Monday, April 1, 2019

2019 #AtoZChallenge - "A" Blogs and Bloggers


~~~oOo~~~

AMBER LAMBDA - WRITTEN SOUP


Amber Lambda is a writer/poet.  I did not see a post on her site for today (yet), but the link in the database is a little messed up.  I think her header image above should go to her blog "Word Soup".

~O~

AMITA'S PEN


When I visited Amita's blog, I was reminded that I totally forgot the theme reveal this year!  How embarrassing! *LOL*)  Her theme for 2019 is books from her children's bookshelves.  I'm excited to see what young/new readers are reading these days!  

~O~

AMMA TODAY


Amma is writing about child-led learning, and today's topic is Air Travel With Children.  It shows how much children can absorb from simple Q&A.  I, too, was worried the first time I traveled by air with my kids, but my Dora-fan daughter just hollered, "Faster, faster," as we took off!

~O~

AMORE NATURA

 Amore Natura

Sri has written a poem titled, Aparajita, today, and intends to write a poem to go along with a word, following the alphabet.  The picture above is the Aparajita flower, and the word also means undefeatable.  I thoroughly enjoyed the poem and highly recommend giving it a read!  Her blog is called Amore Natura.

~O~

AN EXERCISE ON EXISTING

 An Exercise on Existing- Kenia Santos


Kenia shared her poem, "All of a Sudden" for the A day of the challenge.  I got a great sense of peace and contentment from reading it.  Her blog is called "An Exercise on Existing".

~O~

ANECDOTES OF A MOM'S LIFE


This mom is a brand new blogger (or at least has a brand new blog)!  The Theme Reveal was her 2nd post.  So let's show her some A to Z love!

~O~

ANGLER'S REST

 Angler's Rest - Julie Goucher

Julie blogs at Angler's Rest about genealogy.  This is a really hot topic right now.  I had never heard of a one-name study before, but am very interested because my married name (Braley) is a lot rarer than my maiden name (Smith)!

~O~

ANN-A FRIEND OF JESUS 0213



Ann is sharing positive posts throughout the month of April at her blog, A Friend of Jesus 2013.  One look at a newspaper shows me how wonderful it will be to see something ELSE!

~O~

ANNE'S FAMILY HISTORY


Anne writes about her family's history at "Anne's Family History" blog.  I am amazed at Anne's research - incredibly thorough!  History comes alive so much more when it is about people you know or have some connection to.

~O~


Apparently, other people in this house would like some time on the computer .... go figure.  And I found out I did not start at the beginning of the "A" blogs/bloggers, so here are nine blogs from the middle of the "A" list, and I will do more later as updates to this post.  If you/your blog is supposed to be in this part of the list, leave me a way to contact you, so I can let you know when the link to your blog will be posted.  I hope that makes sense.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Fear by John W. Mefford - #review #giveaway

NEW RELEASE....

Her death has haunted him for over thirty years. 

And he's hell-bent on making someone pay. 

A father goes missing. Not just any father. But a person once worshipped for his world-class talent.

Enter the most unconventional team around: Willow Ball and Cooper Chain.

As a nurse at the community clinic, Willow has seen the painful effects of heroin addiction. But now she's compelled to help a grieving wife and mother.

Dodging the mob at every turn, Cooper has a plan to bring them down while getting traction on his upstart career. Is he marching into a trap?

With their relationship bordering the "friends with benefits" stage, Willow and Cooper team up to find the missing person. But it's not that simple. Nothing with them is ever simple.

The hunt corkscrews into an impossible maze of events -- their lives threatened by a swarm of twisted deviants and social misfits.

Emotions run rampant, stoking one savage response after another. A spark ignites the hate, but what is the real fuel for this wave of brutal crimes?

Ultimately, can Willow and Cooper save a family from the torment before it's too late?

Only if they can overcome their own…fear.

Get FEAR now! 

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, and the TV show "Castle," you'll be enthralled by this gut-busting Ball & Chain thriller.

*Warning: The Ball & Chain Thrillers are full of white-knuckle suspense and sarcastic sass. Proceed with caution.

Available to buy from....
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Paperback

Don't miss MERCY (The Ball & Chain Thrillers Book 1)
The torment builds and builds and builds…. 

He can't deny it. 

But in what form will the pressure erupt? 

Cooper Chain isn't just down on his luck -- he's almost down for the count. The mob wants a piece of him, and he sees no way out.

It's a special week for Willow Ball, a woman who's survived her own tribulations to reach this milestone in her life.

Through fate -- or a temporary misalignment of the stars -- Willow and Cooper cross paths for the first time since college. Will an unexpected spark re-ignite the flame?

A shattering discovery changes everything for Willow and Cooper. The murder is unlike any other. But what will the cops do about it?

