Friday, June 28, 2013

Cozy Mystery Book Tours Book Review: Yesterday's News



About Yesterday’s News: Antiques can be a dangerous business. Especially when you’re dealing with a desperate politician, a sexy ex-cop, and a couple of “spirited” companions.

Anna Yesterday owns Yesterday’s Antiques in small town USA. When she finds an old newspaper clipping lining the drawer of an antique dresser, she realizes she’s never heard the horrible story of rape and suicide detailed on the yellowed newsprint. So she starts to dig, and her sleuthing exposes an ugly cover-up that casts the residents of Crocker, Indiana into danger and intrigue, and leaves them with a corpse.


Review: This short cozy is the perfect read for someone looking for a little something different to pass the afternoon.

What I really loved about this book was how the cozy murder wasn't typical and the story was beyond fun to read. It isn't quite a cold case, but it is something that was hugely covered up. (So well the family involved didn't expect to hear about it again)

Not the case here. At least after Anna discovers a story on some old newspaper in her antique shop. Oh and while on the subject of her guest shop..there's two ghosts there too, and she's the only one that can see them...OK...there's an autistic young man who can see them too.

I love anything with ghosts and this was no exception; a barmaid and a cowboy no less!

So this book was really up my alley.

There's also a little bit of romance brewing between Anna and her assistant at the shop Pratt

This is the second book in the Yesterday Mysteries. Book 1 is Threads Of Yesterday, which I will be reviewing (Out of order, of course) in the next few days!

Rating:  5 flowers





About Sam Cheever: Award winning author Sam Cheever mixes in a little fun, a little magic, and a little real-life spice to create her sexy fictional characters. Sam’s fun-loving creations fight their way through a dizzying array of dangerous challenges without letting little things like dangerous bad guys, angry, manipulative gods, evil dark world denizens, or killing Furies dampen their zest for life and hot love!

In her real life, Sam lives on a hobby farm in Indiana with 11 dogs, 2 horses, 1 barn cat, and one husband. Not necessarily in that order. When asked why, why, why on the 11 dogs (yes, they all live in the house!), Sam simply shrugs and says she’s stupid. But what she really means to say is that she’s a dog-aholic. She of course can’t be blamed for her addiction. She is a victim. And along those lines, if anyone knows of a support group for this addiction please write Sam at samcheever@samcheever.com and fill her in.

Connect with Sam Cheever: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Thursday, June 27, 2013

TLC Book Tours Book Review: Chocolates For Breakfast

Author: Pamela Moore
Title: Chocolates For Breakfast
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Publish Date: July 2013 (originally published 1956)
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours 
Book Blurb: 
Courtney Farrell is a disaffected, sexually precocious fifteen-year-old. She splits her time between Manhattan, where her father works in publishing, and Los Angeles, where her mother is a still-beautiful Hollywood actress. After a boarding-school crush on a female teacher ends badly, Courtney sets out to learn everything fast. Her first drink is a very dry martini, and her first kiss the beginning of a full-blown love affair with an older man.

A riveting coming-of-age story, Chocolates for Breakfast became an international sensation upon its initial publication in 1956, and it still stands out as a shocking and moving account of the way teenagers collide, often disastrously, against love and sex for the first time.

Review: It is easy to see how explosive Chocolates For Breakfast had to be when it was first released in 1956. The subject matter may leave a few jaws on the floor in 2013.

Our heroine, Courtney Farrell is only 15 and through total lack of parenting (Sondra is an actress on the skids, who really didn't want to be a mom in the first place and a publisher father who isn't very much present) goes down a dark and crazy path.

The whole time I was reading this I was shaking my head. This is a girl in restaurants getting served martinis, even when she is with a parent!

And though the sex is implied rather than written, we know that Courtney is definitely sexually active, however not with anyone her own age, as she's too mature for boys her own age.

Courtney Farrell is a character that will blow you away. She's unbelievably mature for her age, but she's also very...screwed up. (Though the 4 letter word starting with "f" is probably a better word to describe her)

I think the thing that really wows me about this book is the age of the author. Pamela Moore was only 18 at the time this book was written! The prose is poetic at times and she captures the voices of both Courtney's parents as well as her contemporaries.

This book is definitely a wild ride, and I can only imagine the stir it caused when it was first released!

Rating: 5 flowers


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Book Review: Every Perfect Gift

Author: Dorothy Love
Title: Every Perfect Gift
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: Dec 12, 2012
Buy: 
Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Book Sneeze
Book Blurb: Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they’re not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.

