Monday, August 31, 2015

First in Series- Books Can be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay

Happy Monday! Today's First in Series is Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay






Print Length: 305 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0425242188
Publisher: Berkley (July 5, 2011)
Publication Date: July 5, 2011
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC



Lindsey is getting into her groove as the director of the Briar Creek Public Library when a New York editor visits town, creating quite a buzz. Lindsey's friend Beth wants to sell the editor her children's book, but Beth's boyfriend, a famous author, gets in the way. When they go to confront him, he's found murdered-and Beth is the prime suspect. Lindsey has to act fast before they throw the book at the wrong person.


From the Paperback edition.


About the Author






Jenn is the New York Times bestselling author of several mystery series. She lives in sunny AZ in a house overrun with kids, pets and her husband's guitars.


Visit her website at: www.jennmckinlay.com

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Weekly Wrap Up #86

It was a great week here. This is what happened:


August 24th- First in Series- By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates
August 25th- Author Spotlight- Eva Gates
August 26th- Book Trivia- Jennifer Hart
August 27th- Guest Post- Kathi Shoop
August 28th- What's New? Move your Blooming Corpse by D.E.Ireland
August 29th- Shelley's Review's


Book's I've Read this week:
Murder She Floats by Steven Kaminski
Lord of the Wings by Donna Donna Andrews


Coming this week:


August 31st- First in Series- Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay
September 1st- Author Spotlight- Jenn McKinlay
September 2nd- Book Trivia - Erika Chase
September 3rd- Guest Post- Sharon Rose Mierke
September 4th- Blog Tour- Murder She Floats by Steven Kaminski
September 5th-Blog Tour-  Trick or Deceit by Shelley Freydont

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Shelley's Reviews

The Outsmarting of Criminals by Steven Rigolosi. Released on March 31, 2014.





Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Ransom Note Press (March 31, 2014)
Language: English




After being mugged in New York City, Miss Felicity Prim decides to leave the big city and purchase a home in the country, where she will be safe from the dangerous criminals who call New York home. A devoted reader of crime fiction, Miss Prim believes that her reading experiences have given her the skills required to become an amateur sleuth in her new home of Greenfield, Connecticut. She gets her chance to prove her mettle when she finds a corpse in her basement. As Miss Prim searches for the victim's identity and killer, she finds her father's old journals, which create a crisis in her family. Meanwhile, Miss Prim's young friend, Dolly, has become involved in a dangerous situation and needs Miss Prim's help. Can Miss Prim, with her insights into human behavior and her steadfast refusal to rely on forensics and databases (which she considers the crutches of lazy investigators), save the day and bring everything to a happy resolution? Of course she can.


Friday, August 28, 2015

What's New?

What's New? Moving Your Blooming Corpses by D.E.Ireland






Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (September 22, 2015)
Publication Date: September 22, 2015
Sold by: Macmillan




In the second book from talented writing team D.E. Ireland, famous literary characters Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins once again come to life as a hilarious investigative team. Move Your Blooming Corpse explores the Edwardian racing world and the fascinating characters who people it, from jockeys to duchesses, in this delightful traditional mystery that will appeal to fans of British mysteries.


Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are at the posh Royal Ascot, the biggest horse racing event of the season. Eliza's father is the new co-owner of a champion racehorse, and Eliza and Henry are excited to cheer the Donegal Dancer on to victory. However, their idyllic outing takes a serious turn when a victim is trampled during the Gold Cup race and someone is found murdered in the stables.


With time running out before the upcoming Eclipse Stakes, she and Higgins investigate jealous spouses, suffragettes and the colorful co-owners of the Donegal Dancer. But can they outrace the murderer, or will there be another blooming corpse at the finish line?





D.E. Ireland is the pseudonym of award-winning authors and Anglophiles Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta - collaborating on the Eliza Higgins and Henry Higgins cozy mystery series for St. Martin's Minotaur. Book 1, WOULDN'T IT BE DEADLY, was nominated for an AGATHA AWARD. MOVE YOUR BLOOMING CORPSE is the second book of the series.

Both Meg and Sharon live in Michigan and are big fans of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, Downton Abbey, Mr. Selfridge, Sherlock Holmes, classic and contemporary cozy mysteries. They prefer reading and visiting tea rooms to housework.

Follow us on Twitter - @deireland - and our Pinterest page, and like our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/DEIrelandAuthor.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Guest Post- Kathie Shoop

Guest Post with Kathie Shoop(Kathleen Shoop). Kathie is the author of the Letter Series. The Last Letter was released on April 22, 2011 and The Road home was released on June 23,2015. If you are a fan of Kathie's or looking for a new author you won't want to miss this. You can get your copy of these books on Amazon. A Great deal, The Last Letter is on sale for .99 for a short time and The Road Home is on sale for 2.99 for a short time.




Welcome Kathie, so glad you can be with us today.


I have been writing for over a decade, squeezing my stories into every crevice of my life. You know the drill, every mother does. I stole writing moments before my husband and kids woke for the day. I scribbled notes while Jake and Beth played at the indoor McDonalds playground (yes, I know, that’s awful), while waiting in carpool lines, and during their dance/gymnastics classes (thanks to the instructors for forbidding parents to watch!). I wrote instead of lunching with friends and after my formal part-time work. On a regular basis I even borrowed a few minutes at the Starbucks inside our grocery store while Jake and Beth played in the babysitting area. The bulk of my time was spent on the kids, but as many people know, sometimes inspiration calls and when it does, a writer must answer.


As Jake and Beth got older I had longer chunks of time to write because they were at school. But now the days grew ever longer with their activities and night and taking them in different directions. Somehow the panacea that was supposed to be their entrée into elementary school (it should have relieved me of my stolen scribbling moments at the very least) had only created more writing obstacles, challenging my writing time in ever more obstinate ways.


Still, for years, I plugged away, finished my novels (seven since 2011!) and published them myself with many award winning, and bestselling titles under my belt. I pushed through summer months, experiencing the swing of emotion from worrying that I wasn’t accomplishing anything (I should be releasing four books a year!) to fretting that I wasn’t giving my children the attention they needed.





This summer things changed. Like summers past I longed to sit longer with Jake and Beth and just read all day or in between trips to the pool. I also felt conflict with the pull to publish more and better books. But with the release of book 2 in The Letter Series, The Road Home, I suddenly knew it was time to let go of thinking I can publish at the rate of other writers I know. When The Road Home launched on June 23, 2015 I allowed myself to let book 3, The Garden Promise, go for the summer. I allowed myself to enjoy the promotion process and most importantly, to enjoy summer with my family.


I immediately ordered a pile of books I’d been wanting to read and fell into the kind of reading haze that simultaneously energizes and feeds the addiction for more. Bookended by my kids with noses in their own novels, unburdened with the idea that I needed to keep producing as though I were a steel mill running during wartime, circa 1945, I found my love of reading returned. I fell down rabbit hole after reading rabbit hole. I was lost in language and story and literary conversation with friends and my children like I hadn’t had in ages. The further into my non-writing summer I went, the more certain I became that I wasn’t going to “lose” anything by fully taking a break, by permitting myself to enjoy the respite, not be troubled by it.





And now, as Jake and Beth head back to school, I’ve started to wander back into my office and begin the writerly nesting process. I’m organizing research, sorting my index cards, rereading my draft of The Garden Promise and finding my path to publication all over again. I exhale and look forward to getting back to work, knowing that a well-placed break is as necessary as the writing itself.


