Synopsis

 

He doesn’t want to be her enemy. She doesn’t want to be his friend. But when their paths keep crossing, can a change of heart lead to a chance at love?

In the Kingdom of Kalopsia, Dahlia has grown tired of the cloying perfumes and swirling silks of ballrooms. Her reality is to do the bidding of her social-climbing father, biting her tongue and being a perfect lady of society. But in her heart, she dreams of change—to escape to the beautiful land of Orphia. A land where she’d find freedom, and perhaps find herself as well.

For Xanth, the fisherman’s son, his dream is much more literal. Ever since a chance encounter at a ball, he hasn’t been able to stop thinking of the nameless beauty most nights. But with his father wanting him to take on more of the family business, he has no time to waste on the mystery lady. Equipped with a jest and a smile, he hides his insecurity at the prospect pretty well. But considering most of his endeavors end in disaster, he’s convinced he’ll just disappoint everyone he loves.

When their worlds collide, the line between dream and nightmare is blurred. Dahlia is a welcome distraction, but Xanth can’t understand why she warmly welcomes the friendship of others but spurns him at every opportunity. To Dahlia, Xanth’s carefree attitude seems like every other egotistical man that hurt her. But as they’re continually thrown into one another’s company, their perception of the other begins to change. When the unexpected upends their lives, Dahlia and Xanth must confront the most astonishing, terrifying change of all—that of falling in love.

Return to Orphia in this third, stand-alone installment of the “Fallen Stars” series. Blending historical fiction with a fantasy land absent of magic, this clean and wholesome story of natural beauty, found family, humorous mishaps, and enemies-turned-friends romance is sure to delight the hearts of readers young and old.

 

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

I did not realize that this was the third book in the series. I read the first book but not the second. However, it is not necessary to read these books in order, you just might miss out on some of the minor character’s relationship and how they came to be in this installment.

That aside, this was a fun read. It is a clean fairytale romance set in a kingdom similar to one you would see in England or another European country. Dahlia is being forced to marry someone she doesn’t love. She is gun-shy already, but her father is forcing this marriage. So she does what any wise woman would do: run away! It is in the town of Orphia that she finds herself and love. While Dahlia may be 19, she is still young and immature. Being on her own, forced to make a living, she discovers more about herself and what she can do. I enjoyed watching her character mature and become a more confident woman.

Xanth is a young man without a path. He has done what he thinks his family expects, even at a cost to him. He reminds me of many young people who are floundering, trying to determine their future. There are some great conversations with him regarding this situation. I don’t want to spoil anything but know that all of the characters in this book care about one another and each person’s happiness. I like that he is awkward, especially around Dahlia. I think this helps to ease possible tensions, even when situations are misunderstood.

There are some interesting twists near the end of the book regarding Dahlia and her brother, Daniel.

I enjoyed most of the minor characters. Some are from previous books, and others are new. Xanth’s siblings are precious!

There is one analogy that I really liked. Dahlia asks Xanth how he can forgive so easily. He likens it to holding a handful of glass shards. He can hold onto the resentment and hurt himself, or release the anger and forgive the person and lift the weight off of his shoulders and the glass from his hands. It really makes you think about how you handle forgiveness.

We give this book 5 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

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

 

Website * Instagram

 

 

A BEGGAR’S BARGAIN

 

The Bargainer Series, Book One

 

by

 

Jan Sikes

 

Historical Fiction / Literary Fiction

Publisher: Fresh Ink Group

Date of Publication: March 12, 2024

Number of Pages: 324 pages

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

A shocking proposal that changes everything

Desperate to honor his father’s dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm.

Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and in jeopardy. A foreclosure notice from the bank doubles the threat. He appeals to the local banker for more time—a chance to rebuild, plant, and harvest crops and for time to heal far away from the noise of bombs and gunfire.

But the banker firmly denies his request. Now what?

Then, the banker makes an alternative proposition—marry his unwanted daughter, Sara Beth, in exchange for a two-year extension. Out of options, money, and time, Layken agrees to the bargain.

Now, he has two years to make a living off the land while he shares his life with a stranger.

If he fails at either, he’ll lose it all.

 

 

Click to Purchase

 

 

 

 

Sara Beth’s Top Ten Weird or Different List

Sara Beth is the female protagonist in this story. She has some unusual quirks I thought would be fun to share.

1. She has a pet rabbit named Cuddles, and she takes the bunny everywhere she goes.
2. She plays a thumb piano. Ever seen one of those?

3. Sara Beth learned to read Tarot cards from her deceased mother.

4. Sara Beth has gypsy blood in her from her mother’s bloodline.

5. She’s always suspected Homer Williams isn’t her real father. How could such a hateful, arrogant man sire her?

6. She loves music. When she arrives at Layken’s farmhouse, one of the first things she spots is a cabinet radio typical for the 1940s. She’s never listened to a radio.

