Genre: Psychological Suspense
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Date of Publication: April 11, 2017 Number of Pages: 248 A chilling psychological suspense novel, The Grave Tender explores the dark boundaries people cross to save loved ones, and the limits of family bonds tested by the deepest of betrayals. Endless questions from a shadow-filled East Texas childhood haunt Hadley Dixon. People said her mother, Winnie, was never quite right, but with one single, irreparable act, life as Hadley knew it was shattered. The aftershocks of that moonlit night left her reeling, but the secrets and lies had started long before. When a widowed and pregnant Hadley returns years later, it’s not the safe harbor she expects. The mysteries surrounding a local boy’s disappearance remain, and the townspeople still whisper about Hadley’s strange and reclusive Uncle Eli—whispers about a monster in their midst. But Hadley’s father and grandmother, the cornerstones of everything safe in her world, avoid her questions. If Hadley stays here, will she be giving her children the family they need or putting their lives in danger? The hunt for answers takes a determined Hadley deep into the pine forests, in search of sunlight that will break through the canopy of lies long enough to reveal the truth. "The Grave Tender will grasp you in its hooks from the beginning as you try to figure out the truth behind each character, because no one is truly what they seem ... Addicting, easy to read, and hard to put down." - Shelbi LeMeilleur, Insite Magazine PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon Barnes & Noble Target About The Author
Eliza Maxwell lives in Texas with her ever patient husband, two impatient kids, a budgie named Sarah, and a bird dog who lives a tortured existence. She’s an artist and writer, an introvert and a British cop drama addict. A former bookseller with a lifelong love of the written word, she can often be found barefoot on the front porch lost in a good cup of coffee and a great book.
WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * GOODREADS * PINTEREST * AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE My Review
Genre: Contemporary / Christian / Romance
Publisher: Revell Date of Publication: April 4, 2017 Number of Pages: 352 Irene Hannon welcomes readers back to the enchanting seaside town of Hope Harbor, Oregon, in her novel Sandpiper Cove, releasing April 2017. Praised by Library Journal as a “master at character development,” Irene Hannon steps away from suspense writing once again to deliver another powerful, multifaceted romance that is sure to have readers coming back for more. Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities—including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn’t looking for love either—but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam’s help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different—and better—future planned for them than either could imagine. Purchase Links: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * ChristianBook.com PRAISE FOR THE HOPE HARBOR NOVELS:
“Fan favorite Irene Hannon brings a whole new cast of characters to life in a charming Oregon seaside village. Emotional and heartwarming, this story invites reader to come home to Hope Harbor.”
--Christian Retailing on Hope Harbor “A place of emotional restoration that readers will yearn to visit.” --Publishers Weekly on Hope Harbor “Summer romance doesn’t get much better than this.” --Examiner.com on Sea Rose Lane Excerpt
Genre: Historical Romance / Christian
Publisher: Revell / Baker Publishing Group Date of Publication: March, 2017 Number of Pages: 352 Bestselling author Amanda Cabot takes readers back in time to the 1880s Texas Hill Country in her new historical romance novel, A Stolen Heart. This is the first book in a brand-new series packed with tension, mystery, and a tender love story that readers won’t soon forget. Cimarron Creek seemed like an idyllic Texas town. But as soon as former schoolteacher Lydia Crawford stepped onto its dusty streets, she noticed a deep-seated resentment of Northerners—like her. That won’t get Lydia down, though. She looks forward to the day when she reunites with her fiancé—until she discovers her fiancé has disappeared without a trace and has left behind a pregnant wife. The handsome Cimarron Creek sheriff urges Lydia to trust him, but she is having a hard time trusting anyone in a town where secrets and suspense prevail. Cabot weaves an elegant tale of pure love amidst heartache. With an absorbing plot and engaging characters, A Stolen Heart is a springtime showstopper fit for every historical romance reader. CLICK TO PURCHASE: * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Baker Retail * ChristianBook.com My Review
ARTWORK BY SUSAN SIMON
Genre: Picture Book / Jewish Traditions Publisher: Sociosights Press, Facebook Date of Publication: April 5, 2017 Number of Pages: 40 Will she be the one to take Grandfather’s place? According to Jewish tradition, a quorum of ten adults is required for public worship. Almost a Minyan traces the story of a young girl whose father and grandfather are regular participants in the town’s minyan - until her beloved Zayde passes on. Without him, it is even harder for her father to find enough people to make a minyan. Then one day, he brings Zayde’s tefillin to his eldest daughter. A striking new addition to the diverse books movement, Almost a Minyan shares important Hebrew terms and religious concepts through a compelling and beautifully illustrated story for children. CLICK TO PURCHASE PRAISE for ALMOST A MINYAN
Author Interview 1: Lori S. Kline
Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII
Date of Publication: January 19, 2017 Number of Pages: 344 AMAZON Kimberly Fish’s debut novel, The Big Inch, was released in February, 2017 and it reveals the lengths to which Texas oilmen, state, and federal governments would go to get Texas crude oil to the troops fighting their first mechanized war. With Nazi threats (and a steady stream of oil tankers sunk by German submarines) speed was necessary, as was OSS intelligence. The Office of Strategic Services was often staffed with female spies and Longview’s World War II efforts were critical for success. Lane Mercer, sent to Longview, Texas in July 1942, is part of a select group of women working undercover for the fledgling federal agency, the Office of Strategic Services. Assigned to protect the man carrying out President Roosevelt’s initiative to build the nation’s first overland pipeline to hurry East Texas crude to the troops, she discovers there’s more to Longview than the dossiers implied. There’s intrigue, mayhem, and danger. Shamed from a botched OSS mission in France, Lane struggles to fulfill her mission and keep from drowning in guilt. Getting involved in local life is out of the question. Between family, do-gooders, and Nazi threats, she’s knitted into a series of events that unravel all of her carefully constructed, plans, realizing that sometimes the life one has to save, is one’s own. Kimberly Fish’s Music Play List
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Material Media LLC Facebook I Twitter Date of Publication: March 1, 2017 Number of Pages: 194 Gordon Atkinson, of the popular blog RealLivePreacher, brings us Foy, a recently- divorced, recently-resigned pastor in the midst of redefining personal meaning. As Foy travels to New Orleans, hoping to find a new identity separate from the church, he keenly observes the everyday, rendering ordinary moments unexpectedly significant. Atkinson’s own background as a preacher and blogger inspires Foy’s confessional voice, the voice which characterizes this story about how our own experiences impact the universal search for meaning. Click to Purchase: AMAZON * MATERIAL MEDIA 2/7/2017 Staying For Good (Most Likely To #2) by Catherine Bybee Release Day Blog Tour Review + Giveaway!Read Now
STAYING FOR GOOD
Most Likely Series, Book Two Montlake Romance, Contemporary January 24, 2017, First Edition Paperback & Kindle Zoe Brown may have been voted Most Likely to Never Leave River Bend, but the paper-thin walls and suffocating air of her family’s double-wide trailer were not what she wanted for her life. Other than BFFs Melanie and Jo, the only thing that kept Zoe sane during high school was her boyfriend, Luke. She didn’t just leave, she escaped—turning her back on the shame of her black-sheep siblings and imprisoned dad. Now a celebrity chef in Dallas, she can afford all the things she never could have growing up. But when she returns to rustic, ruggedly beautiful River Bend, Zoe has to face all that she abandoned—including Luke. While Luke was a refuge for Zoe in the past, he knows they inhabit totally different worlds now. Anchored by his parents and his job as a mechanic in his father’s shop, Luke never felt the urge to leave River Bend—until Zoe’s return. But when the two rekindle their old flame, Zoe is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: remain in River Bend and confront her past before it destroys her, or say good-bye to everyone she’s ever loved…again, this time for good.me for good. BUY LINKS: Amazon BAM Book Depository B&N Author Bio
My Review
I’m ready for the next book in the series! I loved this book. Catherine is an author that when she has a new release, her book bumps others down and become first priority on my to read list.
Staying for Good was the perfect pace, the perfect depth, and had the perfect balance.
TWELVE TANTALIZINGLY TWISTED TALES
by David C. Hughes Genre: Children's / Horror (ages 8-11) Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press Date of Publication: July 29, 2016 Number of Pages: 176 Who can pass up a scary tale or a spooky ghost story, especially right before bed on a stormy night after eating a sloppy bean burrito? From possessed bunny slippers to a house guarding an ancient secret, Twelve Tantalizingly Twisted Tales features a dozen short stories sure to raise a few goosebumps, conjure a giggle . . . and make you think twice before disobeying your mom the next time she asks you to clean the shower stall. CLICK TO PURCHASE Amazon * Barnes & Noble * or Signed Copies from Progressive Rising Phoenix Press About The Author
David C. Hughes defies the premise that engineers can’t write. With almost four decades of writing experience, he left his full-time corporate job in 2013 to launch his writing career. He has a passion for writing and for other writers, and loves to “talk shop” with anyone who will listen.
A former youth leader and deacon, David’s life is resolutely defined by his pursuit of God, and his desire is to convey God’s love, joy, grace, and healing through his testimony. His blog site, “David C. Hughes, Writer,” broadcasts his latest take on what it means to be a Christ-centered man, husband, father, son, brother, and friend in these exciting and challenging times. His God-ordained book, The Epiphany of Joy, and his picture book, Melted Clowns, both won the Texas Association of Authors 2015 Best Book Award. He is also the author of 10 Little Hiccups/10 pequeños hipos, a bilingual counting book. In July 2016, Progressive Rising Phoenix Press released his latest book, Twelve Tantalizingly Twisted Tales, a collection of a dozen spooky stories aimed at 8 to 14 year olds. Originally from the town of Maine, New York, David now lives in Granbury, Texas with the loves of his life: his wife, Mary, and his daughter, Hannah. At last count he also has two dogs, a handful of fish, six chickens, and countless geckos. Author Links: TWITTER * AUTHOR WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * WRITER WEBSITE * AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE * LINKED IN My Review
I received this book in the mail from the author in order to read and provide an unbiased review during this blog tour. My husband decided to open our mail that day and was way too excited about this creepy tale and kept asking me if I had started it yet and how it was, so I finally just relinquished this title to him.
So really this is My Husband's Review: Prior to me starting my review I feel the need to apologize in advance as it has been many years since I have been asked to not only read a book, but to actually formulate an actual in-depth look at the book. So! Without any further ado. Here we go. When I first picked up this book I honestly had no idea what to expect. I have read many short stories throughout my years and even carried around a beautiful copy of the tales of the Brothers Grimm with me when my wife and I visited my father overseas last year. I seem to prefer short stories over novels, because my attention span is rather short and my memory lacking. So I anticipated reading maybe one story a night before getting some shut eye. To my surprise, however, I couldn’t seem to put the book down after I rummaged from one story to the next. The tales were simple to follow but somehow managed to drag the readers mind deep into the pages, past the words and into the very lands that were being described in such detail. The characters of the tales were described so vividly, I could picture myself there beside them, chasing a massive pink frog or staring in horror and amazement at a seven foot creature the likes that we have never seen before. Each of the twelve tales seemed to follow the standard outline of a good story. You had your main character (the protagonist), the villain (antagonist) and something that draws you into the story, such as a magical object or a secret that the character(s) knows but you are not aware of yet. Each story also twists at your imagination, which would have more than likely horrified me and gave me nightmares when I was a much younger boy. Luckily I sleep like the dead so stories, even good ones, don’t seem to come between me and my precious 6 hours of sleep anymore. But as I mentioned above, this book had a tricky way of captivating me. My one story became two, and then three until I realized I was halfway through the book and the clock flashed four numbers at me that told me to go to sleep already. I very much enjoyed the dark paths each story took, filling the readers mind with a curiosity on what will happen next or silently yelling No Way! I also appreciated that even though the stories would scare the sox off my niece, they had innocence to them, whether it was getting square with a bully or two, or dealing with a strange fascination for pistachio ice cream. You can tell that each story was carefully crafted from the beginning all the way to the end, which always seemed to have a clever way of tying everything together. David C. Hughes did an outstanding job of constructing these twelve short stories that make me reminisce of when I was younger and used to preoccupy my time reading RL Stein, The Brothers Grimm or even Aesop’s Fables. I admire his creativity and writing prowess and feel that this world’s next generations of readers have great story writers waiting to open up the doors to their imagination! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
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