Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Assaulted Caramel (Amish Candy Shop Mystery, #1) by Amanda Flower



Sometimes you need a sweet tooth to take a bite out of crime . . .

Bailey King is living the sweet life as assistant chocolatier at world-famous JP Chocolates in New York City. But just when Bailey’s up for a life-changing promotion, her grandmother calls with news that her grandfather’s heart condition has worsened. Bailey rushes to Harvest, Ohio, where her grandparents still run Swissmen Sweets, the Amish candy shop where she was first introduced to delicious fudge, truffles, and other assorted delights.

She finds her grandfather is doing better than she feared. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for a local Englisch developer, whom Bailey finds dead in the candy shop kitchen—with Jebediah King’s chocolate knife buried in his chest. Now the police are sweet on her grandfather as the prime suspect. Despite the sincere efforts of a yummy deputy with chocolate-brown eyes, Bailey takes it on herself to clear Jebediah. But as a cunning killer tries to fudge the truth, Bailey may be headed straight into a whole batch of trouble .


Amazon

About The Author







Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel. Amanda is an adult services librarian for a public library near Cleveland. She also writes mysteries as USA Today bestselling author Isabella Alan.







My Review



A very different type of Amish story, one where a young woman finds her roots in her Grandparents, but she was not raised in the Amish Community.
Bailey returns to help her Grandparents in their Amish Candy Shop, when her Grandfather has health problems, not at a good point in her life, she is up for one fantastic promotion, but family comes first.
When a murder happens in the back of the store, all of the characters are called into question, and we are left guessing almost to the end. I love when I can’t guess the “who done it” right away, and this one did not disappoint.
I loved the relationship she has with her family, but you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, and page turning to the end.
I received this book through Net Galley, and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.



Monday, August 28, 2017

Maureen's Musings: The Promise Bride (Montana Brides #1) by Gina Welb...

Maureen's Musings: The Promise Bride (Montana Brides #1) by Gina Welb...: In a booming frontier town, a heavenly match may be in store for mail-order brides seeking a fresh start . . . women of strength an...

The Promise Bride (Montana Brides #1) by Gina Welborn, Becca Whitham






In a booming frontier town, a heavenly match may be in store for mail-order brides seeking a fresh start . . . women of strength and spirit who embrace the challenges of life and love in the wild Montana Territory.
Determined to save her father and siblings from a crumbling Chicago tenement, Emilia Stanek becomes the long-distance bride of a Montana rancher. But when she arrives in Helena, a rugged lawman shatters her plans with the news that her husband is dead—and deeply in debt.

County sheriff Mac McCall can’t afford to be distracted by the pretty young widow, not with scandalous secrets emerging as he investigates his friend’s suspicious death. Mac’s gruff order that she leave town at once only spurs Emilia’s resolve to take ownership of her late husband’s ranch and face his debtors. But as her defenses soften, Emilia begins to accept Mac’s help, feel compassion for his own wounded heart—and learns that trust means taking a leap of faith.



About The Author





Gina Welborn worked in news radio writing copy until she had the epiphany that the news of the day was rather depressing, so she took up writing romances because they always end happily. Gina is a 2009 ACFW GENESIS historical romance finalist and a 2007 RWA GOLDEN HEART® inspirational finalist. As a member of RWA and ACFW, she is an active contest judge and coordinator. Her manuscripts have also finaled in the Daphne du Maurier, Duel on the Delta, Dixie, and Maggie contests. Oklahoma-girl Gina now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her youth-pastor husband and their five Okie-Hokie children.  

 





Becca Whitham (WIT-um) is a multi-published author who has always loved reading and writing stories. After raising two children, she and her husband faced the empty nest years by following their dreams: he joined the army as a chaplain, and she began her journey toward publication. Becca loves to tell stories marrying real historical events with modern-day applications to inspire readers to live Christ-reflecting lives. She’s traveled to almost every state in the U.S. for speaking and singing engagements and has lived in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Oklahoma, Alaska, and South Carolina.  





