Synopsis

 

You can’t outrun the Registration.

Imagine it’s legal to commit one murder in your lifetime⎯if you Register the victim and accomplish the kill within fourteen days. So when Lynell Mize stands in line to Register the man who abused her as a child, she’s shocked to hear a stranger Register her to be killed. Why would anyone who doesn’t know her squander his one legal murder on her? Desperate to survive the next two weeks, she must find out who wants to kill her⎯and why.

​Easier said than done as Lynell soon discovers that multiple strangers have used their Registration on her. Along the way, she reunites with her estranged husband who is determined to dig up a past Lynell prefers to keep buried. With only days left to live, Lynell fights to uncover the truth and survive a destiny not of her choosing.

 

 

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Review

 

I really enjoy reading speculative books because, many times, the truth is buried somewhere in the book or at least one viewpoint of the world we are living in.

Imagine being able to kill one person with no repercussions. Who would you want to eliminate and why? Lynell Mize has her sights set on an abusive stepfather. No one would blame her since he does not appear to be a worthwhile individual. Now imagine you are there to register who you want to take out, and you hear your name. That has to be very unsettling. What do you do? If you can elude the person for two weeks, they can’t kill you after that time, and they have lost their opportunity. I know I would try and escape or hide from that person and pray for the best.

We learn a lot about Lynell during this time once she hears her name and tries to avoid being caught by the person that registered her. However, we learn that multiple people have registered her, and she is being hunted. Who does she trust? Can she trust anyone? When the truth came out about why she was being hunted, it blew my mind! I admired Lynell even more at that point and everything she endured to try and uncover the truth.

Lynell is the type of woman that I think many of us hope that we can be – strong, intelligent, and willing to protect those that she loves. There is a slight mystery along with the suspense of this book. I figured out part of it but still didn’t know how it all would come together in the end.

I was also rooting for Lynell and Danny’s relationship. Would they be able to get back on track? Some secrets come out that could make or break their relationship.

This was a riveting story, and now I’m curious what the movie will be like and if it will live up to the book.

We give this 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Author Madison Lawson writes speculative fiction novels full of suspense, social commentary, and complex relationships. She has published a dozen short stories, many of which won awards such as the Koresh Award and the Gordone Award. She received her B.A. in English from Texas A&M University and is currently earning her M.A. in English at North Carolina State University. Born and raised in a small Texas town, Madison began escaping through reading and writing as soon as she could.

 

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SWEET COMFORT

 

Comfort and Joy Trilogy, #1

 

by

 

KIMBERLY FISH

 

 

Women’s Fiction / Cozy Mystery / Later-In-Life Romance / Sweet Second-Chance Romance

Publisher: Fish Tales

Page Count: 359 pages

Publication Date: January 21, 2023

 

Scroll down for a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the hometown everyone wants to call their own.

Gloria Bachman, a retired bank executive, has eight weeks to flip a location on Comfort’s High Street into a boutique chocolate shop. Defying expectations for “women of a certain age,” Gloria rediscovers talents and a sharpening of skills. If only she could read people as well as she does a spreadsheet. Even with the renovation in good hands, the subsequent struggle to name the shop brings Gloria and her business partner into conflict with a shady citizen. While Gloria is capable of remaining in her retirement rut while opening a business, two competing social groups try to lure her into their networks, causing Gloria to wonder if she ever knew Comfort at all. A murder rocks the community and revives investigative instincts honed by years in the banking industry.

Mason Lassiter, a disgraced CEO, has his own dramas to escape, and the offbeat town seems the perfect place to recover his self-esteem. What was to be a quick reversal of fortunes becomes a quest to right a deeply felt injustice. Fascinated by the women driving the energy of Comfort, he extends his stay to find out why the small town is the backdrop to their best tales. Tangling with his neighbor Gloria becomes his favorite pastime and the key to unlocking the mystery of his past—if he can convince her to trust him.

Chocolate and joy become the glue bringing an unlikely cast together, which just might change Gloria’s and Mason’s course for the better. With characters familiar from previous Comfort novels and introducing fresh names, Sweet Comfort will entertain those who like their stories seasoned with coziness and sweet, second chances.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhhh, the town of Comfort is calling, and I answered! If you haven’t read any of this author’s Comfort series, you are missing out. While this includes many of the characters from those books and continues the story, there are new faces in town that we can come to love as much as the others. Plus, there will be chocolate!

