Book & Author Details:
Wicked Obsession (The Paladin League, #1) by Patti O’Shea Publication date: January 22nd 2019 | Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense Synopsis:Blue-blooded woman As an ambassador’s daughter, Langley Canfield has lived all over the world, but she’s never fit in—not abroad and not at home. She thought she found a man who loved her for who she is, but when it becomes obvious that she’s the only one with deep feelings, Langley breaks up with him and heads across the country for a friend’s wedding. Blue-collar guy Special Forces Sergeant Ryder Pienkowski knew that he’d never be able to hold on to Langley Canfield, that she was completely out of his league, but it still stuns him when she ends things between them. He’s trying to get her out of his head when her father arrives and tells Ryder there’s a death threat directed at her. Without hesitation, Ryder hops on a plane and flies out to protect Langley. She might not want him anymore, but he’s not letting anyone hurt her. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | 
AUTHOR BIO:
Nationally bestselling author Patti O'Shea has won many awards for her writing and been nominated for even more. Her books have appeared on the Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, and Borders bestseller lists and have earned starred reviews in prestigious publications such as Publishers Weekly and Booklist. At various points in her life, Patti O'Shea wanted to be a doctor, a pilot, an archeologist, an astronomer, a figure skater, a ballerina, an oceanographer, a marine biologist, and a photographer before she discovered writing at the age of fourteen. That's when she knew what she really wanted to be when she grew up. By the time she entered the University of Minnesota, she realized she'd need a practical career. She chose the School of Journalism and took classes in nearly every discipline the college offered. After graduating with a degree in Advertising Copywriting (and far more credits than she needed), she promptly went to work for Northwest Airlines—in accounting. Since then she's moved throughout the company, working in departments like Technical Records, Tech Publications, and 757 Engineering. After the merger with Delta, her job was moved to Atlanta and Patti followed it. She works in TechOps in Maintenance Programs. Born with a need to see everything, Patti has traveled to far off and exotic places like Papua New Guinea, Fanning Island, and the Yukon Territory in Canada. Along the way, she's had the opportunity to experience a lot of cool things. In Alaska, she saw a humpback whale breach near the catamaran on which she sailed; she's visited a salt mine in Austria and traveled to a lower level by sliding down a wooden rail; and she's seen a shark fin break the water in Australia right next to the small boat she was on. She's visited just about every one of King Ludwig's castles in Germany; watched the cliff divers of Acapulco; and was nearly mugged in a parking lot in Los Angeles. With her wanderlust sated, Patti finally decided to get serious about writing. She quickly discovered that her travel and her eclectic education were all training to become an author. It's helped her to know a little bit about a lot of things since she's had characters that have been computer geeks, army officers, private investigators, demons, thieves, and other assorted careers. She's even managed to incorporate pieces of some of the places she's visited into her stories. Author links: WEBSITE | GOODREADS | 
GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
0 Comments
The Marine's Return (From Kenya, with Love #6)
By Rula Sinara Contemporary Romance | Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages January 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming He can’t be her hero… But he made a promise to keep her safe Wounded marine Chad Corallis just wants to be left alone. Until he discovers his best friend’s very pregnant widow is in danger. A dedicated nurse, she refuses to leave her Serengeti medical clinic when it’s threatened by poachers. Chad is honor-bound to protect her, but who will save him from falling for his best friend’s wife? Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Harlequin│iBooks│Kobo
MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
Marine, Chad Corallis is an angry depressed man. While dedicating himself to service for his country, in Marine Special Forces, he sacrificed a limb to save others. Now, how can he be any good to anyone? His whole life has been entered on being a career Marine. He knows nothing else. The most he can hope for is an office job which would drive him crazy! He presently mopes around his parents home..useless. Chad had encouraged his best friend to join the military, as well. Chad was not able to attend his best friend's wedding. A few months after being wed, his friend was killed in a hospital bombing that should never have happened. Was he responsible for his death, also? Guilt added to his depression. His parents had kept that event from him until months after he was injured. Ironically, Chad's best friend's widow, Lexi, had applied - an received - a position Chad's mother had posted. Chad's friend never knew Lexi was pregnant. She only discovered this after his funeral. When Chad discovered Lexi was pregnant and in the desolate and dangerous ares she was in, he remembered the promise he made to His friend before the wedding. He felt forced to honor that promise. Little did he know the "force" he would be working against. This novel addresses some of the many sacrifices made by those in armed forces and their families. Additionally it address, illegal poaching, and the inner strength individuals fin within themselves. The characters feel very real and the background scenes are vividly portrayed in script. The reader will, truly, feel herself/himself connected to the characters and the African terrain. I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating. *This book was gifted me with no request for a positive review. This is my honest review. 
National and USA Today Bestselling author Rula Sinara lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she'll ever admit to. Rula's writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors. You can discover more about Rula at her blog A Writer’s Rush, on Twitter, on Facebook as RulaSinaraAuthor or on her website www.RulaSinara.com, where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
Website│Blog│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest 
Tour Schedule
January 28th: Launch underneath the covers Christy's Cozy Corners Hearts & Scribbles January 29th: Splashes of Joy Among the Reads The Power of Words Deal Sharing Aunt January 30th: Baroness Book Trove E-Romance News EmpowerMoms Becky on Books Rockin' Book Reviews January 31st: Harlie's Books Book Reviews & More by Kathy Remembrancy Locks, Hooks and Books February 1st: Thoughts of a Blonde Reading Is My SuperPower Hallie Reads Wishful Endings February 2nd: Grand Finale 
1 WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
- Autographed print copies of the first three books of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series – The Promise of Rain, After the Silence and Through the Storm. - A set of three, 15x15in canvas tote bags featuring the first 3 covers of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series. - A 12x18 Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag - A ‘Teenie Beanie Baby’ (TY trademark) elephant named ‘Peanut’ - Bookmarks Open internationally ~ Ends February 6, 2019 
