IN HONOR’S DEFENSE

 

Hanger’s Horsemen, #3

 

by

 

KAREN WITEMEYER

 

 

Fiction / Christian / Historical / Inspirational

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Date of Publication: June 7, 2022

Number of Pages: 384 pages

 

 

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He’s Faced Countless Perils on the Battlefield, but Nothing so Dangerous as Falling in Love.

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life–for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he’s left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she’d have and to give him the family he desperately needs.

When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke’s attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris’s brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.

 

 

 

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I have read several other books by Karen Witemeyer and all have been fantastic journeys back into the Wild West and this one is no different. I didn’t realize it is the third (and last!) in the series and now I have to go back and read the first two because I love this rag-tag group of men called the Hangers Horseman. They have each other’s back no matter the situation yet seem to be God-fearing men.

I’m not sure if I can choose a favorite character because I loved them all, well maybe not the bad guys. Damaris has always been a wallflower and engrossed in her books, but she loved her family. She may have been living with her aunt but when got the call that her brother had died and she was named the guardian for her nephew, she had no problem telling the aunt she was out of there and heading to Texas. I had to chuckle at that scene because the aunt wanted her tonics and Damaris said nope, can’t do it, gotta pack and get out of here.

When Damaris arrives in Texas to care for her nephew Nate, she encounters a grown teenager that is not the same one that she read stories to as a child. He has a chip on his shoulder and is angry at the world, especially the neighbor who he thinks killed his dad. I can understand his anger towards the neighbor but it is obvious he is a teen and not thinking logically. He is definitely full of pranks and locks Damaris in the cellar because she tried to stop him from wandering at night. Enter Luke. He was hired by the neighbor to find out who is stealing his longhorns and is checking out the neighbors to see if they know anything. Thankfully, he arrives and hears Damaris, and rescues her from the locked cellar. Once he sees Damaris I think he is a goner. It might take a little more time for him to really fall for her but there is something about her personality that draws her to him.

Luke has had his own battles and demons to fight as we discover in this book. But what brought him peace was reading scripture and sharing those words with his fellow troops. Hence the nickname, Preach. Being hired for a job in Madisonville puts his life in danger but at the same time brings him what he has needed from life, a purpose and roots. I loved that he took Nate under his wings and tried to fill the shoes left empty by Nate’s father after his death. These are Nate’s formative years and I think Luke understood that based on his experience and wanted to help shape Nate to be the best person he could be in this life.

The surprise character that I really liked was Dr. Jo. She is a no-nonsense kind of woman and only wanted the best for Luke. She is very wise and took no guff from anyone. How she came to be a part of the Hanger’s Horseman group is told in the first book, At Love’s Command. I definitely need to go back and read that book to learn more about her.

There is a mystery in this book as to who wants to purchase Nate’s land and was his father’s death an accident or murder? You might come to suspect some of the answers as certain things are revealed but the whole truth might shock you. I know I couldn’t believe what I was reading and rooted for Damaris and Luke hoping that all would turn out ok.

This was such an enjoyable read and I need to remember to pick up this author’s books more often. They are the perfect combination of romance, history, a little mystery, and faith.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voted #1 Reader’s Favorite Christian Romance Author of 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.

 

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All three books in the HANGER’S HORSEMEN SERIES.

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6/28/22	Notable Quotables	Chapter Break Book Blog
6/28/22	BONUS Promo	Hall Ways Blog
6/28/22	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
6/29/22	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
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6/30/22	Author Interview	The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
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7/1/22	Review	Shelf Life Blog
7/2/22	Excerpt	All the Ups and Downs
7/3/22	Excerpt	Reading by Moonlight
7/4/22	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
7/5/22	Series Spotlight	Writing and Music
7/6/22	Review	The Clueless Gent
7/6/22	Excerpt	Forgotten Winds
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Synopsis

 

What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas, when one night out turns into a wedding that neither newlywed can remember, from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.

Wedding planner Honor Bellini is in Las Vegas for a work convention when she runs into her sister’s ex-fiance, Owen Stone, who’s also in town for his craft brewery business. They’re both glad to see a familiar face from home…until a night of drinking leads to waking up in bed together–and a marriage certificate from a wedding that neither of them can recall.