My Review




A refreshing new look at a Mail Order Bride where most arrive at their destination and quickly go to the preacher, our bride, Emilia, because of circumstances has chosen to be married by proxy and arrives already married. Emilia has only to file the paper work and she has a valid marriage to Finn, but when she arrives in Helena her life will never be the same.
The author gives us a wonderful glimpse into daily life in the west, and had to chuckle how Emilia goes about her ranch life from book learning, thank goodness for some willing neighbors. Now book learning is great, but actual hands on taking care of chores are quite different!
The sad fact is when she arrives she finds out her new husband has been murdered, now what, and the sheriff and best friend of her husband wants her to turn around and go back to Chicago, but the fact remains she has nothing to return to.
While the sheriff goes about trying to learn who killed his friend, Emilia has taken on the responsibility of paying off Finn’s debts, she does not like to beholden to anyone.
All the while this family, yes Emilia has a sister and brother with her will worm their way into your heart, and you will be rooting for them. There are a lot of twists and turns to get to the end, and yes you will be page turning for answers, but once finished, you are going to feel like you have lost a dear friend.
As this book wraps up we soon understand that not everything is, as it appears, a really great read that will linger with you.

I received this book through the Author, and was not required to give a positive review. 

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Presents: The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson & Giveaway

 


The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson  


When wills clash and hearts collide, who will reign victorious?

Termed an Incomparable during her first London season, Lady Harriett Cavendish is beautiful, spirited, and confident, capturing the attention of a great many suitors. Unfortunately, they all failed to capture her attention, and she concluded the season as unattached as she’d begun it. Only weeks prior to her second season, Harriett encounters Lieutenant Christopher Jamison while visiting Tanglewood Manor. Recently returned from war, the lieutenant is everything that Harriett's previous suitors were not. He’s arrogant, ungentlemanly, irritating, and challenges her at every opportunity. When he goes too far, Harriett decides that it’s time to turn the tables on him. But as she sets out to put the lieutenant in his place once and for all, she discovers there is more to him than meets the eye, and when it comes to matters of the heart, she has no control whatsoever.


 


 Excerpt:
 
The corners of the man’s eyes crinkled in a mild show of amusement. “Lady Harriett, I presume?” Rather than look at her with appreciation as most men did, he appeared amused. At her nod, he tucked his hands behind his back, remaining a few steps above her. “I am Lieutenant Christopher Jamison, an old friend of Jonathan’s.” “I was expecting you days ago,” she answered. “Lord Jonathan charged me with the unhappy task of informing you he and his new bride are currently away on their wedding trip. He is sorry he cannot be here to meet with you and has asked that I relay his apologies.” “May I inquire as to how long they will be away?” he asked. No, you may not, she wanted to say. Her neck was beginning to ache from looking up at him, but she forced her gaze to remain steady. “They expected to be gone a fortnight, sir.” “And they have been gone how long, exactly?” She felt an unaccountable hesitancy to tell him. “A week.” “Ah.” He sounded disappointed but seemed to take the news in stride, glancing at Charlie as though wondering whether he ought to retrieve his horse or not. Harriett prayed that he would. When his gaze strayed back to her, he took the unwelcome, and ungentlemanly, liberty of perusing her figure. When his eyes met hers again, his lips twitched into a slight smile. “Forgive me, my lady, but you appear to have had a run-in with a mud puddle and lost.” How kind of him to point that out. Harriett kept her hands at her side rather than attempt to brush the dirt from her face and pelisse yet again. The damage was done, and no amount of brushing or shaking would remove the muck. What she needed was a hot bath and a change of clothes. “Actually, sir, I was merely an innocent bystander.” “Indeed?” She picked up her skirts and ascended the steps, stopping on the stair above him so that she was eye level with him. “Are you always such a reckless rider, sir? Do you not pay heed to your surroundings?” “Of course I do.” “If you had, you would have seen me standing at the side of the road and, I would hope, thought to slow your animal down so as to not splash mud all over my pelisse.” Her chilly set down did not have the desired effect. He did not appear the least bit repentant. Rather, he looked ready to burst into laughter. “And your face, apparently.” He leaned forward and squinted. “If I’m not mistaken, there is a splash or two of mud on your bonnet as well.” Harriett glared at him. “How observant you are, Lieutenant Jamison. One can only wonder why you didn’t put that skill to good use earlier. If you had, perhaps my pelisse, face, and bonnet would still be clean.” “I am always observant, my lady,” he said. “But might I suggest that if you would like to be noticed at the side of the road, you should wear a color that does not blend so perfectly with your surroundings. That particular shade of green looks quite lovely on you, but only someone with the eyes of an eagle would have spotted you in front of a landscape of evergreens.” Harriett opened her mouth to respond, but no words were forthcoming. The man did not even attempt to behave like a gentleman. How could he be so . . . so . . . “Have you no apology to offer, sir?” she finally spluttered. “Oh, did I not apologize? Forgive me.” “For what? Forgetting to apologize or for not doing so in the first place?”




