Friday, June 30, 2017

Book Giveaway Winners




The winners of The Light in Summer by Mary McNear are:

Linda S.
Marilyn W.


Congrats to Linda and Marilyn! 


Thanks to all who participated!

Book Beginnings on Fridays/The Friday 56




This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

It's that simple.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday - June 28th



This meme is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings.

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.


This is the first in a brand new cozy mystery series...a haunted library?  Sounds perfect to me :)

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Blog Tour: Dead Air & Double Dares by Janis Thornton (Spotlight/Tour-Wide Giveaway)


Dead Air and Double Dares by Janis Thornton

Cup of Tea Books, an imprint of PageSpring Publishing (June 18, 2017)
Number of Pages 310
E-BOOK ASIN: B071L28F34

Monday, June 26, 2017

Book Giveaway Winner




The winner of French Fried by Kylie Logan is:

Diane E.



Congrats to Diane! 


Thanks to all who participated!

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Sunday/Monday Posts - June 25th and 26th





The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, it is now a Facebook group.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is a meme with a new host!  It's now being hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. This is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm also linking to  Stacking The Shelves which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Spotlight/Giveaway: The Light in Summer by Mary McNear


About the Book

THE LIGHT IN SUMMER • By Mary McNear
William Morrow Trade Paperback Original

On Sale: June 20, 2017 • Price: $15.99; E-Book Price: $13.99
ISBN: 9780062399373; E-Book ISBN: 9780062399380

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Friendly Fill-Ins - June 23rd


This meme is hosted by Ann at McGuffy's Reader and Ellen at 15andmeowing. Each week they will post four fill-in statements.

Here are my answers to this weeks statements...

Book Beginnings on Fridays/The Friday 56




This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

It's that simple.

Book Blast: A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander (Tour-Wide Giveaway)



A Crime of Passion Fruit (A Bakeshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
St. Martin's Paperbacks (June 27, 2017)
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250088079
E-Book ASIN: B01MRU56AS

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Binge Watcher #1 - #bingewatchersclub


I'm really excited about this new meme. It's started by Stormi at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! It's for those of us who love our TV binge watching. This is a great place to share the TV shows we are binge watching and what's next on our lists to watch.


I just finished watching the three seasons of...

Grace and Frankie

It has a great cast of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston.  I would call this a dramedy...it has a little of both.  Grace and Frankie are shocked when their husbands ask them for a divorce after 40 years of marriage.  They are even more shocked to learn that the husbands have been in love with each other for the last 20 years and are now getting married.  Talk about a blended family.  It has its funny moments and sad ones too.  The characters deal with real life problems.  I couldn't stop watching.

Now I'm watching...

Ray Donovan


I've only seen the fist two episodes of this one.  It stars Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight.  So far, it's good.  It takes place in Hollywood.  When they need a guy to fix the problems of the rich and famous, Ray comes to their rescue.  It seems like he has his own family problems that are going to need his fixing too.

Shows still on my list to finish watching...


  • Orange is the New Black, season 5
  • Longmire, season 5
  • Bloodline, season 3


I'm always looking for suggestions of what to binge watch next.  So, if you have any, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.


Blog Tour: The Trouble With Harriet by Dorothy Cannell (Spotlight/Tour-Wide Giveaway)



About the Book

Genre: Cozy Mystery, 8th in Series
Publisher: Alibi (June 13, 2017)
Print Length: 288 Pages
ASIN: B01LYUULP3

Blog Tour: STUCK by C.T. Collier (Spotlight)


STUCK by C.T. Collier


Stuck (The Penningtons Investigate Book 2)
Self Published (March 18, 2017)
Paperback: 308 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1544277967
ASIN: B06XQP5VYZ

Can't Wait Wednesday - June 21st



This meme is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings.

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.



Another new cozy mystery series. This looks good. I love collectible type of items and a small town setting is always perfect for a cozy mystery.


Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Book Blast: Iced by Avery Daniels (Tour-Wide Giveaway)

ICED: A Resort to Murder Mystery

Avery Daniels

June 20, 2017 Book Blast



Synopsis:

Iced by Avery Daniels

Julienne has her ideal job as an event planner at a prestigious resort. During a luncheon event she coordinated, a renowned celebrity pastor is killed next to the buffet. All eyes turn to her as the suspect. If she wants to stay out of jail or even keep her job, Julienne needs all the help she can get to solve the crime.

She has her work cut out for her with a vengeful high school rival now reporter, the public demanding she be fired, plus family who know what's best for her, and a boyfriend who doesn't understand her. She turns to friends and a new ally to uncover who wanted to put the pastor on ice.

