Saturday, October 19, 2019

The Last Man at the Inn by R. William Bennett

The Last Man at the Inn

Author: R. William Bennett

Publisher: Ensign Peak

Published: Oct 8th, 2019

ISBN13: 9781629726038

Hardcover: 208 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads summary

Simon considers himself fortunate after securing the final room at the inn in Bethlehem. While eating his supper, he sees a younger man and his pregnant wife denied lodging at the door of the inn. Simon momentarily considers giving up his space, but he is weary from his travels as a spice merchant and turns away from the thought.

Over the ensuing years, Simon traverses the popular trade routes, and each time he passes Bethlehem, he is reminded of that evening and plagued by guilt.

In time, the Savior begins his ministry, and Simon begins the life-changing process of trying to understand and believe the teachings and miracles of this man called Jesus—said to be the promised Messiah.

The Last Man at the Inn is the story of a journey of conversion we all take in one form or another, told through the eyes and heart of a common man. It is written to affirm the believer, to lovingly beckon to the undecided, and to call out to those who may not even know they are looking for something—only that there is a space in their soul that somehow needs to be filled.


My review

Beautiful story, heartfelt, and very moving. One man's journey to find the Savior. I really enjoyed it. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

Purchase links

Amazon Kindle / Amazon hardcover / Deseret Book

Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads / Website


Friday, October 18, 2019

Glass Slippers, Ever After, and Me by Julie Wright -- blog tour review

Glass Slippers, Ever After, and Me

Author: Julie Wright

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Expected publish date: October 21st, 2019

Contemporary romance: 336 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher, all views and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Can the fairy tale bring Charlotte the happiness she’s looking for, or was he always there to begin with?
 
A modern, reimagined Cinderella story.
 
When aspiring author Charlotte Kingsley finally gets published, she thinks all her dreams have come true. But the trouble begins when her publicity firm reinvents her quirky online presence into a perfectly curated dream life. Gone are the days of sweatpant posts and ice cream binges with her best friend, Anders, replaced instead with beautiful clothes, orchestrated selfies, and no boyfriend. Only, that carefully curated fairy tale life is ruining her self-esteem and making her feel like a fraud.

When a bestselling author takes Charlotte under her wing—almost like a fairy godmother—she helps Charlotte see the beautiful person she already is and the worth of being authentic. But is it too late to save her relationship with Anders? The clock is quickly ticking towards midnight, and Charlotte must decide between her fairy tale life and the man she loves, before he's gone forever.


My review

This book is so fun! As are all of Julie's books. Lettie is a doll. She is funny, quirky, and a bit of a drama queen, in a cute way. I laughed out loud many times, especially when she blamed her fairy godmother for things she felt she needed to be doing for her. Very cute and funny. I loved the book Lettie wrote and her persistence in getting published. Everything about this book is fun. The plot is great. I love when authors write books about being an author. The characters are perfect. From Kat, to Anders, to even Lettie's mom. All of them were fantastic. I loved the progression of the book. The author does a great job of passing time, still mentioning important events, but not dwelling on details, that while important, didn't need to be drawn out. This book is written well, is very enjoyable, and I loved the ending so much.

5 out of 5 stars!

Purchase links

Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book

Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads / Website



Saturday, October 12, 2019

The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack -- blog tour

The Candy Cane Caper

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Published: October 1st, 2019

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

ISBN13: 9781629726014

Cozy culinary mystery: 320 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Summary

This Christmas, Sadie Hoffmiller Cunningham is making a list and checking it twice. For the first time since she and Pete married five years ago, their combined families are gathering for the holidays in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a party that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus proud.

She just has to bake the famous Cunningham Candy Cane Cake, make sure the looming snowstorm doesn't derail everyone's travel plans, and oh, yes, solve one teensy-tiny mystery before the big day.

At ninety-four and nearly blind, Mary, Sadie's friend and neighbor, knows this will be her last Christmas. When Sadie learns that someone has stolen antique Christmas ornaments from Mary's tree, she vows to find the thief, no matter what. The ornaments had been appraised at more than $40,000, but they were worth even more to Mary, who had intended to bequeath them to her great-granddaughter, Joy, as a final gift.

