Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano

About the Author

Book:  Storing Up Trouble

Author: Jen Turano

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: May 6, 2020

When Beatrix Waterbury’s train is disrupted by a heist, scientist Norman Nesbit comes to her aid. After another encounter, he is swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract—including the attention of the men trying to steal his research—and they’ll soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Jen Turano is at it again with her laugh out loud way of telling stories. Beatrix Waterbury is one of high society, but you would never know it with her job at the famous luxury store where only the highest of the best shop. Except, the basement bargains, that is.

I love Beatrix. I love her spunk, determination, and the fact that she says just what she is thinking. Never a dull moment with her. And Norman had to grow on me, with his peculiar ways, he wasn’t a favorite at first. But he and Beatrix and their bantering back and forth, and the things he said and did that really shows he cares won me over. They were both a hoot, and I was sad when the story ended.

I love this book, and this series. Author Jen Turano does a fantastic job creating her characters, and some of the most unusual characters at that. It was fun to see each character grow as the story unfolds. And getting to know the real heart of the characters, especially Beatrix and Norman, and the changes in their personality was fun and exciting. But I have to say, some of those wealthy woman and their shopping habits would have gotten me in trouble too!! And to really get the full story, you have to read Storing Up Trouble. It will for sure take you on a reading journey you will not forget!

If you enjoy a good clean and fun story that will have you laughing throughout, this is a book you sure do not want to miss!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Jen Turano, (www.jenturano.com) a USA Today bestselling author, has written four historical romance series. She is a member of ACFW and RWA and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

 

More from Jen

Thank you so much for visiting me on my Celebrate Lit tour as we celebrate the release of my latest novel, “Storing Up Trouble.” I’m delighted to be here, and I reached out to my street team to help me with the questions you’ll find below. I’m hoping the answers to those questions will allow you to learn just a bit about my new book, as well as allow you to get to know me better. With that said, here we go!

Can you tell us a little about “Storing Up Trouble?”

I’d be delighted to tell you about my latest book. “Storing Up Trouble” is the third book in the “American Heiress” series, but you don’t need to read the first two books in that series (“Flights of Fancy” “Diamond in the Rough” to understand what’s going on. I’ve been writing my books more as stand alone stories, and “Storing Up Trouble” is no exception to that. With that said, this book centers around Miss Beatrix Waterbury and Mr. Norman Nesbit. Beatrix, unfortunately, has annoyed her mother to such an extent that she finds herself banished from New York and on her way to Chicago to spend time with her aunt, a lady Beatrix remembers as being a querulous sort. She, being Beatrix, a lady who lands herself in trouble at the most unexpected of times, soon finds herself a victim of a train heist. An unlikely hero in the form of Mr. Norman Nesbit, a gentleman with a brilliant mind but relatively few social graces, comes to her rescue, and from the moment they disembark from the train, they find themselves thrust into one escapade after another.

 

In “Storing Up Trouble,” is there a character you’d like to be friends with in real life, or better yet, a character you’d avoid at all costs?

I actually have an answer to both parts of that question. Miss Theodosia Robinson is a lady I would love to count as a friend because she’s loyal to a fault, and is a friend who’ll be there for you, no matter if you want to delve into an unusual scientific experiment, or take a jaunt to your local department store to do a bit of shopping. As for who I’d avoid at all cost – Mrs. George Blossom, who has a very small part in the story, but she’s a customer at Marshal Fields & Company who embraces an air of superiority over the sales girls, and I’ve never been one to enjoy people like that.

 

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

That’s easy. Being Dominic’s mom. He was definitely a handful when he was little, which is why he’s an only child, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch him grow over the years. He recently graduated from college with a degree in engineering, and seeing him land a grown up job and begin to embrace the whole adulting thing makes me prouder than any book I’ve written or other job I’ve held.

 

What was the inspiration behind “Storing Up Trouble?”

There were quite a few things that inspired me to write this book. I’d set another one of my books, “Caught by Surprise” in Chicago, and because of the research I did for that book, research I wasn’t able to fit into that story, I knew I wanted to revisit that city at some point. Beatrix Waterbury gave me the perfect excuse to travel back there. I wanted to take her out of her usual setting of NYC, so off she went to Chicago, on a train ride that definitely turned concerning. I had also picked up a few research books about Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison and I’ve been itching to create a character after those brilliant gentlemen. Norman Nesbit turned into that gentleman, although I have to admit that some of the science Nikola and Thomas used was way over my head. My son, the engineer, tried to explain it to me, but I believe at one point I might have been drooling, and not in the good way, but the bored way. That’s when Norman really began to develop because I thought it would be amusing to have a character who was passionate about his field of study, but most of the people he tried to share that passion with had no idea what he was talking about and always got a bit of a dazed expression in their eyes as he waxed on and on about double-electrical currents.

 

What fun facts did you uncover while doing research for “Storing Up Trouble” but weren’t able to fit into the story?

There was so much fodder for additional storylines just with the research I did on Marshal Field and his department store. Did you know that the main store in Chicago burned down doing the Great Fire of 1871 and…it burned down several times after that? Who knew? There was also a lot of drama surrounding Marshal and his partner for years, Mr. Levi Zeigler Leiter. They had different ideas about how the store should evolve, which resulted in Marshal forcing Levi to sell his shares of the company to him, at which point the store turned from  Field, Leiter, & Company to Marshal Fields Company. It was also interesting to learn that Mr. Fields was notorious for paying his workers low wages, but those workers accepted those wages because of the prestige that came with working at his store. If you worked at any other store, you were considered common, but to work at Marshal Fields was a feather in your cap, even if you weren’t earning as much as you could have earned at another store.

 

What are quirky little things you keep on your desk?

At the moment, I have one little pig with googly eyes, one cow with googly eyes, and then another small pig that a reader sent me because she really liked Matilda in “A Match of Wits” and thought this little pig she found at a store was exactly what Matilda would look like.

 

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Oddly enough, no, it never crossed my mind until Dominic was in third grade and we decided to write a book together after finishing this horrible series about this bird. That book was never meant for publication, but it did have me remembering that I had, at one point in time before I became a stay-at-home-mom, enjoyed using my brain. I started experimenting with different genres and learned everything I could about the publishing industry. It took me five years to find an agent, and then she sold “A Change of Fortune” to Bethany House, and I’ve been writing for them ever since.

 

Any words of advice for aspiring writers?

I get this question a lot, and I always answer by saying “Have an honest talk with yourself about what you really want to achieve with your writing.” It’s perfectly fine to want to write because you’re interested in turning it into a career. However, with that said, a writer needs to understand that writing and publishing are two different creatures. Publishing is a daunting business, and it’ll take a lot of perseverance to find success with it. With that said, if you have raw talent and are a story teller at heart, you should write all the time and do whatever you can to learn how to improve your craft.

 

What are you working on next?

I’m working on a new series right now – “The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency.” The first book, “To Steal a Heart” releases in November, 2020. It’s about Miss Gabriella Goodhue, who spent her childhood living on the mean streets in Five Points. She’s currently living in a boarding house on Bleeker Street in New York City, and when a fellow resident gets unjustly accused of theft, Gabriella, along with the other ladies living in the boarding house, take it upon themselves to try and clear her name. That’s the beginning of the Bleeker Street Agency, and hopefully the ladies will enjoy much success as the series continues.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope all of you get an opportunity to read “Storing Up Trouble!”

Wishing you all the best!

Jen

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, May 23

Godly Book Reviews, May 23

Robin’s Nest, May 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 24

Rebecca Tews, May 24

Texas Book-aholic, May 24

Novelscorner, May 24

Among the Reads, May 25

Inklings and notions, May 25

deb’s Book Review, May 25

Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 26

Hebrews 12 Endurance, May 26

reviewingbooksplusmore, May 26

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 27

Losing the Busyness, May 27

For Him and My Family, May 27

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 28

Inside the Wong Mind, May 28

Mia Reads, May 29

Read Review Rejoice, May 29

Betti Mace, May 30

Breny and Books, May 30

Blogging With Carol, May 30

Life of Literature, May 31

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 31

Emily Yager, May 31

Splashes of Joy, May 31

The Collaborative Press, June 1

Stories By Gina, June 1

Hookmeinabook, June 1

Blessed & Bookish, June 2

Older & Smarter?, June 2

The Artist Librarian, June 2

Blossoms and Blessings, June 2

Through the Fire Blogs, June 3

Beauty in the Binding, June 3

Mary Hake, June 3

amandainpa, June 3

Wishful Endings, June 4

EmpowerMoms, June 4

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 4

Pause for Tales, June 4

KarenSueHadley, June 5

Raining Butterfly Kisses, June 5

With a Joyful Noise, June 5

Hallie Reads, June 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away the the grand prize package of all three books in the American Heiresses series and a $25 Barnes & Noble eGift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/fb8f/storing-up-trouble-celebration-tour-giveaway

Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents’ murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don’t include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

It’s the 1850’s Texas and Evelyn Radcliffe needs to run some errands for turn orphanage she has lived in for the past 10 years. Wanting to go with her, she decides to take six year old Polly with her. They returned back to the an orphanage of ruins after a fire had swept through. Was this arson? Was Evelyn suppose to die in the fire like her parents did. Was someone after her? Find out when you read this historical fiction by Amanda Cabot.

This story starts out quite sad, with Evelyn and Polly loosing everything and everyone they had. There was a lot if deep dark emotions as they deal with their loss. I grew to love Evelyn and Polly, their characters developed well as they started a new life. I loved the small town of Mesquite Springs and it’s caring people. It seems the perfect place for Evelyn and Polly, and the nice family helping them became a big part if the story. There is a lot going on here in this book. And the plot is interesting enough that you will want to keep reading to know the ending of the story. If you enjoy a good clean historical fiction, this is one you will enjoy. It’s a nice start to a new series.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, A Borrowed Dream, and A Tender Hope, as well as the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at http://www.amandacabot.com.

 

 

On A Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book

Book:  On A Coastal Breeze

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre:  Amish Romance

Release Date: May 5, 2020

For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can’t wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island–they’re all too young, too old, or too weird–Maddie feels like she’s finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O’Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again–the one who’d been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance–parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O’Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.

Life just starts to slow down…and you wonder if you really want to ever leave Three Sisters Island.

Nor do you have to! That’s the beauty of books—they are the perfect escape. Always available, just waiting to be picked up. Always ready to transport you to a fresh and new state of mind.

On a Coastal Breeze is that kind of a read. The Grayson Family saga continues as they move to Three Sisters Island off the coast of Maine for a fresh start. Maddie Grayson takes center stage in this story. Life is finally coming together for Maddie. On the very day she opens her counseling practice, she spots a billowing skydiver. Parachuting in is Ricky O’ Shea—the one person on earth Maddie hoped she’d never see again. But Rick’s the new pastor for the island’s only church and he’s not about to leave. That’s when sparks start to fly.

Join me for a getaway by the sea that will leave you in a happy, relaxed, vacation-y state of mind…without leaving your home. Once you board the Never Late Ferry, even in your imagination, the island will take it from there.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Another awesome read from Suzanne Woods Fisher. I think I have read all of her books to date and they just keep getting better. In On a Coastal Breeze, Madison is happy with her new office and her newly opened business. Living on a small island has its perks, but available bachelors is not one of them. But she is still happy! That is, until one day trouble landed on the island.

