4 Star – Page 81 – Books-n-Kisses

December 8, 2014December 7, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Spell Booked by Joyce and Jim Lavene

What’s a male witch to do?
By Jim Lavene

I’m Brian Fuller – part-time student – full-time witch.

That’s right. Not a warlock. We don’t like to be called that. I’m a male witch.

I’ve never ridden a broomstick but I have attended a few Sabbats or witch holidays. I don’t have a black pointy hat or a cape. I do have a wand because I’m an air witch and that’s my tool.

So I’m going through my life, enjoying everything as the grandson of a powerful member of the Grand Council of Witches. My parents give me anything as long as I stay out of their way. It’s been like that for years. I don’t mind.

Then I meet this crazy bunch of old witches. Olivia was nice. Elegant and sexy. We went out on a date and she was found dead the next morning. For some reason, her friends thought I had something to do with it. Me! I’ve never killed anyone in my life. I don’t even like squashing bugs.

This one older chick, Molly, was really obnoxious. So I warned her off. She went into hyper-protective mode, worried about her family. She’s chasing me around Wilmington, trying to prove I murdered Olivia. She even put a summoning spell on me to get me where she wanted me. I fought that off but we came to a truce of sorts. She wouldn’t bother me anymore. I wouldn’t bother her. I even admitted that I owed her one.

What’s the first thing she does? Summon me in a big cauldron full of hot water. It’s sitting over a huge fire in a cave under her shop by the river, and I’m in my underwear. She says she needs me to prove who killed Olivia. As long as she’s not looking at me, I’m okay with that.

Too bad Cassandra, the herald to the council of witches, sees me there. She’s bound to tell my parents and my grandfather. They won’t like it.
But I kind of like the new witch, Dorothy, that is joining their coven. She’s a librarian, of all things. She’s funny and sassy. She’s just learning magic (at her age) but that doesn’t bother me. She still thinks magic is fun and exciting. I like being around her.

Not enough to join the crazy old witch coven with her friends, but I figure I can hang with Dorothy without joining up. The three of them (even Olivia’s ghost) are like a family. I’ve never needed that in my life, but I admire it. And I sure admire Dorothy, you know? She is sweet!

About the Author:

Joyce and Jim Lavene write bestselling mystery fiction. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, and Charter Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family, Quincy, their black cat, Stan Lee their tabby and their rescue dog, Rudi.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Once upon a time in Wilmington, North Carolina, three witches ran a curio shop named Smuggler’s Arcane. But as the years passed, their magical powers started to fade—leaving them no choice but to conjure up a retirement package…

Before they could blink their eyes or twitch their noses, Molly, Elsie, and Olivia somehow became eligible for AARP. But they can’t fly off to Boca Raton just yet. First they must give up their magic, recruit and train three new witches, and pass on their cherished spellbook.

They’ve barely begun to consider potential practitioners when Olivia winds up dead and their spellbook is stolen. To honor their friend and reclaim their spells, Molly and Elsie are about to go wand-to-wand with a dangerous young witch more powerful than the trio was in their prime. And this time they’re going to need more than magic up their sleeves…

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Jennifer’s Review of Spell Booked

Review (4.5 Stars): What a great start to a series! I was simply enchanted by the ladies of Spell Booked and these fun characters will definitely put a spell on cozy readers. I loved Molly, Elsie and Olivia in this story and how these ladies were looking for replacements since they were getting so close to retirement. Dorothy was cute as a witch-in-training and I found myself laughing out loud at all the magic spells that didn’t go the way they wanted them to.

The murder mystery was well-written and had so many different plot twists that I had a hard time trying to figure out the true killer, which is always a plus for me. Spell Booked was a delightful and intriguing mystery and I can’t wait to see what is in store next for these lovely ladies.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Spell Booked. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by December 18th, leave me a comment below:

December 5, 2014December 1, 2014

Kelly reviews The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter

TITLE: The Darkest Touch
SERIES #: Lord of the Underworld #11
CHARACTERS: Torin ‘Keeper of Disease’ & Kelleycael ‘The Red Queen”
AUTHOR: Gena Showalter
PUBLICATION DATE: November 25, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes the long-awaited story of Torin, the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld yet…

Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.

She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.

REVIEW:
Of all the Lords I think Torin was the one who broke my heart the most. As the Keeper of Disease he can’t touch anyone for any reason. Because they will get sick and die. And for any reason they do survive they will have to be taken down or they will be come a carrier of that disease. Meaning the sweet, caring and totally kick ass Torin can’t ever touch or be touched. I often wondered as I read through this series how Ms. Showalter was going to solve this little issue. And in The Darkest Touch Ms. Showalter does just that. She solves Torin’s problem but only to bring him more problems.
Keeleycael ‘The Red Queen’ is one mean SOB. She is feared and hated throughout the world and the realms but we good reason. Keeley is a bit of a drama queen with a very short fuse and a pension for killing things. Needless to say that her and Torin’s first visit doesn’t good smoothly. But soon Keeley will find herself in a situation that even The Red Queen can’t bully, threaten or kill her way out of.
This was another really good story from Ms. Showalter. I just loved Torin and Keeley. They are perfect for each other after they get over the whole I want to kill you moments. If you are a Lord of the Underworld fan you will love this book. If you are new to this series, I would suggest that you start at the beginning. There is a lot of history that leads up to this book. BUT I do think that you could pick up The Darkest Touch and read it and not be too lost.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin HQN in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 5, 2014December 4, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Death With All The Trimmings by Lucy Burdette

