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Thursday, September 28, 2017

Book/Author Spotlight-16 Millimeters-A Great Escape Tour

Reading the PDF version now on my computer.  
I'll be reviewing soon. 
About the book 
#StillAWannabeDetective In continuing her career-makeover quest as a for-real detective, ex-teen and reality star Maizie Albright has a big learning curve to overcome. A sleuthing background starring in a TV show— Julia Pinkerton, Teen Detective—does not cut the real life mustard. It doesn’t even buy her lunch, let alone extra condiments. Her chosen mentor, Wyatt Nash of Nash Security Solutions, is not a willing teacher. He’d rather stick Maizie with a safe desk job and handle the security solution-ing himself. But Maizie’s got other plans to help Nash. First, win Nash’s trust. Second, his heart.
Wait, not his heart. His respect. His hearty respect.
So when a major movie producer needs a babysitter for his hot mess starlet, Maizie eagerly takes the job. But when her starlet appears dead, and then not dead, Maizie’s got more than an actress to watch and a missing corpse to find. Body doubles, dead bodies, and hot bodies abound when the big screen, small screen, and silent screams collide. Maizie’s on the job, on the skids, and on thin ice, hunting a killer who may be a celebrity stalker. And Maizie just might be the next celebrity who gets snuffed.
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Visit the tour to read  author interviews, guest post and reviews.
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Available
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iBooks

 
About the author 

Larissa is a 2015 Georgia Author of the Year Best Mystery finalist, 2014 finalist for the Silver Falchion and Georgia Author of the Year, 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist, 2012 The Emily finalist, and 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner. Her family and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit, have been living in Nagoya, Japan, but once again call Georgia home. See them on HGTV’s House Hunters International “Living for the Weekend in Nagoya” episode. Visit her website, LarissaReinhart.com, find her chatting on FacebookInstagram, and Goodreads,  or join her Facebook street team, The Mystery Minions.

Official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/RisWrites

Book Review-Until Love Finds You-

Until Love Finds You

About the book 
Pamela Aares’ USA Today bestselling Tavonesi Series continues with another suspenseful, page-turning and heart-warming novel about the healing power of love.
Reclusive tech billionaire Evan Forbes finds himself lost and lonely in the secretive world he’s cloaked around himself. He may have changed the way the world communicates with his innovative, high-tech businesses, but the language of the heart has brought nothing but pain.
When Evan meets the vivacious heiress Coco Tavonesi on a garden tour, she fires a spark of desire he can’t resist. Pretending to be an ordinary computer geek, he conceals his true identity and accepts the thirty-dollar an hour job she offers, tracking down a hacker who’s stolen her prized nature photographs. After years of hiding his famous name and his own incredible wealth behind a disguise, has he met the woman worth revealing himself to? Can he risk his heart?
Coco doesn’t count on falling for the sexy techie, but when she playfully snaps a photo of Evan, his resulting anger triggers fears from her past. What does he have to hide? Is Evan the quirky, sweet geek he seems, or yet another fortune hunter using this chance to get close to her?
When Evan discovers that Coco is being hacked by a high-level genius, he’s determined to bring the criminal down. But the hacker accesses Coco’s photos of Evan and threatens blackmail and violence, and suddenly the secrets Coco and Evan have kept from one another endanger not only the love blooming between them, but their very lives.

And I thought
As my regular readers know I rarely give 5 stars.  Guess what this one is worthy.  

I didn't really know what to expect when I was offered the opportunity to read Until Love Finds You. I was hoping a good romance to entertain for a few hours. 

Until Love Finds You was much more than a romance story to pass the time.  There is a little intrigued woven into the story. 
How could there not be when a few of Cocoa's family members 
are spies and P.I's.  

Cocoa and Evan meet when she goes to her brother for help with her computer.  Evan happens to be at her brothers nursery and ends up offering to 'take a look' at the computer.    Which ends up being a bit of a stumbling block for their budding relationship.  
Cocoa assumes Evan is just a computer geek.  When he doesn't tell her the truth about who he really is the deception seems to get out of control. 

