Posted in 4 paws, Review, romance on September 27, 2021

 

 

Synopsis

 

When Tessa’s big-city plans take the A Train to disaster, she lands in her sleepy hometown, smack in the middle of the most unlikely love triangle ever to hit Pennsylvania’s Amish Country.

Hot-shot Dr. Richard Bruce is bound to Green Ridge by loyalty that runs deep. Deeper still is Jonas Rishel’s tie to the land and his family’s Amish community. Behind the wheel of a 1979 camper van, Tessa idles at a fork in the road. Will she cruise the superhighway to the future? Or take a slow trot to the past and a mysterious society she never dreamed she’d glimpse from the inside?

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N

 

 

Review

 

This romance intrigued me with the Amish characters, the small town ways, and Tessa’s dilemma as to what she is going to do with her life now.

Tessa is back in her hometown and has to decide where her next journey will be since several things have fallen apart – losing a job as a teacher, plans for NYC destroyed – so why not housesit for her parents while she figures it out? She is roped into volunteering for several events and is set up with a doctor, Richard. She also meets Jonas, an Amish man, at the farmer’s market. These two couldn’t be more opposites if they tried. I’ll tell you right now, I am Team Jonas. Richard is underhanded and overbearing and needs to be taken down a peg or two.

While love is at the crux of the story, it is also about discovering who you are and what you want from life. Tessa is able to do some soul searching to discover her path in life, but it takes some time and nothing is resolved quickly. But it isn’t meant to be and finding the right direction for your life is more important than love that might be fleeting if you are not in the right place to receive that love.

I had to laugh at the camper van but I was also amazed at the versatility of that vehicle!

Great story and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Wendy Rich Stetson is a New York City girl who still considers the Central Pennsylvania countryside to be her home.  She grew up road tripping in a 1979 VW camper van, and she keeps a running list of favorite roadside attractions from coast to coast.  Now an author of sweet, small-town romance, Wendy is no stranger to storytelling.  She’s a Broadway and television actress, an audiobook narrator, and a mom who likes nothing more than collaborating on children’s books with her teenage artist daughter.  Wendy lives in Upper Manhattan with her family of three and rambunctious Maine Coon kitty.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest

 | 
Comments Off on Review – Hometown by Wendy Rich Stetson @StetsonRiches #romance #smalltown
Posted in 5 paws, Book Release, Review, Romantic Comedy, women on September 24, 2021

 

 

Synopsis

 

“Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I hit you with my bike again?”

Can a vacation romance turn into a happily ever after?

When a bike runs me over while I’m walking in Greece on vacation, I look up to discover a Greek god staring down at me. Wavy brown hair, sparkling dark eyes, and olive skin – where do I sign up for a holiday fling?

Turns out my Greek god is a Dutchman named Nico, but I’m not picky.

Two days on the Greek island of Rhodes turn into a long-distance relationship, but I want more than occasional visits. So, I give up my life in Wisconsin and move to Holland to be with Nico.

Except when I arrive in Holland, Nico ghosts me. Maybe I should have told him about my grand plans of us living happily ever after in The Hague before I moved across the ocean?

Welp. I’m here now. Time to figure out what’s going on.

I just need to gather a bit of Dutch Courage first.

This holiday romantic comedy features a woman who doesn’t bother looking before jumping into the deep end, a man who’s hiding a pint-sized secret for stupid reasons making him the world’s biggest idiot complete with a trophy and everything, a group of friends who always have their girl’s back, a scheming best friend who seems to know everyone’s secrets before they do, and a super sweet HEA.

Each book in the Love in the Lowlands romantic comedy series can be read as a standalone. (but I recommend reading in order to understand all of the characters and their relationships)

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

I have really enjoyed this series and getting to know each of the characters and their struggles to find love in Holland or at least their perception of troubles. While this series does not have to be read in order, I highly recommend doing so since the characters carry over from each book and you might understand their back story a little better having read the previous books. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

We briefly met Charlotte in the last book, she moved to Holland for a guy she met on vacation. However, now he is ghosting her and she doesn’t know why and can’t get any straight answers. The answer is somewhat surprising because of the whole situation of how he ended up there. Thankfully, Charlotte doesn’t hold too much of a grudge.

This story is more than just about love. It is about girl gangs, friendship, and learning how to survive anything with the help of those women that surround and support you no matter what.

While this is Charlotte’s story, Abby, Avery, and Mia are all here and contributing to the situation. I love how they just barge in to each other’s homes without question and the men in their lives accept it. Don’t mess with the sisterhood! These women represent what we should all have in our lives, a pack of friends that will go to the ends of the earth to make sure no one is harmed in any way. And they aren’t beyond pranking those that need it or barging into the lives of their friends or pestering for sex life details.

There are so many wonderful things I am learning about Holland and I want to visit one day to see all of this for myself.