Attacks ensure, chaos ruptures a family . . . Through it all, how can Willow and Cooper find the killer?

But it's not over. As the bodies pile up, a pattern develops and it rocks Willow and Cooper to the core.

And then someone emerges after a three-decade disappearance. Could he be connected to this string of murders?

The past might provide the breadcrumbs to end this nightmare. But Willow and Cooper may not live long enough to see it through.

Will mercy save a life or end many?

Get MERCY now! 

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, and the TV show "Castle," then you'll be sucked into this first, page-turning Ball & Chain thriller.
Available to buy from....
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Paperback

You can find my review of Mercy here.

~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW OF FEAR

After such a stunningly good introduction to Willow Ball and Cooper chain (hence Ball & Chain  Mysteries),  in Mercy, Mr. Mefford was going to have to work overtime to have the sequel, Fear, measure up.  I am so glad to report that the hard work paid off!

Of course, Coop still hasn't resolved his 'debt' with the mob.  Nor have Willow and Cooper figured out exactly what kind of relationship they have (be in all business or very personal).  But I like that.  - and the fact they don't immediately fall into bed gives us the great 'Moonlighting' type of energy.

Fear reads well enough as a standalone, but I always advocate for reading an entire series  (in order if possible) because there is some inevitable carry-over that will give readers 'the big picture'.  

What starts as a 'simple' missing person case quickly stirs up to a spicy gumbo of crime that could burn anyone who gets involved.  

If you enjoyed Mercy, you'll like Fear as well.  If you like a little thriller in your mystery, or a little mystery in your thriller, the twists, turns, and switchbacks of Fear will keep you reading for hours!

About the Author
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

When he’s not writing, he chases his youth on bike or a basketball court, all while making mental
notes of people and societies across the land.

Find the author on the following sites...
 Website   Facebook   Twitter   Google+   Goodreads   Bookbub   Amazon Author Page

Follow the tour
018836-glossy-silver-icon-symbols-shapes-square-2
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY
Win FEAR by John W Mefford ebook
3 Winners!!
Ending on Sunday 7th April at 11.59pm CST
Open Worldwide

Enter HERE

Good Luck !!

Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team - Apply Here x
Current book tours open for sign ups HERE


Monday, March 18, 2019

Murder Once Removed by S. C. Perkins - #review #giveaway


S.C. Perkins’ Murder Once Removed is the captivating first mystery in the Ancestry Detective series, in which Texas genealogist Lucy Lancaster uses her skills to solve murders in both the past and present.

Except for a good taco, genealogist Lucy Lancaster loves nothing more than tracking down her clients’ long-dead ancestors, and her job has never been so exciting as when she discovers a daguerreotype photograph and a journal proving Austin, Texas, billionaire Gus Halloran’s great-great-grandfather was murdered back in 1849. What’s more, Lucy is able to tell Gus who was responsible for his ancestor’s death.

Partly, at least. Using clues from the journal, Lucy narrows the suspects down to two nineteenth-century Texans, one of whom is the ancestor of present-day U.S. senator Daniel Applewhite. But when Gus publicly outs the senator as the descendant of a murderer—with the accidental help of Lucy herself—and her former co-worker is murdered protecting the daguerreotype, Lucy will find that shaking the branches of some family trees proves them to be more twisted and dangerous than she ever thought possible.


~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW

I was bitten by the genealogy bug a long, long time ago.  My father took his brother-in-law to one of the world's largest repository of records, that was at the time in the basement of an office tower.  They had a life-size (well, about the size as a large poster board), copy of my mother's family 'Stammbaum", the original being in the museum in her home town of  Davos.

When I saw Murder Once Removed, come up for review, I jumped at the chance to dive into this book.  And let me tell you, the water is f.i.n.e.  The dialog is witty, the characters are solid and the genealogy tips are on the money.

I guess I have one little bone to pick with Lucy...that of telling Gus the two folks who might have killed his great-grandfather back in the day.  Because Texas billionaires (Gus) and Texas politicians (Daniel) are a breed apart.  Maybe Lucy was trying to give Gus some closure, after having revealed the murder of one of his ancestors.  But Gus chose to out the Senator publicly as the 'son of a murderer'.  Even if Daniel's ancestor turns out to be the one who committed the murder of Gus's ancestor ... who is going to hold someone who hadn't been born yet responsible?  Well ... Gus, that's who.

The book was so enjoyable I had to cook supper one night with one hand, because I wanted to keep reading!

Last but not least, I may have to rename one of our cats.


