Posted in 4 paws, fiction, Review, women on August 1, 2023

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

It seems lately that Poppy Lively is invisible to everyone but the IRS.

After her accountant absconded with her life savings, newly bankrupt Poppy is on the verge of losing her home when an old flame, now a hotshot producer, gives her a surprising way out: a job in costumes on a Hollywood film set. It’s a bold move to pack her bags, keep secrets from her daughter, and head to Los Angeles, but Poppy’s a capable person―how hard can a job in wardrobe be? It’s not like she has a choice; her life couldn’t get any worse. Even so, this Midwesterner has a lot to learn about the fast and loose world of movie stars, iconic costumes, and back-lot intrigue.>As a single mom, she’s rarely had time for watching movies, she doesn’t sew, and she doesn’t know a thing about dressing the biggest names in the business. Floundering and overlooked, Poppy has one ally: Allen Carol, an ill-tempered movie star taken with Poppy’s unfiltered candor and general indifference to stardom.

When Poppy stumbles upon corruption, she relies on everyone underestimating her to discover who’s at the center of it, a revelation that shakes her belief in humanity. What she thought was a way to secure a future for her daughter becomes a spotlight illuminating the facts: Poppy is out of her league among the divas of Tinseltown.
Poppy must decide whether to keep her mouth shut, as she’s always done, or with the help of a scruffy dog, show the moviemakers that they need her unglamorous ways, whether the superstars like it or not.

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

I have mixed opinions about this book. It starts with Poppy putting her head in the sand after discovering that her accountant ran off with her money, and now the IRS wants years of back taxes and more. On top of that, she is trying to figure out how to send her daughter to nursing school, find a new job, and is struggling to make it through the day. Enter Three, a former lover from around 18 years ago that she runs into at the airport. Is he the answer to her money issues? He can get her a job in the wardrobe division of a movie being shot in California. Poppy just has to get there from Wisconsin. With all of her other money issues, she decides to drive. And what an adventure that is. But the real adventure is on the set of this movie. Apparently, “must-hires” are looked down on by the rest of the crew because this person is usually not qualified for the job. There are quite a few conflicts with other crew members, making up this story’s crux.

At first, I didn’t like Poppy’s character. She came across as wishy-washy and perhaps a bit incompetent. I know many business owners don’t always pay attention to the financial details, but to not be aware of IRS notices and such? However, as the story came to a close, I had a little more respect for her as she found her strength and learned that she doesn’t have to make everyone happy all the time. That it is ok to look out for yourself first.

I do have a small gripe about the whole IRS situation. While it wasn’t a good place to be, the fact that the author had the IRS agents telling Poppy that they would take all of her money and she would have absolutely nothing to live on was incorrect. If a person has no money for rent, utilities, groceries, etc., they would be unable to repay the IRS at any time because they would be homeless and have no way to help support themselves. This may be fiction, but I feel like situations like this should be represented correctly. That said, do not ignore IRS notices!

That said, if you can look past some of the inaccuracies throughout the book, you will find a quirky cast of characters that learn more about themselves in the space of a week. They create new friendships and learn that they do not have to do everything on their own.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ann Garvin, Ph.D., is the USA Today bestselling author of I THOUGHT YOU SAID THIS WOULD WORK, I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around, The Dog Year, and On Maggie’s Watch. Ann writes about women with a good sense of humor who do too much in a world that asks too much from them. She teaches at Drexel University Masters of Fine Arts program and has held positions at Miami University and Southern New Hampshire in their Masters of Fine Arts program. Ann is the founder of the Tall Poppy Writers, where she is committed to helping women writers find readers. She is a sought-after speaker on writing, leadership, and health and has taught extensively nationally and internationally.

 

Website * Podcasts on Spotify * Instagram * Twitter

 

 | 
Comments Off on Review – There’s No Coming Back From This by Ann Garvin #newrelease @AnnGarvin_ #women #LakeUnionPub
Posted in 5 paws, Cookbook, cooking, Fantasy, Magic, Middle Grade, Review, Young Adult on July 31, 2023

 

 

Includes an original, never-before-published story about the Fablehaven woodland brownies by #1 New York Times best-selling author Brandon Mull

The Fablehaven house brownies are known for coming into the kitchen at night and baking delightful treats as a surprise for caretakers and their guests. Now, Fablehaven fans can enjoy nearly fifty wondrous recipes inspired by the world of Fablehaven. Each recipe includes a Fablehaven origin story and full-color food photography. Enjoy a selection of magical crafts like Wizard Slime and Vanessa’s Invisible Ink. Bonus: also includes a few of Brandon Mull’s favorite desserts.