 1946, Manhattan One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, Grace Healey finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station. Grace soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, leader of a network of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. Twelve of these women were sent to Occupied Europe as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home, their fates a mystery. Setting out to learn the truth behind the women in the photographs, Grace finds herself drawn to a young mother turned agent named Marie, whose daring mission overseas reveals a remarkable story of friendship, valor and betrayal. Vividly rendered and inspired by true events, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff shines a light on the incredible heroics of the brave women of the war and weaves a mesmerizing tale of courage, sisterhood and the great strength of women to survive in the hardest of circumstances.  EXCERPT #8: Behind her, the door opened with a creak. She spun back to face a white-haired butler. “Yes?” He stared at her coldly, like she was a door-to-door salesman peddling something unwanted. Too nervous to speak, she held out the card. He waved her inside. “Come.” His tone was impatient now, as though she was expected and late. He led her through a foyer, its high ceiling and chandelier giving the impression that it had once been the entranceway to a grand home. He opened a door on his right, then closed it again quickly. “Wait here,” he instructed. Marie stood awkwardly in the foyer, feeling entirely as though she did not belong. She heard footsteps on the floor above and turned to see a handsome young man with a shock of blond hair descending a curved staircase. Noticing her, he stopped. “So, you’re part of the Racket?” he asked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He smiled. “Just wandered in then?” He did not wait for an answer. “The Racket—that’s what we call all of this.” He gestured around the foyer. The butler reappeared, clearing his throat. His stern expression gave Marie the undeniable sense that they were not supposed to be speaking with one another. Without another word, the blond man disappeared around the corner into another of what seemed to be an endless number of doors. The butler led her down the hallway and opened the door to an onyx-and-white-tiled bathroom. She turned back, puzzled; she hadn’t asked for the loo. “Wait in here.” Before Marie could protest, the butler closed the door, leaving her alone. She stood awkwardly, inhaling the smell of mildew lingering beneath cleaners. Asked to wait in a toilet! She needed to leave but was not quite sure how to manage it. She perched on the edge of a claw-footed bathtub, ankles neatly crossed. Five minutes passed, then ten. At last the door opened with a click and a woman walked in. She was older than Marie by “Your accent is extraordinary,” the man said. “Nearly perfect.” How could he know that if he didn’t speak French, she wondered? “Are you working?” he asked. “Yes,” she blurted. The transition in subject was abrupt, the question too personal. She stood hurried, fumbled in her purse for coins. “I’m sorry, but I really must go.” The man reached up and when she looked back she saw he was holding a business card. “I didn’t mean to be rude. But I was wondering if you would like a job.” She took the card. Number 63 Baker Street, was all it said. No person or office named. “Ask for Eleanor Trigg.” “Why should I?” she asked, perplexed. “I have a job.” He shook his head slightly. “This is different. It’s important work and you’d be well suited—and well compensated. I’m afraid I can’t say any more.” “When should I go there?” she asked, though certain that she never would. “Now.” She’d expected an appointment. “So you’ll go?” Marie left a few coins on the table and left the café without answering, eager to be away from the man and his intrusiveness. Outside, she opened her umbrella and adjusted her burgundy print scarf to protect against the chill. She rounded the corner, then stopped, peering over her shoulder to make sure he had not followed her. She looked down at the card, simple black and white. Official. She could have told the man no, Marie realized. Even now, she could throw out the card and walk away. But she was curious; what kind of work, and for whom? Perhaps it was something more interesting than endless typing. The man had said it paid well, too, something she dearly needed. Ten minutes later, Marie found herself standing at the end of Baker Street. She paused by a red post box at the corner. The storied home of Sherlock Holmes was meant to be on Baker Street, she recalled. She had always imagined it as mysterious, shrouded in fog. But the block was like any other, drab office buildings with ground floor shops. Farther down the row there were brick townhouses which had been converted for business use. She walked to Number 63, then hesitated. Inter-Services Research Bureau, the sign by the door read. What on earth was this all about? Before she could knock the door flew open and a hand that did not seem attached to anybody pointed left. “Number One Dorset Square. Around the corner.” “Excuse me,” Marie said, holding up the card though there seemed to be no one to see it. “I was told to come here and ask for Eleanor Trigg.” The door closed. “Curiouser and curiouser,” she muttered, thinking of Tess’s favorite book, the illustrated version of Alice in Wonderland Marie read aloud to her when she visited. Around the corner there were more row houses. Number One was unmarked and less grand than the address on Baker Street she had been given. Marie knocked. There was no answer. The whole thing was starting to feel like a very odd prank. She turned, ready to go home and forget this folly. Behind her, the door opened with a creak. She spun back to face a white-haired butler. “Yes?” He stared at her coldly, like she was a door-to-door salesman peddling something unwanted. Too nervous to speak, she held out the card. He waved her inside. “Come.” His tone was impatient now, as though she was expected and late. He led her through a foyer, its high ceiling and chandelier giving the impression that it had once been the entranceway to a grand home. He opened a door on his right, then closed it again quickly. “Wait here,” he instructed. Marie stood awkwardly in the foyer, feeling entirely as though she did not belong. She heard footsteps on the floor above and turned to see a handsome young man with a shock of blond hair descending a curved staircase. Noticing her, he stopped. “So, you’re part of the Racket?” he asked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He smiled. “Just wandered in then?” He did not wait for an answer. “The Racket—that’s what we call all of this.” He gestured around the foyer. The butler reappeared, clearing his throat. His stern expression gave Marie the undeniable sense that they were not supposed to be speaking with one another. Without another word, the blond man disappeared around the corner into another of what seemed to be an endless number of doors. The butler led her down the hallway and opened the door to an onyx-and-white-tiled bathroom. She turned back, puzzled; she hadn’t asked for the loo. “Wait in here.” Before Marie could protest, the butler closed the door, leaving her alone. She stood awkwardly, inhaling the smell of mildew lingering beneath cleaners. Asked to wait in a toilet! She needed to leave but was not quite sure how to manage it. She perched on the edge of a claw-footed bathtub, ankles neatly crossed. Five minutes passed, then ten. At last the door opened with a click and a woman walked in. She was older than Marie by at least a decade, maybe two. Her face was grave. At first her dark hair appeared to be short, but closer Marie saw that it was pulled tightly in a bun at the nape of her neck. She wore no makeup or jewelry, and her starched white shirt was perfectly pressed, almost military. “I’m Eleanor Trigg, chief recruitment officer. I’m sorry for the accommodations,” she said, her voice clipped. “We are short on space.” The explanation seemed odd, given the size of the house, the number of doors Marie had seen. But then she remembered the man whom the butler seemed to chastise for speaking with her. Perhaps the people who came here weren’t meant to see one another at all.  