~~~oOo~~~

MEET THE AUTHOR



S.C. Perkins is a fifth-generation Texan who grew up hearing fascinating stories of her ancestry and eating lots of great Tex-Mex, both of which inspired the plot of her debut mystery novel. Murder Once Removed was the winner of the 2017 Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery competition. She resides in Houston and, when she’s not writing or working at her day job, she’s likely outside in the sun, on the beach, or riding horses.

~~~oOo~~~

GIVEAWAY


~~~oOo~~~


Click on the above banner to go to the tour site, where you will find other reviews of Murder Once Removed, as well as guest posts and author interviews!

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, in exchange for my honest review.)

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Low Country Hero by Lee Tobin McClain - #review


Mass Market Paperback: 384 Pages

Publisher: HQN; Original edition (February 26, 2019)

Welcome to Safe Haven, where love—and a second chance—is just around the corner…

Sunny, carefree days splashing in the ocean—it’s the life Anna George has always wanted for her five-year-old twins. And now that they’ve made it to Safe Haven, South Carolina, she won’t let anyone stand in her way. Not the abusive ex she’s just escaped and not the rugged contractor who caught her setting up house in the shuttered beachfront cabins he’s refurbishing. When he offers Anna and her daughters a place to stay in exchange for her help with renovations, she’s tempted. His gentle way with her girls makes her want to trust him, but she’s been wrong before…

A family is the last thing contractor and former military man Sean O’Dwyer wants right now. But when he discovers Anna and her girls, he recognizes kindred spirits. They’re survivors who’ve seen the worst of people, just like he has, and he’ll do anything he can to help them. As he and Anna spend their days bringing the cottages back to life and their nights sharing kisses in the warm bayou breezes, Sean must choose between the life he always wanted and the family he can’t live without.


~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW

I've read a number of books set in South Carolina, that I almost feel at home there.  Unfortunately, the O'Dwyer boys (Sean, Cash and Liam) had quite a different experience with the town of Safe Haven.  When they were quite young (only Sean was over 10 at the time), they and their mother fled to Safe Haven away from a horribly abusive husband and father.  He found them, didn't give a crap about his sons, but dragged the mother off and after assaulting her, left her for dead on the side of the road.  So the boys grew up in foster care.

Flash forward to the present day, and it seems like history is repeating itself.  Anna George is hiding out with her two young daughters, holing up in a seemingly abandoned motel.  I say seemingly because Sean happens to be fixing up the place, because the owner wants to reopen the motel for business.

It seems like the majority of Safe Haven's citizens have a somewhat similar story to tell.  Maybe that is why they seem more accepting of strangers (with little background info) and if something affects one resident, it affects them all.  Of course, no small town is complete without a few 'regular commuters of the crazy train', but the other residents seem to have a way of co-ordinating counteraction on the fly, so things rarely get truly out of hand.