Writing Cozy Mystery Characters
by Lucy Burdette

I’ve always been a huge reader. I tore through the Nancy Drew mysteries, then moved on to my brother’s Hardy boys adventures, gobbling lots of teenage romances in between. I also enjoyed a less well known series featuring a nurse named Cherry Ames. This sticks in my memory: Cherry was working on a hospital ward and one of her patients reported a fever and chills. She did just what she was supposed to: got a blanket for the sick person and reported the symptoms to the supervisor. Now here’s where the facts get fuzzy: I think the supervisor on duty had it in for her and didn’t write down what Cherry told her. And later, she got in big, big trouble for failing to report those important symptoms. And now Cherry had a dilemma: Did she rat out the other woman, or take the rap? Isn’t it funny how clearly I remember the character’s emotional dilemma even though most of the other details about the book have faded?

What stays with me even years after reading a book are the characters and their conflicts. So I shoot for that when writing my own series. DEATH WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS, the fifth book in my Key West food critic series, was published December 2. These books are mysteries so I understand I need a body. And suspects. And clues. And theories about the murder.

But more important than solving the puzzle, I’m hoping readers will fall in love with my character Hayley Snow. I hope they’ll feel the shock she does when she sees her ex-boyfriend out to dinner with a new woman. And feel her heart sink when she thinks the job of a lifetime has slipped away. And I hope I’ve made the magic of Key West at Christmas come alive. And I hope readers will fall for Hayley’s family and friends too, and then want to read the next book in the series and recommend the books to friends. And maybe even remember Hayley in fifty years–now that’s what I’d call a dream!

About the Author:

Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib) is the author of 13 mysteries, including the latest in the Key West series featuring food critic Hayley Snow. Her books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She’s a past president of Sisters in Crime.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

It may be Christmastime, but thoughts of peace on earth, good will toward men, don’t seem to extend to the restaurant business. Food critic Hayley Snow has been assigned to interview Edel Waugh, chef/owner of Key West’s hottest new restaurant. But off the record, Edel reveals that there’s been sabotage in the kitchen and asks Hayley to investigate.

Things heat up fast when the restaurant is set on fire—and a body is discovered in the charred wreckage. Is someone out to destroy the chef’s business—or actually kill her? Amid holiday festivities like the lighted boat parade, and visiting relatives who stir up mixed emotions, Hayley needs to smoke out an arsonist and a killer before they turn up the heat again…on her!

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Death With All The Trimmings

Review (4.25 Stars):Hayley is back with a new assignment for Key Zest magazine to interview up an coming chef, Edel Waugh and finds that someone is out to sabotage Edel’s new restaurant. When a body is found in the kitchen after a fire, Hayley must find the killer before everything she worked for goes up in smoke.

Hayley is an adorable character and I think that she has the best job ever. She gets to live in the beautiful and warm Key West and has the great job of being a food critic in an area that has wonderful cuisine. Her relationship with Wally is starting to heat up and things seem to be going her way when she gets the interview with Edel Waugh. Death with all the Trimmings was a very entertaining holiday mystery that will please mystery and food lovers alike. I love the recipes in the back of the book and all the descriptions of food that Hayley tried during this story made me so hungry. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series which is due out next summer.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Death with all the Trimmings. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by December 18th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite restaurant or cuisine?

December 3, 2014December 18, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis

Training Cats
by Krista Davis

There are people who believe that cats cannot be trained. Those of us who love cats tend to believe otherwise. The sad truth is that while we might think we’re training our cats, they’re really training us. It’s true. If you are owned by a cat, or two, or more, you might recognize some of these lessons straight from the Feline Manual of Proper Decorum.

1.   Cats should be fed first. Should your person have forgotten to feed you, jump on the table and a) look indignant, or b) eat from your person’s plate. They will soon learn not to eat unless you have been served.
2.   When the house is too cold, one of the following maneuvers usually conveys your displeasure with the setting of the thermostat. When your person has nestled down to sleep, drape yourself over the person’s neck. Be sure to purr loudly. An alternative position is on the chest as close to the chin as possible. You will know you are in the correct position when you are raised and lowered each time your person breathes. If said person does not respond quickly, try a few gentle nips on the chin.
3.   Closing the bathroom door is a most irritating human habit, and one that is hard to break. Try to open the door by inserting an upside-down paw under the door, extending claws, and pulling. If this technique fails, yowl at the top of your lungs. If that fails, practice shooting ahead of the person when you see him or her heading for the bathroom. Sit quietly to teach your person not to be afraid. With time, he or she may leave the door open a bit for you.
4.   Getting your person’s attention. By far the easiest method is the sit and stare. In a matter of minutes, your person should take note that you want something. If this fails and the person has any papers in front of him or her, sprawl across the papers. If the person is typing in front of a screen, walk across the keyboard or sit on it. This generally rouses people from their concentration on unimportant matters.
5.   Keep your people in shape. Darting around their feet when they walk, especially when they walk down stairs, will keep your people nimble and able to continue to do your bidding.

About the Author:

New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Paws & Claws Mysteries for animal lovers that debuted in December with MURDER, SHE BARKED. The sequel, THE GHOST AND MRS. MEWER, will be in bookstores on December 2nd. She also writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries. Her 8th Domestic Diva Mystery is THE DIVA WRAPS IT UP, a Christmas mystery in bookstores now. Like her characters, Krista has a soft spot for cats, dogs, and sweets. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with three dogs and two cats.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest

Holly Miller doesn’t believe in spirits, but the Sugar Maple Inn is filled with guests who do. The TV series in development, Apparition Apprehenders, has descended on Wagtail’s annual Halloween festivities to investigate supernatural local legends, and Holly has her hands full showing the ghost hunters a scary-fun time.

