Jean M. Roberts's Blog, page 25
October 7, 2022
Review: Folly Park by Heidi Hackford
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The Details:
Folly Parky by Heidi Hackford
Published: 15 November 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press
Genre: Southern Fiction
Pages: 312
Available: ebook, paperback
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of her book for review.
Temple Preston descends from four storied families with roots anchored deep in the red clay of the South, plantation-owning families whose luxurious lives were built on the backs of their enslaved workers. Temple feels the weight of her ancestry every day as she works to keep alive her ancestral home, Folly Park, now a tourist destination, and honor her heroic great grandfather, General Thomas Smith. But it’s not that simple.
In Temple, author Hackford creates a character who struggles with her guilt and pride in equal measure. When a new intern arrives, seemingly with an agenda that may mar the reputation of Caroline Smith, the General's wife, Temple’s eyes are opened to the deep character flaws in her family. The more she delves into the ugly secrets of the past, the more her perspective shifts from those who owed the land to those who were forced to work it. At the same time, Temple fights to free herself from her overbearing father. Threaded through the story is a sweet but subtle romance.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. It reads like a dual time line through the use of letters and diary entries. Hackford brings alive the prewar days of the American Civil War and the lives of key characters General Thomas and Caroline Smith, their cousin Jane, an abolitionist from Boston, and King, and enslaved man. With great skill, she peels back the protective layer of time, rubs at the protective veneer of ancestor worship, revealing their darkest deeds and the heartbreaking tragedies that formed their lives. The ending of both the modern day and the past narrative left me completely surprised.
More than just an entertaining story, through Temple’s struggle the book explores issues of family dynamics and race relations, and questions how to deal with the ugliness of the past, especially in the American South.
I rate this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here is a link to see more about the book:
September 24, 2022
Review: The Drums of War by Michael Ward
Details:
The Drums of War by Michael Ward
Publisher:
Published: August 2022
Genre: Historical fiction/ historical mystery
Series: yes, book three of The Thomas Tallant Mysteries
The Reviewer thanks author Michael Ward for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
My Review:
Thomas Tallant returns in this third installment of the Thomas Tallant Mystery series, The Drums of War by Michael Ward. I have read all three and enjoyed them immensely.
Thomas is a spice merchant with a penchant for investigative trouble. He loves Elizabeth, a most unusual young woman, a pipe smoking, intellectual who loves to exercise her brain.
In this installment, London is preparing for war with King Charles who has fled the city. Parliamentary forces are training for war and Thomas joins one of the train bands. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is investigating a series of jewel thefts that plague the city. Thomas, known for his sleuthing, is asked to find a shipment of gunpowder that is bound for the king’s arm. Their cases lead Thomas and Elizabeth in different directions and both see first hand the results of war.
As always, the history is intriguing, the setting meticulous and the story engaging. This book seems to place more emphasis on Thomas and his role as a soldier than his investigation but I enjoyed it just the same.
Well written and fast paced, you’ll be disappointed when it comes to an end. I highly recommend not only this book, but all the books in the series.
I give this book: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
See this book now on Amazon:
September 20, 2022
Win a new Kindle Paperwhite loaded with Historical Fiction!
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Enter to win a new Kindle loaded with amazing historical fiction. American Historical Novels Facebook Group is giving away one Kindle Paperwhite. What's the catch? You have to register for our monthly newsletter. Our FB group is centered around American Historical novels. It is a promo free site so you won't be bombarded with 'buy my book' posts. We offer monthly interviews with best-selling authors via zoom and Facebook live. Interact with your favorite author and win a copy of their latest book! Post are about writing/reading historical fiction. Please join us today.
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September 10, 2022
Cavern of the Veil Queen by Michael Scott Clifton
CAVERN OF THE VEIL QUEEN
Conquest of the Veil, Book 4byMichael Scott CliftonIllustrated by Nancy E. DurhamFiction / Fantasy / Action / Sword & SorceryPublisher: Book LiftoffPages: 342 pagesPublication Date: July 27, 2022
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The Empire of Meredith has waged war against the Veil Queen for over a thousand years. However, the struggle is unequal. Protected by the Veil, an impenetrable boundary of magic, the Veil Queen preys on the Empire’s citizens. The ceaseless raids have allowed her to build an enormous army of melds, monstrous creatures who are a fusion of humans and beasts.
