About the Book

Book: Buried Cold Case Secrets

Author: Sami A. Abrams

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: December 28, 2021

Recovering her missing memories…

Could be the key to solving a murder…

Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Two-time Genesis winner Sami A. Abrams and her husband live in Northern California, but she’ll always be a Kansas girl at heart. She enjoys visiting her two grown children and spoiling their sweet fur babies. Most evenings, if Sami’s not watching sports, you’ll find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. She thinks a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story.

More from Sami

What writer doesn’t grow up reading every chance they get? That would be me.

Until my thirties, I hated to read. Then someone told me about Terri Blackstock, and I decided to give her books a try. I was hooked. I guess there’s something to finding the right genre. Romantic Suspense is it for me. Of course, that makes sense. I love CSI, NCIS, and Criminal Minds. Over the years, I have expanded my taste, but there’s just something about suspense that keeps me coming back.

A little over five years ago, I decided to start checking off some of the items on my bucket list. I learned how to rock climb and got my scuba certification, among other things. When I got to the item, writing a novel, I sat down and pounded it out. Check the box; I was done. Wrong. God had other plans and placed some amazing people in my life.

One of those plans was attending MurderCon, a conference for writers where they learn from experts about, you guessed it…murder. Actually, it’s about police procedures, crime scene analysis…the list goes on and on. One of the workshops I attended was with a forensic anthropologist, and the idea for Melanie Hutton and Buried Cold Case Secrets was born.

I loved writing Melanie’s story. She’s a fighter and refuses to let anything stand in her way, including the man, Jason Cooper, who blames her for her best friend’s death. Jason holds on to the past and his hatred toward Melanie, but he soon learns that if he puts aside his assumptions and listens, he’ll discover the truth about the day his sister died. Letting go of his anger and blame is tough for Jason, but when he does, he finds the life he’s always wanted.

I hope you enjoy reading Melanie and Jason’s story as much as I did writing it.

I’d love to hear from you. Please visit my website at samiaabrams.com and sign up for my newsletter.

MY REVIEW 

Fast paced, danger, secrets, fractured relationships and unforgiveness make this story stand out. The characters are flawed with emotional baggage that keeps them from trusting each other. I like how the author gave us a glimpse at what Melanie had been through years ago. Readers will understand how traumatic it was for Melanie as she relives it everyday. Coming back to where it happened may not be a wise decision but Melanie is determined to find closure. 

Jason is not happy to see Melanie since he still is angry at her after all these years. In his mind she abandoned her best friend that fateful day to save herself. The person she left behind was his sister. How can he forgive Melanie for not helping his sister escape with her? His pain can be seen in his eyes every time he thinks of what his sister went through.  

I loved the mystery of the man who was after Melanie. He was determined to stop her, but from what? Was he the person who had kidnapped and tortured her and her best friend? Why is this person so violent each time he gets near Melanie? The story is very intense and at times I caught myself holding my breath.

  As the story progresses the author uses faith to help Melanie and Jason start to open up to each other. The ending is filled with surprises and sadness as the truth is finally revealed. I liked how the author showed how forgiveness can heal relationships as she wraps up the story with secrets that will shake the town and restore trust to those who held bitterness for so long. 

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 8

The Avid Reader, January 8

Bigreadersite, January 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9

Bizwings Blog, January 9

Texas Book-aholic, January 10

The Sacred Line, January 10

Inklings and notions, January 11

Labor Not in Vain, January 11

Betti Mace, January 11

For Him and My Family, January 12

For the Love of Literature, January 12

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 13 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, January 13

Lights in a Dark World, January 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 14

Elly Gilbert, January 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 15

Mary Hake, January 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 16

Kayem Reads, January 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 17 (Spotlight)

Through the Fire Blogs, January 17

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 18

Britt Reads Fiction, January 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 19

Blogging With Carol, January 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 20

Simple Harvest Reads, January 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, January 21

Pause for Tales, January 21

Blossoms and Blessings, January 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sami is giving away the grand prize package of a book, a coffee mug, a notebook, a pen!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/17198/buried-cold-case-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Hollywood is Not Home

Author: Annmarie M. Roberts

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction – Romance

Release date: July 13, 2021

Would you trade fame for privacy?

Movie star Maggie Malone has a glamorous lifestyle with everything money can buy—except privacy. Hounded by the paparazzi and ridiculed for her faith, Maggie secretly struggles with severe anxiety and loneliness. All she desires is to be herself—southern girl by birth, ranch lover by heart.

