Author: cvegnad

June 28, 2017

Dead on Ice Book Review

Lauren Carr’s Audiobook-a-palooza Blog Tour continues with Dead on Ice! To celebrate the release of Lauren Carr’s mysteries in audiobook format, we have 14 books from her three series on tour!

About Dead on Ice

Spunky Cameron Gates is tasked with solving the murder of Cherry Pickens, a legendary star of pornographic films, whose body turns up in an abandoned freezer. The case has a personal connection to her lover, Joshua Thornton, because the freezer was located in his cousin’s basement. It doesn’t take long for their investigation to reveal that the risqué star’s roots were buried in their rural Ohio Valley community, something that Cherry had kept off her show business bio. She should have kept her hometown off her road map, too – because when this starlet came running home from the mob, it proved to be a fatal homecoming.

My Thoughts

Dead on Ice is another fantastic and well spun novel of mystery, suspense and murder by Lauren Carr!

This series focuses on the very unique, loving and witty Cameron Gates. She has faced her own tragedies in her past with the loss of her first husband and this has changed the way she views the world and even her relationship with Joshua Thornton. Joshua Thornton is the prosecuting attorney in their small town and is also connected to this murder mystery.

At the heart of this case we have Cherry who had left their small town to become famous in adult films. Her body is found in the basement of Joshua’s cousin home after the community helps gather to clean out the home after his cousin’s death. The discovery of the body (after a small explosion!) rocks the community and as the case evolves, we find ties to an unsolved case from many years ago.

I loved the many, many layers to this novel. It is not just your simple murder mystery, instead it has ties to another cold case, direct and indirect ties to several notable citizens in their community, the mob and many more. You are left guessing constantly throughout the novel and the ending was not what I expected at all – in fact it left me a bit shocked! Dead on Ice is well written, with great character development and an even better plot. You will love the story from start to finish – I could not put the book down.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Audible.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and three dogs (including the real Gnarly’s klutzy nephew Sterling) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 27, 2017

A Passport to Adventure: Igniting a Love for Protecting Animals #StreamTeam

We love to watch documentaries together as a family, especially anything and everything to do with animals and nature. We love learning about the habitats of an animal, watching them grow up, their unique personalities and traits and even how they survive. Our world is an amazing place and it is so important to my husband and I that our children learn as much about the world around them so that they can fully appreciate and cherish it’s beauty and wonder. It helps them to understand how the world works and to show compassion for the creatures that are our neighbours.

Growing Up Wild is our FAVOURITE animal show to watch on Netflix at home! We have watched this documentary from Disney Nature over thirty times (and that is low balling it). This movie follows five animals from birth as they grow up in the wild. We learn how they are raised and nurtured, who teaches them, their predators and their unique traits. While at times the movie can be sad (especially when the babies are hunted), it is such an important lesson for children to learn how much they are like humans. Their parents love their babies and would do anything to protect them, they play with their siblings like children do and they show affection like humans do.

Our second favourite documentary on Netflix is Wild Ones, which has thirteen episodes in one season. This series explores the habitats of some of the strongest, fastest and cutest animals in the world. We can travel from Madagascar to the Amazon to the Savannah. We learn everything that there is to know about the important animals that live in these habitats, how they grow, hunt and work together to survive.

Over the winter, we went on an incredible trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe to visit family. We were very blessed to have had our family take us on amazing adventures while we there which included a safari and boat cruises both in Chobe, Botswana and in South Africa. All of the amazing animals that we had been watching for months on Netflix were brought to life. It was an incredible, humbling and amazing experience that has stayed with us. The animals, the countries and the people who do everything they can do protect them was inspiring and gives you hope for the future.

Our youngest son, who is so fond of animals, has decided that when he grows up he wants to move closer to his family in Africa so that he can do everything he can to protect these beautiful animals! As an animal lover myself, I was so proud of him, even though I know I would miss him so very much.

All of this love and passion for protecting these animals started with a simple movie on Netflix and a trip to visit family. This ignited a dream for our son that I can’t wait for him to pursue as he gets older. As we begin to plan our next trip back to South Africa and Botswana, I know that this summer will be full of more amazing adventures and education from Netflix.

What are your favourite documentaries to watch on Netflix? Have they helped to inspire a dream? What will you be watching this summer with your children?

Disclosure: I am a Netflix #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 27, 2017

The Captain’s Daughter Book Review

The Captain’s Daughter is a warm-hearted Victorian romance brings 1880s London to life.

About The Captain’s Daughter

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.

My Thoughts

I love historical romances, they are one of my all time favourite types of books to read. This is especially true of books set in London! I was really excited to read this book and while the book did not play out the way I thought it would, it was still a great book.

We have a young woman, who has lost her family and has no family. She is forced to leave the place she has called “home” and finds her way to London to help lose herself in the hustle and bustle of people so that she can take care of her sisters. When she arrives there, her innocence and naivety is taken advantage of and she finds herself almost drawn into a brothel scheme!

She meets a young man who has his demons to battle but they uncover a friendship and the possibility for more. Together they teach each other about letting go, moving forward, hope and love. I loved that our two main characters are not from a rich family, they weren’t born into wealth and they don’t see wealth throughout this novel – like many historical novels can be based around. Instead the focus is on their past, their future, hope and love. They are surrounded with family and love – the two things you can’t live without!

