Unlucky Charms (A Superstition Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Midnight Ink (October 8, 2016)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738745558
E-Book ASIN: B01APSYQ5G

Synopsis

Rory Chasen, manager of the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, California, hopes her new line of good-luck doggy toys will be a hit, especially the stuffed rabbits with extra-large feet. The timing of the line’s debut proves ill-fated, though, as several local shops―including Rory’s―are ransacked and vandalized with spilled salt and other unlucky charms.

The most likely culprit is disgruntled real estate agent Flora Curtival, whose issues with the town give her a motive. But when Flora is murdered and one of Rory’s toy rabbits is found with the body, Rory needs all the luck she can get while trying to determine just who killed the superstitious vandal.

Guest Post

Unlucky Charms?

by Linda O. Johnston

What do you consider to be an unlucky charm?

I should probably ask first if you are superstitious.  I’m a superstition agnostic, like Rory Chasen, the protagonist of my Superstition Mysteries.  I don’t necessarily believe that superstitions come true, but I nevertheless attempt to follow at least some of them, just in case.  I cross my fingers and knock on wood, for example.

I’m asking about unlucky charms now since my third Superstition Mystery, UNLUCKY CHARMS, was just published.  In it, Rory is the primary suspect after a real estate agent who’s been giving her a hard time is found murdered.  Of course Rory has to figure out whodunit, to save herself!

Anyway, back to the question about unlucky charms.

If you see a tails-up penny on the ground, do you pick it up in the hopes it’ll bring you good luck?  These days, the superstition is that heads-up pennies are lucky but tails-up ones are not.  However, that superstition used to have no designation like that:  “Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you’ll have good luck.”

How about black cats? Are you uneasy if one crosses your path?  That’s a common superstition in the U.S., but black cats are considered lucky other places, such as England.  And I know lots of people here who own and love their black kitties.

Then there’s the number thirteen.  It’s got a bad reputation, but it has always been lucky for me.

Or a broken mirror, or walking under a ladder… they’ve got bad reputations, too, and have boded bad luck in some of Rory’s stories, but are they truly unlucky?  And of course there are a lot more.

It has been a lot of fun researching both good luck and bad luck superstitions for the Superstition Mysteries, as well as sometimes seeing the inconsistencies.  I hope you enjoy UNLUCKY CHARMS.

And remember, it’s good luck to read the Superstition Mysteries by Linda O. Johnston!

About the Author

Linda O. Johnston’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the year.   Since then, Linda, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published more short stories, novellas, and 38 romance and mystery novels, including the Pet Rescue Mystery Series, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteriesfor Berkley Prime Crime, and Harlequin Romantic Suspense as well as the Alpha Force paranormal romance miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne.  She additionally writes the Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink.  Her latest cozy mystery series, the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries are also from Midnight Ink.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out these other blogs on the tour

October 5 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

October 6 – Shelley’s Book Case – SPOTLIGHT

October 6 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

October 7 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

October 8 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW

October 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

October 10 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

October 10 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

October 11 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

October 12 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

October 13 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

October 14 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST

October 15 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 16 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

October 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

October 17 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW

October 18 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW

Synopsis

Life for sixteen year old Savannah Franks has just been turned upside down. Her Mum’s business has failed and they’re forced to move into a maisonette in the rough end of town.

She doesn’t want anyone to know her dire situation, not even her besties. So when the rest of the money for the school ski trip is due she can’t be seen not to attend. Everyone is going! She just needs to find a job. Add that to the list of getting a boyfriend and losing her pathetic virginity.

But working every spare hour in a job she hates on top of school work and mounting secrets doesn’t prove easy. Soon she’s keeping so many she’s not even sure herself what’s true and what’s not.

The only person she can lean on to tell the truth is her best friend Heath.

Only…did he get hot recently? That won’t make things awkward between them…right?

Amazon * iBooks * Nook * Kobo

Check out all of Laura’s Books on Amazon

About the Author

Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or ‘chick lit’ as its so often described. In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She’s a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

Twitter * Facebook

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Synopsis

‘Tis the season for chaos.

Wedding bells will soon be ringing in the Lowcountry. All Sam Sweeney wants is to marry her man on Christmas Eve surrounded by family and friends. But emerging complications, some humorous and some not so humorous, threaten to converge and derail the best-laid plans during the busy stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Amidst the chaos—dealing with real estate, planning a wedding, running a seafood market, honoring traditions, and contending with teenagers—even the weather rears its head when the weatherman forecasts a white Christmas. Never has family support been more needed, but will it be enough to restore order and save the day?

Escape to the Lowcountry this Christmas where romance, intrigue, and holiday merrymaking await you.

Review

When I first started reading this I didn’t realize it was a novella…and in a way was very sad that the story ended so soon! But it just left me wanting more and the final installment which will be coming up soon.

Sam has finally gotten over her fear of commitment and is ready to spend her life with Eli. I like how they are both recovering alcoholics and can help each other when temptation is too much. And there are times that it is very tempting.

