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Friday, April 24, 2020

Book Review and Giveaway -- Amish Country Murder - By Mary Alford --- On tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book:  Amish Country Murder
Author: Mary Alford
Genre:  Amish Suspense
Release Date: March 1, 2020
An Amish woman targeted by a serial killer
Is the only living witness…
As the sole woman to escape the Dead of Night Killer, Catherine Fisher’s the key to catching him—if he doesn’t kill her first. Now it’s up to FBI agent Sutter Brenneman to protect her. But with her memory missing and all clues indicating the serial killer took her for very personal reasons, it’ll take everything Sutter has to keep her safe.


Click here for your copy!


About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the unexpected. Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly bestselling list, and have finaled in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence in mystery, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.
As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook, can’t face the day without coffee, and her three granddaughters are the apple of her eye. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.
Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.


More from Mary


Thank you for coming with me on this journey to the mountains of Montana, where the Amish Community of West Kootenai is nestled in the wide-open spaces of Big Sky Country, and a simple Amish way of life can be anything but. Especially when a serial killer is lurking nearby, waiting to take his next victim, and the clock is ticking.
Amish Country Murder is my second book set in the Amish Community of West Kootenai, Montana. My first book, Amish Country Kidnapping is available now at most book retailers.
As a reader, one of my favorite genres is Amish Suspense. There’s just something about a story that pits the simple and innocent Amish lifestyle with the dark and sometimes deadly world of a suspense. Good versus evil, so to speak.
When Catherine Fisher escapes the clutches of a serial killer, she can’t remember as single thing about her past before the monster took her.
FBI agent Sutter Brenneman has been working the Dead of Night Serial Killer case for a while. Catherine is his first living victim. Protecting Catherine and finding the killer before he strikes again is critical. Hiding out in Amish Country, Sutter is surrounded my memories of his own Amish past, rekindling old longings for the life lost to him. Is it possible to have it back? In the middle of a killer stalking their every move, Catherine and Sutter share many tender moments as their feelings for each other grow into love.
One of the things I love most about the Amish is their amazingly simple recipes that remind me of my childhood and the meals my mother used to prepare.
During one meal shared with an Amish couple, Catherine and Sutter enjoy sweet potato croquettes with meat loaf. Sweet potato croquettes are a simple side dish that is delicious and easy to prepare. I thought I’d share this recipe with you here.
AMISH SWEET POTATO CROQUETTES
  • 1 pt. of mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 tblsp. butter
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tblsp. sugar
  • 1 egg white
  • breadcrumbs
  • marshmallows (optional)
Mash sweet potatoes very fine.  Add salt, sugar and melted butter to mashed sweet potatoes. Shape sweet potatoes into croquette rolls or patties.  Cool them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Remove from refrigerator and roll in breadcrumbs.  Dip them in the slightly beaten egg white, and then into the crumbs again. Bake in a shallow, greased baking dish for 20 minutes, at a temperature of 400 degrees F.  For an even sweeter version of this dish, you can place a marshmallow in the center of each (make sure it is covered completely by the potato mixture).
I so hope you enjoy this recipe and Amish Country Murder. And stay tuned for my next Amish Suspense set in West Kootenai, coming in November of this year.

My Thoughts

Oh. My. Gravy. This books opens with a bang (literally) and does not stop. I have read several books by this author, and I think this may be one of my favorites. Catherine is kidnapped - she has no idea where she is - or WHO she is. Sutter is the agent assigned to keep her safe. However, her kidnapper will not stop until she is dead. This book takes you on twists and turns - and the killer does not let up.  She is the only living witness to have gotten away from him. Sutter and Catherine will go on an adventure - trying to blend in with an Amish family - and slowly Catherine starts to remember who she is - but can she remember who attacked her? 

This book is so action packed - and did not stop. I started this book on a Saturday afternoon - and finished it by the evening. I could not put it down. Catherine is so sweet - and your heart goes out to her. Sutter is (as I pictured) the kind of agent you crush on - but he realizes that he is crushing on the one he is trying to protect. These characters are so well written - you feel their flaws, you feel their pain. You're heart goes out to them - since they can't catch a break. This book had me guessing until the end - I had my suspicions and a few suspects - so it was fun to try and eliminate them. 

