Murder on the Toy Town Express- by Barbara Early-Book Review/Giveaway

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

Liz McCall has come to love running her father’s vintage toyshop back home in East Aurora, NY, so when the Train and Toy Show comes to town, she’s all aboard for a fun toy-filled weekend. The only hitch is that her childhood bully Craig McFadden, now local business rival, has set up a booth next to hers. But the fun and games are over when Craig falls from the ceiling in a publicity stunt gone wrong.

What was initially thought to be a fatal accident proves much more sinister. Pulled into the case by her feelings for both Ken, the police chief, and Jack, her high school sweetheart whose brother is one the prime suspects, Liz dives headfirst into the investigation. But as she digs deeper, she’s shocked to learn her father may have been the intended target.

The trouble train is barreling down and Liz may have just bought herself a first class ticket in Murder on the Toy Town Express, Barbara Early’s delightful second installment in her Vintage Toyshop mysteries

And I thought

Charmingly delightful.  The reader (at least this reader) can't help but fall in love with the daddy daughter team of Lizzy and Hank.

In previous installments (Death of a Toy Soldier) Liz is  compelled to help her father run his toy shop and keep his feet on the ground and away from crime.  

As a retired police chief Hank (see character post below) should be enjoying life and spending his pension on running his dream toy shop.  

But crime is always a foot and Hank seems to attract drama/crime.  
While displaying toys from his shop at a toy fair a less than BFF from Liz's past has a freak accident that ends him up in the hospital.  And then to everyone's shock he dies while in the hospital.  

When Liz discovers that the coffee he drinks was actually Hanks coffee.  

So was Hank the intended victim?  Was Craig's theatrical fall a stunt gone wrong of was it cased by something more.  

Maybe a tainted cup of coffee intended for Hank?

The trail is hot as Liz sleuths and discovers the answers while juggling a couple of suitors.  

The reader is left waiting for book 3 to see if Liz ends up making a decision on which heart throb she will choose.  Leaving this reader anxiously waiting for the next ride.  

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 Net Galley.  

I enjoyed visiting the authors website which included information about the Toy Shop Mystery's & the Bridal Bouquet Shop Series.

Character post (from the authors website)

Character: Hank McCall

Series: Vintage Toyshop Mysteries
Author: Barbara Early
Hank McCall here, and I'm excited about the upcoming Train and Toy show.Now, I know my daughter likes to remind me that we're there to sell and not buy, but you can't expect a man to be surrounded by miles of model trains and not come away with a few small purchases, especially since there are trains of every gauge, from the smallest models kept in glass cases to huge models meant for kids to ride on... I wonder if she'd go off the rails if I brought that home. I am hoping for future grandkids...someday.

Even Liz had to crack a smile when she saw this Monopoly-themed train, which had color-coded cars for all the properties and utilities.

And there's plenty of accessories to go around. This Munsters house would look great next to the tracks, especially in October...

Or course, this might be more suited to Christmas...

Oh, and look! Little police figures. I need these since I used to be... 

OK, who's the wise guy who designed the one eating the doughnut?

Available

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Book Review/Giveawy-Another Man's Poison

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

Crime reporter Colleen Caruso has an appetite for romance…and trouble. When someone tries to poison Ken Rhodes (her handsome boss and boyfriend), Colleen vows to hunt down the culprit and serve them up to the police. She’s whisked away into the scrumptious world of restaurants and gourmet food as she tangles with four culinary divas from Ken’s past.

Trouble is, Colleen doesn’t know when to turn down the heat.

Is this Jersey Girl’s investigation a recipe for disaster?

Or will the poisoner get their just desserts?

And I thought

I expected I would like Another Man's Poison

But I didn't I loved it! 

There are a few things I enjoy about 

Cozy Mystery's.  A good 'ole who dun it.  A little romance thrown in.  And some humor.  All 3 add up  to an enjoyable read.  

One of my simple pleasures is reading a good book. Another 

simple pleasure is eating at nice restaurants.  Another Man's Poison gave me both.  

When Colleen's gorgeous, rich boyfriend is poisoned she is immersed into the resturant biz while she scours for clues to find out just who would go after her man.  

Don't let the cute little sassy girl pony tail fool ya.  Colleen's  
quite capable and compelled  to solve the crime. 

