A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma

31 May 2022 4 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Celebration Lit Blog Tours, Celebration Tours, Liz Tolsma

About the Book

Book: A Promise Engraved

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction/Romance

Release date: May, 2022

Can Promises Made in Times of Struggle Endure 200 Years?

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

Young, spirited Josie Wilkins life is about to take a turn when faced with political turmoil and forbidden love in San Antonio of 1836. John Gilbert has won her heart, despite being a Protestant preacher who is forbidden to practice his faith in Texas. Will either of them survive an epic battle for liberty to create a legacy of love?

Nearly 200 years later, Kayleigh Hernandez takes breaks from her demanding job as a refugee coordinator working with Mexican migrants to attend flea markets where she has found a uniquely engraved ring. Enlisting the help of appraiser Brandon Shuman, they piece together a love story long forgotten. But will dangers linked to Kayleigh’s work end her own hopes for leaving a legacy built on hope, faith, and love?

Click here to get your copy!

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

A Promise Engraved is another book in the Doors of the Past series from Barbour Books. I have enjoyed the books so far in this series and I look forward to others in the future. This one is a split time story, which I enjoyed do much. Author Liz Tolsma’s writing is phenomenal and the transition from one time period to another goes really smoothly, which is a must in these type stories.

The story goes from 1836 when San Antonio, Texas is going through intense times while the Battle of the Alamo is going full swing. I really enjoyed learning about the Alamo, a subject I knew hardly anything about. Tolsma does an exceptional job of research and it shows in so many vivid details. The characters, both historical and current time are so well created and develop accurately throughout the story. If you love this type stories, you will love this one. And if you enjoy historical reads, I think you will especially enjoy the historical part here. This is such an awesome read and I gladly give it Five 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.

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at http://www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

More from Liz

The Story of Susannah Dickinson, Alamo Survivor

When asked how many died at the Alamo, many would answer that everyone did. While it’s true that all fighting on the side of Texas independence perished, there were survivors, all women and children and one slave. The only white woman (the rest were of Mexican descent) was Susannah Dickinson, along with her daughter Angelina. Susannah had followed her husband, Almaron, to Mexican Texas in 1831. They had married two years before when Susannah was just fifteen. She never learned to read or write.

She and the other women hid in the sacristy of the church, one of the surviving buildings in the mission and what we now think of as the Alamo. Her husband died, but Mexican General Santa Anna found them and spared their lives, sending them to Sam Houston with $2 each and a blanket.

She married again the following year but divorced him almost immediately on the grounds of cruelty. She married a third time the following year and was married for five years until her husband died of alcoholism. A fourth marriage occurred in 1847, but she divorced again in 1857, this time allegedly because she was having an affair. That same year, she married for a fifth time. This marriage lasted until her death in 1883.

The ring in A Promise Engraved is based on a cat’s eye ring supposedly given to Angelina by William Travis before the battle. Angelina was Susannah’s only child. She married and had three children, but that marriage ended in divorce. She gave the ring to a man she’d become involved with in New Orleans. She married again and had one more child but died in 1869 from a uterine hemorrhage.

Today there are many descendants of Susannah Dickinson. If you visit the Susannah Dickinson house in Austin, you’ll see a quilt that is signed by many of her living descendants.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28

Bigreadersite, May 28

The Write Escape, May 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29

Christina’s Corner, May 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 29

lakesidelivingsite, May 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

Rebecca Tews, May 30

Inklings and notions, May 31

Blogging With Carol, May 31

Splashes of Joy, May 31

Betti Mace, June 1

Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 1

Genesis 5020, June 2

Daysong Reflections, June 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 2

Remembrancy, June 3

Books, Books, and More Books, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 3

Older & Smarter?, June 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 5

deb’s Book Review, June 5

Mary Hake, June 5

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 6

Blossoms and Blessings, June 6

Connie’s History Classroom, June 7

Life of Literature, June 7

Back Porch Reads , June 7

Bizwings Blog, June 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 8

For the Love of Literature, June 8

Through the Fire blogs, June 9

Pause for Tales, June 9

Labor Not in Vain, June 9

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, June 10

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 10

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

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/1e37a/a-promise-engraved-celebration-tour-giveaway

Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque

31 May 2022 Leave a comment

by Splashes of Joy in Alysson Foti Bourque, Iread, iRead Book Tours, IReadBook, Welcome

Join us for this tour from May 23 to June 17, 2022

Book Details:

Book Title:  Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Pelican Publishing
Release date: May 9, 2022
Format available for review: print-hardback (USA only), ebook (PDF)
Tour dates: May 23 to June 17, 2022
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Alycat wakes up to seafood gumbo for breakfast, and even though her house is the first stop for the school bus, the bus is already full when she boards. Alycat’s whole day is turning topsy-turvy. What is happening? Young readers will tag along on Alycat’s adventures during her very “cattywampus” Wednesday and learn that a little help from some friends and a good attitude can make your day!

The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity towards problem solving. The character traits of Alycat and her friends inspire and encourage young readers to find their own special gifts. After enduring a cattywampus world pursuant to an unexpected pandemic, this book will resonate with readers to persevere through the wackiest and toughest of times.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque is a cute story that starts off with a bit of confusion. It seems like Alycat’s day is all backwards and her friends step in and help her with directions since her day is exactly backwards than the way it usually is.

There’s several things here, I think that author Alysson Foti Bourque wants children to have fun with this book. I also see that she is telling them that it’s OK if you have days that are not regular days, some may seem backward or upside down, or things just don’t go right at all, but it’s still OK. And I really like that the other children were willing to jump in and help Alycat understand her confusing day, and being willing to help others that’s having a different or not so good day is a valuable lesson for children to learn. Bourque adds lots of details about school and what each cat needs to do and what they are learning. She also list some thing to help when children have bad days.

I love the bright, vivid illustrations created by Chiara Civati. Each cat is unique and absolutely adorable. Each page is filled with beautiful and colorful illustrations that bring this story alive for children and adults alike. Everything fits together so well. I highly recommend this book to any child’s library as well as any school or daycare libraries.

Buy the Book:
Alycat website
Amazon ~ B&N
Walmart ~ Bookshop

Meet the Author:

Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the award-winning Alycat series. Alysson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center.

After practicing law for six years, she traded in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. Alysson enjoys public speaking opportunities at schools, conferences, and festivals nationwide. She hopes to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and believe in themselves wholeheartedly.

AWARDS & HONORS

The Alycat Series has won several prestigious awards including:
Three Mom’s Choice Awards®
Benjamin Franklin Digital Award, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Best Book Award Finalist
NY Big Book Award
Reviewed by Midwest Book Review
Southern Festival of Books Panelist
Louisiana Book Festival Featured Author

Connect with the author: Webs ite ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

Tour Schedule:

May 23 –Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway
May 23 –Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
May 24 –Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 24 –Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 25 –Chit Chat with Charity – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 25 –Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
May 26 – Bookworm for Kid – book review / giveaway
May 26 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review / giveaway
May 27 – A Mama’s Corner Of the World – book review / giveaway
May 31 – Baroness’ Book Trove – book spotlight / giveaway
May 31 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
June 1 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review / giveaway
June 2 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 3 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
June 6 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
June 7 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
June 7 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
June 8 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
June 8 – Older & Smarter? – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 9 – Bigreadersite – book review / giveaway
June 9 – Ravenz Reviewz – book review / giveaway
June 10 – Leels Loves Books – book review / giveaway
June 13 – Westveil Publishing – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 13 – Book Zone Reviews – book review / giveaway
June 14 – 100 Pages A Day – book review / giveaway
June 14 – @twilight_reader – book review / giveaway
June 15 – Fur Everywhere – book review / giveaway
June 15 – Lisa’s Reading – book review / giveaway
June 16 – My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 17 – Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews – book review / giveaway
June 17 – Faith And Books – book review / giveaway
Enter the Giveaway:

https://gleam.io/wiyXd/alycat-and-the-cattywampus-wednesday-book-tour-giveaway

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher

28 May 2022 4 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Celebration Lit Blog Tours, Celebration Tours, Revell, Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book

Book: The Sweet Life

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 3, 2022

Jilted by her fiancé, Dawn Dixon escapes to beautiful Cape Cod on a groomless honeymoon–with her mother. But she didn’t expect her mom to risk everything, on a whim, to move there permanently or buy a rundown ice cream shop in need of repair. In order to make their new life work, they’ll also need her ex’s help.

Click here to get your copy!

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher is about Dawn and her mom. Dawn’s dad is gone and her fiancé dumps her so she is now one her groomless honeymoon with her mom. A mom who purchases an Ice Cream Shop on Cape Cod. An Ice Cream Shop that is filthy and needs lots of work. Dawn has promised to stay for a while in Cape Cod to help her mom.

This book reminds me of my mom. She ate ice cream every night before bedtime. I hope your freezer is full of ice cream now. The Sweet Life is full of ice cream, Marnie and Dawn, and a host of secondary characters who make this story fun and exciting, and at the same time, unbelievable, stressful with a whole lot of work to be done to pull this Ice Cream Shop opening on time. Suzanne Woods Fisher does a fantastic job with her phenomenal writing skills in writing The Sweet Life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book and if you love good, clean contemporary Christian fiction, you will love it too! I gladly give this one Five Stars! Go check it out!

About the Author

With over 1.5 million copies sold, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of over 30 books, ranging from novels to children’s books to non-fiction. She is a Christy Award finalist, a winner of Carol and Selah awards, and a two-time finalist for ECPA Book of the Year. She writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. Suzanne lives with her very big family in northern California.

More from Suzanne

The Sweet Life is a story about a mom and a daughter who, both in need of a little respite from life’s bumps and bruises, start an ice cream shop on Cape Cod…thinking it will be easy. After all, who doesn’t love ice cream?

Well, sure. That’s true. Everybody loves ice cream. But ice cream can be tricky. This I can say with authority. My husband is a serious hobby ice cream maker. He even attended Penn State’s Ice Cream School. While Steve was working on his vanilla recipe, he experimented fifty-nine times before he was finally satisfied. 59 times! Other flavors, like chocolate, can mask mistakes. Not vanilla. Too pure.

Here’s a few other things you probably didn’t know about ice cream:

The very first mention of a frozen dessert dates back to Persia in 550 BC, though it might have been sorbet-like. It’s said that Emperor Nero had ice brought down from the Apennine Mountains to produce a sorbet of honey and wine. And then there are those who insist that ice cream came out of China, and were introduced to Italy with the help of Marco Polo. Regardless of its origins, a love of ice cream has been around for a very, very long time.

Quaker colonists introduced ice cream to early America, having brought their recipes with them from England. Some argue that the French brought ice cream to America. Regardless, during the colonial era, ice cream was sold in shops in New York.

George Washington loved ice cream. So much so that he even brought ice cream making equipment to Mount Vernon! There are many accounts of “ice creem” (as it was then called) served during his administration.

First Lady Dolley Madison, wife of U.S. President James Madison, served ice cream at her husband’s Inaugural Ball in 1813. Common colonial flavors were soft fruits, like peaches or strawberries, added to a vanilla custard. Dolley had a curious favorite flavor: oyster. (Ugh.)

In September of 1846, a Philadelphia house wife named Nancy Johnson filed patent #3254 for a simple hand cranked ice cream churn. Prior to this point, ice cream belonged to the wealthy. Her hand cranked ice cream churn made it affordable for everyone. Nancy Johnson’s design is still used today.