Ethan Heyward’s idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She’s equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan’s own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.


Review: Every Perfect Gift is the third book in the Hickory Ridge Trilogy. The story is as beautiful as the cover and I fell in love with the cover instantly. I mean look at that dress. ~sigh~ Don't we all wish we looked like that model?

If you read the first book in the series you got to know Sophie a bit there. But don't worry if you pick up this book and not the other two, you'll be fine, these are great stand alone novels as well.

Sophie has returned to Hickory Ridge from Texas to start up the old newspaper. She's a talented writer and a reporter and she really has a dream she wants to follow.

Ethan is a hardworking businessman who has helped get the new resort Blue Smoke. Both he and Sophie are attracted to each other from the start, but Sophie's desire to share news, is pulling them apart. There's a lot going on while Blue Smoke is preparing for its opening, such as fights among the immigrant workers, which inspires a story for the paper, much to Ethan and his boss' chagrin.

There are a lot of conflicts between Sophie and Ethan's boss because of the paper. Sophie stands her ground and though it is the right thing to do, bad things happen to her as a result.

Sophie is really a strong character and you really love her. Ethan's a little harder to come around to.but by the end you love them both.

One of my favorite parts of the story involves Sophie and her mother. Sophie was raised in an orphanage and didn't know much about her heritage. I liked that she got the closure she needed.

This is a Christian romance, but the story isn't heavily seeped in religion, which is good. A wonderful book and a great story to finish off Dorothy's Hickory Ridge series

Rating: 4 flowers



Bewitching Book Tours Sizzling Summer Giveaway



Giveaway Details for Bloggers

Giveaway Runs June 21- July 21




Rafflecopter Giveaway One: Kindle and swag packs



1 Kindle HD -30 authors joined together to offer a spectacular grand prize A Kindle Fire HD 8.9” screen , Wifi ,16GB $269 value Open to US shipping, if outside US you can receive an equal value Amazon Gift Card

1 huge package of book swag from Bewitching Book Tours filled with fun goodies from Bewitching Book Tours, owner Roxanne Rhoads and numerous Bewitching authors including a Starbucks giftcard from Gina Conkle

4 packages of book swag from Bewitching Book Tours- filled with fun goodies from Bewitching authors

1 mixed swag pack of various book swag from Milly Taiden

1 book swag from Constance Phillips

$15 Amazon gift card from Sky Purington

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Rafflecopter Giveaway Two: Print Books



1 set of Bleeding Hearts (Demimonde #1) and Blood Rush (Demimonde #2) by Ash Krafton- US Shipping

2 sets of Her Dear & Loving Husband and Her Loving Husband's Curse by Meredith Allard open to US Shipping

1 Kidnapped by Maria Hammarbald us shipping

1 ROGUE ORACLE and DARK ORACLE by Alayna Williams- us shipping

1 EMBERS and SPARKS by Laura Bickle- US shipping

1 Fall of Sky City by SM Blooding US Shipping only

1 signed set of DARK LIGHT OF DAY and FIERY EDGE OF STEEL by Jill Archer

1 Life After the Undead and Death to the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair- US shipping

1 DiSemblance by Shanae Branham

1 Shield: Allie's War, Book Two by JC Andrijeski (or Revik: Allie's War, Early Years) by JC Andrijeski

1 signed copy of VICIOUS CIRCLE by Linda Robertson (or any other title written by her if winner already has VC)

1 DiSemblance by Shanae Branham open to International Shipping

1 The Necromancer’s Seduction by Mimi Sebastian open to International Shipping

2 print copies of The Chosen by Annette Gisby, US/Canada and UK entrants

1 Print or ebook Copy of Night Hawk by JE Taylor to US residents or ebook (mobi or epub) for international folks. If US resident would prefer ebook - that can be done as well.

1 Print or ebook Copy of Hunting Season by JE Taylor to US residents or ebook (mobi or epub) for international folks. If US resident would prefer ebook - that can be done as well

1 Winner’s choice of print or digital (.mobi or .epub) of Royal Street or River Road by Suzanne Johnson, in either U.S. or U.K. editions; open to international.

1 Winner’s Choice of print, audio, or digital (.mobi only) of Redemption, Absolution, Omega, or Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin open to international.

