4 Star – Page 99 – Books-n-Kisses

June 2, 2014June 1, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Thread End by Amanda Lee

I’m so excited to welcome Amanda Lee to Books-n-Kisses today. I love her Embroidery Mystery series and I am excited that she is here to talk about her new release, Thread End.

1. Tell me about your new release.

In Thread End, Marcy is about to have the rug pulled out from under her, She can’t wait to see the new exhibit at the Tallulah Falls museum on antique tapestries and textiles, including the beautiful kilim rugs. But her enthusiasm quickly turns to alarm when, the day after the exhibition opens, she discovers a dead body behind her store, the Seven-Year Stitch, wrapped in a most unusual fashion. Also, readers will get to meet Ted’s mother for the first time! 🙂

2. Where did you come up with the idea for the series?

Actually, the idea for the series was my editor Jessica Wade’s. She said she’d love an embroidery series set on the Oregon Coast and gave me some of the details she wanted in place, and I went with it. From there, the series has pretty much taken on a life of its own!

3. What inspired you to write mysteries?

I’ve always loved mysteries. I read the Secret Seven, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden series when I was young, and then I graduated to many of today’s greats (too many faves to mention them all by name). I think it’s such fun to put all the pieces of the puzzle into place and to come up with various scenarios that would lead more than one person to want the victim out of the way. “What if…?” and “Why..?” are some of the juiciest questions to answer.

4. What is the most interesting/strange thing you had to research for your book?

For this particular book, I was researching the types of museum exhibits I might find in an Oregon coast museum. Since I’m on the east coast, I started out with online galleries from actual museums. Then I searched for prominent Oregonians who might’ve lived near our fictional Tallulah Falls. I found a toymaker named A.C. Gilbert who was most famous for inventing the erector set. However, he also invented and sold (very briefly) the U-238 Atomic Energy Lab in the early 1950s. It came with three low-level radioactive sources, a Geiger counter, and a book that explained uranium prospecting. The government offered kids a ten-thousand-dollar-prize if they could successfully mine uranium! And we think some of our kids’ toys are dangerous!

5. What are you working on now?

I’ve just sent the first draft of Wicked Stitch, the next book in the embroidery mystery series, to my editor. In Wicked Stitch, Marcy and the gang participate in a Renaissance Faire. I’m also working on a new novella in the Myrtle Crumb mystery series written under the name Gayle Trent. The novella is titled Soup..er…Myrtle and the story focuses on Myrtle’s attempt to discover who’s stealing people’s identities at the soup kitchen where she’s volunteering.

6. Are there any authors or books that have influenced you to become a writer?

I would say Victoria Holt and Mary Higgins Clark. I read them both growing up, and they simply enchanted me with the stories they wove.

7. Favorite TV show guilty pleasure?

I have to admit to having more than one. I enjoy Rizzoli and Isles, Justified, Bates Motel, Psych, Perception, Reign, Once Upon a Time, Grimm…

8. Last book that you read?

I’m currently reading Bare it All by Lori Foster, Upstairs at the White House, by J.B. West, and Welcome to Your Brain, by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang.

9. Favorite food/drink while writing?

Diet Coke! 🙂

About the Author:

Amanda Lee, also writing as Gayle Trent, is a full-time writer living with her family in Southwest Virginia. She writes the embroidery mystery series as Amanda Lee and writes the cake decorating series and the Myrtle Crumb series as Gayle Trent.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Thread End

Review (4.5): This is a delightful mystery series that will keep you entertained by all its plot twists and snappy dialogue. Thread End is the seventh book in the series and each new book seems to be better than its predecessor. In this one, Marcy is excited to see the new textile exhibit at the Tallulah Falls Museum and after the grand opening, she finds a body behind her shop wrapped in a textile rug from the exhibit. Now, she must investigate the clues and find the killer before they take another victim.

I love this series because each mystery is well-written and fast-paced which makes it easy to follow along even if you haven’t read the rest of the series. Marcy is a great character that you can instantly connect to and I enjoyed following her on this textile mystery. Thread End is a great addition to a wonderful cozy series and I’m looking forward to reading Wicked Stitch.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Thread End. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 10th, leave a question or comment below for Amanda:

June 2, 2014June 2, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Engaged in Murder by Nancy J. Parra

I have Nancy J. Parra here today to discuss her new book and first in a new mystery series, Engaged in Murder.