Then a way is found through the magical partition. An invasion is launched to defeat the Dark Queen. But she’s had centuries to plot treachery. Is the open portal real or a misdirection, another of her evil schemes?
Alexandria’s new husband, Prince Tal, has wielded his formidable magic repeatedly in the struggle. But the key to victory may not lie with his power, but with Alex’s wild and unpredictable magic. If she can discover a way to control it, they have a chance to end the war and destroy the Veil. It requires only two things.
Find the Veil Queen…and kill her.
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Book four in the Conquest of the Veil series, Cavern of the Veil Queen is an epic action-packed, young adult fantasy with hints of Lord of the Rings and the Cinderella story.
In book one, a guardian angel offers lonely, bullied and unattractive Mona Parker a new life in the technology-free world of Meredith. There, she was transformed into the beautiful Alexandria, daughter of a duke. Alex’s world is one of magic, flying horses, gnomes, wizards and magic. In this fourth installment, she is married to Prince Tal, heir to the Kingdom of Meredith. Prince Tal wields a powerful magic, as does Alex, although hers is wild and untamed. In Cavern of the Veil Queen, the battle with their evil enemy comes to a head. Alex and Tal must defeat her or lose everything.
With a quick pace, this high fantasy story zips along. Much of the narrative is taken up with battles and the occasional timeout for Alex and Tal to ‘work’ on their relationship. It’s a fun, adventurous story with lots of imaginative characters and creatures. The main characters are engaging and straightforward; the ending is a foregone conclusion, but the fun is in the getting there. It’s well written with wonderful descriptions that bring the world of Meredith alive. If you enjoy high fantasy with fantastic world building, lots of mythical creatures and epic battles, you’ll love this book.
I gave this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Multi award-winning author Michael Scott Clifton, a longtime public educator, currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie. An avid gardener, reader, and movie junkie, his books contain facets of all the genres he enjoys—action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novels, The Janus Witch, The Open Portal (Book I in the Conquest of the Veil series), and Escape from Wheel (Book II), all received 5-Star reviews from the prestigious Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews. The Open Portal has also been honored with a Feathered Quill Book Finalist Award. In addition, Edison Jones and the Anti-Grav Elevator earned a 2021 Feathered Quill Book Award Bronze Medal in the Teen Readers category. Two of his short stories have won Gold Medals, with Edges of Gray winning the Texas Authors Contest, and The End Game winning the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization Contest. Professional credits include articles published in the Texas Study of Secondary Education journal. | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube || Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Website |
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August 18, 2022
Book Blitz: The Flower Enigma by Breakfield and Burkey
THE FLOWER ENIGMAMagnolia Bluff CrimeChronicles, Book 5by
CHARLES BREAKFIELD& ROX BURKEY
Small Town Mystery / Suspense / Amateur Sleuths
Publisher: ICABOD Press
Pages: 198 pages
Publication Date: August 20, 2022
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Imagine a romantic getaway in the Texas Hill Country
JJ, a cyber guru, whisks his girlfriend, Jo, away for a vacation. No paparazzi. Magnolia Bluff is the perfect destination. Flower B&B is prettier than the pictures on the website.
The evangelizing podcast creators are demanding answers about the town’s newest resident, Mateo Hernandez. The enormous wall he erected has convinced the ladies he’s hiding nefarious activities behind a dubious attorney. Local authorities don’t believe laws are broken and discount the women as meddling gossips.
When the couple checks into Flower, the podcast show-in-progress is interrupted by a cyberattack. JJ, the techno-geek, can’t resist helping. At each subsequent event in the series, he uncovers more serious issues than cyberwarfare.
JJ and Jo can’t avoid this roving series maelstrom. It gets personal when they’re attacked and warned to leave town. No one can conceive the depth of the crimes behind Mateo’s walls.
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Breakfield is a technology expert in security, networking, voice, and anything digital. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. Charles is a fan of wine tastings, winemaking, Harley riding, cooking extravaganzas, and woodworking.| LinkedIn | Amazon |Burkey is a technology professional who excels at optimizing technology and business investments. She works with customers all over the world focusing on optimized customer experiences. Rox writes white papers and documentation, but found she has a marked preference for writing fiction.| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | LinkedIn | Amazon |
Together these Texas authors create award-winning stories that resonate with males and females, as well as young and experienced adults. They bring a fresh new view to technology possibilities today in exciting stories. Visit their website for more information and free stuff.| The Enigma Series | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | Instagram |
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!TWO WINNERS!Autographed copy of The Flower Enigma(US only, ends midnight, CDT, 8/25/22.)
