The Water Lord

by

Matt Minor

Genre: Political Suspense

Publisher: Dead Tree Publishing

Publication Date: April 2, 2018

Number of Pages: 249 pages

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A town has gone dry, and the general manager of a water district is found dead, presumably a suicide. His crazed widow is in denial and recklessly loose-lipped. Texas House District 100 is again in turmoil, and the interests of the landed class against urban sprawl are at odds.

Enter John David Dothan (The Representative). The world’s hippest legislator is back, but he is a changed man. Post-stroke Dothan dons an eccentric cane and is married to his former chief of staff, Tryphena Taylor. The two lovers reside peacefully tucked away in a country cottage with their rescued cat. But they are swimming against the tide.

Caught between the past and the future, the rural and the urban, the representative is trapped in a no-win situation both politically and emotionally. When a constituent brings to his attention a mysterious ‘retention pond’ things grow increasingly murky. The waters turn completely dark when Dothan learns his forbidden first love, former State Senator Rachael Logan has been hospitalized.
Armed with only his cane and sidekick, Mason Dixon (The District Manager), who serves as his new Chief of Staff, Dothan sets aside the ambiguities of politics and love in search of clarity and righteousness. But the cost of doing the right thing might not just be his young marriage…but Tryphena’s life.

Praise

“Great pacing and a well-written storyline. I look forward to reading more from Matt Minor!” – My Reading Addiction

“Matt Minor has great attention to detail and makes everything from the setting to the characters feel very real. It makes for a wonderfully written and very suspenseful novel.” – Momma and Her Stories

“A well-crafted suspense! The plot kept me turning the pages and I finished this novel very fast. Matt Minor’s voice is a breath of fresh air, smart, witty and full of twists… I will read more books by this author!” – Indie Express

“Matt Minor has created a novel in which the main character shows growth…I like flawed characters and if they can overcome things, it really speaks to me.” – A Life Through Books

Today I’m lucky to have a chance to share a few things about Matt, so take notes!

Let’s get personal. How do you write?

PC when at home, laptop on the road.

What does your perfect writing spot look like? Is that what your ACTUAL writing spot looks like?

I live in a cabin in the woods. This is where I prefer to write. But work takes me many places and I write wherever I am and whenever I can.

Which character from your books is most or least like you?

They are all like me and not like me. I draw from myself to varying degrees for male and female characters.

How do you decide if your main character will be male or female?

The story and the conflicts associated with the story dictate everything. But I started with a poet in politics. That was the edge of the cliff. Everything after that is the time it takes to hit the water. It’s a long fall.

What do you like to read in your free time?

Poetry; Literary Criticism; Legal Code; Fiction; Literary Biography; History.

Who are some of the authors you feel were influential in your work?

Graham Greene; Walker Percy; DH Lawrence; Thomas Hardy; Tolstoy; Larry McMurtry.

What do your plans for future projects include?

Stay alive long enough to complete what I’m working on now. I’ll worry about it if/when I get to that point.

Is there anyone you credit for being your inspiration for writing?

Those who read and enjoy my work.

What’s your funniest flaw?

Impatience.

If you could time travel, what time period would you first visit?

The 1970s.

What is your favorite quote?

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight…and learn too late they grieved it on its way – Dylan Thomas

Matt Minor presently serves as a Chief of Staff in the Texas House of Representatives. In the Texas House he has served under the Pensions Committee, Government Efficiency and Reform, Investments and Financial Services, Bond Indebtedness, and Way and Means. He has worked as a political campaign manager and is a public speaker. Matt has authored official state publications, oversees syndicated editorials, (both political and cultural) and is a speechwriter and district radio legislative commentator. Prior to his life in state politics, Matt was a professional musician and entertainer. Matt’s hobbies are centered on the arts, including the craft of poetry, an interest that has brought academic recognition and numerous awards.

His first novel, The Representative was an Amazon Political Fiction Bestseller the summer of 2015 and was accepted and archived into the Texas State Legislative Library. In April of 2016, The Representative won an IPPY Gold medal for Southern Fiction. In the summer of 2016, he released his second novel, The District Manager.

Matt Minor resides on his ranch property in Wharton County, Texas. He lives in Austin during the legislative session.