7. Sara Beth has never taken a drink of liquor, but when a man offers her and Layken some apple pie moonshine at a street fair, she gets her first taste.

8. Sara Beth has soft, gentle ways, and this helps when she finds a terrified little boy living in a treehouse in the woods behind the farmhouse.

9. Sara Beth had never tasted a Coca Cola until a shopping trip into town with Layken.

10. Sara Beth has a loyal guardian, Uncle Seymour, who had promised her dying mother he would always look out for Sara Beth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the entertaining true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.

And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres and has published many award-winning short stories and novels.

Jan is an active blogger, a member of Story Empire, a devoted fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.

 

Website ◆ Linktree ◆ Facebook ◆ Newsletter ◆ Blog

 

X (Twitter) ◆ Amazon ◆ Goodreads ◆ BookBub ◆ Instagram

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

FOUR WINNERS:

 

Two winners receive $20 Amazon gift cards;

 

Two winners receive eBook copies of A Beggar’s Bargain

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 4/19/24)

 

 

 

 

Enter the 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:

 

 

04/09/24	Forgotten Winds	Guest Post
04/09/24	Hall Ways Blog	Book Trailer
04/10/24	The Clueless Gent	Review
04/10/24	LSBBT Blog	Excerpt
04/11/24	The Book’s Delight	Review
04/12/24	The Page Unbound	Author Interview
04/13/24	Bibliotica	Review
04/14/24	StoreyBook Reviews	Top Ten List
04/15/24	It’s Not All Gravy	Review
04/16/24	The Real World According to Sam	Excerpt
04/17/24	Rox Burkey Blog	Review
04/18/24	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review

 

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Paul’s teachers say he’s distracted, and they’re not wrong. With the demands of a struggling farm, Allied boots in Europe, and secrets surrounding his mother’s death, who can blame him? And the expectations of his father are seemingly unachievable.

​When a financial windfall sparks a rags-to-riches transformation, it also sets in motion events that will test young Paul to his core. This coming-of-age story connects Paul’s tumultuous adolescence to his unfulfilled adulthood. Across those decades, he searches for redemption and reconciliation with the ghosts of his past.

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N

 

 

About the Author

 

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ken Steele holds degrees in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University and MIT.

​The Promise of Unbroken Straw is Ken’s debut novel, a work of historical fiction. He resides in Colorado with his wife of 41 years, where his days are filled with pickleball, golf, hiking, and all that the mountains can offer.

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

The paths of three young Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia unexpectedly—and dangerously—collide in this debut novel inspired by the explosive history of a divided city.

Philadelphia, 1837. After Charlotte escaped from the crumbling White Oaks plantation down South, she’d expected freedom to feel different from her former life as an enslaved housemaid. After all, Philadelphia is supposed to be the birthplace of American liberty. Instead, she’s locked away playing servant to her white-passing father, as they both attempt to hide their identities from slavecatchers who would destroy their new lives.

Longing to break away, Charlotte befriends Nell, a budding abolitionist from one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest Black families. Just as Charlotte starts to envision a future, a familiar face from her past reappears: Evie, her friend from White Oaks, has been brought to the city by the plantation mistress, and she’s desperate to escape. But as Charlotte and Nell conspire to rescue her, in a city engulfed by race riots and attacks on abolitionists, they soon discover that fighting for Evie’s freedom may cost them their own.

All We Were Promised is the story of three women in vastly different circumstances—the rebel, the socialite, and the fugitive—risking everything for one another in an American city straining to live up to its loftiest ideals.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

This was an educational yet entertaining read. I find myself enjoying historical fiction more than I have in the past, especially when the author does their research into events and tries to stay as close to the truth as possible. The author definitely did that here. I enjoyed reading her notes after the book to discover her inspiration for this novel.

This story is told from three points of view – Charlotte, Nell, and Evie. These three women have different lives, but they all have something in common: they want to see black people treated better and eliminate slavery. Charlotte and Evie were both slaves on the same plantation before Charlotte and her father escaped. It is by chance that they run into one another in Philadelphia. Nell is a free woman but has compassion for the enslaved and wants to do more than just raise money and sign petitions. She wants to take action.

I was drawn into each woman’s story. While living different lives, they wanted more from life. Each woman has their own struggles. Nell thinks she doesn’t want to marry anyone; however, her longtime friend across the street is becoming more appealing. Charlotte lives as her father’s maid since he can pass for a white man, but this situation is fraught with its own issues, hampering Charlotte’s dream to become a seamstress and dressmaker.  Evie is now the personal maid for Kate, Charlotte’s old position before she left, and wants out more than anything.

