Category: book tour

June 22, 2021

Grace in Hollywood Book Review

Grace in Hollywood is the second book in the riveting A Grace Michelle Mystery historical series. If you like fiercely loyal heroines, thrilling whodunits, and the magic of old cinema, then you’ll love Kari Bovee’s enthralling tale.

About Grace in Hollywood

All that glitters… is sometimes blood. With her golden ticket buried in the ground, can she save a wrongly accused teen from the gallows?

Hollywood, 1924. Promoted to lead costume designer of a star-studded film, Grace Michelle should be on top of the world. But between her husband’s debt, her sister’s recent death, and the troubled teenaged girl she’s fostering, she’s struggling to please everyone and still keep a smile on her face. And when a Tinseltown shindig turns deadly, Grace is horrified to discover her young charge unconscious alongside the director’s grisly corpse.

Determined to prove the girl’s innocence, Grace’s own haunted past fills her sleep with prophetic nightmares. And no sooner has she sought clarity from a medium than a second body lands the scared teenager in the slammer.

Can Grace turn the camera on the real culprit before another victim ends up on the cutting room floor?

My Thoughts

The glamour of Hollywood mixed in with the quiet, country life of a kind, brave woman who fosters troubled youth and you have quite the plot on your hands!

Grace is a lead costume designer for top Hollywood productions but she is a laid back, quiet woman who is not drawn into the glitz and glamour. Some of this is from being tied to her own tragic past and the nightmares that still haunt her to this date. She reluctantly agrees to host a party at her home (how can she protect the young lives she has been entrusted with and keep them away from the glitz and pain that is Hollywood) and the plot quickly escalates from here. One of the guests (also a major director who has made many enemies in his life) is found dead and the teen she is fostering is found unconscious beside him. It is a race against time as Grace must find the real killer before the young girl’s whole life is ruined.

This was an excellent, well written novel that kept you on the edge of your seat. While it was a second book in the series, it can be read on its own. Kari gives enough information about the characters that you do not feel lost in the story but also that it doesn’t take over the plot. I loved that our main character is the fierce, loyal and determined heroine that loves her foster children with her whole heart. The plot is a bit slower in the beginning but it lays the groundwork for the twists to come and I loved every moment (I couldn’t put this novel down and read it in one sitting!). This novel makes for a great summer time read sitting on the porch with a glass of wine and watching the kids play – it does not disappoint!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

When she’s not on a horse, or walking along the beautiful cottonwood-laden acequias of Corrales, New Mexico; or basking on white sand beaches under the Big Island Hawaiian sun, Kari Bovee is escaping into the past—scheming murder and mayhem for her characters both real and imagined, and helping them to find order in the chaos of her action-packed novels.

An award-winning author, Bovée was honored with the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards Hillerman Award for Southwestern Fiction for her novel Girl with a Gun. The novel also received First Place in the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards in the Mystery/Crime category, and won First in Category in the International Chanticleer Murder & Mayhem Awards. It was also a finalist in the 2019 Next Generation Indie Awards. Her novel Grace in the Wings won First in Category for the 2019 International Chanticleer Chatelaine Awards. Peccadillo at the Palace won Grand Prize in the 2019 Goethe Awards, and was a finalist in the 2019 Best Book Awards Historical Fiction category.

Bovée has worked as a technical writer for a Fortune 500 Company, has written non-fiction for magazines and newsletters, and has worked in the education field as a teacher and educational consultant.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

You can enter the giveaway here.

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

June 22, 2021

James Dreadful and the Spell-Guardian (The Dreadful Series Book 1)

Can James survive a dangerous, mystical land haunted by his father’s blood-stained deeds? Or will he choose the path of the Dark Lord and meet the same abysmal end?

About James Dreadful and the Spell-Guardian (The Dreadful Series Book 1)

Fourteen-year-old James Dreadful is living a normal life in a small Colorado town. But his past is anything but normal. Born in Nobrocoso—a mystical land of magic and myths—James was brought to earth at the age of three to escape sorcerous assassins after the death of his parents.

When a powerful and evil goblin arrives years later to steal a secret book that once belonged to his father, James discovers his father’s true identity—Jack Dreadful was the Dark Lord who waged a terrible war in Nobrocoso.

Now, dark forces are stirring, and James must return to Nobrocoso to confront the legacy of blood left by his father. But as James learns his father’s secrets, he fears saving himself might just cost him his soul.

Can James survive a dangerous, mystical land haunted by his father’s blood-stained deeds? Or will he choose the path of the Dark Lord and meet the same abysmal end?

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Alan Creed fell in love with storytelling after seeing Star Wars for the first time as a child. When he was ten years old, his tutor asked him to write sentences containing three words: Ocean, Desert and Jungle. Instead of sentences, Alan wrote a 103-page story entitled Journey through the Desert. That’s when he knew he wanted to be a writer. His 103-page story served as the source material for the Dreadful Series. Alan is currently working on the next installment in the James Dreadful series. You can connect with him on his website.

Book Trailer

The Giveaway!

Enter to win here.

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post, all opinions expressed are my own.

June 21, 2021

Maxed Out Book Review

About Maxed Out

The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe is a huge success! Business is booming and Alexa Owl’s love life is heating up. Yet much to the seamstress’s dismay, Detective Bobby Starr is suddenly back again! Bobby isn’t your everyday gumshoe. Rather, he’s an angel who’s trying to earn a place in Saint Peter’s Guardian Angel Squad. He’s required to solve murders he had left unsettled from when he walked the earth in order to be accepted into this prestigious group. Of course, they will need to return to the time period in which the murder took place, and again, Alexa is a reluctant time traveler. Oh, and there’s one more little problem—this time, Bobby’s brought along a friend, Maxi Krogen, and she’s no angel!

