Synopsis

 

What if you were framed for a murder you didn’t commit? A gripping, addictive thriller for fans of Angela Clarke, Mel Sherratt, and Rachel Lynch.

 

Jennifer Smits is a young mother, married to a hotshot lawyer and living in Amsterdam. Her world explodes when her husband is found dead at a holiday park during a weekend getaway. Convinced that the police have failed in their investigation, she embarks on a desperate quest for the truth – but the deeper she digs, the more she gets enmeshed in a tangled web of lies, spun by a ruthless law firm.

As Jennifer’s search for answers intensifies, her grip on reality weakens. Barely able to manage her patients at the health clinic, or take care of her young son, Jennifer is at risk of losing it all – even her closest friends begin to desert her. And then a chance encounter with a charming stranger sparks a new chain of events that plunges her deeper into a world of threats and corruption. Soon, she begins to fear for her life – but who can she trust, and how far will she go in pursuit of the truth?

This is a gripping, addictive thriller that will make you question everything, including the flaws of forensics. Could we all be framed for a murder we didn’t commit?

 

 

Amazon * Amazon CA

 

Praise

 

‘Double Deceit was one hell of a book, the author has done an impeccable job in crafting out a plot that is not only very interesting to read, but one which is packed with little packets of surprises all the way through’

 

‘A really entertaining ‘who dunnit’ that kept me guessing… a thriller at heart, with many twists and turns, but there’s a wonderful element of romance, and a deeper message touching on the transient nature of life. Definitely worth a read!’

 

‘A terrific thriller that reminds of John Grisham’s novels, perfect from start to finish’

 

 

Review

 

I do love a good thriller and this one checks off many boxes. The story centers around Jennifer who has lost her husband in a tragic accident, but then things start to go awry, and perhaps he didn’t have an accident but was murdered. Jennifer starts looking for clues and manages to convince several people to help her even when in normal situations they would be the last to help.

The book is filled with red herrings and I suspected several people as the perpetrators because something didn’t seem quite right. I wasn’t correct, but the way the characters were portrayed, you would be suspicious too!

I did think that Jennifer was ripe for finding herself dead like her husband by sticking her nose into the situation. I can’t believe how easy it was for her and Sandra to sneak into the law firm to look for a file and be able to copy it for themselves. I also wondered about Dan and he set off all sorts of red flags with how he met Jennifer in the park. Seemed a bit off but it did add some drama to the story.

I’m not sure that Jennifer is a very likable character. Something about her personality seemed off to me, maybe it was how she was dealing with the death of her husband and who is to say what is right or wrong? And perhaps it had something to do with the interactions with her friends. But she was persistent if nothing else, even when the police didn’t believe her story.

Overall, this was an intriguing story set in Amsterdam and the author provides some wonderful descriptions of the areas and I felt like I could picture them in my mind. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Julienne Brouwers worked as a pharmaceutical scientist and medical physicist before becoming a writer. She lives in the Netherlands, with her husband and three children, where she has published two successful thrillers, and lived in the UK and US for a total of four years.

 

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ELY AIR LINES

 

Select Stories from 10 Years

 

of a Weekly Column

 

Volumes 1 & 2

 

by

 

Mike Ely and Linda Street-Ely

 

 

Genre: Nonfiction

Categories: Short Stories / Short Stories / Aviation

Publisher: Paper Airplane Publishing, LLC

Date of Publication: January 29, 2020

Number of Pages: Volume 1:350, Volume 2: 330 pages

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buckle up and fly with Mike and Linda Ely to discover amazing people, interesting places, and the conquest of flight. Since 2007, readers have enjoyed engaging articles weekly in the newspaper column, Ely Air Lines. Now you can step aboard to enjoy a collection of stories that explore the vast realm of the flyer’s world.

 

 

│ Volume 1 on Amazon│ Volume 2 on Amazon │

 

│ Paper Airplanes Publishing, LLC│ Barnes and Noble│

 

│ IndieBound│

 

 

 

Add Volume 1 to Goodreads

 

Add Volume 2 to Goodreads

 

 

 

 

I have known a few pilots in my life and all of them seem to have the same love and fervor for the craft as is displayed in these stories from Mike and Linda’s column. While these stories are recent tellings (in the last two decades), the history of the pilots spans a lifetime.

