Posted in 5 paws, Historical, Review, romance on January 14, 2019

Synopsis

Is It Possible To Only Have One Last Dance?

One Last Dance will keep you guessing until the end of the book. It is a Historical Romance with a mystery to be solved. This story is set in 1835 in the United States. You will learn the art of watercolor, dance the Boston Waltz, and fall in love all over again.

Felicity Brooks is a talented artist but her career is cut short when her father passes away. Realizing the importance of family, she travels home to care for her mother. When Felicity meets their new neighbor, a fine-looking bachelor, she soon discovers that he is hiding his true identity. Nicholas Adams is on a quest. But that is not all. When she finds out that someone is after a valuable heirloom…a precious treasure that her father discovered in his attic, her life takes a new turn.

One Last Dance is a historical romance with a mystery to add to the tale. Felicity has always been a strong and independent woman. Amongst mystery, loss, paintings, and a career, she is going to have to decide if love has a place in her heart.” –Author Anna Del C Dye

“One thing that always keeps me reading this author’s books is her characters,” wrote Author Katrina Hart. “They are engaging, funny and passionate. I especially liked Mr. Adams’ character as he was both witty and charming with an air of mystery about him. I was impressed by Felicity’s character. She was a strong woman who had seen some of the world, only to end up back home where everything feels different. I liked the quirky bond between Mr. Adams and Felicity. He has her pegged from the start and from the moment they meet you can tell at some point sparks will fly, and they will challenge each other’s perspectives on the problem at hand, which made this book rather gripping. One Last Dance kept me guessing until the end and left me wanting to read this book all over again. If you like Historical Romance with a mysterious touch and well-developed characters, this book is a must-read.”

Review

Historical romance stories can be hit and miss with me but I’m happy to say that this one was a definite hit.  We are treated to a glimpse of the early 1800s in this small town when life was much different than what we know today.  Not only do we find kind and caring characters, but there is also a hint of mystery to round out the story.

Felicity is an independent woman and finds joy in teaching art to other young women at a small school further north.  Her father passes unexpectedly and she comes home to see about her mother and make sure that everything is ok at home.  She doesn’t expect to find herself in the middle of a mystery or enchanted by the neighbor Nicholas.  Because this is the early 1800s, her mother wants to see Felicity married with children.  I think that was the mission of mother’s in that time period – to make sure their children found love and were happily married.

I really enjoyed that there was a mystery in this story and as the story unfolded I found myself wondering who was breaking into Felicity’s home and looking for potentially priceless artifacts.  As the mystery portion is coming to a head I was quite surprised to learn who the thief was and the motives behind their actions.  There is a little bit of a hint that points to this character but you have to be quick on your toes to point your finger that the right person.  I also enjoyed the search for the item her father hid and the clues she had in the last letter he wrote to her.  It was an intriguing way to involve the reader to try and guess what the item was that the thief was after and what the significance is to the family.

I enjoyed how simpler romance was in this time period, or at least how it is portrayed in books.  Nicholas and Felicity click right off the bat and while it is not a romantic entanglement at the beginning, they do fall in love despite the interference of an old school mate of Felicity’s.  This “friend” has her eye on Nicholas and believe he should be hers.  Too bad he already has his sights on Felicity.

If you enjoy historical romance then you will want to read this book.  I especially liked the author’s notes at the end about how she came to write the book and some more details about the Boston Waltz and historical books  We give it 5 paws up.

 

About the Author

I was raised on a farm surrounded by the rolling hills of southern Idaho and have made my home in southern Utah among the beautiful red mountains and desert heat. I have been happily married for 42 years and am the mother of six daughters and have five wonderful grandchildren.

After my family began to leave the nest, I decided it was time to finish what I had started long ago. I decided to go back to college and get a degree. It had been 30 years since I had been to college and it was one of the most frightening things I had ever done. I had to learn how to study and take tests all over again. The first day of college, I was a nervous wreck and wondered if I could do this, but with the support of my husband and children, I was able to graduate. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Music at Southern Utah University and received the Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award for the College of Performing Arts in 2002. During the meantime, I cut a CD named “Romantic Love Songs of Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert.”

