Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden -- Blog Tour

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: September 27th, 2016

ISBN13: 9781629722191

Paperback: 336 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

He's the most fearsome sheriff in the West. A force to be reckoned with. The stuff of legend.

So is she. . . . May the best sheriff win.

Paisley Bell knows the eccentric people of Savage Wells. From the absentminded shopkeeper who always thinks she's been robbed to the young man who has returned shell-shocked from the war, Paisley has compassion for them all. When the sheriff up and leaves town, Paisley steps up and assumes the responsibility, partly because she loves the work, but also because she needs the income to take care of her sick father. So when the town council decides that the position of sheriff should really go to a man, Paisley finds herself fighting to prove that she's the perfect candidate for the job, even though she wears a skirt.

Cade O'Brien is heartily sick of shooting people. In his many years as a lawman, Cade has seen his share of blood and violence. So when he answers an advertisement for a sheriff job in the sleepy town of Savage Wells, he believes he's found the peace and quiet he's always desired. But when he discovers that his biggest competition for the job is a woman, he begins to question his decisions.

Tension between the two begins to sizzle when both Cade and Paisley realize the attraction they have for each other, but when Paisley's former beau shows up in town, along with a band of bank robbers, the blossoming relationship between the two sheriffs is tested. They will have to work together to thwart the bank robbers and keep the town safe.
 

My Review

I have a new favorite Sarah Eden book.  There are so many things I loved about this book.  First off, the cover is eye-catching, as well as the title.  I know the "Savage" and "Wells" that the book is named for and they are incredible men.  Next it was the characters.  As soon as Cade strolled into town, I knew I would love him.  He has a presence that is immediately noticed.  I instantly loved Paisley as well.  She is an amazing character with spunk, knowledge, and compassion.  She was surrounded by a lot of sadness and handled it well.  I thoroughly enjoyed Cade and Paisley's banter.  Sarah wrote it perfectly.  It was so fun to read the back and forth between the two characters.  I also loved how the whole "choosing of the sheriffs went", it was a great way to keep the pace and throughout the book there were so many enjoyable plot twists and surprises that kept the pages turning fast.  I loved the supporting characters, too. My favorite was Andrew and Cade and Paisley's relationship with him.  Paisley taught Cade the ways of the Savage Wells and people in it and I appreciate her kindness and patience.  I loved how the plot switched to something else that I wasn't expecting.  The ending was perfect and it was what the characters deserved.

5 out of 5 stars. Well done, Sarah!

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Facebook 

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book 


Saturday, September 24, 2016

Mysteries of Cove: Gears of Revolution by J. Scott Savage -- Blog Tour

Mysteries of Cove: Gears of Revolution

Author: J. Scott Savage

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: September 20th, 2016

ISBN13: 978162972228

Hardcover: 352 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

After finding a compass and clues left by Kallista’s father, Leo Babbage, Trenton and Kallista head west aboard their homemade mechanical dragon to search for the missing inventor. The two teenagers hope to find answers about their mountain city of Cove, but instead, they find only a blackened forest, ruined buildings, and a small underground city.

Almost immediately, Trenton and Kallista are caught up in a civil war between a clan of scavengers called Whipjacks and the Order of the Beast, people who believe that dragons are immortal and divine.

Stranded in a new city, the two friends meet Plucky, a Whipjack girl with mechanical legs, and Ander, a young member of the Order who claims humans are able to communicate with dragons. Can they trust anyone, or have they unknowingly stepped into a trap?

And high above in the sky, the dragons are gathering . . .
 

My Review

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. A perfectly sequel to MYSTERIES OF COVE, which I also enjoyed. That being said, I feel GEARS, will be appreciated more if the first book is read. 


Jeff is a master. The way he writes his characters and plants the perfect plot seeds along the way is genius. He also does a great job with pacing. There were situations in the book where the characters needed to do something that didn't need extra details, and it was left out to keep the pace. I appreciated that immensely. By not adding "unimportant" details, I wanted to keep reading and reading. Well done, Jeff. 


There are so many enjoyable twists and turns, with every turn of the page there was a challenge or a revelation that was mind-blowingly awesome. Things were different this time for Trenton and Kallista in terms of their working relationship and I enjoyed that. 