When an anonymous benefactor invites Maggie to participate in a secret project, will her hopelessness find a new direction? Or will she become another celebrity travesty? What if she discovers Hollywood is not Home? Her faith, family, love, and future hang in the balance.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Annmarie M. Roberts is an author, copywriter, and scriptwriter. She is a wife and mother of two. Her soul grew to love writing at a young age. In grade school, she could hardly wait to receive her first writing assignment, “What I did over summer break.” She just loved to impress her teacher with a detailed descriptive read of a summer filled with wonder and fascinating adventures, some of which were true. Writing has been her passion in one form or another ever since. “There is nothing like the power of expression through words to create a moment in time or an imaginative place to magically transport your reader,” Annmarie mused when asked about why she loves to write. When she is not working on commercial script writing, she spends time with her family and volunteers with her church in the community.

 

More from Annmarie

Fall in love with a faithfully blessed story and characters that grew from my heart and surely bound to find a place in yours!

This has been a long-time coming friend. It all started about fifteen years ago from a very old desktop computer and a rickety put-together desk that you buy in a box. In the beginning, it had highlights of Hollywood but no traces of the southern influence yet. We hadn’t moved to the south when I started my novel, so the blessings that were about to bestow upon me were still in store. Maybe it came from the handwritten letter from my new pastor in my mailbox the first day I arrived, or the first time I heard a shopping cart called “a buggy”, either way, I knew I was home when I landed in South Carolina. So much of my story is influenced by good Christian women I met in church, delicious southern food that will knock your socks off, and the abundance of faith that runs here like the rivers.

 

If you are reading this, know I appreciate you. If you read my book, I know you will feel the love, friendship, family, laughs, and tears that I belted out as I wrote it.

Find a special place like I have on the covered deck near my kitchen whereas I write now I hear the inviting sound of wind chimes tickling in the soft Southern hot-humid breeze accompanied by a greyed over cloud pending the usual afternoon downpour. Southern afternoon rains are fast and furious, but they kiss the grass and the trees and delight our eyes with forever green tapestry.

Sit in this place soon with a cool glass of fresh-made lemonade and some homemade lemon butter cookies, just like Maggie Malone would.

Alternate cookie and lemonade in one hand and my new novel, Hollywood is Not Home, in the other.

Fall in love with my characters and get to know me as a writer through them.  Share your thoughts with me about my book but never share those homemade lemon butter cookies…those are for you. You deserve them! Enjoy!

MY REVIEW 

I love when a story consumes me in a way that I forget everything around me.  This story embraces the charm of a small southern town where rest, peace and family are found. I fell in love with the town and the people who made everyone feel welcome. I didn’t want to leave because I felt safe in the town where love was.

Maggie is someone many want to be with her talent, beauty and stardom. She is a hard worker but you can tell she was needing a break. I loved it when she shared her faith during an interview. Oh how I pray more stars will do that someday. Now I won’t go into  much detail of how Maggie becomes involved in a secret project. I will say when she arrives at her destination, the anxiety starts to slip away from her. She finds a place to be a southern gal again and be around familiar setting of small town life and friendly people. I admired the family she stayed with and how their hospitality would make anyone feel welcome. 

Her journey is a soul searching one as she once again feels that stirring deep in her heart. Getting back to her roots she once again feels close to God. I loved reading how she is reminded of God’s grace and how His plans are better than ours. When Jake appears in the story, I did swoon a little. His charm is sweet and his faith is deep. As he spends time with Maggie she begins to let her guard down.

 Hollywood is not all glitz  and glamour as the author illustrates by showing the ugly side of it in a very respectful  way. I would not want to have to hide from the lights of cameras in my face as I walked out the door. Your life is fair game for the tabloids and people are depending on you to boost their status in the  Hollywood scene. There are a few emotional moments in the story where we see the depth of Maggie’s unhappiness. The author does a great job of allowing Maggie to be herself and let her emotions show. 

The book is a wonderful example of finding a place where you feel at home. The place where love, hope and new beginnings await. Join Maggie as she discovers that faith will help you through times of uncertainty and gracefully find you peace as you allow God’s plan to direct your path. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 7

Susan K. Beatty, Author, January 8 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 8

Texas Book-aholic, January 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 10

deb’s Book Review, January 11

Inklings and notions, January 12

An Author’s Take, January 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 13

Vicky Sluiter, January 14 (Author Interview)

By the Book, January 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 16 (Spotlight)

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

Artistic Nobody, January 20 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Annmarie is giving away the grand prize package of a themed gift basket with various items that have inspirational sayings on them like a mug, bookmark, an autographed copy of the book, and a copy of The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/17193/hollywood-is-not-my-home-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Harmony on the Horizon

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 4, 2022

Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.