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August 3, 2022
Paper Targets by Patricia Watts
by
Patricia Watts
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Pages: 324 pages
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
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Everyone knew that Roanne never got angry—until the night she killed her ex-husband and herself. Roanne, a nice, suburban lady in her sixties who works at a Hallmark shop and volunteers at the Food Bank in Round Rock, Texas, calls her lifelong friend, Connie, confesses to murder, then puts the gun to her own head. Connie, spurred by Roanne’s last words about a lifetime of unspoken rage, sets aside her work as a cozy mystery writer and cupcake shop owner to confront the men who have stolen her dignity while she remained silent, including a bully brother, a rapist, and an ex-spouse. On a journey to reclaim her inner power and to make peace with the loss of her treasured friend, Connie’s mission is to avoid the same tragic path as Roanne, but she takes along a gun, just in case.
With pathos and humor, Paper Targets, by Patricia Watts, calls us to speak our own narratives, even when it is uncomfortable or risky, and shows us the magnificence of a friendship that transcends time.
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Patricia Watts worked as a journalist for more than 20 years for newspapers in Texas, Hawaii, and Alaska. Following her news career, she tried her skill as a paralegal and then spent ten years investigating discrimination cases for the Alaska Human Rights Commission. Her novels include: Ghost Light and The Big Empty, crime mysteries co-written with Alaska author Stan Jones; The Frayer, suspense noir; and Watchdogs, a steamy thriller. Her home base is San Diego. She earned her B.A. in journalism at Humboldt State in California. She is the mother of a son and daughter and has eight grandchildren.
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Thank you to the author and LSSBT for providing a review copy of Paper Targets.
Paper Targetsstarts with a bang, literally. Connie gets a call from Roanne, her best friend of fifty years. Roanne admits to killing her ex-husband and then kills herself. Connie is devastated. How did she not see this coming? Her friend’s death sets her on a life-altering path of reflection, confrontation and forgiveness.
The story of Connie and Roanne unfolds in a back-and-forth style, as Connie reflects on their five decades of friendship. In her last words, Roanne rages against the men in her life who held her back, controlled her or diminished her self-worth. Connie realizes she shares similar feelings and sets out to confront the men who have hurt her, physically and emotionally.
I enjoyed this book. I’ll admit to being close in age to Connie and the passages describing her teen-aged years and early twenties resonated with me. More than that, the story really sucked me in, watching these two young girls, with hopes and aspirations, grow up, get married, and eventually lose their grasp on their tattered dreams. I felt deeply sorry for Roanne. Her plight was believable and well written. Connie was a multi-faceted character, and I loved getting to know her and cheer for her as she set out to slay her own personal demons.
I highly recommend this well-written, engaging story to readers of women’s fiction.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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August 2, 2022
Book Tour: All The Lies They Did Not Tell by Pablo Trincia
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The Book's Delight is thrilled to host Pablo Trincia and his fabulous book, All The Lies They Did Not Tell, translated from Italian. Anyone who is old enough will remember the McMartin Preschool trial where the workers were falsely accused of child abuse will hear echoes of that case in this story.
Synopsis:
In 1997 a six-year-old boy questioned by authorities relayed disturbing stories of abuse. The more he talked, the more people were implicated in his shocking revelations. And he was only the first child to come forward.
Within a year, in two towns of the Bassa region of Italy, fifteen more children with similar tales were taken from their families and transferred to protected locations. Their parents were accused of belonging to a sect of satanic pedophiles who performed nighttime rituals in cemeteries under the guidance of a well-known local priest, Don Giorgio Govoni. With each child’s confession, the network of monsters they described grew and involved fathers, mothers, brothers, uncles, and acquaintances.
Except there were no adult witnesses and only circumstantial evidence. No one ever saw or heard anything. What was really happening in the Bassa Modenese? Italian investigative journalist Pablo Trincia returned to the scene of the crimes to find the answer. Together with his colleague Alessia Rafanelli, Trincia spent three years examining court records, interviewing experts and people involved, and visiting the places where the events took place. And the truth he uncovered is as terrifying as the lies.