The Road Home
http://www.amazon.com/Road-Home-Letter-2/dp/1511801247/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1430341924
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-road-home-kathleen-shoop/1122154056?ean=2940151079525&itm=1

the last letter
http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Letter-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B004XR50K6/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PAC7KE2R1P7VB82NDT2
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-letter-kathleen-shoop/1100727740?ean=2940012427939

Ibooks
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/kathleen-shoop/id550901410?mt=11
Kobo
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-road-home-40 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-last-letter

Blog

http://kshoop.com

facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathleen-Shoop/359762600734147?ref=bookmarks

Twitter

https://twitter.com/kathieshoop


Giveaway: Leave a comment by August 30th for a chance to win a copy (print or e) of the last letter and the road home? Also a $15 Amazon gift card!! End of summer fun! Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Book Trivia - Jennifer L.Hart

It's time for trivia and today's host is Jennifer L. Hart. Jennifer is the author of The Laundry Hag mystery series, the Southern Pasta Shop Mystery Series, and the Damaged Goods Mystery series. Winner will receive an Audible gift certificate good for one audiobook. Leave answers and email.








1. Which of my series features a reluctant cleaning lady turned amateur sleuth?

2. Which series features a disgraced celebrity chef?

3. Which mystery series focuses on eviction specialists?

4. In which book did Maggie Phillips go ghost hunting?

5. How many books are there in the Misadventures of the Laundry Hag series?

6. Which mystery series includes recipes?

7. Which series is set in Florida?

8. Which of my heroines speaks Italian?

9. Which of my heroes was in the Navy?

10, Which heroine is kitchen cursed?

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Author Spotlight- Eva Gates

Cozy Mystery Author Eva Gates is the author of A Lighthouse Library Mystery Series. Her upcoming book on the series Booked for Trouble will be release on September 1st. Eva Gates also writes as Vicki Delany.







Eva Gates is the pen name of popular mystery and suspense author Vicki Delany. Eva writes a new cozy series for Pengiun Obsidian, the Lighthouse Library Mysteries, set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The first book in the series, BY BOOK OR BY CROOK, was released Feb 3rd.



www.lighthouselibrarymysteries.com



Monday, August 24, 2015

First in Series- By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates

Happy Monday! Today's First in Series is By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates.





Print Length: 341 pages
Publisher: NAL (February 3, 2015)
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC





Get bound up in murder in the first Lighthouse Library mystery!


For ten years Lucy has enjoyed her job poring over rare tomes of literature for the Harvard Library, but she has not enjoyed the demands of her family’s social whorl or her sort-of-engagement to the staid son of her father’s law partner. But when her ten-year relationship implodes, Lucy realizes that the plot of her life is in need of a serious rewrite.

Calling on her aunt Ellen, Lucy hopes that a little fun in the Outer Banks sun—and some confections from her cousin Josie’s bakery—will help clear her head. But her retreat quickly turns into an unexpected opportunity when Aunt Ellen gets her involved in the lighthouse library tucked away on Bodie Island.

Lucy is thrilled to land a librarian job in her favorite place in the world. But when a priceless first edition Jane Austen novel is stolen and the chair of the library board is murdered, Lucy suddenly finds herself ensnared in a real-life mystery—and she’s not so sure there’s going to be a happy ending....



About the Author

Eva Gates began her writing career as a Sunday writer: a single mother of three high-spirited daughters, with a full-time job as a computer programmer. As Vicki Delany, she is the author of several books, including the Klondike Mystery series and the Smith and Winters series. Eva lives in Canada.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Weekly Wrap UP

Happy Sunday, here is what happened this week:


Aug. 17th- First in Series Murder in the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott
Aug. 18th- Blog Tour- In the Drink- Allyson K. Abbott
Aug.19th- Book Trivia- Amy Reade
Aug.20th- Guest Post- Julie Seedorf
Aug. 21st-Blog Tour- Black Cat and the Accidental Angel by Elaine M. Faber
Aug. 22nd- Shelley's Review


Book's I've read this week:

Black Cat and the Accidental Angel by Elaine Faber
In the Drink by Allyson K. Abbott


Coming this week:

August 24th- First in Series- By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates
August 25th- Author Spotlight- Eva Gates
August 26th- Book Trivia- Jennifer Hart
August 27th- Guest Post- Kathi Shoop
August 28th- What's New? Move your Blooming Corpse by D.E.Ireland
August 29th- Shelley's Review's

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Shelley's Reviews

Death by Tiara by Laura Levine. This is book 13 in the Jaine Austen Mystery Series.







Series: A Jaine Austen Mystery (Book 13)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (June 30, 2015)
Language: English






Freelance writer Jaine Austen thought she knew what she was getting herself into when she landed a gig working behind the scenes at a teen beauty pageant. But between the vicious stage moms, exacting judges, and trash-talking teens, she’s not sure she’s the woman for the job—especially when the catfights turn deadly…

Jaine has been hired by über-pushy stage mom Heather Van Sant to write lyrics for her daughter Taylor’s song in the talent competition for the Miss Teen Queen America pageant. It’s different from anything Jaine has done before, but if nothing else, she’s looking forward to a free weekend in a swanky hotel and a chance to see what really goes on backstage at a beauty pageant. But the hotel is a dump, the cattiness is out of control, and Candace—the perfectly-coiffed, whip-cracking pageant director—is making even Jaine’s life miserable.

When Candace’s assistant Amy is found bludgeoned to death with a silver tiara, there are more suspects than sequins on a pageant gown—and Heather is first on the list. Taylor begs Jaine to help clear her mom’s name, but the search for the killer hits a dead end as Jaine quickly realizes that finding the culprit is going to be trickier than walking the stage in stilettos…




Jaine Austen is back in the Laugh Out Loud whodunit you get hooked from the beginning and will not want to put it down. A Beauty Pageant and a murder will have you reading through the night. The characters are fun and witty and the emails between her and her parents will have you laughing so hard,. I have been a fan of this series from the start and I must say that this is my favorite one. Looking forward to what Jaine will get herself into next.


About the Author

LAURA LEVINE is a comedy writer whose television credits include The Bob Newhart Show, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, Three’s Company, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Her work has been published in The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. She lives in Los Angeles, and is currently working on the next Jaine Austen mystery.

Readers can reach her at Jaineausten@aol.com, or her website: www.JaineAustenMysteries.com.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Blog Tour- Black Cat and the Accidental Angel by Elaine Faber

Elaine Faber is here today and her book Black Cat and the Accidental Angel is out.









Cozy Mystery
Paperback: 246 pages
Publisher: Elk Grove Publications (April 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1940781112


When the family SUV flips, Black Cat and his soul mate are left behind. Black Cat (Thumper) loses all memory of his former life and the identity of the lovely feline companion by his side. "Call me Angel. I'm here to take care of you." Her words set them on a journey toward home and bring them face to face with episodes of joy and sorrow. The cats are taken in by John and his young daughter, Cindy, facing foreclosure of the family vineyard and emu farm. In addition, someone is playing increasingly dangerous pranks that threaten Cindy's safety. Angel makes it her mission to help the family. John's prayers are answered in unexpected ways, but not until Angel puts her life at risk to protect the child. Black Cat learns there are more important things than knowing your real name.