We give this book 5 paws up and suggest picking up this series. We get a sneak peek at book #5 and a new friend, Sofia. I can’t wait to see how they disrupt her life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic before returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where, in between tennis matches and failing to save the world, I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon author page

 

Pinterest * Instagram * BookBub * Newsletter Sign up * LinkedIn

Posted in 5 paws, Cozy, Giveaway, mystery, Review on September 23, 2021

 

 

 

 

Burden of Poof (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cozy Queen Publishing LLC (September 15, 2021)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 254 pages

 

Synopsis

 

An amateur sleuth named Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde, with names like those, what could possibly go wrong?

Life hasn’t sparkled too brightly for Bonnie Balfour over the past few years, but a heart-breaking divorce has brought her back to her small rural hometown of Bliss, Georgia, and things are starting to shape up.

The proud new owner of Bless Her Heart—a second chance dress shop and boutique on the town square—Bonnie thinks thirty-eight might not be too late for a fresh start in life after all.

Until a grouchy old widow turns up dead in a pile of donations meant for Bonnie’s shop, and the town’s new detective pins her to the top of his suspect list!

To save her shop, dream and reputation, Bonnie must coordinate clues and stitch together the truth about her innocence, but the unreasonably handsome detective and prying eyes of the local gossip mill are fast fraying her nerves.

When a series of anonymous attacks begin to hem her in, Bonnie fears the real killer is fixing to make her his next victim. Can this amateur sleuth measure up?

 

 

AmazonB&N ~ Kobo ~ Google Books ~ IndieBound

 

 

Review

 

I love this new cozy series. small town, interesting characters, romance waiting to happen…and of course murder.

Bonnie has moved back to her hometown of Bliss, GA, and opened a second-hand shop for clothing and household goods. She requests donations from anyone she meets. She had recently requested items from Viola, a somewhat crotchety resident of Bliss, and was turned down until one day Viola shows up with gowns and such and says she has more for her and for her to swing by and pick the items up from her home. What Bonnie doesn’t expect is to find her dead at the bottom of the stairs and to be swept into a murder investigation by the “on loan” detective, Mason Wright. As is with most mysteries, Bonnie is the prime suspect and has to uncover clues to prove her innocence all without ending up dead herself.

There are so many factors to this book that I adored – the characters, the town, the philanthropic endeavors of Bonnie when it came to the young ladies and prom, and Bonnie’s desire to succeed with this new shop, a black rescue cat named Clyde who has a bit of a thieving issue in the store (which works out on Bonnie’s behalf later in the book). I seriously got tears in my eyes reading about her plans to make sure all young ladies had a dress for prom, definitely a feel-good moment. Bonnie’s best friend, Cami, is a hoot and engaged in revitalizing downtown Bliss. As you can imagine, in a small town people may not be aware of changes and shop away from town; and Cami is working hard to change this mindset.

The mystery portion is engaging and I honestly had no idea who to suspect of killing Viola. There are several possibilities and when the killer was revealed, it was not someone even on my radar. I found part of the justice quite interesting but you’ll have to read the book to find out what.

There is a blossoming romance between Bonnie and Detective Wright (once he determines she is not the killer), but at the same time, Bonnie is still trying to finalize her divorce, and while that relationship may have been over long ago, should she hold off and build a friendship with him before anything else? Only time will tell in future books.

This is a fantastic new series and I can’t wait to see what happens next for Bonnie & Clyde and the rest of Bliss. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Julie Anne Lindsey is an award-winning and bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than forty novels since her debut in 2013 and currently writes series as herself, as well as under multiple pen names, for Harlequin, Kensington, Sourcebooks, and Crooked Lane Books.

When Julie’s not creating new worlds or fostering the epic love of fictional characters, she can be found in Kent, Ohio, enjoying her blessed Midwestern life. And probably plotting murder with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.

 

Website * Facebook * Cozy Queens FB Group * Twitter * Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Posted in 4 paws, Anthology, Giveaway, Review, romance on September 21, 2021

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Hate (or is it love?) is in the air in this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy anthology. Find your happily ever after with six smart and sexy, feel-good romcoms. Stories range from sweet to medium steam level.

Available for a limited time only.

100% of proceeds from preorders will be donated to the Animal Welfare Institute.

 

This anthology includes never before published standalone titles

Tracy Krimmer: Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Hilary Grossman: Cop An Attitude

Holly Kerr: Bite Me

Allie Boniface: Dare Me

Liz Alden: The Rival In South Africa

Sarah Peis: Booby Trap

 

 

 

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon CA * Amazon AU

 

B&N * Kobo * Apple Books

 

 

Review

 

These six short stories are bound to entertain you. They range from spicy to mild and different situations. They are perfect when you are short on time or don’t want to put a long book down.

I have read four of the six so far and have enjoyed each one from the characters, the storyline, and the setting.

While each one entertained, I found Dare Me quite fascinating in regards to the plot. I have never heard of a Mistress Dispeller but apparently, this is a thing. Someone that breaks up affairs of the rich and famous.