“I quickly realized that this was not a story about pedophilia or Satanism,” Trincia explains. “It was much bigger than that. It had to do with mass hysteria, false memories, the justice system, the foster care system and much more."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pablo Trincia has worked as an award-winning correspondent and writer for print media, TV, and the web. In 2017, he and his colleague Alessia Rafanelli wrote the podcast Veleno, a highly acclaimed investigative audio series released in eight episodes on repubblica.it. The investigation reopened the case of the Devils of the Bassa Modenese, one of the darkest and most controversial cases the Italian legal system has tackled in recent years.
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR: Elettra Pauletto translates from Italian and French into English. Her writing and translations have appeared in Harper’s, Guernica, and Quartz, while her book translations have spanned a range of subjects, including music, art, and narrative nonfiction. She earned her MFA in creative writing and translation from Columbia University and now divides her time between Italy and western Massachusetts. For more information visit www.elettrapauletto.com.
ALL THE LIES THEY DID NOT TELL
The True Story of Satanic Panic in an Italian Community
By Pablo Trincia, Translated by Elettra Pauletto
Amazon Crossing; August 1, 2022
True Crime | 256 pages | Paperback: $14.95, ISBN#: 978-1542039109;
Hardcover: $24.95, ISBN#: 978-1542039116
Kindle: $4.99, ISBN#: 978-1542033930
My review:
All The Lies They Did Not Tell, is the gripping true life story of a notorious Satanic Panic investigation in Italy which devastated entire families, leading to suicide and criminal convictions that tore entire families apart. Investigative reporter Pablo Trincia uncovers a mind boggling failure in the judicial system that will leave you reeling. It's hard to fathom how so many people got it so wrong. Beginning with a small lie, and a single child, the tales of satanic rituals and deaths spirals, stories that no one in authority seem to question despite their outlandishness.
By the time you finish this book you'll be angry and frustrated at a system that pinned their entire investigation on the word of a single child who now admits he might have made it all up. The stories of the families, and the children torn from their parents is mind-blowingly sad. They were lied to by those in power, and grew to hate the parents who adored them, some never giving up hope for reuniting their families.
A powerful story, I highly recommend.
July 31, 2022
Welcome to The Book’s Delight and a stop on the Coffee P...
Welcome to The Book’s Delight and a stop on the Coffee Pot Book Tour for Jenny Knipfer and her new book, On Bur Oak Ridge.
The Details:
Book Title: On Bur Oak Ridge
Series: Sheltering Trees: Book Three
Author: Jenny Knipfer
Publication Date: 29th July 2022
Publisher: Jenny Knipfer—Author
Page Length: 266 Pages
Genre: Historical Romance, Christian Historical Romance, Christian Historical Fiction
The Blurb:
“The plot has its twists and turns to keep readers intrigued…to the very end. A great comfort read that will soothe the spirit with renewed hope and faith.” Readers’ Favorite five-star review
A HISTORICAL NOVEL OF FINDING HEALING AND A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE
In the early 1900s, quiet and reserved Molly Lund finds refuge from her past at the Nelsons’ farm in Minnesota. In an attempt to turn a new page in her life, Molly works at making peace with her losses and coming to terms with the disfiguring burns on her face.
Samuel Woodson, the Nelsons’ hired hand, carries his own cares. Split from his family and bearing a burden of misplaced guilt for an act that haunts him, Samuel–seeing past Molly’s scars–draws her out of her self-protective shell.
Molly and Samuel form a friendship, but just as their hearts lead them deeper, an unexpected guest comes calling, demanding what’s his.
Will Molly and Samuel find a way to be together or will they be separated, due to impediments beyond their control? Can they trust in God’s plan and travel a path that heals the hurts of the past?
Readers of historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, and Christian historical romance will delight in this beautifully wrought story of the healing power of love.
“A heartwarming story of healing from external and internal scars. Through some of life’s harder lessons the characters learn to trust, forgive, and find second chances out of the ashes of pain and loss.”
Anne Perreault, author of eighteen inspirational novels, including the Yellowstone series
Trigger Warnings:
Grief, trauma from burns, accidental death, time in an insane asylum
Buy Links:
Available on #KindleUnlimited
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3JELBX
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
Amazon AU:https://www.amazon.com.au/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
Author Bio:
Jenny Knipfer
Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.
