Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 229

Review: PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENT by April Anderton

Ali is a night-time radio personality. Then the death of a supermodel sparks a cover story and a chance to move up in the ranks.


Could a senator have something to do with it? After all, he proposed to her just 3 days before her death.


As Ali researched the case, she learns that the senator had another fiancé that never made it to the altar. Now it seems that she’s getting too close to the truth and someone wants to keep her story out of the headlines.


Character is witty and relatable. A journalist is putting her neck on the line to solve a murder and to be taken seriously.


A juicy mystery from the press side!

My rating: 4 stars

Review: ROSEMARY’S GRAVY by Melissa F. Miller

For Rosemary, catering to celebrities was her ticket out of debt and into the world of organic chemistry. The last thing she expected was to be framed for the murder of a movie star.
It all started when she had to make a last-minute change for a party and scrap the whole dinner. Crud! What a vapid, self-absorbed diva! The next day, the cops question her about the diva’s death. Apparently, she had an allergic reaction to something in her gravy. This was ridiculous! Rosemary was innocent. But if she didn’t do it, then who did?
Snarky and witty. Not as quick as I’d like it to be, but still an okay mystery.
My rating: 3 stars

Review: PREVIOUS CONFECTIONS by Ruth Hartzler

Sir Purr-lock Holmes on the cover. How corny, yet cute.
Jane is a 50-ish divorced woman running an Amish cupcake store. Why in the world would you dine with your ex-husband and his young, perfect wife? Well, I guess it’s a free expensive meal. But then her ex’s client drops dead at the restaurant. Poisoned? Soon her ex is accused of the murder. Yay? But the perfect wife asks her to clear his name.
I thought this story definitely had some quirkiness. Why would 80-year old Amish women pose nude for a calendar? Oh, that’s right! They had the cupcakes covering them. Ay yay yay! Needless to say that it was fun watching Jane work with these Amish broads; however, it did seem that the old ladies were better detectives than Jane. Witty and smart, the ladies were very methodical and analyzed every possible angle.
Although the Amish life was fairly dull and there was too much time spent on the cat, there were some funny moments, like getting stuck in the doggie door. Too funny!
Overall, this was a pretty good mystery.
My rating: 3 stars

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Blog Tour: FULLY INVOLVED by Lindy Bell

 

 

Fully Involved

by Lindy Bell

 

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GENRE: Sweet Firefighter Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Katie Garrett is madly in love with her dashing firefighter husband, Andy. When he is diagnosed with cancer, their entire world is turned upside down. Andy clumsily tries to protect Katie from the truth by not telling her, but her fear — and his increasing pain and tumultuous emotions — only feed her deep-seated insecurities, as they fight for Andy’s life and for their marriage.

 

While the fire station and its camaraderie are Andy’s refuge, station officer Lt. Mike Bentley wages a vendetta against Andy, making Andy more determined to avoid revealing weakness of any kind. In spite of Bentley’s despising Andy, the C shift crew rally to support Andy until events take a downward turn.

 

As she discovers Andy’s cancer was caused by exposure to lethal chemicals while on duty, Katie navigates the treacherous maze of uncertainty and grief to emerge a stronger, more confident woman who represents her husband and the fire service as an advocate for firefighter safety and protection.

 

Firefighters face a myriad of dangers, but the invisible dangers – his past, her fears -- can pose the greatest threat of all.  Will courage, duty, and love be enough to save Andy from these unseen threats? Will he come to recognize the far-reaching impact his life has on others? If the worst should happen, would his greatest legacy be the love of the fire service or the love for his wife?  In the end, the unforeseen might have the greatest significance of all.

 

 

 

Excerpt from Fully Involved:

 

Andy’s smile became a studious appraisal of Katie as she looked up at him so intent, so serious. His beautiful Katie. He could feel the strength of her intensity through her arms and through her body pressed so closely to his. If he could freeze time, this would be the moment, just he and Katie and so completely in love nothing else in the world mattered. Katie was in his arms, showering him with love and saying words more potent than any medicine could ever be. He knew he had to fight to beat the cancer but this woman, this amazing woman and their life together was worth fighting for and to his last breath, that was exactly what he intended to do.

 

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Excerpt One:

 

Katie slipped her shoes off and swung them from the tips of two fingers as she walked down the hall. She stepped into their bedroom just as Andy came out of the bathroom, fresh from a shower. A towel around his waist but still beaded with water, his broad chest and muscular arms, flexed as he grabbed her in a wet hug. He smelled of soap, his damp skin still warm from the shower.

 

“Hey, beautiful!”

 

“You’re soaking wet!” Katie squealed as Andy lifted her up and swung her around. She laughed as she looked into Andy’s electric blue eyes, crinkling with pleasure. He set her gently down but before she could say anything, his warm lips covered hers, tenderly at first and then more intensely as he pulled her close, her body fitting willingly to his. Katie felt her heart race and her breath quicken as Andy’s strong arms held her so tight she could feel his heart beating.

 

Andy grazed her lips with another lingering kiss before leaning back and grinning into her flushed face.

 

 “That was some welcome home, mister,” she sighed happily before opening her eyes.

 

Looking into Andy’s face, she could tell something was wrong. The smile on her face turned into a frown and then a look of concern.

 

“You look pale.”

 

Andy dropped his arms and walked quickly back to the bathroom. “I’m fine,” he said, an edge in his voice.

 

“You sure?” Katie ventured, peering into the steamy bathroom.

 

“I said I’m fine,” Andy said as he snapped a tee shirt over his head. “Why can’t you just take me at my word. I’m tired of being second guessed on everything.”  A sudden flush of anger covered his face as he turned on Katie.

 

Startled, Katie took a quick step back. “No one is second guessing you,” she tried to assure him in a soft voice. “You just don’t look like you feel well.” 

 

“Again, I am fine,” Andy snarled, brushing past her. “Don’t we have an open house to get to?”

 

 

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My review: Katie is a school teacher married to the love of her life. Everything seemed to be perfect for her…except, something was wrong with her husband, Andy. He had the Big C.

Right away, the story gets you with its raw and intense emotion that makes you care for the characters. Story carries a nice drama full of rich detail and laden with complexity. At times, it can be a little slow, but, overall, it was a pretty good read.

 

My rating: 3 stars

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

A project ten years in the making, Fully Involved is Lindy Bell’s debut novel and avidly reflects her admiration and love of the fire service. Thoroughly researched, the quest for accuracy for the book led Lindy to participate in the Plano Citizens Fire Academy, attend classes and accompany firefighters on ride outs. With a retired fire chief and a current paramedic/firefighter in the family, Lindy has witnessed firsthand the dedication and humbleness of first responders which fueled the impetus to convey the importance of the legendary fire service brotherhood and create cancer awareness and its growing effect on the fire service.

 

Lindy’s first book, Jane Austen Celebrates~Holidays & Occasions Regency Style, is a showcase Regency Era holidays and their impact on modern holiday celebration traditions. A member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Lindy has spoken to a variety of groups and taught Continuing and Adult Professional Education courses at Southern Methodist University (SMU).

 

A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Lindy currently lives in Plano, TX and works from home for a governmental executive recruitment and training firm. As hobbies, Lindy enjoys supporting Plano Fire Rescue by volunteering with the Plano Fire Rescue Association, writing, reading an engaging novel and cross stitching.

 

Website:  lindybellwrites.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindyBellWrites

Twitter: @LindyBellWrites

Instagram: LindyBellWrites

 

Order Fully Involved at:  https://amzn.to/3cfvbEs

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Lindy Bell will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: PATROOSH, THE CHEEKY PELICAN by Renee James

 

 

Patroosh, the Cheeky Pelican

by Renée James

 

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GENRE: Children's

 

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BLURB:

 

Patroosh is a cheeky pelican who always wants more. He'll even take the food right out of your hand, or flap his big wings until you drop it in the sand. But after an unexpected event, and a random act of kindness, this pelican's life is about to change forever.