1 All three books in the Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator series The Seduction of Phaeton Black, The Moonstone and Miss Jones, The Miss Education of Dr. Exeter by Jillian Stone. Print or eBook any format, reader's choice Ebook open international

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Bewitching Giveaway Three: YA Books



1 Signed print copy Portal by Imogen Rose- US Shipping

1 Signed print copy of INITIATION by Imogen Rose- US Shipping

1 print copy Hollow's End by Marianne Morea- US Shipping

5 print copies Visionary Unleashed by N. Dunham US shipping

1 THE HALLOWED ONES by Laura Bickle- US Shipping

1 print copy The Ifs (middle grade book) by JD Pooker

1 print set of Reckoning and Relentless by Molly Hall- US shipping

1 ebook copy of Soul Meaning by AD Starrling

1 ebook copy of King's Crusade by AD Starrling (

1 ebook copy Hollow's End by Marianne Morea

5 ecopies Visionary Unleashed by N. Dunham

5 ecopies of Portal by Imogen Rose

5 ecopies INITIATION by Imogen Rose


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 Bewitching Books Tours Summer Giveaway Four- Ebooks



1 ebook copy Flashback by Maria Hammarblad

10 ebook copies of Shield: Allie's War, Book Two by JC Andrijeski (or Revik: Allie's War, Early Years)

1 Tyrant of Tarsit (Time travel romance) by Holly Hunt

2 ebooks of New Zealand with a Hobbit Botherer by John Gisby (international)

1 each Bleeding Hearts (Demimonde #1) and Blood Rush (Demimonde #2) by Ash Krafton

2 copies each Her Dear & Loving Husband and Her Loving Husband's Curse by Meredith Allard

1 Winner’s choice Caged Heat or Wolf Protector by Milly Taiden

1 ecopy Resurrecting Harry by Constance Phillips

1 The Cat's Meow by Stacey Kennedy

1 Stavros is giving away 1 of each- eBook copies of Dead Girl: A Romantic Zombie Tale of Revenge, Blood Junky, and Love in Vein

1 Murder on Mars (A New Orleans Mystery) by MM Shelley

1 Little Red Riding Wolf by Jessica Aspen, mobi or epub available

1 Cindy Spencer Paper is giving away an E-book - winner’s choice of any available on her website.

1 eCopy of The MacLomain Series Boxed Set by Sky Purington (Books 1-4), PDF or gifted to Kindle

5 free copies of DRAGONSTONE by Paula Millhouse : pdf, emobi, ePub

5 ecopies of THREE WISHES by Paula Millhouse pdf, mobi, ePub

1 ecopy SMOKE AND MIRRORS (The Gifted, Book 1) by Marie Treanor

1 ecopy SERAFINA AND THE SILENT VAMPIRE (Serafina’s, Book 1) by Marie Treanor

1 BLOOD GUILT (Blood Hunters, Book 1) by Marie Treanor

1 Annie Nicholas is giving away Reader's choice of any ebook from her backlist winner’s choice of .pdf, epub, mobi.

1 one e-book set of the first two books in the Seven Seals Series (Seal of Destiny and Seal of Surrender) by Traci Douglass

1 ecopy Wucaii by Pembroke Sinclair

2 ebooks of Silent Screams by Annette Gisby (international)

2 ebooks of Shadows of the Rose by Annette Gisby (international)

3 EBOOKS (one set): THE CROSSE HARBOR TIME TRAVEL TRILOGY by Barbara Bretton

1 More Than Friends by Jessica Jayne (.epub, .pdf, .mobi)

1 In Flames by Jessica Jayne (.epub, .prc and .pdf)

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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Goddess Fish Book Tours Book Review: Audra


Audra
by Amanda L.V. Shalaby

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Audra Kingsley, a wealthy heiress, may not have seen much of the world, but she knows exactly how she wants her future to play out - and a coming out ball held at her country estate, Kingsley Manor, would suit her just fine. Her father’s wish that she be presented at St. James in London seems silly since she is to marry her neighbor and childhood sweetheart, Lord Crispin Brighton, but she obliges him.

Audra travels to London with her patroness, the eccentric Lady Sutherland, intending to return home as soon as she has curtseyed to the Queen. Unknown to her, Lady Sutherland is in no rush to leave London before the Season is over and intends to show Audra she has more options in the suitor department than Lord Crispin, a second son.


Audra finds herself surrounded by few friends and is forced to attend parties, balls, and operas - all while becoming the object of a secret admirer’s obsession. As Audra struggles to make her way home to her beloved, plans to compromise her into an unwanted marriage are underway.

