Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend-Review-Pure Textuality Tour

  

About the book 

It wasn’t shy librarian Lola McBride's idea to crash someone else’s high school reunion. Her best friend made her do it, insisting that having a little fun with a super-hot rebound would make her forget about her recent breakup. That’s when she meets the hottest guy she’s ever seen.

Architect Luke Erickson had no idea attending his ten-year reunion would turn out to be so fun. He catches the sexy brunette in a lie, and he counters with a proposal—He’ll keep her secret if she helps get his family off his back by pretending to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family reunion.

From one reunion to another, Lola and Luke are suddenly spending a lot of time together. Good thing they're only pretending, or this super-secret relationship could get really complicated.

And I thought

A good sweet romance.  A sweet story.  A sweet couple.

The characters are all charming.  From Lola's bestie Frankie. 

To Luke's sisters and even his friend Oliver who ends up causing a little drama.

It's just what guys do.  Tell each other they are not into 'her' when actually they are.  But it turns out bad when she over hears the conversation because she is really into 'him' Luke and she really doesn't want to be because he's just all screwed up with relationships.  

His dad left the family when Luck was too young to 'get it'.  Leaving Luke 'screwed up'. 

He does finally realize how screwed up he when Lola gives up on him.  But only after his sister Gwen and Oliver make him see how 

ridiculous his worry that he is 'like' his father. 

Finally they get through to him and he make it all right with 

Lola.  And buys her puppy!  

Everything ends happily ever after and that makes a really good romance. 

I liked the other characters so much that I hope this is part of a series.  I would love to see Luke's sisters romances.  

This was a great read and I hope to read more. 

There is no language but there are a few bedroom scenes. 

Mama would blush.  But the jazzy grandma would turning the pages!

I received a complimentary copy.

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

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iTunes
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Entangled Publishing 

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Murder Gone Missing by Lida Sideris-Great Escapes Tour-Review

About the book 

Newly minted lawyer Corrie Locke has taken a vow of abstinence. From PI work, that is. Until her best friend Michael finds his bully of a boss stabbed in the back after confronting him earlier that day. Michael panics, accidentally tampering with the crime scene…which could lead the cops to Michael instead of the real culprit. He turns to Corrie to track down the killer. She doesn’t need much coaxing. Her late great PI dad taught her the ropes…and left her his cache of illegal weaponry.

They return to the scene of the crime, but the body’s missing. Racing against time, Corrie dredges a prestigious Los Angeles college in pursuit of clues. All she finds are false leads. Armed with attitude and romantic feelings toward Michael, Corrie dives into a school of suspects to find the slippery fugitive. Will she clear Michael’s name before he’s arrested for murder?

And I thought

Where to start?  From page one this is an interesting read.  And then for awhile it gets a little crazy/silly and then things settle down and Murder Gone Missing turns into a page turner. 

When Corrie's best friend Michael stumbles onto his bosses dead body after he's written a letter to resign from his university position he runs to Corrie for help. 

But, they go back to the scene of the crime to get the letter and find there is no body. 

What's up?  Corrie promises Michael who she is secretly in love with that she'll figure out what happened to the body and who did it. 

After a bit of a mix up when Corrie suspects the cleaning crew did the deed and then dumped the body at a pig/pet sanctuary things settle down and answers start to fall into place.

For awhile I was thinking this was just kind of ridiculous when Corrie is fixated on the body being dumped at the pet sanctuary in the pig pin. 

But it isn't long before she begins to look beyond the pig pen and questions begin being answered.  

Murder Gone Missing is a fast funny read filled with some main characters that are charming.  

There isn't any romance but things seemed to begin to sizzle toward the end.  Will the next installment fin Corrie finding love? 

And will the mystery that maybe her father isn't dead be solved?

This was good fun mystery. 

I enjoyed reading Murder Gone Missing and can't wait for the next one!

I received a complimentary copy.

My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads. 

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 AMAZON             B&N

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giveway click here. 

