My Thoughts - Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl

 

About the Book

Genre: Suspense
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: January 2024
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-0764240461 (ISBN10: 0764240463)
Series: Ryland & St. Clair, 2
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Baker Book House

Twenty years ago, several people were murdered in Des Moines, and the only evidence left behind was a snowman ornament hanging ominously on a tree in the victims' front lawns. With a suspect behind bars, the killings have come to an end--or so everyone thought. But now crimes with a similar MO are happening in a small Iowa town, and a local detective believes the killer is back and ready to strike again.

With little time left on the clock before they have another murder on their hands, private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair must work alongside Tony's detective father to find evidence that will uncover an evil that has survived far too long. As the danger mounts and the suspect closes in, it will take all they have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.

About the Author

Nancy Mehl is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.

Catch Up With Nancy Mehl:
NancyMehl.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @NancyMehl
Twitter/X - @NancyMehl1
Facebook - @nancy.mehl

 

My Thoughts

Cold Threat is written by one of my favorite Christian Suspense Authors, Nancy Mehl. This is book two in the Ryland and St. Clair series. I have read both books - but they can be read as stand alones. The author has a way of drawing you in within the first few pages and not letting you go.

River Ryland has moved to St. Louis for a fresh Start. River had a bad outcome on a case and did not go back to being a behavioral analyst. However, her former FBI partner  Tony St. Clair invites River to start a detective/private investigator agency. Tony's dad,  Head Detective Ray St. Clair is about to retire - and there are some cases he wants to see closed. One in particular is a case where someone was convicted for murders n Des Moines. The only evidence that was left at the scene was a snowman ornament hanging ominously on a tree in the victims' front lawns. There seems to be a copy cat or the real killer is still out there. 

Tony and River are well written characters. I liked seeing their interactions and chemistry. The storyline is engaging. The author does a wonderful job at keeping readers on their toes. I always try and read anything this author releases. 

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. 

My Thoughts - Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase written by Dave Tabler

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 110 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
Formats Available for Review: print (softback) (USA), ebook (EPUB, PDF, NETGALLEY download)
Tour dates: Jan 8 to Jan 26, 2024
Content Rating: G. Suitable for all audiences.

Tour dates: Jan 8 to Jan 26, 2024
Content Rating: G. Suitable for all audiences.

"Delaware from Railroads to Freeways by Dave Tabler is a visually stunning book that takes readers on a captivating journey through Delaware's 19th-century history. With engaging narrative and stunning graphics that seem to leap off the page, this book provides an immersive and enthralling reading experience as Tabler chronicles the rich history of Delaware. This is his second installment of a three-part series on the history of Delaware – the First State.... For Delaware natives and enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best-illustrated background books of Delaware's 19th-century history as you can find about the First State. It is truly a captivating book." -- AuthorsReading

"Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a fascinating history text covering important sites and artifacts from the first state. The book includes a wealth of historical and social insights into the production techniques and ultimate significance behind the early Delaware artifacts and events it covers. It makes note of the geographical importance of certain buildings and landscapes as well. Detailed images appear on each page of the book alongside brief, evocative descriptions of their meaning and significance. The result is an involving pictorial history of the evolution of Delaware, complemented by distinguishing coverage of the development of the state’s transportation infrastructure." -- Foreword Reviews

​"Tabler’s second entry in a trilogy covering the history of Delaware rides the rails into the First State’s storied past, covering the tumultuous yet prosperous 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, that era of iron, steam, Civil War, suffragettes, technical marvels, and surprises both fun—like the history of scrapple, or the suspender-and-pants rig known as a “breeches buoy” used to rescue mariners—to the morbid, like public whipping posts or the jolting tale of a child’s corpse being sent through the mail. The stories of trends, people, and material goods that Tabler highlights, in short and inviting bursts of text, are interesting and well buttressed by the copious illustrations." -- Booklife

"The contents are entertaining and varied, offering glimpses of little-known aspects of American history, from Colonial-era enmity between Whigs and Tories to inventions such as the Manby mortar, a cannon-like device used in rescuing people from sinking ships, to a bartending goose." -- Kirkus Reviews
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the second book in a series that began with Delaware Before the Railroads and whose planned conclusion is Delaware from Freeways to e-Ways. In his preface, author Dave Tabler touts the advent of the railroad, saying that it “ushered in a prosperous era for the First State” due to Delaware’s “strategic location” on the Delaware Bay. The book is mostly photographs, all of which are vibrant and compelling and include objects that would not be present in most histories of the state, such as John Jones’s adjustable peach sorter: an 1874 invention that revolutionized peach sorting. Or the crawlspace in the home of Quaker couple Daniel and Mary Corbit, in which they hid a fugitive slave in 1845. Tabler’s captions are bite-sized yet satisfying, offering readers a plethora of history without making them feel overworked. ...More a coffee-table book than a proper history, Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a worthy read for any devotee of Delaware’s past." -- Indie Reader
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways offers readers a captivating journey through Delaware’s lesser-known history. It is an excellent choice for those who relish reading about unusual facts and harbor a passion for history, even if it occasionally leans toward trivia. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding Delaware’s rich heritage." -- Literary Titan

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Book Description:

Our tiny state continues to make an oversized impact on today’s America. Explore the mind-blowing facts that give Delaware a unique place in history.