As the story unfolds and Evan finds some strange yet familiar code buried inside Cocoa's computer he begins to wonder and worry what is going on.  Once he finally tells her after her computer  and phone are compromised  Cocoa realizes that the culprit might just be someone who has tried to cause harm to her family in the past.  

The plot was very good and gave the reader a little more than just a sweet romance.  Sweet romance it was. Though Cocoa and Evan just 'hit it off' and are immediately attracted to each other making the ploy/story line fast paced.  

There were only a few other characters involved in the plot. But each Cocoa's sisters, Evan's close friend Murray all make short appearances.    

Realizing that Until Love Finds is book 10 in the series I suspect all the characters are woven into each others stories.  

This is a series that I really look forward to reading each installment.  I am expecting I'll be giving out 9 more 5 star
reviews.

I received a complimentary copy from Lola's Blog Tours.
This review will appear on all retail sites where available.
This review will appear on Net Galley and Good Reads



Available
– Amazon
– Barnes & Noble
– Kobo
– iBooks
The series
The tour at Lola's 
Until Love Finds You banner

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

The Complete 5 Star Book Review-Ax To Grind by Tonya Kappes

 
About the book 
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?i
And I thought 
I was captivated and turning the pages all the way to the very end when Who Really Did It was revealed.  And just sayin it's a good thing I am not a cop because I was totally taken by surprise.

But that's a good thing because that makes Ax To Grind a 5 star read for me!  5 stars  aren't given away here easily. 

 Congratulations to Kenni, Finn, Poppa and all the other quirky
characters.  

And of course to the amazing Tonya Kappes.  Thank you Tonya for visiting the blog and providing the readers with this amazing series!  

Ax to Grind was a twisty turny ride all the way to the end.   As we follow along with Kenni, her ghost Poppa and the ever present 
Finn to catch the killer.  

We take a twisty turny ride Kenni in the end as she rushes along with Kiwi the bird that see's and tells only a little bit of what she has seen.    In the end Kiwi along with sweet and Hattie and the victim of the axe eilding murder the story goes awry and takes a wild and crazy turn.

I hope I have your interest peeked enough to give this book a try!  

I loved Axe To Grind.

And btw I mentioned in my previous post I was turning pages to find out Who Dun It and if the sizzle turns into flames.  

The answers are  Who Dun It is revealed.

And the sizzle...well Finn tells Kenni 'We make a good team'.  

We'll have to read the next one to see where that goes!

Ax To Grind is a 5 star book perfect for any reader. 
There is no language and no bedroom scenes. 

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.
This review will appear on retail sites where available. 
This review will appear on Good Reads and the My Journey Back blog.  

Available
Visit the tour
To read more reviews, interviews, character/guest posts and to enter the authors Giveaway visit the tour.
Click Here
Link to my interview with Tonya
I had a lovely time visiting with Tonya.  Please click here to read the interview! 

Book Review(part 1) Ax To Grind by Tonya Kappes

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)
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?
And thought
And I am thinking.  This one is a page turner.  And I am still 
turning the pages!
My first impression a fun and cozy read filled with some interesting characters.  And I like them.

What's not to like about Kenni.  A girl sheriff that takes her job seriously.  Following in her Poppa's foot steps as Cottonwood's
Sheriff.  And actually along with him he's come back from the grave to help her out she gets in a jam. 

Along with dear old ghost dad the new Deputy Finn is right beside Kenni keeping her safe and investigating all the crime in the small sleepy town that isn't supposed to be so full of crime!

There is much to the story like who yeilds the ax.  Maybe the talking bird is the only one who knows!

I am intrigued with this story and turning those pages as fast as I can to find out two things.  

First of course is Who Dun It. 

Second does that spark and sizzle between Kenni and Finn spark into an actually flame?

Visit the tour
To read more reviews, interviews and character posts.  Click here.