But the frights turn real when Holly’s Jack Russell, Trixie, and kitten, Twinkletoes, find a young woman drowned in the Wagtail Springs Hotel’s bathhouse—the spot of the town’s most infamous haunting. The crime scene is eerily similar to the creepy legend, convincing Holly that the death wasn’t just accidental. Now she’ll have to race to catch a flesh-and-blood killer—before someone else in town gives up the ghost . . .

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer

Review (4.5 Stars): The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer is the second book in the Paws & Claws mystery series and you’re in for a spooktacular thrill ride with this delightful story. Holly Miller and the Sugar Maple Inn are hosting ghost hunters for their annual Halloween festivities and before they know it, a dead body is found in the same spot as a famous haunting. Holly must race against time to find the killer before the local legend becomes a horrible tragedy.

I loved Holly since Murder, She Barked and I love that she is finally settling down with her grandmother at the Sugar Maple Inn. She is fun, energetic and the perfect crime-fighting heroine for this series. I enjoyed following the crazy antics of the Apparition Apprehenders in this story and deciphering the clues with Holly to determine who was the true killer. The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer was a well-written murder mystery with the right combination of humor, eccentric characters and furry friends that is sure to keep readers entertained. Looking forward to reading the next book in this entertaining series.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by December 15th, answer me this question in the comments:

Do you believe in ghosts?

December 3, 2014December 2, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise by Maggie McGinnis

In a captivating novel spiced with holiday magic—perfect for fans of Rachel Gibson, Susan Mallery, and Molly O’Keefe—a rugged Montana man mends a Northeast girl’s jaded heart.

Boston veterinarian Hayley Scampini tends the city’s pampered pets but dreams of the rural life of a country vet. She’s single and determined to stay that way, convinced that love isn’t permanent enough to trust. Then a vacation to the Whisper Creek dude ranch introduces her to Daniel McKee, a sexy single dad who runs the kind of veterinary practice she aspires to—and rattles her conviction to keep men at a distance.

Managing a thriving practice, coping with the loss of his wife, and fighting a custody battle with his in-laws over his twin daughters, Daniel couldn’t be more overwhelmed. Hayley is a godsend, accompanying him in the field and winning over his girls. It doesn’t take Daniel long to realize he’s falling for this woman, hard and fast. So before Hayley returns to Boston, he extracts a promise: that she will return to Whisper Creek for Christmas. It’s the perfect time and place to show Hayley that the promise of a beautiful life together is something she can believe in.

Amazon/B&N

Roscoe motioned them back onto the road. “You two get out of here. Whisper Creek’s a-waitin’ for ya.”
A minute later, they crested a hill with the best view west of the Mississippi, and Hayley sighed in pleasure. The rolling vistas never ended out here. It was nothing like the crowded, noisy streets of Boston, that’s for sure.
“Ahh, vacation.” Hayley slid her shoe off and stuck her bare foot out the window.
“You think this is good. Wait ’til I introduce you to the man of your dreams.”
“I don’t really need man-of-my-dreams-level assistance here. Man-of-the-week would be just fine.”
“I don’t really deal in the of-the-week variety. Sorry.” Kyla smiled innocently. “I’m all about the staying kind.”
Hayley rolled her eyes, but didn’t let Kyla see her do so. “Okay, fine. Tell me about the vet. Does he do big animals or regular-sized ones?”
“Mostly horses.”
“Lucky. His clients could eat mine for lunch.”
“So you still have nothing but mini-beasts?”
“Not by choice.”
“Wait ’til you meet Moose. You’ll wish you could take him home.”
Hayley’d heard about Kyla’s fated trip to the Humane Society last week, but hadn’t yet seen any pictures. Apparently she’d gone in to drop off a donation—and come out with a dog who weighed more than her.
“Is he ugly?”
“So ugly that he’s cute, yes.”
“Does anything about him match anything else?”
“Not a thing. He’s got one white paw and three black ones. A funny brown circle around his right eye. A tuft of hair that sticks up randomly from his head.”
“Sweet. Does he slobber?”
“All the time.”
Hayley put her hands to her chest. “I’ll adopt him.”
“Ha. You’ll have to get by Decker. Those two are already joined at the hip. Plus, he’d take up half your apartment. And eat Brutus.”
“Brutus could use a big brother to look up to. He’s got serious little-dog syndrome.”
Kyla laughed again. “I still can’t believe you adopted a cockapoopa—wait—what is he again?”
“He’s a great Dane in disguise.”
“Of course.”
“So back to the vet. Deets, please. Height? Weight? Eye color?”
Kyla winked at her. “He might just be the sweetest guy I know, next to Decker.”
“So he’s hideous looking. Thanks, Kyla. You’re a true friend.”
“He’s not hideous at all. He’s actually quite . . . attractive.”
“If you can get beyond the crooked nose and snaggletooth and beer belly?”
“Exactly. And I mentioned he’s eighty-seven, right? Because that’s the kind of friend I am?”
“Fine. Call me out on being shallow.”
“You’re not shallow. You’re just not thinking long-term potential here.”
“I’m on cowboy-vacation. I’m not supposed to be thinking about long-term potential. Have you seen your own website? It practically screams ‘fling!’”
“You’re no more a fling type than you are a nun, missy.”
“Don’t be so sure. I’m working up to it.”
“What’s your record now?”
“Longest relationship or shortest?”
“I’m not sure you’ll ever beat the forty-five minute one from 2008, so let’s go with longest.”
“Thirteen weeks.”
Kyla was quiet for a moment as they cruised into downtown Carefree. Then, “Doesn’t it ever get old?”
Hayley sighed. Of course it got old. But it sure was better than the alternative. Definitely better than tying yourself to a guy you thought would be there for eternity, only to have him take off the moment you actually started to believe that this one was the forever variety. Been there, done that, had the T-shirt.

