Thursday, August 20, 2020

Last Chance Beach Summer's End - Blitz

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Last Chance Beach: Summer's End
By Liz Flaherty & Other Authors
Contemporary Romance, Novella Collection
ebook, 483 Pages
August 4, 2020 by Vita Via Publishing

LAST CHANCE BEACH is the island paradise where Dreams go to live again, and Wishes may come true. It's Summer's End on the island, and the cottages, condos, hotels, and bungalows are filled to capacity.

There's plenty of time left to find summer fun and summer love, new romances and second chances, hot alpha males and heartwarming heroes, love at first sight and romantic delight, enemies to lovers and opposites attract.

Throw a log on the beach bonfire tonight and celebrate LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer's End, a special romance collection of 14 all-new short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors. These summer stories—created especially for this collection—will thrill the hopeful romantic in you. Some are sweet: some are sizzling! Some are humorous; some are serious. All the stories will make you sigh!

The authors and the stories in Last Chance Beach: 

Hot August Night by Joan Reeves, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

When they met, it was hate at first sight. Now they're stuck in the same overbooked beach cottage and horrified to discover they have the hots for each other!

Something New by Liz Flaherty, USA Today Bestselling Author

Their lives are planned out...until they're not! Are they in love or just stuck in a habit?

I Do…Again by Nancy Fraser, Top 100 Bestselling Author

At a high school reunion; old flames meet again. Can they re-ignite what they once had and take a last chance on love?

The Man in Gull Cottage by Caroline Clemmons, Top 100 Bestselling Author

She faces a hard decision; he encourages her to choose with her heart. Will the solution drive them apart or into one another's arms?

That One Summer by Maddie James, Top 100 Bestselling Author

It's the typical annual week on the beach with the girls—until her summer fling from 20 years back shows up. He's the one who got away. She's the one who couldn't commit.

Romancing the Spouse by Jan Scarbrough, National Bestselling Author

The kids are grown; her husband has an important career, and she wonders if she still loves him, and if he loves her. Can she turn back the clock to save her marriage?

Blue Sky Summer by Kathleen Lawless, National Bestselling Author

Of all the beaches on the coast, who shows up on her beach? Him! A former competitive surfer runs into her former love, and revisits all the reasons things didn't work out for them before.

Hangover Husband by Bonnie Edwards, National Bestselling Author

She wants divorce—he doesn't. What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas!

One More Shot by Marcia King-Gamble, National Bestselling Author

She's hiding from the paparazzi. He's the guy next door, an amateur photographer. Will he accept tabloid money for pictures of her? Or will he choose love over jumpstarting his career?

Secondhand Hearts by Kathryn Hills, Award Winning Author

Kat must convince her Gran to move to the mainland, but Gran—and hunky neighbor Ben—want Kat to take over the B&B and antique shop. What will it take for Kat to stay? Some of Gran’s special island magic?

Paradise Perfume by Connie Vines, Award Winning Author

She returns to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life. He's a single dad on vacation with his pre-teen daughter. He's worried his daughter may become too attached to her, but maybe he's the one whose heart is at risk.

(Affiliate link included.)

A Note from the Liz Flaherty and an Excerpt

It has been a staycation of sorts, in this summer of sheltering in place and worrying everywhere and regretting—bitterly sometimes—the inability to go on a real vacation. Since the 14 of us are writers, how else would we spend a staycation than writing stories? And what better place to write about than Last Chance Beach: Summer’s End.


I’m here to say we had a lot of fun, these women who like and respect each other and appreciate everyone’s talents and…er…shortcomings. We hope you have fun, too, reading our stories. There’s a free add-on, too, called Cocktails on Last Chance Beach, that we had even more fun with. It’s recipes, you see, which must be tested. Sometimes more than once. 

My story from Last Chance Beach is Something New, the story of Hass Applegate and Zeke Merriweather, who have their lives together all planned out. Until they’re not sure that what they’ve planned is what they want, or that being best friends is enough to build a marriage from, or that something new is necessarily the right something.

An excerpt from Something New


Their lives are all planned out—until they’re not. 

