Tuesday, October 3, 2017

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


Chesapeake Valor Book Three
 
http://amzn.to/2sQnUnP

5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

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!




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

Heidi Reads... Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey


http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

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.



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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.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Review & Giveaway: Home All Along by Beth Wiseman



Heidi Reads... Home All Along by Beth Wiseman

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

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
10/4 - Just Commonly
10/7 - Instagram: cscott413 & heidireadsblog

Week 2:

10/10 - A Greater Yes

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop!


http://www.stuckinbooks.com/2017/09/stuck-in-good-book-giveaway-hop_30.html

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!

http://amzn.to/2x7X5tw

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

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.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Book Tour Grand Finale & Giveaway: Happily Ever Afters by Rachel Magee

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Happily Ever Afters
By Rachel Magee

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:



Launch - Author Interview

1. What is your motivation behind HAPPILY EVER AFTERS?

I actually came up with the idea for Happily Ever Afters while I was on a girls’ trip. Several of my friends at the time weren’t married and there were a few handsome bachelors at the resort. I started wondering what would happen if two people who didn’t live anywhere near each other fell in love.

It's All About the Romance - Why You Need to Go on Vacation – Or Read a Book – Or Both

Who loves vacation? Me too! It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend getaway to a town nearby or a longer trip to someplace a bit farther, I love them all. My passion for travel worked its way into my book HAPPILY EVER AFTERS, which is about a couple who meet while on vacation. The rest of their story involves meeting up at the different destination weddings of each of their best friends and visiting each other in their home cities. . . .


“Excuse me.” The deep voice came from above me.

I cracked one eye enough to see a man standing there. He motioned to the large storage bin holding all the passengers’ bags stowed under the bench where I was sitting. Shifting out of his way, I didn’t let the interruption distract me from enjoying the tranquility of the sail.



“Nice to meet you, Lainey.” He flashed a charming smile and settled against the rail. My heart skipped a beat. “What brings you to Puerto Rico?” He casually folded his arms in front of his toned chest.

“We’re celebrating my birthday.”

“Happy birthday.” The cheerful sincerity of his voice coaxed my fake smile into a genuine one.


Paulette's Papers - Character Interview with Lainey on Location in Dallas

Hi y’all. Today we are in Dallas, Texas chatting with the heroine from Happily Ever Afters, Lainey Stratton.

Hi Lainey. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m an internal medicine doctor. I finished my residency last year and am working at a hospital in Dallas. I like sports, especially hockey, and I love spending time with my friends.


"It's more than just a sweet romance, it's a journey filled with emotion and growth. . . . The last part of the book is filled with emotion that yanked my poor heart out. I was fully invested in the lives of these characters. Their journey wasn't easy, but it was satisfying. I loved my time spent with this book. I'll be watching for more from Rachel Magee!"

The Bookworm Chronicles - 5 Reasons to Get Swept Away with Vermont

The second destination wedding takes place at a bed and breakfast in Vermont. For this wedding, I wanted a location with a charming fairy tale like setting that would be the perfect place for our couple to meet up again. And what’s sweeter than maple syrup from Vermont?


"Magee is a new-to-me author and I was blown away from the powerful impact of the emotion that I felt throughout, and not just because of the jabs to my heart. The romance was palpable; the friendships were strong; the joys were high and the sorrows were low. This is one author worth watching out for!"


"Overall it was a cute story, much like a traditional romance. It was a clean read – although the characters were drinking, and some people may be bothered by that. Having never read something by this author before, I was unsure what to expect, but I found that I enjoyed it and will check out other books she has!"

Book Lover in Florida - Character Interview with Carter

Today we are talking with Carter Thompson, hero of Happily Ever Afters. Hi, Carter!

Hi. No one’s ever called me a hero before. I’m flattered. And searching for my cape.

Tell us about yourself.

Like you said, I’m Carter Thompson. My official title is long, but it means that I’m an economist for the State Department. I’m 34 and I live right here in Washington, D.C.


"A fast reading book, even though some of the first parts were slow the story kept me interested from start to finish. About finding love, recovering from lost loves."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

“Then I definitely think we should try them,” I whispered back. “Any idea what’s in it?”