About the Author:

Maggie McGinnis is the author of Accidental Cowgirl and Driving Without a License, which was a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award. A former high school English teacher, an accomplished musician, and a certified black belt, she lives in New England with her family.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise

Review (4 Stars): A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise was a tender-hearted romance about two people who believed that love had passed them by until fate brought them together. Hayley had always believed that love wasn’t for her because she saw what it did to her family when a relationship doesn’t always have a happy ending. Daniel had met his true love and lost her to illness and felt that love like that doesn’t happen twice. Until he met Hayley at a friend’s wedding one weekend and his whole life changed. When the wedding festivities are over and Hayley is to return home, Daniel makes Hayley promise that she will return to Montana for Christmas and see if this initial attraction can turn into something more.

Hayley had given up on love because she saw what it did to her family and how it tore it apart when a relationship ended. She had this strict philosophy that she would date them and dump them so she never got her heart involved and experience any loss. The thing was that Hayley never really gave love a chance until she met Daniel. Daniel was handsome, smart, a veterinarian like Hayley and seemed like the perfect guy. When Hayley found out that he had children, she panicked because her fears were coming true and she didn’t want to fall in love with his family and then have the relationship fall apart.

Daniel was such a great guy. Loving, sweet and such a great dad for his two little girls. I loved how he went on YouTube to watch videos so he could braid his daughters’ hair for the wedding and I don’t know many men who would do that for their daughters. He didn’t think that he would get a second chance at love but then Hayley walked into his life and he couldn’t imagine anyone more perfect for him. I loved the things he did to prove to Hayley how much he cared for her and the final gift that he gave Hayley for Christmas had me in tears.

Ms. McGinnis is a new author to me but after reading A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise, I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

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December 2, 2014December 1, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan

Amish On Stage
By Isabella Alan

When the actors dressed in Amish costume burst into song and dance, I knew I had the setting for my next Amish Quilt Shop Mystery. I was visiting Holmes County on a research trip. I live about an hour from Holmes County, so I rarely spend the night there. However on this particular visit, I booked a hotel stay and show because I was curious about the annual Amish-themed play that the hotel had. Never in a million years did I expect it to be a musical. I think I made the assumption that it was strictly a regular play because many Amish don’t sing outside of church and they definitely do not dance. Seeing actors on stage wearing Amish dress prance about, tickled my funny bone, but as amusing as I found the performance to be, I knew many plain folk would not see the humor in it.

Because I’m a nosy sort, I asked some Amish and Mennonite people I knew how they felt about the musical version of Amish life. Most of them thought it was fine. They were happy with the play because it brought even more tourists to the county. Many plain people depend on tourism for their livelihood. However, others, if not outright hostile about the play, made it clear they didn’t care for how it portrayed the Amish. This diverse reaction to the play among the Amish and Mennonites just confirmed to me that a play was the perfect setting for an Amish mystery novel.

In Murder, Served Simply, the story opens in the middle of a progressive dinner. The progressive dinner was the idea of the Rolling Brook Township Trustees to increase tourism to the tiny township. The big finish for the dinner is a play, An Amish Christmas, at an inn in town. The only problem is the lead actress for the play is a former Amish girl named Eve Shetler. Most of the Amish in Rolling Brook are indifferent to the play, but they do not like it that Eve is an actress. They feel she is mocking her upbringing. So it comes as no surprise that poor Eve ends up dead before curtain call. Now, quilt shop owner, Texas transplant, and amateur sleuth Angie Braddock must find the killer even it means taking a long hard look at her dear Amish friends.

About the Author:

National Bestselling Author Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. Amanda Flower, a two time 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. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

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Amish quilt shop owner Angie Braddock has a lot on her plate this Christmas. But things only get worse after someone develops a taste for murder…

Angie’s parents are visiting Rolling Brook for Christmas—but unfortunately, her ex is joining them. Luckily, Angie has no time to dwell on her romantic troubles as she prepares her store, Running Stitch, for the town’s traditional progressive dinner, featuring a sleigh ride stopping at each shop for a different course of the meal.

The meal ends with an Amish-themed Christmas play at the Swiss Valley Hotel and Barn. But the performance is cut short when an actress falls from the scaffolding to her death. After the sheriff suspects foul play, tensions between the Amish and Englisch heat up, as do rivalries among the acting troupe. Now Angie and her quilting circle must stitch together clues before they’re the ones running for cover…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Murder, Served Simply

Review (4.5 Stars): This is the third book in the Amish Quilt Shop series and I love being able to take a look into the quiet life of an Amish community, especially around the holiday season. Angie Braddock is gearing up for the holiday season at her shop, Running Stitch, and has her parents visiting her for Christmas with an unexpected guest in tow. The town is also preparing for their traditional progressive dinner, which is to be followed by an Amish-themed play to end the festivities and has traditional members of the Amish community up in arms about the subject matter. Before the final curtain falls, the lead actress of the play is found dead and it is up to Angie to help find the killer before battle lines are drawn within the community. This holiday season may not be so festive with a killer on the loose and time running out for this sleepy little community.