5 out of 5 stars. Great plot twists and intense scenes with action and surprise. 

Author Links

Amazon Author Page / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book


Tuesday, September 13, 2016

On the Corner of Heartache and Love by Lisa Swinton -- Launch Day

LAUNCH DAY! On the Corner of Heartache & Love is here!

What's it about? Maren's stuck at the intersection of heartache and love, but happily ever after might be just around the corner. 

After three years, Maren Summers is elated to finally have her dream wedding to her dream man, Kevin Bryant. In her sights is the promotion to Weddings she’s worked so hard for at the newspaper. Happily ever after is within her grasp… Until Kevin jilts her at the altar, elopes with another woman, and becomes her boss. Devastated by the twisted turn of events Maren moves in with her best friend and notices the not-so-homeless guy on the corner, Zane Whitfield. As his heart-wrenching tale unfolds—his vow to wait a year on the corner for his lost love—Maren sees his compassionate human-interest story as her ticket away from Kevin, weddings, and her heartache. But as the New Year approaches, is Maren headed for heartache again if Zane's lost love returns or has time changed more than one heart? 

Where can you get it?  Amazon 
  
SALE! All of Lisa Swinton’s previous books are on sale for $0.99! Such a deal! Amazon 
  
About the Author:
Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a doctor’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater and church choir. In her elusive spare time, she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves traveling, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer.
You can visit her at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HXNXDCO
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7796962.Lisa_Swinton 

The Giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Special People Participating in the Media Tour! 

Go check out these amazing authors and readers! 
Anna Del C. Dye     Blog 
Danyelle Ferguson     Website Kim Karras     Blog 
Laurie Lewis     Website & Blog 
Lindzee Armstrong     Facebook 
Lisa Rector     Blog 
Mindy Holt     Blog 
Misty Pulsipher     Facebook

Monday, September 12, 2016

The Emerald Key by Mark Frederickson and Melora Pineda -- Book Blast


The Emerald Key by Mark Frederickson & Melora Pineda
Penny and Laci are headed for a mundane summer vacation until a mysterious journal unlocks a portal to another world and they find themselves face to face with a baby dragon. In an attempt to send their new acquisition back to its home, the girls, along with two neighborhood friends, get sucked through to a mythical world. In this land, they must battle foes seen and unseen, pushing them to both their physical and mental limits. If they fail to stop the powers they’ve unleashed, it could not only destroy this strange world, but also annihilate their own.
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Praise for The Emerald Key
“In The Emerald Key, authors Mark Frederickson and Melora Pineda take readers on a fast-paced journey sure to enthrall not only middle-grade readers but their parents, as well. Laci and Penny will appeal to anyone looking for strong, resourceful female characters and the side characters are well-developed and hilarious, too (my favorite might be Buzz!).”
– Author Julie Gardner
“If you like fantasy and want adventure, this book is for you! It is entertaining for adults as well as middle-grade students…Just when you think there’s nothing new anyone could offer in a fantasy, these two authors prove you wrong. They have created a very believable new world fraught with danger and excitement at every turn. I couldn’t put it down.”
– Dani B
“I love the vivid characters and the way you can picture all the action…I would recommend this book for any age and it is a book that grandparents can buy for their grand kids and know that it is an exciting story and a safe read.”
– Amazon Customer
“A real page turner, loved it. This book is funny and an adventure story for both young and old readers. I’m looking forward to the next book!”
– MJP

amazonbarnes and noble
Excerpt:
THE PIRATES
Hallvard was gallantly dueling the taller pirate, while Ethan and Buzz were hitting the short smelly one with a stick and throwing dirt into his face. Ethan hauled off with all his might and swatted the pirate in the head, knocking him down. The rotund pirate tried to get back up and grab his sword, but stumbled and fell just as Buzz hit him in the face with a giant dirt clod. Buzz grabbed the sword, but the weight of it caused him to fall over. Ethan took it away before Buzz hurt himself.
“It’s clear; let’s go,” Penny said to Verge and Laci. As they exited the woodshed, running for the top of the knoll, Penny motioned for Ethan and Buzz to follow. They sprinted up the hill, with the smelly pirate in pursuit.
Join the Blog Tour Coming October 10th!
mark-frederickson-headshotMark Frederickson
Mark was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated UC Santa Barbara with a degree in film and has worked in the film industry for years. He has written several screenplays and had a show optioned by MTV. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Rebecca and his daughter Sara. This is his first novel, and hopefully not his last.

melora-pineda-headshotMelora Pineda
After Melora graduated from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, she worked in the television industry for several years before becoming a library volunteer at her daughters’ school. Her passion for both reading and entertainment inspired her to write. This is her first novel. She currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a pet bunny and a fish. Oh…never mind, the fish died.


