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Tuesday, September 26, 2017

SPOTLIGHT ON LYN COTE
PLUS A GIVEAWAY 


USA Today bestselling author, Lyn Cote has written over 45 books. A Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and an American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, Lyn writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense and historical novels. No matter which kind of story, her brand “Strong Women, Brave Stories” comes through. Her most recent achievement is being added to Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She lives in a lakeside cottage the northwoods of Wisconsin with her comfy husband and two adorable cats. Visit her website/blog at http://www.LynCote.com and find her on Facebook, GoodReads and Twitter.

It is my pleasure to have Lyn on my blog today. She has a new story coming out today in the SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES 4 COLLECTION. Make sure you grab your copy today. Don't miss the giveaway at the end of the review.



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LOVING WINTER BY LYN COTE

I love to read books about Christmas all year long. This collection is filled with joy, love and excitement. Each author has a wonderful story that captures the season with characters that jump off the pages. I was blessed to read one of the stories in this great collection. Make sure you get your copy and enjoy hours of reading enjoyment.

Loving Winter by Lyn Cote:

The first thing I loved about the story is the main characters name. I love unusual names and I think it would be fun to be named Winter. Of course Winter had to hear all those jokes about her name but she took it with such grace. I loved when Winter and Clay first meet. Clay is not very cordial at all. You would think he was in front of a firing squad instead of being in a wedding party. The author describes Winter's greenhouse with vivid picturesque words. I can smell the flowers and see the beautiful greenery she has. Someone must have it in for Winter when she discovers vandals have destroyed a display she worked tirelessly on. I could feel her pain and disappointment when she saw all her hard work gone . Soon there are more break-ins and Winter is worried about losing her shop.

Kaitlyn who is Clay's little sister really stood out to me. She is a young teen girl who feels like she isn't wanted and tries to fit in living with her older brother. It's not easy going to school and having everyone know your brother is the football coach. Do the boys like her because of who her brother is? Can Winter help Clay make Kaitlyn feel more at ease when they go shopping together? I think Kaitlyn was a perfect character who all teens and parents can relate to. It is hard being the new kid at school. It's even harder when you are so far away from your mom. Will Kaitlyn accept Winter's friendship and guidance?

I loved the mystery in the story of who is trying to put Winter out of business. It is well written and I sure did have a list of suspects. I was very surprised who it was and why they did it. I love when an author writes a story that has intrigue, romance and gives you characters that are so realistic. This is one story you don't want to miss reading. The author does an excellent job of giving readers a story with a small town feeling and people who pitch in and help each other. Will Winter and Clay be able to let go of their insecurities and find love? Can Kaitlyn find hapoiness in a new school? Don't miss this enchanting story that gets you in the Christmas spirit.

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

GIVEAWAY

The author is generously giving away an e-copy of the  boxed set of SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES 4 to one lucky reader. Leave a comment and your email for a chance to win. Likes and follows on my blog is appreciated but not necessary to enter the drawing.

Ax To Grind (A Kenni Lowry Mystery)
by Tonya Kappes

Kenni’s family provides comic relief throughout the book. Her relationship with her Mama was especially entertaining.
~A Cozy Experience 
This is a really good mystery novel with a leading female law enforcement officer that i highly recommend to fans of that genre.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
You’ll be glued to the pages waiting to learn whodunit and why.
~Laura’s Interests
Ax to Grind by Tonya Kappes is fun, witty, and well-plotted. The mystery is full of twists and turns and a town full of suspects – and I had no idea whodunit until the big reveal.
~Reading Is My SuperPower
Let me say that I read this book in one stand, the quick dialogues, the funny gossiping and the charming neighbour makes this book a funny and interesting read at the same time.
~Varietats
Tonya delivers another winner. And what’s more fun than a mystery about a writer and a missing manuscript.
~FUONLYKNEW
Ax To Grind (A Kenni Lowry Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Henery Press (September 19, 2017)
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1635112474
E-Book ASIN: B0731M7RRM
Southerners keep their secrets swept under the rug, but what happens when that rug goes up for sale?
Bestselling author Berlye Stone, the most famous citizen to ever come out of Cottonwood, Kentucky, has died and put all her worldly possessions up for auction, but not without leaving one more manuscript behind. A hidden tell-all about Cottonwood that’s got more gossip than a ladies’ luncheon.
When Beryle’s assistant turns up with an ax in her back and the only witness is in a coma, Sheriff Kenni Lowry reckons someone in town will do anything to keep the manuscript from seeing the light of day. Her poppa’s ghost returns to help piece together the life of the Beryle he once knew, but his memory’s a little foggy, and any misstep could cause them a world of trouble. With the help of Deputy Finn Vincent, can Kenni sort through the secrets buried in Beryle’s books, or will this be her final chapter?
About the Author
For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been publishing numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plot lines and quirky characters, but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans.
Sign up for her newsletter on her website at Tonyakappes.com .
Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyakappes
Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/
Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N  kobo  iTunes

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Every time I hear that the author has a new book out, I can't wait to get my hands on it. I love her quirky characters and the humor she places throughout the story. She describes the town in Kentucky so perfect that I want to live there. I have heard that in small towns everyone knows your business.. Well almost true. Ok maybe there are secrets in the town and someone is scared those secrets will be found out.

