Blog Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: Unseen by Traci Hunter Abramson

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Unseen by Traci Hunter Abramson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Unseen
Series: Guardian #7
Author: Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Genre: Clean Romantic Suspense

Laura’s work as a nurse practitioner has pushed her to her breaking point. A trip abroad to visit her grandmother in Honduras promises a few days of relief, but when her abuela falls ill, Laura finds herself walking the halls of a hospital once more. Still wearing her scrubs, she could easily be confused for a local healthcare worker―and it’s a mistake that happens almost immediately. After a recent shootout, the local gang needs a doctor, and they don’t ask for what they want―they take it. In a split second, Laura is captured in a deadly case of mistaken identity. The outlook is dire until a mysterious rescuer appears, launching the pair on a desperate flight to freedom. 

As a member of the ultraclassified guardian program, Manuel is responsible for protecting US assets in Central America. But when a job in Honduras goes terribly wrong, his skills are pushed to the limit as he races to get Laura out of the country alive. What begins as a connection forged in a shared ordeal quickly deepens, and Manuel and Laura must learn to trust their instincts―and their hearts―if they hope to survive.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Guest Post from Author Traci Hunter Abramson

When choosing the setting for Unseen, I knew I wanted to pick somewhere in Central America, but at the time I was writing this book, we were still in the depths of Covid and the travel restrictions that followed. With no ability to travel there myself, I had to rely on my past experiences of living in Venezuela and visiting Mexico. My time in Panama was a little too fleeting to count as being useful.

One of the reasons I chose Honduras was because it has such a wide range of climates—everything from palm trees to pine forests—as well as a rich cultural heritage. I also needed a location that would be likely to have gang activity. Honduras, like many countries, fulfilled that need. I also loved that Honduras had several regional airports that take in international flights, and Roatán, an island off the northern coast of Honduras, is a popular stop for cruise ships.

And while I did have to do my fair share of research to acquaint myself with the region, one of my favorite topics was comparing the various regional dishes to the meals that I ate while living in Caracas. Arepas are still one of my all-time favorite foods, although most people in the United States are more familiar with the Honduran equivalent—pupusas. Tamales, one of my favorite foods from Mexico, is also commonly found in Honduras.

Wildlife was another topic of interest in my research, primarily for when I was trying to name the fictional gang I created for this book. Ultimately, I chose the black jaguar (jaguar negro) for its stealth and deadly beauty. I also had fun adding in an annoying macaw, one that may have been a bit too much like the one that always woke me up when I visited Canaima (near Angel Falls) in Venezuela.

And for the record, I absolutely looked up flights to La Ceiba when I was writing this book. One of these days, I hope to visit there in person and enjoy the same air my characters breathed.

More Books In This Series

   

   

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About the Author

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She loves to travel and recently retired after twenty-six years coaching her local high school swim team. She has written forty-five best-selling novels and is an eight-time Whitney Award winner, including 2017 and 2019 Best Novel of the Year.

Connect with Traci by visiting traciabramson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $20 Amazon gift card, a print copy of Unseen, and a swag pack!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 30, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 6, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

Review: My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A chance meeting. A hunky hockey player. A fake romance.
Hardly an ordinary day in the life of Poppy Hart.

My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

A full-fledged fake romance complete with contract negotiations, pretend dates and phony PDA.

But as I get to know the real Dallas Burke, who is not the man the press says he is, it becomes clear that if this isn’t real. . . someone better tell it to my heart.

My Review

Chemistry off the charts! I loved how chill Dallas is and the way he craves peace and the slower pace of a small town. He just goes along with Poppy's spontaneous claim on him, and her gossipy mean girl enemy is the impetus behind their fake dating which morphs into a win-win situation for them both. Their banter is so entertaining, and they become genuine friends while their scheme plays out- naturally falling in love, but not seeing how it would translate to their normal lives. I've got a thing for hockey players in fiction since reading the Northbrook Hockey Elite series, and My Phony Valentine totally hit the spot! I also love when either main character is a cook/chef/baker. Valentine's Day plays a small role in the story since there is a dance and town event on the holiday that the relationship is leading up to, but this is a book that can be read any time of the year.  Side note- I completely adore the cover design! As always, the author brings her trademark depth to Poppy and Dallas as they both have struggles which prompt introspection, development and growth, woven into their sweet romance. Highly recommend!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Iris by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Iris Marshall never wanted to be anything more than what she is—an official for the European League of (American) Football. So, why she said yes to being a courier for the CIA? She’s not sure, especially when it lands her in an international thriller that has her on the run from a killer. And worse, the person she’s on the run with? Arrogant, bossy, playboy Hudson Bly football player and the last person on earth she wants to go into hiding with.