Excerpt Three:

Toward the end of the evening, Audra danced her second time with Lord Everton. Again, she fell quickly at ease with him, and he did not flirt with her — much. He was fond of twirling her more quickly than the dance required, and just as their dance concluded, a strand of hair fell from its pins. He seemed proud of himself, and she shook her head. He was as pleasant as ever, and she wished him every success in finding himself a suitable wife.

“Was that Lord Everton tossing you about?” asked Lady Sutherland, smiling as Audra approached her. “What a funny fellow!”

Certainly, there was no one in the whole of Almack’s who was enjoying themselves as much as Lady Sutherland. No debutante, no hopeful mother, no gentleman amidst the fresh blood in the assembly rooms could match her consummate and inexhaustible high spirits. Audra wondered if the fervent gaiety of the older women surrounding her, while not equal to the matchless happiness of her patroness, was enough to make Lady Sutherland tolerable to them.

Before Audra could make any reply, her patroness went on, “Whatever has happened to your hair, child?”

Lady Sutherland seemed about to leap from her chair, but Audra rested a calming hand over hers. “Not to worry, Lady Sutherland. It is only a runaway curl. I beg you will not disturb yourself and your friends. I suspect with the assistance of a mirror and a new pin I shall be more than equipped to return it to its place. Do enjoy yourself.”

This last was an unnecessary suggestion. As Audra reached for her reticule, Lady Sutherland nodded and settled herself more fixedly in her seat, as her immutable joy emanated from her core with a burning glow that would rouse the envy of any hearth.

Audra took leave of her patroness for the nearest mirror. Finding one on the far wall, she placed her feather-trimmed reticule on the table and undid the ribbon drawstrings. Attempting to hold the rogue curl in place, she reached with her free hand for the extra hairpins she packed at the house and felt something crinkle against her fingertips. Her gaze dropped to a folded piece of paper between her linen handkerchief and her calling card case. The loose curl was quickly forgotten as she lifted the document curiously and opened the folds of a hand-written note.

Dear Lady Audra …

Audra’s mouth fell, and she instinctively looked about her. If someone had been hoping she would discover it sooner rather than later, they certainly were not waiting around to watch her read it. The fluid movements of the crowd continued without any care to Audra Kingsley or the contents of her reticule. Turning her back to the crowd once more, she held the note low and quickly scanned its contents.

Dear Lady Audra,

While it would, indeed, be easier to gain an introduction by a mutual acquaintance and beg a spot on your dance card, it would not be nearly as fun. Other gentleman may be so dull, but I wish to gain fair lady’s interest by avoiding all the usual routes. It is my hope you will find my unconventional note intriguing, and the mystery places me in your favor. You may expect to hear from me again, and soon. I only hope to find myself in your thoughts until then.

Your Secret Admirer


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review: This book was pure perfection. I loved everything about it. Audra, Crispin and the right amount of suspense to keep the pages turning

Audra is a spunky heroine. She's smart and very likable and only 16 and Crispin is the really the boy next door that we all want for our own.

What I liked about this book is that it was more a "sweet romance" which is something rare when it comes to historicals. No bodice ripping here, just a wonderful romantic story. A regency written in the way they should be. Anyone remember the Candlelight Regency imprint? This is what this book reminded me of. 

The story is suitable for all ages and will definitely be a must read for those that love this genre. I look forward to reading more of Amanda's books!

Rating:  5 flowers



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amanda L. V. Shalaby's passion for all things Jane Austen was inspired by her mother and grandmother. She now writes her own English historical romances, and is the author of Rhianna and Audra.

Links:




Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/Amandalvshalaby



·    Amanda will be awarding a free eBook of her previous novel, Rhianna to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
      

Goddess Fish Book Tours Super Book Blast: The Esposito Series



The Esposito Series
by J.M. Griffin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

The Esposito Series Box Set:

Now you can own the first three books in the sassy and suspenseful Vinnie Esposito Series by J.M. Griffin!

By day, Lavinia (Vinnie) Esposito is a criminal justice instructor at a college in Rhode Island. By night Vinnie is an amateur sleuth, solving murders while trying to avoid getting yelled at by her Italian father, her hunky protective boyfriend Marcus Richmond, and her sexy upstairs tenant, the mysterious Aaron Grant.

For Love of Livvy (Book 1)

Vinnie investigates the death of her beloved aunt, and a mysterious box is left on her doorstep.

Dirty Trouble (Book 2)

Someone is stalking Vinnie and that’s just the beginning of her troubles.