Wondrous Recipes Include:

Fairy Toast
Muriel’s Pretzel Knots
Ogre Stew
Bubda’s Sloppy Guac
Calico Bread
Lena’s Loaded Crepes
Bracken’s Unicorn Shakes
Zombie Cake Eyeballs
Dragon Egg Cupcakes
Goblin Glop Trifle
Tanu’s Bottled-Up Emotions
Singing Sisters Bubbling Brew

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Deseret Books * BAM

 

Bookshop * IndieBound * Walmart

 

Preorder today, the book releases on 8/1/23

 

 

Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

BRANDON MULL is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Candy Shop War, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife, Erlyn, their eleven children, and some animals. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook

 

 

CHERIE MULL is a mom of four who has always loved making and eating good food. After graduating with a degree in biology, Cherie worked in gene sequencing and pharmaceutical research before exchanging her lab coat for an apron. She now owns a thriving baking business, creating cakes and custom treats for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations. Cherie and her husband, Bryson—Brandon Mull’s brother—have been beta readers for the Fablehaven stories since the beginning, and she is thrilled to be a part of this new adventure.

 | 
Comments Off on Review – The Official Fablehaven Cookbook by Brandon Mull & Cherie Mull @ShadowMountn #fantasy #ya #magic #middlegrade #cookbook
Posted in 5 paws, Historical, Review, Time Travel on July 29, 2023

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Portland, Oregon. In May 2022, the Carpenters are a sad lot. Bill, 81, has just buried his beloved wife. Paul, 75, has terminal lung cancer. Annie, 72, is a paraplegic with broken dreams. Childless and directionless, the siblings face an uncertain future in their childhood home.

Then Bill, a retired folklore professor, learns from a dying man that the legendary Fountain of Youth, his obsession for decades, may be more than a myth. He races to Mexico to find the truth.

Within weeks, the Carpenters, with nothing to lose, enter a mysterious cave and exit in July 1905 as healthy young adults. They begin new lives in Oakland, California, only vaguely aware of a devastating earthquake that will rock the San Francisco Bay Area on April 18, 1906.

In THE FOUNTAIN, the first book in the Second Chance trilogy, three siblings find opportunity, romance, and heartbreak as they make the most of a new lease on life.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

 

Review

 

Does the Fountain of Youth exist? If it does, would you utilize its powers to turn back time? What if it threw you back or forward in time? Do you still think you would want to test its powers?

While this book has a little bit of time travel in it, it is more historical. I always enjoy this author’s books, and it is obvious the research that is put into the people and events of the eras he is portraying.

The story is told from several different perspectives – the three siblings and Cassie, the love interest of one of the siblings. Since this is a trilogy, I am assuming that books two and three will focus on Annie and Paul, the other two siblings. This one focuses a lot on Bill, his guardianship of his two siblings, finding employment in a world that is 100+ years before his time, and finding love. There isn’t really a lot of conflict, but not everything is easy, and they do face challenges in this world. It is hard not to use terminology that we would use today without having to go into detail explaining what it means.

While the book focuses on Bill, we learn much about Annie and Paul. I really like Annie and her whip-smart intelligence and attitude. Paul realizes what might have gone wrong in his life in the past and seeks to make changes.

I am looking forward to reading the next two books in this trilogy.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Heldt-Bio-Mug-3John A. Heldt is a reference librarian and the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage time-travel series. The former award-winning sportswriter and newspaper editor has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports on baseball heroes in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, he is an avid fisherman, sports fan, home brewer, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life on his blog.

 

Blog * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads * Shelfari * Twitter

 

 | 
Comments Off on Review – The Fountain by John A. Heldt @johnheldt #timetravel #historical #5paws
Posted in 4 paws, Review, romance, Young Adult on July 27, 2023

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Never Have I Ever meets The X-Files in Amanda Quain’s Ghosted, a gender-bent contemporary retelling of the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey.