Spending many years as a librarian in a local public library, Jenny recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability. Her education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions.
All of Jenny’s books have earned five-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite, a book review and award contest company. She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Wisconsin Writers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, and Independent Book Publishers Association.
Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set.
She deems a cup of tea and a good book an essential part of every day. When not writing, Jenny can be found reading, tending to her many houseplants, or piecing quilt blocks at her sewing machine.
Her new historical fiction, four-part series entitled, Sheltering Trees, is set in the area Jenny grew up in, where she currently lives, and places along Minnesota’s Northern Shore, where she loves to visit. She is currently writing a four-part novella series entitled: Botanical Seasons and a three-part fantasy series entitled: Retold Fairy Tales.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://jennyknipfer.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyKnipfer/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/jennyknipfer.writer/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/jennyknipferbrave/
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/JennyKnipfer/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenny-knipfer
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Knipfer/e/B07QV9HPH4%253F
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19133392.Jenny_Knipfer
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/LeAAhaLqekk
The Excerpt
Molly
For the first time in years, I will leave behind the walls of my strange shelter: the asylum. Tomorrow I board a train to visit Mabel, my friend. I’ll wear a mourning veil in public, so people won’t gawk or reel back in revulsion at the naked sight of my face. I grieve the worst when the children cry; then I become a nightmare to some poor little soul. I hate that: adding to another’s fear. We all bear enough.
My lungs command a deep breath, and I reach to turn down the lamp. The future comes tomorrow whether I am ready or not.
“Ready or not!” The words stab me in the throat, and I feel as if I’m being basted with a sharp needle. Those were Lonny’s last words. My eyes roll shut, and I see the flash of white, the brown, curly head, the grin before he turned, the crash of the poles, like the blast of a mighty horn. I wanted to scream, but my voice caught in my throat, choking me. My mouth hung open, but all that came out was silence.
I breathe, in and out slowly, like the doctor taught me. The visions recede.
My eyes open. The room has been thrown under a dark caul, and I realize I must have turned down the wick of the kerosene lamp. Now my face looks ghostly in the slightly spotted, silver- backed glass. I move to the bed, jump in, and tuck the covers up to my chin, praying I won’t dream of Lonny.
Please, God. Not tonight.
July 27, 2022
Deadly Keepsakes by Anita Dickason
DEADLY KEEPSAKES A Tori Winters MysterybyANITA DICKASON
Categories: Mystery / Women SleuthsPublisher: Mystic Circle BooksPages: 360 pagesPublication Date: July 1, 2022
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When Tori Winters becomes the star witness in a murder trial, someone tries to kill her. Terrified, she’s not giving the killer a second chance. With all her worldly possessions packed in her car, Tori is on the run. A mysterious phone call about an inheritance leads her to Granbury. After all, who would look for her in a small, quaint Texas town?Instead, Tori’s life is about to spin into an existence where nothing is as it seems. The historic house she inherits is steeped in secrets from the past. Secrets that may prove deadly. A stranger in a strange town, who can she trust? There is the disinherited step-grandson and the lawyer and his son. What are they hiding?
Tori’s inheritance may not be a blessing when a killer strikes again. It could be her death warrant.
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Award-winning author Anita Dickason is a twenty-two-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department. She served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics detective, advanced accident investigator, SWAT tactical officer, and the team’s first female sniper.Anita’s extensive law enforcement experience and knowledge provide the inspiration for her plots, and characters. She writes about what she knows, cops and crime.
Her works have received multiple awards from Book Viral Millennium Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, Literary Titan Book Awards, Independent Author Network Book Awards, and Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Award.
◆ WEBSITE ◆ FACEBOOK ◆ TWITTER ◆◆ AMAZON ◆ GOODREADS ◆◆ PINTEREST ◆ LINKEDIN ◆ VIMEO ◆YOUTUBE:AN AUTHOR'S WORLDBOOK CHATTER AND MORE
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Thank you to Anita Dickason for providing a copy of her book.
A patient’s suspicious death sets hospice nurse Tori Winters on a collision course with a murderer, one who wants her dead. But all is not as it seems. A surprise inheritance from an unknown relative draws her to the small Texas town of Granbury. As she uncovers the secrets her family’s past, she must use her instincts to judge who is friend and who is foe.