Book details:
A Prophecy Fulfilled (The Vaelinel Trilogy #3) by Andi O’Connor Publication date: December 9th 2018 | Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal Synopsis: Regrouping after their escape from the Light Elves, Irewen and her companions fear the worst after black smoke plumes on the horizon. Allowing compassion to rule over reason, they ignore Finnwyn’s warning and return to Lilendvelle, hoping to help some of the survivors stranded in the city’s wake. Instead, they run into a trap. Completely surrounded by an endless army of Drulaack, they fight for their lives, but their efforts aren’t enough. Irewen is captured and dragged into the heart of the Corrupter’s lair. Having his prize, the others in the company are granted their freedom, but at a great cost: the one named in the prophecy who is meant to unite the elf forces and stand against the Corrupter is lost to the world – trapped beneath the Corrupter’s talons. With the aid of his mother’s spirit, Brendell must now find a way to gather an alliance strong enough to march against the Corrupter and his army, but his time is running out. Each day that passes brings Irewen closer to death. And the world closer to destruction. Goodreads | ~ Purchase: Amazon | 
Top 10 List by Andi O’Connor
10 Reasons to Learn Ballet The thing I most love to do outside of writing, is ballet. I danced growing up, stupidly quit during those awkward college years, and then started up again as an extremely out of shape adult. It’s something that I will continue to do as long as I can crawl out of bed and put one foot in front of the other, and strongly encourage everyone to give ballet a try. Yes, even my gentlemen out there! So, here are my top 10 reasons to learn ballet. These points are in no particular order. They’re all equally great reasons to step into the ballet studio, and if even only one of these points appeals to you, give ballet a try. It’ll be worth it, I promise! 1. IMPROVED BALANCE Have you ever fallen over while trying to put on your underwear? I certainly have. During those years I wasn’t dancing, I experienced this difficulty quite often. Well, great news! Ballet can help improve your balance. Even the simplest and most basic steps in ballet require an extraordinary amount of core strength and balance, and when done regularly, it transfers over to your daily life and muscle memory. It’s amazing how during even the slightest check in balance, your ballet muscles kick in, and falling over while putting on your underwear is no longer something you need to worry about in your life. 2 .GREAT EXERCISE One of the unique things about ballet is that when you watch ballerinas perform, they make it look easy. They fly across the stage and do a gazillion turns with a huge smile plastered on their face. It’s meant to appear effortless. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t find it appealing to watch a ballerina in a gorgeous tutu look as if she was about to die from overexertion and pain. But what many people who have never danced don’t realize, is that ballet is extremely difficult and requires an enormous amount of strength, stamina, and endurance. It requires the use of muscles that many of us don’t even realize we have. Ballet works your core abs, your legs, your back, your glutes, your shoulders, and your arms. Honestly, you need to engage all of those muscles just to properly stand in first position. Attend a beginner ballet class for the first time, and the next morning, you’ll understand what I’m saying. Muscles you didn’t know you had will be screaming at you, begging you to show them some mercy. But it’s absolutely one of the best feelings in the world. I promise. 3. ACTIVE MIND Ballet is a great way to keep your mind active and sharp, especially as you get older. For those of you who aren’t familiar with a typical class, you start at the barre before going to center. The instructor gives combinations, starting with the easier steps to warm up, then going to the more difficult steps. Usually, the combinations given are different each time you go to class, which keeps it interesting, but also makes your mind work. You don’t have hours to stand there, repeatedly going over a combination until you get it right. You have about 30 seconds to get it into your brain before you need to do it. On top of the combinations, you need to remember everything your body is supposed to do: stomach in, shoulders down, squeeze your glutes, straighten your knees, turn out from your rotators, use your head, engage your shoulder blades, etc. Plus, you need remember all of the corrections the instructor gives you and apply them throughout the class and the next time you walk into the studio. 4. IMPROVED CONFIDENCE Ballet is one of the best ways to improve your confidence, both in and out of the studio. When you begin dancing, you don’t have time to worry about what others in the class think of you. It’s you, the music, the dance, and nothing else. You begin to stand taller in and out of class, and walk more of a purposeful stride. The more you take class, the better you’ll get at steps that once seemed impossible. There’s nothing like doing a perfectly controlled pirouette and hovering at the end before coming down, or finding that perfect balance that can go on for days. Achieving even the smallest milestones in ballet that you never thought possible can give you confidence outside the studio. Things in your life that you were struggling with or that you thought you’d never accomplish, suddenly don’t seem so unreachable. It’s a truly beautiful thing that we all can benefit from. 5. BOREDOM? WHAT'S THAT? The first thing to realize about ballet, is that no one is perfect. The principles that you see, despite how incredible they are, aren’t perfect. They still learn and improve, finding ways to do something slightly better than before. The result, is that it’s impossible to become bored in ballet. There truly is always something new to learn and always something to improve upon. You will never take a class where you didn’t feel challenged. 6. FREEDOM Have you ever watched dancers or ice skaters and thought how free they look? Well, take a ballet class and you’ll get to experience that exact freedom. Once you get to move across the floor, whether in waltzes or in jumps, you don’t think as much as when you’re at the barre. You just do. Allow yourself to let go and move. Picture yourself as one of the principles on stage with the all the lights and eyes on you, and savor every second. There’s no accurate way to describe how incredible it feels. You have to experience it for yourself. 7. STRUCTURE AND DISCIPLINE If you’re someone who suffers from procrastination, or you can’t seem to organize tasks properly and get so overwhelmed you don’t do any of them, then ballet is for you. One of the side-effects of learning ballet is that you also learn structure and discipline. Let’s face it, to be able to think and do everything required of you in class, it takes a great degree of discipline to make it through that hour and a half. And just like other benefits I’ve mentioned, this follows you outside the studio. You learn to organize more efficiently and make better use of your time. You also begin to focus more while working on your tasks, helping you get them done quicker and leaving you more time to head back to the ballet studio. Or do something else…you know…if it’s 9pm and your studio is closed for the day. 8. FAMILY The ballet community quickly becomes like a second family. Even as an adult, there are camps and workshops (check out sunkingdance.com for example) that you can go to outside of your regular classes. I’ve taken workshops and classes at Sun King, the Pennsylvania Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, and others, and I’ve made long-lasting and supportive friendships with people from around the world. My ballet buddies are always the first to buy my books and offer support and encouragement when I need it most. They’re like a psychic bubble that instinctively crowd around me and help lift me up when I need it most. Even if you don’t have the ability to travel to different places for classes and workshops, the people you’ll meet in your regular classes will become some of the best friends you’ll ever have. With all the places I’ve traveled and taken class, and all the hundreds of people I’ve met, I’ve never encountered anyone in the adult ballet world who wasn’t genuinely supportive and drawn together by the shared love of dance. 9. ESCAPISM Do you ever have days where you just want to be someone else, even for just a couple of hours? I certainly do. Well, give ballet a try! Once you’ve taken for a little while, many teachers will let you begin learning variations from some of your favorite ballets, and let me tell you, that is one of the most incredible feelings in the world. Learning about the character, and stepping into his or her shoes is a great form of escapism, and it’s so refreshing. For that time in the studio, you’re no longer you. You’re Paquita, or Esmerelda, or Don Quixote, or Kitri, or Apollo, or any other of the amazing roles from the many great Classical Ballets. You immerse yourself into that character’s world, becoming him or her, and letting them come out through your style of movement and expressions. 10. MENTAL HEALTH AND HAPPINESS Every single class I attend, I have a blast, and I walk out of the studio feeling more uplifted and happier than I was before I went in. There have been many days when I’ve suffered with depression and didn’t want to crawl out of bed, much less get dressed and drive my ass to the ballet studio. But I’ve forced myself to go to class, and I have always come out feeling like a completely different person. Even just stepping foot inside the ballet studio makes me feel calm and uplifted. I can’t be upset or angry in class. I can’t allow my depression or anxiety to control me. I instantly become focused on the technique and being the best that I can be, and I forget anything that was bothering or hindering me. When class is done, I’m always refreshed, both mentally and physically. Ballet is truly the best thing I’ve ever done for my mental health, and I encourage you to give it a try. 
