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Friday, March 10, 2017


About the book: 

Why did their differences matter so much?
Link Whitman has settled into the role of bachelor without ever intending to. Now he's stuck in a dead-end job and, as the next Whitman wedding fast approaches, he is the last one standing. The pressure from his sisters' efforts to play matchmaker is getting hard to bear as Link pulls extra shifts at work, and helps his parents at the Chicory Inn.
All her life, Shayla Michaels has felt as if she straddled two worlds. Her mother's white family labeled her African American father with names Shayla didn't repeat in polite-well, in any company. Her father's family disapproved as well, though they eventually embraced Shayla as their own. After the death of her mother, and her brother Jerry's incarceration, life has left Shayla's father bitter, her niece, Portia, an orphan, and Shayla responsible for them all. She knows God loves them all, but why couldn't people accept each other for what was on the inside? For their hearts?
Everything changes one icy morning when a child runs into the street and Link nearly hits her with his pickup. Soon he is falling in love with the little girl's aunt, Shayla, the beautiful woman who runs Coffee's On, the bakery in Langhorne. Can Shayla and Link overcome society's view of their differences and find true love? Is there hope of changing the sometimes-ugly world around them into something better for them all?
About the author:

Deborah Raney's books have won numerous awards including the RITA, National Readers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas-the setting of many of Deb's novels-for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita.
Find out more about Deborah at http://deborahraney.com.
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Thursday, March 9, 2017

Death By Chocolate Lab
by Bethany Blake

Death By Chocolate Lab is full of subtle humor, intriguing characters, and dogs with a great deal of personality. Oh – and a really well-plotted mystery with lots of twists and turns.
~Reading is my SuperPower
A great fast paced read that will keep you guessing until the end and even I was taken back by who it was.
~Bab’s Book Bistro
Death by Chocolate Lab (Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Kensington (February 28, 2017)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496707383
E-Book ASIN: B01GBAG2T0
Pet sitter Daphne Templeton has a soft spot for every stray and misfit who wanders into the quaint, lakeside village of Sylvan Creek. But even Daphne doesn’t like arrogant, womanizing Steve Beamus, the controversial owner of Blue Ribbon K-9 Academy. When Steve turns up dead during a dog agility trial, Daphne can think of a long list of people with motives for homicide, and so can the police. Unfortunately, at the top of the list is Daphne’s sister, Piper—Steve’s latest wronged girlfriend.
Certain that Piper is innocent, in spite of mounting evidence to the contrary, Daphne sets out to clear her sister’s name—and find Axis, Steve’s prize-winning chocolate Labrador, who went missing the night of Steve’s death. Aided by Socrates, her taciturn basset hound, and a hyperactive one-eared Chihuahua named Artie, Daphne quickly runs afoul of Detective Jonathan Black, a handsome and enigmatic newcomer to town, who has no appreciation for Daphne’s unorthodox sleuthing.
Can a free-spirited pet sitter, armed only with a Ph.D. in Philosophy and her two incompatible dogs, find the real killer before she becomes the next victim?
Includes recipes for homemade dog treats!


About The Author

Bethany Blake lives in a small, quaint town in Pennsylvania with her husband and three daughters. When she’s not writing or riding horses, she’s wrangling a menagerie of furry family members that includes a nervous pit bull, a fearsome feline, a blind goldfish, and an attack cardinal named Robert. Like Daphne Templeton, the heroine of her Lucky Paws Mysteries, Bethany holds a Ph.D. and operates a pet sitting business called Barkley’s Premium Pet Care.
Author Links 
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N


Review.jpg

The author is off to a grand start with this new series. I was so impressed with the writing style and how the story kept my attention. I love reading about animals and adore dogs. The setting for the story was great and oh how I loved the characters.

Daphne is quite the dog whisperer. Well maybe not to some of the dogs but as a pet sitter she is perfect. Getting to know the animals she takes care of were fun. I absolutely love Artie. He would be the dog I would adopt without question. The author described him so well I could see his big eyes and bulging teeth with only one ear on a face that you have to love. Socrates is such a laid back dog and I laughed as Daphne tried coaxing him on walks. Daphne lives with her sister Piper, who happens to be a veterinarian.