Dead Wrong (Book 3)

Vinnie is out to save her brother from being framed after a valuable painting is stolen.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt :
The front door knocker rapped twice after the door bell rang. I hustled from the rear deck of the gargantuan house to answer the summons. Someone seemed impatient, and I was curious as to who it was. My watch read just after eight o’ clock. I swung the heavy door open to find my prospective visitor absent.

It was so quiet, the town ghostly in its seemingly deserted state. Sundays were always lazy days in Scituate, once church was over. With a glance up and down the street of the small historic Rhode Island village, neat colonial homes stretched along the sides of the road in both directions. No one came into view.

On the doorstep, a package addressed to my recently deceased Aunt Livvy sat wrapped in brown paper. Again, I gawked up and down the street, but only empty sidewalks and barren roadway appeared in the waning light. The idea of a jaunt along the main drag entered my mind. I figured it would be senseless since the street was visible for about two hundred yards in either direction. Whoever had left the package was gone, long gone.

An eternity passed, or so it seemed, while my gaze locked onto the square, little box. Reluctant to touch it, I decided to call the local fire company to come take a gander. Call me paranoid, but as a criminal justice instructor, a recent audit of a class on bomb components remained fresh in my mind.

I quickly stepped to the living room and grabbed the phone. I dialed the private number of the fire station up the street. A grunt came across the phone line that could only be Bill MacNert.

“Hey Nerd, its Vinnie,” I said. “A package was just left on my doorstep, could you come down and check it out for me?”

“Sure, you got a secret admirer or somethin’?” He cackled, as only senior men can.

“Not likely, but you never know. This package is addressed to Lavinia Ciano, not Lavinia Esposito and is wrapped in brown paper. Nobody’s here to accompany this little surprise either.”

“I’ll be right down, Vinnie, don’t touch it.” He warned.

“Okay.”

Anxious, I paced back and forth across gleaming hard wood floors in the spacious living room of my newly acquired colonial. My fingernails tapped the enamel on my teeth as I wandered to and fro. As irrational as it seemed, I finally leaned against the door jamb inside the entry to wait for MacNert to arrive.

It wasn’t long before the limber old guy came into view as he hot footed down the street with a stethoscope in his hand. This particular piece of equipment wasn’t quite what I’d expected, but then he wasn’t a bomb expert either.

When he arrived on the doorstep slightly out of breath, he glanced at the parcel, and then turned toward me.

“This was just delivered, you say?” MacNert squinted toward me with wizened brown eyes that twinkled all the time. It was as though there was a private joke going on inside his head.

“Yeah, someone knocked on the door, and when I got here to answer, there was nobody around. It didn’t seem prudent to mess with it, so I called you.”

“You just finished that bomb class, eh?” He chuckled and then sobered quickly. Since 9/11, everyone took stuff like this with a serious attitude. While he chuckled, I knew MacNert was no different.

The stethoscope ends plugged into his ears, Bill laid its diaphragm on top of the package. Removing it, he gingerly set it against the sides and listened again. I didn’t make a sound as he stood and glanced up.

“There’s no tickin’ but that doesn’t mean it’s not an explosive. You should probably call the state police barracks up the road. Have them send their bomb guys down for a lookie see, just to be on the safe side.”

“Geez, I hate to do that. I’ll feel stupid if it’s a joke,” I whined.

“It’s up to you, but if you were nervous enough to call me, then you should call them. It’s just my opinion, Vin.” He stepped over the box and wandered into the entryway. “Got anythin’ to eat? Wifey’s out of town visitin’ her sister and I’m starved.”

Bill didn’t seem over concerned, but then again, he hadn’t recently taken a bomb class either. My eyes never left the box as I answered him. “There’s food in the fridge, help yourself.”

I’d known the homely man and his family for years and respected his opinion. Tapping my fingers against my lips, I called after him, “You’re right. I’ll ring the state police now, but stick around okay?”

Unwilling to be nailed as over-dramatic by the staties, I reluctantly punched in the numbers. It was bad enough that the local cops had bugged the shit out of me for the first month after Aunt Livvy’s death. They still stopped by now and then, annoying me even more with stupid questions. Questions to which I had no answers.

After the trooper covering the desk answered, I explained what I’d found on the doorstep. He seemed unconcerned until I mentioned my name and address, and then he stated someone would be down momentarily. The swift change in his manner piqued my curiosity. I wondered why he’d suddenly capitulated when his initial response had been of disinterest.