   



Rachael



 Author Rachael Anderson

  A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.




  amazon or paypal



 $75 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 9/22/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Sunday, August 27, 2017

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: Deadly Choices by Karen Randau


Deadly Choices by Karen Randau




Deadly Choices (Rim Country Mysteries) 3rd in Series Suspense Thriller 3rd in Series Short on Time Books (July 17, 2017) Kindle - ASIN: B074187YT7




 
An elderly woman with an arrow in her chest. A murdered journalist. A decades-old cover-up. In Deadly Choices (Rim Country Mysteries Volume 3), Rita and Cliff Avery team up again to solve a spate of murders in their picturesque Arizona mountain town of Rim Vista. Rita’s mother Willow delivers gun-wrenching news while falling for the man who could be responsible for four deaths. And Rita must escape a string of life-threatening predicaments thrown at her by an assailant willing to do anything to scare Cliff off the case. Does this book contain and explicit language or adult scenes?: No



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

Author Links Website: http://www.karenrandau.com  
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karenrandauauthor  
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/karenrandau
 Purchase Link - Amazon a Rafflecopter giveaway  



TOUR PARTICIPANTS August 14 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW August 15 – Readsalot – SPOTLIGHT August 16 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT August 17 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW August 18 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST August 19 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW August 20 – The Book's the Thing – SPOTLIGHT August 21 – Valerie's Musings – GUEST POST August 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW August 23 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST August 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW August 25 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! - SPOTLIGHT August 26 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW August 27 – Laura's Interests – SPOTLIGHT August 27 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT   Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!



   

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Write Now Literary Book Tours Presents: Harts of Purpose by Gail G. Nordskog



Hello. I’m Excited. This is one of my stops during the two week tour for Hearts of Purpose by Gail G. Nordskog. This virtual book tour is organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. This tour runs August 21-31, 2017. Follow the tour here
Book your own tour here WNL Genre: Christian Living/Women Book Title: Hearts of Purpose Vol. 1 ISBN-10: 1946497088 ISBN-13: 978-1946497086
                                   


  About The Author

Gail Grace Nordskog has established the “Gail Grace Nordskog Collection” to embolden readers to live their lives with a “heart of purpose” for God’s glory. Gail has been involved in media for over two decades. She presently produces and hosts a program called Hearts of Purpose, that can be seen on her website, heartsofpurpose.com. Gail and Jerry Nordskog live in Ventura, California, where they have raised six children, four of whom were adopted from China.
                                                 




 About The Book 










You have a call on your life. My desire is to encourage you to live life in fulfillment of that call. Following the example of Joan of Arc, you can be inspired to live out your purpose in first hearing from God and then taking your stand in following Him. Just as Joan of Arc could step forth in full confidence under the banner of her calling, so we too are under God’s banner as we step out to fulfill our purpose. Hearts of Purpose brings you ten real-life stories about ten ordinary women doing extraordinary things for the Glory of God. As you read of how God called these women to service, you will be motivated to explore His call in your own life. Let this reading experience be an invitation for you to take a step closer to fulfilling your God-given calling in Christ Jesus.