Georgia is a woman that I definitely admire. She has dealt with some issues in her past work at a bank in the area, including being forced out thanks to the male ego and more. Being burned by a man has soured her outlook on men for the most part. However, enter Morgan Lassiter. A hunky man from Dallas has caught her eye, and she has caught his. However, she is reluctant to be more than friends, but maybe he will wear her down. I love when a new romance takes its time for the characters to experience each other and what they could potentially bring to the table and the relationship.

I mentioned chocolate. Georgia and Kali are opening a high-end chocolate store and are working non-stop to get everything done before their grand opening. There are some setbacks, as would be expected, but each one just strengthens what we know about these women and the skills that they have that they don’t even realize. I love when people learn more about themselves and what they are capable of in the process of a new venture. I am glad I don’t live in Comfort (although sometimes I wish that I did) because I would be there every day indulging in the truffles, bars, and other assorted chocolates. This author speaks to my heart when she includes chocolate in the mix.

There are a few minor mysteries included in this book. The first is who killed Ted Bodine. Georgia has an analytical mind, and it is evident as she susses out the clues and the facts as different situations present themselves. Now the mystery doesn’t really start until 40% into the book, so I would say that this is less mystery and more romance and second chances. There is also the mystery of Mason’s wife. She is supposedly deceased, but signs point other ways. Will Georgia and Mason determine if she faked her death or is truly gone? These add a twist to the story and create more depth.

I love the rivalry between the Knitters Club and the Bunco ladies. While there is some tension between various characters, it is also nice to see them come together in times of need, no matter which club they belong to. Plus, it adds some spice to the story. I’m not sure I’m Wanda’s biggest fan, but she does add some complexity to the story.

This story made me smile, laugh, drool (over chocolate), and engaged my brain to sort out the mystery.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kimberly Fish has been a professional writer in marketing and media for over thirty years, with regular contributions to area newspapers and magazines. As an accidental historian, she wrote two novels, The Big Inch and Harmon General, both based on factual events in Longview, Texas that changed world history. Kimberly also offers a set of contemporary women’s fiction, based in the Texas Hill Country, that reveal her fascination with characters discovering their grit and sweet, second chances; all four of these novels have won distinguished awards.

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Just when everything is returning to the calm that Quinn Caine and her sidekicks, Ruff Barker Ginsburg and Sister Daria, are used to in their beloved town of Vienna, a Broadway star crash-lands into their peace and quiet. Former ‘player’, Chad Frivole, is Vienna’s prodigal son—the once notorious lothario has returned a Broadway star, ready to make a different kind of mark on his hometown.

Not everyone is celebrating the Tony-award-winner’s return. Chad’s a triple threat—with a cast of characters lining up to seek their revenge on him. So, when he turns up dead in his car, trapped with a sack full of snakes, Quinn can’t say she’s surprised—but promises handsome detective Aiden Harrington that she’s staying out of this local mystery.

That is, until someone starts threatening her brother’s life. It’s true, Sebastian ‘Bash’ Caine used to be a womanizer, just like Chad. And the killer doesn’t seem to care that he’s not that man anymore. Bash Caine is in the killer’s sights, and unless Quinn and her crew can find the killer in time, whoever it is will drag her brother into his final act on this mortal coil.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo

 

 

Review

 

I think this might be a new favorite series! I have a lot of those if you follow any of my reviews. But this one has engaging characters and a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

Normally, I’m a stickler for starting a series at the beginning. However, this is only the second book, and I felt like there was enough backstory that I didn’t feel lost in any of the personal relationships that occurred in the series. The story is also told from two perspectives, Quinn and her cousin Daria. I had read books before that had multiple points of view, and they didn’t seem to work, or at least I was always confused when the voices changed. That is not true with this book. It was obvious to me when it was Quinn or Daria because they are very different. Daria is a novice nun; however, she is tested by Lucas and their attraction to one another. Will she go through with her vows, or was she just running away thinking that the convent was a safe place? There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end regarding Daria.

Quinn had a rough start in the first book; however, it has led to her relationship with Aidan, the local police detective. I really enjoyed watching their relationship and the respect that they have for one another. Quinn is inquisitive but manages to end up in the thick of things, even when she isn’t trying.

I also enjoyed the dog training that Daria and the nuns do at the convent. While that is just a small notation in the book, I thought it was a nice twist for that to be an area that they help in their community.