Hudson knows his days as a wide-receiver are numbered. Too many head injuries, starting with a violent TBI in college have caught up with him. So yes, he agreed to be a patriot, do his bit for the USA and courier a message between agents. He never expected for that simple act to ignite an international man-hunt for the official who wrecked his life, Iris Marshall. But what’s a guy to do—let her get killed?

But spending time with Iris has ignited a desire in him that takes him by surprise, and for Iris, maybe Hudson is more than she thought.

But who is after Iris? When one of her fellow officials is murdered, maybe the killer is after more than just her—maybe she’s found herself in the middle of an international plot to take down a country.

It’ll take the help of the entire family to keep Iris safe…but at what cost when they have to choose between their careers…and their country?

My Review

The suspense and thrills continue in the fourth book of the Minnesota Marshalls series! Definitely read this series in order since the overarching mystery continues throughout, and the subplot in each book becomes the main plot of the following book. I really like this way of getting to know the Marshall siblings simultaneously as their individual stories weave together. Iris and Hudson get pulled into secret agent work for the CIA in the previous book, which puts a target on their backs. This book picks right up with their escape from a life-threatening situation, and the tension doesn't abate while they seek to discover who is after them while still participating in the football season with Hudson as a player and Iris as an official. I loved how the siblings have each others backs, and work together to fight against their enemies, the threads of each book's plot tightening as the elements of each are tied together. The chemistry between Iris and Hudson didn't feel as strong since so much of their attention is on their careers and the danger. I was happy with the resolution and the way they overcame the obstacles that had prevented them from deepening their relationship. We also get some perspective from Iris's parents as they face a new trial which I'm sure will develop in the next book. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Minnesota Marshalls series

 

Takeover Blitz, Review & Giveaway: Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Positively, Penelope 

Series: Skymar #2 

Author: Pepper Basham 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Release Date: August 1, 2023

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Told mostly through letters, texts, and email, this contemporary romance will charm its way into hearts as Penelope rescues a theater and discovers her true self in the process.

Penelope Edgewood is practically positive in every way, so when, fresh out of college, she is awarded a paid internship to help save a century-old theater on the island of Skymar, she jumps at the chance. After all, a crumbling theater needs the special touch of someone who reveres all things vintage and adores the stage. 

Unfortunately, not everything is as it seems at Darling House Theatre. Finances are in shambles, the local theater group is disenchanted, and the two brothers, Matt and Alec Gray, can’t seem to see eye-to-eye about how to run their theatrical business. So, of course, it’s the perfect place for Penelope to shine her own personal brand of sunshine. 

With a little help from GK, the person emailing her encouragement along the way, she puts all her heart into helping the Grays save Darling House. But between Matt’s ever-present skepticism, Alec’s tendency to treat Penelope a little too much like the “princess” she thinks she wants to be (until someone actually started treating her that way), a grandfather who is stuck in his grief, and a mysterious person stealing Penelope’s marketing ideas, she’s not sure her optimism is enough to make a happily-ever-after of her own story, let alone The Darling House’s. 

Between an adorable little girl, a matchmaker, a sea monster or two, and a copious amount of musical references, can Penelope draw enough confidence from her faith, her family, and her adoration of all things Julie Andrews, to find the thief and save the theater . . . without getting her heart broken in the process?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Christianbook | BookBub

My Review 

 

My head was spinning as I read this book, and I never was able to get into the rhythm of the story told through messages, all in a snappy narrative. The sibling relationship between Izzy, Penelope and Luke is fun, but their random commentary sidebars were distracting from my attempts to visualize Penelope's setting. Hopping between texts and emails (often without the story finished- a habit of Penelope's) was jarring and made it difficult to keep everything straight. I enjoyed Penelope's effervescent personality, which bubbled off the pages. She compares herself to Mary Poppins and Maria VonTrapp, and I would concur, with the addition of about twenty Red Bulls. She has plenty of witty opinions on the world and people around her, but I had difficulty connecting to her or any of the characters because of the reading whiplash I experienced from the format. I would recommend this book to fans of Gilmore Girls, it definitely reminds me of Lorelei's fast-talking quirky conversations. 

 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

More Books in this Series

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About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. Pepper's novel, Hope Between the Pages, was a 2022 Christy award finalist. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Authentically, Izzy, $20 Amazon gift card, and a Peter Pan mug!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 26, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 2, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

COVER REVEAL! The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay

 

I'm thrilled to participate in the cover reveal for 

Katherine Reay's upcoming book, The Berlin Letters!

 

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I love so much about this cover! The model's pose, the outfit, the car, the title font, the color scheme- it all goes so well together to create a stunning book cover that makes me want to pick it up. 

