Review – Page 6 – Books-n-Kisses

April 1, 2014March 31, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: A Roux of Revenge by Connie Archer

I’m delighted to have Connie Archer here today to discuss her new book, A Roux of Revenge. This is one of my favorite mystery series right now and I absolutely adore her main character, Lucky and her restaurant, By the Spoonful Soup Shop. Take it away, Connie.

When a band of travelers arrives in the village of Snowflake, Vermont and a dead stranger is found by the side of the road, the past returns with a vengeance. Long kept secrets will be revealed, lost loves will be found and the lives of many in the village will be irrevocably altered.

Special thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting this stop on my blog tour for A Roux of Revenge, the third book in the soup lover’s mystery series.

How did this book come to be? Well, it’s a cozy culinary mystery–there’s a dead body, an old crime and a young girl in danger, but apart from all that, this story somehow took on a life of its own, and before I realized it, I was also writing a love story–a story about love gone wrong, lost love and love found again after many years.

Sometimes we know exactly what sparks a particular story and sometimes it’s lost in the recesses of memory. It was just such a random event that gave me the kernel of an idea for A Roux of Revenge. A brief headline on a web page read: “Eleven Romanian Gypsies Captured by Canadian Border Patrol.” My ears went up. I just had to read this article. And it turned out to be true! It wasn’t an exaggeration and it made me wonder.

Why couldn’t a group of travelers from the north arrive in the village of Snowflake, Vermont? Perhaps they come from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Perhaps they speak a form of Gaelic–Scottish Gaelic. Perhaps they have been traveling for generations and could be connected to someone in the village of Snowflake, Vermont. That’s how my invented clan of Scottish Gaelic-speaking travelers came to life.

But then I started wondering about all traveling people — are there gypsies or travelers in the U.S. today, still living a nomadic lifestyle? How do they live? Under the radar? How do they deal with the simple things of life, like a birth certificate or a driver’s license. I did a bit of research and learned a lot.

The word “gypsy” is a perversion of the word “Egyptian,” but the people called “gypsies” weren’t from Egypt. They migrated out of northern India over a thousand years ago, moving through western Asia and Europe, and eventually traveling to the British Isles and the Americas. They are know by many names in many countries – they have become the Irish Travelers (although this group claims a different lineage), the English Romnichels, the Ludar, the Hungarian Slovaks, and the Tinkers of Scotland, to name just a few. They have been persecuted, vilified and subjected to forced emigration throughout the centuries.

Today, in the United States alone, there are estimated to be more than a million Romani people who come from far flung places around the globe. Although traveler culture honors family and ancestors and a commitment to a nomadic lifestyle, many descendants of travelers have very little information about their roots.

There are, however, dedicated people who want to help. If you believe you’re descended from a traveler culture, read on and explore the following websites where you might learn more about your origins and your ancestors.

The Gypsy Lore Society

http://www.gypsyloresociety.org/additional-resources/gypsy-and-traveler-culture-in-america

Roma of the Americas

http://sciway3.net/clark/freemoors/roma.html

Irish Travelers

http://sciway3.net/clark/freemoors/travellers.html

My clan of Scottish Gaelic-speaking travelers knows exactly where they come from and the place they’ll return to every year. It may be a long time before they’re in Snowflake, Vermont again, but I know you’ll enjoy reading about them all in A Roux of Revenge.

About the Author:

Connie Archer is the national bestselling author of A Spoonful of Murder and A Broth of Betrayal, the soup lover’s mystery series set in Vermont, from Berkley Prime Crime. The third book in the series, A Roux of Revenge, will be released on April 1, 2014. Connie was born and raised in New England. She now lives on the other coast.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

STIRRING UP TROUBLE

Snowflake, Vermont, is known for its skiing in winter—and its soup all year round, thanks to Lucky Jamieson’s By the Spoonful. Autumn brings golden leaves, pumpkin rice soup, the annual Harvest Festival…and murder.

Lucky’s soup shop is busier than usual this October, with groups of itinerant travelers in town to work the Harvest Festival. One newcomer seems to take a particular interest in Lucky’s young waitress, Janie, spying on her from across the street. Is the stranger stalking Janie?

After an unidentified man is found murdered in a van by the side of the road, simmering suspicions about the travelers are brought to a boil. But when Janie is put in harm’s way, Lucky must join forces with the travelers to turn up the heat on a killer…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of A Roux of Revenge

Review (4.5 Stars): This is one of my favorite mystery series right now because I absolutely love the residents of Snowflake and Lucky’s restaurant, By the Spoonful. In this book, the town of Snowflake is preparing for the annual Harvest Festival which will bring a much needed influx of tourists into this little town. Before things get under way, a man is found murdered in his van and believed to be a part of robbery that had taken place many years ago. While the police look for clues, Lucky is having problems of her own with her boyfriend, Elias. A flame from Elias’ past has come back and Lucky is afraid that her budding romance may soon be over. Long hidden secrets finally come to light in this wonderful mystery and not everyone is ready to hear the truth.

This is the third book in the Soup Lover’s Mystery series and I look forward to each installment of this series. I’ve always liked Lucky and I’m so glad to see that everything is going well for her in the beginning of this book. Her business is successful and her relationship with Elias seems to be getting stronger until an old love from Elias’ life comes back to town. She goes through a lot of emotions during the course of this book which really adds to her character. The thing that makes this series so great besides having a fabulous restaurant which I wish I could visit, is the characters. Each of them add so much to the story and Ms. Archer does a great job creating them and writing such entertaining mysteries. I can’t say enough wonderful things about these books and I’m looking forward to the next installment in this charming series.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away a copy of A Roux of Revenge. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by April 7th, please leave a comment or question for Connie:

April 1, 2014March 31, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Pretty Reckless by Jodi Linton

Welcome to Pistol Rock, Texas where secrets last about as long as the sporadic west Texas rain showers.

Laney Briggs has long been considered reckless, but she’s turned herself around—she’s respectably engaged and she’s become a Pistol Rock deputy sheriff. Everything’s fine until a dead body turns up and her ex, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson, decides to stick his boots into the town’s first murder case.

Laney will be damned if she lets Gunner trample all over her turf and her chance at a quiet, contented life. His seemingly endless ability to undermine her resolve and her libido is only outdone by her constant urge to butt heads with him. But when the bodies start to pile up, Laney has to ask the lethal bad boy for a hand—and a truce in exchange for his help.

Having an ex-boyfriend as an ally might not be the best idea, but Laney has always been pretty reckless…

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:
Jodi Linton grew up across the street from a cow pasture, where she was more likely to be seen selling Kool-Aid in a Dixie cup at ten cents a pop, or inviting neighbors over to watch one of her plays staged on her father’s Bass boat.

In 2001, she traded in the rednecks, cowboys, and mesquite trees of her hometown to chase destiny out west. After a few years of mucking it around with the roughnecks, dust storms, and droughts, she decided to dust off her boots and head home. With a History degree in one hand and a marriage license in the other, she followed her husband in 2006 to central Texas the heartland, fabulous Austin.

After settling into the Texas Hill Country with her husband and two kids, she joined the Austin Romance Writers of America, and signed with The Belcastro Agency. Today she can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Pretty Reckless

Review (4 Stars): What a wild ride! I liked Laney a lot in this book because of her personality and the fact that she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle with two handsome men. Laney Briggs is a deputy for the town of Pistol Rock and is caught in the middle of a murder case that puts her working with her ex-boyfriend, Gunnar Wilson. Gunnar cheated on Laney many years ago and is back as a Texas Ranger to help solve the case and try to win back Laney. The problem is that Laney is engaged to be married to Nathan, the town’s veterinarian, and doesn’t need Gunnar coming back into her life and stirring up old feelings. She cares for Nathan but being around Gunnar stirs up feelings that she thought she was over and she doesn’t want to repeat her past mistakes with him. The murder case they are involved in is full of twists and turns and involves a hilarious cast of characters which makes Pretty Reckless an entertaining read. I was surprised at how fast I went through this book and I know you will too. I like Ms. Linton’s style of writing and looking forward to reading more about Laney in future books.

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March 27, 2014March 26, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Tip of a Bone by Christine Finlayson

Buried bones, a missing eco-activist, and a deadly fire? It’s not what Maya Rivers bargained for when she moved to the coastal city of Newport, Oregon to reunite with her brother, Harley. Yet when Harley is accused of an unthinkable crime, Maya insists on adding “amateur sleuth” to her career options. It isn’t long before she discovers an eerie clue . . . but the closer she gets to the truth, the closer a murderer follows.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Christine Finlayson borrowed from her “past lives” as a waitress, barista, environmental educator, and water scientist when creating her debut mystery novel, Tip of a Bone—a tale that takes place on the stormy Oregon coast. In her spare time, Christine loves to run on forest trails, watch waves break, compete in triathlons, and photograph anything Northwest-weird or wild. She’s now working on her second book, a novel of suspense.

Website /Blog/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Tip of a Bone

Review (4 Stars):The first thing that I liked about this book was that it takes place in Newport, Oregon which isn’t very far from where I grew up. Maya, the main character, has been struggling, trying to pick up the pieces after her divorce and working as a waitress at the Clam Strip Cafe. She spends her free time with her brother, Harley, trying to repair their relationship and hoping that her luck will change. Harley’s current involvement with the local activist group, The Coast Defenders, has Maya troubled especially since one of their members recently disappeared on a hiking trip. When a fire destroys a building and Harley is accused as the arsonist, it is up to Maya to help clear his name. But with each step, she finds that things aren’t what they seem and she may be the next person to disappear.

This mystery was a little on the darker side than the other mysteries that I have read but it doesn’t take away from this story. I liked Maya from the beginning even though things didn’t seem to be going her way. I liked her personality and the fact that she never gave up on clearing Harley’s name even though people were telling her to leave it alone. I enjoyed this mystery with all its twists and turns and I loved spending time with these characters in a city I know all too well.

March 22, 2014March 22, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Midnight Witch by Paula Brackston

“The dead are seldom silent. All that is required for them to be heard is that someone be willing to listen. I have been listening to the dead all my life.”

Lady Lilith Montgomery is the daughter of the sixth Duke of Radnor. She is one of the most beautiful young women in London and engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor. She is also a witch. When her father dies, her hapless brother Freddie takes on his title. But it is Lilith, instructed in the art of necromancy, who inherits their father’s role as Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven. And it is Lilith who must face the threat of the Sentinels, a powerful group of sorcerers intent on reclaiming the Elixir from the coven’s guardianship for their own dark purposes. Lilith knows the Lazarus creed: secrecy and silence. To abandon either would put both the coven and all she holds dear in grave danger. She has spent her life honoring it, right down to her engagement to her childhood friend and fellow witch, Viscount Louis Harcourt.

Until the day she meets Bram, a talented artist who is neither a witch nor a member of her class. With him, she must not be secret and silent. Despite her loyalty to the coven and duty to her family, Lilith cannot keep her life as a witch hidden from the man she loves. To tell him will risk everything.

Amazon/B&N

TRAILER FOR THE MIDNIGHT WITCH

About the Author:

Paula Brackston lives in a wild, mountainous part of Wales. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. Before becoming a writer, Paula tried her hand at various career paths, with mixed success. These included working as a groom on a racing yard, as a travel agent, a secretary, an English teacher, and a goat herd. Everyone involved (particularly the goats) is very relieved that she has now found a job she is actually able to do properly.

When not hunched over her keyboard in her tiny office under the stairs, Paula is dragged outside by her children to play Swedish tennis on the vertiginous slopes which surround them. She also enjoys being walked by the dog, hacking through weeds in the vegetable patch, or sitting by the pond with a glass of wine. Most of the inspiration for her writing comes from stomping about on the mountains being serenaded by skylarks and buzzards.

In 2007 Paula was short listed in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book ‘Nutters’ (writing as PJ Davy) was short listed for the Mind Book Award, and she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme.

Website/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of The Midnight Witch

Review (4 Stars): I thought that this was a beautiful and engaging story of a young woman who must accept her new role as the Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven after the death of her father. Lilith was very young to have all this responsibility placed on her shoulders and has to struggle against the expectations that so many have placed on her in this position. She was expected to marry her childhood friend but during the course of the novel falls in love with another. I couldn’t imagine dealing with all this responsibility but Lilith handled it with elegance and grace when her heart was breaking inside. I loved Ms. Brackston’s lustrous language and storytelling with these character, quickly finding myself lost within this magical story. I really enjoyed The Midnight Witch even though the pacing was slow at times but worth the journey in this haunting historical romance.

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March 20, 2014March 19, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Load the Boat by Rosalee Richland

Darla King left her position as a Florida investigator hoping to avoid any further involvement with law enforcement—but her curiosity keeps getting in her way. Darla is beginning to realize that what she envisioned as the simple life of a square dance caller is not so simple after all. When Darla agrees to serve as a square dance caller on a cruise, she plans on a little work and a lot of fun, sun, and romance. Her friends from Clearton Squares have the same ideas. Instead, she and her friends discover pornographic DVDs, a dead crew member, and a mysterious man with a satchel. She lands in danger, escaping with on-the-spot ingenuity. All that and Mandy, who has bad memories from a previous cruise and is getting a little too friendly with Doug. This is the second in the Darla King series and continues her adventures.

Amazon/Goodreads

About the Author:

Cyndi Riccio and Rhonda Brinkmann joined forces to create the Darla King cozy mystery series. Darla’s curiosity often puts her squarely in the midst of unusual circumstances, and Darla can’t let go until the mystery is solved. Through Darla and her friends, readers are exposed to the warmth and friendship among square dancers, as well as the enjoyment square dancing brings worldwide.

When not writing, Darla’s co-authors enjoy reading, traveling, meeting readers and fans, networking with other authors, and – of course – square dancing. Currently they are working on Darla’s next mystery and the twists and turns it will take. If you have a chance, stop in at a book signing and find out which half of Rosalee shows up! In the meantime you can stay in touch with Rosalee and Darla on on Facebook, Goodreads, or the Darla King Series blog (rosaleerichland.blogspot.com).

Jennifer’s Review of Load the Boat

Review (4 Stars): I admit I know nothing about square dancing so this was a very interesting mystery for me. Darla gets the chance opportunity to be a square dance caller on a cruise ship and is looking forward to a little relaxation while she is away. What she finds is a mystery that she hadn’t planned on and her vacation just turned into solving crimes instead of sitting poolside.

I liked Darla and the other characters and it was fun learning about square dancing, which I found very interesting. This was an enjoyable mystery that made me want to take a cruise with Darla and her square dancing friends.

March 15, 2014March 14, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Big Money by Jack Getze

In this jaunty follow-up to Big Numbers, a scruffy stockbroker returns to tangle with mobsters, women and his own big mouth. The good news, as the story opens, is that the hero is in the company of a gorgeous naked lady. The bad news is that she’s pointing a shotgun at him. It’s a typical predicament for Austin Carr, a semi-shady New Jersey financial professional temporarily in charge of Shore Securities…He’s being extorted into opening a money-laundering account for local crime boss Bluefish; an auditor who was investigating his company has turned up murdered; a fetching state police captain figures he’s the key to her organized-crime probe; and his boss’s mother has been picked up for fixing her church bingo game.

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:

Former Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Getze is Fiction Editor for Anthony nominated Spinetingler Magazine, one of the internet’s oldest websites for noir, crime, and horror short stories. Through the Los Angeles Times/Washington Post News Syndicate, his news and feature stories were published in over five-hundred newspapers and periodicals worldwide. His two screwball mysteries, BIG NUMBERS and BIG MONEY, are being reissued by DOWN & OUT BOOKS, with the new BIG MOJO to follow. His short stories have appeared in A Twist of Noir and Beat to a Pulp. Getze is an Active Member of Mystery Writers of America’s New York Chapter.

http://austincarrscrimediary.blogspot.com/

Jennifer’s Review of Big Money

Review (3.5 Stars): This is the second book in the Austin Carr mystery series and I’m was pleasantly surprised with this book. Austin Carr always seems to get himself in hot water especially when he is asked to “watch” over things for his boss while he takes a long vacation from the investment firm. Soon, he finds himself involved with the local mob boss, murder and dangerous women. Austin never seems to catch a break in this one.

I liked this fast-paced mystery with its crazy antics, over-the-top characters and side-splitting humor. I couldn’t believe the scenarios that Austin seemed to find himself in and they usually ended up with him on the wrong side of a gun. Looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Austin gets himself involved in with future installments of this series.

March 12, 2014March 11, 2014

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Hot Rock by Annie Seaton

I’m excited to be a part of this tour for Entangled Publishing. Please visit the rest of stops on this tour for guest posts, reviews and prizes.

Megan Miller is on a dream trip to research her doctoral thesis at a rock festival in England. When she arrives in town she’s stunned that her temporary neighbor is the spitting image of her 70’s rock idol, too bad he’s also a world-class jerk. So why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Seventies rock star Davy Morgan is a man with a secret: rockin’ in one time and living in another. He holds his privacy close to his heart, so when a beautiful girl who not only loves but truly understands his music moves in next door, he works overtime to keep her at a distance. Easier said than done.

Megan follows Davy to the rock festival, but it’s not what or when it seems. The lure of the music draws them closer, but can their newfound love span across the decades, or will it get lost in time?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Annie Seaton lives on the beautiful east coast of Australia, where she loves sitting in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories. She has always been fascinated by romance and has found her niche writing contemporary romance.
Her debut novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March. The sequel Italian Affair was published Spring 2013, followed quickly by Outback Affair,Dangerous Desire and Tangling with the CEO! Blind Lust, is one of Annie’s favorite novels. Despite the title…it is a sweet romance about a witch and her difficult choice between two men.