Hattie Tilney isn’t a believer. Yes, she’s a senior at America’s most (allegedly) haunted high school, Northanger Abbey. But ever since her paranormal-loving dad passed away, she’s hung up her Ghostbusters suit, put away the EMF detectors and thermal cameras, and moved on. She has enough to worry about in the land of the living–like taking care of her younger brother, Liam, while their older sister spirals out and their mother, Northanger’s formidable headmistress, buries herself in her work. If Hattie just works hard enough and keeps that overachiever mask on tight through graduation, maybe her mom will finally notice her.

But the mask starts slipping when Hattie’s assigned to be an ambassador to Kit Morland, a golden retriever of a boy who’s transferred to Northanger on—what else—a ghost-hunting scholarship. The two are partnered up for an investigative project on the school’s paranormal activity, and Hattie quickly strikes a deal: Kit will present whatever ghostly evidence he can find to prove that campus is haunted, and Hattie will prove that it’s not. But as they explore the abandoned tunnels and foggy graveyards of Northanger, Hattie starts to realize that Kit might be the kind of person that makes her want to believe in something—and someone—for the first time.

With her signature wit and slow burn romance, Amanda Quain turns another Austen classic on its head in this sparkling retelling that proves sometimes the ghosts are just a metaphor after all.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

I am not a huge Jane Austen fan (don’t stone me!), so I have no idea what her story is about. My review is based solely on this book without comparisons.

This coming-of-age YA novel has many themes running through it. Hattie is grieving her father’s passing while trying to fit into the high school where her mother is the headmistress. I found it odd that she always referred to her as Dr. Tilney and rarely mom. That speaks volumes about their relationship or lack thereof. Hattie does have a good relationship with her younger brother Liam, but her older sister, Freddie, is lost in her own way.

Enter Kit Morland. He is a scholarship student from a paranormal society. His enthusiasm for all things ghosts brings up some feelings in Hattie that she hasn’t felt for many years. However, in order to be the “good” daughter, she pushes those emotions down and scoffs at his love of ghosts. It doesn’t help that they are assigned a project that is to prove or disprove the idea of ghosts. Despite their journalistic endeavors, love does come into play over time. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom and for Hattie to realize that maybe there is more to her life than the boxes she is checking off some list.

Love, friendship, disagreements, and more bring this story together. The characters are varied but focus primarily on Kit and Hattie. I really came to adore Liam, especially when he discovered a new love. Even Freddie manages to redeem herself in the end.

This was an enjoyable story, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

AMANDA QUAIN is a writer, indie bookseller, and general life enthusiast. When she’s not shouting about her favorite new books, she loves theatre, baking, rock climbing, marching band, and the overall pursuit of adventure. If forced to choose, Amanda’s favorite Austen hero is Edward Ferrars, though she’ll always have a soft spot for Mr. Bingley. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and her cat. She is the author of ACCOMPLISHED and GHOSTED.

 

Website * Twitter * Instagram

 | 
Comments Off on Review – Ghosted by Amanda Quain @QUAINIAC #newrelease #YA #romance #retelling
Posted in Giveaway, Guest Post, mystery, Review on July 25, 2023

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Award-winning novelist Verlin Darrow delivers a standout thrill ride in his newest mystery, Murder for Liar, an engaging, enlightening, and entertaining novel of psychological suspense.

About Murder for Liar: Private investigator-turned-psychotherapist Tom Dashiel doesn’t know it yet, but he’s hurtling towards discovering where his threshold lies—the point of no return for his sanity. So begins a surreal spiral when George Arundel enters Tom’s Santa Cruz office on a Tuesday afternoon in April.

To say George Arundel is a puzzle is an understatement: the local psychiatrist who referred Arundel to Tom described him—rather astutely—as “a substantial challenge.” Working to treat the enigmatic Arundel, Tom soon realizes he has been tasked to treat a client unlike any he’s ever encountered.

But how is George Arundel related to the uncanny coincidences Tom begins to encounter? Are these mere coincidences…or something else? Could a young woman named Zig-Zag really be an angel? How could a dog—a rather cute one at that—reveal one of the most important clues? What’s the deal with that alluring, albeit mercurial, woman named Dizzy? And what’s Arundel’s connection to the escalating spate of unsolved murders plaguing the typically calm but always colorful Santa Cruz community?