Angie is one of those characters that you will instantly adore because she is sweet, smart and has a great love of cowboy boots. She has worked very hard over the course of the series to become a part of this diverse community and I enjoy that Ms. Alan is able to provide us a glimpse of this private community with each and every mystery. I also liked how Angie’s relationship has grown with Sheriff Mitchell in this book even though there was a bit of drama in regards to her ex-boyfriend coming to visit her along with her parents. Murder, Served Simply is a well-written mystery that will be sure to charm cozy readers and is the perfect distraction for this holiday season. Looking forward to reading more about Angie and her continuing adventures in the Amish community.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Murder, Served Simply. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by December 12th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

December 1, 2014November 29, 2014

Kelly reviews Universal Alien by Gini Koch

TITLE: Universal Alien
SERIES #: Katherine “Kitty” Martin #10
CHARACTERS: Kitty Martin and the whole AC crew
AUTHOR: Gini Koch
PUBLICATION DATE: December 2, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Issues with Australia need to be straightened out, so the White House sends the Vice President and his wife, aka Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini, over to handle the situation. But before Kitty can make things worse, she’s suddenly in another world — one where she’s been married to Charles Reynolds for years and aliens don’t exist.

Kitty’s not the only one confused, because the Kitty from that world has taken her place in this one. Can they both save their respective days before it’s too late to go home to the universes they belong to, or will one Kitty decide to keep the other’s life… forever?

REVIEW:
In Universal Alien Kitty’s world gets turned upside down and things may never be the same.

I really liked Universal Alien. I will admit that when I first read the blurb I was really nervous. I didn’t want anything upsetting Kitty & Jeff’s story. But I trusted (after a bit of reassurance) and really liked this story. There were differently a few anxiety moments that I wished that “our” Kitty was with Jeff and the whole AC crew. But both Kitty’s were great and where they needed to be at the time. This world switch-a-roo also gave us a few answers to questions that have been plaguing us for many many books. But like always Ms. Koch give us just enough to drive us nuts with “oh goodness what is going to happen next”.

I have to say that I think that Jamie-Kat (both of them) stole the show for me. Jamie in both worlds is so accepting and so sweet. Jamie-Kat has easily become one of my favorites.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 30, 2014November 29, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Sugar’s Twice As Sweet by Marina Adair

He’s trouble she doesn’t need . . . Thanks to a cheating fiancé, Josephina Harrington’s perfect life just crashed and burned. Moving in with her overbearing parents is definitely not an option. No, she needs to prove she can make it on her own. And she will-by turning her great-aunt’s old plantation house into a destination getaway. She’s just not expecting her contractor to be so hands-on-and so totally irresistible.

. . . but everything she wants Bad-boy golf champion Brett McGraw figured his hometown of Sugar, Georgia was the perfect place to lay low and get his life back up to par. The leggy blonde with a pint-sized pup is the kind of sweet ‘n sassy trouble he never saw coming. She doesn’t know a nut from a bolt and before long, he’s renovating her house . . . as she steals his heart. Can he convince Josephina that his womanizing ways are in the past and he’s ready for forever?