It used to be that a fellow in love would ask the girl’s father for her hand. Then he would buy a ring and over a candlelit dinner, he would get down on one knee and ask her to marry him. With advent of video these simple proposals became grander and grander. Suddenly there were proposals at half-time at basketball and football games. Proposals from Santa’s knee. Flash mobs singing and dancing their way into the heart of the woman. In fact, I have a Pintrest board of cool proposals where you can see some of the fun and crazy ways that men plot and plan to ask a woman to marry them. I often thought how fun would it be to help men plan these proposals.

When I had the opportunity to write about an amateur sleuth who planned extravagant proposals I jumped all over it and Pepper Pomeroy was born. Pepper is a tall, thin red head who would like to consider herself perfect, but knows better. She was recently “down-sized” from her job as an event coordinator for a downtown Chicago Hotel/conference center and is facing a dwindling savings account and the idea that she may have to live with her parents again at age thirty.

Her younger sister, Felicity, on the other hand is practically perfect. She is shorter and blond and curvy in all the right places. And Felicity’s long time boyfriend, Warren Evans, has come to Pepper with a request. Could she plan an extravagant proposal for Felicity? Who but Pepper would know Felicity better and understand what she might think would be her dream proposal.

With not much else to do Pepper agrees and happily helps Warren plan a jet setting proposal for Felicity. The proposal goes off with just one hitch. Right before Felicity arrives Pepper discovers a man passed out in the woman’s bathroom at the tiny airport where Warren is popping the question. In a decision that would prove to haunt her, Pepper decides to let the authorities know about the drunk guy after Warren and Felicity jet off to an exotic weekend. The proposal goes so well that Warren tells Pepper she should start her own business event planning proposals and Perfect Proposals is born.

As she waves good-bye, Pepper remembers the guy and calls the police only to discover that there has been a murder and Warren is suspect number one. Now Pepper feels she must prove Warren’s innocence to save her sister from a lifetime of grief. What Pepper learns is that it’s not easy catching a killer and she must trust her instincts if she wants to save the day.

To see some of the proposals I’ve pinned as well as possible bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses follow me on Pintrest at http://www.pinterest.com/nancyjparra/

About the Author:

Best known for writing “…strong stubborn heroes and plucky heroines who aren’t afraid to go toe to toe with them,” (Shelley Mosley, Booklist Magazine), I currently have 12 books published-two made the top ten list and a total of five were given starred reviews by ALA’s Booklist.

Praise from readers and booksellers made All Fudged Up – by pen name Nancy Coco a 2013 National Bestseller. Thank you! I’m very excited to bring you three books in 2014 and 2015 as the three series heat up.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

There’s no planning for murder…

Event planner Pepper Pomeroy is making the most of her current unemployment by arranging a surprise for her sister, Felicity. Warren, Felicity’s boyfriend, plans to lure his lovely lady into a private jet, propose, and whisk her away on a romantic vacation. He just needs Pepper to handle all the fine details in order to make it the perfect proposal—and it is. Everything goes so well when Warren pops the question that he suggests Pepper do this sort of thing professionally.

But before she can get her new business off the ground, there are some disturbing questions. Like who’s the dead guy Pepper finds in the ladies’ room of the jet hangar? Is it possible Felicity’s high-flying fiancé has been hiding more than the engagement ring? Pepper’s not married to the idea of having a criminal in the family, so in order to protect her sister, she takes off in pursuit of a killer…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Engaged in Murder

Review (4 Stars): This is the first book in a new mystery series and it definitely holds a lot of potential. Pepper is trying desperately to make ends meet after losing her job so she doesn’t have to move back in with her parents. She agrees to help her sister’s boyfriend plan the perfect engagement aboard his private jet and soon encounters a dead body in the bathroom of the airport. Pepper then finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation while trying to establish her new business of engagement planning which she seems to be exactly what she needed. She also needs to help find the true killer before her sister’s fiance’ is charged with the murder and all her dreams go up in smoke.

