Monday, November 7, 2022

Book Tour & Review: Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder




 
My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

Will Seeking Justice Lead to Her Own Demise?
 
A Gothic-Style Regency Romance from a Promising Young Author
 
Second daughter of a baron—and a little on the mischievous side—Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.
 
Lord Sedgewick knows there’s blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son—and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.
 
Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him—just as her dead sister?
 
Book Trailer
 

 
 
My Review

The melodramatic Gothic vibe of the book was almost too much for me, but the genuine personalities of the main characters, Ella and Henry, had me invested in the story and I just had to see how the mystery was resolved. I found it surprising that Ella felt that she could go into a situation where her sister was murdered and not be unscathed. I also found it rather shocking that Henry allowed an unsafe situation remain in his home without necessary precautions. With my belief somewhat suspended, I found a ray of light in Henry's son Peter, who brought joy to everyone in the dark estate. The thread of faith woven into Ella and Henry's relationship also lifted the heaviness of the story and gave them a deeper connection. The author's writing has the feeling of Jane Eyre, with pauses and skip aheads that I found a bit jarring but reminded me more of the classics. Very much layers built upon layers. I would say the plot started out mysterious, but finished up with more suspense as the tension builds when Ella, Henry, and Peter discover just how dangerous their circumstances really are.

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.


Endorsements

"Fast-paced danger and suspense from an exciting newcomer to Regency fiction."— Julie Klassen, award-winning author of A Castaway in Cornwall

"A strong story of loss and forgiveness, resentment surrendered to faith, and the mercy of God. Readers will enjoy this turbulent mystery with a smile-worthy ending."— Kristen Heitzmann, Christy Award-winning author of Secrets and The Breath of Dawn

"This book has everything I love...a dark and broody hero, a spunky heroine on a mission, and a deeply delicious creepy manor home. Beneath His Silence is a rather gothic tale set in Regency England, filled with plenty of intrigue, danger, and romance to make for a very satisfying read."— Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author of Lost in Darkness
 
 
About the Author



Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels. She is a double 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 Selah Award finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Hannah is a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a local photographer and a self-portrait photographer. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments--piano, guitar, and ukulele--songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.

Exclusive Interview with Author Hannah Linder at Austenprose.com



Friday, November 4, 2022

Blog Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Her Favorite Wyoming Sheriff by Cari Lynn Webb

Her Favorite Wyoming Sheriff JustRead Blog + Review Tour Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Her Favorite Wyoming Sheriff by Cari Lynn Webb, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
Her Favorite Wyoming Sheriff Title: Her Favorite Wyoming Sheriff 
Series: The Blackwells of Eagle Springs 
Author: Cari Lynn Webb 
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming 
Release Date: October 25, 2022 
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

She keeps finding trouble… 

He keeps finding her

Adele Blackwell Kane can’t seem to not get arrested. In fact, the pretty widowed mom of twin girls might be Sheriff Grady McMillan’s favorite not-quite-a-criminal. But keeping Adele out of trouble is hard work—especially when Grady wants out of Wyoming for good. When Adele decides to rescue the town from developers, Grady wonders if his quirky felon might be stealing his heart, too… 
USA TODAY Bestselling Author 
  From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

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

 

EXCERPT


WOULD THAT BE a problem, Sheriff? Grady shared the last of his ham-and-cheese sandwich with Knox inside his patrol vehicle that afternoon and crinkled the empty paper bag in his hands. His sigh filled the entire truck cab.

He only had a problem if he let Adele get too close. If he kept his guard up, she couldn’t become a distraction. He dropped his hand on Knox’s neck and petted the dog. “It would never work, anyway. We’re too different. She’s soft and kind. I’m hard and stubborn. Totally incompatible.”

Yet there had been nothing awkward about their brief kiss in his kitchen earlier. If anything, kissing Adele good-morning had felt too right. Too natural.

Knox’s ears twitched as he looked out the windshield.

“You’re right,” Grady added. “Nothing to do but keep my distance.” If he wasn’t close to Adele, he wouldn’t have to worry about letting her in. Or about wanting to kiss her again.

