Friday, March 21, 2014

Death by the Book by Julianna Deering -- Grand Finale Post

To post this Grand Finale and add your Social Media to the Rafflecopter, email us at PrismBookTours(at)gmail.com with "Death by the Book GF" in the subject line.

A themed review tour by Prism Book Tours...

It's the Grand Finale for
Death by the Book
by Julianna Deering

Did you learn a little more about Drew Farthering and this suspenseful series? If you missed any of the posts, go back and check them out now! Then go on and enter the giveaway, if you haven't already.


There's murders, controversy and destruction going on in this mind blowing read. Derring will captivate you with each page you turn. "You also wont believe who the real killer is."


“Not much to go on.” Drew stood and picked up the two halves of the bookend, a bust of Shakespeare only recently separated at the neck. “You did say this had been checked for fingerprints?”

“I did not say. But yes, it has. There aren’t any.” Chief Inspector Birdsong pursed his lips under his shaggy mustache. “Weren’t any.”



Pieces of Whimsy - Author Interview

What do you hope readers take with them when they read your books?

My books vary widely from series to series, but I would say throughout them all is the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation, that God is a merciful, loving God who never leaves us and who walks with us through every trial and that it is never, never too late to turn to Him. Even though my Drew Farthering books tend to be lighter, fun reads, there is still that element in them.

JoJo's Corner - Review

"Julianna Deering has done it again!!! Spectacular!!!
I love love love this series and I hope it never ends!!!
Drew is absolutely one of my fave all time amateur sleuths- right up there with Hercule Poirot (not an amateur, I know) and Miss Marple.
Who wouldn’t fall for a man who smelled of fresh linen, new books, tea and honey?!?"

Kelly P's Blog - Excerpt

“I just managed to slip out the back way.” Nick jumped into the car and wiped his sweating face with his handkerchief. “Madeline. She said I had to warn you.”

“What’s happened? Is she all right?”


Crafty Booksheeps - Top Ten Mystery Novels

In choosing my top ten favorite mystery novels, I couldn't possibly go farther than my trio of favorite authors from the Golden Age of Mystery: Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham and Dorothy L. Sayers.

Continue reading to found out what her top picks were...


The chief inspector managed a grim smile. “Ah, Detective Farthering. Good of you to come.”

“Not at all, Inspector. What’s happened?”

“Act Two, it would seem, of our little drama in Winchester last week. I thought perhaps another pair of eyes that saw the aftermath of the Montford murder might help us here.” Birdsong shrugged a little self-consciously. “Saw your car turn into the drive.”


Letters from Annie Douglass Lima - Interview About the Cover

About how much time does it take to design a cover like this?

...Rules of Murder roughly took 50 hours, give or take, for art direction and design—composition, layout , typography. That included research, team discussions, Illustrator reviews, art direction, thumbnail sketches, type development, character development, image and inspiration research, and revisions/finessing to nail down an approved, final look...

Mel's Shelves - Review

"I loved this book! As soon as I started reading it, I knew it would be hard to put down. I enjoyed everything about it: the time period--1930's, the location--London (Farthering St. John), a compelling mystery (hatpin murderer), an obstinate aunt, humor, polite society and a light, clean romance."

Deal Sharing Aunt - Series Inspiration

I am often asked why I started writing my Drew Farthering mysteries. It all came about because I love to read Agatha Christie and Margery Allingham and Dorothy L. Sayers, the queens of the golden age of crime fiction, the 1920s and '30s. Their famous detectives (Poirot, Campion and Wimsey, respectively) are a delight to read. And the BBC has filmed versions of many of their novels which are always a sumptuous treat. After enjoying the genre for so long, I simply had to try my hand at writing it.

The Wonderings of One Person - Drew Description

There was a little spark of mischief in his gray eyes that she had already come to know so well. Surely even Aunt Ruth couldn’t dislike him for long. In the weeks Madeline had been here in Hampshire, she had seen him with the older ladies in the village– well, with all the women to be honest. He didn’t intentionally flirt, not really, but he was never lacking in charm, charm that was all the more attractive for its artlessness, charm that made them girlish and indulgent whenever he was around.

Cherry Mischievous - Excerpt

“Hello there.” 

They both turned at the decidedly American voice, and Madeline’s face was all-over smiles. 

“Well, hello to you. What are you doing here? Oh, let me introduce you to Drew Farthering. Drew, this is Freddie Bell. I met him yesterday when I was out.”



Beck Valley Books - Excerpt

Madeline turned from the shelf where Mrs. Harkness kept books on lace making and other traditional crafts.