Horrified, Owen suggests an immediate annulment. Honor agrees, but when they spend the day together, their chemistry is overwhelming. Plus, Honor has a flash of memory of their steamy wedding night, and she definitely likes what she remembers. They decide to wait before canceling the whole marriage thing, though they both head back to Oklahoma determined not to tell anyone at home what happened in Vegas.

The problem is, Honor and Owen can’t seem to stay away from each other–or keep their hands off one another. The longer they keep their secret, the harder it gets to deny how they really feel. Even worse, this huge secret has the potential to hurt someone they both care about. They need to get an annulment before this accidental marriage turns into love.

 

 

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Review

 

This is the first book in this series that I have read and now I’m curious about the previous two and will have to go back and check them out. This light-hearted romance was filled with steamy scenes, family drama, and witty comments.

Honor and Owen have known each other for quite some time so it wasn’t unusual for them to hang out in Vegas when they realized they were both there. What they didn’t expect was to get married, but that is what too much tequila will do to you. Even though they can’t remember the ceremony, they both think that maybe something is there between them. Is it chemistry? Lust? Only time will tell.

We’ve all heard about people that get married in Vegas by mistake…well maybe not a mistake, but it is a drunken event and you have to wonder why they allow people to get marriage licenses if they are intoxicated? They did, and now they have to figure out how to handle everything because Owen was previously engaged to Honor’s sister, Erin, which could make for a sticky situation even though Erin was happily married now.

Honor and Owen do have chemistry so it begs the question, why are they trying to get an annulment or divorce? Wouldn’t it be better to try dating since they have hot for one another? Or maybe it is more fun sneaking around and not letting everyone know what happened until much later.

There are some family dynamics that come into play once the truth is out there which causes people to take sides. It is one hot mess and it takes some time and conversations between Owen and Honor to realize they should maybe stay together.

And let’s not forget the rescue dog! Dogs always make a story better.

We give this book 3 1/2 paws up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jaci Burton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Brotherhood by Fire series, the Hope series, and the Play-by-Play novels.

 

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BETTING ON LOVE

 

by

 

MARY BEESLEY

 

 

RomCom / Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Date of Publication: March 24, 2021

Number of Pages: 193 pages

 

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Tempest Swan is out for revenge. Billionaire Leonard Allred’s software program has put her out of a job. She makes a bet with a friend that she’ll get Leonard to take her on a date so she can get retribution, but a fortuitous accident with an adorable nerd might just derail her vengeance.

Leonard has reasons for hiding his identity from the public. It’s worked well for him so far, until he starts falling for the honest and witty Tempest. But how can he destroy their budding romance by admitting he’s actually the guy she hates?

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Praise

 

“If I could give Betting on Love more stars I would because 5 stars aren’t enough.” -Jacky, Goodreads reader

“BEST BEACH READ!! Witty and fun and it was super hard to put down.” – Katherine, Goodreads reader

“It had just enough spice to make you feel the sparks.” – Rebecca, Goodreads reader

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVED this book. It was funny, quirky, sassy, and romantic all rolled into one. I almost couldn’t put this book down and probably wouldn’t have if we didn’t have plans with the family.

Tempest has a dry wit that tickled me. She could say just the right thing to put someone in their place or insult them but not sound insulting at all. I shouldn’t be surprised since she is a Texan woman and we learn that trait from birth.

Leo has some baggage in his life and while it didn’t win him any friends he did find his path in life especially when Tempest crashed into it one day all because of a bet she had with her best friend and roommate, Blair. Of course, Tempest doesn’t know that “Arty” is Leo and she starts falling for him. Imagine her surprise when she learns the truth about who he is?!

But the path to true love is never easy and Tempest and Leo find this out quite quickly when another twist evolves in their lives? I am not going to spoil it but when it happens you will know right off the bat what is about to happen. This event really throws their world upside down and it takes some time for them to realize that what they have together is worth everything.

I read this book at the perfect time. I needed something light, funny, and romantic and this fits the bill. I loved all of the interactions between the characters, and the different sides we saw of Tempest and Leo. I have to say that Blair makes quite the foil for this story and I think there should be a follow-up book telling her story, especially considering the ending.

