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Saturday, March 31, 2018


When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl’s heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.

Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope--believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father’s demanding expectations.

Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan’s new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.







Author Information

Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. Also a member of ACFW, Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. She can be found online at www.susanannemason.com.


What Others Are Saying

“Beautifully balancing sweet forbidden love with a father-son battle of wills, Mason proves to be a highest caliber author in historical inspirational romance. Set in England in 1884, this is a marvelously entertaining story of the search for identity and a struggle for acceptance for both Nolan and Hannah. The purity and tenacity of their love will leave readers tingling, and fans of Roseanne M. White will enjoy Mason’s web of nobility drama and breathlessly exciting conclusion.”—Booklist starred review

“This is a sweet story full of the historical details fans of Victorian fiction will appreciate. There is also plenty of faith and love leading this young couple to their happily ever after.”—RT Book Reviews

“An immersive narrative and sympathetic characters are highlights of this heartwarming novel from Mason about the importance of family, the power of love, and the faith to pursue your heart’s desire.”—Library Journal


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Welcome to an exciting adventure that takes you back in   time to 1884  in  prestigious Derbyshire, England.  Stainsby Hall is a magnificent place where the elite live. I liked Nolan and found him to be a very determined young man. I was heartbroken when a tragedy happens in his life that will change everything for him. Secrets always have a way of coming out and tend to cause destruction and hurt to people. What would it feel like to learn that suddenly you are an heir to an Earl? Nolan has many decisions to make that will affect his future. Will he make the right ones, or fall for power and greed?

 I have never been so angry at a character before I met the Earl of Stainsby. He is such an arrogant, controlling, mean person. When we learn of his past and what he gave up, I was appalled at the way he treated his son. He did just find out  that he had a son, but the ridiculous rules he expects Nolan to abide by are nothing short of controlling his every thought. Why is this man so hard on Nolan? Will he ever find compassion and love his son unconditionally?

Hannah is my favorite character in the book. Her innocence is refreshing and I loved how she was willing  to make sacrifices to be with Nolan. Hannah's patience and faith help her through many difficult times. There were times I wanted to tell her to run, but her love for Nolan outshines any struggles she faces. I admire her for believing in good and pure things. What a refreshing character she is. I can picture her as she walks in a room with elegance and a sweet spirit that surrounds her.

Get ready for deception, jealousy and danger in this action packed story that will have you believing that God is in control and people can change.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review. The review is my own opinion.


If you’d like to enter for a chance to win Susan Anne Mason’s Courage to Dream series, plus A Most Noble Heir, here’s your chance!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4664b04915





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Thursday, March 29, 2018


Prestige, Privilege & Murder (A Stacie Maroni Mystery)
by Christa Nardi

This has been an interesting read, with charming characters and a complex plot.
~Varietats
The pace moves well and clues are subtly included if the reader is open to them.
~Laura’s Interests
This was a delightful first book in the series. I really enjoyed it all.
~Valerie’s Musings

About the Book


Prestige, Privilege & Murder (A Stacie Maroni Mystery)Cozy Mystery
1st in Series 
Self Published (January 10, 2018)
Print Length: 182 pages
ASIN: B078N1M422
Money isn’t worth killing for, or is it?
When her estranged husband is murdered, Stacie Maroni Noth is quickly identified as the main suspect. With divorce papers not yet signed, she may get a substantial inheritance – a clear motive in the eyes of both Noth’s family and the police. His family and law firm strive to keep up the pretense that all is above reproach and idyllic. In her quest to prove her innocence, however, Stacie discovers she’s not the only one with a motive for murder. Could it be a colleague at the prestigious law firm where he worked? Or is it tied to the victim’s stance on domestic violence? Or maybe even his threats to reveal family secrets? Whatever the true motive may be, it soon becomes clear that Stacie might be the next victim.