“And just why couldn’t she have done it?” She put her hands on her hips and looked up into Drew’s face, a challenge in her periwinkle-blue eyes and a defiant set to her mouth that made it not a whit less captivating than usual. “You never think women are capable of real crime.”


I also found Drew an engaging, sympathetic character who sincerely cared about those he was trying to help. The romance between him and Madeline was sweet and the interfering Aunt Ruth provided a humorous touch. With plenty of unexpected events and suspicious characters, Death by the Book, provides an entertaining and enjoyable read.

My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - Mikado (book 3) Teaser

Even though Death by the Book, the second in my series of Drew Farthering Mysteries, is hot off the press right now, I am thrilled to tell you a little bit about Book Three, Murder at the Mikado.

After everything that happened during the past summer, Drew is happy to have some peace in his life. His company, Farlinford Processing, is doing nicely under competent, trustworthy management, and his relationship with Madeline Parker is better than ever. Everything is going well until an old flame, Fleur Hargreaves, suddenly makes an appearance at Farthering Place begging for Drew to prove her innocence in a murder case.


Roger’s voice was scarcely a whisper, and so broken that Drew knew he wouldn’t have recognized it if he hadn’t known who it was.

“Drew. Oh . . .”

Drew heard a wrenching sob, then silence once more.

“Roger? I say, Roger!”

“You’ve got to help me. I just . . . I don’t . . . Sweet mercy, she’s dead. She’s dead.”

"Julianna Derring did a remarkable job of weaving a wondrous murder mystery set in England around the late 1920's. It kept me reading into the wee small hours of morning to find out if my suspicions of who the killer could be were right or not."


Death by the Book (Drew Farthering Mystery #2)Death by the Book
by Julianna Deering
Christian Mystery
Paperback, 320 pages
March 4th 2014 by Bethany House Publishers

Drew Farthering wanted nothing more than to end the summer of 1932 with the announcement of his engagement. Instead, he finds himself caught up in another mysterious case when the family solicitor is found murdered, an antique hatpin with a cryptic message, Advice to Jack, piercing his chest.

Evidence of secret meetings and a young girl's tearful confession point to the victim's double life, but what does the solicitor's murder have to do with the murder of a physician on the local golf course? Nothing, it would seem--except for another puzzling note, affixed with a similar-looking bloodied hatpin.

Soon the police make an arrest in connection with the murders, but Drew isn't at all certain they have the right suspect in custody. And why does his investigation seem to be drawing him closer and closer to home?

Bethany House


Other Books in the Series:
 

ALL readers, who are interested, can receive an autographed bookmark. 
You can see a picture of the bookmark here.

Just send a self-address STAMPED (7" long) envelope to:

Julianna Deering
P. O. Box 375
Aubrey, Texas 76227


Julianna DeeringJulianna Derring has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, Summer 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, Spring 2014) and Murder at the Mikado (Bethany House, Summer 2014).



From the author regarding the fabulous GIVEAWAY:


How could one possibly have a cozy mystery 
set in an old manor house in the English countryside near a quaint little village 
and not have tea? 
Drew doesn't usually take lemon or milk in his. He prefers honey, 
especially if it's fresh from the hive. 
Mrs. Devon, his housekeeper, spoils him terribly and makes sure he has it.

Print copies of The Rules of Murder and Death by the Book and a Tea Gift Basket (US ONLY)
March 10th - 28th

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Unraveled by Julie Daines


unraveled_coverUnraveled: A Tale of True Love

Author: Julie Daines

Publisher: Covenant

Published: February 20th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-62108-627-7

Paperback: 200 pages

FTC FYI: Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

"It's thoroughly researched, expertly crafted, and it will sweep you off your feet with its beauty." -UCW

When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed--but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son--Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect.

When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit. After all, she can't wear the shoes forever.

My Review

Bronwen is a girl who has seen rough times.  After sickness crippled her legs and killed most of her family, all her mother and her had were each other.  We meet Bronwen and her mother on a stormy night where her mother tells her the faerie folks will be out causing mischief.  No sooner does she say that, when the Grey Maiden, the Gwyllion, appears at their door.  They give her shelter from the storm, all while the Gwyllion keeps staring at her crippled legs.  This irritates Bronwen, but she prepares a room for her to sleep.  While she is getting it ready, the Gwyllion comes to her tell her she knows what it is she wants.  Bronwen is surprised by this, but knows that she must watch her while Bronwen is on the swifts.
"Before she could leave the room, the Gwyllion spoke again.  Nothing more than a whisper, yet her words filled the room.  "Who would want a crippled wife?"
 Bronwen's head snapped up.  She had never said those words out loud.  Not to anyone.  Not even her mother.  She already knew the answer.  It was why she wept sometimes at night.  Why she hated the boys in the village who looked at her, then looked away.  If she were whole, they would be vying for her favor even though they were all below her station.
She answered the Gwyllion's question.  "No one."
 "And yet you dream," the faerie witch said.  "The stars do not shine on dreamers.  They shine on those who see the truth." (page 6 - 7)"