The journey these women are on is not an easy one. Emotions run high, there is impatience, and some actions by certain characters could end badly for everyone. The story did start a little slow, but it picked up the pace about halfway through when situations were heating up. I enjoyed watching the characters grow, mature, and discover their truer selves.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ashton Lattimore is an award-winning journalist and a former lawyer. She is the editor-in-chief at Prism, a nonprofit news outlet by and for communities of color, and her nonfiction writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Slate, CNN, and Essence. Lattimore is a graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Columbia Journalism School. She grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in suburban Philadelphia with her husband and their two sons. All We Were Promised is her first novel.

 

Website * Twitter * Instagram

 

 

Synopsis

 

A determined young woman in 1950s Los Angeles walks a darker city than she ever imagined in a spellbinding novel about the power to make dreams come true―whatever the sacrifice.

Los Angeles brims with opportunity in 1959―though not for aspiring fashion designer Cordelia Mai Yin, the first-generation child of Vietnamese immigrants, who finds the city unkind to outsiders and as dispirited as her own family. When Cordi rents a cheap loft in an old apartment building, she quickly warms to kindred souls Tessa, Audrey, and Silly. They also want better things and have pasts they’d rather forget. That they all share the same middle name makes their friendship seem like destiny.

As supportive as they are of each other, it’s a struggle just to eke out a living, let alone hope to see their wishes for success come true. Until an ever-present and uncannily charming acquaintance of the landlord’s offers a solution to their problems. He promises to fulfill their every dream. All it takes is a little magic. And a small sacrifice.

As one surprisingly effective spell leads to another, their wishes get bigger. But so does the price they must pay. Amid the damaged seams of her life so far, Cordi must realize her own power in order to rip free, without losing everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.

 

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Praise

 

“A clever, dark fairy tale about sisterhood and sacrifice and the price of finally going after what you want. Cordi is a heroine to root for: she makes mistakes, of course she does, but you would do the same. And once you read it you will never settle for a dress without pockets again. I loved it!” –Yume Kitasei, author of The Stardust Grail

A beguiling story of love and friendship that turns every trope on its head. THE MONSTROUS MISSES MAI leads you through a world of glamour and fame, then pulls you beneath its surface and tangles you in the sinister workings of a city fueled by impossible dreams.” –Kylee Lee Baker, author of The Scarlet Alchemist

 

 

Review

 

What would you sacrifice for success? That is the question that the women in this novel must answer before it is too late.

This story is about friendship, desire, and ambition. The four women who end up sharing an apartment together don’t realize the depths of the situation they find themselves until it is too late. When they say you shouldn’t mess with witchcraft, they aren’t kidding!

Cordi, Tessa, Silly, and Audrey are these four women. They each have dreams for their future, and when they are offered the opportunity to get it with little work, they jump at the chance. This wasn’t the wisest move they could make, and they soon learn that there is a price to pay for success if you don’t work for it.

Beyond that, this book explores the friendship between women who may have never met had it not been for this apartment that they share. While this book is set in 1959, it is reflective of nearly any period in time. Family expectations are the same now as they were then. Perhaps a little different, but still somewhat the same.

Because these women are young (20’s), they still lack some maturity when it comes to actions. Cordi is jealous of Silly’s friendship with Tessa. It is like Cordi wants to be Tessa’s only friend. They seem to shun Audrey because she is a little different, and also doesn’t want to be mixed up in the witchcraft. She is probably the smartest one of the bunch. Tessa is all about being seen with the movers and shakers of the city. Little does she realize what that might really mean!

I was engrossed in this novel. Normally, this isn’t the type of book I read (magical realism, witchcraft, etc), but there was something about this story that engaged me and kept me glued to the pages. I had a love/hate relationship with all the characters, but they each added a dimension to the story. Whether it was their involvement with the magical aspect, greed, desire, or hope, each character played a part in the final conclusion.

We give this book 5 paws up and recommend it if you enjoy this genre.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Chapter Eight

 

“Relax. I’m not here as some spy.” He chuckled. “Don’t forget who convinced Mikhail to rent to you in the first place—and at a cheaper price too! Please, enjoy your night.” He held up his hands. “Or should I leave?”

“Nonsense.” Tessa reached out, placing her fingers on his forearm. “They’re good girls. They just haven’t learned how to break the rules yet,” she whispered loudly, then winked across the table at Cordi.

Like usual, Cordi had no idea how to navigate the conversational maze. She kept eating, hoping that the food would instill in her some magical talent to help her play along.

“And I suppose you know how to break the rules,” Callum said to Tessa, his voice low.

“Do you two want us to leave the room?” Audrey asked in her flat voice.

Tessa took her hand back and resumed eating. “Nope, I do so love an audience.”

Audrey let out a loud exhale.

“I applied for a job at a fabric store today,” Cordi told Callum, still feeling the need to explain herself. “I have a good feeling about it.”

“Sounds dreadfully boring,” he mused, but he said everything with a casual, cheerful tone, so Cordi wasn’t sure if he really meant it or if it was just the way rich people prattled. Callum struck her as rich—the cut of his suit, the expensive tailoring as well as the silk of his tie, indicating that he could afford to dress well.