Author Interview-TONYA KAPPES Author-AX TO GRIND

Welcome.  Today we have a treat.  Tonya Kappes is visiting and sharing a little about her book
Ax To Grind!


Welcome Tonya I am delighted to have you visit the blog! 

I am looking forward to reading Ax To Grind for The Great Escapes Tour. 


I love to ask this question because I am a dog lover.  Just wondering do you have a dog or a cat the has your heart? Oh my...you don't follow me on social media! Hahahaa! My dogs have their own group of fans. I have two Schnauzers, Charlie and Scooter. Charlie kinda steals the show because over the past three years he's gone on 19 medications a day for Congestive Heart Failure, a back leg amputation and a toe amputation on his only back leg...Scooter is just a little ornery. But all my readers LOVE Charlie. Plus, there's always a dog or cat in my books.

Kitty Kappes was my own personal grumpy cat that also had her own fan club, but sadly she passed away a year ago.

Do you have any little guilty pleasures that you indulge in when you writing? YES! Coffee...lots and lots of coffee...and that's just not when writing. It's all the time!


Which is more intriguing as a place to write.  A private island?  A cabin in the woods?
The busy city? A cabin in the woods. Only because if I was on a private island, i'd want to be outside in the warm sand with my eyes closed. I can work inside looking over an amazing wooded area all day long. No thanks on the city! I'm a country girl.

Is this your first tour with Lori at Great Escapes?  No way! I only use Lori and I've got over 45 published books.

I noticed that you have several series.  I am curious is the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series a spinoff from the Killer Coffee Series? Oh no. Two separate series all together. Kenni Lowry Mystery Series is a bit paranormal while Killer Coffee Series is a straight cozy mystery.

All your titles seem so fun.  I can’t wait to read a few! 

At the risk of hurting feelings can you share with us your favorite of all your series?  (we won’t tell) Hmmm...all of them.

Which series has been the easiest to write?  Hardest? All of them for both answers!

Let’s chat a little about Ax To Grind  I haven’t read it yet so I am very curious about the title?  Ha! We try to stick with names that are more southern and true to Kentucky sayings. All the titles in the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series will be a play on words.

What scene in the book do you like most? I love when Kenni gets to work with the ghost of her Poppa because they are good at solving crimes and playing off of each other. All of those scenes are fun to write.

If you were to have coffee with one of the cast who would you choose? I would go to Honey Springs, Kentucky at The Bean Hive because I know Roxy Bloom in the Killer Coffee Mystery Series can make a great cup!



You’ve gotten me really interested.  I hate to cut this little chat short but I think I need to go and read Ax To Grind! 

Thanks so much for chatting today.  I hope you have a Great tour!

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 .

Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyakappes
Visit the tour

Click here to read more interviews and reviews.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Book Review-Gravity-by Liz Crowe


About the book 
The Brewing Passion Series #4
by Liz Crowe
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
A unique new romance series set in the trending world of the craft brewery. Meet the owners, employees and friends of Fitzgerald Brewing as they live, love, lust and laugh their way through the ups, downs and sideways shifts of small business ownership.
When Brock Fitzgerald is welcomed back into his family thanks to the sympathy of his sister-in-law Evelyn and the tolerance of his twin brother, Austin, he understands that this may be the best he’ll ever get for himself. Years spent partying, drinking, and screwing his way through life have left him drained, exhausted, and accepting of his many weaknesses. He’s grateful for the second chance he’s been offered, even as he continues to battle his demons, including one that leads him back into co-dependency with his oldest girlfriend.
Kayla Hettinger never imagined that once she declared herself clean after several near-overdoses of opiates she’d find herself tending bar for her brother’s fiancée Melody, and enjoying what life she’d managed to build. When she strikes up a friendship with Brock over shared experiences and ginger ale, she discovers something needier and more frightening inside herself—and in Brock—than either of them feels equipped to handle.
Breaking through the clutter of addiction and despair only to find your soulmate waiting on the other side seems like the stuff of fairy tales—until Brock and Kayla accept that being dependent on one another is the only way they’ll survive.
And I thought
Hard to put into words my thoughts about Gravity

I work with young adult men that are incarcerated for drug/alcohol related felony offences.  I 'get it'.