I liked Engaged in Murder but it took me a while to warm up to the character of Pepper. The mystery started off a little slow but then picked up the pace and was an enjoyable start to this cozy series. I loved Pepper’s family and some of their scenes with her had me laughing out loud and were a great addition to the story. Engaged in Murder is a good start to the series and I’m hoping that things will pick up in the second book because these characters definitely have a lot of potential.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Engaged in Murder. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 10th, please tell me your engagement story:

May 30, 2014May 30, 2014

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

Today I have Isabella Alan here to talk about her new mystery, Murder Simply Stitched, which is about an Amish Quilt Shop. I enjoyed this mystery with its great cast of characters and I hope you will too. Take it away, Isabella.

Publisher’s Punch List

by Isabella Alan

Way back in 2011, I received a call from my literary agent. “Penguin is looking for an established cozy mystery author to write a series about an Amish Quilt Shop. There are some requirements. They want the author to know Amish people and be from Ohio. You are the only option.”

It turns out, she was right. If the publisher wanted to fill its punch list for the perfect author of the series, it was me. I had already published cozies under my real name “Amanda Flower.” I’m an Ohioana, and I know Amish people. In 2011, I was the only author who hit all the criteria. I drafted a writing sample, it passed the muster, and I got the series.

I appreciated the publisher was specific as to what it wanted. Not just because it gave me another opportunity to write but because it showed me they cared about their books being authentic. They wanted the author to know Ohio. I know Ohio. I’ve lived in the state my entire life and have no intention of moving. One constant that can be found in all my series–beside someone dying, they are mysteries after all–is they are set in the Buckeye State. I probably know Ohio better than many of my fellow Ohioans. I find its history fascinating and even worked at a living history museum one summer. Part of the job was being well versed in Ohio history. I had to study it, so I could “convincingly” spout off facts to visitors. No, I did not wear period dress…all the time.

The publisher wanted the Amish elements in the story to be true, not just to the general Amish culture, but to Ohio’s Amish culture, which is different than the Amish found in different parts of the country. I could do that. In addition to being an author, I am a college librarian. Right after graduate school, I searched and searched for a librarian job. It wasn’t easy. Finally, I got one offer. It was to be a cataloger for a small university library in the middle of Ohio’s Amish country about two hours from where I grew up. I took it. While I lived in the small town, I saw and interacted with Amish on a regular basis, but it never occurred to me that I could write a mystery someday based around Amish characters.

Thankfully, Penguin didn’t include the ability to hand quilt as one of the criteria for the perfect author because I would have failed the test. I have made a few quilts on a sewing machine but never by hand. However, since I’m a librarian and want to research everything to death, I took hand quilting lessons before I wrote the first book in the series, Murder, Plain and Simple. My teacher said I wasn’t “naturally gifted” in quilting, and a few of my sad attempts at hand quilting are best tucked away in my closet. Shhh, don’t tell my publisher.

Isabella Alan is celebrating the release of Murder, Simply Stitched with a special giveaway!

Enter to Win an Amish Charm Bracelet from author Isabella Alan (aka Amanda Flower)! Click here to Enter!

About the Author:

Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. 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, and her children’s mystery, Andi Unexpected, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best Children’s/YA. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

Follow Isabella on Facebook /Twitter/Pinterest

When Angela Braddock enters her quilts in an Amish auction, she never expects one of her neighbors to end up going, going, gone….

Angie is finding her niche as the new owner of her late aunt’s Amish quilt shop, Running Stitch. But as the summer is winding down, so is business. To bolster support for the shop, Angie decides to sell her quilts in the Rolling Brook Amish Auction, including some of her aunt’s most prized works.

The quilts promise to be a hit—but the gavel comes down on the lively event when Angie stumbles upon the body of township trustee Wanda Hunt behind a canning shed. The cause of death: a poisoned blueberry fry pie from Rachel Miller’s bakery table. Now Angie’s closest friend is a murder suspect. With Angie taking the lead, she and the other women of her aunt’s quilting circle set out to patch together the clues and stop a killer set on shredding the simple peace of Rolling Brook.