This is such a fun story to read. As I read, I had all kinds of emotions. There was certainly many feelings of happiness throughout this story, but I found myself frustrated at Madison at times because she acted like a child! But there are sad moments as well, combined with more joyful times, so as you can see, no getting bored with this one.

I love the island setting if this story, and everyone knows everyone so it is a cozy place to live. The characters are so expertly created and their development makes you want to keep reading to the end. And I like and appreciate the way the author takes characters through the gospel in a way that it doesn’t feel like it’s too much. It’s like the every day living conversation. We dead about several difficult issues, which were handled very well. But being one that don’t give away much of the story, you need to read this book to get a full feel of what it is about. And believe me, it is well worth the read. If you enjoy a good clean and enjoyable read, this is one you don’t want to miss.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including On a Summer Tide, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.

More from Suzanne

Dear Reader,

The minute you step off the ferry and onto Three Sister Island, magic begins. Crisp ocean air acts like an elixir. Stress starts to evaporate, like a wisp of steam from a cup of hot tea. Happiness moves in, and you’ll feel more cheerful, more positive about the future.

And then there’s time! Somehow, there seems to be plenty of it.

Little things will catch your notice—finding seashells on the beach, watching waves crash against the rocks, gazing at the star-studded night sky.

Life just starts to slow down…and you wonder if you really want to ever leave Three Sisters Island.

Nor do you have to! That’s the beauty of books—they are the perfect escape. Always available, just waiting to be picked up. Always ready to transport you to a fresh and new state of mind.

On a Coastal Breeze is that kind of a read. The Grayson Family saga continues as they move to Three Sisters Island off the coast of Maine for a fresh start. Maddie Grayson takes center stage in this story. Life is finally coming together for Maddie. On the very day she opens her counseling practice, she spots a billowing skydiver. Parachuting in is Ricky O’ Shea—the one person on earth Maddie hoped she’d never see again. But Rick’s the new pastor for the island’s only church and he’s not about to leave. That’s when sparks start to fly.

Join me for a getaway by the sea that will leave you in a happy, relaxed, vacation-y state of mind…without leaving your home. Once you board the Never Late Ferry, even in your imagination, the island will take it from there.

Warmly, Suzanne

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, May 18

The Avid Reader, May 18

By The Book, May 18

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19

Artistic Nobody, May 19 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Betti Mace, May 20

Lighthouse Academy, May 20

The Power of Words, May 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 21

Wishful Endings, May 22

Inklings and notions, May 22

deb’s Book Review, May 22

Blossoms and Blessings, May 23

reviewingbooksplusmore, May 23

Connect in Fiction, May 23

Remembrancy, May 24

Writing from the Heart Land, May 24

Blogging With Carol, May 24

Blessed & Bookish, May 25

Inspiration Clothesline, May 25

Back Porch Reads, May 25

For Him and My Family, May 26

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 26

Daysong Reflections, May 26

Spoken from the Heart, May 27

Mary Hake, May 27

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 27

Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Bigreadersite, May 28

Splashes of Joy, May 28

Older & Smarter?, May 29

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30

EmpowerMoms, May 30

Pause for Tales, May 30

Batya’s Bits, May 31

Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 31

Hallie Reads, May 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a copy of her book to five winners!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/fb52/on-a-coastal-breeze-celebration-tour-giveaway

Oliver’s Moving Day by Vicky Sluiter

About the Book

Book: Oliver’s Moving Day

Author: Vicky Sluiter

Genre:  Children’s book

Release Date: December 3, 2019

My Rating: 4 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s moving day, and five-year-old Oliver is excited for the adventure ahead. He is full of questions as, along with big sister Edith, Mommy, and Daddy, Oliver moves from The Big City to The Country.

He has never been to The Country and has only seen pictures in his books. What will it be like? Where will they live? Will there be lots of people and tall buildings? Join Oliver and his family as they wave goodbye to The Big City and journey through the suburbs and into The Country. Will Oliver have his questions answered? Read along and find out!

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Oliver’s Moving Day is a cute children’s book about a little boy and his family making a huge move from the Big City to the Country. Oliver was excited, but didn’t know what to to expect, and his mom and dad wouldn’t tell him about his new home. So Oliver had to do a lot of wondering and waiting during their moving day and the ride to find The Country!!

This is a really neat book for children to read. And especially if your family is one that will be moving. It would help your small children understand that moving can be a good thing. And by reading this book and look at the Fabulous illustrations, your child can learn a lot from this book. And if you are not moving and want a fun book to read to your little ones, this would be a great choice for you!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Click here for your copy!

About the Author

Vicky Sluiter has had a passion for reading since she was four years old. She started with the back of cereal boxes and moved on to everything else, including books, magazines, and t shirts. As a wife and mom, gramma to five boys, and the proud owner of a bearded dragon named Elliott, she has learned what boys like Oliver want to read. You can follow Vicky’s blog and book reviews at vickysluiter.com.

 

More from Vicky

I love writing children’s fiction because children are so much fun. So lively and expressive. You never really know what will happen when a child is involved but usually it will involve laughter. I have five grandsons so have experienced this many times over the years. The boys are ages 5 yrs to 14 yrs. Being at different stages the house is full of fun when they are all together. The youngest adores the oldest, and it’s reciprocated even if he won’t admit it. The middle three enjoy hanging together and getting into mischief. This Gramma loves every second of it!

The idea for a little guy on a farm was birthed when I was taking classes in writing fiction for children 30 years ago. I grew up on a hobby farm in farm country so the setting was pretty natural for me. And all the neighbors were boys so that’s what I’m used to. I could drive a tractor and bale hay right along with them. Having Oliver move from The Big City to The Country was inspired by my three youngest grandsons. That’s what they did and when they come to visit me they get excited to see the tall buildings in The Big City. And yes, they actually use that phrase. They are thoroughly convinced that Oliver’s Moving Day was written about them. In a way it was!

I’m so glad I didn’t give up on my dream. It was temporarily set aside, but in the right season it bubbled to the top again. Never let go of your dreams!

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 16

Book of Ruth Ann, May 17

Captive Dreams Window, May 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Inklings and notions, May 20

Older & Smarter?, May 21

Live. Love. Read., May 21

A Reader’s Brain, May 22

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 23

deb’s Book Review, May 24

For Him and My Family, May 25

Texas Book-aholic, May 26

The Becca Files, May 27

Splashes of Joy , May 28

Stories By Gina, May 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Vicky is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of the book and toy truck!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/fa66/oliver-s-moving-day-celebration-tour-giveaway

Taking Chances by Melody Carlson

About the Book

Book:  Taking Chances

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre:  Middle Grade

Release Date: April 15, 2020

Zoey knows her days are numbered. At least when it comes to remaining in Cedarville. So when Louisa coaxes her to be part of a garage band, Zoey tosses her insecurities aside to make music with her friends. And she even goes out for the basketball team. But what will happen when her mom shows up and pulls the plug on everything?

Click here for your copy!

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Taking Chances is book four in Melody Carlson’s Being Zoey Series. I understand it would have been better to read the series in order, I didn’t have the chance to do that. But it was good for me reading this book as a stand alone. I was able to keep up with Zoey and her friends just fine. I really like finding a faith based series for the middle school age girl. This is such a difficult age and girls need the encouragement Ms. Carlson has written in these books.

Even though Lousia gets on my nerves with her pushy attitude, she is perfect for the story to teach young girls how to handle the Louisa type girls, and there are many of them in every school. I like the way the author weaves boys into the girls lives, so the story not only teaches how to deal with pushy girlfriends, it helps this age group in dealing with the boys they began to notice. And there are many other issues dealt with in this story that is so good for middle age girls to read. It even has a few things some may think is for older teens, just slight references to them, but in reality, no only middle school kids face these issues, so do kids much younger. So I’m ok with the way Melody Carlson weaves these things into the story.

Overall I really like this story. Coming from a book like this, a lot if girls this age may be like Zoey and question different issues instead of digging right in. If you have a tween girl, this story is a must! And I encourage you to check out the other stories in this series as well.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

More from Melody

Sometimes I feel guilty for ‘torturing’ my teen and tween characters, but I do it for my readers. It’s not easy being an adolescent, and reading about someone who’s facing hard times is comforting. But in the final Zoey book, I really wanted to give her some victories too. So when challenges come her way, she stands up to them. And she even puts her newly found faith to work. The goal is for readers to feel hopeful about their own lives when they see Zoey rise above her tough circumstances.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 15

For Him and My Family, May 16

Inklings and notions, May 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 17

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 18

deb’s Book Review, May 19

Older & Smarter?, May 20

Vicky Sluiter, May 20

Remembrancy, May 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 22

Splashes of Joy, May 23

Christian Bookaholic, May 24

Blogging With Carol, May 24

Moments, May 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 26

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Melody is giving away the grand prize package of the full Being Zoey series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f9fd/being-zoey-taking-chances-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Formula for a Perfect Life by Christy Hayes

 

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Formula for a Perfect Life
By Christy Hayes
Christian New Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 323 Pages
March 30th 2020

Two practical strangers. One fateful night. Two pink lines.

College senior and obsessive romantic Kayla Cummings’ dreams of a storybook life are spun off course by an unplanned pregnancy after a one-night stand with her secret crush. Devastated, Kayla turns to her roommates and best friends for advice. No matter what she decides, no matter how deeply embarrassed, she has to tell the father.

Ben Strickland’s future is written in stone—as long as he gets a decent score on the Law School Admission Test. Feeling pressure from all sides, Ben struggles to juggle his upcoming finals, another shot at the LSAT, and his needy girlfriend Darcy. When the girl he spent a memorable night with weeks ago shows up at his doorstep pregnant, his already chaotic life spins out of control.

With the clock ticking, decisions to make, and a boatload of people to disappoint, Ben and Kayla embark on a journey neither anticipated—a journey where falling in love might be the biggest surprise of all. But when old hurts and buried secrets pose a greater threat to their future than impending parenthood, will Ben and Kayla go their separate ways or forge a new path to happy ever after?

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

 

About the Author

Christy Hayes lives outside Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and dogs. Christy writes Contemporary Romance, New Adult Romance, Christian Romance, and Women’s Fiction. When not writing, she’s reading, walking dogs, or stalking her college-aged kids on social media.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub

 

 

 

Stay With Me by Becky Wade #SWMPRISM

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

 

Stay with Me (A Misty River Romance #1) By Becky Wade Christian Contemporary Romance Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages May 5th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

My Rating of this book 

5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ if I could give it more, I sure would. It deserves many more stars! 

 

Loving her is a risk he can’t afford . . . and can’t resist.

When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents’ past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge mountains to chase down her family’s secret. However, it’s Genevieve’s own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of an historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she’s worked so hard to hide.

Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He’s spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet, can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Wow!! Becky Wade’s books just keep getting better and better. Genevieve Woodward has life altogether, as a very successful Bible Study author, she is famous, sought after, people love her. Her loving family, her mom, dad and sister, the perfect family in everyone’s eyes. But with one note, it all comes crashing down. How would Genevieve ever find the peace of God she has been writing about again?