I also enjoyed all of the “betting” in this story. It starts with Blair and Tempest and apparently, anytime you say the word “bet” then one is created and the stakes are never anything too crazy but a fun way to try and win what you want from the other party. I enjoyed how Tempest and Leo brought it into their interactions with one another. I think they both thought it was cheesy but went along with it to make life interesting.

There is a good supporting cast with Zena, Leo’s sister, and Dean, Leo’s assistant. We also have some funny scenes with Tempest’s sister Jo and her husband and children. I cracked up that Jo thought Leo was gay until nearly the end. Apparently, Tempest and Leo do a good job of hiding their desire for one another throughout the majority of the book.

Overall, I loved the book and give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Beesley is a Whitney Award Nominee and received a Crowned Heart of Excellence Review and a 5-star Reader’s Favorite Award.

 

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6/19/22	Review	The Page Unbound
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THE STEALING TIME SERIES

 

Stealing Time

 

Shattering Time

 

Killing Time

 

by

 

KJ WATERS

 

 

 

Time Travel / Suspense / Romance / Alt History / Mystery

Publisher: Blondie Books

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Stealing Time, December 20, 2014, 319 pages

 

A devastating hurricane. A time travel betrayal. Will Ronnie survive the witch hunt or forever be lost in time?

 

Stealing Time is the first book in the “breathtakingly original” Stealing Time Series of time travel wrapped in a hurricane. If you like strong-willed modern women and gripping stories that transport you back in time, then you’ll love KJ Water’s Books.

As Hurricane Charley churns a path of destruction towards Orlando, Florida, Ronnie Andrews scrambles to prepare for the storm and seeks shelter at her boyfriend’s weather lab. What she finds there is more terrifying than Mother Nature’s destruction.

During the peak of the hurricane, Ronnie is hurtled back in time to eighteenth-century London where she is caught in a web of superstition, deception, and lies in a life and death struggle to return to her own time.

Her best friend Steph is thrust into the middle of the hurricane, where it quickly turns into a living nightmare as she is faced with losing everything.

 

 

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Shattering Time June 27, 2017, 336 pages

 

A hurricane the size of Texas. Another time travel betrayal. Will Ronnie figure out how to return home or die trying?

Shattering Time is the second book in the best-selling “Breathtakingly original” time travel series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Ronnie Andrews returns from 18th-century London shell-shocked from her first terrifying time travel encounter. Her boyfriend, Jeffrey Brennan, casts doubt on her sanity leaving Ronnie wondering if she went back in time or is having a mental breakdown. To add to the tension, Hurricane Francis, a storm the size of Texas, is barreling towards Florida and her fears of a repeat time travel experience mount. Ronnie’s best friend Steph, along with her friend Nick and Steph’s younger brother Ian, shield Ronnie from the dangers of Francis but cannot save her from traveling back in time. Unfortunately, their meddling brings Ronnie to the brink of destruction as they are caught in the throes of the hurricane’s wrath.

Once again, Ronnie is transported to dangerous places and desperate situations, while experiencing perilous cultures including one of America’s first mysteries — the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. A stunning conclusion brings Ronnie face to face with a dangerous ally who may hold the key to her past while offering salvation for her future.

 

 

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Killing Time August 27, 2021, 437 pages

 

When the Strongest Hurricane in Decades Takes Aim at Florida, Ronnie Tries to Escape its Wrath. Will she Die in the Storm or Be Lost in Time Forever?

Ronnie Andrews is lucky to be alive after a time travel glitch nearly took her life during Hurricane Frances. When Hurricane Ivan, one of the strongest storms in decades, sets its sights on Florida, Ronnie jumps at the chance to join Mike, her mysterious new boss, on a business trip to Puerto Rico.

Sparks fly, but when a newspaper article surfaces with horrific pictures of a woman who may have died at Mike’s hands, Ronnie regrets the decision. Before she can confront Mike about what she knows, Hurricane Jeanne forms off the coast, trapping them on the island. Her doctors warned that another time-travel-induced illness may kill her. Mike may be her only salvation.

The storm strikes and Ronnie time travels to Texas in 1872 where she is taken by Comanches. A rescue party saves her life led by Jesse and Frank James, hiding under assumed names.

Will Ronnie find a way to make the time-traveling episodes stop before the dangers of the past, and the damage from the journey destroy her?

