Saturday, April 30, 2022

Knit or Dye Trying Great Escapes Tour Review/Giveaway

 











About the book 

Business is booming for Libby Beckett and her fabulous Maryland shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., but when a town festival brings a fatality with it, Libby gets all tangled up in murder.

As spring comes to Collinstown, the village launches a food festival to draw a new group of tourists. Libby, the proud owner of Y.A.R.N., has planned a yarn event to provide an alternative option to a foodie weekend. Artisan fiber dyer Julie Wilson—known for her work with animal-friendly, plant-based knitting fibers such as bamboo and hemp as well as her brilliant use of color—will hopefully draw a crowd with a special dyeing workshop.

The festival begins, but it draws more than crowds. First, a flock of sheep parades down the street, herded by farmers protesting Julie’s antiwool stance. Then Julie’s celebrity chef sister appears, and the siblings resume a long-standing rivalry. Despite all this, Julie’s workshop has sold out. Libby is thrilled, and they’re preparing for a full house. But the night before the event, Julie is found alone in the warehouse event space—dead. The witty “Watch Julie Wilson Dye” workshop title now has a terrible new meaning—and it’s up to Libby to catch a crafty killer.

And others are saying 

You’re just going to have to read, KNIT or DYE TRYING for yourself!
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews

Knit of Dye Trying was an adorable cozy mystery with a lovely cast of characters. I loved being a part of the food festival and learning more about Libby’s wonderful yarn shop.
~Moonlight Rendezvous

This is my first read by Pleiter, but it will not be my last. The pace was steady and there were numerous suspects. What I liked most was Libby’s attitude and the relationship between Libby and Gavin, as well as with the others who came into YARN.
~Christa Reads and Writes

And I thought 

Covers

I love a cover that draws me in and asks me to turn the pages. 

I love covers that hold clues. 

Knit or Dye Trying  may or may not hold any clues . . . I'm not telling.  

But it does depicts perfectly Libby’s  Yarn Shop  called Y.A.R.N.  There's  alot going on at Y.A.R.N and around the little Maryland Town of Collinstown. 

The little  Yarn Shop and town is filled with curious characters.  Those who visit are greeted by Hank Libby’s English Bull Dog. Not only does he model sweaters Libby has crafted he entertains the customers when he's not helping Libby sniff  our clues. 

There is quite  an assortment  of characters that mingle in the shop and Libby’s  little world built around Y.A.R.N.  

I enjoyed my visit and the twisty turning ride solving the clues.  

I can easily say that this series gets better with each book!

I received a complimentary  copy. 

My review will appear on Amazon  and Good Reads. 

Buy the book 

Amazon


Visit  the tour 


There is a Giveaway 

To read more reviews, interviews,, guest posts and Spotlights with excerpts Click Here




Celebrating Independent Book Stores



To celebrate Book Stores and the Shop Keepers I am sharing a collection of shops I would love to visit. 

Beginning Monday I  will feature each shop. 

Here's a sneak peek 

If you recognize a Store leave comment! 



























Friday, April 29, 2022

Paul Madison P.I. by Sharon Michaels My Review

 

About the book  
Travel back to Chicago in the 1970’s and 1980’s and step into the lives of…
A handsome and determined Private Investigator protected by a rather unique spirit guide.
A smart and beautiful Medical Examiner who won’t give up until she uncovers the deadly truth.
A family of pizza baking mobsters who will stop at nothing to defend their criminal empire.

A short read cozy filled with mystery, romance, and a touch of magic.
This is the story of Paul Madison PI, an idealistic cop turned private investigator. He will not rest until he figures out the real reason so many “accidents” are happening in his neighborhood. To his way of thinking these “accidents” are too coincidental and need to be taken seriously.

*****
Paul Madison P.I. is Book 1 in the Paul Madison cozy mystery series
Lies Threats Kidnappings is Book 2 (Coming June 2022)
Set-Up Betrayal Murder is Book 3 (Coming July 2022)

**The Paul Madison short read series is also the prequel to the Oscar the Doxie Detective cozy mystery series. You can find the Oscar the Doxie Detective series on my Amazon Author Page.**

Be sure to follow me, Sharon Michaels, here on Amazon so you’ll be notified of all my new releases.


And I thought  . . . 

I loved the cover!  Makes you just want to read it! 

I turned the pages at break neck speed after being lured in right from page 1. 

I liked that the author began the story waaay back when our main character was only in a little boy.

Young Paul was in awe of his grandfather a veteran police officer.  Paul loved to listen to his grandfathers stories about being a police officer. 

Fast forwarding a few years and a few chapters later young Paul has grown up and becomes a police officer just like his grandfather. 

And now Paul is on quest.  Someone killed his grandfather and Paul knows who is behind his execution and the other crime afflicting thier little burb. 

With the help of the M.E. that Paul just happens to have a romantic relationship with they uncover clues and watch each other's backs to bring justice to their little world. 

Paul has the help of his neighbors dog that sadly meets his maker.  But this is fiction there's something about that dog. 

Read on . . . 

Buy the book 
Available on Amazon


Thursday, April 28, 2022

Book Spotlight Murder Next Door

Murder Next Door (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries) by Michele Pariza Wacek

About Murder Next Door

Murder Next Door (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Setting - Wisconsin Love-Based Publishing (April 19, 2022) ~200 Pages Digital ASIN: B09QZ476FW

Everyone knows vampires don’t exist.

 

So when Mildred Schmidt, one of Charlie’s customers, is convinced that her next-door neighbor’s house sitter is actually a vampire, Charlie of course has to step in to see what is really going on.

 

What she finds is … disturbing. The house sitter DOES have some peculiar habits—like digging holes in the backyard in the middle of the night.

Surely, they aren’t … graves.

 

But then Polly, a local teenager, goes missing.

 

Of course, teenagers DO run away from time to time.

 

Less explainable is the dead body that then appears in the “vampire’s” yard.

 

Luckily, Charlie is hot on the case, and not a moment too soon as she races to not only find Polly, but to discover the killer before the bodies start to pile up.

 

Meet Charlie. Better known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She's back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.

 

About Michele Pariza Wacek

When Michele was 3 years old, she taught herself to read because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories to be exact, ranging from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she also hosts a virtual book club you can check out and join (for free!) at MPWNovels.com.

Michele holds a double major in English and Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently, she lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband Paul and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

Author Links Website – https://mpwnovels.com/ Facebook – facebook.com/michelepwauthor Linked In linkedin.com/in/michelepw Twitter – twitter.com/michelepw Instagram – instagram.com/themichelepw Purchase Link – Amazon TOUR PARTICIPANTS April 19 – Novels Alive – SPOTLIGHT April 20 – Christy's Cozy Corners - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST April 20 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 21 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT April 21 – Baroness' Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT April 22 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW April 22 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT April 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT April 23 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 24 – Drink Coffee and Read Books – REVIEW April 24 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT April 25 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW April 25 – Nellie's Book Nook – REVIEW April 26 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW April 26 – My Journey Back – CHARACTER INTERVIEW April 27 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT April 27 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST April 28 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT April 28 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW April 29 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT April 29 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT April 30 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW April 30 – Books Blog – SPOTLIGHT May 1 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT May 2 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT May 2 – Girl with Pen – SPOTLIGHT
 


   










Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Author Spotlight feat Author Dana Mintink

 Welcome today we have a special treat! 

A chat with my Author friend Dana Mentink . . .


Hello Dana, thanks for joining us! It is a warm and pleasant day here on the island. Perfect tea sippin’ weather! A tall glass of iced tea, that is.

Is it iced tea weather where you are?

In Northern California we are in the 70s most of the time, dropping into the 50s as night, so tea sipping is in order, except I don’t care for tea so it’s coffee or water for this gal.


I start my day walking my 2 dogs. How does your day start?

As a matter of fact, my day starts early before sunup in my very favorite spot…my chair that looks out into my little side porch. From there I pray, read my Bible, and watch God make another morning. It’s the best part of my day.


We got acquainted a long time ago when you toured with Lit Fuse. I loved the Love Unleashed series. Can you share with readers about it and other series/genres you write in?

Oh how I loved that series for Harvest House. It featured a set of three wacky and lovable dogs and a sweet romance. I’m so glad you enjoyed meeting Tippy, Waffles and Jellybean.

What a surprise  I have to share!  Look what I found at the Library  here on Galveston Island! 

In addition to sweet romance, I write inspirational romantic suspense for Love Inspired Suspense 

Speaking of Love Inspired Suspense congratulations on your new release!  I had the chance to read Death Valley Hideout #4 in the series!  Over  I featured Death Valley  Hideout. 

I enjoyed meeting  the Duke clan . . .



and mainstream cozy mystery for Poisoned Pen Press. 



Available on Amazon click Here


You really are busy girl! I am always seeing you promoting on Facebook I enjoy your videos. Do you have as much fun making them as we do watching them? 

I LOVE making videos! It’s so much fun to share bits of my life and the wacky world of writing that way. I have a general Facebook page and a private group. I’m also on Instagram and it’s a real nice group of people there too. I have started a video series called From the Mixed Up Mentink Files for my newsletter. I’d love to have folks join in for the monthly giveaways and chit chat. The links are below.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authordanamentink  

When you take a break from writing and promoting what do you do for fun? Hobbies?

 I’m a very optimistic gardener . . . I have help in the garden 


but right now I’m battling the pincher bugs and they are winning.


How about holidays. What is your favorite? Do you decorate?  I decorate quite a bit for Christmas which I adore. Easter is the second biggest holiday around here but I pretty much love to have a party for every holiday. I prefer to host, so I’m always throwing a party for some reason or another. Groundhog Day anyone?


Spring is upon us but summer is right around the corner. We could sit on my porch and have a nice cool slice of watermelon. 

 If I stopped in for a visit where would we gather? 

 In my teeny tiny living room or my back porch. I prefer the porch, as I am outside every possibly moment. You could see where Boydie the Box Turtle lives!

If you visited I would serve a Mexican meal. Or good Ole Chicken Fried Steak? Would you do the cooking or would you or someone else cook for us? What are we going to eat? 

I’m the cook and baker. Papa Bear is the barbecuer. I’d probably make lasagna but if Mike cooks, you’re in for a nice steak or barbecued chicken. He even does the Thanksgiving turkey on the grill!

The sun is setting so I need to get to supper. What’s next on your agenda?  

I’m about to hang up my pencil for the day and watch the SF Giants baseball game. Go Giants!

One last question because I just thought if it. Of all your characters which one would you want to meet in real life. Where would you go? What would you do? 

I think I’d like to hang out with Trinidad Jones (Pint of No Return) because she runs an ice cream shop! We’d chat, play with her senior dog Noodles, and eat a giant freakshake!   

Oh one more because I have to know. Recording artists display they're records.

Rodeo Cowboys display they're buckles. Do you have a special place where you display your books? Do you have copies of all of them ? 

 I have a copy of almost all of my fifty plus books. They are in a back bedroom on the shelf. I just can’t stomach hanging them in a prominent place because that just seems a little self important, doesn’t it? I am happier to have them tucked away.

Well. I am sure I am not alone. 

Wow would I love to fill my library!  

 I am a fan.  I have loved every title I have had the chance to read.   

Thanks Dana for joining us today.

Best Wishes on your New Release! 


And a little more about Dana from herwebsite...


Welcome to my cyber home! Make yourself comfortable and stay awhile. Here you’ll find info about my suspense and lighthearted books as well as my general musings about life in the Golden State. It’s always a pleasure to hear from my readers, so feel free to send me a comment via this website or you can find me at other stops on the cyber highway like Facebook, Twitter, and my Blog. If you are interested in a free short cozy ebook, make sure you “follow” my Blog. I like to do fun monthly giveaways on my YouTube channel so feel free to pop in there as well. Thanks again for stopping by and God bless you.


Connect with Dana...


Website click Here


Facebook click Here


Twitter click Here




Thank you for visiting with us today!  








 







https://myjourneyback-thejourneyback.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-fetching-sweetness-by-dana.html?m=1 


From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.


Desert Justice


Book 1: Framed in Death Valley

Book 2: Missing in the Desert

Book 3: Death Valley Double Cross

Book 4: Death Valley Hideout

ROM DANA:


I remember standing on the edge of the lookout and gazing into the wonder that is Artist’s Palette in Death Valley. Artist’s Drive, which takes you to this breathtaking view, rises above Badwater Basin (the lowest spot in North America) and then meanders along twisting canyons and hills until it brings you to this popular tourist stop. The premier view is a place called Artist’s palette. It’s a sprawling pocket of color, hues of rose, ochre, green and gold tucked in the rippling landscape and teased to life by the desert sun. Isn’t that just like God? To lead us to surprises and wonders that await us in a sometimes hostile world? Every day we spent in Death Valley held a surprise, from the rocks that move mysteriously across the sands to the towering twists and turns of 20 Mule Team Canyon. There are only two things to do with a wonderous place like that…enjoy the divine bounty, and write a novel set there so others can come along!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 


 










Linking at the regular parties 

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Death Valley Hideout by Dana Mentink Release Day Spotlight My Review

 

 About the book  

Running from a murderer

with only the desert as refuge…

Placed in WITSEC while his brother testifies against a terrifying criminal, Tony Ortega must guard his young niece and nephew from the hit man hunting for them. Death Valley local Willow Duke’s hideout might just be the difference between the little family’s life or death. When bullets start flying, can they thwart a killer long enough to survive and become a family for real?


And I thought 

I have wanted to start this series since Book 1 became available. 

And now with book 4 I finally got the chance. 

When I began the book I didn't realize the series was about the Duke family and each of their Love stories woven into a suspenseful read.  

I just wanted to read the books because I love Romantic Suspense and I have wanted to read one by author Dana Mentink. 

Even though I jumped in at book 4 it was super easy to get acquainted with the characters and the Duke clan. 

Death Valley Hideout was a page turner from page one I was swept in. 

And I then only a few pages later I was hooked when Tony flies his helicopter into a Death Valley Canyon and sets it down! 

All because the bad was trying to kidnap his nephew. 

Willow shows her bravery not in only by chasing the kidnapper and then crawls into the car to save the little boy as it teeters on the edge of a cliff.  

And all this is only in the first few pages! 

Tony and Willow end up on a wild ride as they play the Mouse in the bad guys Cat and Mouse game.  

The bad guys don't give up!  Seemingly pulling in help from law enforcement and bribing private citizens.   And maybe even Tony's uncle a retired Police Officer.  

There are times Tony and Willow aren't sure who they can trust. 

Death Valley Hideout has to be my favorite Suspense read of the year.  

So far

Because as soon as I get the chance I will be reading the 3 previous books in the series!  

I received a Complimentary Copy from the publisher through Net Galley. 

My review will appear on Net Galley, Good Reads brand retail sites. 

The series  



From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.


Desert Justice


Book 1: Framed in Death Valley

Book 2: Missing in the Desert

Book 3: Death Valley Double Cross

Book 4: Death Valley Hideout


About the Author 


Dana Mentink is a Publisher's Weekly and national bestselling author. She has been honored to win two Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion and a Reviewer's Choice award. She's authored more than thirty five novels to date for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Harlequin Heartwarming. Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her at www.danamentink.com

Buy the book   

Available

Amazon Click Here