Swept up in a perilous world where nothing is as it seems, Tom struggles to make sense of the decidedly dangerous, downright deadly scheme in which he has somehow unwittingly become a key player. Tom is about to discover that in this treacherous reality, the truth is far, far stranger than fiction…but the real danger is not knowing which is which.

Verlin Darrow has crafted an exhilarating, briskly paced page turner with a to-die-for plot in his latest novel. An extraordinary read that is alternately dark and lighthearted, tragic and comic, wildly entertaining and highly enlightening, Murder for Liar is one of those books destined to stay with readers after the final page is turned. Meticulously plotted, populated with a charismatic cast of unforgettable characters and bustling with twists and turns, Murder for Liar is a true standout.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound * Bookshop

 

 

Praise

 

“The story has great pace, fun characters who you care about, plenty of twists, and narrative ‘personality’, especially with all of the psychology and spiritual references. Many good zingers, taut scenes, and punchy, believable dialogue. The mixture of a hard-boiled story line with a soft-boiled private investigator works well and the psychology–spiritualism element grabbed and held my interest.”-C.I. Dennis, author of the Vince Tanzi series. For Blood and Wisdom

“Verlin Darrow has a sense of plot and style that carries the reader forward into that special place of anxious expectation, the place where putting the book down is unthinkable.

Verlin gets us into the minds of people you wouldn’t want to invite for dinner. Fascinating.”-Richard House MD, author of Between Now and When. For Blood and Wisdom

“A kooky spiritual version of the Da Vinci Code. A good laugh with bad guys and good guys searching for Buddha’s reincarnation. There is a whooper of a surprise ending!”- Lee Kaiser, author of Towers of the Hungry Ghosts. For Coattail Karma

 

 

Guest Post

 

Verlin Darrow’s Aphoristic Advice for Writers (And Others)

 

 

1)  Yield gracefully to what is.

We have a choice to either hunker down and resist being changed by what comes our way, or grow and evolve even as the ground underneath us shifts. Trying to maintain our historical sense of ourselves through thick and thin can be subtle, using psychological defenses, or it can be obvious, arguing away others’ point of view or freezing our development by drinking. If the world around us stayed the same, perhaps trying to limit its ability to influence us would work better. As it is, these attempts to make ourselves feel safe and secure are doomed. Impermanence prevails.

For writers, this means we have to surf the randomness and capriciousness of the publishing world, especially in regards to the end result of our efforts. It’s easy to adopt a subtle adversarial stance toward the folks who hold the fate of our careers in their hands. Why won’t they accept our query/submission of such a wonderful manuscript? What’s wrong with these people? The reality we sometimes need to accept is that our work may not be wonderful, after all. Even if it is, it may not be marketable in the eyes of people more expert than us about such matters. We may be doomed to never find an agent or a publisher. We may find ourselves disappointed, bitter, or in despair.

If we can yield gracefully—without a fight—to all of this, including our feelings and thoughts about it all, we can proceed in whatever is the best way possible. This might include fighting against the way things are. After all, pushing for social justice is often called for, and the publishing world could certainly operate in a more sensible way. But to be effective in endeavors such as these, we have to stop playing games in our head about the way things currently are. We can’t try to arm wrestle life into submission. It’s way bigger than us. It will win.

 

2) We are like complex, completed origami. Our task is to unfold ourselves and return to the simple, blank sheets of paper that we once were before we were us.

By this, I mean that writers need to find a way to step away from ego-based concerns, overthinking, biases, conditioning, and whatever else stands between us and our deeper selves. Our work will be more valuable to the world if we can invoke the universally shared part of ourselves—that which lies beneath our supposed individual selves.

In fiction, which I write, we need characters who readers can identify with—who seem real. We don’t need simulacrums of ourselves—projections of our personal agendas and issues. It’s one thing to explore a problematic aspect of a character that we share, but this needs to be guided by awareness. If we’re lost in the drama ourselves—if it simply represents us and not some universal aspect of personhood—why would it mean much to a reader?

 

3) Our thoughts are science fiction stories written by drunk monkeys.

Okay, maybe I should’ve said my thoughts are like that.

But I think all writers need to be suspicious of their thoughts. Just because I have the idea that my protagonist ought to be six-foot five doesn’t mean it’s going to work out for the best down the line. If we simply hold our thoughts as truth without paying attention to what our experience tells us later—without adapting or altering our original take on something, we’re selling ourselves short.