AUTHOR BIO:
Andi O'Connor is the award-winning author of The Dragonath Chronicles, The Vaelinel Trilogy, and The Legacy of Ilvania. The Speaker is the 2018 Independent Press Award Winner for Fantasy and a Finalist in the 11th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards. Andi's novel, Awakening, is a 2018 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite for Fantasy. Her critically acclaimed novel, Silevethiel, is the 2015 Best Indie Book Award winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy and the 2015 New Apple Official Selection for Young Adult. Silevethiel was also named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2013. You can frequently find Andi as an exhibitor and guest panelist at Comic Cons throughout the country including the Rhode Island Comic Con, Awesome Con, Philcon, Conclave, and Chessiecon. For more information, visit Andi's website at www.andioconnor.net AUTHOR LINKS:: Twitter | Website | Facebook | Goodreads | 
Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
Winner Takes All by Laurie Winter
Storm Thompson wants to be anywhere but Liberty Ridge. Especially since his hometown also contains his childhood nemesis, Colleen Gardner. With a young daughter and mentally ill mother to care for, he struggles to simply make ends meet. Every day, his goal of owning an organic farm slips further out of reach. Psychiatrist Colleen Gardner has her sights set on starting a retreat to help veterans suffering from PTSD. She’s done well but her small town fundraisers just aren’t enough. “The Great American Scavenger Hunt” TV show offers a million-dollar prize, and Colleen and Storm are selected as competitors. Both resolve to do whatever is needed to win, even using the other to get ahead. Storm and Colleen compete to fund their dreams, but their already tattered relationship becomes more strained. Only one will win the money. But will love prove the ultimate prize? 
Day 1
Storm stood on the stairs of the US Capitol Building, and the weight of his travel pack dug into his shoulders. Before sunrise, all the contestants were bussed seven miles over from their hotel in Arlington. A few other contestants started conversations, and his minimal replies made clear he wasn’t here to make friends. Colleen ignored him, which was good. Her mere presence provided enough distraction. He had a good view of her down at the other end of the line. How could she stand upright underneath the weight of her pack? The thing looked as heavy as her. He’d bought his at the secondhand shop in Liberty Ridge. Colleen probably shopped at a high-end outdoor store that carried the latest gizmos and gadgets. Her pack and its contents might cost the equivalent of a small country’s GDP. When he’d seen her yesterday at lunch, he almost didn’t recognize her. Her short hair looked amazingly sexy. This morning, she wore a tousled look, like she’d just rolled out of bed, which she likely had being that the clock just struck seven-thirty am. The host of the show, Burt Blackstone, walked before the assembled group. He stood medium height, with a trim build, and a head of closely cropped, salt-and-pepper hair. Today, Burt wore khaki shorts and an orange button-up top. “I want to wish every one of you good luck. We’ll start filming shortly. I’ll go over the rules once more, mostly for the audience’s sake. Then, I’ll give the signal, and you’ll be off.” A low murmur drifted over the group. Storm shifted the weight of his travel pack and mentally walked through his plan. He held a red envelope, which was identical to the ones given to the other contestants. Let’s rock and roll. 
“The journey they take physically and emotionally is one that sucked me and wouldn’t let go until the book was done. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book!” Goodreads review
Author Laurie Winter
Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love. Fans of Brenda Novak and Debbie Macomber will likely enjoy Laurie Winter’s books as well. She keeps her life balanced with regular yoga practice and running. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she’s enjoying time with her family, who are scattered between Wisconsin and Michigan. Laurie has three kids and one fantastic husband, all who inspire her to chase her dreams. Website | Amazon Page | Facebook |Instagram | 
Giveaway Details
$25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 2/11/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 
Book Details:
Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy by Martin D. Kelly Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 410 pages | Genre: Memoir Publisher: Strategic Media Books | Release date: August 2018 Tour dates: Jan 14 to 25, 2019 Content Rating: PG-13 (One sex scene but humorous rather than explicit; some 4-letter words) Book Description: Not until Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy does a memoir exist by one of the principal Watergate saboteurs-provocateurs that exposes the full extent of the insalubrious side of politics and negative campaigning. And that is not all: After Watergate, Kelly became a corporate security consultant that provided undercover agents for client companies to spy on their employees. Kelly also specialized in eavesdropping detection, which took him around the world searching for clandestine listening devices for clients such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Ferdinand Marcos, the Miami Dolphins, Eastern Airlines and even suspected drug dealers. He secretly provided debugging training for entities such as IBM, Revlon, the U.S. Navy and dozens of others. During President Nixon's second term when the Watergate scandal erupted, Kelly teamed with Donald Segretti in a wild series of underhanded capers that created havoc in the Democratic presidential primaries. Kelly and Segretti turned a fundraising dinner for front-runner Senator Ed Muskie at the Washington Hilton into absolute chaos; hired a University of Miami coed to strip naked and parade before Muskie's hotel; released two mice and a bird that threw a Muskie press conference into total confusion; organized fake luncheons, fake press releases, and other unscrupulous acts. The aim of the Nixon White House and Committee to Reelect the President was for the dirty tricksters to sow discontent among the Democratic primary candidates so they would blame each other for the dirty tricks, making it more difficult for them to unite in the general election against Nixon. The author was one of only three witnesses who testified specifically about dirty tricks before the Senate Watergate Committee. Initial chapters reveal how dirty tricks were covertly planned and executed, how Kelly dealt with special prosecutors, investigators, Karl Rove, Watergate Judge John Sirica, the FBI, an inebriated Senator Ted Kennedy, the seven U.S. Senators on the Senate Watergate Committee, Bernstein and Woodward, Lesley Stahl and others in the media. Mid chapters expose inside secrets on successful tactics for public-office seekers or those climbing the rough-and-tumble steps of internal party politics. In final chapters, Kelly unveils the widespread corporate spying that is going on in America to this day, with amazing examples from his security consulting career as a covert industrial undercover agent and secret mystery shopper who spied on all levels of employees. Kelly also fully discloses his role as a polygraph examiner and interrogator with hilarious anecdotes as well as how polygraph can be beaten. Even more controversial examples are revealed from Kelly's specialized international work as a detector of clandestine listening devices, complete with the tools and tricks of the trade. With an intriguing yet amusing style, Kelly names names and holds back nothing in Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy.
MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
This memoir is totally interesting and somewhat enlightening. In his own words, Martin Kelly relates how he became in involved in the Watergate Conspiracy, what he did, his entire hearing, why he did not go to jail, and the negative impact it had on the rest of his life. It, also, tells of how he tried to learn from this major mistake and make something worthwhile of his remaining years. He explains much about Watergate I was unclear on, and I have always been quite involved in politics. It is amazing of how "dirty" politics has always been a part of political power, not excluding the U.S.A.I I question, how many individuals in today's society really know what Watergate was all about. I am further amazed that what President Trump has been forced to endure, is worse than Nixon ever thought of doing, yet nobody is held accountable! In the past, once a candidate won, the other party accepted it and worked at supporting the administration. There was still integrity, which is greatly missing in most of today's Politicians. Martin Kelly humbly admits he deserved everything he got sand more, and is very regrettable he allowed himself to be persuaded into setting aside his values to be a part of this despicable plot. The main problem I had with this book is there was quite a bit of repetition. (Plus, personally, I disliked the crude sexual comments and profanity, The Book Title was chosen well and the Cover image depicted the two sides of all, very well. It would be eye-catching to "the browser:> I offer a Four Stars rating for this book. *This was gifted me with no stipulation of a positive review. This is my honest review.