“I think I would enjoy it,” she said. “I know I will. I love that kind of stuff. Clothes and . . . you know . . . clothes.”

Tessa smiled at her. “You should be a fashion designer.”

“That’s impossible,” Cordi said, though it was exactly what she wanted, a dream she hardly dared to admit to herself. It was just a fantasy, not something attainable, and she waited for several long seconds for Callum to laugh in her face.

But he didn’t.

“I’ve wondered to myself if you were a designer,” he said. “You’re always wearing the most unique threads whenever I see you.”

“I like . . . pockets,” Cordi said for some reason even she couldn’t fathom. Perhaps it was the wine. She drank some more just to be safe. “Not all the dresses in stores have them, so I sew them myself.”

“Pockets are rather useful.”

“But no one’s ever heard of an Asian designer before,” Cordi said. She regretted it, because the statement was rather sad, and there was really no way to respond to it, so she didn’t blame any of them when the heavy words drooped in the air, abandoned and unclaimed.

Callum grinned at her. He had one dimple on his left cheek, and Cordi found it impossible not to smile back like a lovesick idiot. “I bet we can make that happen,” he said. “Have you given any thought to what I proposed last time?”

Cordi met Tessa’s eyes.

“About magic?” Tessa asked.

“Yes.” He leaned in close. So did the others. “After all, I am a witch.”

Cordi giggled. She was starting to feel a bit light-headed, the room taking on a blurry effect, the lights fuzzy around the edges, and when she met Tessa’s eyes across the table, the other girl mouthed, I knew it. Cordi took another sip from her glass, surprised to find it almost empty.

“Men can’t be witches,” she said, cocking her head to one side. The room spun a bit, and when she blinked, she had the sensation that she’d skipped forward in time by a few seconds, and that everyone was staring at her, wondering where she’d just been.

“How do you know? Have you met many witches?” Callum asked.

“No, but . . .” Cordi reached out, her index finger landing on the tip of his nose. “You don’t have a wart.”

Callum laughed and wrapped his fist around her finger. “Lurasts aren’t typical witches, and besides, warts on witches are just a myth. Most witches can only do small magic, like a little love potion that doesn’t last.”

“Witches are a myth.” Her tongue felt thick and heavy, and it took more effort to enunciate her words. “They’re not real. Neither are lurasts.”

“Oh, but I am real.” His wide grin made those crinkles appear at the corners of his eyes. “How do you think I’m this handsome? You should see when a spell goes wrong.”

He still had hold of her finger, and she pulled it back, her skin sliding along his.

“Lura is real,” Audrey surprised them all by saying. “Lura is a type of witchcraft. My aunt used to tell me stories. But it’s dangerous—we shouldn’t be playing around with that stuff.”

“Nonsense,” Callum said. “I’m a professional.”

“So what, are you going to make our wishes come true?” Audrey asked.

“It depends on what you want.”

“At what cost?” Audrey asked.

Callum laughed. “Why is it always about money with you girls?”

“Maybe because we don’t have any,” Audrey said coldly.

“It’s true, Callum, we’re flat broke,” Tessa said.

Callum grinned at her. “But isn’t your dad that rich politician? I just assumed he paid the bills.”

“Not our bills,” Audrey mumbled.

Tessa crossed her arms. “If you’re going to be granting wishes, you should know it’s gotta be for free.”

“Nothing good comes for free,” Audrey announced in a voice so full of doom, they all turned and stared at her. “What? It’s true.”

“On the contrary,” Callum said, “all the best things in life are free.”

Tessa snorted.

“You don’t believe me?” Callum stood up. “All right, it’s time to show you ladies that I mean business. Come on. We need”—he looked around the apartment—“candles. A bowl. Some of your most sentimental items.”

Cordi finished the last of her sandwich, wishing she had more.

“Come on, chop-chop.” Callum clapped twice, and despite herself, she got up from the table. The others did as well, looking mildly amused. Callum rubbed his hands together. “Let’s make some magic.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Van Hoang’s first name is pronounced like the van in minivan. Her last name is pronounced “hah-wawng.” A Publishers Weekly “Flying Start” featured author, Hoang is the author of Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Girl Giant and the Jade War, and the forthcoming Hidden Tails for middle-grade readers. Her adult debut novel, The Monstrous Misses Mai, will be published in the spring of 2024. She earned her bachelor’s in English at the University of New Mexico and her master’s in library information science at San Jose State University. She was born in Vietnam, grew up in Orange County, California, and now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, kid, and dog. When she is not writing, she spends her days force-feeding books to small children (and adults!) at the library. She loves boba.

 

Website * Instagram * Pinterest

 

 

 

TO RESCUE A WITCH

 

by

 

Lisa A. Traugott

 

 

Historical Fiction / Action & Adventure / Witch Trials

Page Count: 398 pages

Publication Date: March 1, 2024

 

 

 

 

It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft must be defended by a man married to an actual witch.