The unfortunate flip side of most of the residents having had trouble in some sort in their pasts makes it hard for them to trust.  It is gratifying to see how Safe Haven helps the mending of lives begin.

There is a lot of tension building with various characters during the book, and the not-to-be-missed ending had my heart in my throat. 

One thing I truly appreciated about Low Country Hero, is Ms. McClain's ability to pair a satisfying ending to one character's part of the story while also indicating that there are still other peoples' paths to be explored. 

And I want an invite to one of Ma's Friday night dinners!

~~~oOo~~~

MEET THE AUTHOR



Lee Tobin McClain read Gone With The Wind in the third grade and has been an incurable romantic ever since. When she’s not writing emotional love stories with happy endings, she’s probably driving around a carload of snarky teen girls, playing with her rescue dog and cat, or teaching aspiring writers in Seton Hill University’s MFA program. She is probably not cleaning her house.

~~~oOo~~~

Click on the button above to go to the tour page, where you will find links to more reviews of this title.  You can also sign up to become a blog host for future book tours!

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher(s) via TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.)

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Grit & Grace by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin & Gretta Kennedy - #review



Motherhood Requires Grit and Grace
New devotional book offers moms of young children encouragement and spiritual nourishment

 Eugene, OR — Being a mom is one of the most rewarding experiences a woman can have, but motherhood also has its share of challenges physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. Even if a woman has read all the parenting books and received sage advice from other moms, until she becomes a mom she won’t truly understand the responsibility and challenges that come with the title. For the overwhelmed mamas who think they’ll never live up to the Supermoms around them, Suzanne Hadley Gosselin and Gretta Kennedy, authors of Grit & Grace: Devotions for Warrior Moms (Harvest House Publishers/February 12, 2019/ISBN: 978-0736976244/ $16.99), want to offer encouragement and assurance they are not alone.

From firsthand experience, Gosselin and Kennedy share about the rigors and joys of being a mom. Elbow deep in the grind of diapers, laundry and peanut butter sandwiches, moms may find themselves struggling in the day-to-day challenges of parenting. “Having grit is pushing through the hard stuff of motherhood with determination and laser-focus on the end goal of raising children who love and serve Jesus,” Kennedy explains. “Having grace means realizing that God offers you peace, rest and help in this season. Also, as you give yourself grace, you will find you have even more grace to give yourself and your kids from the One who is present in your life right now.”

Grit and Grace is a refreshing collection of 90 daily devotions written by two moms who have found themselves desperately in need of encouragement. They hope to offer reassurance and hope to other moms. “When I was in the throes of raising three young children, one day it occurred to me that I was depleted in every way, but especially spiritually,” Gosselin says. “As a pastor’s wife, I had many spiritual resources easily accessible to me, and yet I was still struggling. That was a big problem, because in this season of raising young children I really needed Jesus, arguably more than ever.”

It was around this time that Gosselin and Kennedy, former college roommates, started comparing notes over the phone. Gosselin was beginning to realize that God uses the years of early motherhood to teach moms so many wonderful truths through their children. She wanted to share these lessons with other moms. While Kennedy’s children were past the pre-school stage, she felt God was laying it on her heart to minister to younger moms as well. God gave them the same vision to provide digestible devotions to encourage moms of young children, which led to the concept of Grit & Grace.

Through humor and vulnerability, the authors deliver short messages of truth to help moms embrace God’s calling on their lives to raise children who love and serve him. The authors understand the challenges of finding quiet time to spend in the Word, and have written the devotionals with that in mind. Reading the Scripture and prayer that accompany each day’s message will help the reader discover more fully who she is in Christ and how important she is to her children and family. The authors cover topics such as perfectionism, comparison, joy, gratefulness, fear, rejection, weariness, calling, tenacity and hope.

“We wrote Grit & Grace for moms of young children,” Gosselin says. “We’re looking at the season that encompasses babies, toddlers and early elementary school. If they have multiple children, a lot of mamas are navigating all of these stages at once. While the stories focus on the young children years, the truths from God’s Word apply to mamas at all stages. We have had Grandmas comment that they feel encouraged to show greater intentionality toward their grandchildren.”