A Deadly E'clair-by Daryl Wood Gerber Great Escapes Tour

About the book 

It’s always been Mimi Rousseau’s dream to open her own bistro, but it seems beyond her grasp since she’s been chased back home to Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley by her late husband’s tremendous debt. Until her best friend Jorianne James introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who invests in promising prospects. Now, working the bistro and inn until she’s able to pay it off and call it her own, Mimi is throwing the inn’s first wedding ever.

The wedding will be the talk of the town, as famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton, daughter of Bryan’s half-brother, Edison, has chosen the inn as her perfect venue. Anxious, Mimi is sure things are going to turn south, especially when Edison gets drunk and rowdy at the out-of-towners’ dinner, but by the evening, things begin to look up again. That is until six AM rolls around, and Bryan is found dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. And the fingers point at Mimi, whose entire loan is forgiven in Bryan’s will.

Now it’s up to Mimi to clear her name and get to the bottom of things before the killer turns up the heat again in A Deadly Éclair, the scrumptious series debut by Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber.

And others are saying

Great cozy mystery filled with all the things I love…great characters, great storyline, great food, and a dash of romance!
~Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews

What a wonderful start to a new cozy mystery series . . . This really is a must read for fans of the genre and food. I just loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

My vocabulary also got a workout, which I enjoy. Reading a good cozy should expand your world and this does that very well.
~Laura’s Interests

A DEADLY ECLAIR serves up a delicious blend of characters, setting, and mystery in the first French Bistro Mystery.
~Cozy Up With Kathy

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through most of the book, I felt like I was right there watching all of the action taking place. And the descriptions of the foods had me salivating.
~MJB Reviewers

Setting, characterization and plot all come together beautifully in A Deadly Éclair, book #1 in Daryl Wood Gerber’s entertaining new French Bistro series.
~The Power of Words

This was a great new series which leads us to another food cozy mystery . . . I love reading how Mimi clears her name.
~Community Bookstop

The setting descriptions were great, which I’ve come to expect from this author. She usually has a good balance of details and leaving some things to the imagination. I’m totally in love with the fact that the inn and gardens are based on Monet’s house in Giverny.
~Valerie’s Musings

A Deadly Éclair is well-written, contains good characters, and luscious food descriptions. Daryl Wood Gerber sets up a lovely backdrop for A French Bistro Mystery series.
~The Avid Reader

And I thought

I enjoyed backtracking to book 1 in this series.  And I loved it 

but I couldn't help wishing for a little more. 

I loved the story and plot.  I loved the characters.  

I just wanted the story about how Mimi got to where she is and a little more back story on the Mimi-Bryan relationship or story. 

With all the descriptions of Bryan I just missed getting to know him before he is clobbered over the head and left for dead in a rather gruesome (not blooded at all) way.  Left with gems and an E'clair in his mouth is just a little sick.  What's up with this villain?  Hmm.  This is surely a good 'ole mystery.

As the story progresses Mimi puts off Tyson the detective handling the case.  But they are long time friends so he gives her a little lee-way.  Plus he is totally interested in Mimi's bestie and 

employee Jo so he doesn't chastise Mimi too much when she starts snooping. 

And who wouldn't when their benefactor is murdered.  But opp's 

her cell phone is missing and when it's found the last text is to 

poor Bryan.  For a bit Mimi is a prime suspect but Raymond the 

gardener saves the day or this case Mimi when he mentions he

saw her about the time that Bryan met his demise.  Mimi was doing what she does alot of pacing and talking to herself. 

The talking to herself helps her work out the mystery and sometimes daily operations of the Bistro.  

The French Bistro Mysteries is a great series.

Even though I wanted a little more back story I can only hope that maybe in future installments we're given a little more.  That says a lot because the author does a great job of introducing the characters making you feel like your apart of what is going on. 