*** 

When she came back outside, he got up, and they took their drinks and went down to walk along the splashing shallows as if by design, although neither of them had mentioned it. She’d never answered his question, and he didn’t reach for her hand as would usually have done. He felt less certain of her and their relationship than he had since the first time she ground the gears in the truck.

“Do you remember—” he began.

“Did you ever—” she started.

They stopped, standing still with the water slapping their feet and ankles and staring at each other in the encroaching darkness.

“You’re the best friend I’ve ever had,” she said softly, raising her hands to his cheeks.

“Me, too,” he said, reaching up and taking her hands in his. Sometimes he forgot how strong she was, but her hands always reminded him. “There’s a ‘but’ there, though, isn’t there?”

She nodded. “I can’t explain it, Z.”

Zeke didn’t know how to answer, how to say he had his own “but” when it came to their relationship. Because he didn’t know how to explain it, either. There was one thing, however, that he knew. “Maybe,” he said, “we should think about putting off the wedding.”


***

About the Author


Retired from the post office, Liz Flaherty spends non-writing time sewing, quilting, and doing whatever else she wants to. She and Duane live in the old farmhouse in North Central Indiana they moved to in 1977. They’ve talked about moving, but really…40 years’ worth of stuff? It’s not happening!

She’d love to hear from you at lizkflaherty@gmail.com or please come and see her at:


Blitz Giveaway


Giveaway Details (US only):

It is to my undying embarrassment that as old as I am—that’s pretty old, but no, I’m not telling—I’ve never gotten over my love for presents. This means I have a really good time assembling a giveaway. In Something New, Hass’s wine of choice (like mine) is kind of a joke. Zeke says it’s not real wine, but, hey, she loves it. So I’m giving away a wine package. A couple of glasses, some charms made by my friend, author Nan Reinhardt, a dish towel for when you spill the wine opening the bottle, a Starbucks gift card (wine makes me thirsty), a copy of a backlist book, and a few other surprises. I hope you’ll enter to win, and I hope you’ll enjoy both Last Chance Beach: Summer’s End and Cocktails on Last Chance Beach, the recipe book put together by the 14 authors from Last Chance. (It’s free!) 

Ends August 22, 2020

ENTER HERE
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Friday, July 31, 2020

It Started in Budapest by Julie Daines


It Started in Budapest

Author: Julie Daines

Publisher: Covenant

Publish date: August 10th 

Kindle/Paperback: 177 pages

FTC FYI: I received an eARC from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own

Review

One can never go wrong with a book from this talented author. Her characters come to life in a way that the pages turn fast. There were so many things I loved about this book! The Orient Express was a fun backdrop. Each character is enduring and full of heart. Even the mother. I loved Molly and Percy. Their adventure was a thrill to read. Matthew was especially wonderful and even Father in the corner reading his paper was a delight. I loved how the backstory was told through “stories”. Very clever. Another win for Julie Daines! 

5 out of 5 stars

Purchase links


Author links




Tuesday, June 9, 2020

The Redpoint Crux by Morgan Shamy -- blog tour/giveaway

The Redpoint Crux

Author: Morgan Shamy

Publisher: The Parliament House

Published: June 9th, 2020

ISBN13: 979-8644518135

Paperback/e-book: 290 pages

FTC FYI: I received an e-book from the publisher for blog tour purposes. All opinions and views are my own. 

Summary

Fans of The Phantom of the Opera and Black Swan will enjoy this thrilling debut.

When Megan Van Helsburg gets kicked off the U.S.A. Climbing Team, she has no choice but to return home and leave her climbing career behind. With no coach, no money, and no prospects, she joins the corps de ballet determined to improve her strength and agility. But the ballet theater is in dire straits. Not only do a series of murders break loose, but the ballerinas are becoming deathly thin and brain-dead. As Megan investigates, she meets Bellamy, a tortured young man who lives beneath the depths of the theater. Megan falls hard and fast for Bellamy, who becomes her mentor, but something is off about him.