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Murder, Simply Stitched

Review (4.5 Stars): I have been a big fan of this author’s India Hayes mystery series for quite some time and I was very excited to read her new Amish Quilt Shop series. I instantly connected with the main character, Angie, and enjoyed her experiences living in an Amish community while trying to run her quilt shop, Running Stitch. It was very interesting learning about the Amish community and I loved how the mystery took off right from the very beginning. Ms. Alan has created an absolute gem with Murder, Simply Stitched and I know that other readers will enjoy this series just as much as I have.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Murder, Simply Stitched. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 6th, please leave a comment or question for Ms. Alan:

May 30, 2014May 15, 2014

Kimberly reviews Up In Flames by Lori Foster

TITLE: Up In Flames
CHARACTERS: Melanie & Adam/Delilah & Mick
AUTHOR: Lori Foster
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/27/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Body Heat
The last person Melanie Tucker wants to find herself trapped with on a party boat is her nemesis, Adam Stone. As always, he’s too smooth…and a bit too sexy for comfort. But when they both fall overboard—and wind up stranded together—Melanie just can’t resist all the delicious body heat smoldering between them….

Caught in the Act
When a robbery goes bad, undercover cop Mick Dawson can’t believe Delilah Piper was just in the wrong place at the wrong time—and neither do the perps. The only way to protect her while he investigates what really happened is to stick with her 24/7—and try not to fall for the object of his investigation!

REVIEW:
BODY HEAT
This is a short story with the cliche’ deserted on an island scenario but it is an enjoyable read. The characters connect immediately. Since it is so short there is not much I can say without giving much away but it is a very good read.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT
I really enjoyed this story. The connection between Mick and Delilah is so instantaneous that it is hard not to imagine them together. I loved that Mick was practically stalking her to see when he could get a good time to meet her. Delilah is a very strange character but also fun. She is the ultimate Gemini (even though that is never mentioned) but she seems to have two distinct sides to her, one very open and outgoing and adventurous and the other shy and unsure and naive almost. This was the third in the series but I didn’t know it until after I read it. Yes you can tell that Dane and Alec have a story but it doesn’t affect this one. But I will go back and read them because I enjoyed the background characters as much as Mick and Delilah.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

May 30, 2014May 15, 2014

Natasha reviews Circle Of Fire by Keri Arthur

TITLE: Circle of Fire
SERIES #: Damask Circle Series #2
CHARACTERS: Kirby Brown & Doyle Fitzgerald
AUTHOR: Keri Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In one, vicious night, Kirby Brown’s world is torn apart. Her best friend is dead, killed by a madman who is now after her. And she has no idea why.
Doyle Fitzgerald has been sent to Melbourne, Australia to hunt down a killer. What he doesn’t expect to find is a circle of witches capable of controlling the elements and a sorceress determined to take that power for herself. And he certainly isn’t expecting to play bodyguard to a woman who is more than she seems. When the police prove incapable of protecting Kirby from the monsters that chase her, she has no choice but to place her safety in Doyle’s hand. And while she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him, she fears to trust him because of the magic that lies in his soul. It quickly becomes evident that the reason behind the killings lies in Kirby’s past. But it is a past she has no wish to remember.
Because Doyle isn’t the only one with magic in his soul.
Only her magic is capable of destroying the world.

REVIEW:
Keri Arthur never disappoints. This was a great addition to my already extensive Keri Arthur collection. I loved the character interactions between Kirby and Doyle right away. Though set in a paranormal world, the story was refreshingly believable. Kirby and Doyle had just the right amount of angst, questions and apprehension I’d expect to find in the type of situation they were thrust into. Their interactions together were intense, funny and promising. The story line itself was interesting and full of suspense. I was actually sad when we got to the climax of the book because it meant the hunt was nearly over. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading book three in this series.

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

May 29, 2014May 27, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Hot Fudge Frame-Up by Christine DeSmet

Guest blogger: Christine DeSmet, author of Hot Fudge Frame-Up, the second book in the new Fudge Shop Mystery series.

Ava is gearing up for the First Annual Fudge Festival –a huge celebration that could draw national attention to her old-fashioned fudge shop in Door County, Wisconsin–known at the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” She’s invited two celebrity chefs to go head-t0-head with her in a fudge contest. Everyone is having a tasty time…until a judge for the festival is found dead.

Ava Oosterling and her grandfather, Gil, run Oosterlings’ Live Bait, Bobbers & Belgian Fudge & Beer on the docks of Lake Michigan in fictional Fisher’s Harbor, Wisconsin.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Ava and “Gilpa,” as she calls her grandpa Gil.

Kisses definitely get Ava in trouble in her life.

