TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Lady's Command

About The Lady’s Command

• Series: The Adventurers Quartet (Book 1)
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Mira (December 29, 2015)

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a riveting blend of Regency-era high seas adventure, intrigue and romance

His to cherish

Declan Frobisher chose Lady Edwina Delbraith as his wife. Scion of a bold, seafaring dynasty, he’s accustomed to getting his way—Edwina would be the woman who graced his arm, warmed his bed and remained safely at home when he returned to sea. But once the knot is tied, Declan discovers Edwina is unconventional and strong-willed, and his marriage promises to be as tempestuous as the high seas.

Hers to command

Edwina’s fairy-princess beauty hides a spine of steel. Born into the aristocracy—born to rule—and with Declan’s ring gracing her finger, she expects to forge a marriage by his side. Then bare weeks into their honeymoon, Declan is recruited to sail on a secret mission. Edwina—naturally—declares she must accompany him.

Theirs to conquer

Facing unforeseen perils and unexpected enemies while battling to expose a dastardly scheme, Declan and Edwina discover that their unusual marriage demands something they both possess—bold and adventurous hearts.

JOIN THE ADVENTURERS—four couples whose passionate voyages will transport you. Start the journey here and follow the adventures, the mysteries and the romances to the cataclysmic end!

“The narrative smoothly transitions between high society’s sophisticated yet superficial pleasantries and the romance of stolen glances and tender intimacy between Edwina and Declan…. Edwina and Declan share the narration, and their sweet, humorous thoughts give readers pleasant guidance on this romantic journey.” –Publishers Weekly

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Review: Stephanie Laurens is one of my favorite Regency author. I loved her Cynster series. I am totally thrilled with this series as well. Its a little less romance than you'd expect but it is heavier on other elements.

I liked that Lady Edwina and Declan were already married at the start of this book. It made things interesting as most books usually are about courtship. Declan does some secret work for the Crown. I don't know what it is about historical novels but there always seems to be some secret society that handsome aristocrats belong to. They always do something dangerous and the heroine always gets herself mixed up with him.

That sort of happens here too, when Edwinda stows away on her husband's ship.

This book was really different in the terms of what I usually expect when I read historical romance. There's very little romance here. Its more about a book about a marriage.  Edwina and Declan work well together.  To me, Declan was little easy going when it came to finding his wife on board. I think any man that had any love for his wife would have been fearful about taking her on the type of mission he was on.

I liked that Edwina was pretty much Declan's equal, while not over powering him. That was something I really liked. I also liked that Declan remained protective of her.

The mystery they were working on was one that kept me interested and I look forward to seeing how things play out through the Quartet.

A wonderful start to a new series
Rating; 4 flowers

About Stephanie Laurens

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens originally began writing as an escape from the dry world of professional science. Her hobby quickly became a career; she has been writing historical romance novels for more than 20 years. Currently living outside Melbourne, Australia with her husband and two cats, she spends most of her days writing new stories in her signature ‘Errol Flynn meets Jane Austen” style.

Connect with Stephanie

Website | Facebook

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Cinnamon Toasted

Cinnamon Toasted: A Spice Shop Mystery
(Spice Shop Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Minotaur Books (December 15, 2015)
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250011060
E-Book ASIN: B00Y7S5222

Synopsis

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Case in point: Piper Prescott’s former mother-in-law Melly. Beneath her twin sets and pearls beats the heart of a geek—a geek whose programming changes for the point-of-sale software in Piper’s shop have the owners of the program ready to make her an offer she can’t refuse. “Trusty” Rusty Tulley and Chip Balboa swing by Brandywine Creek—just in time for the town’s annual Oktoberfest, which has cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom flying off Piper’s shelves in record numbers. News spreads faster than a text message, and Melly is the toast of the town.

But it isn’t long before Melly’s status changes to public enemy number one when Chip’s body is found at the foot of her basement stairs. Questions start to pile up when handsome police chief Wyatt McBride arrives on the scene and the coroner sets the time of death for the previous evening. McBride wants to know why it took Melly so long to report the incident—especially after she admits to arguing with Chip about the contract he wanted her to sign. Piper knows Melly would never hurt a fly, so she enlists the help of her BFF Reba Mae to clear her name—but can they find the real killer before Melly gets sent away for good? A mouth-watering entry in Gail Oust’s delicious Spice Shop series, Cinnamon Toasted is sure to delight cozy fans of all stripes.