Using her crime reporter instinct's alot of Jersey girl attitude she marks the suspects of the list until she finds out the who and why?

This reader was kept entertained and wanting more when I reached the end.   

Another Man's Poison is a stand alone title in the Jersey Girl

series.  

I look forward to a little back tracking and reading the series.  

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.

I had the opportunity to interview the author.  Click here to read the interview.  

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Read my interview with the author

Click here.

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Spotlight/Author Interview-Another Man's Poison

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

Crime reporter Colleen Caruso has an appetite for romance…and trouble. When someone tries to poison Ken Rhodes (her handsome boss and boyfriend), Colleen vows to hunt down the culprit and serve them up to the police. She’s whisked away into the scrumptious world of restaurants and gourmet food as she tangles with four culinary divas from Ken’s past.

Trouble is, Colleen doesn’t know when to turn down the heat.

Is this Jersey Girl’s investigation a recipe for disaster?

Or will the poisoner get their just desserts?

Author Interview

Hello Jo-Anne Welcome  I am delighted to have you visit the blog!

What an enjoyable way to spend time! Thanks for allowing me to visit, Sherry!


I am looking forward to reading  Another Man’s Poison for The Great Escapes Tour.
Is this your first tour with Lori at Great Escapes?

This is my second time around with Lori. The folks at Great Escapes always schedule such fun and interesting stops on a blog tour. The result is pure entertainment and I learn so much from readers when they leave comments.

Before we get into the new book I have a few fun questions.  At least I hope they are fun!

Do you have any little guilty pleasures that you indulge in when you writing?

I play music when I write. It's generally rock (what I guess most people would refer to as "Oldies") because that's the music that makes my brain come alive. Not that I'm old -- okay, who am I kidding? -- but the fast tempo really gets me into the writing groove. I also drink lots of coffee, but that's not a guilty pleasure; it's more of a necessity. I don't want to doze off in the middle of good scene and drool on the keyboard!

Which is more intriguing as a place to write.   A private island?  A cabin in the woods?
The busy city?    Have you ever written in any of these places?

Though I've never written in any of the places mentioned, I think a cabin in the woods would probably be the most productive place to write. The quiet location, surrounded by nature for inspiration, would certainly help the writing process.

The Jersey Girl series sounds fun.  I am wondering does the reader need to start the series from the beginning?

All the books could be read as stand-alones, but the main character, Colleen Caruso, has grown so much since the first book. I think readers would get a charge out of how she's gone from an insecure mom and newspaper stringer, to a flawed-yet-confident mother and a competent, hard-nosed reporter. 

Are you a Jersey girl?

I am a Jersey Girl! I have moxey and unruly hair -- a solid combination for solving crimes and facing a cruel world. I like to think every woman has a pinch of Jersey Girl in her DNA. 

Is there a little ‘you’ in Colleen?

There is mostly me in Colleen Caruso! How totally embarrassing! When my newspaper editor finished reading the first book, she sent me an email saying: Oh my God! She's you, Jo-Ann! Right down to the expressions you always use and the newspaper files you can never locate to attach to the emails for a story. I'd recognize you anywhere!

And in times of turmoil, I take great comfort in a gin and tonic with a slice of lime -- just like Colleen Caruso. Obviously, I write what I know.

I’m curious does Colleen have any sidekicks that help her solve crimes?

Colleen has several go-to people to help when she's on the hunt for clues. Her best friend, Bevin Thompson, will usually accompany her if the snooping might be dicey or dangerous, and her younger sister, Kate, can always be counted on -- as a last resort! As with many kid-sisters, she is a bit of a ditz. There is also a very young cop who views Colleen as a mom-type who gets in way over her head when she investigates for her crime column. He serves as her "Deep Throat" anonymous source for her newspaper stories.

If you were to have a little time for a chit chat with one of the cast who would you choose?   What would you serve?  Coffee, tea a glass of wine?

My chat would be with Ken Rhodes, Colleen's love interest. He's a man of mystery and Colleen has to dig deep to unravel his past -- as she does in Another Man's Poison. He can be tight-lipped, but I'd ply him with lots of scotch -- his beverage of choice.

If you were to transplant Colleen what city would you send her?

I could see Colleen leaving Tranquil Harbor, her current town, and taking up residence in Atlantic City. She would still live near the ocean in New Jersey, and she'd be in close proximity to slot machines -- the perfect activity for a long afternoon or evening.