About the Author

Christa Nardi is and always has been an avid reader.  Her favorite authors have shifted from Carolyn Keene and Earl Stanley Gardner to more contemporary mystery/crime authors over time, but mystery along with romance are her preferred choices for leisure reading.  Christa also has been a long time writer from poetry and short stories to cozy mystery. She is the author of the Cold Creek Series and co-authors a young adult mystery series with Cassidy Salem.
Author Links
Amazon Author page:   http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G8SBCKK
Sign up for monthly newsletter  http://smarturl.it/NardiNewsletter
Purchase Link
Amazon


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Stacie is drowning her frustrations of an upcoming divorce at a bar one night and wakes up to a knock on her door the next morning. Standing there are two detectives waiting to give her bad news. She doesn't take the death of her soon to be   ex-husband well. I know I shouldn't laugh but one of the detectives just happens to be the man she had a drink with the night before. Can you say awkward? I wasn't surprised at all that she was a suspect because they always suspect the spouse. Stacie is beside herself with the news and now having to convince the detectives she is innocent.

The author describes the interrogation room perfectly and I was just as nervous as Stacie was when she started being questioned. I always wonder what goes through a detective's head while questioning a suspect. Stacie will soon find out that she has a hard road ahead as the investigation heats up. Stacie's father-in-law is a powerful and intimidating person. He definitely sent shivers down my spine.  There is certainly no love lost between him and Stacie. I could picture him as this overbearing man who demanded everything to go his way. He is one person I kept my eye on during the story. Does he know more about Ted's death than he is telling? There does seem to be secrets floating around the family that could raise suspicion for several members. 

The author tackles a tough issue dealing with domestic violence in a very graceful way. It is an integral part of the story and one that will leave several people stunned. The description of domestic violence in the story was hard to read about but I'm glad the author shed a light on a topic that needs more awareness. I really liked the story and found it to  be intense at times which is exactly what I would expect due to the topic. The author is direct and really does a great job of showing how someone in a battered relationship thinks and feels. I was quite surprised at who the killer was. The book is very well written and I look forward to the next in the series.

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
March 26 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
March 26 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 27 – Readeropolis – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 27 – Varietats – REVIEW
March 28 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
March 28 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
March 29 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
March 30 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 30 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 31 – Mysteries with Character – SPOTLIGHT
March 31 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
April 1 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
April 2 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

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A Flute in the Willows copy

About the Book

Book Cover Front A Flute In The Willows
Book Title: A Flute in the Willows
Author: Carole Brown
Genre: Historical, Romantic Suspense
Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other’s love…and keep the German enemy at bay.
She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she’s scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?
Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life…especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife’s life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can’t stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.
These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their ownselves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Carole Brown
Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Guest post from Carole Brown

How Great is Our God! By Carole Brown
And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
It seems everywhere you turn today, the world is a mess. I try to keep up with current events, but sometimes I find myself pulling back away from it all. The enemy of us all would drown us in disbelief, doubt and worry if we would allow it. I find my spirit beginning to flounder in that sea of distress and must need revive it with the good things of God.
In my newest WWII Spies series, in book two, soon to be released, both Jerry and Josie Patterson are rebellious, self-centered people. Neither have given much thought to God, and both have gone gung-ho after their own pleasures and desires.
  • Jerry not only suffers a serious physical injury, but his spirit is troubled over actions taken as a spy in Germany. Guilt over the death of a sweet woman, guilt over all the deceit he needed to use, guilt over the temptations that knocked, and though he didn’t give in to them, nevertheless, troubles his mind and soul. Who do you turn to when you have no God in your life?
  • Josie, filled with elaborate plans on becoming an Olympic participant once the horror of war is over, ignores all the people in her life—except when it’s convenient for her to use them. All that matters is attaining her goal and Jerry. Running roughshod over all others, forgiving and forbearing as they are, is her usual ploy in getting what she wants. So who do you turn to when all your dreams turn to ashes? 
It’s only after each one of them receive a severe injury that prevent them from doing what they want, only when they think they’ve lost the other, that they begin to listen to what God is teaching them.
Isn’t that so in our own lives? Many times we go headstrong toward our goals, without prayer or definite assurance from God that it’s what he wants for us. It seems a good thing, beneficial, and desirable so it must be good for us, right?
God is so great, so faithful, so loving in pulling us back, in teaching us that He is our all in all. Our strength in times of deep distress and trial, our anchor when the storms of life are blowing us off course, our shield when others would hurt or wound our spirits…our peace through it all.
May we, like Josie and Jerry, learn that our God IS a great God. We need have no fear; he does not fail.


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One of my favorite time periods is in the 1940's. The author brings this era to life with details that make readers feel like they have traveled back in time. The details of the war were  realistic and reminded us of how devastating it was.  I was very excited to read about Josie and Jerry. They were young and in love. It seemed they had everything they needed for happiness. Unfortunately, Jerry is whisked away to serve his country. I could feel the anguish Josie experienced when the love of her life is gone shortly after getting married.

It was fascinating to read about her rise to fame as a skater. The author does a great job of showing Josie putting everything she had into skating, then slowly start to unravel . I thought the pressure was to much for her and I cringed when she started drinking . Everyone has flaws and breaking points. Josie is strong willed but the longer Jerry is away, the more uncertain Josie becomes about her future. When she plays her flute she was poised and oozed with confidence, It was a joy to read about her starting to find her way again and bring happiness to others with her sweet gift of comforting melodies on the flute.

Jerry is a very complicated person to understand.  I had a hard time relating to him and found his injury during the war to be more of an excuse not to want to be with Josie. Little did I know that Jerry was hiding a deep secret from Josie. All his actions started to make sense.  I wanted to scream at him to tell Josie the truth instead of making her feel unwanted by him.

The story is captivating and at times very intriguing.  It is a race against time for Jerry to keep his wife safe from someone he encountered during the war.  I loved the way the author showed us how far Jerry and Josie will go to protect each other. The ending is suspenseful and full of intense danger. Can Jerry carry his mission out without causing harm to Josie or others? Will Josie interfere and endanger herself when she becomes to curious? The story is not just about a war, but about trust and unconditional love. It is a saga where characters are diversified and at times quite complicated.  The war changed Jerry and now he needs to find his way back to those who love him.

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

Blog Stops

Multifarious, March 30
A Greater Yes, March 31
Simple Harvest Reads, April 2 (Guest post from Mindy)
Carpe Diem, April 3
margaret kazmierczak, April 4 (Interview)
Bigreadersite, April 5
Reading is my Super Power, April 5 (Interview)
Pause for Tales, April 6
Artistic Nobody, April 7 (Spotlight)
Among the Reads, April 9

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away a grand prize of a canvas flowered/musical tote, a pink “All Things are Possible journal, and a copy of A Flute in the Willows (winners choice of print or ebook)!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9e2
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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Cinco de Murder (A Taste of Texas Mystery)
by Rebecca Adler

Maybe I am just smidgen biased but Cinco De Murder was a
super great read for this Texan! I think I have found a new series that is a favorite.
~My Reading Journeys
I enjoy the Texas flair and touch while all the food talk just makes me hungry. If you enjoy a good cozy mystery that features an adorable dog and a culinary touch then this is the book/series for you.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
I liked how in this book, Josie and the Detective Lightfoot work more or less together, he doesn’t simply dismiss her ideas but take a closer look at her thoughts and discoveries. Makes the book more interesting. . .
~Varietats
I was totally sucked into the story. I loved the Texas setting at Cinco De Mayo.
~A Chick Who Reads

About the Book


Cinco de Murder (A Taste of Texas Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Texas
Berkley (April 3, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425275955
Digital ASIN: B073TJH4FF
Tex-Mex waitress and part-time reporter Josie Callahan serves up more Lone Star justice in this spicy mystery from the author of The Good, the Bad, and the Guacamole.
It’s fiesta time in Broken Boot, Texas, and tourists are pouring into town faster than free beer at a bull roping for the mouthwatering Cinco de Mayo festivities. Tex-Mex waitress Josie Callahan, her feisty abuela, and even her spunky Chihuahua Lenny are polishing their folklórico dances for Saturday’s big parade, while Uncle Eddie is adding his own spicy event to the fiesta menu: Broken Boot’s First Annual Charity Chili Cook-off.
But Uncle Eddie’s hopes of impressing the town council go up in smoke when cantankerous chili cook Lucky Straw is found dead in his tent. And when Josie’s beloved uncle is accused of fatal negligence, she, Lenny, and the steadfast Detective Lightfoot must uncover who ended the ambitious chilihead’s life–before another cook kicks the bucket.

About the Author

Rebecca Adler grew up on the sugar beaches of the Florida Gulf Coast. Drawn to the Big Apple by the sweet smell of wishful thinking, she studied acting on Broadway until a dark-eyed cowboy flung her over his saddle and hightailed it to the Southwest.
Prior to writing women’s fiction, Gina always found a way to add a touch of the dramatic to her life: dinner theatre in Mississippi, can-can club in Florida, and playing a giant Furskin in the New York Toy Fair, plus the occasional play and musical.
She’s currently content to pour her melodramatic tendencies into writing her Taste of Texas culinary mystery series. Set in far West Texas, her humorous stories are filled with delicious suspense and scrumptious Tex-Mex recipes. Her alter ego, Gina Lee Nelson, writes sweet contemporary romances with a sweet, Southern-fried flavor.
Author Links
Twitter: @CozyTxMysteries
Purchase Links
Amazon  B&N  Kobo  Google Play  BAM  BookBub
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I enjoyed every minute of this high fa looting Texas escapade.  The authentic Texas sayings had me rolling on the floor. I'm a Texan and boy did I relate to the towns and chili cook off so well. Texas loves to have chili cook offs and I remember all the fun it was when I attended them. The competition is fierce and some of the ingredients could be questionable at times. I loved Uncle Eddie right away. He is trying so hard to run the chili cook off while trying to follow the rules .  Josie is downright adorable and her eye for details is impeccable.  Writing for the paper keeps her busy and she is fixing to get real busy when one of the contestants is found dead in his tent. The deceased was a mean old coot who caused trouble wherever he went. 

The story is funny and keeps readers involved as the investigation starts leaning toward someone close to Josie. After reading about the different people at the chili cook off I suspected everyone. I loved how the author delivers a real Texas charm of a story and has unforgettable characters. I have to say Lenny stole my heart. His little personality just makes you smile. Who doesn't like to see a cute little chihuahua dancing around? Maybe I'm a bit biased because I have three very little chihuahuas myself. 

From a parade with excitement galore to authentic Tex-Mex food, there is something for everyone in this wonderful cozy mystery.  The author brings out authentic dishes that made me so hungry, I had to grab some salsa  and chips as I read the book. The ending is so action packed with snakes , coyotes and fireworks that I found myself reading as fast as I could. This is one book you don't want to miss. Make sure you check out the recipes at the end of the story.

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
March 22 –  Read Your Writes Book Reviews  – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 22 –  Cozy Up With Kathy  – GUEST POST
March 22 –  My Reading Journeys  – REVIEW
March 23 –  Books a Plenty Book Reviews  – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY
March 23 –  The Self-Rescue Princess  – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 24 –  Varietats  – REVIEW
March 24 –  Babs Book Bistro  – SPOTLIGHT
March 24 –  Mysteries with Character  – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 25 –  T’s Stuff  – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 25 –  Lisa Ks Book Reviews  – AUTHOR INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
March 25 –  StoreyBook Reviews  – SPOTLIGHT
March 26 –  View from the Birdhouse  – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY
March 26 –  A Chick Who Reads  – REVIEW
March 27 –  Teresa Trent Author Blog  – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY
March 27 –  Dee-Scoveries  – SPOTLIGHT
March 28 –  Texas Book-aholic  – REVIEW
March 28 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog  – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 28 –  A Holland Reads  – SPOTLIGHT
March 29 –  The Pulp and Mystery Shelf  – GUEST POST
March 29 –  MJB Reviewers  – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 30 –  The Montana Bookaholic  – REVIEW
March 30 –  Laura’s Interests  – REVIEW
March 31 –  That’s What She’s Reading  – REVIEW
March 31 –  Brooke Blogs  – CHARACTER GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

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