Category: Review

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July 2, 2014July 1, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Crime Rib by Leslie Budewitz

Another Weekend, Another Festival – and Another Body

by Leslie Budewitz

“Gourmet food market owner Erin Murphy is determined to get Jewel Bay, Montana’s scrumptious local fare some national attention. But her scheme for culinary celebrity goes up in flames when the town’s big break is interrupted by murder…”

Thanks to the Books-n-Kisses crew for welcoming me here today, to share a bit about Crime Rib, the second book in my Food Lover’s Village Mysteries.

Out here in western Montana, summers are short and intense–and in every corner of the state, we celebrate. The Festival of Nations. Mule Days, Homesteader Days, Buzzard Days–honoring ‘nature’s cleaners’. The Strawberry Festival. Rendezvous Days. Pow Wows. Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts. Dog and Grog, celebrating hot dogs and cold beer. Lewis & Clark Reenactments. Music festivals: jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, guitar, Mozart, and more. And on and on–not to mention Huckleberry Days in half a dozen towns, celebrating the tart, purple jewels Montanans fight the bears for every August.

As if there weren’t enough festivals, in Death al Dente, the first book in the series, Erin Murphy invents another, the Festa di Pasta. After a decade in Seattle, she returns to her hometown, Jewel Bay, Montana, to take over the Merc, her family’s century-old general store, and turn it into a market filled with local foods and treats. A weekend celebrating Italian food, with music in the streets and fun and games for all ages, seems like the perfect summer kickoff. But when the former manager is found dead in the alley on opening night and her mother is accused of murder, Erin dives in to save both her family and the store. She succeeds, but not before confronting a chef bent on keeping his past a secret, challenging her old friend, now the local sheriff’s detective, and rescuing her new boyfriend and her shop assistant from permanent cold storage.

So in Crime Rib, she’s not going to take charge of anything. She’ll help–the tiny, unincorporated town would be nothing without its volunteers, and the Murphys have always been among the first to raise their hands. But she’s just going to enjoy the 35th Annual Summer Art and Food Festival. Sure, she’ll be scouting for new vendors for the Merc. She’ll drool over the paintings and pottery–maybe even pick up a piece or two. She’ll be glad to assist the crew of the TV show Food Preneurs, in town to film the event and give the local fare some national attention. And she’ll eat her fill at the Grill-off, the friendly competition to see which village chef serves up the best steak.

But when the show’s producer is killed in a hit-and-run, Erin is drafted to step in. Then one of the contestants is attacked and dies. To keep the town’s reputation from crashing and burning on national TV, Erin must grill a few suspects to smoke out the killer.

I’ve always loved the annual Festival of the Arts in my community. It’s a feast for the eyes, a chance to soak up art and music in the warm sunshine by the lake, to see old friends and meet new ones. To find a shiny bracelet, sparkling earrings, a hand-carved gourd, or a cattail basket with an antler handle, decorated with tiny seed pods and bits of pale green moss plucked from old growth spruce. To pick up braided sweetgrass, used as ceremonial incense by the local tribes, and soaps scented with wild-crafted herbs. To discover new taste treats–there are no calories on Festival days. And like Erin, I think there’s little better than strolling down the main street crammed with art and artists, licking a cone filled with Chocolate Heaven ice cream.

Last summer, I participated in the Festival as an artist for the first time. What a treat to share a glorious summer day with hundreds of art lovers. To tell them the origins of the book, why I set it here and what I had to change. To inscribe their names in my books and wish them a great visit to Jewel Bay, a place that exists only on the page–and in the heart. To see the smiles on their faces as they carried off their souvenirs, and to wave at them when they strolled past at the end of the day, already fast friends. To chat with other artists, see their wares, and hear their stories. It’s hot and exhausting. My hand hurt from signing and my cheeks ached from grinning. And I can hardly wait to go back this August.

Turns out, Erin’s right. The best part of a festival is not the art or the ice cream, but the people. The smiles on their faces and the spark in their eyes. I hope you’ll join me at this year’s festival–on the village streets, and on the pages of Crime Rib.

About the Author:

Leslie Budewitz is the national best-selling author of Death al Dente, first in the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries set in northwest Montana, and winner of the 2013 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Crime Rib, the second in the series, was published by Berkley Prime Crime on July 1, 2014. Also a lawyer, Leslie won the 2011 Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction for Books, Crooks & Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law & Courtroom Procedure (Quill Driver Books), making her the first author to win Agatha Awards for both fiction and nonfiction. For more stories of life in the wilds of northwest Montana, and bonus recipes, visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter.

Website/Facebook

Gourmet food market owner Erin Murphy is determined to get Jewel Bay, Montana’s, scrumptious local fare some national attention. But her scheme for culinary celebrity goes up in flames when the town’s big break is interrupted by murder . . .

Food Preneurs, one of the hottest cooking shows on TV, has decided to feature Jewel Bay in an upcoming episode, and everyone in town is preparing for their close-ups, including the crew at the Glacier Mercantile, aka the Merc. Not only is Erin busy remodeling her courtyard into a relaxing dining area, she’s organizing a steak-cooking competition between three of Jewel Bay’s hottest chefs to be featured on the program.

But Erin’s plans get scorched when one of the contending cooks is found dead. With all the drama going on behind the scenes, it’s hard to figure out who didn’t have a motive to off the saucy contestant. Now, to keep the town’s reputation from crashing and burning on national television, Erin will have to grill some suspects to smoke out the killer . . .

July 1, 2014June 30, 2014

Jennifer’s Review of Crime Rib

Review (4.5 Stars): The little town of Jewel Bay, Montana is preparing for the 35th Annual Summer Art and Food Festival and enjoying the national attention by the TV show, Food Preneurs, who is filming a cooking competition for a future episode. During the planning stages of the competition, the producer of the show becomes a victim of a hit and run and it is up to Erin to take over as her replacement. Determined to keep everything running smoothly while balancing the duties of the Merc, Erin does her best to organize the cooking competition but a killer has other ideas for this event. Erin must now try to find the killer before Jewel Bay becomes known for something other than its great gourmet food.

This is the second book in the Food Lovers’ Village Mystery series and I have come to love the town and inhabitants of Jewel Bay, Montana. Erin is a sweet character that always seems to find a dead body after moving back home to help run her family’s market. I like her personality and she is someone that you can instantly connect with. I also love that she has a great relationship with her family and the rest of this lovely community. The mystery is well-written and will keeping you guessing until the final reveal. I love culinary mysteries and Crime Rib talked so much about wonderful food that it made me hungry all the time that I was reading it. 🙂 Crime Rib is a savory addition to a great series that will have you craving more from this talented author. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what Erin is up to next.