Want to know more about the historical depth of the Diamond State? Curious to learn the surprising background behind cypress shingles, Conestoga wagons, and Patty Cannon? Wondering about the origins of George Washington’s famous cherry tree story? Popular blogger and long-time Delawarean Dave Tabler relishes sharing his love of the past with hundreds of thousands of online readers. And now he’s here to celebrate the many fascinating details that make this small first state a real powerhouse.

Delaware from Railways to Freeways covers eye-opening information about the region and its residents from 1800 to 1907. Laying out a captivating journey through pictures and offering up little-known anecdotes, entertainingly educational stories, and a comprehensive deep dive, Tabler gives insightful commentary on inventions, contributors to society, and transformative technology. History lovers of all ages will immensely enjoy this trove of 19th-century lore.

In Delaware from Railways to Freeways, you’ll discover:

• The illustrator responsible for the modern-day version of Robin Hood
• Which innovative minds were behind Christmas Seals, RCA Victrola, and other cool contraptions
• How roads were built, the iron industry rose up, and breakwaters and ferries expanded
• Fun facts about the state fair, the founding of the A.M.E. Church, and a flying machine
• The Civil War & Reconstruction era, The Gilded Age & Beyond, and much, much more!

Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the perfect combination of coffee table book and reference resource and is the second volume in the Delaware History Overview series. If you like photography from the past, engrossing regional tales, and adaptive teaching tools, then you’ll adore Dave Tabler’s fresh retrospective.

​Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N  ~ BAM
Indiebound ~ BookShop ~ BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler’s father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.'

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics, which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote ‘Deliverance.’

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

GUEST POST 

Q: What would you say is the most common misconception people have about Delaware? What aspects of life, culture, business, or events in Delaware tend to get overlooked or oversimplified?

One common misconception is that Delaware is merely a corporate tax haven with little else to offer. While it's true that Delaware's favorable tax laws and business-friendly court system have made it a popular choice for incorporating businesses, this view overlooks the state's rich cultural and historical significance.

Delaware, the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, boasts a deep historical heritage extending long before its corporate laws. Its small size belies a rich tapestry of early American history, from Swedish, Dutch and English colonial settlements in the 1600s to its crucial role enabling Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad in the 1800s.
Fort Christina marks the location of the first permanent Swedish settlement in the New World, established in 1638. And over in New Castle, that town’s courthouse played a central role in “Separation Day” — Delaware's formal detachment from both Pennsylvania and the British Crown. This action took place on June 15, 1776, 19 days before the famous July 4, 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. Delaware is truly the First State in more ways than one. Too often, these captivating glimpses into colonial and early American history get eclipsed by Delaware’s modern corporate image.

Culturally, Delaware offers a diverse and lively arts, food, and entertainment scene that defies expectations. The popular seaside resort towns of Rehoboth and Bethany offer upscale fine seafood dining, bustling boardwalks, beautiful beaches, and lively LGBTQ nightlife. 

Wilmington's Brandywine Valley charms visitors with world-class art museums, elegant scenic gardens, historical DuPont family estates, and charming Main Street cafés. Between the coastal resorts and Wilmington's culture, the state contains a variety of amenities to tempt tourists.

The annual Dover Days Festival offers a spirited celebration centered on ‘The Green’ peopled with colonial reenactors and children dancing around maypoles.

The Firefly Music Festival, one of the East Coast's largest music events, typically attracts over 100,000 attendees annually. Phish will appear in 2024, with more to come. Both Dover Days and Firefly exemplify Delaware's dynamic, diverse cultural offerings that often go undetected outside the state. 

In terms of business and commerce, while non-Delawareans may associate the state foremost with its robust incorporation industry, we also play a substantial nationwide role in agriculture and farming, specifically broiler chicken production. In 2022, Delaware produced approximately 222.4 million chickens, ranking 13th in the U.S, yet this claim to fame frequently gets overshadowed amid the focus on Delaware’s prominence in corporate finance. The state also has a lively craft beer industry, with over 25 breweries now operating, leveraging Delaware’s historical ties to brewing as the birthplace of iconic Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.