This book is so very good, I don’t know where to start! The characters are so well crafted, and well developed they actually began to feel like part of my family. So realistic throughout the entire book that it makes the story so real. My heart was captured from the very first page. I wanted to read it slowly in order to grasp every word, but yet I didn’t want to put the book down because I couldn’t stop reading Genevieve and Sam’s story. I love Genevieve because she has the personality that you just have to love. Yet she has flaws just like the rest of us. And I love Sam, he is a man of few words, but what he says is profound and sticks with you. The emotions between these two had me in tears a lot of the time I was reading this book, yet the humor between them had me laughing much of the time. And there was just enough mystery there to balance the entire story out to make it one of the best stories I have read.

I also love the way author Becky Wade weaves the Christian life into the lives of her characters. But shows their flaws just as most people have. And she does it in such a subtle way. This story is truly one of being honest about your failures, letting go, love, forgiveness, grace, hope and second chances. I’d you enjoy Contemporary Romance that is good, clean and oh so enjoyable and entertaining, Stay With Me is one you definitely do not want to miss. I highly recommend this sweet story to everyone! I have only touched the surface of what this story is about. You have to read it for yourself. This book well deserves many more than 5 stars!!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Target | Christianbook

Other Books in the Series

Take a Chance on Me (A Misty River Romance #0.5) By Becky Wade Christian Contemporary Romance, Novella ebook, 97 Pages February 25th 2020

When baker Penelope Quinn steps in to help her brother’s family through a medical crisis, she’s forced into close proximity with charming Air Force fighter pilot Eli Price.

Penelope has one iron-clad dating rule—she does not date airmen. Months ago, she relaxed her rule with Eli and immediately lived to regret it. After a long deployment, he’s now back in Misty River and, to her dismay, she finds him just as tempting as always.

Eli’s spent months thinking about funny, feisty, creative Penelope. He once leveraged his focus and drive to become a pilot, his childhood dream. Now he’s set on leveraging that same focus and drive in order to convince Penelope to give him one more chance.

This romantic prequel novella introduces readers to the quaint mountain town of Misty River and a brand-new series from Christy-winning author Becky Wade!

(Affiliate link included.) Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Currently FREE

About the Author

Becky Wade is the 2018 Christy Award Book of the Year winner for True to You. She is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. Her humorous, heart-pounding contemporary romance novels have won three Christy Awards, the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award for Romance. Becky lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children.

Website | Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tour Schedule

There is also a bookstagram tour with its own giveaway. Follow on Instagram.

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive: – A $100 gift card – A paperback copy of Stay with Me – A hand-knit scarf – A pair of earrings – A package of “Georgia Blues” coffee – A package of apple oatmeal muffin mix

ENTER HERE

 

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

 

About

When love simmers between a reclusive scientist and a wealthy debutante, will they abandon ship or is it full steam ahead?

Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole’s father has always focused on what she’s not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it’s too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family’s greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father’s rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole’s plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father’s rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family’s legacy?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Nicole should have been born a boy, that’s all there is too it! But she wasn’t, so she needed to figure out what to do about her father’s business. And with his health, it needed to be soon!

I love all Karen Witemeyer books! Her book, Head in the Clouds is the first book I ever won, and after reading it, I was hooked! And Full Steam Ahead is another awesome read by Ms. Witemeyer! I love the spunky Nichole and love that through circumstances, she ends up with Darius to help save her company as well as his own. There’s a lot of information, a lot of history about steam engines and how they work. It was all very interesting for me. The extensive research the author did is very obvious! But for me, the best thing here is the humor, I laughed and laughed, and laughed more as I read this book. It is fun, informative, enjoyable and entertaining all at the same time. I encourage you to pick up a copy if this book. Even though it’s been out for a few years, it’s still as amazing as it was in the beginning. And today it us free on Kindle Unlimited! You just can’t go wrong.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

About Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warm-hearted historical romances with a flair of humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home.

Winner of the HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, National Reader’s Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit http://www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Grand Finale for A LOVE SO TRUE by Delaney Cameron!

It’s the Grand Finale for A LOVE SO TRUE by Delaney Cameron! #ALSTPrism

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On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you’ll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch – Author Interview

What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?

I’ll answer with a quote from the book. “Your heart isn’t a crystal ball, Jaclyn. It can’t see into the past or predict the future. It can’t tell you everything about someone. Only time and experience can do that. Falling in love is a leap of faith. Sometimes you stick the landing, sometimes you stumble, and sometimes you fall flat on your face.”

Rockin’ Book Reviews – Review

“This is such a heart-warming love story. . . . The characters are all well-developed. It is easy to feel their emotions. . . . I highly recommend this book to all those who enjoy a great clean romance.”

underneath the covers – Excerpt

He was passing the Philly Cheesesteak food truck when he heard a high pitched voice say, “My feet hurt, Jaclyn.”

For Brooks, there was only one Jaclyn. He stopped abruptly, his head swiveling in that direction. His narrowed gaze locked with the curious glance of the girl he’d never been able to forget. His brain belatedly replaced the word girl with woman. A woman who was even more beautiful than he remembered. His last coherent thought was a question: did the blonde hair spilling over her shoulders still smell like strawberries?

Mythical Books – Excerpt

The door to Brooks’ room stood open. He was sitting in the chair by the bed, obviously waiting on her. He was dressed except for his tie, which he couldn’t put on without help. Clothes might make the man, but in his case, the man made the clothes.

“Hello, handsome,” she said, walking over to stand in front of him.

He smiled a little at her comment, but his attention was focused almost entirely on her appearance. The black sheath dress and ankle strap sandals were a world away from what he’d seen her in lately.

Book Lover in Florida – Excerpt

Jaclyn scanned the list of entrees. The pork chop with apple-ginger chutney sounded good. So did the tuna-stuffed tomatoes. Too bad she’d already eaten lunch. She looked up and found Brooks watching her with a hard-to-define expression on his face.

“Am I taking too long?” she asked.

“Not at all. I was thinking how strange life is.”

She put down the menu. “How so?”

“The way it brings people together after long periods of time.”

Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review

“I love a story that can take two characters and mesh them into a perfect harmonious duet. Their personalities and strengths complement each other in ways that merge them into an ultimate and lovable couple. Life isn’t easy and the struggles these two wade through are both realistic and heart-engaging. My sympathy chord was struck, and I found this story uplifting and sweet, to go along with that tinge of heartache.”

E-Romance News – Excerpt

“I see some bowls on the floor over here,” she said. “Do you have a dog?”

He motioned her to join him. “Come look out the window. Loki can hear us. He’s trying to figure out who’s in here with me.”

She joined him at the sink. When she stood on tiptoe to peer over the window sill, she pressed her hand lightly on his shoulder for support. A delightful warmth fanned out inside Brooks, heating his blood and sending his pulse rate soaring.

“What a beautiful dog! Or should I say handsome, since he’s a boy? I guess it doesn’t matter. What breed is he? A German Shepard?”

Reading Is My SuperPower – Review

“The writing in A Love So True is easy to follow with a smooth flow and steady pace, and the characters are layered and engaging. From the prologue ‘meet cute’ to their reuniting unexpectedly 14 years later & everything that unfolds from there, the story holds your attention and keeps you invested in the outcome. While this is the 3rd in a series, it’s ok to stand alone – though you’ll meet some characters in this book whose stories you’ll want to discover in the previous books. A light read that will make your heart smile!”

Katherinelovesbooks – Review

“This was such a sweet, heart warming story that made me feel all joys of love. I loved both the protagonist especially Brooks, he made me swoon over his caring and charming personality. Jacyln’s character was well done as well, her generosity and lovable traits complemented Brooks’s character beautifully. . . . A love so true was a delightful read and I’d definitely recommend it. . .”

Hallie Reads – Excerpt

Brooks was holding out her windbreaker. “Let’s get a move on. We’re losing daylight.”

“I’m not worried,” she told him as she slid her arms into the sleeves. “I’ve got Hulk and Loki with me.”

He lifted her hair out of the way and gently swung her around to face him. “Hulk, huh?” he asked, his fingers deftly zipping up the jacket. “So I’m all brawn and no brains. Is that what you’re saying?”

Red Headed Book Lady – Review

“This was a new to me author whose story I really enjoyed.
It is also the first in a new series too!
The author has done an excellent job in making her characters realistic and believable.
A wonderful can’t put down book until you finish it.”

Precious Books World – Spotlight

 

Adventures of a Travelers Wife – Review

“I enjoyed this clean, girl next door, high school sweethearts type story. It is my first time reading a book by Delaney Cameron, and I liked her writing style 😊. It is the third book in her Billionaires of Sawgrass series, but I had no trouble understanding the storyline; so, it can be read as a standalone.”

I’m All About Books – Excerpt

“You’ve been seeing a lot of him, haven’t you?”

It was true. In the aftermath of Eli, Brooks had been a shoulder to cry on, a tower of emotional strength, and the voice on the other end of the phone whenever she needed to talk. He was never without an encouraging word or a timely kick in the pants if he felt it was necessary. He’d made it his personal mission to keep her from dwelling on the past. There was no doubt about the eventual outcome. Brooks didn’t fail at anything he set his mind to do.

Britt Reads Fiction – Review

“Well, I fell in love with this story wholeheartedly! This was the first novel that I have read by this author, but now I plan to definitely read more. Even though this is the third book in the series, I had no trouble jumping right in and understanding the story. . . . It was incredibly romantic!”

Wishful Endings – Spotlight

 

My Devotional Thoughts – Review

“I was intrigued by the extensive and well-written dialogue, and the thought occurred to me that this book would make a better screenplay, and I feel that if it was properly cast, this would make a fun rom-com. . . . This author truly does understand how to move the story along through the use of dialogue!”

Teatime and Books – Excerpt

His brows came together. “I can manage by myself for a few hours. I’m not a child.”
“I guess I’ll have to spell it out. I want to spend Thanksgiving here. With you.” The last five or six words came out louder than she intended.
“Can you repeat that?” he asked with a reluctant grin. “I didn’t hear you the first time.”
“Keep that up, and you’ll be wearing peanut butter.”

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post…

A Love So True
(The Billionaires of Sawgrass #3)
By Delaney Cameron
Contemporary Romance
ebook, 200 Pages
March 16th 2020 by Wisteria Press

She thinks of him as a friend. He’s loved her since high school.

She’s holding on to the past. He’s worked hard to overcome his.

Brooks knew better than to fall in love with Jaclyn. She’s a trust fund kid, and he’s from the wrong side of the tracks. Guys like him never end up with girls like her. His head understood the rules. His heart was another story.

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads | Amazon

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

I’m a Georgia girl at heart if not by birth. I love to read, watch college football, and spend time with my husband. I’m a hopeless romantic so there will always be a happily ever after in my stories. I also like to write about second chances because love doesn’t always work out the first time.

My books are sweet romances set in both contemporary and regency settings featuring stories about the journey to love, from that first meeting to the point where two people know their hearts are no longer their own. My characters aren’t perfect. They make mistakes and have faults like the rest of us. They learn the sometimes painful truth that the path to love isn’t always smooth, but it’s a road worth traveling.

Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook | Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive an ebook of Because You Loved Me, the first book in the series, and a $25 Amazon gift card.