This whodunit was very enjoyable. I thought the cats were fun and witty.I wasn't sure how it was going to go being told from the cat's point of view, however when I started to read it, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to what will happen next.




The Mystery Book Formulaic Template

We know there is a demand for a good book, whether Thriller or Cozy mystery. Avid readers consume zillions of books each year acquired from garage sales, the library, borrowed and sometimes, even purchased from the author! Let’s pretend we’re a new author desirous of launching a mystery series. To guarantee a successful series’, we analyze the tried and true template.

We need a beautiful, blonde amateur sleuth with a dog─to capture animal lovers. The dog doesn’t have to solve crimes, but it helps. Don’t forget the inept sweetheart, connected to the police department. How else could she access official information generally withheld from the public?
Now she needs an unusual job or hobby. Sadly, the best jobs or hobbies have been taken by other series; i.e. book store owners, catering services, coffee houses, writers, dog sitters, private detectives, etc. What we need is a career that hasn’t been done to death. But, it must give our sleuth access to crime, preferably murder.
I propose a lady sewer truck driver with access to back yards, spotting nefarious ‘going’s-on.’ Or, the Avon lady who sells wrinkle cream door to door, peeking beyond the screen door to see someone bound and gagged… Let’s stick with the lady sewer-pumper outer.

So let’s see…Now to the successful formula... The plumber and her quirky sidekick (did I mention the quirky friend?) find a body in the pump house. Proceed to red herrings, a romantic interlude, unrequited love, and suspicious characters, all with alibis. Toss in plumbing trivia, a humorous scene with stopped-up toilets, and overflowing bathtubs.

Now, move right along to the climax. Our heroine agrees to meet the suspect in a plumbing warehouse, but doesn’t tell anyone about it. The villain strings her up to the rafters, determined to have his way with her. Death is imminent. Her dog and her detective boyfriend burst down the door with a toilet brush. The murderer is revealed, every toilet lid lowered, every widget tightened. The heroine and detective ride into the sunset in her sewer truck.

Remember? It’s going to be a series. In the sequel we change up the back yard, quirky friend, red herrings, suspects, murder, drug house, illegal alien housekeeper, secret message in a toilet roll, or what-have-you. The villain is always the least expected character. With few variations, this is the formulaic template that is most likely to succeed. Only a brave author will break this the mold, or at least doesn’t end the book with the heroine strung up in the barn (figuratively speaking). Sadly, as long as the public continues to buy these trite storylines, mystery writers continue to follow the same template.

Black Cat and the Accidental Angel is a story full of thrills and chills. Set on an emu farm, the plot involves intrigue and mystery, memories lost and love found with a touch of the divine. No quirky sidekick, no detective boyfriend, no one tied to the rafters at the end. Just a page turning story with a protagonist with very human characteristic sharing truths told in a way you’ve never seen before--through the eyes of a cat, about as far from the mystery template as you can get.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Guest Post- Julie Seedorf

Guest Post with Julie Seedorf. Welcome Julie, so glad you can be here today. Julie is the author of A Fuschia Minnisota Mystery series.





Hi Shelley,

Thank's so much for having me.



I would like to thank Shelly for having me as a guest on her blog. I always love to meet my readers and talk about my series of books, especially the Fuchsia Minnesota Series.

Fuchsia Minnesota is a fictional town in Minnesota. I never state exactly where in the state it is. I like to leave it to my reader’s imaginations where in the state they would like to put the zany community. The reason I created Fuchsia was out of frustration for the rules and regulations which strangle us in our everyday lives in this era.

In our real communities, I call it the beiging of America; houses appear to be the same color and the same shape. Covenants and HOA’s govern people’s lives in the colors they paint their houses to what they can put in their yards. I grew up in a time when houses were colorful and building permits were few. We could have the tree house of our dreams in our yards and no one would care. The one thing I do remember is people letting other people live and shape their property to their own personality. Fuchsia is like that to a point.

Fuchsia leans toward colorful houses, unique buildings, creative businesses, along with creative names. The characters in Fuchsia community fit right in with their quirky personalities.

My main protagonist is Granny, Hermiony Vidalia Criony Fiddlestadt. She is over the top, quirky and many say, unbelievable. It depends on what you believe about old age. I never mention Granny’s real age. I leave it to my reader’s imagination. The number of a person’s age occasionally color the way people treat those in their advanced years. It also colors how people see themselves. Advanced aging comes with a variety of thoughts and many of them have to do with declining health.

I didn’t know it at the time when I created Hermiony Vidalia Criony Fiddlestadt, but in a way she is modeled after my mother and other older people in my life. My mother never thought of herself as old. She had me at the age of 42. I never gave it a thought that many of my friend’s grandmothers were her age. My mother, when I was three, was diagnosed with arthritis and had a hard time moving, but she made a point of moving and being a hard worker and she kept going. She could do anything she set her mind to learn. She was a school teacher, a business woman running a busy shoe store, a caretaker of her family and she loved to garden, could run a table saw and a chain saw with the best of them, and didn’t think anything of the fact of crawling on the roof of her house when she was 90 to fix it.

I, on the other hand, always wanted her to be different in her advancing years. She was old and she shouldn’t be doing the things she was doing. What I have realized since my mother’s death is I want to be like her. She was redefining old age before my generation decided it needed to be done. In spite of her crooked fingers and toes, in spite of her stiffness and pain, she kept going and she didn’t complain. She had things that she did to take care of herself. That is who Hermiony Vidalia Criony Fiddlestadt is. She is crusty-- my mom was crusty. There is nothing Hermiony won’t try. She is an innovator-- my mom was an innovater. Hermiony doesn’t give up. She is a little deceiving when dealing with her children-- mom didn’t give up and she was deceiving when dealing with me, her only child.

The difference between my mom and Granny is that Granny solves murders. She watches out for Fuchsia and she loves her quirky friends and characters in this unusual town. There is nothing she won’t do to protect it. And….Granny is not so old that she doesn’t like a little romance, a little spark and a little risqué behavior in her life. Plus she has a cast of characters young and old to add to the sparkle of Fuchsia.

Granny in the first book, Granny Hooks A Crook, is a little forgetful, a lot crabby and worried about her kids putting her in the wrinkle farm. She is silly and there might appear to be no depth to her character as she solves Fuchsia’s kidnappings.

If you follow Granny and her friends throughout the series you will see why Granny is the way she is. What happened to her in her life that made her the zany woman she is today? You will see what makes her love, makes her hurt and makes her crazy. And there is crime in Fuchsia. You will find her Skewering A Scoundrel, Snowing A Sneak and Forking A Fugitive. She will leave you laughing along the way. Watch out though, in each book there is a clue for the next book in the series.

When I write, I put a little part of myself in my characters. Like all people, I have the good, the bad and the ugly inside of me. In my Fuchsia series I let the silly come out, it fuels the good and makes the bad and the ugly go away. I hope it does that for you too.





http://www.julieseedorf.com
http://www.sprinklednotes.com
http://www.facebook.com/julie.seedorf.author julieseedorf@julieseedorf




Giveaway:Leave a comment by the 23rd for the chance to win a copy of Granny Firks A Fugitive and a audiobook of Granny Hooks A Crook.. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Book Trivia- Amy Reade

Happy Wednesday! It's trivia time and today's host is Amy Reade. Amy is the Author of Secrets of Hallstead House and The Ghost of Peppernell Manor. Leave email and answers in the comments for a chance to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card.










