The English Breakfast Murder by Laura Childs - Review

Published: August 5, 2003

Number of pages: 288

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Tea Shop Mystery #4

Synopsis:

It is a truly exhilarating experience for Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning-helping Charleston's Sea Turtle Protection League shepherd hundreds of tiny green loggerheads safely into the sea. But just as she's about to celebrate all her hard work, she spots a dead body bobbing in the waves. Now it's up to Theo to get to the bottom of the murder before the culprit's greed stirs him to kill again.

What did I think of this book:

By now you all know I love Laura Childs and do not think I have ever read a bad book by her. This was no exception. I liked how this mystery was themed around a little treasure hunting and Civil War relics. It was sad that Harper Fisk was found drowned. I can not imagine how Theodosia felt when she found him. The more I read about Haley and Delanie the more I do not like them one bit. I think Haley is rude and acts childish. Delanie is a snob and wants everything her way and now. I also did not like her sister Nadine either I think she is worse than Delanie. Now I love Drayton and am always glad that he is in the stories and shares his knowledge of tea. Theodosia is also a favorite of mine she is such a nice helpful person. I liked that we got to see a bit more of Jory this time around. It seemed to take Theodosia a little longer to come up with clues to solve the murder this time around. I liked that Drayton was helping her the whole way. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. 

About the author:

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cackleberry Club, Tea Shop, and Scrapbooking mysteries. In her past life she was a Clio Award–winning advertising writer and CEO of her own marketing firm. She lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.

A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton - Review

I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: April 19, 2016

Number of pages: 400

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Series: The Pathfinders #2

Synopsis:

October 1776--August 1777

It is said that what a man sows he will reap--and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago.

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he'll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald's adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William's twin, both who long for Reginald to accept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures.

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

What did I think of this book:

I really enjoyed reading this book. It has many things that I enjoy reading about, history, Native Americans, Revolutionary War, action, and a little romance. You can tell that the author did her research in writing this story. By doing so it adds so much more to the story as well as brings the time and place to life on the pages. I felt bad for William when he found out his true identity and all he had to go through to find out who he really is. It was nice to read Anna and Two Hawks story as well. This book was so well written that once I started reading it I did not want to put it down while at the same time I did not want it to end. It is a good author that can make you feel that way about a book. This is the second book in this series and I would suggest you read book one (The Wood's Edge) before emarking on this journey. With that being said I am looking forward to book three. 

About the author:

Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace.

Lori's debut novel, Burning Sky, earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.

Cat-eye Witness by Patricia Fry - Review

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

Published: March 4, 2014

Number of pages: 300

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Klepto Cat Mystery #2

Synopsis:

Savannah and Aunt Margaret open the old Forster home to the Hammond Cat Alliance for a fundraiser to help rehabilitate the abused horses rescued months earlier from the catnappers. Before the afternoon is over, the funds collected go missing and someone is murdered in an upstairs bedroom. Suspicion surrounds Iris, a local waitress and Savannah’s new best friend. The only witness to the murder is Rags, Savannah’s cat. With the assistance of a cat psychic and Rags’s good friend, Charlotte (the young girl with Downs), the cat helps to “paw” the killer…but not before an attempt is made on Rags’s life. The case is solved only after Rags comes face-to-face with the killer for the second time under most unusual circumstances

What did I think of this book:

I thought this was a fun addition to this series. I liked that Savannah and her aunt opened up the home for a fundraiser to help abused animals. We are big animal rescuerers in my house so this really appealed to me. But it all goes wrong when a person is murdered and money is missing. The author makes this a fun mytery to solve since the only witness is Rags the cat. So we have to bring in Charlotte so she can communicate with hime to help find out who committed these crimes. We get a little scare in this one as someone tries to hurt Rags. Who would want to do that. I enjoy following along on Rags adventures and how we are kept guessing with the twists in this book. It makes the story fun to read. For me this was a quick enjoyable read. If you are a cat lover and a mystery fan you will enjoy this fun series. 

About the author:

Patricia Fry began writing articles for magazines in 1973 and that's how she earned her living for decades. Her first book was accepted by a New York publisher in 1978. Every five years, or so, she'd evaluate the potential for her writing business and make adjustments accordingly. In 1983, she established a publishing company (Matilija Press) and began producing her own books. By the late 1990s, she was teaching publishing workshops. She wrote her first of many books for authors in 2000 and she also became a speaker at writers' conferences in many cities throughout the US. Around the same time, she hung out her shingle and started working with other authors on their book projects.

Nearly forty years after she began writing for publication, with forty nonfiction books to her credit and after working with many dozens of clients on their fiction and nonfiction books, she felt she was at a crossroads. Patricia reminisces about that period in her life. "All my friends were retiring. I wondered if I should, too. But how does one retire from something they love? Writing is not just a job, it's my passion."

The year was 2012. Patricia knew it was time for another career shift and she asked herself, "What writing dreams have not been fulfilled?" The answer came in one word: FICTION. That year, she gave herself a birthday gift--the time and space to write a novel.

