Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 38
January 4, 2025
Review: MANSIONS, MACAROONS, AND MURDER by Cindy Bell
Imagine just making a delivery andthe butler drops dead right at the door. Wow! The police suspect poison. Whowould’ve thought that delivery macaroons could be so dangerous? Can Lucy’sstrange dreams reveal the answer to the man’s death? I love a mystery thatmakes you think!
A quirky and gripping mystery!
Rating:5 stars
Review: AFTER Vol. 2 by Anna Todd
Again, I don’t like the horizontalformat as it makes it too hard to read and see the pictures. The frames andtext are too chaotic that you don’t know where to focus on. Additionally,there’s too much text. From what I can tell in the pictures, Tessa dumps herboyfriend for Harden.
Story was just too dull for me. Alot of the same boring drama and not much excitement. I thought this series wasgoing to be way better than it was. Perhaps I should try the book instead ofthe graphic novel though I doubt the book would be any better. What a waste ofmoney!
Rating:2 stars
Review: AFTER Vol. 1 by Anna Todd
Right away, I wasn’t too thrilledabout the horizontal format of the comic book. It made it too hard to read andsee the pictures with the constant scrolling. So basically, from what I cangather based on the pictures, we have a young girl going away to college forthe first time ever. There, she’s introduced to parties and men (not boys.) Shejust had a hard time fitting in with that scene. Then she meets bad-boy Hardenand is caught between him and her long-time boyfriend. No matter how hard shetries to resist him, she gets intimately close to him.
Story was pretty mild. Nothingreally too exciting happens. It’s okay to read as far as just looking at thepictures goes.
Rating:3 stars
January 3, 2025
Spotlight: SAVING THE FOOL by Donna Del Oro
SAVING THEFOOL by Donna DelOro—BOOK TWO
In the DINASALAZAR ROMANTIC-SUSPENSE SERIES!
If it’s toogood to be true, there’s probably a catch...
Summertime andDina Salazar, a Latina school teacher with an inquisitive mind, finds herselfwith a mystery involving her brother-in-law, Jesus, lovingly referred to as “eltonto”, or the fool, by the family, and yet somehow this fool has latched on toa lucrative and easy job. Every Friday night, he drives a van filled with SiliconValley gamblers to a faraway casino. While they gamble, he sits in a hotelroom, eating and drinking, then drives them back in the morning. All for a cooltwo thousand dollars in cash! What’s wrong with this picture? As Dina investigates,she suspects there’s a ruthless criminal enterprise involved, especially whenshe crosses paths with one of their enforcers. Has Jesus unwittingly puthimself and his family in great danger?
As if thisisn’t bad enough, Dina’s on-again, off-again relationship with fiancé RickRamos is stalled. Enter handsome P. I. Gil Luna, and all bets are off! Can hesave Jesus and Dina... and, if so, at what cost?
Book Releases Nov 29, 2024
Meanwhile, check out Book 1, SAVING LA FAMILIA.
Can smart, scrappy Dina Salazar find the heart and strength to overcome her hatred of an ex-fiancé so that she can fulfill her immigrant grandmother’s wish and rescue a long-lost cousin in Mexico?
A smart, scrappy teacher is called upon by her traditional Mexican-American grandmother to help a relative in Mexico escape the clutches of a dangerous cartel. Reluctantly, she agrees, but in coming to her grandmother’s aid, she needs the help of The Hated One, an ex-fiancé who broke her heart years before. Together, they must devise a plan to rescue her desperate, long-lost cousin and her cousin’s child. To do so, Dina Salazar must enter the dreaded turf of the Zetas, a ruthless Mexican drug cartel. Such a mission is not for the faint of heart!
Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Familia-Donna-Del-Oro-ebook/dp/B09PN7K2S8/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-la-familia-donna-del-oro/1141253084
Connect with the author on her website at: https://donnadeloro.com/
December 30, 2024
Blog Tour: JURY DUTY IS MURDER by Kate Damon
JURY DUTY IS MURDER
Kate Damon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Theverdict is in; a famed athlete is headed for prison. The jurors have done theirjob and are free to go back to their lives.
Butafter being sequestered for four months, life as some knew it no longer exists.
HAROLDASHMAN’s house is almost destroyed by a careless driver. Exotic dancer, CEECEELAINE, discovers that her boyfriend is two-timing her, and she no longer has ajob. Actor ALEX MANNING learns his career is down the tubes, and 72-year-old,HELEN RYDER, discovers her family is plotting to put her in an old folks home.
Thenthings take a turn for the worse. When former jurors start dropping like flies,CeeCee, Helen, Harold, and Alex are convinced there’s a killer on the loose.Now the feuding foursome must find him before he kills them—or before they savehim the trouble by killing each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
The ringing telephone woke me up. Without opening my eyes, Ifelt around until I touched the nightstand and finally, my phone. “Hello.”
“Wake up.”