Blog Tour & Review: Muffin But Murder by Victoria Hamilton

Muffins: the Cupcake’s Underappreciated Sister

by Victoria Hamilton

If muffins and cupcakes were characters in a book, they would be the Misses Elinor and Marianne Dashwood in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. For those who are not Janeites, a brief explanation is in order. Elinor Dashwood is the ‘Sense’ of the title, while Marianne Dashwood, her younger sister, is the ‘Sensibility’, a word out of favor now but meant to describe someone who is all feeling and showy emotion.

How does that apply to baked goods? Cupcakes are the darling of the media nowadays. Just look at the TV shows dedicated to them: Cupcake Wars, DC Cupcakes, The Cupcake Girls. Cupcakes are showy, flamboyant, pretty and much adored. Muffins…not so much. Muffins come in sensible flavors like Bran and Banana, and the showiest they get is to be called Morning Glory Muffins, which is a fancy way of saying they have a lot of ingredients that are good for you. Muffins are wholesome and homely.

But delicious! And simple to make, and bursting with flavor.

I’ve never made cupcakes. That many empty calories just isn’t my thing. But muffins…they have always been my go-to baked good.

In Bran New Death, Book #1 of the Merry Muffin Mysteries, my protagonist, Merry Wynter, describing the difference between muffins and cupcakes, has a conversation with Jack McGill, the real estate agent who is trying to help her sell her castle.

Merry says: “It’s easy. Most people think that if it’s frosted or iced, then it’s a cupcake, but that’s not so. Some muffins can be frosted too. Instead, think of the difference between a banana cake and a loaf of banana bread.”

“Okay,” he (Jack) said. “I got that.”

“Well, with the batter of a banana cake, you can make cupcakes, and with the batter for banana bread, you can make banana muffins. You can do the same with any cake batter or quick bread batter.”

“Ah!” he said, his eyes lighting up. “Cakes are to cupcakes as, uh, what did you call it?”

“Quick bread,” Shilo, (Merry’s friend) who had not gone to feed Magic, (her bunny) filled in.

“Right…cakes are to cupcakes as quick breads are to muffins!”

And Merry is right on…of course, I wrote her that way! She manages to carve out a baking niche for herself in Autumn Vale, New York, supplementing her dwindling finances by supplying muffins to the baked good craving population of the town.

So…if you don’t bake, or are intimidated by all those showy frosted cupcakes, give muffin baking a try! I guarantee, you won’t be disappointed. Who needs icing when the muffin itself has so much flavor?

And you can start when you get Muffin But Murder, Book #2 of the Merry Muffin Mysteries, because I give you a killer recipe for muffins Fit For The King…I’ll leave you to discover what that means, but they are delicious!

About the Author:

Victoria Hamilton, nationally bestselling author of the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series, is the pseudonym of Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of romance and historical mystery novels.

Victoria started reading mystery novels at the age of 12 and devoured Agatha Christie mysteries, as well as those of Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh. She still adores mysteries, especially the cozy mysteries of Janet Bolin, Krista Davis, and others.

She loves to cook, and collects teapots and teacups, as well as vintage kitchen utensils and bowls. She also enjoys crafts, especially cross-stitching and crocheting, and spends summer days in the garden, drinking tea or wine. Besides the Merry Muffin Mystery series, Victoria writes two other mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series (Book 4, No Mallets Intended debuts November 4th) and the Teapot Collector Mystery series which debuted with Tempest in a Teapot, in June 2014.

Website /Facebook / Twitter

Muffin maker Merry Wynter hopes to find a buyer for the castle she’s recently inherited. But when she throws a party to draw interest, she finds someone who’s bought the farm instead…

Merry’s career as a New York City stylist has crumbled, but her passion for muffins has helped her rise upstate in Autumn Vale. Everyone in town loves the tasty treats. Still, she would like to return to her glamorous life. Besides, the upkeep of Wynter Castle is expensive, and Merry’s cup isn’t exactly overflowing.

So in order to bring some prospective buyers into the mix, Merry whisks together a spooky soiree and decorates the castle with dashes of fabric and a sprinkling of spider webs. Friends new and old are invited, and everyone has a blast. But as the revelers empty out, Merry notices one partygoer who isn’t leaving—or breathing. Now Merry must hurry to unmask a killer before her perfect plans turn into a recipe for disaster…

Jennifer’s Review of Muffin But Murder

Review (4.5 Stars): This is the second book in the Merry Muffin series and I loved the second installment much better than the first. This time around, Merry is throwing an extravagent Halloween party to showcase Wynter Castle for prospective buyers. Everything is going according to plan except for a few uninvited guests and the fact that she finds a dead body in the coffin that she had on display. Now, Merry must help find the killer to clear a friend’s name and prevent the Wynter Castle from getting a deadly reputation to prospective buyers.

Muffin But Murder had me hooked from the very beginning and I finished this book in one afternoon. Merry is definitely growing on me as I follow her adventures while she is settling down in Autumn Vale. I liked her personality and the determination to make things work out in her life even when things were definitely not going the way that she wanted them to. The mystery aspect was very entertaining and I was having a difficult time putting all the clues together to figure out who was the killer in this one. Ms. Hamilton has created another delightful mystery with Muffin But Murder and I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen next with Merry and her friends in Autumn Vale.

July 1, 2014July 1, 2014

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The City by Dean Koontz

The city changed my life and showed me that the world is deeply mysterious. I need to tell you about her and some terrible things and wonderful things and amazing things that happened . . . and how I am still haunted by them. Including one night when I died and woke and lived again.

Here is the riveting, soul-stirring story of Jonah Kirk, son of an exceptional singer, grandson of a formidable “piano man,” a musical prodigy beginning to explore his own gifts when he crosses a group of extremely dangerous people, with shattering consequences. Set in a more innocent time not so long ago, The City encompasses a lifetime but unfolds over three extraordinary, heart-racing years of tribulation and triumph, in which Jonah first grasps the electrifying power of music and art, of enduring friendship, of everyday heroes.

The unforgettable saga of a young man coming of age within a remarkable family, and a shimmering portrait of the world that shaped him, The City is a novel that speaks to everyone, a dazzling realization of the evergreen dreams we all share. Brilliantly illumined by magic dark and light, it’s a place where enchantment and malice entwine, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart.