Open internationally
Ends May 20, 2020

Refresh Your Faith by Lori Hatcher plus Giveaway

About the Book

Book:  Refresh Your Faith

Author: Lori Hatcher

Genre:  Devotional

Release Date: May 2020

Unfamiliar verses. Uncommon insights. Unlimited possibilities.

Move from biblical doldrums to dynamic discovery! While your favorite Scripture verses or stories may bring you comfort, if you’re feeling monotony in your time with God it’s time to shake it up a bit. Each of these 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions—one from each book of the Bible—spotlights an unusual verse or passage and takes only five minutes to read. If you have more time, you can dig a little deeper with an uncommon thought to ponder, unusual faith action step to take, and an unfamiliar passage suggestion that invites you to further explore the Bible’s hidden gems.
You’ll be challenged to think deeply, step out boldly, and grow dynamically, transforming your devotional time—and your life!

Praise for Lori Hatcher’s writing . . .

“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS DEVOTIONAL 

Even though I read the title of this Devotional, I was expecting the usual devotions. Most of the Devotionals are key verses throughout the Bible which are all really good. But this one has a twist to it. It has a devotion from each book of the Bible. And author Lori Hatcher pick an uncommon verse from each book and gives her take on it. She uses many of her own stories to explain each devotion. And I enjoy that she does it in a simple down to earth way so everyone can understand.

I like the three statements at the beginning of this book description, Unfamiliar verses. Uncommon insights. Unlimited possibilities. This is an excellent way to describe this Devotional. And really, I like reading this book as a regular book, like a novel. Only its non fiction. I hope we will see more books like this from this author. She sure captured my attention in the things I read from this book. If you are looking for some new devotions, or maybe you want to know some different things in the Bible, uncommon things. This is the book you need to check out.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

Click here to get your copy.

 

About the Author

Lori Hatcher is a blogger, pastor’s wife, and women’s ministry speaker. She’s the editor of South Carolina’s Reach Out, Columbia magazine, president of Columbia Toastmasters, and regular contributor to magazines such as Christian Living Today and websites like Crosswalk.com. Her book Hungry for God . . . Starving for Time, won the Christian Small Publisher 2016 book of the year. Find out more about Lori and her well-loved 5-minute devotions at lorihatcher.com.

 

Read a Teaser from Refresh Your Faith

The dirty little secret in Christian circles is that many of us are bored with our devotional time. We know we shouldn’t feel this way. It’s important to read our Bibles every day. After all, it’s God’s Word, the source of truth, and life, and hope.

While some have successfully built the discipline of Bible reading into their lives, others struggle. Even those who regularly read their Bibles find it a bit dry at times. Many of us also read devotionals, not to take the place of Bible reading, but to help us discover unfamiliar passages and stories and benefit from a godly writer’s perspective.

I wrote Refresh Your Faith because I was frustrated by many of the devotionals I read. They seemed to focus on the same basic verses I’d memorized with my children twenty years ago. John 3:16, Romans 8:28, Psalm 23, Matthew 3:5-6. Same with the Bible passages and stories. I treasure the familiar verses and stories. I’ve held them close to my heart during some of the darkest times of my life.

But I knew there was more to the Bible than these well-worn favorites.

I reached a point in my spiritual life when I needed something new. If something didn’t change, my spirit was going to wither up. My time with God shouldn’t be something I did out of duty. I wanted to delight in God and His Word.

So I asked God to help me. I needed something to refresh my faith and energize my Bible reading. Wow, did He answer. I’d been reading through the Bible every year for more than a decade, but all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to passages I’d never noticed before.

These uncommon verses sparkled like gems. The more I read, the more I spotted them, tucked into obscure stories and buried under genealogies and census reports. I found some hiding out in plain sight—golden nuances and nuggets in the shadows of the more familiar stories.

Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible is a collection of the treasure I unearthed during my year of searching. Each story-driven devotion contains an unusual verse, a real-life application, and an uncommon faith step.

I hope my book will energize your faith, inspire your devotional time, and make you say, “Wow, I’ve never seen that before!”

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 5

Through the Lens of Scripture, May 6

Melissa Henderson, May 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7

Emily Yager, May 8

Texas Book-aholic, May 9

Inklings and notions, May 10

Mary Hake, May 10

Godly Book Reviews, May 11

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 12

For Him and My Family, May 13

deb’s Book Review, May 13

Older & Smarter?, May 14

Splashes of Joy, May 15

For the Love of Literature, May 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 17

God is Love, May 17

Spoken from the Heart, May 18

Marilyn Ridgway, May 18 (Guest Review on Lighthouse Academy Blog)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lori is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and autographed copy of Refresh Your Faith!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f9ed/refresh-your-faith-celebration-tour-giveaway

Killer Deadline by Lauren Carr

“Lauren Carr’s books are never boring, that’s for sure. They entertain,

give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing, give us a

few good laughs and make us eager for the next book. Warning: Lauren

Carr’s series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just one

book!” – Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads

 

Join us for this tour from April 20 to May 22, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Killer Deadline (A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery) by Lauren Carr

Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  232 pages

Genre:  Mystery/Cozy Mystery

Publisher:  Acorn Book Services

Release date:   April 23, 2020

Content Rating: G. This is a true cozy mystery. No sex. No on-stage violence. No swearing. Just good clean fun!

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“Here we go! Carr is a master storyteller who always offers a plot full

of twists and turns, a bit of humor to offset the dark, and a unique

cast of characters. In Killer Deadline that

cast includes – handsome Ryan, her first love (who is now her

step-brother); a mysterious social media friend called Nerdy Guy; Elmo, a

super smart dog, a boxer, she rescued who has become asocial media star

and has a penchant for cleaning; a TV station full of suspicious

employees; and more.

“This book is a wonderful read to pick up at the end of a long day. It

truly is a “cozy murder mystery.”  I promise, it’ll draw you in right

from page one and keep you turning the pages until you reach the very

last page. I can’t wait for the second book in this series.” – Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn

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Book Description:

Folks in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, claim that where Nikki Bryant goes,

trouble is not far behind. Her refusal to back down from a challenge has

made Nikki Bryant a top investigative journalist.

When an online friend nudges her to join him in a pact to reconnect with

their first loves, Nikki and her boxer dog Elmo leave the bright lights

of Las Vegas for the charming town of Pine Grove. There, she must face

the biggest challenges in her career and life—the first love she had

left behind and her father’s unsolved murder.

But before she has time to unpack her car, Nikki stumbles upon the dead

body of local news anchor, Ashleigh Addison, her childhood rival. Could

Ashleigh’s death be connected to an explosive news story that she had

teased about airing live? Did that explosive story have anything to do

with the murder of Nikki’s father?

With the clues in her father’s cold case hot again, Nikki intends to

chase down the story of her life until she catches his killer—no matter

what it takes.

Order Your Copy Today!

Amazon.com

Add to Goodreads

 

Interview with Lauren Carr

 

Please share with us a favorite memory?

Bedtime with Mom listening to her read Perry Mason to me. That was when I fell in love with mysteries. Later on, I would climb into bed with her at night and we would read together: She would read Perry Mason while I read Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys. Ah, such wonderful memories.

Please describe a perfect meal – including menu and those present?

A nicely grilled salmon, baked potato, Caesar salad, raspberry iced tea. For dessert, a huge slice of chocolate cheesecake. For those present, my husband and son.

What are some of your favorite ways to relax?

Fire in the fireplace on a snowy afternoon with my laptop and a free afternoon to write away with no one to disturb me.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Right where I am. I live on a mountain in West Virginia and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I confess that there have been times in my life where I yearned to be elsewhere. That’s a human condition. In my life, I have been blessed to see the way others live to give me an appreciation for this place that I call home. Though, I have to admit that I sometimes yearn for the “other side” and a visit to the beach: but only to visit.

Share with us a few of your dreams. Also whether they have been fulfilled or are still a work in progress.

I’ve dreamed of success, best-selling author, fame, penthouse, etc. I have realized my dream of being an international best-selling author. My books have made Amazon’s best-selling mysteries list both domestically and in their overseas market. So this dream has been fulfilled in the best way.

I am a writer, and I get to write my books, plus, I have the added blessing of a fabulous family (perfect husband and brilliant son, and two spoiled-rotten dogs) and beautiful home. Yet, I don’t have to endure the curse of fame and all that comes with it in today’s society and living in a huge metropolitan area.

If I wouldn’t trade anything in my life (home, family, spoiled-rotten German shepherds) for a spot on the NY Time best seller list and a movie deal in Hollywood, I’d turn them down.

If you could leave the world with one piece of advice, what would it be?

The Rolling Stone’s song: You don’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.

What are some of your guilty pleasures?

Two bags of milk chocolate truffles that I hide in my underwear drawer under my panties.

Thanks so much, Lauren!  Have a wonderful day!

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

I love a good cozy mystery so I was excited to read this one. This is the first book I have read from Lauren Carr, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly delighted to read and review Killer Deadline. Ms. Carr has written and exceptionally great cozy mystery read.

When Nikki and her Boxer friend Elmo move back to her small hometown of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, she had her work cut out for her. Her fathers murder is her priority, even though she has to take over her moms job at their TV station. But when her co-worker ends up murdered as well, this is just too suspicious. Who will be next? Nikki? Her mom? And does this have anything to do with he dad’s death, even though his murder was years before?

I love this cozy mystery! It is full of suspense, action packed, fast pace with that small town feeling. I love the characters, I have to admit, I fell in love with Elmo on the spot! I loved Nikki’s spunk and determination. She keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire book! And I usually try to pick up all if the clues and figure out whodunnit but this story kept taking twist and turns that I was surprised. This is just the cozy mysteries I love to read. And I see this is the first book in Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery Series and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I know Nikki Bryant will have more investigations up her sleeve that will keep us guessing! I highly recommend this book to those who loves a good cozy mystery!! Oh and I forgot to mention how much I love the book cover. It has that mysterious look to it, it is pink, and is very inviting to readers. This will be the first cozy mystery that is snatched off the shelf!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

 

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international

best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson

Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across

three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Killer Deadline marks Lauren’s first venture into mystery’s purely cozy sub-genre with a female protagonist.

Book reviewers and readers alike

rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include

mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and

humor.