 

 

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EXCLUSIVE FOR LONE STAR BOOK BLOG TOURS

 

“Bubonic Tendrils”

 

Excerpt

 

from

 

Fracturing Time

 

The Next Book in the Stealing Time Series

 

by KJ Waters

 

 

Agent Thompson’s cell phone rang, making Ronnie Andrews jump. Her nerves were completely frayed. The Homeland Security Agent stood, turning his back to the others in the small conference room. Ronnie watched him carefully, and his nervous glance toward her sparked alarm, then he moved toward the conference room door, probably wanting to talk confidentially. Before he reached the door, a woman entered the room, dress professionally with a severe expression. She shut the door behind her. Her name tag read Vilma Acolytes, Chief Hospital Administrator.

Acolytes held up a hand when Agent Thompson approached. “I’m sorry sir, you need to stay in this room. Miss Andrews, you have a phone call.” She nodded to the phone on the wall in the corner. “There is a situation developing in Orlando that you all need to be made aware of.”

Agent Thompson started to speak, but she glared at him. “Sir, please have a seat. I will explain shortly.”

Ronnie jumped up and picked up the receiver.

“Press 2.” The administrator said, standing in front of the door, blocking Thompson’s exit.

Ronnie did as instructed. “Hello?”

After a few clicks and a few more hellos, a man spoke. “Miss Andrews, this is Doctor Henderson at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. I’m caring for your friend, Stephanie McKay.”

Ronnie plugged her ear as Agent Thompson raised his voice nearby. “Steph, why is she in the hospital? Is she okay?” Fear poked into her already tattered nerves.

“She is in stable condition, but Miss Andrews, she is pretty ill, and our lab results just came back positive for Yersinia pestis.” He paused, “I’m sorry, the common name is the Bubonic Plague.”

Ronnie’s knees felt weak, and she sat down in the chair next to her. “What?”

“I’m so sorry for this difficult news. Yersinia Pestis is a bacterium found in rodents in the western united states. Her brother Ian said you asked her to test a sample from a watch you suspected had infected blood.”

Ronnie inhaled sharply and everyone in the room stopped to watch her closely. She stood and turned away, not wanting every ear in the room to hear her words.

“Yes, I did. Please, is she okay? Is she going to be okay?”

“We caught it early, but it’s a dangerous pathogen.” Doctor Henderson’s voice held an edge of stress, enhancing her alarm. “Can you tell me where this specimen came from and why you were having Miss McKay take it to a lab?”

Ronnie’s mind raced, scrambling for something to tell him. “Um… I took it to the lab. Stephanie was just picking it up for me since I was out of town.” What the hell was she supposed to tell this doctor? That was infected by the plague while visiting London in 1666? Billy’s text flashed in her mind. “Stephanie’s cat, Hamish, was acting weird a few weeks ago before he died. I was watching a special on how some cats were coming down with it and could spread it to their owners.” Holy crap, that was a whopper of a lie, but she thanked Billy for bailing her out.

“Cat? Okay.” The doctor sounded dubious. “That’s not what Ian said, but it does make sense. It’s hard to understand his accent and he keeps grabbing my nurse’s ass, so who knows?”

“Yeah, who knows. He’s a bit unreliable.” Ronnie sent up a silent apology to Ian.

“Please, Doctor Henderson, is Steph going to recover? How dangerous is this?”

The doctor cleared his throat. “I’m not going to lie, this is a devastating disease. We’ve got her on antibiotics, but it is progressing rapidly. We may admit her to the ICU tonight. She might be suffering from the early stages of septicemic plague.”

“Oh my God. What is septic..a?”

He interrupted her fumbling, “Miss McKay is at risk of organ failure, a possible necrosis of tissue. We’re doing everything we can. Listen carefully, Miss Andrews. Everyone who has been in contact with the pathogen needs to be treated. We may have a health crisis on our hands if this spreads through Puerto Rico, especially with the devastation of the hurricane. I need you to be treated there at the hospital and stay quarantined for a time to be sure you don’t present with symptoms.”

“Really, I’m at risk? What about the people I’ve been close to?” Ronnie looked around the room. “Do they need to be treated or quarantined?”