About the Author:

When he was a senior in college, Dean Koontz won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition and has been writing ever since. His books are published in 38 languages and he has sold over 450 million copies to date.

Fourteen of his novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list (One Door Away From Heaven, From the Corner of His Eye, Midnight, Cold Fire, The Bad Place, Hideaway, Dragon Tears, Intensity, Sole Survivor, The Husband, Odd Hours, Relentless, What the Night Knows, and 77 Shadow Street), making him one of only a dozen writers ever to have achieved that milestone. Sixteen of his books have risen to the number one position in paperback. His books have also been major bestsellers in countries as diverse as Japan and Sweden.

The New York Times has called his writing “psychologically complex, masterly and satisfying.” The New Orleans Times-Picayune said Koontz is, “at times lyrical without ever being naive or romantic. [He creates] a grotesque world, much like that of Flannery O’Conner or Walker Percy … scary, worthwhile reading.” Rolling Stone has hailed him as “America’s most popular suspense novelist.”

Dean Koontz was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University), and his first job after graduation was with the Appalachian Poverty Program, where he was expected to counsel and tutor underprivileged children on a one-to-one basis. His first day on the job, he discovered that the previous occupier of his position had been beaten up by the very kids he had been trying to help and had landed in the hospital for several weeks. The following year was filled with challenge but also tension, and Koontz was more highly motivated than ever to build a career as a writer. He wrote nights and weekends, which he continued to do after leaving the poverty program and going to work as an English teacher in a suburban school district outside Harrisburg. After a year and a half in that position, his wife, Gerda, made him an offer he couldn’t refuse: “I’ll support you for five years,” she said, “and if you can’t make it as a writer in that time, you’ll never make it.” By the end of those five years, Gerda had quit her job to run the business end of her husband’s writing career.

Dean Koontz lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Anna, and the enduring spirit of their golden, Trixie.

Jennifer’s Review of The City

Review (4 Stars): I consider Dean Koontz to be one of my literary idols and some of my favorite books of all time have been written by this talented writer. In The City, Mr. Koontz steers away from his usual style of writing and presents us with the coming of age story of Jonah Kirk, a young man born into a musically inclined family in the 1960’s. Jonah is on his own most of the time because his mother works two jobs to make ends meet and The City chronicles his experiences growing up, which eventually leads him to become involved in conspiracy and murder.

The great thing about The City was Mr. Koontz’s ability to write great characters that you instantly become involved with and add so much to the story. I liked Jonah and enjoyed following his life journey even when he started experiencing terrifying dreams that eventually came true. Watching Jonah deal with the aftermath of seeing these visions come to life intrigued me and kept me wondering how his story would end. I will have to say that some parts of The City dragged at times but quickly picked up toward the end of the book. The City was an engaging character driven coming of age story that makes us evaluate the events that ultimately shape our lives. Dean Koontz is a master and even though this book isn’t his typical fare, it will be enjoyable and powerful nonetheless.

July 1, 2014July 1, 2014

Launch Day Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro

DARK LEGACY
Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of “witch women,” she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She’s haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.
DEADLY SECRETS
Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister’s killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything-their families, their love, and even their live

*EXCERPT*

Landry’s truck sits in the driveway when I stroll out of the house at a quarter to eight in the morning. I’m in such a glorious mood that I don’t bother trying to sneak off without him catching sight of me. It would’ve been easy, I learn upon climbing on the bumper and sticking my head through the truck’s open window. He has the seat pushed back and his legs stretched out kitty corner across the passenger seat. Snores, loud enough to scare a bear, echo through the cab.

I reach in and poke his shoulder a few times. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Landry’s thick lashes flutter then open to meet mine. “I’m supposed to be woken with a kiss, not a jab.”

I snort. “I don’t kiss slimy critters. You’re playing double duty as a frog, and I throw them in a frying pan with a little butter and garlic.”

“Oh, so now you’re trying to butter me up?”

The heat of a blush rises. “Saints, boy. You’re fraying my last nerve.” I plant my hands on my hips, toe tapping. “What are you doing here? In case you forgot, I’m mad at you.”

“No you’re not.” He grins and runs his fingers through his thick hair. My breath catches as my brain stutters. I shake my head to dispel the wave of pheromone-induced stupidity that washes over me. My noses twitches. Why does he have to smell so good? Like cinnamon and brown sugar. “Did you forget yester—”

An oily paper bag flies in my direction. I grab it out of the air before it drops to the ground. It’s warm in my hands, and the smell makes my mouth water. “Ooh, cinnamon rolls,” I mumble around the melting mouthful of cinnamon-y goodness. “I love these.”

“I know,” Landry says, throwing open the truck door.

I hop off the bumper with a scowl. The arrogant jerk thinks he has me eating out of his hands; all he has to do is flutter those insanely long eyelashes, smile to show off his pearly whites, and tempt me with fresh, warm buns.

“These are mine?” I clutch the bag to my chest as I eye him in suspicion.

“Yeah, they’re your favorite, right?”

“Mmm hmm.”

Landry props his elbow on the open window and ducks his head. Black hair tangles across his face, hiding his eyes. “I hoped you’d be more accepting of my apology if I bribed you with sweets. Forgive me for being an ass yesterday?”

Lucky guy. He figured out the fastest way to soften my heartstrings—sugar. Wait how does he know they’re my favorite? Stupid question. It’s like him knowing my nickname and my job. He pays way too much attention to me, and I’m kinda scared to ask why. I stare at my sticky fingers, then lick the icing off one by one. Landry’s gaze draws my attention. He’s staring at my mouth. My gut tightens in response, and I slowly lick my lips. Get a grip. Don’t trust him just because he says he’s sorry.

I concentrate on the mouthful of cinnamon roll. Each chew echoes the rapid patter of my heart. God, why does my body react like this when I’m around him? Why? He’s still staring at me. Can’t he tell I’m uncomfortable? Oh, I get it. He’s irritating me on purpose so I can’t totally ignore him.
I pass the empty bag to him. “You’re not going away, are you?”

“Nope.” He smiles.

About the Author:

Angie Sandro was born at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Within six weeks, she began the first of eleven relocations throughout the United States, Spain, and Guam before the age of eighteen. Friends were left behind. The only constants in her life were her family and the books she shipped wherever she went. Traveling the world inspired her imagination and allowed her to create her own imaginary friends. Visits to her father’s family in Louisiana inspired this story. Angie now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and an overweight Labrador.