Guest Post by Martin D. Kelly, author of Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy The first commitment one must make in writing a memoir is being honest. There's a huge incentive to make yourself the hero of every anecdote and to minimize damaging your self- image. However, I vowed to take the "brutal honesty" route for two reasons: Readers realize -- and even empathize -- with the notion that to err is human, and the accuracy of events recounted throughout the entire book will more likely be trusted. For example, you'll be shaking your head in disgust at the end of Chapter Three. I'd traveled from Miami to Palm Beach to address a Republican Club about a candidate I was supporting at an upcoming convention. With some time on my hands before that meeting, I visited a swank Palm Beach resort and by accident met Senator Ted Kennedy. We swapped stories amid downing a few cocktails. After arriving at the club meeting, I imbibed yet more alcoholic beverages. The depiction of my unsavory drive home that evening involved a rather pathetic array of experiences, but to leave them out of the chapter would not have framed the ordeal honestly. Another such example involved my acquiescing to a vengeance-seeking young wife. She'd just learned that her husband had broken their wedding vow of faithfulness, and it was payback time. Unfortunately -- and perhaps fortunately for the hubby -- my performance with her was anything but stellar. In fact, it turned out to be so embarrassingly pathetic that I promise you'll be gasping with laughter. As I say in the book about that incident, I like to think I saved a marriage that night. And so, gentle reader, I decided to expose the thorns as well as the roses in Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy. 
About the Author:
Martin D. "Doug" Kelly is a successful author and freelance writer who resides in Clearwater, Florida. A rising Republican activist in college, his role in Watergate dashed any political ambitions. He thereafter engaged in a security-consulting career that included spying on the workforces of corporate America, during which time he also become renowned internationally as a locator of clandestine listening devices. When not fishing and playing golf, Kelly contributes travel- and outdoors-related articles for a variety of publications and co-hosts a weekly syndicated radio talk show. Connect with Martin: Twitter
Giveaway:
Prizes: Win one of 3 books (Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy by Martin D. Kelly) or a $50 Amazon Gift Card (open to USA and Canada / 4 winner total) (ends Feb 2, 2019) 
The House of Stone and Ivy by Anita Stansfield280 pages | Published January 1st 2019 by Covenant Communication
SYNOPSIS: Orphaned as children, Hennie and Lottie share an unbreakable friendship. Together, they suffered the horrors of orphanages and the workhouse, and now grown, they continue to rely on each another. When Lottie approaches Hennie about a possible position at a manor house, Hennie is eager to work alongside her dear friend. However, to secure the positions as stable hands, they will have to undergo a bold act of deception: the women must disguise themselves as men. Upon arriving at the manor, Hennie is stunned. Her new position is at Ivy Manor—the beautiful estate where her mother was employed long ago and where Hennie was raised until her mother’s death. Hennie has wonderful memories of her friendship with the son of the house, Jack, and is shocked and dismayed to learn he has vanished. Living in disguise at the manor allows her to gradually uncover the truth of Jack’s disappearance and eventually find him. Both Hennie and Jack are thrilled to be reunited, and their friendship is renewed. Soon, their relationship blossoms . . . and threatens their determination to remain concealed. With so much at stake, will they be prepared to risk everything for love
My Review: (LAWonder10) The House of Stone & Ivy is a fantastic "Rags to Riches" tale and slightly an unusual deviation from Anita Stansfield's usual style. This is about Hennie, who was raised for the first eleven years of her life in a large estate, where she was loved by most all and enjoyed friendship with the siblings whose father owned the estate. Their mother had died shortly before Hennie's mother, also, died. Hennie was an orphan but a couple of the servants wanted to take responsibility of her and teach her service skills. The Lord of the manor refused and Hennie was sent to live in one of the better but despicable orphanages. While in the orphanage, she made an everlasting friend in Lottie. They were the salvation of each other. After the two girls left the orphanage for the workhouse, life became even harder. One day an elderly woman took compassion on them and arranged for the girls to receive employment in a hotel restaurant. Lottie refused to go with Hennie, because she was sure her new boyfriend was coming back for her, although Hennies tried to convince her otherwise. Hennie worked in loathsome living quarters, with a brutish boss, but it was better than she had experienced for the pat several years. Five years after she began her new job, she was pleasantly surprised when Lottie came to eat at the place she worked. Hennie was then offered a job where she would have a much better living situation, earn a decent wage, and even have a day off each week. The only problem, she would have to go against her principles of appearing as a man, and cut her long blond curls. After much contemplation, she decided it would be worth it, nor could she bear the thought of not being with her dear, and only, friend. Little did she realize what an impact on her life it would be. The diverse characters are very well describes, as are the scenes, enabling the reader to feel he/she is a part of the story. The Book Cover and Title are both colorful and very fitting. The novel is one the reader will not want to put down! I offer a Five Stars rating. +This was gifted me with no urging for a positive review. This is my honest review. 
ABOUT the AUTHOR:
Anita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers. "With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis." "I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles. Website |
Presented by Covenant Communications Publishing
 About Kay Marie
Kaitlyn Davis, a bestselling author with over a quarter of a million books sold, writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie. Publishers Weekly has said, "Davis writes with confidence and poise," while USA Today has recommended her work as "must-read romance." Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found playing fetch with her puppy, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com Sign up for Kaitlyn's newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of her new releases, to receive exclusive subscriber bonus content, and more! bit.ly/KaitlynDavisNewsletter Spotlight Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway for Accessible Fine Dining by Noam Kostucki {Ends 2/7/19}1/9/2019 
Book Details:
Book Title: Accessible Fine Dining - The Art of Creating Exciting Food in Your Everyday Kitchen by Noam Kostucki, with Chef Quentin Villers Category: Adult Non-fiction , 128 pages | Content Rating: G Genre: Creative Cookbook / Fine Dining | Publisher: Amazon Release date: Dec 10, 2018 | Tour dates: Jan 7 to 31, 2019 Book Description: Six months after opening my first restaurant, one of my dishes was selected as "25 dishes to travel around the world", featuring me next to culinary legend Heston Blumenthal. Exciting and healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Over the years, I have seen some of the most exciting dishes come from the simplest kitchens and the most modest ingredients. The purpose of this book is to focus our attention away from the distractions of fancy kitchen equipment and luxury produce and instead focus our attention towards ingenuity in the kitchen and culinary innovation. For some strange reason, cooking is taught in books as a series of mechanical steps to follow and repeat with precision. I see cooking as a creative art like painting or playing music: it is the freedom of expression that is most interesting to me. When we create from an artistic perspective, we give birth to something new and potentially magical. The purpose of this book is not to teach you specific recipes, because the ingredients you will find in your local organic food market will likely not be the same as the ones we see here. Nor is the purpose to show you how to imitate us.The purpose of this book is to guide you into thinking about your dishes in a way that elevates them to a fine dining level, from ingredients which are easily accessible to you. Naturally, you will find a few recipes, but most importantly you will find a new way to look at food. We will share how we think about food shopping, searching for unusual ingredients, the combinations of flavors, techniques, textures, nutritional value, and of course, plating. The purpose of this book is to guide you to become a more exciting, creative and adventurous version of yourself in the kitchen. What separates a craft from an art form is the story behind it; cooking is a craft, while fine dining is an art form. If you want to create fine dining dishes, start to focus your attention on the different stories a dish can tell. Some stories can be told through your cooking, and others are told through words. Taking the time to present your dishes before people eat is crucial to creating anticipation for the food they will eat. 