Julienne goes undercover and investigates a local swingers group as she follows the trail of clues before they go cold. Can she gather enough suspects and motives to convince the police to her widen their investigation? Can she do it before the killer sets his murderous sights on her? Will her personal life ever be as simple as unveiling a murderer?


Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuth

Published by: Blazing Sword Publishing, Ltd

Publication Date: May 31st 2017

Number of Pages: 296

ASIN: B071LFD6JV

Series: A Resort to Murder Mystery, 1

Purchase Links: Amazon  | Kindle Unlimited  | Goodreads 


Read an excerpt:

Today everything in my life changed.

I’m the events coordinator and membership manager, in training that is, at a five star resort in Colorado. Some days, like today, it feels like I was sacrificed to some sadistic little idol somewhere. Coordination of conferences and meetings of all sizes in the resort’s convention center facility was part of my training. But this particular event, a Leadership Luncheon that brought together the town’s community leaders to network, was a challenge from the first minutes this morning.

"Julienne, this event must be executed with precision and perfection." Those are the favorite words of my boss, Chad. This particular event is a daylong exercise in patience.

Every job has its great parts and it’s not so great. Today encompassed one of the more unpleasant aspects of my job. Occasionally, okay usually, the hardest part of my job is the customer relations and today was particularly difficult. Some customers just can’t be satisfied and some events are riddled with issues.

We were only serving a modest seventy-five attendees, but I had already been assailed with special requests and numerous complaints. Picky doesn’t begin to cover it.

“How hard would it be to setup for a video presentation with a large screen and surround sound?”

“There are windows. It’s too distracting, people will be watching the hotel guests walking around.”

“Can we change the setup of room C from an L configuration to a U shape? But only for that one session, then move it back.”

“Can we get the Lobster for the buffet flown in that morning? Scallops are out….Can we have the scallops after all?”

“Music piped in during the breaks?”

“No music piped in at all.”

“Red tablecloths with white napkins.”

“Royal blue tablecloths with white napkins.”

“White tablecloths with yellow napkins.”

“Candles on mirrors for lunch centerpieces.”

“Fresh flowers for centerpieces.”

The changes continued even after the event started.

The Convention Center, with its classic European décor had a small lobby area with a few potted trees and plants on column stands. The rest extended down a hallway with two large areas on each side that could be divided into smaller rooms via partitions that extend from the walls as needed. The space could be up to eight small rooms, four on each side, or any combination from one to four rooms per side of the hallway.

The hallway was wide with several half-circle console tables including marble tops holding large dried floral arrangements and a few elegant chairs. The walls displayed large paintings of the Italian countryside and vineyards with carved gold gilt frames.

I was in a partitioned room overseeing the set up of the lunch buffet. The Italian Renaissance architecture was accentuated with interior details and décor that created a European elegance, all lit with the warm glow of a massive amber glass chandelier.

The room was a rectangle with the entrance from the hallway to one end and the door to the catering staging area at the opposite end. The buffet table was along the wall next to the staging door so wait staff could easy restock food items. The six-person round tables covered in rich golden linens were scattered strategically throughout the room to allow easy traffic flow. The thick carpet felt plush and cloud-like under foot.

I was surveying the buffet table with a critical eye. The five foot long ice sculpture of a swordfish occupied the center of the table and looked as though it was caught in mid leap, frolicking in a wave and ready to dive back into an unseen ocean. My stomach growled as the succulent smells of seafood teased my nose. The attendees would be returning to this room for their lunch and keynote speaker shortly.

"Brad, where are the crab leg metal crackers and little forks? Can you grab a few dozen and bring them right away?" Brad, slim and serious, had joined the team only two months ago and was picking up extra hours at every opportunity. He had asked to work this event as soon as I blocked out the time on the schedule. This would give him a good paycheck. He was lanky and took off with an easy loping stride to the staging area through the back door.

The door to the staging area had barely closed when I felt a hand grab hold of my derriere with an iron hard grip.

"This is more like it honey. I haven't had any fun today."

I whirled around and stumbled back. "Don’t touch the staff. That includes me Pastor Tom." I practically shouted. Pastor Tom Drake was well known around town, and getting national attention lately with his mega church. He was included in the luncheon due to his influence, but he was just Pastor Tom since he was a local guy who started his church and radio ministry from his garage.

I had contended with bad behavior before, but never this grabby. I think I was going to have a bruise left from his vicious hand.

"You’re not being very fri…friendly." I noticed his eyes were droopy and then I caught a whiff of the scotch he must have gotten at the Gilded Hornet pub next to the convention center building.

I decided to alert security we needed a person to monitor the rest of the event and turned to go. His iron hand grabbed hold of my arm and yanked me to him. Without a thought I took my knee to his groin and enjoyed watching his mouth form an "O" as his breath whooshed out. I broke free and backed away. I wasn’t turning my back on him again.

