Review: Lady of Breken Manor by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

No lady can steal a loyal man from his fiancé, but what if that lady is a ghost?
 
Lady Charlotte is bored. So bored that when the owner of her manor in Scotland dies, she actually looks forward to haunting, uh, meeting the new owner. Too bad he’s engaged. Because if he weren’t, and if Charlotte could get him to fall in love with her, then the curse would finally be broken.

What curse, you ask? The curse that keeps Charlotte confined to an ancient manor decade after decade, playing parlor tricks on unsuspecting visitors. If only being a ghost weren’t so tedious, Charlotte might actually enjoy her life-slash-death. But the new owner is making her rethink her entire existence.

My Review

I'm not big into the paranormal genre but if my favorite author is writing it, I'm going to read it. And love it. Such was the case with Lady of Breken Manor. The characters were easy to get to know quickly (which is an important thing in a novella) and I loved seeing them get to know each other and fall in love. Because of the unusual situation of Charlotte being a ghost and Sean being the one who could finally send her to the next life, their love had obstacles to work through and was tested and tried. I loved how the author made everything work out in the end, and I finished the story with a smile on my face. The amazing setting of a manor in Scotland was another thing I loved about the story, it really set the tone and made it seem like magical things could happen.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

LADY OF BREKEN MANOR will be released in the Secret Legends Boxed Set on September 12, 2017. Secret Legends will be available only for a limited time at the low price of 99 cents.

LADY OF BREKEN MANOR will be then moved to an individual release in December 2017.

Synopsis

Warning: Book Hangovers Ahead.

Looking for the perfect escape? When you dare to venture into the romantically-charged pages of SECRET LEGENDS, you’ll get lost in stories from today’s New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors.

This must-read paranormal romance and urban fantasy boxed set is filled with tales of vampires, aliens, angels, witches, ghosts, shifters, sirens, and more, containing over one hundred hours of page-turning reads that will leave your heart pounding and your pulse racing.

Ready to dive in? Pre-order today to secure YOUR copy of this extraordinary boxed set!

Includes EXCLUSIVE stories from the following authors...
USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore
Anna Santos
Shannon Eckrich
Award-Winning author Morgan Jane Mitchell
USA Today bestselling author Joanna Mazurkiewicz
J.L. Beck
USA Today bestselling author Raine English
USA Today bestselling author Nicole Zoltack
USA Today bestselling author Megan J. Parker & Award-Winning author Nathan Squiers
Award-Winning author Debra Kristi
USA Today bestselling author Lily Thorn
Kaiden Klein
USA Today bestselling author Jocelyn Dex
Award-Winning author Katie Salidas
Jane Hinchey
Award-Winning author Alyssa Breck
USA Today bestselling author Amy Lee Burgess
New York Times bestselling author Catherine Vale
Award-Winning author Carma Haley Shoemaker
Lillie J. Roberts

Review: The Princess and the Pizza Man by Cassie Mae

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Matchmaking, mansions, and murder - just another Tuesday for this princess.

Twelve years of tossing pizzas in his hometown in Alabama is like a dream come true for William Monroe, but his sister is ready to leave the Podunk place, desperate to find herself a man and get hitched. He’s not too thrilled to hear about the mansion she’s dragging him to, claiming it’s haunted with the spirit of Cupid, and it’s his job to make sure she doesn’t fall for the first guy who looks her way.

Winter’s been running the Frostville Murder Mysteries ever since she inherited a hefty sum of cash, wanting to give back in a fun and profitable way for her home city. Noticing a lot of puppy-eyed patrons, she gives herself the job of matchmaking, picking out the ones who seem best suited for one another. But when the outspoken and grumpy man from Alabama arrives with his eager-to-be-matched sister, her focus starts to falter, and she wants nothing more than to prove to Will that her mansion can feel like home, too.

