Kristi Cramer's Blog: Bounded in a Nutshell, page 4

Review of Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar, by Carol Guthrie Heilman

This book came to my attention through the Beach Reads Bonanza 2016 (a Facebook event) and I bought it because it sounded cute. Amazon gave me the option to add the audio version for a couple extra dollars, so I did. 

At times silly and heartbreaking, Agnes' story was also often poignant and heartwarming. Agnes herself is a perfect storm of happenstance and tomfoolery. I was transported to Sweetbriar Manor and listened to her adventures with bemused enjoyment. 

My only quibble with the story is that I wasn't sure how it should be categorized. I'd thought it was a cozy mystery, but I thought Agnes did very little in the way of actual sleuthing. She mostly bumbled into questions and answers, and powered her way into and out of trouble through sheer obstinacy. She was more of the catalyst for others to come forward and see their way to sharing their own pieces of the puzzle, and therefore solving the mystery. I was a little confused by the ending, and whether or not the perpetrators got their just rewards or not.

The characters were all well drawn, and made for a delightful cast of characters with stories that ranged from tragic to delusional. They stayed true to character throughout.

The performance was delightful - although Agnes' voice could get to be a little whiny at times. I did have my own ideas of what the characters should look like based on the voices, and then a bit of narrative would remind me of how wrong I was. That was a little jarring, but hard to help, as everyone comes with their own preconceptions when it comes to a character's voice.

All in all, I'd recommend this to anyone who thinks a clean cozy mystery involving slightly daffy senior citizens would fit the bill for the day. Be prepared with your hanky if you are prone to tears at the misfortunes of others.



      

To Make a King is LIVE - July 10, 2016

Title: To Make a King
Author: Kristi L. Cramer
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fantasy
Release Date: July 10, 2016

BlurbFive years have passed since Sebastian learned of his birthright as a true prince of the Bonnie Isles. Now the king is dead, but Sebastian isn’t ready to wear his father’s crown. His whole world crumbles around him while every eligible woman in the kingdom competes for the crown prince’s attention, driving him to distraction.
Mari of Dewbury is the youngest daughter of a baron from the smallest estate in the kingdom. Between her mother and elder sister’s scheming to win the future king’s heart, and the dozens of other beauties making their play, she entertains little hope of even being seen by the crown prince, much less attracting his attention. She has only come to Fair Haven to pay her respects to King Isaiah, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the man destined to become king, but a chance encounter changes everything.
Unseen forces use dark magic to undermine Sebastian’s succession, and Edward is encouraged to take action against his half-brother in a plot to usurp the crown. Before the sun sets on coronation day, brother will face brother and swords will be bared. Will royal blood be spilled and evil reign in the Bonnie Isles? Or will love truly conquer all?

Early reviewers are loving To Make a King!See reviews on AmazonExcerpt
   Mari felt invisible, as usual. No one had spoken two words to her all night. Only the servants seemed to notice her at all. Though she hated to admit it, she feared her mother had been right: her presence was a waste of time and the money she had been saving for years.   All to pay her respects to a king who had never seen her and a chance to meet the man who was to be crowned in a week’s time—along with at least a dozen other young women, including her older sister, Rochelle, who had the same general idea.
   Indeed, the king’s wake had something of a circus air: all the gaily festive colors on gowns, ribbons in hair, and jewelry could belong to clowns or players. Mari nearly felt out of place in her simple, somber grey dress. But even if she owned a costume to rival those of the other ladies competing for the heir’s notice, Mari could not see herself dressing for a wake as though it were a carnival.   She had found herself standing near the door all night, unable to fit in with the prince’s unabashed suitors, both visually and ethically. But dressed as she was, she apparently blended into the tapestries, despite the strands of red hair escaping her black mourning coif.   From her position, she had watched Prince Sebastian slip away from the riot of what should be a thoughtful evening of reflection. She considered following, though even if she had gotten her nerve up, the guard at the door had no doubt been instructed to keep the prince’s privacy. And so, she had waited all night, watching for his return.   It was morning now. Shafts of sunlight sprayed through the chapel’s stained glass windows to paint the room in ever more garish colors. Mari wished the whole thing would get over with. Her feet hurt, her head hurt, and she felt foolish for having spent all her money traveling to court for a lost cause.   Prince Sebastian could pick from the flower of the Bonnie Isle’s beauties: small chance of recognition for Lady Mari, the youngest daughter of Baron Tidwell, lord of the smallest holding in the kingdom.   “Not exactly what one would envision, is it?” a man said from close by her side. Mari turned in surprise to find Lord Wingfield.  She curtsied, and he bowed in return, smiling at her. “I rather hoped our prince would be allowed to mourn his father properly. Instead, this, and he is driven from his own chapel.”   “Indeed, Lord Wingfield. I almost expect tumblers to come through.” Realizing what she had just implied, Mari felt herself blushing furiously.   The young lord smiled and leaned in close. “Don’t worry, Lady Mari, I feel the same way. It seems you are the only one who cares to show proper respect to our late king.”   “Oh, no, sir. I see plenty—”
   “Let me amend that. I should have said the only young lady....”
   Mari could think of no response, and knew she was blushing again. “He was a great king,” she fumbled out at last.   “Indeed.” Lord Wingfield smiled at her, but she saw sadness behind his eyes.   Mari had known Adam Wingfield since childhood, as the Greyloch Estate bordered her father’s own small estate of Dewbury. In those years, he had grown from the impish neighbor boy into the dashing son of a duke, older and wiser in the ways of the world.
   He had always been kind to her. Once, she had dared to hope if her sister won his heart—which had always been their parent’s dream—she would have in him a fine brother who would care for his spinster sister-in-law. Having always been told she had no prospects for marriage, she could hope for nothing better. But he had gone away to Fair Haven to learn the art of war, and had captured and been captured by the heart of Princess Aslynn.   “Ah, look,” Lord Wingfield said. “Here comes Prince Sebastian and my wife now. May I present you?”   “Oh no, I couldn’t...,” she began, but his hand was at her elbow, guiding her toward where he stood in the doorway with his twin sister, talking quietly. Not everyone had noticed the Prince’s return, but Lord Wingfield guided her up and bowed low. Without looking up, Mari curtsied deeply.
   “Your Highness, may I present Lady Mari of Dewbury, daughter of Baron Tidwell.”
###The first few chapters of To Make a King are up on Goodreads and Wattpad. I'm releasing one chapter a week until it's published - so head over and check it out to see why you want to pre-order this second installment.

Buy the Kindle or Borrow from Kindle Unlimited
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To Make a King is also available on Kristi's website in Mobi, ePub or PDF for discounted prices. Otherwise, it's only available on Amazon at this time, which means it is/will be on Kindle Unlimited for the first 90 days of publication. After that it will go to all markets. The price is $1.99.


About the AuthorKristi doesn't know how she got old enough to say she's been writing for three and a half decades. Her Young Adult books are exciting adventures that always include wholesome life lessons. She also writes Adult Suspense with a Dash of Romance, most of which are considered "clean" - especially by today's standards.

Stalker LinksWebsite ~ Facebook ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Kristi's Blog ~ Newsletter ~ Newsletter Signup ~ Pinterest

Review of Pieces of Me, by Carrigan Richards

So this was a tough read for me, for all the right reasons. It was well done enough that the subject matter made me uncomfortable; both the situation Corinne was in and her emotional state, but especially concerning one "friend's" behavior.

This story deals with some tough topics, and I think it deals with them with deft determination. 

I was a little put off by the style - you know me and first person narrative - it's not the easiest for me to get lost in. Also, the flashback setup of much of the book was a challenge for me, because by its very nature, it became a lot of telling rather than showing. But despite these, my usual complaints against a first person narrative, I was able to connect with Corinne and feel with her - enough that I felt acute discomfort for her.

This book will put you through the wringer, and it did indeed wring tears out of me at the end - and that doesn't happen often. If you're up for an emotional challenge, then I recommend Pieces of Me.

The Boys of Syracuse, Kansas Collection (Books 1-3) has been released!

Title: The Boys of Syracuse, Kansas series, Books 1-3 - PG-13 edition
Author: Kristi Cramer
Genre: Clean Suspense with a Dash of Romance
Release Date: July 4, 2016
BlurbLooking for an exciting, suspenseful trio of full length standalone novels that will keep you turning the pages, without running into language or scenes that make you cringe? Look no further!

Books One through Three of the Boys of Syracuse, Kansas series were originally pretty clean: no sex, and only brief graphic violence, but there were those pesky four letter words that stop some discerning readers on a dime. 

This Collection has been edited for that offensive content without losing any of the excitement or flavor of the originals. So you can turn the page without hesitation for what you will find. There is still brief violence, a small amount of which may be considered mildly graphic, but nothing is gratuitous.

Last Shot at Justice: Detective Mitzi Reardon doesn't know what she did to anger her boss, but he is gunning for her, literally. Now a prostitute is dead, and she is the prime suspect, with the law hot on her heels. With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Mitzi's only hope lies in the hands of Blue Thomas, a chivalrous cowboy from Kansas.

Last Second Chance: An ex-con's search for a new start in a small Kansas town leads to a chance at a life and a love he never expected. But the life he left behind won't stay quietly in his past.

One Last Song: In a bold operation that leaves the tiny town of Syracuse reeling, Kylie and Jax are kidnapped. Getting nabbed for human trafficking would be bad enough, but their captors have an additional agenda.

LinksFind it for $5.99 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iTunes. It is half price on Smashwords through the month of July.
About the Author Kristi writes about hard-working people living realistic lives, putting ordinary people into extraordinary situations and letting them discover true character in the face of danger. The end result is nail-biting, edge of your seat suspense that will keep you turning pages, rooting for the good guys and that happily ever after ending.

She also writes YA Fantasy as Kristi L. Cramer. The Bonnie Isles Trilogy is good, clean excitement, with an uplifting message you'll be happy to share with your young ones, and enjoy yourself.
Stalker LinksWebsite ~ Facebook ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Kristi's Blog ~ Newsletter ~ Newsletter Signup ~ Pinterest

Review of Hope Falls: If I Fall by SJ McCoy

This short novella from SJ McCoy set in the Hope Falls Kindle World is wonderful. In typical SJ fashion, her characters are honest and open, and there is little in the way of angst. Just a story of two people who find each other in a small town, away from this crazy world we live in, and they make it work.

SJ McCoy crafts stories I love to read as an escape from the world. They're light, fluffy, and steamy. Like dessert in the desert of modern times. 

Cover Reveal for Whiskey & Honey by Andrea Johnston

 
Title: Whiskey & Honey
Series: Country Road #1
Author: Andrea Johnston
Release Date: July 21, 2016
 

 

Guys have rules. Rule #1: You don't date your sister’s best friend.
Bentley Sullivan hasn't found the one. He's always been the good guy - the gentleman. With one quick, and possibly irrational, decision everything changes. After a case of mistaken identity and a drunken kiss, Ben is convinced that the one is finally right in front of him. Only, she's untouchable.

Girls have rules. Rule #1: You don't date your best friend’s brother.
Piper Lawrence has not been successful in love. Almost as quickly as she swears off men, he comes into her life. Her childhood crush and the man who has set the standards for every man she’s ever dated, he is also the one man she can’t have.
A single kiss changes it all.
 

Amazon | Goodreads
 


Andrea Johnston spent her childhood with her nose in a book and a pen to paper. An avid people watcher, her mind is full of stories that yearn to be told.  A fan of angsty romance with a happy ending, super sexy erotica and a good mystery, Andrea can always be found with her Kindle nearby fully charged.

Andrea lives in Idaho with her family and two dogs.  When she isn’t spending time with her partner in crime aka her husband, she can be found binge watching all things Bravo and enjoying a cocktail. Nothing makes her happier than the laughter of her children, a good book, her feet in the water, and cocktail in hand all at the same time.
Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads


 

Review of A Stranger on My Land by Sandra Merville Hart

I enjoyed this sweet, clean historical romance. The characters were well drawn, if a tad simple (as opposed to complex) and the historical descriptions rang true--although I had to suspend my disbelief when it came to the animals in the cave. Very well written, too. A good way to spend a couple hours.



(Only $1.99 for Kindle edition.)

Review of The Flame and the Arrow by Emigh Cannaday

I'm going to have to stop trying to write reviews on my tablet.  Lost another one.

I'll sum up what I said. First, I'm not putting on a star rating because this read to me like a New Adult novel and I've come to realize that I am not a fan of New Adult. That is not the fault of this novel - but because I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be able to give it more than 3 stars. 

I was approached by the author and given a copy for an honest review - and I only hope I gave her my standard spiel about honest being honest, and she might not like what I have to say. In future, I will be sure to pass on any New Adult novels that come my way, as I can't think of one I've read that I really enjoyed. So, that is why I'm not rating it. 

It should be right up my alley, with an epic journey, magic, elves, and a battle to reopen the portals between worlds so our heroine can go home. And those elements are what would get the three stars from me. Minor errors aside, there isn't much wrong with the book, other than being a genre that is not one I enjoy. 