William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer with a kind heart, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from the clutches of her tormentors in the untamed wilds of Virginia colony and deliver her safely to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s own wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.

Their perilous journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s haunting nightmares and unexplained “Devil marks” trigger suspicion among the crew. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.

To Rescue a Witch navigates themes of betrayal and redemption, in a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

Historical novels teach us so much about how people acted, the places they lived, and what the landscape looked like at that time. In this novel, we experience 1730s London, Scotland, and the American Colonies. We also see this time through the eyes of several characters – Annaliese, MacLeod, Fiona, and Margaret.

This story is filled with lies, deceit, remorse, redemption, and love. While most characters experience some of these emotions, they don’t necessarily experience them all. It is quite intriguing to watch the scheming of some characters end in disaster while others become victorious.

While we see this story through several different eyes, Annaliese is the main character that the story surrounds, and she has quite the tale to tell. She may only be nine but has endured much in those few years. It takes a lot for her to learn to trust others, but watching her grow is beautiful. I’m not saying she is perfect by the end of the book, but she comes quite a long way from the beginning. My heart hurt for the abuse she endured at the hands of her stepfather. He is not a nice man, but then, many men in this century took women for granted and expected little or nothing from them. I appreciated the strength of these women and seeking something better for themselves and their families.

William MacLeod seems to have lost his way in prioritizing what is really important to him. There are a few incidents that lead up to this moment, but reflection and conversations help him to realize where he needs to be in this world. I liked that he was able to reflect on his past and change the trajectory of his future.

There are quite a few different threads in this book, but all are woven together to create a story with many facets that create a world we can feel a part of by the end of the book. Anyone who reads this book might root for different characters and will be satisfied with the conclusion. Although, I would have liked it to go on just a little longer.

We enjoyed this story, the setting, the characters, and the various outcomes and give the book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning author and World Championship public speaker semifinalist — who also spoke five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and English bulldog, Bruno.

 

 Website ◆ Blog ◆ Instagram

 

Facebook ◆ Amazon ◆ BookBub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

THREE WINNERS

 

Autographed paperback copies

 

of TO RESCUE A WITCH

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 03/29/24)

 

 

 

 

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For participating blogs, added as they pop up

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

The bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain and Parting the Veil mines the subtle horrors of 1950s America in a gripping novel about a woman under pressure—from the living and the dead.

The first day of autumn brought the fever, and with the fever came the voices.

Missouri, 1955. Loretta Davenport has led an isolated life as a young mother and a wife to Pete, an ambitious assistant professor at a Bible college. They’re the picture of domestic tranquillity—until a local girl is murdered and Loretta begins receiving messages from beyond. Pete dismisses them as delusions of a fevered female imagination. Loretta knows they’re real—and frightening. Defying Pete’s demands, Loretta finds an encouraging supporter in parapsychologist Dr. Curtis Hansen. He sees a woman with a rare gift, more blessing than curse.

With Dr. Hansen’s help, Loretta’s life opens up to an empowering new purpose. But for Pete, the God-fearing image he’s worked so hard to cultivate is under threat. No longer in control of his dutiful wife, he sees the Devil at work. As Loretta’s powers grow stronger and the pleading spirits beckon, Pete is determined to deliver his wife from evil. To solve the mysteries of the dead, Loretta must first save herself.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Praise

 

“A brilliantly layered suspense thriller and feminist nightmare wrapped into one, The Devil and Mrs. Davenport grips you and never lets go. This book will cement Kennedy as one of the most important voices in modern feminist literature at a time when we need it most.” —Constance Sayers, bestselling author of A Witch in Time

“Paulette Kennedy is the modern Daphne du Maurier with her dazzling ability to usher readers into any point in history while making it feel vibrant and fresh with her magical, gothic touch. Her newest novel deftly captures both the simplicity and horrors of being a midcentury housewife in a patriarchal society. With gorgeous lyricism and a determined heroine, the story spellbinds from the first page until the harrowing end.” —Heather Levy, Anthony Award– nominated author of Walking Through Needles

“Powerful, poignant, and soul-stirring, The Devil and Mrs. Davenport will haunt you with its chilling supernatural phenomena and claustrophobic domesticity, Paulette Kennedy brilliantly explores the limits of forgiveness while centering deep and compassionate love. You’ll weep and cheer for Loretta as she fights a truly terrifying evil. This is a book to treasure!” —Jennifer Sherman Roberts, author of The Village Healer’s Book of Cures

“Mesmerizing from start to finish! Paulette Kennedy delivers suspense, empathy, compassion, resilience, and just a hint of the paranormal in a way that keeps the reader guessing until the last page.” —Mansi Shah, bestselling author of The Direction of the Wind

 

 

Review

 

What devil is worse – the known or unknown?