My Review

My first impression of this book was that I thought the title was a little ridiculous, but I read it anyway since I'm reviewing the series. And I was pleasantly surprised! I had just finished reading an intense suspense book with murder and terrorism, so I found that this light-hearted, funny book was perfect to read next. Even though Winter, Will, and his sister Bells are over-the-top characters, they weren't written in an overly dramatic way, which I think was an important subtlety in making the book not turn me off. There are hints of depth to them that were intriguing in the midst of the humor and fun situations they find themselves in. I was curious how Will and Winter would find a happily ever after since they are from such different parts of the country and have entrenched lives there. A great balance of entertainment and deeper layers. Lesson learned- don't always judge a book by its title ;)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

The Destined for Love Mansions series:

Kiss Me in the Rain by Lindzee Armstrong
Roping His Heart by Jaclyn Hardy
The Princess and The Pizza Man by Cassie Mae
Mending Fences by Lorin Grace
Love Me at Sunset by Lucinda Whitney
Saving Her Plantation by Cami Checketts

Review, Author Interview & Giveaway: Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey

Chesapeake Valor Book Three

 

5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.

My Review

Yeah, so I finished this book at 2 am, my husband was out of town, and I had to fall asleep with the lamp on! Talk about intense! This is one of those can't-put-it-down books, where the pace is quick and the characters don't seem to stop for one second. Well, they do stop for some good kissing, but that's another kind of intense ;) There are two cases being worked by the team of friends, and by now we've gotten to know Griffin and Finley from Cold Shot, and Parker and Avery from Still Life. I've been so excited for Declan and Tanner's story since there was a great lead-in to their current relationship, so I recommend reading the books in order for the best experience. It can also be read out of order since there are no spoilers for the plots of the previous books (which I think is a good choice).

The case that Griffin is leading is creepy and a little gory. There's a lot of angles that the team had to work since it involves some obvious suspects but also options for hidden motives by others. Declan is continuing his investigation from Still Life, and now gets to work with Tanner as his partner, which gives them plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal. There is quite a bit of danger, running from bullets, and taking out would-be assassins. Declan learns more about Tanner's past and why she is so good at her job, and is able to trust that she can indeed handle the scary situations they find themselves in. Tanner sees a lesser-known side of Declan and as his walls come down, they grow closer together. I loved their developing romance and the great chemistry they have together!

I was impressed how the members of the team really lived their faith as they petition the Lord for guidance and safety as they search for clues and follow the leads to obtain justice and protect innocent lives. Another thread is woven in that will lead into the fourth book in the Chesapeake Valor series, and this one has been a long time coming, solving a mystery that was introduced in the first book, Cold Shot. I can't wait to read what I hope will be Kate and Luke's story! I highly recommend this series to fans of romantic suspense!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Interview with Author Dani Pettrey

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My husband Mike and I have been married 25 years. We have two beautiful daughters, two adorable grandsons, one awesome son-in-law, and a one-hundred and twenty-pound Newfoundland puppy who looks more like a bear than a dog, but has the sweetest temperament ever. I love connecting with readers, so please drop by www.danipettrey.com and say hi!

What do you do besides writing?

I spend a lot of time with my grandbabies and girls. I also love hiking, kayaking, traveling, reading, spending time at the beach and am always in search of the world’s best iced mocha.

Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process?

Absolutely. I’m a super visual writer, so I always find pictures of my characters either before I start writing, or more often, as I’m writing. And, there have been times when I’ve changed my inspiration as the character comes to life and I need to find a better ‘fit.’ For Declan, I pictured Henry Cavill and for Tanner I pictured Shiri Appleby.

  
What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

I always make a soundtrack as I’m writing when I hear songs which remind me of the story and my characters. I’ll be sharing Blind Spot’s playlist soon, but in the meantime, a couple of the songs include: From the Ground Up from Dan & Shay and Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns.

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

My take-away for Blind Spot is hope. Hope in friendships, family, loved ones and, most importantly, hope in Christ and all that we have in and through Him and His constant presence and love.

What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

I’m currently working on two projects. I’m revising book four of the Chesapeake Valor series, which will release in July. I’m also extremely excited to be partnering again with Dee Henderson and Lynette Eason on a novella collection. When those projects are complete, I will dive into my new series, Coastal Guardians, which features Coast Guard Investigative Service special agents and is set in coastal North Carolina. I’m thrilled to be able to bring new characters and new settings to my readers in the coming years.

