Death By Chocolate Lab-Book Review & Giveaway

Scroll to bottom for the giveaway

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Book Tours)

Pet sitter Daphne Templeton has a soft spot for every stray and misfit who wanders into the quaint, lakeside village of Sylvan Creek. But even Daphne doesn’t like arrogant, womanizing Steve Beamus, the controversial owner of Blue Ribbon K-9 Academy. When Steve turns up dead during a dog agility trial, Daphne can think of a long list of people with motives for homicide, and so can the police. Unfortunately, at the top of the list is Daphne’s sister, Piper—Steve’s latest wronged girlfriend.

Certain that Piper is innocent, in spite of mounting evidence to the contrary, Daphne sets out to clear her sister’s name—and find Axis, Steve’s prize-winning chocolate Labrador, who went missing the night of Steve’s death. Aided by Socrates, her taciturn basset hound, and a hyperactive one-eared Chihuahua named Artie, Daphne quickly runs afoul of Detective Jonathan Black, a handsome and enigmatic newcomer to town, who has no appreciation for Daphne’s unorthodox sleuthing.

Can a free-spirited pet sitter, armed only with a Ph.D. in Philosophy and her two incompatible dogs, find the real killer before she becomes the next victim?

Includes recipes for homemade dog treats!

Available 

 Amazon B&N

About the author 

Bethany Blake lives in a small, quaint town in Pennsylvania with her husband and three daughters. When she’s not writing or riding horses, she’s wrangling a menagerie of furry family members that includes a nervous pit bull, a fearsome feline, a blind goldfish, and an attack cardinal named Robert. Like Daphne Templeton, the heroine of her Lucky Paws Mysteries, Bethany holds a Ph.D. and operates a pet sitting business called Barkley’s Premium Pet Care.

Author links

Webpage  BookBub    Twitter    Facebook

And I thought

Another new series to enjoy.  I loved Death By Chocolate Lab.

I enjoyed meeting Daphne and Socrates (he dog he's pictured on the cover).  

This fun little cozy mystery is full of twists.  I thought I knew who 'did it'.  And I thought I figured it out.  Then I talked myself out of my 'accusation' only to find in the end I was correct in my first thought.  

This reader was kept guessing.  

I am looking forward to more books in the series.  Especially because I want to see the 'infatuation' between Daphne and the handsome Detective Black turn into a real romance.  They are so cute and funny together.  Each try's not to 'get involved'.  But circumstances and Daphne's meddling in 'his case' keep bringing them together. 

Daphne is a fun quirky 'free spirit' who tends to run out of gas and tends to be meddlesome when it come to proving that her sister 

Piper isn't the murder.  

There a few other characters in town that become suspects for various reasons.  Each of the characters are a fun part of the story. 

I wasn't entirely sure how I would feel about the book and the concept of a mystery revolving around a bunch of dogs.  I was afraid it would be a little corny.  

But it wasn't  I was delighted as I read the story.  It was much more than I expected.  The addition of the various dogs made the story fun. 

The author did a great job of telling a story that kept this reader 

interested all the way to the end.

I usually try to choose a character in the book that I would like to meet and have coffee with and interview for a future blog post. 

The character I chose I wouldn't be able to share a cup of coffee but I might could offer a dog treat.  And see if I could get him to 'talk'.  I enjoyed Daphne's dog Socrates.  His character was adorable.  He was a laid back dog that 'thought' alot.  Hence his name.  He was Daphne's constant companion.  And in the end he turned out to be one of her hero's saving Daphne from becoming another victim.   

I am looking forward to reading many more books in the series. 

I received a complimentary e-copy. I read the book on my phone. 

This review will appear on the retail sites where is available.

This review will appear on Good Reads and My Journey Back

Click Here to visit the tour and read more reviews and interviews

                                            Giveaway 

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The Priority Unit-Susan Page Davis-Book Review

This is the first time I have posted a review on Sunday

About the book (provided by Amazon)
A missing man. 
A mysterious computer program – 
Even the people constructing it don’t know what it will do.
On the worst night of Harvey Larson’s life, his partner is killed and his wife, Carrie, walks out on him. Ten years later, the Portland, Maine police detective has learned to cope with his grief and depression. When he and the Priority Unit investigate the disappearance of software designer Nick Dunham, he meets a young woman who will change his life. Jennifer Wainthrop was the last person to admit seeing Dunham alive.
Harvey and his partner, Eddie Thibodeau, stay a step ahead of a bomber and put together the clues that tell the truth: Dunham’s kidnapping and the bombings are one case, and Jennifer is caught in the middle. News that Carrie has committed suicide may plunge Harvey back into despair. Harvey turns to God for help untangling his complicated life. He finds strength in his faith as he attempts to save Jennifer from the same grim fate that claimed Nick. But Jennifer must depend on her own wits and God alone when the killer gets too close

About the series 

Police detectives in Portland, Maine solve mysteries while getting their own lives in order and falling in love.

Meet Detective Harvey Larson, a world-weary genius of criminal investigation, and his brash young French-Canadian partner, Eddie Thibodeau.

Harvey’s life has taken several turns for the worse–until he meets the intriguing Jennifer Wainthrop, a witness in his challenging case in Book 1,The Priority Unit.

Everyone around him is suddenly in danger because Harvey dug too deep. Join him in serving up Maine Justice.

 One of Maine’s most famous authors is murdered the night after his class reunion, and Harvey and his partner, Eddie Thibodeau, must solve the crime. A cold case burglary that became fodder for Martin Blake’s first novel is somehow related to his death. While Harvey and Eddie look for answers, Jennifer plans the wedding. She’s working for the summer in the police department’s records office, and she manages to hand the detectives some important clues. Can a visit to the park at Fort Point answer some questions? Everything threatens to fall apart when the Priority Unit learns the police chief has had a tragic accident. The mysterious, romantic, and spiritual journey continues.

Available

Amazon click here. I wish this book was available in retail stores. 

Visit the author.  Click here

And I thought...
I did some thinking about this one.  The Priority Unit is a Christian Romantic Suspense title. 
The thing that had me thinking was that the main characters were not 'Believers'.  They were 'Seekers'.  I have never run across a book 'Christian' or 'Inspirational' book where the main characters were not already Believers.  Most of the stories I have read have had the characters at least one in more of a  fallin' away type of existence.
It took me awhile to decide how I really felt about the 'Seekers'.  
I don't say this in a bad way at all just a questioning manner much like the characters are seeking answers with their questions about God.  
The more that I've thought about this I feel like The Priority Unit
is a wonderful story and possibly one of the best approaches to introducing someone to a 'real' relationship with Christ that I've ever seen/read. 
I enjoyed the characters.  I enjoyed the plot.  It was a bit slow in the beginning (the first few chapters) but once it picked up I was drawn in for a fast and furious ride.   The ride takes the reader through car bombing(s), missing persons, espionage and drug dealers.  
All the plots and subplots worked together for a suspenseful
story with twists and turns and a happy ending!  
I especially enjoyed going to church for the first time with 
Harvey and Jennifer and seeing their eyes open as they are introduced to God.  
The Priority Unit was a great book.  I am anxiously waiting to read more in the series. 

Coffee With A Character...
The character that I would most like to have coffee with is 
Harvey.  His character starts out lonely and sad after his divorce.  As the story unravels and he begins 'investigating' God 
he begins to learn to be happy and basically return to 'real living'.  
He is a 'real' good guy before God.  And then after.  We'll have to wait for Book 2.  

The Character I want to meet again ...
This is a new prompt/topic for my reviews.  I enjoyed 
Carrie's (Harvey's ex-wife) grandmother.  She is delightful character.  In a few short pages she captured my heart.  I am sure we will capture yours. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author.

Thank you Susan Page Davis for introducing me to your world

This review will appear on Amazon, Good Reads and 
My Journey Back. 
This review will be linked with blog parties, tweeted and shared and pinned.  

A Fine Year For Murder-Lauren Carr-Book Author Spotlight

About the book (provided by I Read Book Tours)

After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.

When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting and suppressed the memory.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

Buy the Book:  Amazon  ~ Add on Goodreads

Author's Bio:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Enter to win the giveaway.  Click here

Read my review on March 1

Westbou Gold-Hawk MacKinnery-Book Review

 

About the book. . . (provided by I Read Book Tours)

The Indian Queen would risk torture and worse to keep her secrets from these barbarians in suits of metal and their search for cities of gold. They never found the gold. Empires rose; empires fell, the centuries passed. Legend became fireside myths, but no treasure was ever found. Yet, among the grey-green drapes of wisteria and wild jasmine along the misty shrouded lowlands of bayous and marshes of the Westo River, the folktales persist.

In the lazed creep of a near-tropical dawn lit the pungent Turkish coffee permeates Moccasin Hollow. Beyond the kitchen door Lucky, Craige Ingram’s German shepherd gnaws a favorite bone. Looted burial mounds seem a world away until plundered mounds on Moccasin Hollow land brings amateur archaeologist PI Craige Ingram into the cross-hairs of kidnapping. Stealthy hideaways are concealed in old colonial brick-lined river grottoes beneath the big house of Ardochy plantation. Sex-tape underage blackmail and thrill killings on federal land spur a medical examiner’s preliminary postmortem to more than a hired cleaner’s quickie cover-up passed off as drug deals gone sour. Greed tangles a witch’s pigswill of illicit affairs and murder-to-hide-murder. Shady investigators and shadier politics stir an unexpected concoction that threatens the lives of those at Moccasin Hollow in a spiteful plot against ex-SEAL Craige Ingram and the woman he loves.

I Read Tour (includes author interviews and additional reviews)

Jan 16 - Books for Books - review

Jan 17 - The Autistic Gamer - review

Jan 18 - Books, Dreams, Life - review / guest post / giveaway

Jan 19 - Working Mommy Journal - review / giveaway

Jan 20 - Rainy Day Reviews - review

Jan 23 - Olio by Marilyn - review / giveaway

Jan 24 - Library of Clean Reads - review / giveaway

Jan 25 - Readers Muse - review

Jan 26 - Nighttime Reading Center - review / giveaway

Jan 27 - My Reading Journey - review / giveaway

Jan 30 - Bound 4 Escape - review / giveaway

Jan 31 - T's Stuff - review/ author interview / giveaway

Jan 31 - A Mama's Corner of the World - review / giveaway

Feb 1 -   JBronder Book Reviews - review

Feb 2 -   Elsie's Audiobook Digest - review / giveaway

Feb 3 -   Jessica Cassidy - review / author interview / giveaway

Buy the book . . .

 Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble

Giveaway . . .

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And I thought. . . 

I was looking forward to reading this book.  Last fall I was introduced to the author and had a chance to ask a few questions about the book.   

From my research about the book and the previous book I became 

interested in the main character Craige Ingram.  I enjoyed his character.  The author did a wonderful job of developing his character.  I felt Craige could actually walk off the page

The story; well I wasn't quite as enamored with the story.  I really thought I would like it but I just didn't.  It was o.k.

The story is suspenseful.  I was kept on the edge of my seat through the fast paced twists and turns in the storyline. 

I was rooting for Craige to solve the mystery and make it out alive!

Westbou Gold is about murder, blackmail, suspense and explicit sex scenes.   The story is dark.  

The story was very well written and filled with some great characters that aren't all very likeable.  I like(d) the authors writing style and I am interested in reading the 1st book in the series because I did really like the main character. 

I received a complimentary copy from I Read Book Tours.

 

A Cut Throat Business-Julia Bennett-Book Review

About the book (provided by KOBO) 

Everyone has warned new-minted realtor Savannah Martin that real estate is a cutthroat business. But Savannah doesn’t think she’s supposed to take the warning literally ... until an early morning phone call sends her to an empty house on the ‘bad’ side of town, where she finds herself standing over the butchered body of a competitor, face to face with the boy her mother always warned her about.

Rafe Collier is six feet three inches of testosterone and trouble; tall, dark, and dangerous, with a murky past and no future—not the kind of guy a perfect Southern Belle should want to tangle with. In any way. But wherever Savannah turns, there he is, and making no bones about what he wants from her.

Now Savannah must figure out who killed real estate queen Brenda Puckett, make a success of her new career, and avoid getting killed—or kissed—by Rafe, all before the money in her savings account runs out and she has to go back to selling make-up at the mall.

Also in the series...

Hot Property - Savannah Martin Mystery #2 (June 2011)
Contract Pending - Savannah Martin Mystery #3 (July 2011)
Close to Home - Savannah Martin Mystery #4 (October 2011)
A Done Deal - Savannah Martin Mystery #5 (December 2011)

Visit the authors site for more about the series.  Click Here

Buy from

iBOOKS | BARNES & NOBLE | GOOGLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK |  AMAZON CA | 

AMAZON AU

And I thought...

Another new one to add to the favorites list.  I can't wait to get a chance to read book 2 and the remainder of the series.

This was a fun read and kept too interested!  I had a hard time getting anything done.  I kept wanting to know 'who dun it' and I kind a was wanting to the romance to continue. 

I loved the main characters and I can't wait to see if they ever do end up as a couple.  Sorry to spill the beans but they didn't in book 1.  There's a lot of sizzle.  But no bedroom scenes.  

Other than the fact that there are 2 murders this is a 'G' rated book.

This is a good 'clean' book.  (read additional reviews for other opinions)

I did really enjoy Savannah she was just delightful. Her character is full of southern charm and wit.  She struggles to start over after a failed marriage with determination and savvy.

And then there's the gorgeous and mysterious badboy(man) Rafe he just oozes charm. 

I really enjoyed this book.  The story kept me interested from page one and until the end.  I really didn't want it to end!  

There is mystery and some suspense and just a tad bit of romance.  

I will buy the series.  I would recommend the book to friends. 

I read this book on my phone using the Kobo app.  

I was not asked by anyone to write a review. 

This review will be posted on Amazon, Kobo, Good Reads and may appear on My Journey Back and Springtime In Magnolia 
Book Club

I would suggest reading the reviews posted on Amazon if you have any question about the content and make your own decision.  

Ride Baby Ride-Vivian Arend-Book Review

About the book 

He wants all her tomorrows

Small town mechanic Gage Jenick’s been waiting for this moment ever since his best friend’s little sister transformed from annoying tagalong to desirable woman. When sweet Katy Thompson kicks her boyfriend to the curb, Gage makes his move. In spite of an assignment that will take him completely off the grid for five long months, he steals her away for one night of steamy passion with the promise of more in the future.

She can’t remember yesterday

When a freak accident on a storm-swept road leaves Katy with a memory full of holes, she can’t remember her own email password, much less how the little pink “positive” on the pregnancy stick got there. She’s at a loss to explain what happened, or when…or with whom. Suddenly she’s got two men claiming to be her baby daddy: her redneck ex, and her long-time crush, Gage.

But what the mind forgets, the heart remembers. Still, it’s going to be a long, hard ride to a happily-ever-after for two, plus one.

About the series

For over 30 years Thompson and Sons has been the local garage for the Rocky Mountain House area. Look for small town lovin’ and fightin’ with sexy happily-ever-afters for the five siblings of the current generation.

A 5 book spin -off series loosely connected with the Six Pack Ranch world.

Available

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | iBooks US |iBooks UK | iBooks CA| Kobo | Scribd

And I thought

I want to read more.  This isn't a PG book.  There are some bedroom scenes.  But the story w/o the  bedroom scenes is a great sweet story. 

It is filled with sweet romance.  And just a hint of suspense.drama. I was captivated by the story.  I couldn't wait to finish.  Yet I didn't want to.

I loved the characters.  Gage and Katy are trying to build a relationship. But the ex Simon is plainly a 'jerk' that can't let go. 

He causes problem after problem for the couple.   

Janey; Katy's best friend is the kind of friend we all want.  

I look forward to reading her story when she gets 'her' man.  She pines over Katy's brother Len.  

Ride Baby Ride is the best story I've read in a while. 

I had the opportunity to read Ride Baby Ride on my phone using the KOBO app. 

I was not asked to write a review. 

This review will be posted on Amazon, B&N,Good Reads and 

Good Reads.

A Journey's End-Ann Christopher

About The Book (provided by Amazon)

Can two wounded people find happiness together?

Meet widower and loner James Harper, who avoids romance like the plague.

And vivacious single mom Miranda Lowe, whose nasty divorce blew up her life.

What happens when you repeatedly throw them together? Come to Journey’s End and find out...

If you love sexy small-town romance that features strong families, pick up A JOURNEY'S END today!

And I Thought

I read this book on my phone using the KOBO app. 

I was glad to find this offer 'free' which is a great way to be introduced to new authors.  

I really enjoy this nice and wholesome love story.  I enjoyed the characters.  From the main characters Miranda and James; to Miranda's twin sons, to Jame's slightly meddling mother to 

the German Shepherd 'Frank' after Frank Sinatra. 

This was a fairly fast paced romance story.  Although the real romance took awhile, that was told through flash back scenes.  Miranda and James both were getting over past lost loves.   I enjoyed the use of 'flash backs' used this way.  It made for an interesting and different king of read.  

I look forward to reading more installments in the series.  

This was a PG sweet romance that anyone would enjoy. 

I was not asked to review this book.  

This review will appear on retail sites where the book is available 

and on Good Reads.

This review may appear on My Journey Back.