Amazon/B&N

*EXCERPT*

For three weeks, she’d stared at the door, thinking this had to be some kind of mistake and that at any minute Wilson would walk in and everything would go back to the way it was supposed to be. Then, last night, while watching Under the Tuscan Sun and inhaling a red velvet cake, she realized that she didn’t want to go back to the way things were.
Even scarier, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment she’d lost balance in her life and in turn lost herself. Which was why she was moving out. It was clear that Wilson wasn’t coming back. And every moment she stayed there, in the place she thought she’d grow old and raise babies, the regret ratcheted tighter around her chest, until breathing hurt.
No, she needed to leave—and pronto. Problem was, the only place she had to go was her parents’ house, where the couture décor and upstate judgment would be equally suffocating, just in a different way. Even thinking about it gave her hives.
“Your mother pays me.” Rosalie narrowed her eyes. “She says to come here and help you. You say you need to move. So I fill boxes. What about this?” Rosalie held up an old shoebox covered in stickers and glitter and enough memories to make her heart jerk painfully. Then jerk again until it somehow landed in her throat, creating a whole new set of problems. Because there, in Rosalie’s pudgy hand, was a part of Josephina’s past that she hadn’t thought about in years.
“Where did you find that?” Josephina gently took the box and walked over to the couch.
She’d cried so much over the past few weeks, she assumed more tears would be impossible. Yet as she slipped open the lid and saw the photo resting atop a pile of letters and keepsakes, her eyes went blurry. This pain was different, as though it originated from someplace old and forgotten, and it packed the kind of power that made breathing almost impossible.
Josephina didn’t know how her life had spiraled so far from center, but she did know that she hadn’t felt as free as the girl smiling back at her in years. She picked up the photo and traced a finger over the rolled edge. It had been taken the summer she’d turned ten and her parents had gone on one of their trips to Europe, leaving her, once again, with her aunt.
It was one of the best summers of her life, spent making mud pies and learning from Letty how to
make real ones. Which was why she was standing on a wooden chair in pigtails, pearls, and a too-big apron, with flour down her front, a whisk in her hand, and a smile of sheer pleasure on her face.
If she closed her eyes she could almost smell the bite of lemons and hear Aunt Letty’s voice: “Careful, child. If you have to beat it that hard then you’re missing an ingredient. Might look perfect today but come morning that meringue will be a big pile of trouble, stinking up the fridge for days to come.”
Josephina placed the photo on the coffee table and carefully thumbed through the box. She dug past drawings and sketches—mostly in crayon and big swirly letters with hearts over the i’s—through magazine clippings and all of the ideas and dreams she and her aunt had cooked up for the old boardinghouse that Letty had called home, stopping when she found what she was looking for. At the bottom, postmarked six weeks before Letty had passed, sat a yellow envelope.
With a shaky breath Josephina opened the flap and pulled out the letter. The paper smelled like lilac and mothballs, and Josephina wanted to press it to her face and breathe in. A faded photo of Letty, standing on the front steps of Fairchild House in mud boots and a rain slicker, holding a jug of her finest moonshine, fell to the couch.
She remembered that last summer, sitting curled up in Letty’s arms while looking out the windows of the salon as a summer storm blew past and listening to Letty recount the story about how her great-great-aunt, Pearl Fairchild, came to call the magical boardinghouse home.
According to legend, Letty had said, the two-story Plantation-style house was built in the mid-1800s by the first mayor of Sugar, Jeremiah Sugar. It was a masterpiece designed to win the heart of the beautiful socialite Pearl Fairchild, who, moved by his romantic overture and promises of a life filled with adventure, left her family and New York behind to become Mrs. Jeremiah Sugar.
Even the name sounded perfect. But after two months of travel, first in a train and later in a horse-drawn wagon, finally walking the remaining eight miles to the house, Pearl realized there was nothing sugary about her husband-to-be.
The man whom she had defied her parents for, had given her heart to, stood in the foyer. His slacks hung around his ankles, his face blotched red, while his pale backside engaged in rapid undulation under the housekeeper’s smock, so engaged that he failed to notice her enter the residence or even pick up his beloved mayoral gavel.
Pearl never took his last name, the mayor’s body was never found, and the housekeeper—prone to gossip—never had to work another day in her life, instead spending the rest of her days as Pearl’s handsomely paid companion.
Thus, the Fairchild House, boarding for the adventurous, was born.
Josephina turned the photo over and on the back, Letty had simply written: Come home, Fairy Bug. Your adventure is waiting for you.
Fairy, she remembered, clutching the photo to her heart to keep it from breaking, was because Letty swore Josephina was born to fly. The bug part was to remind her that sometimes she had to get dirty to really live.
And more than anything Josephina wanted to live again—really live. She tucked the photo into her pocket and looked at Rosalie. “I need a car.”

About the Author:

Marina Adair is a lifelong fan of romance novels. Along with the Sugar series, she is also the author of the St. Helena Vineyard series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter. As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive. She also loves to interact with readers and you can catch her on Twitter at @MarinaEAdair or visit her at www.MarinaAdair.com.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Sugar’s Twice As Sweet

Review (4.25 Stars): Josephina was such a sweet character and just wanted to go somewhere where she felt safe and was full of endless possibilities such as her great-aunt’s old home in Sugar, Georgia. Her fiance just broke up with her and everyone treated her as though she was a failure when I saw her as a free spirit who just needed a place where she could feel loved and accepted. Meeting the handsome and smooth-talking Brett McGraw wasn’t what she wanted but absolutely what she needed because he accepted her for who she was, not what he wanted her to be.

For Brett, he found Josephina aggravating and lovely all at the same time. She was the one person who made him think about leaving his womanizing ways and try for a real relationship. And once the McGraw men fall in love, it is for the end of time and their love stories are legend in the little town of Sugar. I wanted so desperately for Josephina to get her happy ending because after everything she went through she deserved a love worthy of the greatest of “fairy” tales.

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November 27, 2014November 22, 2014

Kelly reviews Sinful Seduction by Katie Reus

TITLE: Sinful Seduction
SERIES #: Red Stone Security #8
CHARACTERS: Alexander Blue & Mina Hollingsworth
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
NARRATOR: Sophie Eastlake
RUN TIME: 3 Hours & 40 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 12, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’ll do anything to protect her….

Former Marine and newest Red Stone Security employee Alexander Blue is still adjusting to the civilian world after a decade spent at war, but when he sees someone in danger, nothing can take away that intrinsic need to protect. After stopping a would-be mugger, Blue finds himself being bandaged up by a sensual local artist in her Key West condo. He never expected to stay the night, even if it is on her couch. The mysterious Mina gets under his skin in a way he never thought possible. When it becomes clear that her mugging wasn’t random and she’s being targeted by deadly men, Blue has no problem stepping into the role of protector.

But she doesn’t want to be saved

Tired of being coddled and treated like a child, Mina has tried to distance herself from her family. When danger finds her, she’s forced to turn to the sexy stranger who she feels a strong, unexpected connection with. In him she sees glimmers of herself; a little broken, withdrawn and wary of the world. Soon she learns that the biggest threat might not be from the men trying to kidnap her, but from the quiet warrior who poses an immediate risk to her heart.

Sinful Seduction appears in Sinful Seduction anthology

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This was my second time reading this book. Well I read the first time and then listened on audio. Here was my original thoughts after my first read.
I would say breaking up an attempted mugging is not the best way to meet a woman, but leave it up to Alexander Blue to do just that. Being in the right place at the right time not only let him save Mina from being mugged, kidnapped or worse, but also gave Blue a chance met a woman that just possible could be it for him. That is if she will let him get close.
Another great Red Stone Security story. My only issue is that I read this story so fast. I wanted more of Blue!! I just loved him and Mina! I hope to get a glimpse of them in a future Red Stone Security story.
If you are a fan of this series you will want to make sure to add this book to your must read list. If you are new to this series not worries this book can easily be read as a stand alone.