Ava has returned to this tourist area and her home territory after a stint working for a TV show in Los Angeles for eight years. Her self-imposed exile in LA followed her embarrassing mistake of eloping with a man who was married to two other women at the same time. Oops! She’s determined to become a new person by creating her quaint Fairy Tale line of fudge. But men keep coming out of the woodwork, as the saying goes, wanting to take this Cinderella to the fudge festival ball.

In Hot Fudge Frame-Up, Ava and her grandmother discover the secret to attracting men and kisses. It starts with cherry-vanilla fudge, of course, but then proceeds with a few other tricks my readers may have found worked with men, too. I can’t give it all away, of course, but I believe you’ll find a tickle or two as you read about the connections among love, fudge, hugs, and kisses.

Door County is a unique and intriguing setting for a cozy mystery series. Like Cape Cod, the county is a peninsula jutting out into a large body of water. There are picturesque beaches and beautiful vistas overlooking the water and much to do, including hiking, swimming, golf, outdoor theater, music venues, art shops and retreats, dining vineyards to visit and more. The county is also known as the playground for Chicago’s rich, since it’s only about a three-hour drive away along the Lake Michigan coastline.

Door County has 11 lighthouses and shipping lights, and the real Eagle Bluff Lighthouse plays prominently in this new book. Coinciding with the publication of Hot Fudge Frame-Up, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival Association chose the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse as “Lighthouse of the Year.” The structure is open to the public and retains many of the furnishings from one of the lighthouse keepers, and is definitely worth the small fee to take the tour.

One more unique thing about Door County is that it and the nearby counties have the largest rural population of Belgians in the country. Ava and her family are Belgians; her parents run the farm where Ava gets her organic cream and butter to make her luscious fudge.

Belgians settled into the county in the 1850s, back when the United States advertised in Europe for farmers, fisherman, and forestry workers. Land sold for $1.25 an acre. Belgians are known for their yummy pies and love of pets, gardens with loads of flowers, neat lawns, and community gatherings. And of course they also deal in the world’s finest lace, diamonds, beer, and chocolate.

You’ll get to taste Ava’s scrumptious Cinderella Pink Fairy Tale Fudge and many other flavors developed in her copper kettles as you read the pages of my series. Each book contains a new fairy tale recipe plus other recipes, and tips about fudge making.

In addition, Hot Fudge Frame-Up contains a Belgian booyah recipe I got on my Door County travels. I stopped at a kermis–a Belgian harvest festival–and the delectable chicken stew was being stirred over an outdoor fire in a pot that fed 100 people. My book also gives you a version for 12.

Another thing to know about Belgians–they can be stubborn as well as good problem solvers, which makes Ava a perfect new “Hercule Poirot” (another Belgian!) for our contemporary times.

And what about those kisses? Who among the many men vying for her attention will end up getting the first dance with Ava at the upcoming First Fishers’ Harbor Fudge Festival?

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope you enjoy my latest mystery book.

About the Author:

Christine DeSmet is the author of the Fudge Shop Mystery Series. Book 1, First-Degree Fudge, spent 10 weeks on the Barnes & Noble mystery bestseller list when it debuted in September 2013. Christine is a past winner of the Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America, and a past winner of the Slamdance Film Festival writing contest with a screenplay that optioned to New Line Cinema. Her other publications include short stories, and the novel Spirit Lake, a romantic suspense from Hard Shell Word Factory. Christine is a writing teacher at University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies where she directs the “Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Retreat” every June in Madison. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, Writers Guild of America, and Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum. Find out more at www.christinedesmet.com

Candy shop owner Ava Oosterling mixes it up with a fudge judge with a grudge—who loses his life before he can pick a winner….

Ava is gearing up for the First Annual Arts Festival—a huge celebration that could draw national attention to her old-fashioned fudge shop in Door County, Wisconsin. She’s invited two celebrity chefs to go head-to-head with her in a fudge contest. Everyone is having a tasty time…until a judge for the festival is found dead.

To her shock, he’d been complaining around town that her Fairy Tale fudge flavors were…well, fudged. Now the sheriff is wondering if Ava fits the mold for a murder suspect. As Ava tries to square her reputation and find the real killer, she’s in for a whole batch of trouble….

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Hot Fudge Frame-Up

Review (4.25 Stars): Ava is getting ready for the First Annual Arts Festival in Door County which will feature her and two other contestants in a not so friendly fudge contest. Ava soon finds that her other competitors are at each others’ throats and someone is threatening the judges to throw the contest. When one of the judges is found dead, everyone becomes a suspect and Ava finds herself in the middle of another mystery where she may be the killer’s next target.