Delaware's natural beauty provides a final dimension that often escapes wider notice. The state's ample parks, wildlife refuges and scenic highways offer outdoor enthusiasts an array of activities from hiking and camping to birdwatching and kayaking. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge provides critical nesting habitat for over 10,000 migrating snow geese and osprey among other species, while also offering nature lovers premier wildlife observation opportunities. Trap Pond State Park encompasses the northernmost stand of bald cypress trees in America and offers visitors a chance to glide through these ancient wetlands by kayak. These represent but a sample of Delaware’s ecological wonderlands that go undetected by many out-of-staters.

Those who buy into the notion that Delaware is no more than a corporate refuge are missing out on discovering its distinctive personality and riches. Peel back the layers of misconception, and Delaware reveals a depth of character and a distinct culture. For such a small wonder, Delaware offers no shortage of enthralling surprises.

My Thoughts - 

I am a huge history nerd. I love to learn things from books. I was so excited to be chosen to read Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase  written by Dave Tabler. This book takes readers on a journey through Delaware's history. The author has done careful research to show what Delaware has done throughout history. 

I think one of the best and favorite things in this book is the use of the quilted patterns to show safe houses for escaped slaves. It's so interesting to me how patterns and such were used to give out a variety of signals. 

I have never been to Delaware, but after reading this book I hope to visit someday and see some of the landmarks. This will be a book I flip through frequently. 

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. 

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Tour Schedule:

Jan 8 - Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Jan 9 – China Sorrows – book review / giveaway
Jan 10 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Jan 10 - From the TBR Pile - book spotlight  guest post / giveaway
Jan 11 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
Jan 12 – The Sexy Nerd Revue – book spotlight / giveaway
Jan 16 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review
Jan 16 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Jan 17– My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 18 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Jan 19 – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review / giveaway
​Jan 22 – Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review / giveaway
Jan 23 – Country Mamas With Kids – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 24 –Because I said so- adventures in parenting – book review / guest post / giveaway
Jan 25 – Liese's Blog – book spotlight
Jan 26 -Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's – book review / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

My Thoughts - Clean Win by Kevin R. Doyle

 

Clean Win

by Kevin R. Doyle

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GENRE: Mystery

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BLURB:

Laura Mosby is like a lot of young women, working in a job she doesn't like, looking for a way out, and doing her best to enjoy her privacy. When she dies a violent death at the hands of an intruder, it's at first brushed off as a standard homicide. But when Lieutenant Santiago, the supervising detective, comes across evidence linking her death to a local politician, he begins to see the faint threads of a much nastier scheme. Desperate to shield his people from potential harm, he turns to Sam Quinton, full-time gym owner and part-time private investigator, to help solve Laura's murder and help the police department evade the wrath of City Hall.

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EXCERPT

He hooked his left leg behind my right, sending me crashing to the cracked linoleum floor. While that was bad for me, it wasn’t too good for him either, seeing as how I managed to keep my grip around him as we went down. I felt a twinge in my back as we hit the ground, then ignored it as I tightened the hug, hearing his ribs start to creak beneath my arms.

His face began to turn a little purple as I squeezed even tighter. He started flipping his head back and forth, probably attempting to get underneath my chin so he could give me a good bonk. Ducking my chin against my breastbone, I squeezed even tighter.

Back in the old days, The Blond Bomber was known for the power of his bearhugs. ‘Course, back then my opponent was going along with me, which made looking like a tough guy a whole lot easier.

Not so easy when the other dude’s actually fighting back.

He began squirming his legs back and forth, and I had the idea he was attempting to get some leverage to give me a good knee in the groin. Not liking that idea so much, and beginning to get a little out of breath and arm weary, I figured the time had come to put him down.

Still under the intruder, I did a quick shift to the right, as I did so flipping my upper body in a way that sent him crashing to the floor, his head banging on the linoleum.

Although the move didn’t knock him out, it rang his bell enough to loosen his grip, giving me the opportunity to scooch back just enough to give me some room to make a move, which I did.

The move being a solid left hook to his chin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

A high-school teacher, former college instructor, and fiction writer, Kevin R. Doyle is the author of numerous short horror stories. He’s also written three crime thrillers, The Group, When You Have to Go There, and And the Devil Walks Away, and one horror novel, The Litter. In the last few years, he’s begun working on the Sam Quinton private eye series, published by Camel Press. The first Quinton book, Squatter’s Rights, was nominated for the 2021 Shamus award for Best First PI Novel.  The second book, Heel Turn, was released in March of 2021, while the third in the series, Double Frame, came out in March of 2022. The fourth Sam Quinton book, Clean Win, will be released in March of 2023.