“Well, that depends. Are you experiencing any lymphadenitis?” He rephrased, “Painful or swollen lymph nodes?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” She remembered the twinge of pain under her arm when she’d rolled over. Ronnie knew what the plague felt like. She had bubonic plague when she went back in time during Hurricane Frances.

“Fever? Cough? Nausea?” He paused. “If you present with upper respiratory symptoms, the disease can spread to others. If you’ve had anyone exposed to your body fluids, blood, through intercourse, kissing? They could be infected as well, even if you don’t show symptoms yet. They will need to be treated as well.”

“Mike Walsh is here, too. He helped clean out my knee.” And she sucked his face off a few times. “Is he at risk?” Ronnie switched the receiver to her other ear, pressing it tighter to hear every word. “Doctor, what is his risk?”

She heard noises on his end of the call, and the doctor paused. Ronnie repeated her question. This time he responded, “If you are not exhibiting signs of the disease, I’d recommend a prophylactic dose of antibiotics. If you’re experiencing any symptoms, his likelihood of the pathogen infecting his system is pretty high if you’ve been in close proximity. Either way, I’ve instructed the administrator, Acolytis, on what the CDC’s treatment and prevention protocols are for you, and anyone you’ve come in contact with. Including the agents in the room with you.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KJ Waters is the international best-selling author of Stealing Time, Shattering Time, and short story Blow. She is currently working on book four, Fracturing Time.

In addition to her writing, she runs KJ Waters Consultancy and is the co-host of the popular podcast Blondie and the Brit, and she provides author consulting services covering branding, social media, and publishing.

She has a master’s degree in business and over eighteen years of experience in the marketing field. Before quitting her job to raise a family and work on writing, she was the Director of Marketing and Communications for a national behavioral healthcare company.

 

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 FOUR WINNERS!

 

Grand Prize: $25 Amazon Card & signed copies of three novels in a swag bag

 

Three Winners: eBooks of novella Blow

 

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Ends midnight, CDT, 6/10/2022

 

 

 

 

 

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6/4/22	Review Book 2	Reading by Moonlight
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6/6/22	Excerpt Book 3	It’s Not All Gravy
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Synopsis

 

Georgina Wagman has it all—a great marriage, a great job at a prestigious law firm, and great friends. She’s living the life she always wanted, and everything is perfect. Until that is, she walks in on her husband Nathan in a compromising position with a junior associate. Georgina has a moment of crisis. But divorce is not a part of the five-year plan, so she comes up with an idea to save her marriage and recapture the spark. She and Nathan are going to become swingers.

Georgina isn’t going to embark on this adventure alone, though. Her friends Felix and Norah and their respective partners decide to tag along for the ride. They’ve got relationship woes of their own that swinging just might fix. Georgina, convinced Felix and Norah belong together, is thrilled. What better place to reignite romance between two people destined to be together than a swingers’ party? Her plan is foolproof until she runs into a college ex at the first party. When they reconnect, Georgina will find herself torn between her head and her heart, with her very happiness hanging in the balance. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Weiner and Sophie Kinsella, The Lifestyle is a playful homage to Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse and an outrageously fun summer read.

 

 

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About the Author

 

Taylor Hahn is a writer and lawyer based in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and Fordham University School of Law. The Lifestyle is her first novel.

 

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Synopsis

 

Rose Hawthorne: The Irish Wanders follows Rose, a celebrity author in her early seventies, who dislikes the limelight but does like Hermes scarfs, round violet sunglasses, and old colonial hotels. One day, she receives a letter asking her to visit Newgrange, Ireland and discover something that has been hidden there for a thousand years.

She asks her granddaughter Samantha to accompany her, but she hadn’t expected her to continually post photos of their progress on her Instagram account. An encounter with an old love and an unexpected discovery leads Rose deeper into the past, where she finds she must make a hard decision about her future.

 

 

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Excerpt

 

Sam glanced at her grandmother’s well-lined face. It was flushed and her green eyes were shining. It was nice to see her so excited and not worrying about books or people following her around Toronto.

Rose turned to her large floral Louis Vuitton bag, snapped it open and reached her hand inside.

“Let’s take a look, shall we.”

“This is so exciting!” said Sam peering inside.

“KNOCK. KNOCK.”

Sam gasped involuntarily, turned her gaze away from the bag and looked to her left. The guide from Newgrange was standing under an umbrella and banging on her window. What did she want? Had she realized that her grandmother had taken something?