She says, "The idea came rather quickly. And within a relatively short time, I was the author of a published novel, "Catnapped", the first in the Klepto Cat Mystery series." Every two or three months since, Patricia has produced a new book in the series. While you're urged to read these books in order, many readers agree that each book can be read as a standalone.

"I write these cozy mysteries with love and hope that you enjoy my stories." (Patricia Fry)

The Klepto Cat Mysteries 

The Klepto Cat Mysteries are light, fun cozy mysteries full of adventure, intrigue, and a little romance. They feature Rags, an ordinary cat who just can't keep his paws off other people's things. Often, the treasures he finds are clues in a mystery. Follow Rags's fascinating life path from when he and Savannah were single and he roamed the neighborhood stealing everything from toys belonging to large dogs to jewelry and bathing suits.

Rags and Savannah don't stay single long. After meeting Michael, a handsome veterinarian, Savannah settles down, but the cat doesn't change his thieving ways. Even though his kleptomaniac habit is annoying and embarrassing to his family, he has earned the respect of the local sheriff's department and he was even asked to star in a documentary.

Find out more at: http://www.matilijapress.com

5 Must Read Books for Harry Potter Fans

5 Must-Read Books for Harry Potter Fans

Harry Potter is one of the most popular book series ever written!

Its whimsical characters and magical adventures have captured the hearts of millions. If you’re a Potter Maniac, you probably think that no story can compare those of the mystifying Hogwarts and the boy with the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. But have you read these spellbinding masterpieces?

***Attention Harry Potter Lovers: In honor of J.K. Rowling being named the Top Followed Author on Reader’s Legacy in 2015 we’re holding a 1 week sale on ALL of her books. From April 25th-30th, 2016 any Rowling book is 20% off AND double the LitCoins will be loaded into your account just for purchasing. Click the link to check out this limited time offer! ReadersLegacy.com/JKRowling***

1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – http://bit.ly/1NygYMp
Like Harry Potter, this series comes in 7 installments and features a secret world full of wonders, its magical inhabitants, and the child-heroes who must save it from destruction.

2. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – http://bit.ly/1VeZwof
A prequel to the famed “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, this delightful classic takes readers far from reality as it follows a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins on an unexpected and perilous quest to help his friends reclaim their home, which has been taken over by a gold-loving dragon.

3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien – http://bit.ly/1qCCSJj

Told in 3 parts, this is the story of Bilbo Baggins’s nephew Frodo who, with the help of some unlikely allies, must travel to the ends of the earth to destroy an ancient ring, before its evil power brings his world to ruin.

4. Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – http://bit.ly/1YDW3NQ
This endearing story tells of an imaginative young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a world full of whimsical (and more-than-slightly backwards) characters, where nothing is practical and anything is possible. Alice and her topsy-turvy friends return in the sequel, Through the Looking Glass (http://bit.ly/1rcoVmm).

5. The Inheritance Series (Eragon) by Christopher Paolini – http://bit.ly/1WbUnfs

4 fantastic novels tell what happens when a farm boy named Eragon finds a mysterious dragon egg, it hatches, and his life is eternally changed as he becomes the last known Dragon Rider…and the primary target of a rising evil empire.

These are just some of the countless wonderful fantasy novels out there. By expanding your literary horizons you will gain a deeper love of reading, and acquire a tasteful appreciation for other authors/genres – even ones that may not be your favorite. Check out these books, or one of your own finding, and tell us what you think!

As an added perk of Reader’s Legacy’s Rowling celebration, we will be holding a special 20% off sale for each of her novels from April 25th to April 30th –ReadersLegacy.com/JKRowling.

The sale not only celebrates J.K. Rowling, but was also brings attention for a special grant program we have created in order to give away 1 million physical books in support of literacy programs! Spreading a love of books, and ending illiteracy around the world is 100% possible, and with the help of reader’s on the site, we believe will be one step closer to achieving that goal! Get in on this sale HERE.

The Interitance by Michael Phillips - Review and Giveaway

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

Published: April 5, 2016

Number of pages: 432

Genre: Fiction

Series: Secrets of Shetlands #1

Synopsis:

The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale's Reef into turmoil.

Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch's heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David's grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And while Hardy doesn't enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate's assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips's dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.


Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1QpMpIN

 

What did I think of this book:

I thought this author did a great job with the historical part of this book. He did his research to make this book really show the time period he was talking about. He also did a good job of capturing the language/dialect so you could almost here the characters talking to you. I fell in love with the story as a whole from the first page. The Shetlands sound like a charning and beautiful place to live or visit. I thought the characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know each of them. There was a bit of a mystery with the lost will which I thought added to the story line. All in all the whole story was good to me and left me wanting more. This is the first book in a series and let me tell you I can't wait for the next one as the author left us a cliff hanger and you will want to know what happens next. 

About the author:

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today's reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald's original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.

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Giveaway:

Link here: https://promosimple.com/ps/9735

Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti - Review

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

Published: April 5, 2016

Number of pages: 320

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis:

Music taught Lucy love and beauty. Could silence teach her hope?

Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they're committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. Charlie retired early, but Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.

Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her form the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith's song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees---and hears---everything.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RAajD2

What did I think of this book:

I enjoy this nice story of a relationship between two people. I liked the midwestern setting of this story as well as the musical aspect of it. It was a very touching story. It is so sad that music programs are being taken out of schools. It is sad that so many good things are being taken away from kids. So I liked hearing about how Lucy is trying to save the program her dad started. I felt bad for Lucy as she just seemed to have so much going against her. This book has a few lessons to teach us as we read it and one of the big ones is to remember not to judge people. I thought this was another hit by this author. 

About the author:

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She's the award-winning author of 17 books and a frequent speaker for women's ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin.

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Accepted Secured Signigicant by Kemley Whiteside - Spotlight, Interview and Giveaway

Published: March 29, 2016

Number of pages: 70

Genre: Self-help

Synopsis:

This text is a spiritual and inspirational journey for those drawn away from their purpose by the circumstances of their lives. This book is dedicated to those told they would never amount to anything.

It is for those told they would be just like their mother or father, that they are idiots, mistakes, and failures. It is for the pushed aside and ignored. It is for those under shadow, and for those abused from childhood. It is for the molested, and the ones told that no one loves them and no one ever would. It is for the misled and mistreated. It is for the suicidal. It is for the victims of domestic violence and abusive relationships. It is for those in spiritual bondage, and those who don’t believe in themselves. It is for those suffering from cancer or other diseases. It is for the motherless, fatherless, jobless, and homeless. It is for the depressive and anxious, the lonely and isolated. This book is for the hopeless.

To my brothers and sisters who need a way out: This book was written just for you. It is to polish your existence and your purpose on this earth.

This book was inspired and written by the Holy Spirit to assure you that, as a child of God, you no longer have to feel bound by labels and curses spoken over the course of your life. God wants to reinforce in your heart how valuable you are and how much you mean to Him. He wants you to know that through Him, you are Accepted, Secured, and Significant.

Buy the book: Website

About the author:

Kemley Whiteside is a native of the Republic of Panama, a survivor and overcomer. Kemley resides in the state of New Jersey with her husband and children.

She is ordained to help build by empowering, igniting, and fulfilling people into their purpose. She is a life-coach, mentor, inspiration, motivational speaker, and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

She is the survivor of an anxiety disorder, depression, cancer, Lyme disease, domestic violence, and suicide. She is the survivor of physical, emotional, and mental abuse. These obstacles have strengthened her life and her purpose.

She is a woman birthing life to others by embracing them with confidence, and helping them achieve their calling. Kemley Whiteside earned her MA in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University, and her MBA in Project Management from Ashford University. She holds a BS in Information Technology from Phoenix University and has over fifteen certifications.

Connect with the author: Website Twitter Facebook Instagram

Interview:

How did you get the idea of your cover for the book?
I had a vision that God had laid in my spirit. I immediately wrote it down with the exact specifics and instructions from God.

What do you think people will get from the book?
I think people will immediately take the book as intimate and personal. They will see themselves through each Chapter of the book, because they will be able to relate with all of the various issues. The other thing I believe will be helpful is that they will be able to apply some of the things to their lives to avoid making those mistakes.

What made you write about your life?When I began writing I had no idea that was the direction I was going. God was leading me as I was writing. There were various intimate things I never thought I would share with the world, but I realized that those intimate things I overcame were supposed to happen so I can share my story. God was directing me to write about my life.

How did you create examples of things you experienced?
Each time I related in my book a specific issue I encountered, I wanted to apply real life solutions. I read books in the past and I realized that I was not receiving answers. I was being spoken to like I was supposed to understand how to solve the problem and that was my inspiration to create examples.

How do you overcome fears?
I take time to meditate and reflect on God’s creations. I spend time understanding that there is an outcome that produces great fruits of the labor at the end. I overcome my fears by believing that if I don’t accomplish the task then I will remain in fear always and that’s not an option. I try to reverse that thought and use fear as a challenge to fulfill my destiny.

Giveaway:

Win a print or ebook copy of Accepted, Secured, Signficant: (international)

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Tour Participants:

April 18 - Corinne Rodrigues - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

April 18 - Puddletown Reviews - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

​April 19 - Library of Clean Reads - book spotlight /giveaway

April 19 - Over the hills and far away - book spotlight / giveaway

April 20 - Books Reviews, Nature Photos - book spotlight

April 20 - And the Buck Starts Here - book spotlight / author interview

April 21 - Laura's Interests - book spotlight /author interview / giveaway

April 21 - Amie's Book Reviews - book spotlight / giveaway

April 22 - A Holland Reads - author interview / giveaway

April 22 - Book and Ink - book spotlight / giveaway

April 25 - Bound 2 Escape - book spotlight / giveaway

April 25 - Deal Sharing Aunt - book spotlight / giveaway

April 26 - A Mama's Corner of the World - book spotlight / author interview

April 27 - Collecting Moments - book spotlight / author interview

April 27 - The Booksnake Etc. - book spotlight 

April 28 - JBronder Book Reviews - book spotlight / author interview

April 29 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - book spotlight / giveaway