You’ve gotten me really interested!  I can’t to receive my copy!

I hope you enjoy Another Man's Poison, Sherry!

Now that this one is on the shelves can you give us a little sneak peek at what your working on?

I'm considering a fourth in the Jersey Girl series (I already know who will be murdered and the odd location where the body is found), but at the moment I'm mapping out an entirely different series, with age twenty-something main characters. It takes place, where else? -- on the Jersey shore.

Congratulations on the new book!

Thanks so much. I'm thrilled to be stopping by My Reading Journeys for a heart to heart chat, Sherry.

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

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Thrill Of Love by Melissa Foster-Book Review/Excerpt/Giveaway

About the book 

Fall in love with Ty Braden and Aiyla Bell in this epic love story. Fate brings them together, but will tragedy tear them apart?

Do you believe in fate?
World-renowned mountain climber and nature photographer Ty Braden never believed in second dates, much less heart-pounding, steal-his-breath love. But that was before a trip to Saint-Luc, where he met funny, strong, and entrancingly beautiful Aiyla Bell, a ski instructor and fellow photographer whose hopes and dreams, and love of the outdoors, aligned perfectly with his–and whose kisses alone turned him inside out.

After spending five magical days and four sweet, soulful nights falling in love, Aiyla couldn’t imagine a day without Ty. But when he asked her to go with him on his next assignment, his reputation for having women at his beck and call stopped her from upending the life she’d worked so hard to create.

Months later fate steps in when a chance encounter brings Ty and Aiyla together for a five-day wilderness event held in the Colorado Mountains. Their deep, passionate connection is stronger than ever, and Ty is bound and determined not to lose her again. But when tragedy strikes and their worlds are turned upside down, their love faces the truest test of all.

And I thought

A 5 star start to a new series for me!

I have a habit of not reading the synopsis that is provided when I am offered a book to review.  

That is what I did with this one.  I just saw romance with very little heat and requested it.   

When I began reading I was immediately drawn into the love story of Ty and Aiyla.  I didn't really realize it was apart of a series because I was reading on my phone and couldn't see the cover well enough and since I didn't read the synopsis I didn't know. 

But, as I read I began to pick up on how some of the other characters were woven into the story and wondered if they had been introduced in a previous book.  

The other thing I kept thinking was is this gonna end happy?

I almost dreaded each turn of the page. 

I could see something was going on and I was hoping for Ty and 

Aiyla that the tragedy wouldn't tear them apart. 

Thrill Of Love was a super sweet story!   

Ty was such a sweet main character.  He was one of those guys that you dream about.  He was physically strong and athletic.

He was a super sweet guy.  And he was romantic! 

Aiyla was just as sweet.  She had a strong spirit.  

I enjoyed Ty's family.  They were loving toward each other and accepting of Aiyla.   

I loved the commraderie Ty had with his brothers.  

Thrill Of Love was a great introduction to me to the Braden's of Peaceful Harbor.   

I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of this series!

I received a complimentary copy from Tasty Book Tours. 

This review will appear on retail sites where available.

This review will appear on Good Reads.

Read and excerpt

He leaned in close, and she held her breath, readying for a kiss she wasn’t sure she should accept—but she wanted nonetheless. She closed her eyes and his lips touched her cheek.

“Good luck out there, baby cakes,” he said just above a whisper, and walked away.

The air rushed from her lungs. Baby cakes. That’s what he’d called her last time they were together, though she’d never known why. Did he call everyone baby cakes? And if so, did those other women feel as special as she did when he said it? She watched him walk away and noticed several other girls also enjoying the view of his fine ass in those tight cycling shorts. Life would be a whole lot easier if she were more like her much-older sister, Cherise, who had raised her from the time Aiyla was fifteen, when they’d lost their mother. Cherise lived a careful, meticulously orchestrated life, void of any risks, including those that pertained to her heart. She’d married a safe, reliable accountant with no sense of adventure. They had a comfortable home with a white picket fence and two adorable little boys. Just the idea of living such a mundane life made Aiyla’s stomach turn. Hadn’t their mother’s death taught her sister that fate played its hand no matter how many walls one erected? Living a safe, boring life in fear of it all being taken away wasn’t living at all.

Aiyla had accepted long ago that she’d never be a white-picket-fence type of girl. She loved adventures, thrived on capturing in photographs that would live on forever the faces of people who had lived full, even if torturous, lives. And she felt rejuvenated when surrounded by untamed wilderness. As she forced her gaze away from Ty, her fingers absently brushing over the cheek he’d kissed, she had to admit, she also enjoyed the sheer energy of a man marking his territory.

Now, if only she could focus on the race instead of the man who’d set her heart on fire.

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The Thrill Of Love-Melissa Foster-Book Review/Giveaway

And I thought

A 5 star start to a new series for me!

I have a habit of not reading the synopsis that is provided when I am offered a book to review.  

That is what I did with this one.  I just saw romance with very little heat and requested it.   

When I began reading I was immediately drawn into the love story of Ty and Aiyla.  I didn't really realize it was apart of a series because I was reading on my phone and couldn't see the cover well enough and since I didn't read the synopsis I didn't know. 

But, as I read I began to pick up on how some of the other characters were woven into the story and wondered if they had been introduced in a previous book.  

The other thing I kept thinking was is this gonna end happy?

I almost dreaded each turn of the page. 

I could see something was going on and I was hoping for Ty and 

Aiyla that the tragedy wouldn't tear them apart. 

Thrill Of Love was a super sweet story!   

Ty was such a sweet main character.  He was one of those guys that you dream about.  He was physically strong and athletic.

He was a super sweet guy.  And he was romantic! 

Aiyla was just as sweet.  She had a strong spirit.  

I enjoyed Ty's family.  They were loving toward each other and accepting of Aiyla.   

I loved the commraderie Ty had with his brothers.  

Thrill Of Love was a great introduction to me to the Braden's of Peaceful Harbor.   

I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of this series!

I received a complimentary copy from Tasty Book Tours. 

This review will appear on retail sites where available.

This review will appear on Good Reads.

Read and excerpt

He leaned in close, and she held her breath, readying for a kiss she wasn’t sure she should accept—but she wanted nonetheless. She closed her eyes and his lips touched her cheek.

“Good luck out there, baby cakes,” he said just above a whisper, and walked away.

The air rushed from her lungs. Baby cakes. That’s what he’d called her last time they were together, though she’d never known why. Did he call everyone baby cakes? And if so, did those other women feel as special as she did when he said it? She watched him walk away and noticed several other girls also enjoying the view of his fine ass in those tight cycling shorts. Life would be a whole lot easier if she were more like her much-older sister, Cherise, who had raised her from the time Aiyla was fifteen, when they’d lost their mother. Cherise lived a careful, meticulously orchestrated life, void of any risks, including those that pertained to her heart. She’d married a safe, reliable accountant with no sense of adventure. They had a comfortable home with a white picket fence and two adorable little boys. Just the idea of living such a mundane life made Aiyla’s stomach turn. Hadn’t their mother’s death taught her sister that fate played its hand no matter how many walls one erected? Living a safe, boring life in fear of it all being taken away wasn’t living at all.

Aiyla had accepted long ago that she’d never be a white-picket-fence type of girl. She loved adventures, thrived on capturing in photographs that would live on forever the faces of people who had lived full, even if torturous, lives. And she felt rejuvenated when surrounded by untamed wilderness. As she forced her gaze away from Ty, her fingers absently brushing over the cheek he’d kissed, she had to admit, she also enjoyed the sheer energy of a man marking his territory.

Now, if only she could focus on the race instead of the man who’d set her heart on fire.

Available

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Book Review/Giveaway-Mining for Justice by Kathleen Ernst

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

Chloe Ellefson is excited to be learning about Wisconsin’s Cornish immigrants and mining history while on temporary assignment at Pendarvis, a historic site in charming Mineral Point. But when her boyfriend, police officer Roelke McKenna, discovers long-buried human remains in the root cellar of an old Cornish cottage, Chloe reluctantly agrees to mine the historical record for answers.

She soon finds herself in the center of a heated and deadly controversy that threatens to close Pendarvis. While struggling to help the historic site, Chloe must unearth dark secrets, past and present . . . before a killer comes to bury her.

And others are saying

Have no fear as this author weaves a masterful tale. She never drops the ball. Being in Wisconsin I am naturally drawn to the series but anyone who appreciates history and a well written mystery will not want to miss Kathleen’s books.
~Laura’s Interests

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love that the author mixes history in her mysteries and that you can learn while reading a fun book.
~A. Holland Reads

Wow, this book grabbed my historian heart and held my sleuthing mind to the last page.
~Bibliophile Reviews

Mining for Justice is an outstanding story in an equally outstanding series, one that has quickly become a favorite of mine.  

~ The Power of Words

And I thought

Although I wasn't intrigued by the cover once I opened the book and begin reading I was intrigued and the pages just kept turning almost on their own.  

Admittedly I am a cover junkie.  If the cover doesn't 'get me' I am 

not likely to pick up the book.  

In this case.  I can't judge a book by it's cover.

Reader be warned  being a cover junkie could be your undoing. 

I have to thank Lori at Great Escapes Tours for introducing me to Kathleen Ernst and the  Chloe Ellefson Series.  

I enjoyed Chloe.  Being a bit of a reluctant sleuth I could relate to her.  

I have not read a book like this before.  Chloe is a historian that seems unable not to step into a bit of drama, crime and dead bodies. Mostly old dead bodies that open up cans of worms that 

bring the past to the present.  

Mining for Justice is and the series takes the reader into a history lesson while weaving a story that not only captivates but fascinates the reader into learning more about history and olden times.  

Also included at the end of the book is a glossary of Cornish words and historical photos.

The authors website is as intriguing as the books in the series. 

I recommend visiting her website.  Click here

Available 

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The series

       

 

Visit the authors site to learn about the series.  Click here. 

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To read more reviews,  guest posts, author and character interviews visit the Great Escapes Tours click here

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Fireworks In Paradise-Book Review-Author Giveaway

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

While on vacation in South Carolina, Tj Jensen receives a call that her father has been left in a coma after a devastating car crash. Back home in Paradise Lake, Tj learns the accident that killed family friend Judge Harper and left her father clinging to life wasn’t an accident at all—someone cut their brake lines. To make matters worse, her friend and police contact, Deputy Roy Fisher, is working with a new partner who has no intention of letting Tj anywhere near the case. Facing an investigation more explosive than the annual fireworks show, Tj enlists the help of her best friends to unravel the mystery, all the while navigating a new romance and the thought her father may never wake up.

What others are saying

This book is a mixture of emotions and relationship issues and dealing with change. If you have lost a loved one you may find yourself unexpectedly tearing up. The ending is quite exciting and dangerous.
~Laura’s Interests

Fireworks is a eye-popping addition to the “Paradise” saga. A couple of secret relationships come to light that ramp up the tension and action in the story.
~Back Porchervations

Every book needs a bit of romance. The book does not center of the romance but I love the sweetness of it. Tj and Kyle have been awesome in the last few books as friends now I can see them going far as lovers as well.
~T’s Stuff

Family, friends, romance and murder – what more could you ask for?
~Christa Reads and Writes

Available 

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The series

PUMPKINS IN PARADISE (#1)
• SNOWMEN IN PARADISE (#2)
• BIKINIS IN PARADISE (#3)
• CHRISTMAS IN PARADISE (#4)
• PUPPIES IN PARADISE (#5)
• HALLOWEEN IN PARADISE (#6)
• TREASURE IN PARADISE(#7)
• FIREWORKS IN PARADISE (#8)

And I thought

I don't say this often but this is one that I wish I had started in the beginning.  

Just the titles of the previous installments spoke to me.   I love the holidays and just the fun of everything involved with each one. 

I couldn't help but wonder about the events, drama, crime and if there was any romance in the preceding books.  

The characters introduced were engaging and I didn't feel 'left out' or confused.  This installment is written as a stand alone.  And readers may or may not wish to have read the others first.  

I enjoyed Tj and Kyle and couldn't help but wonder did the fireworks come in from sparks flying between them?  You'll have to read the book to find out.  

I wasn't disappointed with the twists and turns, figuring out just which of the suspects did it!   The plot kept this reader following at a steady pace all the way to the end.  

My only disappointment was that I haven't had the opportunity to read the others. 

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.

This review will appear on retail sites where available. 

This review will appear on NetGalley and Good Reads. 

Visit the tour

To read more reviews,  interviews and character guest posts click 

here.

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