It was a good thing the windows had fogged up a little; the woman couldn’t see inside very well.

Rose snapped her bag shut, and Sam carefully rubbed her hand on the steamy window. A woman’s grim ruddy face and large nose pushed up against the window.

Sam rolled down the window a little. “Um, what can I do for you?” she asked stiffly, feeling the first stirring of panic start to bubble up down in the pit of her stomach.

“I was wondering if I could have a word with you,” the woman said.

Sam gulped and glanced at Rose, who gave her a look that said it wasn’t time to explain anything.

“About what?” Sam said to the woman cautiously.

“It’s about something that was found in Newgrange. I’m glad I caught you before you drove off.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Shannon O’Gorman is a retired ESL teacher who has recently completed her second walk on the Camino de Santiago. She is currently training her dog to accompany her on a Camino one day.  She lives in California with her husband and daughter when the university is not in session.

 

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Synopsis

 

Their reunion left a lot to be desired. Are they a disaster in the making or totally meant to be?

I kicked love to the curb for the greater good. After all, my soaring career would’ve made my family so proud, and men have a tendency to stop success cold. But I never expected a single and sexy police officer to pull me over, flirt with me, and then write me a ticket.

Now I see the infuriating cop everywhere I go. It doesn’t help that we have a past, and he’s an amazing dad to his daughter. And every time I want to get back to my small-town routine, I can only think about what my life would be like with the no-nonsense policeman…

I should really just forget the whole thing. But if I do, will I lose my last chance at love?

Cop An Attitude is the charming first book in the I Can’t Stop Loving You romantic comedy series. If you like engaging characters, enemies to lovers, and laughing out loud, then you’ll adore Hilary Grossman’s humorous walk on the wild side.

 

 

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Review

 

Hilary has a way of making me laugh with the situations her characters find themselves in on a daily basis. Who would have thought that enemies could become lovers? Well, enemies might be too strong of a word, but sometimes high school drama doesn’t end at graduation.

This book is an expansion of her short story included in the Hate Me Like You Mean It anthology. I was confused at first when I started reading the book because I knew I had read it already but had forgotten about this anthology. However, this book has expanded and includes more of Pete’s story which helps round it out and adds more depth to his character. It gave us a better understanding of who he was and what he had endured prior to now.

Waverly and Pete seem to butt heads a lot. He resents the nickname she gave him when she was 6. They are nearly 40 and he still holds it against her, at least mildly. Waverly didn’t even recognize him when she was pulled over and it took some time before she discovered the truth and by that time it was almost too late to smooth the waters. They both go through a range of emotions before getting on the same page.

I had to chuckle when Pete puts Waverly’s neighbor in her place. She is your typical busybody and calls the police for everything…including leaves that apparently blew from Waverly’s yard to hers. I’m sure we all know someone like this.

The book has a HEA and I look forward to the next book in this series. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

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

 

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Synopsis

 

There are no second chances, only missed ones…

 

Five years ago, an accident changed Maya’s life forever. From an engaged, MBA graduate with her entire life in front of her, she’d ended up dumped, bedridden, and in enough debt to drown her and her family.

Five years ago, Yash had been looking forward to marrying the woman of his dreams. Then his father died, he lost his job and his fiancee dumped him over a text.

Neither have forgiven each other and neither has forgotten the other. When their paths cross at Il Couer, a vineyard owned by common friends, sparks fly, past hurts are stoked and present dreams are destroyed.

And that is just the beginning. As their lives get entangled, both professionally and personally, they find themselves fighting familial disapproval, professional jealousy, and a mutual attraction that threatens to burn them down.

Can Maya and Yash ever unravel their tangled past? And will the truth of their past define or destroy them? Can you build a future on a poisoned past? They’re about to find out…

 

 

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Read for free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

The door slammed behind her and he heaved a sigh of relief. Peace and quiet at last. He put on his reading glasses, opened up the book and started to read.

And then he heard her laugh. He shouldn’t, he told himself. He really shouldn’t stand up and try to see where she was or what she was doing. Maya Patgaonkar was not someone he should be looking at or looking for or any other type of looking.

He got to his feet and walked to the balcony railing, peering out through the dusky light of early evening. He was definitely looking.