The next morning Bronwen sees that the Grey Maiden is gone, but she has left Bronwen a gift, old shoes.  Her curiosity gets the best of her, and she tries them on.  The pain she experiences nearly knocks her out, but the pain is from her legs healing.  She can stand and walk.    Bronwen and her mother travels to town to present her to the king since she is of age.  She meets the king's son, Urien, but recognizes Rhys from back home.  She quickly decides to lie about her family name, in hopes that Rhys won't recognize her.  And what happens next, starts a chain of events that tangle of web of more lies that have a hard time being unraveled.  Bronwen gets herself in a mix of trouble, and tries to find her way out, but the only one who can save her is herself.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  A fabulous read full of faerie legend and folklore.  It is also a story of a girl who doubts herself and others because of her limitations.  I loved the lessons that Bronwen learns.  Even though it takes something pretty drastic for the truth to finally come out, I love how it all unravels.  Julie did an amazing job with this book.  There is heart, humor, adventure and characters that surprised me.  Very enjoyable read. 

Author Links


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Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan -- Cover Reveal/Spotlight

Goodreads Summary:  Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss—a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending nearly all of her teen years performing on cue, Emma can’t help but wonder if any part of her life is real anymore . . . particularly her relationships. But her new costar, Jake Elliott, couldn’t care less about how many scenes he has to fake his way through; he needs the money. Toss in a reckless heartthrob, desperate for a comeback, and a resident diva who may or may not be as evil as she seems, and the production of Coyote Hills heats up in unexpected—and romantic—ways. Along with offering front row seats to the real life drama that often unfolds within the entertainment industry, NOT IN THE SCRIPT is a story about two not-so-typical teens who are searching for themselves, and just happen to find each other.

About the author:  Amy Finnegan writes her own stories because she enjoys falling in love over and over again, and thinks everyone deserves a happy ending. She likes to travel the world—usually to locations where her favorite books take place—and owes her unquenchable thirst for reading to Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling. Her debut novel, NOT IN THE SCRIPT (Bloomsbury, Oct 2014), came about after hearing several years of behind-the-scenes stories from her industry veteran brother. She’s also been lucky enough to visit dozens of film sets and sit in on major productions such as Parks and Recreation, and Parenthood.

You can follow Amy on Twitter @ajfinnegan or Facebook (Amy Finnegan, Author). She is represented by Erin Murphy of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

Drum roll....

(Congrats, Amy!  Expected publish date is October, 2014.)



Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Home Matters by Julie N. Ford -- Spotlight


Home Matters by Julie N. Ford
According to her mother, Olivia Pembroke was born to be a star. But how is she supposed to be famous when she can’t even get a decent acting gig? Her lucky break comes when she lands an audition for a wildly popular home improvement show. Even though she has no design training and has never even held a power tool, she refuses to let that stop her. She’s confident that her destiny is finally within reach.
When her affections are torn between her heartthrob co-host and the irritating, yet somehow endearing lead contractor, does she continue to reach for the stars? Or does she design a new happily ever after? One that leads not to the fading lights of fame and fortune, but to a love that will burn forever.
JulieAuthor Julie N. Ford
Julie is a forty-something, dangerously close to becoming a fifty-something, graduate from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama, which has only made her better able to recognize the unhealthy, codependent relationship she has with writing. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a marriage and family counselor. She is the author of four women’s fiction novels, including Count Down to Love, a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. When she’s not writing, she entertains delusions of being a master gardener, that is, when she’s not killing the unsuspecting plants in her yard with her good intentions. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, two daughters, a Betta named Bob, and a Scottish fold kitten, Ardweal.
Updated Ripple Effect
The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series 
Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors.
“Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love.”
Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/31/14

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 Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The Fortune Cafe by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson and Heather B. Moore -- Book Blast


Fortune Cafe
The Fortune Café
A novel in three parts
MIS-FORTUNE: Emma, a waitress at The Fortune Café will do anything to avoid opening a fortune cookie. Each fortune is rumored to somehow magically come true. Being a girl grounded in reality, she doesn’t have time for that kind of nonsense. But when trying to prevent a food fight at the café, Emma accidently cracks open a fortune cookie: “Look around, love is trying to catch you.” If there is one thing that Harrison, her former best friend in high school is good at, it’s catching her unaware.