Piper is a very intelligent woman and is much more serious than her wacky sister Daphne. As it gets closer for the agility trail for dogs , Daphne is helping her sister set up for it on her farm. I would love to watch one of these trails in person. I can just imagine the beautiful and powerful dogs showing their strength and ability to listen to commands.  It must take a lot of work to train them. Unfortunately something goes wrong and the trail is cancelled. A body has been found and who do you think discovers the body?

Detective Jonathan Black is the investigator on the case. He really sounded like a good man with no tolerance for people who try to interfere . He is pretty quiet about his personal life and I enjoyed his encounters with Daphne. Will Piper be charged with the crime? Can Daphne stay out of the Jonathan's way? The story is funny and the trouble that Daphne finds herself in exasperates everyone around her. With Daphne the pet sitter on the case , shenanigans are sure to follow. Don't miss this fun cozy mystery filled with laughter and intrigue.

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


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Tour Participants
March 6 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
March 6 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST
March 7 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
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March 7 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW
March 8 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
March 9 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW
March 9 – Texas Book-aholic – SPOTLIGHT
March 9 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW
March 10 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
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March 10 – Bookworm Mom – REVIEW
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March 11 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
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March 12 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
March 13 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  
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March 14 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
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No Way Home
by Annette Dashofy

Dashofy’s No Way Home is off the charts fantastic! Fantastic characters, fantastic mysteries, fantastic book!! Get your copy and hold on tight, it is going to be a bumpy ride as you find out if everyone make their way home.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
No Way Home is the best one yet. Great story that keeps you on the edge.
~Shelley’s Book Case
Make your way to No Way Home’s pages. You’ll uncover a wonderful addition to Zoe’s story, as well as a superb story in and of itself. But I definitely suggest reading the whole series. The more you read, the more you’ll find to love.
~Back Porchervations
A fantastic book that I loved reading. I couldn’t put the book down. It was great mystery that had me from the first pages.
~Books, Dreams, Life
Annette Dashofy has crafted a suspenseful and satisfying story in No Way Home; it’s possibly my favorite of the Zoe Chambers mysteries to date.
~The Girl with Book Lungs
No Way Home was a fast paced keep you on the edge of your seat Cozy read. No Way Home is a ‘stand alone’ book although be cautioned you’ll probably want to read the beginning of the series!
~The Journey Back
Annette is a great writer, providing the reader with such a mystery that you guess through out the book on the “who-done-it” and yet, even in the end you are surprised to see the actual suspect come to light.
~Bibliophile Reviews
No Way Home (A Zoe Chambers Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Henery Press (March 14, 2017)
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1635111774
Kindle 9781635111798

Synopsis

A relaxing trail ride turns tragic when Paramedic and Deputy Coroner Zoe Chambers discovers the body of a popular county commissioner in her Pennsylvania woods. Inconsistencies surround the horrible accident, but before she can investigate further, she’s pried away by a plea for help from her best friend whose son has been deemed a person of interest in a homicide over a thousand miles away. When he vanishes without a trace, his mother begs Zoe to help clear him and bring him safely home. The task takes Zoe out of her comfort zone in a frantic trip to the desolate canyons and bluffs of New Mexico where she joins forces with the missing boy’s sister and a mysterious young Navajo.
Back at home, Vance Township’s Chief of Police Pete Adams must deal not only with the commissioner’s homicide, but with an influx of meth and a subsequent rash of drug overdoses in his rural community. Bodies keep turning up while suspects keep disappearing. However little else matters when he learns that half a continent away, a brutal killer has Zoe in his sights.
Books in the Zoe Chambers Mystery Series:
• CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE (#1)
• LOST LEGACY (#2)
• BRIDGES BURNED (#3)
• WITH A VENGEANCE (#4)

Dashofy-1559 (534x800)About The Author –

Annette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township. CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE, published by Henery Press, was a finalist for the Agatha Award for Best First Novel and for the David Award for Best Mystery of 2014. LOST LEGACY, was released in September 2014 followed in April 2015 by BRIDGES BURNED, which has been nominated for the Agatha for Best Contemporary Novel. WITH A VENGEANCE, the fourth in the series, was released May 3, 2016.
Author Links
Twitter– @Annette_Dashofy 
Purchase Links 
Amazon B&N

Review.jpg


I am not sure what I expected when I got this book to read, but I can say it is going on my favorite books list. I loved everything about this book. The characters are phenomenal and the mystery is so intense I couldn't stop reading. If you have not  read a book from this author you are missing out on a superb writing style. I was so engrossed in the story I could almost imagine it being a movie.