PRESERVING INGREDIENTS (an excerpt from Accessible Fine Dining by Noam Kostucki) While cooking for myself, I was always aware of food waste. To reduce the amount of food thrown away, I’m always looking for ways to transform “crap into gold”. One day, I ended up with a massive watermelon. Cutting it, I was horrified to throw away so much of the peel, and I looked up different ways of using it. After several attempts, I created a beer-pickled watermelon peel. The result is magical. Other chefs who try it in my dishes are blown away because they can’t ever guess what it is. Using the so called waste makes it outside of their frame of reference. In the above dish, the mahi-mahi was rolled in roasted papaya seeds. I grated avocado seeds and roasted them lightly until crunchy. I use them as flakes on top of salads and sauces. When eating at HiR Fine Dining, guests don’t mention as often the lobsters, scallops, shrimp and other delicacies, as they are in awe with pickled watermelon peels, dried papaya seeds, and roasted avocado seeds. I used to hate the idea of having food in jars or cans. Thanks to learning about Magnus Nilsson, from the restaurant Favikan, I changed my perspective. Some things don’t last and aren’t available all year long. When using natural and local produce, you can’t always have everything you want when you want it. Now I understand there is an art to preserving food in a way that enhances it so that you can continue using these amazing produce even when they’re no longer available. Bananas are everywhere in Costa Rica, and they tend to all come at the same time. So suddenly, we have more bananas than we can eat. However, they don’t last long enough to keep them until the next batch of bananas are ready. One of the things we’ve made with bananas that are too ripe to eat is to turn them into a banana ice cream with chocolate swirls and roasted pecans. We first cooked this for ourselves because we had too many bananas, and shared it with friends because we loved it so much. We ran out before we knew it, and made more. We eventually offered it to guests as a small extra taster, and they loved it, so it became a desert. Freezing mixtures rolled in breadcrumbs can make it easy to store, and convenient to cook as you can throw them in the deep fry from frozen. Food can be pickled. It can be fermented like with Korean kimchi. You can keep ingredients by drying them. Learning to preserve food in a way that enhances it will expand your pantry with exciting components that you have made yourself. 
About the Authors:
Noam Kostucki MY NAME IS NOAM KOSTUCKI AND I CREATE SPACES FOR MAGIC TO HAPPEN. I was an awkward child, so I changed school 5 times. I spent most of my life trying to please others, and be the kind of person I believed everyone else wanted me to be. I wasn't happy and I struggled to get what I want. Everything changed when I started changing. I spent the last 12 years creating the life I dream of. I've had the privilege to be homeless twice, and to speak at Harvard about entrepreneurship. I have grown to be myself more fearlessly than ever before. I am now surrounded by people I love, and who love me. I traveled over 40 countries, and I've helped over 25,000 people create magic. For example Patryk Wezowski who raised $500,000 in 8 weeks and Esther Perel who gave the 30th most viewed TED talk. Some less public successes include a blind eyed student who experienced his blind eye for the first time and a journalist who left an abusive relationship. As a university drop out, I was surprised when my first book (personal branding) became required reading at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, as well as receiving the UK Business Speaker of the Year runner up award, and a honorary degree in Business from Hofstra University. As an artist, I was honored to exhibit my photography at the European Union's Innovation Conference. My most recent venture is HiR Fine Dining, a jungle culinary adventure. I create a discovery menu of 7 plates per person for groups of up to 12 people. HiR Fine Dining became #1 fine dining on TripAdvisor in Tamarindo within the first month. Within 6 months one of my plates was selected out of 40,000 restaurants by OpenTable as one of "25 dishes to travel around the world for". I was invited to speak at Chateau 1525, Costa Rica's most reputable cooking school and our guest chefs include a blind chef who traveled all the way the United Kingdom. 
Quentin Villers
Quentin has been cooking in restaurant since the age of 18. He helped his brother build a restaurant for which they received a Michelin Star. Quentin moved to Costa Rica to consult for hotels and restaurants. He managed 3 of the 4 restaurants at Hotel Nayara in La Fortuna, for which he lead a team of over 20 people to be selected to enter Relais & Chateaux, a prestigious network of unique luxury hotels with exquisite cuisine. Quentin is a regular guest chef at HiR Fine Dining and consults for a number of fine dining restaurants in Costa Rica. Connect with the Authors: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Here is the tour schedule
Giveaway:
Grand Prize: Win a 4-seat dinner at HiR Fine Dining in Costa Rica (value $580) or win a paperback or ebook copy of Accessible Fine Dining (20 Kindle copies and 10 paperbacks) open int’l to wherever Amazon delivers (ends Feb 7, 2019) 
An Alaskan Proposal (Northern Lights #4)
By Beth Carpenter Contemporary Romance | January 1st 2010 by Harlequin Heartwarming Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages Can he teach her survival skills-- without endangering his heart? When Sabrina Bell taps Leith Jordan for a crash course in conquering the great Alaskan outdoors, he figures he’s on safe ground. They’re polar opposites and his spectacular home state’s just a pit stop for the hotshot fashionista. So no one’s more surprised than Leith when he starts falling for her. Now he’s a man with a plan: get Sabrina to fall in love with Alaska…and, hopefully, with him. Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Harlequin│Kobo│iBooks 
MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10)
An Alaskan Proposal is a touching "feelgood" tale of misconceptions upon first meeting an individual or due to his/her social position. Through scholarships and hard work, Sabrina had achieved success at a young age, but it was taken from her when the company she worked for "went under". She obtained a new job and the possibility of leadership in this new company, if she passed this temporary Alaskan assignment. This was a "new world" for her By exhibiting a confidence she didn't feel, and "stretching the truth", she just had to prove she could do it better than anyone else. Leith had been through a disastrous relationship and was determined to avoid all "city girls" from now on. He was called to train a group from a local market on wilderness safety. He could not help but notice the new, attractive employee from a large city. She would never last in this type of country. This is a poignant. sometimes humorous story of a struggling young woman, determined to, once again, obtain her "dream job" and discovering her true self. It is also about a young man who appreciates nature and importance of relationships. These are two people from very different "walks of life", trying to fulfill their dreams ad still maintain values and integrity. The characters are so personable, they feel real: They will truly "win your heart"! The dreamy Alaskan setting is perfect and described well. The Book Cover and Title are both a great fit. I offer a Five Stars rating for this incredible, well written novel. *This book was gifted to me with no request for a positive review this sis my honest review. 