Small town airports are vital to the community, and the town of Liberty is no different. It may be close to Houston, but if you live in Texas or have ever visited here, you know this is a large state and it can take several hours to get from one place to another even if they don’t look that far apart on the map. Having an airport within a smaller community can be the difference between life and death in some cases. I enjoyed learning how this airport came into existence and is serving the community to this day.

I was able to enjoy volume 1 of the two books and the stories inside had me enthralled from page to page and story to story. I don’t know if I have a favorite, but I truly enjoyed the stories about those that were bitten by the flying bug at a very early age. There are multiple stories about young flyers and how they would give things up just to be around planes and pilots. I learned so much from these pilots from the different aircraft they flew, dangerous or strange situations they found themselves in, and even how they gave of their time to help others that needed their assistance. There were several pilots that volunteered for organizations that flew those that need treatment to larger cities since their bodies couldn’t handle riding on a commercial airline. I admire and appreciate their generosity.

There are even stories about Mike and Linda’s adventures. I can see why owning your own plane can be an adventure because you can take off any time you wish for a long weekend or even a day and visit another part of the country. The detail that they share makes me want to visit some of these locations in the Northeast and even the Pacific Northwest. I chuckled when they described flying into some of these smaller airports during football season. Knowing how crazy fans can be, I can only imagine how energetic those towns were on game day.  I relished the story that Linda told about a trip to where her mother grew up and the memories she created with her mom and sister. It also sent her down a rabbit hole searching for photos of the house her mother grew up in since it was demolished many years ago.

This book is wonderful when you have just a short time to read and don’t want to dive into a longer novel. These short stories from their column bring to life what it is like to soar through the wild blue yonder. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Ely has logged thousands of hours over more than forty years as a professional pilot. He holds an airline transport pilot certificate with multiple type ratings and a flight instructor certificate. Mike has taught people to fly in small single-engine airplanes, gliders, turboprops, and corporate jets. As a freight pilot and an international corporate pilot, he has flown through all kinds of weather, to many places, both exotic and boring. His love for writing was instilled by his father at an early age.

Linda Street-Ely is an award-winning, multi-genre author and playwright. She also holds an airline transport pilot certificate, a commercial seaplane certificate, and a tailwheel endorsement. She has air raced all over the U.S., including four times in the historic all-women’s transcontinental Air Race Classic. Besides flying, Linda has a keen appreciation for great storytelling. She loves to travel the world, meet people, and learn about other cultures because she believes great stories are everywhere.

Together, Linda and Mike are “Team Ely,” five-time National Champions of the Sport Air Racing League, racing their Grumman Cheetah, named the “Elyminator,” and dubbed “The Fastest Cheetah in the Known Universe.” They live in Liberty, Texas.

 

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—————————————

 

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 TWO WINNERS (US only)

 

Each win an autographed, 2-Volume Set of ELY AIR LINES

 

Giveaway ends Midnight, CST, January 29, 2021

 

 

 

 

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1/19/21	Excerpt	It’s Not All Gravy
1/20/21	Review V1	Jennie Reads
1/20/21	Review V2	Librariel Book Adventures
1/21/21	Guest Post	Forgotten Winds
1/22/21	Review V1	StoreyBook Reviews
1/22/21	Review V2	Reading by Moonlight
1/23/21	Author Interview	All the Ups and Downs
1/24/21	Author Interview	The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
1/25/21	Review V1	Book Bustle
1/25/21	Review V2	Book Fidelity
1/26/21	Excerpt	The Page Unbound
1/27/21	Character Interview	Hall Ways Blog
1/27/21	Top Ten	Momma on the Rocks
1/28/21	Review V1	The Clueless Gent
1/28/21	Review V2	Chapter Break Book Blog

 

 

 

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Mystery Bones Murders (Frankie Shep Suspense Novellas)
Mystery – Thriller
1st in Series
Independently Published (November 30, 2020)
Print length: 131 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Frankie Shep is still mourning the deaths of her husband and young son when she finds a bone in the far corner of her Wyoming cattle ranch.

Excited to think she may have discovered an ancient Native American village, she takes the bone to a lifelong friend who is now a forensic anthropologist on contract with her county.

After a cursory inspection, he turns a blood-chilling stare at Frankie. The bone isn’t ancient. Worse, the victim could be the remains of Frankie’s mother. She disappeared from her own bed more than a decade ago.

And now her retired father is missing.

