Killer In The Band-Lauren Carr-Book Review/Giveaway

Doing things a little backwards this time.  

Here's what I thought before 
I tell you about the book! I hope you don't mind!

I can't put into words how much I loved this book!  When I was given the opportunity to read I said 'Yes' as fast as I could to make the blog tour.  

And I wasn't disappointed.  Killer had me from page one and would not let me go! 

This story is the 3rd book in the Lovers In Crime Series.

 There are lots of characters and  multiple story lines in each of the books  I've read by La;uren at least that is what she did in the Mac Faraday series which BTW is great too.  

Killer was no different. There was Joshua and Cameron Thornton and all their children.  The story was mainly about the oldest son J.J. who had just returned home from college.  He had intended a leisurely summer studying for his Bar exam.  

The summer ended up being much more than everyone bargained for. 

J.J. happened (at least so it seemed) to run into Sue Ellen Russell a woman yes I said woman who had mentored him in high school. 
They fell in love back in the day but each went their separate ways.  

When J.J. returns their affair is rekindled.  J.J. ends up moving into the family horse and orchard farm that Sue Ellen has inherited from her parents.  Together they begin the daily operations of the horse farm. 

Trouble simmers in the background when (dad) Joshua . . . let's just say he isn't happy with the couple.  But Cameron (the step mom) convinces him to visit J.J. and Sue Ellen.  Taking along the younger children Izzy (an adopted child) and Donny (Joshua's 16 year old who can't stay out of the kitchen he eats everything in sight).
The friendly visit which includes pie puts everyone at ease while Izzy makes friends with dogs, cats and a rooster that no one likes. 

                           I was in love let me tell you! 

Sue Ellen drops a bomb on Cameron who is a Homicide Detective
and asks her to investigate the murder of an ex band member. 
Which everyone is surprised when Dylan Matthews is found some 30 years after being murdered. 

Back at the ranch Sue Ellen is overwhelmed with the daily operations and begins looking for someone to manage the horse operation.  In comes 'horse whisperer' Poppy Ashburn a mysterious woman who has every horse following her like a puppy dog within a few minutes.  
Izzy who is getting out of bed early and begging to go to the barn is following Poppy around and begging for a horse of her own.  
If your a regular reader of my blog you know why this story line got me.  I loved the ranch setting. 

As usual Lauren does have multiple story lines going on.  There 
are a few dead bodies included in the mix.  

It's a fantastic read.  

I do have one caution I have to add for my readers that might think about allowing a younger adult or teen read this book.  
There is a part in the middle of the story. A witness involved in the cold crime has an alternative lifestyle that possibly might offend some people.  I only include this as a caution.  I would read the book and discuss this before allowing a teen to read.  

Killer In The Band is probably my favorite of all the books I've read by Lauren Carr.  I look forward to reading more!  

This book deserves my 5 star rating!
This review will be posted at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Good Reads.
This review will appear on My Journey Back and will be linked at my favorite blog parties.

Here's what the book is about (provided by IRead Book Tours)
Book Details:

Book Title: Killer in the Band by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction,  430 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  Oct 3, 2016
Available for review in:  Print and ebook: mobi (for Kindle), ePub, PDF 
Will send books:  USA & Canada
Tour dates:  Oct 10 to 28 and Oct 31 to Dec 2, 2016
Content Rating:  PG (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

Book Description:

Summer of Love & Murder

Joshua’s eldest son, Joshua “J.J.” Thornton Jr., has graduated at the top of his class from law school and returns home to spend the summer studying for the bar exam. However, to Joshua’s and Cameron’s shock and dismay, J.J. moves into the main house at Russell Ridge Farm, the largest dairy farm in the Ohio Valley, to rekindle a romance with Suellen Russell, a onetime leader of a rock group who’s twice his age. Quickly, they learn that she has been keeping a deep dark secret.

The move brings long-buried tensions between the father and son to the surface. But when a brutal killer strikes, the Lovers in Crime must set all differences aside to solve the crime before J.J. ends up in the cross hairs of a murderer.


Praise for Lauren Carr’s Mysteries:

“Lauren Carr could give Agatha Christie a run for her money!”
​- Charlene Mabie-Gamble, Literary R&R

“As always, Lauren Carr brings an action-packed story that is almost impossible to put down. Her mystery plots have so many twists and turns that I didn’t know if I was coming or going. And the action just didn’t stop from the very beginning till the very end.” - Melina Mason, Melina’s Book Reviews


Buy the Book: Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble 

I had the privilege of interviewing the author!  Click here 
to see the interview. 

Check out this fabulous Giveaway.... Click here to enter.