 

Keep reading to learn more about the book!

Synopsis

Near the end of the Cold War, a CIA code breaker discovers a symbol she recognizes from her childhood, which launches her across the world to the heart of Berlin just before the wall comes tumbling down.

November 1989—After finding a secret cache of letters with intelligence buried in the text, CIA cryptographer Luisa Voekler learns that not only is her father alive, but he is languishing in an East German Stasi jail. After piecing together the letters with a series of articles her grandfather saved, Luisa seeks out journalists Bran Bishop and Daniel Rudd. They send her to the CIA, to Andrew Cademan—her boss.

Luisa confronts Cademan and learns that nothing is a coincidence, but he will not help her free her father. So, she takes matters into her own hands, empties her bank account, and flies to West Berlin. As the adrenaline wears off and she recognizes she has no idea how to proceed, Luisa is both relieved and surprised when a friend shows up with contacts and a rudimentary plan to sneak her across the wall.

Alternating storylines between Luisa and her father, The Berlin Letters shows the tumultuous early days of the wall, bringing Berlin, the epicenter of the Cold War, to life while also sharing one family’s journey through secrets, lies, and division to love, freedom, and reconciliation.
 

About the Author

Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels and one work of nonfiction.

For her fiction, Katherine writes love letters to books, and her novels are saturated with what she calls the “world of books.” They are character driven stories that examine the past as a way to find one’s best way forward. In the words of The Bronte Plot’s Lucy Alling, Katherine writes of “that time when you don’t know where you’ll be, but you can’t stay as you are.”

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

Review: Jane Austen's Little Book of Wisdom: Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The ultimate companion for the Jane Austen fan filled with her penetrating insights and humor on life, love, and death.

Jane Austen is one of the most popular female writers in history, best known for her stories of love, loss, and hope, which are cleverly intertwined with her witty insights into the traits and expectations of English Georgian society.

Here, in this stunning little book, you will be able to read hundreds of individual quotes from her famous works—from Pride and Prejudice and Emma to Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility—each prompting an emotional response, thoughtful musing, or even a little snigger at the wise and shrewd perceptions that Austen had of the world around her.

Utterly charming and very profound, fans of Jane Austen can revel in these much-loved quotes, while a new audience will be introduced to the joys that her books have provided since their publication many years ago. With each chapter focusing on a different theme—from Love & Longing to Female Strength—this gorgeous gift book is the perfect compilation of Austen’s funny, moving, and thought-provoking words.

Content of themes:
❤️ Love & Longing
❤️ Friendship
❤️ Home & Society
❤️ On Being a Woman
❤️ Life, Death, and Spirituality
❤️ The Arts, Intellect, and Literature
❤️ Good Manners, Virtue, and Vice

❤️ A Philosophy of Life

My Review

This little book (about 5 inches square) has over 300 pages of quotes from the incomparable Jane Austen! They are from all her major works, poetry, and personal letters. The quotes are divided into eight categories, and it has been a joy to flip through and find nuggets of inspiration, humor, and wit. One from Pride and Prejudice that applies to my most social daughter is, "There is nothing so bad as parting with one's friends. One seems too forlorn without them." It made me chuckle since she is constantly asking for playdates- even when she has just finished one! The complete works of Jane Austen are listed at the end of the book, including her lesser known writings, and I was surprised to discover several blank pages decorated with a sweet filigree border for the reader to write in- for journaling thoughts, more quotes, etc. This lovely book would make the perfect gift for Austen-lovers!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

PRAISE FOR JANE AUSTEN’S LITTLE BOOK OF WISDOM

“A valuable resource for any Austen lover to use for quick reference or to read through.” —Library Journal

“It’s a lovely way to spend a little time each day revisiting and reflecting on Austen’s beloved works without embarking on a full reread—and also to test your ability to peg each isolated quote to specific events in its respective story. Feel free to invite your fellow Austenites over and turn it into a full-fledged trivia game.” —Mental Floss

“For Austen fans and lovers of wise words, Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom: Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf, provides a genuine treasure trove. Assaf has curated a wonderful collection here, her other works encompassing popes and saints, precisely in line with the reverence Austen deserves.” —NewPages.com

 

“This lovely book will provide a daily diet of Austen sensibility every day of the year. My vote: 4 out of 4 teacups.” —JaneAustensWorld.com 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. 

 

Andrea Kirk Assaf is an editor, journalist, and translator who divides her time between Rome and Michigan. 

Review: Tiny & Wild: Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere by Graham Laird Gardner

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Go low-maintenance and no-mow while supporting nature and biodiversity by planting a mini wildflower meadow with guidance from Tiny & Wild.