I love culinary mysteries and this book seems to have everything. A deliciously light-hearted mystery, a love triangle with hot guys and of course, yummy fudge. Ava was a great character because she admits that she has made mistakes in her life in regards to love and isn’t actively “pursuing” a relationship with anyone. She just wants to focus on making her fudge business a success and get her life back on track. I also love the small town atmosphere in these books with Ava and the other characters in her life.

I definitely liked this book better than the first one, First Degree Fudge, because I felt that I could actually connect with Ava compared to the first one. The mystery had quite a few plot twists and I had a difficult time trying to figure out who was the killer among this crazy group. Hot Fudge Frame-Up is a delightfully decadent addition to the series and I’m looking forward to reading more about Ava and her adventures in Door County, Wisconsin in the near future.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Hot Fudge Frame-Up. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 5th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite candy?

May 28, 2014May 15, 2014

Kimberly reviews The Cursed by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Cursed
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #12
CHARACTERS: Hannah & Dallas
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/27/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A haunted house in Key West

Hannah O’Brien, who grew up in the house and now runs it as a B and B, has always had a special ability to see a pair of resident ghosts. But when a man is murdered in the alley behind her place, she’s dismayed when his spirit appears, too, asking for help.

FBI agent Dallas Samson has a passionate interest in the murder, since the victim’s a colleague whose death is connected to the smuggling ring known as Los Lobos—the wolves. Now Dallas is even more committed to chasing them down….

Unaware that Dallas has certain abilities of his own, Hannah calls her cousin Kelsey O’Brien, a member of the FBI’s Krewe of Hunters, an elite unit of paranormal investigators. The present-day case is linked to a historical mystery involving salvagers, a curse and a sunken ship. Danger and desire bring Hannah and Dallas together, but to survive, they have to solve the mysteries of the past—and stay alive long enough to solve the crimes of the present.

REVIEW:
As with all books by Graham the history she pours into each story is unbelievable and intriguing. Having grown up in southern Florida I find it amazing how much I didn’t know about Key West when I read Graham’s stories. Her stories are worth reading for that alone.

But the stories are worth reading for other reasons too.. her ghosts. I always enjoy the connection the main characters have with the resident ghosts. And this was no exception. I am not sure the connection with Dallas and Hannah was as strong. I just didn’t feel the spark that her other characters have had. The other thing is Dallas didn’t seem to have a huge part in this story. It seemed to mostly be Hannah’s.

Now that being said it is a really good read and any fan of ghost filled romantic suspense will love it even if they have not read the series before and if you have read the series this next one fits in perfectly.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

May 27, 2014May 26, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Fifty Shades of Greyhound by Sparkle Abbey

A big thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting this stop on our blog tour for Fifty Shades of Greyhound, book five in our Pampered Pets mystery series from Bell Bridge Books.

This book was so much fun to write and now we’re having even more fun sharing it with readers. It’s similar to the others in the series in that it’s a cozy mystery. To be more specific, all the books are pet-related, amateur sleuth, cozy mysteries. The main characters are cousins and former Texas beauty queens, Caro Lamont, a pet therapist, and Melinda Langston, the owner of Bow Wow, a high-end pet boutique in Laguna Beach, California.

The ideas for our books come from many different places: a news headline, an overheard conversation, an intriguing anecdote. However the idea for Fifty Shades of Greyhound came from none of those. In this case, the book started with the title. We’d brainstormed title ideas, hoping to continue the light-hearted theme started with Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. (This brainstorming usually involves margaritas.) When we came up with the idea to use Fifty Shades of Greyhound for the next title, we felt like we had a winner. Then the fun began…Where would Caro and Mel find themselves in their latest adventure? And what kind of trouble could we stir up for the two cousins?

After pitching the idea to our editor and getting the green light, we began researching Greyhounds and found so much about the breed, the rescue efforts, and about rescue workers who are very devoted to the dogs. Just a few of the interesting factoids we learned were:

Greyhounds can live to be 12-14 years old, but they are at the end of their racing careers at 2-5 years.
Most have been raised in kennels and have little experience outside that environment, but they are quick learners. By nature the dogs tend to be friendly gentle dogs.
They can run 40-45 mph. But although they are fast runners, they’re known for their enjoyment of dozing and some sleep up to sixteen hours a day.

