Monthly Archives: October 2015

The Week Ahead Oct. 26-31

Here’s a look at what’s happening this week at Book Reviews & More by Kathy:

This week’s book reviews:

October 26: A Peach of a Pair by Kim Boykin (Recent Release)
October 26: Bittersweet Creek by Sally Kilpatrick (New Release)
October 26: Every Little Kiss by Kim Amos (New Release)
October 27: The Splendor of Ordinary Days by Jeff High (Recent Release)
October 27: Red Tide by Jeff Lindsay (New Release)
October 29: The Surgeon’s Christmas Baby by Marin Thomas (New Release)
October 29: How to Be Brave by E. Katherine Kottaras (Upcoming Release Nov. 3)

Blog Tours:

October 26: Kim Boykin
October 27: Jeff High
October 28: Dawn Ryder
October 29: Roni Loren
October 30: Heidi Belleau & Sam Schooler
October 31: Kelly Moran

Winning Wednesdays (Oct. 28) eBooks up for grabs are:

Something Like Love by Sara Richardson
His Best Friend’s Girl by Cathryn Fox
Tasting Notes by Cate Ashwood

Click here for more info on entering the eBook contests.

This week’s Friday Feature: AM Arthur.

This week’s Saturday Series Spotlight is Lou Harper’s Secrets and contest for one of the books in the series (winner’s choice).

Have a great week!!

***All the eBooks in this week’s Winning Wednesday & Saturday Series Spotlight giveaways have been purchased by Book Reviews & More by Kathy.***

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Saturday Series Spotlight & Giveaway: Tammy L. Grace’s Hometown Harbor

finding homeTitle: Finding Home by Tammy L. Grace
Hometown Harbor Series Book One
Publisher: Lone Mountain Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 254 pages

Summary:

A coming to life journey for a middle-aged woman, who flees to a small island expecting a change of scenery and discovers much more.

Shattered by her husband’s infidelities after twenty-five years of marriage, Sam Collins is plagued by constant fear and loneliness, reliving the tragic death of her parents and the betrayal by the man she loved. She leaves Seattle seeking relief from the relentless darkness that has swallowed her. With only her dog for companionship, she sets out to live in her vacation home on San Juan Island.

In her search for a carpenter, she meets the handsome and very available, Jeff Cooper. Sam’s not looking for romance, but can’t deny the attraction to the retired firefighter, turned handyman. While working together and eating her pies, Jeff finds himself falling for her.

The past she wrestles to let go of comes hurtling back when she least expects it. In an effort to help a struggling young man, she is forced to confront the anguish she is desperate to escape. While torn between love and friendship, she must face her fears and choose between the life she’s known and a chance for a family and home she’s been longing for all her life.


home bloomsTitle: Home Blooms by Tammy L. Grace
Hometown Harbor Series Book Two
Publisher: Lone Mountain Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 319 pages

Summary:

Return to the picturesque island community where you’ll check in with your old friends and meet a few new ones along the way.

Linda is knee deep in bouquets and boutonnieres, designing a beautiful ceremony for Sam and Jeff. The bride’s matchmaking plot takes shape as she volunteers her best friend, Max, to help Linda create the perfect wedding.

Linda and Max are thrown together when a tragedy threatens to destroy the honeymooners’ newfound happiness before they have the possibility of a life together. Compelled to make some changes in life, Linda uncovers a family secret that causes her to question her existence and leads her on a search for the truth.

As Max begins to penetrate the protective walls around Linda’s heart, a visit from her youth causes her to risk it all. While struggling between the past and the future, Linda has a chance to let more than her flowers bloom.


promise homeTitle: A Promise of Home by Tammy L. Grace
Hometown Harbor Series Book Three
Publisher: Lone Mountain Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 298 pages

Summary:

Spend Christmas in Friday Harbor this year surrounded by the friends you know and a couple of special deliveries from the Hometown Harbor Series.

In between holiday activities, friends of Linda and Max are helping plan their Valentine’s Day wedding. Regi is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her fortieth birthday and the fulfillment of the promise she and Cam made over twenty years ago.

As she anticipates the reunion with Cam, she’s oblivious to the signals the local delivery man, Nate, is giving her. She and Nate work together helping a newcomer open an art and antiques shop. While spending time together, she discovers she has feelings for Nate and bonds with the new shopkeeper over their past losses.

As Regi’s contemplating her choices, she’s dealt a blow that brings her to her knees and reconnects her with the past. In the pursuit of her youthful fairytale promise, she’ll risk the only chance she’s encountered for true happiness and a home.


pieces homeTitle: Pieces of Home by Tammy L. Grace
Hometown Harbor Series Book Four
Publisher: Lone Mountain Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 249 pages

Summary:

A story of long ago secrets revealed and the strength of one woman’s journey to overcome the pain of her past.

Ellie hasn’t seen or spoken to her parents in twenty years—since she came to live on the island with her aunt and uncle. Ellie’s all grown up now and runs the popular family bakery, Sweet Treats.

An unforeseen plea for help forces Ellie to reveal a secret she’s kept hidden from even her closest friends. Her innate kindness and desire to help propel her on a turbulent journey. The pieces of her past she’s worked so hard to escape resurface and bring her face to face with heartache. In the midst of unearthing her long buried pain, she faces challenges that threaten her livelihood and those she holds most dear.

When newcomer Blake Griffin arrives, he frequents the bakery in the early morning hours and over fresh cinnamon rolls they develop a friendship. He renews a sense of hope and joy in Ellie, but she’s hesitant to trust him with her heart. Instead of letting her past define her future, Ellie must summon the courage to recognize an unexpected path may be a welcome gift.


Author Bio

tl graceBorn and raised in Nevada, Tammy L. Grace loved reading at a young age. With the help of her middle school teacher, she discovered the joy of writing. After spending a career in local and state government service, she retired and finally has the time to dedicate to writing.

When Tammy isn’t working on ideas for a novel, she’s spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books and chocolate. She and her husband have one grown son and a spoiled golden retriever.

Author Links: Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon


Tammy L. Grace giving away one eBook from the Hometown Harbor series-WINNER’S CHOICE (Mobi or ePub format only). Here’s how to enter the Saturday Series Spotlight contest:

You must Do TWO of the Following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (upper left corner). One email daily with the day’s posts.

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

4. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

5. Fill out the form below by 5 PM Mountain Time Tuesday afternoon.

CONTEST OVER

*I am the only person who will have access to info that is submitted to me UNLESS a publisher or author has donated an eBook for the giveaway. For a prize donated by an author or publisher, I will forward your e-mail and format selection to the person responsible for distributing the eBook. In the event the contest form is not working, please leave your book selection in the comments below.*

It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. Tammy L. Grace will e-mail one lucky winner the eBook of their choice in Mobi or ePub format. The winner will be posted HERE on Wednesday.

***The eBooks in this giveaway have been donated by Tammy L. Grace.***

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Friday Feature & Giveaway: Reclaim Me by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers

reclaim meTitle: Reclaim Me by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers
Chasing Fire Series Book Three
Publisher: InterMix
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 244 pages

Summary:

As the heart-pounding Chasing Fire trilogy concludes, a dangerous entanglement leaves Hudson and Allie wondering how much they’re willing to risk for the love they can’t live without…

There’s almost nothing Alessandra Sinclair wouldn’t do for Hudson Chase. He was her first love, and she’s determined that he’ll be her last. But when the terrible truth Hudson has been hiding comes to light, Allie finds herself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a man from her past who’s determined to use what he knows to ruin Hudson. Now, the only way to save the man she loves may be to lose him forever…

Hudson has always known that the secrets he keeps could be his downfall, but he never expected them to put Allie’s life in danger as well. It’s time for him to come clean–before everything he’s ever wanted is destroyed…

Includes previews of REMIND ME and RELEASE ME, the first two books of the Chasing Fire trilogy.

Add to Goodreads.

Add series to Goodreads.

Purchase Links: Amazon * B&N * BAM! * iTunes * Kobo * Google Play

Purchase Links for Remind Me (Book One): Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo * Google Play

Purchase Links for Release Me (Book Two): Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo * GooglePlay


Praise for the Chasing Fire Trilogy

“Exceptional…Seriously sexy and sinfully steamy. Can’t wait for more from this writing duo!”–New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me

“Walker and Rogers strike the perfect balance between blistering physical desire and heartfelt connections…”–RT Book Review


Excerpt

Allie bent to tuck her phone into the carry-on stowed beneath the seat in front of her. A shiver of awareness swept over her skin and she stilled. Hudson. She felt his presence just as surely as if he’d touched her. But despite the brief moment she took to prepare herself, the sight of him still took her breath away. He was standing in the aisle, the muscles of his chest and arms flexing as he shrugged out of his wool coat and handed it to the flight attendant. His hair was damp, no doubt from the snow falling outside, and when he reached up to run his hand through the unruly mane, his sweater rode up, affording her a glimpse of his honed washboard abs and the trail of dark hair that disappeared beneath his belt.

He glanced down and caught her staring. “See something you like?”

She ignored his obvious innuendo, choosing instead to address the much bigger issue. “What are you doing here?”

“Going after what’s mine.”


Author Bios

Though thousands of miles apart, Ann Marie Walker and Amy K. Rogers are in constant contact, plotting story lines and chatting about their love of alpha males, lemon drop martinis and British supermodel, David Gandy. You can find them on twitter as @AnnMarie_Walker and @Amy_KRogers.
a rogers

Author Links: Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads
a walker

Author Links: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads


Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the rest of the tour HERE.

reclaim me tb

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Pre-Release Spotlight: Exposure by Kelly Moran

exposureTitle: Exposure by Kelly Moran
Release Date: January 18, 2016
Publisher: KDP
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance
Length: 264 pages

Summary:

The greatest pleasure comes from losing control…

Noah Caldwell has spent ten years biding his time for the chance to tell his best friend Raven Crowne the truth. He wants her. With the threat that brought him to her in the first place finally behind him, they begin a hot affair he’s only dreamt about. And reality is far better than fantasy. Yet beautiful Raven has her own dark history, one he’s trying desperately to release from her. But as their passion deepens and turns into more, his past rises up from the shadows to claim one last victim…and Noah could lose the only person he can’t live without.

Click HERE for Release Day Party.

Add to Goodreads.

Pre-Order Links (Available 1/18/16): Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo

exposure tb

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Tour Stop, Excerpt & Giveaway: A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray

christmas brideTitle: A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray
Amish Brides of Pinecraft Series Book Four
Publisher: Avon Inspire
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 288 pages

Summary:

Christmas has come to Pinecraft in bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s final Amish Brides of Pinecraft novel, an uplifting story that proves anything is possible when you follow your heart.

When Beverly Overholt’s beloved Orange Blossom Inn is broken into, she’s shaken to her core. After all, the inn has been her whole life since her fiancé left her for her best friend. In the face of repairing what’s been lost, Beverly calls Eric Wagler, the inn’s handsome owner. To her surprise, he promises to be on the next flight out to Sarasota. Beverly’s been closed off to love for years, but with Eric, she can’t help seeing a glimmer of hope—even if they’re from different worlds.

From the moment Eric met Beverly, he’s tried to fight his attraction to her. Though now Mennonite, Beverly was raised Amish, but Eric grew up in Philadelphia and got into his fair share of trouble as a young man. Though he’s worked to overcome his earlier mistakes, with Beverly’s security scare, Eric’s sure she’s not going to want anything more to do with him. And considering how he might just want a future with her…that’s a tough pill to swallow.

But as Beverly and Eric put the inn back together, prepare for Christmas, and even witness a new love blossoming for another couple, the trust…and love…between them grows. Will Christmas bring a second chance at love for Beverly? And if it does, will she be brave enough to take it?

Add to Goodreads.

Add series to Goodreads.

Purchase Links: Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo


Excerpt

At Eric’s urging, she’d given herself a week’s vacation. She’d wanted a little time to sleep late, shop, and relax before the next round of guests arrived for Christmas. Taking a week off had sounded like a wonderful idea, especially since she knew how full the inn would be the rest of the month. But now she wondered why it had ever sounded good at all.

Why had she ever thought she needed a break in the first place? If she’d had guests, no one would have dared to come inside. Her mind continued to race. Or, had someone been watching the inn? Had they known it was empty? It was such a disconcerting thought that she couldn’t bear to dwell on it.

“Good to know.” Officer Roberts punched something into his phone. “We’ll do our best to find those responsible, ma’am. But in the meantime, when you’re ready, we’ll need you to walk through the inn and tell us what’s missing.”

He continued on about fingerprints and motives, police reports and pawn shops, but none of what he said made much sense to her. Not that it mattered. Beverly was done listening. She really couldn’t take anymore. Someone had ruined her livelihood. She felt as betrayed as she had when she’d discovered her fiancé had fallen in love with her best friend all those years ago.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to push those thoughts away. This wasn’t the time to revisit those painful wounds.

“Are you going to be all right?” Zack asked. “Do you want me to get you a glass of water or something?”

“I’m fine,” she said at last and tried to mean it.

Because she had no choice.

“Your insurance should cover the damage,” Zack said quickly, as though not having to worry about the financial repercussions would ease her mind. It didn’t. Insurance money could not replace the most valuable thing stolen from her today: her sense of security.

But Beverly nodded anyway. “Jah. I imagine it will.”

“Do you want me to call Eric for ya?” Leona offered. “I don’t mind.”

She looked at Leona and shook her head. “Nee. I’ll do it.”

“Who’s Eric?” the officer asked.

Beverly said, “He’s the owner of the inn.” But in truth, he was more than that. During the last few months, he’d also somehow become the best friend she’d ever had.

She only hoped when he heard her news that would still be the case.


Author Bio

ss grayShelley 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 Hold 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.

Author Links: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads


Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the rest of the tour HERE.

christmas bride tb

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Review: The Lake House by Kate Morton

lake houseTitle: The Lake House by Kate Morton
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Mystery
Length: 512 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Secret Keeper and The Distant Hours, an intricately plotted, spellbinding new novel of heartstopping suspense and uncovered secrets.

Living on her family’s idyllic lakeside estate in Cornwall, England, Alice Edevane is a bright, inquisitive, innocent, and precociously talented sixteen-year-old who loves to write stories. But the mysteries she pens are no match for the one her family is about to endure…

One midsummer’s eve, after a beautiful party drawing hundreds of guests to the estate has ended, the Edevanes discover that their youngest child, eleven-month-old Theo, has vanished without a trace. What follows is a tragedy that tears the family apart in ways they never imagined.

Decades later, Alice is living in London, having enjoyed a long successful career as an author. Theo’s case has never been solved, though Alice still harbors a suspicion as to the culprit. Miles away, Sadie Sparrow, a young detective in the London police force, is staying at her grandfather’s house in Cornwall. While out walking one day, she stumbles upon the old estate—now crumbling and covered with vines, clearly abandoned long ago. Her curiosity is sparked, setting off a series of events that will bring her and Alice together and reveal shocking truths about a past long gone…yet more present than ever.

A lush, atmospheric tale of intertwined destinies, this latest novel from a masterful storyteller is an enthralling, thoroughly satisfying read.

Review:

In Kate Morton’s latest release, The Lake House, the seventy year old unsolved kidnapping of eleven month old Theo Edevane takes center stage when DC Sadie Sparrow stumbles across the family’s abandoned home while out for a jog. Told from multiple points of view and through flashbacks, this perplexing mystery is brimming with history, family secrets and colorful personalities.

In 1933, the Edevane’s annual midsummer house party is a time of heartbreak for many of the family members and cherished friends. Sixteen year old Alice, an aspiring mystery writer, has just completed her first novel and her schoolgirl crush on one of the family’s gardeners is about to end in heartache. Oldest daughter Deborah’s relationship with mom Eleanor is fraught with tension as they plan Deborah’s upcoming wedding. Youngest daughter Clementine is a tomboy clinging tightly to childhood but she absolutely adores Theo. Longtime family friend Daffyd Llewellyn is anxious and fighting not to sink into another depression. Grandmother Constance is embittered and her relationships with all of inhabitants reflect her dour, strict nature. Parents Eleanor and Anthony are deeply in love and they are shattered by Theo’s kidnapping. In the wake of Theo’s unsolved disappearance, the entire family departs from the estate with no one returning for the next seventy years.

In 2003, Sadie’s own personal history plays a role in her belief that Maggie Bailey did not abandon her young daughter, but with little evidence to support her theory, Sadie goes a little too far once the case is officially closed. Now trying to salvage her career, she is spending four weeks with her grandfather when her curiosity about the Edevane’s abandoned estate leads her to begin an off the books investigation into the unsolved kidnapping. Stunned to discover one of the policeman from the original case is still living in the local area, she gets a firsthand look into the original file. This information, along with her discoveries from her personal research, provide her with a few theories about what happened to Theo.

Deciding she needs to take a look inside the house, Sadie contacts Alice who is now living in London where she is still writing a popular detective series. Although now in her eighties, Alice shows no signs of slowing down and she still has a keenly analytical mind. Alice is convinced she knows what happened to Theo and she is wracked with guilt over what she perceives to be her role in the events of that long ago night.

The narrative seamlessly flips back and forth in time and through different characters’ points of view, the truth about the Edevane family is slowly revealed. These shifts in perspective and time periods are clearly marked but the story gets a little bogged down in superfluous details. The characters are well-developed with distinct voices and the Edevane family dynamics are quite fascinating. The revelation of long held family secrets effectively keeps readers guessing the truth about Theo’s fate and Kate Morton throws in a whopper of plot twist that is as delightful as it is unexpected.

Atmospheric with plenty of family secrets, The Lake House is an intriguing mystery that I recommend to readers of police procedurals.

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Filed under Atria Books, Contemporary, Historical (20s), Historical (30s), Kate Morton, Mystery, Rated B, Review, The Lake House