Why do I say it's New Adult? Because the focus is on the roller coaster, hot and cold romance between Talvi and Annika, and planning for parties, and parties, and bar hopping, and cooking - all things I found very dull, and I wish I had skipped through them. Oh, and chapter after chapter about helping the troll family behave, in order to get the troll Dad to come with them on their journey, only to have him play such a very small part in the final battle.

That being said, if you like New Adult stories, I'm sure you'll like this tale. However, if New Adult is not your thing, you might want to give this one a pass.

Review of Beau - Remington Ranch #4, by SJ McCoy

Well, I wrote a wonderful review, and then didn't save it before letting my phone screen dim. Lost it. So let me try to reconstruct the brilliance of what I said. (What? There's no proof it wasn't brilliant!)

I love redemption stories, and while Beau's story is not a conventional redemption story, I loved it all the same. Beau is the black sheep of the Remington family. Typical man fashion, he has never really analyzed why until his brothers started settling down with their soul mates, and he started to reconnect with them, all the while wondering why he'd drifted away in the first place. I love it that he was able to do the soul-searching needed to mend the fences.

I saw by the end of Carter's book that little Miss Ruby was going to be Beau's cross to bear, so to speak, and I am right there with him with him when it comes to kids - I felt his discomfort as if it was my own. I do love how he came to grips with how to "deal" with the little "monster" for the sake of her fantastic mother.

Corinne is, I think, one of my favorites of the Remington Ranch crew. She is grounded, honest, and self-sacrificing for her kid - while still allowing herself to acknowledge how much she wishes she could just be selfish for a while. She always puts Ruby first, and she is raising a strong woman who is going to be a handful her whole life - but just like her daughter, knowing Corinne and appreciating who she fully is, will make for the most rewarding of relationships.

Ruby was so well drawn that I could totally picture her in every scene she was in - she really stole the show in a way that even an old childless codger like me could adore. (Hey, I can deal with the kiddies, as long as I don't have to be around them more than an hour or so.)

I was rather surprised that there was no mention of birth control once the sex started happening, so I wonder if there won't be another kid in Beau's future sooner rather than later.

I do believe that Beau is my favorite Remington brother - in part because I could relate so well to him, and I totally admire the kind of growth he had to initiate to take his story to completion. Yes, this is definitely by favorite Remington Ranch novel.

It is important to note that these books are not what you'd call heavy reads. They are light, fluffy, and sweet. I don't read SJ McCoy for angst or suspense or action - although one recurring a$$hat took a surprising turn that I'm sure we'll see more about in Chance's books - no, I read her because it is a great escape from just those things. The characters grow emotionally, so I wouldn't say there's zero drama, but they aren't facing much in the way of outside obstacles. They each have to face their inner demons in order to reach their happy place of connection with their chosen beloved. In this way, Beau is another sweet and steamy read knocked out of the park by SJ McCoy!

Review of Across Our Stars: Victor, by A. Payne & N.D. Taylor

I enjoyed this story. It took a while to determine where things were going, but the setup/world building is important to the series I'm sure. There is mystery at first in what is happening, and then in who is perpetrating the crimes against whole colonies. To me, it is very realistic, as in life we don't always get all the facts at once, so we don't always know that there is danger, much less that it is headed our way. Because the POV is mostly with our heroes, we learn as they do that all is not well Across Our Stars.

I like Victor and especially Zoe. They are definitely heroes, and they do seem to belong together. Their romance is sweet and gets a bit steamy, but it is not the primary focus of this story. When the action really picks up after the halfway mark, be prepared to hold onto your seat!

The ancillary characters are well developed, too. I felt like I really got to know the crew, and that they weren't all simply cardboard cutouts just there for window dressing. I felt like the Jemison could be a proper starship, run by capable and quirky crew.

Best of all, for me anyway, is that I didn't feel like I needed to be a rocket scientist just to read this. Frankly, I started drifting away from Sci-Fi when it became so technical that I had to skip whole paragraphs and sometimes scenes because I don't CARE about the Kelvins produced in a dwarf star, or whatever. If a reader likes that much detail, they might consider Across Our Stars a bit fluffy, but this hearkens back to my favorite character driven Sci-Fi novels, like John Varley's Steel Beach.

I am definitely interested in reading the next story, as Hamish will have quite a story to tell after all he's been through.