 

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Check out the other blogs on this tour!

1/8/19	Excerpt	All the Ups and Downs
1/8/19	BONUS Promo	Hall Ways Blog
1/9/19	Review	Reading by Moonlight
1/10/19	Author Interview	Texas Book Lover
1/11/19	Review	Tangled in Text
1/12/19	Excerpt	That’s What She’s Reading
1/13/19	Author Interview	StoreyBook Reviews
1/14/19	Review	Forgotten Winds
1/15/19	Series Spotlight	Chapter Break Book Blog
1/16/19	Review	Nerd Narration
1/17/19	Review	The Clueless Gent

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Gown With the Wind (A Wedding Planner Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Kensington (December 18, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages

Synopsis

Professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard knows her job is challenging under any circumstances. But when the groom is your ex and someone invites murder, there may never be another tomorrow . . .

Mallory’s fine—really—handling the wedding arrangements for her ex, Keith. But his fiancée, Becca, has at the last minute decided to switch from a Japanese-cherry-blossom theme to a Gone with the Wind theme. She wants to honor her ailing grandmother, who owns an impressive collection of GWTW memorabilia—and who is fiercely at odds with the groom’s mother over the nuptial plans.

But among other complications, Becca gets into a fight with an old childhood rival over a replica Scarlett O’Hara wedding gown. She wins the dress—but soon becomes a murder suspect when the other woman is found dead in Becca’s swimming pool. And it’s up to Mallory to solve the mystery behind this unhappy occasion, before a different kind of civil war breaks out . . .

Guest Post

“World Building in Cozy Mysteries”

One of my favorite things about writing cozy mysteries is world building. World building is usually discussed in the context of genres that require elaborate, new backdrops with complicated histories, like science fiction and fantasy. But cozy mysteries require quite a bit of thought too. Cozies benefit from details lovingly crafted to make fictional towns come to life. They help a novel ring of authenticity and provide a rich environment for your characters. I adore reading cozies for the arm-chair opportunity to travel to small towns, learn their secrets and idiosyncrasies, and to get a healthy dose of charm.

I love spending time in the fictional town featured in my series, Port Quincy, Pennsylvania. I almost think of Port Quincy as being its own character. It’s an amalgamation of some real places I lived in and worked in back in Western Pennsylvania. When I close my eyes and take a stroll down the streets of Port Quincy with my characters, I feel the echoes of Canonsburg and Washington, PA. Little details that resonated me from my time growing up in Pennsylvania pop up in the books, like resurfaced memories. I always loved traveling on the yellow brick roads that compose some streets in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. The bricks made a steady, pleasing thrum as cars drove over them. The gorgeous, Pepto-Bismol pink colored courthouse featured in my novels is an echo of the grand courthouse at the heart of Washington, Pennsylvania. And I imagine my character Mallory’s bed and breakfast to resemble none other than Henry Clay Frick’s own mansion, Clayton, located in Pittsburgh’s East End.

But more important perhaps than the physical trappings of the small town in my books, whether rooted in some real detail from my memories or created out of whole cloth, is the spirit and character of the place. I wanted Port Quincy to exemplify the close-knit feel and camaraderie I’ve enjoyed in the small towns and neighborhoods I’ve lived in. Port Quincy is a place where neighbors pull together, citizens share in their triumphs and tragedies, and everyone is connected. I now live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River. It always brings a smile to my face to run into a friend or acquaintance out and about during my errands. There is a strong sense of community and friendliness that I try to weave into my fictional town. Though my protagonist Mallory often involves herself in high stakes situations and risky cases, the heart of her existence in Port Quincy is forming connections with her family, friends, and the denizens of the town. I love exploring her evolving relationships and friendships with the people of Port Quincy. As many details as I lovingly craft about the physical space, the real beating heart of my fictional town is its people.

About the Author

A native Pittsburgher, Stephanie Blackmoore now lives in Missouri, with her husband, son and two-spirited cats. She was an attorney in Pittsburgh and a librarian in Florida before becoming a writer. Stephanie is a fan of everything black-and-yellow. She is hard at work on her next Wedding Planner mystery. Connect with Stephanie at the links below.