Cop an Attitude is a spin-off of one of the author’s series but I didn’t realize it until the end. I enjoyed seeing one of the gang in this book and I found the relationship between Waverly and Peter quite interesting especially once she learns who he really is and why he has been treating her the way he has in the first part of the book. But love wins out!

Bite Me has dogs…that won me over immediately! I also liked the unbending chemistry teacher and his fear of dogs but is he willing to move past that for the right woman?

Pick up this book next time you are looking for a little sweet and a little spicy, it won’t disappoint!

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow the authors on Instagram

 

Liz Alden * Allie Boniface * Hilary Grossman

 

Holly Kerr * Tracy Krimmer * Sarah Peis

 

 

Giveaway

 

There is a giveaway for a $60 gift card (to the retailer of the winner’s choice)

+ a paperback of Hate Me Like You Mean It (1 winner, open internationally)

 

Click on the image below to enter the Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 | 
Comments Off on Review & #Giveaway – Hate Me Like You Mean It anthology @GiveMeBooksPR @feelingbeachie @lizaldenwriter @tkrimms @AllieBoniface1
Posted in 5 paws, fiction, Relationships, Review, women on September 20, 2021

 

 

Synopsis

 

Three women wake up to the consequences of one impulsive pact in an insightful novel about friendship, love, and fulfillment by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie Beck.

While at a casino to celebrate her birthday, Jessie Clarke proposes a pact to her reserved sister, Liz, and their childhood friend Chloe: the three women will say yes to any adventure that comes their way. Jessie is mourning her recent divorce, so the other two reluctantly agree. Twelve hours later, they awaken to the shocking consequences of their behavior.

A viral video throws Liz’s career and reputation into question. A major loss at the craps table rocks the foundation of Chloe’s staid marriage. And Jessie’s desperate bid to unblock her artistic creativity results in a life-changing choice. Staring down the crossroads, each woman finds her relationships—with herself, with each other, and with loves both old and new—tested. At every turn, they struggle not to let fear decide their fates. Will they give in, or will their misadventures lead to the greatest fulfillment of all?

 

 

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

 

 

Review

 

Jamie Beck writes beautiful novels about women and the challenges they face in their lives and this book is no exception. We meet Jessie, Chloe, and Liz, who get together for a birthday celebration at a casino. Events from that night throw their life in directions they never expected.

I became invested in each character and would get angry at Chloe’s husband for not being supportive of her, surprised at how Liz is treated at her job as an online morning show host after a drunk video surfaces, and Jessie’s inability to move on after her divorce. However, this book shows the growth that each lady exhibits after handling the situations at hand and the support that they give each other as they venture out on new paths in their lives. I think that there are characters in this book that anyone could relate to and not just the three women. Jessie & Liz’s parents are workaholics and seem to expect perfection, or at least their father does from them. There is some resolution to thoughts and events from previous years for each of the sisters that helps to close the circle on any bad thoughts or feelings.

This was a fast read for me but there is so much to take in and I enjoyed every page. We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

National bestselling author Jamie Beck’s realistic and heartwarming stories have sold more than two million copies. She’s a Booksellers’ Best Award and National Readers’ Choice Award finalist, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work “smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” In addition to writing, the author of the Cabot novels, the Sterling Canyon novels, and the St. James series enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.

Fans can learn more about her on her website, www.jamiebeck.com, which includes a fun “Extras” page with photos, videos, and playlists. She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook.

 

WebsiteFacebookTwitterGoodreads

 

 | 
Comments Off on #NewRelease & Review – The Happy Accidents by Jamie Beck @writerjamiebeck #MontlakeRomance #women
Posted in Giveaway, Guest Post, Review, Young Adult on September 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

Grenade Bouquets (Runaway Train, Book 2) by Lee Matthew Goldberg

 

Publisher:  Wise Wolf Books (August 5, 2021)

 

Series: Runaway Train, Book 2

 

Category: Young Adult, Runaways, Outcasts, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Depression, Mental Illness

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

I had stars in my eyes and I couldn’t see around them…

The year is 1995 and my parents have finally allowed me to take the summer to tour in a VW van across the country with my boyfriend Evan and our band. Yes, my dream to be a singer became reality. Even with Clarissa, Evan’s jealous ex-girlfriend, as the lead singer, it’s my presence on stage that led us to a major record deal. There are moments you’ll always remember in life, but I can’t imagine anything more cool than hearing your song on the radio for the first time.

But being a Rockstar isn’t as easy as it sounds. Using alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, nothing but tension surrounded me, hurting my still blossoming relationship, and continued grieving over my sister’s death.