So after learning about the breed, it made sense to us that the story in Fifty Shades of Greyhound had to begin with Greyhound rescue and so it starts at a what Caro would call a “fancy smanchy” fundraiser.

Caro is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends, a stranger in their midst is dead.

Caro sets out to help the rescue group find the identity of the mystery guest but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone–oh, and federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next.

We’d also like to mention that we have some wonderful celebrity endorsement for the book:

“Fifty Shades of Greyhound gives ‘roll over and play dead’ a whole new meaning!”-Ethel Merman & Ella Fitzgerald, canine companions to award-winning author, Holly Jacobs

Thanks again, Books-n-Kisses for letting us stop by. Mwahh and XXOO to you!

About the Author:

Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They write the popular pet mystery series which features whodunits set in the wacky world of pampered pets, precious pedigrees, and secrets. The first book in the series Desperate Housedogs, an Amazon mystery series bestseller and Barnes & Noble Nook #1 national bestseller, was followed by Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. Fifty Shades of Greyhound is the latest installment.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

It was a killer party.

Caro Lamont, Laguna Beach’s favorite pet therapist is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends a stranger in their midst is dead.

Caro sets out to help the rescue group find out the identity of the mystery guest, but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone. And federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next up.

Full of adorable pampered pets, the story re-visits lovely Laguna Beach, and some of the colorful characters readers have come to love in previous titles: Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck.

Amazon

Jennifer’s Review of Fifty Shades of Greyhound

Review (4 Stars): The humor in this book had me laughing out loud and I enjoyed every minute of it. Caro Lamont was attending a fundraising gala when a dead body literally falls into her lap. Finding herself involved in yet another mystery, Caro starts searching for clues when the brother of her receptionist is the prime suspect for the murder. She must hurry to find the real killer before she becomes the next victim.

I couldn’t believe how much I laughed while reading Fifty Shades of Greyhound. Caro is a great character and this mystery was very light-hearted and fun. I enjoyed reading about Caro’s career as a pet therapist and I thought her experiences with the animals were very interesting. Fifty Shades of Greyhound was a fun and hilariously entertaining mystery that will have you wanting more of these zany characters.

May 26, 2014May 26, 2014

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Whisper To Me by Christina Lee

Hot and consuming, this is a New Adult romance about a wayward musician and the one girl who keeps him grounded…

At college, Rachel has a reputation for being a sarcastic flirt with a thing for ripped athletes. No one at college knows her heart was ripped to shreds by her high school boyfriend, who’d driven them both off the side of the road on a borrowed motorcycle. And then subsequently abandoned her. No one really knows Rachel Mattson at all, with one exception…

Ever since he helped nurse his sister’s feisty best friend back to health, pierced bass player Kai Nakos has been head over heels in love. But the supposed bad boy can’t risk letting Rachel know the truth—especially now that the two of them are back in their hometown for the summer, together for the first time since the months following that horrible night. Never mind that Rachel’s ex is also back, groveling for her forgiveness.

Shaken by her ex’s return, Rachel finds herself turning to the one guy she knows she can trust. Now that Kai has had a taste of Rachel, he’s willing to do anything just to have her touch him again, even hiding his true feelings. After all, she only wants a temporary fling. Until it becomes something more. But perhaps it had been more all along.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son–her two favorite guys. She’s addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Whisper To Me

Review (4.25 Stars): Rachel was still trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a motorcycle accident that left her physically and emotionally scarred. Coming back home after college for the summer brought back a lot of heartbreaking memories including the appearance of her ex-boyfriend who left her after the accident. Kai was Rachel’s best friend and was there with her every step of the way for her recovery. Both of them had feelings for each other but they were afraid of telling the other how they felt and destroying whatever friendship that they had with one another.

I liked Rachel because she came back from an accident that almost killed her. She was strong yet vulnerable and was determined to do things on her own. Being back home with the memories and seeing her ex-boyfriend after the accident was a huge step for her and I thought that she was extremely courageous for making that journey. Kai was a great guy. He was strong, and would do anything to protect Rachel from harm. I loved that he was there everyday for Rachel while she was in the hospital encouraging her and helping her on the difficult road to recovery. He was such a great caretaker for the people in his life and you don’t see that trait much in guys, let alone male characters. It was very nice to see that side of him in this book.