​A popular speaker, Lauren is also

the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead

Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German

Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

​Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram ~Pinterest

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Tour Schedule:

April 20 – Olio by Marilyn – book review / giveaway

April 20 – Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway

April 20 – Michelle’s Goodreads – book review

April 21 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway

April 21 – The avid reader – book spotlight / giveaway

April 22 – Thoughts in Progress – book spotlight / giveaway

April 22 – Brooke Blogs – book spotlight / giveaway

April 23 – My Reading Journeys – book review / giveaway

April 23 – Christa Reads and Writes – book review / giveaway

April 23 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book spotlight

April 23 – Books for Books – book spotlight

April 24 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway

April 27 –Cassidy’s Bookshelves – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

April 28 – It’s All About the Book – book review / giveaway

April 28 – Down the Rabbit Hole – book review / author interview / giveaway

April 29 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway

April 29 – Laura’s Interests – book review / guest post / giveaway

April 30 – I’m Into Books – book spotlight / giveaway

April 30 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway

May 1 –

May 4 –

May 5 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway

May 6 – A Madison Mom – book review / giveaway

May 7 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway

May 8 – Adventurous Bookworm – book review / giveaway

May 11 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway

May 12 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway

May 12 – Leels Loves Books – book review / giveaway

May 13 – FUONLYKNEW – book review / giveaway

May 14 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway

May 15 – Splashes of Joy – book review / author interview / giveaway

May 15 – Adventurous Jessy – book review / giveaway

May 18 – Mowgli with a book – book review

May 19 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway

May 20 – Peaceful Pastime – book review

May 20 – eBook Addicts – book review

May 21 – Books and Zebras – book spotlight / giveaway

May 22 –  Sahar’s Blog – book review

Enter the Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Beyond the After by C. M Healy plus FREE Books

About This Book

Rediscover Snow White, Cinderella & Sleeping Beauty—20 years beyond the “happily ever after.” The lives of their teenage daughters become intertwined as an old threat emerges, hidden powers surface, and new love is discovered.

Questions and Answers About This Book From The Author

Where did you get the idea to write this?

It was when the Twilight movies were coming out and I found out the fans actually sent money to help finance finishing the first film. I thought if I could come up with a story that gripping and engaging, I could maybe write and create for a living. I did some research and there were really no solid YA stories continuing the classic fairytales. So I started thinking of how I could connect them and build a brand new fairytale without changing what we already know. Slowly but surely “Beyond the After” was born, and it’s still growing.

It’s important to note, this book is the first of 4 and they don’t develop like a normal series. Each of the first 3 books are from the viewpoint of each different princess. Totally connected, but totally different. Then the 4th book with start where they left off. To my knowledge no other author has done a series like this, and that’s both scary and exciting. But so far people are really liking how it’s developing.

What advice would you give other writers?

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Create what you want to create, how you want to create it. It’s easier to sell yourself and your creations if you believe in it. Also, write down or keep a note of any idea you have. You never know what it could develop into.

What is your favorite line from a book?

“Dark and difficult time lie ahead. Soon, we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.”

– Albus Dumbledore

What project are you currently working on?

Always the next BtA book (Princess Avery), but I’m having my next children’s book Penelope Rose Goes to India illustrated right now. I’m also developing ideas for a horror anthology that’s completely different than what I have out there now.

What do you enjoy when you aren’t writing?

Spending time playing with my baby girl; watching TV and playing Mario Cart with my wife.

What are 5 things we’d see walking into your room?

A mess (HA!) But in my man cave you’d see Legos, board games, comics, Blu rays, a piano and stacks of my books.

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Click HERE to get a copy of Beyond the After for Free

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Click HERE to get even more books for Free!

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About the Author

C.M. Healy currently lives in Texas with his wife, baby girl, dog, and two cats where he teaches high school science. When he’s not busy writing, he enjoys building Lego sets, playing video games, reading comic books ( The Flash is his favorite), and watching TV with his best buddy, his wife. He earned the distinguished award of Eagle Scout during high school and went on to obtain his masters in child development from Oklahoma State University. He has been working with and entertaining children of all ages ever since. 

Where can we find you? (optional)

• •Website: www.authorcmhealy.com
• •FB Fan Page: CM Healy
• •Twitter: @authorcmhealy
• •Instagram: @authorcmhealy

GIVEAWAY! All of my books are available on Kindle Unlimited but Beyond the After: Princess Lillian will be free to everyone 5/13-14.

Little Millie and the Great Lakes by Kelly Mclnenly

About This Book 

Kelly knew Little Milly Lake as Grandma Mill McInenly. The usually serious Mildred would occasionally surprise her granddaughter with tales of the fun and mischief that she and her five older sisters found growing up in the Maritimes in the early 1900s. The combination of little money or supervision, and a notoriously grumpy father, made for simple stories with just the right blend of silly and sweet.Little Milly and the Great Lakes is Kelly’s first creative writing endeavor… she has been distracted by Little Mateo and Little Lucas.

Get silly with Milly on her other adventures…Bess and the Boil, Marj and the Medal, and Peg and the Party Line.

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Exerpt from Book 

Early one morning, the gulls were still sleeping,

The Sergeant was out, and the girls’ tea was steeping,

When from the washroom came an animal’s howl:

Bess flung the door open, her rump in a towel,

“There’s a boil on my bottom and boy does it hurt!”

Marj warned, “If Pa finds out there will be no dessert!”

My Thoughts on This Book 

This is the sweetest book, and I am sure going to check out the other books in this series. Little Millie loved to listen to their grandmother tell about tell of the many adventures she and her many sisters had while growing up.

This cute story is of an adventure on the water with row boats. The picture of the kids waking up to get ready is so cute, and so true of today’s kids.  The format of the book is simple. On the two page spread, the story is written on the left of the page, with a cute adorable picture to go with the writing. There are pictures of the children on the water, their funny expressions as well as expressions of enjoyment. To me, I think this cover is so very adorable. Children will sure love the beautiful colors and this will be their first choice off the shelves. Your child will sure love this sweet fun story, and they will be able to look at these adorable pictures and make up many stories of their own. I highly recommend this cute little book to parent looking for more great books for your child’s library. I have an ebook copy, but I would love to see a print copy. I just may go buy one for me!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Kelly knew Little Milly Lake as Grandma Mill McInenly. The usually serious Mildred would occasionally surprise her granddaughter with tales of the fun and mischief that she and her five older sisters found growing up in the Maritimes in the early 1900s. The combination of little money or supervision, and a notoriously grumpy father, made for simple stories with just the right blend of silly and sweet.

Little Milly and the Great Lakes is Kelly’s first creative writing endeavor… she has been distracted by Little Mateo and Little Lucas.

Connect with Canadian author Kelly McInenly on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-milly-and-the-great-lakes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemillyandthegreatlakes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19237406.Kelly_McInenly

Check out Little Milly and the Great Lakes: Marj and the Medal (Book 1) Amazon:  https://www.amazon.ca/Little-Milly-Great-Lakes-Medal/dp/0228808960/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-milly-and-the-great-lakes-kelly-mcinenly/1131792651

Indigo/Chapters: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/little-milly-and-the-great/9780228808961-item.html

Check out Little Milly and the Great Lakes: Peg and the Party Line (Book 2)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Little-Milly-Great-Lakes-Party/dp/0228808952/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-milly-and-the-great-lakes-kelly-mcinenly/1131792650

Indigo/Chapters! https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/little-milly-and-the-great/9780228808954-item.html

Check out Little Milly and the Great Lakes: Bess and the Boil (Book 3) Amazon:  https://www.amazon.ca/Little-Milly-Great-Lakes-Bess/dp/0228808766/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-milly-and-the-great-lakes-kelly-mcinenly/1131792655

Indigo/Chapters! https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/little-milly-and-the-great/9780228808763-item.html

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER LINK

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter #ADPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to my tour stop! The author is also running a scavenger hunt with an additional giveaway. Grab a clue from each stop on the tour (including mine below) and enter it here.

Alaskan Dreams

(Northern Lights #6)

By Beth Carpenter

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages

May 1st 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

The dream she wants

The love she found

Lauren Shepherd has traded her hectic office job for a quiet life working on an elderly friend’s farm. Risking everything to move to Alaska might just be the perfect opportunity for her—if Lauren can convince handsome and fiercely protective Patrick O’Shea that she’s not swindling his grandmother. But when financial troubles threaten her dream, Lauren and Patrick unite in a hunt for a legendary treasure…only to discover something between them more precious than gold.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Alaskan Dreams was a bit different than any other book I’ve read because of the interesting set of characters here, of which is the goats. How Lauren traveled from Oregon to Alaska in an old beaten up, run down pick up pulling an old run down trailer with goats is a mystery to me. But she mad it to her friend Bonnie’s because this is where Lauren is going to run her goat farm.

This reminds me of years ago when my dad took care of a field full of goats for a neighbor. And in this story, they acted a lot like ours. I think this is the most fun I have had reading a story in a long time. The goats were so much fun, intriguing characters for sure. Bonnie and all of her neighbors were so kind and helpful with the goats. Author Beth Carpenter does a really nice job with this story. The characters were well created and I enjoyed their development throughout this story. And the story was fun and full of enjoyment and entertainment.

If you are in the mood for a clean Romance with a little twist of humor and fun, you will enjoy this one. And even though this is a series, I had no problem reading it as a stand alone. Oh and the cover with the adorable white goad is precious!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

*Treasure Hunt Clue #7:

Year of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Enter HERE

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | iBooks | Kobo | Harlequin Print

Other Books in the Series

(Books linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

Once upon a time …

when Beth Carpenter was a little girl, she read everything she could get her hands on, and entertained herself on the school bus by making up stories in her head. Not a lot has changed. She’s still consuming books like M&Ms, and spends her days creating happily-ever-afters for her imaginary friends.

She lives in Alaska and Arizona with her husband and an aggressively affectionate fifty-pound lap dog. She loves to hear from readers.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a signed print copy of An Alaskan Proposal and a $25 Amazon Gift Card

US only

Ends May 20, 2020

Don’t forget to also enter the author’s scavenger hunt giveaway by grabbing clues from each stop on the tour and entering them HERE.

ENTER HERE

 

A Curse of Mayhem by Sunayna Prasad

 

Join us for this tour from May 4 to May 29, 2020!

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  A Curse of Mayhem (Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions, Book 2) by Sunayna Prasad

Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  173 pages

Genre:  Fantasy

Publisher:  Amazon KDP

Release date:   July 2019

Content Rating:  G: There is no mature language or adult content whatsoever.

 

Book Description:

History, like magic, has a habit of repeating itself.

It’s been six months since thirteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy left magic behind for good. Or so she thought…

Then the enchanted objects that protected her disappear. Now a skeleton

named Errol has cursed her with magical powers that keep getting her in

trouble. Suddenly strange things are happening with disastrous effects,

and if Alyssa can’t remove the magic, she will lose everything she holds

dear. In order to get rid of her unwanted wizardry, Alyssa will have to

boost her bravery and confidence and determine who Errol really is. But

every time Alyssa uses an enchantment, Errol is one step closer to

getting his flesh back and becoming alive, and he will do anything to

achieve his goals…even if it means destroying Alyssa’s happiness.

Originally published in 2016 as “Wizardry Goes Wild” and “The Unruly

Curse” in 2019, “A Curse of Mayhem” is book two in the exciting and

suspenseful “Magical Missions” series.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

In A Curse of Mayhem we meet Alyssa from book one, the young girl that had magical powers that really didn’t  want them. Alyssa is now living in a new town, and she keeps things in her room that will keep the magic away from her but she awakes one morning to find a Welcome back to Magic sign and her things all gone. Join Alyssa and the rest of the gang on another coming of age journey that will keep you on your toes until the end.

Author Sunayna Prasad writes another intriguing and interesting story in the second book of this series. And as with The Frights of Fiji, I was impressed at the fine writing of this young lady. She has changed my mind about a genre I normally would not have read, and I have actually enjoyed these first two book in the Series. I found these characters interesting and really like the way each played out the story. The author deals with some pretty heavy issues many young people deal with today. One thing I can relate to so much is public speaking, I remember many years ago when in school, I hated getting up in front of class for anything, especially reading something. I had so many issues with doing this. And these many years later, I still struggle with this same issue, though it is a bit better. It’s funny how something can trigger those long ago memories.