This book combined many of my favorite genres, with a few others sprinkled in to round out the story. It is a combination of suspense, historical, horror, paranormal, and a touch of romance.

Loretta Davenport is trapped in a marriage that has gone downhill over time. But is it her doing or her husband’s fault? The answer is not that simple, and with the book set in the 1950s, there is more she has to overcome than just a bad relationship. This is a time where women were not allowed to open bank accounts without a male family member’s permission and signature. That alone sends shivers down my spine. Top that with women are considered weak and crazy, it isn’t hard to see why Loretta is fighting for her life and her children.

There is another twist to the story: Loretta is psychic and doesn’t discover her abilities until later in life. She isn’t sure what is going on, but her husband, Pete, is no help whatsoever. However, there is a psychologist who studies parapsychology, and he is able to guide her in these new abilities. It doesn’t hurt that he can use her as a study subject for his field. It isn’t all work for Dr. Curtis Hansen, and there is attraction and admiration for Loretta that brings them closer together.

It is hard to sum up this story in a few words or sentences. The story is gripping, and if you have ever been exposed to the Pentecostal faith and casting out of demons and such, you might understand this book a bit more. There is the time setting that works against Loretta, and then Pete’s religious fanaticism causes issues for them. It is like a train wreck that you can’t look away from because you know what is going to happen.

I rooted for Loretta and admired her attempts to find a way to support herself should she be able to leave her husband. It isn’t easy since women aren’t given high paying jobs, if they can even find one outside of the home as a housewife. But she digs down and finds a way. Top it off with these discovered psychic abilities; she is able to assist in solving several crimes. It is a good thing that some people believe in her abilities!

There are many moments that I held my breath wondering if certain situations would work out for Loretta and those around her. I also appreciated a jump forward twenty years to see where her life ended once everything was resolved.

This was a fantastic read, and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Paulette Kennedy is the bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain and Parting the Veil, which received the prestigious HNS Review Editor’s Choice Award. She has had a lifelong obsession with the gothic. As a young girl, she spent her summers among the gravestones in her neighborhood cemetery, imagining all sorts of romantic stories for the people buried there. After her mother introduced her to the Brontës as a teenager, her affinity for fog-covered landscapes and haunted heroines only grew, inspiring her to become a writer.

Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, she now lives with her family and a menagerie of rescue pets in sunny Southern California, where sometimes, on the very best days, the mountains are wreathed in fog.
As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her novels and what her characters might have experienced in the past.

 

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook

 

 

Synopsis

 

Lyle is a struggling teenager with low self-esteem. His poor decisions reinforce his reputation as a troublemaker. Marylin arrives at a new high school and navigates the challenge of fitting in. When Lyle sets his eyes on the new girl at school, he is smitten. He is determined to win Marylin’s affection.

Eventually, Lyle convinces Marylin to give him a shot, and a relationship follows. Their story together is filled with obstacles, but their commitment to one another provides the foundation for a lifetime of happiness. Together, they dream of a family and a destination to gather friends and loved ones. Against all odds, they secure both.

A Yellow House In The Mountains is a story of overcoming adversity. Lyle and Marylin lean on each other to build a legacy never to be forgotten. Challenges come early and often, yet, their determination and faith push them forward in pursuing their dreams.

The events of October 21, 2020, were historical and costly. By the end of the day, more than 193,000 acres and more than 400 homes were consumed in the East Troublesome Fire, Colorado’s fastest-moving fire in history. Lyle and Marylin understood living in their mountain paradise had risks. How would they prepare? What actions could they take? Did their preparations make a difference when the fire arrived on their doorstep? Their approach to the oncoming fire was consistent with their approach to other challenges in their lives…they faced it together.

 

 

Amazon * Bookshop

 

 

Excerpt

 

The investment in a new business, plus the expenses of a new home were mounting. Even though he was only 35 years old, his schedule wasn’t sustainable and it finally caught up with him. Lyle suffered a stroke.

“Marylin, he must slow down,” the doctor explained. “He’s lucky you got him here so quickly or the damage done would have been more severe.”

“I thought strokes only happened to old people,” Marylin replied.

“Generally, that’s true. But, there are other causes. Has he been dealing with difficult work issues? Is he under any stress?”

“He’s been working multiple jobs for years. Stress is what drives him,” Marylin explained.

“Not anymore. He needs to slow down a bit.”

Lyle’s speech was impacted only for a short time. Fortunately, his mobility and memory remained intact. After a few days of rest, he felt good enough to return to the fire station but upon his return home, he found his spouse waiting at the door.

“I want you to sell the business. I need you and it simply isn’t worth risking your health by holding three jobs,” Marylin said.

Lyle understood his lifestyle wasn’t sustainable but was driven by his ambition to provide well for the family. “But Punk, we have so many financial obligations,” Lyle countered.