Once upon a time ...
when Beth Carpenter was a little girl, she read everything she could get her hands on, and entertained herself on the school bus by making up stories in her head. Not a lot has changed. She's still consuming books like M&Ms, and spends her days creating happily-ever-afters for her imaginary friends. She lives in Alaska and Arizona with her husband and an aggressively affectionate fifty-pound lap dog. She loves to hear from readers. Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│ An Alaskan Proposal Pinterest Board 
Tour Schedule January 21st: Launch Baroness Book Trove It's All About the Romance Reading Is My SuperPower January 22nd: underneath the covers Book by Book Mythical Books The Power of Words January 23rd: Reading On The Edge Thoughts of a Blonde Hearts & Scribbles E-Romance News January 24th: Rockin' Book Reviews Kimber Li Heidi Reads... My Life Loves and Passion January 25th: Becky on Books Remembrancy Locks, Hooks and Books EmpowerMoms January 26th: Grand Finale 
1 winner will receive a book tote, a print copy of A GIFT HORSE by Beth Carpenter, and a $25 Amazon Gift Card
Prize open to US continental residents - If winner doesn’t have a US mailing address, the alternate prize is a $25 Amazon card and two e-books (A GIFT HORSE and THE ALASKAN CATCH). Ends January 30, 2019 
No Safe Place By Sherri Shackelford
Christian Romantic Suspense | January 1st 2019 by Love Inspired Suspense Paperback & ebook, 224 Pages He lives by the law. She’s running for her life. After forensic accountant Beth Greenwood uncovers a money-laundering scheme tying her company to the organization that murdered her mentor, she knows she needs to go into hiding. With ruthless killers in pursuit, she’s forced to rely on homeland security agent Corbin Ross’s protection—even as his investigation suggests Beth is complicit in embezzlement. Can their uneasy alliance develop into something deeper—and keep them alive? Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Harlequin│iBooks│Kobo
MY REVIEW:(LAWonder10)
Beth Greenwood discovered her suspicions of this company she was working for is well founded. Now she must do what she can to expose them, then disappear. However, just as often happens, her plans don't work out. Corbin Ross, Homeland Security Agent, is working undercover. His efforts are thwarted when his assignment tries to disappear. Neither individual feel she/he can trust the other. Are they at an impasse? Will one or both get killed before they can ""move on"? This is an action packed, suspenseful, romance novel you will not want to miss! Each chapter leaves the reader anxious to discover, "What happens next?" It is somewhat predictable but keeps the reader unsure and has enough "twists" he/she will not lose interest. The characters seemed very real, and the scenes were well described so the reader felt he/she was a part of them. The Book Title was a great "Fit", and the Cover image was okay but not an impressive "eye-catcher. It still earns a Four and a Half Stars rating. *This book was gifted me with no request for a positive review. This is my honest review.
About the Author
A former naval reservist with a top-secret security clearance, Sherri writes rapid-fire suspense featuring captivating characters and heart-pounding romance. She's authored more than a dozen novels for Harper Collins publishing, including both historical and contemporary suspense.
Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│BookBub│Pinterest│Instagram
Tour Schedule
January 7th: Launch The Power of Words Splashes of Joy January 8th: Hearts & Scribbles Jorie Loves A Story January 9th: Colorimetry Rockin' Book Reviews January 10th: Simply Kelina Labor Not in Vain By The Book January 11th: The Barefoot Reader Heidi Reads... January 14th: Faithfully Bookish Locks, Hooks and Books Among the Reads January 15th: Book by Book The Becca Files January 16th: EmpowerMoms Wishful Endings Author Loraine D. Nunley January 17th: Tell Tale Book Reviews Harlie's Books Two Girls and a Book January 18th: Min Reads and Reviews Remembrancy January 19th: Grand Finale 
1 winner will win "A Little Bit More Romance Box," which includes the following items in a Decorative Box (pictured):
- Romance Bubble Bath - Classic Cover Harlequin Notebook - Collectible Addition Book of Romance Poems - Romance Bath Bomb - Scented Candle - Fuzzy Socks - Books: No Safe Place and His Substitute Mail-Order Bride by Sherri Shackelford, and Undercover Memories by Lenora Worth US only Ends January 23, 2019 
 On tour with Prism Book Tours We're launching the Book Tour for Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman The BONESEEKER CHRONICLES is a four book series, following the life, love and misadventures of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson’s children. Without further ado….  Boneseeker (The Boneseeker Chronicles #1) by Brynn Chapman Romantic Suspense Paperback & ebook, 213 pages January 10th 2018 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc Aspiring scientist Arabella Holmes doesn't fit the role of a 1900s lady. Her father, Sherlock, landed her a position at the Mütter Museum to pursue her dream of becoming a purveyor of abnormal science, or what her father calls a "Boneseeker." Henry Watson’s two-fold mission at the Mütter Museum is to join their team of forensic anthropologists in unearthing unusual antiquities and to watch over Arabella. If only he could get her to speak to him, instead of hurling knives in his general direction. Assigned to a most secret expedition to investigate a mysterious skeletal hand discovered in upstate New York, Arabella and Henry are soon caught in a scientific debate, and the search for the truth may have deadly consequences for those involved. Are the bones from a Neanderthal? Or are they living proof of fallen angels known as Nephilim? Watson and Holmes must put aside their differences, trust their instincts, and rely on one another to survive to uncover the truth. *This is a new version of a previously published edition Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Wild Rose Press MY REVIEW: (LAWonder10) This is an eerie, compelling tale about two children raised together, almost as brother and sister. They are the fictitious daughter of Sherlock Holes and Henry, the son of Dr. John Watson. They were raised close together. Bella spent much of her time in the Watson home. Perhaps that is the only true happiness she ever witnessed as a child. Although Holmes was very good to her, and she felt his love, no affection nor kind word were given her. As Bella became an adult, he used his wealth and influence to get her a job in a museum where only men were hired. Bella was constantly on her guard to prove herself. Henry, also worked at the same museum.His employment was two-old: to delve into a different type of medicine than his father and to get Bella to stop "shooting daggers" and look at him more than a friend. Although Bella relates to bones more than living humans, she is tor concerning her feelings about Henry. Bella fears she is being perused by different individuals. Is it her imagination or is it real? This is multiple genre novel. It is historical fiction, suspense thriller and romance conglomeration. The characters are diverse, intriguing and the reader will feel involved in their lives. The book Title and Cover are equally intriguing and a good "fit". There were a few times I felt unclear for awhile who was doing the talking/ Other than that. it was a very captivating tale. I offer a Four Stars rating. *This was gifted me with no urging for a positive review. This is my honest review.  Praise for BONESEEKER: Winner of the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest "Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!" ~Grace Burrowes, NY Times Best Selling Author "The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored." ~Best Books Ever Blog "The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!" ~Christy's Cozy Corners Blog  She Blinded Me with Science This is a hashtag I often use when discussing BONESEEKER. I am an ardent student of science. I have dissected cadavers, dug through troughs of arms and legs at University, to ensure your specimen was not missing any muscles so as to miss them on the practical exam. I have witnessed a craniotomy (post mortem), plastic surgeries, among others. I have toured asylums, and have an ongoing obsession with historical medicine, when did what occur, and how? I have an anthropology minor—mostly in Papua New Guinea #veryuseful. Well, it wasn’t…till I started penning this series. It was then my own bone obsession took off. I have a small library of forensic anthropology books…i.e. the science of talking bones. Who knew bones could communicate so very much after death. Well, they can. I am a multi sensory writer—so here are some links to my Pinterest page for Boneseeker…and while you’re there, check out HERE WALK THE DEAD—book 2, which will be set in an asylum. Pinterest |  Here Walk the Dead (The Boneseeker Chronicles #2) By Brynn Chapman Historical Romantic Suspense, Gothic | Paperback & ebook, 250 Pages January 14th 2019 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc Synopsis: Arabella Holmes—yes, daughter of that Holmes—wants to return to her job as a purveyor of abnormal science. She has temporarily been demoted to a botanist, until her love interest, Henry Watson—yes, that Watson—can help her get her less-than-professional outbursts in check. Henry is tired of his new role as doctor, tired of the lack of adventure, and tired of keeping Bella's escapades out of the papers. Five girls are missing. Gone from locked rooms in their own houses. Arabella and Henry are called upon to help solve the kidnappings, but all they unearth is more danger. Bella ventures undercover into a lunatic asylum, where a mute woman assaults her and scrawls the chilling words—Here the dead wake. Plus, a vial of Bella's research poison has gone missing. Bella and Henry must find it, and the missing girls, before charges can be brought against her.  