Carolyn Finds Love-Book Review

                                        

About (provided by Amazon)
Carolynn Kemp has lost everything. Her entire family is gone, and her life is in turmoil. Her hopes and dreams of making every one of their lives better are dashed and she is tempted to give up and accept the misery that she seems destined for. But will life let her lie down and give in, or will she find the inner strength to start again?

Winston Piper is jealous of the happiness his friends have found in recent times, and so he takes the chance that he might find love by mail order too. But his fears are not that he won't find the woman he so desperately craves, he worries that she will not give him the chance to make her happy. Can he convince her that her past does not have to overwhelm them and deny them of happiness, and that it is their future he cares about most? 

From the authors description...

I’m pleased to say that ‘Mail Order Bride: Carolyn Finds Love’ is now available.
Click Here to buy now.

Carolynn Kemp has lost everything. Her entire family is gone, and her life is in turmoil. Her hopes and dreams of making every one of their lives better are dashed and she is tempted to give up and accept the misery that she seems destined for. But will life let her lie down and give in, or will she find the inner strength to start again?

Click here to visit the authors site

What I Thought...
I've read a few of the installments in this series and I have to say I liked loved this one the best.  I know bad grammar. But this is an honest review. 
I am not sure what it was about this story that I loved so much more than the others except maybe one of the scenes reminded me of one of my favorite movies of all time. Hint Richad Gere.  You have to read the book yourself and see if you can figure out what movie. 

This story was a bit sad in places because Carolyn looses family. 
She isn't sure whether they have perished in a building collapse.  Her hope is that they have moved on to another town for her father to find work.  

Carolyn although she is alone is a strong person.  She is smart and savy and she is a born leader.  When the tenement apartment that her family lives in collapses it is Carolyn that encourages neighbors and towns people to search for survivors.  

Winston is a doctor in the booming town (filled with newlyweds)
of Ruby Springs, Texas (another reason I like the series).
Winston is busy and very financially stable but he is lonely. 

This is a sweet romance with just of hint of suspense and mystery 
involving the disappearance of Carolyn's family. 

I really enjoyed this series and I look forward to additional installments.  

The only negative I have is the installments are too short.  I've wanted more with each one.  

I would definitely buy the collection if it was offered as a set.

I received a copy of Carolyn Finds Love from the author.
This review will post on Amazon and Good Reads.
This review will appear on My Journey Back and be linked to blog parties. 

Books Read/Spotlighted/Reviewed in October

          I read and spotlighted a lot of good books this month!
Using Picasa because PicMonkey wouldn't work for me.  A randomly spaced Mosaic.  

Coming soon. Links here to all the reviews and spotlights.  Can't wait?  You can visit My Journey Back to read the reviews.  Click on my Book Reviews tab for a list of the reviews. 

Linking with Create With Joy, The Art Of Homemaking, Mosaic Monday @ Normandy Life, Blue Monday

Mine 2 by J Kahele Blog Tour

                   Excerpts: Mine 2 by J Kahele

Welcome to my tour stop of Mine 2 by J Kahele.  The tour runs from August 24-28 and you can follow the tour here.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Andrew Carington falls in love with Jenna Kramer, he takes on the emotional and physical ghosts that haunt her past. He believed he was the cure for Jenna and love could get them through anything. But her controlling and abusive ex-husband Ben Kramer will never let her go and Andrew finds himself plummeting into a world of hate and fear. The only way Andrew will find his happy ever after with Jenna, is to rid Ben Kramer of their lives—permanently.

Goodreads | Amazon

TRAILER LINK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZq8TcXaD_c

EXCERPTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am a proud mother of three daughters who are my absolute complete existence. I write to relieve the scattered thoughts that stream through my mind, constantly. My biggest downfall is that I am a huge procrastinator, which makes my life at times hectic!

Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Pinterest | Website | Blog

Cold -Case Christianity For Kids-Review-Spotlight

Starting with .  . . This book received  resounding applause and
  huge thumbs up!  I wish I had this book when our 16 year old grandson was younger!  Just the title gets the young reader interested!
Here's what the book is about (provided by Litfuse)...
In Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, detective J. Warner Wallace draws readers into the thrill of high-stakes investigation by showing them how to think rather than telling them what to think. In this children’s companion to the bestselling Cold-Case Christianity, detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. Includes author illustrations and links to a website where kids can download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate of merit.

Here's a little peek inside . . . 

There are a lot of  illustrations one on every page!   And they are great!  It reads a little like a comic book in that there are so many illustrations.  

I liked the Detective Definitions in the boxes on the margins.  The definitions contained great resources. The CSI Assignments made the book interactive with activities leading the reader to additional scripture and causing him/her to think about they are reading and learning. 

I did feel though that an additional journal or work book might be effective.  Although I think the 

Definitions, CSI Assignments and The Detective Bag are great additions I felt the printing was too 

small.  There are questions and the area where the reader is to write is way too small for a young reader to fill in the blanks. 

There are down loadable questions available but I would be more interested in a printed journal or 

workbook. 

At the end of the book is a certificate of achievement.  I thought this was great.  My 8 year old grandson will love receiving the certificate!  

This was an excellent book that I recommend for everyone! 

Parents, homeschooling parents, and church leaders.  Great gift item!

I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse. 

This review is posted on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBC and Goodreads.

A Sister's Wish-Book Review and Giveaway

A Sister's Wish-Shelley Shepard Gray-Review/Giveaway

                                                                 Click Here To Enter

About the book... (provided by Litfuse)

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.

Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get… but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.

Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.

He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.

But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.

And I thought...They keep getting better!  A Sister's Wish is book 3 in the Charmed Series.
And well I think it was my favorite!

 I loved the being reintroduced to some of the characters from the first two books.  But I really 'fell in love' with Simon and his story and plight.  His struggling childhood that lead to bad mistakes as a younger adult brought him to where he is now.  A strong man that has realized his faith is worthy and he is worthy.

I loved the introduction to his sister Tess and their plans to help other people.  Women and children and families that have struggled with family abuse.

Abuse is not a topic that you would expect in this type of book/story.  Shelley does a fabulous job of weaving together a story that keeps you spellbound.

I really enjoyed A Sister's Wish and look forward with some sadness to reading the last book in the series An Amish Family Christmas

                                               Do they really have to end?
                                             Please Shelley say it 'Ain't So'!

Here's a little peek into An Amish Family Christmas . . . 
   

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love. 

Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true…

Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually…perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together…in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

For information about the Author please visit her website.

I received a complimentary copy of A Sister's Wish from Litfuse.

The review of A Sister's Wish is posted at Amazon,Barnes and Noble,
 CBC and Good Reads.

Life Creative-Book Review With Giveaway

                                           The Giveaway is all the way at the bottom!
About the book (provided by Litfuse)

Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom(Kregel, September 2016)

What was God thinking when He created you creative and then gave you children?

Creative moms often feel as though they must lay their passions down. But God had something special in mind for the creative woman during this intense season of mothering.

In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children's parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance. Not one born in Italian cathedrals or Harlem jazz clubs, but rather in kitchens, nurseries, and living rooms around the world. Mothers, working in the cracks and crevices of each hectic day, are adorning the world with their gifts, and they're showing all of us the beauty of this Life Creative.

In this book, you'll learn:

-Why the world needs your art

-How this Life Creative begins at home

-When art can turn a profit

-Your part in this modern day Renaissance

Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood. Women like home decorator Melissa Michaels and jewelry designer Lisa Leonard, author Angie Smith, recording artist Ellie Holcomb, and many more.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2bDsqfz

About The Authors:

Wendy Speake is a trained actress and heartfelt teacher. She ministers to women's hearts through storytelling and life applications, utilizing drama, comedy, poetry and the study of God's Word. During her career in Hollywood, Speake found herself longing to tell stories that edify and encourage women. She is the author of Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses (BRU Press, 2015). Speake is a wife and homeschooling mother of three boys. 

Kelli Stuart is a writer and a storyteller at heart. She has written for several websites including The Huffington Post, 5 Minutes for Mom, The MOB Society, (in)courage and Compassion International. She is the author of three books, including Like a River from Its Course (Kregel Publications, 2016) and a noted speaker. Stuart her husband live in Florida with their four children.

                                                                              Website | Instagram

And I Thought...
A book filled with helpful inspiration for women.  Although the target audience is busy moms
I think that all women could enjoy it and get a great deal of encouragement.
I think we as women no matter what season we're in can use a little encouragement.
However I feel that the target audience could be bogged down a little.
The book is filled with stories, poetry, quotes and scripture.
I liked the illustrations between parts there were drawings of different things like:
as stand mixer, a whisk,  a music note, a paint pallet, a feather, a camera and more.
The lovely paisley cover design is repeated on every page of the book.
I point these features out because I thought the book was long. It was a lot to read.
The addition of the artwork just makes it longer.
Each chapter is over 10 pages long.  An actually is a lot to read.
It isn't the type of book I feel you can enjoy when you only have small snippets of time in your schedule.   I know when I was young mom and even now with  the busy schedule that I have that I prefer a book that is written with shorter sections to read.
There is great content.
                   

                             Click here to enter the Giveaway