As Frankie digs deeper, she discovers the terrifying truth that a serial killer is using her land to bury his victims, all members of her family and inner circle.

And now he’s watching her.

Mystery Bones Murders is a story of love, heart-wrenching deception, and finding redemption.

 

 

 

 

Guest Post

 

Writing in a Pandemic

 

by Karen Randau

 

 

Writing has been a way of life for me since childhood, but this COVID-19 pandemic has upended everything for a lot of people, including me. I’m a grandmother who was called on to homeschool a kindergartener while his single father was an “essential worker.” That extended into the first grade, and I’ve barely been out of the house since February. At the same time, several of my son’s co-workers came down with the virus.

You’d think staying home would be ideal for an introvert writer germophobe, right? It gives us time to think and fantasize all kinds of sticky situations for our characters, right? Nope.

Inspiration was caput when I watched scary news reports, my son was exposed to the killer virus at work, and I was trying to teach a first grader fractions. (I took the history of math in college, if that gives you a clue as to how enjoyable was our math class.)

Writers are told to write every day even if they don’t feel like it, so I tried. Some days, I could manage a paragraph or three. Other times, I’d go a week or two without writing a word. Many Facebook memes declared extroverts and huggers weren’t okay after so much time hunkering down, so I reached out to my extrovert friends and family. But we non-complaining quiet types—we may not even realize how blah we feel. Our blah might go unnoticed because we’re always quiet, but we—and our minds—just slow down…a lot.

Believe it or not, my blah and isolation were the inspiration for writing my novella, Mystery Bones Murders. It’s about a widow who has isolated herself after the deaths of her husband and young son. When she finds a bone on a far corner of her property, she’s excited about the potential of it being the remains of an ancient Native American village.

Her first trip to town in a very long time takes her to a forensic anthropology friend at the University of Wyoming who reveals the bone isn’t ancient. In fact, she discovers that a serial killer has been using her land to bury his victims, and now he’s watching her.

It’s a story of love, deceit, and redemption with a dash of romance. It launches a new novella series featuring a feisty red head with dyslexia who runs a ranch in Wyoming and considers her animals her best friends. She sure doesn’t want to fall for the hot guy who bought the ranch next to hers! But she can’t deny the electricity that courses between them.

The serial killer discovers Frankie is no one to mess with, and writing her recovery from grief and self-imposed isolation helped me to pull myself out of my own funk. I had to dig deep down to get in touch with Frankie’s emotions and create such a strong and determined woman. Doing that helped me realize I needed to force myself to stop watching the news, go outside every day, and enjoy the only life I’m going to have. When I did, the words for Mystery Bones Murders flowed.

Funny how that works, isn’t it?

 

 

 

Review

 

This novella was the perfect length for this story. There is a smaller cast of characters so the suspects are limited, there is tension to keep you on the edge of your seat, and perhaps even a little romance to make life a little sweeter.

Frankie has had a rough few years, losing her husband and son to a tragic accident. She has shut herself off from most of the world dealing with her grief. While out one night, she discovers a bone and is hoping that it might be from an ancient Indian tribe that used to live in the area. She is in for the surprise of her life when all is said and done from the answer to the bones and other revelations.

I have to admit I had strong suspicions about a certain character being the “evil” one and I was correct. There are a few clues along the way that you might decipher but there are no blatant obvious answers until the end. And I did suspect other characters from different conversations between the characters.

The pace of the story is perfect, with just enough suspense from page to page that you don’t want to put the book down. I liked that Frankie searched for clues but was smart enough to call in the police when things were out of her depth.

We give this book 4 paws up and if you need a shorter book to read, then pick this one up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Karen Randau authors fast-paced stories with intricate plots, lots of action, and a dash of romance told from the point of view of a female amateur sleuth. Mystery Bones Murders is her sixth book and the first book in a new series of novellas. She lives in the mountains of Arizona with her multi-generational family.

 

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Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Synopsis

 

Jacqueline may be foolish enough to swap the family cow for a magic bean. But, it would never occur to her to rob a giant of his treasures. Now she has two hungry families to feed. She must discover the true magic of the beans.

Many of the mishaps in folktales could be remedied if the protagonists knew some scientific principles. Children like seeing familiar stories told with a twist. And they like science when it is presented as fun.