Ends 10/3/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Thursday, September 8, 2016

The Protective One by Cami Checketts - Spotlight

The Protective OneA Billionaire Bride Pact Romance is now available. 


Betrayed by an FBI agent while in protective custody, MacKenzie Gunthrie escapes a crime lord and is left hiding from the authorities and her enemies. She finds solace in the peaceful mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado. With help from a longtime girl's camp friend and a new identity, she's starting to feel safe. The only problem is the overconfident and much too good-looking Isaac Turnbow. Protecting identity has become second nature, but Isaac poses a threat to her heart.
Isaac Turnbow has an undeniable need to convince MacKenzie he’s someone she can trust and kiss, but when well-armed men arrive to disturb their budding relationship, he must prove to her and himself that he can protect her.

Find The Protective One - Amazon * Goodreads

To celebrate the release, The Feisty One, will be on sale for only $.99 until September 10th. 
Thank you for all the support!

Excerpt from The Protective One:
The only way she’d be safe to go home again was when she heard that Solomon Squire had been booked into a maximum security prison where he belonged. She sighed, hoping that day would come soon, but forcing herself to acknowledge it might never come.
“You keep pulling that face and it’ll stick that way.” The slow drawl of Haley’s older brother, Isaac, from the open doorway made her stomach smolder, and that ticked her off almost as much as the insult, but at least she didn’t jump in fear at a man’s voice.
“Maybe I like my face this way.” She stood to face him and wished his looks were as off-putting as his sarcastic personality. But no, his face was perfect—olive skin, manly lines, and those green eyes that drew her in. Of course he had to have dark hair with just the right amount of curl and beefy muscles in all the right places.
Isaac reached up and touched the skin next to her mouth. She tingled and tried to back away, but ran into the shelf. His hand dropped to his side.
“You look stressed.”
“Thanks. Such a compliment.”
“I’m sorry.” He shoved a hand through his curls. “Haley would kick me in the pants if she knew you were unhappy. Take a break. I’ll watch the shop for a while.”
MacKenzie’s eyebrows rose. “When did you decide to play nice?”
Isaac scowled. “You still mad at me because I called you one of the gold diggers?”
“Oh, big surprise that I would take offense to that.” They’d met for the second time in over ten years when Haley had brought MacKenzie into the store to train her. The only downside of this escape plan was she’d been so excited to see Isaac again. He was her first—not to mention most amazing—kiss at the very mature age of fourteen. He hadn’t remembered her or the kiss and that alone had about taken her under. His first line to her was, “Oh, another one of Haley’s gold digger friends looking for a billionaire.” What a jerk. A heartbreaking, much-too-good-looking jerk.
“Hey, I’m sorry, all right?” He glanced at the display over her shoulder. “Don’t get all offended.”
“Don’t get all offended?” MacKenzie pushed around him, but unfortunately brushed against his muscular arm. She felt the connection all the way down to her toes and it frustrated her even more.

Always You by Ruth Roberts -- Spotlight/Giveaway

Alway YouAlways You by Ruth Roberts
After tragedy strikes, Diana Mathison finds herself back in her home town of Magnolia Falls, sharing custody of her baby sister with her step sister. Reeling from the death of their parents, the three sisters have to learn how to lean on each other and live life without their two pillars of strength. Diana is full of doubts in her ability to raise a little girl and run her father’s law firm. The last thing she needs is to have Zack Connelly back in her life. The last time she let him in she ended up hurt and broken hearted.
Zack has given up on true love. It’s not for him and it’s certainly not with Diana Mathison. He came back to Magnolia Falls to heal after losing his sweet wife and their unborn child at the hands of a drunk driver. Hannah never had a chance at the love and happiness she deserved, therefore neither should he. His life plan is to take care of his sister and niece for as long as they need him, and to be the best veterinarian the town has ever had. That’s enough for him…or is it?
amazon
Excerpt:

He handed her a glass of red wine then busied himself at the stove with dinner. Diana watched him as she slowly sipped the wine. She enjoyed watching the muscles on his back stretch the fabric of his shirt when he bent over. A perusal of the view further down was even better.
He closed the oven, turned, and looked at her. A smile played on his lips as he slowly walked to her. He had caught her staring at his very sexy backside. “Miss Mathison, I do believe you were checking me out,” he said.
She held his piercing gaze. “And what if I was?”
He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. “I have absolutely no objections. However, I’d say that entitles me to at least a kiss.”
“That sounds like a fair trade.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned down and captured her lips in a slow, teasing kiss meant to set her on fire. She was certain that was his goal because she felt herself being slowly consumed by heat only Zack could evoke in her. If he could do this to her with a kiss, she was afraid of what would happen if he made love to her. She’d probably go up in flames leaving a pile of ashes in his bed. That thought made her smile, almost making her laugh.
“Do you find my kisses laughable?” He asked.
“Not even remotely,” she said.
“Dare I ask why you were smiling when I was kissing you?”
She shook her head. “Believe me, you don’t want to know—well, maybe you would. But I’m not telling.”
“Ah, so it was something good. A fantasy that included me perhaps?”
Just then the timer on the oven began beeping. “Saved by the bell,” she said, lifting her glass of wine to her lips.
He shut off the timer and pulled dinner out of the oven and set it on the counter. “You aren’t getting off that easy. I’ll find out. Question is, should I use bribery or coercion?” He asked.
“Go for bribery,” she replied, outrageously.
“In that case—” He lifted a small bite of filet mignon to her lips with his fingers. She took the bite he offered, it tasted better than anything she ever had, possibly because it also had a taste of Zack.
“That is delicious. Anymore of that and you’ll soon have me revealing all my thoughts to you.”
“I want to know your thoughts, especially if they include me. I want to know what’s in your heart, particularly if there is a place for me. Because my thoughts and my heart are filled with you. Only you. Always you.”

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Always You
Ruth RobertsAuthor Ruth Roberts
Romance novelist Ruth Roberts lives in the Big D, where city life abounds but the wide open spaces Texas is famous for are within easy reach. Her books transport readers to the glittering life of high-society, while making the characters normal, fun people we would all like to have as friends. She loves reading, writing and Gilmore Girls. She and her teenage daughter call themselves the real life Gilmore Girls. Her very own romantic hero of twenty years is her greatest inspiration and support.

$25 Blog Tour giveaway
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 9/30/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Wednesday, September 7, 2016

A Place for Miss Snow by Jennifer Moore -- Blog Tour

A Place for Miss Snow

Author: Jennifer Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: September 2016

ISBN13: 9781524400361

Paperback: 224 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Miss Diana Snow is everything a British chaperone should be—she finds satisfaction in order and depends wholly upon the rules of decorum as she negotiates the isle of Greece with her young charge. But Miss Snow's prim and proper exterior masks a disquieting past: orphaned and alone in the world, she has only her stiff upper lip to rely on. When a brief encounter with a handsome stranger challenges her rules of propriety, Diana is unwittingly drawn into an adventure that will turn her ordered world upside down.

Alexandros Metaxas is a Greek spy working to recruit individuals to the cause of revolution. His mission seems to be going perfectly until he encounters Diana Snow, a captivating—if slightly cold—beauty. When their paths cross again, the ill-fated reunion threatens all Alex has been fighting for. But more importantly, it places Diana's life in jeopardy. There is only one way to save her: they must put themselves at the mercy of the most powerful pirate family in the Mediterranean. Soon, Diana is plunged into a fantastic world of gypsy curses, blood feuds, and unexpected romance. But when a bitter vendetta places her in mortal danger, will she have the courage to fight for life and love?