Review:  I read the first book in the Spice Shop Myster series and absolutely loved it. Somehow I missed book two, so I'm going to have to go back and catch up. Gail Oust has really created a fun cozy Southern Mystery series. As a Northerner, I always find books set in the South to be great, its like a different world to me.

This book is such fun. I really love Brandywine Creek. Oktoberfest is happening and a local theater group is putting on Steel Magnolias. Piper's friend Reba Mae has a part too. Reba cracks me up. The antics they get up to while trying to help clear Melly's name are a hoot. There's a scene in a flea bag motel towards the end of the book that will have you rolling on the floor laughing.

Melly is Piper's ex mom-in-law and it seems she's adapted a software program that could make her loads of money. The only problem is one of the software owners ends up dead in her house, making Melly the prime suspect. Especially when she hadn't signed the contract they were bringing her.

I liked the unusual relationship Piper has with Melly. They like each other well enough, even though the relationship that brought them together is no more.

Now as for Piper's ex, CJ and his new wife Amber, they are really obnoxious. Amber is the totally typical trophy wife, that's much younger and a bit Barbie doll-esque.

Then there's Lindsey, who is still having issues dealing with the divorce and is trying to sabotage her new relationship.

There's a lot going on in this book, and the mystery is one that keeps you turning the pages. I mean there are several people that you think had motive to kill Chip, but when the big reveal comes...it really is a surprise. I know I was.

If you like mysteries with recipes and a lot of laughs, you can't go wrong here.

Rating: 5 flowers

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TLC Book Tours Book Spotlight: Night Hawk

About Night Hawk

Series: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: HQN Books (December 29, 2015)

ONCE UPON A RANCH IN WYOMING…

After losing his comrade, Sergeant Gil Hanford thought a visit to the man’s widow would be the decent way to honor his late friend. But Gil found more than comfort in Kai Tiernan—he had always secretly desired beautiful Kai, but a sudden, mutual passion helped assuage their grief…until duty reared its head, removing him from her arms, seemingly forever.

Four years later, Kai is starting over at the Triple H Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born a rancher, she is looking for a new beginning—but her new boss is unforgivably familiar. Kai has tried to move past the memory of what happened between her and Gil, even though she’s never forgiven him for leaving her. But even as they begin their journey toward something new and oh-so-uncertain, a shadow emerges, determined to claim Kai for itself.

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Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

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About Lindsay McKenna

A U.S. Navy veteran, she was a meteorologist while serving her country. She pioneered the military romance in 1993 with Captive of Fate, Silhouette Special edition.  Her heart and focus is on honoring and showing our military men and women.  Creator of the Wyoming Series and Shadow Warriors series for HQN, she writes emotionally and romantically intense suspense stories. Visit her online at www.LindsayMcKenna.com.

Bestselling Author & Founder of Military Romantic Suspense, Lindsey McKenna Shares Her Favorite Novel and a Behind-The-Scenes Look at Her Writing Process

Be sure to check out her latest release, NIGHT HAWK, available NOW!

Q: What novels have influenced your life/writing?

A: Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bells Toll was a story of a WWI ambulance driver on a European front. It’s a beautiful but sad ending romance.

Q: Can you give us a behind-the-scenes look on how the book came about (such as major plot/character edits, alternate endings, challenges you had to overcome, etc.)

A: I never have issues with any of these things. Probably because I do a 20-40 page proposal on the entire book. When you write out the plot, you can spot issues that some may not see if they write differently. I choose an astrology sign for each character and since I’m a professional astrologer, I know these 12 sun signs very well. Gil is a Capricorn, so his personality is going to fall into the boundaries and meanings of that particular sign. Kai is a Cancer, and her personality is going to fall within the boundaries of that particular water sign.

About NIGHT HAWK: After losing his comrade, Sergeant Gil Hanford thought a visit to the man's widow would be the decent way to honor his late friend. But Gil found more than comfort in Kai Tiernan—he had always secretly desired beautiful Kai, but a sudden, mutual passion helped assuage their grief…until duty reared its head, removing him from her arms, seemingly forever.