I have enjoyed writing short stories and novels for several years but it took a lot of courage to begin submitting them. After “Melinda and the Wild West” was published, I entered it in the Reader Views Literary Contest and my book was chosen as a Semi-Finalist in the “Reviewers Choice Awards 2007.” It was one of the top ten out of hundreds of other entries.

I have traveled throughout the United States, teaching people to write their family history and autobiography. I have traveled to seventeen states and given over 500 workshops. I am the author of six historical sweet romances, four mystery adventure novels, a children’s book, and a new cozy mystery series. All of my books are family friendly.

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Posted in Giveaway, Interview, Political thriller, suspense on January 13, 2019

The Water Lord

by

Matt Minor

Genre: Political Suspense

Publisher: Dead Tree Publishing

Publication Date: April 2, 2018

Number of Pages: 249 pages

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 

A town has gone dry, and the general manager of a water district is found dead, presumably a suicide. His crazed widow is in denial and recklessly loose-lipped. Texas House District 100 is again in turmoil, and the interests of the landed class against urban sprawl are at odds.

Enter John David Dothan (The Representative). The world’s hippest legislator is back, but he is a changed man. Post-stroke Dothan dons an eccentric cane and is married to his former chief of staff, Tryphena Taylor. The two lovers reside peacefully tucked away in a country cottage with their rescued cat. But they are swimming against the tide.

Caught between the past and the future, the rural and the urban, the representative is trapped in a no-win situation both politically and emotionally. When a constituent brings to his attention a mysterious ‘retention pond’ things grow increasingly murky. The waters turn completely dark when Dothan learns his forbidden first love, former State Senator Rachael Logan has been hospitalized.
Armed with only his cane and sidekick, Mason Dixon (The District Manager), who serves as his new Chief of Staff, Dothan sets aside the ambiguities of politics and love in search of clarity and righteousness. But the cost of doing the right thing might not just be his young marriage…but Tryphena’s life.

Praise

“Great pacing and a well-written storyline. I look forward to reading more from Matt Minor!” – My Reading Addiction

“Matt Minor has great attention to detail and makes everything from the setting to the characters feel very real. It makes for a wonderfully written and very suspenseful novel.” – Momma and Her Stories

“A well-crafted suspense! The plot kept me turning the pages and I finished this novel very fast. Matt Minor’s voice is a breath of fresh air, smart, witty and full of twists… I will read more books by this author!” – Indie Express

“Matt Minor has created a novel in which the main character shows growth…I like flawed characters and if they can overcome things, it really speaks to me.” – A Life Through Books

Today I’m lucky to have a chance to share a few things about Matt, so take notes!

Let’s get personal. How do you write?

PC when at home, laptop on the road.

What does your perfect writing spot look like? Is that what your ACTUAL writing spot looks like?

I live in a cabin in the woods. This is where I prefer to write. But work takes me many places and I write wherever I am and whenever I can.

Which character from your books is most or least like you?

They are all like me and not like me. I draw from myself to varying degrees for male and female characters.

How do you decide if your main character will be male or female?

The story and the conflicts associated with the story dictate everything. But I started with a poet in politics. That was the edge of the cliff. Everything after that is the time it takes to hit the water. It’s a long fall.

What do you like to read in your free time?

Poetry; Literary Criticism; Legal Code; Fiction; Literary Biography; History.

Who are some of the authors you feel were influential in your work?

Graham Greene; Walker Percy; DH Lawrence; Thomas Hardy; Tolstoy; Larry McMurtry.

What do your plans for future projects include?

Stay alive long enough to complete what I’m working on now. I’ll worry about it if/when I get to that point.

Is there anyone you credit for being your inspiration for writing?

Those who read and enjoy my work.

What’s your funniest flaw?

Impatience.

If you could time travel, what time period would you first visit?

The 1970s.

What is your favorite quote?