The word “meadow” might conjure an image of a broad, expansive prairie covering acres of land, but it doesn’t have to. Meadows don’t have to be big to make a difference in the health of the planet. If you choose the right plants, even a small corner of the yard will do. In Tiny & Wild, you’ll learn how to embrace your wild side and create a low-maintenance miniature wildflower meadow that’s teeming with life.

The perks of creating a wild planting, even on a small scale, are many. Tiny but mighty meadows help mitigate climate change, foster biodiversity, sequester carbon, and calm the senses. With as little as a few square feet of space, you can create a beautiful, naturalistic planting that supports a diversity of plants, pollinators, and a plethora of other living things, not to mention its visual appeal to human eyes. Author and landscape designer Graham Laird Gardner helps you find inspiration in natural spaces so you can successfully site, design, plant, and care for your own small-scale meadow.

Whether you live in the city or in suburbia, perfect places for a mini meadow are everywhere: 

- A small corner of the yard
- The pocket-sized area between the house and driveway
- Along a property line
- Flanking the front walk
- Around your mailbox
- Tucked next to the front stoop
- At the center of the vegetable garden
- In a raised bed
- Containers, deck boxes, and patio pots
- In the sliver of land between the sidewalk and the street

The plant lists and charts in Tiny & Wild share the best plants to include in your micro prairie, and Graham offers plenty of practical advice on planting your meadow from seed, transplants, or mature plants, depending on your budget, the site, and your timeline. Plus, learn how to care for your wildflower planting, including tips for watering, plant care, and weed management.

Discover how small spaces can make a big difference in Tiny & Wild.

My Review

I'm currently planning the landscaping for both my front and back yards, and it is a bit overwhelming! The more I read about native plants and supporting the bees, birds, and butterflies, the more a meadow-type landscape appeals to me. I appreciated the foundation this book gave me and the things I learned that I need to consider. The author addresses the benefits of meadow-scaping, finding inspiration, and the planning, designing, preparing, planting, and maintaining of meadows small to large. The natural and native look is beautiful, and I enjoyed perusing the lists of suggested plants, divided by category: mid-height dry sun plants, tall dry sun plants, mesic to wet sun plants, grasses, annuals, edible plants, part-shade plants, groundcovers, bulbs and bulb-like plants. I'm more excited to get my soil prepared and design my yard after reading this book, and plan to refer back to it as a reference.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The Art of the Travel Journal by Abbey Sy

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Learn how to create a one-of-a-kind travel journal that documents your adventures using drawing, painting, lettering, ephemera, and more.

Travel journaling is a fun, creative way to record the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of life on the road. In The Art of the Travel Journal, you’ll find techniques, ideas, and inspiration for creating a lasting record of your travels that you’ll treasure for years to come. No experience is necessary, and you can bring your signature style or develop new ones as you discover exciting new artistic opportunities.

You’ll discover how to make your journal pages come to life with easy techniques for sketching the big picture or small details, adding simple lettering, creating stunning color palettes, and decorating pages with fun mementos that travelers love to collect, such as tickets, packaging, maps, and more. Also find tips on how to work in transit and how to plan and pack for maximum efficiency and enjoyment. Best of all, the techniques also work for documenting life right where you are, and beginners can dive in and create with confidence.

Author Abbey Sy (Instagram: @abbeysy) is a veteran traveler who has created her own travel journals for years, sharing the records of her global escapades on her social media platforms. In addition to filling this book with step-by-step instructions for a variety of techniques, she takes a holistic approach to journaling by including information on the benefits of journaling, how to hone a creative habit, and how to develop a unique style.

Other features of the book: 

- All facets of journaling are covered, from start to finish: pre-trip planning, setting intentions, gathering supplies, staying motivated, and how to archive completed journals.
- Not sure which supplies to take? Sometimes less is more—get a rundown on how to build the best compact traveling art kit.
- Explore special sections on making a travel zine and sending artful postcards, enriching the experience of being on the road.
- Learn composition tips for creating stunning journal pages and spreads.
- Get great ideas for storing ephemera and other bits travelers collect.
- Discover journal spread ideas for a variety of themes, such as architecture, museums and galleries, plants and nature, and food and drink. 

- Find creative ideas for documenting short trips and staycations.

 

Tickets? Check. Passport? Check. Travel journal? Check! Let The Art of the Travel Journal make every trip satisfyingly creative.

My Review

This book is so helpful in motivating and inspiring me to incorporate art into my road trips and travel! I loved the variety of themes, layouts, and styles presented. Creating a supplies kit so your journal can be built along the way is vital, and I appreciated the list of things to include. The tutorials were easy to understand with photographs and instructions. I gathered plenty of ideas for the future and look forward to starting my first travel journal soon!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.