My Thoughts

Alexa is back with her problem solving detective cap on, working alongside Detective Bobby Starr on a new case with a brand new twist and quite the layered plot.

Maxi was found guilty of murdering her husband and lived out the rest of her years in prison. She maintained her innocence right up until her death and continues to do so when she meets Alexa and Bobby. She is not your typical spirit and is quite angry, mischievous and at times downright rude (Alexa has the patience of a saint in this book!). You would think that she would really want to clear her name but she is the most uncooperative individual that I have seen! She is definitely her own worst enemy and does not make life easy for Alexa and Bobby.

What Alexa was not quite expecting (and neither was I) was the complicated plot that begins to develop around the death of Maxi’s husband and how it is tied to the disappearance of another man and the takeover of a favourite restaurant (and how this is tied to the future!). What seemed like a rather simple case, had quite the side plots which were slowly uncovered and kept you on the edge of your seat and guessing right up until the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this laugh out loud novel that was full of surprises, humour and a great mystery. You never quite knew what to expect next from Maxi, Bobby and Alexa. It is a definite must read novel for the summer.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and B&N.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries has nine books.

Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

Cindy resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

Enter the giveaway here.

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

May 28, 2021

Destined for You Book Review

When tragedy brings Gloriana and Luke together in Destined for You, they help each other through their grief and soon find their lives inextricably linked. If they survive the trials ahead, could it be possible they’ve been destined for each other all along?

About Destined for You

In 1869, Gloriana Womack’s family is much smaller since smallpox killed her mother and two of her siblings. She lives in a modest cottage in Duluth, Minnesota, with her father and young brother, and she has dedicated her life to holding her tiny, fractured family together–especially as her father is frequently gone on long fishing trips. Their livelihood may come from the waters of Lake Superior, but storms on the lake can be dangerous, even to those who know it well.

Luke Carson has come to Duluth to help shepherd the arrival of the railroad to the city’s port, and he’s eager to be reunited with his brother, Scott, who recently moved there with his pregnant wife. Competition for the railroad is fierce, with the neighboring city of Superior, Wisconsin, fighting for the tracks to come through their town instead. But the real danger lies in a resident of Duluth who is determined to have his revenge upon Luke.

When tragedy brings Gloriana and Luke together, they help each other through their grief and soon find their lives inextricably linked. If they survive the trials ahead, could it be possible they’ve been destined for each other all along?

My Thoughts

Gloriana, despite her age, has faced great loss in her young life. She lost her mother and two of her siblings and at a young age she took on the role of caregiver to her surviving sibling in the harsh environment of Duluth, Minnesota. Despite all of this pain, she dedicates her time, passion and love to her Father and brother. While she carries her grief, she does so guarding it closely and without complaint. She is a genuinely good person, who loves her family and her beliefs (although at times she feels at odd with a God who causes pain).

Fate and tragedy are not done with this small fishing town. While the town has known tragedy due to the nature of their work, it does not ease the pain nor the suffering that arises when tragedy strikes. It is this pain that brings the small town Gloriana and the rich, city wise Luke together. What first appears to be a mutual friendship based on helping each other, soon becomes a bit more with both not too sure if they are ready to see this happen nor trust in their God who has taken so much away.

With the tragedy at the forefront and the possibility of a romance blooming, Tracie also ties in suspense and a scheme of destruction that could lead to disaster and possibly worse. This plot that develops alongside the main story, was incredibly interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. It also helps to bring our two main characters together as they struggle to deal with dishonesty, corruption and faith being tested.

This is a beautiful novel that gives hope – that although life can be difficult, hard to understand and sometimes we feel immense pain, out of this can come something beautiful and the knowledge that we are never alone.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.

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

May 28, 2021

Miriam’s Song Book Review

Follow Miriam’s journey in Miriam’s Song from childhood to motherhood, obscurity to notoriety, and yearning to fulfillment as she learns that what God promises he provides–in his own perfect timing.

About Miriam’s Song

In her eventful lifetime, Miriam was many things to many people: protective older sister, song leader, prophetess, leper. But between the highs and the lows, she was a girl who dreamed of freedom, a woman who longed for love, a leader who made mistakes, and a friend who valued connection.

With her impeccable research and keen eye for detail, bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith offers this epic story to fill in the gaps and imagine how Miriam navigated the challenges of holding on to hope, building a family in the midst of incredible hardship, and serving as a leader of a difficult people, all while living in her brother’s shadow. Follow Miriam’s journey from childhood to motherhood, obscurity to notoriety, and yearning to fulfillment as she learns that what God promises he provides–in his own perfect timing.

My Thoughts

I love historical novels and the personal touch an author gives to an individual of significant importance. While I am somewhat familiar with the story of Moses, I cannot say I knew too much and especially not enough of Miriam (please don’t let my Mom and Dad see me admit to that!). For me, I could not wait to start to read about these individuals who are important figures in my religion.

What I loved the most is that the author made them human – Miriam was a woman first and foremost. She is a woman who loved, who hoped, who feared, who felt happiness and also great sorrow. She also felt her faith tested at many times under the extreme conditions her and her people found themselves in. This made her a character someone that you felt connected to despite the differences in time and expectations and roles of women then and now. Miriam had a great but quiet strength, she was humble and kind, but also had her flaws. She tried not to focus on Moses’ actions that she did not understand and focus on her faith instead, but like so many of us this is hard. I loved this intimate portrayal of her life as the author envisioned it.

The novel while following Miriam’s journey, also gives us a look into Moses’ journey to bring his people to freedom. The story covers many decades but Jill did an amazing job with covering each time frame, I never felt lost or not understanding any part of the story. This was a lovely story full of hope, inspiration and important lessons that we can all learn from.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King and Star of Persia: Esther’s Story. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us.Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.

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