A love letter to the nineties and a journey of a girl becoming a woman, Grenade Bouquets charts the rollercoaster ride of a band primed to explode on the scene, as long as they keep from actually exploding.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

 

 

Praise

 

“An engaging ’90s pastiche with an earnest heart beating at its center.”- Kirkus Reviews

“Runaway Train is a high-energy testimonial to the redemptive power of a road trip with an awesome soundtrack. Lee Matthew Goldberg balances the urgency of youth with a whiff of anticipatory nostalgia for the music and misadventures of late adolescence. Attuned to way distinctions between music genres and teen idols can feel like impermeable walls worth defending, and then crumble as a teen like Nico Sullivan finds her own voice.”- Jenn Stroud Rossman, author of The Place You’re Supposed to Laugh

“Raw. Riveting. Runaway Train stays true to its title as it explores the deep pain of a teenager desperately trying to find peace in a world full of pain. Lee Matthew Goldberg is a master at bestowing sympathy and strength on deeply flawed characters. Realistic and shocking, hopeful and satisfying, Runaway Train will keep readers turning the page.”- USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Forster 

“It’s an incredibly challenging task for an author to utilize a darkly comedic tone without coming across as disingenuous–but Goldberg executes it here with expert precision. Brimming over with the visceral atmosphere of the early 90s grunge era, RUNAWAY TRAIN is a must-read for those willing to buckle up for the ride.”-Peter Malone Elliott (Director of Operations, Book Pipeline)

 

 

Guest Post

 

How To Research Your Story Before Writing Your Book

 

By Lee Matthew Goldberg

 

Research is a huge part of writing a novel. Even though you’re creating fiction, it has to be based in believability. For all of my eight novels, there’s been some degree of research, even before I started writing.

My first book Slow Down took place in the world of Hollywood, focusing on a director. I spoke with a few directors to get the ins-and-outs of their days and to answer some technical questions too. My second book The Mentor was set in the world of academia and publishing. I taught undergrad for ten years, so that research came from experience. One of my characters is a book editor and I spoke with editors about how they choose manuscripts and then champion them in-house. My third novel The Desire Card had the most research of the three because it was a thriller about a Wall Street Executive getting a liver of the black market. I did a lot of research prior to writing about working on Wall Street and the black market, which was not easy research to do. The book also had a part that was set in Mumbai, so the bulk of the research was recreating Mumbai on the page. An editor of mine lived in Mumbai for many years, so he helped with a lot of the details. For each of the books, research became a guide to developing the story. I got more ideas after researching, so it was so important to do before I began writing and plotting.

My fourth novel The Ancestor had the most research of any. It was about fishermen in the wilderness of Alaska, so I did a ton of research about both. A third of the novel also takes place during the Alaskan Gold Rush in the late 1800s. I watched many documentaries and read many books about the era before I even attempted to write. And when I was writing those parts, I only read books set in that era, so I could immerse myself in those times.

For my Young Adult series Runaway Train and the second book Grenade Bouquets, the novels are set in the 1990s. I was a teenager at the time, so I remember a lot, but the main character is a girl. I asked friends to send me any info about what a teenage girl would be interested in in the 90s. I also watched a lot of TV from that era like the shows My So-Called Life and 90210. The books are heavily influenced by music as well. Each chapter is a different grunge song that the main character adds to her mixtape. Of all the research I did, this was the most fun, since I got to relive my favorite era of music. I even got the rights from the band Soul Asylum to use their song “Runaway Train” in the book.

Whether you set a novel in the past or the present, research is so important in creating a full picture of believability for the readers. These days, the internet is your best friend to find out any info, but it’s also good to talk to professionals as well. For me, it was getting in contact with directors, editors, people in finance, fishermen, and those who grew up in the 90s to give firsthand knowledge that would help round my characters.

Whatever you decide to write, make sure you put in the work to really bring it to life for your readers. Trust me, they’ll tell you if you don’t!

 

 

Guest Review by Gud Reader

 

There is something unique about young adult adventurous books with rock stars as their characters. When delivered perfectly they offer the reader some glimpse of the glamour, the glitz and even the downside including the drugs and the depression. One such good read which does this just right is the ‘Grenade Bouquets’ by Lee Matthew Goldberg. As a bonus, it takes place in the 90s. So, even though it is written with young adults in mind, their parents will enjoy it as well.

The book, a sequel of the ‘Runaway Train’ brings back Nico now a seventeen-year-old teenager whose life is now wrapped up in touring with her new band. Grenade Bouquets. For Nico performing on the stage is just like a dream come true especially doing so alongside the lead singer Evans who also doubles up as her new boyfriend. However, despite the band making huge strides in the rock arena, Nico has to keep on battling. First Clarissa who is Evan’s ex and also a member of the band is on Nico’s neck bashing her at every instance, secondly, while Nico’s star is rising, her fellow band members start harboring some resentment towards her. Also fresh from mourning her sister’s loss how will her inexperienced teenage self-deal with her newfound fame, Clarissa’s resentment, and the depression which is slowly creeping in?

The author Lee Matthew Goldberg does a marvelous job of featuring Nico who, despite being a teenager has that glorious sneer of a tough punk queen who knows how cool she is and does not care if you agree. Despite having a dark, provocative, and aggressive side complete with some confrontational dust-ups she knows she has to rise.

This one is your pick if you are looking for an adventurous book complete with the rock life thrill. Also, you will walk away with some behind scenes of the rock life involving the skullduggery, alcohol, and also depression.