1, (Secrets of Hallstead House) What is the name of the town where Macy waits for her ride to Hallstead Island?

2. (Secrets of Hallstead House) In what year did Louise Boldt pass away, leaving George Boldt brokenhearted and prompting him to order a halt to the construction of Boldt Castle?

3. (Secrets of Hallstead House) What is the name of the island where the pirate William Johnston lived out his days?

4, (Secrets of Hallstead House) What item does Alex lose the day she visits Singer Castle?

5. (Secrets of Hallstead House) What color are the drapes in the dining room of Hallstead House?

6. (The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor) What is Graydon’s occupation?

7. (The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor) What items fill the ballroom for the Peppernell holiday open house?

8. (The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor) What is the name of Lucy’s favorite toy?

9. (The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor) What is the name of the horse Carleigh rides?

10. (The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor) Who names Heath’s dog?


Author Bio:

Amy M. Reade grew up in northern New York. After graduating from college and law school, she practiced law in New York City before moving to southern New Jersey, where she lives now with her husband, three children, dog, two cats, and a fish. She writes full time and is the author of Secrets of Hallstead House, a novel of romantic suspense set in the Thousand Islands region of New York, and The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor, a novel in the same genre set outside Charleston, South Carolina. Her third novel, House of Hanging Jade, is set in Hawaii and will be released in April, 2016. She is currently working on her fourth and fifth novels, set in Cape May, New Jersey, and Northern Ireland, respectively. She loves cooking, reading, and traveling.

Amy can be found online at:

http://www.amymreade.com (website)
http://amreade.wordpress.com (blog),
http://www.facebook.com/amreadeauthor, and
http://www.twitter.com/readeandwrite.


Her books can be found online at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, books.google.com, kensingtonbooks.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, kobobooks.com, and indiebound.org.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Blog Tour- In the Drink by Allyson K. Abbott

Mack Dalton is here today. In the Drink by Allyson K. Abbott was released on July 28th. It's book three in the Mack's Bar Mystery series.






Series: Mack's Bar Mysteries (Book 3)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Kensington (July 28, 2015)
Language: English





Mack’s Bar and its crime-solving clientele are quickly gaining notoriety for helping solve some high-profile cases. But Mack is learning the hard way that not all press is good press…



By day, Mackenzie "Mack" Dalton is the proprietress of a popular Milwaukee watering hole. But after last call, she uses her unique cocktail of extra perceptive senses to help solve some of the city’s most grisly homicides. Now, Mack and her barstool detectives are happy to help when Tiny, one of the bar’s newest patrons, asks them to look into his sister’s murder. Though the case has gone cold, Mack’s heightened senses quickly put her on the killer’s trail. But when a throng of reporters intrigued by her talents descends on Mack’s Bar, her efforts are muddled as a real-life Moriarty begins putting her infamous skills to the test, leaving Mack feeling shaken and stirred…




From the start of this booked you get pulled into the story. Revisiting Mack and the bar is always a delight and if you add in a murder to solve it makes for the perfect book. The characters have grown so much they are like old friends waiting for a visit. The plot twist and story line will keep you so captivated that you will lose all sense of time.. I am eagerly waiting for the next one in this series.




Recipe: Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott

ITALIAN DELIGHT
1 oz. Amaretto
½ oz. orange juice
1 ½ oz. cream or half and half

Pour ingredients over ice in a shaker, shake, and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, August 17, 2015

First in A Series -Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott

Happy Monday! Today's First in Series is Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott.






Print Length: 351 pages
Publisher: Kensington (August 6, 2013)
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.




Mack's Bar is one of those nice, friendly places where everybody knows your name. That's great when someone's buying you a round, but not so hot when you find yourself atop a list of murder suspects--with your fingerprints on the bloody knife!

Mackenzie "Mack" Dalton is a Milwaukee bar owner with a nose for trouble--literally. A neurological glitch has left her with extra perceptive senses. So when she stumbles upon a dead body in the alley behind the bar--the same spot where her own father was shot eight months earlier--she can tell right away there's something fishy in the air. The lead detective thinks there's a link between the two deaths, and he'll need Mack's help to sniff out the murderer amid the crowd of eccentric regulars. But when all the evidence points to her as the most likely culprit, it could be an early last call for Mack--and celebratory cocktails for a killer.
Includes drink recipes



About the Author


Allyson K. Abbott is a pseudonym used by Beth Amos, author of the suspense novels COLD WHITE FURY, EYES OF NIGHT, SECOND SIGHT, NICK OF TIME, and FACE OF DEATH. Beth is also the author of the Mattie Winston mystery series written under the pseudonym Annelise Ryan, which includes WORKING STIFF, SCARED STIFF, FROZEN STIFF, LUCKY STIFF, and BOARD STIFF.

Beth is a practicing ER nurse who lives in Wisconsin, where she changes identities nearly every day. She maintains a well stocked bar, and no, she doesn't need any more research assistants to help her come up with drink recipes for the Mack's Bar series. Guinea pigs, however, are welcome.

To learn more about Beth, Allyson, or Annelise visit www.bethamos.com

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Weekly Wrap UP #83

Happy Sunday! Here is what happened this week:



August 10th- Blog Tour-A Deceptive Homecoming by Anna Loan- Wilsey
August 11th- Author Spotlight-Anna Loan- Wilsey
August 12th-Book Trivia- Tonya Kappes
August 13th- Guest Post- Kathryn O'Sullivan
August 14th-Blog Tour- A Gilded Grave -Shelley Freydont
August 15th- Shelley's Review



Book's I've read:

A Deceptive Homecoming by Anna Loan- Wilsey
A Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont


Coming this week:

Aug. 17th- First in Series Murder in the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott
Aug. 18th- Blog Tour- In the Drink- Allyson K. Abbott
Aug.19th- Book Trivia- Amy Reade
Aug.20th- Guest Post- Julie Seedorf
Aug. 21st-Blog Tour- Black Cat and the Accidental Angel by Elaine M. Faber
Aug. 22nd- Shelley's Review

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Shelley's Reviews

This weeks book reviews are from book's I've read this week.

A Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont






Shelley Freydont's Debut Novel takes us back to the summer 1895 in her brand new series.Where we meet Deanna Randolph and the Lords and Ladies of that era. Deanna is about to attend a ball when she finds out that one of the maids has been murdered. So when the main suspect is some one from the upper class society, Deanna must find out what is going on be fore it is to late.

Shelley had taken the this nineteenth century story and brought it to life. The dress attire and the way she describes the town and the poeple have become real with this book. The cast of characters are so well written that you will be swept away.This is a great first and I am eagerly waiting the next one.



A Deceptive Homecoming by Anna Loan- Wilsey





A Deceptive Homecoming is the fourth book in the series and my favorite one so far. Its fast-paced story with plot twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once you start to read this one you won't want to put it down. Brilliant story and a cast of characters so well developed you will be captivated and moved from the beginning. I am of fan of Hattie Davish and this series is a sure hit. You will not be disappointed.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Blog Tour- A Good Kind of Trouble by Ellie Ashe

A Good Kind of Trouble
by Ellie Ashe Debuted on April 7th.