 

 

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Excerpt Two:

 

The pelicans are fast, especially Patroosh. “What about me, you big greedy bird?” Seamus, the little seagull, really wanted to be heard.

 

Seamus was starving and his tummy was rumbling.

 

RUMBLE RUMBLE

 

Patroosh was so full up that his tummy was grumbling.

 

GRUMBLE GRUMBLE

 

He floated around with his belly up, sunbathing, gloating, and singing, “YUP YUP YUP YUUUUUP.”

 

 

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My review: Meet Patroosh, the cheeky pelican. He just wants to fly around, squawk, and eat. But the fun soon stops when he gets his legs wrapped in something and he could not break free. That’s what happens when there’s lots of trash lying around.

Filled with wonderful, fun, and colorful illustrations! A wonderful lesson to all!

 

My rating: 5 stars

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Renée James comes from a background in communications and the commercial television industry. She has worked on a variety of creative projects both nationally and internationally

She loves nothing more than spending time with family and friends, which includes their much-loved dog. She is passionate about travel, beach days, and, of course, story-time. Her children are the bee's knees as they're constant reminders to be present, and always make time to play.

 

CONNECT WITH Renée James

 

WEBSITE: http://www.reneejamesbooks.com/

 

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/reneejamesbo...

 

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/reneejamesb...

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS PATROOSH, THE CHEEKY PELICAN           

 

AMAZON.COM

https://amazon.com/dp/0228843561

 

AMAZON.COM.AU

https://amazon.com.au/dp/0228843561

 

AMAZON.CA

https://amazon.ca/dp/0228843561

 

KINDLE

https://amazon.com/dp/B08YHWBXYR

 

BARNES & NOBLE

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/patr...

 

BOOK DEPOSITORY

https://www.bookdepository.com/Patroo...

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Renée James will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: MIND OVER MURDER by Kathy DiSanto

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kathy DiSanto will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

She’s been gifted with The Sight, but she didn’t see this coming ….

When happy, upstanding citizens of New Frisco start to murder complete strangers, then die by suicide an hour or so later, crime reporter A. J. Gregson is determined to find out why.

Teaming up once again with CIIS Special Agent Jack Eagan—a man who’s rapidly becoming more than just another need-to-know fed—A. J. and a handful of others find themselves racing against the clock to stop the bloodshed.

Who or what is compelling these people? And who will be the next to die?

Read an Excerpt

Apparently unaware of our presence, the unblinking intruder plunged a ten-inch sashimi knife hilt-deep into his left breast and ripped the blade across to his sternum. Blood jetted, hot and coppery, spraying the counters, the floor, and those of us unlucky enough to be standing nearest his left side ... Then he toppled face first to the floor.

About the Author:

Award-winning novelist Kathy DiSanto writes in several genres: sweet romance, paranormal, dystopian science fiction, and urban fantasy.

Her love of words—bamboozle, finagle, sprocket, flabbergast—inspired her to study German in college, because gaining access to a host of words in another language was a fascinating prospect. How does one resist expressions like Kummerspeck and Freundschaftsbezeugung, for example? As she's fond of saying, "That would take a better woman than I. (Or a better woman than me, if we're sticking with the colloquial and conversational.)" In addition to sating her verbal appetite with marvelously multisyllabic, tongue-twisting words, studying the German language challenged her inner Grammar Stickler in strange and mysterious ways. Thus, she considers her choice of an otherwise questionable major a win-win.

Her career as an author officially began in 1997, when she published two books with Bantam's Loveswept line. Her books to date include:

For Love or Money (Golden State Hearts Book 1)
Hunter's Shadow (Golden State Hearts Book 2)
Amanda's Eyes (A.J. Gregson series, Book 1)
The Alpha Genesis Option

In addition to writing highly regarded fiction, she worked for many years as a communications specialist for Texas A&M University. Since retiring, she has done freelance writing. All told, throughout her career and after, she's written several hundred feature articles for magazines, the web, blogs, and newsletters.

The mother of two talented professional musicians—and G-Mom to the cutest little boy EVER—Kathy is also a dedicated rescue dog mama, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and a late-blooming home improvement fanatic. She enjoys writing, reading, going to the gym, walking the dogs, and dancing like nobody is watching anywhere her sons are playing.

Website: https://kathydisanto.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyDiSantoAuthor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathydisanto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kathy_DiSanto
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3525940.Kathy_Disanto

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJKSVFP

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: MAKING CHRISTMAS & SANTA BABY

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nancy Fraser and Peggy Jaeger will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to our 1980’s Dickens Christmas stories!

Two sweet vintage romances set in the New England town of Dickens where small town charm is on full, holiday display.

Both stories are prequels to stories found in last year’s holiday anthology, Christmas Comes to Dickens. Beginning October 18th, the Ladies of Dickens will release six brand-new, full-length Dickens holiday romances (one per week) to celebrate the season.

In the meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy Making Christmas by Author Nancy Fraser and Santa Baby by Author Peggy Jaeger. Both are guaranteed to whet your holiday appetites for what’s to come!

*****

Making Christmas by Nancy Fraser

A 1980s Vintage Romance ...

It’s been five years since William Barrett returned to Dickens to take over as CEO of Wil-Bar Toys. He’s spent these past years helping build Wil-Bar into a leader in creative, handmade toys. His work ethic and drive has left him little time for a personal life. Or, perhaps he’s still pining for the one who got away.

Catherine Gates moved away from Dickens six years earlier. Now a staff reporter for a woman’s magazine, she’s returning to Dickens to do a story on Wil-Bar Toys new production methods and get the scoop on their upcoming holiday line.

When Will and Cat meet up again for the first time in years, it’s as if they’ve never been apart. Rekindling their friendship, and attraction, becomes more important than Cat’s article, or even the secrecy of the new toy lines.

Can these two childhood friends make up for lost time and pursue the romance they missed out on years earlier? Or, will Cat’s story expose too much and put them at odds with one another?

***

Santa Baby by Peggy Jaeger

It’s Christmas Eve morning in the tiny New England town of Dickens.

Santa’s arrival is imminent, and a hint of snow is in the air.

Amy Dorrit is just about to open her popular diner for the breakfast rush when she discovers an abandoned baby on her back doorstep.

Amy knows she should call the authorities and turn the infant over to them, but she just can’t. Thoughts of her own abandonment as a baby flood through her and she wants to keep the little one out of the hands of the authorities until the mother – hopefully –returns.

But will the mom come back? And if she doesn’t, what is Amy prepared to do about the baby who has, already, claimed her heart?

Read an Excerpt from Making Christmas

Catherine made her way through the front doors of Wil-Bar Toys and toward the reception desk.

“I’m here to see Mr. Barrett. I have a ten o’clock appointment.”

“I’ll buzz Margaret and she’ll come to get you,” the young woman said.

Catherine waited for Margaret, obviously a new edition to the staff since she didn’t recognize the name.

Moments later, a woman who looked to be in her late twenties entered the lobby. “Hello, I’m Margaret Weatherby. If you’ll follow me, please.”

She fell in step behind the woman, going through the heavy oak double doors she remembered from her childhood. They continued down the hallway leading to the main offices, coming to a stop in front of the desk outside the large corner suite.

“How long have you worked at Wil-Bar?” Catherine asked.

“Two years now. I was originally hired to work for Mr. Wilfred Barrett but when the younger Mr. Barrett’s secretary left to get married, I took over for her as well.”

“That must keep you very busy.”

The woman nodded. “It does, especially this time of year. However, it’s such a wonderful place to work, I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else.” She paused, then added, “I’ll let Mr. Barrett know you’re here.”

“I’d appreciate—”

Her words of appreciation were interrupted by a man’s booming voice. “Margaret, do you have the report I left for photocopying earlier?” The voice was followed by the man’s appearance outside the office door, his footsteps coming to a halt when he saw her standing there.

She lifted her head, meeting Will Barrett’s intense gaze head-on.

“Cat? Cat Gates. I’ll be dam...darned.”

“Hello, Will.”

“You two know each other?” Margaret asked. When they both nodded at the same time, Margaret added, “Well, that certainly saves time on introductions.”

Will motioned for her to follow him into the office. “You’re the journalist they’ve sent to write a story on Wil-Bar?”

“Yes,” she said, taking the seat he offered. “I assume they thought I’d have an inside track on the place since I’m from Dickens.”

His chuckle sent a flurry of butterflies rushing her stomach.

“Inside track. I’d say so. You know every nook and cranny of this place—or at least you did before we remodeled.”

“Some I knew all too well, given I spent more time hiding than you and Tommy did seeking.”

“Sorry about that,” he said with a broad grin. “We were pretty mean to you back then.”

About the Authors:

NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Nancy has published over forty books in full-length, novella, and short format. When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Website: http://www.nancyfraser.ca
Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor \Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/profile/nancy-fraser
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Fraser/e/B004AOL61Y
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gC68iMStwKCr4v_S6fMIA
Newletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/bxkKvD

***

Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance writer who writes Romantic Comedies about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them. If she can make you cry on one page and bring you out of tears rolling with laughter the next, she’s done her job as a writer!

Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, she brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she’s created the families she wanted as that lonely child.

When she’s not writing Peggy is usually painting, crafting, scrapbooking or decoupaging old steamer trunks she finds at rummage stores and garage sales.

As a lifelong diarist, she caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she blogs daily about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go "What??!"

Website and Blog: http://peggyjaeger.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peggy-Jaeger-Author/825914814095072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDR8RRIlssIyS0FYZWeGqsg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peggyjaeger_author/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-jaeger-296ab878/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0
Authors database: https://authorsdb.com/community/15814-peggy-jaeger
Triberr: https://triberr.com/tribe/strong-women--loving-men

Universal Purchase Links:

Making Christmas https://books2read.com/MakeXMas
Santa Baby https://books2read.com/u/3R8lVG

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1566764279
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/making-christmas-nancy-fraser/1139435151
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/making-christmas-3
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/making-christmas-a-dickens-holiday-romance-prequel-by-nancy-fraser

Making Christmas Trailer: https://youtu.be/PzzY7komw-I
Making Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle Link: https://bit.ly/33wkGqI

Santa Baby Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/8_MbnzNIlrg
Santa Baby Jigsaw Puzzle Link: https://bit.ly/2RaZBzj

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: A DEAD MAN AND DOGGIE DELIGHTS by Aleksa Baxter

Maggie and her dog, Fancy, move to Colorado to help her grandpa and to open a doggie bakery with her best friend. She had no idea her trigger-happy grandpa was pointing a shotgun at people.
Things are describes way too much, especially the Colorado landscapes. How many times do we have to hear about the clear, blue skies and the mountains?
Finally, she finds a dead man on a trail. Could her grandpa have gunned this guy down?
What should’ve been an interesting cozy mystery was actually tapered down by the over excessive descriptions and the long-winded monologues. I mean, Maggie contemplates way too much and doesn’t focus on the case at all.
Decent read though.
My rating: 3 stars

Review: BAKING IS MURDER by Kathy Cranston

Jessie was moving back home to help her Aunt Bee in the café. The only one in the family that couldn’t bake was Jessie, but she figured she could waiter or crunch numbers or something. After getting a divorce and losing her job, Jessie needed to do something. Perhaps a little dog-sitting on the side might perk up her spirits…until a body shows up. One dog breeder was murdered and another was missing.
Being a dog-lover herself, she suddenly gets involved when the cops arrest the sweet dog lady for the murder. She may not have known her, but she just couldn’t believe that she’d be capable of killing someone.
I thought this was a good mystery, but the title (BAKING IS MURDER) didn’t really go with the whole dog theme. The murder had nothing to do with baking. The victim wasn’t poisoned or anything. This should’ve had another title that could’ve gone with the dog thing, something like BREEDING IS MURDER or DOGS CAN BE MURDER or something.
Other than that, this was pretty good.
My rating: 4 stars