Thanks so much for hosting me!

Thank you Dani for sharing your insights about Blind Spot and providing a copy to give away to one lucky reader!

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Don't miss the first two books in the Chesapeake Valor series . . .

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet--until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern--a young social justice lawyer missing since spring--and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.

Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

Review & Giveaway: Home All Along by Beth Wiseman

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Charlotte has made a home for herself in Amish Country with Daniel. But unforeseen events rock their fragile world and may move them even further away from the life they long for.

Charlotte, an Englisher, is living in Amish Country, and she has formed strong and lasting bonds with the people in her new community. She has even fallen in love with an Amish man. But just when she is considering a permanent conversion to the Amish way of life, her world crashes around her. An unexpected death and a mysterious visitor unsettle Charlotte, and she begins to question her faith and her choices.

Daniel loves Charlotte and wants to share his life with her, even it if means leaving the only world he’s ever known. But as he walks alongside of her through her struggles, his own world is turned upside down when a loved one receives a grim medical diagnosis and a prodigal relative returns home. Will Charlotte and Daniel’s relationship succumb to the many pressures around them, or will their faith and the strong community around them allow them to weather the storms of their own lives in order to build a life together?

My Review

This third book is the conclusion to the Amish Secrets series, and what an outstanding finish! The author did a skillful job of making it readable as a stand alone, offering some insight from the first two books without dumping a summary on the reader. I feel like even though one book leads into the next, they could definitely be read out of order. I loved seeing how much Charlotte had grown since the first book, and the role she played in the life of her sister and niece. She still struggled with her past and the fears that prevented her from moving forward with Daniel, and the gentle wisdom of her Amish surrogate mother sweetly guided her towards discovering God's will for her path. The health problems that plague the two families brought the theme of grief to the forefront, and there are many thought-provoking conversations and internal dialogues that brought depth to the story. Annie became one of my favorites as she matured and stepped up as a leader in her family. And of course, Aunt Faye was quite the show-stealer with her pickled oysters and indomitable spirit. I highly recommend this series to fans of Amish fiction and women's fiction!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

About the Author

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.5 million books, her novels have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She is a two-time winner of the Carol Award in, a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and an INSPY Award winner. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. This is Beth’s fifteenth novel, and she has also published thirteen novellas that appear in various Thomas Nelson collections.

CONNECT WITH BETH:  website,  facebook,  twitter

Giveaway

(1) Winner will win the following prize pack from the publisher, Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction:

• Finished copies of all three books in The Amish Secrets Series by Beth Wiseman (Her Brother’s Keeper, Love Bears All Things, Home All Along)
• SIGNED bookplates for all three books
• A custom series poster
• A custom Home All Along bookmark with plantable home-shaped seed card

(US Addresses Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Head to the rest of the tour stops for more reviews, info and giveaway entries!

Week 1:

10/1 - Just Commonly

10/2 - Heidi Reads. . .

10/3 - Savings in Seconds

10/4 - Just Commonly

10/5 - Maureen's Musings

10/6 - Cheryl Book Blog

10/7 - Instagram: cscott413 & heidireadsblog

Week 2:

10/9 - Reading is My SuperPower

10/10 - A Greater Yes

10/11 - Loving Him, Loving Them

10/12 - Brittany Reads Fiction

10/13 - A Bakers Perspective

10/14 - 2014 & Beyond  Blog & Instagram: debi_2014andbeyond

Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop!

I just love getting stuck in a good book! You know it's amazing when you simply can't put it down and do what you really should be doing... like sleep ;) 

Dani Pettrey's romantic suspense books are my favorites of the genre and I love how each book in a series leads into the next one. Blind Spot is the third book in the Chesapeake Valor series and while we meet the characters in the first two books, it can be read as a stand alone. Enter below to win a print copy of this new release and then check out the other blogs in the hop!

Synopsis

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.

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