A Good Kind of Trouble
(A Trouble in Twin Rivers Novel Book 1)
Romantic Mystery
Paperback: 422 pages
Self Published (April 7, 2015)





Synopsis:


Beacon news reporter Lindsey Fox is on the verge of breaking a huge story of political corruption that will make her career and make her famous journalist parents proud—or she could be thrown in jail and fired. It really could go either way.



Her recent streak of bad luck continues when Lindsey finds herself facing a bogus contempt charge—and attorney Ben Gillespie is appointed to get her out of the slammer. They once had a bad date of epic proportions—stilted conversation, food poisoning, burglary, towed car. Then there was the incident with the pepper spray. Lindsey never believed she’d see the sexy lawyer again.



Ben can totally believe that Lindsey is behind bars. The woman is trouble. Now he has to get his new client out of jail, keep her out of the grasp of a crazed bike messenger and a shady P.I., help her save her job, and convince her to put down the pepper spray and give him another chance.





A fun new series.This fast-paced read will keep you reading through the night, You will be captivated from page one. I'm looking forward to the next one.



A Good Kind of Trouble


Beacon news reporter Lindsey Fox is on the verge of breaking a huge story of political corruption that will make her career and make her famous journalist parents proud—or she could be thrown in jail and fired. It really could go either way. Her recent streak of bad luck continues when Lindsey finds herself facing a bogus contempt charge—and attorney and former bad date Ben Gillespie is appointed to get her out of the slammer. Ben can totally believe that Lindsey is behind bars. The woman is trouble. Now he has to get his new client out of jail, keep her out of the grasp of a shady P.I., help her save her job, and convince her to put down the pepper spray and give him another chance.


Chapter One – A Good Kind of Trouble



Ben Gillespie checked his watch for the third time in as many minutes. How long was it going to take these two clowns to wrap up their petty dispute? The judge was going to rule for the plaintiff. The defendant’s lawyer—a sleazy, overpaid blowhard named Gregory Stanton—hadn’t met the standard for getting the civil case dismissed. Yet the jerk was going on and on, dragging the argument out far longer than necessary, as if he were being paid by the word. Or by the minute, which was more accurate. Ben shifted in his seat. The courtroom, which had been packed at the beginning of the morning calendar, was now nearly empty. His case was up next and would take five minutes. No sign of opposing counsel, so it might only take three minutes. He’d tried sweet-talking the clerk into putting him at the top of the docket, but others had gotten to her first. Instead, he spent an hour watching other lawyers haggling over motions, trial dates, settlements and procedural disputes. To be honest, it could have been worse. He could have been at the office. “Motion to dismiss denied,” Judge Camille Kinley said. Finally. Ben gathered his briefcase as the plaintiff’s attorney passed by, giving Ben a curt nod. The defense attorney paused and picked up his briefcase from the seat next to Ben, his presence bringing a sense of dread. Gregory Stanton straightened the collar on the ugliest suit jacket Ben had ever laid eyes on. “See you back in the office, Gillespie,” he said. “Good luck.” “Thanks, boss,” Ben said, watching Stanton leave the courtroom. The clerk called Ben’s case and he walked to the podium. “Good morning, your honor,” he said. “Ben Gillespie for the defendant, Oaks Insurance.” The appearance in front of Judge Kinley was a routine matter. Ben’s client, an insurance carrier, had finally worn down the plaintiff and convinced him to settle the case over a car accident for an outrageously low sum. The settlement meant the trial date could be vacated. The papers were filed, the case closed, and Ben took a few steps away from the podium. “Um, Mr. Gillespie,” Judge Kinley said. Had he done something wrong? Forgotten to dismiss a motion or ask for a waiver of … something? He searched his memory, but nothing came to mind. Then again, he sometimes felt like he handled these appearances on autopilot. “Yes, your honor?” Judge Kinley took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I have an unusual request, Mr. Gillespie,” she said. “I need someone to represent a person on a civil contempt matter just referred from Judge Chinn’s court. It won’t take long.” Ben paused, his mind on his calendar. He didn’t have anything pressing back at the office. And he’d rather avoid that hellhole if possible. He couldn’t very well say no to Judge Kinley anyway. He had far too many cases in front of her. “Of course, your honor,” he said. She sighed. “Your client is in the holding cell.” Ben followed the courtroom bailiff out the side door. He’d never been back to the holding cell. His clients were insurance companies and corporations, not actual people. Especially not criminal-type people. The holding cell looked like a wall of bars had been thrown up at the end of a hallway as an afterthought. A woman sat on the bench built into the back wall. She was leaning forward, her head in her hands, and her long blonde hair obscured her face. She was wearing a white blouse, a blue skirt, and had really nice legs. He was still staring at those legs when his new client gasped. “What are you doing here?” That voice. He knew that voice. The last time he’d heard that voice, he was in unspeakable pain. Out of instinct, he took a step backward, his eyes scanning the room. Her purse sat on a table by the door, safely out of her reach. “I was just appointed to represent you.” The blonde stood and walked to the front of the small cell. She grasped the vertical bars and raised her chin to look him in the eye. “No,” she said. “Officer, I want a different lawyer. This one doesn’t do criminal law. He chases ambulances.” “Not quite, but I appreciate the sentiment,” Ben said. “Judge Kinley appointed me, so you’re stuck with me. And by the way, this—” He motioned toward the bars with both hands. “This doesn’t surprise me one bit.” She put her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed, and her mouth tightened. The bailiff snickered and Ben turned toward him. “I need a minute with my client.” The bailiff grinned. “Good luck,” he said in a low voice, giving Ben a wink. “You have no idea,” Ben replied. The door to the courtroom closed and Ben approached the cell, careful to stay about three feet from the bars. He was reminded of his trips to the zoo as a child, getting close to the tiger’s cage, but not close enough for those claws to slash out between the bars. “No, no, no,” his new client said. “The newspaper is going to get me a lawyer. A real lawyer.” “Until they do, I’m your lawyer,” Ben said. “So you might as well tell me what you did this time, Lindsey.” Lindsey Fox may have looked like any other young, professional woman—polished, pretty, intelligent—but he knew better. Ben only felt safe because of the bars between them. She was not to be trusted. “The judge doesn’t seem to understand that California has a shield law. And I’m a reporter, and therefore I don’t have to testify.” She sounded pretty sure of herself for someone on the wrong side of the bars. “Yeah, how’s that working out for you?” Ben said. “Just get me out of here, Ben. Think you can manage that?” “I don’t know, I think I hear a siren,” he said, putting one hand to his ear. “I’m supposed to rely on you to get me out of here? Are you kidding me?” “Gee, Lindsey, it almost sounds like you don’t trust me to help you out,” he shot back. “What are you afraid of? That I might want to keep you locked up?” Her eyes narrowed. “Did it occur to you that you might have a conflict here?” Ben shook his head. “We had one bad date. I’m over it. I’m a professional. I can do my job,” he said. “Though, just to be clear, that was by far the worst date I’ve ever had in my life.” “Oh, really? And that was my fault?” “Well, let’s see, you got drunk and—” “I was not drunk.” “You kept falling down.” “I was wearing new shoes. They were heels. It was hard to walk in them.” “Here’s a tip, sweetheart—men don’t notice shoes. But they sure as hell notice a woman who is constantly falling on her ass.” “I merely stumbled,” Lindsey argued. He leaned in toward the bars. “Then you were eavesdropping on the people at the table behind us.” “It was the mayor and he was dining with a lobbyist. The lobbyist who was trying to get the stadium built downtown.” “Then I got food poisoning,” he said. “Okay, that one is not my fault.”