MY REVIEW: Book two of the Booneseeker is even better than the first book! As Bella continues to magnify the new position she is assigned, she also continues in her "undercover" side job for the Inspector. This leads her to adventures which could lead her to her demise or, even worse, into the arms of the despicable villain she fled from, then imprisoned. Henry and Oliver both pursue her. Will her deception lose the one who holds her heart? Henry struggles with his ideals, working two jobs in order to be by Bella. Can he continue to make these sacrifices or will it destroy their relationship? The added characters are jut as diverse and interesting as those in the previous novel. The scenes are vivid and the reader wil surely feel he/she is there experiencing the events. The tale ends solidly, leaving the reader eager for more. This earns a Four and a Half Stars rating. The eBook was gifted me with no stipulation for a positive review. This is my honest review.  "Dark twists and turns abound in this fast-paced and riveting gothic thriller. I consumed it in one sitting!" ~USA TODAY BESTSELLER, Lea Nola OTHER BOOKS BY AUTHOR:
Tour Schedule January 14th: Launch Mythical Books Oh Hey! Books. Lukten av trykksverte January 15th: Adventures Thru Wonderland Kimber Li Wishful Endings January 16th: My Life, Loves and Passion SilverWoodSketches January 17th: Reading On The Edge Declarations of a Fangirl Hearts & Scribbles Baroness Book Trove January 18th: Rockin' Book Reviews Locks, Hooks and Books Colorimetry Christy's Cozy Corners January 19th: Grand Finale  Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love--not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger's syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society's downtrodden. In fiction, she's a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. Her ancestry tree claims she's a descendant of the House of Stuart. Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest  GIVEAWAY - GRAND PRIZE: One winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card and a Print Copy of BONESEEKER - Two winners will receive an Audiobook of BONESEEKER - One winner will receive a Print Copy of BONESEEKER - Open internationally - Ends January 23, 2019   Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis by Patti Callahan Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 2, 2018) :416 pages
In a most improbable friendship, she found love. In a world where women were silenced, she found her voice. From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called “my whole world.” When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy. In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us. Joy lived at a time when women weren’t meant to have a voice—and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn’t know they had. At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all. MY REVIEW: Joy Davidman had "found God" but as a new "believer", she wasn't sure whose interpretation to follow. C.S. Lewis, had stated in an article she read, that he was a recent "believer", also. She boldly sent a correspondence to him, which he, surprisingly, responded to. Thus, the beginning of a new friendship. Joy was married with two children. Her marriage was tumultuous, and her husband repeatedly cheated on her. She felt, with her new found "faith" that divorce was wrong, yet how could God really want her to be so miserable? She needed answers from someone better versed in scriptural understanding to answer her concerns. Both she and her husband were writers, but his wasn't selling and hers were "hit and miss". After a severe illness, and upon her doctor's recommendation, she went to England to recuperate. She was certain this would be the only opportunity she would ever experience any type of vacation away from home. Her adventure began... This novel, based on factual events, was written in parts. Most characters were portrayed well. The scenes were quite vividly described. The Book Title and Cover were "fitting". The story-line was very interesting, but there were no clear notes on what part was fiction. The "flow" of the story , at times, felt interrupted and sometimes I was unsure who was doing the dialogue. ^^READER BEWARE: There are several intimately sexual references, although no explicit sex. There are also occasional profane terminology. I offer a Four Stars rating for literary content*This book was gifted me with no urging for a positive review. This is my honest review.  About the Author
Patti Callahan (who also writes as Patti Callahan Henry) is a New York Times bestselling author. Patti was a finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction, has been an Indie Next Pick, twice an OKRA pick, and a multiple nominee for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Novel of the Year. Her work has also been included in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and blogs. Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full time. The mother of three children, she lives in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina, with her husband. Visit her online at: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter |  A Thousand Eyes by Junior Burke Published: May 25, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-78535-715-2 "... with the smell and smoke and taste still harsh in his nostrils, eyes and throat, he needed to warn others, not just his own kind but all other non-humans. Death was in the air." When Todd Wendt, recovering from the tragic death of his wife, is sent to oversee operations at a regional cement plant in Colorado, news reaches him of a series of vicious animal attacks. Over time, it becomes clear that the attacks taking place in this small mountain town are far from random: Todd, and his company are being targeted... My Review: A Thousand Eyes' is a tale from both the human and animal viewpoints -some in accordance and some at discord. The wild is taking this new threat "into their own Paws"! An elderly Native American mediator has tried to reason with them. Innocent people are dying. He wants no part of it. Before leaving the area, he leaves a short note for the one person he feels might be able to help. This is a graphically violent story of human's, sometimes, negative affect on the animal kingdom. Although this reviewer agrees with much of the author's intent, I feel it was too graphic - both, in violence and in sexual situations. There is also, quite a lot of profanity. The author offers a strong message to those who would endanger the environment. the characters are interesting and scenes are vividly portrayed. I offer a Three and a half Stars for literary content, beyond my personal preferences.  Junior Burke
Junior Burke is a novelist, dramatist and songwriter. In 2004, he founded the ezine not enough night www.notenoughnight.org which for a decade published work by some of the most compelling writers of today. His novel Something Gorgeous appeared in 2005. This work of speculative fiction explored the historical background of the era that spawned The Great Gatsby and was lauded for its invention by the UK's Historical Novels Review. From 2005 to 2010, Burke served as Chair of Naropa University's Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics and was a literary source for such publications as Le Monde and The London Observer when they presented features on the 50th anniversary of Kerouac’s On the Road. Burke was one of the chief organizers of the first-of-its-kind Poetic Film Symposium held in Boulder in June, 2011, a collaboration between Naropa University and the University of Colorado. His account of the event, "Notice What You Notice" appeared in Bomb Magazine. In 2013, he co-authored One October Midnight, a musical theatre work, contributing book and lyrics. The musical, based on stories by Edgar Allan Poe, received its world premier at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Hamilton, New York. This year, he will release Spot of Time, a song cycle inspired by classic works by such writers as W.B. Yeats, Arthur Rimbaud and Gertrude Stein. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed
