Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 87
December 30, 2023
Review: THE NEW HIRE by Ellis O’ Day
“Her looks and her body were afleeting gift that time would soon destroy.” And that was why Desiree—theproduct of desire and so appropriately named—was trying to get a job at a sexclub, Le Petite Mort Club, to secure her financial future.
It was kind of slow to kickstartthings with the card and pool game in the beginning. She doesn’t want to havesex on her first night at the club, but will a handsome and powerful man changethat? Instead, the man offers her a deal.
“I can help you avoid the cheap,the violent, and the poor, and those that are just not that good at givingpleasure.” He could help her make more money and get out of there faster.
It does take a while to get to herfirst, who was a sexy cowboy. Not bad for a first. There’s too muchexplanation. By the time you get to the actual sex, you’re not that into itanymore.
A pretty decent read, but thiswill surely be it for me and I won’t be continuing the series.
Rating:3 stars
Review: THE DIARY OBSESSION by S.M. Pratt
One man and two women…and theirdiaries detailing the explicit sexual adventures. The diary entries here weremuch slower and seemed to blather on needlessly. And we get these diary entriesfrom both women, women that often pine for one another. I didn’t get to any sexstuff because I was so bored out of my mind. Was there even any sex? I don’tknow. This was nothing like the previous book series, The Stewardess Diaries,which were quicker and way hotter. This one was just a big, FAT FLOP. What awaste!
Rating:1 star
December 23, 2023
Review: SILENCED IN LITTLE LEAF CREEK by Cindy Bell
Christmas snow was just theperfect condition for a car crash and a dead driver. But was it the treacherousdriving conditions? No, someone had cut the brakes. Dynamic duo Cassie andTessa were on the case.
One twin down, then the other getswhacked, too. Did this have anything to do with their criminal past? Or wasthere a possible hit list on a group of volunteer carolers?
A good mystery!
Rating:4 stars
Review: DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
A lottery jackpot worth $180million dollars. Two winning tickets. One bunch of thieves.
The Holiday Festival of Joy bringsabout greed, bitterness, resentment, and betrayal among the sleepy town in NewHampshire. One thing I always knew is that you never trust people in smalltowns, even if they are a sweet, old lady with a kind face. This all leads to akidnapping, ransom, and a possible murder. How far will people go for thatlottery ticket? You just have to find out in this gripping and suspensefulholiday read! Another fantastic read by a team of fantastic authors.
Rating:5 stars
Review: THE CHRISTMAS THIEF by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
A Christmas tree that was hidingvaluable diamonds. One thief that was eager to steal it back. What the formerinmate may not count on was Alvirah, Willy, Nora, and Regan. Another thing thecrook wasn’t counting on was that the tree was being transported to RockefellerCenter for the holiday lighting. So there was a ticking time clock on thisheist.
The thieves successfully cut andtake the tree, but the diamonds were mysteriously snatched beforehand. An 80-fttree was stolen, the diamonds were missing, and a friend was kidnapped. Can thetwo clever detectives stop a conniving scammer and thief?
This holiday story was just fullof suspense. Kept me reading all the way.
Rating:4 stars
Review: ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT by Mary Higgins Clark
It’s Christmas time! A chalice wasstolen from a church. A home base for a children’s program may closepermanently. A phony will may have been drafted. And an abandoned little girlin danger of being part of her daddy’s illegal schemes.
Lottery winners, Alvirah and WillyMeehan, with their cunning wit and clever curiosity, were on the case. OnlyMary Higgins Clark can craft an intriguing and complex angles and bring it alltogether in one suspenseful story.
A quick and riveting holidaymystery!
Rating:5 stars
December 21, 2023
Blog Tour: THE NICK BEFORE CHRISTMAS by K.L. Brady
The Nick Before Christmas
by K.L. Brady
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GENRE: Romance
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BLURB:
Willan angel's dire warning, a quest to discover a second act by Christmas Eve, anda touch of Christmas Magic lead Nickie Wright back to the one that got away?
Nickie Wright is ready to celebrate the big 5-0 for Christmas in July, but ahot flash leads her to a sobering revelation: her life has hit rock bottom. Hersuccesses--the home and the car--feel empty. Her vision board has been a wasteof time, her job is unfulfilling, and she's mulling over a proposal from Smith,who she's not sure she likes. The best day of her life spirals into the worst.During a near-death experience, a meeting with her guardian angel presentsNickie with an ultimatum - either go to heaven or return to Earth and find hersecond act by Christmas Eve. If she fails, her future's bleak -- her life willbe filled with days no better than her worst.
Her second act sets her on a collision path with Evan Goodman, the man whomakes her content, and Jordan Devlin, the first love who drives her crazy.She's torn between two worlds--contentment and safety, passion and excitement.
Time is running out for Nickie.
She only has from Christmas in July until Christmas Eve to find her calling,follow her dreams, and figure out which romantic interest will help Nickieembrace the best of herself.
The Nick Before Christmas is the perfect romantic comedy to help you find yourcalling and renew your faith. It delivers unforgettable moments ofself-discovery and romance. It's an enchanting story to fill your heart withjoy this Christmas.
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Excerpt One:
The voice and the name paralyzed her.
One person (in this world or any other) referred to her bythat name.
It couldn’t be her.
“Nickie Boo?”
Her body stiffened. She was more shocked than afraid.Uncontrollable streams of tears flushed from her eyes. She glanced from side toside. No one. Nothing, but the faint hope of seeing her mother again after fatestole her only chance for goodbye. Nickie found out about her mother’s illnessonly six weeks before her death and thought she had more time.
“Mommy?”
Almost as soon as she called out to Nickie Boo once more, anangelic form descended from the sky in a dramatic drop; her arms were foldedacross her chest. Upon first look Nickie couldn’t discern the face, but hervoice was exactly the same as she remembered.
The more the form came into view, the more visible thefeathery wings appeared. But the face, she knew the face like her own. Sameauburn skin, same bright eyes, same natural thick hair. Her mother’s eyessmiled but her lips didn’t, at least not at first.
“It’s me, Cupcake. Merry Birthday.”
An inexplicable calm washed over her…on the outside. Insideshe was scared crapless. Nickie reached for the angel’s arm and pinched her,gently. “Are you real, or am I crazy?”
“Yes,” her mother replied, “and yes.”
Mom angel?
Nickie laughed. No one else could make her chuckle in themiddle of paralyzing panic and fear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Topic: What makes your book different from any otherholiday book?
What makes THE NICK BEFORECHRISTMAS different from other holiday books is that a few actual eventsinspired it. It explores Christmas magic and characters in the middle of life (their50s) reaching their second primes, leading to three core stories – and manylife lessons.
I don't know many people whowould claim they've felt the power of Christmas magic while in the middle of amiracle. The perspective you get afterward usually makes you realize howblessed you were. That is the truth of my life. The holiday angle of this storydeals with the magic of Christmas at a crossroads with fate—the idea that eventhe most faith-filled people have doubts, get discouraged and want to give up.But sometimes, that disappointment is meant to force you to a new level, abetter one. When discouraged and ready to give up, the magic of Christmas,fate, and the heavens (whatever you want to call the force in your life) helpsyou overcome the obstacles – you don't always avoid the fire, but you make itthrough relatively unscathed. Over time, you look back on what you survived andrealize what you needed to survive was in place long before you gave up. Younever had to worry or stress because help was in place long before you neededit. C
As she reaches her 50thbirthday, the main character, Nickie, is ultimately threatened by her"guardian angel" to pursue her second act, the life that will makeher truly happy. Generation X'ers may relate to the quest for a second act.Personally, as a Gen X'er, I've spent my life trying to reach a level ofsuccess and comfort- the house, the car, the kids, the dog, and taking care ofBoomer parents as they age. Many of my generation look at our professionallives and realize that professional and financial success doesn't always meanwe're "happy." A paraphrased saying suggests that if you love whatyou do, you'll never work a day in your life. Many people don't want to retire– they want to stop working. When I hit 40, I started writing novels—and I'veknown no greater joy. Nickie reaches that point in her life after aprofessional disappointment. She grappled with the question: Is it worth takingsteps backward after you've spent most of your life setting a foundation tomove forward? I've explored the idea of this, for sure.
Nickie's quest for the secondact puts her on a crash course with Jordan, "the one who got away,"which drives the romantic element in the story. She ends up being forced toface the fact that she's made a lot of assumptions and drawn a few wrongconclusions about Jordan. Sometimes, the hardest part of the downfall of anyrelationship is admitting your role in the demise. Nickie is faced with a truthmoment that forces her to see Jordan for who he is – the good, the bad, and thebeautiful -- and her ability to see that in him, perhaps, will help him see andbelieve the good qualities in himself. This romantic element, of course, isfiction. My philosophy is—if I let him get away, he was supposed to go. Butthere is always a "what if" in my mind. And this may be true ofNick's readers when they think about Jordan.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
USAToday Bestselling author K. L. Brady is a D.C. native and award-winning authorof 20 novels. She self-published her first book, THE BUM MAGNET, after an Oprah"live your best life" moment, which was picked up by Simon &Schuster in a two-book deal. She’s been publishing romantic comedies eversince.
K.L.is a Washington football fan and professed nerd-girl who loves all things StarTrek, Star Wars, and Big Bang Theory. She lives to write stories involvinghilarious quirky characters looking for love. She's hard at work on her nextseveral projects, including Sincerely, Santa, a heartfelt romantic comedy thatalso celebrates the special friendship between her late mother and grandmother.
Signup for her newsletter at: http://klbradyauthor.com/sign-up/
AuthorLinks:
Website:www.klbradyauthor.com
FacebookPage: https://www.facebook.com/KLBRADY
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/klbrady_author/
Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-l-brady
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/stores/K.-L.-Brady/author/B002O15D78?
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975069.K_L_Brady
The book will be on salefor $0.99.
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GIVEAWAY :
K.L. Brady will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes andNoble GC o a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.a Rafflecopter giveawayDecember 20, 2023
Blog Tour: CANADA'S KIDDIE GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY IN ABC'S by Marena Woodsit
Canada's Kiddie Geography and Historyin ABC's...
by Marena Woodsit
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GENRE: Middle Grade, Non-fiction
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BLURB:
Who said geography and history can't be fun? Marena Woodsit's newbook, Canada's Kiddie History and Geography in ABC's, points out variousinteresting facts and places in an easy-to-read style (H for history, G forgeography) that will captivate children of all ages. A map and legend of thegreat country of Canada can help pinpoint where much of the facts take placealong with fun and real life characters.
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EXCERPT
LETTER E
G= Geography
H= History
G- E: is for the southern most place in Canada, Essex Countyin the province of Ontario. Essex County is home to Point Pelee National Parkwhere you can stand on the southern most tip of Canada. You can find MonarchButterflies there in the fall that are migrating south and Prickly Pear Cactusthat grow on the beaches. Many fruits and vegetables are grown on the fertilefarms of Essex County.
H- E: is for Timothy Eaton, born in 1874, who founded theEaton’s Department stores where your family used to shop.
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Review: A stands for Alberta. B is forBritish Columbia. C, of course, if for Canada.
Each letter coincides with a placeor significant along with a brief description of that place or person. The descriptions are short and simple withoutbeing overbearing or complicated. This book not only helps with your ABC’s butit’s also a learning tool of Canadian history. The illustrations of theenriching history were so vivid and colorful.
Great for reading and learning!
Rating:4 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Ms. Woodsit, aretired teacher, has been writing for fun for years and is now publishingchildren's books. During her time as a teacher she felt students needed morebasic facts about their country, such as learning we had a queen, that thecapital of our provinces and territories weren't known and what some of ournatural resources and wonders were. She has also helped with composing lyricsto a number of songs with her songwriting and performing friends. She lovestravelling, swimming and taking care of her animals.
CONNECT WITHMarena
WEBSITE: https://booksbymarena.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/marenawoodsitauthor
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/43487820.Marena_Woodsit
PURCHASE LINKSCanada's Kiddie Geography and History in ABC's...
AMAZON.COM
https://amazon.com/dp/0228886074
AMAZON.CA
https://amazon.ca/dp/0228886074
BOOKTOPIA
https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9780228886075
BARNES &NOBLE
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143967581
WALMART
https://www.walmart.com/search?q=9780228886075
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GIVEAWAY
Marena Woodsit will be awarding a $15Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
December 19, 2023
Blog Tour: THE TWELVE SUSPECTS OF CHRISTMAS by Ana T. Drew
The Twelve Suspects of Christmas
by Ana T. Drew
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GENRE: Cozy Mystery
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BLURB:
Grannies,gangsters, murders—and a rollicking journey across France!
It’sJanuary 4, 1961, and Marseilles housemaid Annie Malian is in love. It’s alsothe day her fiancé René takes his life under peculiar circumstances.
Manydecades later, an old Christmas postcard addressed to Annie arrives, and allher doubts come flooding back.
At84, there’s no time to waste!
Annieenlists the help of Rose Tassy, an eccentric retired teacher and amateursleuth.
Thusbegins an unforgettable journey from Provence to a quaint village in Picardieand then on to the sparkling Riviera with a detour through wintry Paris.
Amidyuletide festivities, Annie and Rose navigate perilous terrain. Their list ofsuspects quickly grows. Was it Rene’s older brother? Maybe the ex-gangsterturned chicken farmer? The powerful Monegasque tycoon?
Stumped,Rose begins to question her detective mettle when a new death compounds theplot…
ThisChristmas, will Annie receive the overdue truth as a gift?
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Excerpt One:
Annie sets the mug down on the table and levels her gazewith Rose’s. “It’s cold.”
Rose’s head jerks back. “The tea?”
“No, my case,” Annie says. “A suicide has been troubling mefor decades. But there’s been a recent development.” She pauses, looking forthe right words.
“Decades.” Rose narrows her eyes. “How cold are we talkingabout?”
“Nineteen sixty-one.”
“Whose suicide do you want me to look into?” Rose asks. “Afamily member? A friend?”
“He was my fiancé.”
“Well, then.” Rose winks at Annie. “You just solved yourcase!”
“What do you mean?”
Rose stares at Annie, her mischievous smile slipping.
A lump forms in Annie’s throat as she catches Rose’s drift.
Rose grabs her hand. “It was a bad, insensitive joke, Annie,darling! I’m so sorry.”
“We loved each other,” Annie says, withdrawing her hand.
Rose fidgets, studying Annie’s face with a mixture of regretand sympathy. “I’m sorry he killed himself. Truly.”
“He didn’t kill himself.”
“I’m so silly!” Rose exclaims. “That’s why you’re here. Youbelieve he was killed.”
“That’s right.”
“I’m listening.”
“René Chantome,” Annie begins, “was twenty-one and a studentat Sciences Po in Paris. In the early days of 1961, he was accused of murderinghis roommate, Grégoire Lacaze. He was about to be arrested when he allegedlykilled himself.”
“What makes you think he didn’t?”
Annie gazes at the objects on the shelves without seeingthem. “Several things. One, he hadn’t killed Grégoire, and I’ll explain why.Two, he hadn’t called or written me before he allegedly committed suicide.Three—”
“Sorry to be mean again,” Rose interrupts her, “butregarding your second point, have you considered that you hadn’t meant as muchto him as he had to you? How long had you known each other?”
“Three years, since his parents hired me as a maid in theirMarseilles mansion. René, only a year on me, was finishing high school at thetime. I’d quit at fifteen so I could work.”
“A maid?” Rose hikes an eyebrow. “Were the Chantomes rich?”
“René’s father, Pierre-François, owned a flourishing auctionhouse.”
Rose nods. “So, the heir and the maid fall in love. Howromantic!”
“A second son,” Annie corrects her. “René was an idealisticyoung man, passionate about social justice and other progressive ideas floatingaround at the time.”
“Weren’t we all?”
I just wanted to marry for love and have kids.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
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Ana T. Drew isthe evil mastermind behind the recent series of murders in the fictional Frenchtown of Beldoc. When she is not writing cozy mysteries or doing mom-and-wifethings, she can be found watching “The Rookie” to help her get over “Castle”.She lives in Paris but her heart is in Provence.
Visitana-drew.com for a free cookbook and a game!
Website: www.ana-drew.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/ana-drew
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnaDrewAuthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ana-t-drew
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/anadrew
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GIVEAWAY
Ana T. Drew will beawarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopterduring the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 18, 2023
Book Blast: A CURSE OF MAGICK by Diane Gallagher
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Diane Gallagher will be awarding a $15 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.
“A desperate princess, a handsome warrior, and an ancient magick to determine their fate.”
As daughter to the High King, love doesn’t come easily to Gráinne. Having turned down hundreds of suitors, she is being forced to marry Finn, an old, ugly yet powerful general. While outside the marriage hall, Gráinne bumps into Diarmuid, Finn’s handsome foster son. From that moment, Gráinne knows if she is to have any chance at love, he is the one she must marry. She begs him to take her away from this unwanted wedding. When Diarmuid refuses, Gráinne, desperate, places a curse on him; help her or die.
Diarmuid is a warrior who only wants to serve loyally, but when the princess sets her sights on him and casts her curse, he must make the most difficult choice of his life. Does he help her, taking their chances with a vengeful Finn, or does her refuse her, leaving her to her fate, and risking his own death?
With both their lives on the line, Gráinne and Diarmuid must fight to use Ireland’s ancient magick to escape from Finn, either bringing them together in passion or in death.
A Curse of Magick is a passionate tale of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption. A retelling of an ancient Irish myth, A Curse of Magick takes the love and romance of Romeo and Juliet, and the exhilaration of King Arthur, and mixes it together for a satisfying adventure all will love.
Read an Excerpt
Gráinne stumbled up the path to the top of the cliff. The wind whipped her hair and cloak around her. The moon had disappeared behind skittering clouds. Still furious at Diarmuid, she turned south and stomped along the edge of the cliff.
“That stupid, stupid man.” With the rage that boiled inside her, alongside the dark, she could barely see where she was going. She stepped on a loose stone that rolled and tumbled down, bouncing, and crashing to the bottom of the cliff below. Gráinne struggled to stay upright but her balance failed her. Her leg slid to the right and over the edge of the cliff. She grabbed a jutting stone, near the size of the giant’s head, and held on. Her heart was pounding, and the little vision she had swam as the sharp edges of the stone cut into her hands. She scrabbled at the stone, tearing her nails until they bled. She pulled hard against the stone until the muscles in her arms trembled and her hands, too, bled. She struggled to find purchase with her feet. Her left foot pushed against the cliff edge but only managed to kick over more stones. Gasping, her breath burned in her chest and tore at her throat. She pulled her knee up as tightly to her chest as she could until her toes found a tiny solid outcropping. With a final powerful kick, she pulled herself up to safety.
About the Author:
Diane Gallagher is a novelist and Druid priest. She is the author of three novels: A Curse of Magick, Greenwich List, and the Bastard of Saint Genevra. She has long roots stretching into her Celtic past, although she splits her life between two islands—Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada, and Sicily off the toe of Italy’s boot. She writes young adult romance based on ancient Celtic myths of the powerful women of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. She currently teaches creative writing at Cherry Hill Seminary.
Website: https://dianegallagherwritings.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianegallagherwritings
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551870126755
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLcqpCjIM3A
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianegallagherwritings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diane_writes
Free to read on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Magick-Ancient-Women-Celtic-ebook/dp/B0CLRJ98L7/ref=sr_1_1
a Rafflecopter giveaway