Anticipating his concern, Marylin shared her solution. “I’m going to find a job. With the kids all in school, I’ve got time and want to help.”

Reluctantly, Lyle agreed to support Marylin’s efforts.

She began with a search through the newspaper want ads. While there were many offers of employment, most required a college degree or minimally, graduation from high school. With neither in her resume, Marylin was drawn to the ads in the restaurant and service industries. One job stood out from the others as it offered a significantly higher wage and referenced additional compensation from tips. Excited to pursue the job, Marylin called and set up a time for an interview. On the day of the interview, Marylin carefully dressed in her Sunday best attire. She was a hard worker and determined to impress the potential employer. She drove about 15 minutes to East Colfax Avenue to an office building surrounded by numerous restaurants, bars, and motels. As she entered, a young receptionist greeted her.

“I’m here for an interview,” Marylin shared.

“Great. Have a seat. Mr. King will be with you shortly,” the receptionist instructed.

As she waited, she couldn’t help but notice the numerous photographs and awards on the walls. She thought, Mr. King must be a very important individual. Marylin recognized many of the celebrities and political figures from TV and newspaper articles. Feeling a little intimidated, her exploration of the photographs was interrupted by the receptionist, “Mr. King will see you now.”

As she entered the office, she was in awe of the spacious accommodations. Mr. King stood from behind his desk and walked towards Marylin, extending his hand. “So, you’re looking for work?”

Marylin energetically responded, “Oh yes, with my five children now in school, the timing is right, and we can use the extra money.”

“Hmmmm. I don’t think you’d be a good fit for the job,” Mr. King explained.

“But, I’m very good with people, I work hard and know I could be successful,” Marylin persuaded.

“Yes, but,” Mr. King began before Marylin interrupted.

“Can you just give me a chance? You really won’t regret hiring me,” Marylin pled.

Thinking carefully, Mr. King paused. Leaning back in his leather chair, his eyes looked up and down, carefully evaluating Marylin’s appearance.

Why is he looking at me like that?

He then instructed, “Let me see you dance.”

“Dance?” Marylin questioned.

“Young lady, do you know the kind of work you’re here for?” Mr. King inquired.

“Yes, the ad said something about serving in a restaurant,” Marylin stated.

Mr. King then clarified, “Well, we do serve food and drinks, but we’re hiring strippers. I can see you’re not the type.”

Embarrassed, Marylin realized she was in an interview with the owner of Sid King’s Crazy Horse Bar. Later, she was even more shocked to learn of Sid King’s reputation as the “Sultan of Striptease.”

It wasn’t long before Marylin decided she needed to secure a GED. With a degree, her options would expand.

 

 

About the Author

 

Glenn Hileman is the CEO of Highmark School Development and has spent over fifteen years living in Bountiful, Utah. His love of Grand Lake, Colorado led to him purchasing his parent’s home in 2020. His family is actively working to restore the property from the devastation of the East Troublesome Fire. In doing so, they hope to honor the legacy of his parents. “A Yellow House in the Mountains” is his first book.

 

Website * Instagram * Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

Murder in Masquerade (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – London, 1860
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (February 20, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Extra, extra, read all about it! Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury finds herself playing the role of sleuth when a night at the theatre turns deadly.

Victorian Countess Amelia Amesbury’s secret hobby, writing an advice column for a London penny paper, has gotten her into hot water before. After all, Amelia will do whatever it takes to help a reader in need. But now, handsome marquis Simon Bainbridge desperately requires her assistance. His beloved younger sister, Marielle, has written Amelia’s Lady Agony column seeking advice on her plans to elope with a man her family does not approve of. Determined to save his sister from a scoundrel and the family from scandal, Simon asks Amelia to dissuade Marielle from the ill-advised gambit.

But when the scoundrel makes an untimely exit after a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Amelia realizes there’s much more at stake than saving a young woman’s reputation from ruin. It’s going to take more than her letter-writing skills to help the dashing marquis, mend the familial bond, and find the murderer. Luckily, solving problems is her specialty!

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * BAM * Bookshop * Powell’s Books * Hudson Booksellers

 

 

Guest Post

 

Dear Readers,

 

Be vigilant! A murderer is on the loose in London. This time a murder has taken place in Covent Garden at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. As if Lord Simon Bainbridge wasn’t enough of a nuisance in my previous investigation, he is now determined to find the killer. He believes his help is essential, but he’s too emotionally involved to be completely helpful.

You see, the murder involves a suitor of his dear sister, Lady Marielle, and although the siblings have not been close since his departure for America two years ago, he’s determined that she have a successful season. With one of her suitors dead, her season is not off to the best start.

Lady Marielle, I’m afraid, is just as stubborn as her brother and is resolute in her opinions, one which includes her brother staying out of her business. She’s convinced Simon is making a mess of everything, and I’ll admit, readers, she’s not entirely wrong. But only because he cares for her so deeply.