Zoe is a woman with many talents and has nerves of steel. She is able to keep calm in the most  chaotic situations. As she gets ready to hit the trail at the boarding facility she runs, a lone horse shows up. Where is the rider? It seems odd to Zoe and she starts looking for the rider. What she discovers will set into motion a mystery that will span the countryside and into another state. There has been a lot of friction going on in town due to fracking . I found this very interesting and wanted to learn more. The author does  a great job of explaining what it is. I also had some inside information from my husband who works in the oil and gas industry. Was someone out to stop any plans dealing with fracking in their town?

The people in town are shocked to learn who the person was that Zoe found. Let's just say the person was well known and had maybe upset a certain group in town. The brilliant writing takes us on a journey that also involves some mysterious deaths of young people. Someone very dear to Zoe turns up missing and she finds herself going to New Mexico to search  for him.  This is where I found myself on the edge of my seat. The action really takes off and Zoe is kept wondering who to trust .

There is one character that really stood out and I quickly found myself liking him. He is known as 'pony boy" or "Yellowhorse' as some call him. He was someone I would want to have on my side if I was in danger. He is very smart, knows the land  well and will protect those with him at all costs. The story is riveting and I loved how the author ties it all together. This is one story that keeps you guessing with an ending you won't see coming.

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

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March 1 – Lori’s Reading Corner – SPOTLIGHT
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Tuesday, March 7, 2017


LOVE AT FIRST LAUGH

This collection of stories will have you laughing, crying and cheering for the couples as they try to find happiness. Each author brings their own unique writing style and gives readers hours of delightful stories . I don't have a favorite because I thought every story was beautifully written. Don't miss your chance to get your copy to enjoy.

Second Impressions by Pepper Basham
What a delightful story this is. The details are so picturesque and helps readers visualize the setting. I absolutely adore Nora. She is very smart and a huge Jane Austen fan. Her family is always trying to play matchmaker and leads to some funny encounters for her. As her birthday arrives, she knows what is about to happen. A grand party with lots of food and perhaps a romantic meeting is in store for her.

She is quite surprised by the gift she gets this year. Her dream vacation to Bath, England to attend the Jane Austen festival is coming true. There are many surprises awaiting her and a chance meeting with Ethan. What a dashing character he is. They have some tense moments but oh my are they funny . Will Nora finally meet the man  of her dreams? Is Ethan trustworthy? Don't miss this wonderful story of chance meetings and characters that jump off the pages.

Mowed Over by Christina Coryell
This story was a bit different for me. I loved Willow and her free spirit as I call it. She has a great job drawing fairies and seems to have fans who love her characters. She sure can be crazy at times and when she runs into Clint I almost fell out of my chair laughing. He is mowing the lawn and suddenly some crazy little thing comes running outside to stop him. She thinks Clint is a hillbilly with his long beard. So what does Clint think of her rainbow hair? Will these two ever become friends? It's a battle of the lawnmower vs rainbow in a cute story that I loved reading.

An Informal Affair by Heather Gray
Lia and Maverick are great friends . They enjoy each other's company and have a blast telling each other about their disastrous dates. A dare has placed them in the online dating scene. Their dates are funny and horrible at the same time. Have you ever done online dating ? It's like rolling a dice. You never know what you are going to get. I'm not sure who has the worse dates but Lia and Maverick can't wait to share with each other.

What happens when they both decide to try a new dating site? They discover  that it is a Christian dating site so hopefully they will not have to deal with people who are less than truthful. Maverick is such a great character. He is funny, smart and loves God. I loved the true friendship Lia and Maverick have and loved their interaction. They are so comfortable with each other. The story has a bit of mystery which really intrigued me. I found myself telling Lia that the man of her dreams is right in front of her. Do you think she heard me? Will Lia and Maverick find their soul mates? The author gives readers characters with great morals and I loved how they always turned to God for His direction.