LOVE, NOT LUCK: Lucy has always been lucky . . . until her parents meet her fiancé’s parents at a disastrous lunch at The Fortune Café, and she breaks her lucky jade necklace. Even worse, her fortune cookie reveals that “True love is for the brave, not the lucky.” How is she supposed to read that? She’s always considered it lucky how she met her fiancé. But after breaking her necklace, Lucy’s luck takes a dive. And when her fiancé dumps her, the only person she can turn to is Carter, the unluckiest guy she knows.

TAKEOUT: Stella is content in her new life of taking over her mom’s jewelry shop. No more boyfriend to worry about, and as long as she stays busy, she doesn’t have to dwell on her non-existent love life. When Evan comes into the shop with his young daughter, Stella is charmed. But she is reluctant to complicate her straightforward life, so when she reads her fortune after ordering takeout from The Fortune Café, she completely ignores it. After all, how can a fortune as vague as “Do the thing you fear and love is certain,” apply to her?

About the Authors
JulieWJulie Wright started her first book when she was fifteen. She’s written over a dozen books since then, is a Whitney Award winner, and feels she’s finally getting the hang of this writing gig. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves reading, eating writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch movies. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner. She hates mayonnaise, but has a healthy respect for ice cream.
 Blog * Twitter * Amazon

MelanieJMelanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a sometime blogger who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time (ha!), she writes romantic comedies and pines after beautiful shoes.



HeatherMHeather B. Moore
 is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore, her latest is Finding Sheba. Under Heather B. Moore she writes romance and women’s fiction. She’s the co-author of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. Other women’s novels include Heart of the Ocean, The Fortune Café, the Aliso Creek Series, and the Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology Series.
 Fortune Cafe Tour
book blast button



Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/18/14
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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle by Chad Morris -- Blog Tour


Cragbridge Hall_bk2Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle

Author: Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 4th, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078096

Hardcover: 352 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.


Goodreads Summary 

The adventure continues when Abby and Derick begin second semester at Cragbridge Hall, the most prestigious secondary school in the world. But when Grandpa Cragbridge admits them to the Council of Keys--a secret group of people who have keys to travel back in time--strange things begin to happen. One by one, members are found unconscious and unable to wake, their keys stolen. Now Abby and Derick must scramble to figure out who is behind the attacks before they become the next victims, which would give their enemy the power to change the past forever.

A page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing you can do hard things, and valuing history.


My Review

The Avatar Battle is another reason why I love, love, love Middle Grade books.  Chad Morris has got himself a hit with this series.  The Avatar Battle is even better than The Inventor's Secret.  The action hits you right at first, and develops a great mystery that had me guessing until the end, which I love!  There are very fun twists and turns that I wasn't expecting that kept me turning pages fast!  

One of the things I liked the most was the conflict Abby was having with herself.  She doubts how great she is because of her grades.  I can relate to that in my own family with one of my daughters.  After some challenges and set backs, Abby starts to realize that she is needed and important.  Derick also tested with challenges to overcome.  He wants to join a club at school and feels he will never be good enough either.  The twins probably don't even realize they have this in common.  Abby also asks her grandfather an important question as to what is happening on the Bridge and adds to this exciting adventure as Abby, Derick, Carol and others race to figure out the threat to Cragbridge Hall.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you are new to this series, definitely start with the first book, The Inventor's Secret.  

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Discovering Peace by Jennifer Ann Holt -- Blog Tour


Discovering-Peace-WEB 2x3Discovering Peace


Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 11th, 2014

Paperback: 240 pages

ISBN13: 9781462114139

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

Goodreads Summary

Placing her baby girl for adoption isn’t the mistake Ally is running away from, but everyone else seems to think it is. As Ally tries to move forward in her life, her past keeps pulling her back, and she wonders if she will ever find true love again. Only holding onto hope can help Ally find the peace she’s seeking.

My Review

Discovering Peace is another triumph for Jennifer Ann Holt.  In reading this book, I enjoyed seeing the other side of adoption.  What happens after the mother gives her child to strangers to raise and love as their own.  I really enjoyed the alternating points of view from Ally and Livy.  While I was reading, I found that Livy amazed me.  She is a great character and what she does for someone in this story brought tears to my eyes.  I couldn't put this book down at times.  It is usually not too often that I will stay up way too late to read, but I easily slipped into Ally and Livy's world because they are such easy characters to love.  While reading their stories, I found that they weren't the only ones that needed peace, others did too.  Hope, love and peace can be found through Christ and the Atonement.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you are just finding out about Jennifer and her books, I would start with the first one, Delivering Hope.  It is $.99 on Kindle!

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