If you are squeamish about snakes, spiders, and other creepy crawlies, just be forewarned that there are some scattered throughout the book. It added an interesting twist to how people were murdered, especially once the killer is revealed and the truth comes to light.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, but I will probably have to wait a while!

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a nomad with a bounty on her head ever since. Kincaid earned her master’s degree in Gender History and another in Clinical/Macro Social Work. She currently works as a psychotherapist.

 

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Purls Before Swine (Clear Creek Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Rocky Mountains
Independently Published (March 23, 2023)
Length: ~250 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Autumn has arrived in the Rocky Mountains. The resort that was almost the death of the small town of Clear Creek is trying to mend relations by hosting a local artisan show.

Jemma has been asked to create a display showing beginner projects all the way up to expert. Hoping to knit up attention for the shops in Clear Creek, she agrees. The last thing she expects is to trip over a body in the middle of the exhibits.

Curiosity piqued, she wants to know how someone was killed under the watchful eyes of the resort’s security staff — headed by the man she loves.

Even though her past experiences have taught Jemma she doesn’t want to be anywhere near a killer, when Deputy Chase surprises everyone by asking for her help she can’t bring herself to say no. Because if the killer isn’t bound off before the resort guests leave, someone will get away with murder.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

This has been such a fun series to watch grow. The characters are engaging and complex, the mystery is well crafted, and there is a romance to round things out.

Jemma is a fun character. She has seen the world yet can’t boil water. However, that adds to her charm. Yet, in future books, we might see that change based on some hints in this novel. But then it might have just been me reading between the lines.

It is nice to see cozy protagonists work well with the police. Deputy Matthew Chase seeks her assistance, much to her boyfriend’s objections, because she has a way of putting pieces together and helping solve the crimes. This story is no different, and as usual, she figures out the truth in the end when it is almost too late.

I thought it was an interesting twist to set the crime away from her town. While we still see some activity in her village, especially when it comes to her shop, having the bulk of the story elsewhere just added another layer to this series. The resort is where Brandon is employed (the boyfriend), so it still pulls in elements of their relationship and reflects the ties between the two locations.

I have to admit that I didn’t guess the killer. I went down another path, and I couldn’t have been further from the truth. There are a few clues to help you solve the mystery on your own, but they aren’t obvious. So pull out those detective skills when reading this novel.

This is a fun series that is pushing me to learn how to knit. I don’t know that I will pick up any needles to do that, but it is fun imagining the soft yarn and the possible creations.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

 

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Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Helen Campbell is the eldest and most practical of three sisters, daughters of hard-working Irish emigrants living in New York City in the 1950s. She does what she can to keep the wild-child middle sister, Carolyn, in line and support the youngest, Peggy, as she pursues her dreams of becoming a doctor. Then Helen meets Charlie.

While it’s love at first sight for those two, Carolyn’s antics threatens to derail all the sisters’ future happiness. However, through thick and thin, the three sisters strive to prevail, though not necessarily in the ways they thought they wanted.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * DX Varos Publishing

 

Bookshop.org * IndieBound

 

 

Awards and Praise for Eileen Joyce Donovan

 

2019 Marie M Irvine Award for Promises, 2021

When Word Count competition for A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma

“This story is well written and immerses the reader in the period rooting for Alex. At times, I found her decisions a bit rash, but I remembered myself fighting for my career in a male-dominated field. The story is well-researched, and I enjoyed it immensely.”- Carol Amorosi, Author of The MacKay Mysteries, Series

“It was compelling to read of the mores of the time: school teachers couldn’t drink in public, staying at a boarding house came with a set of restrictive rules, and trying to get lead stories in a newspaper entailed being part salesperson/part private investigator.
With the role of newspapers and reporters being in the news of late, this depiction of a young woman learning the ropes in a competitive, male-dominated field was fascinating in the scope of how tough it is to get a story right.”- Susan Wands, Author of Magician and Fool

“I don’t normally read historical fiction, but I so enjoyed this book set in the 1920s. The theme is timeless as the main character is determined to make it in a man’s world. Great read!”- Stacy Wilder, Author of A Liz Adams Mystery Series

“The characters and fast-paced plot drew me in and kept me reading. I enjoyed the historical details and the fact that every time I thought I knew how a character would react, I was wrong. The author is too skilled to fall into stereotypes.”- Grammarian, Amazon Review

 

Guest Review by Nora

 

There is nothing like the love of sisters when you are going through a rough time, and no one knows that better than the Campbell sisters.