Jennifer’s Review of Dark Paradise

Review (4.25 Stars): Mala LaCroix has always been considered the black sheep of the community because the women in her family have been labeled as witches and she has been fighting this gossip most of her life. One day, Mala finds the body of Lainey Prince in the swamp on her family’s property and her world is suddenly turned upside down when she is pulled into the hunt for the girl’s killer. Landry Prince, Lainey’s brother, has always been attracted to Mala but has never had the courage to talk to her before Lainey’s death. The two must now join forces to find Lainey’s killer before the killer takes its next victim.

I couldn’t get through this book fast enough because I was immediately hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t wait to finish it. Mala was a strong, independent woman who was used to taking care of herself because her mother spent most of her time drinking and chasing men. I liked her character instantly and sympathized with her as she dealt with the aftermath of finding Lainey’s body. Especially, when she starts experiencing terrifying visions of the dead and finds that the town gossip may actually be true.

Mala had this love/hate relationship with Landry from the beginning because she never knew he had feelings for her and always thought he was just stalking her every time he showed up at her work. Finding the body brought Mala closer to Landry and I’m curious to see how their relationship progresses in the next book. There is this sense of uncertainty between them and you aren’t quite sure if their relationship has what it takes to survive after this ordeal.

I liked Ms. Sandro’s writing style and enjoyed reading the book from both the viewpoints of Mala and Landry. Dark Paradise was an engaging supernatural mystery that will definitely keep you up at night. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Dark Sacrifice, which will be out later this year.

June 17, 2014June 3, 2014

Interview & Giveaway with Kendra Elliot

Books-n-Kisses is super exicted to have our pal Kendra Elliot back on the blog to talk about her newest release Vanished. This was a great read. If you have not picked up your copy and you love Romance Suspense you really need to.

So, Kendra can you tell my wonderful followers a little about yourself

I’ve lived in Oregon for 96% of my life. (Yes, I’m nerdy and got out a calculator to get the right percentage) I have three teenage daughters that keep my house very busy and spent sixteen years as a dental hygienist before quitting to write full time. My first novel came out almost two years ago. VANISHED will be my fifth novel.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I didn’t always want to write; I loved to read. From a very early age, I was a voracious reader, and I hated writing in high school and college. One day I set down a book after finishing it for the fourth or fifth time and wondered if I could make a reader feel as awesome this author always made me feel. I decided to give it a shot. My third try was published in 2012 as HIDDEN.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I often write with noise reducing headphones while listening to white noise from outer space. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcJ-o_fh1B4 (Again, nerd alert!) My husband works from home, and even though we work on different levels of the house, I can still hear his constant phone conferences. The headphones make all the difference.

Can you please tell us about your newest release Vanished?

This is the blurb from the book: When an eleven-year-old is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, whose life is crumbling to pieces—he’s related to the victim, and his longtime confidential informant has just been murdered.

Both he and Agent McLane hole up in the victim’s family home. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer the girl is missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves drawn to each other.

Is Vanished is part of your ongoing Bone Secret series?

Officially VANISHED is not a Bone Secret book, even though regular readers will recognize my main character, Detective Mason Callahan, from the other Bone Secret Books. The Bone Secret books are more forensics oriented; VANISHED focuses on the FBI and police officers and their lives. Right now I plan to write 3 or 4 books with Mason Callahan and his love interest, Ava McLane. The second Callahan/McLane book is finished and should be released in January 2015. We’re still searching for a series title name for them. As I’m writing this, we haven’t finalized the name decision. But there will be more Bone Secrets books! After writing two FBI books, I’m ready to dive back into forensics.

How about we give the readers a little snippet from Vanished. Please open Vanished to a random page and give us a sentence or two.

In VANISHED, my detective’s personal and professional life is spinning out of control. This is part of a scene where his boss is telling him not to come in to work because they’ve discovered some evidence that doesn’t shine favorably on Mason.

Schefte cleared his throat. “We’d already pulled your hard drive.”

“What?” Mason’s vision tunneled.

“We’re checking your calendar, too.”

“You don’t take my whole computer to look at a calendar. What the hell is going on there?”

Schefte was quiet.

“Do I need a lawyer?” Mason asked. His brain spun like he was drunk. What was happening?

“It wouldn’t hurt to talk to your union rep,” Schefte answered. “I don’t know about a lawyer. I don’t think that will be necessary.”

A sharp pain shot through Mason’s temple.

“Denny, I don’t have time for this! I’m trying to help my family stay sane while their daughter is missing! My son is about to cave in on himself he’s so stressed.” And so am I.

“I know you’ve got a lot going on. This was a good time to take some time off. Come down and get your prints done again. Then we’ll talk.” Schefte sounded distant. All his usual good buddy-ness gone from his voice.

Do they think he killed Josie? Impossible.

Something was screwed up somewhere. Evidence lines were getting crossed.

“Fine,” answered Mason in the same even tone. “I’ll have my rep with me.” He ended the call and slipped the phone in his pocket, feeling as though his support system was being chiseled away. First his family struggled with the worst imaginable horror. Now his job was in jeopardy? He felt like he was being ripped in half. As slowly as possible.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’ve finished the follow-up to VANISHED which is currently titled BRIDGED and it will be out in January 2015. I also just finished a series of four small town romantic suspense novellas, The Rogue River Series, written with my author buddy Melinda Leigh that will be out next fall. I wrote two of the novellas books from the point-of-view of a woman who’s returned after five years as an LAPD officer to be a cop in her tiny home town of Solitude, Oregon. Melinda wrote two from my character’s sister’s point-of-view, a social worker who is reevaluating her marriage to her detective husband. Each novella is a complete suspense story, but there is also an over arcing mystery.

Next project? Thinking about this…it will most likely be a Bone Secret book. Any suggestions of who you’d like to read about from my previous books? I get a lot of requests for Chris’s story from BURIED.