Web site: kevindoylefiction.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevindoylefiction

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6473241.Kevin_R_Doyle

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Win-Quinton-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0BN6X7WNW/ref=sr_1_1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clean-win-kevin-r-doyle/1142741369

My Thoughts

Clean Win is written by Kevin R. Doyle, This is the first book that I have read by this author. This is book 4 in the Sam Quinton Series. This was a good read. 

Politics are sticky. So when a homicide victim, Laura Mosby is found deceased. At first she is just brushed off as a normal homicide. However, Lieutenant Santiago soon finds evidence that links the death to a politician. Sam Quinton, former wrestler and now a PI is hired to try and see what he can find. 

Sam is quick thinking and will use forceful, dirty tactics if need be. While I have not read the previous books - this book can be read as a stand alone. There are references to other cases, but nothing that will upset/spoil this story. 

I enjoyed the mystery. I was very invested in the solving of Laura's murder. The book is well written. 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

Kevin R. Doyle will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

ENTER: HERE

My Thoughts - Broadcast Blues Author: R.G. Belsky

About the Book

Book: Broadcast Blues

Author: R.G. Belsky 

Release Date: January 2, 2024

New York City has no shortage of crime, making for a busy schedule for TV newswoman Clare Carlson. But not all crimes are created equal, and when an explosive planted in a car detonates and kills a woman, Clare knows it'll be a huge story for her.

But it's not only about the story—Clare also wants justice for the victim, Wendy Kyle. Wendy had sparked controversy as an NYPD officer, ultimately getting kicked off the force after making sexual harassment allegations and getting into a physical altercation with her boss. Then, she started a private investigations business, catering to women who suspected their husbands of cheating. Undoubtedly, Wendy had angered many people with her work, so the list of her suspected murderers is seemingly endless.

Despite the daunting investigation, Clare dives in headfirst. As she digs deeper, she attracts the attention of many rich and powerful people who will stop at nothing to keep her from breaking the truth about the death of Wendy Kyle—and exposing their personal secrets that Wendy took to her grave.

Perfect for fans of Sue Grafton and J. D. Robb

While all of the novels in the Clare Carlson Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:

Yesterday's News
Below the Fold
The Last Scoop
Beyond the Headlines
It's News to Me
Broadcast Blues

About the Author

R.G. Belsky is an author of crime fiction and a journalist in New York City. His new suspense thriller,BROADCAST BLUES, was published by Oceanview in 2024. It is the sixth in a series of books featuring Clare Carlson, a TV journalist in New York City. The first Clare Carlson book, YESTERDAY'S NEWS, was published in 2018; BELOW THE FOLD in 2019; THE LAST SCOOP in 2020; BEYOND THE HEADLINES in 2021; and IT'S NEWS TO ME in 2022, Belsky is also the author of the Gil Malloy series for Atria, about a New York City tabloid newspaper reporter. That series includes THE KENNEDY CONNECTION (2014), SHOOTING FOR THE STARS (2015) and BLONDE ICE (2016). Belsky is a former metropolitan editor of the New York Post, managing editor of the New York Daily News, news editor of Star magazine and - most recently - was a managing editor for digital news at NBC. He is currently a contributing editor to The Big Thrill magazine. He also writes thrillers under the pen name of Dana Perry.

Catch Up With RG Belsky:
www.rgbelsky.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @dickbelsky
Instagram – @dickbelsky
Twitter/X – @DickBel
Facebook – @RGBelsky

Get the book:
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3Qo50iq
Barnes & Noble – https://bit.ly/3Fs4JVo
BookShop.org – https://bit.ly/3rZnLzc
Goodreads – https://bit.ly/3QpB45j
Oceanview Publishing – https://bit.ly/45DepXS

MY THOUGHTS

Broadcast Blues  is written by : R.G. Belsky. This is book 6 in the Clare Carlson Mystery Series. This is the first book that I have read by this author - and I had no issues following along. Clare is a TV news reporter and when Wendy Kyle, a former NYPD police officer turned PI is killed she wants to get justice for her - and she knows it will be a big story, 

Wendy's suspect list is long. She was kicked off the police force for a sexual harassment claim she made and then got into a physical altercation with her boss. She became a private investigator and definitely ruffled a few feathers too. 

The author has crafted a brilliant story of whodunit. I loved Clare and how she wanted to seek justice and get to the bottom of the murder. This book is written by first person narrative - so you really get a feel for Clare and how her brain is working. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story .

The story is well written. The characters well developed. I will be reading more from this author. 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.