I enjoyed Deadly Keepsakes, the first in what appears will be a series. Tori is a character readers can cheer for. She’s vulnerable but strong, smart but pigheaded, but what I liked best about her was, she relied on herself and not the handsome eligible men circling her. Instead, Tori forges a strong friendship with a core group of females who she leans on for support. Yay for girl power!
The mystery at the heart of the story is intriguing and well-plotted. I didn’t guess the killer until very close to the end! I enjoyed the snippets of Texas history woven into the story. My only issue with the book is the brief times when a second point of view suddenly pops into the narrative which I found startling and distracting.
I look forward to reading more about Tori Winters and her new life in Granbury! I recommend this book to readers who enjoy well executed mysteries with a strong female protagonist.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!THREE WINNERS: Tote Bag, Copy of Deadly Keepsakes, Bookmarks.(US only; ends midnight, CDT, July 29, 2022)
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CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGEFOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,or visit the blogs directly:
7/19/22
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7/19/22
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7/19/22
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7/20/22
Review
7/20/22
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7/21/22
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7/21/22
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7/22/22
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7/22/22
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7/23/22
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7/24/22
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7/25/22
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7/26/22
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7/26/22
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7/27/22
Review
7/27/22
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7/28/22
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7/28/22
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July 21, 2022
A Shot in the 80% Dark by Amber Royer
A SHOT IN THE 80% DARK
Bean to Bar Mysteries, Book 4 by AMBER ROYER
Cozy Mystery / Culinary Mystery /Woman Sleuth Publisher: Golden Tip PressDate of Publication: July 15, 2022Number of Pages: 285 pages
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Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop is thriving. Despite everything she’s been through with the murders she’s helped solve, Felicity is ready to take on new challenges. So when a local museum offers her a contract to create a chocolate replica of a gigantic sailing ship sculpture for a gala celebrating Galveston’s history, she jumps at the chance to combine chocolate-crafting with art.The project is fun – right up until there’s not just one but two dead artists on the scene, and Felicity has to change gears back to detective. Logan, Felicity’s business partner and previous bodyguard, and Arlo, Felicity’s ex who is now the cop investigating the case, are split on which victim they think was actually the intended one. Felicity may have to take some chances, both emotionally and in luring out a killer, to determine the truth.
Can she find out how Galveston’s history relates to the murders, unmask a killer, and prepare 2,000 chocolate desserts for the gala all at the same time?
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Amber Royer writes the Chocoverse comic telenovela-style foodie-inspired space opera series and the Bean to Bar Mysteries. She is also the author of Story Like a Journalist: a Workbook for Novelists, which boils down her writing knowledge into an actionable plan involving over 100 worksheets to build a comprehensive story plan for your novel. She also teaches creative writing and is an author coach. Amber and her husband live in the DFW Area, where you can often find them hiking or taking landscape/architecture/wildlife photographs. If you are very nice to Amber, she might make you cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes, of course! Amber blogs about creative writing technique and all things chocolate.
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Thank you to the author for providing a review copy of A Shot in the 80% Dark.
Although this is book four in a series, I did not have a problem reading it as a standalone story. Felicity is co-owner of a chocolate shop on Galveston Island, Texas. She has two big problems: she's a murder magnet and she’s got two men hot on her trail. Logan is the dangerous sexy type and Arlo, her first boyfriend, is now a local cop. When Felicity gets the contract for a museum gig, things are looking good for her business until two of the artists are killed in a single attack. If the museum cancels the benefit, Felicity stands to lose a lot of money, she needs to solve the murder.
It was fun reading a book set in Galveston as I have spent countless days on the island. I laughed when I saw the name of my hometown of Friendswood, Texas mentioned. Reader beware: this book could be dangerous to your waistline as it will leave you craving your favorite chocolate goodies. I loved learning about chocolate, the process of making edible treats from the raw ingredients and the finished products.
The murder in this book is very complicated with a huge cast of characters, including a talking cockatoo named Renoir. The list of suspects and their motives is rather lengthy and I admit there were times when I lost track of who was who. I was not able to guess the murderer, but the pirate treasure plot was engaging and the resolution satisfactory. I did not really care for the love triangle between Felicity and her two suitors, but others may enjoy this romantic trope.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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