Kenni is my kind of person.She takes her job as sheriff seriously and I love her poppy so much. It sure is good company to have poppy around even though he is a ghost. Kenni's mom is kinda uppity and I love the banter between them. I can see Kenni rolling her eyes as her mama tries to run her business.

A very famous person has died in the town and my how the "henny hens" go to gossiping. I loved them so much and laughed every time they got together.  Beryle was a very successful author , but there is a vicious rumor that she has a hidden manuscript that is a tell all. What townspeople will be in the book? Who is worried that their secret will come out? When someone is found dead and another severely injured, Kenni and her deputy Finn have their hands full.  I have to say I really liked the murder weapon that was used. I love that the author doesn't use the cliche gun or poison. She  goes for a more unusual weapon and describes it with intensity that made my skin crawl. It's one crime scene that Kenni and Finn won't forget.

As the investigation continues more names come up about who might have killed to find the manuscript. One of the rumors is that Beryle wrote books that had bits and pieces of people from the town in it. What a perfect way to get back at someone. The little town of Cottonwood, Kentucky is rich in beauty and a secret that could damage reputations. What secrets did Beryle know that made someone desperate enough to kill. The book is well written and keeps readers on their toes as suspects pop up.This is one book you don't want to miss.

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

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 19 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW
September 20 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 21 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
September 22 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
September 23 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
September 25 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW
September 25 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 26 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
September 26 – Dee-Scoveries – GUEST POST
September 27 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
September 28 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 28 – Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh my! – REVIEW
September 29 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST
September 30 – Becky’s Bookcase – REVIEW
September 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
October 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, GUEST POST
October 2 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW
October 2 – Christa Reads and Writes – INTERVIEW
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HOME ALL ALONG by BETH WISEMAN

What a beautiful story of faith, restoration and hope. The characters are wonderful and I felt a connection to them right away. Charlotte is a great character and I admire her strength and love for others. She is trying to fit in with the Amish and has  even found a boyfriend.  She has had a very hard life and the scene with her burying her mom was very emotional. Her childhood was very difficult . I loved how the author had scriptures throughout the story that was relatable to the issues  characters were going through. It was heartwarming to read how close she becomes to Lena who is having a very devastating health issue.

Andrea is a complex person. She has come to reconnect with her sister Charlotte and leads her to believe that her upbringing was wonderful. I loved how Charlotte welcomed her and her niece into her home. There is definitely some friction between the sisters. Will Andrea open up and tell Charlotte the truth about her childhood? Can they become close and learn to be a family? Andrea became my favorite character because I loved how she was so hungry for acceptance and wanting a relationship with her sister. . Through all her struggles I found her to be a little girl lost. Will she allow God to heal her wounds and accept his unconditional love?

Daniel is a man who loves Charlotte but is having a bit of pressure put on him by the Bishop. He has his hands full with helping his family and dealing with a family illness. I thought the author showed how strong Daniel was and how much faith he had. That is one thing I loved about this book ; faith was so important to the people of this story. Some characters will experience loss, pain and hardship but as they do, the author surrounds them with a loving community and God's love. Charlotte and Andrea both have things in their past that have kept them from moving forward? Can they find peace and let go of the past?

"We are not products of a past environment. We are who we choose to be."

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

Monday, September 25, 2017

Liars Winter by Cindy K. Sproles

What would it be like to have a birthmark  on your face that makes people think you are a devil's child? How would it feel to never be loved and hidden from everybody? Lochiel knows what it feels like since birth to have everyone hate you and abuse you. The story is very emotional and I cried the entire time. Lochiel has been treated so badly all her life and for some reason her brother wants to kill her. The author grabs your heart  with intense words and peels away each layer as the story digs deeper into your soul with emotions that leaves you gasping for air.

My heart went out to Lochiel immediately. It is hard when you feel different and everyone turns their back on you. All her life she wanted to feel loved and wanted. What she got was pain, rejection and a feeling of hopelessness. Someone comes into her life at a time where she is desperate for help. This person will change her life and show her the true meaning of unconditional love. The author vividly describes the vicious attacks Lochiel has endured during her young life. There are a couple of characters in the book that have a great impact on Lochiel. She will find safety and feel the presence of God when she needs Him the most.

I will mention one very special character that captured my heart with her kindness. Miss Edna is a woman that looks past Lochiel's birthmark and sees a person that God loves. She doesn't judge her, is not afraid of her , but takes her under her wings and shares  wisdom and compassion with her.  Her gentle touch makes Lochiel feel important and wanted. This book is one you can't put down and will stay with you forever. It is a book that shows what forgives feels like and how unconditional love covers a multitude of sin.

"Folks like me and you, we look past what's on the outside and dig into the soul."