He shrugged. “Nope. But tonight, I’m feeling daring. How about you?”

Daring was not a way I often felt. I preferred to make decisions based on fact and scientific reason. But for some reason, on this picturesque street with this handsome semi-stranger, daring sounded like a great idea.



"Happily Ever Afters was aptly named. It was a adorably sweet romance with a happily ever after ending. It was not a fairy tale retelling, but it definitely had a fairy tale ending. I love books like this one. Lainey had definite struggles to overcome in her life and relationships. As mentioned in the synopsis, she faced a tragedy that rocked her world. And the pain in her past kept her from trusting easily. Both problems were genuine and well-addressed."

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"The road that the characters travel is a hard one. There is tragedy, loss, and pasts to deal with. Carter is a strong support for Lainey. You really can't help but like him from the moment he is introduced. In many ways he becomes her rock. . . . The book is well written, full of emotion (good and bad). I look forward to reading more from Rachel Magee."

Heidi Reads... - Review

"The twist midway through the plot is what brought out the emotion and connection for me. Seeing Carter be there for her and support her through such a hard time was great, and I thought the author did an authentic job of portraying Lainey's grief and overwhelming emotions. Of course some external conflicts also arose that had to be overcome, and I was swiftly turning pages until I found Lainey's perfectly sweet happily ever after."

Remembrancy - Review

"This book. Wow. The first third was fun. A vacation in San Juan, good friends, adventure with a gorgeous guy and meeting new friends. It set me up for a fun romp. . . . And then Pow! Now I’m crying, grieving along with Lainey at her loss, her loneliness, her heartbreak. . . . Rachel Magee’s debut novel is moving but, more importantly, it reminds us of the power of falling in love."

Jorie Loves A Story - Author Interview

When you were pitching Happily Ever Afters - how did you decide to focus on an Indie Publisher and what motivated you to seek out Clean Reads? What gives them the advantage over other Indies?

I liked the idea of a small publisher because it allowed me to be more involved in all the decisions while still having the expertise and advice of people who had done this many times. Clean Reads was actually recommended to me by a good friend who thought it would be a perfect fit for this book. I’m so happy she did! They publish clean fiction in a variety of genres, so it was a great match for my love of writing sweet romances. It allows my story to shine in the specific market where it belongs. But more than the books they publish, they are an amazing group of people who inspire and encourage me. It’s a joy to be part of the Clean Reads team.


"I love a good clean love story and this is one of those. . . . This story had so much emotion in it, I kept going from crying to laughing to being mad at one of the characters. It is a really good read. . . . I would highly recommend this book to other readers. I loved it."

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Happily Ever Afters
Rachel Magee
Contemporary Sweet Romance
ebook, 286 pages
September 19th 2017 by Clean Reads

Lainey Stratton does not fall in love with strangers she meets on vacation. It simply doesn’t make logical sense. So when Lainey meets Carter Thompson on the first day of her Caribbean vacation, she knows it could never amount to anything more than a crush. At the end of the vacation she will return to Dallas and he will return to D.C., and that will be the end of it. Well, unless he wants to join her at a friend’s destination wedding, which would be considered vacation too, right?

But when an unexpected tragedy sends Lainey’s logical world spiraling out of control, she realizes her vacation crush might be the only one who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. That is, as long as she can get out of the way of her own happiness. And as long as Carter’s past doesn’t catch up with him before she gets a chance.


About the Author


Rachel Magee wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.

Tour Giveaway


Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 1 (US residents only)
· Happily Ever Afters coffee mug
· Tea Sampler Pack
· Happily Ever Afters notebook
· Lilly Pulitzer pen
· Chocolates
· ‘Vacations’ picture frame

Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 2 (US and International residents))
· $25 Amazon e-gift card

Giveaway ends October 4th

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Review: The Holy Ghost Is My Friend by Catherine Christensen, illustrated by Rebecca Sorge


Heidi Reads... The Holy Ghost Is My Friend by Catherine Christensen, illustrated by Rebecca Sorge

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/the-holy-ghost-is-my-friend?autocomplete=true&variant_id=154846-hardcoverhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Get ready to shine a spotlight on the Holy Ghost! This unique picture book shares everyday situations and simple stories that teach children how to recognize the influence of the Spirit. When you shine a flashlight through the illustrated pages, you can discover how the Holy Ghost protects, comforts, directs, and witnesses of true gospel principles. A fun and illuminating book the whole family will love!