Living in the bustling city of New York during the 1950s, the sisters face love, betrayal, loss, and sacrifice all in this beautifully written historical fiction from the author Eileen Joyce Donovan.

Helen Campbell is a modest, 20-something woman working at a home for orphans in Manhattan when she has a near brush with tragedy. One of the children in her care is hit by a passing bicyclist and hurt. Luckily, the little boy does not suffer serious injury, and the bicyclist, a man named Charlie, is more upset than anyone.

After the boy is brought back home, Helen and Charlie strike up a conversation, and he ends up asking her on a date. But Helen is unsure if she should be seeing this man, as she finds out that he is a boxer and worries that he is too rough for her. Compounding this worry is the thought of what her parents, hard-working Irish immigrants, will think of him.

As Helen’s relationship with Charlie begins to take off, something happens with her younger sister, Carolyn, that threatens to harm both Helen and their other sister, Peggy’s sense of safety, and disrupt their home life.

An excellent historical fiction read and one that I think would be worthwhile for many readers, ‘The Campbell Sisters’ is a wonderful look at love, both in family and in the romantic sense.

I loved the attention to the small historical details in this one. Donovan really has a talent for creating an atmosphere that makes you feel like you have been transported back to the 1950s. I was not expecting some of the twists and turns that happened in this one, but they definitely made the book! Five stars!

 

 

Guest Post

 

A DAY IN MY LIFE

 

by Eileen Joyce Donovan

 

I want to give a warm welcome to Eileen and her stop here on my blog, StoreyBook Reviews. I love to hear from authors, and I hope you enjoy these words from her.

 

Thank you, Leslie, for inviting me to post as a guest on StoreyBook Reviews. One of the topics you suggested was that I tell your readers, and mine, what a typical day looks like in my life. Wow! Is there such a thing in anyone’s life? Hard to imagine.

Every time I start a new project, I make a plan. Get up, shower, dress, eat breakfast while I watch the morning news (just to make sure the world didn’t explode overnight), then write for the rest of the morning. After lunch, I’ll type what I’ve written, and yes, I write everything in longhand first, and then read for the afternoon. Usually, there’s very little left of the afternoon by then since I’m a terrible typist as well as a slow one. Hence, the longhand writing.

I don’t read anything I’ve typed until the next day. That gives me a chance to see it with fresh eyes as well as put me right back into the story from where I ended it. Good plan, right?

I think it works out that way about one out of every seven days of the week. Invariably, life interferes with “the bests laid plans of mice and men.”

Take this week, for instance. Sunday meant a trip to the subway station (I live in New York City) to get a Metro Card for my cousin, who was in NY from Delaware visiting her brother and coming to see me on Monday. That day also included a stop at the bank and since I don’t own a car all of these trips mean walking, which takes a lot longer than driving up to the ATM and never leaving your car. But really, who would want a car in NYC?

But I digress. Monday, my cousin and I went to see the Edward Hopper exhibit at the Whiney Museum, then lunch at a lovely little tea shop in Greenwich Village. Tuesday was a visit to the doctor (just routine), then grocery shopping. Wednesday, today, I actually got some writing done this morning before gearing up for a podcast interview at noon, then a quick run to the wine store for my contribution to a party this evening. Thursday, a trip to the Museum of Natural History with an old college friend, then a bite to eat. Friday. Hurrah! An empty day on my calendar. Maybe I’ll get some work done. Saturday, a morning Zoom call with one of my writing groups. And we’re back to the start of a new week.

Oh, I forgot to mention checking my emails and responding to them. Then posting something on social media, although I don’t do that every day, and responding to anyone who has left a comment for me on my last post. I guess I’m supposed to add cleaning my apartment somewhere in here. That’s pretty low on my list of priorities, but it’s always neat and tidy, even if it is a little dusty.

So, is there a typical day in my life? I think not. I may not have children to shuttle around, but I rarely get a full day to write. More like bits and pieces of time, here and there, which is why I have scraps of paper scattered all around my desk with thoughts about what I want to change or add to my present work in progress. Maybe I can get them organized before my zoom interview today. But really, what are the chances of that happening?

© Eileen Joyce Donovan

 

 

About the Author

 

Eileen Joyce Donovan has been writing her entire life, in one way or another, whether it was imaginative stories for friends, or advertising copy for clients. At the persistent urging of her husband, she finally agreed to seriously edit and revise one of her stories and take the plunge. Years later, her persistence paid off and both her debut historical fiction, Promises, and her second novel, A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma, won prestigious awards. Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies, and her essays have been included in various Chicken Soup for the Soul editions.