With Pete in Arizona wrapping up a case of his own, it's up to Sadie to question the residents of Nicholas House, where Mary lives, and deduce who had the means and the motive to steal heirloom ornaments during what should be the most wonderful time of the year.

When stories of other thefts surface, Sadie feels like she's creating a "naughty" list that could rival Santa's. Identifying the thief, recovering the ornaments, and restoring them to Mary's tree in time will take a Christmas miracle—and maybe a few extra-special cookies.
 

My review

There is something comforting and wonderfully familiar in reading at Sadie novel. It was as if I was coming home to visit and old, dear friend. Everything about Sadie exceeds my love of precision and order. I loved how she was investigating while prepping for the holidays. Sadie is a wonderful multitasker. I read each page carefully, trying to figure out who dunit before Sadie. I love the thoughts in her head, she truly makes me smile. I loved, loved the ending. The Candy Cane Caper will be the perfect book to cure your Sadie craving and to bring the holiday spirit. 

5 out of 5 stars!

Purchase links

Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book 

Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads / Website



Thursday, October 10, 2019

An Oxford Murder by G.G. Vandagriff -- cover reveal/giveaway


I am thrilled to show you this awesome cover!

AN OXFORD MURDER by G.G. Vandagriff
Pre-order is available on Amazon
Release date: November 6th, 2019

GIVEAWAY!
The author is having a drawing for a $30.00 Amazon gift card if you pre-order the book by Sunday!
Take a screen shot of your "thank you" pre-order page and leave on comment the Min Reads and Reviews Facebook post for this giveaway.
You will be entered in the drawing. Winner will be announced Oct. 14. 
Winner will be notified in their comment if they win.



A stylish 1930’s mystery set in Oxford with a love triangle, a murder, and a cast of eccentric suspects. 
Fans of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane will love this tale!
“Vandagriff’s atmospherics are first rate. She amazes me.”—Anna Stone.
After Miss Catherine Tregowyn, poet, and  Dr. Harry Bascombe, her bĂȘte noire, discover a body in the Somerville College chapel, they are declared suspects in a murder inquiry. How can they prove their innocence? The pair decide they must launch their own investigation into the strangling of Oxford don, Agatha Chenowith. But working as a team will not be easy. Their relations are anything but cordial.
It is not long before they uncover motives aplenty. Apparently, Dr. Chenowith was not at all what she seemed. As the surprises about the victim’s secret life multiply, they are awash in a sea of suspects. 
Into this scenario sails the former love of Catherine’s life as he returns from Kenya. Is she going to give Rafe another chance to break her heart? He convinces her to give him a six-month trial, and eager to show his worth, he joins in the investigation. Rafe offers to fly Catherine and Harry in his de Havilland six-seater to the Isle of Man where they must pursue a lead. Inevitably, Rafe and Harry square off in a battle for Catherine’s affections.  
Meanwhile, playing detectives proves to be a dangerous pursuit. Catherine and Harry shortly embroil themselves in a plot much larger than mere murder. No one wants to hear their theory, however. It contains truths too painful to contemplate. And it makes Catherine and Harry’s lives expendable.


Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Smarter Than a Monster by Brandon Mull -- spotlight

Smarter Than A Monster

Author: Brandon Mull

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: October 1st, 2019

Hardcover picture book: 32 pages

ISBN13: 9781629726106

Summary

No monster wants you to read this book. The more you know about monsters, the more you will know how to defeat them.

Little kids have big fears, which they often imagine to be scary creatures, like monsters. But this book helps explain how knowing "Monster Facts" can help kids outwit them.

Want to avoid monsters?

Fact: Monsters love dirt and grime, so when faced with two kids, the monster will choose the dirty one every time.

And if toys and clothes are all over the floor, you may get ambushed by a mess-loving monster.

Survival Tip: Take baths and keep your room clean.

Smarter Than a Monster will arm young readers with practical advice in this innovative and imaginative parenting tool that teaches common sense and positive and healthy habits.