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight…and learn too late they grieved it on its way – Dylan Thomas

Matt Minor presently serves as a Chief of Staff in the Texas House of Representatives. In the Texas House he has served under the Pensions Committee, Government Efficiency and Reform, Investments and Financial Services, Bond Indebtedness, and Way and Means. He has worked as a political campaign manager and is a public speaker. Matt has authored official state publications, oversees syndicated editorials, (both political and cultural) and is a speechwriter and district radio legislative commentator. Prior to his life in state politics, Matt was a professional musician and entertainer. Matt’s hobbies are centered on the arts, including the craft of poetry, an interest that has brought academic recognition and numerous awards.

His first novel, The Representative was an Amazon Political Fiction Bestseller the summer of 2015 and was accepted and archived into the Texas State Legislative Library. In April of 2016, The Representative won an IPPY Gold medal for Southern Fiction. In the summer of 2016, he released his second novel, The District Manager.

Matt Minor resides on his ranch property in Wharton County, Texas. He lives in Austin during the legislative session.

 

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1/8/19 Excerpt All the Ups and Downs
1/8/19 BONUS Promo Hall Ways Blog
1/9/19 Review Reading by Moonlight
1/10/19 Author Interview Texas Book Lover
1/11/19 Review Tangled in Text
1/12/19 Excerpt That’s What She’s Reading
1/13/19 Author Interview StoreyBook Reviews
1/14/19 Review Forgotten Winds
1/15/19 Series Spotlight Chapter Break Book Blog
1/16/19 Review Nerd Narration
1/17/19 Review The Clueless Gent

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Posted in Cozy, Giveaway, Guest Post, mystery on January 13, 2019

Gown With the Wind (A Wedding Planner Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Kensington (December 18, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages

Synopsis

Professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard knows her job is challenging under any circumstances. But when the groom is your ex and someone invites murder, there may never be another tomorrow . . .

Mallory’s fine—really—handling the wedding arrangements for her ex, Keith. But his fiancée, Becca, has at the last minute decided to switch from a Japanese-cherry-blossom theme to a Gone with the Wind theme. She wants to honor her ailing grandmother, who owns an impressive collection of GWTW memorabilia—and who is fiercely at odds with the groom’s mother over the nuptial plans.

But among other complications, Becca gets into a fight with an old childhood rival over a replica Scarlett O’Hara wedding gown. She wins the dress—but soon becomes a murder suspect when the other woman is found dead in Becca’s swimming pool. And it’s up to Mallory to solve the mystery behind this unhappy occasion, before a different kind of civil war breaks out . . .

Guest Post

“World Building in Cozy Mysteries”

One of my favorite things about writing cozy mysteries is world building. World building is usually discussed in the context of genres that require elaborate, new backdrops with complicated histories, like science fiction and fantasy. But cozy mysteries require quite a bit of thought too. Cozies benefit from details lovingly crafted to make fictional towns come to life. They help a novel ring of authenticity and provide a rich environment for your characters. I adore reading cozies for the arm-chair opportunity to travel to small towns, learn their secrets and idiosyncrasies, and to get a healthy dose of charm.

I love spending time in the fictional town featured in my series, Port Quincy, Pennsylvania. I almost think of Port Quincy as being its own character. It’s an amalgamation of some real places I lived in and worked in back in Western Pennsylvania. When I close my eyes and take a stroll down the streets of Port Quincy with my characters, I feel the echoes of Canonsburg and Washington, PA. Little details that resonated me from my time growing up in Pennsylvania pop up in the books, like resurfaced memories. I always loved traveling on the yellow brick roads that compose some streets in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. The bricks made a steady, pleasing thrum as cars drove over them. The gorgeous, Pepto-Bismol pink colored courthouse featured in my novels is an echo of the grand courthouse at the heart of Washington, Pennsylvania. And I imagine my character Mallory’s bed and breakfast to resemble none other than Henry Clay Frick’s own mansion, Clayton, located in Pittsburgh’s East End.