It isn't until the company announces they're doing Giselle for the fall performance that Megan realizes the parallels between the ghost story and the lives around her. Megan must find a way to not only save her climbing career, but balance her feelings for Bellamy, and stop the murders and dying girls before she, too, is numbered among the dead.


My review

The Redpoint Crux is a gripping story with intriguing characters. It didn't take long for me to be completely immersed in the story. There were a few things I thought needed a little more attention and explanation, but I felt the author did a fantastic job creating a mood of page-turning suspense with some romance too. Megan is quite the character. She jumps (literally) from one thing to the next, but I liked that about her. I really enjoyed the way the story was told, it's very pleasing for me to read books with point of view changes. This book has a great flow to it and the ending was awesome! There are so many great twists and turns, I was left guessing until the last page!

5 out of 5 stars.

Purchase links - Kindle is on sale for 99 cents!

Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Google Play Books

Author links and info


Morgan Shamy is an ex-ballerina turned YA writer. She is represented by Kelly Peterson of Rees Literary Agency.

Morgan has been immersed in the arts since the young age of 4, where she trained under the tutelage of Julie and Stacey Orlob. She performed various roles alongside a professional ballet company for over seven years, and has danced on prestigious stages like soloing at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

She has taught hundreds of girls in her fifteen years of teaching, where some of her students have received full-ride scholarships to schools like School of American Ballet, the Harid Conservatory, Kirov Academy of Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, to name a few.

Morgan discovered writing when her three-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. It was through that experience which instilled the need to share art and magic with children through words on the page.

Morgan is also an accomplished concert pianist. She was the first girl in Utah to receive the 75 pt. Gold Cup in the Utah Federation of Music in piano solo/concerto competition. Morgan currently lives with her X-Games gold-medalist husband and four children in the cold mountains of Alaska.


Amazon author page / Goodreads / Website / Facebook page / Twitter


June 3rd

June 4th

L.M. Durand - Guest Post
Captivated Reading - Review + Favorite Quotes

June 5th

Small Stained Pages - Review + Playlist + Favorite Quotes
The Reading Life - Promotional Post

June 6th

Moonlight Rendezvous - Review + Favorite Quotes
Books and Zebras - Review
The Writers’s Alley - Review + Playlist

June  7th

Bookishly Nerdy - Review + Favorite Quotes
Bookish Looks - Promotional Post

June 8th

BiblioJoJo - Review + Favorite Quotes
Mahkjchi's Not-So-Secret Books - Review + Favorite Quotes
Susan Heim on Writing - Promotional Post

June 9th

Kait Plus Books - Guest Post
Sometimes Leelynn Reads - Review + Playlist
Wishful Books Reviews - Review + Favorite Quotes



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Saturday, May 16, 2020

Healthy Eats by Six Sisters' Stuff

Healthy Eats

Six Sisters' Stuff

Published: April 7th 2020

Publisher: Deseret Book

ISBN13: 9781629727301

Paperback: 213 pages

FTC FYI: I received a copy from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own

Amazon summary

More than 100 recipes under 500 calories. Quick and easy. Delicious and healthy. Food you can feel good about serving to your family.
Six Sisters' Stuff are popular lifestyle bloggers and cookbook authors who know about managing busy families, and they know sometimes quick means not healthy. After getting numerous requests;from their fans for healthy meals, they combined their fast-and-easy cooking style with fresh and unprocessed ingredients for healthy and family-friendly recipes in their latest cookbook.

Sample Recipes

Breakfast
Blueberry Breakfast Cookies
Chocolate-Banana Blender Muffins
Red Potato Turkey Bacon Bake
Blueberry Protein Pancakes
Scrambled Egg Breakfast Muffins
Breakfast Tostadas
Bagel Thin Egg White Breakfast Sandwiches
Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

Lunch
Flat bread Veggie Pizza
Buffalo Chicken Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Skinny BBQ Chicken Tostadas
Cajun Chicken Sausage Bake
Make-Ahead Bean and Rice Burritos
Sweet Potato Taco Bowls
Grilled Salmon Salad
Shredded Beef and Sweet Potato Tacos