Speaking of BURIED, it has been nominated for the International Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original. I was stunned and actually cried when I got the news. This competition is HUGE and I never dreamed I’d final. I’m still stunned at the names on this list: http://thrillerwriters.org/programs/thriller-awards/ My publisher is flying me to NYC in July for the conference and award ceremony. BURIED is also up for a Daphne award for Romantic Suspense at the Romance Writers of America national conference in July.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Write, write, write, and read. Keep reading. Study the works of the authors you love and try to see what makes them stand out. Read how-to books, take online classes, join professional organizations, and listen to advice from other authors but don’t follow all of it. What works for some writers is not right for you, and there is a LOT of misleading information out there. Get to know other writers, don’t be pushy, pay your dues, and attend conferences. This isn’t a get-rich-quick business. Some people have, but 99% have not. Don’t get into the business for the money; do it because you love the writing.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’ve had Allison Brennan’s NOTORIOUS on my TBR pile since it came out. When I’m writing, I don’t read much. I’m about to take a much needed break between writing books and that one is on top!

Learn more about Kendra and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter: @KendraElliot | Goodreads

*****

Vanished

PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2014
Amazon| B&N

When eleven-year-old Henley Fairbanks is abducted on her way to school, the FBI doesn’t waste a moment, sending agents to scour the area and embedding Special Agent Ava McLane with the distraught family. In the eye of the storm is local detective Mason Callahan, who also happens to be related to Henley. To make matters worse for Mason, the kidnapping comes on the heels of the murder of his longtime confidential informant, and he’s been sidelined from the investigation. Now both he and Agent McLane are holed up in the Fairbanks’ home, along with Callahan’s ex-wife, Robin. Every second counts in a kidnapping case, and the stakes keep rising the longer Henley stays missing. As Ava and Mason struggle to hold the Fairbanks family together in their darkest hour, the two investigators find themselves more and more drawn to each other.

*****

GIVEAWAY TIME:

Kendra has given me permission to giveaway Kindle or print copy of reader’s choice of any of her books.
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to be entered.

June 13, 2014June 12, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Fury by Charlotte McConaghy

Tour Page and Schedule

Fury: Book 1 of The Cure by Charlotte McConaghy

348 pages,

Published March 25th, 2014 by Momentum Books, Pan Macmillan

In the tradition of Divergent comes a novel about a world where negative emotions are stolen … and only those with fury can stand up and fight.

Eighteen-year-old Josephine Luquet wakes naked and covered in blood that is not hers on the same day every year—when the blood moon is full. Josi has not responded to the “Cure”—an immunization against anger mandated by the government—and believes herself to be a threat to others.

Then she meets Luke. Luke has had the Cure but seems different to the other “drones”—and he’s dead set on helping Josi discover the truth about herself before the next blood moon.

But time is running out. Is Luke willing to risk his life to be near her? Does he truly understand what violence she is capable of?

Raw and full of passion, Fury is a story of love in a dystopian world, and how much we are willing to forgive in the struggle to remember our humanity.

Goodreads | Amazon

About the Author:

Charlotte started writing her children’s fantasy series ‘The Strangers of Paragor’ as a teenager and has since gone on to publish five novels. After a Masters degree in Screenwriting she wrote ‘Avery’, the first in her adult fantasy series ‘The Chronicles of Kaya’, published by Random House. She now lives in Sydney, Australia, and has just released a new dystopian sci-fi novel called ‘Fury – Book One of The Cure’, published by Momentum.

Connect with the author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway:

June 10, 2014June 9, 2014

Jennifer’s Review of Fury

Review (4 Stars): I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book. When I first read the synopsis for Fury, I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but this book really caught my attention. Josephine Luquet is a young woman who hasn’t responded to the Cure, an immunization that strips away the feelings of anger or aggression among the human population. She believes that she is dangerous because of this and that she has killed before. She has found herself naked in the past, covered in blood with no recollection about the events that have transpired from the night before. This only happens on the night of the Blood Moon which is rapidly approaching and Josi is afraid of what she may do next.

I liked the main character, Josi, and enjoyed reading the story mainly from her perspective. This book tells the story of Josi from alternating points of view which include Luke, a mysterious stranger that Josi doesn’t want to talk about and Anthony, the therapist that is trying to help Josi by discussing her past. This book had me from the very beginning trying to decipher the pieces of Josi’s situation and determining how much of the story was the truth or just a figment of her imagination. I will warn you that this book ends on a cliffhanger but makes you more determined to read the next book in the series to see what happens next to these characters.

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Scene of the Climb by Kate Dyer-Seeley

I’m excited to have Kate Dyer-Seeley here today to talk about her new book, Scene of the Climb. The book takes place in the Pacific Northwest and I loved reading all the places that Meg visited because I’m quite familiar with them myself. 🙂

1. Tell me about your new release.

SCENE OF THE CLIMB is set in the ruggedly beautiful Pacific Northwest and features Meg Reed, a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventure in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme Magazine. In reality, she’s a total klutz and terrified of heights. The magazine sends her out to Angel’s Rest trail (a steep climb up to a breathtaking view of the Columbia River) to cover an adventure race filming on location. Meg prefers vintage fashion and artisan coffee to scaling cliffs, but she’s desperate for a job and to prove herself. So she laces up her kicks and hits the trail. Once she finally huffs her way to the top, she sees a body sail off the summit and from there things just get worse.

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

One of my all-time favorite holiday movies is Christmas in Connecticut. I have clarify that I mean the original with Barbara Stanwyck, not the 1992 remake with Kris Kristofferson. The premise of the movie is that Elizabeth Lane is a food writer for a major magazine in the 1940s, with a country home in Connecticut and a family. Of course she has none of these things–she can’t cook, lives in a small apartment and is single. I love the idea of trying to be something you’re not, and how quickly things can unravel when you’re not being authentic. I think we’ve all had experiences like that, and it provides a great opportunity to watch Meg grow in the series.

I live in the Pacific Northwest and do a lot of hiking with my family. Angel’s Rest is one of my favorite hikes. It’s a relatively easy climb and the payoff at the top is truly stunning. However it seems like every year someone falls up there. I guess it’s sort of a case of life imitating art. I spent a semester in college on an eco-tourism trip in New Zealand and Australia which I used as inspiration for the storyline too.

3. What was the most interesting thing that you had to research as a writer?

I feel like writing this was kind of like cheating because most of my “research” entailed me going out to hike the trails featured in the book. My dad, who’s a retired English teacher, was my hiking partner on many of the climbs and a great sounding board for plotting and structure. I interviewed the Crag Rats, who are the first-ever mountain rescue team in the United States. It was really interesting to learn about the kind of work they do. They’re all volunteers who literally put their lives at risk to rescue others. Very impressive.