She lives in Manhattan, New York and is a member of Authors Guild, Women’s National Book Association, Women Fiction Writers Association, and The Historical Novel Society.

 

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MURDER’S LEGACY

 

A Tori Winters Mystery, Book 2

 

by

 

Anita Dickason

 

 

Mystery / Amateur Sleuth / Women Sleuths

 

Publisher: Mystic Circle Books

 

Date of Publication: February 17, 2023

 

Number of Pages: 378 pages

 

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Secrets that defy time!

An inconceivable disaster brings Tori Winters’ plans for the historic house she inherited to a traumatic standstill. A section of the escape tunnel built by her great-grandfather, a notorious Dallas gangster, has collapsed. Within the rubble, there is a gruesome discovery. A skeleton with a bullet hole in the skull.

The shocking cave-in triggers an ominous scheme to condemn her property as accusations arise that the tunnel is dangerous.

Embattled, Tori soon discovers that more than the destruction of the house is on the line. It seems she can’t escape the past. It keeps clawing its way into her life with deadly consequences.

Who hides in the shadows with a motive for murder?

And … is Tori the target?

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

View Part Two on YouTube

 

 

 

This series has all the things I love – mystery, murder, set in Texas, history, and casinos. Ok, maybe I don’t really love murders, but I think you know where I’m going with this.

We met Tori in the first book when she inherited a home from a family member she didn’t know she had in Granbury, Texas. If you aren’t familiar with this smaller town, it has a historic square with shops, restaurants, and a theater. If you happen to live close enough to this town, go check it out. While the book references some of the downtown areas, it is not the main focal point. I thought it was an excellent suggestion for you to go visit!

The mysteries are set in the home she inherits, which is in the process of being turned into an inn. We learn about a secret tunnel in the first book that her grandfather used for his gambling as an escape route for players, or for a way for them to bring in illegal hooch, or whatever situation arose. In this novel, a skeleton is discovered when part of the tunnel collapses. There are few clues to determine whom it belongs to, but that doesn’t stop Tori from investigating. However, some people don’t want that identity to come out, and Tori finds herself in danger multiple times over the course of the book. Luckily, she has great friends surrounding her that help her uncover the mystery and even save her life a time or two.

I was pulled into this book from the beginning, and it did not let me go until the end. I even stayed up into the wee hours so I could finish this book. I always try and decipher the clues to unmask the killer, but I wasn’t even close in this book. I don’t mind because it was an amazing journey, and I chuckled when certain people were put into their place. Tori’s dream to create the inn is still going to run into some issues in future books because of a particular individual that wants the property to develop. But in this book, she has to deal with the city canceling permits and more based on one person’s input. This is not how government is supposed to work, but it is a good ol’ boy network out there, especially in smaller towns. I love that Tori is not giving in to the pressures and creating a space for visitors to the town. She has also brought in four women that help her run different aspects of the inn, which is clever of her. Why try and do everything yourself when others have better skill sets?

I enjoyed the history of casino chips that is a part of this story. Who knew that a lot of this could be uncovered? We also continue to learn more about Tori’s family and their ties to casinos and other illegal events.

I look forward to the next installment in this series and how the inn is progressing. And perhaps the sparks of romance between Tori and David will ignite further.

We give this book 5 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Award-winning Author Anita Dickason is a twenty-two-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department. She served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics detective, advanced accident investigator, tactical officer, and first female sniper on the Dallas SWAT team.

Anita writes about what she knows, cops and crime. Her police background provides an unending source of inspiration for her plots and characters. Many incidents and characters portrayed in her books are based on personal experience. For her, the characters are the fun part of writing as she never knows where they will take her. There is always something out of the ordinary in her stories.

In Anita’s debut novel, Sentinels of the Night, she created an elite FBI Unit, the Trackers. Since then, she has added three more Tracker crime thrillers, Going Gone!, A u 7 9, and Operation Navajo, which are not a series and can be read in any order, and Deadly Business, a crime thriller.

As a Texas author, many of Anita’s books are based in Texas, or there is a link to Texas. When she stepped outside of the Tracker novels and wrote Not Dead and the Tori Winters Mysteries series, she set them in the small Texas communities of Meridian and Granbury, respectively.