 

 

About the Author

 

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of seven novels including THE ANCESTOR and THE MENTOR, currently in development as a film off his original script, and the YA series RUNAWAY TRAIN. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the Prix du Polar. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared in The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, Hypertext, If My Book, Past Ten, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Underwood Press and others.

His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series and lives in New York City.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

 

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Posted in 4 paws, Review, Thriller on September 14, 2021

 

 

Synopsis

 

Even the strongest of families aren’t immune to malice, betrayal, and deceit. Supportive, loving, and affluent, the Pierson family is delighted to celebrate the marriage of sensitive middle son Paul Pierson and his wife, Pamela. Everyone rejoices that Paul has finally recovered from the tragic loss of his beloved first wife and looks forward to Paul and Pamela’s new life together. But just as family members are celebrating his happiness, they start noticing that his beautiful bride may not be what she seems.

As the strain between siblings and spouses worsens, the Piersons discover that neither their money nor their considerable influence can keep the family safe from one woman’s malicious intent. When the true nature of this family member is revealed, each of the Piersons is confronted with the quandary of human conduct and moral responsibility.

Darkness and Grace is a compelling story of the classic struggle between good and evil, as well as the violent undercurrent running beneath the illusory serenity of a close-knit Midwestern family.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

A Note from the Author

 

Darkness and Grace was inspired by real-life events involving my family in the early 1990s. Each time I would discuss the true occurrences, people would comment, “This is a great story. You need to write a book.” After initial trepidation, I recognized this was not only a story worth telling, but it was one that comes to an author only once in a lifetime.

Originally published in 2007 under a pseudonym with the title Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace, this book is a work of fiction. To write the narrative, I employed aspects of historical fiction, using authentic news accounts, world events, settings, and descriptions involving entirely fictional characters. Darkness and Grace is of the domestic thriller genre in which familial relationships can prove to be far more dangerous than the world at large.

 

 

Review

 

I am always intrigued by stories that are inspired by true events and this is one that you might expect to see on 20/20 or Dateline. I know that this probably happens more than I realize, but I guess I lead a sheltered life where I don’t know anyone that has had to endure a gold-digging spouse and the aftermath of that relationship.

This is a close-knit family so I can only imagine how hard it is to watch one sibling be sucked into a life with a destructive spouse. Pamela seems to take her role as a gold-digger to a new level and Paul isn’t the first one this has happened to with her. Kay is Paul’s sister and while this is told from her point of view, we do see how the situation impacts everyone in the family and how they react to Paul and Pamela’s life. As always, there are red flags that everyone seems to ignore.

There is so much drama surrounding Pamela and perhaps that is the way that she likes to keep situations so that she gets what she wants in the end. However, the rest of Paul’s family isn’t going to let that happen. They have too much at stake including the family business.

This book made me cringe only because it goes against my moral compass when it comes to Pamela and her selfish attitude. I was disappointed that Paul didn’t stand up to her but perhaps he knew he got in too deep and was just trying to keep things peaceful for the sake of his daughter. There is a major twist at the end I didn’t expect and it was very surprising but looking back, we see how it all came about.

This story pulled me in and had me wondering what could Pamela possibly do next? The answers sometimes surprised me.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kathryn Schleich has been a writer for thirty years. Her most recent publications include the short story “Reckless Acts,” featured in After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology, and her story “Grand Slam,” published in The Acentos Review in May 2017. She is the author of two editions of the book Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images, which evolved from her master’s thesis. Her guest posts have been featured on the Women On Writing blog, The Muffin, and she writes for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s volunteer newsletter. When she’s not writing, Schleich is likely volunteering in the education and arts communities in the Twin Cities, where she lives. Friends, family, good food, wine, and traveling are important aspects of her life.

 

 

Facebook * TwitterInstagram

LinkedInGoodreadsWebsite

 

 | 
Comments Off on Review – Darkness and Grace by Katheryn Schleich #thriller @authorkschleich
Posted in 4 paws, Book Release, excerpt, Psychological, Review, suspense, Thriller on September 13, 2021

 

 

Synopsis

 

Paloma thought her perfect life would begin once she was adopted and made it to America, but she’s about to find out that no matter how far you run, your past always catches up to you…

Ever since she was adopted from a Sri Lankan orphanage, Paloma has had the best of everything—schools, money, and parents so perfect that she fears she’ll never live up to them.

Now at thirty years old and recently cut off from her parents’ funds, she decides to sublet the second bedroom of her overpriced San Francisco apartment to Arun, who recently moved from India. Paloma has to admit, it feels good helping someone find their way in America— that is until Arun discovers Paloma’s darkest secret, one that could jeopardize her own fragile place in this country.

Before Paloma can pay Arun off, she finds him face down in a pool of blood. She flees the apartment but by the time the police arrive, there’s no body—and no evidence that Arun ever even existed in the first place.

Paloma is terrified this is all somehow tangled up in the desperate actions she took to escape Sri Lanka so many years ago. Did Paloma’s secret die with Arun or is she now in greater danger than ever before?