But more important perhaps than the physical trappings of the small town in my books, whether rooted in some real detail from my memories or created out of whole cloth, is the spirit and character of the place. I wanted Port Quincy to exemplify the close-knit feel and camaraderie I’ve enjoyed in the small towns and neighborhoods I’ve lived in. Port Quincy is a place where neighbors pull together, citizens share in their triumphs and tragedies, and everyone is connected. I now live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River. It always brings a smile to my face to run into a friend or acquaintance out and about during my errands. There is a strong sense of community and friendliness that I try to weave into my fictional town. Though my protagonist Mallory often involves herself in high stakes situations and risky cases, the heart of her existence in Port Quincy is forming connections with her family, friends, and the denizens of the town. I love exploring her evolving relationships and friendships with the people of Port Quincy. As many details as I lovingly craft about the physical space, the real beating heart of my fictional town is its people.

About the Author

A native Pittsburgher, Stephanie Blackmoore now lives in Missouri, with her husband, son and two-spirited cats. She was an attorney in Pittsburgh and a librarian in Florida before becoming a writer. Stephanie is a fan of everything black-and-yellow. She is hard at work on her next Wedding Planner mystery. Connect with Stephanie at the links below.

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Posted in Giveaway, Spotlight, suspense, Thriller on January 12, 2019

 

The Wrong Boy
Suspense/Thriller
Four Tails Publishing Ltd. (January 9, 2019)
Print Length: 307 pages

Synopsis

Perched on a Welsh clifftop, the ancient, picturesque hamlet of Rhosddraig has its peaceful façade ripped apart when human remains are discovered under a pile of stones. The village pub, The Dragon’s Head, run by three generations of women, becomes the focal point for those interested in the grisly find, and it’s where layers of deceit are peeled away to expose old secrets, and deep wounds. The police need to establish who died, how, and why, but DI Evan Glover knows he can’t be involved in the investigation, because he’s just two days away from retirement. However, as the case develops in unexpected ways, it becomes irrevocably woven into his life, and the lives of local families, leading to disturbing revelations – and deadly consequences . . .

About the Author

Born and raised in Wales, now-Canadian Cathy Ace is the author of the Cait Morgan Mysteries, featuring her Welsh Canadian criminology professor sleuth who travels the world tripping over corpses, and The WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries, featuring a quartet of female PIs, working from a Welsh stately home. Both series are traditional, entertaining, and have been well reviewed.

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Posted in Cozy, Giveaway, Guest Post, mystery on January 11, 2019

A Literal Mess (An Allie Cobb Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Lyrical Underground (January 8, 2019)
Print Length: 196 pages

Synopsis

The first book in a new series featuring Allie Cobb brings the New York literary agent back to her Hoosier home town where a mysterious death keeps everyone on spoiler alert . . .

Allie Cobb left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. Now his death brings her and her rescue cat Ursula back to the southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek, population: 3,216. But a tragic new chapter hits the presses when the body of her father’s hard-drinking, #1 bestselling client is found under the historic town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend.

Determined to clear her bestie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode while trying to ignore the usual rumormongers. Those with means, motive, and opportunity include the vic’s ex-wife, his rejected girlfriend, the mayor, and a rival agent trying to mooch clients. With a rugged genealogist distracting her and the imminent Fall Festival about to send tourists descending on their once-peaceful hamlet, Allie needs to stay alive long enough to get a read on a killer ready to close the book on a new victim: Allie . . .

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Guest Post

Today I welcome author J.C. Kenney to StoreyBook Reviews.  I love his mother’s response to why she read mysteries.  It also gave me a little bit of a chuckle because I’m Catholic too!

It All Started With a Question

Hi, folks! Thanks for stopping by. I hope your 2019 is off to a great start. With the release of A Literal Mess, my year has started out like a lion, that’s for sure.

As I celebrate the arrival of my debut cozy mystery, I’m trying to enjoy every moment. Making sure I don’t get caught up in what’s next (like the next book in the Allie Cobb Mysteries series) but appreciate the what’s happening now.

While I do that, I’d be remiss not to reflect on my journey that brought me to this day, chatting with you all as a published cozy mystery author. You see, I’ve often been asked how I got my start as a cozy author. Did I always want to write mysteries? Where did this ride start?

To answer that question, we need to go back in time over forty years, to the days of my youth. I grew up in a traditional Irish-Catholic household, the youngest of eight children. Both of my parents were voracious readers. I remember Mom regularly returning home after a visit to the library with dozens of books for her and Dad to read.