This is the fourth book in the Science Folktales series.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * BAM

 

 

Review

 

This is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk but with a little science knowledge built into the story. I enjoyed watching Jacqueline learn about the beans, making bargains, the consequences of the wrong decision, and that not all giants are bad.

The illustrations depict the story and are colorful to engage a young reader. A parent could discuss many different aspects of the story with a young child to encourage decision making and communication.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lois Wickstrom earned her BA in biology with Chemistry and English minors. She is the creator of the Imagenie videos on YouTube and “Starting With Safety” available from the American Chemical Society. She also co-authored the Nessie’s Grotto Books with Jean Lorrah, and the Orange Forest Rabbit books with Lucrecia Darling.

 

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THE BLACK-MARKETER’S DAUGHTER

 

by

 

Suman Mallick

 

 

Category: Contemporary / Literary Fiction / Multicultural

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Date of Publication: October 13, 2020

Number of Pages: 166 pages

 

 

 

 

Zuleikha arrives in the US from Lahore, Pakistan, by marriage, having trained as a pianist without ever owning a real piano. Now she finally has one-a wedding present from her husband-but nevertheless finds it difficult to get used to her new role of a suburban middle-class housewife who has an abundance of time to play it.

 

Haunted by the imaginary worlds of the confiscated contraband books and movies that her father trafficked in to pay for her education and her dowry, and unable to reconcile them with the expectations of the real world of her present, she ends up as the central figure in a scandal that catapults her into the public eye and plays out in equal measures in the local news and in backroom deliberations, all fueled by winds of anti-Muslim hysteria.

 

The Black-Marketer’s Daughter was a finalist for the Disquiet Open Borders Book Prize, and praised by the jury as a “complicated and compelling story” of our times, with two key cornerstones of the novel being the unsympathetic voice with which Mallick, almost objectively, relays catastrophic and deeply emotional events, and the unsparing eye with which he illuminates the different angles and conflicting interests at work in a complex situation. The cumulative effects, while deliberately unsettling to readers, nevertheless keeps them glued to the pages out of sheer curiosity about what will happen next.

 

 

 

 

 Amazon  │  Bookshop.org

 

 

Praise

“Mallick offers an impressively realistic depiction of a woman caught between tradition, family, and her own sense of empowerment.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“The Black-Marketer’s Daughter is a key-hole look at a few things: a mismatched marriage, the plight of immigrants in the U.S., the emotional toll of culture shock, and the brutal way Muslim women are treated, especially by men within their own community. Titling it—defining the heroine by her relationship to a man rather than as a woman in her own right—suggests how deeply ingrained that inequality can be.” ~ IndieReader Reviews 

“The Black-Marketer’s Daughter is the portrait of a woman who endures violence, intimidation, xenophobia and grief, and yet refuses to be called a victim. In this slender novel, Suman Mallick deftly navigates the funhouse maze of immigrant life in contemporary America—around each corner the possibility of a delight, a terror, or a distorted reflection of oneself.” ~ Matthew Valentine, Winner, Montana Prize for Fiction; Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never underestimate the power of the written word.

 

I was intrigued by this book and wondered what sort of impact it would have on a reader. For anyone that opens their mind to the world within these pages, they will learn about culture, faith, love, despair, confidence, and desperation. But do not go into this book lightly, the stories within are complex and interwoven.

This story follows a young married couple from Pakistan that have settled in the DFW area in Texas. They have traditional roles within their family. The husband works and provides for the family, and his wife stays at home. I found it fascinating that the marriage contract between them included a piano and the lengths they went to in obtaining the piano and a piano bench.  Zuleikha has quite an interesting past. She learned how to play on a piano purchased with ill-gotten gains from things her father did to make sure his family got by in life. I would say that she was spoiled and had her father wrapped around her little finger. Iskander is very traditional in his thought of their marriage and his actions toward Zuleikha. He was controlling yet loving.

As time goes by, Zuleikha seems less satisfied with their life. She tries to broaden her circle by teaching piano lessons. This works well until she starts teaching another adult and an emotional relationship ensues. But this relationship is not without consequences as Zuleikha will learn.

There is so much to be learned from this book. I learned a little more about the Muslim faith. We are given a look into Shariah law and how it is interpreted. It is hard to truly understand these laws when it seems extreme in nature and what some of us may be used to when it comes to the freedoms we have in the United States. I found myself disgusted with some of the men from the mosque and their attitude towards Zuleikha, but at the same time, their beliefs are different than my own and we do not all fit into the same mold.