 

Mary Ann Ambroselli (chapter 1 starting on page 21) On January 5, 1965, at 10:18 p.m. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces. I was told when the baby was born that I would not see him or be able to hold him, and that he would be taken to his awaiting adoptive parents. I also knew that adoptive parents often did not tell their adopted child that they were adopted, so chances were that he would never know about me. The morning after he was born, a nurse who did not know my baby was being adopted brought him to me and laid him in my arms. Another nurse came in right away and apologized for the mistake, and took him away. To this day, I am grateful for that moment. I was able to look into his face and tell him I was doing this because I loved him and wanted him to have a life that a two-parent family could give him. The image of his perfect little face is imbedded in my memory. To date, I do not know anything about him or if he knows he was adopted. I continue to pray for him! As I left the hospital with my mom, depression and sadness set in. I struggled with the meaning of life and what to do next. I did not want to go to church. Facing people there would be much too hard. Besides, all that had happened in my life did not reveal to me that God was loving or compassionate. And, I was sure He did not care about me. I spent my days crying a lot. I had six weeks from the day of my baby’s birth to change my mind about adoption, which I did consider. Dad said there was no way he would support me and the baby. Since I had no idea what I would do or how to support myself with a baby I decided that signing the adoption papers was best for all involved. Even though he may never read this, the following poem written for my son has brought me a lot of comfort.
 
Blood Mother Farewell
I’ve carried you beneath my heart, and now must let you go. That you will not remember this, or me, as I do you. The years will take you even farther from my reach and view. Now other eyes will cherish you, and other arms embrace, Now other tears will fall for you, and other voices sing, Yet this I do, that you may never want for anything; not even distant echoes of my weeping as we part; The name I name you, or the thunder of my breaking heart.
 

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Purchase a copy:
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Monday, August 21, 2017

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: To Kill A Hummingbird by J. R. Ripley & Giveaway


To Kill a Hummingbird (A Bird Lover's Mystery) by J.R. Ripley



To Kill a Hummingbird (A Bird Lover's Mystery) Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Lyrical Underground (July 11, 2017) Print Length: 247 pages ASIN: B01MPVNVR5


 


For Amy Simms, owner of Birds & Bees, nothing is more important than impressing her old professor, but this odd bird is about to fall to earth . . .
When her favorite ornithology professor comes calling, Birds & Bees owner Amy Simms hangs six hummingbird feeders around the shop to welcome Professor Livingston with a flock of his favorite flying creatures. But Amy soon finds that the sugar water in the feeders brings more than a swarm of hummingbirds. It also attracts murder.
Professor Livingston is just as friendly as Amy remembers, but something seems to be troubling him. When Amy pays him a visit that night, she finds the professor slumped over a table with a pair of scissors buried in his neck. And standing over his body is Rose Smith, the local bookseller, who claims she killed him. But while the police believe they have a bird in hand, Amy thinks the real killer may still be in the bush . . .

 

 

About The Author


gmeganckauthorphoto (1)


J.R. Ripley is the pen name of Glenn Meganck, the critically acclaimed author of the Tony Kozol mystery series. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, he has chaired the Edgar committee for Best Original Paperback novel and served on the Best Short Story Committee. As a member of the International Association of Crime Writers, he has served on the Hammett Award committee for Best Novel. When not writing books, Glenn is writing songs, often singing them to the consternation of his audience and neighbors, or involved in one of his many passions, none of which have involved any of the dead bodies that seem to keep cropping up in his mysteries. For more information about him, visit glennmeganck.com.



Author Links

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N kobo


Other Books in this Series
 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS  
August 21 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW  
August 21 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT  
August 21 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT  
August 21 – Carole's Book Corner – SPOTLIGHT  
August 21 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  
August 22 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT  
August 22 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
August 22 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT  
August 22 – Valerie's Musings – SPOTLIGHT 
August 23 – A Blue Million Books – SPOTLIGHT
August 23 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT  
August 23 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT  
August 23 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT  
August 24 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
August 24 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT  
August 24 – Readsalot – SPOTLIGHT  
August 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT   
August 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
August 25 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT  
August 25 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW  
August 25 – The Book's the Thing – SPOTLIGHT  


Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!


 

A Stunning Betrayal by Terence J Davis

  A violent home invasion in Beverly Hills leaves a man dead and draws the FBI into Emily and Ben Miller’s past. Agent McBride, upon seein...