During the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, an ice cream vendor ran out of cardboard dishes. The vendor next door offered to make cones by rolling up his waffles. Voila! The birth of the ice cream cone.

The majority of American ice cream companies have been in business for more than 50 years. Many of them are still owned by single families.

For the last 128 years, Penn State University has held Ice Cream School for professionals and serious hobbyists during January (for obvious reasons). All the greats have attended: Baskin & Robbins, Ben & Jerry, Dreyer’s, Nestle’s, Blue Bell Creamery, Dairy Queen, and…my husband.

The most popular flavor in the world? Vanilla. Of course.

Blog Stops

Back Porch Reads, May 26

Inside the Wong Mind, May 26

The Avid Reader, May 27

lakesidelivingsite, May 27

Vicky Sluiter, May 27

Remembrancy, May 28

Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 28

Splashes of Joy, May 28

Texas Book-aholic, May 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 29

Miriam Jacob, May 29

Daysong Reflections, May 30

Inklings and notions, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 31

The Book Club Network, May 31

Blogging With Carol, May 31

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 1

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 2

deb’s Book Review, June 2

Artistic Nobody, June 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 3

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 4

Blossoms and Blessings, June 4

Mary Hake, June 4

Christina’s Corner, June 5

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 6

Book Looks by Lisa, June 6

Simple Harvest Reads, June 6 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Pause for Tales, June 7

Spoken from the Heart, June 7

She Lives To Read, June 8

Bigreadersite, June 8

Labor Not in Vain, June 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of 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/1e36c/the-sweet-life-celebration-tour-giveaway

No Pain, No Gaines by Chip Gaines

26 May 2022 1 Comment

by Splashes of Joy in Chip Gains, Front Gate Blogger Network, FrontGate

No Pain No Gaines by Chip Gaines

ABOUT THIS BOOK

In a world that feels increasingly more disconnected, it’s time to reclaim a life of rich, authentic connection—because we are all made better when we trust one another and work together.

There are a lot of books out there that promise you the path of least resistance or teach you how to hustle harder. This isn’t one of those.

In his most vulnerable book to date, Chip Gaines shows us how to build relationships that pull us into a life of meaning, joy, and connection. It happens by being intentional about choosing the company we keep. Chip explains the value of seeking out people who are electrified by living according to their purpose, who will stand beside you as you tackle new challenges, who bet on each other instead of the status quo. The key is being true to yourself, figuring out what you want to do with your life, and finding people who will lift you up along the way.

No Pain, No Gaines will open your eyes to valuable lessons, including how to:

be awake to life, not asleep at the wheel
find the risks worth taking
value what you bring to the table
resist the status quo
look outside yourself and your circle and foster connections with others
get comfortable with being uncomfortably kind

A good life doesn’t always come easy, but that’s because the good stuff never does. It requires faith in people. It requires faith in yourself. It requires hope. And it requires a willingness to grow even when it hurts. In No Pain, No Gaines, through hard-won lessons and personal stories all told with his trademark blend of wit and wisdom, Chip Gaines will coach you on how to make your life rich and your relationships run deep.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

In No Pain, No Gaines by Chip Gaines, Chip is trying to explain how to find lasting relationships and how to better connect with people. He is striving with this book to open your eyes to the following:

be awake to life, not asleep at the wheel
find the risks worth taking
value what you bring to the table
resist the status quo
look outside yourself and your circle and foster connections with others
get comfortable with being uncomfortably kind

These are not things that are easily accomplished, it takes work.

Part of this book was just OK for me. I found it difficult to connect with what Gaines was trying to say. Was he trying to brag on himself or was he really concerned about the people who would read his book? I can see this book helping the right people, and really, there is something here for everyone. I did learn a lot reading this book, I just kinda skipped over thr parts that wasn’t for me. So yeah, if this is something you have been looking for, hoping for, then I say get this book and read it! And enjoy it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chip Gaines is the co-owner and cofounder of Magnolia and a New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Story and Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff. He is constantly reinventing the wheel on what we can achieve together and is always eager to give back to individuals and communities.

Born in Albuquerque and raised in Dallas, Chip later graduated from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business with a marketing degree. An entrepreneur by nature, Chip has started a number of small businesses and has remodeled hundreds of homes in the Waco area.

But more than any good adventure or hard-working demo day, Chip loves an early morning on the farm and a slow day spent with Jo and their five kids.

Miracles in the Middle by Debbie Milam

26 May 2022 5 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Celebration Lit Blog Tours, Celebration Tours, Debbie Milam

About the Book

Book: Miracles in the Middle

Author: Debbie Milam

Genre: Christian Living, Inspirational

Release date: December 8, 2021

Do you need a miracle? You are not alone.

Some seasons of life can be so difficult. You may be in the middle of uncertainty, loss, grief, or anxiety.

You and your loved ones may be in the middle of chronic illness, financial issues, relationship struggles.

Whatever you’re struggling with, God knows.

And in the middle of your circumstances, God is there and He’s still creating miracles.

Miracles in the middle of fear.
Miracles in the middle of grief.
Miracles in the middle of unwellness.
Miracles in the middle of relationship struggles.
Miracles in the middle of suffering.

Most people talk about seeing God’s miracles when they have a breakthrough, receive healing, are freed from an addiction, or are victorious on the mountaintop. But what about the miracles that happen in the valley, in the middle of your storm, to in your difficult situation?

That’s where God does extraordinary work. That’s where God’s greatness amazes us when we need it the most.

In my newest book, Miracles in the Middle: I invite you to witness the astonishing miracles that happen in both seasons of blessings and in the depth of suffering. These true stories of God’s presence, power and love will reignite hope and help you develop a deeper intimacy with the Lord.

Excerpt and Guest Post for The New Enchantress by Sunayna Prasad

26 May 2022 4 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Goddess Fish Promotions, Sunayna Prasad

The New Enchantress by Sunayna Prasad

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Middle Grade Fantasy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Cursed by a sorcerer’s hex, Alyssa McCarthy finds herself in a fight she can’t afford to lose, or everything she knows will be lost!

After she finishes her final year of junior high, fourteen-year-old Alyssa faces an uncertain future in more ways than one when a sorcerer casts a hex that leaves her with involuntary magical powers that are too dangerous to remove.

Unable to control her newly gained abilities Alyssa’s end-of-middle-school sleepover ends in disaster when she knocks her friends unconscious when her powers go out of control. If Alyssa can’t learn to master her magic soon, she will be cursed to forget her loved ones and serve as the warlock’s slave for all of eternity.

Her only hope is to focus on controlling her emotions if she is to break the curse. However, the difficulties of adolescence, along with the perils and growing disasters she faces, make Alyssa struggle even more. From putting her friends’ lives at risk to losing their trust, she continues to fear what will become of her if she fails.

Will Alyssa be able to break the hex and become the enchantress that she was meant to be, or will she become enslaved to the sorcerer forever?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt One:

Alyssa played the video she’d made for the upcoming teen film festival. If she submitted it, she would earn five extra points to add to her 70 in math. That would allow her to drop the mandatory extra-help class for students with final scores less than a 75.

She watched the clip, experiencing watery eyes when she heard herself discussing losing her parents in a car crash when she was seven and other tragic events in her life. It concluded with how those times had shaped her into the person she was today, Friday, June 10th, 2011. She exported the project and would upload it to the festival’s site later. The deadline was not until Monday, 7 P.M. So, after this, she could focus on the end-of-middle-school sleepover that would happen today.

But the screen froze, and a small popup stated, “Cannot export file.”

“Huh?”

How could a two-month-old device encounter issues already? Alyssa had had to wait until her last birthday, in April, and needed to maintain good grades at school to get her own computer. She recalled what her godfather, Alex, had told her in February after her math substitute had informed him about her scores dropping. “Alyssa, if you don’t get your grades up in math, you might not earn that laptop.” He loved and cared for her like a daughter yet shared no blood relation to her family members. She’d lived with him since turning thirteen last year.

Her breathing caught at the popup—a new model should not have a virus already. But she told herself, I’m fourteen and am going to start high school this fall. I can fix this.

The computer turned itself off, closed itself, and crushed Alyssa’s fingers.

“Ow!” she cried.

The device slid off her lap and under her bed. She looked underneath it—without warning, dust blew onto her, covering her petite body.

She coughed as the soot settled. Then she brushed the dirt off her black shirt and its straps on her narrow shoulders, followed by her short shorts and skin. She shook bits out of her straight, pale-blonde hair, which fell a few inches below her hips.

She’d dealt with enough sorcery already, once last year in March and again this past fall. However, neither she nor anybody in her life possessed magic in their blood. From age eight until two springs ago, she’d believed that magic hadn’t existed.

She had interacted with a few magicians when dealing with supernatural situations that no one as young as she should have to experience.

She planned to find that idiot who just ruined her summer by stealing her laptop. A folded piece of paper appeared on her bed and seemed to include the word, laptop, so she read it.

Alyssa,

Your laptop is going to become a new brain-domination computer. The International Magic Control has disabled all the existing ones and has banned any magic from transforming enchanted technology into mind-managing devices. But your laptop is needed exclusively for my particular process.

Also, don’t remove your new magic powers. If you try, you might die.

Anonymous

The note vanished into thin air. Alyssa touched her forehead and breathed since wizardry shouldn’t work on standard technology. Possibilities advanced over time, but they still had numerous everlasting limits.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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 and A Curse of Mayhem. She is passionate about modern-day life in fantasy stories, worldbuilding, and even humor. She is constantly brainstorming new ideas and using her creativity.

Sunayna graduated from college in 2017 and lives in New York.

https://www.sunaynaprasadbooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Sunayna-Prasad-468868846787369/

Tweets by SunaynaPrasad

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Sunayna Prasad will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER:

<a href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4185″>Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC -a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

The New Enchantress by Sunayna Prasad

26 May 2022 Leave a comment

by Splashes of Joy in Goddess Fish Promotions, Sunayna Prasad, Welcome

The New Enchantress by Sunayna Prasad

GENRE: Middle Grade Fantasy

BLURB:

Cursed by a sorcerer’s hex, Alyssa McCarthy finds herself in a fight she can’t afford to lose, or everything she knows will be lost!

Will Alyssa be able to break the hex and become the enchantress that she was meant to be, or will she become enslaved to the sorcerer forever?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guest Post

Why I Will Narrate My Own Audiobooks From Now On

I’ve worked with ACX to have audio versions of my books performed since some sites say that they could increase sales. So, I submitted the manuscripts to it.

However, I canceled 2 of the audiobooks. One of them was because I’d taken that book off of the market since I wasn’t exactly the right person to compose it. Another was because the narrator did not voice some of my characters believably.

One of them is still on the market. However, I also want to remove that. While some of the characters were voiced well enough (and a few exactly to my envision), one of the characters sounded nothing like how I envisioned his tones and mannerisms. This character (my protagonist’s godfather and guardian) is supposed to be sweet, nurturing, and gentle, as well as enthusiastic when he’s in a good mood. Unfortunately, the narrator portrayed him sounding pretty much the opposite.

A couple of times, I asked the narrator to redo 2 chapters since that character talked to my MC angrily when she was upset, which is not like him. So, she had him sound calmer. But he sounded exhausted to me, as well.

There is also a long chapter where something a lot worse happens to my MC, where she cries into the other character and lays on his lap later. When she tells him that she didn’t get to eat breakfast, he says that he doesn’t want her skipping another meal, that she should eat something, but it doesn’t have to be heavy. While I pictured that soundly softly, the narrator made him sound angry, which is completely out of character for him, especially in that particular situation. In fact, it’s out of character for him in general.

