WAITING FOR WONDER BLOG TOUR AND GVEAWAY

Because God’s timing is so rarely our own and we lose the wonder in the waiting of life, desperation strikes, plans backfire, and we begin to wonder why God does not fill the emptiness. Be encouraged to find strength and hope in Marlo Schalesky's new book, Waiting for Wonder. Journey into the heart of God where you will wrestle with personal questions, think deeply about God’s true character, and learn to appreciate His divine work as you discover your own path to the promised land. Recapture your hope, restore your soul, and renew your vision of a wondrous Savior when you learn to live on God’s time.

Sometimes the hardest thing for us to do is wait for answers. Sometimes the hardest thing is to feel alone. Sometimes the hardest thing is to face our past. Sometimes the hardest thing is to feel free. With this book all those "sometimes " can be overcome and a new life emerges. I enjoyed how the author used the story of Sarah and showed how waiting can be painful, but God's timing is always perfect. Many of us have been through pain, hurt, loneliness and brokenness. As I began to read this book, I felt a sense of the past starting to rise up to trap me once again. But then I read,"He is the God who uncovers the deepest places of our shame and pain and promises to bless the whole world right from those places." It is time for us to allow God to heal us and hold our head up as His glory surrounds us. I can picture Him as He holds the hurting and dries their tears. I am not very patient and I try to run ahead and make things happen before it is time. I don't like when someone tells me I just have to be patient and wait. I really liked how the author used Haran in explaining why we are in that" holding zone " as I call it. We know of His promises so what is taking so long? It sure did open my eyes as I read that maybe we are in the way of moving forward. What it is in your life that is holding you back? The book is filled with stories that are easily relatable. The author breaks down subjects into different chapters and takes us on a journey with Sarah as she sees the promises manifest. This is a very intense book at times that really made me search myself. What thoughts have I had that is keeping me in a barren land like Sarah? Am I really listening to God or trying to do things my own way? Throughout the book I found encouragement, and scriptures that reminded me of His love and promises that He keeps. It is our choice to change things that are not right in our life and to experience God's unconditional love. "No matter how helpless you are or how you've been betrayed, God can bring blessing and restoration to your life." I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse.

 The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

Learn the true purpose of waiting on God and living on His timeline and enter to win Marlo's giveaway.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Two copies of Waiting for Wonder (one for you and one to give to a friend)
• A KEEP Collective watch set (with a band and watch)

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on December 23. The winner will be announced December 27 on Marlo's blog.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mschalesky

Blog Tour Schedule:  12/8 Laura | Lighthouse Academy Denise | Ramblings of a California Couponer Jalynn | A Simple Life, really?! Stacey | Books,Dreams,Life Beth-Anne | Book Reviews 12/9 Sherry | My Journey Back Lisa | Little Writer Momma Maureen | Polderman Party of Five Jojo | Jojo's Courner Christine | A Trustworthy Saying 12/10 Becky | In the Pages Joan | Book Reviews From an Avid Reader 12/12 Andrea | Writing To Inspire Kathleen | Reviews From The Heart Jennifer | A Peace of Mind LeAnne | Rockin' My Mom Jeans 12/13 Amber | Seasons of Humility Sheyenne | Sean & Shey 12/14 Annie | Just Commonly 12/16 Lori | The Novel Endeavor 12/17 Kristie | Moments Penny | Hope for Today's Heart Sarah | Running Through The Storms 12/18 Melanie | A Year of Jubilee Reviews 12/19 Kimberly | Kcreatives Deana | Texas Book-aholic Carole | The Power of Words Andrea | The Young Girl Who Loved Books 12/20 April | Dixie n Dottie Amber | snidbits Amanda | Inklings and Notions Katherine | Your Story Matters Carrie | Reading is My Superpower Ian | Reaching for Jesus 12/21 Crystal | Our Perfectly Imperfect Life Julie | More Of Him Mindy | A Room Wihtout Books is Empty Alexis | God is Love Kelly | God's Writer Girl Ramona | Create With Joy 12/22 Lydia | Noveltea Nora | The Book Club Network 12/23 Melanie | Christian Bookshelf Reviews Bethany | Perfect Beginnings Michelle | New Horizon Reviews Pat | An Ordinary Woman Pursing Splendor Ariel | The Librarian's Bookshelf Kayleigh | Neverending Stories

Egg Drop Dead
by Laura Childs

After reading this book, you will have a smile on your face, it has a happy ending, but the best part of ending this book are the recipes you find at the last pages, to allow you to try the savoury dishes you read during all the story!
~Varietats

The author’s descriptive and colorful use of language effortlessly draws you in, making you feel like you’re experiencing what Suzanne is experiencing.
~Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder

These are people you want to spend time with. Laced with humor and heart, pull up a stool at the Cackleberry Club cafe or come for tea and gossip.
~Laura’s Interests

Great ending! Lots of action. Enjoyable cozy mystery!
~MysteriesEtc

EGG DROP DEAD is an enjoyable read with a surprising amount of humor and action…
~Readeropolis

Such a great mystery for anyone who loves small towns and quirky residents!
~Community Bookstop 

Ms. Childs is quite talented in keeping each series separate in style and tone. These books are such a delight to read.
~Editing Pen 

Suzanne, Toni, and Petra were such affable, believable women, that mid-way through the book I felt as though they were people I really knew, and not just characters in a story.
~The Book’s the Thing

EGG DROP DEAD entertains by providing a thought provoking mystery with numerous shady suspects while bringing attention to certain societal issues.
~Cozy Up With Kathy

Laura Childs is a talented writer who knows how to entertain readers with a well-crafted mystery, vivid setting, and engaging characters.
~The Power of Words 

True to her writing this book holds enough twists and turns that the reader comes out surprised at the killer…A reader looking to read funny, charming and quick wit will eat this book up!
~Bibliophile Reviews

Egg Drop Dead (A Cackleberry Club Mystery)
Series: A Cackleberry Club Mystery (Book 7)
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley (December 6, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-0425281703
E-Book ASIN: B01CZCW4MW

Synopsis

In Laura Childs’s New York Times bestselling mystery series, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni—co-owners of the Cackleberry Club café—are back to track down another bad egg…

Maintaining good personal relationships with their suppliers is one of the secrets of the Cackleberry Club café’s success, so Suzanne doesn’t mind going out to Mike Mullen’s dairy farm to pick up some wheels of cheese. She’s looking forward to a nice visit with the mild-mannered farmer before heading back to their hectic kitchen.

But when she arrives, Mike’s nowhere to be found. The moaning of his cows leads her to look in the barn, where she discovers a bloodcurdling sight—the farmer’s dead body. Apparently not everyone was as fond of Mike Mullen as the Cackleberry Club.

Churning with grief and outrage, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to find the farmer’s murderer—but as they get closer to the truth, the desperate killer gets whipped into a frenzy and plans to put the squeeze on them…

RECIPES INCLUDED!

About The Author

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Laura’s Links:

Webpage – http://www.laurachilds.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/laura.childs.31

Its hard to believe but this is the first book I've read by this author. I don't know how I've missed reading her books, but I will be going back to read every book she has written. I was very impressed with the description of the  Crackleberry Club  Cafe. The food they served was described so well I could smell the turkey bacon frying and the yummy muffins that filled the cafe with a delicious aroma. I loved the idea of a cafe that serves farm to table foods. It will draws attention to the hard working farmers and gives them a boost for their products.

Suzanne has stopped at the farm that Mike Mullins owns to pick up fresh cheese for her cafe. To her surprise she can't find him anywhere. She starts looking around for Mike and stumbles  onto a bloody scene. The author did a great job of describing the horrific murder scene with graphic details . The question Suzanne can't understand is who would kill such a nice man with such force that it leaves a scene right out of a horror movie?

There are quite a few characters in the book with outlandish personalities. I'm still not sure how I feel about her friend Toni. She really is a flirty thing and really has no morals it seems. Toni's soon to be ex-husband is nothing to write  home about. I did love the banter between them and found them to suit each other well. There are plenty of laughs in the book as Suzanne and her friends decide they need to solve the murder. With Suzanne preoccupied with the murder, her fiancé Sam is starting to wonder if they will ever be able to talk about their upcoming wedding. I did like Sam a lot and thought his character was very smart and could easily calm Suzanne down.

There are quite a few subjects the author touched on that bring   some serious moments to the story. I'm glad she tackled them with no sugar coating . The topics are what happens in the world  today and I'm glad she put them in the story to add attention to them. They all tie together to make for a good mystery with suspects that lead to a very dramatic ending . Overall  the book has some great action, fun characters and a well thought out plot. Don't miss the recipes at the end which look so good I will have to try a few out myself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tour . The review is my opinion and I was not compensated for it.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 4 –  Varietats – Review

December 5 –  Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW

December 5 –  Varietats – REVIEW

December 6 –  Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

December 6 –  Brooke Blogs – REVIEW *

December 7 –  MysteriesEtc – REVIEW

December 7 –  Readeropolis – REVIEW *

December 8 –  Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 –  Queen of All She Reads – GUEST POST

