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Tuesday, June 12, 2018


A Deadly Éclair: A French Bistro Mystery
by Daryl Wood Gerber

Great cozy mystery filled with all the things I love…great characters, great storyline, great food, and a dash of romance!
~Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews
What a wonderful start to a new cozy mystery series . . . This really is a must read for fans of the genre and food. I just loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
My vocabulary also got a workout, which I enjoy. Reading a good cozy should expand your world and this does that very well.
~Laura’s Interests
A DEADLY ECLAIR serves up a delicious blend of characters, setting, and mystery in the first French Bistro Mystery.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through most of the book, I felt like I was right there watching all of the action taking place. And the descriptions of the foods had me salivating.
~MJB Reviewers
Setting, characterization and plot all come together beautifully in A Deadly Éclair, book #1 in Daryl Wood Gerber’s entertaining new French Bistro series.
~The Power of Words
This was a great new series which leads us to another food cozy mystery . . . I love reading how Mimi clears her name.
~Community Bookstop

About the Book

A Deadly Éclair: A French Bistro Mystery
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Crooked Lane Books (June 12, 2018)
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1683316046
Kindle ASIN: B06XWDWRLF
It’s always been Mimi Rousseau’s dream to open her own bistro, but it seems beyond her grasp since she’s been chased back home to Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley by her late husband’s tremendous debt. Until her best friend Jorianne James introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who invests in promising prospects. Now, working the bistro and inn until she’s able to pay it off and call it her own, Mimi is throwing the inn’s first wedding ever.
The wedding will be the talk of the town, as famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton, daughter of Bryan’s half-brother, Edison, has chosen the inn as her perfect venue. Anxious, Mimi is sure things are going to turn south, especially when Edison gets drunk and rowdy at the out-of-towners’ dinner, but by the evening, things begin to look up again. That is until six AM rolls around, and Bryan is found dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. And the fingers point at Mimi, whose entire loan is forgiven in Bryan’s will.
Now it’s up to Mimi to clear her name and get to the bottom of things before the killer turns up the heat again in A Deadly Éclair, the scrumptious series debut by Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber.

About the Author
Agatha Award-winning Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries and CHEESE SHOP MYSTERIES, which she pens as Avery Aames. She will soon debut the new French Bistro Mysteries. Daryl also writes stand-alone suspense: DAYS OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Author Links
Visit Daryl or Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
Facebook:   Daryl      Avery 
Goodreads:    Daryl Wood Gerber     Avery Aames
Purchase Links
Amazon  B&N     Kobo    BookBub


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What a wonderful start to a new series. The author has mesmerized me with her exquisite meals served at the beautiful restaurant our main character runs. The French Bistro and Inn was becoming quite the place to eat at. I found myself feeling like I was sitting at a table watching Mimi as she ran her business with precision. The way the author describes the menu makes you want to run in a French Bistro and order all the food in the book. 

Mimi is a delightful character with strong opinions and has a backer that has helped get her established. Bryan Baker has had a special place in his heart for Mimi and wants to be sure she succeeds. He reminds me of a grandfather who has all this money and lavishes it on his favorite granddaughter. Mimi is like an energizer bunny and seems to take on a lot to make her business successful.

When a famous talk show host books her wedding at the Inn, everyone is on high alert. Mimi knows this wedding could put her on the map. The chef has to have the perfect menu and everything has to be picture perfect . Will the bride and groom be happy with the setting for their wedding? Can the menu the chef has prepared live up to their expectations?

Sometimes we don’t always get what we want and Mimi finds herself in panic mode when several guests get drunk and start to get out of hand at the evening party. As the evening winds down Mimi hopes to sleep and get a jump start on the next day. What she finds the next morning will put a damper on the wedding and make her a suspect. Her beloved mentor is found dead with an eclair stuck in his mouth. Ok I did find that a bit funny. That’s one of the things I like about the authors writing. She puts humor in her story at just the places to lighten up the mood a bit . 

The story has some delightful characters that I found to be interesting. The list of suspects are many and poor Mimi is on the top of the list. Her sleuthing skills were very well thought out and I have to say she could easily get a job as a detective. Now the big question is who killed Bryan? He is very well off, and helped Mimi get her business off the ground. Does Bryan have family members that are willing to kill to get his inheritance? Or perhaps it is a jealous person that despised him for his success? The story is well written and kept me guessing till the end. Once again I didn’t figure out who the killer was. I love it when an author can write a mystery and fool her readers and surprise them at the end. I am looking forward to more books in this wonderful series. 