 

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound * Kobo * Google Books

 

 

Review

 

This psychological suspense thriller has a lot packed into the pages and just might keep you guessing as to what is going to happen next.

The story alternates between 2002 in Sri Lanka at an orphanage where our main character, Paloma, resides, and 2020 in California. Paloma is in the home after being given up by her mother at birth. She is 12 and has basically won the lottery when a family comes in to visit the home and decides to adopt her and take her back to California to live with them. I enjoyed the back and forth because it gave us an insight into Paloma as a child and where she is now 18 years later. I’m just going to say I don’t think she is in a very good place in the present. She has taken in an undocumented man to help pay the rent until he discovers a secret of hers and blackmails her to keep it quiet. She is worried about how to handle the situation and it only goes from bad to worse when she finds him dead in the apartment and there is no evidence as to who did it or where his body went. The story gets wackier from there when a neighbor goes missing, the woman across the street seems to be stalking Paloma, and Sam, who seems like a good guy but is he?

There were so many surprises that were dropped on us throughout the book. Some I guessed, some I was quite surprised, others had me flabbergasted especially the ending! I think I probably saw that coming but you really don’t know until that last scene. I felt for Paloma because it felt like she was being gaslighted and she was to a degree. I can only imagine how Paloma felt and if she was going crazy especially considering she was on medication and drinking alcohol. That could make anyone second guess their actions. But it also made her unreliable as a narrator because we didn’t know if we could trust what she was saying or doing at various parts of the book.

Overall, a good read from a debut author. If you like suspense/thriller books you just might like this one.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Ratmalana, Sri Lanka

 

2002

 

The shadows from the torch Maya held under her chin made her smile look evil, like the devil mask hung in the assembly hall to ward off the evil eye.

We were all too excited to sleep, so Maya called all the girls to her bunk to tell us ghost stories. I didn’t really want to listen. I’m too old to believe in ghosts. But I didn’t want to be the only one in bed when everyone else was all the way on the other side of the dormitory.

Lihini grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I gave it a squeeze back. She loved ghost stories, which I didn’t really understand. Why would anyone want to be afraid on purpose?

“Relax, Paloma,” she mouthed. I usually got annoyed when people told me to relax. Like saying the words was enough to make me forget what was upsetting me in the first place. As though ghosts and demons would just go away if we simply relaxed. But Lihini was my best friend. I could never get angry with her. I scooted a little closer to her on the floor. There was no such thing as ghosts. It just made me feel safe to be near her.

Maya needed to hurry up. If we got caught out of our beds, we would definitely be scolded. Maybe even punished. They might even cancel the visit tomorrow.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. They would never do that. We hadn’t gotten many visitors to the orphanage in a few months now. Tomorrow was important. Everyone told us so-our headmaster Perera sir, Miss Chandra, even Miss Sarah, our English teacher. We were to be on our best behaviour and make sure we knew exactly what we were supposed to do or say. Miss Chandra supervised the rehearsal today. Everything had to be perfect, and we were so excited that none of us could sleep.

Of course Maya would decide this was the best time to make it all about her. Sometimes I wondered if she even wanted to be adopted. She needed to be more responsible than this. She was twelve now, same as me. It’s not like we were little children anymore.

“She walks slowly. Her feet are bare and dirty and covered in scratches. She wears a long, white dress.” Maya purposely made her voice into a throaty whisper so every one of us leaned forward, barely breathing.

I knew this story. Vana-Mohini, or Mohini, as we call it. We’ve all heard it a million times. We’ve all told it a million times. But I still held tight to Maya’s words.

“There’s blood under her nails, and they are long and sharp, like talons.” She made a sudden clawing motion, and Lihini leaped back, her hands over her mouth.

We all giggled nervously.

“And her long, black hair hangs over her face, like this.” The torch flickered as Maya messed her hair over her face so just her eyes glinted through in the dim yellow light.

“Mohini walks only in the night, revealing herself to people who are all by themselves. Help me. Help me, she begs.” Maya made her voice high and raspy now, like when the chalk slips when you’re writing on a blackboard.

“Some people say Mohini’s eyes are red. Red as blood. And when you look into them, you can see straight into hell. And if you stop to help her, she smiles, and before you know it-”

Maya dropped the torch and lunged forward, wrapping her hands around Lihini’s throat. Lihini couldn’t help it this time. Her small scream rang like an alarm through the dormitory.

I pulled Lihini away from Maya and put my arms around her. If I could have slapped Maya, I definitely would, but there wasn’t time.

“Haiyyo! Quickly, everyone, to bed before we get caught,” I hissed, getting Lihini to her feet and pushing her into her bunk.

Thankfully, the other girls followed.

We all lay very, very still for a few minutes. I could hear nervous panting echoing through the dormitory. Maya really did give everyone a shock. But thankfully none of the matrons came.

What on earth was she thinking? Getting us into trouble the night before Mr. and Mrs. Evans got here. Those were their names. Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Perera sir told us so we could memorise them. Evans-like when Miss Sarah told us about Mary Ann Evans, who went by George Eliot, who wrote The Mill on the Floss. I suppose I could understand why you would want to pretend to be someone else. But I could never, ever understand why someone wouldn’t want to go by the name Evans. It was beautiful.

I whispered it out loud.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans. I hoped they liked us. And me. I really hoped they liked me.

 

 

About the Author

 

Amanda Jayatissa grew up in Sri Lanka, completed her undergrad at Mills College, CA, and lived in the UK before moving back to her sunny little island. She works as a corporate trainer, owns a chain of cookie stores, and is a proud dog-mum to her two, spoiled huskies.

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook * Twitter

 

 

 

 | 
Comments Off on Review – My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa @AmandaJayatissa #newrelease #excerpt #psychological #thriller #suspense
Posted in 4 paws, Military, Review, Thriller, women on September 10, 2021

 

 

Synopsis

 

Concepcion Chapa, an Army veteran, FBI special agent, and the orphaned daughter of two CIA agents, has lived a life of sacrifice for her country. When she learns that her parents may not be dead, just undercover, she allows herself to be recruited as a killer-for-hire for the CIA.

Faking her death and undergoing surgery to change her looks, Concepcion leaves everything behind—her friends, family, and country. Under the identity of Sofia Paltrini, she travels the globe doing the dirty work of the US government. But in a world of subterfuge and hidden motives, no one is quite who they seem. Concepcion is left not knowing who to trust and wondering if there’s a way to live a life for herself that’s beyond sacrifice.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

This is a mashup between Alias and Leverage – where the bad guys are taken out by professional hitmen and women. Now it probably is closer to Alias than Leverage since no one in Leverage dies, but the concept is the same in my opinion.

Concepcion is former military with parents that were spies in their own right. An unfortunate incident has her under scrutiny and placed into an undercover job for the US Government, doing what can’t be done by legitimate branches of the government, killing those that have been proven to be a threat to our security. Not only does she have to go undercover, but she is also subjected to cosmetic surgery to alter her appearance and a name change. I can’t imagine what that might do to someone’s psyche.

I found this to be a well-written journey for this woman and what she had to give up in her life. It showcases what these people do for the sake of their country. There is plenty of action, some romance, and also some sad moments that take Concepcion/Sofia and the reader by surprise. I saw the hardness in Sofia and doing what it takes to get the job done. But at times I saw a softer side when it came to her best friend Joelle, who assumes she is dead. There is also the neighbor that she becomes attached to learning to dance and enjoy good food.

This story takes no prisoners and there is a myriad of emotions that run through the story. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

ALICIA DILL is an Army veteran, journalist, public speaker, and award-winning author. Originally from Missouri, she joined the Iowa Army National Guard at the age of 17 and received a degree in journalism and international studies at the University of Iowa, and has a Masters from the University of Dubuque. Her first book, Squared Away, was a 2020 International Next Generation Indie Book Award winner and a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award.

 

Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook

 | 
Comments Off on Review – Beyond Sacrifice by Alicia Dill @TheRillDill_ #newrelease #thriller #spy
Posted in 4 1/2 paws, Giveaway, memoir, nonfiction, Review, self help on September 8, 2021

 

 

Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power

 

of Midlife Women

 

BY Stephanie Raffelock

 

Categories: Nonfiction / Self Help Memoir

Publisher: She Writes Press

Pub Date: August 24, 2021

Pages:176 Pages

 

 

Scroll for the Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

From the author of the award-winning book A Delightful Little Book on Aging comes a new self-help memoir Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women (She Writes Press). In her new book, Stephanie Raffelock liberates mold-defying midlife women, tired of the oft-inaccurate characterization of the “old crone,” to amplify the resounding strength within.

Ever since Eve was banned from the garden, women have endured the oftentimes painful and inaccurate definitions foisted upon them by the patriarchy. Maiden, mother, and crone, representing the three stages assigned to a woman’s life cycle, have been the limiting categories of both ancient and modern (neo-pagan) mythology. And one label in particular rankles: crone. The word conjures a wizened hag—useless for the most part, marginalized by appearance and ability.

None of us has ever truly fit the old-crone image, and for today’s midlife women, a new archetype is being birthed: the Creatrix.

In Creatrix Rising, Raffelock lays out—through personal stories and essays—the highlights of the past fifty years, in which women have gone from a quiet strength to a resounding voice. She invites us along on her own transformational journey by providing probing questions for reflection so that we can flesh out and bring to life this new archetype within ourselves. If what the Dalai Lama has predicted—that women will save the world—proves true, then the Creatrix will for certain be out front, leading the pack.