The authors hope readers will feel encouraged and empowered that God has chosen them for their specific children because they are called to this. Fellow Grit & Grace Warrior Moms can connect with the authors and fellow readers to share about all aspects of motherhood on Facebook (gritandgracemoms), Twitter (Gritandgracemom) and Instagram (@gritandgracemoms).

 ~~~oOo~~~

What Moms Are Saying

“LOVING it so far! I feel like I’m linking arms with you both and you’re helping me lift my eyes beyond the trenches of motherhood and onto Jesus.”
~ Jennifer Hess, Mom

“This book is awesome! I have had the privilege to read a copy ahead of its release. It speaks to my soul. It is about identity and heart, not about how to do it all right. A breath of fresh air and a lifeline.”
~ Kelly Larson, Mom

“This is wonderful! So very right where young moms struggle—and rich with wisdom. I love the immediate launch into identity as well as your story of “not rockin’ this role of mom.” I pray that thousands of moms discover this treasure—and, even more—discover the riches available in Jesus.”
~  Diane Comer, author of Raising Passionate Jesus Followers: The Power of Intentional Parenting

“You know spending time in the Word will help you be a better mom, but you seriously cannot imagine adding one more task to your day. Reading Grit and Grace won’t feel like one more thing to do. Rather you’ll look forward to each encounter with Suzanne and Gretta as they help you keep your eyes on Christ amidst the highs and lows of motherhood.”
~ Rhonda Stoppe, Author of Moms Raising Sons to Be Men

My Review

Somewhere during or before the first devotional, I started...well, crying.  I could recognize elements of myself on every page and thought, "Wow.  These ladies really get it!"

When I started reading the devotionals, I thought to myself, "Well, I've had tons of the gritty side of motherhood, but would like to know more about this grace business!" *lol* It took a while for me to realize that the grace is always there.  Maybe sometimes the grit gets in our eyes, and we are unable for a time to see the grace.

It is so very inspirational and comforting to know that there is no SuperMom, not even the near-mythical "Proverbs 31 Woman".  Everybody has good days, and every mom has days...well, that she might like to have a do-over.  Each devotional is a cool drink of water in the middle of a desert, an idea to remind us we are not alone in this journey - there are other moms in our towns, cities and neighborhoods, and of course, God is there every single moment.

This one is staying nearby on my desk or nightstand.  I never know when I'll need a little nudge in the right direction, and I hope to tackle motherhood with "Grit and Grace" in the future.


About the Authors

Suzanne Hadley Gosselin and Gretta Kennedy first met as roommates at Multnomah University. They are quick to admit they did not like each other when they first met due to opposite personalities. However, they worked out their differences and became best friends who roomed together for all four years of college. Two decades later, during a phone conversation, they realized God was laying on their hearts the desire to write a devotional for moms of young children to encourage and strengthen them in their role as mothers. It was then the idea for Grit & Grace: Devotions for Warrior Moms was born.


Suzanne Hadley Gosselin is a regular writer and editor for Focus on the Family and David C Cook and previously served as an editor for Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. Gosselin has written books for Zondervan, Harvest House and Tyndale and is the author of Expectant Parents: Preparing Together for the Journey of Parenthood.

Gosselin lives in Bakersfield, CA with her husband, Kevin, and four children. The family enjoys escaping to the ocean.

Learn more about Gosselin at www.suzannegosselin.com. She can also be found on Facebook (suzannegosselinauthor), Twitter (@gosselinsh) and Instagram (@suzannegosselin).


Gretta Kennedy is a speaker, mentor and writer with a degree in women’s ministry from Multnomah University and over 20 years of ministry experience. She passionately supports her husband, Jay, and his fulltime camp ministry. They are raising their three children on Vancouver Island and report their adventures on the travel blog Traveling Islanders.

Grit & Grace is her first book.

Keep up with the Kennedy family’s adventures at www.travelingislanders.com and on Facebook (travelingislanders), Twitter (@traveislanders) and Instagram (@travelingislanders).


Fellow Grit & Grace Warrior Moms can connect on Facebook (gritandgracemoms), Twitter (Gritandgracemom) and Instagram (@gritandgracemoms).

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Parabellum by Jack Nanuq - #bookblitz




JACK NANUQ currently makes his living as a Private Investigator; hence the nom de guerre (and no profile photo). Prior to this occupation, he lived the nine lives of a cat. He has been a teacher, police officer, park ranger, equipment operator, freight handler and even a ranch hand.

