Texas Book-aholic

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

The Beloved Christmas Quilt

I am once again amazed at the depth of writing and emotion the authors has given us. I loved that it not only included a story from Wanda, but also from Jean and Richelle. Each story is like a sweet song that you hear to gently calm you. The characters are so vivid that you want to be friends with them. I really didn't want the book to end because I felt like I had found people who were caring, loving and willing to help others without complaining. It is very family oriented and I loved how they made sure to have meals together. The love that the family members had for each other was well defined in each story. I hope the authors write another book together.

Luella's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter

It was easy to like Luella because she was so giving and compassionate. I loved how she stepped up and took care of her ailing friend Dena and her family. My tears flowed as Dena gave Luella such a precious gift and asked her to make a promise to care for her family when she was gone. I can't imagine how hard it was for Luella as she became close to Daryl and Atlee. I loved reading how nurturing Luella was with Daryl . Atlee is grieving and trying to do the best he can raising his son. It's funny how gossip starts when Atlee and Luella are seen in town together. What does Luella's parents think of her spending so much time at a widower's home? Will their age difference keep them from falling in love with each other? I loved the theme of compassion, love and helping in the story.

Karen's Gift by Jean Brunstetter

I loved how the story seamlessly continued from Luella's Promise. Karen is now grown and has a family of her own. I loved how she embraced being married and caring for her family. When they find out that their baby has something wrong with her, I thought the author did a great job of showing how they cope with it. I thought Seth was a wonderful husband and I did like the part about him going to his dad when things are burdening him. He is having a rough time at work and I sympathized with him when he had to deal with a co-worker. He has his hands full with three children and another on the way. Will Karen and Seth be able to handle the responsibility of raising a large family? Overall the story was good and I loved how the families come together to help each other out.

Roseanna's Groom by Richelle Brunstetter

What a wonderful story this was. I loved reading about Roseanna and her dilemma when her soon to be husband runs away during the wedding ceremony. What would you do if that happened to you? Roseanna is devastated and seemed to blame herself for John leaving. I really enjoyed the time Roseanna spent with her family while working through her problems. It was nice to see her rely on listening to God and not rushing to make a decision. The story gets a bit complicated when an old boyfriend of Roseanna's shows up. Will Roseanna decide to start a courtship with her old boyfriend? Can John learn to forgive himself ? I especially liked this story because it brought the entire family back together and how precious The Beloved Christmas Quilt was to pass down to a family member. I loved the book and have to say it was my favorite because it brought three generations together writing and working together.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and the author. I was under no obligation to post a review.

Linda Shenton Matchett

Author Interview

When did you know you wanted to be an author? I’ve been writing since I was very young. My parents must have seen something or maybe they just wanted to keep me busy (HA!) but they gave me a huge writing tablet and a package of pens when I was about seven or eight years old. I started writing stories and was hooked. When I was twelve I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and it really affected me. That’s when I knew I wanted to be an author and publish stories that would affect people like that book had done to me.

You have written a lot of books. Where do you get your ideas? Everywhere! My first book, Love’s Harvest, is a retelling of the book of Ruth set during WWII, On the Rails came to me when I was on vacation in Arizona. My most recent book, Under Fire, was a result of a writing class assignment, and its sequel is based on a newspaper article I read. I have a folder where I stash ideas as they come to me, because I sure won’t remember them when I need them!

What do you do to prepare yourself for writing? My husband created a beautiful writing room for me, so I hole myself up in there. I’m a morning person so I’m typically at my desk by about 6:00. Then I pull out the folder for my current project that holds the outline (yep, I’m an outliner), read through the previous day’s words, and get to work. I write best in the quiet, so I make sure the window blinds are pulled and the door is closed.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? I love coming up with the “what if” scenario and outlining the story, deciding what sort of things I’m going to do to my protagonist to make her squirm. Research is my second favorite part. I find out so many interesting things and learn about intriguing people during the research phase. I definitely chase a lot of rabbits while I’m researching, but I often come up with story ideas that I set aside for later.

You write historical books. What sort of research do you do to ensure accuracy? I read a lot of first person accounts, autobiographies, and memoirs. I’ve also watched a ton of YouTube interviews with folks who were alive during WWII. The Wright Museum of WWII is in the town where I live, and they have been a huge help in answering questions and giving me access to resources. When I was researching Under Fire, I spent several days there reading cartons of letters written during WWII. I also managed to get my hands on maps, bus and Tube schedules from the war years. I had to do my initial research about England from my chair via the Internet, but was blessed to be able to travel to London and Hastings in 2015. It was an incredible experience to stand and walk where my characters had been.