Rachel and Kai were great together as a couple and they definitely had this hot sexy chemistry with one another. I think that Rachel needed someone like Kai in her life because he was always there for her, especially when she needed him the most. I understand that this is the third book in a series and I will definitely be catching up with the previous titles in this series. I loved how Ms. Lee created a romantic story of two troubled souls that found love when they least expected it and I can’t wait to read more from her.

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May 26, 2014May 15, 2014

Kelly reviews Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones

TITLE: Sixth Grave on the Edge
SERIES #: Charley Davidson #6
CHARACTERS: Charley, Reyes and the gang
AUTHOR: Darynda Jones
PUBLICATION DATE: May 20, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it’s time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap—one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn’t come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.

Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she’s used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge…especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow.

REVIEW:
Charley is really good at multi-tasking. And by multi-tasking I mean getting herself in trouble over and over again. But she is resourceful and does seem to find a way to get herself out of trouble a lot. But in Sixth Grave she might have met her match.
There are a lot of ups and downs in this book. A lot of “Oh Charley” moments. A lot of “Reyes”……….. what was I saying. Oh yes my review. We get to see a LOT of Reyes in this book which is great (even if he is a bit distracting with his hotness). As always Darynda give us a wild adventure with Charley at the wheel. Can’t wait to see what happens next. With Charley you just never know!!!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 26, 2014May 15, 2014

Kimberly reviews The Twelve Kingdoms: Mark of the Tala by Jeffe Kennedy

TITLE: The Twelve Kingdoms: Mark of the Tala
SERIES #: Twelve Kingdoms #1
CHARACTERS: Andi & Rayfe
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/27/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Queen Of The Unknown
The tales tell of three sisters, daughters of the high king. The eldest, a valiant warrior-woman, heir to the kingdom. The youngest, the sweet beauty with her Prince Charming. No one says much about the middle princess, Andromeda. Andi, the other one.
Andi doesn’t mind being invisible. She enjoys the company of her horse more than court, and she has a way of blending into the shadows. Until the day she meets a strange man riding, who keeps company with wolves and ravens, who rules a land of shapeshifters and demons. A country she’d thought was no more than legend–until he claims her as its queen.
In a moment everything changes: Her father, the wise king, becomes a warlord, suspicious and strategic. Whispers call her dead mother a traitor and a witch. Andi doesn’t know if her own instincts can be trusted, as visions appear to her and her body begins to rebel.
For Andi, the time to learn her true nature has come. . .

REVIEW:
This is a combination of Narnia, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings… sorta. This is nothing like what I have read from Kennedy before. It really has a mix of paranormal and also historical. And while it has romance this is not the erotica that Jeffe Kennedy is known for.

I really enjoyed it. So much happens that it is hard to put down. This is mainly Andi’s story but Rayfe is delightful. I wish we had seen more of him but since there is more coming in the series I hope we get a better feel for him.

If you enjoy the paranormal world of Narnia, etc then you will enjoy this story very much.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

May 23, 2014May 15, 2014

Kimberly reviews Explosive Passion by Marissa Dobson

TITLE: Explosive Passion
SERIES #: SEALed For You #2
CHARACTERS: Wynn & Jared
AUTHOR: Marissa Dobson
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/12/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Navy SEAL Jared “Boom” Taylor is supposed to chaperone his best friend’s sister home, but with a car malfunction and an impending storm, the plan goes out the window. Finding shelter in an abandoned cabin, with the one woman he can’t get off his mind, is his chance to prove to her that military men are worth the added effort.

Boutique owner Wynn Diamond is on the verge of some exciting opportunities and with each new door opening things become more unnerving. Deciding to take refuge in a one-night stand to let off some steam, she never thought it would turn into more.

Could a one-night stand with a man in uniform actually be the forever she had been looking for?

REVIEW:
Another great read in the SEALed for You series. Marissa has written a SEAL that any woman would love. He has a great sense of humor and loves with his whole heart. Wynn feels like how most women must feel when they get involved with a military man.. scared but willing to love.

While a short story I still couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed catching up with Ace and Gwen as well from Ace In The Hole. Can’t wait for the next in the series. If you are looking for a short read with a hot SEAL and a strong woman this is the read for you.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.