Jamie brings home a friend for the holidays – a self absorbed girl that needs a HUGE wake up call, and I think she gets it but not the way she wants.

And I won’t tell you the twist at the end – which I did guess in the beginning, so this will make for some interesting reading in book 4 of this series.

You will probably want to read the first two books first since this continues the story of the sisters. You could read it as a stand alone, but then if you go back and read the others it might spoil some things.

We give this 5 paws up!

Click on the image to join the Facebook Party

About the Author

Ashley Farley is a wife and mother of two college-aged children. She grew up in the salty marshes of South Carolina, but now lives in Richmond, Virginia, a city she loves for its history and traditions.

After her brother died in 1999 of an accidental overdose, she turned to writing as a way of releasing her pent-up emotions. She wrote SAVING BEN in honor of Neal, the boy she worshipped, the man she could not save. SAVING BEN is not a memoir, but a story about the special bond between siblings.

HER SISTER’S SHOES—June 2015—is a women’s novel that proves the healing power of family. Merry Mary—October 2015—a holiday novella, a young woman longing for a child stumbles upon a Christmas miracle. BREAKING THE STORY released on March 17, 2016. A romantic political suspense filled with passion, peril, and a scandal that will rock American politics.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Subscribe to Ashley Farley’s Newsletter for monthly updates, release info, sneak peeks and more.

Tangled Up in Brew (A Brewing Trouble Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Berkley (October 4, 2016)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425277706
E-Book ASIN: B01AHKXIAQ

Synopsis

Another intoxicating mystery featuring brew pub owner Maxine “Max” O’Hara—from the author of To Brew or Not to Brew.

BEER TODAY, GONE TOMORROW…

Brew pub owner Maxine “Max” O’Hara and her chef/boyfriend, Jake Lambert, are excited to be participating in the Three Rivers Brews and Burgers Festival. Max hopes to win the coveted Golden Stein for best craft beer—but even if she doesn’t, the festival will be great publicity for her Allegheny Brew House.

Or will it? When notoriously nasty food and beverage critic Reginald Mobley is drafted as a last-minute replacement judge, Max dreads a punishing review. Her fears are confirmed when Mobley literally spits out her beer, but things get even worse when the cranky critic drops dead right after trying one of Jake’s burgers. Now an ambitious new police detective is determined to pin Mobley’s murder on Max and Jake, who must pore over the clues to protect their freedom and reputations—and to find the self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner.

Guest Post

Many thanks to Joyce for stopping by and sharing with us what happens while she is writing.  I am not a writer but could totally see myself talking to the characters when they are not behaving!

I have a confession to make. Sometimes my characters misbehave. Now, I’m not talking about them doing bad things. After all, some of the characters are villains. Villains are supposed to misbehave and cause all kinds of trouble. Even in cozy mysteries like I write, bad guys are—well—bad. It’s when they decide they don’t want to be the bad guy and someone else is responsible for that murder that they cause havoc with my plot.

The good guys and the supporting cast aren’t any better. Here’s what I mean. I don’t write a detailed outline, but I do have the story mapped out. Certain characters are supposed to do certain things at certain times. I’ll be chugging along adding words to the page knowing exactly where the scene or chapter is going and then WHAM. Dead stop. I’ll write another sentence. Maybe change a few words or rearrange some dialogue, but nothing works. I’ll stare at the page for a few minutes or a few hours. Before I know it, I’m talking aloud to the characters in the scene. “Why are you doing this to me? Why aren’t you cooperating? You’re supposed to (insert whatever action).”

Fortunately, they don’t actually talk back to me, but they might as well. I can almost hear them laughing at me when I try to force them to do something they don’t want to do. With a few books under my belt now, I’ve learned that sometimes I have to let them have their way. I’ve written scenes where I forced the outcome to fit what I wanted. I almost always end up scrapping and rewriting those scenes. The newly written material is invariably what the characters wanted in the first place. I swear I hear them sometimes say, “I told you so.”

Before you decide that I’ve completely lost my mind, let me explain. When I plan a book I only have a general idea of what the characters are like. Sometimes new characters that I hadn’t even thought of when I started the book appear suddenly and worm their way into the story. Even in a series, or maybe especially in a series, the characters grow and change as the story progresses. Through the words I put on the page, each character changes as they interact with the others scene by scene and chapter by chapter. Even though they’re figments of my imagination, for the story to make sense and for the characters to feel like real people to the reader, I have to let them act like real people. And that means sometimes letting them have their own way and misbehave. Just because I’m the author, it doesn’t mean I know what’s best.

Just please, whatever you do, don’t tell my characters I said that!

About the Author

Joyce Tremel was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail. She is a native Pittsburgher and lives in a suburb of the city with her husband and a spoiled cat.

Her debut mystery, To Brew Or Not To Brew has been nominated for the 2015 Reviewers’ Choice award for best amateur sleuth by RT Book Reviews. The second book in the series,Tangled Up In Brew is scheduled for release in October 2016.