Main Dish
Grilled Cajun Lime Chicken
Lemon Garlic Salmon
Garlic Steak Kebabs
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Teriyaki Pork Stir-Fry
Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Shrimp Protein Bowl with Mango Salsa
Easy Chicken Street Tacos
Cauliflower-Crust Pizza

Sides
Garlic-Lime Sweet Potato Fries
Parmesan-Crusted Asparagus
Honey-Roasted Carrots
Homemade Naan
Honey Dijon Brussel Sprouts

I really enjoy all the Six Sisters' recipe books! The pictures are vivid and the recipes are easy to follow and delicious! This cookbook is a great addition to the novice cook and beginner too!

Purchase links

Friday, May 1, 2020

The Wish and the Peacock by Wendy S. Swore - Spotlight

The Wish and the Peacock

Author: Wendy S Swore

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: February 4th, 2020

ISBN13: 9781629726083

FTC FYI: I received an ARC. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Paige’s favorite family tradition on the farm is the annual bonfire where everyone tosses in a stone and makes a wish. This time, Paige’s specific wish is one she’s not sure can come true: Don’t let Mom and Grandpa sell the farm.

When Paige’s younger brother finds a wounded peacock in the barn, Paige is sure it’s a sign that if she can keep the bird safe, she’ll keep the farm safe too. Peacocks, after all, are known to be fierce protectors of territory and family.

With determination and hard work, Paige tries to prove she can save the farm on her own, but when a real estate agent stakes a “For Sale” sign at the end of the driveway and threatens everything Paige loves, she calls on her younger brother and her best friends, Mateo and Kimana, to help battle this new menace. They may not have street smarts, but they have plenty of farm smarts, and some city lady who’s scared of spiders should be easy enough to drive away.

But even as the peacock gets healthier, the strain of holding all the pieces of Paige’s world together gets harder. Faced with a choice between home and family, she risks everything to make her wish come true, including the one thing that scares her the most: letting the farm go.
 


Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads

Purchase links

Kindle / Hardcover / Audible / Deseret Book

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Willa and the Whale by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown - Spotlight

Willa and the Whale

Authors: Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 3rd, 2020

ISBN13: 9781629727318

Hardcover/e-book: 256 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

Can a whale talk to a human? Willa thinks so...

After losing her mom, Willa is grieving and having a hard time living with her dad and his new family on an island off the coast of Washington State. Her dad tries to cheer her up by taking her whale watching, something Willa's mom used to do.

While all the passengers are on one side of the boat, Willa encounters a humpback whale on the opposite side. Willa feels so lonely that she starts to talk to the whale—and the whale talks back!

The whale, named Meg, quickly becomes a trusted friend and confidante Willa can speak to whenever she's by the ocean.

Meg offers sound advice Willa needs about dealing with a nemesis at school and trying to figure out why her friend Marc is keeping secrets about his family life.

Before the story ends, it will take all of Willa's courage and connections to tackle a problem that's as big as a blue whale!


Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads Chad / Goodreads Shelly

Purchase links

Hardcover / Kindle / Audible / Deseret Book

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Wizard for Hire: Magic Required by Obert Syke - Spotlight

Wizard for Hire: Magic Required

Author: Obert Syke

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: April 7th, 2020

ISBN13: 9781629727332

Paperback/e-book: 416 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

The final answer to the existence of magic.

Ozzy and his friend Sigi are in more danger than ever before. After being injected with the mindcontrolling serum, Ozzy is learning to control the minds of people, but he is still being hunted by Ray, the power-mad villain who will stop at nothing to find and possess the formula. And on top of that, Rin still claims he’s a wizard, but he and Clark are missing, leaving Ozzy to wonder once again if magic really does exist.


When it becomes apparent that the minds and free will of all mankind are in danger of being controlled by whoever controls the serum, Ozzy and Sigi join forces with strange new friends that claim magic-like abilities. When Rin finally returns, Ozzy will discover once and for all what happened to his parents, what really happens at those popular fantasy conventions, and if magic truly exists.


Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads

Purchase links

Kindle / Hardcover / Audible / Deseret Book