A Heart Restored by Elizabeth Maddrey
I love watching shows about renovations and seeing all the beautiful designs . The author does a great job of making readers front row seats to a couple who does remodeling. It was fun to read about Deidre and her big undertaking of a beautiful and historic home. I loved her determination and ideas. She is struggling with her relationship with God and trying to trust again. When she meets Jeremiah her guard is up. Jeremiah is a great person and wants to help Deidre on her project. The story is written well and I loved how Jeremiah shared his faith with Deidre. Will Deidre learn to trust again? It's a great story about finding your way back to God and mending your heart. I loved how the story really shows how people struggle with hurt and find a way to overcome it.

Unleashing Love by Jessica R. Patch
The opening of this story is so funny and with the authors great words I saw the scene as if I was right there. Emma Kate  is a hoot and I love her sassy attitude. She  is petite and is walking a dog that could be mistaken for a pony. She has been wanting to meet the well dressed man she sees most days on her walk. Griff is none to happy when he is run over by this huge dog. The interaction between him and Emma  Kate are priceless. I wonder if Griff is upset or embarrassed by the incident? Guess sometimes first impressions are not always good .

Things just seem to go from bad to worse for Griff. After getting bad news he is now trying to decide what to do about his niece. The baby is only nine months old and after calling his dad, it is clear that the baby is not something his dad wants to deal with. I found Griff's father to be cold and distant. What  would make him feel nothing for his family? After a big misunderstanding Emma Kate finds herself in a sticky situation. Will she help Griff out? The story is funny and at times emotional. I loved that they were both looking for acceptance and willing to take a chance on each other. The story made me cry at times. It is hard to not feel wanted by your family . Can Griff forgive and let someone very special into his life?  You don't want to miss this story about a man who hates dogs, a woman who loves dogs and a baby that needs love.

A (Nearly )Normal Nanny by Krista Phillips
The sparks  are sure to fly when Mari the nanny is suddenly surprised by an intruder in the home she stays at. She must keep the children safe so she does the only thing she can think of. There is just one little problem after she knocks the intruder in the head. Did someone forget to mention that the children's uncle was back in town?

Brandon has come back to his sisters place to stay after a concert tour has been cancelled. Brandon is fun and likes to take chances. Mari is serious about her duties as a nanny and it's a perfect setup for lots of laughs as two people try to make the best of an uncomfortable setting. Will Mari lighten up and get some fun back into her life? Can Brandon show Mari that it's ok to trust others and to let go?  I thought this was a perfect story that shows opposites attract.

That's When I Knew by Laurie Tomlinson
I loved the story of Chelsea and Nick. Chelsea has a big heart and loves sports which is a big plus for guys. Nick is excited to see Chelsea after such a long time. They shared a lot of great memories. Will there be a reconnection between them? Chelsea finds delight in the small things that Nick remembers. I loved the scene when they were eating ice cream. It just seemed so relaxed and brought a smile to Chelsea's face. I found Nick's truck to be a great part of the story. Sometimes it is hard to let go of something you hold dear, but that truck may cause some funny moments as it sputters down the road.  The best part of the story is reading that they each listened to God and let their relationship grow with His guidance.

A Time To Laugh by Marion Ueckermann
What a wonderful story this  was. Elizabeth and Brian have  always longed for a child but it never happened. They have done some rewarding mission work over the years and have  decided to settle down and enjoy life . Both of them are in their sixties and ready for a new chapter in their life. God always  has the best timing and what a surprise He has for them.

When Elizabeth and Brian get the news that they are expecting , I could just imagine the look of their faces. I could relate to this couple so much. I remember when I found out I was pregnant after having two teenage boys . I cried and thought that God had a good sense of humor. Much like Elizabeth I embraced my pregnancy and had my share of looks and whispers. I loved how they were so in awe of the miracle God had given them.  There is much emotions in this story and I loved how the author allowed the pregnancy to draw someone to a relationship  with God. Miracles do happen and God has a plan for our lives. We are never to old to be blessed by Him.

I received a copy of this book from one of the authors. The review is my own opinion.

Sunday, March 5, 2017


HOLIDAYS OF THE HEART by DARLENE FRANKLIN

I love books that contain  several stories and fill your heart with hope and joy. The author has done a great job of capturing the time period and given us characters that are strong, determined and faith filled. Each story is enchanting and I loved how the author brings each character to life. This is one collection that you don't want to miss.