Purchase links

Amazon / Deseret Book

About the Author:
Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his four children and a dog named Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

Author links

Website / Amazon author page / Goodreads

About the Illustrator:
Mike Walton has been a professional illustrator for more than twenty years. He earned his B.A. in Illustration from art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. He’s worked in animation, comic books, web comics, trading cards, and all manner of media throughout his career. Smarter Than a Monster is his debut children’s book. He currently resides in Southern California and considers himself a nerd who loves visiting Disneyland attending the San Diego Comic Con.


Keeping Her Close by Carol Ross - release blitz

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Release Blitz for
Keeping Her Close
By Carol Ross

Keeping Her Close
(Seasons of Alaska #7)
By Carol Ross
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
October 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Hired to protect her

…unable to resist her

The job sounds simple: teach a businessman’s daughter how to stay safe. But former navy SEAL turned bodyguard Kyle Frasier has a personal motive, too. Harper Jansen is his late best friend’s fiancĂ©e. Loyalty demands he protect her, not that Harper looks in need of rescuing. In fact, it’s Kyle who needs help—balancing duty with his desire to build a life with the one woman he shouldn’t want…



Excerpt

“So…” she drawled. “How are we going to do this? Lecture and then lab? Or do you have like a personal security textbook, Stay Safe 101? Just to warn you, I’m awful at pop quizzes. After the first one, I will resent you for the entire semester and not perform to my highest capability.”

Kyle sat back in his seat, seeming to relax a bit as he pondered her tongue-in-cheek questions. And probably her. Had he been nervous that she wouldn’t agree to hire him? That thought was rather endearing. It made him seem both human and normal, and it gave her confidence in her decision.

But only briefly because his expression went stony again. Like granite. Hard, scary granite.

Leaning forward, he placed his forearms on his thighs and tented his fingers. “It’s all lab, Harper. One hundred percent hands-on. And we’re going to start by getting you in shape. Calisthenics for one hour every morning at 4:30 a.m., followed by a five-mile run on the beach.” Tipping his head, he added, “But not your typical run. Every other day, we’ll add an obstacle course to simulate tactical evasion. And three days a week, we’ll have what I like to call target practice.”

What. The. Whatty-what? Harper opened her mouth, shut it and finally managed to stutter, “Um, target what? I don’t know how to… I mean, I don’t—”

He straightened, interrupting her with a stop-sign hand. “Relax, it’s not what you think. You won’t be doing any shooting. I’ll be shooting at you with a paintball gun while you try to dodge it. The less paint on your person, the more lunch you earn. Positive reinforcement can be helpful in specific, isolated training situations.”

Harper knew she was gaping. Was he out of his mind? Had the word normal actually crossed her mind in conjunction with this lunatic? He was as messed up as Owen. More, possibly. She was still trying to decide how to proceed when his face broke into a wide smile, or at least she hoped it was a smile. The whole time he’d been here she’d yet to see it, so she couldn’t be sure. She kept still, waiting, in case she was misinterpreting the gesture. Maybe he was wincing or had something stuck in his teeth.

Finally, he said, “Harper, I’m joking. I do have some basic protocol that we’ll cover. Your dad wants you to become an expert with your security system. But otherwise, we’ll just plan on doing this situationally, taking it one day at a time. Does that work for you?”

Huh. She had not seen that coming. But she also liked it. A grin crept over her, and she laughed. He joined her, and Harper was momentarily mesmerized by the deep, rich sound. The smile that lingered transformed him. Harper met his gaze and warmth spread through her chest, making her head a little light, her thoughts a bit fuzzy. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed like this, felt so at ease.

That thought was sobering in itself, melting her laughter away. Because this situation was anything but easy; she officially had herself a bodyguard.

Other Books in the Series


About the Author


USA Today bestselling author Carol Ross grew up in small town America right between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, in a place where you can go deep sea fishing in the morning and then hit the ski slopes the same afternoon. The daughter of what is now known as free range parents, she developed a love of the outdoors at a very early age. As a writer, Carol loves to breathe the life she has lived into the characters she creates, grateful for the “research material” that every questionable decision, adrenaline-charged misstep, and near-death experience has provided.


Blitz Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card and a copy of Keeping Her Close (ebook if outside the US, signed print if in the US)
- 2 additional winners will receive a copy of Keeping Her Close (ebook if outside the US, signed print if in the US)

Ends October 5, 2019

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