In the living room, I paced while awaiting the arrival of the state police. Within minutes a sleek, grey Crown Victoria pulled up to the curb out front and a tall, lean trooper got out. Broad shouldered and well built, he walked with assurance and a certain amount of swagger. I stepped into the open door entry and watched him saunter through the front gate onto the walkway. He stared at the package and then at me.

“Did you call about this box, ma’am?” Keen hazel green eyes traveled over my face and down my body.

Craggy features, sculpted from granite, faced me and I felt my blood run hot as the breath caught in my throat. What was this about? I gazed at him admiring the neat package wrapped in the trim uniform.

“I did. Bill MacNert from the fire station thought it would be a good idea since it was mysteriously left on the doorstep. He checked to see if it was ticking, but it isn’t.”

“Are you Lavinia Ciano?” The trooper’s glance strayed from the name on the wrapper to me as his eyes showed a glint of humor and his mouth twitched.

Could that humor be over the name? I wondered, as I said, “No, my name is Esposito. Livvy was my aunt.” Our eyes held and my heart pounded. I licked my parched lips and then glanced away.

An oversized van idled up behind the patrol car and the trooper glanced back. Two men stepped from the vehicle dressed in heavy gear and acknowledged him. He turned to the lead man, mumbled a few words and then stared at me again. If this was an action film, I would have expected Bruce Willis to jump out of the truck announcing he was about to kick someone’s ass. This wasn’t an action film, but a real life situation instead.

The two guys angled through the front gate and hitched their gear as they hauled a peculiar looking lidded barrel toward the front door. By this time, a few neighbors had taken notice of the activities. Several people straggled along the sidewalk across the street to watch.

You’d think it was a freakin’ sideshow. I smiled and waved. Nobody responded, they just continued to gawk. A little excitement for them on an otherwise dull Sunday, I guessed. The trooper stood aside and watched the crowd, but said nothing.

The overdressed bomb guys corralled the box between them. With delicate finesse they lifted and stowed it into the metal container, loaded it into the truck and drove off. I stared in disbelief. Hell, I wanted to know what was in the package. I had a right to know, didn’t I?

The trooper turned to leave and I stepped forward.

“Uh, I’d like to know what’s in the box, if it’s not too much to ask.” My hand snuck up to my hip as my cocky Italian attitude slid into place.

Tall and Curious stiffened at my tone and turned to stare at me. It seemed he wasn’t used to being spoken to in this manner, which wasn’t any big surprise. Women tend to respond differently to men in uniform, especially a man such as this luscious creature. Well, not this chick. I teach guys like him all year long and the “I’m so wonderful” thing gets old fast.

“I’ll be sure to let you know, Miss Esposito. If we have any questions, you’ll hear from us right away.”

I gawked a moment and my eyes narrowed. His opened wide in contrast and he waited, his body tense. Maybe he thought I’d pitch myself off the steps onto his perfectly toned frame and pummel the daylights out of him or something. It was a thought, but I really wanted to know what was in the package. Besides, his muscles were bigger than mine.

In an effort to change tactics rather than be handcuffed and dragged off to jail, I smiled and spoke in as nice a manner as I could muster.

“I’d appreciate any information you could give me officer, since the package was left in such an alarming way. Should I call headquarters tomorrow?”

His look narrowed. I suspected he was unsure of where this was headed. There was a moment’s hesitation before he answered the question.

“Sure, that would be a good idea.” He gave a nod of the stiff brimmed campaign hat that covered cropped brown hair.

“All right then. I’ll call the colonel first thing.” My voice remained light and sweet, and the smile was charming, at least I hoped it was.

The colonel runs a strict police force and is a tough disciplinarian with an intense dislike for any impropriety, implied or otherwise. I’d gleaned that much from the cops in my criminal justice classes.

A tight lipped smile crossed his face. I figured he couldn’t decide whether I really knew the colonel or if this was a ploy. To be truthful, I lied by omission. I hadn’t said I knew the colonel, I just said I’d give him a call.

“That won’t be necessary ma’am. As soon as there’s any information, I’ll get in touch with you.” With a nod of his head, he turned and left.

Don’t you hate that ma’am thing? It makes me feel old. I know I’m thirty-something, but really.

Bill MacNert stood near the doorway sucking down a sandwich filled with sausage and peppers. My mother had sent the food home with me the day before. The smell of rich tomato sauce and fragrant sausage tantalized my taste buds.

“Guess it wasn’t that serious then?” Slurp noises preceded a sauce blob that dripped down his uniform shirt.

 I glanced at Bill’s shirt, snagged a tissue from my pocket and dabbed at the drip.

