of Thyme

#2 The Diva Takes the Cake

#3 The Diva Paints the Town

#4 The Diva Cooks a Goose

#5 The Diva Haunts the House

#6 The Diva Digs Up the Dirt

#7 The Diva Frosts a Cupcake

#8 The Diva Wraps It Up

#9 The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss

Poisoned Prose  by Ellery Adams

A Books by the Bay Mystery Series

#1 A Killer Plot

#2 A Deadly Cliche

#3 The Last Word

#4 Written in Stone

#5 Poisoned Prose 

#6 Lethal Letters

#7 Writing all Wrongs

Murder Past Due by D.R. Meredith

Megan Clark Mystery Series

#1 Murder in Volume

#2 By Hook or By Book

#3 Murder Past Due

#4 Tome of Death 

#5 Murder by the Book

Scandal in Skibbereen by Sheila Connolly

County Cork Mystery Series

#1 Buried in a Bog

#2 Scandal in Skibbereen

#3 An Early Wake

#4 A Turn for the Bad

Garden of Death by Chrystle Fiedler

Natural Remedies Mystery Series

#1 Death Drops

#2 Scent to Kill

#3 Garden of Death

#4 Dandelion Dead

Books, Cooks and Crooks by Lucy Arlington

A Novel Idea Mystery Series

#1 Buried in a Book

#2 Every Trick in the Book

#3 Books, Cooks and Crooks

#4 Played by the Book

#5 Off the Books

A Ghostly Murder by Tonya Kappes

A Ghostly Southern Mystery Series

#1 A Ghostly Undertaking

#2 A Ghostly Grave

#3 A Ghostly Demise

#4 A Ghostly Murder

Wyoming Rugged by Diana Palmer

Wyoming Men Series

#1 Wyoming Tough

#2 Wyoming Fierce

#3 Wyoming Bold

#4 Wyoming Strong

#5 Wyoming Rugged

Throw in the Trowel by Kate Collins

Flower Shop Mystery Series

#1 Mum's the Word

#2 Slay It With Flowers

#3 Deadly Depotted

#4 Snipped in the Bud

#5 Acts of Violets

#6 A Rose from the Dead

#7 Shoots to Kill

#8 Evil in Carnation

#9 Sleeping with Anemone

#10 Dirty Rotten Tendrils

#11 Night of the Living Dandelion

#12 To Catch a Leaf

#13 Nightshad on Elm Street

#14 Seed No Evil

#15 Throw in the Trowel

#16 A Root Awakening

#17 Florist Gump

#18 Moss Hysteria

Heros Are My Weakness  by Susan Elizabeth Phillips