Gravity is raw.  It is open.  It is real.  It is touching.  And for me
surprising.  

I didn't realize what I was getting myself into when I accepted the opportunity to review this book.  

I have only read one other book by this author.  I really enjoyed it so I expected to enjoy Gravity.  

And I did.  Surprisingly Liz Crowe is able to take topics that are hard to grasp and weave them into a story line that is compelling and interesting and hard to put down.  

This is not a book for the faint of heart.  This is not a book 
for people that have to consider certain triggers.  The story involves Addiction, Self Abuse and Recovery.  

I enjoyed this installment of the Brewing Passion series and look forward to reading more.  

I received a complimentary copy from Buoniamici Press.
This review will appear on Amazon and Good Reads. 

Monday, September 25, 2017

Book Review/Giveaway-Passport to Murder by Mary Angela

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)
Start with an unlucky number. Throw in a romantic location. Include a dashing Frenchman and an uncompromising professor. And you have all the ingredients for a passport to murder.
This semester, it seems that Professor Prather’s dreams are about to come true. Ever since she was a young girl, she’s imagined going to France, and her French colleague, André Duman, has finally made that trip possible. Over spring break, she and André are to lead a group of students and faculty to Paris to explore the City of Light. But before she can utter her first bonjour, a professor dies, and they are stuck in Minneapolis. She returns to Copper Bluff with an unstamped passport and a mystery to solve.
When André becomes the prime suspect, Emmeline puts her research skills to good use, determined to find out who really killed the professor and spoiled their spring break plans. With thirteen travelers assembled, the possibilities are varied and villainous. Luckily, her dear friend and sidekick, Lenny Jenkins, is close by. Together, they will sort through the conflicting clues even if it costs them time, trouble, or tenure.
What others are saying
It is a delightful read, and as my toddler says” brilliant, just brilliant!”
~Bibliophile Reviews
I adored this book!
~A Chick Who Reads
This is a great mystery novel that has a strong female lead, good supporting characters that offer some funny interactions, and enough action to keep the reader turning the page while guessing what will happen next.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
The characters are very relatable and interesting. There is mention of attraction and romance that never overtakes the theme of mystery. The clues are given out at comfortable spacing.
~Laura’s Interests
This is a quick read, with a curious mystery, a quite variety of suspects and a mystery peanut.
~Varietats
Just a few of the reviews on the tour.  To read more reviews, guest posts, character and author interviews.  
Click here to visit the tour
And I thought
My first thought was A trip to Paris cut short by a murder.  Dawng not a great way to start spring break.  And then when a close friend and colleague is accused well double Dawng!

My second thought was my sister would love this book!   My sister loves academia.  She works at a college. She loves mysteries.  She would just 'get' this book and series.

I was intrigued by the South Dakota location.  When I think S.D. I don't automatically think a series around a college town. 

Although Passport to Murder is book 2 in the series it is easy to pick up and read and get into the story.   
As in book 1 An Act Of Murder Emmeline is caught up in a murder and calls on her colleague Lenny to help her figure out just  who dun it. 

The reader is kept guessing who dun it all the way to the end when Emmaline announces to everyone who and how the murder was committed.  

Passport to Murder is a great read and part of an interesting series.  

I know what I am getting my sister for Christmas. 

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.
This review will be posted on Amazon and B&N
This review will be posted on Good Reads.  

Available 

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Friday, September 22, 2017

Book Review/Character Interview-Beware The Orchids

About the book 
Ditched at the altar, Shelby Hart tosses down her bouquet, quits her job, and accepts a position as gardener and event coordinator at an upscale retirement community. Her first day on the job results with a dead body in the greenhouse under the orchids and with her as the prime suspect!