Webpage * Facebook * Twitter * GoodReads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


check out the other great blogs on this tour

October 3 – A Date with a Book – REVIEW*

October 3 – The Girl with Book Lungs – SPOTLIGHT

October 4 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW

October 4 – Island Confidential – INTERVIEW

October 5 – Grace. Gratitude. Life. by Marie McNary – REVIEW

October 6 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

October 7 – fuonlyknew – REVIEW

October 7 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT

October 8 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW

October 8 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW*

October 9 – Mystery Playground – GUEST POST

October 10 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, &, Sissy, Too! – REVIEW

October 11 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

October 12 – Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes – REVIEW*

October 13 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

October 13 – Author Annette Drake’s blog – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW

October 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW

October 15 – MysteriesEtc – REVIEW*

October 16 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW

October 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

Synopsis

Lan has come home to a high-school reunion in the underground colony of Neverend, at the edge of humanity’s reach. An ancient secret waits there, one involving instantaneous access to far-flung planets. Also in Neverend is his high-school sweetheart, Tessa, who is in the way of people who have stumbled onto this ancient technology and plan to use it for their own purposes.

Fortunately for her, Lan is no longer the boy he used to be. And fortunately for Lan, Tessa is no longer the girl she used to be.

Q & A with John

You’re re-releasing nine of your novels in just under a year! Can you share what inspired this decision?

Since originally published by Tor Books and Ace Books, most of these books were available in ebook form, but some haven’t been available in paper for more than a decade, so I felt it was time to correct that. ReAnimus Press specializes in bringing back SF that has been unavailable for a while (e.g. Jerry Sohl) and re-releasing works that have been in print all along (e.g. Ben Bova).

You write both sci-fi and mystery – do you have a preference for one over the other?

I love both. Some of my work even blends the two. Deep Quarry features a private eye. The protagonist in Death Tolls is an investigative reporter. Naught for Hire is a futuristic private eye tale, Reckoning Infinity is a space exploration and Manhattan Transfer  deals with a very unusual form of first contact– kidnapping.

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career?

My degree is in physics, and part of what drives my efforts to make my stories convincing, not with quite the nuts and bolts aspects of THE MARTIAN, but closer to the ENDER’S GAME portion of the spectrum.

What do you hope readers most get out of your books?

Enjoyment, excitement, entertainment, insights and information. I love appealing to all the senses, including the sense of wonder and the sense of humor. I want readers to care about my characters and constantly wonder what’s on the next page.

About the Author

Science fiction and mystery author John E. Stith writes across many worlds. His books have been translated to French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian and are even available in braille for the sight-impaired.  His stories have been categorized as “Hard science fiction,” a label given to those stories thoroughly researched to play fair with the rules of science; something any die-hard SciFi fan can appreciate.

It was during the summer Science-Math Institute for High School Students at Cloud State College, John served as editor for the school paper, but several more years would pass before the urge to write, strengthened by years of loving to read, was too compelling to ignore.  His stories vary, but his books are packed with suspense, mystery, and humor.

Stith holds a B.A. in physics from the University of Minnesota, has served as an Air Force Officer, where he worked at NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex. The passion for science runs in his family, as his father George worked at the White Sands Missile Range on such projects like the rocket sled.

He has appeared on a live nationwide PBS broadcast or Science-Fiction Science-Fact (SF2) and his work has also been sold to film and television. His novel Reckoning Infinity was chosen as one of Science Fiction Chronicle’s Best Science Fiction Novels,  Redshift Rendezvous was picked as a Nebula Award nominee and Manhattan Transfer received an honorable mention from the Hugo Awards and a nomination from the Seiun Award in Japan.

Stith is a member of Science-Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Writers Guild of America (WGA), International Thriller Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW), Colorado Author’s League and Mensa.  He currently lives in Colorado Springs.

Synopsis

Twenty five year old Caroline O’Connor is doing just fine, thank you very much. Four years ago and two semesters shy of her college degree, a little thing called life upended her carefully laid plans to leave small town shenanigans behind, and she found herself right back in the place she vowed to escape: Cold River, Missouri.

Cushioned amongst the Ozark Mountains, Cold River thrives on its folklore, town gossip, and the occasional jar(s) of moonshine. And it’s here that Caroline has carved out a simple, if uneventful life, helping to care for her ailing mother with Alzheimer’s and running the family business, a bait shop on the outskirts of town. Uneventful that is, until Navy veteran Noah Cranwell returns to Cold River, intent on restoring the infamous Cranwell legacy by rebuilding the family’s run-down general store—across the road from the bait shop.

Noah Cranwell has a chip on his shoulder only his grandfather Jep can understand. It wasn’t easy overcoming a troubled childhood and tumultuous teen years, but a stint in the Navy help straighten him out. Now seeking solace from his nomadic career, Noah returns to his boyhood home, the one place he ever felt at peace. Focused on repairing the general store, and his heart, Noah finds himself turning to Caroline—and her mostly deaf, three legged dog Yara—for support. Which for Noah and Caroline, starts to blossom into something more, making Caroline realize there could be much more to life than being ‘just fine.’ Yet Cold River isn’t without its closeted skeletons. And as secrets are discovered, will Caroline ultimately be able to forgive past sins and fight for a better future?