Thoughts aren’t real. They form, pass through us, and dissipate—if we let them. That’s their nature if we don’t do something to keep them rolling along.

There are other clues we can use to make the choices embedded in our writing. Writing doesn’t need to be a purely mental exercise. What about emotions—what seems like the right call based on our feelings about it? What about intuition? If we can get out of our own way enough, sometimes things bubble up from God knows where. Putting thoughts in their place—labeling them as mere thoughts—can keep us from being a slave to them.

 

4) We’re prepared by the journey to meet the challenges that await us at the destination.

The process of writing can be instructive on many levels—even transformative. By learning from the process—the journey from the first word to the last (edited) word—we give ourselves the opportunity to meet what comes next as an improved version of ourselves.

If there were a way to leapfrog over all the hard work of gaining skills and finishing projects, we’d find ourselves in a frontier landscape with no preparation for how to handle things. Having early manuscripts torn apart by editors, having to cope with our egos, having to rewrite incessantly until we’re so sick of our characters that we want to write a scene where they all jumped off an especially high bridge—these are why we write better now—with more peace of mind about how things turn out.

There are no shortcuts worth seeking. If serendipity comes our way and our task becomes a need for a sudden assimilation of success, so be it. It’s a gold-plated problem in many respects. But think about people who win the lottery—who are vaulted into a very different circumstance. There’s a much higher rate of suicide in this demographic, and on average, they’re broke after six years. They didn’t trudge their way into wealth, gaining insights and skills about it.

There’s a great deal of value in the journey—the process—as long as we’re willing to grow and learn from it.

© Verlin Darrow

 

 

Guest Review by Nora

 

Tom Dashiel has a problem. That problem is named George Arundel. George is a therapy patient that Tom has only recently started seeing, and already their sessions have gotten off to a rough start.

George is difficult to talk to. He’s laconic and refuses to give his new therapist any information about his past. Obviously, this is frustrating for Tom, who prides himself on his ability to get into any patient’s head, even the most difficult cases. However, when Tom finally does begin to make headway in these conversations he quickly begins to regret trying, as George soon reveals that the depth of his delusions are not only shocking, but that they have more to do with Tom, himself than the therapist would appreciate.

See, George believes that he has a destiny beyond what a normal human could comprehend. He thinks that he was put on this earth to find Biblical angels that have been reincarnated as humans, and awaken them to their own destiny. And that is why George is talking to Tom. He believes that the therapist is one of these angels.

At first, although Tom is surprised by this revelation, he is obviously not interested in taking it seriously. After all, George is only seeing him because he is severely mentally ill. But soon, Tom begins seeing things in his own life that make him question what he thinks of his own destiny, and soon he begins to wonder if George might be telling the truth.

Almost immediately when I started reading this, I knew that I was going to enjoy it but I didn’t know that by the end, it would end up being one of my favorite reads of the year, so far!

I loved the narration in this novel. Tom Dashiel’s character was so funny and easy to root for. I found myself really wanting him to unravel the mystery at the center of this novel and somehow manage to get out alive.

I highly recommend this stunning read!

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Award-winning novelist, Verlin Darrow is a psychotherapist who lives with his psychotherapist wife in the woods near the Monterey Bay in northern California. They diagnose each other as necessary.

Verlin is a former professional volleyball player (in Italy), unsuccessful country-western singer/songwriter, import store owner, and assistant guru in a small, benign spiritual organization.

 

Website

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

This giveaway is for 3 print copies and is open to the U.S. only.

 

This giveaway ends on July 28, 2023 midnight, pacific time.

 

Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Posted in 4 paws, Cozy, mystery, Review on July 18, 2023

 

 

Synopsis

 

A picturesque college town, a jaded ex-detective, and a deadly fraternity…

After a rough breakup, Amy Carson is eager to dive into the next chapter of her life as an English graduate student at the charmingly rustic Fallston State University. More than that, she’s excited to begin her career in academia as the teaching assistant to one of Fallston State’s most brilliant English professors. However, Amy’s new boss—a grumpy ex-detective named Dominic Cage—is seemingly determined to make her semester miserable.