This is written mostly for teenagers, it deals with wizardry, which I certainly don’t believe in but did enjoy the writing. I encourage you to check this one out for your child if this is what they enjoy reading.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo

Add to Goodreads

 

Also Read and Enjoy:

 

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Frights of Fiji (Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions, Book 2) by Sunayna Prasad

Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  136 pages

Genre:  Fantasy

Publisher:  Amazon KDP

Release date:   October 2018

Content Rating:  G: There is no mature language or adult content whatsoever.

 

Book Description:

A world of magic and adventure awaits…

Sent to live with her strict, aloof, and uncaring uncle after her

parents are killed in a car accident, twelve-year-old orphan Alyssa

McCarthy longs for the life she used to have—one filled with fun and

love. Then one stormy night, a message appears in the raindrops on the

window that will change everything.

“Your life will never be the same again, as magic will interfere.”

Before long, Alyssa is kidnapped by Master Beau, a banished sorcerer

with a mysterious connection to her who can only regain his power by

weakening hers. Suddenly hurled into a world of wizardry filled with

fantastical beasts and marvelous technology beyond her wildest

imagination, Alyssa must defeat Master Beau if she ever wants to get

home again. But Master Beau will stop at nothing, including using

Alyssa’s friends, to ensure he is triumphant.

Originally titled “From Frights to Flaws”, this story is the exciting

and enchanting first book in the “Magical Missions” series.

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Sunayna Prasad enjoys writing fantasy books for children, as well as

cooking, creating artwork, watching online videos, and blogging. She has

also written The Frights of Fiji, formerly titled as From Frights to

Flaws. She is passionate about modern life, fantasy, and world-building.

Aside from her website, she also has a blog about different creative

and entertaining topics, including fiction and writing, called “Sunayna

Prasad’s Blog”.

Sunayna has graduated from college in May 2017. She lives in Long Island, NY.

Connect with the Author:   website ~ twitter 

Tour Schedule:

May 4 – Olio by Marilyn – book spotlight / author interview

May 4 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 5 – Splashes of Joy – book review of The Frights of Fiji

May 5 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book spotlight

May 6 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway

May 6 – Rosco’s Reading Room – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

May 7 – Rockin Book Reviews – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 7 – Books and Zebras – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 8 – T’s Stuff – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

May 8 – Karma Readz – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 8 – Books and Zebras – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 11 – Rockin Book Reviews – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / guest post / giveaway

May 11 – Gwendalyn’s Books – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 11 – Ingo Sparkles Books & More – book review of The Frights of Fiji

May 11 – Karma Readz – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 12 – She Just Loves Books – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 12 – Splashes of Joy – book review of A Curse of Mayhem

May 12 – Gwendalyn’s Books – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 13 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 13 – The avid reader – book spotlight / giveaway

May 14 – Bookworm for Kids – book spotlight / giveaway

May 14 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 15 – Bookish Quest – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 18 – michellemengsbookblog – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 18 – Ingo Sparkles Books & More – book review of A Curse of Mayhem

May 19 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 19 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway

May 20 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

May 20 – She Just Loves Books – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 21 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 21 – Books for Books – book spotlight

May 22 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review of The Frights of Fiji / giveaway

May 25 – michellemengsbookblog – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 26 – Bookish Quest – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / author interview / giveaway

May 26 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway

May 27 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / author interview / giveaway

May 28 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review of A Curse of Mayhem / giveaway

May 29 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway

 

Enter the Giveaway:

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 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

God Sees Her – Our Daily Bread

About the Book

Book:  God Sees Her

Author: Our Daily Bread

Genre:  Devotional

Release Date: March 3, 2020

Following the overwhelming success and rave reviews of God Hears Her, we’re bringing you another devotional written by women for women to reassure you that God is with you. God Sees Her is a beautifully styled gift book containing 366 meditations with accompanying Scripture that speak to the heart of women.

The title comes from a story in an Old Testament book of the Bible—Genesis—where Hagar is on the run, alone in the desert with nowhere to go. The angel of the Lord finds her and calls her by name. After this encounter, Hagar exclaimed, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13). Women today need this same assurance . . . God sees you, God knows you by name, and God cares about every detail of your life.
Let these short Our Daily Bread devotionals written by women like you wash over your soul and remind you each day that God is near. The handy size, ribbon marker, and decorative cover make it perfect for gift giving to your girlfriends too.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

I really enjoy reviewing Devotionals, there are so many of them and I love all that I have seen. Today I want to introduce you to a Devotional from one of my long time favorite company, Our Daily Bread. I had the honor a few years ago to read through their God Hear’s Her Devotional with a group of 10 very sweet and valuable and I truly loved it. Each day was exactly what I needed for each day. So when God See’s Her, I immediately signed up because I really wanted this one to share with some if my friends as well. One thing I like about these is that each one is very short. But even though they are short, each has a profound truth that will stay with you through the day.

This is an amazing choice if you are looking for devotions that are short, to the point, and will help you through your daily life.

A special thanks to the author/publisherA special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Click here for your copy.

More about God Sees Her

This is a follow up to the successful 365-devotional, God Hears Her. So far, it’s moved more than 200,000 copies.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

Girls in White Dresses, April 28

The Avid Reader, April 29

deb’s Book Review, April 29

For Him and My Family, April 30

Lighthouse Academy, April 30

Emily Yager, May 1

She Lives To Read, May 1

Remembrancy, May 2

Lis Loves Reading, May 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 3

Inklings and notions, May 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 4

Godly Book Reviews, May 4

Older & Smarter?, May 5

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 6

Genesis 5020, May 6

Blossoms and Blessings, May 7

amandainpa, May 7

For the Love of Literature, May 8

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 8

Splashes of Joy, May 9

Hallie Reads, May 9

Artistic Nobody, May 10

Nancy E Wood, May 10

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 11

Bookishly Beverly, May 11

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Our Daily Bread is giving away the grand prize package of a God Sees Her hardcover, God Hears Her leather-like, God Hears Her journal, God Hears Her CD, God Hears Her pen, and God Hears Her Scripture & Encouragement cards!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f983/god-sees-her-celebration-tour-giveaway

Dark Water by Christy Barritt

About the Book

Book:  Dark Water

Author: Christy Barritt

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Release Date: January 28, 2020

A FORMER NAVY SEAL HAUNTED BY HIS PAST

Colton Locke can’t forget the black op that went terribly wrong. Desperate for a new start, he moves to Lantern Beach, North Carolina, and forms Blackout, a private security firm. Despite his hero status, he can’t erase the mistakes he’s made.

A WIDOW WITH SECRETS

For the past year, Elise Oliver hasn’t been able to shake the feeling that there’s more to her husband’s death than she was told. When she finds a hidden box of his personal possessions, more questions—and suspicions—arise. The only person she trusts to help her is her husband’s best friend, Colton Locke.

THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

Someone wants Elise dead. Is it because she knows too much? Or is it to keep her from finding the truth? The Blackout team must uncover dark secrets hiding beneath seemingly still waters. But those very secrets might just tear the team apart.

Click here for your copy!

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Wow! This heart gripping story had me hooked from the very first page. Someone wants Elise Oliver dead. But why? Could it have something to do with her husband, who is also dead because of a black op that went terribly wrong while serving with his Navy Seals team?

Christy Barritt knows how to write a gripping, heart wrenching story that will take you on a journey that will stay with you for a long time. And Dark Water is no different. With characters who develop so realistically, and tell their story from their own view of life, you will quickly fall in love with this story. It has its share of suspense, fast pace, action and thrills all in one.  I really like Elise, and felt so bad for her because she is put in a position she didn’t ask for. As she and Colton, former Navy Seal who served with her husband, strikes out to find the real reason her husband Daniel was killed, readers will sure be tied to the end of their seats until the story is over. I couldn’t put this one down!! I just had to find out what would happen in the end!

If you enjoy a good thriller full of fast pace action, this is one you must check out. This is my first book in this series, and in the Lantern Beach, North Carolina books, which there are many, but I didn’t have a problem with reading it as a stand alone.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

About the  Author

USA Today has called Christy Barritt’s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”

A Publishers Weekly best-seller, Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have sold more than two million copies, and two are currently being developed as movies.

Christy’s books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.

She’s married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious–but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.

Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her four dogs.

For more information, visit her website: www.christybarritt.com.

 

More from Christy

Dark Water is the fourth series in the Lantern Beach Universe. When I created the fictional island of Lantern Beach, NC, I had no idea how popular it would be. I’ve fallen in love with the people there, and they feel more like friends than fictional characters.

Dark Water is about a group of former Navy SEALs who band together to former an elite private security firm. But they all share secrets, as well as guilt over the death of their SEAL leader. In order to move on, they must find answers.

I introduced Colton Locke in the last book of the Lantern Beach PD series—Plan of Action. I knew he needed his own book and that I wanted to develop his character more. That turned into a four-book series featuring Colton and three of his friends. Blackout contains suspense, mystery, and romance—all of my favorite things!

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 1

For Him and My Family, May 1

Reading Is My SuperPower, May 2

Blogging With Carol, May 2

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 2

KarenSueHadley, May 3

Read Review Rejoice, May 3

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 4

Genesis 5020, May 4

Through the Fire Blogs, May 4

She Lives To Read, May 5

deb’s Book Review, May 5

Remembrancy, May 6

Britt Reads Fiction, May 6

Emily Yager, May 6

Betti Mace, May 7

Hookmeinabook, May 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 8

Splashes of Joy, May 8

Inklings and notions, May 8

Simple Harvest Reads, May 9 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Just Your Average reviews, May 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 10

Pause for Tales, May 10

Because I said so– adventures in parenting, May 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 11

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, May 11

Ashley’s Bookshelf, May 12

Spoken from the Heart, May 12

Lights in a Dark World, May 12

Blossoms and Blessings, May 13

CarpeDiem, May 13

With a Joyful Noise, May 14

Live. Love. Read., May 14

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christy is giving away the the grand prize package of a signed copy of Dark Water and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/fa62/dark-water-celebration-tour-giveaway

Hey Cowboy Sweetheart by Cathy McDavid

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Her Cowboy Sweetheart (The Sweetheart Ranch #4) By Cathy McDavid Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages May 5th 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He’s been a good friend

But can he be her sweetheart?

At Sweetheart Ranch, single mom Carly Leighton finds a fresh start, and a friendly neighbor in former bull rider JD Moreno. Neither are looking for love—Carly must think first of her son, Rickie, while JD is recovering from a career-ending balance disorder. But when her former in-laws demand access to Rickie, Carly turns to JD for support and finds he is becoming more than a friend in need…

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

I have read several of Cathy McDavid books and have really enjoyed them so I was excited about reading this one. First of all, this is the sweetest cover, with the cutest little boy and the adorable furry friend. Such a comforting picture. And inside this book, Ms. McDavid deals with many real life challenging situations.

Carly is at Sweetheart Ranch for a fresh start, but she wasn’t looking to spending so much time with her neighbor. Neither was former bull rider JD Moreno looking for or interested in being attracted to anyone. But they found comfort in helping each other out in dealing with life’s problems.

Author Cathy McDavid gives her reader another Heartwarming read. Sometimes it wasn’t so heartwarming though, like when Carly’s inlaws all of a sudden take interest in her son Ricky. I really like the way Ms. McDavid handles the issue, and this is just one of the many lessons you will learn from this book!

I enjoyed getting to know Carly and JD as well as the other characters that make up this book. Cathy McDavid created a wonderful and interesting cast of characters to tell her story. I love how each one developed throughout the story, getting to know what each of their personalities bring to the story. There are several twist that takes place in the story, but the ending was weaved together in a special way that will keep me thinking about the story until we see another book from this author! If you love a good clean Romance, this one is for you. Be sure and check out the other books in this series as well.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Walmart | Target | Book Depository BAM | IndieBound | iBooks | Kobo | GooglePlay | Harlequin Print

Other Books in the Series

(Book covers linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

As a sophomore in high school, NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold? With forty-seven titles to date, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins recently married her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world four years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who ride the range or fight fires or hunt creatures all while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub | Amazon

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, $5 Starbucks gift card, author swag, and either a print or Kindle copy of THE COWBOY’S PERFECT MATCH (US only – if outside the US winner will instead receive a $15 Amazon e-gift card and a Kindle copy of THE COWBOY’S PERFECT MATCH).

Ends May 13, 2020

ENTER HERE

 

Beachside Beginnings by Shelia Roberts

 

BEACHSIDE BEGINNINGS

By Sheila Roberts

Women’s Fiction

#sheliaroberts #beachsidebegingings

#puyb

Moira Wellman has always loved makeovers—helping women find their

most beautiful selves. Funny how it’s taken her five years with her

abusive boyfriend, Lang, to realize she needs a life makeover. When

Moira finally gets the courage to leave Lang, the beachside town of

Moonlight Harbor is the perfect place to start over.

Soon Moira is right at home, working as a stylist at Waves Salon,

making new friends, saving her clients from beauty blunders and helping

the women of Moonlight Harbor find new confidence as well as new looks.

When she meets a handsome police officer, she’s more than willing to

give him a free haircut. Maybe even her heart. But is she really ready

for romance after Lang? And what if her new friend is in hot pursuit of

that same cop? This is worse than a bad perm. Life surely can’t get any

more difficult. Or can it?

With all the heart and humor readers have come to expect from a Sheila Roberts novel, Beachside Beginnings is the story of one woman finding the courage to live her best life. And where better to live it than at the beach?

Amazon → https://amzn.to/37OSdw6

Barnes & Noble → https://bit.ly/35CrilM

Harlequin → https://bit.ly/2Up9Wqn

Google Play → https://bit.ly/2UlzrbX

Kobo → https://bit.ly/2vTktk2

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

This is the first book in the Moonlight Harbor series for me, and it is fine as a stand alone. I didn’t have any problems with the characters and story line at all. Moira Wellman was fed up with her boyfriend Lang. The last straw was when he kicked her kitten, who could defend himself. With help from friends, Moira ends up in a little town at the end of the world! A town she soon grew to love. Would lang find her there.

Again Shelia Roberts gives her readers a fun and exciting new read. With characters that quickly drew me into their story the little town of Moonlight Harbor became like home to me. I love the descriptions of the places around town, of the beauty shop and how it became such a big part of the story because of Moira working there. And even though I am not into brightly colored hair, Ms. Robert’s had me wanting to try what Moira could do to a person’s hair. It is all so fun and entertaining.

This is a great Contemporary fiction for anyone who loves a good story centered around a little beach town full of wonderful people who are willing to go the extra mile for their friends.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

“Don’t look now, Harry, but I think we found the end of the world,” Moira said as she drove through the monolithic stone gateway that guarded the entrance to the town of Moonlight Harbor.

Harry, hunkered miserably in his cat carrier, let out a pitiful mewl. There had been a lot of twists and turns in the road the last part of their journey and even though the highway had eventually straightened back out he still hadn’t forgiven her. She didn’t blame him. She felt awful over having added to his misery. The poor little guy had yakked up and she’d had to pull over to clean the mess and reassure him.

But who was going to reassure her? This wasn’t her scene. She was a city girl, always had been. She’d grown up in apartments and she liked being able to go to clubs and dance, to go downtown or run out to the mall and spend some of her tip money on clothes. Lang criticized a lot of what she spent her money on (not that she had much to spend once she kicked in for her share of the rent and bought groceries), but he never complained when she came home with something from Victoria’s Secret.

There was sure no Victoria’s Secret here.

And so what if there wasn’t? She didn’t have anybody to look hot for any more. She sure didn’t want the somebody she’d had.

Lang had texted her six times before she’d finally shut off her phone. At first the texts had been contrite – Baby, you know I’m sorry, followed by, Why aren’t you answering? Then he got a little more anxious. Where are you? Then he got pissed. Damn, M, where the hell are you? The last two texts had been so full of cursing and F bombs and threats of what he was going to do if she didn’t quit ignoring him that she finally took Michael’s advice and traded in her phone for a new one in a T-Mobile store in Olympia, going with the cheapest phone and plan she could find.

There was no turning back now. Even if they made up, even if he said he was sorry he’d been mean to Harry, there would come another time when his temper would flare. Maybe she could have risked getting her jaw broken but she wasn’t about to risk any more of poor Harry’s ribs.

A bruised rib the vet she’d found in town had said. He’d given Harry something right there and provided her with pain killer meds for him.

If only there was something she could take to make herself feel better. She sure could have used some chocolate right then. What a mess her life was.

“It’s not how you start,” her high school English teacher, Mrs. Dickens, had once told her, “It’s how you finish. Remember that, Moira.”

Yes, she needed to remember that. She was going to finish well.

Here at the end of the world.

Okay, it wasn’t so bad. “Look at those cute little shops,” she said to Harry. Hard for Harry to do any looking from his cat carrier, so she went on to describe them. “They’re all different colors. Green, not dark green like Christmas but green, like an Easter egg, and orange like sherbet, and yellow like a sunny day. Oh, wow, and a go-cart track. I always wanted to drive one of those things. And there’s an ice cream place. It’s so cute. Pink, like a balloon at a baby shower. No, actually, darker than that. Like a sunset maybe. It’s got a big, old cement ice cream cone in front of it.”

Ice cream, sherbet. She parked in front of the Good Times Ice Cream Parlor. She still had a little cash left and she was hungry. Not simply for food but for hope. If a woman couldn’t find hope in a cute place like this where could she find it?

The lunch hour had passed and there weren’t many customers inside– only two old women seated at a tiny, wrought iron table painted white, enjoying milkshakes. The woman behind the counter looked almost old enough to be Moira’s mother.

The old ladies were staring at her like she had three boobs. Okay, so she had a nose ring and a tattoo of a butterfly flitting up her neck. Hadn’t they seen anyone with a nose ring or tat? Maybe it was her hair that had them gawking. (Although the strange lollipop red of the one woman’s hair was just as stare worthy, and not in a good way.)

Moira’s hair, on the other hand, was a work of art. A color that Michael had created, it was a gorgeous mix of pastels, silver and gold that he’d dubbed holographic opal because of the way it shimmered. Lang had thought it was hot.

What Lang thought didn’t matter anymore.

The woman behind the counter smiled at Moira and said, “Welcome. What would you like?”

A new life. “What’s your specialty?” She could have asked, “What’s good?” but anybody could say that. She liked the word specialty. It made her think of fancy French restaurants and TV celebrity chefs.

“How about some Deer Poop?”

Moira blinked. “Deer Poop?”

“In honor of all the deer we have around here – chocolate ice cream loaded with chocolate covered raisins.”

“Deer?” Just wandering around? The only deer she’d ever seen had been on TV or in pictures.

“Oh, yes. They’re everywhere.”

Wow. Now, that was cool. “Sure,” Moira said.

“Sugar or waffle cone?”

“Waffle.” Live it up, she thought.

“One scoop or two.”

“One,” Moira said, deciding to limit the living it up. Who knew if things would work out here? Who knew how long that paycheck Michael was sending would last? With what she had in her bank account even one scoop was a splurge.

“You’re new to town.” the woman observed.

“I am.” Moira glanced over her shoulder to find the two older women still checking her out. The freak show had arrived.

“I just got here,” she said. “I’m hoping to find a job. Your town looks adorable.” For the end of the world. Where were the people her age? Were there any?

Moira dug out a bill, but the woman waved it away. “On the house.”

“Really?” Wow. The woman handed over the cone and Moira took a bite. “This is …” Anyone could say good. “Tasty.”

The woman smiled. “All our ice cream is. What do you do?”

“I’m a hair stylist. My old boss sent me down here to meet a Pearl Edwards.” Moira was suddenly aware of the two older women whispering behind her. She could almost feel their stares.

“Pearl, she’s the best. She owns Waves,” said the woman. “Everybody in town goes there. Well, everybody my age and older.”

Old ladies and tight perms. This wasn’t the end of the world. This was hair stylist hell.

You’re here now. May as well check it out.

Now one of the women behind her spoke. “I have an appointment there. You can follow me if you like.”

Moira could have found her own way there, but she thanked the woman and agreed to follow her. People at the end of the world were nice to you, even if they did stare.

“I’ll see you later, Alma,” the good Samaritan said to her friend, and pushed away from the table. Standing up she wasn’t much taller than she’d been sitting down. Moira was five feet five but she stood a good six inches above this woman. There wasn’t much to her, either. She looked like she needed to go on a diet of daily milkshakes. Her sweatshirt was pink and it clashed with her hair and lipstick. I Got Moonstruck at Moonlight Harbor, it informed Moira.

“I’m Edie Patterson,” said the old woman. “Everyone calls me Edie and you can, too. I own the Driftwood Inn.”

The Driftwood Inn. Moira had a sudden vision of a cute little place with driftwood at its entrance. “That sounds charming.”

“Oh, it is. It was one of the first motels here in Moonlight Harbor. My great niece Jenna manages it and she’s fixed it all up and brought it back to its former glory. It’s one of the sweetest places in the whole town. Isn’t it, Nora?”

“It sure is,” agreed the woman behind the counter.

“If you need a place to stay while you’re getting settled I’m sure we can give you a room,” Edie said as she led Moira out of the ice cream parlor.

No way could Moira afford to stay at a motel indefinitely. No way could she afford to stay anywhere. She murmured her thanks and tried not to panic.

“Jenna doesn’t like me to drive,” Edie confided. “She’s always worried I’ll get in an accident. But she was busy giving someone a massage – she’s a massage therapist, you know – so I just went ahead and took my car out when she wasn’t looking,” said Edie conspiratorially, pointing to an ancient car that maybe got fifteen miles to the gallon on a good day. “That’s my car. You follow me.”

It wasn’t hard to follow Edie Patterson. A kid on a tricycle could go faster. They crept out onto the street and inched on down the main road.

It gave Moira time to finish her ice cream and check out the place. The buildings looked like they belonged in a movie from the sixties. And what was that? Some kind of store shaped like a giant shark. It looked like you entered through its gaping mouth, complete with long shark teeth. Now, there was something you didn’t see every day.

And wow! Deer. There were two of them, grazing on the grass in the median. There was something you didn’t see in Seattle.

Seattle. Lang. How many times had he tried to call her by now? He had to be really pissed.

Let him be. He didn’t deserve her. And Harry sure didn’t deserve the way Lang had treated him. She was glad she’d left. Glad.

Except she was sad, too. And she ached a little for what she’d had with Lang when they were first together and everything was good. And she half wished she could have that back.

She was a mess.

Best-selling author Sheila Roberts has seen

her books published in a dozen different languages and made into movies

for both the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. She’s happily married and

lives in the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not hanging out with

girlfriends, speaking to women’s groups or going dancing with her

husband she can be found writing about those things near and dear to

women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website: http://www.sheilasplace.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Sheila_Roberts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funwithsheila/

 

The Nightjar’s Promise by Barbara Casey

 

Join us for this tour from May 4 to May 22, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Nightjar’s Promise (Book 4 of The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey

Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  130 pages

Genre:  Mystery, Fantasy

Publisher:  Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)

Release date:   April, 2020

Content Rating:  PG. There are some themes that deal with the

Jewish Holocaust and some frightening scenes appropriate for young adult

and adult readers.

 

Book Description:

Jennifer Torres, one of the three FIGs (Females of Intellectual Genius) who is a genius in both music and art, is the last to leave the closed rehearsal for her upcoming performance over Thanksgiving break at Carnegie Hall when she hears something in the darkened Hall. Recognizing the tilt of the woman’s head and the slight limp of the man as they hurry out an exit door, she realizes it is her parents who were supposedly killed in a terrible car accident when she was 15 years old.

Devastated and feeling betrayed, she sends a text to Carolina and the other two FIGs—THURGOOD. It is the code word they all agreed to use if ever one of them got into trouble or something happened that was too difficult to handle. They would all meet back at Carolina’s bungalow at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women to figure it out.

As soon as they receive the text, because of their genius, Dara starts thinking of words in ancient Hebrew, German, and Yiddish, while Mackenzie’s visions of unique math formulae keep bringing up the date October 11, 1943. That is the date during World War II when the Nazis—the Kunstschutz—looted the paintings of targeted wealthy Jewish families and hid them away under Hitler’s orders. And as Carolina waits for the FIGs to return to Wood Rose, she hears warnings from Lyuba, her gypsy mother, to watch for the nightjar, the ancient name for the whip-poor-will.

As they search for “The Nightjar’s Promise” and the truth surrounding it, Carolina and the FIGs come face to face with evil that threatens to destroy not only their genius, but their very lives.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com ~ Add to Goodreads

Coming Soon to Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Bookstores Everywhere!

 

GUEST POST FROM BARBARA CASEY

FINDING THE EMOTION

By

Barbara Casey

The Nightjar’s Promise, Book 4 of The F.I.G. Mysteries, takes Carolina, Dara, Mackenzie, and Jennifer to the tombs of a Jewish cemetery in Virginia where Jennifer’s parents were supposedly buried following a horrible car accident. Jennifer now knows, however, that all of it was a lie—the car accident, the death of her parents. That single moment when she learns the truth is only the beginning of the emotional upheaval Jennifer experiences as Carolina and the FIGs search for the truth.

The Hall was hushed. The conductor, slightly disheveled, his arms now limp by his sides, smiled. They would be ready for their Thanksgiving performance. As before, no one spoke to Jennifer. They knew not to. After all, she was a genius with an unpredictable if not strange and prone-to-violence temperament—a FIG. She would remain turned inward, listening to the notes she had created and seeing the images until they were no more.

Not wanting to disturb her, the other musicians quietly packed up their instruments and followed the conductor quickly off the stage. Only Jennifer remained behind, still listening to the heart-breaking music, knowing what each note meant, lost in her “other” world. Liz, the graduate student at Juilliard who had been assigned to assist Jennifer with her needs while she was a student there, would be waiting outside for her no matter how long it took. She would make sure she got back to her room safely.

Gradually, Jennifer started to recognize the things around her. The images of The Wish Rider began to fade; the notes barely there. The lights in the great Hall had been left on but dimmed and would remain so until Jennifer was no longer in the building.

Jennifer’s violin and bow had been a gift from her parents before she turned two years old. Even at that young age, she had exhibited her genius having already mastered playing the piano—Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, she knew them all. By introducing her to a different musical instrument, her parents had hoped it would calm their emotional, erratic daughter—their prodigy disposed to fits of anger. Perhaps it would give her a new focus.

Like the piano, Jennifer had quickly mastered the violin. Yet, still her mood swings continued, her emotional outbursts remained unpredictable and misunderstood. And even though she was also exhibiting extraordinary talent in painting that seemed to accompany her musical abilities, by then her parents realized that no matter how many instruments Jennifer mastered and no matter how many art canvases she painted, she wouldn’t change. She couldn’t. That was her genius.

The violin—European—was made from a Carpathian elm wood now extinct; the bow, made from the same wood, with horsehair strings and a silver frog. Near the delicate frog was a silk grip, aged and beautiful. Jennifer flipped her long blond ponytail back and forth, something she usually did whenever she felt a keen sense of accomplishment or unflappable determination, then carefully placed her violin and bow in the worn leather case next to her.

As she secured the latches, she became aware of an unfamiliar shuffling noise, a noise that somehow seemed out of place and intrusive in the stillness of the massive Hall. She glanced toward the exit door. With no warning the stone that she had been carrying around in her chest for as long as she could remember seemed to explode causing her to catch her breath. She wrapped her arms tightly around her body and bent over in her chair trying to breathe. The excruciating pain was made worse by the thought that someone had been listening to the closed rehearsal and watching her, and was now trying to slip away.

She didn’t understand why the rock came now. Things had been going so well. As the pain eased, she once again glanced at the exit door. When she did the black and white images that usually preceded the musical notes only she could hear flashed before her eyes. Violent, ugly, black, thick brush strokes—like one reversed “z” overlapping another.

It was happening again. This was the way it always started when a new musical composition was beginning to form in Jennifer’s mind. An image would come to her, black and white—like a charcoal or pencil drawing.  Over time it would gradually change to color; and along with the color would come a beat—the cadence she called it; first softly, then pronounced, loud, and vibrating.  When she felt the vibration of the cadence—after the black and white image had changed to color—it was then she knew she needed to capture its musical essence.  This was when she wrote the notes on eight-stave musical paper as she heard them in her mind.

Her vision was blurred with tears as she stared toward the door leading from the Hall making it difficult to see. But she knew.

Even with the crushing pain in her chest, the confusion of black and white images dancing before her eyes, and the absence of light, she knew.

She heard the musical notes—indiscriminate and unformed—but that would soon change. Eventually she would hear the cadence; the images would become well defined and detailed. But now, instead, she saw the slight tilt of the woman’s head, the way the man walked favoring his left foot, and she knew.

The door opened, allowing the blinding brilliance of the late afternoon sunlight to stream into the darkened Hall that only moments earlier had been filled with music—her music, and she watched the man and woman vanish. The man and woman who had taken care of her and, she thought, had loved her. The man and woman who were dead—killed in a terrible car crash.

Jennifer knew.

And in that one brief instant in time, the unbearable feelings of grief, the overwhelming sadness, and the confusion she thought she had overcome and made go away suddenly consumed her as though they had never left; and the thick glass walls she had so carefully built around herself in order to survive suddenly shattered.

When the door had closed and all was still once again, she took her phone from her pocket. Breathing deeply through the pain and tears, trying to focus, she struggled with trembling hands. The black and white images blocked out her vision, and the discordant notes deafened her. Slowly and deliberately she pressed each letter—T—H—U—R.  Again the ragged image of one backward “z” then the other surfaced in her thoughts along with something else—a bird? She pressed more letters—G—O—O—D until she had what she wanted, then she inserted the three email addresses—Dara, Mackenzie, and Carolina. Because there was no doubt in her mind, because she had never felt so helpless, so hurt, and so confused in her young life, and because she had never known such betrayal, she pressed the send button.

The last thing she saw was the one word she had entered. The word Carolina had told them to use if ever anything came up that was too big for them to handle. All they had to do was send their special word to each of the others and they would all meet at Carolina’s bungalow at Wood Rose—no matter when—no matter what. It was their special code. It was their promise to each other.

THURGOOD

 

Meet the Author:

Originally from Carrollton, Illinois, author/agent/publisher Barbara Casey attended the University of North Carolina, N.C. State University, and N.C. Wesleyan College where she received a BA degree, summa cum laude, with a double major in English and history. In 1978 she left her position as Director of Public Relations and Vice President of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan College to write full time and develop her own manuscript evaluation and editorial service. In 1995 she established the Barbara Casey Agency and since that time has represented authors from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. In 2014, she became a partner with Strategic Media Books, an independent nonfiction publisher of true crime, where she oversees acquisitions, day-to-day operations, and book production.

Ms. Casey has written over a dozen award-winning books of fiction and nonfiction for both young adults and adults. The awards include the National Association of University Women Literary Award, the Sir Walter Raleigh Literary Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, the Dana Award for Outstanding Novel, the IP Best Book for Regional Fiction, among others. Two of her nonfiction books have been optioned for major films, one of which is under contract.

Her award-winning articles, short stories, and poetry for adults have appeared in both national and international publications including the North Carolina Christian Advocate Magazine, The New East Magazine, the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, the Rocky Mount (N.C.) Sunday Telegram, Dog Fancy, ByLine, The Christian Record, Skirt! Magazine, and True Story. A thirty-minute television special which Ms. Casey wrote and coordinated was broadcast on WRAL, Channel 5, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also received special recognition for her editorial work on the English translations of Albanian children’s stories. Her award-winning science fiction short stories for adults are featured in The Cosmic Unicorn and CrossTime science fiction anthologies. Ms. Casey’s essays and other works appear in The Chrysalis Reader, the international literary journal of the Swedenborg Foundation, 221 One-Minute Monologues from Literature (Smith and Kraus Publishers), and A Cup of Comfort (Adams Media Corporation).

Ms. Casey is a former director of BookFest of the Palm Beaches, Florida, where she served as guest author and panelist. She has served as judge for the Pathfinder Literary Awards in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida, and was the Florida Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators from 1991 through 2003. In 2018 Ms. Casey received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas. She makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with her husband and three cats who adopted her, Homer, Reese, and Earl Gray – Reese’s best friend.

​Connect with the author:  Website~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

Tour Schedule:

May 4 – Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway

May 5 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway

May 6 – Splashes of Joy – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

May 6 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway

May 7 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway

May 8 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

May 11 – Bookworm for Kids – book review / giveaway

May 12 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway

May 12 – La libreria di Beppe – book spoltight / guest post / giveaway

May 13 – Bound 4 Escape – book review

May 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

May 14 – Peaceful Pastime – book review

May 15 – The avid reader – book review / giveaway

May 18 – Karma Readz – book review / giveaway

May 18 – Merlot Et Mots – book review / guest post / giveaway

May 19 – mowgli with a book – book review

May 19 – Lamon Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

May 20 – Books and Zebras – book review / giveaway

May 21 – Permanently_booked – book review

May 22 – Books for Books – book review

 

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