What is your next project? I’m writing the first book in a mystery series about five friends who each serve in a different organization during WWII (USO, Red Cross, WASPs, etc.) It’s tentatively called Murder of Convenience, and is about Geneva Alexander whose fiancé is killed, and the police think she did it, so she has to prove her innocence.

Quickies:

Favorite color? Red

Favorite vacation? England

Favorite hobby? Kayaking

Favorite book? Gone with the Wind

Favorite movie? The Thin Man series (they are all a tie)

Where can folks find you on the web:

Website: www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorlindamatchett

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/authorlindamatchett

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author_Linda_Matcett

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Shenton-Matchett/e/B01DNB54S0

Under Fire Blurb: Journalist Ruth Brown’s sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in April 1942. Because Jane’s body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. During her investigation, Ruth becomes suspicious about Jane’s job. Eventually Ruth followsclues to war-torn London. By the time she uncovers the truth about Jane’s disappearance, she has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters and the IRA – all of whom may want her dead. Available from www.electiopublishing.com or your local bookstore.

Bio: Linda Shenton Matchett is a journalist, blogger, and author. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. Active in her church Linda serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader.

Don't miss Linda's new book:

Follow me on http://www.facebook.com/authorlindamatchett, https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorlindamatchett, http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

Love's Harvest: Now available in paperback and Ebook at www.amazon.com/dp/B01DMB3ZX2

Love Found in Sherwood Forest available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MU3JDR3

On the Rails available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUYAGU3

"A Love Not Forgotten ," part of the Let Love Spring Collection available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVZB38Y

Under Fire available at http://http://www.electiopublishing.com/index.php/bookstore#!/Under-Fire-Paperback/p/88329129

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Spotlight on Olivia Newport

How did you get started writing?

I don’t remember a time I was not telling stories in my head. I’m old enough to have grown up in the years when every Sunday school class had a flannelgraph board. I remember using all the flannel pieces to make up my own stories! But it was only about ten years ago that I decided if I was ever going to get serious about trying to write novels for adults, I’d better get down to business. My first book released in 2012.

How do you choose names for your characters?

Sometimes characters spring fully formed with names I can’t shake even if I try. Other times, especially if I’m writing something historical, I dig through Internet lists of names that were popular in the decade during which my character was born. I want the name to be authentic to the period. I also stroll through cemeteries and keep lists of interesting first names and family names.

Tell us a bit about your family.

I’ve been married just about 38 years and have an adult son and daughter, and a son-in-law who joined the family 15 months ago. My daughter has an eight-pound “Morkie” dog that she has taken to leaving at our house during the day (we’re both at home) so the poor thing is not alone all day.

What does your writing place look like?

I’m fortunate to have a dedicated office in my home. My desk is a corner desk with a hutch with efficient shelving that keeps everything in reach—and distracting! A few months ago I hung curtains over the shelves in the hutch on both sides. I can close the curtains and focus. Above my screen are the silk flowers from my daughter’s wedding. I also have a desk in the living room that pleasantly masquerades as a more decorative piece of furniture but has a wide pull-out tray where I can use my laptop. From there I can look out at the flowers in front or the bird feeder.

Is there one book of yours that you would like to do a sequel to?

Many of my books do have sequels. The Avenue of Dreams series has three stories, and the Valley of Choice series has three as well. The Amish Turns of Time series is a bit different. It has five stories, though technically each one is a stand-alone. What they have in common is that each one is about a time in Amish history when the Amish faced a cultural or theological issue that came to define them in some way. Hidden Falls is a nice thick contemporary story populated by characters I became quite fond of, and I admit I do find my imagination wandering back to Hidden Falls and wondering how they’re doing.

What type of research do you do for your books?

When I can, I visit the place that has inspired the setting, such as the historical neighborhood in Chicago that is the setting of the Avenue of Dreams or the rural area of Colorado that is home to Valley of Choice. Sometimes research is an aggregate a number of small local museums, which are some of my favorite places, where I come home loaded with pamphlets and small books full of local color. And of course I use the Internet, though I always try to push sources back as far as I can—such as finding a description of a true-to-history parade in a newspaper from the time—and verifying facts with more than one account. Often people at museums are pleased to answer questions by e-mail about the history of their regions. I’ve even gotten train schedules for a particular route in a particular year and maps of land grants that way.

What do you hope readers will get out of your books?