Four years later, Kai is starting over at the Triple H Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born a rancher, she is looking for a new beginning—but her new boss is unforgivably familiar. Kai has tried to move past the memory of what happened between her and Gil, even though she's never forgiven him for leaving her. But even as they begin their journey toward something new and oh-so-uncertain, a shadow emerges, determined to claim Kai for itself.

Praise for NIGHT HAWK:

"Lindsay McKenna has penned another great romance in NIGHT HAWK...Ms. McKenna is a master of the military romance genre." –Fresh Fiction

"Fans of McKenna will not be disappointed in her latest passion-infused love story." –RT Book Reviews

"Good plot, likable characters. Some new ones and plenty of older ones from previous books. Lots of drama, mystery and romance." –ReadALot.com

About the author: Lindsay McKenna is proud to have served her country in the US Navy as an aerographer’s mate third class—also known as a weather forecaster. She was the creator of the military romance subgenre and loves to combine heart-pounding action with soulful and poignant romance.

True to her military roots, she is the originator of the long-running and reader-favorite Morgan’s Mercenaries series. She does extensive hands-on research, including flying in aircraft such as a P-3B Orion sub-hunter and a B-52 bomber. She was the first romance writer to sign her books in the Pentagon bookstore.

Today, she has created a new military romance−suspense series, Shadow Warriors,

which features romantic and action-packed tales about US Navy SEALs. Visit her online at lindsaymckenna.com, twitter.com/lindsaymckenna and facebook.com/eileen.nauman.

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Murder Most Malicious

Murder Most Malicious
(A Lady and Lady’s Maid Mystery Book 1)
New Series
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (December 29, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1617738302
E-Book ASIN: B00VQFKHPQ

Synopsis

In post–World War I England, Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford, step outside of their social roles and put their lives at risk to apprehend a vicious killer…

December 1918: As a difficult year draws to a close, there is much to celebrate for nineteen-year-old Phoebe Renshaw and her three siblings at their beloved family estate of Foxwood Hall. The dreadful war is finally over; eldest daughter Julia’s engagement to their houseguest, the Marquis of Allerton, appears imminent; and all have gathered to enjoy peace on earth, good will toward men.

But the peace of Foxwood Hall is shattered on the morning of Boxing Day, when the Marquis goes missing. Not entirely missing, however, as macabre evidence of foul play turns up in gift boxes given to lady’s maid Eva Huntford and a handful of others. Having overheard her sister and the Marquis in a heated exchange the night before, Lady Phoebe takes a personal interest in solving the mystery.

As the local constable suspects a footman at Foxwood Hall, Phoebe and Eva follow the clues to a different conclusion. But both young women will need to think outside the box to wrap up this case—before a cornered killer lashes out with ill will toward them…

Review: I love historical mysteries, especially ones that are set in England. I'm a sucker for all things from England and have always been. This book has a bit of the Downton Abbey feel to it, from the locale to the time period.

It is a little fast at the start, which is a bit different from the cozy mystery format I'm used to, especially when it is the first in the series, usually those start out slow letting you get to know the sleuths, in this case Pheobe and her ladies maid Eva.

The victim was definitely one of those characters that you automatically say deserved their fate. The opening pages will give you a clue as to why. I don't want to give away too much. As the story progresses he gets more deserving of being six feet under.

It was a bit on the fluffy side, but that didn't bother me much. My main problem was trying to keep characters straight because of the pacing of the story. The point of views switched between Eva and Phoebe a lot and it got confusing.

I really liked the two sleuths, Eva seemed to be the smarter of the two considering she was a ladies maid. She's not much older than Phoebe, but she keeps a motherly watch over her.

I really was surprised at who the killer was, I was leaning towards another character for awhile and was really surprised at the outcome.

There were times reading this that I could make comparisons with characters from Downton Abbey. Pheobe and Julia seem quite similar to Edith and Lady Mary. (I liked Julia about as much as I liked Lady Mary and that's not very much)

Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing further adventures with Pheobe and Eva.