My Review

I loved the creative way children can learn about the Holy Ghost and how it plays an important role in their everyday lives. The shine the light feature is fun and adds another layer of excitement as the hidden picture is revealed. This is a book my daughters love to read at home and at church during sacrament meeting. It was also helpful with reverence while we watched General Conference in our home. A great resource and would make a perfect gift for the holidays!

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

About the Author

Catherine Christensen graduated magna cum laude from BYU with a degree in English and editing. She worked in her dream job acquiring and editing books before switching to her other dream job of full-time mother. She is a dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom and has lived most of her life in England. She currently resides in Springville, Utah, with her husband and daughter. Catherine is the author of I Can Pray EverydayEmily’s Perfect Christmas TreeBlessing the Nephite Children, and The Holy Ghost.


Friday, September 29, 2017

Book Tour, Review & Giveaway: Happily Ever Afters by Rachel Magee


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

http://amzn.to/2fNsf3SHappily Ever Afters
Rachel Magee
Contemporary Sweet Romance
ebook, 286 pages
September 19th 2017 by Clean Reads

Lainey Stratton does not fall in love with strangers she meets on vacation. It simply doesn’t make logical sense. So when Lainey meets Carter Thompson on the first day of her Caribbean vacation, she knows it could never amount to anything more than a crush. At the end of the vacation she will return to Dallas and he will return to D.C., and that will be the end of it. Well, unless he wants to join her at a friend’s destination wedding, which would be considered vacation too, right?

But when an unexpected tragedy sends Lainey’s logical world spiraling out of control, she realizes her vacation crush might be the only one who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. That is, as long as she can get out of the way of her own happiness. And as long as Carter’s past doesn’t catch up with him before she gets a chance.

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & Noble

My Review
4 stars / I really liked it

First off, I just want to say that this book should not be judged by its cover. I got a totally different vibe while reading it, and I think that it would have served the book better to have more of a modern, chick-lit type of cover. Maybe with a cocktail or wine glass, since the characters did an awful lot of drinking (or there was just more info than necessary when it came to what alcoholic beverages were being consumed).

Okay, with those minor hang-ups aside, I really enjoyed the characters and story! Lainey has a special relationship with her sister and best friend, and it was fun seeing her interact with them while on her tropical vacation. Carter was charming and I loved that he stayed in touch with Lainey after the vacation through texting and visits. I was surprised they never talked on the phone though, and their texts were very impersonal and brief for the most part. It was a very separate/together/separate/together kind of relationship, but when they were together they had great chemistry!

The twist midway through the plot is what brought out the emotion and connection for me. Seeing Carter be there for her and support her through such a hard time was great, and I thought the author did an authentic job of portraying Lainey's grief and overwhelming emotions. Of course some external conflicts also arose that had to be overcome, and I was swiftly turning pages until I found Lainey's perfectly sweet happily ever after.

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

About the Author


Rachel Magee wrote her first novel when she was twelve and entered it into a contest for young author/illustrators. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t impressed with her stick figures. So she dropped the dream of becoming a world famous illustrator and stuck to spinning stories. When she’s not busy working on her latest book, she loves to travel with her family and friends. By far, her favorite destination is the beach, which tends to work its way into most of her stories. Between vacations, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, TX with her wonderful husband, their two adventurous kids and a couple of spirited pets, all of whom share Rachel’s love of the ocean. Well, except the cat and dog. They’re both afraid of water. Find out more about what Rachel has been up to at rachelmageebooks.com.
Tour Giveaway


Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 1 (US residents only)
· Happily Ever Afters coffee mug
· Tea Sampler Pack
· Happily Ever Afters notebook
· Lilly Pulitzer pen
· Chocolates
· ‘Vacations’ picture frame

Happily Ever Afters Prize Pack 2 (US and International residents))
· $25 Amazon e-gift card

Giveaway ends October 4th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!