 

 

 

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eBook copy of Deadly Keepsakes, Tori Winters Mystery #1

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

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03/14/23	Sybrina’s Book Blog	Author Interview
03/14/23	Hall Ways	BONUS Promo
03/15/23	Shelf Life Blog	Review
03/15/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Promo
03/16/23	The Real World According to Sam	Review
03/16/23	Jennie Reads	Review
03/17/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
03/17/23	All the Ups and Downs	Playlist
03/18/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	Review
03/19/23	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
03/20/23	The Clueless Gent	Review
03/20/23	Chapter Break Book Blog	Scrapbook Page
03/21/23	Reading by Moonlight	Review
03/21/23	Writing and Music	Review
03/22/23	Forgotten Winds	Review
03/22/23	The Book’s Delight	BONUS Review
03/23/23	Rox Burkey Blog	Review
03/23/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Review

 

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family’s grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart’s Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

This engaging story spans three different Weyward women and the trials and tribulations that they endured. These women had their share of struggles but were able to overcome everything.

The book spans several centuries, starting with the early-1600s when women were being accused of witchcraft. Altha had experienced a lot in her young life, but the crushing blow came when she was accused of killing a man, despite no evidence to support that claim. It jumps forward to the 1920s. Violet is 16 and has no idea what happened to her mother. She lives under the thumb of a controlling father but yearns for more. The last woman is Kate in the present day. She is married to an abusive man and needs to get out. It takes a lot of courage to leave, but she manages to escape. But is her battle over?

I admired all of these women for what they were put through. As we know from history, women were not treated well, and this was no different for Altha and Violet. However, they had something that helped them, faith and a connection with nature that grounded them when the situation arose. Violet is Kate’s great-aunt, and we learn later in the book what brings them together, or at least why she leaves a small cottage to Kate. This cottage is part of what saves all of these women from the cruelty that surrounds them. But it is also their strength, independence, and desire to make the world a better place for themselves and others.

Each woman’s story is told in parts, but they blend together, and it helps the reader understand the familial relationship between them. I felt for each of these women and the abuse and neglect that they encountered. Thankfully, they all rose above their situations to find a better place. Each woman finds their own path despite their surroundings and leaves a legacy for others to discover.

I enjoyed this book and was only left with one or two questions, primarily for clarification. It was hard for me to put it down because I wanted to know if they would escape their situations and move on to a better world.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

EMILIA HART grew up in Australia and studied English Literature at university before training as a lawyer. Weyward is her debut and was Highly Commended by the Caledonia First Novel Prize. Emilia lives in London.

 

 

A STUDY IN CHOCOLATE

 

Bean to Bar Mysteries Book 5

 

by

 

AMBER ROYER

 

 

Cozy Culinary Mystery / Women Sleuths / Romance

 

Publisher: Golden Tip Press

 

Date of Publication: January 27, 2023

 

Number of Pages: 260 pages

 

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is expanding, as it has become a gathering spot for the community, despite having been the scene of multiple murders. Artists she met while doing a chocolate sculpture are now working out of the shop. So when Felicity is invited to tea by an eccentric art collector, she’s intrigued, especially when she gets asked to pose for a portrait done with chocolate on chocolate. Only, where there is a murder the next day at the same historic house where the tea was held, one of Felicity’s artist friends becomes the main suspect.

When the killer threatens that unless Felicity unravels the murder, one of her two love interests will be the next victim, she finds herself unwittingly at the center of a puzzle with a Sherlock Holmes-obsessed murderer who wants to be the next Moriarty – and wants to cast Felicity as Sherlock.

Felicity starts finding unexpected connections between her friends and acquaintances and must deal with the idea that someone who knows her is a murderer. At the same time, she has to keep her business running, despite construction dust and unruly customers – and an unexpected order for thousands of truffles.

Satchmo the retired police-dog-turned-therapy dog returns to help her sniff out a few clues, and the kidnapping of Ruffles, the quirky artist’s cat, helps lead Felicity into the puzzle. Can Felicity solve it in time to protect the people she cares about from becoming additional victims?

 

 

 Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo

 

 

 

 

This newest installment in the Bean to Bar mystery series has me knee-deep in chocolate, murder, and misdirection.

I adore this series for several reasons – all of the chocolate talk, Knightly the bunny, and mysteries that make me think and try to sort out the clue and unearth the killer before that person is revealed in the book. I don’t always guess the correct person, but I have fun trying to sort through the clues and try and figure out which ones are red herrings and which ones are fact. I have to admit that I did suspect who the killer might be, but there were red herrings that threw me off and pointed me in other directions. I need to stick with my gut instinct. I appreciated how the story unwinds at the end when the killer is discovered, and everything falls into place.