Rating: 4 flowers

About The Author

 Alyssa Maxwell has worked in publishing as an assistant editor and a ghost writer, but knew from an early age that being a novelist was what she wanted most. Growing up in New England and traveling to Great Britain fueled a passion for history, while a love of puzzles of all kinds drew her to the mystery genre. She lives in South Florida in the current year, but confesses to spending most of her time in the Victorian, Edwardian, and post WWI eras. In addition to fantasizing about wearing Worth gowns while strolling manor house gardens, she loves to watch BBC and other period productions and sip tea in the afternoons.

Author Links

Webpage – www.alyssamaxwell.com

Twitter – @Alyssa__Maxwell

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163135.Alyssa_Maxwell

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaMaxwellauthor/

Purchase Links

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Most-Malicious-Ladys-Mystery/dp/1617738301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446575133&sr=8-1&keywords=Murder+Most+Malicious

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25387762-murder-most-malicious

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-most-malicious-alyssa-maxwell/1121697428?ean=9781617738302

IndieBound – http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781617738302

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Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Sweet Pepper Hero

Sweet Pepper Hero: A Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
Published by Penguin Random House, LLC.
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425279236
E-Book ASIN: B00W2ZKNZ8

Synopsis

Old rivalries heat up in the fourth Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade mystery from the national bestselling author of In Hot Water.

Fire chief Stella Griffin has been put in charge of judging the annual recipe contest, but Eric—her resident ghost and true culinary genius—has vanished. Before she can track down his latest haunt, she’s called in to investigate a local moonshine distillery that was set ablaze, making her realize there’s more than pies and cakes cooking in Sweet Pepper.

As rumors of a revived whiskey war ignite, Stella turns to the town’s elders to help her find answers. The past might have some clues as to what has sparked the present fires. But when following a lead lands her in buried rubble, Stella realizes she must extinguish this case fast or she might be going down in flames.

About The Authors

J. J. Cook is a pseudonym for a married couple who writes mysteries, mostly set in the South, with a touch of paranormal and romance.

Author Links:

Webpage       Facebook      Twitter 

Purchase Links:  Amazon     B&N     Google Play

Review: This is the fourth book in the Fire Brigade Mystery Series. This is a totally unique series that mixes paranormal and cozy mystery in a way that will make you want more.

Stella is the chief of the Fire brigade and Eric is the ghost of a former fire brigade. At the beginning of the story, Eric is being held prisoner by a local psychic a long with several other ghosts.

I love these characters. Stella is a particularly strong character. She's not ditzy, she's hardworking and really caring when it comes to the members of her brigade and even more so when it comes to Eric, (the ghost). I don't think I've ever wanted a love match between a human and a ghost before, but I really like Eric.

The mystery in this story involves illegal whiskey (hooch) and as Stella tries to find out if there is a war between bootleggers, someone seems to be out to stop her.

I liked how the story mystery and Eric's ghosts were a significant part of the story, but you don't find out just how much until the end.

The characters are so well written and likable, even the ones you shouldn't like. I have to say that I do like Stella's grandfather. I know he's a questionable character, but I think he does care for her and even has her best interests at heart.

Fantastic book!

Rating: 5 flowers

2015 In Review and 2016 Goals

The last few years have really been difficult for me when it comes to reading. I'm not exactly sure where I've ended up last year when it comes to books, but I definitely didn't make my yearly goal.  I haven't totally updated my goodreads profile, but it looks like I read somewhere between 120 - 130 books.

I have read some great books though in that number, though I have to say that I managed to overextend myself again and I read more for book tours then books that I've purchased.

I think that's how it may always be for me.

I hope this year I can read more from my net galley list and more from my TBR pile which is very out of hand.

The only challenge I plan on taking part in is the Goodreads challenge, but I'm not sure how high or low of a goal I'm going to set for myself this year.

What are your reading goals for this year?

2016 Reviews

This is my master post for books I've read and reviewed in 2016. This year the reviews will be listed in date order.

For a list of reviews from 2011 click here and for books I read and reviewed in 2012 click here and for books I read and reviewed in 2013 click here and for books I read and reviewed in 2014 here and books I read and reviewed in 2015 here