My opinion has not changed. I loved this book. I loved Blue even more. And Mina that girl has guts and a wicked right arm. Loved it!! I was very honored to get an audio copy of this book to review. Sophie Eastlake does a great job again in this series. I just love it when a narrator brings the characters to life.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook from Katie Reus in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 26, 2014November 22, 2014

Winter Romance Wednesday! Jennifer reviews Christmas At Twilight by Lori Wilde

TITLE: Christmas at Twilight
SERIES #: Twilight, Texas #10
CHARACTERS: Brian Hutchinson, Meredith Sommers
AUTHOR: Lori Wilde
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/28/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: It’s Christmas in Twilight, Texas. The Cookie Club is baking, the town is decorated, and Delta Force Operator “Hutch” Hutchinson has finally, reluctantly, returned home . . .

. . . only to get pepper sprayed by the delicious- looking stranger who’s taken over his house. She says her name is Jane, and she immediately sets down ground rules. Top priority: no touching. For Hutch that isn’t easy—he was wounded in action, but one part is still working very well.

Then Hutch learns the truth. Jane harbors a frightening secret—she’s really Meredith Sommers, on the run from a dangerous ex-husband and desperately in need of the safety Hutch can provide. In that moment, he vows he’d do anything in his power to protect her. And as Christmas approaches, they discover that their love can conquer the past and overcome any obstacle—but what price will they pay?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I love Christmas romances and Lori Wilde definitely delivers with her new book, Christmas at Twilight. Brian “Hutch” Hutchinson has just returned to Twilight after a traumatic experience where he is physically and emotionally scarred and has temporarily lost the ability to speak. He is shocked to find that a young woman and her son are living in his home with his sister but before he has a chance to find answers, Meredith sprays him with pepper spray. Meredith is on the run from an abusive ex-husband and she mistakenly believes that Hutch is him when they first met. Once Meredith learns the truth, she and Hutch make an arraignment where she will continue living in the house and help with the care of Hutch’s niece until her mother returns from her spur of the moment getaway. Together they learn that love can help heal all wounds but Meredith’s past is coming back to haunt her and now they are all in jeopardy.

Hutch and Meredith’s story is one of my favorites in the Twilight series. They were two kindred spirits that both had a traumatic past, but still held on to hope. For Hutch, he went through unspeakable horrors during his time in the military and his experience over there almost brought him to the breaking point. By meeting Meredith, who was the one person who knew what it was like to battle demons of her own, it finally gave him a chance for a real future. Together, they could build the loving relationship that they needed and be the support system for one another during their dark times. I was impressed with Meredith considering everything that she had been through and she still was a wonderful, caring, human being. She stayed strong and resilient through it all and I loved her character just as much as I did Hutch’s.

Hutch and Meredith also just had this connection where after a while, they didn’t need words to communicate with another. You see this with couples that have been together a long time but Hutch and Meredith just seemed as though they always belonged with one another. To me, all their roads let them to each other and brought them into each other’s lives when they needed them the most.

Christmas at Twilight was a wonderful holiday romance that will pull at your heart strings and having you believing that love truly can conquer all. Lori Wilde is an amazingly talented writer and Christmas at Twilight is the perfect romance for this holiday season.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 26, 2014November 25, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Flirting With Love by Melissa Foster

Elisabeth Nash has spent years dreaming of returning to the small town of Trusty, Colorado, where she spent summers with her favorite aunt. When she inherits her aunt’s farmette, she closes her Los Angeles pet bakery and pampering business, sure that life in Trusty will be as peaceful and as welcoming as she remembers. But being an outsider in the close-knit town proves to be very different from the happy summers she remembers from her childhood—and falling for Trusty’s hot, wealthy, and sinfully irresistible veterinarian, Ross Braden, sends the rumor mill into a frenzy.

Ross Braden learned long ago that gossip spreads faster than weeds in his small hometown, and Ross loves nothing more than his privacy. For that reason, he doesn’t date women who live in Trusty. But that was before blond, beautiful, and refreshingly honest Elisabeth Nash flew into his vet clinic seeking help for her panicked piglet and turned his comfortable life—and his heart—inside out.

Despite rumors about Elisabeth’s motives toward her aunt’s property, passion brews between Elisabeth and Ross. Every steamy kiss and every sensual touch brings the pair closer together, and when Ross helps Elisabeth try to fit into the town he adores, it makes their bond even stronger. But even Elisabeth’s efforts toward reaching the community, and the love she and Ross so desperately believe in, might not be enough for the protective small town to offer them a future.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Flirting With Love

Review (4.5 Stars): I loved Ross and Elisabeth together and they just seemed perfect for one another. Elisabeth moved to Trusty after she inherited her beloved aunt’s property and pie business and wanted to get away from the crazy life that she was living in Los Angeles. She had always loved the time that she spent with her aunt growing up and couldn’t imagine a better place to start a new life than her aunt’s farm. Ross was looking for that special someone but couldn’t imagine finding that person in Trusty, where everyone knew everyone else and there was no such thing as privacy. Having Elisabeth walk into his clinic wasn’t what he expected but exactly what he needed.