“I won’t know until tomorrow, but if I’m the town laughing stock you’re in for it and don’t forget it. By the way, did you leave me any food?” I chuckled at his expression.

Bill’s guilt ridden grin assured me that he hadn’t, but he swore that he had. He handed me the empty plate before he headed toward the fire station. I watched the stethoscope bob up and down from the back pocket of his pants. He trotted up the street, and I felt sure the story would make the rounds since Bill was an avid gossip.

The crowd had dispersed, and I was alone again. Livvy would have had a fit over the whole affair had she been alive, but I figured there was no sense in being stupid. I act that way often enough, thank you.

Mystery still surrounded Livvy’s non-violent death. While the police weren’t forthcoming with information, the state troopers’ attitude on the phone caused me to reconsider the promise to my father to not investigate on my own. I wandered through the house deep in thought over the situation.

Darkness had descended as I headed toward the bedroom. Changing into a t-shirt and boxer briefs, I climbed into bed with a notebook. The troopers’ attitude niggled at me. I leaned back against the pillows scribbling notes about the package delivery. Words ran across the page as the scene and the trooper came to mind. The trooper’s name wasn’t on his badge, but I remembered the badge number.

The pad propped against my knees, my mind drifted over the parcel and the officer’s attitude. Warm hazel green eyes along with the trooper’s cool manner had drawn my interest. It wasn’t really just his bearing that caught my attention either and it was a struggle to stay focused.

Intense eyes sat above a strong, chiseled nose and firm jaw. I sketched the features onto the pad of paper. His lips weren’t thin, not too wide, but just right for kissing. Wondering what it would be like to taste those lips, I gave myself a mental head slap. A cop is the last thing you want or need, my inner voice echoed. This voice always echoed dire warnings through my head. It had a bad habit of doing so at the worst possible moment. Just stay focused on Livvy, I lectured myself.

Snuggled under the lightweight blanket, thoughts about Livvy and our life played in my mind. Muscles relaxed, and I realized I needed to talk to her tomorrow. The graveyard was about two blocks away from the house. I often went to her grave for a conversation when I’d become involved in one issue or another. That’s what my life consisted of, one issue or another. Most of the time the issues were huge, never mundane, not ever.

I sighed, sniffed the sweet summer scents that wafted through the open window and wondered how this summer in Rhode Island would be. The pillow slipped lower and so did I as my mind wandered over life, the package and my aunt.

.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a humorous, cozy mystery writer, J.M. adds a touch of romance to every story. She believes in fairies, doesn't believe in coincidence, and feels life is what you make it. Believe in yourself and look at the positive, not the negative, to bring about success. AND. . .never stop trying.

J.M. lives in rural New England with her husband and two very mysterious cats



Twitter: mycozymystery



Buy Link:

http://www.lachesispublishing.com/proddetail.asp?prod=EspositoBoxSet1-3E

J.M. will be awarding Tea and Chip Nuts to three randomly drawn commenters (US/CANADA ONLY) during this tour and her Reviews Tour


Monday, June 24, 2013

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours Review: A Gentlement & A Rogue




A Gentleman and a Rogue
by Stephanie Burkhart

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BLURB:

Royals Edmund and Alice Windsor return to 2011 only to discover their world is now powered by gasoline and electricity - not compressed natural gas. Their attempts to persuade their grandmother, Queen Anne II, falls on deaf ears. Taking matters into their own hands, they enlist Jonas Byron's help and travel back to 1855 to set the time line right.

Now in Lincoln, Edmund is reunited with Lady Keira Russell, the love of his life, but if it isn't one obstacle, it's another. Keira does not want to fall in love with him again. Jonas Byron has taken up with Keira's father to build a windmill, and Edmund's brother, Richard, the Guardian of the Time Machine, has followed Edmund to ensure Queen Victoria makes the right decision when choosing the fuel of the future. Edmund has a choice - make mischief to ensure time marches to the beat of the right drummer, or trust in Keira and her belief that Queen Victoria will make the right decision on her own. Will Edmund lose Keira for good if he makes the wrong choice?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Excerpt :

He grabbed her hand and leaned against the water fountain. The spout was inactive, thank goodness. Edmund hesitated, unsure where to start. He drew in a breath. The best place to start was his feelings. Angling his body, he found her sweet hazel eyes. "I love you."

Her lower lip trembled. "I love you, too."

He cupped her cheek and rubbed her jaw with his thumb. "What are we going to do about it?"