I groaned. “Alex, what do you want?”
“I need you to wake up.”
I forced myself to sit up. The clock on the radio said itwas after ten. “This better be important.”
“Something is terribly wrong,” Alex said. “It’s thethirtieth and nobody’s dead.”
“Hallelujah.” I hung up and dived back into my pillow. Thephone rang again, and I groaned. Only Alex would think that no dead bodiesmeant something was wrong.
I rolled over and grabbed the phone. “Now what?”
“No one’s dead.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
WhenKate Damon is not writing, she and her husband enjoy RVing, spending time withfamily and friends, raising Monarch butterflies, and playing a wicked game ofbridge.
Writingas Margaret Brownley, she has published more than 40 novels and is a New YorkTimes bestselling author. Known for her memorable characters and humor, she isa two-time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist.
Notcounting the book she wrote in sixth grade, and the puzzle of the missingsocks, this is her first mystery.
Links:
Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/katejuryduty
Instagram:http://www.instagram.com/juryduty17
Tiktok:http://www.tiktok.comKatedamon1
facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565155275435
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 19, 2024
Blog Tour: SANTA CLAWS by Denise Alicea
SANTA CLAWS
Denise Alicea
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Children's Picture Book
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Itis Christmas. Apollo, sleeping on his new cushion, is a rescue cat who has justfound his forever home. He is surprised to hear a man coming down the chimney,but his first sight of Santa Claus reassures him that this man is friendly.They talk for a while, and Santa Claus explains who he is and what Christmas isall about. Apollo listens carefully and has just one wish – that all catseverywhere could be as lucky and cared for as he is. Will his wish come true?Read on and find out all about Santa Claws!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review:
This is the sweet and loving storyof a dear cat that came from a shelter and found a forever home. See how Apollospends his first Christmas with his new family. What will happen when he meetsSanta Claus himself? What a delightful wintry adventure! Such adorable picturesof the cat. He’s the Santa Clause for cats. A sweet animal tale!Rating:4 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Bornin Manhattan and raised in Connecticut, Denise Alicea started writing whendrawing and painting simply weren’t enough. A writer of poetry, fantasy, timetravel, romance and more, Denise has won several awards and has had severalfinalist nominations. She loves technology, reading, watching movies, andmanaging her blog over at The Pen & Muse Book Reviews
SocialMedia:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeniseAlicea
Twitter:https://twitter.com/denisealicea
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aliceadenise/
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@authordenisealicea
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ2594T3?tag=thpeanmubore-20
AppleBooks:https://books.apple.com/us/book/santa-claws-a-christmas-tail-for-cats/id6736948013?uo=8&at=
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/santa-claws-a-christmas-tail-for-cats
Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1633838
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
DeniseAlicea will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 18, 2024
Blog Tour: THE BRAVE PRINCE IN THE ENCHANTED FOREST by Beverly Brown
THE BRAVE PRINCE IN THE ENCHANTEDFOREST
Beverly Brown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Children's
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Inthe heart of a lush, beautiful serene forest, where butterflies, birds and beesfreely dance in the gently breeze, a magical tale unfolds. Meet Prince, amajestic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who loves this serene place that theycall The Enchanted Forest. As the appointed guardian of this homeland by thebeautiful Forest Fairy Princess Jenna Joy, Prince learns things about himself,makes new friends and protects the sanctity of the forest. This story is aheartwarming tale of courage, friendship and the beauty of nature. FollowPrince's pawprints as he navigates his way through the forest and you will beimmersed into a world of wonder and joy. You will be enchanted and reminded ofall the magic and extraordinary powers that lie within the hearts of our loyal,furry companions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
He loved the forest for its beauty and peacefulness. He knewhe was going to love living there surrounded by all the lovely flowers, trees,and waterfalls. From a faraway place in the sky, Princess Jenna Joy, the FairyPrincess of the Forest, watched him. She saw that he loved making new friends,and took very good care of new home. She was delighted to see him grow, and sheknew with great certainty he would protect the forest that he loved so dearly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Beverly Brown is an author who has a passion for storytelling.With a 20-year career as a Human Resources Leader, she has honed herunderstanding of people and their unique stories – a skill she brings to herwriting, infusing her tales with warmth, empathy, and insight.
Beyond the pages of writing and outside the corporate world,Beverly is a culinary enthusiast who finds joy in cooking and sharing mealswith her family in Atlanta, Georgia.
She is an avid traveler, seeking inspiration in the diversecultures and landscapes she encounters, and a dedicated gardener, nurturing herplants with the same care she pours into her storytelling. As a lifelonglearner, Beverly is constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences, whetherin her professional field or her personal pursuits.
Beverly is a certified Pet Grief Counselor and uses those skillsto support families in managing the grief cycle of their beloved family pet.Through her Facebook group Paws in Paradise Support Group, she is helping tobuild another community where members support each other with compassion andunderstanding.
Her writing reflects this curiosity, offering readers stories thatare as enriching as they are enchanting. Drawing inspiration from her personalexperiences with her own fur babies, her stories are a testament to the gentlenature and loyal spirit of these charming canines.
Website: www.beverlybrownauthor.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeverlyBrownAuthor-v2y
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564607346845
Facebook Group Support Page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1242231100256651
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beverly_brown_author/?hl=en
Amazon link to Purchase:
Barnes and Noble link to Purchase:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
Beverly Brown will beawarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 17, 2024
Blog Tour: THE ANGEL SCROLL by Penelope Holt
THE ANGEL SCROLL
Penelope Holt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Spiritual Romance, Mystery/Thriller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
ONEANCIENT PROPHECY, TWO HEARTBROKEN LOVERS, AND A WORLDWIDE SCAVENGER HUNT FORTHREE MIRACULOUS PAINTINGS.
Afterher husband’s death, New York artist Claire Lucas has baffling dreams andwaking visions as she channels an enigmatic and healing painting of a holy manin India at the deathbed of a young woman. When widowed antiquarian RichardMarkson announces that Claire’s canvas is one-third of three paintingsprophesied by the Angel Scroll, a recently discovered Dead Sea parchment, sheis pulled into an international scavenger hunt to find the stolen scroll andthe paintings it predicts.
Asshe pursues the paintings with Richard across historic and holy sites inAmerica, Israel, and Europe, Claire encounters a series of remarkable teachers.A Buddhist, a Benedictine monk, and a professor of early goddess worship allprovide rich explanations for the artist’s compelling and perplexing psychicexperiences — until she assembles the incredible triptych and deciphers itsinspirational message for the modern world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptThree:
Hilde. Simply to think of her was to feel her presence,vibrant, beautiful, inviting. She had brought color, excitement, and warmth tohis somber life of rigid routines and serious study. No matter how hard hetried, Richard couldn’t stop the memory of Hilde’s beautiful face and perfectbody from moving through his memory a hundred times a day. He saw her blondhair, cut in a shimmering, sophisticated bob. He pictured how she pushed thehair on one side behind her ears and stroked her neck, as if to remind him howexciting her touch was. He remembered how she would arouse him byabsentmindedly caressing him throughout the day. She gave him lingering kisseshello in the morning, and trailed her fingers in a light touch across his backwhen he was lost in study. She sometimes ran her palm down his arm with anexciting pressure as they talked. And at night, her hands felt for him hungrilybeneath the sheets, as he wrapped himself around the beautiful body he hadcraved all day and finally took his pleasure.
Richard had memorized every inch of his wife’s lithe, petiteframe that radiated so much sex appeal. She was vivacious, the center ofattention in any group, but languid and seductive when they were alone. Mostlyit was her laugh, throaty and full of easy warmth, that haunted him. Hercornflower blue eyes would brighten, and her lovely face would soften andtransform itself with an even lovelier smile to accompany that unforgettablelaugh. How could he speak of Hilde when it hurt so much just to think abouther?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
PenelopeHolt was born and educated in England and now lives in New York. She is anovelist, playwright, business writer, and marketing executive, whose work hasbeen performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, York Arts Center, and NewYork’s American Folk Theater. In addition to writing fiction, The Angel Scroll, and The Apple, based on thecontroversial Herman Rosenblat Holocaust romance, Holt is a prolific writer,editor, and co-author of non-fiction, including Business Intelligence at Work APersonal Operating System for Career Success, Singing God’s Work, the story ofthe Harlem Gospel Choir, and many other works. She is married with twochildren.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
Onerandomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 14, 2024
Review: PEPPERMINT, BARK, AND PERIL by Cindy Bell
It all begins with a dead realtorthat nobody liked. Then it’s the chocolate makers to the rescue! The suspectsincluded a disgruntled homebuyer that was tricked into buying a money pit, afellow realtor wanting to get rid of the competition, an angry son of an oldman the victim was evicting, and siblings that were purposely cut out of thewill. It really could be any one of them. But who? That’s what this readerwanted to find out. The new peppermint bark cookies might be just the key here.
This was another good mystery byone of my favorite authors. I must admit that there were a few too manysuspects here. Sometimes it was hard to keep track of all of them (I couldn’treally remember who was who.)
Overall, this was a nice readthough.
Rating:4 stars
Review: DIG TWO GRAVES by Gretchen McNeil
Neve was dreading the 2-week stayat a female empowerment camp, but she was doing it for the free college tuitionfrom her grandma. Being the Wednesday Addams in a sea of blonde perkiness, Nevewas so not going to fit in.
It takes a while for the story toget going and settle. First, we have Neve settling in with the other girls,which took up way too much story. It’s very slow in the beginning and the campactivities were so dull. Nothing really happens. Eleven chapters and nothing!Man, this was disappointing. I expected so much, much more from this author.What a let-down.
Rating:2 stars