More than anything, I hope they find hope! Hope of God’s presence in their lives. Hope of their significance to others. Hope that they touch other people’s lives with kindness and compassion in ways that make a difference.

Olivia Newport blogs at www.olivianewport.com. When it comes to social media, she hangs around the Facebook neighborhood more than anywhere else.

Don't miss Olivia's newest book:

Saturday, September 16, 2017

The setting of this book was so intriguing . I loved how the author brought historical facts into the book to enhance the story and make it come alive. I learned some very interesting things like how hard it was to make a living in 1816. People worked hard and leaned on each other for help. I can't image having to work in the fields all day and do chores on their farm as well. One of the most likeable characters in the story fascinated me. I learned about McAlister "Mac" Albright as a sea captain. Being on a ship for long periods of time were hard and having to oversee everything must have been so stressful. When he come to Shenandoah valley, will he be able to start a new life away from the sea?

Lily was another favorite character of mine. She watched out for her little brothers after her dad passed and help her aunt on the farm. I loved Lily's sassiness and loyalty to her friends and family. I laughed so hard when Mac and Lily first met. It was quite an embarrassing moment for her. As if Lily doesn't have enough to deal with, now Mac is accusing her of being on his land. What a jumbled mess they find themselves in. It makes for a wonderful story filled with adventure, trust, deceit and discovering God's plan for their lives.

Now to the character I loved to hate. Just saying his name makes me want to spit nails. Mr. Everett is the epitome of an evil man. He is deceitful, mean and abusive . His words cut through Lily and at times make her feel unclean. He has one goal and that is to control Lily and everything her father left her. The author draws readers in with a battle between right and wrong. It breathes realistic scenes with danger and twists that keep readers glued to their chairs. Will Lily get to keep her land? Can Mr. Everett convince everyone that Lily's dad deeded the land to him? Will Mac and Lily become more than neighbors? Don't miss this wonderful book that captures the true setting of 1816 and characters that make this story stand out in the historical genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Friday, September 15, 2017

About the book:

What did the president know?
And when did she know it?

For the members of SEAL Team Six, it was a rare
mission ordered by the president, monitored
in real time from the Situation Room.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen had captured
an American journalist and a member of the
Saudi royal family. Their executions were
scheduled for Easter Sunday. The SEAL team
would break them out.

But when the mission results in spectacular failure,
the finger-pointing goes all the way to the top.

Did the president play political games with
the lives of U.S. service members?

Paige Chambers, a determined young lawyer,
has a very personal reason for wanting to know the answer. The case she files will polarize the nation and test the resiliency of the Constitution. The stakes are huge, the alliances shaky,
and she will be left to wonder if the saying on the Supreme Court building still holds true.

Equal justice under law.

It makes a nice motto. But will it work when one of the most powerful people
on the planet is also a defendant?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author:

Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned more than ten legal thrillers, including his award-winning debut novel "Directed Verdict." In addition to his law practice and writing, he serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He also teaches classes in advocacy and ethics at Regent Law School and serves on the school's Board of Visitors.

If you are looking for a book with espionage, action and abuse of government power,
this book is for you. From the opening scenes with the Navy Seals,
the author attacks with split second decisions that leave you gasping for air.
The description of the dangerous mission was intense and it seemed
as though I was watching it from a front row seat.

Paige is a wonderful character. She is a great lawyer and is dating a Navy Seal.
I thought they were a perfect match. Will she say yes when he asks her
to marry him? When she takes on a case of epic proportion,
she will be tested, stressed and threatened with such accuracy
that only the strong will survive. What happens when a mission goes
wrong and casualties prevail? For Paige and family members of
Seal Team Six, they are left with heartbreak and unanswered questions.
Is it possible that the president knew more about the mission than she is telling ?
Is it possible to take on the most powerful people in the nation and win?

I loved reading about different laws and how the judicial system works.
The author takes us front and center inside a courtroom where the
stakes are high and secrets could destroy a nation. The CIA , the president,
and other dignitaries are on edge as Paige plows ahead to get answers
and make sure that the Seals didn't die in vain The drones were a bonus
to learn about. It is amazing how they go into the smallest of spaces
and not be detected. The question Paige will confront, is what did
the drones target and destroy ? Will she get justice for Seal Team Six?
This is one book you don't want to miss. It has the components of
a major movie that would draw crowds to see a lawyer take
on the President, CIA and other secret groups buried deep in the government.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/RSinger

Blog Tour Schedule:

A Christmas Peril (A Theater Cop Mystery)
by J. A. Hennrikus

…readers will have laugh out loud moments with Sully and friends. Then you get the whirl wind of mystery with murder, and seeing Sully in her element. It is a super start to a series, and this series is a must read in the making.
~Bibliophile Reviews

Sully is already a strong main character with strengths and flaws that make her relatable.
~Carstairs Considers….