On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.

After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.

As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

More from Kathleen

Who Invented Romance?

 

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but romance novels are sometimes viewed as the black sheep of the fiction industry. For various reasons, some people view romance stories with a disdainful eye. Knowing this, I still choose to write romance stories and some may wonder why.

 

First and foremost, I’ve had a passion for romance for as long as I can remember. I was absolutely one of those typical little girls who played dress-up in her mother’s clothes (or in my case, her lingerie. Eek! I had no idea. LOL) and planned my future wedding day. For reasons I can’t explain, the idea of a man and woman falling in love and pledging their life to one another has always enthralled me.

 

Or perhaps I can explain.

 

You see, I was raised in a Christian family and have always been exposed to the Bible. Have you ever looked at your Bible from a romantic perspective? When you stop to consider it, there is more than enough romance in God’s Word to justify placing it on the Romance Novel shelf in a bookstore. At least there would be if novels weren’t inherently fiction and the Bible wasn’t entirely true. (And aren’t we grateful that the Bible is completely true?)

 

So, in a way, one could say that God is the first romance author. After all, what is more romantic than a groom sacrificing his life for his bride? It even has the requisite happy ending, because He rose from the dead and will return for His bride.

 

The thing is, God isn’t just a romance author, He’s the inventor of romance. He was the first to demonstrate what love truly is. He is the one who defines it and describes its fruits so that we can recognize it when we see it. It’s His love that gives us life.

 

And the thing about romantic love is that it has a unique power to change people, to break down their emotional walls in ways that might not happen otherwise. There is a reason God designed man and woman to be together. Many reasons, in fact. But I am convinced that one of them is His ability to use that beautiful relationship to draw His children closer to His own heart.

 

So yes, some may look down on romance novels and those who read or write them, but I stand tall and proud, because I know that true romance–the kind God authors–is something to cherish and honor. I am blessed to be able to share God’s truths through the wondrous stories of two hearts joining together as one.

MY REVIEW 

This is a nice story set in the late 1860s. The author takes us  on a journey to San Diego when the town was barely surviving. Margaret’s plans have changed since her teaching job she thought she had in San Francisco does not work out. I’m not sure that her accommodations in San Diego were ideal when she first arrived. The food  in the hotel was not something I would want to eat. Her room is beyond safe, warm or clean. In the midst of all this, she still finds strength to overcome her obstacles. I admired her ability to find good when things looked so dark.  

Everett is a man with a mission to succeed. He has several businesses that he hopes will help him maintain a steady income. I didn’t think he quite had the business sense he needed and it sure came to pass when things started going wrong. Now he has to make  tough decisions that will cause others to lose their jobs or even their homes. I wondered why he made such poor choices at times. Maybe he has gotten in over his head. 

I liked how Margaret stands up when people in the town have a problem with who she dines  with. The color of the person’s  skin makes some of the townspeople uncomfortable but it does not bother Margaret. Little does she know that her job of a teacher is now in jeopardy. How narrow minded some of the people are. Her teaching ability is good but I think jealousy and pride were causing some of the women to judge Margaret harshly. 

The story touches on subjects we still face today like poverty and racism. The author does a good job of talking about this in the story with grace. The use of faith in the book is well done and adds compassion to those who need it. Throughout the story you see how trusting God and standing  up for those who are mistreated affect several characters. I must mention Katie and Fletcher. I liked them but for some reason I didn’t connect as well with them as I did Margaret and Everett. Overall the book is good and has many lessons to learn from. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 6

Bizwings Blog, January 7

Austen’s Angle: Jane Austen’s Influence in Modern America, January 7

Texas Book-aholic, January 8

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 9

The Christian Fiction Girl, January 9

Inklings and notions, January 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 11

deb’s Book Review, January 12

For Him and My Family, January 13

Mary Hake, January 13

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 14

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 16

Blossoms and Blessings, January 16

Connie’s History Classroom, January 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, January 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a Kindle Fire HD8 Plus, a custom Harmony on the Horizon Kindle case, a Harmony on the Horizon altered notebook, a Chaparral Hearts pen, a pair of earrings, a pin, and a scripture keychain!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/17190/harmony-on-the-horizon-celebration-tour-giveaway