I can only wonder what happens in book 3.  I've already read book 2 where Mimi's Chef is the prime suspect when her poor sister is murdered.  So hmm.  Will Jo her bestie be the next suspect.  Or maybe Raymond the gardener.   Maybe even Irene the Chocolate Coffee Shop owner who tends to gather in a lot of gossip.   Or maybe just some random new character.  

Who knows.  I can't wait!

If you like a good Cozy mystery.  And if you enjoy food you'll love the French Bistro Series.  You'll enjoy the addition of the 

recipes at the end.  

I received a complimentary copy. 

My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.

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The Secret Lives Of Royals - Book Blast/Giveaway

I have not read this book 

About the book 

Olivia can’t take it anymore. She’s had enough of the big city and it’s lack of fulfilling her dreams. Then, just when she’s about to give up and move home, out of the blue, she is offered her dream job. Olivia is suspicious but that could just be the New York in her. She decides not to pull at threads. Despite her best efforts to remain blissfully oblivious, the secret to her life upgrade is soon uncovered when she finds herself invited to be part of a secret society.

Olivia learns that there is a thin curtain separating our world from theirs. Just beneath the surface, an entirely different one exists. One that is controlled by those of Royal lineage. The chosen ones, the Royals, hold the fate of the world in their hands. Will Olivia be able to bear the weight of the crown?

Confessions of a Shopaholic meets The Adjustment Bureau, this contemporary fairytale is both relatable and aspirational. Taking a look at the current balance of media and power with a healthy dose of humor, fashion, food and wanderlust.

Read an excerpt

I’m getting a very weird feeling. I consider turning around and leaving, but getting a cab on a cold rainy night before 2AM is going to be tough as they don’t begin frequenting the area until the bars start to close, and the nearest Uber appears to be 25 minutes away. Plus, I did go to all of this trouble to get my lazy self dressed and over here.

There is a crest engraved in brass metal on the front of the red door, an intricately designed crown and some lettering. I tilt my head to read it all the way around. ‘Alea iacta est memores acti prudentes uturi modus operandi’ I read aloud, and below, ‘Posteriori’. I recognize the language as Latin from the three weeks we spent on it during Intro to Languages, which was designed to help us choose one to focus on during our tenure at the university

…

Against my better judgment, I push on the heavy door, which creaks open. I enter into a cold stone-walled hall with a stone slab floor, lit by what appears to be a row of fire lanterns on each side. I guess this place is a bit behind the times in converting, or maybe they think it’s super ironic and hipster to not jump on the modernization bandwagon. Or maybe it’s me. I’m not exactly the authority on architectural trends. Maybe converted vintage is over and re-vintaged vintage is back in. Ugh, I can’t wait until I’m old and have an excuse not to be hip.

I walk down a windy stone hallway that seems straight out of a period film. Wow, they are really taking this theme seriously. How cool would it be if this stuff was authentic? I take a few pictures with my phone just in case. I mean as Cultures Editor, it’s always nice to be the one to discover the next big thing, like Connor said.

As I round the corner I hear, before I see, a British male mumbling to himself, apparently in debate.

“It’s so bizarre. But it couldn’t be. Could it? Stranger things have happened.”

I find myself face to face with a short-ish man, though taller than me, with glasses, wearing a sports coat with suede elbow patches. I scream in surprise and jump about five feet in the air. He seems slightly taken aback as well but less jumpy than me, or at least less vocal about it. He’s good looking in an intellectual sort of way and his dark floppy hair is conservatively combed back. I’m not sure if he’s startled by our unexpected encounter or my scream, but he does a bit of a double back.

“Sorry,” he recovers charmingly, “I didn’t see you there.”

“No, me either.” I try to breathe. I feel like I know him from somewhere.”

“Stuart Stephens.” He proffers his hand in greeting.

“Olivia Grace Thorpland.” I shake his in return. “But you can call me Gigi.”

“Hello, Gigi. Nice to meet you.” He is impeccably mannered even after our near death collision. Must be the British thing.

“So are you here for the party too?” I inquire. “Do you know where it is?”