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The Wrong Boy
Suspense/Thriller
Four Tails Publishing Ltd. (January 9, 2019)
Print Length: 307 pages

Synopsis

Perched on a Welsh clifftop, the ancient, picturesque hamlet of Rhosddraig has its peaceful façade ripped apart when human remains are discovered under a pile of stones. The village pub, The Dragon’s Head, run by three generations of women, becomes the focal point for those interested in the grisly find, and it’s where layers of deceit are peeled away to expose old secrets, and deep wounds. The police need to establish who died, how, and why, but DI Evan Glover knows he can’t be involved in the investigation, because he’s just two days away from retirement. However, as the case develops in unexpected ways, it becomes irrevocably woven into his life, and the lives of local families, leading to disturbing revelations – and deadly consequences . . .

About the Author

Born and raised in Wales, now-Canadian Cathy Ace is the author of the Cait Morgan Mysteries, featuring her Welsh Canadian criminology professor sleuth who travels the world tripping over corpses, and The WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries, featuring a quartet of female PIs, working from a Welsh stately home. Both series are traditional, entertaining, and have been well reviewed.

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A Literal Mess (An Allie Cobb Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Lyrical Underground (January 8, 2019)
Print Length: 196 pages

Synopsis

The first book in a new series featuring Allie Cobb brings the New York literary agent back to her Hoosier home town where a mysterious death keeps everyone on spoiler alert . . .

Allie Cobb left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. Now his death brings her and her rescue cat Ursula back to the southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek, population: 3,216. But a tragic new chapter hits the presses when the body of her father’s hard-drinking, #1 bestselling client is found under the historic town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend.

Determined to clear her bestie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode while trying to ignore the usual rumormongers. Those with means, motive, and opportunity include the vic’s ex-wife, his rejected girlfriend, the mayor, and a rival agent trying to mooch clients. With a rugged genealogist distracting her and the imminent Fall Festival about to send tourists descending on their once-peaceful hamlet, Allie needs to stay alive long enough to get a read on a killer ready to close the book on a new victim: Allie . . .

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Guest Post

Today I welcome author J.C. Kenney to StoreyBook Reviews.  I love his mother’s response to why she read mysteries.  It also gave me a little bit of a chuckle because I’m Catholic too!

It All Started With a Question

Hi, folks! Thanks for stopping by. I hope your 2019 is off to a great start. With the release of A Literal Mess, my year has started out like a lion, that’s for sure.

As I celebrate the arrival of my debut cozy mystery, I’m trying to enjoy every moment. Making sure I don’t get caught up in what’s next (like the next book in the Allie Cobb Mysteries series) but appreciate the what’s happening now.

While I do that, I’d be remiss not to reflect on my journey that brought me to this day, chatting with you all as a published cozy mystery author. You see, I’ve often been asked how I got my start as a cozy author. Did I always want to write mysteries? Where did this ride start?

To answer that question, we need to go back in time over forty years, to the days of my youth. I grew up in a traditional Irish-Catholic household, the youngest of eight children. Both of my parents were voracious readers. I remember Mom regularly returning home after a visit to the library with dozens of books for her and Dad to read.

While I was insanely jealous of the massive haul (I was only allowed to check out seven at a time), I also noticed something that made me curious. My dear mother, who went to church twice a week and taught Sunday school, liked crime fiction. The books she read were by authors like Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Lilian Jackson Braun.

Dame Agatha

 My young mind couldn’t understand how my mom, who was a model Catholic, liked murder mysteries. I mean, murder was the worst criminal act possible, right?

Ngaio Marsh

One day, this conundrum became too much to ignore, so I asked her why she read these awful books where people were killed.

Her answer left me stunned. She told me it wasn’t about the murder. It was about the puzzle. At first, I didn’t understand. Then, when she explained, the clouds parted. What appealed to her wasn’t the crime, it was the act of putting together the clues, the pieces of the puzzle, in the pursuit of justice.

It was all about catching the bad guy.

As the years passed, that exchange stuck with me and I became a fan of cozy mysteries, myself. The first cozy I read was And Then There Were None. I was fifteen years old and I loved it. Here’s the cover of the edition I read.