Amazon * iTunes * GooglePlay * IndieBound * Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

Caroline O’Conner loved to fish.  Her favorite tree sat on the bank of the Cold River, just perfect for leaning against with a fishing pole in her hand. She relished casting a line as the fog lifted sluggishly off of the water.

The best time to fish was during the early summer—when it was already hot, but too early for the summer rush of river rats. She would come in and open up The Wormhole, her family’s bait and tackle shop, and then sneak off for an hour or two to visit the river and her favorite tree. In fact, that tree was her favorite spot, not just on the river, but in all of Cold River, the river’s namesake and the town where she lived.

Cold River, Missouri, a town of about 8,000 people, was nestled in the heart of an area of the United States known as the Ozarks. At any given time you might hear residents of this southwestern part of Missouri refer to themselves as southerners or Midwesterners, but neither one was entirely true. The Ozarks, a place of rolling hills and flowing rivers, is a place where a person could disappear for days, months, years, or forever. The rugged terrain is rivaled only by the rugged people living there, a people happy to be tucked away from the rest of the world.

Everybody fished in Cold River.

Caroline’s father taught her to fish when she was six. He hadn’t wanted to. It had been an argument for days between her father and mother, something that she remembered even at that tender age. Caroline had known since she was old enough to ask about the “boy in the pictures” that she had a brother in heaven, at least, that’s what her mother told her, and her daddy didn’t fish anymore. But he wanted to, she could tell. He sometimes looked at the fishing poles in the hallway closet, shoved to the back behind the winter coats. He sometimes pulled a tackle box from off the top shelf and looked inside of it for whole minutes at a time and yelled at her when she asked if she could play with the toys inside.

That was when her mother started asking her father to, “please take Caroline fishing.”

The first time he took her it had been a disaster. He barked orders the entire time and they didn’t even catch a fish. But the next week was different. They caught fish and her father smiled. More fish brought more smiles, and over the years, it became the bond she and her father shared.

She was fishing with her father less and less since her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Most of his free time was spent taking care of her or taking extra shifts at the free clinic so he could have a break from her. His gear sat dejected in one of the hallway closets, and his waders had long acquired cracks in the rubber boots.

Caroline shook her head. It was too early for such thoughts. And she was starting to sweat. That meant it was time to pack it in and begin her trudge back up to the shop. As she walked, she noticed a car parked out in front of the old Cranwell Station across the road.

The “for sale” sign had been sitting out in front of Cranwell Station for months. Over the years, the Cranwell family had used the store for many different purposes. It had been a gas station in the beginning, a lively meeting spot for summer visitors to the Cold River during the 1920’s. It had also been a beauty salon, a five and dime store, a used car lot, and a pet grooming facility. Caroline’s parents had owned the little bait shop across the street from Cranwell Station since before she was born, and in the 25 years Caroline was born, the place had been all but empty. There just wasn’t enough traffic to the river anymore, especially since the new highway routed most tourists around the town of Cold River completely. When the eldest Cranwell brother died, the building sat unoccupied and unkempt, a source of hot debate for the remaining Cranwell family members, all four of them, none of whom wanted the responsibility of maintaining the property. They stayed to themselves down at Cranwell Corner and rarely came into town. Caroline couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen any member of that family.

Caroline watched as a man got out of the car and proceeded to walk up to the door of the station. It was a man she’d never seen before. He was wearing khakis and a crisp, white button up shirt that made his dark hair and tan skin stand out against the sunlight even more than they already did. He placed his palm against the glass and began to rub at the thick coating of dirt. After peering inside, he began to pull on the door handle.

Surely he’s not trying to break-in, Caroline thought. Who robs a place in the broad daylight wearing khakis? Besides, Cranwell Station looked like it was about to fall in at any moment. Maybe he was just lost and looking for direction. He sure looked like he was from a city, and people from the city began to panic when they cruised outside city limits and towards the river. These two buildings, Cranwell Station and her bait shop, were the last stop before leaving civilization.

She continued to watch him from a safe distance as he walked around the station, kicked at loose boards on the porch steps, and pulled at the door handle some more. Once, he went back to his car and pulled out a cell phone, but realizing there was no reception, shoved it into his pocket at commenced cursing at the air. It wasn’t until he picked up a rock and started towards one of the windows that Caroline made a move.

“Hey!” She hollered, charging towards him with her fishing pole. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Praise for Annie England Noblin

“Just Fine With Caroline is all heart. Annie England Noblin knows how to make characters come to life. I was completely charmed on my trip to Cold River.”—Stephanie Evanovich on Just Fine With Caroline

“…Emotionally satisfying [and] turns an oft-maligned corner of Missouri into a welcoming, heartfelt setting. Noblin is a fine author of the cozy warm story.—The Current on Just Fine With Caroline

“Fans of Mary Kay Andrews and Mary Alice Monroe will enjoy Nolin’s lighthearted second novel. For many readers, spending time immersed in Caroline’s world might be just the ticket.”—Library Journal on Just Fine With Caroline

“Readers of Debbie Macomber will enjoy poet and nonfiction author Noblin’s first novel. It’s an enjoyable story full of laughter, tears, and just plain fun.”—Library Journal on Sit! Stay! Speak!