4. Which authors do you feel have influenced you to become a writer?

How much time do you have? I was so lucky to have parents who were readers and ignited that passion for me at an early age. As a kid, I loved Maud Lovelace, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Willa Cather. In terms of cozies, Jacqueline Winspear, Rhys Bowen, Cleo Coyle, Michelle Scott, Louise Penny. I could keep going…

5. What are you working on now?

I just finished the second book in the series which is set up at Timberline Lodge during opening weekend of the ski season. I had so much fun researching Timberline’s rich history, getting up to speed on snowboarding lingo and thinking about putting Meg out in the cold. I’m getting ready to start work on book three which will take Meg out to Hood River, Oregon for a windsurfing competition. Poor Meg. She can’t catch a break.

6. Favorite TV guilty pleasure? Favorite Food? Favorite book that you’ve read recently?

Great question. I love Castle. I mean, Nathan Fillion–he’s such a dream. I could watch him all day. Food…hmm. I love anything with cilantro. It’s so versatile–Thai, Mexican. I’m itching to plant a new vegetable and herb garden. It’s the best when you can pop out to the backyard to pick dinner. In terms of books, I read pretty much everything I can get my hands on. When I’m working on a new manuscript it’s hard to read the genre, which is a bummer because I LOVE cozies. Beautiful Ruins is probably my top pick. I read it a little while ago, but it’s one of those books that has stayed with me.

About the Author:

Kate Dyer-Seeley’s work has been featured in a variety of regional, national and international publications. She writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Books. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, was released June 3, 2014 and is now available at bookstores and online.

Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.

She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.

– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.6fAz8TSu.dpuf

Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.

She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.

– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.6fAz8TSu.dpuf

Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe. She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.

But a girl needs a job, so Meg bluffs her way into writing for Northwest Extreme magazine, passing herself off to editor-in-chief Greg Dixon as an outdoor adventure enthusiast. Never mind that Meg’s idea of sport is climbing onto the couch without spilling her latte. So when she finds herself clawing to the top of Angel’s Rest – a two-thousand-foot peak – to cover the latest challenge in a reality TV adventure show, she can’t imagine feeling more terrified. Until she witnesses a body plummet off the side of the cliff. Now Meg has a murder to investigate. And if the climbing doesn’t kill her, a murderer just might…It includes Adventure Guides.

Jennifer’s Review of Scene of the Climb

Review (4.5. Stars): I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this book because it takes place in the Pacific Northwest which I’m quite familiar with since I live here in Portland. Meg Reed is down on her luck, living on her best friend’s couch, trying to find any job that will utilize her Journalism degree. A chance meeting with the editor-in-chief of Northwest Extreme gives Meg the opportunity that she has been hoping for. An actual job that will pay her to write for a magazine but the kicker is that Meg must be an outdoor enthusiast and Meg is the exact opposite. On her first exclusive assignment, Meg finds herself climbing cliffs to cover the final leg of the popular reality show, Race the States. What she doesn’t expect is to witness a contestant flying over the side of the cliff to their death and now she has to investigate a murder before the killer claims another victim.

I really enjoyed Scene of the Climb and I was amazed at how quickly I got involved with the story. Meg was a great character and I enjoyed following her through the course of this book. I think that we’ve all done something to help us get a job when we are just starting out and there were times that I was laughing out loud by some of the things that she did. Scene of the Climb was a delightful start to what will be a great mystery series. I loved having the Pacific Northwest as the backdrop to the novel and I knew exactly where each location was that Meg was visiting as part of her new job. I’m looking forward to reading more from Ms. Dyer-Seeley and reading the next book in the series.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of Scene of the Climb. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 15th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite place to hike/camp or just visit?

Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.

She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.

– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.NSHO2GJN.dpuf

Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.

She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.

– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.6fAz8TSu.dpuf

June 7, 2014June 6, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: A Sense of Entitlement by Anna Loan-Wilsey

Romance Newport Style

When I saw that one of the stops on my blog tour for A Sense of Entitlement, book three in my Hattie Davish Mystery series from Kensington Publishing was Books-n-Kisses (Thank you for hosting!), the first idea for my guest post that popped into my head was of course romance! I could tell the story of Miss Hattie Davish and Dr. Walter Grice. I could give details about how the two met in Eureka Springs, AR in book one in the series and how Hattie at first resists Walter’s charms. As a practical woman, Hattie knows it is uncommon and unlikely for a woman with no family, who must work to support herself, to be loved by a rich, gentleman doctor who does what he loves, not what he has to. And of course, there is also Hattie’s severe phobia of doctors to consider. But luckily Walter is used to getting what he wants, doesn’t take no for an answer and is smitten enough to pursue Hattie until she realizes he is worth the risk of a heartbreak.

But then the idea I had of writing about romance took a dark turn as I remembered what I had uncovered during my research for A Sense of Entitlement. For just as Hattie is getting comfortable with the idea of an orphaned hat maker’s daughter having a rich beau in her life, she goes to Newport, RI, where the gap between the social classes is too wide to navigate and heartbreak is pervasive. While tackling her new responsibilities as social secretary to the wealthiest woman in America and tracking down the killer of an eminent banker, Hattie must face challenges of the heart as well. But Hattie is not exceptional. Even for its historical residents, spending “the Season” in Newport was not for the faint or fair of heart.

I discovered adultery was, as Deborah Davis says in her book, Gilded: How Newport Became America’s Richest Resort, “so widespread in Newport circles that there was a sliding scale of misbehavior.” As long as it wasn’t serious or threatened the status quo, it was tolerated. However, there were some affairs that made headlines. When Alva Vanderbilt announced her intention to divorce her husband William K. Vanderbilt, on the basis of adultery, she shocked all of Newport society. Yet his infidelities were know to all to have occurred throughout the marriage. But when a rumor surfaced that Oliver Belmont had been found hiding in Alva’s bedroom, it sparked public ridicule and threatened her position in society.