While I was insanely jealous of the massive haul (I was only allowed to check out seven at a time), I also noticed something that made me curious. My dear mother, who went to church twice a week and taught Sunday school, liked crime fiction. The books she read were by authors like Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Lilian Jackson Braun.

Dame Agatha

 My young mind couldn’t understand how my mom, who was a model Catholic, liked murder mysteries. I mean, murder was the worst criminal act possible, right?

Ngaio Marsh

One day, this conundrum became too much to ignore, so I asked her why she read these awful books where people were killed.

Her answer left me stunned. She told me it wasn’t about the murder. It was about the puzzle. At first, I didn’t understand. Then, when she explained, the clouds parted. What appealed to her wasn’t the crime, it was the act of putting together the clues, the pieces of the puzzle, in the pursuit of justice.

It was all about catching the bad guy.

As the years passed, that exchange stuck with me and I became a fan of cozy mysteries, myself. The first cozy I read was And Then There Were None. I was fifteen years old and I loved it. Here’s the cover of the edition I read.

From there, I followed the adventures of Holmes and Watson, went along for the ride on the Oriental Express with Poirot, and fell love with Koko and Yum-Yum as they helped Qwilleran ensure justice prevails.

Interestingly enough, when I started writing, the stories I came up with weren’t mysteries. They were in a completely different genre, although those stories often included a mystery subplot. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago, when my agent challenged me to write a mystery, that I gave it a try.

Moments after accepting the challenge, I panicked. There was simply no way I could write a whodunit. I wasn’t smart enough. I wasn’t creative enough. Then, Mom’s words came back to me.

It’s not about the crime. It’s about the puzzle.

With that in mind, I got to work. Clues, along with suspects and red herrings, became my puzzle pieces. Before long, I had a full-fledged story worked out. And, as they say, the rest is history.

So, it’s not wrong to say I got my start writing cozy mysteries only a couple of years ago. It’s also not wrong to say I those cozy mystery seeds were planted over forty years ago. When it all started with a question.

How about you, folks? How did you get your start in the cozy mystery world? Do you have a favorite cozy author? I’d love to hear about it and thanks again for visiting!

About the Author

J.C. Kenney grew up in a household filled with books by legends Agatha Christie and Lilian Jackson Braun, among many others, so it was no surprise when he found himself writing mystery stories. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, two sons, and a cat who is the inspiration for Ursula in the Allie Cobb Mysteries.

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Posted in 5 paws, Children, Giveaway, Review on January 10, 2019

HEART OF THE OAK

by

J.L. NOVINSKY

Genre: Children’s / Nature / Life Cycle

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing

Publication Date: November 15, 2017

Number of Pages: 36 pages

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Heart of the Oak is a sweet story of the life of an old oak tree.

He’s old and weathered; his skin is rough and knotty.  But he has memories of joy, of love, and of tragedy.  He has endured many years and felt the sorrow of so much loss.  But his greatest joy is just ahead!

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Praise for HEART OF THE OAK from Amazon reviewers!

“Such a great book with a heartfelt story!”

“My children and I LOVE this book. We had a wonderful and insightful conversation after we read it.”

This may be a book geared toward children, but anyone who reads this book will capture the message within the pages – that love is there for everyone and that everyone (and everything) has a purpose in this life.

This book shares the life cycle with the reader. From birth and all through life, the ups and the downs that we all experience at different times. If I look at the focus of the book, a mighty oak, it reminded of the many trees I have seen over the course of my life and the good times climbing up high, picking the fruit, taking shelter from the sun or rain, or just sitting underneath them while enjoying a book. Some of those trees are no more and some continue to thrive and grow and provide enjoyment to others.

I am not afraid to say that this book had me teary-eyed near the end of the story as the tree is feeling despair but all of a sudden new life comes to his little corner of the planet and the tree received quite the surprise when people come to see the tree. I don’t want to spoil any surprises so go pick up this book and read it quickly!

We give this 5 paws up and I will be sharing this with my great-niece and nephew so that they can also learn the moral of this story.

J.L. (Joan) Novinsky was born just outside of Chicago, but she got to Texas as fast as she could! Joan started college at age 55, and while taking a Creative Writing class, she wrote her first story, Heart of the Oak. Joan has now written a second children’s book, Horace and Giselle, available for on-line purchase January 2019. She was married to Bob in 1992, had a son, Stephen, in 1998, then in 2001, she and her husband took on the challenge and excitement of adopting a boy from St. Petersburg, Russia. Andrei joined the family in 2002, and the family resides just north of Dallas with their various and numerous pets.

 

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1/3/19 Book Trailer Reading by Moonlight
1/4/19 Review All the Ups and Downs
1/5/19 Review Missus Gonzo
1/6/19 Guest Post Rainy Days with Amanda
1/7/19 Review That’s What She’s Reading
1/8/19 Sneak Peek The Clueless Gent
1/9/19 Character Interview Forgotten Winds
1/10/19 Review StoreyBook Reviews
1/11/19 Notable Quotable Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
1/12/19 Review The Page Unbound

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Posted in Cozy, Giveaway, mystery, Spotlight on January 9, 2019

The Plunge (Aggie Mundeen Lake Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series (Spin-Off of a previous series with this character.)
Wildside Press (October 9, 2018)
Paperback: 136 pages

Synopsis

When Aggie Mundeen accompanies San Antonio Detective Sam Vanderhoven on a weekend getaway to Lake Placid, she thinks it’s going to be fun in the sun. What could be better than caretaking a friend’s cottage on the Guadalupe River in Central Texas? Never mind that Sam intends to discretely investigate the theft of that friend’s boat…

Unfortunately, the weather has plans of its own. Buckets of rain and gusting winds roil the lake, turning the peaceful Guadalupe into an angry, raging river. As darkness descends, lightning reveals two people arguing on a dock across the river. When lightning flashes again, they are gone. Did Aggie and Sam witness an accident? A drowning? A murder?

The Plunge sweeps readers along with the threat of looming disaster, helpless before an untamable force, where sleuthing takes a back seat to survival…

About the Author

Nancy G. West is the author of award-winning suspense and the Aggie Mundeen Mystery Series. Each book in the series has either won or been nominated for an award. The Plunge, Lake Mystery #1, takes Aggie in a new direction.

Chat with Aggie and Nancy on their blogWebsiteGoodReads * Twitter

 

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Posted in 5 paws, Fantasy, Historical, Review, Time Travel, Trailer, Young Adult on January 8, 2019

Einstein’s Compass

A YA Time Traveler Adventure

by

Grace Blair & Laren Bright

Genre: Young Adult / Historical / Fantasy / Science Fiction

Certified Lexile Measure: 860L

Publisher: Modern Mystic Media

Publication Date: January 2, 2019

Number of Pages: 394 pages

Coming on Audio, February 2019!

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 

How did Albert Einstein come up with his wondrous theories of light and time? In Einstein’s Compass: A YA Time Traveler Adventure, a young Albert is given a supernatural compass that allows him to travel through time and space and find wisdom in other dimensions, including the lost city of Atlantis. But evil forces seek the power of the compass, including a monstrous, shape-shifting dragon from a different age. Can the compass protect Albert from such villainy?

Praise

“This is an amazing story. Everyone should thoroughly enjoy reading it. I was impressed with how the authors managed to incorporate the known information on the lost continent of Atlantis, Light Workers, souls, reincarnation, time travel and the early years of Albert Einstein before he became famous, into a mesmerizing work of fiction readers will have difficulty putting down.  –Doug Simpson, Author of We Lived in Atlantis

“I could not stop reading this book. I read at stop lights and in line at the grocery store. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” –— award-winning children’s author, Lisa Reinicke

This is highly recommended for those who enjoy a saga of good vs. evil that spans tens of thousands of years, for readers who devour novels that blend history and fantasy, and for anyone who is simply looking for a unique story that they will not want to put down.  — Author Jacqui Murray, Ask a Tech Teacher blog

The weaving of the story between the religion realm and Albert’s world is a captivating tale that keeps the reader’s attention. The good and evil of the timeless religious realm is like watching a chess match to see who outwits whom … I hope there is a next book somewhere in my future. –- Rox Burkey, author of the Enigma Series

Time Travel – check
Historical – check
YA – check
Fantasy – check
Fascinating read – check

As you can see, this book checked off a lot of boxes for me and what I like to read.  (Ok, the fantasy genre depends on the book).  But this melds the past and present, time travel, and even some religious aspects with great ease.  I noticed that the book was well researched because many facts of Albert Einstein’s life matched up to another book I read last year, so that made me happy that I didn’t have to run off and figure out which book was right and which one was wrong!

This is a classic good vs. evil plot line – but with some unique twists.  There are light workers which could translate to Guardian Angel in a way since that is how one appears to young Albert when he needs some help.  They are on the religious side because there are references to Jesus, Moses and other biblical figures you might recognize.  Then there is Raka who has managed to survive many centuries only to awake to create havoc in his quest for the Compass which he feels will grant him anything he desires.

There are many characters that are woven into this story that add dimension and kept me engaged in the story from start to finish.  The story was a fairly steady pace until the end as the conflict between Einstein and Raka escalated and the story really took off and moved at a fast pace.

There are times that I gasped at certain events that crushed my heart and other times that I was amazed at the depths of evil from various characters.  I wondered about their sanity but they were the right balance to offset the good characters so that the story wasn’t overly sweet and innocent.

We enjoyed this book and give it 5 paws up!

 

Grace Blair is an award-winning self-help and motivational author, and podcast host, who has assisted thousands to find their spiritual wisdom to solve everyday challenges. Throughout her adult life, Grace became a serious student of the spiritual. She found that, often, psychological principles and practices were incomplete, but could be filled out by adding the missing spiritual component. Her approach was always to see practical applications for what she uncovered in the mystical. It was through immersing herself in this field of study and experience that she came up with her idea for her book, Einstein’s Compass. She lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, Dr. John Blair.

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Laren Bright is a three-time Emmy nominated award-winning writer who has written nearly 100 children’s animated cartoon scripts. He has spent the majority of his professional life over the last two decades assisting authors to produce topnotch books with titles and other promotional writing indistinguishable from those of mainstream publishers. During that time, in addition to Einstein’s Compass, he also co-authored a young adult fantasy series and several books for young children about positive values. Laren lives in Los Angeles with his wife, computer, and two grand-dogs.

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JANUARY 2-11, 2019

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1/2/19 Guest Post All the Ups and Downs
1/2/19 Theme Song Hall Ways Blog
1/3/19 Review That’s What She’s Reading
1/4/19 Book Trailer Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
1/4/19 Author Spotlight Chapter Break Book Blog
1/5/19 Review Reading by Moonlight
1/6/19 Review Forgotten Winds
1/7/19 Excerpt Max Knight
1/8/19 Review StoreyBook Reviews
1/8/19 Author Interview Book Fidelity
1/9/19 Character Spotlight The Book Review
1/9/19 Character Spotlight Rainy Days with Amanda
1/10/19 Review The Clueless Gent
1/11/19 Author Interview Sybrina’s Book Blog
1/11/19 Review Missus Gonzo

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Posted in 5 paws, Cozy, Monday, mystery, Review on January 7, 2019

Synopsis

Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but she always solves the case. With the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, the business is flourishing.

Pauline Jones is confused why her boyfriend took off without telling a soul where he was going. But that isn’t all. Sam Whitaker is accused of stealing a valuable porcelain doll from the museum. His disappearance makes him look guilty, but Pauline is convinced he is innocent. When Amelia finds Sam, she realizes they need to prove his innocence. Where is the antique doll and who has taken it?

Review

I really enjoy this cozy series for several reasons – the stories are shorter, the characters are well fleshed out, and I rarely decipher the mystery!  This book was no exception as I figured out a few things but not everything and there was a twist at the end I did not expect. I also like that there are not a lot of characters.  There are enough for the story and to have multiple suspects, but not too many that it is overwhelming.

I enjoy the banter between Amelia and Rick and like that they are helping each other check off items on a bucket list and are moving slowly in a relationship with each other.

We give this book 5 paws up.  It is a great series and while you can read out of order, to follow the personal story line you will want to start at the first book.

 

About the Author

I was raised on a farm surrounded by the rolling hills of southern Idaho and have made my home in southern Utah among the beautiful red mountains and desert heat. I have been happily married for 42 years and am the mother of six daughters and have five wonderful grandchildren.

After my family began to leave the nest, I decided it was time to finish what I had started long ago. I decided to go back to college and get a degree. It had been 30 years since I had been to college and it was one of the most frightening things I had ever done. I had to learn how to study and take tests all over again. The first day of college, I was a nervous wreck and wondered if I could do this, but with the support of my husband and children, I was able to graduate. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Music at Southern Utah University and received the Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award for the College of Performing Arts in 2002. During the meantime, I cut a CD named “Romantic Love Songs of Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert.”

I have enjoyed writing short stories and novels for several years but it took a lot of courage to begin submitting them. After “Melinda and the Wild West” was published, I entered it in the Reader Views Literary Contest and my book was chosen as a Semi-Finalist in the “Reviewers Choice Awards 2007.” It was one of the top ten out of hundreds of other entries.

I have traveled throughout the United States, teaching people to write their family history and autobiography. I have traveled to seventeen states and given over 500 workshops. I am the author of six historical sweet romances, four mystery adventure novels, a children’s book, and a new cozy mystery series. All of my books are family friendly.

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Posted in Cover Reveal, Giveaway, romance on January 7, 2019

Title- Renegade Heart

By- Lissa Lynn Thomas

Series- Renegades #1

Genre- Romance (Friends to Lovers)

Release Date – February 5th, 2019

Cover Designed by Abigail Davies of Pink Elephant Designs

Synopsis

Raif Montgomery, lead singer of Renegades, the area’s most popular band, isn’t like other guys. When he gets left at the altar by a woman most men would kill to have, he finds himself more relieved than heartbroken. Things take another twisted little turn when he gets drunk the night of his non-wedding and makes a pass at his best friend, Chloe. She doesn’t shut him down.

Overall, he has plenty to occupy his troubled mind.

His mom is concerned he’s heading for a self-destruct of epic proportions. But all he can think about is tasting Chloe’s lips again, and getting her to agree to give them a shot as a couple. When a Nashville music producer starts hanging around Renegades’ shows, it seems that things are falling into place for the band.

But does he want success for the band if it means leaving Chloe behind? Can he walk away from the woman he loves? Or will he sacrifice the Renegades’ dreams to keep his heart intact?

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Teaser

“Okay, what are you two doing to my girl? No making her cry. I told her everything would be okay, are you trying to make a liar out of me now?” He is at my side and running his thumbs over my cheeks to check for any lingering tears in a heartbeat. He leans down and kisses my mouth. “What’d they do, darlin’? You know I’d slay any dragon for you.”

I smile up at him, overcome by how lucky I feel, how happy I am that he loves me, that I can have this. “They were happy tears, cupcake. Stow your sword and remember I’m no damsel in distress. I can slay dragons all on my own.”

“Yes, I know you can.” He says, his deep, rich voice serious. “But you don’t have to, Chloe Jane. Never again.”

 

About the Author

Lissa was first inspired to consider a career in writing when she was in high school. Her English teacher recognized Lissa’s gift for storytelling and encouraged her love of writing. She has six nieces and nephews whom she adores and a beloved cat who is her baby. Lissa loves the color purple, chai tea, and writes poetry under the pen name Bella Sterling.

Under the name Melissa Simmons, she has written one short story with fellow author, Allana Kephart, for the Dare to Shine Charity Anthology. She wrote another short story under the same name for the Best Thing I Never Had Charity Anthology. As Lissa Lynn Thomas, she has short stories in both the This Soldier’s Heart Charity Anthology and the Karma Charity Anthology. Lissa’s debut solo novel, Renegade Heart, is due out in winter of 2019. Renegade Heart is the first book in the Renegades series.

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