“Noblin’s fish-out-of-water story combines food, family, suspense, and romance into one delightful read. [… ] a comfort read that’s perfect for a summer night. A cozy read that’s full of dogs, romance, and small-town charm.”—Kirkus Reviews on Sit! Stay! Speak!

“Full of southern charm and colloquialisms, Noblin’s first novel explores the curious bond between man and beast. A warm, emotionally grounded story that will delight fans of Mary Kay Andrews and contemporary women’s fiction.”—Booklist on Sit! Stay! Speak!

“A must read for any animal lover.”—Fresh Fiction on Sit! Stay! Speak!

About the Author

Annie England Noblin lives with her son, husband, and three rescued bulldogs in the Missouri Ozarks. She graduated with an M.A. in Creative Writing from Missouri State University and currently teaches English for Arkansas State University. Her poetry has been featured in such publications as the Red Booth Review and the Moon City Review. She spends her free time playing make-believe, feeding stray cats, and working with animal shelters across the country to save homeless dogs.

Facebook * Twitter * GoodReads

 

Time Travel Romance/Women’s Fiction
Date Published: September 15, 2016

Synopsis

30-year-old Eve Sharland is browsing a Pennsylvania antiques store when she discovers an old brass lantern tucked away on a shelf. It attracts her. She picks it up and sees something behind one of the sooty glass panes. She gently lifts it and, to her surprise, she finds an unopened letter stuck inside.

The letter is postmarked December 24, 1885, and it is addressed to Evelyn Sharland in New York City. Eve gasps and drops the letter. That’s her name! The letter is addressed to someone with the same name in 1885: Evelyn Sharland.

Eve promptly purchases the lantern and the letter, and returns to her New York City apartment. Later that evening, she carefully opens the letter and reads it, astounded by its contents. She stares at the lantern in wonder and alarm, deeply moved by the story of a tragic romance.

A few days later, following a request in the letter, Eve cautiously lights the lantern. To her utter shock, she finds herself in the past—in 1885 New York City. Eve is thrown into a life far beyond what she could have ever imagined, as she gets involved with one of the richest families in New York City, and meets the handsome Patrick Gantly. She must struggle to survive and return to her own time, even as her destiny is changed forever.

Review

If you were tossed back in time to 1885, would you know how to dress, act or behave? I know I wouldn’t, but luckily for our heroine, Eve, she has a little idea of what to do but not much.

Eve finds a lamp with a letter inside and starts wondering about the mogul family – who they were and what happened to them especially since the letter had her name on it, but she knows it cannot be for her. This sets her on a quest to find out what she can through research. Some of it was good and some of it was bad.

This book was very enjoyable because I do like time travel stories – the possibilities and potential and having to figure out how to fit into the past (or the present depending on which way you are going!). Eve is a nurse which is to her benefit because she understands the methods of treatment that really were not good for a person. She is also smart and aware of her surroundings which is how she figures out that the dashing Patrick Gantry has been following her. It helps that he is a police detective. I like how he is intrigued by Eve and helps her even though it could mean his downfall, after all this is 1885.

I thought the author did a good job of recapturing that time period including that women really didn’t have any rights and were chattel. The men were egotistical which contributed to any downfall they experienced.

The ending has an interesting twist that changed how I saw a few characters in the book.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I will be seeking out some of her other books.

We give this 5 paws up.

About the Author

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse’s mother was a painter and her father a textile consultant. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age, and graduated with a degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers and avid readers. His great grandfather lived to be a 134 years old, and was the oldest man in the world when he died in 1922.

Some of Elyse Douglas’ novels include: “The Other Side of Summer,” “The Christmas Bridge,” “Wanting Rita,” “The Christmas Diary” and “The Summer Diary.” They live in New York City.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Blog * Pinterest * Goodreads

 

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Safe from Harm

Series: Protect & Serve, #2

Author: Kate SeRine

Pub Date: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9781492639169

 

It’s All Harmless Flirting Until Someone Gets Shot…

Deputy Gabe Dawson has had his eye on prosecuting attorney Elle McCoy for years. But the smart, sassy redhead is immune to his legendary charm and good looks–until Gabe is shot on the courthouse steps protecting Elle from a vengeful domestic extremist.

Elle has been protecting her heart from the cocky playboy cop. But it’s hard not to notice a guy when he takes a bullet for you and seems determined to turn his life around. With terrorists still at large and Elle a target, Gabe and his law enforcement brothers kick into high gear to take down the threat. And as they work together, Elle realizes she’s losing her heart to a man who will risk it all to keep her safe from harm.

Amazon * Books-A-Million * Barnes & Noble

Chapters * iBooks * Indiebound

Letter to the Reader

To my readers,

I’m so excited to share Gabe and Elle’s story! Sparks were flying between these two in Stop at Nothing, so I couldn’t wait to bring their relationship to readers. I love these characters—from their flirtatious banter to their deeply emotional moments and everything in between.