There are a couple of different mysteries that happen in this book. Outside of who killed Mitch, who isn’t who he claims to be, to the history of the Wobble House and the secrets it hides. I love historic homes and the secrets that they hold. There is a lot of interesting architecture, secret passages/rooms, and so much more. These are not things you usually find in today’s home. I am sure there will be more secrets discovered over time.

We still have a love triangle between Felicity, Logan, and Arlo. I believe that she is getting closer to deciding, and I am on #TeamLogan. Arlo is comfortable because he is the past, but I think Logan is the future. However, Felicity might have other ideas when she finally decides. Perhaps in the next book? She has said she will make a decision by Autumn’s wedding, which is in a month or so. I’ll be curious to see who she chooses.

I have enjoyed each book in this series and look forward to more on the island of Galveston and many more chocolate-infused treats. We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber Royer writes the Chocoverse comic telenovela-style foodie-inspired space opera series and the Bean to Bar Mysteries. She is also the author of Story Like a Journalist: a Workbook for Novelists, which boils down her writing knowledge into an actionable plan involving over 100 worksheets to build a comprehensive story plan for your novel. She also teaches creative writing and is an author coach.

Amber and her husband live in the DFW area, where you can often find them hiking or taking landscape/architecture/wildlife photographs.  If you are very nice to Amber, she might make you cupcakes.  Chocolate cupcakes, of course! Amber blogs about creative writing techniques and all things chocolate.

 

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Signed copy of A Study in Chocolate +

 

a chocolate bar from French Broad Chocolate.

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

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

 

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02/28/23	Series Spotlight	Chapter Break Book Blog
02/28/23	BONUS Promo	Hall Ways Blog
03/01/23	Review	Reading by Moonlight
03/01/23	Review	The Real World According to Sam
03/02/23	Review	Boys’ Mom Reads
03/03/23	BONUS PROMO	LSBBT Blog
03/03/23	Guest Post	Sybrina’s Book Blog
03/03/23	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
03/04/23	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
03/05/23	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles
03/06/23	Scrapbook Page	The Clueless Gent
03/06/23	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
03/07/23	Playlist	All the Ups and Downs
03/08/23	Review	Writing and Music
03/08/23	Review	Rox Burkey Blog
03/09/23	Review	Forgotten Winds
03/09/23	Review	The Book’s Delight

 

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Days before the presidential election, a terrorist attack occurs at an Ivy League university and amidst the chaos, several students and a professor are kidnapped. One student is the son of Alex Hamilton, the presidential nominee, and another the heir to a vast fortune. Among those taken is Vanessa Colletti, the daughter of FBI Agent Dominic Colletti – a man who will do anything to get her back.

A race against time ensues, and Agent Colletti isn’t the only one feeling the pressure. Alex Hamilton has a son missing and election he’s losing. The president, Randall Scott has a re-election to win and skeletons in his closet. Agent Colletti follows a trail of clues that lead to a secluded hideout of a secret society. Along the way, he begins to suspect that the kidnapping is part of something bigger. Much bigger. Something that goes all the way to the highest level of the government.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

Politics, corruption, deception, and secrets. This sums up this book, and if you enjoy those types of stories, you will probably enjoy this one.

This book was filled with so many twists and turns it will keep the reader guessing who is involved, why, and what the end game might be. Just when I thought we had all the answers, the last chapter threw another twist into the mix.

I loved the fast pace of this story, the varied characters, the seedy underside of the story, and so much more. I think my favorite character was Vasquez. His quiet strength and faith kept him on track.

While the book ends with most things wrapped up, the new information presented could be a cliffhanger, and there could be another book that continues this story. I could see it happening!

There are some sad moments near the end, but it was to be expected that there would be some tragedies.

This story might be hard to read for some due to the incident at the university, considering the number of school shootings, but this is slightly different.

Overall, we give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Sean lives in Manhattan. This is his debut novel.

 

Goodreads

 

 

SURVIVAL

 

Fallout Series, Book 1

 

By

 

Lisa Harris

 

 

Dystopian / Science Fiction / Mystery / Christian

Publisher: Adrenaline-Fueled Fiction

Pages: 236 pages

Publication Date: October 19, 2021

 

 

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In today’s world, law enforcement agencies across the country rely on forensic tools, DNA testing, and crime labs. But what if that technology was suddenly no longer available? No one in the small, west Texas town of Shadow Ridge knows what took down the power grid, or when it’s going to be back up, but everyone knows exactly where they were the moment it went down. And now, with no electricity, no internet, and no modern technology, the men and women responsible for keeping the town safe are going to have to learn how to fight crime all over again.