I would have asked the narrator to redo that line. However, this was a long chapter, so she’d have to read the entire thing again. Therefore, I refrained from requesting the change.

But that’s bugged me since then, even now. I even recorded my own version of the specific line where the godfather says it softly and sent it to the narrator.

I have also asked her to cancel publication of the audiobook, especially since it was not really selling. Sadly, she declined.

Nevertheless, I am still going to produce the audiobooks myself and eventually publish them – the entire series. I already started with the first book. This is the only way where the characters’ voices and tones will match my specific envisions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt One:

But the screen froze, and a small popup stated, “Cannot export file.”

“Huh?”

Her breathing caught at the popup—a new model should not have a virus already. But she told herself, I’m fourteen and am going to start high school this fall. I can fix this.

The computer turned itself off, closed itself, and crushed Alyssa’s fingers.

“Ow!” she cried.

The device slid off her lap and under her bed. She looked underneath it—without warning, dust blew onto her, covering her petite body.

She had interacted with a few magicians when dealing with supernatural situations that no one as young as she should have to experience.

She planned to find that idiot who just ruined her summer by stealing her laptop. A folded piece of paper appeared on her bed and seemed to include the word, laptop, so she read it.

Alyssa,

Also, don’t remove your new magic powers. If you try, you might die.

Anonymous

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Sunayna graduated from college in 2017 and lives in New York.

<a href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4185″>Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC -a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

Tour and Giveaway Then Judgement by Caryl McAdoo

22 May 2022 3 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Caryl McAdoo, Celebration Lit Blog Tours, Celebration Tours

Then-Judgement

About the Book

Book: Then Judgement

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Biblical fiction

Release date: April 8, 2022

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

In Then Judgement my Caryl McAdoo, A story of the three days Jesus did not spend in the tomb, McAdoo gives her account of what might have happened during these three days. McAdoo creates characters that fit the story so well. I love Dodi, and the honoring but yet horrible job he had. This story is so beautifully written, and the Biblical details so vivid, I was in awe as I read the entire book, and shed many tears as I thought about the price Jesus paid for my sins in order for me to go to Heaven. The pain and agony He suffered. And Praise the Lord Jesus didn’t stay in that tomb!

I love Caryl McAdoo’s books, and I think I have found my favorite book that I have read of hers. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, this is one you really need to read. You will not be disappointed. And you might just find a new author to follow. For me, Then Judgement is Five Stars (plus more if I could give it more).

About this book:

A story of the three days Jesus did not spend in the tomb.
The Son of Man was made sin, cast away from the presence of the Great I AM’s presence, and condemned to Hades to face judgement. What exactly happened during those three days from the Lord’s lifeless body of flesh being placed in the tomb and His glorious resurrection? Hints throughout the Scriptures give clues to what transpired—how He got to Paradise to be with the thief on the cross that same day. One thing is certain! He rose on the third day and now lives forever more seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father! Hallelujah!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over sixty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-one grandsugars (three are greats), Caryl and Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of fifty-three years, live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

As many of you know, my husband Ron and I write together. When Simon and Schuster released our tenth title, the editor requested one name for the cover and since it was a historical romance, preferred a female’s. The arrangement worked so well for us that we continued only my name being on the cover after we went Indie!

Anyway, we have been talking about writing this book for years, coming across little clues for the story in Scripture studies now and again over that time. At last, God released us to write THEN JUDGEMENT based on the twenty-seventh verse of Hebrews, nineth chapter: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

I love searching the scriptures and telling a story that strictly adheres to God’s Book, His Living Word, the Holy Bible. I love His stories and so understand that His Word is bread to our souls, feeding us wisdom and knowledge of our Creator and His everlasting, never-ending love for us!

Creating Biblical fiction tales carries a lot of responsibility that I truly enjoy taking on, being a guardian of the Truth. I love to bring characters from those days gone by so long ago to life on the pages of my books! I do feel a bit like John when he said this, writing of our Savior.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” John 21:27

Biblical fiction could easily become my favorite genre—if it isn’t already. I do write more historical romance stories set in the 1800s (a favorite time period) in Texas (my favorite state)! And as much as I love that research . . . nothing compares to digging into the Word!

I pray you will enjoy living through the three days that Jesus did not spend in the tomb! May my story cause you to dig a little yourself, checking out our theory! I know this to be Truth: “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Hallelujah! Glory be to His Holy Name! The righteous run into it and are saved! There is no one like unto Him! He alone it the Great King over all the earth! Worthy to receive glory and praise!
As always, I’m ‘Praying my story gives God glory!’
Blessings, y’all!

Blog Stops

For Him and My Family, May 11

Connie’s History Classroom, May 12

deb’s Book Review, May 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 15

Inklings and notions, May 16

Texas Book-aholic, May 17

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 21

Splashes of Joy, May 22

Mary Hake, May 23

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $25 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/1db49/then-judgement-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tour and Giveaway for Rising Star by Jennifer Faye

13 May 2022 1 Comment

by Splashes of Joy in Jennifer Faye, Prism, Prism Tours

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Rising Star

(The Bell Family of Bluestar Island #4)

By Jennifer Faye

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 308 Pages

April 16, 2022 by Lazy Dazy Press

When Bluestar’s hometown celebrity unexpectedly returns to the island, there’s a heartbreaking scandal following her…

Country singer Emma Bell is finally making headlines—just not the right ones. Before she has time to heal her broken heart, her assistance is desperately needed. Bluestar’s Concert on the Beach Summer Spectacular is in trouble, and her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s job is on the line.

Financial investor turned carpenter, Noah Sullivan, has retired from his high-stress job due to health issues. He’s moved to Bluestar Island for a quiet, healthy life, but when Emma blows into town, his days are anything but serene.

Everyone in the small town counting on them, Noah and Emma must work past their conflicts to keep a promise to someone special to both of them. Will the summer’s sun soothe their tension and the sea breeze lull them into a peaceful surrender of their hearts?

Includes a recipe for Emma’s Heavenly Angel Food Cake!

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I have had the honor to read and review all of the books in The Bell Family of Bluestar Island series so far, and Rising Star was just as amazing as the other books in this series. It was so nice to return to the island and it’s people. I love these characters Ms. Faye has created and enjoy every minute with them. I so much enjoyed Emma and Noah’s story. They have lots of baggage to work through, but they have no choice but to work through their issues. It was so fun watching these two as they interacted with each other trying to work through their differences as this book unfolds.

Rising Star is a fun book to read and I enjoyed it so very much. Faye does an exceptional job with details, which I love, and I love the recipe in the back of the book. I haven’t tried it yet but plan to very soon. I encourage you to check this book out, as well as the other four books in this series. These are all clean reads, so if you love clean romance reads, you are in for a treat with this series from Jennifer Faye.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Bell Family of Bluestar Island series:
Book 1 – Love Blooms (Hannah & Ethan)
Book 2 – Harvest Dance (Aster & Sam)
Book 3 – A Lighthouse Café Christmas (Darla & Will)
Book 4 – Rising Star (Emma & Noah)
Book 5 – Summer by the Beach (Summer & Greg)

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | BookBub | Print & ebook

Go to Jennifer’s Contact Page HERE and order your bookmark(s)!

Other Books in the Series

(Affiliate links included.)

About the Author

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a digital copy of LOVE BLOOMS, HARVEST DANCE and A LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉ CHRISTMAS plus a $25 Amazon gift card

Ends May 18, 2022

ENTER HERE
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Unseen Arms: A Story about Cancer, Crisis, and Being Carried by Faith by Evelyn & Wayne Hausknecht

11 May 2022 1 Comment

by Splashes of Joy in Evelyn & Wayne Hausknecht, Iread, iRead Book Tours, IReadBook

Join Us For This Tour From: May 3 to May 16

Book Details:
Book Title: Unseen Arms: A Story about Cancer, Crisis, and Being Carried by Faith by Evelyn & Wayne Hausknecht
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 168 pages
Genre: Medical Memoir
Publisher: Mascot Books
Publication Date: May 3, 2022.
Content Rating: PG-13 + M: Mature as it is a medical journal/novel.

Book Description:

Patient and Caregiver: the main characters in a drama that started in 2007 and is still unfolding for Evelyn and Wayne Hausknecht. In 2007, Evelyn was diagnosed with an aggressive, recurrent type of non-Hodgkin’s T-cell lymphoma. Although in Unseen Arms Evelyn and Wayne are as medically accurate as their memories and blog allow, the greatest purpose here is
to tell the story from a patient’s and caregiver’s perspectives.

Recently, while having an in-depth conversation with a lung doctor when Evelyn was in the hospital with pneumonia, Evelyn was thanked by the doctor for what she and Wayne were doing. She was in awe of his excitement for the book. The doctor saw the need for future patients to learn from experienced patients. Evelyn and Wayne were peer volunteers for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for years. The goal of that program was the same: an experienced caregiver and patient walk beside a person entering the transplant program to make their path smoother. Even though each diagnosis and circumstance is different, every patient has the same questions, fears, and needs. The greatest need is for someone understanding to talk to. When Evelyn was diagnosed, it was easy to find medical information, but caregiver and patient perspectives were limited.

Evelyn and Wayne had three purposes for writing this book. One was to give God the Glory for His faithfulness during this process. The second was to give hope to the patients and caregivers of today and the future. The third was to give some limited insights into the stem cell transplant process. The medical part of this process is rapidly changing, but the patients and caregivers still have the same needs.

Buy the Book:
Mascot
Amazon ~ B&N

Meet the Author:

Evelyn and Wayne Hausknecht have spent most of their careers in education. Evelyn has taught different subjects and ages in public and Christian schools. Wayne, a wood engineer, helped build the largest sawmill in Brazil and has managed mills in Michigan and North Carolina. They both enjoy motorcycle riding and rode their Harley Davidson Road King to Glacier National Park in 2006. Recently, they traded their motorcycle for a Model A truck and now enjoy going to car shows. They have two married children and six grandchildren and reside in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

connect with the author: facebook ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

May 3 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book spotlight
May 3 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight
May 4 – JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book spotlight
May 5 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight
May 6 – fundinmental – book spotlight
May 9 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight
May 10 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight
May 11 – Splashes of Joy – book spotlight
May 12 – Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight
May 13 – From the TBR Pile – book spotlight
May 16 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight

Audiobook & Giveaway The Bones of Amoret by Arthur Herbert

10 May 2022 Leave a comment

by Splashes of Joy in Arthur Herbert, Iread, iRead Book Tours, IReadBook

Join Us for This Tour: May 2 to May 13

Book Details:

Book Title: The Bones of Amoret – A Novel by Arthur Herbert
Category: Adult Fiction 18+, 320 pages

Length: 10 hours, 59 minutes
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Publisher: Stitched Smile Publications
Release Date: April 2022
Content Rating: PG-13 – no sex, explicit or otherwise; almost all violence is off-screen; mild profanity

Book Description:In this enigmatic follow up to his critically acclaimed debut novel The Cuts that Cure, Arthur Herbert
returns to the Texas-Mexico border with this saga of a small town’s bloody loss of innocence.

Amoret, Texas, 1982. Life along the border is harsh, but in a world where cultures work together to carve a living from the desert
landscape, Blaine Beckett lives a life of isolation. A transplanted Boston intellectual, for twenty years locals have viewed him as a snob, a misanthrope, an outsider. He seems content to stand apart until one night when he vanishes into thin air amid signs of foul play.

Noah Grady, the town doctor, is a charming and popular good ol’ boy. He’s also a keeper of secrets, both the town’s and his own. He watches from afar as the mystery of Blaine’s disappearance unravels and rumors fly. Were the incipient cartels responsible? Was it a local with a grudge? Or did Blaine himself orchestrate his own disappearance? Then the unthinkable happens, and Noah begins to realize he’s considered a suspect.

Paced like a lit fuse and full of dizzying plot twists, The Bones of Amoret is a riveting whodunit that will keep you guessing all the way to its shocking conclusion.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

The Bones of Amoret is the second book in this series. And what a thriller it is. Set in Amoret, Texas, 1982, and the disappearance of Blaine Beckett, Author Arthur Herbert gives his readers a roller coaster of a ride that will have you on the edge of your seats. With characters that develop perfectly as the story unfolds, along with the riveting twists and turns throughout, this whodunit thriller will have you guessing till the end.

I have read this book before, and now I had the honor of listening to the audio version of this story. <span;>Victor Warren does a very nice job of reading this book. At first I wasn’t sure about his voice but very soon, I realized it is perfect for this book. The Bones of Amoret comes alive as Warren uses his unique voice to tell this story. If you enjoy a good mystery thriller you will love this one. I encourage you to check out this audio version. You can listen as you drive and not spend any extra time, and enjoy your driving time as well.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this audiobook. 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 ~ Audible
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Arthur Herbert was born and raised in small town Texas. He worked on offshore oil rigs, as a bartender, a
landscaper at a trailer park, and as a social worker before going to medical school. He chose to do a residency in general surgery, followed by a fellowship in critical care and trauma surgery. For the last eighteen years, he’s worked as a trauma and burn surgeon, operating on all ages of injured patients. He continues to run a thriving practice.

He’s won multiple awards for his scientific writing, and his first novel, The Cuts that Cure, spent ten days as an Amazon #1 Best Seller. His second novel, The Bones of Amoret, will be released on April 1, 2022 through Stitched Smile Publishers. Arthur currently lives in New Orleans, with his wife Amy and their dogs.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

May 2 – Mystery Review Crew – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 3 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight
May 3 – Cover Lover Book Review – audiobook review / giveaway
May 4 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 5 – Sadie’s Spotlight – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 5 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 6 – Books for Books – audiobook review
May 9 – Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews – audiobook review
May 9 – Novels Alive – audiobook review / giveaway
May 10 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review / giveaway
May 11 – Booking With Janelle – audiobook review / author interview / giveaway
May 11 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review / giveaway
May 12 – @twilight_reader – audiobook review / giveaway
May 13 – Bigreadersite – audiobook review / giveaway
May 13 – Faith and Books – audiobook review / giveaway
TBD –Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – audiobook review / author interview / giveaway
TBD – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review / guest post / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

BONES OF AMORET Audiobook Tour Giveaway

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A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch

09 May 2022 5 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Angela K. Couch, Celebration Lit Blog Tours, Celebration Tours, Welcome

A Rose for the Resistance

About the Book

Book: A Rose for the Resistance

Author: Angela K. Couch

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Christian

Release date: April, 2022

A French Woman and German Soldier Create a Truce

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

With her father in a German POW camp and her home in Ste Mere Eglise, France, under Nazi occupation, Rosalie Barrieau will do anything to keep her younger brother safe. . .even from his desire to join the French resistance. Until she falls into the debt of a German solder—one who delivers a wounded British pilot to her door. Though not sure what to make of her German ally, Rosalie is thrust deep into the heart of the local underground. As tensions build toward the allied invasion of Normandy, she must decide how much she is willing to risk for freedom.

Click here to get your copy!

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I have enjoyed each book in the Heroines of WWII Series so far, and A Rose for the Resistance was another awesome read in this series from Barbour Books. Rosalie lives in France until the Nazis arrived, changing their life forever.

Angela K. Couch does such a nice job with this book. The writing is phenomenal, and I loved getting to know the characters and watch them grow as the story unfolds. I really enjoyed getting to know both Rosalie and Franz. I love Franz’s kind and caring personality, and the way he looked after and took care of Rosalie’s family. And though this book is fiction, I am sure she has captured many of the things ladies had to deal with during the war with Nazi’s and occupied France. Sometimes it is easy to forget the women and children and what they endure during wars, and the many that loose their lives as well. I appreciate the way Couch gives us vivid historical details of this War. If you enjoy WWII stories, you will really like this one!

About the Author

To keep from freezing in the great white north, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the 2016 International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and toasty warm) by chasing after four munchkins.

More from Angela

The story of A Rose for the Resistance has been in the making for a while. Rosalie and Franz came to life for me in the first novel I started writing as a teenager… (not even going to mention how long ago that was). Though much of that early work will never see the light of day, I am glad I can finally share them with you.

Every November 11th since I was a child, I would sit with my dad and watch WWII documentaries and movies like A Bridge too Far, or The Longest Day which featured Sainte-Mère-Église during the D-day landings. So many of those stories beg to be remembered and I tried to include as much as I could in this novel, even in passing. Stories such as John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment who dropped into the warzone of Sainte-Mère-Église that night and his chute caught on the spire of the church. He hung limply for hours, pretending to be dead, before the Germans took him prisoner. John later escaped and rejoined his division. Or, Henry Langrehr who landed five miles from his drop zone, crashing through a greenhouse on the way down. He was unharmed from the fall, but was later wounded and captured. He lived into his nineties to tell the tale.

Many of the events and deeds of The Resistance in the novel are also pulled from history. The French citizen’s willingness to risk their lives to transport weapons and information, and to staunchly resist the brutal German occupation. It is estimated that approximately 90,000 men women – and children – were killed, tortured, or deported by the Germans for their efforts.

Though many of the characters in this story are fictional, there are so many men and women who truly did live through the horrors of the War in Europe, and more importantly risked or sacrificed their all for the freedom and lives of others.

I pray we never forget.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 29

Books, Books, and More Books, April 29

The Write Escape, April 30

Remembrancy, April 30

Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 1

Rachael’s Inkwell, May 1

Texas Book-aholic, May 1

Genesis 5020, May 2

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, May 2

Inklings and notions, May 2

She Lives To Read, May 3

lakesidelivingsite, May 3

Betti Mace, May 4

For Him and My Family, May 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 4

Sodbuster Living, May 5

deb’s Book Review, May 5

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, May 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 6

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 6

Vicarious Living, May 6

Older & Smarter?, May 7

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 7

Sylvan Musings, May 7

Connie’s History Classroom, May 8

Blossoms and Blessings, May 8

Mary Hake, May 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 9

Splashes of Joy, May 9

Through the Fire Blogs, May 9

Bizwings Blog, May 10

Pause for Tales, May 10

Labor Not in Vain, May 10

Bigreadersite, May 11

Where Faith and Books Meet, May 11

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, May 11

CarpeDiem, May 12

Lights in a Dark World, May 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

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/1d3bb/a-rose-for-the-resistance-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tour and Giveaway Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr

09 May 2022 5 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Iread, iRead Book Tours, IReadBook, Lauren Carr

old-loves-die-hard-ebook-final-amazon

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review today is for Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr!

There are many books listed in this post and they are all by Lauren Carr. I encourage you to check all of these books out. Lauren’s books are amazing. Be sure to read my review of the audio version for Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr!

Book Details:

Book Title: Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 2)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 318 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: April 23, 2011

Book Description:

In Old Loves Die Hard, Carr picks up where she left off in It’s Murder, My Son.
Mac Faraday is settling nicely into his new life at Spencer Manor when his ex-wife Christine shows up—and she wants him back! Before Mac can send her packing, Christine and her estranged lover are murdered in Mac’s private penthouse suite at the Spencer Inn, the five-star resort built by his ancestors.The investigation leads to the discovery of cases files for some of Mac’s murder cases in the room of the man responsible for destroying his marriage. Why would his ex-wife’s lover come to Spencer to dig into Mac’s old cases?

With the help of his new friends on Deep Creek Lake, Mac must use all of his detective skills to clear his name and the Spencer Inn’s reputation, before its five-stars—and more bodies—start dropping.

Buy the Book:
Audible ~ Amazon
B&N ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I have read a few of Lauren Carr’s book and I love them! Eventually I will review them all! Old Love’s Die Hard is book two in this series, and another awesome book from Carr, and I enjoyed seeing Mac Faraday in a twisted case to take on. But this time it involves Faraday himself, when his wife shows up and she and her lover are found murdered in his personal Suite. Now that’s one for the books. How will Faraday get out of this one?

I loved following this story, with its many ups and downs and the many twists and turns as the story unfolds. Carr creates the best characters that really grow on you as you keep reading. I love that this is a series, because I get to read about some of the same characters in several books! But I have to say my favorite character is Gnarly, Mac’s Dog. I love this K-9 and love following his journey as he stays right with his owner. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll stop here. And I’ll tell you, if you love a good cozy murder mystery, this is an awesome choice for you.

I review the audio version of Old Loves Die Hard and enjoyed it so much. Jim C. Lewis does such a fantastic job reading this book. His voice is smooth and just the voice you want to listen to for the hours it takes to read a book. If you enjoy listening to books instead of reading them, this is the one you want to listen to.

I do want to say, you might want to check out the first book in A Mac Faraday Mystery, It’s Murder My Son. But either way, these books can be read as a stand alone too!

REVIEWS

“As in any good who-done-it, there are red herrings and plot complications in Old Loves Die Hard and fans of mysteries and police procedurals will get a kick out of Lauren Carr’s books.” – review by David M. Kinchen, Huntington News

Join us for this tour from Mar 28 to June 24, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title: Shadow of Murder by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 14)
Category: Adult fiction, 496 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery / Police Procedural / Crime Fiction
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Mar 30, 2022
Content Rating: PG-13.
Lauren Carr’s mysteries are murder mysteries. Sometimes, the murder does happen on-stage. There is no graphic violence or explicit sex.There is some very mild language (hell or damn, very few and far between) No
F-Bombs!

“Five Stars for Lauren Carr’s 14th book of the Mac Faraday Murder Mysteries, Shadow of Murder!
In this new release, she has recaptured the fun of cute “creatures” with the fast-moving, suspenseful, and captivating mystery, along with her usual touch of romance.” – review by Lu Ann Worley, Rockin’ Book Reviews

“This newest title in the author’s Mac Faraday cozy murder mystery series offers Lauren Carr’s most intricate plot to date – full of twists and turns guaranteed to keep readers up until the wee hours. While still full of the humor, fun critters and touch of romance that are her trademark, the author has also woven in a dark supernatural element that
whispers through to the startling ending.” – review by Marilyn R. Wilson, bestselling author, freelance writer, editor, and speaker at Olio by Marilyn.

Book Description:

You can’t move to the next chapter of your life, without tying up loose ends in the previous.

True crime blogger, Erica Hart starts a new chapter in her life with a bang when a dark shadow darts into the mountain road to send her SUV off a cliff and to the bottom of Deep Creek Lake. Spencer’s newest addition to the police force, Dusty O’Meara assumes it was a bear. Erica is not so sure.

Soon afterwards, contractors discover Konnor Langston’s body at the bottom of an abandoned swimming pool at the new summer home of Mac Faraday’s son.