When Amy’s favorite student, Will Meyers, turns up dead, the police are quick to write it off as a suicide. Yet, as more details are released, Amy begins to suspect foul play… and surprisingly, Dominic agrees with her. Careful to avoid Amy’s overly protective detective brother, the unlikely pair set out to find the truth behind Will’s death.

But the more Amy learns about the organizations connected to Will’s murder, the closer she comes to uncovering one of Fallston State’s most sinister secrets… andthe dark truth behind Dominic’s mysterious past.

Homicide Hamlet is the first story in the Literature Detectives Cozy Mystery series. If you love interesting characters, witty humor, and complex mysteries, you’ll love this series!

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

This new cozy series has a lot going for it – a small town, a spunky protagonist, and an ensemble cast that rounds out the personality types to include a little bit of everything.

Amy is a bit bold, but considering her family and what has happened in the past, she has to be since her family has given her the impression that she can’t make it without a man. What era are they living in?! Dominic is a professor at the college, and Amy is his new TA. He is not familiar with technology at all and drives a car that looks like Frankenstein assembled. But these two work well together when it comes to uncovering clues as to who killed Will. They each have assets that complement the other, which shows in their pursuit of the truth. I also wonder if there might be a potential romance brewing between them.

I really liked Amy’s roommates, these three played off each other quite well, and they seem like people I would like to have as roommates…well, other than the horror movie obsession!

I have to say that I wasn’t sure how the murderer would be revealed, and I tried to follow along with the clues but only got so far in my guessing. I thought the story wrapped up nicely and didn’t leave any stones unturned. We even looked into Dominic’s past and how it affected his relationship with Vance, Amy’s brother. However, helping to solve this crime might go a long way in mending some fences. Only future books will tell.

I think this will be a fun new series, and give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

While some may detest being raised in the middle of Nowhere, Ohio – Peyton has fully embraced her cornfield-filled home state and uses it as inspiration for the settings of her books. A lover of puzzles and a firm believer that things are better when they’re wrapped in approximately three layers of intrigue, Peyton’s favorite pastime is daydreaming about exciting, mind-bending mysteries. Apart from writing whodunnits, Peyton spends her time drinking excessive amounts of coffee, perusing the weirdest attractions that the Midwest has to offer, and spending time with her cranky, geriatric cat.

 

 

 | 
Comments Off on Review – Homicide Hamlet by Peyton Pierson #cozy #mystery #newseries
Posted in 5 paws, Book Release, Fantasy, Historical, Review, Young Adult on July 12, 2023

 

 

Synopsis

 

A long-kept secret. A seaside kingdom. A life-changing revelation.

 

No stranger to tragedy, Amira seeks joy in the little things—books, nature, her friends, and the memories of her late mother. When she gets the opportunity to leave her sleepy village and visit the kingdom’s capital of Kalopsia, her excitement knows no bounds. But even her vivid imagination couldn’t anticipate gaining a crown…or a father.

King Thorndale has spent the years since his queen left with their infant daughter blaming himself, struggling under the combined weight of his guilt and duties to his realm. When Amira arrives, her cheerfulness sheds light on the darkness inside him. But he cannot welcome her wholeheartedly, not when he knows the danger she may be in and what little he can do to prevent it.

Amira soon realizes her royal life isn’t the fairy tale she expected. And when a precious item goes missing, she realizes there’s a larger threat afoot. She’s determined to find answers, but failing may bring her tentative relationship with her father to ruin. Will the ray of hope be bright enough to see them through? Or will grief and doubt overshadow it for good?

Walking the line between historical fiction and fantasy, you’ll travel to a realm devoid of magic and dragons but overflowing with ballgowns, secret rooms, ocean breezes, and touches of mystery perfect for readers, young and old, seeking a clean, wholesome story. This is the second stand-alone novel in the “Fallen Stars” series.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

This novel was quite a surprise! It entranced me from the start. While billed as a historical fantasy, it isn’t filled with dragons or mythical creatures. It is set in a non-existent country with royalty and the usual squabbles that arise. It is more like a fairytale than historical fiction.

Amira is a young woman on a path to a life she wasn’t expecting. She wasn’t taught how to handle certain situations but made great strides in fulfilling her potential. I enjoyed watching her relationship with her father grow. They brought out the best in each other.

There is a mystery that pops up about 60% of the way into the story. I enjoyed watching Amira reason who might have committed the crime, why, and how.