“Party?” he asks, confused. “No, I just had a meeting here.”

“Ah, I see,” I say, although I don’t, given the hour. I definitely know him from somewhere. Got it, he’s a comedian.

“Well, care to join me anyway?” I offer politely. After all, he’s British, I’m being a good ambassador. He appears a bit bewildered.

“No, thanks. I best be going.”

“Are you sure? My friends are in there.”

“Really? Your friends are in there?” He seems surprised to see where I’m gesturing.

“Yup,” I tell him confidently.

“Oh, well, thanks for the invite, but I’m completely sure. Thanks anyway,” comes his nervous reply. “But, can I ask you a question?” I nod. “Is this all, um, kosher?”

“I, I, don’t know.” I hesitate. Is he Jewish and British? Is that a thing?

“Well, I’ll let you get on “he says. “Have a good night.”

“You too. Bye,” I reply. And with that, we walk off in opposite directions.

Finally, I reach a semi-circled entryway that has the option of five doors, one straight ahead and two on either side. These are not your ordinary doors either. They are heavy, arched, rustic, dark brown, slated wooden doors. I’m not really in the mood to crash a wedding reception, murder, or worse, a live band performance; and, given that anything could be behind these doorways, I’m about to give up on this expedition completely, when one of the doors, the entryway smack dab in the center, starts to creak open, apparently of its own accord. A feeling of unexpected dread overtakes me. I brace myself, unsure of what to expect to find behind it.”

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About the author

An international upbringing and a love of stories laid the foundation for wanderlust. Shalini aspires to spend her time country-hopping and consuming pop-culture, comedy and good food but the reality is often frantically downing coffee, meeting deadlines at exactly the last second and working her unglamorous corporate job to fund all of the other pursuits.

The Secret Lives of Royals is Shalini’s debut novel. Her other work includes published poetry and scripts only she has read.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE LINKS

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ShaliniDuaBooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaliniDua126

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ididntmeantofeelanything/

Website: www.shalinidua.com/books 

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Pick And Chews by Linda O. Johnston Great Escape Tour-Book Review/Giveaway

Pick and Chews (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Midnight Ink (May 8, 2018)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738752457
Digital ASIN: B075W2BCW6

About the book (Provided by Great Escapes Tours)

Carrie Kennersly tries to help her veterinarian boyfriend when he’s under suspicion of murder…Is he a keeper, or should she let him go off-leash for good?

As a technician for a local vet and the owner of the Barkery & Biscuits dog bakery, Carrie Kennersly is excited to host a rescue animal adoption event. She’s also excited to be in a relationship with veterinarian Dr. Reed Storme, despite his pleas for her to butt out of the murder cases she keeps finding herself involved with. Yet when Reed is accused of killing his former veterinary colleague, he seems a lot more agreeable to having amateur detective Carrie butt back in. Can Carrie clear Reed, or does she care too much for a killer?

Includes recipes for dog treats and people treats!

And others are saying 

The well-written story will suck you in until you find yourself on the last page amazed at the ending.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

I truly love cozy mysteries, and when they include pets, I’m over the moon! Almost every character in this story, no matter gender, personality, or career, is owned by one or more pets, and animals play a highly significant role.

I truly love cozy mysteries, and when they include pets, I’m over the moon! Almost every character in this story, no matter gender, personality, or career, is owned by one or more pets, and animals play a highly significant role.
~Mallory Heart’s Cozies

Author Linda O. Johnston puts her all into each and every book she writes. PICK AND CHEWS, like her stories before, leads readers on a whodunit that in the end, I didn’t guess.
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews

You will find yourself drawn to solving the mystery with Carrie and you will want to cozy up in her barkery and enjoy seeing the pets!
~Bibliophile Reviews

One of the things I love about this series is the emphasis on animal adoption. It is so nice to see awareness about a problem that so many animals face. The author always does such a great job of putting pet adoptions in the stories and it makes me smile every time I read it.
~Texas Book-aholic