Sexy and movie-star handsome, Deputy Gabe Dawson is the golden boy of Fairfield County. With a generations-long family legacy of law enforcement and a single-minded determination to reach the top, Gabe’s career promises to eventually eclipse even that of his famous father. All this makes him one of the most sought after bachelors in town. But the one woman Gabe truly wants doesn’t want anything to do with him.

There’s something about prosecuting attorney Elle McCoy that Gabe just can’t get enough of. She’s beautiful, brilliant, and the sexual tension between them every time they’re in the same room can’t be denied. But her snarky rejection of his charm makes Gabe want her even more. Not used to being turned down like a hot stove, Gabe hopes Elle will eventually give him the chance to show her he’s more than his reputation.

Elle’s had a crush on Gabe Dawson since she was a gangly teenager but was convinced he’d never give a girl like her a second glance. So now that they’re adults and she’s witnessed the famous Dawson charm in action, she doesn’t trust his flirtations—especially considering Gabe’s reputation as a womanizer. But when he takes a bullet for her, his self-sacrifice causes her to take a closer look. Soon she discovers the man he truly is and realizes what was once a schoolgirl crush is now so much more.

I really loved exploring Gabe and Elle’s evolution from frenemies to lovers, and I hope readers enjoy their playful, sultry interactions as much as I enjoyed writing them. But in addition to the romantic story central to the novel, is the story of love and family—regardless of whether that family is related by blood or bound together by loyalty and shared experiences. Exploring these complicated dynamics was an incredible experience and resulted in some of my favorite scenes in the novel.

There’s so much that I loved about writing Safe From Harm, and I’m thrilled to be able to share it now with all of you. Happy reading!

— Kate

Excerpt

Gabe started awake, throwing off the covers and bolting to his feet. Pain shot up and down his leg as soon as he made contact with the floor, making him groan through clenched teeth and follow it up with a juicy curse.

“Motherfu—”

“I’ll just come back later.”

His gaze shot up to see Elle standing inside the doorway, gorgeous eyes wide, her peaches-and-cream skin flushed an alluring shade of pink that deepened as he gaped at her. When she dropped her gaze, turning first left, then right, as if forgetting where the door was, he suddenly realized his bare ass was hanging out of the back of his hospital gown giving her quite an eyeful.

“No, that’s okay,” he said in a rush. “Come on in.”

He straightened quickly, wincing with the sudden movement, belatedly realizing his wound apparently hadn’t affected other areas of his anatomy and he was sporting some serious morning wood, which was pitching one helluva tent beneath the thin cotton gown.

He cursed again and dropped down on the bed, throwing the blanket over his lower body in one quick motion and trying unsuccessfully to suppress another groan. He squeezed his eyes shut for a second until the wave of agony passed. When he opened them again, he was surprised to see Elle standing before him, her gaze searching his face.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her hand coming up to cup his jaw. The gentle warmth of her palm sent a chill through him, making him shudder. Her hand immediately dropped away at the response, mistakenly thinking her touch was unwanted when, in fact, he desperately he craved it. “I’ll get the nurse.”

When she reached for the call button hanging near the head of the bed, he gently grasped her wrist and drew her hand away. “Leave it. I’m fine.”

She swallowed and dropped her gaze briefly to their hands, looking like she wanted to bolt and rid herself of his touch. He almost released her, saddened that she found the contact so unwanted. But then he felt her pulse quicken beneath his fingertips.

So maybe it wasn’t revulsion she was feeling after all…

When her gaze drifted back up to his, he decided to test his new theory and let his thumb slowly smooth over her skin. “How are you?” he asked softly.

She gave him a tremulous smile and, God help him, he damned near dragged her into his arms and kissed her. But he managed to restrain himself as she said, “Shaken up a bit. But no lasting harm.”

He narrowed his eyes at that, not believing her for a second. “You sure about that, honey?”

“I’ll be okay,” she assured him, nodding a little, her lips pressed together as if she was trying to convince herself of the truth of her words. “It’s just…” She sighed. “I almost died yesterday.”

There it was. The truth they both needed to face. Elle was no fool. Hell, she was brilliant as far as he was concerned. She must’ve known as certainly as he did how close they’d both come to losing their lives the previous day. So there was no denying her words, no use trying to convince her she was mistaken.

“Yeah,” he said, still caressing her pulse point. “You sleep at all last night?”

She shook her head, her eyes beginning to glisten with unshed tears. “No. All I could see when I closed my eyes was—” Her words broke off when her voice hitched with emotion.

Ah hell.

He slipped his hand into the thick waves of hair at the base of her neck and pulled her toward him. Every inch of him—especially those hidden under the blanket—longed to kiss her, but at the last moment, he pressed his lips to her forehead in a lingering kiss.