My Candy Valentine
I loved reading about how candy was made and the hard work that it takes to make beautiful chocolates, ribbon candy and much more. Wouldn't it be fun to have your own candy store? After each batch of candy is made, you could sample one and taste the different flavors exploding in your mouth.

Catrina Jensen is known for her delicious candies and is kept busy filling orders each day. She has worked hard to make her candies a success. What happens when a gentlemen comes in the shop to offer her a business deal that will make her candies famous? Can she trust Gilbert Williams or is he there to steal her business? This is a delightful story with a bit of romance and a lesson in trusting God.

Love's Glory
The story opens with excitement as a plane is seen in the sky. The crowd is eager for it to land to welcome home Alfred and his friend Smitty. The story is set in 1919 and the author vividly describes the plane as it flies through the sky ready for landing. I could feel the excitement as Beth and Agnes waited as the plane touched down. To Beth's surprise Garan steps down from the plane. The shock on her face is easy to see. Everyone thought that Garan had died during the war, but here he was.

Garan has a lot to make up for with Beth , but she has a surprise that will change everything. I loved the reference to The Wizard of Oz and the name Dorothy. That is my all time favorite movie and I never miss a chance to watch it. This story really touches on some emotional moments. What happens when a secret is revealed? Can Garan and Beth forgive each other and themselves? The author does  an amazing job of describing the war and the many dangers the war presented.

The reunion with Beth's family was very touching. It is hard sometimes to forget about the past. Will Beth's father forgive Garan for hurting his daughter ? I loved the theme of forgiveness in this story . It's funny that we think if we keep a secret no one will ever find out. God has a way of revealing secrets and allowing  grace and mercy to follow. Don't miss this great story of learning to forgive and the importance of family.

Tobogganing For Two
We are introduced to two  sisters full of life having fun riding toboggans until one day disaster happens. Laura and her sister, Eliza are changed forever when something goes terribly wrong. I admired Laura and her dedication to helping her sister who cannot walk anymore. Laura has carried guilt about the accident and I loved how the author showed how Laura couldn't  let go of the past. Have you ever done something that you couldn't forgive yourself for?

As the sisters travel to Plymouth, Nebraska they are excited to see their aunt and to meet a doctor that can possibly help Eliza become a bit more independent. I loved Dr. Jay Andrews immediately. He has a strong desire to help others . He will have his hands full with Laura hovering over her sister. Laura and Jay will have some things they need to overcome and I loved how they prayed and asked God to help them. It is a wonderful story of forgiveness, new beginnings and trusting God.

Christmas Visitors
From the beginning of this story I could feel the emotions stirring within me. I love Christmas stories and this one really touched me. Alex and Josh came to know Cora when a tragedy struck. Cora is a very caring person and has been there to help others in need. I loved the connection between the story about a young couple taken in by an innkeeper and Cora doing the same.

As Christmas approaches, three women arrive at Cora's place looking for a place to stay. It is no accident they have arrived at Cora's place. God has placed these three women there to help  Alex face his past , heal his heart and forgive someone that needs him. Cora will find herself dealing with the past as well. I loved this story so much and the ending is very moving as I felt tears run down my face.

Angel in Disguise
Rosie has not had an easy life. She is known as a thief but when she asks Jesus into her heart, she is a new person. She wants to follow His ways and help others that are struggling. I loved this story because it talks about those who are struggling to survive. Everyday there are people who go hungry, have no place to live and own very few clothes. We are to help those in need, but sometimes we forget about the people around us. Rosie has a big heart for the poor and decides to do something to help. She can't understand why the church she attends isn't doing anything to help the less fortunate. Not everyone in the church trust Rosie and she is not treated fairly. It reminds me how we may treat the homeless. Do we turn our backs on them? Are we guilty of judging someone because of their past?

I loved how Owen could see past Rosie's mistakes and treat her with kindness. He knows that others don't want to be around her, but they need to be reminded that we are forgiven and now are new believers. Rosie is so sure she is doing the right thing by helping her neighbors but she will soon find out that she may be breaking the law. Will Owen be able to help Rosie? Will others reach out and help their neighbors? This is a great story that focuses on helping others without judging.

Each story is beautifully written and I loved how the author had scriptures throughout each story. The boom is a great reminder that God forgives, does miracles and loves unconditionally.

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