. . . the conclusion is suspensefully surprising!
~Laura’s Interests

And I thought

I enjoy the Bakery & Biscuits Mystery Series books at least the 
ones I've read.  I had the chance to read the 3rd book in the series 
Bad To The Bone also.  Having picked up the series at book 
3 and 4 was as easy as starting at book one.  
The books are easy to read and the main and sub characters are introduced with enough detail to help the reader dig right into the story. 
Carrie the main character seems to always be involved in solving a murder.  This time the victim is a  Veterinarian that has come into town to open a new practise.  The thing is there is already a really great practise already in town which Carrie works at along with her boyfriend Reed.  Reed becomes one of the main suspects when it is revealed he knew Raela the victim previously.  This time
Reed has a little different attitude about Carrie's sleuthing.  Since he's a suspect he's all for her to stick her nose in and help the detectives whether they want her help or not.   Reed isn't really the only suspect as almost everyone at the clinic could have been the one to get rid of the competition. 
Once I dug into the story it was hard to put this one down.  
The plot/storyline was fast passed and easy to stay on track. 
Although the twist at the end when it is revealed who actually did it is a little of a surprise.  Although I did pick up on that there just wasn't something right with the guy. 
Linda O. Johnston provides the reader with a great cast of characters that are friends and colleagues of Carrie's.  Many of her friends and co-workers are ready to jump in and help her solve the mystery.  And ready to protect her and her dog Biscuit when need be.  Everyone in town is ready and willing to chat it up with Carrie when she is asking questions.  
Carrie's brother Neal and his girlfriend Janelle that works at Carrie's bakery are read to step up and support Carrie's sleuthing. 
The detectives seem to be becoming more accepting of Carrie and her suspicions as the series progresses.
If you love a good Cozy Mystery and you enjoy a story with dogs you'll really enjoy Pick And Chews and the Bakery and Biscuits
Mystery Series.  
Included in each of the books are recipes also.   
I really enjoy this series and look forward to the next one.  

I received a complimentary copy. 
My review will appear on retail sites Net Galley and Good Reads.
  

And about that cover
You might not even have to read the synopsis on the back covers
if your like me.  The covers just say pick me up. Who can resist 
those adorable dogs? The bakery beckons too!

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First Time at Firelight Falls by Julie Ann Long-Pure Textuality Tour-Review

About the book 

Single mom Eden Harwood has a lively daughter, a blooming business—and a juicy secret she’s hung on to for ten years. She doesn’t mind a bit that there’s no room for romance in her whirlwind life . . . until six-foot-infinity, smoldery-eyed, bass-voiced Gabe Caldera reminds her of what she might be missing.

The principal of Hellcat Elementary is usually knee-deep in fawning PTA moms, but Gabe only has eyes for the fiery, funny, skittish redhead who barely knows he’s alive. But this ex-Navy SEAL never fails to get what he wants. And what he wants is to fan those sparks between him and Eden into the kind of bonfire you can see two counties away.

The passion is explosive . . . and the tenderness has them thinking about forever. But when Eden’s past waltzes into town for a reckoning, her secret blows them apart. Still, Gabe will never back down from a fight . . . especially if the ultimate prize is Eden’s heart.

And I thought

First I loved it.  5 plus stars for this romance!

The first few lines set the stage for questions about just where this book is going.  Honestly I was taken back to waaaay back in the day when we saw Romancing the Stone for the first time in the theater.  The story the female character an author is writing a sizzling romance.     
First Time at Firelight did sizzle and there are some romantic scenes that make it probably "R"  but they were well written and a part of the romance between Eden and Gabe.

Back to the beginning of the book the scene is set when Eden is called into the principle's office because her daughter Annelise was singing a song and teaching it to her friends that another mother that was deemed inappropriate.

And so begins a few trips to the principle's office and a budding romance between said principle Gabe and Eden.  

Everything is going as well as it can for a busy single mom and a
very busy principle who is very active in the town happenings until a little surprise comes to town in the form of the Annelise's father.