From there, I followed the adventures of Holmes and Watson, went along for the ride on the Oriental Express with Poirot, and fell love with Koko and Yum-Yum as they helped Qwilleran ensure justice prevails.

Interestingly enough, when I started writing, the stories I came up with weren’t mysteries. They were in a completely different genre, although those stories often included a mystery subplot. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago, when my agent challenged me to write a mystery, that I gave it a try.

Moments after accepting the challenge, I panicked. There was simply no way I could write a whodunit. I wasn’t smart enough. I wasn’t creative enough. Then, Mom’s words came back to me.

It’s not about the crime. It’s about the puzzle.

With that in mind, I got to work. Clues, along with suspects and red herrings, became my puzzle pieces. Before long, I had a full-fledged story worked out. And, as they say, the rest is history.

So, it’s not wrong to say I got my start writing cozy mysteries only a couple of years ago. It’s also not wrong to say I those cozy mystery seeds were planted over forty years ago. When it all started with a question.

How about you, folks? How did you get your start in the cozy mystery world? Do you have a favorite cozy author? I’d love to hear about it and thanks again for visiting!

About the Author

J.C. Kenney grew up in a household filled with books by legends Agatha Christie and Lilian Jackson Braun, among many others, so it was no surprise when he found himself writing mystery stories. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, two sons, and a cat who is the inspiration for Ursula in the Allie Cobb Mysteries.

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HEART OF THE OAK

by

J.L. NOVINSKY

Genre: Children’s / Nature / Life Cycle

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing

Publication Date: November 15, 2017

Number of Pages: 36 pages

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Heart of the Oak is a sweet story of the life of an old oak tree.

He’s old and weathered; his skin is rough and knotty.  But he has memories of joy, of love, and of tragedy.  He has endured many years and felt the sorrow of so much loss.  But his greatest joy is just ahead!

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Praise for HEART OF THE OAK from Amazon reviewers!

“Such a great book with a heartfelt story!”

“My children and I LOVE this book. We had a wonderful and insightful conversation after we read it.”

This may be a book geared toward children, but anyone who reads this book will capture the message within the pages – that love is there for everyone and that everyone (and everything) has a purpose in this life.

This book shares the life cycle with the reader. From birth and all through life, the ups and the downs that we all experience at different times. If I look at the focus of the book, a mighty oak, it reminded of the many trees I have seen over the course of my life and the good times climbing up high, picking the fruit, taking shelter from the sun or rain, or just sitting underneath them while enjoying a book. Some of those trees are no more and some continue to thrive and grow and provide enjoyment to others.

I am not afraid to say that this book had me teary-eyed near the end of the story as the tree is feeling despair but all of a sudden new life comes to his little corner of the planet and the tree received quite the surprise when people come to see the tree. I don’t want to spoil any surprises so go pick up this book and read it quickly!

We give this 5 paws up and I will be sharing this with my great-niece and nephew so that they can also learn the moral of this story.

J.L. (Joan) Novinsky was born just outside of Chicago, but she got to Texas as fast as she could! Joan started college at age 55, and while taking a Creative Writing class, she wrote her first story, Heart of the Oak. Joan has now written a second children’s book, Horace and Giselle, available for on-line purchase January 2019. She was married to Bob in 1992, had a son, Stephen, in 1998, then in 2001, she and her husband took on the challenge and excitement of adopting a boy from St. Petersburg, Russia. Andrei joined the family in 2002, and the family resides just north of Dallas with their various and numerous pets.

 

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Check out the other great blogs on this tour

1/3/19	Book Trailer	Reading by Moonlight
1/4/19	Review	All the Ups and Downs
1/5/19	Review	Missus Gonzo
1/6/19	Guest Post	Rainy Days with Amanda
1/7/19	Review	That’s What She’s Reading
1/8/19	Sneak Peek	The Clueless Gent
1/9/19	Character Interview	Forgotten Winds
1/10/19	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
1/11/19	Notable Quotable	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
1/12/19	Review	The Page Unbound

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The Plunge (Aggie Mundeen Lake Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series (Spin-Off of a previous series with this character.)
Wildside Press (October 9, 2018)
Paperback: 136 pages