With Police Chief David O’Callaghan away on paternity leave, Deputy Chief Dusty O’Meara must lead the investigation in his first murder case since moving to Spencer. Not only does Dusty have to work under the shadow of the legendary Mac Faraday, but he also has to match wits with Erica, who is determined to find justice for Konnor, her childhood friend.

Mac isn’t so difficult. Even Gnarly, the town’s canine mayor, is manageable if his authority is well-respected and he is kept entertained.

Erica Hart, Dusty finds, is more of a challenge. It wouldn’t be so difficult if she wasn’t so irresistible.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon

Coming Soon to Audible and other Marketplaces!

Also Available for Your Mystery Loving Pleasure:

“Lauren’s dialogue is brisk, her setting beautiful and the addition of Gnarly is very clever…It’s Murder, My Son is a delightful read and I look forward to more of Carr’s Mac Faraday mysteries.” – review by Connie Gregory, Connie’s Reviews

Book Details:

Book Title: It’s Murder, My Son by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 1)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 288 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: June 23, 2010

Book Description:

What started out as the worst day of Mac Faraday’s life would end up being a new beginning. After a messy divorce hearing, the last person that Mac wanted to see was another lawyer. Yet, this lawyer wore the expression of a child bursting to tell his secret. This confidence would reveal Mac as heir to undreamed of fortunes, and lead him to the birthplace of America’s Queen of Mystery and an investigation that will unfold like one of her famous
mystery novels.

Soon after she moves to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, Katrina Singleton learns that life in an exclusive community is not all good. For some unknown reason, a strange man calling himself “Pay Back” begins stalking her. When Katrina is found strangled all evidence points to her terrorist, who is nowhere to be found.

Three months later, the file on her murder is still open when Mac Faraday, sole heir to his unknown birth mother’s home and fortune, moves into the estate next door. Little does he know as he drives up to Spencer Manor that he is driving into a closed gate community that is hiding more suspicious deaths than his DC workload as a homicide
detective. With the help of his late mother’s journal, this retired cop puts all his detective skills to work to pick up where the local investigators have left off to follow the clues to Katrina’s killer.

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Book Description:

The investigation leads to the discovery of cases files for some of Mac’s murder cases in the room of the man responsible for destroying his marriage. Why would his ex-wife’s lover come to Spencer to dig into Mac’s old cases?

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“Shades of Murder is a fascinating, intricately woven mystery that has a number of engaging characters looking into two cases that would seem to have
nothing in common. …This is a most entertaining entry in this series, made all the more so by the wonderful inclusion of Gnarly and Irving, Mac’s dog and Gates’s black and white cat, who meet during the course of
the story.” – review by Mysterious Reviews

Book Details:

Book Title: Shades of Murder by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 3)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 232 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: May 7, 2012

Book Description:

In Shades of Murder,
Mac Faraday is once again the heir to an unbelievable fortune. This time the benefactor is a stolen art collector. But this isn’t just any stolen work-of-art–it’s a masterpiece with a murder attached to it.

Ilysa Ramsay was in the midst of taking the art world by storm with her artistic genius. Hours after unveiling her latest masterpiece–she is found dead in her Deep Creek Lake studio–and her painting is nowhere to be found. Almost a decade later, the long-lost Ilysa Ramsay masterpiece has found its way into Mac Faraday’s hands and he can’t resist the urge to delve into the case.

A world away, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; former JAG lawyer Joshua Thornton agrees to do a favor for the last person he would ever expect to do a favor–a convicted serial killer.

The Favor: Solve the one murder wrongly attributed to him.

Joshua finds an unexpected ally in Cameron Gates, a spunky detective who has reason to believe the young woman known to the media only as Jane Doe, Victim Number Four, was the victim of a copycat. Together, Joshua and Cameron (*) set out to light a flame under the cold case only to find that someone behind the scenes wants the case to remain cold, and is willing to kill to keep it that way.

Little do these detectives know that the paths of their respective cases are on a collision course when they follow the clues to bring them together in a showdown with a killer who’s got a talent for
murder!

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“I must
say, I truly enjoyed reading this book! I found myself waking up
slightly early for work just to finish a couple chapters! Not only was
this book captivating, I found myself laughing at Gnarly, the ever so
lovable and rambunctious German Shepherd! I look forward to reading the
next book by Lauren Carr!” – Review by Debbie Hill, Miss Book Lovers

Book Details:

Book Title: Blast from the Past by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 4)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 301 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 2, 2013

Book Description:

A woman is killed when she
falls down the stairs. Men die writhing, in a little coffee shop. Death
may not be that unusual these days in Deep Creek Lake, but then someone
tries to kill Archie, the woman Mac Faraday loves.

When she tells Mac the reason behind it and her secret is
exposed, Mac and the entire police department will go to extremes to
keep Archie safe.

That raises rather a lot of questions:

Who exactly are they protecting her from?
Could it be warring crime lords? Hit men?
Why does one particular couple keep showing up around town?
Just how many killers are there, anyway?
Is anyone who they say they are?

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“So much fun to read! The
castle seemed foreboding. The rumors of the ghost dog, werewolves, and
more made more plausible in light of the murders. Is it enough to make
even detectives reconsider? Is it all about the missing book or is the
real motive money?” – review by Mystery Suspense Reviews

Book Details:

Book Title: The Murders at Astaire Castle by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 5)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 281 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: July 18, 2013
Content Rating:
PG-13 – Lauren Carr’s mysteries are murder mysteries. Sometimes, the
murder does happen on-stage. There is no graphic violence or explicit
sex.There is some very mild language (hell or damn, very few and far
between) No F-Bombs!

Book Description:

Never tell Mac Faraday not to go someplace.

Spencer’s police chief, David O’Callaghan, learns this lesson
the hard way when he orders Mac to not go to the south end of Spencer’s
mountaintop —even though he owns the property. It doesn’t take long for
Mac to find out what lies on the other side of a stone wall
and locked gate with a warning for visitors to keep out.

Topping the list of the ten top haunted places in America,
Astaire Castle is associated with two suicides, three mysterious
disappearances, and four murders since it was built almost a century
ago—and Mac Faraday owns it!

In spite of David’s warning to keep out, Mac can’t resist
unlocking the gate to see the castle that supposedly hasn’t seen a
living soul since his late mother had ordered it closed up after the
double homicide and disappearance of Damian Wagner, a world-famous
master of horror novels.

What was supposed to be a quick tour of a dusty old castle
turns into another Mac Faraday adventure when Astaire Castle becomes the
scene of even more murders. Mac is going to need to put all of his
investigative talents to work to sort out this case that involves the
strangest characters he has run into yet—including a wolfman. No, we’re
not talking about Gnarly.

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“I recommend this book to all mystery lovers! The Lady Who Cried Murder was another heart-stopping thriller! While the mystery and the road to
it’s solution was amazing, I truly enjoyed the cast and characters (they feel like family)! Another great hit and I look forward to reading the next installment of Mac Faraday and his gang and what kind of drama they
end up in!” – review by Debbie Hill, Miss Book Lovers

Book Details:

Book Title: The Lady Who Cried Murder by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 6)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 286 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 2, 2014

Book Description:

Determined to get her pretty
face in front of the cameras, Khloe Everest fakes an abduction only to make a grand entrance in the midst of a press conference held by Spencer’s Police Chief David O’Callaghan.

Three years later, after failing to catapult her notoriety into a long-lasting celebrity, Khloe Everest returns to Spencer upon her mother’s sudden death and seemingly finds another weapon to propel her into the spotlight. Unfortunately, someone kills her before she can make this entrance.

In Lauren Carr’s sixth mystery, Mac Faraday and his friends come up against reality stars, politicians, has-beens, and wannabes. Mac also finds himself face-to-face with an old foe from his past who had managed to escape arrest during their last encounter. Now, Mac sees that his adversary has only become more powerful, and dangerous, with the
passage of time.

Intent to not let this killer escape again, Mac and his friends need to put all of their talents together to put a stop to a cold-blooded lady killer.

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“Twelve To Murder is a clever blend of comedy,
mystery, and sappy love story. Lauren Carr does a good job of moving the
quirky storyline along nicely with an abundance of witty dialogue. And
you have no idea who the good guys are and who the bad guys are until
the end.” – Review by Every Free Chance Book Reviews.

Book Details:

Book Title: Twelve to Murder by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 7)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 266 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: February 9, 2014

Book Description:

Mac Faraday’s plan to spend a quiet weekend home alone with his lady love, Archie Monday, is shattered by murder.

A middle-aged couple are brutally murdered in their summer place on Deep Creek Lake. To any other detective, the case would be considered open and shut when it appears as if one of the victims has written her killer’s name in her blood—not so for Mac Faraday, who believes there is more to this case than meets the eye.

In Lauren Carr’s latest Mac Faraday Mystery former child-star and teen-idol Lenny Frost steps into a pub in Deep Creek Lake to see his face on the television over the bar with the announcement that he’s wanted for the murder of his agent and her husband!

How does Lenny Frost react to this sudden comeback into the headlines? He takes everyone hostage and gives Mac Faraday twelve hours to find the real killer or he’s going to kill everyone in the bar.

Will it be a fatal last call at midnight?

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“There is actually a mystery
within a mystery in Carr’s new book. It’s a tangled, twisting adventure
that adds more dead bodies along the way. Carr’s characters are lively,
her plots complex, there is always just enough humor to set a lighter
tone.” – Review by Allene Reynolds, Mystery and Me

Book Details:

Book Title: A Wedding and a Killing by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 8)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 275 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: September 13, 2014

Book Description:

Not wanting to wait until
their big day to start their life of wedded bliss, Mac Faraday and his
lady love, Archie Monday, decide to elope to the little church where his
ancestors had all married—along the tranquil shore of Deep Creek Lake.
However, before they can say, “I do,” the sanctuary erupts into chaos
when Gnarly finds a body in the church office.

In A Wedding and a Killing, Mac
and his team discover more questions than answers. What kind of person
walks into a church and shoots a man for no apparent reason? How do you
solve the murder of a man who has no enemies in the world? Which of the
seemingly kind-hearted church members is really a cold-blooded killer?

Then, there is the all-important question, how long do Mac Faraday and his lady love have to wait to get married?

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“I am, bottom line, amazed at the giant step that places Carr
comparable to significant authors whose name slips off our tongues like,
for instance, Nora Roberts. Watch this author–she’s moving quickly to
where her goals are headed… Three Days to Forever has to be, in my opinion, the best of her best! Get it!” – review by Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven

Book Details:

Book Title: Three Days to Forever by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 9)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 366 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 19, 2015

Book Description:

In one of the most critically-acclaimed Mac
Faraday Mysteries from best-selling mystery author Lauren Carr, readers
embark on a roller-coaster adventure with old friends (including
the Lovers in Crime team of Prosecutor Joshua Thornton and Homicide
Detective Cameron Gates), but also meet new ones as Mac Faraday’s
daughter Jessica Faraday and Joshua Thornton’s son Murphy Thornton join
the team in the race to get the lovebirds to the altar!*

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

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

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

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“There’s lots of drama, crimes, murder, and laughter that surrounds
the Diablo Ball. As usual, Gnarly is in the middle of everything. Hated
to have to keep putting this down. I loved reading Open Season for Murder.” – review by Rhonda Laney, readalot

Book Details:

Book Title: Open Season for Murder by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 10)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 318 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: June 1, 2015

Book Description:

“Robin, it’s me, Ashton.”

Spring is in the air. In Deep Creek Lake, the burst of blossoms on the trees has the effect of a starting pistol in the race to get the resort area ready in time for the seasonal residents return to Spencer,
Maryland.