Their mother passed early in life, and their father, the duke, has been largely absent.  This is one of the reasons Lady Marielle was able to fall in love with a man as dubious as Mr. George Davies. He was her riding instructor many years ago, and she trusted him as implicitly as a student trusts her mentor.

Luckily, Lady Marielle also trusts me. Although she does not know I am Lady Agony, the woman she wrote to for advice in the penny paper, I am one in the same person. I refuse to give up on a reader—and in this case, her dead suitor. I am confident, with my dear friend Kitty’s help, I can find who killed Mr. Davies.

Although Kitty has problems of her own, namely the possibility of having to move out of the city, she is much calmer than Lord Bainbridge right now. Some might think her smart decisions extend only to fashion, but I assure you, she brilliant when it comes to crime. Plus, she is infinitely superior at throwing parities, and she assures me if we can gather the suspects in a garden party, we might just find ourselves a killer.

Of course, it might be her way of forcing me into hosting a soiree. She does love a good party. But if we can have a little fun while catching a murderer, who am I to complain?

 

 

About the Author

 

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. She also writes cozy mysteries under the name Mary Angela. A longtime reader and fan of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she’s been busily planning her next mystery—and another trip!

 

Website * Blog * Facebook * Instagram

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Knotted Ring

 

By

 

Myra Hargrave McIlvain

 

 

Historical Fiction / Family Saga / Historical Romance

Publisher: Next Chapter

Page Count: 412

Publication Date: December 7, 2023

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

Susannah Mobley, expecting a baby by her lover, a slave owned by her family, submits to an arranged marriage to Hezekiah James who is headed to Texas to claim a Spanish land grant. Caught in a series of lies about the origin of a beautiful ring woven from her red hair and the circumstances of her pregnancy, Susannah embarks on the harsh trip to Texas, grieving for her lost love and determined to control her destiny.

On the wagon train journey, Hezekiah is tested by his beliefs and strengths with his slaves and Native Americans, as well as a strange Mad Stone. His determination to build a plantation as fine as Susannah’s home place and to make the best decisions for Susannah fails. Susannah will have to decide if she can live with the consequences of her lies and open herself to this man who shows every form of contrition or if she will allow longing for what she cannot have to destroy her life.

 

The Knotted Ring is currently a semi-finalist in the Laramie Awards for Western and Americana Fiction.

 

“An often engrossing and well-handled story of the 19th century.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

 

 

Amazon │ Apple │ BookPeople

 

Barnes & Noble │ Google │ Kobo

 

 

 

 

This historical romance depicts the tough times that early settlers had moving west and settling in uncharted territory. It also showcases women’s lives and Susannah’s forbidden love.

Our protagonist, Susannah, is a smart woman who lives in a time when slavery abounds, marriages are arranged, and love does not always win the day. She has a forbidden affair with a slave and winds up pregnant. To save face, her father marries her off to a man who is leading a wagon train to Texas. This solves her father’s issues and not wanting to see his daughter give birth to this child. But what Susannah doesn’t realize until much later is that Hezekiah truly loves her and will do anything for her to make her happy.

While Susannah fights the relationship forming between the two of them, after all, he isn’t her lover; we do see their relationship grow in spite of everything. It takes a lot of time; hurt feelings have to be overcome, and the realization that perhaps her first love was not her true love.

Outside of the marriage, Susannah has to learn a lot about life on a wagon train and in a strange new state. Life was not easy for the pioneers as they journeyed to stake new claims in the West. I admired their fortitude in seeking this new life. While it wasn’t easy, they had others to lean on in harder times. The women especially created a close-knit friendship and supported one another. Not everything was rosy, but knowing that someone had your back was important.

This story reminded me that I should be grateful for everything that I have that was created by those who came before me. The author does a beautiful job of depicting the life these pioneers forged, their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams. There is symbolism throughout the book, and it will mean something different to each reader.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Myra Hargrave McIlvain, a sixth-generation Texan, is a storyteller who has written Texas historical markers (yes, real people write those things lining Texas highways), articles for newspapers and magazines such as Texas Highways, and six nonfiction books about famous and infamous Texas characters and places.

McIlvain found her real love when she wrote her first historical fiction. All her tales take place in Texas during major periods of its history. However, The Knotted Ring was inspired by an old family story, and in her search to understand what may have happened, she imagined their lives set in a time that she knew well––the establishment of the first Anglo colony.

McIlvain views history as the story of a people; the people she knows best have made Texas home.

 

 

 Website ◆ Facebook ◆ X (Twitter)

 

 Amazon ◆ Goodreads

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

 THREE WINNERS

 

1st Prize: Autographed hardcover & tote bag;

 

2^nd Prize: Autographed paperback + candle;

 

3^rd Prize: Autographed paperback

 

(US only; ends midnight, CST, 02/29/24)

 

 

 

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each blog participating in this book blitz!

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by