Toss in a handsome handyman, quirky characters, and a flirtatious grandma and the fun never stops.
And I thought....
It's so fun to get at book 1!  Beware The Orchids is a 5 star 
start to the Shady Acres Mystery Series.

I was intrigued from the start right on through to the end.  
And the author even included an excerpt of book 2!  (see below)

When Shelby our main character is literally left at the alter by the smuck Donald who was also her boss.  She resigns her job via text message.  Not wasting any time she applies for a position at 
Shady Acres and starts a new life as gardener and activities directer at the senior community. 

Shelby is just delightful.  From the cute dresses and gardening boots and gloves to just her sweet spirit.  She is just super sweet. 

Before she has a chance to settle in her vivacious Granny Ida decides to move in too.  Which happens to be a good thing. 
Granny Ida helps Shelby get past the Donald fiasco and betrayal. 
Granny Ida has a lot to say about Donald. 

And when they meet the handsome handyman Heath Granny Ida let's Shelby know she needs to get past Donald and move on . . . 
Oh, pooh. Donald was nothing more than a trial run that went bad. He was a rusty old Chevy. Heath is a Mercedes.”  Ida is charming and witty.  (I had a chance to interview her and ask a few questions.  See below.)

Along with Granny and Donald Shelby is helped to investigate a murder with her best friend Cheryl.  

There is no shortage of interesting characters from Birdie who 
asks Shelby to find out who murdered her friend.  To Alice the community manager might be bi-polar and is the police detectives niece.  

Granny Ida wastes no time getting romantically involved with 
'Teddy' the detective. 

For this reader Beware The Orchids is a 5 star start to a new series. 

 I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I am anxiously waiting to see whats in store in the next installment.  

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.
This review will appear on retail sites where available.
This review will appear on Good Reads.

Character interview
Hello Grand Ma Ida.  May I call you Ida? Oh, please do. I'm not one of those formal people

I am delighted to have you visit the blog.   Have you ever visited a blog before? I don't think so. What's a blog?

Oh well a blog is a kind of  personal journal on the internet for some.  For others is a place 
to chat about books. 

I am sure your settling into your cottage at Shady Acres.  How is 13 working out
for you?  Some people might be a little cautious. I feel I'm a bit reckless and the bane of my grandaughter, Shelby. I don't mind the number 13. It's only a number.

How was your first night.  I cannot imagine finding a body the day your moving in! Well, I must say I didn't sleep a wink! I spent most of it on the phone with Teddy.

I know that you are so happy to be close to Shelby especially since she is
still getting over that rascal that left her at the alter.  What nerve!  

I bet you have quite a bit to say about him!   Nothing a lady can say in polite company. Shelby is well rid of him.

Enough of all that drama let’s talk about that cute handyman Heath. 
I know that there is a bit of a twinkle in Shelby’s eye.   Do you have any plans
to do a little matchmaking? I'm always trying to match somebody up with somebody. Life is too short to spend it alone and Heath is a darling! Don't you think he looks like Chris Hemsworth?

Speaking of romance and matchmaking.  Other than Heath do you have
Your sites set on anyone at Shady Acres? Oh, that retired cop, Teddy. He reminds me of Ted Danson. What a hottie!

Shelby does have some interesting ideas for Bingo prizes.  How
was that first Bingo game? Rather boring. All Shelby cared about was finding a suspect. I had hoped she would to provide some excitement.

You seem to be a great sleuth.  Have you had any other experience investigating? Does reading mysteries and watching BBC mystery shows count?

How about a fun question.  You’ve found a handsome beau and your
going out on a ‘hot date’.  What are you going to wear? Leopard print leggings and a flowing black shirt. Don't forget the stilettos!

What is your favorite perfume? Elizabeth Taylor. I think her scent is timeless. The perfume, not her.

What cologne would he be wearing?

Oh you mean you do have a date tonight?   A girl like me doesn't let the moss grow, sweetheart

Well I won’t keep you.  Promise you’ll stop in again and tell all!  You just let me know when


Available
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