When one of the men in charge of storing food for the town of Shadow Ridge is found murdered execution style, it’s up to Jace McQuaid to find the killer. What he discovers is a group of organized raiders who are stealing supplies and selling them on the black market—and the survival of the town depends on stopping them.

Morgan Addison’s estranged brother, Ricky, shows up at her house demanding weapons and confirming her fears that he’s a part of the outlaws. Tensions are raised further when Ricky kidnaps her son to ensure his safe passage out of town. Jace must find a way to save Noah and ensure the survival of Shadow Ridge.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

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Praise for the book

 

“An adrenaline rush of a read! Summed up in one word: Unputdownable!” ~Kav, Amazon reviewer

“Once again Lisa Harris has created a creative world full of intrigue, suspense, and action! This book is irresistible! I can’t wait to finish with the rest of the series!” ~Dawn, Amazon reviewer

“Excellent. Lisa Harris at her best.” ~Chipchucker, Amazon reviewer

“The book starts with a bang and does not slow down.” ~Grandaddy A, Amazon reviewer

“This is an absolute must read!!” ~Carlien, Amazon reviewer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“…sometimes we have to put aside our regrets and create something new with what we have right in front of us.”

 

This was a fantastic story, and there are still four more books to continue the story! I saw a line that read, “Welcome to Shadow Ridge, where Longmire meets Jericho,” which is spot on. Set in West Texas, this sleepy town is dealing with the aftermath of an EMP. We take a lot for granted in this world, especially electricity and the internet, but imagine a life without those things. I don’t know about anyone else, but it would drastically adjust how I live. I would also have to learn new skills, such as growing vegetables, to survive. I had to admire how this little town came together. They shared information on how to do different things, bartered for their skills, and watched out for one another. Not everyone was honest, but the majority were.

Besides learning how to live in this new world, there is also learning how to cope with what life has thrown at you. Jace feels lost and isn’t sure that God is there for him. I thought the conversation between him and the pastor, Matthew, was perfect and reminded us that we need to look for blessings in unusual places. It won’t always be obvious; we just have to have faith. This is a Christian Suspense novel, but the religious parts are subtle. I think many could relate to how Jace and others feel in this new world and that this isn’t what they had planned for their lives. We all must change and adapt when it is a situation beyond our control.

This novel is fast-paced, and I wondered what could happen next. There are explosions, deaths, surprise defections, and even a little romance. There is even humor from Morgan’s six-year-old son, Noah. He is delightful and adds some levity to the situation. Plus, he heartily approves of Jace as a love interest for his mom. That is good because Jace and Morgan have an attraction to one another, but will they give in to their feelings?

We aren’t given all of the answers, and there are four more books that will explain the story even further. I can’t wait to read these books to discover the rest of the story and perhaps the explanation for what caused the power grid failure. Was it an EMP or something else?

A fantastic start to this series, and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LISA HARRIS is a USA Today bestselling author, a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom, Vendetta, and Port of Origin, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has fifty plus novels and novellas in print. She and her husband currently live in Texas.

 

 

 

 

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What would you miss most if the grid went down? While not as essential as toilet paper or air-conditioning during a Texas summer, I think the McQuaid heroines from this series would love a bit of self-care—and so would I. – Author Lisa Harris

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 participating blogs directly:

 

 

02/14/23	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
02/14/23	Review	Forgotten Winds
02/14/23	Bonus Series Spotlight	Hall Ways Blog
02/15/23	Review	Book Fidelity
02/15/23	Review	Bibliotica
02/16/23	Review	Reading by Moonlight
02/16/23	Bonus Promo	LSBBT Blog
02/17/23	Audio Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
02/17/23	Review	The Clueless Gent
02/18/23	Review	Jennie Reads
02/19/23	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
02/20/23	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
02/21/23	Review	Boys’ Mom Reads
02/21/23	Review	Writing and Music
02/22/23	Review	Shelf Life Blog
02/22/23	Bonus Sneak Peek	All the Ups and Downs
02/23/23	Review	The Book’s Delight
02/23/23	Audio Review	Rox Burkey Blog

 

 

 

 

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