A likeable lead character, good secondary characters, a solid mystery and a smidgen of romance kept me turning pages from start to finish.
~Queen of All She Reads

The suspects start out being a short list but then as evidence is discovered and additional deaths occur, other possibilities open up. I started to suspect several persons.
~Laura’s Interests

I enjoyed reading about all the backstage activities of Cliffside’s A Christmas Carol. I didn’t want A Christmas Peril to end…
~Jane Reads

This was an absolutely delightful book!
~Valerie’s Musings

A Christmas Peril is a fun and exciting cozy mystery.
~Sapphyria’s Books

This book was a promising start to a new series. The theater aspect of this book really caught my attention and intrigued me and it delivered well on that end.
~Bookworm Cafe

A CHRISTMAS PERIL is an intricately plotted mystery with fascinating characters.
~Cozy Up With Kathy

The author weaves the story along with the production of A Christmas Carol keeping the reader interested and anticipating the end almost in a bittersweet way. I wanted to see how it ended. But I knew it would end too soon.
~My Reading Journeys

A Christmas Peril (A Theater Cop Mystery)\
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Midnight Ink (September 8, 2017)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738754154

When Edwina “Sully” Sullivan’s life imploded, she left behind her job on the police force and her unfaithful husband to start a new life as the general manager of her hometown theater, the Cliffside Theater Company. For five years, she focused on budgets instead of crimes and kept the Cliffside running alongside its mercurial artistic director.

But when her best friend is arrested for killing his father, the rich and powerful Peter Whitehall, no one is looking for another suspect. So, in between keeping A Christmas Carol on budget and Scrooge sober, Sully dusts off her investigative skills to find a killer. Her two lives collide when her ex-husband gets on the suspect list and she’s forced to confront her past in order to save her present.

About The Author

J. A. Hennrikus is the author of the Theater Cop Mystery series. As Julianne Holmes, she writes the Agatha-nominated Clock Shop Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime. Hennrikus blogs with the Wicked Cozy Authors, is on the board of Sisters in Crime, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America. She is also an arts administrator who lives in Massachusetts. Visit her online at www.JHAuthors.com.

Webpage – https://jahennrikus.com/

Wicked Cozy Authors Blog – https://wickedcozyauthors.com/

She tweets under @JulieHennrikus, and am on Pinterest and Instagram, and have a page on Facebook. I also blog on Live to Write/Write to Live, and I blog on Killer Characters on the 20th of each month.

Purchase Links

Amazon B&N

The theater has always interested me. My son was in theater in high school and then in college. I loved going to the plays and watching the show. What intrigued me the most was the sets they made. They were so phenomenal and I couldn't believe they were built by the students. The book definitely brought back some great memories and I loved how the author described the inner workings of a theater. There is always going to be actors that disagree or financial backers who grumble when more money is needed and that sets the stage for a wonderful quest to solve a murder.

Sully has come back to her hometown to be general manager of the local theater. I loved her description of being very tall and maybe not as thin as she would like. I laughed at her shoe size because not many women have the foot of well I guess I will say big foot. I loved her character so much and found her dry sense of humor so refreshing. It's funny that she thinks she is retired from the police department. When someone is found murdered, the town seems to look to Sully to help out. The death of someone in the town turns up an assortment of suspects.

The dead person has a few family members I thought needed to take a chill pill. Either they were guilty of something or wanted attention. They sure did make for a great story and gave Sully a run for her money. She has to try to keep the Christmas play on track, while dealing with an ex-husband and a list of people of interest in the crime. I was very pleased to find out that I didn't guess who the killer was. To say I was a bit surprised is an understatement. The author has written a great book in the first of a series that will only get more intense with intrigue and characters that jump off the pages. I will be looking for the next in this series with anticipation.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 7 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 7 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

September 8 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

September 8 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

September 9 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

September 9 – Jane Reads – REVIEW

September 10 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

September 10 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST

September 11 – Sapphyria’s Books -REVIEW

September 11 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

September 12 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW

September 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

September 13 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST

September 13 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

September 14 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

September 15 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

September 15 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 16 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

September 17 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

September 18 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 19 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

September 19 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW

September 20 – Community Bookstop – SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!