Synopsis

When Aggie Mundeen accompanies San Antonio Detective Sam Vanderhoven on a weekend getaway to Lake Placid, she thinks it’s going to be fun in the sun. What could be better than caretaking a friend’s cottage on the Guadalupe River in Central Texas? Never mind that Sam intends to discretely investigate the theft of that friend’s boat…

Unfortunately, the weather has plans of its own. Buckets of rain and gusting winds roil the lake, turning the peaceful Guadalupe into an angry, raging river. As darkness descends, lightning reveals two people arguing on a dock across the river. When lightning flashes again, they are gone. Did Aggie and Sam witness an accident? A drowning? A murder?

The Plunge sweeps readers along with the threat of looming disaster, helpless before an untamable force, where sleuthing takes a back seat to survival…

About the Author

Nancy G. West is the author of award-winning suspense and the Aggie Mundeen Mystery Series. Each book in the series has either won or been nominated for an award. The Plunge, Lake Mystery #1, takes Aggie in a new direction.

Chat with Aggie and Nancy on their blog * Website * GoodReads * Twitter

 

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Title- Renegade Heart

By- Lissa Lynn Thomas

Series- Renegades #1

Genre- Romance (Friends to Lovers)

Release Date – February 5th, 2019

Cover Designed by Abigail Davies of Pink Elephant Designs

Synopsis

Raif Montgomery, lead singer of Renegades, the area’s most popular band, isn’t like other guys. When he gets left at the altar by a woman most men would kill to have, he finds himself more relieved than heartbroken. Things take another twisted little turn when he gets drunk the night of his non-wedding and makes a pass at his best friend, Chloe. She doesn’t shut him down.

Overall, he has plenty to occupy his troubled mind.

His mom is concerned he’s heading for a self-destruct of epic proportions. But all he can think about is tasting Chloe’s lips again, and getting her to agree to give them a shot as a couple. When a Nashville music producer starts hanging around Renegades’ shows, it seems that things are falling into place for the band.

But does he want success for the band if it means leaving Chloe behind? Can he walk away from the woman he loves? Or will he sacrifice the Renegades’ dreams to keep his heart intact?

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Teaser

“Okay, what are you two doing to my girl? No making her cry. I told her everything would be okay, are you trying to make a liar out of me now?” He is at my side and running his thumbs over my cheeks to check for any lingering tears in a heartbeat. He leans down and kisses my mouth. “What’d they do, darlin’? You know I’d slay any dragon for you.”

I smile up at him, overcome by how lucky I feel, how happy I am that he loves me, that I can have this. “They were happy tears, cupcake. Stow your sword and remember I’m no damsel in distress. I can slay dragons all on my own.”

“Yes, I know you can.” He says, his deep, rich voice serious. “But you don’t have to, Chloe Jane. Never again.”

 

About the Author

Lissa was first inspired to consider a career in writing when she was in high school. Her English teacher recognized Lissa’s gift for storytelling and encouraged her love of writing. She has six nieces and nephews whom she adores and a beloved cat who is her baby. Lissa loves the color purple, chai tea, and writes poetry under the pen name Bella Sterling.

Under the name Melissa Simmons, she has written one short story with fellow author, Allana Kephart, for the Dare to Shine Charity Anthology. She wrote another short story under the same name for the Best Thing I Never Had Charity Anthology. As Lissa Lynn Thomas, she has short stories in both the This Soldier’s Heart Charity Anthology and the Karma Charity Anthology. Lissa’s debut solo novel, Renegade Heart, is due out in winter of 2019. Renegade Heart is the first book in the Renegades series.

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Title: Trailblazer

Author: Anna Schmidt

Series: Cowboys & Harvey Girls, #1

Pub Date: January 1, 2019

Synopsis

MEET THE HARVEY GIRLS

These real-life pioneering women were symbols of elegance in the wild frontier: taming rough manners, falling in love, and changing the face of the West forever.