The big surprise is for Jasper the rock star that returns to town 
for a show at a club owned by Eden's family.   It doesn't take him long to put two and two together.

The characters are charming.  Especially the precocious Annelise.
Even Jasper is all rock singer and everything it encompasses.

First Time at Firelight is book 4 in the Hell Cat Canyon series 
but it is written as a standalone. 

I couldn't help but notice how well all the characters were written into the story.   Each of Eden's siblings were woven into the story without confusion.  Each have had their own separate stories in the series.  I look forward to picking up the others for the complete set.

I enjoyed First Time at Firelight and suspect that it has inched it's way right to the top as my favorite so far this year.  

I received a complimentary copy. 
This review will appear on retail sites, Good Reads and Net Galley

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Beachboy Murder-Goddess Fish Promo Tour-Review

About the book 

Just as travel agent turned reluctant sleuth Gabby LeClair is starting to gain some of the Aloha spirit, a business consortium from Chicago breezes into the Aloha Lagoon resort and offers to buy her business. The offer is tempting...but so is hot helicopter pilot Rick Dawson, making it a difficult decision. One that becomes even more complicated when a dead body is discovered in Gabby's backyard, and she's suddenly thrust in the middle of a murder investigation! 

The dead man is a former beachboy attendant from the island. With a trail of broken hearts—not to mention jealous rivals—leading up to the beachboy, Gabby tries to uncover just who had it in for the late lothario. Is the female of the species really more deadly than the male? Or has the beachboy scorned one too many women for some other man's liking?

Read an excerpt

“Buy what?” Rick Dawson, the reason my heart fluttered on occasion, stood leaning against the wall by the door to Gabby’s Island Adventures. He was dressed in his signature uniform—jeans, boat shoes, and the royal blue polo shirt with his logo hummingbird and Rick’s Air Paradise embroidered above the pocket. He must have gotten some recent sun. His skin was golden, making his eyes shine like blue ice. He straightened away from the wall as we walked up, and slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me against him and kissing the top of my head. His scent, Old Spice and fresh island breeze, and the irresistible combination of his golden good looks and unmistakable virility definitely kept a girl on her toes but in a good way.

Inside the phone was ringing, and Lana went to answer it.

“Buy the travel agency. Lana was just asking me if I was really going to sell out to Janet’s bosses.”

While the shift wasn’t overt enough for me to be sure, I thought I felt a hint of his pulling back a little. “And what did you tell her?”

“That it was all up in the air, that I didn’t know if they’d even want the place.”

“Why wouldn’t they want it? Gabby’s Island Adventures is aces. You’re the tops, Toots.” His tone was frank, matter-of-fact. “You’ve even made my business profitable since you took over my bookings.”

“You’re biased, Dawson. You do have a business interest here yourself.”

And I thought

Written as a stand alone Beach Boy Murder is definitely a great 

addition to the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries.  You'll have no trouble jumping here with book 11.  I guarantee you'll love it but you'll be wondering what you missed. So you might plan to read all the 

rest.  I plan too. 

I enjoyed the characters.  And there were a lot of them.  I had no trouble keeping up with them or keeping up with what was going on.

The main character Gabby is considering selling her tour agency in Hawaii after her friend and mentor Janet make the suggest and bring a group of potential buyers. 

There are quite a few of them to keep up with but they are all such unique characters and they are described so well that it is not difficult. 

There are a few sub characters in the story; staff at Gabby's tour agency and hotel staff.  

And there's the hunky boyfriend Rick who owns a helicopter company.  He's just a great guy that calls Gabby 'Princess' so sweet  and romantic.  He's ready and able to save the day in the end when Gabby and a couple of other people are kidnapped by one of the villains.  

Beachboy Murder was a very fast read.  I read in one setting.

It was indeed a 5 star read.  

I look forward to backing up and reading the rest.  I was so engaged with this group of characters I want to read more.  

I received a complimentary copy.

My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads. 

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