 

 

AmazonIndiebound ~ Bookshop.org

 

 

Praise

 

“The perfect topic at the perfect time, Stephanie Raffelock’s self-help memoir, Creatrix Rising, identifies a new archetype, the Creatrix, that transcends the old archetype of Crone. Her stories and insights about how far women have come is nothing short of inspirational. A must-read for any woman who wants to embrace the strength and creativity of midlife.” –Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Women’s Soul

“Poetic and philosophical, Creatrix Rising will inspire readers to claim the courage and confidence that already lives inside of them. An intimate story of transformation, of journeying through life on your own terms without apology.” –Richard Blanco, 2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of How to Love a Country

“The new archetype Stephanie Raffelock assigns to midlife women underscores the assets and wisdom older women bring to our culture and to the greater good. Creatrix Rising is an affirmation and celebration of the feminine story taking place in leadership and creativity throughout our country.” –Gabby Reese, volleyball legend, Nike’s first female spokeswoman, and New York Times best-selling author

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creatrix – an artist, a healer, a teacher, an illuminator.

Stephanie Raffelock knows how to encourage women and remind us that life doesn’t stop as we get older. While many of us probably know that deep down, it can be hard with what we see in the media and it seems that we are being pushed aside for younger women. The funny thing is that this only really happens in the US. Why is that? Why do other countries embrace women of all ages but not us? I believe that there is a shift happening with that mindset but it has been too long in coming in my opinion.

This book is a combination of a memoir and a self-help book. Stephanie shares many stories about her life and family; in fact, she tells us that she is a storyteller and is especially interested in stories about women. I was quite surprised by some of the tales of her life because I never would have expected to learn how she ended up in Los Angeles at 17 and had to figure out how to make it on her own. The other stories she shares are inspirational and might even give the reader pause to reflect on the story and wonder if they had found themselves in a similar situation or how they might have reacted. I found each story to be inspirational but also a period of reflection about these women and what they achieved in their lives and how they shared it with others.

We have all heard the term crone and I think most of us would picture a shriveled up older woman, hunched over, and not very attractive. Sort of like what you think of from fairy tales and other children’s books. However, the term has been used to describe older women since the 1400s and really doesn’t apply to women of today that are out conquering the world in their chosen roles in life. Much like the Helen Reddy song, they are women, hear them roar. I love how Stephanie has found a better word to describe women – Creatrix. This is a word that is already in existence that is feminine and means a woman who makes things, a creator.

As I reveled in each story set forth, it gave me time to reflect upon my own life and wondered if I was living my life to its fullest potential. I think that all of us can do more and get out of our rut and this book is one way to move us forward on that path. Reflecting on each story and then the reflection suggestions/questions at the end of chapters, we might all learn something new about ourselves and seek to become a Creatrix in our own lives.

There are so many wonderful lines to take away from this book, but these few are some of my favorite lines:

“That’s what we learn to do when we hit midlife: we start harmonizing with our younger selves.”

“…none of us escape the presence of grief in our lives and we handle it each in our own way, whether it’s alcohol or a garden of saints.”

“Living life on your own terms is mid-life awakening.”

 

This book is one that could be read over and over especially when it comes to the reflections at the end of each chapter. It is a wonderful starting place for us to reflect on who we are and what has made us who we are today. My only negative comment about this book is the political commentary at the beginning of one of the chapters. While there is a small part that leads into the chapter, most of it was not relevant or necessary and could be a turnoff to those reading the book.

Overall, we give this 4 1/2 paws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Raffelock is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women, (She Writes Press). She also penned the award-winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging.

A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie was a contributor to The Rogue Valley Messenger in Oregon. She has blogged for Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, as well as SixtyandMe.com.

A former i-Heart Radio host, she is now a popular guest on podcasts, where she inspires women to embrace the strength and passion of their personal story. Stephanie continues to build her speaker’s resume by giving presentations for groups like The Ashland Literary Arts Festival, Breaking the Glass, WINS at Charles Schwab and Southern Oregon University, Friends of the Hannon Library. Her commitment to uplift women extends to teaching personal development classes for incarcerated women and non-profits, including Dress for Success, Austin.

A recent transplant to Austin, Texas Stephanie enjoys an active life with her husband, Dean, and their Labrador retriever, Mickey Mantel Raffelock.

 

Website | Goodreads Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

 

 

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

Four winners!

Each receive signed copies of Creatrix Rising plus,

 a $25.00 Starbucks gift card


(US Only; ends 9/11/21)

 

 

 

 

 

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:

9/1/21 Excerpt Hall Ways Blog
9/1/21 Review Missus Gonzo
9/2/21 Review All the Ups and Downs
9/2/21 BONUS Promo LSBBT Blog
9/3/21 Review The Plain-Spoken Pen
9/3/21 Review Momma on the Rocks
9/4/21 Author Interview The Clueless Gent
9/5/21 Author Interview Book Bustle
9/6/21 Review Reading by Moonlight
9/6/21 Video Guest Post The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
9/7/21 Review Chapter Break Book Blog
9/8/21 Review StoreyBook Reviews
9/8/21 Guest Post The Page Unbound
9/9/21 Review Jennie Reads
9/10/21 Review Forgotten Winds
9/10/21 Review Carpe Diem Chronicles

 

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by