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


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Participants
June 6 –  Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews  – REVIEW, RECIPE – GUEST POST
June 6 –  Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 7 –  Laura’s Interests  – REVIEW
June 7 –  Ruff Drafts  – RECIPE – GUEST POST
June 7 –  The Pulp and Mystery Shelf  – SPOTLIGHT
June 8 –  Babs Book Bistro  – SPOTLIGHT
June 8 –  Cozy Up WIth Kathy  – REVIEW*, RECIPE – GUEST POST
June 9 –  MJB Reviewers  – REVIEW
June 9 –  The Power of Words  – REVIEW*
June 10 –  Community Bookstop  – REVIEW
June 11 –  Valerie’s Musings  – REVIEW*, RECIPE – GUEST POST
June 11 –  The Avid Reader  – REVIEW*
June 12 –  My Reading Journeys  – REVIEW
June 12 –  Texas Book-aholic  – REVIEW*
June 13 –  Mysteries with Character  – REVIEW
June 14 –  Reading Is My SuperPower  – REVIEW*, RECIPE – GUEST POST
June 14 –  That’s What She’s Reading  – REVIEW*
June 15 –  Island Confidential  – SPOTLIGHT
June 16 –  A Wytch’s Book Review Blog  – REVIEW
June 16 –  Lisa Ks Book Review  – REVIEW*
June 17 –    The Cozy Pages  – REVIEW
June 18 –  The Montana Bookaholic  –  REVIEW, RECIPE – GUEST POST
June 18 –  Sapphyria’s Books  – REVIEW*
June 19 –  Melina’s Book Blog  – REVIEW
June 19 –  Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book  – REVIEW*






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Plunge into Darkness Kick-Off Package


Plunge into Darkness FB Banner copy

About the Book

Plunge into DarknessTitle: Plunge into Darkness
Author: Kristen N. Spencer
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Two girls.
A village with a dark secret.
Their only hope is a mythical figure Ever Morena has only read about in her father’s lone book.
Ten years ago Ever’s best friend disappeared without a trace. Though the loss of her friend only came close to killing her then, the truth of what happened might finish the job now—just when her future as the village healer is looking bright.
Ever must risk everything she loves in order to plunge into darkness on an impossible journey in the middle of the Concealed Forest.
Never before has redemption been so costly.
Please note: This book contains subject matter which some may find troubling as it spotlights helping those who have experienced abuse. I tried to handle this topic as delicately as I could, keeping the reader’s experience in mind.


About the Author

Kristin SpencerKristin N. Spencer spends part of each day imagining up new worlds and beings when she isn’t busy taking care of her three children and writing partner husband T. E. Spencer. When she’s not writing you can find her working in full time ministry, sewing cosplay costumes, or watching geekesque movies. She writes whatever genre she wants including but not limited to Non-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Sci-Fi, Space Fantasy, and traditional Fantasy. Kristin studied Comparative World Literature at California State University, Long Beach and received a Bachelors, which she fondly calls a degree in reading. Her favorite movie is Sabrina (the Julia Ormond version) and her favorite person is Jesus.


Guest Post from Kristin N. Spencer

Life is messy because people are messy. While I was missionary in Athens, Greece I spent a lot of time around profoundly broken people who were making brave choices to change their lives and the lives of their children. Human trafficking creates a unique kind of broken, and the people that minister to people who have survived this difficult journey also have to reach an understanding of what the people they’re ministering to have been through. After a while serving in a ministry that works with women who have been rescued out of prostitution, the founder and director sent me a message. She said she wanted to have a sit down talk so we could get to know each other. As I nervously tapped my foot on the plastic metro floor on my way to the meeting, a picture came into my head. I saw a young woman sitting next to a dark pond filled with sledge, and knew instantly that something that could help her was inside there, and the only way to help her was to jump into the sledge and find it… to experience the darkness as a witness as a way to understand it. When I got to my meeting with the director, I told her about the picture I had seen on the metro. She said it was a perfect illustration for the work we do as advocates for survivors of sexual abuse. It was then that I thought, “This is more than a picture… this could be a story to illustrate how sometimes the only way to help hurting and broken people is to go through the darkness—though to a lesser degree of course—ourselves.”
When you have a friend or acquaintance that is healing from a difficult ordeal, one of the best ways for them to heal is to be able to talk about it. The simple truth is, hearing about someone being raped is horrific and uncomfortable. But imagine how much more horrible it is to actually be raped, and then never feel like anyone wants to let you talk about it. Not only are you reeling from the sexual assault, but also from the society imposed silence everyone expects you to keep.
Enter Ever, Dawn, and the Man of Sorrows. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you read the story, you will see the clear implications of how what I’ve just described came to be crafted into a fantasy story that deals directly with the character of man versus the character of an all loving, creative being. I hope you love this book and it leaves you wanting more even though the topic is a difficult one.