He didn’t know what to say to make her feel better. It wasn’t like that time when Todd Jenkins had broken up with her a week before the homecoming dance and Gabe had hinted to Chris that maybe he should ask her. Or the time her biggest rival was made editor of the school yearbook and he’d broken into her locker before school to leave her flowers (anonymously, of course). Or the time he’d given Aaron Maguire a fat lip when that asshole had gotten a little grabby with Elle in spite of her saying no loud and clear. Or the time he’d driven two hours to the college she was attending to fix her car on the sly because her aunt Charlotte had mentioned that it wasn’t running and Elle refused to ask for the money to fix it.

He’d been secretly looking out for Elle for as long as he had known her, never letting on that he was the one, never asking for anything in return. Knowing she was safe and happy was enough. But he was at a loss on how to comfort her this time, when they were very literally face to face.

He’d never known how to deal with a woman when she was upset. He supposed he got that from his father, who wasn’t exactly the most nurturing guy. Normally, Gabe bailed when things got serious enough with a woman that she was actually sharing emotions. Okay, to be honest, he usually bailed way before that. But seeing Elle looking lost and afraid brought out a protective urge in him that he’d never really experienced with anyone else—not to this extent, anyway.

He could lie and say she’d be fine in a few days. But the truth was, it might be something that haunted her far longer. God knew he had plenty of nightmares—some of them walked and talked and dropped by for a visit in his hospital room in the middle of the night.

Elle’s hand came up to rest lightly on his chest, and he felt her breath quicken as tension began to build in the air between them. “Thank you for saving my life,” she whispered. She pulled back enough that their faces were just inches apart. And for a moment, he thought she might actually kiss him. The look in her eyes told him she was considering it, which shocked the hell out of him…

About the Author

Kate SeRine writes award-winning romantic suspense and paranormal romance. A past recipient of an Emily Award and the National Readers Choice Award, she has also been a finalist in the Fire and Ice Contest, Finally a Bride Contest, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and two sons outside Indianapolis, Indiana.

Website * Twitter

Giveaway

Rafflecopter Widget: a Rafflecopter giveaway

The exciting conclusion of The Flyboy Trilogy! Lisa’s memory has returned along with her burning desire for wickedly hot Captain Lance Miller. Passion soars when the two unite. Lance is thrilled his goddess finally remembers him, but which Lisa is coming home with him? In some ways he is eager for the return of his original, sweet, loving Lisa, but he also adores his new and improved, sexy, opinionated, wild tiger. They are settling into their smooth sailing, happily reacquainted life when Lance’s flyboys are called to Afghanistan. This disruption is nothing compared to the turbulent arrival of Lance’s insanely hot, long lost half-brother, fighter pilot Derek Fuller. Derek’s arrival may cause Lisa’s path to be completely rerouted.

“I’m telling you this was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions. A great conclusion to The Flyboy Trilogy.”

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Smashwords * Kobo * iTunes

 

Step by firm step he approaches me, backing me against the wall. “Lisa, I can only be so strong.” He captures my wrists, holding them firmly above my head. Staring vehemently into my eyes, he continues, “I’m not a saint. I love my brother, but when it comes to you I lose my mind and my honor.” His eyes lower to my heaving chest. After dropping his head back to look at the ceiling, he returns his gaze and continues, “I’m begging you to stop whatever this teasing torment is, because if you keep this up we’re both going to wake with regrets.”

His forearms rest against the wall. Fanning his warm, labored breathing across my face, his hips press firmly against me. The heat of his rock solid erection between my thighs excites and lubricates every blessed inch of me. His head drops to my shoulder. Against my ear, he whispers, “You’re my kryptonite.”

“My hearts pounding,” I reply.

“Sweetheart, mine’s been pounding ever since I first laid eyes on you.”

I whisper, “You really want me…and think about me?”

With his forehead pressed to mine, he replies, “If you’re asking me how many times you’ve entered my thoughts I would have to say once, because, quite honestly, you never really left my mind from our very first encounter.”

“How much of what you say is bullshit and how much is sincere?”

He tosses his head back and laughs, before placing his lips directly in front of mine. “When it comes to you, Lisa, it’s all factual.”

“You’re maddening.”

His crystal blue eyes turn dark. “Well, that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

His breath brushes warmly against my lips. “Are you going to kiss me?” I ask.

“I want to.”

“Then do it. I miss being kissed.”

 

Read the complete series today!

Turbulent Passion is FREE

Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
iTunes
Amazon

Burning Desire is just 0.99 PENNIES
Named to the RomCon 8+ list
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Kobo
iTunes
Amazon

This is a series you won’t want to miss!

G.L. Ross is a proud, sixth generation, native Texan. As a true Southern Belle, G.L. has always dreamt of the “happily ever after,” the prince riding in on the white horse sweeping her off her feet. She hasn’t found “Prince Charming” – yet (always an optimist) – but finds him every time she writes about her characters’ “happily ever after” endings.