He has lived and worked in Egypt, Alaska, Oregon and New York (the State, not the City). He has snorkeled in the Red Sea. Slept on the Nile River and under the Northern Lights (but not at the same time). Walked among grizzlies, ridden his bike under the midnight sun, climbed Mt St Helens, and even jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.

He and his wife currently live on a small farm near Albany, NY. They share this property with three dogs, three cats, a handful of chickens and two peacocks. He enjoys outdoor activities, writing, Tae Kwon Do and teaching self-defense.  



  
Amazon ~
  



How does a POW become a spy? And why? And what the hell is a GALCO? These are only a few of the questions Carson Nowak needs answers to.

Carson Nowak is a CIA contractor like none you’ve ever met before.  Shortly after George W Bush is elected president Carson is tasked with retrieving a trunk load of documents.  The order comes not from the Agency or even the President; but a higher authority, his Nana.  In addition to the documents, the trunk contains a war relic that is tied to a mysterious death just before D-Day.  Tracing the provenance behind this relic triggers a chain of events that not only unlocks Carson’s family history but garners the interest of a South American hit squad. Carson must navigate the challenges of protecting his family, maintaining his business, ensuring the safety of a refugee developing a revolutionary weapons system, and deal with an infuriating curmudgeon.  Along the way, he falls in love.  To navigate these challenges he must enlist the help of a pencil-thin code breaker, a claustrophobic corpsman and a Haitian nurse.    




Universal Amazon Link ~ 
  


Snippet:

Carson Nowak navigated the minefield that was his great-grandmother’s attic; careful to step where the random boards were nailed to the joists. The dry-rotted flooring had the structural integrity of toilet paper. No need to crash through the ceiling; that would really set her off. Moldy boxes, piles of clothes and garish Christmas decorations, all covered in layers of dust and pigeon shit, further complicated the task.
He glanced at the map, drawn on the back of a piece of junk mail. The queen of recycling, Nana never threw anything away without finding at least a second use for it. He spotted the old tarp. The steamer trunk should be under that mess. Carson sighed, “Any farther away and it would have been in the neighbor’s house.”
What the hell am I doing? he thought. Carson had tried to talk her out of this fool’s errand, but she insisted it be brought downstairs. When he showed reluctance, she screamed at him in the four languages she knew best. Then in the one she knew the least; English. 



To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 






Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Secrets at Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble - #review


Hardcover: 352 Pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 22, 2019)

From USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble comes the third book in her beloved Lavender Tides series.

Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was—can Bailey even trust herself anymore?

Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down.

Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava.

Filled with Colleen Coble’s custom blend of suspense and romance, Secrets at Cedar Cabin takes us back to the evocative landscape of Washington’s coast where nothing is quite as it seems.


~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW

Oh my goodness, I feel for Bailey, lied to by the two most important people in her life, her husband and her mother.  Then, a nice remote cabin can be a nice place to relax, but it's also scary as all get out at night.  Remote though it may be, it doesn't really serve Bailey's need to hide, because there are things out in the woods in the middle of the night, including the FBI.

One of the things I like best about the author's writing is her ability to keep the romance clean and the suspense set on high.  It's a tough balance to strike, but Ms. Coble gets it just right.

Lance, the 'FBI guy', have to learn to trust each other, at a time when neither are predisposed to trusting anyone but themselves.  Bailey's troubles we already knew (mother and husband lied, mother killed, B on the run from the killer), but Lance adds his own layer to that as well.  The reason that he's out there in the wilderness is because his sister ran away some years ago and was forced into a human trafficking system.

Another thing the author 'gets right' (IMO) is in wrapping up the story.  When the tale ends too abruptly, I get almost a little let-down.  Trust me, no worries about that here.  To use a foodie metaphor,  the meal of "Secrets" was full and satisfying, but there's still a 'lee-tle' room for dessert.

Be sure to catch the two prior installments to this Lavender Tides series, The View from Rainshadow Bay, and  The House at Saltwater Point.  There's also a novella in the series, Leaving Lavender Ties.
~~~oOo~~~