Some of this is hard to read and there could be some triggers for some readers. But the story is well told and in the end, Zuleikha had to make the best decision she could for herself and her family, no matter what others thought should happen. I thought she was very brave all things considered and wonder if I could have done the same in her shoes.

This book gave me a lot to think about and how I view people and situations and perhaps there is more to it than I could ever know and I should withhold judgment until more facts are known.

We give this book 4 paws up and recommend it for anyone that is looking for a book that is complex yet with sympathetic characters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suman Mallick received his MFA from Portland State University and is the assistant managing editor of the quarterly literary magazine Under the Gum Tree. He lives in Texas.

 

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

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

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

 

 

1/6/21	Promo	Hall Ways Blog
1/7/21	Review	The Clueless Gent
1/7/21	Guest Post	Momma on the Rocks
1/8/21	Review	Forgotten Winds
1/8/21	Author Interview	All the Ups and Downs
1/9/21	Review	Bibliotica
1/10/21	Excerpt	Texas Book Lover
1/11/21	Author Interview	That’s What She’s Reading
1/11/21	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
1/12/21	Playlist	Chapter Break Book Blog
1/13/21	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
1/13/21	Scrapbook Page	The Page Unbound
1/14/21	Author Interview	KayBee’s Book Shelf
1/15/21	Review	Reading by Moonlight
1/15/21	Review	Missus Gonzo

 

 

 

 

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Georgana’s Secret

by Arlem Hawks

Page Count: 320

Proper Romance / Regency

 

 

Synopsis

 

A Regency romance on the high seas.

 

1811, HMS Deborah

Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea.

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the boy under his wing.

Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound * Desert * BAM

 

 

Praise

 

“Fans of sweet love stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in life and love.”  -Booklist, starred review

 

“Hawks crafts a spellbinding tale featuring rich characters and raw emotions set against the atmospheric backdrop of sea life in all its danger and beauty. Georgana is a tough protagonist holding her own in a world dominated by men, while Peyton’s charm and sensitivity marks him as a true gentleman. A hidden identity, flirtation, and treachery make for a rousing tale to captivate lovers of historical romances.”  -Publishers Weekly

 

 

Review

 

This is a sweet romance filled with adventure on the high seas.

Georgana is taken away from an abusive home with her grandmother after her mother passes away. Her father, grief-stricken I’m sure, feels like she would be better off with him on the ship he captains. Of course, women aren’t allowed on the ship, so she is disguised as a cabin boy. This is good and bad because the other cabin boys notice something is amiss and are not above creating awkward situations for “George.” She and her father have to be very careful to not reveal her true identity to the rest of the crew.

Dominic ends up on this ship as the First Lieutenant much to the chagrin of other crew members. He is level headed and notices George receiving abuse from other cabin boys and takes him (her) under his wing. He teaches her to stand up for herself and perhaps regain a little respect from the others.

The day to day adventures of the crew and the ship will delight and also keep you on the edge of your seat during battles and other tense scenes.  The descriptive text will lure you in and you will feel like you are in the middle of the action. I enjoyed watching the love for Georgana and Dominic unfold especially once he realized she wasn’t a boy after all. I was surprised it took him as long as it did to uncover that truth.

This was my first book by this author but won’t be my last. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

ARLEM HAWKS began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications, with an emphasis in print journalism, and she lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.

 

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Synopsis

 

When Harry’s mum and dad tell him that they will be moving to a cabin in the Canadian wilderness, his first thought is about leaving his friends behind. He then finds out that there will be NO INTERNET!!!

Join Harry on the adventure of a lifetime and find out how he adapts when everything he is used to changes overnight…

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Walmart

 

 

Review

 

This story reminds us that change can be good and unplugging from the internet can be a very good thing.

Harry is told that their family is moving from England to Canada for Dad’s job and that they will be living in the woods with no internet or television, at least initially. I’m sure any child today would shudder at the thought of having to unplug, but this is not a bad thing. While they are adjusting to their new home, they have many adventures and Harry learns to look beyond a screen and what is really out there in nature and enjoying time with his parents.