Grace Rogers is ready for the adventure of a lifetime. With her family’s farm falling on hard times, she accepts a position with the prestigious Fred Harvey Company and heads for Juniper, New Mexico. There she meets a handsome cowboy who quickly turns her head. Too bad the Harvey Girls are forbidden to marry…

Nick Hopkins has a plan: buy a little land, marry, and raise a family—in that order. But after meeting Grace, he can’t keep away. Their only choice is to marry in secret…but Nick isn’t the only man entranced by Grace’s charms, and this unexpected rival doesn’t plan on taking no for an answer. He will have her, no matter the cost: to Grace, to Juniper, or to the happily ever after Grace and Nick fought so hard to make their own.

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Excerpt

She glanced at him, saw his lips quirk in what might be a smile and then turn his attention to the window. His skin was tanned to a burnished gold except for a lighter stripe across his forehead. His head was probably usually protected—her father had the same line on his face for the same reason—though in the cowboy’s case, it would have been by that black hat on the seat next to him. His thick, chocolate-colored hair kept falling over his forehead even though he repeatedly brushed it back with his fingers. He needed a shave, but there was something appealing about the stubble of whiskers. He was tall; that much was evidenced by the fact that even when occupying a seat meant for two, he seemed to need more space. He had broad shoulders that stretched the limits of the dark-gray sack coat he wore. The tan cotton shirt underneath it was in need of a good ironing. His trousers were a dark brown and his boots black, with fancy tooling.

“Do I pass inspection?” he asked, jarring her back to reality—and the realization that she had been studying every inch of him.

Her cheeks grew warm and red. “I…”

He waved away any excuse she might offer. “Look, Miss…” He waited.

“Rogers,” she said, her voice cracking. “Grace Rogers.” She saw no harm in giving him her name, and she didn’t want to be rude.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Rogers.” He hesitated, then added, “Like Ollie said, I’m Nick Hopkins. I wonder if you would do me the honor of joining me for supper?”

The offer was more tempting than it should have been. She had looked forward to dining in a real Harvey eatery, but even though her first-class ticket included meals, having dinner with this stranger—even paying her own way—simply would not do. “I have food with me. Apples and cheese and some bread.” She nodded reluctantly toward the carpetbag and the sack of food inside it that Miss Culver had given her at the station.

“But did you ever eat in a Harvey House, Miss Rogers?” he asked.

“Yes. In Kansas City.” She took pleasure in his surprise. He probably saw her as some country bumpkin. She straightened her back and shoulders and met his gaze directly for the first time. “You see, I work for the organization.” She flashed the practiced smile she’d developed in training.

His return smile took her breath away. How could any man be this good-looking? She felt her cheeks begin to turn pink, but she shook off the attraction. She had no time for flirting. She was on her way to a job, a new life that would hopefully provide adventure for her and much-needed financial assistance for her family.

Still, she couldn’t help but cast him a quick look from beneath her lashes.

“Well now,” he drawled. “In that case, it seems to me it would be to your advantage to try as many of Mr. Harvey’s establishments as possible. You could look at things from the customer’s view and see how the one we’ll be stopping at soon is different from the one where you’ll be working.”

“Oh, there are no differences, Mr. Hopkins,” she replied, parroting the information she’d absorbed during her training. “At least not when it comes to service and quality of food. Our organization adheres to the same standards no matter where we are. It’s the Harvey way.” As the train pulled into the station, Grace pressed her hands over her skirt. “Enjoy your meal, Mr. Hopkins,” she said brightly.

Nick Hopkins grinned and stood. He reached past her and took her carpetbag from her, lifting it into the overhead rack, then stepped back to allow her to go ahead of him. “If you change your mind, Miss Rogers…”

A dozen different thoughts flashed through Grace’s mind. She reminded herself that going with this man might be construed as breaking the strict rules for conduct set forth in her training. She reminded herself of her mother’s warning not to talk to strangers. She reminded herself that she had no time for exploring a possible friendship with a man—or more.

She was a Harvey Girl now and, as such, represented the high standards of the company. “I won’t,” she said, “but thank you for your kind offer, sir.” With that, she made her way to the exit.

The establishment was a far cry from the place her train to Kansas City had stopped. Greeters met passengers at the entrance and discreetly directed them to the appropriate washroom. By the time Grace returned to the dining room, Mr. Hopkins was already seated at a table near the door. He looked up, arching an eyebrow and nodding toward the empty place across from him in question.