My Review

A PLACE FOR MISS SNOW is a sweet story with great characters, and a beautiful setting.  I thought Jennifer did a great job in capturing the time period and events.  Diana was fascinating, at times too stubborn, but after finding out why, it was understandable.  Alex also had a tragic back story, but I loved his "cause" and what a great character he was.  Determined, yet playful.   The supporting characters were wonderfully written too.  I loved Elena, Sophia, and the pirates.  There are many scenes that stood out to me as "favorites" but I especially loved Alex's haircut and Diana's preparations for a town wedding, it was nice having her see herself (and things) in a positive way.  I loved how Diana found a happy life in the small simple town and how it changed her for the better.  Jennifer's author note at the end was great too.  I love to see an author invested in their books and research.  One thing I would have appreciated was a pronunciation guide as some of the Greek words were, to me, a little trickier to read.  That being said, Diana really grew a during the course of the book and I loved how she triumphed at the end. 

5 out of 5 stars.  I will read any book from this talented author. 

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter 

Purchase Links

AmazonDeseret Book 




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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Slave Queen by H. B. Moore -- Book Blast

Slave Queen
Slave Queen by H. B. Moore
Special Agent Omar Zagouri’s latest case is his most dangerous—and his most personal yet. The discovery of secret sixteenth-century letters unveils a plot between the sultan Suleyman and his chief wife, Roxelane, to change the course of the Ottoman Empire. A descendent of Roxelane, Zagouri learns he has an enemy whose revenge has been centuries in the making.
Targeted by an antiquities collector who’s also descended from a chief rival for the ancient throne, Zagouri soon uncovers a modern-day conspiracy that threatens the lives of his family and the security of a nation.
To expose the plot, Zagouri must team up with Naim, the son of his nemesis, who heads an international black-market operation that may have ties to the killings. From ancient Constantinople to the present-day Middle East, Zagouri is on a collision course with history. Time is running out to solve a royal mystery and stop a ruthless killer—one who has Zagouri’s name on his hit list.
Excerpt
Chapter One
Al Karak, Jordan
Rashed Sayid picked up his cell phone and selected his most trustworthy contact. The phone call would take only moments, but the result would teach the entire Sayid tribe what honor meant. He shut his third-floor office window, blocking out the rising heat of the Jordanian desert’s summer morning. He and his only brother owned the bank in the city of Al Karak, having started the bank three decades before, and now they were among the wealthiest in town.
“Yes?” Yamil answered.
“We have proof,” Rashed said into the phone.
“Four male witnesses?” Yamil asked.
Rashed blew out a breath. Yamil was a stickler for rules. An execution couldn’t be ordered unless there were four respected male witnesses to the crime. There were actually no witnesses, but Rashed knew his daughter was guilty. He had plenty of video footage of her leaving her university apartment more than once after midnight, and he also had other, less legal evidence. There was only one reason for his daughter’s midnight forays. Worst case scenario, Aamira was no longer a virgin. Next case scenario, she’d been tainted in some way by having a relationship with a man other than her fiancé. Rashed was still working on trying to find out whom she was meeting. But it was time to put the execution order into motion.
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Praise for Slave Queen
“Moore does an excellent job of setting the scene of international intrigue, and although this novel is part of a series, it also works well as a stand-alone. The story jumps back and forth between the present and the past as Moore tells the story of Roxelane’s capture by the Turkish army and her subsequent love affair with Suleiman. Roxelane is an excellent, strong female character, and Moore brings some obscure players from the Ottoman Empire vividly to life. She even quotes from Suleiman’s actual poetry . . . to conjure a complex portrait of this larger-than-life figure. A satisfying historical thriller.” –Kirkus Reviews
“From sultans and hierarchies that separate men and women from Poland to Constantinople and beyond to new lives in great cities where mosques and sultans rule, these vivid past and present scenarios contribute to a story fueled by cultural revelations and the long-standing threat a series of letters reveals. The result is a fast-paced, complex, and absorbing adventure saga that crosses time and place to give Omar, Mia (and readers) a run for their money. Warning: once begun, it’s nearly impossible to put down the full-flavored, multi-faceted Slave Queen, which reveals many insights about the Ottoman Empire, Süleyman the Magnificent, and the slave girl foreigner who turned out to be his favorite wife.” –D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
HB MooreAuthor H. B. Moore
H. B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen historical novels and thrillers, written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women’s fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah.