The Gift

November 21st, 2017

The Gift

gift
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Danger strikes Hart County again in Shelley Shepard Gray’s new release!

The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous “accidents” that someone wants them gone.

Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it’s not the Schwartz family’s fault, but he can’t help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can’t stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.

Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt. . . or worse.

ISLAND BREEZES

The Schwartz family is experiencing all kinds of mishaps and dangerous situations while trying to enjoy their new farm in Hart County.

Some of the other residents think it’s only right since the Schwartz stole the farm from the Vances. But it gets complicated when Susanna and Neil start falling for each other.

This seems to be the beginning of an Amish Hatfield and McCoy type feud, and both sides are in danger. This certainly isn’t looking like a Christmas season filled with love, happiness and peace.

Shelley Shepard Gray is one of my favorite Amish writers. She definitely didn’t disappoint me with this book. I’m looking forward to more Amish of Hart County books.

***I received this book free of charge from Litfuse.***

shelley

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Snifter of Death

November 21st, 2017

Snifter of Death

 

by Chris Karlsen

on Tour November 1 – December 2, 2017

Synopsis:

Snifter of Death by Chris Karlsen
The summer of 1889 was proving to be a strange one for Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone and his partner.

They had a sexual pervert loose. The man didn’t actually harm women but threatened them at knife point, fondling them, and ultimately stealing their stockings.

Far more serious were the murders of influential men, which appeared random other than they were all killed by arsenic poison. Never had he and his partner had cases with so little workable evidence.

Also, the rivalry between him and his detective nemesis at London’s other police department was intensifying. That nemesis was the boxing champion of their department and looking to challenge Rudyard, who never trained as a boxer.

Besides Rudyard’s pride being at stake, and the pride of his station, his nemesis also had in his possession a photograph of the woman Rudyard cares very much for. The new lady in Rudyard’s life had captured his heart and he’d fight the devil himself to save her reputation.

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Suspense
Published by: Books to Go Now
Publication Date: May 16, 2017
Number of Pages: 376
ISBN: 9781545211090
Series: The Bloodstone #2 | This is a Stand Alone Novel
Purchase Links: Amazon ? | Barnes & Noble ? | Kobo ? | Goodreads ?

Read an excerpt:

“What address do you show for the Cross family?” the Vicar asked. Her mind went completely blank. Finally, she blurted the only one that came to her, which was no doubt wrong. “Park Lane.”

The Vicar smirked. Not smiled. Smirked. That meant it had to be wrong.

“I suggest you start there. In the meantime, I will have my housekeeper escort you out. I don’t know what you’re playing at but I don’t care for mischief. You’ll do your soul a good turn to drop a coin in the poor box on your way to the street.” He rang a small bell on his desk and the housekeeper came. “See this lady out.”

Graciela stood on the top stair of the chapel cursing her luck when a man’s disturbingly familiar laugh interrupted her thoughts. She took a quick step to the left and flattened herself against one of the portico pillars. The horrible laugh rippled over from close by. It sounded like Detective Bloodstone’s from the morning she’d bailed out Addy. He’d said something that sent the shine boy scampering away and had all the detectives snickering, including Bloodstone.

Taking a deep breath, she peered around the edge of the pillar expecting to see the detective. His presence would’ve been the perfect end to this entire St. Jude’s Chapel mission-turned-catastrophe. To her great relief, it came from a carriage driver. She hadn’t noticed a group of them gathered at the corner waiting to be hired. Graciela, you had no reason to be frightened. You’d done nothing wrong. Stop being such a ninny.

She left the church and headed home. Zachary would be getting up from her nap soon. The whole way home she questioned her luck. A dozen people are murdered every day in London.

How hard can it be to kill someone?

Excerpt from Snifter of Death by Chris Karlsen. Copyright © 2017 by Chris Karlsen. Reproduced with permission from Chris Karlsen. All rights reserved.

ISLAND BREEZES

A pervert who had a thing about women’s stockings. Business men being poisoned. How on earth were they related?

Even a couple detectives were fighting in the midst of these seemingly clueless crimes. Literally.

Then we get some blackmail tossed in. This book covers a broad swath of crimes and passions.

Thank you, Ms Karlsen, for sucking me into a book I couldn’t lay down. This is the first Chris Karlsen book I’ve read. Now I have to go back and read Book 1 of the Bloodstone series while I impatiently wait for Book 3.

***Book provided without charge by Partners in Crime Tours.***

Author Bio:

Chris Karlsen

I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.

My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.

I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream. I write three different series. My paranormal romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller series is Dangerous Waters. The newest is The Bloodstone Series. Each series has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and five wild and crazy rescue dogs.

Catch Up With Chris Karlsen On:
Website ?, Goodreads ?, Twitter ?, & Facebook ?!

 

Tour Participants:

 

Stop by these great hosts for guest posts, interviews, reviews, and giveaways!

Click here to view the Snifter of Death by Chris Karlsen Participants

 

Giveaway:

 

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Chris Karlsen. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. The giveaway begins on November 1 and runs through December 4, 2017.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan | Blog Tour and 5-Book Giveaway

November 20th, 2017

Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan | Blog Tour and 5-Book Giveaway

After a whistleblower in the pharmaceutical cover-up case dies, attorney Kate Sullivan knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits. Get ready to stay up way past your bedtime turning the pages to find out what happens next in Rachel Dylan’s new legal thriller, Deadly Proof. Trying to forget the past, former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower’s allegation. He also soon finds himself falling for the passionate and earnest young lawyer. As the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything—even murder—to keep the case from going to trial.

Enter to win a copy of Deadly Proof. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced December 7 on the Litfuse blog!

 

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Begin with Confession

November 18th, 2017

pexels-photo-267559

If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10

Murder in Disguise

November 14th, 2017

Murder in Disguise

murder
By Donn Taylor

Preston Barclay finds himself in the midst of mystery and danger once more.

When visiting professor Preston Barclay questions his long-time friend’s suicide, he receives threats. Press has enough problems already in proving his competence to students and faculty in the newly-hostile environment of the state university. For the new department chairman and campus radicals do all they can to undermine him. And the female siren assigned as his student assistant creates problems there and with Press’s courtship of his colleague Mara Thorn.

The more things don’t add up, the more dangerous the threats become, and the more determined Press becomes to clear his friend’s name and find the truth about the alleged suicide.

But can Press and Mara’s stumbling efforts to find the truth prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger. . . ?
Learn more about Donn and his new release here.

ISLAND BREEZES

When is a suicide not a suicide? Or maybe it really is a suicide. Jordan Collier’s widow thinks he was murdered. His friend, Preston, isn’t sure what to think. He just knows he doesn’t want to get involved in an investigation.

He and his lady friend, Mara, get sucked into it anyway. It does get confusing as well as dangerous.

I enjoy Preston and Mara, but their relationship is very slow moving as they both are rather skittish. And the music plays on.

You can read the beginning of Mara and Preston in Rhapsody in Red. I didn’t meet them until Murder Mezzo Forte. Thank you, Mr Taylor, for these enjoyable books. I’m looking forward to the next Preston Barclay mystery.

***I received this book free of charge from Litfuse.***

donn

With a PhD in English literature (Renaissance), Donn Taylor taught literature for 18 years at two liberal arts colleges. Now retired, he has published suspense novels, mysteries, and poetry. His historical novel Lightning on a Quiet Night was a finalist for the 2015 Selah Awards. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences. In a prior incarnation, he led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. He now lives in the woods near Houston, TX, where he writes fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics.
Find out more about Donn at http://www.donntaylor.com.

The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray | Blog Tour and 5-Book Giveaway

November 13th, 2017

The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray | Blog Tour and 5-Book Giveaway

The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County . . . until gunshots remind them that someone wants them gone in Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Gift. Neil Vance thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna Schwartz’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt . . . or worse.

Enter to win a copy of The Gift. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 22nd on the Litfuse blog!

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Healing

November 11th, 2017

scourge-jesus

By His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Total Christmas Makeover

November 7th, 2017

Total Christmas Makeover

total
by Melissa Spoelstra
Holiday Devotional
Abingdon Press

In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it’s important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ’s birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party.

Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.

In Total Christmas Makeover, author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God’s grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.

ISLAND BREEZES

I’m always up for a makeover book, but this one is different. It’s a makeover of a person’s insides and views on Christmas.

The world could really use a good makeover like this. I really like the devotional format and the way it’s divided into the three Rs. The practical approach at the end of each chapter really brings it home.

Thank you, Ms Spoelstra, for opening our eyes and hearts to the real celebration of Christmas.

***I received this book free of charge from Litfuse.***

melissa

Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and addicted to the study of His Word. Her passion is helping other women to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study, attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, and a tenacious dependence on God at all times, even through the storms of life. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids.

Rescued Hearts

November 6th, 2017

Rescued Hearts

hear5ts
by Hope Toler Dougherty
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Mantle Rock Publishing

Children’s clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball’s soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar- entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Beaten, bound, and gagged by the two thugs inside, Mary Wade loses hope for escape when a third villain returns with supplies.

Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Weighing the difference of ruining his three months’ investigation against the woman’s safety, Brett forsakes his mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind.

When Mary Wade’s safety is threatened once more, Brett rescues her again. This time, her personal safety isn’t the only thing in jeopardy. Her heart is endangered as well.

ISLAND BREEZES

This book is full of rescues. Some of them are quite surprising. It makes one wonder just how many times Mary is going to need rescuing. It really goes against her nature to give up control, and that does present problems.

This book has many twists I would never thought of, and I loved them. But I still wonder about that kitten.

Thank you, Ms Dougherty, for this chance to add you to my “I wanna read more of these authors” list. I’m looking forward to your next book.

***I received this book free of charge from Litfuse.***

hope

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University as well as York Technical College. A member of ACFW, RWA and SinC, she writes for Almost an Author. Before writing novels, she published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children to writing apprehension. She follows the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football. Hope and her husband, Kevin, live in North Carolina and chat with their two daughters and twin sons through ooVoo. Her debut novel, Irish Encounter, is partially set in Ireland. Her second one, Mars . . . With Venus Rising, is published with Pelican Book Group.

Learn more at hopetolerdougherty.com and http://litfusegroup.com/author/HDougherty.

You Are Not Alone

November 4th, 2017

Michelangelo-Hands-of-God-Canvas-Art-ae2c3bb9-70e1-4c83-8142-5559195183fb

Fear not, for I am with you,

be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you.

Surely I will help you.

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10