I found the story interesting and was amazed at the knowledge the father has on how to build a house/cabin. I wouldn’t even know where to start because they were cutting down trees, setting up solar panels, and many other things. This would be a great story to read to your children which is how this author came to write the story. There could be many discussions about what Harry experienced and what it might be like to live “off the grid” and observing nature.

We give this story 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Glen Blackwell lives in Suffolk, England. He has a career in finance and We’re Moving Where?! is his first book. Inspired by bedtime reading with his 3 daughters, Glen loves to bring stories to life for young readers.

 

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Synopsis

 

Hot ex-military, desperate woman, tight conspiracy…wait for the explosion!

Peyton West is desperate. Her brother-in-law is dead, her sister is in a coma and no one seems interested in finding any answers. With every door slammed in her face, she’s referred to Scott “Blaze” Hamilton and the men from super-secret Galaxy. Conducting meetings on a plane and digging into the underbelly of Tampa politics, she sees a ray of hope…and discovers Blaze lives up to his name in more ways than one. She crosses her fingers that the scorching sex will continue to blaze once the killer is found.

 

A new series debuts from Desiree Holt!

 

The men of Galaxy are your last resort

Watch for Galaxy merchandise

The sky is the limit with Galaxy

 

They are four hot, sexy men, (John “Rocket” Hardin, Matt “ Viper” Roman, Scott “Blaze” Miranda, and Vic “ Eagle”  Bodine), former SEALS, and lifelong friends. They served their country well, and winning billions in the Powerball lottery allows them to continue to serve –creating an agency that takes cases others refuse. Their only office is on their plane. Their skills are limitless. Their missions often the blackest of black ops. Their commitment unequaled. When everything else fails, Galaxy can save you. They play as hard as they work, addicted to no-holds-barred sex, and none of them in the market for a relationship. One by one, however, they will fall for women who can give as good as they get. Get ready, because Galaxy is open for business.

 

 

 

Find the book on other platforms

 

 

Review

 

This is the first book by this author that I have read and she does not disappoint especially if you like romantic suspense with some heat!

Peyton West ends up in Tampa when her sister and brother-in-law are run down by a rogue motorist. Little did she know what the reason went much deeper than anyone can imagine. While we are presented with some of the facts from the outset, there are twists that no one could expect and it kept the story interesting. Her sister’s doctor recommends her brother’s investigative team. What he fails to mention is that they are all former SEALS and so you know that means they are going stay involved until the case is resolved. Their office is intriguing. They have a jet that they will take up in the air to ensure that no one is listening to the details of what they are working on at the time. The crazy thing is that these friends won a Powerball lottery of over a billion dollars, so they can pretty much afford whatever they want.

The suspense/mystery portion of the book is to determine who killed Dane and injured Brianne in the auto accident. As I mentioned, we are provided some details but as the story unfolds, more truths come to light. I always hear about people that can uncover the truth and that is what the team at Galaxy does in this scenario. These men have skills that we might only dream of having! But that is what needed to bring forth the truth and not allow those involved to get away with murder. Doesn’t matter how powerful you think you are, the truth always wins.

Scott Hamilton aka Blaze is Peyton’s point of contact and Dr. Nolan Hamilton’s brother. There is something about Peyton that appeals to his baser self and the same could be said for Peyton. There is something about Blaze that triggers a desire within her and the sparks between them could set off a forest fire. Their relationship goes against everything Blaze could ever have expected or wanted, but there is something about Peyton that awakens a desire to protect her and her family. There are some intimate scenes between the two that are very steamy and detailed. The upside is that this is more than just a roll in the hay for both of them and they admit to having feelings for one another.

We give this book 4 paws up. It is a great way to heat up a winter night!

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

USA Today best-selling and award-winning author Desiree Holt writes everything from romantic suspense and contemporary on a variety of heat levels up to erotic, a genre in which she is the oldest living author. She has been referred to by USA Today as the Nora Roberts of erotic romance, and is a winner of the EPIC E-Book Award, the Holt Medallion and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice nominee. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times and numerous other national and international publications.

Desiree loves to hear from readers.

 

Facebook – Author Page * Twitter

 

Pinterest * Website * Desiree’s Place

 

BookBub * Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

In Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas, New York Times bestselling author Emily March presents a brand new arc set in the Lone Star State that features a family-linked trilogy within the author’s romantic series.