He supposed he had to give her that one, but he was unwilling to concede the point. “Then, of course, the finale—” The door from the courtroom opened and the deputy stuck his head in the holding cell area. “You two done talking?” Ben shook his head. “Give us a few more minutes.” The door clicked shut again. Ben studied Lindsey, who was now pacing the small cell. She looked good. For a criminal. “Seriously, Lindsey, what did you do?” “I refused to testify and the judge wants to throw me in jail,” she said. “Why isn’t the Beacon’s attorney here?”

“Because I haven’t had a chance to call anyone. Gomer there took my cell phone.” “Good to see you’re making friends here,” Ben said. He took his cell phone out of his pocket and she reached through the bars for it. He held it out of reach. “Give me the number.” She recited the phone number and Ben dialed. It was the direct line to the editor’s desk and he answered with an indecipherable, and likely profane, greeting. Ben explained the situation to the editor, who seemed unperturbed by the news that one of his staff was in jail. Then he was put on hold. “What’d Sam say?” Lindsey asked.

“He put me on hold,” Ben said, rubbing his forehead where a headache began to form. Lindsey paced the length of the tiny cell. “Is he back yet?” “No, but don’t worry, I bill in six-minute increments.” “You’re a jackass,” Lindsey said. “And for the record, you were the worst date I’ve ever had, and I’ve had some doozies.” “Really? You think—”
Ben’s retort was cut off by the woman’s voice on the cell phone. “Lara Petrie.” “What? Really?” Ben asked, confused. “The Laura Petrie?” In his mind, he could clearly see the flickering black and white image of Laura Petrie, the pert and beautiful TV wife of Dick Van Dyke. A long sigh. “No, a different one. Lara, not Laura. Is this Mr. Gillespie?” “It is,” Ben said. “I’m with Lindsey Fox at the holding cell in Judge Kinley’s court. You coming down here to get her out?” “No, I’m in-house counsel,” Lara Petrie said. Ben imagined her as a tall woman in slim capri pants with a flippy haircut. “I left a message for our—“
“Outhouse counsel?” he asked. “Outside counsel,” she said. “They can’t be there today. Can you handle getting Ms. Fox out and setting this over for a hearing at a future date? The newspaper will pay you, of course.” “Yeah, I think I can handle that,” Ben said. Lindsey was leaning toward him, trying to listen in on the call. He disconnected and gave her a grin. “Baby, you’re in good hands.”
She shook her head, her eyes wide with panic. “No, no, no.” It almost felt too good to needle her. “Trust me, I’m a lawyer.” This was possibly the worst day of Lindsey’s life. Worse than the time she got pulled over on the way to her brother’s wedding and had to do a sobriety test on the side of the road while wearing a bridesmaid dress. Worse than the time she accidentally gave her boss a peanut-laced cookie and he swelled up like a parade float and had to be revived by paramedics in the middle of the newsroom.

Even worse than the time she went out on a date with that lawyer who complained about his job all night, even though she was clearly trying to eavesdrop on what that sleazy lobbyist was promising the mayor, and then the jerk didn’t even call her again, even though the kissing portion of their date was fairly spectacular. Objectively speaking, she had to admit that her one and only encounter with Ben Gillespie had ended on a sour note. She probably wouldn’t have called, if their situations were reversed. Except for that part in the car. That sort of chemistry was definitely worth a phone call. She certainly didn’t expect to see Ben ever again and especially not under these circumstances. Not sitting in a cell, waiting to face an angry judge. How had she ended up with her fate in Ben’s hands? “This sucks,” she said.

“You do have a way with words,” Ben answered with a smug smile. He wouldn’t be so smug if she could reach him through these bars. Stupid lawyers. She was stuck in this cage because of a lawyer. “How long do you think I’ll be here?” She had a deadline to meet. She had a dog at home who needed to be fed and walked. And her feet were killing her.
“Not long. We’re going to set this for a hearing in a day or so, ask the judge to release you on O.R.—that’s ‘own recognizance’—and get you out as soon as possible.” “I know what O.R. means,” she said. “Well, someone’s been watching Law & Order reruns,” Ben said. “No, I just date a lot of lawyers,” she said, feigning a yawn. “They do go on about their work.” Ben gave her a tight smile. “I’ll tell the deputy—what was your charming nickname for him? Gomer? I’ll let Gomer know we’re ready to go before the judge.”




Giveaway: Leave a comment by August 16th for the chance to win a e-copy of A Good Kind of Trouble .One readerwill be chosen Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.

Blog Tour- A Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont

Shelley Freydont's brand new series A Gilded Grave was released on August 4th. It is a historical mystery series.









Series: NEWPORT GILDED AGE
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Berkley (August 4, 2015)
Language: English







First in a new series from the author of the Celebration Bay mysteries

In 1895, the height of the Gilded Age, the social elite spend their summers in Newport, Rhode Island. Within the walls of their fabulous “cottages,” competition for superiority is ruthless … and so are the players.

During her first Newport season, Deanna Randolph attends a ball given in honor of Lord David Manchester, a Barbadian sugar magnate, and his sister, Madeline. The Manchesters are an immediate success—along with their exotic manservant and his fortune-telling talents.

But on the nearby cliffs, a young maid lies dead—and suspicion falls on Joseph Ballard, a member of one of the town’s most prestigious families.

Joe humiliated Deanna when he rebuffed an engagement to her, but while he may be a cad, she knows he isn’t a killer. Now the reluctant allies must navigate a world of parties, tennis matches, and séances to find the real murderer. But a misstep among the glittering upper classes could leave them exposed to something far more dangerous than malicious gossip…


Shelley Freydont's Debut Novel takes us back to the summer 1895 in her brand new series.Where we meet Deanna Randolph and the Lords and Ladies of that era. Deanna is about to attend a ball when she finds out that one of the maids has been murdered. So when the main suspect is some one from the upper class society, Deanna must find out what is going on be fore it is to late.

Shelley had taken the this nineteenth century story and brought it to life. The dress attire and the way she describes the town and the poeple have become real with this book. The cast of characters are so well written that you will be swept away.This is a great first and I am eagerly waiting the next one.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Guest Post- Kathryn O' Sullivan

Guest Post with Kathryn O'Sullivan. Kathryn is the author of The Colleen McCabe Series .Her newest book in the series Neighing With Fire was released on May 5th.







Thanks, Shelley, for inviting me to visit with your readers to talk about Neighing with Fire, the latest book in the Colleen McCabe mystery series.

In Neighing with Fire, the summer tourist season in the Outer Banks village of Corolla starts peacefully enough for Fire Chief Colleen McCabe. She’s even allowing herself to enjoy a budding romance with friend-turned-boyfriend Sheriff Bill Dorman. After the murders of the previous year, could life in Corolla finally be returning to normal? Well, of course not… it’s a mystery… someone has to turn up dead! When a tropical storm blows in and unearths a body under a vacation home boardwalk and land developer Denny Custis dies in a suspicious fire, Colleen has a hunch the two deaths are linked and another summer of sleuthing begins.

Colleen and Bill investigate an ever-widening list of suspects and soon discover that virtually everyone has had a beef or run-in with Denny and a motive for murder. When Antonio “Pinky” Salvatore, a rival land developer, becomes the primary suspect, Colleen is determined to clear his name. The fact that Pinky has a crush on Colleen doesn’t influence her feelings about his innocence the least… but don’t try telling that to Bill.

As if solving a couple murders wasn’t enough, Colleen also has her hands full keeping an eye on the mainland arsons, dodging bridesmaid responsibilities, and avoiding becoming embroiled in battles between the town’s colorful inhabitants. Myrtle Crepe, Little Bobby, Colleen’s Border Collie, Sparky, Jimmy and the rest of the zany residents are back in the third installment. Like Foal Play and Murder on the Hoof, Neighing with Fire features real issues affecting the area such as the protection of the wild horses and encroaching development on their land as well as local sites. In fact, Shirley Landes, a reader, recommended Gold-N-Gifts jewelry store owned by the delightful Kristen Chance and one of my favorite scenes in the book is set there. You’ll have to read to find out why. Happy reading!



About the Author




Kathryn O’Sullivan writes the Colleen McCabe mystery series set on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Neighing with Fire, a Pacific Book Awards Finalist, is the latest book featuring Fire Chief McCabe, her Border Collie, Sparky, and the colorful characters of Corolla.
The first book in the series, Foal Play, won the Malice Domestic Competition for Best First Traditional Mystery Novel. She is also a playwright, co-executive producer/creator/writer of the award-winning online Western series Thurston, and a professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She lives in Virginia with her husband and cat and returns to the Outer Banks every chance she gets.

Website: www.kathrynosullivan.com
Neighing with Fire Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NOckYnWRsg
Twitter: @KthrynOSullivan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynOSullivanWriter


Giveaway:Leave a comment by August 16th for the chance to win a copy of Neighing with Fire.Two readers will be chosen Winners will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Book Trivia- Tonya Kappes


Happy Wednesday! It's Trivia time and today's host is Tonya Kappes. The Questions are from A GHOSTLY GRAVE, the second novel in the Ghostly Southern Mystery Series. Winner will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card! Leave answers and email.








1.What is the town name in the Ghostly Southern Mystery Series?

2.What is Emma Lee’s occupation?

3.What is Emma Lee’s boyfriend’s name?

4.What is Jack Henry’s occupation?

5.What is Emma Lee’s special gift called?

6.The Ghost and victim in Chicken Teater. What is his occupation?

7.What is Chicken Teater’s pet’s name?

8.What kind of business does Marla want to open?

9.What contest did Emma Lee become a participant?

10.What drink is Chicken always hankering for?




The third installment in the Ghostly Southern Mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes

A GHOSTLY DEMISE By Tonya Kappes


On Sale August 25, 2015 Preorder Today! From former self-published superstar and USA Today bestseller Tonya Kappes comes the third hilarious Ghostly Southern Mystery novel featuring Emma Lee Raines, a funeral home director who can suddenly see dead people.







The prodigal father returns-but this ghost is no holy spirit.


When she runs into her friend’s deadbeat dad at the local deli, undertaker Emma Lee Raines can’t wait to tell Mary Anna Hardy that he’s back in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, after five long years. Cephus Hardy may have been the town drunk, but he didn’t disappear on an epic bender like everyone thought: He was murdered. And he’s heard that Emma Lee’s been helping lost souls move on to that great big party in the sky.

Why do ghosts always bother Emma Lee at the worst times? Her granny’s mayoral campaign is in high gear, a carnival is taking over the Town Square, and her hunky boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, is stuck wrestling runaway goats. Besides, Cephus has no clue whodunit… unless it was one of Mrs. Hardy’s not-so-secret admirers. All roads lead Emma Lee to that carnival-and a killer who isn’t clowning around.


About the author:






Tonya Kappes has written more than fifteen novels and four novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two very spoiled schnauzers, and one ex-stray cat in northern Kentucky. Now that her boys are teenagers, Tonya writes full-time but can be found at all of her guys’ high school games with a pencil and paper in hand. More than anything, Tonya loves to connect with readers, with a loyal ‘street team’ of fans and followers on social media. Be sure to check out her Facebook, Twitter, and website. Sign up for her newsletter and receive a free ebook mystery download!

A GHOSTLY DEMISE A Ghostly Southern Mystery by Tonya Kappes On Sale August 25, 2015 Mass Market ISBN: 9780062374912/ $7.99 E-book ISBN: 9780062374929/ $7.99 HarperCollins

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Author Spotlight- Anna Loan-Wilsey

Cozy Mystery Author Anna Loan-Wilsey is the author of A Hattie Davish Mystery Series. Her newest book in the series A Deceptive Homecoming was released on July 28th.










As a biologist, librarian and then information specialist, I used to track down mysteries every day. Now as the bestselling author of the Hattie Davish Mysteries Series,about a traveling Victorian secretary, I thoroughly enjoy creating them!

I earned my B.A. at Wells College in Aurora, NY (close to my hometown of Syracuse, NY) and had several poems published in their literary magazine, The Chronicle. I earned my M.L.I.S. from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and have published in several scientific peer-reviewed journals.

"A Lack of Temperance", my first novel and first in the series, was a #1 bestselling historical mystery on Amazon.com. I live in a Victorian farmhouse near Ames, Iowa with my inquisitive four year old, my old yellow dog and my very funny, very patient husband, where I am happily working on Hattie's next adventure.

To learn more about me, visit me at www.annaloanwilsey.com or find me on Facebook!

Monday, August 10, 2015

Blog Tour- A Deceptive Homecoming by Anna Loan- Wilsey

Hattie Davis is visiting today. The newest book by Anna Loan Wilsey is out. A Deceptive Homecoming was released on July 28th.







Series: A Hattie Davish Mystery (Book 4)
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (July 28, 2015)
Language: English




Traveling secretary Hattie Davish is returning to her once-quiet hometown, where a deluge of deadly secrets leaves her feeling anything but welcome…


When her good friend Virginia Hayward’s father passes away, Hattie Davish rushes to her hometown of St. Joseph, Missouri. She’s looking forward to visiting the place where she grew up, even if the circumstances bringing her there are bleak. But upon her arrival, she learns that all is not well in St. Joe. Virginia is cold and distant, Frank Hayward’s death is shrouded in mystery, and a string of troubling incidents have descended on Hattie’s alma mater, Mrs. Chaplin’s School for Women. Frank was the school’s bookkeeper, and as Hattie begins investigating the bizarre goings-on, she becomes convinced that someone other than Frank was in the casket—but who? Her search for the truth takes her from the town cemetery, to the home of an infamous outlaw, to the dungeon-like tunnels beneath the State Lunatic Asylum—and brings her face-to-face with a killer bent on the deadliest lesson of all…


A Deceptive Homecoming is the fourth book in the series and my favorite one so far. Its fast-paced story with plot twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once you start to read this one you won't want to put it down. Brilliant story and a cast of characters so well developed you will be captivated and moved from the beginning. I am of fan of Hattie Davish and this series is a sure hit. You will not be disappointed.




About The Author –

As a librarian and information specialist, Anna Loan-Wilsey tracks down information every day that helps to solve mysteries. She is currently working on her next book in the Hattie Davish Mystery series. She earned her B.A. at Wells College and had several poems published in their literary magazine, The Chronicle. Readers can visit her website at www.annaloanwilsey.com.


http://www.annaloanwilsey.com/
https://twitter.com/annaloanwilsey
https://www.facebook.com/annaloanwilseyauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5810152.Anna_Loan_Wilsey


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Weekly Wrap Up # 83

Happy Sunday! Here is what happened this week:

August 3rd- First in A Series- Better Homes and Corpses by Kathleen Bridge
August 4th- Author Spotlight- Kathleen Bridge
August 5th- Blog Tour- Give'Em Pumpkin to Talk About by Joyce and Jim Lavene
August 6th- Guest Post- Karen Rose Smith
August 7th- Blog Tour- Killer Wedding Cake by Gayle Trent
August 8th- Shelley's Reviews


Books I've read and Listened to:


Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton- audio
Killer Wedding Cake by Gayle Trent



Coming this week:

August 10th- Blog Tour-A Deceptive Homecoming by Anna Loan- Wilsey
August 11th- Author Spotlight-Anna Loan- Wilsey
August 12th-Book Trivia- Tonya Kappes
August 13th- Guest Post- Kathryn O'Sullivan
August 14th-What's New?
August 15th- Shelley's Review

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Shelley's Review

This week's reviews are a recap of two I read for Blog Tours. Killer Wedding Cake by Gayle Trent and Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About by Joyce and Jim Lavene


Killer Wedding Cake





This was a fun read. Daphne is in the process of planning her wedding as well as making her cake for it. Her life is busy and about to get busier when a murder takes place and puts a twist in her plans. This fast- paced mystery will have you on the edge of your seat guessing until the end. I enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the next one.








If you love Fall and everything about Fall, like I do then you will want to get this book and jump right in. A Perfect read for a Fall day, cool crisp air, the leaves starting to change and a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee or a pumpkin latte, will make this a great book to kick off the fall season.









I love pumpkins and everything Fall, So when I heard that Joyce and Jim Lavene had a brand new series come out and Pumpkins were involved I knew I had to read it. It is Amazing! You will meet Sarah Tucker and Jack Collins as you take a trip to Misty River Virginia. Someone doesn't want Sarah to stay on the land of her missing grandparents and will do everything they can to make it happen. So when potential buyers end up dead, Sarah and Jack have to find out who the killer is,and get this property sold so she can get back to her Attorney job and move on. Find out if she will stay or leave the farm.

Each character brings something unique and has a charm about them that really bring this story to life. The story line is so well written you will be so involved in it , like I was, and finished it in one day. I could not put it down.



It's fast- paced and plot twisting that will keep you reading and an ending so good you will be eagerly waiting for the next one. This book is a great read to get you ready for Fall and all things pumpkin!




Don't miss a single minute of these two great books.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Blog Tour- Killer Wedding Cake by Gayle Trent

Daphne Martin stopped by for a visit. The newest book killer wedding cake by Gayle Trent was released on June 20th.




Series: Daphne Martin Cake Mystery
Paperback: 214 pages
Publisher: Grace Abraham Publishing; First edition (June 21, 2015)
Language: English




Synopsis:

Daphne Martin’s wedding to Ben Jacobs is only a couple of weeks away. An award-winning cake decorator, Daphne is busy designing their wedding cake. Her twin nephew and niece, Lucas and Leslie, are excited about being in the wedding party. And Daphne’s brother-in-law Jason is planning a bachelor party for Ben. Everything is going beautifully until Daphne’s ex-husband Todd shows up. Just released from prison after serving a sentence based on his shooting a gun at Daphne, Todd comes to Brea Ridge to profess his undying love for her.

Despite Daphne’s attempts to make Todd leave town, he insists on hanging around to reconnect with people he used to know. When he’s found murdered, Daphne finds herself at the center of the investigation. Now she must track down Todd’s killer before she becomes the next victim. Can she still make it to the church on time?




This was a fun read. Daphne is in the process of planning her wedding as well as making her cake for it. Her life is busy and about to get busier when a murder takes place and puts a twist in her plans. This fast- paced mystery will have you on the edge of your seat guessing until the end. I enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the next one.




Spotlight on Southwest Virginia Gayle Trent

As some of you may know, I have two series (the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb series) set in fictional towns in Southwest Virginia. [I’ll have another one soon—a southern café mystery series—under the name Gayle Leeson for NAL/Penguin. But that’s a story for another blog tour. ;) ] Why do I write so much about Southwest Virginia? Because that’s where I’m from.

For the first five or six years of my life, I lived in a tiny town called Clinchburg, Virginia. Our family lived near the top of a hill, and my paternal grandparents lived directly across the road from us. There were three or four houses farther up from us, but I firmly believed that beyond the fields of that dead-end road was…well…nothing. It was the end of the world. It was beautiful—lush hills, maples, pines, daisies and goldenrod as far as the eye could see—but the road ended. There was nowhere else to go from there, at least, as far as my four-year-old mind could reason.

Southwest Virginia is rich in history. From the Native American tribes who roamed the region to the Civil War soldiers who fought battles here, there are lots of tales—yes, some are ghost stories—to be told. One of my fondest memories is slipping into the kitchen and listening to the adults relay stories in hushed tones. There was the legend about the haunted house where the most stalwart man in town swore that while out hunting one night, he shined a light in the window and saw blood running down the walls. The grownups laughed about the relative who kept a still and was always on the watch for revenuers. And they marveled over how they made it through some of the hard times they suffered growing up.

One horrible yet mesmerizing story I heard over and over again was of the multiple murder that happened one summer when my parents were children. A farmhand wanted to borrow his employer’s car. When he was refused, he killed all but one member of the family with a post hole digger. The survivor was able to barricade herself in a store building that was on the property. It was a gruesome tale to hear growing up, and without exception, I still shudder as I drive by the property where the incident occurred.

There’s also a lot of character—and a lot of characters—in Southwest Virginia. Some of the quirky secondary characters in both the cake decorating series and the southern café series (coming soon!) are composites of some of the people I’ve known or, at least, met. While some of those composites are likely skewed by a child’s memories and overactive imagination, they are based on fact. In the upcoming café series, for example, I have a character that has a raccoon visit her every evening expecting her to give it a biscuit. That character came to life after a woman who lives near my mother-in-law told me that she had a raccoon visit every evening at dusk. He wouldn’t leave until she gave him a biscuit. I thought that anecdote was too cute not to work into a book. If you engage people and listen to their tales, you’ll hear all kinds of book worthy snippets.

So when you put it all together—beauty, rich history, and interesting characters—is it any wonder why Southwest Virginia is so easy to write about?



About the Author:

Gayle Trent (and pseudonym Amanda Lee) writes the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating series and the Embroidery Mystery series. The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop.


Author Links:

http://www.gayletrent.com

https://www.facebook.com/GayleTrentandAmandaLee

https://www.twitter.com/GayleTrent

https://www.pinterest.com/gayletrent/


Giveaway:Leave a comment by 12 am eastern time on August 10th for a chance to be entered in to win an e-copy of Killer Wedding Cake. Winners will be notified within 48 hours after the giveaway closes and will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure you check you Spam folder.

First in Series- Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann B. Ross

Happy Monday! This week's First in Series is Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann B. Ross Released on August 22, 2000. Seri...