"I will see you fired for that you bitch." He whispered with a jagged voice.

He couldn’t do that, at least I was pretty sure he couldn’t. I guess I’d find out. I rubbed my still smarting arm where he grabbed it. Brad would be back or the event participants would start to wander in so he couldn’t do much more, but I didn’t want to stay and find out. I backed out the door to the hallway toward the lobby and took my cell phone from my pants pocket.

"Hey Ron, we have a person under the influence at the luncheon in Convention Center. Can you spare someone for the afternoon?"

"I’ll make sure somebody’s there immediately Julienne. How bad is this guy?"

"Well, I’ll probably have a black-and-blue handprint on my arm and …my backside." I took a deep breath.

"Son of a … I’ll be right there. You stay away from him." Like I would go near that Neanderthal again, pastor or not.

The other participants were starting to exit the smaller break out session rooms and meander to the banquet room and bathrooms. The noise level began to creep upward from multiple conversations competing to be heard.

There was a loud crash of metal from the banquet room and a participant jerked open the door and froze in place. "Oh sh…" The participant’s mouth gaped and his eyes were large circles.

I ran over to the open door and saw Pastor Tom impaled through the chest with the sharp end of the Swordfish ice sculpture, from his back right through to the front. His head was forward against his chest. Blood, running down the swordfish tip that jutted from his chest, dripping to the carpet. Drip, drip, drip in a macabre but surreal scene.

***

Excerpt from Iced by Avery Daniels. Copyright © 2017 by Avery Daniels. Reproduced with permission from Avery Daniels. All rights reserved.


Author Bio:

Avery Daniels

Avery Daniels was born and raised in Colorado, graduated from college with a degree in business administration and has worked in fortune 500 companies and Department of Defense her entire life. Her most eventful job was apartment management for 352 units. She still resides in Colorado with two brother black cats as her spirited companions. She volunteers for a cat shelter, enjoys scrapbooking and card making, photography, and painting in watercolor and acrylic. She inherited a love for reading from her mother and grandmother and grew up talking about books at the dinner table.

Catch Up With Our Author On:
Website , Goodreads , Twitter , & Facebook !





Tour Participants:







Catch This Awesome Giveaway!

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Avery Daniels. There will be 1 winner of a $15 Amazon.com GiftCard and 5 winners of one (1) eBook copy of Iced by Avery Daniels. The giveaway begins on June 18 and runs through June 26, 2017.
a Rafflecopter giveaway




Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours

 

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Sunday/Monday Posts - June 18th and 19th (Happy Father's Day!)





The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, it is now a Facebook group.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is a meme with a new host!  It's now being hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. This is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm also linking to  Stacking The Shelves which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Friendly Fill-Ins - June 16th


This meme is hosted by Ann at McGuffy's Reader and Ellen at 15andmeowing. Each week they will post four fill-in statements.

Here are my answers to this weeks statements...

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Book Beginnings on Fridays/The Friday 56




This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

It's that simple.

Promo: Onboard For Love by Cami Checketts (Tour-Wide Giveaway)

Find Onboard for Love - Amazon Kindle (Free for Kindle Unlimited or Prime Members) - Print - Goodreads




Alicia Noir's ex-husband, Trav, has always valued his race car more than his family, just like her dad who died in his race car. When their eight-year old son pulls them into the cruise vacation of a lifetime, she has to find a way to resist Trav's charm, his well-formed chest, and especially his unending kindness. Will vacation reignite their love or is their romance destined to crash and burn for the final time?

The Billionaire Beach Romances are each stand-alone novels set in fun vacation spots. Don't miss the series:
Shadows in the Curtain
Caribbean Rescue
Cozumel Escape
Cancun Getaway
Onboard for Love




Shadows in the Curtain is FREE until June 19th for US and Canada residents. Happy reading!







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Review: Clipper Beach by Roma Brooks


Genre:
Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Roma Brooks

Release Date:
August 6, 2016

Blog Tour: Fat Girl Begone! by D.E. Haggerty (Spotlight/Tour-Wide Giveaway)



About the Book

Romantic Comedy
Self Published
Print Length: 235 pages
Publication Date: May 1, 2017
ASIN: B06XTSHJHB

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday - June 14th



This meme is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings.

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

This looks like a great brand new culinary mystery series. I got hungry just reading the title. Now I want an eclair. LOL


Blog Tour: Bearly Departed by Meg Macy (Review/Tour-Wide Giveaway)







Bearly Departed (A Teddy Bear Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Kensington (May 30, 2017)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496709639
E-Book ASIN: B01LJKQI7I