She hesitated. The truth was, now that she was actually standing in the dining room filled with people, it struck her that she was alone and knew no one—other than Mr. Hopkins. Where would be the harm in sitting opposite possibly the most handsome man she’d ever seen, a man who also appeared to be quite intelligent, and genuinely concerned for her welfare? After all, the conductor had vouched for him.

On the other hand, given how strict Mr. Harvey’s standards were for his employees, how did she know someone wouldn’t be watching and report her? Maybe Mr. Hopkins worked for Mr. Harvey and was supposed to be testing her.

She straightened to her full height—just over five feet—scanned the room quickly, and made her way to a vacant chair at a table occupied by two other women. Seating herself, Grace smiled up at the waitress in her pristine uniform: a black dress covered by a crisp white pinafore apron, black shoes polished to a sheen, and black hose, all topped off with a perky white bow in her upswept hair. “Milk, please,” she said and watched as the waitress set her coffee cup next to its saucer, its position a simple cue to the girl who served the beverages.

As soon as the waitress walked away, the drink girl arrived, glanced quickly at the way the cups had been set, and poured coffee for Grace’s tablemates, leaving a full pot on the table in case they wanted refills. Moments later, she delivered a tall glass of milk to Grace, presenting the beverage on a small silver tray. A girl could be fired for simply carrying a glass or plate to a customer. Serving on a tray was the Harvey way.

This is my future, Grace thought, not some cowboy who is far too handsome for his own good.

About the Author

Award-winning author ANNA SCHMIDT delights in creating stories where her characters must wrestle with the challenges of their times. Critics have consistently praised Schmidt for the reality of her characters—exposing their flaws as well as their strengths as she delivers strong tales of hope and love in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She resides in Wisconsin and Florida.

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Title: Hot Target Cowboy

Author: June Faver

Series: Dark Horse Cowboys, #2

Pub Date: January 1, 2019

Synopsis

His loyalty is to his family. But his heart belongs to her.

Eldest son Colt Garrett is the biggest, strongest and steadiest of the Garrett brothers. Colt accepts his responsibilities, knowing his future is tied to the land. Colt has stayed centered—but when he falls in love, he falls hard. He is mesmerized by Misty Dalton, the younger sister of one of his brother’s friends.

Misty Dalton has held together a family plagued with problems since her mother passed away. But when the threats to her family turn deadly, Misty turns to Colt. If anybody wants to hurt Misty, they’re going to have to go through the toughest of the Garrett boys first.

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Excerpt

It was at dinner that Misty announced her intentions of moving back to the Dalton ranch.

Colton could not have been more surprised if she had smacked him in the face.

There was a chorus of disappointment, but Misty seemed to have made up her mind.

Colton was angry. He tried not to show it, but he speared his food and shoveled it into his mouth in silence.

“Do you think it’s safe?” Leah asked, giving voice to his concerns.

Misty shrugged. “I don’t know why it wouldn’t be. Mark and I don’t know anything about the banker’s death or why he wound up there.”

Leah’s brow puckered in a frown. “But what about Joe? Whoever killed him is still out there. As I understand it, the sheriff doesn’t have a lead on the person who shot him.”

“Trust me, Joe’s death is on my mind all the time.” Misty’s lips trembled before she pressed them together in a firm line. “I—I don’t know anything about that, either. I mean…” Her voice dropped to a lower register. “Mark and I weren’t in the loop. Joe didn’t share his thoughts or his activities with us.”

Colton swallowed hard, his food going down like a load of concrete. “Yes, but whoever shot him might not know that. I don’t think you’ll be safe there.”

Her large, dark eyes appraised him, as though wondering at his motives … causing him to wonder what his own motives were. “Well, we can’t keep imposing on the Garrett family hospitality forever. We need to get back home and try to pick-up the pieces.”

Colton stabbed a piece of meat and poked it into his mouth, thus ending his commentary.

Later, he asked Misty to take a walk with him.

She hesitated, but took the hand he offered.

It wasn’t fully dark outside, but the sky was streaked with purples and crimson from the setting sun. Crickets chirped and the smell of damp earth and grass wafted on the light breeze.

Colton tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and laid his hand on top of hers. It always felt so small and soft when compared to his.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

He sucked in a breath and blew it out in a huff. “I’m concerned about you and Mark moving back to your home so soon after all the violence. I wish you would give the sheriff a chance to find out who’s behind the murders of your brother and Mr. Hamilton.”

Misty hung her head, but stayed in step with him as they made a wide circle of the house and outbuildings. “I feel like such a moocher staying here. I appreciate you for taking us in when we were about to be thrown out. I appreciate you even more for all the sweet things you do without even thinking about it.”

He stopped, turning to face her, and lifted her chin. “Misty, honey—you’ve got to know how I feel about you.”

She gazed up at him solemnly. “No, I can honestly say, I don’t have a clue. I think you like me, but maybe you need to spell out your feelings for me.” The silence that followed was like a black vortex sucking him inside.

Colton’s chest tightened as though a steel band was constricting his lungs. He swallowed hard. “Well, I guess you could say I love you.”

She raised her brows. “Guess you could say? What the hell does that mean?”

He grinned. “Damn, you’re a tough woman. I love you. There! Are you satisfied?”

“Well, I don’t know. Why was that so hard to say?”

“Because I’ve never said those words to any other woman before. It’s you. You’re the one I love.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers.

She broke into a wide grin of her own. “Now I’m satisfied.” She slipped both arms around his waist and delivered a fierce hug.

Colt wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight against him. Now she knows. He pressed a kiss against the top of her head, rocking her slightly.

“Oh, Colt. I’ve been hoping you felt that way about me.”

He snorted, indelicately. “Well, if you didn’t know, you were the only one. I’ve been taking heat from Beau and Leah … and my dad.”

She gasped, raising her head. “Your dad?”

“Yeah, everyone knew but you.”

She ducked her head again, but she was grinning. He thought she was blushing, but the diminishing light hid her embarrassment. “So, now what?”

“So now I ask you again, as the man who loves you, please don’t move back to your house until the sheriff has caught whoever murdered your brother and Fred Hamilton.”

“Well, since you’re the man who loves me, I’ll take your concerns very seriously.” She blew out a breath. “Do you suppose we could go talk to the sheriff tomorrow and see if he has anything new to tell us?”

He kissed her forehead and then her nose. “Sure thing. As long as you give him a little time to solve the murders.”

She broke loose with an impudent smile. “Why Colton Garrett. I do believe you like having me around.”

“More than you know.” He gave her a little squeeze. “Now promise to let the sheriff get to the bottom of the violence before you go moving back to your ranch.”

“It depends on what he has to say.”

About the Author

June Faver loves Texas, from the Gulf coast to the panhandle, from the Mexican border to the Piney Woods. Her novels embrace the heart and soul of the state and the larger-than-life Texans who romp across her pages. A former teacher and healthcare professional, she lives and writes in the Texas Hill Country.

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Giveaway

5 Copies of Do Or Die Cowboy

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About the Movie

The children in Millie’s family can’t wait for Grandma to arrive with her special Christmas apron. According to tradition, each grandchild will write down the gift he or she wants most in the world, and then slip that wish into the apron’s pocket. Then, on Christmas morning, those wished-for gifts will be magically waiting under the tree. But then eleven-year-old Millie overhears her parents: the family can’t afford gifts for all the little ones. She pictures the disappointment on her siblings’ faces: nothing to open on Christmas morning. Is Millie willing to sacrifice her own whole-soul wish so that someone else’s can come true? Full of tender emotion and delightful surprise, this story reminds us of the miracles that unfold when we think of others before ourselves.

Trailer

The Christmas Apron Trailer from Ron Brough on Vimeo.

 

Review

This movie reminds me a little bit of the story of the Magi, where the husband and wife sacrifice something for the other to give them a gift at Christmas.  In this movie, it is two sisters that selflessly give their wish for the Christmas Apron for the other.

This movie is set during the war so many do without or with very little.  The story is uplifting, heartwarming, and perfect for the holidays and what we should be teaching our children and those around us – the reason for the season.  I even found myself misty at the end when the family comes together Christmas morning.

We give this 5 paws up

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