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Ever and Dawn were friends that I enjoyed getting to now. It was hard for Ever to understand how Dawn did without so much. I loved Ever's heart and how deeply she cared for her friend. There were times I felt a bit lost in the story, but as I dug deeper I began to understand. To say that I enjoyed the story would be difficult, but I appreciated the tender way the author presented the topic of abuse. Coming from a violent and abusive childhood, the story was overwhelming at times. I wish I had been blessed with a friend like Ever.

Graves is a horrible person and it made me ill to hear her say to Ever, " What do you care 'bout that sack of a worthless child for?" Oh how I wanted to shake that lady and scream at her. The lies  she tells that her daughter has moved is horrible. It was like Dawn was just something to be tossed aside when her parents were done with her. Ever is devastated to learn her friend is gone. Her dad believes he must share the Man of Sorrows with Ever to heal her broken heart. The parallels between the Man of Sorrows book and the story of Jesus is woven together very well. God is the one who can heal our broken hearts and dry our tears away. 

The story takes on a dark and lonely road when Ever is reunited with Dawn. The abuse Dawn endured is so horrific I couldn't stop crying. Can Ever help her friend or is she locked away in her mind forever?  To give up on someone who has been damaged is like saying they are not important enough to be saved. As Dawn and Ever venture into the woods the book finally made sense.  The time they spend there opens Ever's eyes as to what needs to be fought in order to save Dawn. The darkness wants us to think we can't defeat it, but we can with God's help. Oh my it is such a powerful realization to know that The One is speaking about satan as we know him. The visions Ever has of Dawn's abuse is very graphic and gave me chills.  There is a lot to grasp from this story of torture and darkness.  The best point the author makes is when The Man tells Ever that others are guilty of what happened to Dawn. The villagers turned their back and ignored what was going on. They knew and did nothing.  The ending is gripping and I can say that I look forward to where Ever and Dawn are sent on their new quest. Thank you for taking a difficult subject and showing me that I was never alone as a child. I will cherish the story and the hope it brings me. 

 I do not see the outward appearance as man sees. I see the innermost thoughts and desires. I see into the heart."

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

Blog Stops

Multifarious, June 8
Bigreadersite, June 8
Reading is my Super Power, June 10 (Interview)
Carpe Diem, June 14
Pause for Tales, June 15

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Kristin is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card, ‘Plunge Into Darkness’ Paperback, Minimalism Art Classic Notebook Journal, and Huhuhero Fineliner Color Pen Set (10 Pack)!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/d070/plunge-into-darkness-celebration-tour-giveaway
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Monday, June 11, 2018

RESURRECTION OF HOPE BY TAMARA LYNN KRAFT 
BOOK BLAST PRESENTED  BY CELEBRATE LIT



Book Synopsis:
She thought he was her knight in shining armor, but will a marriage of convenience prove her wrong?

After Vivian’s fiancé dies in the Great War, she thinks her life is over. But Henry, her fiancé’s best friend, comes to the rescue offering a marriage of convenience. He claims he promised his friend he would take care of her. She grows to love him, but she knows it will never work because he never shows any love for her.

Henry adores Vivian and has pledged to take care of her, but he won’t risk their friendship by letting her know. She’s still in love with the man who died in the Great War. He won’t risk heartache by revealing his true emotions.



Purchase Link:
http://amzn.to/2F2qCde



Author Information:
Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novels and novellas in print. She’s been married for 39 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and three grandchildren. 
Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire for Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist and has written children’s church curriculum. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.
You can contact Tamera on her website at http://tameralynnkraft.net.

You can contact Tamera online at these sites.
Word Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.com


Tweets:
She thought he was her knight in shining armor, but will a marriage of convenience prove her wrong?

A marriage of convenience might give her hope or dash her hopes forever.

She’s lost everything. Can a marriage of convenience give her hope.

An Easter historical romance offers hope.


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What is a woman to do? Vivian has lost the love of her life and now his friend has asked her to marry him. Some people take their promises seriously and Henry is one of them. I would be shocked if I was Vivian. She doesn't love him, but maybe he is an answer to her prayers. Well it seems Vivian is about to take on an adventure she wasn't expecting. I really liked how Henry wanted Vivian to feel at home since she is his wife now. I'm pretty sure I would have butterflies in my stomach about now. The house doesn't have a lot going for it, but at least Vivian will have someone to take care of her.

The trip to the general store was exciting as the ladies gathered around Vivian to congratulate her on her marriage. The author does a great job of describing the store and I wanted to join them as they talked. I was a bit surprised that Henry discouraged Vivian from wanting to come back to town. Vivian is pretty feisty and I loved how she stood her ground with Henry. Henry has problems being around anyone and it starts to bother Vivian. The author presents Henry as  a standoffish man and won't do anything to help the people in town. I could feel the undercurrent of bitterness brewing inside him. What if he needs help someday? Will anyone come to his rescue since he has distanced himself from the entire town?

The story is powerful and full of surprises. When a disaster strikes will Henry allow people to help him? Can he get over his guilt from something that happened a long time ago? I loved how the author used characters to show readers what happens when you choose not to forgive. Pride always gets in the way, but the good news is that God is always there to help us. This is a short story but packed with a strong message of faith, trust and unconditional love.

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




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Red sky over america FB Banner copy



About the Book

Red sky over america cover
Title: Red Sky over America
Author: Tamera Lynn Kraft
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: February 11, 2018
In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College, a school known for its radical ideas. America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves.
America’s classmate, William, goes to Kentucky to preach abolition to churches that condone slavery. America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation and may not make it home to Ohio or live through the struggle.
Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Tamera kraftTamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 39 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren.
Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist and has written children’s church curriculum. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.

Guest posts from Tamera Lynn Kraft

100 Steps to Freedom
by Tamera Lynn Kraft
Before the Civil War, Ohio had the largest Underground Railroad of any state in the Union. It is believed that every county in Ohio had a route. Many slaves would escape over the Ohio River and through Ohio on their way to Canada. This was a dangerous undertaking because, even though Ohio was a free state, the Fugitive Slave Law made it so anyone helping escaped slaves could be fined and jailed.
One small town, Ripley, Ohio, is believed to have helped more slaves escape than any town in Ohio. Ripley is located on the banks of the Ohio River across from Mason County, Kentucky.
One man who helped slaves escape was a freed black man named John Parker. Parker was educated by his master in Virginia and eventually bought his freedom. He traveled to Ohio and opened a foundry on Front Street facing the Ohio River. He was the first black man to earn a patent for one of the inventions he used in his foundry. At night, he would search the Ohio River looking for escaped slaves and helping them find their way to an Underground Railroad Station.
Rev. John Rankin, a Presbyterian minister, owned a house on top of a hill in Ripley. He built one hundred steps to the house that could be seen on the other side of the river. At night, he would light a lantern and hang it from the porch to signal slaves that it was safe to cross. It is estimated that over 2,000 slaves escaped through the Rankin House. None of them were ever recaptured. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her famous novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, about the escape of the slave, Eliza, after hearing the story from Rev. Rankin.
Rev. John Rankin’s house is in my novel, Red Sky Over America. John Parker also is introduced as a minor character. The story takes place on the Ohio River in Kentucky across from Ripley where all these exciting events happened.