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

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery
by Julie Chase

The characters are charming. Lacy and her family and close friends pull you in and you’ll want to become their new ‘bestie’. I was!
~My Reading Journeys
Julie Chase has done it again. Another fun and entertaining installment of an enjoyable series.
~A Cozy Experience
I feel a little thrill of excitement whenever I see a new title in the series; I know I’m in for a great story, filled with humor, drama, action, and Julie Chase’s signature quirky yet lovable heroine.
~The Girl with Book Lungs
This is a fabulous addition to this series!
~A Chick Who Reads
CAT GOT YOUR SECRETS is a cute cozy filled with ever evolving characters, a great location, and an in-depth mystery.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
Southern fiction meets cozy mystery in this fun series set in the heart of New Orleans.
~Reading Is My SuperPower
So we have murder, family relationships, hunky eligible men, and adorable animals in costumes plus some secrets are revealed. What is not to love?
~Laura’s Interests 
This book is fast-paced and carries you along at just the right speed to fully enjoy the mystery, while still getting to know the characters and what make them “tick”.
~The Montana Bookaholic
I simply adore Julie Chase’s Kitty Couture series, and Cat Got Your Secrets just might be my favorite yet.
~The Power of Words
I adore this series. Fun characters and themes and entertaining mysteries.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
I liked getting to see more from secondary characters like Scarlet and Imogene. Penelope and Spot provided a lot of laughs during this book.
~Bookworm Cafe 
I loved this newest installment of the Kitty Couture mysteries.
~Valerie’s Musings
A mystery worth digging into, a lovable character that has talent beyond solving murders. The animals and the kindness towards them always make my heart melt…
~Bibliophile Reviews
… want a great way to dip your toe into what’s best about N’Awlins (New Orleans for those north of Mason-Dixon), you need look no farther than Chase’s “Kitty Couture Mysteries”!
~Back Porchervations
Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery 
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Crooked Lane Books (September 12, 2017)
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1683312833
E-Book ASIN: B06XVWR8Q9
Lacy Marie Crocker has settled into a comfortable groove back home in New Orleans, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, she’s busier than ever running a thriving pet boutique, helping her mother organize the upcoming National Pet Pageant, and untangling her complicated love life. But when delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint Berdoodle’s bark-mitzvah, Lacy stumbles into yet another murder scene—and the last person to see the victim alive was her own father.
It’s up to Lacy to clear her dad’s name from the suspect list before Detective Jack Oliver has to cage him for good. But just when she starts pawing at the truth, she receives a threatening letter from a mysterious blackmailer bent on silencing her with her own secrets. And Lacy’s not the only one with bones in her closet.

About The Author

Julie Chase is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. She is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.Julie also writes as Julie Anne Lindsey. Learn more about Julie Anne Lindsey here.
Purchase Links:
Amazon     B&N     BAM!    IndieBound


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I just love this series so much. The author is so witty and makes me laugh  constantly with little cute sayings. The characters are a hoot and the town is a perfect setting for the story. . I swear someday I may get in my car and find Furry Godmothers. It has to be real with the vivid description the author provides. What a wonderland for pet owners who want to spoil their pets.

Lacy is just minding her own business when another body seems to land in her path. How  does a person get locked in a deep freezer and die? As luck would have it, the last person to be seen with the deceased is Lacey's dad. I love it when the police tell a suspect not to leave town. I think , now what if that person was really dangerous, do you think he would say, "Ok officer I won't go anywhere." He would be gone so fast you would see the dust as he dashed out of town. Ok I got on a rabbit trail, but I always find it funny when police tell suspects such a silly thing.

Lacy and her sidekick Scarlet are off to find out who the killer is before her father is arrested. The author is right about them being like Lucy and Ethel. They seem to get themselves  in some funny situations. It's a wonder they aren't in jail with their on the edge of committing crimes daily routine. I loved them both and they kept the story lively. Lacey's mother is a bit over the top for my liking. Who dresses in all black to deliver a casserole to the deceased widow? Yes I thought she was a big loony toons at times but it added a bit of quirkiness to her character.

The best scene in the entire story to me is when Lacy and Scarlet are snooping around and get caught. Oh my what a classic Lucy and Ethel move . I can't get enough of Lacy and Scarlet's shenanigans. I won't spoil it, but will saying coins rolling on the ground are involved. The author really does a great job of lining up suspects and I had a hard time figuring out who the culprit was. I loved that the story took a more serious tone as Lacy delved deeper into who the killer might be. There is a bit of a love triangle mixed in the story that really intrigued me. Overall I loved the story and found it be very well written. It's another hit for a very talented author.

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


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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 12 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY
September 12 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW
September 12 – Community Bookstop – INTERVIEW
September 13 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
September 13 – Books Direct – GUEST POST
September 14 – Girl with Book Lungs – REVIEW
September 14 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
September 15 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, GUEST POST
September 16 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
September 16 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
September 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
September 17 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT
September 18 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW
September 18 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
September 19 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW
September 19 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW
September 19 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
September 20 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
September 20 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
September 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – COZY WEDNESDAY
September 21 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
September 21 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – INTERVIEW
September 22 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, GUEST POST
September 22 – Bibliophile Reviews –  REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 23 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 23 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST
September 24 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW
September 24 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW
September 25 – Sapphyria’s Books – REVIEW
September 25 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT

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