MEET THE AUTHOR




Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 4 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

~~~oOo~~~
Click the button above to go to the tour page, where you will find links to more reviews of this title.  You can also find out how to become a host for future book blog tours while you are there!
(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher(s) via TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.)

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Mercy by John W. Mefford - #review #giveaway

NEW RELEASE....

The torment builds and builds and builds…. 


He can't deny it. 

But in what form will the pressure erupt? 

Cooper Chain isn't just down on his luck -- he's almost down for the count. The mob wants a piece of him, and he sees no way out.

It's a special week for Willow Ball, a woman who's survived her own tribulations to reach this milestone in her life.

Through fate -- or a temporary misalignment of the stars -- Willow and Cooper cross paths for the first time since college. Will an unexpected spark re-ignite the flame?

A shattering discovery changes everything for Willow and Cooper. The murder is unlike any other. But what will the cops do about it?

Attacks ensure, chaos ruptures a family . . . Through it all, how can Willow and Cooper find the killer?

But it's not over. As the bodies pile up, a pattern develops and it rocks Willow and Cooper to the core.

And then someone emerges after a three-decade disappearance. Could he be connected to this string of murders?

The past might provide the breadcrumbs to end this nightmare. But Willow and Cooper may not live long enough to see it through.

Will mercy save a life or end many?

Get MERCY now! 

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, and the TV show "Castle," then you'll be sucked into this first, page-turning Ball & Chain thriller.
Available to buy from....
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Paperback

~~~oOo~~~


MY REVIEW

     I usually read mystery novels.  I don't think I could pick a better book than Mercy  by John W. Mefford by to foray once more into the thriller genre.  This is definitely a walk on the wild side of life!

What first drew me in, before I knew anything about the book, were the surnames of the main characters:  Ball, and Chain.  I love punny titles and appreciate writers who play wildly with words while writing.  I then jumped into the deep end of the story, which opens up with a serial killer on the prowl.  Shorly afterwards we are introduced to the main characters.  

Cooper Chain is a writer whose life has gone severely downhill since his college days.  He's currently on the run from some loan shark muscle.  Coop also works for minimum wage in a local bookstore / bar joint.  He's got one week to magically come up with $50,000.

Willow Ball has had her own difficulties since she and Cooper were an item in college.  But things seem to be getting better for her.  She's engaged to Harvey and her wedding is fast approaching.  Harvey gave her a Mercedes as a present.

Mercy is told from several points of view: Cooper's, Willow's and one criminally insane serial killer who could give Hannibal Lecter a run for his money.  Our heroes kind of 'run into' the killer while checking on Willow's cousin, who is also one of her bridesmaids.  Unfortunately for the cousin, she won't be able to complete her wedding duties.  Coop and Will don't find that out for a short while, because they are busy fighting for their lives, literally, with a killer who does not like being interrupted.

The jumps in points of view seem almost a little disjointed at first, until I recognized the pattern from the movie Pulp Fiction.  The switching back and forth, I think, adds to the uncertainty that fuels a great thriller.

This was my first experience with a book by Mefford.  It will not be the last.  I just hope my bookshelves will hold up under the weight of all the new TBR-list books!

~~~oOo~~~

Readers are saying… 
"MERCY is full of suspense and sass. An exciting, mind-blowing adventure." 

 "Willow Ball and Cooper Chain are flawed and funny, yet so very real in how they deal with the heart-pounding curve balls." 

 "You'll be enthralled by the gripping story, and you'll laugh out loud from the snarky interactions between Willow and Cooper. I hope this is the first of many killer Ball & Chain adventures." 

 "The most original new thriller series out there!"

About the Author
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

When he’s not writing, he chases his youth on bike or a basketball court, all while making mental
notes of people and societies across the land.

Find the author on the following sites...
 Website   Facebook   Twitter   Google+   Goodreads   Bookbub   Amazon Author Page


Follow the tour

018836-glossy-silver-icon-symbols-shapes-square-2
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.


NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY
Win MERCY by John W Mefford ebook
3 Winners!!
Ending on Sunday 10th February at 11.59pm CST
Open Worldwide

Enter HERE

Good Luck !!

Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team - Apply Here x
Current book tours open for sign ups HERE



Friday, January 25, 2019

How the Light Gets in by Jolina Petersheim - #review


Hardcover: 400 Pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (March 5, 2019)

“Compellingly woven by Jolina Petersheim’s capable pen, How the Light Gets In follows a trail of grief toward healing, leading to an impossible choice–what is best when every path will hurt someone?” –Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

Friday, January 11, 2019

Tajael by Alisa Woods - #review

Tajael (Fallen Angels #1)Tajael by Alisa Woods
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Charlotte is a physicist working on a theory that objects can be moved from one dimension to another. Most people she knew did not believe such a thing could exist. But her boss did, and he and the money to fund the research, and he had faith in Charlotte.

Charlotte's fellow scientist was less than thrilled by her presence, perhaps because a) she was a woman, b) she was a woman who wouldn't give him the time of day ... or night, and c) the boss like her ideas better than his.

But, surprise the other dimension(s) is/are real. And not everyone on the other side is thrilled with humans (specifically Charlotte) being able to travel between dimensions, something which had hitherto been reserved for immortals and other supernatural beings. Like the Fae, who were allied with dark angels, vampires and werewolves. On the other side, where Angels and Dragons.

Small wonder, then, that a Guardian Angel (Tajael) was sent to protect Charlotte. She was like this light that was shining like crazy with goodness, and naturally dark creatures are going to think, "Hmmm...THAT can't be good!" (No pun intended, but it is kind of funny.) There is a scene in the Winter Court of the Fae containing incestuous sex, and sexual assault Those situations are not triggers for me, but I still thought, "Ewwww!"

Other than that, I enjoyed the first 75% of the book immensely. Kudos to Ms. Woods for having a MC as a brilliant female physicist. (Won't it be nice, though, when it's so commonplace that we don't get all excited about it anymore?)

But, Tajael (angeling - half angel, half human), has a problem. He, like all angels, is attracted to Charlotte's light and goodness. And, having spent some time in the dark realms, he struggled increasingly with the sin of Lust.

Just after the third successful trial of Charlotte's machine - nick-named SEXi-MRI by her boss, the dark forces popped up in great numbers. Luckily, there was a fairly equal contingent of angels and angelings trying to protect Charlotte and her experiment. But the day was not a complete success. Charlotte was kidnapped by the Fae and the machine was destroyed.

Having realized that Tajael's boss wanted them to mate (to produce more warriors for the light), once Tajael and his 'team' rescued Charlotte and they were back in this world, said couple threw caution to the wind. Once they started having sex, I didn't think they were ever going to stop. Apparently, angels are rather quick to recover. I just prefer my romances with a little more sugar and a little less spice.

Other than that, like I said, I enjoyed the story, and would recommend the book, with the reservations for possible triggers and graphic sexual content.

View all my reviews

 (Disclaimer:  I 'purchased' this copy for free at Amazon, having received an email from deal-notification service such as BookbubBookRioteBookSodaFreebooksyRobin's Reads, etc.  I was under no obligation to review.)

~~~oOo~~~

This book helps me fulfill the following 2019 reading challenges and read-a-thons:

#WintersRespite Read-a-thon
#BeatTheBacklist2019 RC
You Read How Many? RC
GoodReads RC
Bout of Books Read-a-thon  
PopSugar RC