The door to Tucker’s Ice Cream Shop swung open. A familiar trio tumbled out onto the sidewalk, all snow boots, colorful winter gear and big smiles. Knox’s ears perked up again, and he whined beside Grady. Grabbing his empty lunch bag, Grady opened the door and called Knox. He tossed his garbage in the trash can and glanced at Knox standing beside him on the sidewalk. “Don’t judge me. I’m just doing my job, and that requires checking on all Eagle Springs residents.”

Adele’s bright gaze landed on Grady. Her hand lifted in an excited wave, and her smile made his heart skip a beat. Before he knew it, he was smiling back. And that problem he didn’t have just got bigger.


 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Cari Lynn Webb

Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70 year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.

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


 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $40 Amazon gift card and The Blackwells of Eagle Springs ebooks.

Her Favorite Wyoming Sheriff JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 2, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 9, 2022. 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 HERE


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

JustRead Publicity Tours





Thursday, November 3, 2022

Book Tour, Review & Giveaway: The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey

Call Of The Sea JustRead Blog + Review Tour 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
The Call of the Sea Title: The Call of the Sea 
Author: Sian Ann Bessey 
Publisher: Covenant Communications 
Release Date: November 1, 2022 
Genre: Inspirational Historical/Viking Romance

On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.

Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter—Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Deseret Book | Seagull Book

 

MY REVIEW

This is an era that I haven't read much of in fiction, and I was completely immersed in the setting and culture of the Welsh and the Vikings. The storytelling is rich in historic details that bring the book to life. Rhiannon is strong character who has much heartache weighing on her. I didn't see at first how on earth she and Leif, with so much between them, would be able to come together. I loved his redemption journey and his genuine search for forgiveness. The chemistry builds between them over time as their unlikely trust and friendship develops, and I appreciated the natural pace of their relationship. The suspenseful hunt for the murderer amid mystery and treason kept me glued to the pages as the layers are revealed bit by bit. I highly recommend this stirring historical romance!

 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.


 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Sian Bessy

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today best selling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

Although Sian doesn't have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

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

 

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Call of the Sea, $25 Amazon Gift Card, swag bundle (including stickers, bookmark, button, cross necklace), virtual book club kit, and ebook of The Heart of the Rebellion.

The Call of the Sea JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 31, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 7, 2022. 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 HERE


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

JustRead Publicity Tours



The Christy Awards!

The Christy Award Finalists 2022 JustRead Blog Blitz

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to The Christy Award 2022 Finalists!

 

The Christy Award Finalists 2022

 

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

All That Really Matters Bookshop by the Sea Husband Auditions

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson Publishers) Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong (Kregel Publications) 

 

FIRST NOVEL

All That Is Secret Recorder Sugar Birds

All That Is Secret by Patricia Raybon (Tyndale House Publishers) Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media) Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom (She Writes Press)

 

GENERAL FICTION

The Letter Keeper The Secret Keepers Old Depot Grocery Under the Magnolias

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson Publishers) The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers)

 

HISTORICAL

Between The Wild Branches Drawn By The Current The Widows Of Champagne Yours Is The Night

Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Drawn by The Current by Jocelyn Green (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan (Love Inspired) Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

 

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

As Dawn Breaks Hope Between The Pages Shadows Of Swanford Abbey Until Leaves Fall in Paris

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham (Barbour Publishing) Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

 

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER

Aftermath On The Cliffs Of Foxglove Manor The Barrister And Letter Marque

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock (Thomas Nelson Publishers) The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

 

SHORT FORM

A Texas Christmas Carol False Pretense Mr Nicholas

A Texas Christmas Carol (in Under the Texas Mistletoe) by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale by Christopher de Vinck (Paraclete Press) False Pretense by Heather Day Gilbert (WoodHaven Press)

 

SPECULATIVE

A Time To Seek Dark Intercept Recorder Windward Shore

A Time to Seek by Tracy Higley (Stonewater Books LLC) Dark Intercept by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson (Tyndale House Publishers) Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media) Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)

 

YOUNG ADULT

A Gentle Tyranny Realms of Light Shadow

A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban (Wander, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers) Realms of Light by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media) Shadow by Kara Swanson (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles from one category of their choice!


Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 3, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 2022. 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 HERE


REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTY AWARD 2022 EVENTS

Art of Writing on November 17, 12:30-5 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville $99
A conference for writers, storytellers, and publishing curators.

The Christy Award Gala on November 17, 7-9 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville $89
Celebrate this year's finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

Bundle the Art of Writing Conference & The Christy Award Gala $139

REGISTER

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org


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

JustRead Publicity Tours 





Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: Deadly Conclusion by Kathy Harris

Deadly Conclusion JustRead Blog + Review Tour 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Deadly Conclusion by Kathy Harris, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
Deadly Conclusion Title: Deadly Conclusion 
Series: Deadly Secrets #3 
Author: Kathy Harris 
Publisher: Iron Stream Fiction 
Release Date: November 2, 2022 
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A Fast-Paced Suspense Book You Can’t Put Down

In the thrilling conclusion of the “Deadly Secrets” series, search and rescue dog trainer Keely Lambert breaks in Titan, a new shepherd, during a rescue mission to find little Conner Wells. Aided by childhood friend, Beau Gardner of the TBI, who is also Conner’s uncle, Keely finds the boy deep inside Metropolitan Nashville’s Beaman Park. 

But Conner is not all that Keely finds. On the way back to the welcome center, she notices something sticking out of the dirt—the military dog tags of her father who disappeared more than two decades before. 

The discovery sets Keely on a hunt to unearth her father’s killer, only to be thwarted by multiple setbacks—the murder of Beau’s father, the kidnapping of her mother, and her kennel being set on fire in the middle of the night. After Keely is kidnapped, Beau leads a manhunt to find her before the outcome reaches a "deadly conclusion."

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook

 

GUEST POST FROM AUTHOR KATHY HARRIS



The Incredible Working Canine
by Kathy Harris

I’ve had a love for working dogs since growing up with German Shepherds. None of our family dogs were working dogs, but the beauty and intelligence of the breed set my life on a path to learning more about them and their potential.

The human-canine connection goes back thousands of years. Dogs have not only been our best companions, but they have also worked beside us. Anyone who has watched the Westminster Dog Show may have noticed the classes or categories of dogs, from sporting and non-sporting breeds to hound, terrier, and toy, to herding and working.

Typically, working breeds are used for guarding, herding, drafting, and search and rescue. Military Working Dogs are an important subcategory of working dogs—and are also important to the plot of my new romantic suspense, Deadly Conclusion.

History records canines going into battle with us as early as the seventh century. Dogs of all breeds, as well as mixed breeds, have been used by the United States military since the Revolutionary War. About 1,600 military working dogs currently help keep our country safe.

Search and rescue dogs are highly trained to find missing persons, whether alive or deceased, in every environment imaginable, from urban to wilderness to underwater. And, because of their heightened sense of smell, which is thousands of times better than humans, a specially trained dog can detect a survivor buried in a pile of rubble or a bank of snow.

Of course, search and rescue dogs are not always German shepherds. According to FEMA, the most common breeds in the field are Labrador, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Malinois, and Border Collie. As of November 2021, there were 301 canine search and rescue teams certified by FEMA for locating survivors, as well as 95 canine search teams certified by FEMA to locate human remains.

The opening scenes of my new novel, Deadly Conclusion, were partially inspired by the real-life rescue of a twelve-year-old Boy Scout in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. After three days of a massive search party trying to find him—and when the boy’s chances of survival were diminishing, a Shiloh Shepherd dog by the name of Gandalf and his handler, Misha Marshall, who were on their first official SAR run—just like Titan in my story—found the twelve-year-old boy safe. Gandalf and Misha were immediately thrust into the public limelight. But the story, ultimately, became personal for me when I learned that my Shiloh Shepherd, Glocken, was a close relative to Gandalf.


 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Kathy Harris

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a "divine detour" into the Nashville entertainment business where she works as a marketing director. For several years she freelanced entertainer biographies and wrote news stories and columns for various music publications.

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

 


 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $35 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of Deadly Conclusion.

Deadly Conclusion JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 1, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 8, 2022. 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 HERE


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

JustRead Publicity Tours