This is part of a series but can definitely be read as a standalone book. It is also very clean and could fall into the YA category, or at least the NA category, since Amira is 20.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Madison grew up in a small town in Florida, surrounded by her loving family. She has always enjoyed getting lost in the fictional worlds of movies, literature, and her own imagination. Her favorite stories are clean and sweet with happily ever afters. She enjoys traveling, drawing, going to the beach, spending time with her friends and family, and playing with her dog, Sprinkles.

 

Website * Instagram

 | 
Comments Off on Review – The Shore of Sun’s Afterglow by Madison McCauley #fantasy #fiction #newrelease
Posted in 3 paws, Cozy, mystery, Review, Short Story on July 11, 2023

 

 

Synopsis

 

A literary plant swap. An arrogant library board president. A creepy library attic. Join Molly Green and her friends as they investigate another mysterious incident in the charming small town of Hawthorn Heights, Ohio. Molly and her BFF, Claudia, are managing a Plant Swap at the local library branch when the library board president unexpectedly collapses in the attic. First responders assume it’s a heart attack, but Molly suspects something more sinister and the Succulent Sleuth is on the case again. Will Molly uncover the truth or will the culprit leave the library undetected – free of all fines?

This short story was originally published as part of A Bookworm of a Suspect cozy mystery short story anthology with Aconite Cafe.

 

 

Amazon * Other Retailers

 

 

Review

 

This is a short story that brings back together Molly and the gang to solve another crime. This time, it happens at the library after their plant swap, which is a part of the library book sale. I chuckled at Molly’s husband trying to start a book club that read actual books and not eBooks or audio. However, he did find a kindred spirit, James, and I am curious if he will be a part of future books.

Because this story is short, I felt like there wasn’t enough time to truly develop the story and provide multiple suspects. The would-be killer wouldn’t have been on many people’s radar. The reasoning made sense once it was revealed.

I did appreciate the efforts to create a full story in fewer pages. I can imagine how hard it is to wrap up everything in fewer pages.

This is a fun mystery series, and I look forward to future installments. We give this book 3 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Iris March has a reputation for killing house plants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram

 

 | 
Comments Off on Review – The Library Attic Attack by Iris March #cozy #mystery #shortstory
Posted in 5 paws, Giveaway, paranormal, Review, suspense on July 10, 2023

 

 

 

AND THEY DANCED

 

The Tess Corona Chronicles, Book 1

 

by

 

Tiffany Seitz

 

Paranormal Suspense / Urban Fantasy

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Date of Publication: March 6, 2023

Number of Pages: 352 pages

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Tess Corona left home thanks to a traumatic experience with the paranormal and has only recently returned home from a secretive military career. Her only desire is to reconnect with her family and find meaningful work. That plan changes when a Texas Ranger lands on her doorstep looking for her twin brother.

Thanks to the suspicious actions of a murder victim’s family, Texas Ranger Crock Ward is asked to investigate the twenty-five-year-old case. With the evidence missing and victim’s husband now deceased, Crock seeks alternatives to solve the murder in the form of Dr. Lazaro Corona and his ghost hunting team.

Laz has dreamed of combining cold cases with paranormal investigation, but he curses the timing. He can’t stop Tess from resuming her role in his investigation any more than he can stop a tornado or a century-old feud that has already destroyed one family and now threatens his.

 

 

 

 

AmazonBookshop.orgBarnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

This book has the perfect blend of paranormal, mystery/suspense, ghosts, and even a bit of romance. I don’t know if the author plans to make this a series (it does say book 1 in a few places), but she should! I can see future cases with Tess, Laz, and Crock. There is a smidge at the ending that leads one to believe this might happen…fingers crossed!

Tess is a bit lost after leaving the military. For now, she is living with her brother, niece, and grandmother until she can figure out what to do with her life. I can understand her weariness and uncertainty regarding her future. She is suffering from some PTSD from some situations that she is keeping close to the vest. The truth does eventually come out, and it is a bit of a surprise to everyone. There are a few hints that it is more than she lets on, but not many.

Laz is a professor at TCU but has other dreams for his career. He enjoys researching cultural rituals, which allows him to provide insight into this case that Crock has brought to them. I found his knowledge fascinating, and it brings a different dynamic to solving the crime at hand.