Elisabeth was such a sweet character because she was so caring and gentle when you would think that she would be a stuck up California girl since she had spent most of her life in Los Angeles. She wanted the simple things in life and loved being around animals, just like Ross. He knew the town would have trouble accepting a stranger but he couldn’t fight the feelings that he developed for Elisabeth and you could just tell that they belonged together. This was such a great sexy small-town romance and I think that this is my favorite one of the series so far.

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November 26, 2014November 25, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Tempting Mr. Weatherstone by Vivienne Lorret

Penelope Rutledge longs for passion, but only with the man of her dreams: the brilliant, dashing Ethan Weatherstone. If only her longtime neighbor would open his eyes and realize how much she loves him. If only they weren’t best friends with so much at stake. Penelope knows her future – and their friendship – is in her hands, but is she willing to take the biggest risk of all on the man she loves?

If it were up to Ethan, life and love would be as predictable as the figures in his ledgers – certainly nothing like the adventures Penelope longs for. Yet his childhood friend has grown into a beautiful, feisty woman blissfully unaware of the danger she causes when near. Ethan knows he must save Penelope-and her reputation…but can he save himself from the temptation of her lips?

Amazon/B&N

Ethan Weatherstone was due for a piece of her mind. It was about time he understood that he had no right to interfere with her life.

Mind made up, she took one last look at the mail coach and shook her head. She reached down for her satchel and stormed over to Ethan’s carriage.

Penelope threw open the door and climbed inside, seething as she sat across from him. He didn’t even have the courtesy to look at her. Instead, he sat back against the squabs, his head turned to the window. The only reason she knew he was aware of her presence was from the way he clenched his jaw, a muscle twitching just beneath the surface of his skin.

“Were you waiting to humiliate me? Waiting until I was already seated before you dragged me away from the mail coach? Or perhaps you planned to follow me all the way to Portsmouth?”

He refused to respond or even so much as look at her. If she hadn’t been angry before she entered the carriage, then she certainly was fuming now.

“Truly, Ethan, for someone who cannot live outside the lines of your carefully crafted order, your sameness that covers you like a shroud, this is quite surprising behavior,” she hissed, baiting him. “I only wish your concern for my happiness were as great as your concern for my reputation.”

At that, he glared at her sharply. Ah, so she’d struck a chord.

Good. Yet still, he did not say anything.

There he sat, perfectly groomed, his cravat perfectly pleated, his temper perfectly managed. She wished just once he’d lose some of that control. Because here she sat, with her eyes, most likely puffy and red from having cried most of the night instead of sleeping. She was certainly not perfectly groomed, since she could feel a soggy tendril of hair plastered to her cheek. Her cloak was damp from rain. Her nose was cold and likely red as well.

“How can you be so . . . so unaffected all the time?” Her voice rose with her accusation. “Haven’t you ever dreamed for something outside the realm of possibility? Or are you content with each day so long as your cravat is perfectly pleated?”

She glared at the offending garment, struck by a ridiculous notion to crumple it. No sooner had the idea formed that she gave in to the impulse and moved forward on her seat, her arm reaching forward.

Ethan stopped her, taking hold of her wrist. His eyes flared. Before she could react, he yanked, propelling her forward to land clumsily on his lap.

“How dare—”

His mouth covered hers, silencing her outrage. Her head spun, reeling from the sudden scorching heat of his kiss.

This was a kiss, wasn’t it? Yet, it was nothing like her dreams, where his rehearsed request was followed by carefully controlled actions. No, this was no gentle dream. This was hard and demanding. His tongue didn’t request entrance but swept in and plundered.

His arms were not gentle either. In fact, he held her so tightly she couldn’t move, and grasped her wrist so she couldn’t touch him or push him away.

But she’d never push him away.

Instead, she wanted to cling to him. Her anger evaporated in a rush of steam. Her mind cried out for more of this glorious punishment. She wanted his kiss to burn her, through and through. This was the first time she’d been warm in months.

About the Author:

I fell in love with fairy tales and the romance behind happily ever after at a very young age. Like a lot of you, I tweaked the fables bit by bit in my imagination until they suited me perfectly. By the time I was eleven, a teacher encouraged me to start writing. Throughout the years that followed, my teachers remained my most fervent supporters, giving me the tools I needed to continue my journey as a writer.

My husband and I have two teenage boys, who are heroes in their own right. For now, we live in a small Midwestern town near Lake Michigan…until a time in the future when a new adventure calls us to other shores. I am currently working on my next novel, but I always enjoy hearing from my readers. Feel free to email me at vivienne@vivlorret.net.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Tempting Mr. Weatherstone

Review (3.75 Stars): Penelope has always loved Ethan Weatherstone but he has always acted as though she was a kid sister to him. Tired of living this way and wanting something more, Penelope decides that she is ready to set off on an exciting new adventure. Ethan has slowly noticed that his best friend, Penelope, has turned into a beautiful young woman and is caught off guard with announcement of Pen’s plan. He has organized his life by routines, numbers and books and isn’t sure what to make of Penelope’s new plan for her life. Ethan must make a choice to change with Penelope or possibly lose his best friend forever by standing by and doing nothing.

Penelope was a great character for me because she spent most of her life being best friend to Ethan when she always wanted something more but was afraid to act on it. Ethan and Penelope had this great friendship that slowly developed into something more before either of them knew what was happening. I was glad that Penelope finally acted on her feelings and she got the happy ending that she was hoping for. This novella is very short but the story moves quickly and has a sweet ending.

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