She was walking down the endlessly sloping green lawn with the guy she’d arrived with and another guy and girl. All four of them seemed to be talking at the same time, practically talking over each other.

Her hair was loose and hung in waves down her back. She wore a loose, floral skirt with a billowing white shirt that gave her a distinctly free, bohemian look. And she still limped.

Not a temporary thing then, this limp. Had she gotten it in the accident that had killed Vikram? Aakash’s bitter recounting of their wild night of debauchery that had ended in his brother’s death had been both sordid and distasteful.

It had also been deeply disturbing. That had not been the girl he’d thought he was marrying. Maybe her dumping him for being a penniless loser had been a true blessing in disguise. And yet, Yash continued to stand and watch her and her friends meander along in what was clearly an aimless walk.

Maya. The name resonated in his head. Almost as if she heard him, she turned, her gaze drawn to the house. He saw her scanning the side of the house facing them and was about to step back and out of sight when her gaze snagged on him.

The guy who’d arrived with her, Ved, said something to her and she responded but she didn’t look away.

The moment between them stretched into an eternity that should never have existed. His heart was thudding, a drumbeat that he didn’t want to hear but one that thrummed through his veins nevertheless.

She took a step toward him, a minuscule movement that nobody caught but him. It broke the spell. Yash stepped back and away from the railing, consciously turning away from her.

The few months they’d known each other had been a lasting lesson. Maya wouldn’t get another chance to play him for a fool again.

 

 

About the Author

 

Shilpa Suraj wears many hats – corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler, and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency, and as an entrepreneur provide color to her present-day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.

 

 

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FATAL CODE

 

The SNAP Agency Series, Book 2

 

by

 

NATALIE WALTERS

 

 

Fiction / Christian / Suspense / Romance

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: May 1, 2022

Number of Pages: 320 pages

 

Scroll down for the Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

In 1964, a group of scientists called the Los Alamos Five came close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the United States government when they were abruptly disbanded. Now the granddaughter of one of those five scientists, aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell, discovers that she has highly sensitive information on the project in her possession–and a target on her back.

SNAP agent and former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is tasked with monitoring Elinor. This is both convenient since she’s his neighbor in Washington, DC, and decidedly inconvenient because . . . well, he kind of likes her.

Natalie Walters sucks you into the global race for space domination in this perfectly paced second installment of her SNAP Agency romantic suspense series.

 

 

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Barnes and Noble | Other Revell Affiliates

Praise

 

“Fatal Code is reminiscent of cold war spy thrillers and riveted me to the page as I rooted for Kekoa and Elinor to expose secrets, survive danger, and fall in love.” — Elizabeth Goddard, bestselling author of the Rocky Mountain Courage series

“Warning: once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down!” — Andrew Huff, author of the Shepherd Suspense series

“Enough suspense to make you need warm milk and a cozy blanket to calm you down.” — Jaime Jo Wright, author of The Souls of Lost Lake and the Christy award-winning novel The House on Foster Hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action-packed with loveable characters, swoony men, and despicable antagonists…a winning combination.

Not having read the first book in this series, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But diving in I discovered a whole new world with a team of agents that had each other’s backs and complemented each other with their various skill sets. Kekoa is haunted by the death of his brother fourteen years ago. He blames himself and when you hear the whole story it might just break your heart. However, this causes problems within his family primarily because he thinks that everyone blames him for the accident. It takes some strong conversations with his father and family to realize that he has been blaming himself for something that was beyond his control.

I think I have found a new favorite character, Elinor! I love her nerdy geeky side especially when it comes to her t-shirts and jokes. They cracked me up throughout the whole book. I also appreciated the love for her grandfather and her interest in ciphers that he taught her so many years ago. While she isn’t trusting of everyone, she seems to be a little naive when it comes to other people and their motives. Luckily, The SNAP Agency is on her side, especially Kekoa. She won’t know it at first but he believes in her innocence despite what the data reveals.

There is a historical aspect that brings in Los Alamos and the Hydrogen bomb. While most of us might know a little bit about it, the details help expand our minds and imagine what the men went through creating a device that could destroy the world. These men went to great lengths to protect that knowledge but someone has discovered their secret and will obtain it at all costs. I was shocked when all of the pieces fell into place with who was involved and why. I never would have guessed and it is true that sometimes you can’t trust anyone around you.

Outside of the action piece, there is the romance between Kekoa and Elinor. It is not a fast-moving relationship and they take it very slow which I enjoyed because it is nice to see people getting to know one another before jumping into the deep end. But that could be because they both had a few things to work through before they could come together. They both bring different nuances to the relationship and it takes their interactions to a new level.

I could not put this book down and kept wondering what could possibly happen next, would Elinor figure out what her grandfather was hiding in his journals, and would Kekoa find forgiveness?

This book can be read on its own, but I would highly recommend reading the first book, Lights Out, to truly understand the SNAP team and their relationships with each other.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natalie Walters is the author of Lights Out, as well as the Harbored Secrets series. A military wife, she currently resides in Texas with her soldier husband and is the proud mom of three. She loves traveling, spending time with her family, and connecting with readers.

 

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————————————–

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

 TWO WINNERS!

 

Each receive copies of Lights Out and Fatal Code!

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 5/20/2022)

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

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

or visit the blogs directly:

 

5/10/22	BONUS Series Spotlight	Hall Ways Blog
5/10/22	Review	Jennifer Silverwood
5/11/22	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
5/11/22	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
5/12/22	Excerpt	Chapter Break Book Blog
5/13/22	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
5/14/22	Deleted Scene 1	All the Ups and Downs
5/15/22	Deleted Scene 2	KayBee’s Book Shelf
5/16/22	Author Interview	The Page Unbound
5/17/22	Review	Shelf Life Blog
5/18/22	Top 9 List	Boys’ Mom Reads
5/19/22	Review	Bibliotica

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

A gym nemesis pushes a fitness influencer to the max in Amy Lea’s steamy debut romantic comedy.

 

Curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen built her career shattering gym stereotypes and mostly ignoring the trolls. After her recent breakup, she has little stamina left for men, instead finding solace in the gym – her place of power and positivity.

Enter firefighter Scott Ritchie, the smug new gym patron who routinely steals her favorite squat rack. Sparks fly as these ultra-competitive foes battle for gym domination. But after a series of escalating jabs, the last thing they expect is to run into each other at their grandparents’ engagement party.

In the lead up to their grandparents’ wedding, Crystal discovers there’s a soft heart under Scott’s muscled exterior. Bonding over family, fitness, and cheesy pick-up lines, she just might have found her swolemate. But when a photo of them goes viral, savage internet trolls put their budding relationship to the ultimate test of strength.

 

 

 

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This book releases on 5/10/22, pre-order your copy today!

 

Review

 

This book was quite a surprise and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this story. I could relate to Crystal as a curvy woman and I applauded her career choice and the people that she was helping find a better fitness routine. Then she meets Scott who acts like a neanderthal when they first bump into each other. I loved Scott’s explanation once they got to know each other, that he was just bowled over by her and lacked the words to say something. I love it when a guy gets tongue-tied!

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Crystal and Scott grow. It wasn’t without its challenges and misunderstandings but for the most part, they worked through them. But there wouldn’t be some tension in the book without hurt feelings and disagreements. But these incidents are what help them grow as a couple and learn to navigate feelings and expectations. It also helps Crystal find her true path and what is or isn’t working for her as a fitness trainer and promoter.

They both care about their grandparents, so when his grandfather and her grandmother connect and end up engaged it forces them together until they find that rhythm together. You could say it strengthens the relationship that they embark upon.

There is a touching moment when Crystal confronts her father and his continual pestering for her to find a job. They are two different worlds when it comes to what defines success and neither is right or wrong, they just see things differently. However, there are some things that Crystal learns about her father that she didn’t know before which enables her to understand where he is coming from. The moment also helps her father realize that maybe she does have things together, more than he realizes.

This book will make you laugh out loud and perhaps get a little sentimental too at different times. Overall, I loved the book and can’t wait to see what the author comes out with next. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Amy Lea is a Canadian bureaucrat by day and contemporary romance author by night (and weekends). She writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, witty banter, mid-2000s pop culture references, and happily ever afters.

When Amy is not writing, she can be found fan-girling over other romance books on Instagram (@amyleabooks), eating potato chips with reckless abandon, and snuggling with her husband and Goldendoodle.

 

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