But Newport society could have an even uglier side when it came to romance. In an era where rich American’s sought legitimacy through European nobility titles, daughters of Newport’s richest families where vulnerable to marriages that were more business transactions than love matches. Again the examples that comes right to mind involves Alva Vanderbilt, who after her scandalous divorce would do anything to secure her place in society. She decided that her teenage daughter, Consuelo, would marry Edwin William Spencer-Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough. She didn’t give any thought to the fact that Consuelo was already very much in love with someone else, Winthrop Rutherford, a rich, handsome lawyer from an exceptionally good family. Most mothers would be thrilled to have the descendant of the first governor of Massachusetts as a son-in-law but not Alva. When Alva discovered the couple’s plan to elope, Alva literally imprisoned Consuelo in her room which was guarded twenty-four hours a day. When Consuelo still refused to marry the Duke, Alva threatened to murder Winthrop Rutherford. When that threat didn’t work, Alva feigned a mortal illness and begged Consuelo to grant her dying wish. Of course the daughter conceded and married Spencer-Churchill, though she was heard to be sobbing beneath her veil throughout the ceremony, which a miraculously recovered Alva Vanderbilt attended.

To be fair, not all Newport society romances end in heartbreak. Again using Alva Vanderbilt as an example, she ultimately married Oliver Belmont, the man found hiding in her closet years before, for love and not position, power or money, and lived with him happily, quietly and without controversy until his death. And she eventually made peace with her daughter who divorced the Duke and married again for love. So if Alva Vanderbilt could find peace and love in Newport, I have high hopes for Hattie.

About the Author:

Hardin-Baylor, Texas A&M University-Commerce and most recently, Iowa State University, publishing in several scientific peer-reviewed journals. A Lack of Temperance, her first novel and first in the Hattie Davish Mysteries series, was the #1 bestselling historical mystery on Amazon.com. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. A Sense of Entitlement, the third in the series, is due out in June. Anna lives in a Victorian farmhouse near Ames, Iowa with her inquisitive four year old, her old yellow dog and her very funny, very patient husband, where she is happily working on Hattie’s next adventure.

Website/Facebook

Traveling secretary and dilettante detective Hattie Davish is bringing her talents to a small New England town whose wealthy residents have more secrets than they do money. . .

When Hattie Davish’s job takes her to Newport, Rhode Island, she welcomes the opportunity for a semi-vacation, and perhaps even a summer romance. But her hopes for relaxation are dashed when she learns that members of the local labor unions are at odds with Newport’s gentry. Amidst flaring tensions, an explosion rocks the wharf. In the ensuing turmoil, Mr. Harland Whitwell, one of Newport’s most eminent citizens, is found stabbed to death, his hands clutching a strike pamphlet. All signs point to a vengeful union member bent on taking down the aristocracy, but Hattie starts digging and finds a few skeletons in the closets of the impeccable Whitwell mansion. As she strikes down the whispers spilling out of Newport’s rumor mill, she’ll uncover a truth more scandalous than anyone imagined–and a killer with a rapacious sense of entitlement. . .

Jennifer’s Review of A Sense of Entitlement

Review (4.25 Stars): This is the first book that I’ve read in the Hattie Davis series and I’m happy to say that I was captivated by the engaging characters of this mystery series. Hattie is sent to work as the social secretary for the wealthiest woman in America while she is on hiatus from Sir Arthur while he is out of town on business. She quickly finds herself embroiled in a mystery when she discovers the body of a wealthy banker and has to investigate to save an innocent man from being blamed for the crime.

I really liked A Sense of Entitlement and the character of Hattie Davis. She was very smart, articulate, and resourceful in a time where women were judged mainly by their social status. I was amazed at how Hattie could live in this time period where she was treated so horribly by people because she was a secretary and still be gracious through it all. I enjoyed the murder mystery in A Sense of Entitlement and will be getting the first two in the series this weekend to further acquaint myself with the delightful Hattie Davis.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of A Sense of Entitlement. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 14th, answer me this question in the comments:

What is your favorite time period to read about?

June 6, 2014May 29, 2014

Spotlight feature of Kimberly Kincaid’s Gimme Some Sugar + a tour wide giveaway

Let’s meet Kimberly:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance novels that split the difference between sexy and sweet, taking the traditional idea of boy-meets-girl and infusing it with a sassy magic all her own. She believes in fiery yet flawed characters destined for a crash-course in falling in love– usually the hard way– and injects her trademark humor as well as poignant touches into her writing to create her stories.

Kimberly’s writing journey has led down some bumpy roads (that first manuscript is under the bed, where it is very likely to stay), but there has been some fresh pavement too (her second manuscript earned her very first contest final, and landed the fantastic Maureen Walters at the Curtis Brown Literary Agency). One thing is certain — the wild ride of being a writer is a lot richer in both its ups and downs because of friends and readers along the path.

When Kimberly’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to eclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Places to find Kimberly Kincaid: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****
Gimme Some Sugar

Amazon|Kindle| B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Desperate to escape the spotlight of her failed marriage to a fellow celebrity-chef, Carly di Matisse left New York City for a tiny town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The restaurant she’s running these days may not be chic, but in Pine Mountain she can pretend to be the tough cookie everybody knows and loves. Until she finds herself spending too much time with a way-too-hot contractor whose rugged good looks melt her like butter…

Jackson Carter wasn’t looking for love. But he’s not the kind of man to walk away from a worksite—or from a fiery beauty whose passionate nature provides some irresistible on-the-job benefits…

It’s the perfect temporary arrangement for two ravenous commitment-phobes, except that Jackson and Carly keep coming back for seconds… and thirds… and fourths…

Make sure to check out Kimberly’s review HERE and Kelly’s review HERE.

Tour Wide Giveaway

$20 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble) + Swag Pack

June 5, 2014June 5, 2014

Book Spotlight & Review: The Willing by Suzanne Young

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Program comes a thrilling new novel about the lust and lure of darkness.

Amelia Cardone has spent her entire life under the guardianship of the Building, a cult of believers who made a pact with her father–the Devil. In exchange for protecting Satan’s child, the Building’s leader was promised untold power after Amelia completes the ceremony on her twenty-third birthday. A ceremony that will permanently raise the Devil from the depths of Hell.

But the half-bred child of Satan has power of her own…and a secret that threatens to destroy them all. Betrothed since birth, Amelia defied the Building’s prophecy by marking another as her mate when she was a child. The boy–long-thought dead–has grown in captivity, and has now returned to kill the girl who cursed him. But, bearing her mark, Jonas Wells finds himself unable to harm her.

The passion that ignites between them will bring forth the wrath of everyone in Amelia’s life, including her soulless half-brother (the only person she’s ever truly trusted), and a demon who is determined to make Amelia his own. Amelia knows that to survive she’ll either have to kill Jonas or go against the Building, her father’s pact, and everything she was brought up to believe.

In the end, her only way out might be to embrace the demon she was meant to become–and face the Devil’s consequences.

About the Author:

Originally from New York, Suzanne Young moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She currently resides in Tempe, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration.

Suzanne is the author of several books for teens, including THE PROGRAM, A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, and A WANT SO WICKED.

Jennifer’s Review of The Willing

Review (4 Stars): Wow, what a book! I was hooked from the very first page and I stayed up all night reading it. Amelia is the daughter of the devil and she is destined to be with Bastian, the leader of the building. On her twenty-third birthday, she will take part in a ceremony that will not only join her to Bastain, but help to bring her father into this world for good. Amelia had other plans for her future because she chose another boy as her mate when she was a young child and marked him as her soulmate. Jonas always felt a connection with Amelia but wasn’t sure what to think when Amelia bit him and left him with a permanent mark. For years, everyone believed that he died in a fire and now he is back to make everyone pay for his suffering, starting with the person he believed caused it all. Amelia.

I felt sorry for Amelia most of this book because she was stuck in a life that she wanted no part of. She couldn’t help that she was the daughter of the devil and her brother was a half-demon. She wanted to have choice in her destiny and she felt that Jonas was her soulmate and she didn’t care what the prohecy said. She was in love with Jonas and was heartbroken when she thought that he was dead.

Vincent, her half-brother and chosen protector, was a very interesting character. A half-demon who was a psychopath with the face of an angel, who loved causing other people pain. He would do anything to protect Amelia and punished anyone that hurt her in any way. He was torn for most of the book by trying to do what was right for his sister even if it meant those actions ended up hurting her after all.

The Willing was an imaginative paranormal tale that left me speechless. I was impressed with Ms. Young’s style of writing and how this story captivated me from the very first page. I will definitely check out Suzanne Young’s other books because I’m sure they will be just as enjoyable as The Willing.

June 4, 2014June 3, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Independence Slay by Shelley Freydont

The Unexpected Character

by Shelley Freydont

Writers go to great lengths to “know” their characters. Some make collages, some interview the prospective character, or make lists of hair color, height, favorite food, etc. An author lives with her characters. Your protagonist rides shotgun while you drive to the store. The sidekick climbs into the shower with you, the villain knocks at your subconscious while you’re watching your favorite television show.

You pretty much have a full house twenty four/seven while you’re writing a book, and if you write a series…well talk about your extended family.

Knowing and loving your character will make writing the story that much more organic.

But what if a character crashes your story, like that uninvited guest who shows up at the door when the party is already in full swing? It happens. It can be fun or annoying, sometimes both.

This happened to me on my latest series the Celebration Bay Mysteries. My heroine, Liv, is an Manhattan event planner hired by a small upstate destination town to be its event coordinator.

She has a dog, two retired schoolteacher landladies, an assistant, friends and colleagues, even a nemesis. But she didn’t have a love interest. A lot of amateur sleuths take up with policeman because…well they’re cool and they know how to investigate and also can take care of those pesky things like getting DNA samples and ballistic reports that the amateur doesn’t have access to.

I started the first book, Foul Play at the Fair, with no boyfriend for Liv, fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Around chapter three, she has to visit the local newspaper office to complain about her festival ad being dumped for a Boy Scout article.

The Celebration Bay Clarion is a family paper, owned for generations by the Bristow family, and a one man operation. Liv has heard old man Bristow, the current editor, is more interested in fishing than reporting the news. And that’s just not acceptable. She goes to talk to the editor in person. She knocks on the door and when no one answers, she walks in. The place is dark and a mess, and someone is snoring in the back room.

Liv stumbles through the dusky rooms to a back room filled with printers and laptops. The editor is asleep on the couch, snoring away and ruffling the newspaper that’s covering his face. I should have seen it coming, but I wasn’t thinking ahead. She clears her throat; when he doesn’t wake up, she jostles his shoe. There’s much grumbling and slapping at papers and he finally sits up.

I knew by then what was going to happen.

Old man Bristow isn’t an old man at all. But thirty-ish, with a shock of dirty-blond hair. A surfer dude wearing jeans and a flannel shirt with a hole in the elbow. Handsome and out of place–And cranky…And the beginning of a ridiculous relationship.

Charles “Chaz” Bristow was an investigative reporter for the L.A. Times until he quit suddenly and came home to fish and run his family’s local paper. As far as Liv can tell, he’s lazy and uncouth and totally apathetic. He also has a really dry sense of humor and doesn’t mind throwing sarcasm around a bit.

He’s not what I expected, not consciously anyway. I didn’t construct him, didn’t think about what color eyes he would have, or if he’d be a hunk or a sensitive Beta guy. I didn’t know anything about him until he pulled off that newspaper and sat up, scratching. At that moment, Chaz popped full blown onto the page and trying to finagle his way into Liv’s heart.

Sometimes characters are just lying in ambush waiting for you to discover them. Maybe they’ve been sitting on the back burner of your imagination waiting for a lapse in concentration. I feel like that about Chaz. Really, he’s so annoying. Sometimes Liv just wants to smack him, and actually so do I.

But we’re stuck with him. And he’s turning out pretty okay. Both Liv and I have great hopes for him in the future.

About the Author:

Shelley Freydont is the author of the Liv Montgomery, Celebration Bay Festival Mysteries (Berkeley Prime Crime). She also writes the Katie McDonald Sudoku murder series and Lindy Haggerty Dance Company mystery series. She has written several romance novels under the pseudonym Gemma Bruce. Her books have been translated into seven languages.

Her first women’s fiction novel, Beach Colors, written as Shelley Noble, was published by William Morrow June 2012. Stargazey Point will be available July 2013.
A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. Shelley is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.

For more about Shelley, please visit her website www.shelleyfreydont.com.

On the Fourth of July, Old Glory is flying high in Celebration Bay—until someone raises a red flag…

With Independence Day fast approaching, Liv Montgomery is swamped coordinating one of the town’s biggest festivals. In addition to the traditional July fourth events, the town stages a spooky Revolutionary War reenactment that can’t be missed. Every year, the ghost of local war hero Henry Gallantine—played by his eccentric descendant of the same name—appears at the top of the family mansion, kicking off the night’s revelries.

But Henry’s annual cameo goes awry after the ghost signals SOS instead of his traditional cue. When Liv rushes to the rescue, she finds Henry missing and a real dead body instead of a fake haunt. Now she will have to hunt down both a murderer and a missing person quickly before unwanted political fireworks ignite and someone else winds up as local history…