"What can we do? You're from the future. I'm your past." "I can stay with you."

Surprise swept across her face. "Can you do that?"

"I intend to."

"How?"

"I believe Richard's watch is the override."

"But--"

He held up a reassuring hand. "Whatever happens, I'm not going back."

"What about your necklace?"

"I am determined to find a good hiding place for it."

Keira paused, her expression very serious. "Ed, I have to ask you something important."

"All right."

"I know you are convinced that my project fuels your future, but I have to request that
you don't sabotage my father's project. Please, don't use your steel rivets."

"But, Keira--"

"This is important to me."

Confusion pooled inside him. "I don't understand. I'm doing what I have to in order to ensure my future occurs."

She grasped his hands and squeezed, her eyes imploring him. "Then trust Queen Victoria to make the right decision. My father has his pride and so do I. I want to win fairly, not by cheating."

"But, my future--"

"Ed, if we're to have a future as a couple, I must win without cheating."



~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Review: Ah this book is all wibbly wobbly timey wimey! It really combines a lot of my favorite elements  romance, time travel and a historical setting.

Steampunk, how I love thee...let me count the ways...

Ah yes, the only gripe I have is it is book two in series and I didn't know that. Book 1 is called Victorian Scoundrel and the books are part of The Windsor Diaries. I was able to read it without problems, but in a series like this, it is very helpful to have read the first book, because without it you'll be left with some wondering.

This is one book that I almost expected to find The Doctor and his TARDIS to show up in. There's a lot of talk of time travel and time lines and what you should or shouldn't do. (And since it is set in Victorian England...well I was expecting to see Madam Vastra, Jenny and Strax at any given time)

See I can work Doctor Who into just about anything, but I digress.

If you are a fan of the Steampunk genre and you are looking for a quick read, you have to pick up this book. (Though you probably should pick up book 1 first).

Along with the time travel there is some lovely romance going on between Edmund and Keira and Richard and Joceyln. I really liked how their emotions affected how they behaved in that particular setting.

Oh and a wonderful set up for the next book. This is definitely a must read series...

Rating: 4 flowers





AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD.  She was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire.  She served 11 years in the US Army and currently calls Castaic, California her home. Stephanie was married in Denmark in 1991 and has two young sons. She adores chocolate and is addicted to coffee.  She writes paranormal, contemporary, and steampunk romance and has two children's books published with 4RV Publishing.

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:

WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee

PINTEREST:
http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/



Stephanie will be awarding a $5.00 Starbucks GC to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop and a Grand Prize of a Coffee & Chocolate Basket: A Gentleman and a Rogue Coffee Mug, a Starbucks GC, Andes Chocolates, magnets, and a Lori Powell Original Book Bag (US ONLY), will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Book Review: Portrait Of A Dead Guy

Author: Larissa Reinhart
Title: Portrait Of A Dead Guy
Publisher: Henery Press
Publish Date: August 28, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: In Halo, Georgia, folks know Cherry Tucker as big in mouth, small in stature, and able to sketch a portrait faster than buckshot rips from a ten gauge — but commissions are scarce. So when the well-heeled Branson family wants to memorialize their murdered son in a coffin portrait, Cherry scrambles to win their patronage from her small town rival. As the clock ticks toward the deadline, Cherry faces more trouble than just a controversial subject. Between ex-boyfriends, her flaky family, an illegal gambling ring, and outwitting a killer on a spree, Cherry finds herself painted into a corner she’ll be lucky to survive.



Review: This is a fun new cozy mystery series, set in the south. Our heroine, is Cherry Tucker a portrait artist. She's not getting a lot of work so she's trying to get the commission of a memorial portrait of Dustin Branson who was recently found murdered.

As if painting a dead guy's picture isn't enough, Cherry has to deal with the dead guy's crazy..erm eccentric family which includes the super hot Luke who is Dustin's step brother and also her ex boyfriend.

Such fun!

Oh and there's Todd who she might have married at one point.

Both love interests are fabulous and it is hard to decide which you might want her to end up with at some point in the future.

The cast of characters really makes this story. There's a lot of southern charm going on here as well as a great rivalry between Cherry and Shawna!

I loved how fast paced this was and how fun...Cherry has been compared to Stephanie Plum, and I can definitely agree with that. She has the same spunk. Plus she's got two hot guys vying for her attention, but the love triangle thing is popular in more than just the Plum series.

I can't wait to pick up a copy of Still Life With Brunswick Stew..which is the next book in the series.


Rating: 4 flowers


 
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