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Batya’s Bits, April 14
Genesis 5020, April 14
The Avid Reader, April 15
Betti Mace, April 16
Older & Smarter?, April 21
Artistic Nobody, April 23 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Pause for Tales, April 23
Hallie Reads, April 24
Emily Yager, April 25
SPLASHES of Joy, April 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of a Lavender Spa 10-piece Gift Basket with Tote, and a print copy of Amish Country Murder!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Blog Blitz: When Valleys Bloom Again -- By: Pat Jeanne Davis On Tour with JustRead

When Valleys Bloom Again JustRead Blog Blitz 
Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for When Valleys Bloom Again by Pat Jeanne Davis, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Valleys Bloom by Pat Jeanne Davis Title: When Valleys Bloom Again
Author: Pat Jeanne Davis
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing
Release Date: January 16, 2019
Genre: Historical Romance

As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Then Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage? Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat Jeanne Davis

Pat Jeanne Davis has a keen interest in 20th Century United States and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Her longtime interest in that era goes back to the real-life stories she heard about family members who served during the war. When Valleys Bloom Again is a debut inspirational romance set in WWII. She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and traveling with her British-born husband.  She writes from her home n Philadelphia, Pa. Pat has published essays, short stories and articles online and in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.  She loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at https://www.patjeannedavis.com

CONNECT WITH PAT: Website | Facebook | Instagram  


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

When Valleys Bloom Again JustRead Giveaway

Giveaway will begin at midnight April 13, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 20, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


 
Visit JustRead Tours for bonus giveaway entries!
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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Friday, April 10, 2020

Book Review: A Blueberry Day -- By Etaine Raphael #MascotBooks


ABOUT THE BOOK

Overview


These days remind me endlessly
It’s the simple things that matter:
Hugs, nature, cups of tea,
Art and pancake batter!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Etaine Raphael
Etaine was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and their two daughters. Etaine is currently working on her second book - a bedtime story about a mythical land in old Irish folklore. Her daughters are fully involved participants in both the writing and illustration processes, and this creative time together is something Etaine has come to cherish deeply.


MY THOUGHTS
We have been doing a lot of reading the last few weeks - which is NOT a bad thing. My 8 and 6 year old boys love to read, and be read to. This is a beautifully illustrated and written children's book. My boys pointed out that all days lately have been blueberry days. They have been enjoying sleeping in a little longer, not being confined to a classroom and being able to travel to the kitchen for a snack. (Mom's grocery budget, not so much) 
The book is well written, and has beautiful pictures. My 6 year old was thrilled that he could read it all by himself. My 8 year old loved the fun facts in the back. His favorite was: Ants don't have ears - They "hear" by feeling vibrations. He went outside to check this out. 

Thank you to the author and Mascot Books for allowing me to read this story -- all thoughts are my own. 

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Book Review: Cone Cat By: Sarah Howden


About the Book

One day, Jeremy wakes up at the vet’s with a giant cone around his head. In a momentary existential crisis, he resigns himself to his new role as clumsy, smelly Cone Cat. That is, until the cone becomes instrumental in lapping up the last few bites of cereal on the breakfast table.

Surprisingly, Cone Cat can do a lot of things old Jeremy couldn’t. He can hunt spiders with ease, collect stuffing from the couch, and disguise himself as a bowl to steal a scoop of ice cream at a birthday party. When the cone is removed the next day, Jeremy starts to miss it. Will he ever get another chance to indulge in the tricks he pulled off as Cone Cat? It doesn’t take him too long to find out …

With lively illustrations and plenty of wit, this hilarious picture book about adapting to seemingly im-paw-ssible situations is sure to please kids and cat-lovers alike.

My Thoughts

This is a cute picture book that my boys (8 and 6) enjoyed. The cone of shame - as we have always called it when one of our pets have had to use it. The illustrations are beautifully done. Cone Cat is not happy that he can not do the things that he was used to. He learns to adapt. He temporarily enjoys it. The illustrations are beautifully done. I love the underlying lesson - it's so comforting given the current COVID pandemic. The lesson is - sometimes you have to find the positive in a negative situation. 

We enjoyed this book. 

We received a copy of this book through Netgalley - all thoughts are my own.



PREORDER: HERE