Crock is a handsome Texas Ranger trying to get back to 100% after an event puts him on medical leave. However, after working with Tess and Laz, he learns a little bit more about himself, and I think it even gives him more confidence than he had before.

The rest of the Corona family is quite a hoot. Gram acts crazy, but she really isn’t. There are some facts that are shared toward the end of the book that shine a new light on her abilities. Laz’s daughter is quite precocious for a three-year-old. I can only imagine what it is like dealing with her on a daily basis since she seems wise for her years.

The interactions between Tess, Laz, and Crock reflect the type of team they could become if they decide to go down this path. All three have some psychic ability, which makes them a formidable team while trying to solve the unsolved murder of Esme Green. The answer just might surprise you once all is revealed. I enjoyed following the path and trying to determine what actually happened and who was to blame. I can tell you right now I did not uncover the truth.

This book was hard for me to put down. I wanted to understand more, uncover more clues, and I rooted for a spark between Tess and Crock to lead to a relationship. It didn’t hurt that the book is set in my part of Texas. I could imagine the various locations around town, which helped me brush a clearer picture in my mind. I enjoyed the full cast of characters and can envision a full series.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiffany (T. A.) Seitz is a 7th generation native Texan, married with two daughters and one wonderful granddaughter. She discovered her love of writing in 2013, publishing her first independent novel, If You Touch My Mind, in the summer of 2015. Since then, she’s published several novels and has a story in Next Chapters Unleashed: A Beachy Anthology. When she’s not writing, she works as an occupational therapist and spends her free time reading, writing, and crocheting.

 

  FacebookInstagramTwitter

 

  BookBubGoodreads

 

 

 

 

————————————–

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

TWO WINNERS:

 

First prize—autographed paperback;

 

Second prize–eBook

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 07/15/23/23)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

07/05/23 Reading by Moonlight Review
07/05/23 Hall Ways Blog BONUS Stop
07/06/23 The Real World According to Sam Review
07/06/23 LSBBT Blog BONUS Stop
07/07/23 Book Fidelity Review
07/0823 The Plain-Spoken Pen Review
07/09/23 The Clueless Gent Review
07/10/23 StoreyBook Reviews Review
07/11/23 Forgotten Winds Review
07/11/23 Shelf Life Blog BONUS Stop
07/12/23 Boys’ Mom Reads Review
07/13/23 The Page Unbound Review
07/13/23 Rox Burkey Blog BONUS Stop
07/14/23 It’s Not All Gravy Review
Posted in 4 paws, Review, women on July 8, 2023

 

 

Synopsis

Big changes are coming to Forest River Elementary School!

When PTA President Jackie Martin’s husband suffers a life-threatening car accident, she has no choice but to step down from her dream position. Unfortunately, the team is already short-staffed and struggling to fill the vacancy.

Only one woman is brave enough to step up and take over the reins, Ella Jamerson.

Mom to a first-grader, Ella has kept a low profile since her daughter entered the school because she has a huge secret. She’s actually Eleanor Saint James, the Emmy award-winning actress.

Tired of sitting idly by, Ella’s willing to risk her anonymity for a say in the schools’ politics. But when the team learns who their new leader really is, will they be able to handle the drama she’s about to bring?

 

 

Amazon * Other Retailers

 

 

Review

 

The town’s favorite PTA is back with a new leader at the helm.

This has been such a fun series to read. I love the cattiness, the friendships that develop, and the craziness of the situations as a whole. Are all PTAs like this? We will never know!

The new leader of this group is an actress, Ella. She has been absent from events at the school or in disguise so she didn’t make it harder for her daughter to attend school. You know how people can get with celebrities.

However, Ella decides that it is time to act after reading an email from the Principal of the school. Her new role is not without bumps, but I love how it all comes together.

While we don’t see much of the previous PTA President Jackie, just a few email responses, I felt like the rest of the characters helped fill in the gaps and provide tension at just the right time, and offset Ella’s dry wit and no-nonsense attitude.

This is a series that is entertaining, and it makes me glad that I never had to deal with a PTA. I also loved Ella’s husband, Conrad. He really steps up at times and is supportive of her career.

If you want to read this book, start with the first to see the character development.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodgeball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on Long Island.

 

FacebookTwitterInstagram

 

Goodreads * TikTok