Oberlin College: A School Ahead of Its Time
My current novel series, Ladies of Oberlin, is about 3 women roommates who graduated from one of the most amazing colleges in American history, Oberlin College. Book 1, Red Sky Over America focuses on America, a woman attending Oberlin who is an abolitionist studying to become a missionary. The problem is her father is a slave owner. Here’s a little bit about this amazing college.
Oberlin College, founded in 1833 in Northern Ohio, was a college ahead of its time in many ways. In 1835, it became the first college in the United States to regularly admit African Americans. It’s also the oldest co-educational college in the US. In 1837, it admitted four women, three of whom graduated and earned a college degree. Mary Jane Patterson, another Obeberlin graduate, became the first African American woman in 1862 to earn a Bachelor of Arts college degree.
One of Oberlin’s founders once bragged that “Oberlin is peculiar in that which is good”. Oberlin was peculiar in many ways in advancing the causes of the time. Charles Finney, the second president of the college, helped it earn its controversial reputation. He was the fiery evangelist of the Second Great Awakening, a Christian revivalist movement in the early and mid 1800s.
Oberlin College was the hotbed of abolitionist activity and a stop for the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. It was once called “the town that started the Civil War” because of its participation in the Oberlin Wellington Rescue in 1858. Slave catchers came to Oberlin to capture an escaped slave and return him to Kentucky. Most of the town came to the slave’s aid and rescued him. For their trouble, over twenty were arrested and put on trial for violating the Fugitive Slave Act. During the raid on Harper’s Ferry by John Brown, three men from Oberlin participated.
Oberlin College was also well known for the women who graduated from the college and participated in the suffrage and prohibition movements. Lucy Stone, considered a pioneer for the women’s movement, graduated from Oberlin College in 1847.
Oberlin was also very well known in the missionary movement of the late 1800s. Between 1860 and 1900, 90% of missionaries sent overseas by the American Missionary Society were graduates of Oberlin College. Between 1899 and 1901, thirteen missionaries from Oberlin were martyred during the Boxer Rebellion of China. An arch in Tappan Square at the center of Oberlin pays honor to their sacrifices.


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The book is a haunting look back in history when slaves were very prevalent. It was so hard to read how horrific they were treated. I can't imagine the terror they felt when they knew they were going to be beat. The author has done extensive research on this subject and it shows by the vivid picture she paints with her words. There were times I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I read about human beings being traded to work for nothing.

America is one young woman that I would want to be friends with. Her determination to follow what God has placed in her heart was an example of true faith. She had such a heart to free slaves and her biggest challenge was her father. How do you go against your father and refuse to support him? America is a strong willed young woman who will risk everything to see her father's slaves freed.

William is a man with a mission. He has set out to travel to different places and preach about how wrong it is to own slaves. There were times I'm sure he was fearful of what may happen when he stood before men who disagree with his beliefs. There was something that really stuck in my head and it made me look at this story with a heart that hurt for the unjust treatment of men, women and children of color. We are all made in the imagine of God yet during this time period that one sentence was erased from the minds of slave owners.

When America (Merry) finds out about a secret movement to help slaves be free, she must decide if she is willing to help or turn the group in. The story is intense and realistic with each page growing with danger. I really liked how the author showed readers how much faith the characters had. Would it be hard to stand up for the truth if you knew you could be in danger of being killed?

There were times in the story when I felt anger rise up in me. America's father was such a mean spirited man and his sternness overwhelmed me. Even though people said he treated his slaves better than most he still beat them. His treatment of his daughter bordered on control and I feared for America's safety. The author has written a story that is epic and depicts a time when the color of your skin determined your destiny by others. It is one of the best stories I've read about slavery and I appreciate the brutal honesty that the author wrote about a time in history that makes me grieve.

" It's better to lose your life obeying God than pretend slavery doesn't exist and do nothing."

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

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, May 29
Genesis 5020, May 31
Mary Hake, June 1
Artistic Nobody, June 4 (Spotlight)
Bigreadersite, June 4
Simple Harvest Reads, June 6 (Spotlight)
Reading is my Super Power, June 6 (Interview)
margaret kazmierczak, June 7 (Interview)

Giveaway

e5f4939d-cd96-45de-b748-8fb15bc1a0af
To celebrate her tour, Tamera is giving away a themed basket with autographed books of Resurrection of Hope, Alice’s Notions, Red Sky Over America, a copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (the book is mentioned in the novel) and a copy of Then Sings My Soul (stories about the hymns), plus a $10 Amazon Card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cebb/red-sky-over-america-celebration-tour-giveaway

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