This year, the Spencer Inn, Mac Faraday’s five-star resort, has the added duty of preparing for the Diablo Ball, an annual benefit event that used to kick off Deep Creek Lake’s summer season. The exclusive gala has drawn in A-listers from across the country—including suspects and witnesses connected to Ashton Piedmont, a young woman who
had disappeared while skinny dipping in Deep Creek Lake five years earlier—days after the last Diablo Ball.

Intrigued by a mysterious phone call from a young woman claiming to be Ashton, retired homicide detective Mac Faraday can’t resist diving head first into the cold case. But he’s not the only one. Someone behind the scenes has gone to a lot of trouble to bring Ashton Piedmont’s friends and enemies to the Diablo Ball—which promises to be a gala event to die for!

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“The story moves at a rapid pace
and has a bit of everything – romance, humor, and suspense with several
other murders after the body is discovered. A few surprises along with
the tension both at home and in New York. Carr does an excellent job of
developing her characters and providing backstory while maintaining a
quick pace. Well worth the sleep I gave up to get to the end.” – review by Christa Nardi, Christa Reads and Writes.

Book Details:

Book Title: Cancelled Vows by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 11)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 320 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 28, 2016

Book Description:

Police Chief David O’Callaghan and Chelsea Adams’ wedding day
is fast approaching. Unfortunately, at the last minute, David discovers
that there is one small problem to be taken care of before he can walk
down the aisle—divorce his first wife!

Lauren Carr takes fans of the Mac Faraday mysteries to the Big Apple in this nail-biting adventure. In Cancelled Vows,
David, Mac, and Gnarly, too, rush to New York City to dissolve David’s
marriage to an old girlfriend—and he’s got five days to get it done.
When murder throws up a roadblock, it is up to David’s best man, Mac
Faraday, and Gnarly, K9-in-waiting, to sort through the clues to get
David to the church in time!

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“OMG! Carr is over the top and giving us an easy “10” with her latest, Candidate for Murder!…Don’t
just sit there thinking that this might be the book to try for Lauren
Carr! I’m telling you right now it’s a must-read for daring, adventure,
crime-busting, high-level government criminal elimination.” – reviewer by Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven

Book Details:

Book Title: Candidate for Murder by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 12)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 410 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: June 16, 2016

Book Description:

It’s election time in
Spencer, Maryland, and the race for mayor is not a pretty one. In recent
years, the small resort town has become divided between the local
year-round residents who have enjoyed their rural way of life and the
city dwellers moving into their mansions, taking over the town council,
and proceeding to turn Deep Creek Lake into a closed gate
community—complete with a host of regulations for everything from speed
limits to clotheslines.

When the political parties force-feed two unsavory mayoral
nominees on the town residents, Police Chief David O’Callaghan decides
to make a statement—by nominating Gnarly, Mac Faraday’s German shepherd,
to run as mayor of Spencer!

What starts out as a joke turns into a disaster when overnight
Gnarly becomes the front-runner—at which point his political enemies
take a page straight out of Politics 101. What do you do when you’re
behind in a race? Dig up dirt on the front-runner, of course.

Seemingly, someone is not content to rest with simply
embarrassing the front-runner by publicizing his dishonorable discharge
from the United States Army but to throw in a murder for good measure.

With murder on the ballot, Mac Faraday and the gang—including
old friends from past cases—dive in to clear Gnarly’s name, catch a
killer, and save Spencer!

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“With her usual panache, Lauren Carr blends the grittiness of
murder(s) with a good deal of humor, the latter revolving largely around Gnarly and David’s Belgian shepherd, Storm, who would much rather be couch potato-ing than anything involving exertion.” – review by Lelia Taylor, Buried Under Books

Book Details:

Book Title: Crimes Past by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 13)
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 245 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: October 16, 2018

Book Description:

It’s a bittersweet reunion for Mac Faraday when members of his
former homicide squad arrive at the Spencer Inn. While it is sweet to
attend the wedding of a late colleague’s daughter, it is a bitter
reminder that the mother of the bride had been the victim of a double
homicide.

The brutal slaying weighing heavy on his mind, Mac is anxious
to explore every avenue for a break in the cold case—even a suggestion
from disgraced former detective Louis Gannon that one of their former
friends is the killer.

When the investigator is brutally slain, Mac Faraday rips open
the cold case with a ruthless determination to reveal which of his
friends is a cold-blooded murderer.

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Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday,
Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and
Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across five
fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly
crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police
procedurals, romance, and humor.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager,
consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

connect with the author: webs ite ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ pinterest ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

March 28 – Mystery Review Crew – book series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
March 28 – Cover Lover Book Review – book series spotlight / giveaway
March 29 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / guest post / giveaway
March 29 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of IT’S MURDER, MY SON / giveaway
March 30 – Literary Flits – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
Mar 30 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
Mar 30 – Olio by Marilyn – book spotlight of SHADOW OF MURDER / author interview / giveaway
March 31 – My Reading Journeys – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
April 1 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight of SHADOW OF MURDER
April 4 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight of IT’S MURDER, MY SON
April 4 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of IT’S MURDER, MY SON / giveaway
April 5 – Literary Flits – book review of SHADES OF MURDER / giveaway
April 6 – Leels Loves Books – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
April 7 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight of OLD LOVES DIE HARD, SHADES OF MURDER, BLAST FROM THE PAST
April 7 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of OLD LOVES DIE HARD / giveaway
April 8 – Nighttime Reading Center – audiobook review of SHADES OF MURDER / giveaway
April 11 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight of THE MURDERS AT ASTAIRE CASTLE, THE LADY WHO CRIED MURDER, TWELVE TO MURDER
April 12 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book series spotlight / giveaway
April 13 –Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of SHADES OF MURDER / giveaway
April 14 – My Reading Journeys – book review of TWELVE TO MURDER / giveaway
April 15 – Library of Clean Reads – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
April 15 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight of A WEDDING AND A KILLING, OPEN SEASON FOR MURDER
April 19 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of BLAST FROM THE PASST / giveaway
April 20 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of OLD LOVES DIE HARD / giveaway
April 21 – My Reading Journeys – book review of A WEDDING AND A KILLING / giveaway
April 21 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of THE MURDERS AT ASTAIRE CASTLE / giveaway
April 22 –Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / guest post / giveaway
April 26 –Literary Flits – book review of THE MURDERS AT ASTAIRE CASTLE / giveaway
April 27 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of THE LADY WHO CRIED MURDER / giveaway
April 29 – Nighttime Reading Center – audiobook review of THE LADY WHO CRIED MURDER / giveaway
May 3 – Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – audiobook review of A WEDDING AND A KILLING / giveaway
May 4 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight of THREE DAYS TO FOREVER
May 4 – Literary Flits – book review of TWELVE TO MURDER / giveaway
May 5 –Kam’s Place – book spotlight of CANCELLED VOWS
May 6 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight of CANDIDATE FOR MURDER and CRIMES PAST
May 9 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of OLD LOVES DIE HARD / giveaway
May 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book series spotlight / giveaway
May 11 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of THE MURDERS AT ASTAIRE CASTLE / giveaway
May 12 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of TWELVE TO MURDER / giveaway
May 16 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
May 17 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of A WEDDING AND A KILLING / giveaway
May 18 – Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – audiobook review of OPEN SEASON FOR MURDER / giveaway
May 19 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 19 – Library of Clean Reads – book review of OLD LOVES DIE HARD / giveaway
May 20 – Nighttime Reading Center – audiobook review of A WEDDING AND A KILLING / giveaway
May 20 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of BLAST FROM THE PAST / giveaway
May 23 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of A WEDDING AND A KILLING / giveaway
May 24 – Mostly Mystery Reviews – book review of IT’S MURDER, MY SON / giveaway
May 25 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
May 26 – Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – audiobook review of CANCELLED VOWS / giveaway
May 27 –Bound 4 Escape – book review of THE LADY WHO CRIED MURDER / giveaway
May 31 –Jazzy Book Reviews – book series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 1 – fundinmental – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
June 2 – Mostly Mystery Reviews – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / guest posts / giveaway
June 3 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of OPEN SEASON FOR MURDER / giveaway
June 6 –Bound 4 Escape – book review of TWELVE TO MURDER / giveaway
June 7 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of SHADES OF MURDER / giveaway
June 8 – The Page Ladies – audiobook review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
June 9 – Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – audiobook review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
June 9 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of A WEDDING AND A KILLING / giveaway
June 10 – Nighttime Reading Center – audiobook review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
June 13 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of CANDIDATE FOR MURDER / giveaway
June 14 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of OPEN SEASON FOR MURDER / giveaway
June 15 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
June 16 –Literary Flits – book review of THREE DAYS TO FOREVER / giveaway
June 20 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
June 24 – Adventurous Jessy – book review of SHADOW OF MURDER / giveaway
June 24 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of CRIMES PAST / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

SHADOW OF MURDER (Mac Faraday Mysteries) Tour Giveaway

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Shadows in the Mine’s Eye by Janyre Tromp

07 May 2022 2 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Janyre Tromp, Reading with Audrey, Welcome

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Charlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on–responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who’s come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam’s experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand–but that everyone is learning to fear.

Tongues start wagging after Sam nearly kills his own brother. Now when he claims to have seen men on the mountain when no one else has seen them, Annie isn’t the only one questioning his sanity and her safety. If there were criminals haunting the hills, there should be evidence beyond his claims. Is he really seeing what he says, or is his war-tortured mind conjuring ghosts?

Annie desperately wants to believe her husband. But between his irrational choices and his nightmares leaking into the daytime, she’s terrified he’s going mad. Can she trust God to heal Sam’s mental wounds–or will sticking by him mean keeping her marriage at the cost of her own life?

Debut novelist Janyre Tromp delivers a deliciously eerie, Hitchcockian story filled with love and suspense. Readers of psychological thrillers and historical fiction by Jaime Jo Wright and Sarah Sundin will add Tromp to their favorite authors list.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Shadows in the Mine’s Eye is a wonderful debut novel by Janyre Tromp . From the very beginning the story has twists and turns that will throw you mind off goodtime. Just when you think you have everything under control, something else happens and you are back at square one. I finally realized I would never figure anything out right and just enjoyed reading to the end. And that I did.

I felt so bad for Sam because no one believed him, so that meant everyone thought he was crazy. Even his wife. The PTSD that hit him when he got home from the war was leaning on him goodtime. Tromp does a nice job giving the vivid details of each scene, and this shows the extent of research she did before writing the book. There are many dark moments in the book, sometimes it is hard to read, but the story flows pretty good and those dark times you need to read to understand the story.

And boy was it an ending you won’t forget for a while. It may not be a good idea to finish the book in the middle of the night like I did. There is a lot of stuff going on in Shadows in the Mine’s Eye by Janyre Tromp. Not only the twists and turns but a few surprises in the end as well. My only thing with the story is, I feel the author used God’s name inappropriate a number of times throughout the story and that bothers me. Other than that, it is a really great debut for the author. If you enjoy a good suspense/mystery, you will really enjoy this one.

ABOUT THIS AUTHOR

Janyre Tromp is a historical novelist whose loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. She’s the author of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye and coauthor of It’s a Wonderful Christmas.

She’s also a book editor, published children’s book author, and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. And if you ever meet in person, you pronounce that first name Jan-ear.

You can find her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and her website, www.JanyreTromp.com (where you can grab a free copy of her novella Wide Open).

Tour and Author Interview No Longer A Captive by Carol James

06 May 2022 9 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Carol James, Celebration Lit Blog Tours, Celebration Tours

About the Book

Book: No Longer A Captive

Author: Carol James

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release date: October, 2021

When Ethne O’Connor’s brother tells her of father’s unexpected death, Sean asks her to do something she promised herself she’d never do. Come back home.

A victim of childhood abuse, Ethne left her father and the small Texas town of Crescent Bluff ten years ago on the night of her high school graduation. She’s determined to end the cycle of abuse and believes the only way to do that is remain single. If she has no husband, she’ll never have children that can be abused.

Then she meets Daniel Spenser, a handsome doctor with chocolate-kiss eyes. Daniel understands her past in a way no one else does. He’s lived it.

Will Daniel be able to help Ethne break the chains of captivity around her heart?

And will God release her from her past, to be free to trust the man she comes to love?

Click here to get your copy!

AND NOW JOIN ME FOR THIS INTERESTING AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CAROL JAMES

How long did it take you to publish your first novel?

It’s a bit of a story, but I love telling it.

I began my writing journey later than many other authors do. I’d never aspired to write, but I did, and do, love to read. God led me there after a family health crisis forced me into a job change. I knew in the midst of this, God was calling me to a new work in my life.

My new boss was a writer and prodded me to try it. I’d always loved well-written stories. Writing my own was a huge challenge. But feeling called, I stuck with it. I began writing in 2010 and my first novel was published in 2014. And that in itself is such a God story.

My daughter took me to a Karen Kingsbury book signing. While I waited in line, I struggled with what to say to let her know how much her books had ministered to me. So when my time came, I blurted out something like, “I love your books. In fact they’ve inspired me to write. But I’m sure you hear that all the time.”

She looked at me and said, “No one has ever told me that before.” And she began asking me questions about my work and my memberships to professional organizations. Then she handed me a card and said, “Tell them Karen told you to call.” From this contact, I received my first publishing contract.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories? Family? Friends? Yourself?

Yes… Ideas are all around us, but I find I get most of mine from a Christian song, a scripture, or a sermon. I love walking in the park, listening to Christian music and an idea strikes me.

No Longer a Captive was born from a statement our pastor made during a sermon. In his folksy manner, he said, “Unforgiveness is a prison.” My English-major-self knew unforgiveness was not a word, but the meaning of the statement was more moving than any grammatically correct sentence might be. Later on, in another service, we read Galatians 3:26, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”

And the idea for No Longer a Captive, a story of finding freedom through forgiveness, was born.

How did you go about developing the setting(s) for this story?

My family lived in Fort Worth, Texas during my last year of high school and all of my college years. I met and married my husband there, so Texas holds a special place in my heart. It’s a big state, so it allows me a vast variety of settings. All of my novels are set in the same fictional Texas city, Crescent Bluff. It’s located about two hours south of Dallas and Fort Worth, and about 30 minutes from Waco. In one of my novels, The Waiting, the hero and heroine visit a canyon area based on Dinosaur State Park near Glenrose, Texas. In No Longer a Captive, the most important setting in the story is a waterfall. The fictional waterfall becomes a symbol of salvation and surrender.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

One of my favorite activities is taking my dog for a walk in our local park. I know where our walk begins and ends. I know a few of the steps along the way, but she’ll often lead me off the path to see things I would have never seen if I hadn’t followed her. Plotting for me is very similar. When I begin writing, I know the beginning, ending, and a couple of points in between. But as my characters develop, they lead me into the land of the unplanned. The waterfall was one of those places, and yet, it became central to the plot and meaning of No Longer a Captive.

Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?

I plan to continue writing until God stops giving me ideas. I hope that in five years, I’ll have at least five more works published. I have a new novel, A Time for Singing, releasing in 2022 and a Christmas novella entitled Choosing Christmas for December 2022. I’m currently working on a novel entitled Always and Only You that I hope will be published in 2023.

Which character was most challenging to create? Why?

Ethne, the heroine, was the most difficult character for me to write. She grew up in a home with a secretly abusive father who was also unfaithful to her mother. But, as the town doctor, he was admired as a pillar of the community. My father was a godly man who loved his family and was faithful to my mother and us. So, I had no frame of reference other than what I read or heard from people who grew up under conditions similar to Ethne’s. But one thing I could understand was Ethne’s inability or lack of desire to forgive her father. We have all been in situations where people have wronged us and we found it difficult to forgive them. And yet, forgiveness is as much for the forgiver as the forgiven.

ABOUT THIS AUTHOR

Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She loves creating Redemptive Romance. She lives in Lilburn, Georgia, a small town outside of Atlanta, with her husband Jim, and a perky Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe.

Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she’d been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction.

Her debut novel, Rescuing Faith, was an Amazon number one best-seller. Visit her website to sign up for her newsletter to be the first to learn about new releases: www.carol-james.com

Just recently, Carol allowed Zoe to start Instagram and Facebook pages with two of her dog friends. Follow them at Instagram: 3DogsandtheirAuthorsIG or Facebook: 3DogsandtheirAuthorsFB to learn the behind the scenes info about being a writer.

Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling with friends, and serving in the production department at her church. And most days, in the late hours of the night or the wee hours of the morning, she can be found bringing her newest novel to life.

More from Carol

One question people always ask me is, “Where do you get the ideas for your books?” Oh, ideas hover all around us. We need only open our eyes and see the common and everyday through the lenses of our faith.

Several years ago, my husband and I began attending a large church near our home. We’d heard people talk about the inspiring sermons their pastor, Buddy Hoffman, preached.

Buddy was unlike any preacher I had ever heard. He had a folksy manner, and he absolutely delighted in tripping all over the English language. Once he told us about a recent mission trip to Asia where he saw Kubotas (i.e. pagodas) dotting the landscape. A picture of a hill covered with riding mowers and tractors popped into my mind.

One Sunday morning, he preached about forgiveness. Ten years later, I don’t remember the major points of the sermon. I remember only one statement he made. “Unforgiveness is a prison.” My English-major self tensed, knowing unforgiveness wasn’t even a word. My husband would have called it a Buddy-ism. But it didn’t matter that unforgiveness wasn’t listed in the dictionary or that spell-check would underline it. That brief statement carried a depth of meaning that entire books might not. Later, in the same service, our worship pastor led us in the song “No Longer Slaves.” And from this service, the idea for No Longer a Captive was born.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

Inklings and notions, April 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 30

For Him and My Family, May 1

deb’s Book Review, May 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 5

Splashes of Joy, May 6 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 7

Blossoms and Blessings, May 8 (Author Interview)

Spoken from the Heart, May 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 11 (Author Interview)

Miriam Jacob, May 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of No Longer a Captive!!

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/1d3b9/no-longer-a-captive-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tour and Giveaway What Makes Me…Me by Anne Baldwin

06 May 2022 2 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Anne Baldwin, Iread, iRead Book Tours, IReadBook

Join Us for This Tour: May 2 to May 20, 2022

Book Details:

Book Title: What Makes Me…Me by Anne Baldwin
Category: Children’s Fictions (ages 3-7), 34 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Anne Baldwin
Release date: June 2021
Formats Available for Review: print – softback (USA only), e-book PDF
Tour dates: May 2 to May 20, 2022
Content Rating: G -Suitable for everyone.

Book Description:

What Makes Me…Me is a story about harnessing your super powered brain. We are all special and unique and our differences are what make us all special. What Makes Me…Me was written especially for those kids with neurological differences, their families, and their friends.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Before reading this book, I had no idea what Tourette Syndrome was. Which, I feel makes this book even more important, because there are many people that are just like me! What Makes Me…Me is an adorable book written by the mom of a child that has Tourette Syndrome, and I respect this mom so much for making sure others are aware of this disorder that affects so many children. This is a sweet story that clearly explains Tourette Syndrome through the eyes of a child. And I like that in reading this book, I saw a child that, even though he may been different from other children in some ways, he fit in perfectly with children around him. I feel it is very important that children and adults need to be educated about Tourette Syndrome and other neurological disorders in order to help children cope and feel acceptable around others. I am all about teaching children that it’s ok to be unique and different and this book is a perfect example of that.

I love the colorful abd vibrant illustrations that so perfectly bring this story to life. QBN Studios does a wonderful job capturing the words on each page with the graphic to fit. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It would make perfect addition to any child’s library, as well as elementary school’s classrooms and libraries. Any Daycare would benefit from What Makes Me…Me as well. And I think Drs offices, Dentist offices and anywhere children may be would be an awesome place for this adorable book. This is one book you don’t want to miss.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ indiebound
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Anne Baldwin is a wife, mom, and fierce advocate for neurodiverse kids. Anne wrote her first book What Makes Me…Me after her son Levi was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Passionate about stopping the stigma around Tourette-Syndrome, Anne hopes that her books about embracing your differences as what makes you unique will help kids with Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, and other neurological disorders to feel included and accepted by everyone. Anne lives in metro-Detroit with her husband Nick, their sons Levi and Gus, 3 cats, a dog, and a leopard gecko.

connect with the author: website ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

May 2 – Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight / giveaway
May 2 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
May 2 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 3 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 3 – Baroness’ Book Trove – book spotlight / giveaway
May 4 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review / giveaway
May 5 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
May 6 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
May 9 – Triquetra Reviews – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 10 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
May 11 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 11 – @twilight_reader – book review
May 12 – Reading is My Passion – book review
May 12 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
May 13 – Lisa’s Reading – book review / giveaway
May 16 – Kam’s Place – book review
May 17 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
May 17 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review / giveaway
May 18 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
May 18 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
May 19 – Westveil Publishing – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 19 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review
May 20 – Books for Books – book review
May 20 – Ravenz Reviewz – book review / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

WHAT MAKES ME…ME Book Tour Giveaway

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Big Shot by Kirsten Weiss

04 May 2022 4 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Welcome

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GENRE: Cozy Mystery

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BLURB:

Small Town. Big Murder.

The number one secret to my success as a bodyguard? Staying under the radar. But when a wildly public disaster and a dead client blew up my career and reputation, it turned my perfect, solo life upside down.

I thought my tiny hometown of Nowhere would be the ideal out-of-the-way refuge to wait out the media storm.

It wasn’t.

My little brother had moved into a treehouse. The obscure mountain town had decided to attract tourists with the world’s largest collection of big things… Yes, Nowhere now has the world’s largest pizza cutter. And lawn flamingo. And ball of yarn…

And then I stumbled over a dead body.

All the evidence points to my brother being the bad guy. I may have been out of his life for a while—okay, five years—but I know he’s no killer. Can I clear my brother before he becomes Nowhere’s next Big Fatality?

A fast-paced and funny cozy mystery series, buy Big Shot now to take advantage of the special pre-order price of .99 cents.

Murder mystery game included in the back of the book!

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NOTE: The book will be on sale for $0.99 during the tour.

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Excerpt One:

Just to be clear, it wasn’t my fault.

It wasn’t my responsibility either. But when my client slipped me a mickey, there’s a principle involved. Though after falling down a flight of hotel stairs, I wasn’t sure what that principle was anymore.

I staggered to my feet, lost the rest of my dinner in a potted palm, and careened through the door into the hotel lobby.

Guests turned to stare, and why not? My blond hair fountained out of a high, pre-makeup-removal ponytail. Camo pajamas and flip-flops completed my tipsy party-girl look.