Her motto in life is to “always find the good” in every person and situation. Whether through laughter, prayer, music, or a glass of wine or vodka, G.L. finds the good in life and shares her sense of humor, love, and adventure in her stories. Each book will inspire you to stand strong in faith and believe in second chances. Take flight with Lance & Lisa in Turbulent Passion, Burning Desire, and Crosswind (The Flyboy Trilogy). After twenty-seven years as a Flight Attendant, G.L. has incredible and often humorous insight into the aviation industry. She shares many of these stories in the Flyboy Trilogy. Plus, you must meet hunky rancher, Graham Gaskin, in A Rose Has Thorns…he is hot! Fall in love with Rachel and Brooks in The Strength of Love, an Inspirational Romance and recipient of the Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Seal.

Join G.L.’s Street Team: The Flygirls to receive the most up to date information regarding releases and prize opportunities.

Facebook | Amazon | Twitter
Goodreads | Website | Street Team | Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway

G.L. Ross has put together a FANTASTIC giveaway in honor of the release of Crosswind! One lucky winner will receive 5 ebooks and an Urban Decay Naked 2 Eye Shadow Palette.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Event organized by:

Author Sign-up for Blog Tours

Visit us:
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest

Synopsis

There is always hope

After eight years in the Marines, Jacob Lorde returns to Blessings, Georgia, with no plans other than to hole up in his empty house and heal what’s left of his soul. But with a charming next door neighbor and a town full of friendly people, keeping to himself is easier said than done.

As long as you can come home

Laurel Payne understands far too well what Jake is going through, after witnessing her late husband experience similar problems. She’s in no hurry to jump into another relationship with a complicated guy, but their attraction is undeniable—and perhaps exactly what both of them need.

Amazon * B&N * iBooks

Review

I’ve read several books in this series and have really come to love the little town of Blessings. The residents are mostly friendly (have to have some “bad” characters), go out of their way to help each other, and even fall in love with each other.

This book throws together Jake Lorde, former military suffering from PTSD, and Laurel Payne, widow & mother that has had a hard time herself the past few years. While they may not seem like a likely couple, there is something that attracts the other to them. And while their relationship seems to blossom overnight, it isn’t easy and they each had some things to overcome.

I liked Jake’s protective side because that really helps both of them out. And Laurel, while ostracized from her in-laws after his death, manages to overcome and survive without their support. I felt like all of the characters were down to earth and the book has some sad situations but a happy ending.

Can’t wait to see what is next for the town of Blessings. I have an idea, but we’ll see if that is the next story or a future one.

We give this 5 paws up.

Excerpt

Dear Reader:

I welcome you to Blessings, Georgia, the best small town in the South.

No, there aren’t any secrets kept here, and yes, everybody knows your business, but when bad things happen, good people come to your rescue.

I grew up in a place like that—-a place everyone should live in at least once in their lives, but since that’s not possible, I’m offering the next best thing: stories about that way of life—-touching stories, funny stories, stories that will break your heart on one page and heal it on the next.

Count Your Blessings was the novella introducing my readers to the Georgia landscape.

You and Only You was the first full-length novel set in Blessings. It’s a story about the faithfulness of friends and family and what it means to be Southern to the core, as well as being a sweet love story to enjoy.

I’ll Stand By You was the second full-length novel. It’s a story about how people starting life off on the wrong foot can still find a way to live happy ever after.

Saving Jake is the next story, the one you’re holding in your hands. It’s a story that gets to the heart of what matters in life: redemption, forgiveness, and trust. It’s a story of the times, and yet timeless in its simplicity.

Pick up one of my stories and take a visit to Blessings with me.

You just might like it enough to stay.

See you between the pages,

Sharon Sala

From Chapter One

Thomas Wolfe once wrote, “You can never go home again.” Jacob Lorde never took the word of a stranger. He was on the way home, marking the passing of every mile with a war-weary soul. He needed a place to heal and Blessings, Georgia, the place where he grew up, was calling him.

He’d come back briefly over a year ago to bury his father, and the calm and peace of the place had stayed with him long after he’d returned to his unit. Only a couple of months later, an IED on one patrol too many earned him a long stint in the hospital and brought his time with the army to an end.

Now he was coming home to try and bury the soldier he’d been.

He wanted to be done with war.

He needed peace.

He needed the emotional security that comes with knowing where he belonged.

He needed that like he needed air to breathe, so when the Greyhound bus in which he was riding came around the curve and he saw the city-limit sign of Blessings gleaming in the early morning sunlight, his eyes blurred with sudden tears. He took the sunglasses from the pocket of his uniform and slipped them on, then held his breath as the bus began to stop.

The brakes squeaked. They needed oil.

Jake stood slowly, easing the stiffness in a still-healing leg, walked down the aisle, and then out into a sweet Georgia morning. He took a deep breath, smelling pine trees on the mountains around him and the scent of smoke from someone’s fireplace.

He was home.

The driver pulled his duffel bag from the luggage rack beneath the bus, shook his hand, and got back on board. The rest of the trip home was on Jake.

About the Author

SHARON SALA has over ninety-five books in print and has published in five different genres. She is a seventime RITA finalist, four-time Career Achievement winner from RT Book Reviews, and five-time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award. Writing changed her life, her world, and her fate. She lives in Norman, Oklahoma.

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook

 

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway