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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

My Thoughts - JURY DUTY IS MURDER by Kate Damon





 JURY DUTY IS MURDER

Kate Damon




 

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GENRECozy Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

The verdict is in; a famed athlete is headed for prison. The jurors have done their job and are free to go back to their lives.

 

But after being sequestered for four months, life as some knew it no longer exists.

 

HAROLD ASHMAN’s house is almost destroyed by a careless driver. Exotic dancer, CEECEE LAINE, discovers that her boyfriend is two-timing her, and she no longer has a job. Actor ALEX MANNING learns his career is down the tubes, and 72-year-old, HELEN RYDER, discovers her family is plotting to put her in an old folks home.

 

Then things take a turn for the worse. When former jurors start dropping like flies, CeeCee, Helen, Harold, and Alex are convinced there’s a killer on the loose. Now the feuding foursome must find him before he kills them—or before they save him the trouble by killing each other.

 

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Excerpt

 

The ringing telephone woke me up. Without opening my eyes, I felt around until I touched the nightstand and finally, my phone. “Hello.”

 

“Wake up.”

 

I groaned. “Alex, what do you want?”

 

“I need you to wake up.”

 

I forced myself to sit up. The clock on the radio said it was after ten. “This better be important.”

 

“Something is terribly wrong,” Alex said. “It’s the thirtieth and nobody’s dead.”

 

“Hallelujah.” I hung up and dived back into my pillow. The phone rang again, and I groaned. Only Alex would think that no dead bodies meant something was wrong.

 

I rolled over and grabbed the phone. “Now what?”

 

“No one’s dead.”

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:




 

When Kate Damon is not writing, she and her husband enjoy RVing, spending time with family and friends, raising Monarch butterflies, and playing a wicked game of bridge.

 

Writing as Margaret Brownley, she has published more than 40 novels and is a New York Times bestselling author. Known for her memorable characters and humor, she is a two-time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist.

 

Not counting the book she wrote in sixth grade, and the puzzle of the missing socks, this is her first mystery.

 

Links:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/katejuryduty

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/juryduty17

Tiktok: http://www.tiktok.comKatedamon1

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565155275435


My Thoughts 



JURY DUTY IS MURDER is written by Kate Damon. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it will not be the last. This book drew me in within the first few pages and I didn’t want to stop reading.  


Jurors have just delivered a guilty verdict in a high profile case. They’ve been sequestered for four months and life has changed for everyone. However life has changed. Their friends and family have had to carry on without them. Some relationships have ended. Then jurors start dying. 


Four jurors who couldn’t be more different meet. They think that someone is targeting jurors on the case. There’s too many suspicious deaths. 


The story is told by alternating points of view. The author has woven this together seamlessly. I loved the vast differences in characters and how they had to work together despite their dislike from each other. 


This is a great cozy mystery. I enjoyed reading. The characters are well developed. The storyline is engaging. 


Thank you to the author, publisher and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.


 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5032

Sunday, December 1, 2024

MY THOUGHTS - What Bear Said about Life, Love, and Other Stuff by Jack Wiens



WHAT BEAR SAID by Jack Wiens


 Book Details:


​Book Title:  What Bear Said about Life, Love, and Other Stuff by Jack Wiens
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  98 pages
GenreJuvenile fiction/picture book/values & virtues
PublisherTorchflame Books
Release date:  October 15, 2024

Book Description:

The boy has a lot of questions—hard ones about love, honesty, grief and loss, prejudice, forgiveness, why we are here, and more.

Bear's wise answers are always offered with compassion and enthusiasm. The friendship between these two is deep, tender, and sometimes fun. Bear's clear, common-sense philosophy of life is a welcome contrast to the complex world our children face today.

On the beautifully illustrated pages, you will also meet Jay, Raccoon, Badger, Elder Moose, and others who add to the fun and adventure.

Walk with Boy and Bear for a while in the woods and see what you might learn about life, love and other stuff.

​This uplifting book will surely become a treasured collection of simple wisdom, inspiring rich, meaningful conversations between adults and children alike.

Buy the Book:
Amazon 
B&N ~ Bookshop.org
​add to Goodreads
Author Jack Wiens
Meet the Author:

Jack Wiens has illustrated over 40 children’s books and designed many book covers, a family magazine, curriculum materials and greeting cards. He has also exhibited his fine art in galleries and art shows in Colorado, Missouri and Oregon.

Jack earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and worked as a counselor for 34 years in private practice as well as in a hospital inpatient addictions program and mental health centers. He led many workshops on communication, relationships and self-care during his career as psychotherapist.

​He lives in Ashland, Oregon, where he enjoys the natural beauty of nearby mountains, lakes and rivers, the creative energy of the community and good friendships. Besides hiking, biking and tennis, a favorite activity is exploring the Oregon coast and whale watching in Depoe Bay.

connect with the author: website 

MY THOUGHTS
What Bear Said about Life, Love, and Other Stuff is written  by Jack Wiens. I wish this book would have been around when my older girls (now 26 and 23) were younger since they had lots of questions. I read this with my 13 and 11 year old, and we enjoyed it very much. It's beautifully illustrated, contains great lessons that all can learn from. 

We loved how Bear takes his friend onto adventures. While they are together Bear shares heartwarming lessons (I will admit I teared up a few times). My 13 year old commented how the lessons are very important for teens to know. I really liked that the book  was divided up, where you could have some serious conversations in between. 

I recommend this book for all parents and grand parents. It's beautifully written and illustrated. Thank you to the author, publisher and IRead Book tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book. - all thoughts are my own. 


Tour Schedule:

​Nov 25  Liese's Blog book spotlight
Nov 25 - @adriftinfictionalworld book review
Nov 26  Cover Lover Book Review book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 26 - @Leannebookstagram book review
Nov 27  Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 29  A Mama's Corner of the World book review / giveaway
Nov 29 - Writer with Wanderlust – book review / giveaway
Nov 30 - 
Chit Chat with Charity - book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 2 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 2 - Because I said so - adventures in parenting – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 3 – Frugal Freelancer – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 4 – Cheryl's Book Nook – book review / giveaway
Dec 5 – China Sorrows – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 5 - @mamof9 – book review
Dec 5 
FUONLYKNEW - book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 6 – @bookameme – book review
Dec 6 
Paws.Read.Repeat - book review / giveaway
Dec 6 - Library Lady's Kid Lit – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 9 – Book Zone Reviews – book review / giveaway
Dec 11- Country Mamas With Kids – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 12 – Sandra's Book Club – book review
Dec 13 – @regallywritten – book review
Dec 13 - Books for Books – book spotlight
TBD – Reading Authors Network – book review / giveaway
Enter the Giveaway:


Friday, November 22, 2024

My Thoughts - The Darkness Deepens by Sara Davison

 The Darkness Deepens JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Darkness Deepens by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Darkness Deepens
Series: The Day Draws Near #2
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Genre: Dystopian Romantic Suspense

Their secrets protect them... but secrets are hard to keep.

No one in the army can find out that Captain Jesse Christensen has become a believer. He and bookstore owner Meryn O’Reilly are forced to meet in secret, facing imprisonment—or worse—if they are found together.

As their relationship deepens, so does Lieutenant Gallagher’s hatred for the Christians in their city, putting all believers, especially Jesse, in extreme danger.

Meryn wants to give her heart to Jesse fully, but her past holds her back. Although circumstances conspire to keep her silent, she needs to tell him her secret so nothing will stand between them anymore.

But when he finds out what she has been keeping from him, nothing will ever be the same.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub


Also Available


About the Author

Sara Davison

Sara Davison is the author of five romantic suspense series as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara at saradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

My Thoughts

The Darkness Deepens is book two in the Day Draws Near series that is written by Sara Davison. I have read book one, and would recommend you read them in order. This is an end of times book. This is not my usual genre. However, I really like the way that the author has written what the future might look like. You will be drawn into the story right away. This book is set in the 2050's.

Captain Jesse Christensen is a Christian. Unfortunately he cannot live his faith out loud. He has to keep it hidden. Lieutenant Gallagher’s hatred for the Christians in their city. As Gallagher’s power grows, it becomes clear that his connections go much further up the chain of command than anyone realized, putting all believers, especially Jesse, in extreme danger.  

Meryn O’Reilly is the love of Jesse's life. Because she has been tagged as a believer, they have to meet in secret. Meryn wants to surrender her heart to Jesse, but there are some things that are holding her back. She also has to follow certain rules to try and stay in line. Jesse, being in the military has to enforce rules against Christians. 

This book drew me in within the first few pages. The book is well written, the characters are well developed. Thank you to the author, publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 



Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a paperback copy of The Darkness Deepens plus a $25 Amazon gift card!

The Darkness Deepens JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 18, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 25, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours


Monday, November 18, 2024

My Thoughts - Search and Detect written by Terri Reed

 



Search and Detect By:  Terri Reed

A bomber with a deadly agenda…and a K-9 team determined to catch him.

When single mother Zoe Jenkins and her baby are caught in an explosion that destroys her home, she’s saved by FBI special agent Chase Rawlston and his K-9, Dash. But who set the bomb? Fearing that the notorious Rocky Mountain Killer he’s been investigating has the mother and daughter in his sights, Chase takes them under his protection. But can he uncover the killer’s identity before more innocent lives are caught in the crossfire?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


































Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 10 Romance Mass Market Paperback and Publishers Weekly top 10 Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 50, Amazon #1 Bestseller, featured in USA Today and a Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com. Her 2016 novel, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, was adapted into the Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas. 
She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband and when not writing, she enjoys agility with her Australian shepherd. 
For updates about Terri and her books sign up for her newsletter https://bit.ly/3Ihz48q




MY THOUGHTS

Search and Detect is a Love Inspired Suspense that is written by Terri Reed. This is book 8 in the Mountain Country K9 series. I have not read the whole series, and I did not have any issues  following along. I have read a lot of this author's work. One thing is guaranteed you will be drawn in within the first few pages. 

Zoe is a single mother. One day her home explodes and she finds herself  being saved by FBI special agent Chase Rawlston and his K-9, Dash.  Zoe is a strong character. She is a single mom who wants to fiercely protect her child. Chase has had a lot of hurt in his past, including the loss of a child. Chase is worried that Zoe has somehow found himself in the crosshairs of the Rocky Mountain Killer. Her sister was a victim in the past. 

The book moves along at adrenaline pounding pace. The author has done a great job in filling in back stories of the characters. The Characters are well developed. She also does a great job at leaving you on the edge of your seat.  I had to sit and read this in one sitting. 

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

My Thoughts - CALL ME CARMELA by Ellen Kirschman

 

Call Me Carmela by Ellen Kirschman

CALL ME CARMELA

by Ellen Kirschman



November 11 - December 6, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

A Dot Meyerhoff Mystery

 

Police therapist Dot Meyerhoff helps a young woman find her birth parents and unburies dark family secrets in this psychological thriller.

Police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff’s caseload is usually filled with cops—which is why she’s hesitant to help an adopted teenager locate her birth parents. But the teen’s godmother is Dot’s dear friend Fran and a police widow to boot. How could Dot possibly say no?

Once Dot starts digging into the case, though, she’s drawn into a murky world of illegal adoptions and the choices a young pregnant woman might make as a last resort. Soon there’s only one thing Dot knows for sure: the painful truth of what happened all those years ago might heal one family—but it’s certain to destroy another.

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological/Domestic Suspense
Published by: Open Road Media
Publication Date: November 26, 2024
Number of Pages: 292
ISBN: 9781504095754 (ISBN10: 1504095758)
Series: A Dot Meyerhoff Mystery, #5
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Open Road Media


Author Bio:

Ellen Kirschman

Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. is a police psychologist. and clinician at the First Responders Support Network. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, The American Psychological Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Public Safety Writers Association. She is the recipient of the California Psychological Association’s award for distinguished contribution to psychology as well as the American Psychological Association’s award for outstanding contribution to the practice of police and public safety psychology. Ellen brings her expertise and decades-long experience to both fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of three non-fiction books and a five-book mystery series featuring police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff.

Catch Up With Ellen Kirschman:
EllenKirschman.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @EllenKirschman
Instagram - @ellen.kirschman.copdoc
Facebook - @ellen.kirschman

 

MY THOUGHTS


Call Me Carmela is written by Ellen Kirschman. This is book five in The Dot Meyerhoff  Mystery series. I have not read the other books - and I did not have any issues following along. I found myself instantly drawn into the story. I wish that I could sit down and chat with Dot, I bet that she would have some amazing stories. 

Dot is a police psychologist. She stops into her favorite cafe and Fran, the former owner, who still has her hands in the business asks Dot to talk to her Goddaughter, Ava. Ava has run away and has been fighting with her parents. Ava is adopted and has been on a quest to find her birth mother. Her adoptive parents are not crazy about this. Her adoptive father, a former cop runs his household as if he was still not he job. Dot is not crazy about this, her clients are usually police. However, an end result from a former client has changed her perspective a bit.

Dot starts to dig into Ava's case. What she finds out is that there has been a lot of shady dealings attached to it. Secrets that have been buried for so long threaten to rise to the surface. She comes across a lot of illegal adoptions. 

This book is written in first person. I felt like Dot was in my head telling me her story. The author has written an engaging story to where you will want to know what happens next. While this is part of a series, this book can be read as a stand a lone since the author does a great job in providing important information. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Partners in Crime Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book, all thoughts are my own. 



Tour Participants:

These are the stops on the tour as of October 24th and are subject to change. Please, let me know if you have any questions.

11/12 Guatemala Paula Loves to Read CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/13 Books R Us CALL ME CARMELA Guest post
11/13 Novels Alive CALL ME CARMELA Review
11/14 Because I said so CALL ME CARMELA Review
11/14 Books, Ramblings, and Tea CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/15 Country Mamas With Kids CALL ME CARMELA Review
11/16 Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin CALL ME CARMELA Review
11/17 tea. and. titles CALL ME CARMELA Review
11/18 Literary Gold CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/18 Silvers Reviews CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/19 Book Reviews From an Avid Reader CALL ME CARMELA Review
11/19 Celticladys Reviews CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/20 Jodys Bookish Haven CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/25 Ink. Readsalot CALL ME CARMELA Review
11/26 Book Corner News & Reviews CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/26 The Mystery of Writing CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
11/27 411 ON BOOKS, AUTHORS, AND PUBLISHING NEWS CALL ME CARMELA Showcase
12/03 5 Minutes for Books CALL ME CARMELA Review
12/06 Catreader18 CALL ME CARMELA Review
 



Giveaway:

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Ellen Kirschman. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

The giveaway is for:    2  - $25 Bookshop.org Gift Cards


https://kingsumo.com/g/1x92wy1/call-me-carmela-by-ellen-kirschman