With his smooth talk, rugged good looks, and deep pockets, native Texan Boone McBride appears to be a man who has it all. Few people know about the heartbreak behind his decision to leave home, family, and career for the isolation of a small town in the Colorado Rockies. Luckily, time and life in Eternity Springs has worked its healing magic upon his wounded soul, so when he meets obviously troubled Hannah Dupree, Boone sees a chance to pay his good fortune forward. The last thing he anticipates is tumbling into love.

Tragedy has taken everything Hannah loves, and her will to keep going is failing. So when Boone strides into her life determined to save her, it’s easier to go along with him than to resist. Soon she is drawn into the fabric of life in Eternity Springs, and as her spirit begins to heal, her strength returns, and she’s able to go toe-to-toe with this hardheaded, big-hearted Texan. But just when love blooms and happiness is within their grasp, shadows from the past threaten. Hannah and Boone must stand strong and united in order to defeat old ghosts—if they are to create a brand-new life together.

 

 

This book releases December 29th, 2020

 

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

 

 

Review

 

This is the third book in the McBrides of Texas series and the eighteenth in the Eternity Springs series. While you don’t have to read these books in order, it really does help since these are stories about one large and extended family, and having some background does help, but is not required. I have read several of the books in this series but have only read the first book in the McBrides series, somehow I missed Tucker’s story (but will remedy that soon since there are hints on what happened to him in this book).

I know the first book is set in Texas around a plot of land that three cousins inherited from a relative. However, this book is set in Colorado in Eternity Springs. That did cause a little confusion for me at first because I did expect the story to happen in this little part of Texas. But not to worry, there are many references and even a journey to the town at the end of the book.

Boone is grieving the loss of his wife and has moved from Fort Worth back to Eternity Springs. Hannah is also mourning the loss of her family from a tragic accident. When her story unfolds it is heartbreaking to read. These two find each other (well Boone finds Hannah at Lover’s Leap) and despite the baggage that weighs them both down, they find comfort with each other. There are several unexpected twists, some humorous situations, and definitely love.

I have really enjoyed all of the books in this series that I have read. This book is no different and is perfect when you want something sweet and light to read. Granted there are some tough scenes about Boone and Hannah’s past, but it defines who they are and how far they have come in their lives. I found myself chuckling in many spots at the various predicaments that Boone finds himself smack dab in the middle, but those situations help round out the book.

Overall we give this 4 paws up and now I have to go back and find Tucker’s story that I missed.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a “master of delightful banter,” and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.

 

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Freedom Speakz and her friends have a fun filled day in the park, as she recounts the story of how her infamous “Generations” speech came to be. In this true tale, she relives the moments from where it all began. As a tribute to Mrs. Coretta Scott King it was on that day she stood and proclaimed FREEDOM for all to see. No one could have ever imagined that the voice of this little girl in a pink dress would forever change the world!

 

 

Amazon  * B&N

 

 

Review

 

Freedom recounts her experience speaking about Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr’s wife, in an annual event held in Atlanta. She was chosen from her classmates at the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. The story is told to her classmates and despite having heard the story several times, they ask her to share her experience as if they had never heard what happened that day. Freedom obliges and weaves the tale and teaches us all a little bit about the woman behind the man that called for change.

Her strength and confidence jump off the page and despite being a little nervous, Freedom was thrilled with the opportunity to share information about Mrs. King and everything she did in her life and to support her husband. I learned from this book that Mrs. King was also a singer and an author.

The illustrations are colorful and depict the Kings and Freedom throughout the book which adds dimension to the story.

This book would be a wonderful addition to any classroom of young readers for them to learn a little more about this time in our history.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Freedom Speakz, born Freedom Jah’an Archie, is the petite but larger than life, multi-talented artist and Atlanta, Georgia native. She is a seventh-grader currently attending Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

As her name suggests, Freedom Speakz is a free-spirited young lady, who never misses an opportunity to fascinate audiences both big and small.

Freedom’s love for the arts parallels her love of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). At just twelve years old, she is young yet fierce and confident.

 

Chizelle’ T. Archie, is a native of Mobile, Alabama. She bursts on the literary scene in 2010 when she penned her debut novel, “The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond, in which the sequel shortly followed. “His Grace, His Blood, His Mercy! ”Chizelle’ is a mother to the joy of her life Freedom Jah’an A.K.A. Freedom Speakz, as well as a Registered Nurse. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Freedom Speakz Facebook * Chizelle’ T. Archie Facebook * Website