Website /Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Jennifer’s Review of Hot Rock

Review (3.5 Stars): One of the things that I liked about this unique time travel story was its main character, Megan. She has come all the way to England to attend the Glastonbury music festival to fulfill a dream and finish her thesis about rock music. Even though her professional career is in turmoil due to the actions of previous boyfriend, she is determined to fight and enjoy what little time she has at the festival. I liked her strength and determination in this book and she wasn’t going to let anything get her down.

When she meets David, the next door neighbor, it is like a dream come true because he looks exactly like her rock idol from the seventies. The more time she spends with him, she can’t shake the feeling that everything isn’t what it seems and David sounds too much like her favorite singer. What Megan doesn’t know is that “David” is from the past and has found an interesting way to visit the future on the property where she is staying for the festival. I had a hard time connecting to Davy because he was a jerk to Megan for a good half of the book. He may have been a rock god but I just couldn’t see them as a great couple. I liked this well-written story even though I didn’t fall in love with Davy like Megan did and I’m interested in reading more stories from this author.

Giveaway

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March 5, 2014March 4, 2014

Book Spotlight & Review: Some Like It Wild by M. Leighton

How far will a good girl go for the bad boy she loves?

Laney Holt is a preacher’s daughter. A good girl. Her only goal was to get married, have babies, and live happily ever after, just like her parents. Only that didn’t happen. The two people closest to her betrayed her, and Laney’s dreams came crashing down. Now she’s left with an empty space she doesn’t know how to fill. Until she meets Jake Theopolis, a daredevil with a death wish who has heartbreaker written all over him.

Jake has no interest in thinking beyond the here and now. All he wants out of life is the next rush, the next “feel-good” thing to keep his mind off the pain of his past. His latest rush? Showing Laney there’s more to life than being a good girl—and that going bad can be so much fun. Her only concern now is how she can ever hope to satisfy the wild side of a boy like Jake. She’s looking forward to trying. And so is Jake.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Some Like It Wild

Review (4 Stars): Laney has always been known as the “preacher’s daughter” who has always played it safe until she finds her fiancé in bed with her best friend. Now, she is ready for a little adventure and the ultimate bad boy has walked back into her life. Jake Theopolis has a lot on his shoulders after the death of his father and is trying desperately to hang on to his family’s farm. Laney gets sent to help Jake inventory everything on the farm in an effort to keep it from family members who just want to sell it for a profit. Jake met Laney once before and this time he has the opportunity to finish what he started and Laney is now ready to walk on the wild side with this bad boy.

This book was very hot and steamy and I loved every minute of it. Laney was a great character who was ready for a little adventure after doing everything she was expected to since she was the preacher’s daughter. She had her whole life planned out for her until she suffered an act of betrayal by the two people closest to her. Jake seemed dark and mysterious when we first met him but there was so much more to him than just being a bad boy. He had a strong character and was loyal to the people that he cared about and felt like he had to do everything to save the farm so he wouldn’t let anyone down. I liked that about him and I could see that he was exactly what Laney needed in her life. The sexual chemistry between them was definitely hot and I was amazed at how much I liked them together as a couple. Some Like It Wild is a sexy, fun romance that will leave you wanting more from these characters.

March 4, 2014March 3, 2014

Blog Tour Giveaway & Review: Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon

Welcome to my tour stop for Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon. This is an adult romantic comedy and the tour runs February 24th- March 7th and will consist of reviews, guest posts, interviews and more. You can find the full schedule on the tour page.

Hollie Porter is the chairwoman of Generation Disillusioned: at twenty-five years old, she’s saddled with a job she hates, a boyfriend who’s all wrong for her, and a vexing inability to say no. She’s already near her breaking point, so when one caller too many kicks the bucket during Hollie’s 911 shift, she cashes in the Sweethearts’ Spa & Stay gift certificate from her dad and heads to Revelation Cove, British Columbia. One caveat: she’s going solo. Any sweethearts will have to be found on site.

Hollie hopes to find her beloved otters in the wilds of the Great White North, but instead she’s providing comic relief for staff and guests alike. Even Concierge Ryan, a former NHL star with bad knees and broken dreams, can’t stop her from stumbling from one (mis)adventure to another. Just when Hollie starts to think that a change of venue doesn’t mean a change in circumstances, the island works its charm and she starts to think she might have found the rejuvenation she so desperately desires. But then an uninvited guest crashes the party, forcing her to step out of the discomfort zone where she dwells and save the day … and maybe even herself in the process.

Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

About the Author:

Eliza Gordon is a husband-and-wife team of controlled chaos who writes stories to help you believe in the Happily Ever After.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Jennifer’s Review of Must Love Otters

Review (4 Stars): Must Love Otters was a very sweet and charming read that had me laughing at the things that kept going wrong in Hollie’s life. She has a dead-end boyfriend, a job that she hates and wishes that her life was vastly different than it is. When her dad gives her a gift certificate for a weekend getaway, she decides that this is what she needs to get her life in order. What she finds on this trip of self-discovery is more than she bargained for and is exactly what she needed.

I liked Hollie because she was honest, fun and reminded me of what life was like when we were in our twenties. She was trying to find her place in the world, but everything she did ended with hilarious results. Must Love Otters is a delightful and enchanting read that will keep you entertained and wanting more from this great author.

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March 3, 2014March 2, 2014

Book Spotlight & Review: Thrown for a Curve by Sugar Jamison

WHEN YOU’RE A big girl

Cherri has often wished she were thin and graceful like a ballerina instead of being a six-foot-tall blonde with curves that require serious caution. Surely a charming Irishman like her new boss Colin, with his throaty brogue and to-die-for bod, would never go for someone like Cherri. Unless maybe he’s looking for the exact opposite of a delicate lass?

there’s more of you to love

When Colin hired Cherri to work in his furniture-restoration shop, he had his eyes, first and foremost, on her artistic talents. But now he can’t help but see Cherri for the lush, spirited beauty that she is…and, soon enough, he finds himself mixing business with pleasure. But Cherri turns out to be more vulnerable than she appears. Is she in need of more than Colin can give? Or could it be that a feeling stronger than lust has him thrown for a curve?

Amazon/B&N

EXCERPT

“Colin?”

He looked up at the sound of a female voice calling his name. Cherri stood in the doorway of his shop, bundled up in a hat, her homemade scarf, and a puffy coat. His heart malfunctioned at the sight of her, performing some kind of stupid squeezing thumping thing.

Something was wrong. She had never stepped foot in his territory before.

“Cherri?”

He took two steps toward her before stopping. She held some sort of wooden box in her hands. It was in pieces, and judging by the look on her face she wasn’t too far from falling to pieces herself.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry, his mind chanted. He wasn’t sure he could take it today.

She looked unsure for a moment, taking a step backward. “Are you busy? I—I don’t want to bother you if you are.”

“Come here, love.” He stayed frozen as he watched her come toward him. Even in a too-puffy coat that hid far too much of her body, she was lovely to look at as she crossed his shop.

“I can’t pay you much,” she said, handing the pieces of the broken box to him. “But do you think you might be able to make it play again?”

She looked so innocent, so heartbroken, as if somebody had stomped on her favorite toy. “You don’t have to pay me anything, you daft girl.” With his head he motioned toward the stool he kept at his workbench. “Sit. I’ll take a look at it.”

“Thank you.” She smiled, flashing him those pretty dimples of hers. “Baba was so upset that she dropped it. I want to make it whole for her.”

He had yet to examine the box or to focus on her words. He was too busy watching her strip out of her winter gear. Under it she wore a pink cardigan with a white tank top that was just low-cut enough that he could make out the tops of her buttermilk-colored breasts. A voice, probably his conscience, ordered his eyes upward.

She’s not what you need right now.

His gaze traveled to her head and the ugly wool hat she wore on it. It was the last to go, and he stared as her rowdy mane of golden hair tumbled to her shoulders. She really had no idea how beautiful she was. No clue. He had heard her say that she was built like a lumberjack but all he saw was a tall curvy goddess. Even with her cheeks red from the cold and her eyes glossy from the wind she was lovely. It made him forget that she was the last person he should be attracted to.

“What?” Her emerald-colored eyes widened and her cheeks darkened with embarrassment. “If you tell me I have snot on my face I’ll die.”

“No.” He chuckled. “I was wondering if you walked here. You look a bit like a Cherri Popsicle.”

That I would like to lick.

He mentally castigated himself for that one. He lost all common sense around her.

“I did walk here. But I walk everywhere and it’s not be- cause I own the world’s shittiest car. Walking helps me keep my big bottom from spreading into a huge one.”

But I like fat-bottomed girls.

Colin kept his mouth shut to make sure his inappropriate response didn’t come out. An image of her very curvy be- hind shot into his mind and . . . Knock it off! He shook his head and finally looked at the box. “So you’ve brought me a music box.” He studied it for a few moments. It was factory- made, mostly cheap wood. There was nothing spectacular about it except for the intricate pink roses painted on the lid. That alone made the box worth saving.

“Beautiful.” He glanced up at Cherri. “You wouldn’t happen to know who painted this? This is some of the best detail work I’ve ever seen.”

She beamed at him, dimples flashing, skin glowing. He gulped. “I painted it.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Her eyes lit. “Dorky art major. Remember? My painting skills make up for my lack of beauty and grace.”

“You’re very beautiful, Cherri,” he said without thinking. “I don’t think you realize how exquisite you are.”

“Exquisite?” She laughed that deep throaty laugh of hers, and heat unfurled in his gut. “You must get a lot of ass.”

“What?” Her statement knocked him off guard.

“Ass? Tail? Panties dropping? Any of those ring a bell? I’m saying that you must have a lot of women trying to have sex with you. Probably some men, too.”

The blood rushed out of his brain as soon as the word sex formed on her lips.

Shit.

She was just twenty-two years old. And in the two years he had known her, he had never seen her date. He had never seen her with a guy. She was mature for her age but she had this innocence around her. And yet something about hearing those words come from her mouth made his remaining brain cells malfunction. She was the only woman he had a hard time keeping his cool around. He was more than just attracted to her and he wasn’t sure why.

“For fuck’s sake, Cherri, where the hell did that question come from?”

She waved a dismissing hand at him. “Oh, don’t tell me you don’t know. The brogue, the pretty words, not to mention the way you look, all make you deity-like with your sex appeal. You probably don’t have to work hard to get women to drop their drawers.”

No, he never did. Using his hands and getting women to fall into bed were the only things he excelled at. He was like his pop that way. It took running into an ex whose name he couldn’t remember to show him that. So many women. So many empty I love yous. It never took away that empty feeling in his chest. He promised himself he wouldn’t say those words again unless he meant it.

“But you don’t have to use any of that charm on me. I won’t fall for it. Well . . . Not too hard,” he heard her say when he tuned back into the conversation.

About the Author:

Sugar Jamison is a Southern belle trapped in a New Yorker’s body. With a love of big hair and high heeled shoes, she spends her day at her very normal day job and night dreaming up sweet and sassy romances. Visit her on the Web at www.sugarjamison.com.

Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Thrown for a Curve

Review (4.5 Stars): I loved every minute of Cherri and Colin’s story! Cherri was absolutely adorable and I enjoyed the fact that she was a girl with curves compared to several other romance heroines that I’ve read recently. She was smart and sassy but was loyal to the people that she cared about in her life. Colin used to be a “player” in the past but had become tired of that lonely life and wasn’t expecting to find love with Cherri. I liked that her personality and artistic talent appealed to him as well as her looks and I kept hearing Colin Farrell’s voice in my head whenever he was talking to Cherri.

I loved Ms. Jamison’s writing style and its humor had me laughing out loud. She made these characters come to life and this is one of my favorite books of the year. Can’t wait to read more from the Perfect Fit series and Ms. Jamison has become one of my favorite new authors.

March 1, 2014March 1, 2014

Blog Tour Giveaway & Review: Midsummer Sweetheart by Katy Regnery

BLURB:

During the annual Montana festival of Midsommardagen, a law enforcement official must protect a beautiful nurse from her past, thereby breaking his own vow to never risk his heart.

SYNOPSIS:

Erik Lindstrom never had much faith in love. He saw his parents’ marriage collapse and vowed to avoid the same anguish himself. His fiercely protective nature drew him to a career in law enforcement, where he’s managed to keep himself and his heart safe…until now.

Katrin Svenson is in danger. After leaving her home in secret, her only hope for safety seems to lie in the hands of a man who has steeled himself against her deep blue eyes and sunny smile. But sparks fly between the nurse and her handsome protector, and those sparks become fire as Katrin melts the ice
surrounding Erik’s heart. That fire will ward off the dark force determined to keep their sweet midsummer nights from being an impossibly perfect forever.

Amazon/B&N

Author Bio:

Katy is a 2013 NECRWA First Kiss and 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations contest finalist who has always loved telling a good story and credits her mother with making funny, heartwarming tales come alive throughout her childhood. A lifelong devotee of all Romance writing, from Edwardian to present-day, it was just a matter of time before Katy tried her hand at writing a love story of her own. Katy lives in the relative-wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children and two dogs create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories of all can often be the messy or unexpected ones. Katy has a Paranormal alter-ego: KP Kelley – https://twitter.com/KPKelleyAuthor

Her Paranormal It’s You is scheduled for a Winter 2014 release.

Goodreads:

Katy Regnery – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7211470.Katy_Regnery

By Proxy – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18299829-by-proxy?ac=1

Midsummer Sweetheart – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20613919-midsummer-sweetheart?ac=1

Midsummer Sweetheart Blog Tour

Hosted by:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jennifer’s Review of Midsummer Sweetheart

Review (5 Stars): This was a great story for me. Katrin was trying to get away from an abusive relationship when the opportunity to become a nurse in Skidoo Bay opened up for her. To get to this rural town several hours away, Katrin agrees to accept a ride with Erik Lindstrom, who just happens to be a friend of the family. He is on his way to a new job in law enforcement and is surprised when he meets Katrin for the first time. She isn’t at all what he expected and they are both caught off guard by the physical chemistry that they have with one another. Katrin will need someone to look out for her because her past relationship isn’t quite ready to let go of her yet.

Ms. Regnery is a new author for me but she is definitely one to watch. Katrin and Erik’s story was very romantic and I loved that they seemed to bring out the best in each other. Katrin had been through so much already with her abusive ex-boyfriend and I liked that she tried so hard to stay strong and fight for her independence. She was determined to make a fresh start in this new town and she never planned on caring about Erik. I believe that people come into your life for a reason and Erik was definitely someone that she needed by her side.

Erik was definitely a strong alpha male who would do anything to protect Katrin and you could see that whenever they were together. He originally had the attitude that he would keep things casual and wouldn’t let anyone get to him until he met Katrin. He wanted to experience love but was afraid to give his heart away and I’m glad that Katrin was the one woman who could show him what it meant to be truly loved by someone. Midsummer Sweetheart was a very touching romance and I would love to read more from Ms. Regnery.

February 28, 2014February 28, 2014

Book Spotlight & Review: Inherit The Word by Daryl Wood Gerber

“When tempers get too hot to handle, someone’s bound to get grilled.”

Jenna Hart moved back to Crystal Cove, California, with the intention to relax and help her aunt, Vera, run the local culinary bookshop and café. But it’s hard to follow a simple recipe for relaxation when murder gets thrown in the mix. The Cookbook Nook is set to host the town’s upcoming Grill Fest, a tasty tradition, which pits local amateur chefs against one another. The expression “too many cooks” proves all too true when the eight-time champ is found murdered in the alley behind the café. Jenna has to douse the flames before the wrong person gets burned.

Amazon/B&N

About the Author:

Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of A Cookbook Nook Mystery series, featuring an avid reader, admitted foodie, and owner of a cookbook store in picturesque coastal California. The series will debut in 2013. In addition, under the pen name Avery Aames, Daryl writes the Agatha Award winning, nationally bestselling A Cheese Shop Mystery series, the 5th book
DAYS OF WINE AND ROQUEFORT coming in February 2014.

Prior to her career as a novelist, Daryl wrote screenplays and created the format for the popular TV sitcom Out of this World. A fun tidbit for mystery buffs, Daryl was also an actress and co-starred on “Murder, She Wrote“, as well as other TV shows. Daryl is originally from the Bay Area and graduated from Stanford University. She loves to cook, read, golf, swim, and garden. She also likes adventure and has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. She has been happily married for over twenty-five years, and Daryl and her husband have a grown son who has flown the coop.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Inherit The Word

Review (4.5 Stars): This is the second book in this delightful mystery series and I loved this better than the first one. Jenna has finally been settling in to Crystal Cove and running her culinary book store with her eccentric aunt Vera, which has been a great success. Now, they have the opportunity to host this year’s Grill Fest which usually has tempers flying among the contestants vying for the prestigious title. When Natalie Mumford, eight-time Grill Fest champ, is found dead behind The Cookbook Nook, Jenna’s dear friend and surrogate mom is the prime suspect. Jenna decides to investigate to help save her friend and try to find out who wanted to win this contest at all costs.

Inherit The Word was an enjoyable addition to this great series and after reading this, I have to say I’m a big fan. In the beginning of the series, I had a hard time connecting with Jenna but now I’ve loved how she is finally settling in to Crystal Cove and learning to live again after the death of her husband, David. She has a successful business and is entertaining the possibility of a romance with fellow business owner, Rhett Jackson. So much has changed for her and it was fun to watch everything unfold for her in this story.

The mystery was quick-paced and well-written while the zany cast of characters in Jenna’s life make this story fun. I had a hard time figuring out the killer because there was so many great suspects and plot twists that kept me guessing. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author and spending more time with Jenna in Crystal Cove.