I staggered deeper into the chic gray and white lobby. Lights glinted off the chrome chandeliers, and I winced at their dizzying starbursts.

My fists clenched on my phone. Or at least I thought they did. My fingers were a little numb. But I’d expelled most of the drugs, and I was going to catch my wayward client, Toomas Koppel, and surveil him until it hurt. Him. Hurt him.

That wasn’t ego. I was well aware of my many flaws. But I also knew who I was and what I was, and what I was was very, very good at surveillance.

Plus, I was an optimist. Personal protection agents, otherwise known as bodyguards, frequently were. We liked to think we were tough and cynical, since our job was to watch for trouble. But you didn’t get into this business if you didn’t think you and your client would survive it. Maybe that was why I’d been snookered by mine. I still had no idea why he’d drugged me, but I was going to find out.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.

Kirsten is best known for her Wits’ End, Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, and Tea & Tarot cozy mystery books. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

Links:

Website: https://kirstenweiss.com

Pre-order Swag for Big Shot with FREE Mystery Role-Playing Game: https://www.kirstenweiss.com/big-shot-pre-order-extras

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.weiss/

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

Buy links:

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Shot-Small-Town-Mystery-ebook/dp/B096HXVM3X

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1570681096

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/big-shot-kirsten-weiss/1139623646

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=_D8xEAAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/big-shot-12

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Enter to win a $10 Amazon GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kirsten Weiss will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

In addition to the Rafflecopter, the author is running a pre-order promotion: https://www.kirstenweiss.com/big-shot-pre-order-extras

Capers and Harry High Climbing by Mother Melania Salem

03 May 2022 3 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Iread, iRead Book Tours, IReadBook, Mother Melania Salem

Join Us for This Book Series Tour: May 2 to May 22, 2022

Book Series Details:

Book Series Title: Fearless and Friends by Mother Melania Salem
Category: Children’s Fictions (ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Holy Assumption Monastery
Release date: Feb 28, 2022
Content Rating: G – This is a wholesome children’s book.

I just finished reading all four books in this series of heart-warming, lovable characters, who hold your attention throughout
their escapades. After the first book, you know the member of the Pond Community behaving badly will redeem her/himself, but how? That is the question and the surprise and the charm of each book. Oh so subtly, young and old alike learn that happiness comes from living graciously, with courtesy, kindness, respect, and compassion for others. My congratulations to the author, Mother Melania, who enables us to learn valuable lessons without lecturing us, and to her illustrator, Cayce-Marie Halsell, who allows us to see the charming animals of the Pond in action. Part of the charm of the illustrations is that they look like they were done with crayons! I loved the effect. The books are perfect for adults to read to younger children and as books for children starting to read on their own. I bought all four for my Godson — two for Christmas and two for his birthday in March. I can’t wait to read them to him. – 5-Star Review on Amazon

Review One or Two of Any Fearless and Friends Books:

Book Details:

Book Title: Capers and Harry: High Climbing – Teaching Values to Children in a Fun Way by Mother Melania Salem
Category: Children’s Fictions (ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Holy Assumption Monastery
Release date: January 2018
Content Rating: G – This is a wholesome children’s book.

MY THOUGHTS ON CAPERS AND HARRY

This little book is about a cat named Capers and a dog named Harry. Capers wanted to make sure Harry knew cats were braver than dogs so Capers climbed in a tree, much higher than normal. There he met the squirel who teased him a bit, and Capers realized he couldn’t get down, but of course he didn’t tell Harry. But Harry was on to Capers and had a trick of his own. Join these two friends as they try to help each other out.

I love this cute book and it’s meaning. The cat and dog story idea is brilliant because the two animals are always at odds. The author does a really nice job showing how friends should not only help friends but treat them with love and respect. Just as Harry treated Capers, with the help of Fearless the Duck. I think this would be a wonderful addition to your small child’s library. I always like reading positive stories to children and this is definitely on by Mother Melania Salem that will stay with your children for a while.

Click here to download a free copy of this and other great children’s books.

Book Description:

Capers the Cat gets stuck in a tree, but is too vain to admit it.
Can Fearless the Fire Duck and Harry the Hound rescue their friend?

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
add to goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title: Greedy the Crow: Finders Keepers – Teaching Values to Children in a Fun Way by Mother Melania Salem
Category: Children’s Fictions (ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Holy Assumption Monastery
Release date: October 2021
Content Rating: G – This is a wholesome children’s book.

Book Description:

Greedy the Crow’s greedy ways are going to get him in trouble! Will anybody help him?

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
add to goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title: Mimi the Mynah: It’s All Mine! – Teaching Values to Children in a Fun Way by Mother Melania Salem
Category: Children’s Fictions (ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Holy Assumption Monastery
Release date: November 2021
Content Rating: G – This is a wholesome children’s book.

Book Description:

Mimi knows two words – “me” and “mine.” When disaster strikes the Duck Pond, will she finally learn a new word?

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
add to goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title: Bluster Blue Jay: Not My Fault! – Teaching Values to Children in a Fun Way by Mother Melania Salem
Category: Children’s Fictions (ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Holy Assumption Monastery
Release date: November 2021
Content Rating: G – This is a wholesome children’s book.

Book Description:

Bluster Blue Jay is not the easiest bird to be around. Nothing ever works for him, but it’s never HIS fault! When he joins Fearless and Grateful on their camping trip, can they be patient with him? And will he learn a lesson about accepting blame? Join them and find out!

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon

Meet the Author:

Mother Melania is the Abbess of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, CA. She grew up in a house that always had tons of children around, her poor parents had to read to her till they were hoarse, and from the moment she learned to read, she always had her nose in a book. So, it was only natural for her to grow up to write children’s books. In her books, she strives to teach virtue in a fun, non-preachy way.

connect with the author: Amazon

Tour Schedule:

May 2 – Working Mommy Journal – books spotlight / giveaway
May 2 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT! / giveaway
May 3 – Splashes of Joy – book review of CAPERS AND HARRY: HIGH CLIMBING / giveaway
May 4 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of GREEDY THE CROW: FINDERS KEEPERS / giveaway
May 4 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of MIMI THE MYNAH: IT’S ALL MINE! / giveaway
May 5 – Fur Everywhere – book review of CAPERS AND HARRY: HIGH CLIMBING / giveaway
May 6 – Bigreadersite – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT! / giveaway
May 6 – Literary Flits – books spotlight / giveaway
May 10 – Baroness’ Book Trove – books spotlights / giveaway
May 10 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT! / giveaway
May 10 – Reading is My Passion – book review of GREEDY THE CROW: FINDERS KEEPERS
May 10 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of CAPERS AND HARRY: HIGH CLIMBING / guest post / giveaway
May 11 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of MIMI THE MYNAH: IT’S ALL MINE! / giveaway
May 11 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT! / guest post / giveaway
May 11 – Kam’s Place – book review of GREEDY THE CROW: FINDERS KEEPERS
May 12 – Bookworm for Kid – book review of GREEDY THE CROW: FINDERS KEEPERS
May 12 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT! / author interview / giveaway
May 12 – @twilight_reader – book review of MIMI THE MYNAH: IT’S ALL MINE! / giveaway
May 13 – Lisa’s Reading – book review of MIMI THE MYNAH: IT’S ALL MINE! / giveaway
May 13 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review of GREEDY THE CROW: FINDERS KEEPERS
May 16 – fundinmental – books spotlight / giveaway
May 16 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review of CAPERS AND HARRY: HIGH CLIMBING / guest post / giveaway
May 17 – Older & Smarter? – book review of CAPERS AND HARRY: HIGH CLIMBING / giveaway
May 17 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of GREEDY THE CROW: FINDERS KEEPERS / giveaway
May 17 – Books for Books – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT!
May 18 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of CAPERS AND HARRY: HIGH CLIMBING / giveaway
May 18 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review of MIMI THE MYNAH: IT’S ALL MINE! / giveaway
May 19 – Triquetra Reviews – book review of MIMI THE MYNAH: IT’S ALL MINE! / guest post / giveaway
May 19 – Ravenz Reviewz – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT! / giveaway
May 20 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review of BLUSTER BLUE JAY: NOT MY FAULT! / giveaway
May 20 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book review of CAPERS AND HARRY: HIGH CLIMBING

Enter the Giveaway:

FEARLESS AND FRIENDS Book Tour Giveaway

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Giveaway and Tour for Sweet Rivals by Kari Trumbo

02 May 2022 4 Comments

by Splashes of Joy in Celebration Lit Blog Tours, Celebration Tours, Kari Trumbo

About the Book

Book: Sweet Rivals

Author: Kari Trumbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 29, 2022

Fay is about to lose her business…

…to the only guy she’s ever thought might be good for her.

Fay Ravven has spent years building a floral business on Mimosa Island. Too bad a chain florist has moved in right down the street. As her business wanes, she realizes her rival is none other than Corbin Lowel, the very man who swept her heart away at her friend’s wedding.

Corbin knows he’s not good enough for Fay. His friends remind him all the time that, as a florist, he’s not really man enough for anyone. That doesn’t stop him from stepping out of his comfort zone and going to Fay’s store to see if she remembers him. That’s when he discovers that his business is killing hers.

What are rivals to do when they can’t stop thinking about each other? Plan the flowers for someone else’s wedding, of course.

When Corbin and Fay must see each other and work together, will they dive through their pain and reach for the stars? Or will the roses be too prickly for two hurt hearts?

Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

We are now reading about the Sparrow Island, in the Independence Island Series from Celebreate Lit Publishing. I really enjoyed Corbin and Fay’s story. It was interesting that the very person who is ruining Fay’s flower shop business is the only guy she really considered good for her. There were a lot of awkward moments, especially since Corbin has no idea what he is doing to Fay’s livelihood.

I like how Fay is willing to work together with Corbin on a wedding and combine the shops efforts. Corbin was sure proud of this too because he didn’t intentionally want to put Fay’s business under. This is a really good read and one I highly recommend. If you have been keeping up with the Independence Island Series since the beginning, you will want to read this one. If you enjoy a good clean Christian fiction to read, this is one you must read. And don’t forget to check out the next book in the Sparrow Island Series for another fantastic read.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.
Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.

More from Kari

Nudge from the Almighty or personal desire?

Sometimes what we should do is as clear as mud. When I first felt the call to write, I worried that it was a “me” thing. I worried that the nudge that I felt was for my own glory. It didn’t matter that I felt the desire to write Christian fiction. We can do all the things we think are right and still be in the wrong place according to God’s will.

When I literally felt captive to the idea of writing—like, I couldn’t move forward without doing something about it—then I finally considered that perhaps this was God’s will and not just me wanting something. But it took years of the Holy Spirit prodding me before I ever acted.

Fay is like that. She starts her flower business certain she is doing the will of God and it helps that she really wants it too. But she works so hard, putting in so many hours, that she forgets about why she started it and it becomes all work for her own glory. Her business.

Enter Corbin, a really sweet guy who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is used by God to nudge Fay away from her idol and into a deeper relationship. He’s a rival flower shop owner, and the only guy she’s ever felt a connection to. Which makes for some pretty interesting dialogue for the two of them.

Fact is, none of us likes to hear that our desire—especially when we think we’re doing the right thing—is wrong. No one ever wants loving correction by a Heavenly Father who cares about us deeply. We’re supposed to get it right.

Fay has to find out if it’s her business that’s getting in the way of her relationship or if it’s really a heart issue. I hope you’ll enjoy finding out along with her.

Kari