The Dog-Eared Diary by Diane Wing-Beck Valley Tour-Review/Giveaway

About the book 

In this second installment in the series, Chrissy digs up clues to help Autumn solve a historical disappearance and a modern-day murder mysteryAutumn Clarke is getting her life back to normal with the help of her extraordinary shih tzu, Chrissy, when the death of a local philanthropist reveals the man’s dark family secrets, as well as unexpected ties to Autumn. When Chrissy discovers a dog-eared diary in the dead man’s family home, Autumn discovers that things in the Clarke family are not quite as they seem. Can Autumn interpret the hidden clues in the dog-eared diary to crack the most puzzling disappearance in Knollwood history? Are the recent murders connected to the past? Is Chrissy more insightful than Autumn realized?

And others are saying

From Modern History Press 

“I have fallen in love with Chrissy and Autumn and their continuing journey to health while finding themselves in the middle of a murder mystery adventure. My pre-teen daughter and I enjoyed reading The Dog-Eared Diary and then discussing the clues, plot twists, and characters.” ~ Antoinette Brickhaus, Maryland

“Through the relationship between Autumn and Chrissy, Wing also shows the importance of therapy animals and how much they can help those who need them. Add a sweet romance to the intrigue of the mystery and you’ve got a book that you won’t want to put down.” ~ Melissa Alvarez, Intuitive, animal communicator and author of Animal Frequency and Llewellyn’s Little Book of Spirit Animals

“Diane Wing has created a wonderfully endearing little character in Chrissy the Shih Tzu. It really shines through that the author is a lover of animals and dogs. I can see these books quickly becoming a cherished addition to the cozy mystery genre.” ~ J. New, author of The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries

And I thought

Just a fun and thoughtful read filled with interesting pet parents and fun dogs.  

Chrissy has settled into the neighborhood and at home with Autumn after being homeless.  

This is a great book for people that love pets.  Especially dogs. 

If you like a good mystery with some twists and turns and a little romance you'll enjoy this series. 

I received a complimentary copy. 

My review will appear on retail sites, Good Reads. 

The Dog Eared Diary and the Beck Valley Tour will be promoted on social media. 

Buy the book 

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Barnes and Noble   Paperback   Hardback

Giveaway

Visit the tour to enter 

To read more reviews follow the tour

Read the reviews...

1.	Tuesday 29th October - My Devotional Thoughts
2.	Tuesday, 29th October - Miki’s Hope
3.	Wednesday, 30th October - The Faerie Review
4.	Wednesday, 30th October - Mammanatty
5.	Thursday, 31st October - My Reading Journeys
6.	Thursday, 31st October - Novel & Mug
7.	Friday, 1st November - A Chick Who Reads
8.	Monday, 4th November - Carly Wilson
9.	Tuesday, 5th November - Lynchburg Mama
10.	Wednesday, 6th November- Nicki's Nook
11.	Thursday, 7th November - eBook Addicts
12.	Friday, 8th November - Sanity is for those without children
13.	Monday, 11th November - Evolving Perceptions
14.	Tuesday,12th November - Jessica-KC Beanie Boost Collection
15.	Wednesday, 13th November- Totally Addicted to Reading
16.	Thursday, 14th November - I Create Purty Thangs
17.	Friday, 15th November - Beck Valley Books
18.	Friday, 1st November - Heartprints Pets

Beware The East Wind by Barbara Barret -Great Escapes Tour-Review

About the book
Beware the east wind! It’s hurricane season in Florida, and everyone’s attention is focused on preparing for the latest tempest. But in Serendipity Springs, mah jongg pals Marianne, Sydney, Micki and Kat are caught in a different kind of whirlwind—a mesmerizing murder case involving a slain hypnotist/chef and the woman police suspect of doing her in, her embittered catering partner, Portia.

And others are saying 

Barbara Barrett makes me want to move to Serendipity Springs, play Mah Jongg and join the four members for coffee!
~A Wytch’s Book Review Blog

A nice addition to this cozy mystery series. We catch back up with the eclectic group of mah jongg players just in time for hurricane season.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

And I thought
The girls are at it again in this 4th book in this cozy, fun and sometimes hilarious series. 
Beware The East Wind has Syd and the gang more experienced in solving crimes and less wary of getting involved. 
As their unique way of investigating begins to make Portia 
the polices person of interest a bit crazy with their style the suspect list grows and real investigating begins
The guys are back and more aware of whats going on with their ladies and more in tune to the investigation.  Trip and Beau play a little gold while the ladies do 'their plotting' according to Beau but 
the guys are really keeping more of an eye on the women they anyone really knows. 
This is a fun and quirky group that doesn't hesitate to solve mysterious murders and help out their friends. 
I enjoy the characters in this series and I liked that Barbara Barrett made the husbands Trip and Beau more a part of the story.
The cover made me want to pick this one up.  I like it when a cover tells a little of the story and draws you in. 
If you enjoy a good cozy myster pick up Beware The East Wind 
you'll enjoy it along with the previous 3 in the series.  Each book 
is written as a stand alone and for this reader they get better with each new title. 

I received a complimentary copy. 
My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads and 
Beware the East Wind will be promoted on social media and a part of Christmas suggestions at My Journey Back - The Journey Back blog.
Buy the book

Amazon   B&N 

Visit the tour

To read more reviews, interviews and guest post click here. 

Giveaway

To enter the giveaway go over to the tour page.  Click here. 

A Mah Jongg Mystery Series

is on my list of great gift ideas!

Starting the List

Welcome
Today I am announcing the date for . .

Join me here beginning November 25

Each day I'll be adding to my list giving you great ideas for your holiday shopping.

And starting today I'll be doing some sneak peeks watch for this button on my posts

If you see this button at the end of a post the book featured is on my list.

Happy Holidays

Happy Reading 

and 

Happy Shopping

Winter Frost by Lauren Carr-I Read Book Tour-Review

About the book 

It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.

Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas. 

Nothing is as it seems. 

In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had she uncovered in Switzerland that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him? 

And I thought

They just keep getting better and better!  I admit I am a fan of author Lauren Carr.

She has not written a book that I haven’t loved.  Each and everyone is a page turner.

One of the things I like best about how she presents her books is that she includes a

Cast of characters at the beginning.  Which is a huge help because each book

has a lot going on and a lot of characters.   As a fan I know all the regular characters so I don't get 

any confused but it's fun to read the cast.  And is helpful with the new characters.

The characters draw you in along with the plot.

Another thing I really like is how she crosses over the characters from the different series.

In this one Murphy and Triston from the Thorny Rose series are a huge part of the story.

Jessica Murphy’s wife and their dogs make a cameo appearance as well.

The story takes place when Chris and his girlfriend go into the city for a

weekend away.  But before than can even manage dinner Chris see’s his wife

who is supposed to be dead.  But sure enough she is alive and well and running for

her life! 

The suspense starts from page one and continues on a fast and furious ride to the

end! 

There were a couple of gasps along the way.  And a “No she didn’t do that”

referencing the author….and thankfully she didn’t ‘Whew’!  Giving nothing away

here….so if you wanna know exactly what made me ‘Gasp’ and ‘What made me

ask the question you’ll have to read Winter Thaw.  I promise you will love it

And you’ll be surprised and shocked as much as I was. 

Winter Frost is a super fun and fast paced ride.  It is super clean.  No bedroom

Scenes and no language. 

I received a complimentary copy.

My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.

My review  and a Spotlight will also appear on My Journey Back – The Journey Back.

Buy the book 

​Amazon ~ Audible

Ho Ho Handmade Homicide by Lois Winston-Great Escapes Tour-Review/Giveaway

About the book 

Two and a half weeks ago magazine crafts editor Anastasia Pollack arrived home to find Ira Pollack, her half-brother-in-law, had blinged out her home with enough Christmas lights to rival Rockefeller Center. Now he’s crammed her small yard with enormous cavorting inflatable characters. She and photojournalist boyfriend (and possible spy) Zack Barnes pack up the unwanted lawn decorations to return to Ira. They arrive to find his yard the scene of an over-the-top Christmas extravaganza. His neighbors are not happy with the animatronics, laser light show, and blaring music creating traffic jams on their normally quiet street. One of them expresses his displeasure with his fists before running off.

In the excitement, the deflated lawn ornaments are never returned to Ira. The next morning Anastasia once again heads to his house before work to drop them off. When she arrives, she discovers Ira’s attacker dead in Santa’s sleigh. Ira becomes the prime suspect in the man’s murder and begs Anastasia to help clear his name. But Anastasia has promised her sons she’ll keep her nose out of police business. What’s a reluctant amateur sleuth to do?

Christmas craft projects included.

And others are saying 

If you are looking for a cute holiday themed cozy mystery, this is definitely the book for you . . . The wacky characters make for a fun read. . .
~A Chick Who Reads

I absolutely loved the story! Be it the characters or the suspense or the humor, Winston’s done an excellent job in keeping her readers hooked onto the story.
~The Book Decoder

Christmas, cozy mystery, craft, how can I not love this book? Humor, twists and turns, adorable characters make this story truly engaging from the first to the last page.
~LibriAmoriMiei

Handmade Ho-Ho Homicide by Lois Winston is a fast-paced ride, complete with murder, kidnapping, holiday hijinks, and Christmas celebrations. I put it another way; I loved it.
~Baroness’ Book Trove

And I thought 
I am enjoying this book.  I have to admit; I am still turning the pages but this review is scheduled to post and I need to get something up for the tour.
I am more than half way through this page turning cozy mystery and dawng it . . . it is hard to put down and write this post.  But 
I have to share just how good this book is and I am on deadline. 
I feel like the author.....I am sure there have been times she felt this way.
But,  I wonder because reading this one I only see a flowing story with a few twists and turns and some wondering who really did the deed.  

So was Ian set up or what? 

Gosh this one 8th in the series so there has been alot going on 
from Anastasia becoming a divorcee and then a widow and having to give her mother in law a place to live after her ex tries to kill 'said' mother in law.  To her mom who kind seems to be a black widow except she really doesn't 'off' her husbands. 
And then there is Ian the step brother in law that is just a bit creepy because he really seems to have the 'hot's for Anastasia.
But he's kind of a suspect in a murder and then his son goes missing; Anastasia can't help but help because goodness knows what would she do if Ian goes to jail . . . she would be the only 
one to take care of his kids.  
Gosh. It's a mess... but one kid is missing ... and that is where I left off!

 So, gosh dawng it.  I have to finish reading this one to find out who really did it and if Anastasia gets stuck with Ian's kids and her ex mother law to boot!

Maybe you can figure it all out by visiting the Great Escapes Tour!  Scroll down to visit the tour and also enter the giveaway!

Buy the book 

 Amazon  –  Kobo  –  iTunes    –   Nook

Visit the tour

To read more reviews, guest post, interviews and to see some crafitng posts click here to visit the tour. 

To visit the Anastasia Pollock blog click here. 

 

Giveaway

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Serf and Turf by Marc Jedel-Great Escapes Tour-Review/Giveaway

About the book 

He’s afraid of losing his girlfriend. But maybe he should be more concerned about the dead body she’s crying over?

Marty Golden can barely string a voicemail message together, let alone keep up with his new love. This quirky uncle’s hectic Silicon Valley lifestyle needs a reboot when a youth league soccer game becomes a murder scene. And nothing can stop him from donning his amateur sleuth uniform when he discovers his sweetheart used to have quite a thing for the dead guy …

With a not-so-helpful paw from Buddy the Labrador,  he does his best to sniff out a long list of possible suspects. But between gossipy soccer moms and the costume-clad members of a Renaissance Faire, Marty’s theories fall harder than a jousted knight.

Can Marty solve the case before the trail and his new flame grow cold?

Serf and Turf is the third book in the zany, Silicon Valley cozy mystery series. If you like laugh-out-loud comedy, dorky sleuths, and a festival of old-world fun, then you’ll love Marc Jedel’s humorous murder mystery.

Buy Serf and Turf to sign in to a great mystery today!

And others are saying

. . . I think this is the best one yet. It has a good mystery, a great setting, some humour, a little dash of danger, lots or relationship building, and good writing. I definitely recommend this cozy mystery series, especially if you want a fun and amusing mystery read.
~Carla Loves To Read

Serf and Turf is a fun and funny comedy . . . This story was just a great quick read!
~A Chick Who Reads

You’ll love getting to know Marty’s sister and his nieces a little better while laughing at Marty’s well-intentioned investigation.If you need a break from reality, I highly recommend Marc Jedel’s Silicon Valley Mystery Series.
~Literary Gold

With all of the possibilities available for the who the killer might be, the answer came out of left field! . . . I enjoy the witty banter between characters and trying to solve the mystery.
~Storeybook Reviews

I have been eagerly waiting to read this book for months now!! I absolutely, ABSOLUTELY love this series . . . Serf and Turf is a mind-blowing, wackalicious and totally entertaining cozy mystery.
~The Book Decoder

And I thought  

I didn't know that I would like love this series as much as I have. 
I couldn't help but fall in love with the quirky Marty in book 1 and I am still enamored in book 3!
Don't expect Marty to have grow on you.  You'll love him from the beginning. You'll every minute of each of these three books.  
Each is written as a stand alone but each story builds on the previous one and is easy to read and enjoy. I have felt that each is better and better.  The characters continue to be developed and grow with each engage plot and mystery solve. The covers if you look closely tell alot of the story.  I enjoy the cover art in this series.  It might seem a little juvenile but in a way Marty is a bit of a kid at heart in a lot of ways.  
If your in need of a laugh or a giggle or two you'll enjoy this one. 
If you love a good mystery you enjoy this one. 
If you like quirky characters you'll find a few here that will grab your attention and your heart. 

I loved every minute of Serf and Turf and each of the books in this series and look forward to #4. 

I received a complimentary copy. 
My review will appear on Amazon, Good Reads and my blog
My Journey Back-The Journey Back.  
Serf and Turf will be promoted on social media.

Buy the book 

Amazon

Visit the tour 

To read more reviews, interviews and guest posts click here.

Giveaway