The Captain’s Daughter is a lovely, well written novel that leaves you inspired and hopeful. A great read from start to finish.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Jennifer Delamere’s debut Victorian romance, “An Heiress at Heart,” was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, “A Lady Most Lovely,” received a starred review from “Publishers Weekly” and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 20, 2017

Stunning Children’s Books from Raincoast Books #SummerTimeReading

Tomorrow marks the official first day of summer and I am so excited for the laid back days, later bed times and an ease on our regular routines. I think both my kids and I are ready for that break! While we tend to shy away from some of our regular routine during the summer months, the one activity we never stop is a bedtime story. Both of us look forward to those cuddles and the journey we take before heading off into dream land. It helps us to unwind and reconnect after a day of play and I love that it keeps up those very important reading skills throughout the summer.

Here are my three fun picks for your preschool to school aged child for fun summer time reading:

This Is Not a Picture Book!

In this quirky yet sweet picture book about the joy and power of reading, Duck learns that even books without pictures can be fun. While he and his friend Bug may struggle at first to decipher their book, they stick with it, and before long they discover that not only can they read it, but it deserves a place on the shelf with all their favorite picture books. Author-artist Sergio Ruzzier has created a fanciful tribute to books of all kinds. It includes both words AND pictures.

Reading is the most powerful gift you can give your child. It takes them on adventures, teaches them life lessons and gives hope and inspiration, all from the comfort of your favourite reading spot! This beautiful book helps to drive home that reading is magical. Our character, Duck, is first unsure of a book without pictures, could he read the book? Would he be able to know all the words? Would it even be interesting? How could a book without pictures be interesting? When he tries the book, he realizes he recognizes those words and even without pictures the book takes him on a magical adventure that ends with him at home (and excited for his next adventure with a book with no pictures!). This is what a book does, it touches you with words and brings excitement, hope and every book that is opened by a child is the gift of adventure! This is a definite must read for children before they progress to more advanced books with less imagery.

You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Don’t Blink!

Think you can win a staring contest against an elephant? What about a gorilla, a cheetah, a fox, or an alligator? What about all them – AND a bunch of their other animal friends – at the same time? You’re about to find out!

Whatever you do DON’T BLINK!

How many of us have had staring contests with our children? I know my boys and I are always having one, whether it be at the dining room table or watching movies. We always have to see who can last the longest and without a doubt my kids are usually the winners! This adorable book is all about staring contests with your favourite little competitor, your child. As the book progresses your child can have a staring contest with all of their favourite animals. Who will win this fantastic staring game? The book is beautifully illustrated in soft and warm colours which makes the characters that much more loveable. The characters even remind you of your own child, especially at the end as they decide on a winner. This lovely book started giggles and a new round of staring competitions in our home.

You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Tony

A touching tale of a boy and a horse, by the late poet Ed Galing and illustrated with remarkable tenderness by Caldecott-winning artist Erin Stead.

The late Ed Galing was born in 1917, spent his early years in the Lower East Side of New York City, and has been widely published in the small press.

“Tony was all white,
large, sturdy,
with wide gentle eyes
and a ton of love . . .

it was early in the morning
around three a.m.,
but I was up, and would
go out and pat Tony with
my gentle arms, and
his head would bow down”

An absolutely beautiful and touching story of friendship and love between a horse and its friend. It is an easy to read story to your child, that they will fall in love and can also help to read aloud. The illustrations are all done in a blue-green, yellow and white with an almost pencilled in design, which helps the story to do the talking. The wording is perfect for a night time story, it was soothing and so full of love.

You can purchase a copy of Tony here.

What are your favourite bed time stories to read to your child?

To keep up to date with new book releases for children, make sure to follow Raincoast Books on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclosure: I received copies of these books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 19, 2017

Suspense, Action and the Mob in Joe Giordano’s Newest Release!

From the Italian Mafia to the Russian mob to art theft and to ISIL, Joe Giordano brings it all to the table with his new book!

About Appointment with ISIL

This time, Anthony’s libido threatens his life. He flirts with Russian mob boss, Gorgon Malakhov’s mistress. The Russian deals in death. ISIL, the Islamic State in the Levant, wants the product. Russian Intelligence supplies the means, and an art theft funds the scheme. ISIL’s targets are chilling. The chase across the Mediterranean is on. Can Anthony thwart ISIL? Will he survive?

My Thoughts

Appointment with ISIL is a fast paced, exciting thriller that takes you around the world in a scheme that will blow your mind. Joe Giordano has written a book that has so many layers, that keeps you guessing and unwilling to put his book down. You have to keep reading to find out what happens next!

Anthony is a fantastic main character – he is tough but not over the top tough, likeable and wants to do what is right. Anthony goes from one bad situation into an even worse situation. He manages to get himself involved in not only the Italian mafia but the Russians which in turn ties him to art theft and the sale of dirty bombs and submarines. Joe has an amazing way of writing that reveals just enough at each stage of the book – enough to keep you guessing and enough to unwind a new thread in this story. I never really knew what was coming next and I loved this. You kept hoping for the best for Anthony but were on edge at all times during the novel.

This is an awesome, action packed thriller that you will not be able to put down. Joe weaves an amazing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading long into the night!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Joe Giordano was born in Brooklyn. He and his wife, Jane, have lived in Greece, Brazil, Belgium and the Netherlands. They now live in Texas.

Joe’s stories have appeared in more than ninety magazines including The Monarch Review, The Saturday Evening Post, decomP, The Summerset Review, and Shenandoah. His novel, Birds of Passage, An Italian Immigrant Coming of Age Story, was published by Harvard Square Editions October 2015. His second novel, Appointment with ISIL, an Anthony Provati Thriller will be published by HSE in June 2017.

You can connect with Joe on his website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.