December 9 –  Island Confidential – INTERVIEW

December 9 –  Community Bookstop – REVIEW  

December 10 –  The Editing Pen – REVIEW*

December 11 –  The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW *

December 11 –  Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW *

December 12 –  The Power of Words – REVIEW

December 12 –  StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

December 13 –  Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  

December 14 –  Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

December 14 –  The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

December 15 –  Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW *

December 16 –  A Holland Reads – REVIEW *

December 17 –  3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – REVIEW *

December 18 –  Booklady’s Booknotes – REVIEW

Better Off Thread
by Amanda Lee

A true cozy lover’s cozy that might just surprise you at the end.
~Laura’s Interests

I really enjoyed this book with the themes of Christmas and of course murder…
~Community Bookstop

I’ve really love all the characters in this book and their friendships. I feel like I’m visiting friends when I read a book from this series..
~A Chick Who Reads

I enjoyed this book and thought it was a perfect December read.
~Grace. Gratitude. Life. by Marie McNary

This one got my attention from the beginning and kept it throughout the book. It was a great holiday read
~Melina’s Book Blog

Whether you’ve been with this one from the beginning or are just jumping in now, you’ll want to catch this installment. Better Off Thread is the perfect cozy to get you in the mood for a little holiday music and some Christmas shopping!
~The Book’s the Thing

The mystery is well plotted and kept me turning the pages. Character depth can make or break a book for me, and that is one of this story’s strengths.
~The Power of Words 

A fun misadventure for the holidays, you can’t go wrong here.
~FUONLYKNEWLaura’s Ramblins and Reviews

Better Off Thread has all the elements that make a cozy mystery a good cozy mystery.
~ MysteriesEtc

Better Off Thread (Embroidery Mystery)
Series: Embroidery Mystery (Book 10)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (December 6, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-0451473851
E-Book ASIN: B01CZCW26A

Santa finds himself in a stitch of trouble in the tenth in the series from the national bestselling author of The Stitching Hour…

Marcy is busy helping her customers make hand-crafted ornaments at her embroidery shop, the Seven-Year Stitch. But despite the yuletide bustle, when her friend Captain Moe asks for her help, she can’t refuse—especially when the favor is to play the elf to his Santa for sick children at a local hospital. Despite the ridiculous outfit, Marcy finds herself enjoying spreading cheer—until the hospital’s administrator is found murdered.

Although the deceased had plenty of people willing to fill her stocking with coal, evidence pins the crime on Moe. Now it’s up to Marcy, with the help of her police officer boyfriend Ted and her Irish Wolfhound Angus, to stitch together the clues to clear Moe’s name—before someone else winds up crossed off Santa’s list for good…

About This Author

Your Biography Information for your tour page and for use by the bloggers – Gayle Trent (and pseudonym Amanda Lee) writes the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating series and the Embroidery Mystery series. The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. She also writes the Down South Café Mysteries as Gayle Leeson. 

Author Links

https://www.facebook.com/GayleTrentandAmandaLee

https://twitter.com/GayleTrent

Purchase Links:

Amazon B&N kobo

I have read quite a few cozy mysteries lately . This book is probably one of the best I've read in awhile. The characters are extremely well developed and the mystery is one I found to be so skillfully  written , I couldn't put the book down. The book has a lot of characters, but the author does a great job of introducing them with ease. They each play a pivotal part in the storyline and make the story interesting.

I loved the shop that Marcy owns. It's called the  Seven-Year Stitch and is a perfect setting for a small town store. The details of the shop were so perfectly described I could see the needlework as Marcy worked on it.  I loved how the author showed how much Marcy loved her job and was always willing to sit with customers and show them how to do a particular stitch. It's funny how the story kept reminding me of my mom. She loved to crochet, do embroidery and make beautiful things from a needle and thread.  I was so captivated by the store and how Marcy was truely gifted.

Marcy's side kick was such a nice treat to be introduced to. Angus the Irish Wolfhound was at the center of the story and I found him to be adorable, fierce and very protective . He is a perfect fit for Marcy as he keeps her company at the shop. Her boyfriend Ted , a detective is smart, loveable and has deep feelings for  Marcy. They are funny at times and he has such a cute nickname for her. I can't wait for you to find out her nickname cause it is so fitting for her.

Now Marcy has been asked to do a huge favor for her friend . He needs her to dress like an elf and help hand out candy and coloring books while he talks to children. . Santa must hsve his elf to help and who better then Marcy. I can picture her in her little costume all cute and happy. Well her happiness doesn't last long, when her Santa finds a body in the room where the  children were to meet Santa. The story really picks up with many suspects and a trio of ladies who are bent on  solving the crime. Marcy is determined to clear her friends name and she  puts herself in danger on more than one occasion. Marcy just can't let things go and finds herself making enemies fast.

The author does talk about organ donors and sick children with great compassion and I appreciate that she brought these subjects into the story. Christmas time is suppose to be cheery and a time to spend with family. I loved how the author brought Marty together with several families who were dealing with very ill family members. Marty has a real gift to make people feel at ease and special. The story is full of little twists and surprises. Will Marty help solve the crime and help set her  friend free from prosecution?  Will it be a Merry Christmas in the town? Make  sure you don't miss this Christmas cozy that will give  you a smile, laugh and appreciate the love of family and friends.

I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tour. The review was my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

Tour Participants

December 1 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

December 1 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

December 2 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

December 3 – Grace. Gratitude. Life. by Marie McNary – REVIEW

December 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

December 4 – Author Annette Drake’s blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

December 5 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

December 6 – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – GUEST POST

December 7 – fuonlyknew – REVIEW

December 7 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – deal sharing aunt – REVIEW

December 8 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – MysteriesEtc – REVIEW

December 10 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

December 10 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

December 13 – Varietats – REVIEW

December 13 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

December 14 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, GUEST POST

December 14 – Carole’s Book Corner – SPOTLIGHT

December 15 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW, GUEST POST

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What Fresh Smell
by Jeffrey Marks

The story line is interesting, has multiple twists, and no clear suspect other than Pamela.
~Christa Reads and Writes

What Fresh Smell (Marissa Scott Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Self-Published (August 9, 2016)
Paperback: 164 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1535456913
E-Book ASIN: B01IYX5V3A

Synopsis

There’s Murder in River City – Daycare that is.

When Marissa learns that a teacher at the daycare center has been murdered, she comes to the realization that she really didn’t know much about the people who worked there, especially the murdered woman. She’ll now have to manage her son, her mother, her mother’s Scottish terrier, and an ex-boyfriend as she tries to hunt down the people behind a robbery ring and the person who killed a daycare teacher. If she’s not careful, she might meet the same fate.

Jeffrey Marks is a long-time mystery fan and freelancer.  After numerous mystery author profiles, he chose to chronicle the short but full life of mystery writer Craig Rice.

That biography (Who Was That Lady?) encouraged him to write mystery fiction. His works include Atomic Renaissance: Women Mystery Writers of the 1940s/1950s, and a biography of mystery author and critic Anthony Boucher entitled Anthony Boucher. It was nominated for an Agatha and fittingly, won an Anthony. He won a Malice Domestic Grant for The Scent of Murder, which has spurred the Marissa Scott series. What Fresh Smell is the third novel in the series.

His work has won a number of awards including the Barnes and Noble Prize and he was nominated for a Maxwell award (DWAA), an Edgar (MWA), three Agathas (Malice Domestic), two Macavity awards, and three Anthony awards (Bouchercon). Today, he writes from his home in Cincinnati, which he shares with his spouse and three dogs.

Website: jeffreymarks.com (blog is a link from the site),

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Jeffrey-Marks-271929135155/,
Twitter: twitter.com/jeffrmarks,
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/383303.Jeffrey_Marks

Purchase Links

Amazon

The story is very well written and I enjoyed the selection of a daycare for the focus of the story. It was a different location than the normal quaint little shop which made the story a bit more serious. Parents drop their children off everyday at day care thinking they will be safe. The staff is nice and the atmosphere seems happy. What if one day you get a call that a  shooting  has happened at the day care you use?

For Marissa Scott dropping  her child off at daycare is a routine she does everyday, Her job is working at the cosmetics department in a store. She seemed to enjoy her job and I loved how the author made her character very  strong. She is very responsible and funny at times. The unthinkable happens one day when someone is shot and killed at her child's daycare . I know if I had gotten a call like that, I would be in panic mode.

Gavin is Marissa's ex boyfriend who is a police officer. He seemed kinda moody and not really wanting to share much information with Marissa. Does Gavin  know the person who was killed?  The author does a great job of giving subtle hints about the killer, but I was totally shocked at the end of the story. There is a lot going on with break -ins  around town that leave Marissa suspicious of several people. I  enjoyed the twists in the story and the determination of the main character to solve the crime. The ending is good and left room for hopefully another book about Marissa and Gavin . I would love to read more about their relationship and also to resolve the friction between Marissa and her mom.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Participants

December 7 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

December 7 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

December 8 – Readsalot – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – T’s Stuff – GUEST POST

December 9 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST

December 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW

December 12 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf -INTERVIEW

December 12 – Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my! – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

December 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – GUEST POST

December 14 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 15 – Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes – GUEST POST

December 16 – The Power of Words – SPOTLIGHT

December 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 18 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

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