Christa Nardi's Blog, page 29
December 15, 2020
Release Day! WINE AND DEAD, ANOTHER MURDER : A Sheridan Hendley Cozy Mystery by Christa Nardi
Synopsis
Wine tasting, murder, and more.
A murder and a toxic substance in a vineyard would spell doom for the manager of any winery. And when that manager is a woman, a rarity in the wine industry, people are quick to place the blame on her shoulders. Even though Sheridan's husband, Brett, and his partner are already on the case, the amateur sleuth, is quick to jump in. In her search for clues, Sheridan and her friends explore the offerings at several nearby vineyards, where they discover more than great wine.
Join Sheridan, Brett, and their friends as they explore the wine country and solve intertwined mysteries.
*This is the fifth in the Sheridan Hendley cozy mysteries. The mysteries are solved in each book; the relationships and the characters continue from book to book.
GIVEAWAY - Leave a comment on this post and one lucky person will receive a free e-copy of this book. Enter before 12/24/2020!
Read an excerpt: CHAPTER 1 I was startled awake when my husband, Brett McMann, catapulted out of bed after an early morning call from his partner, James Fabry. With both detectives assigned to the Appomattox Field Office for the Virginia State Police, something major must have happened and warranted not one, but both of them. Worried about their safety, I felt out of sorts. My Sheltie, Charlie, hovered near the door, her tail wagging. “Come on, Charlie. We need to shake off the funk and get Maddie up and out the door.” I shook my upper body for effect and to loosen tense muscles. Walking past Maddie’s room, I opened the door a crack and Charlie did the rest, with Bella, a lab mix, helping out. Maddie’s initial shriek and then her laughter followed me to the kitchen. When Brett and I married, I instantly became mom to his teenaged daughter. With Brett called out so early, I turned on the television to the local news as I made coffee and threw together the batter for simple apple crepes for breakfast. The aroma of the coffee and the prospect of much needed caffeine perked me up as I divided my attention between the screen and the crepes. Charlie and Bella joined me and headed straight for the back door. After letting them out, I got them food and fresh water. Hearing the door to the bathroom close, I started the crepes cooking. Distracted by a news update, the first one burned. Only politics. By the time Maddie trudged to the kitchen table, two light golden crepes filled with apple and cinnamon, and sprinkled with confectioner sugar, awaited her. Maddie whistled. “Morning, Sheridan. Fancy. Dad gone already?” “Yup.” I glanced at the television screen, reading the crawler on the bottom. “Fabry called around 6 o’clock and your dad bolted. Nothing on the local news so far. Might not be local.” Maddie finished eating, grabbed her back pack, and was gone. I cleaned up the mess, showered, and collected my book bag. The weather was clear and surprisingly brisk for May in Virginia as I stepped outside. Opening my car windows, I hoped the fresh air would invigorate me as I drove to Lynchburg and Millicent College where I taught part time. Even as my mind wandered, I caught the radio announcer announcement of an incident that could affect the many wineries on the popular wine trail near Lynchburg. The immediate cut to music made me scream and slam my hands on the steering wheel. As I continued my way west from Appomattox, I recalled what I knew of the wineries in the area. A wine drinker, I had noticed the sign for the DeVault Family Vineyards many times as I drove to Millicent College, though we’d never been there. When I lived in Cold Creek, people had commented on all the wineries from Charlottesville south to Roanoke and even close to North Shore where my best friend, Kim Pennzel, and I would go for dinner. Funny, Kim and I had talked about wine tours many times over the five years I lived there, yet we never did any of them. I smiled as it occurred to me a winery tour and tasting might be fun. Depending on what else was available at the winery, it might be a good setting for a pre-wedding party for Kim and Marty. As I approached Lynchburg and turned toward Millicent College, my mind shifted to my work day until the radio announcer prompted his colleague for updates. “Jake, any updates on the incident at the Cantina Saracena Winery?” “All we know at this point is that the State Police arrived early this morning. Part of US 29 North is closed near Bedford. If that’s your usual way to work, you’ll need to use 29 Business instead. I’ll check back with any updates on the hour.” The station immediately cut back to music and I groaned, my tension mixed with frustration. That was probably where Brett and Fabry went this morning. I pulled into the Millicent College faculty parking lot and smiled. Surely, this close to the college, someone would have heard the scuttlebutt on whatever the “incident” might be. My curiosity piqued. It didn’t take long for me to find Leah Buxbaum. She was a faculty member in psychology as well. My adjunct office was next to hers and she loved coffee and mysteries almost as much as I did. In the short time I’d been at Millicent, we’d become friends. Although, as always, she was dressed conservatively, her blonde curls were loose instead of tied back. “Morning, Leah. I like the new hairdo.” My dark brown tresses hung straight and I regretted not taking the time to add some curl. “Thanks. Did you catch the news? The body found at the Cantina Saracena Winery?” A possible murder nearby explained Brett’s early call and as an amateur sleuth, my interest grew. “Wow. All I got from the radio was some kind of ‘incident’ at the winery. How far from here is that?” “It’s the closest and the newest winery on the wine trail. It only opened last year. If I remember correctly, the same family has another one somewhere north of here and was able to bring in stock from there, while they got the vines in. It will be at least three years before the new vines yield grapes for their wine.” “That’s a long time. Why would they extend their reach like that?” “Location is everything. And this winery is about halfway between the Lazy Days Winery and the DeVault Family Vineyards this side of Lynchburg. And not too far from a few other wineries west of Lynchburg and south.” Geography not being my strong suit, I shrugged. “Where is that from here?” “If you go north from here on 29, Amherst is about thirty minutes from here, but the turn for the Cantina is only about fifteen or twenty minutes away. The signage is pretty good and you head east about ten minutes and you’re there. If you keep going past Amherst, you’ll arrive at the Lazy Days Winery. A few others up there are part of wine trail trips running at different times of the year.” “Huh. Now, that sounds like fun. Have you ever gone on one?” “Many years ago. A bunch of us did the four-winery tour. The Cantina hadn’t opened and I’ve never been there. I understand they have a small bed-and-breakfast and a café. Not just the wine tasting and maybe a tour.” “We may have to check it out.” Wine is good and a murder provided a puzzle to solve, a challenge. She laughed. “I have to run.” She grabbed her papers and files, as did I. Worried, I took my phone in case Brett called or a new update came in.Excerpt from Wine and Dead, Another Murder. Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.
December 14, 2020
Book Review: A CHRISTMAS WISH A Sweet Small Town Christmas Romance (Sapphire Bay #3) by Leeanna Morgan
'Tis the season and here's a Christmas romance with a bit of suspense. Be sure to have tissues handy...
SynopsisCan a little girl's Christmas wish come true? After a tragic accident, Megan Stevenson is determined to give Nora, her five-year-old niece, a loving and stable home. With her fantasy cake business thriving and her niece’s nightmares finally over, her life is more stable than it has ever been--until a stranger knocks on her door. FBI Special Agent William Parker knows what it’s like to lose the people you love. He’s convinced himself that his job is all he needs to be happy. But while he's protecting Megan and Nora from a brutal terrorist group, his emotionless and solitary life is torn to shreds.
With Christmas fast approaching, can Megan and Nora convince him that it’s safe to love again…even if loving them is harder than letting them go? A CHRISTMAS WISH is the third book in the Sapphire Bay series and can easily be read as a standalone. Each of Leeanna's series are linked so you can find out what happens to your favorite characters in other books. Happy reading!
ReviewThe romance builds as William does his job and protects Megan and Nora from terrorists and helps her deal with the discovery that she was adopted. Moving them from Milwaukee to a house in Sapphire Bay, Montana is the best way to keep them safe.
The characters, from Megan and Nora to William, and others in the town of Sapphire Bay are well-developed. Five year old Nora, with her rag doll and exuberance is the best. She definitely made me smile. Both Megan and William have history that obstructs a smooth romance and both try to deal with their own issues. Then, there is the danger that brings them together.
I loved the town of Sapphire Bay and the sledding and decorating for Christmas. It sounds like a great place to unwind with community spirit. And the cakes and cookies Megan makes sound oh, so yummy! Lots of emotional scenes, a few scares, and a happy ever after. As noted above, have tissues handy. A good read for the holidays, for sure, with new meaning for "family" and "home."
This is the third in the Sapphire Bay series and the first one I've read. It can be easily read as a stand alone, though I will be checking out the others in the series now. Oh, and it's FREE,
as of today at least!
Falling for You (Sapphire Bay #1)Once in a Lifetime (Sapphire Bay #2)A Christmas Wish (Sapphire Bay #3)Before Today (Sapphire Bay #4)The Sweetest Thing (Sapphire Bay #5)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...! It looks like there's a spin-off series coming in 2021 - Return to Sapphire Bay)
For all the books by Leeana Morgan, check out her amazon author page here.
December 7, 2020
Blog Tour Spotlight : Erin's Children by Eileen O'Finlan
About Erin's Children
In 1851 Irish Famine survivor, Meg O'Connor, buys passage to America for her younger sister, Kathleen, and arranges employment for her as a maid. Kathleen's feisty spirit soon puts her at odds with her employers, the bigoted and predatory Pratts. Driven from their home, Kathleen ends up on a wild adventure taking her to places she could never have imagined. As a domestic servant in the Worcester, Massachusetts home of the kindly Claprood family, Meg enjoys a life beyond her wildest imaginings. Yet she must keep her marriage to Rory Quinn a secret. Rory, still in Ireland, eagerly awaits the day he will join her. But as the only jobs open to Irish men pay poorly, Rory's imminent arrival threatens to plunge her back into dire poverty.
On the eve of the Civil War, while America is being rent asunder by the fight over slavery, Irish Catholics wage their own war with the growing anti-immigrant Know Nothing party. Through grave doubts, dangers, and turmoil, Meg and Kathleen must rely on their faith and the resilient bonds of sisterhood to survive and claim their destinies in a new and often hostile land.
About Eileen O’Finlan
Eileen O’Finlan writes historical fiction, telling the stories on history’s margins, the things rarely taught in the classroom. For her, that’s where history really gets fun. Her promise to her readers is to craft stories that will thoroughly immerse them in another time and place. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, her family moved to Worcester when she was two. Four years later they moved to Holden where Eileen grew up and where she now resides.
Eileen holds a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry. She works full time for the Diocese of Worcester and teaches online courses in Catholic studies for the University of Dayton, Ohio. Erin's Children is her second novel and the sequel to her debut novel, Kelegeen.
Author Links
Webpage: https://eileenofinlan.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eileenofinlanauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17762333
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eileenofinlan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnoxfrZpgvtHbAH74qM_vEQ
BWL Publishing, Inc. Author Page: http://bookswelove.com/o-finlan-eileen/
Purchase Links
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 7 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHTDecember 7 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 8 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT December 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST December 9 – Baroness' Book Trove - SPOTLIGHT December 10 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 10 – Thoughts in Progress – SPOTLIGHT December 11 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT December 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW December 12 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST December 12 – My Journey Back – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 13 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 14 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT December 14 – Diane Reviews Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 15 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW December 15 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 16 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 16 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 2, 2020
Book Review : Christmas cozy... Organized for Christmas Wishes (Organized Mysteries)
In the spirit of the season, I have a number of Christmas books and novellas to share with you, starting with this one.
About Organized for Christmas Wishes
Christmas is days away, but a puzzling mystery leaves residents in Hazelton, Vermont wondering about more than what presents are wrapped and under the tree...
Kate & Meg are making their lists and checking them twice, trying to finish all their Christmas tasks on time and stress free. However, things take an unexpected turn when they find a mystery in their hometown.
This year, there's a Secret Santa who's keeping everyone wondering who the mysterious benefactor is, why the goodwill is suddenly coming to town, and if more surprises are on the way. What is this benefactor's true motive? There might not be a murder to solve this time, but there is a festive mystery that grows bigger each day--and the organizing duo keep a-sleuthing...
Organized for Christmas Wishes is a holiday novelette in the popular Organized Mysteries series from USA TODAY bestselling author Ritter Ames. The series features a small town New England setting and interesting characters, along with humor, strong family and friendship ties, and absorbing cozy mysteries.
Review
Kate and Meg have their hands full with the cookie exchange - one larger than I've ever heard of. This was a fun "mystery" and Ted is an interesting character. There are a few not so fun characters, and the twins, Sam and Suze, add to the family friendly story of kindness without recognition. If you've enjoyed the "Organized" series, you will like this one. New to the series? No worries. This is easily read as a stand-alone, and will give you a taste of the characters. Beware, though, you might get hooked and have to read the rest! Best yet? This short Christmas story is FREE.
Book Review 12/3 : Christmas cozy... Organized for Christmas Wishes (Organized Mysteries)
In the spirit of the season, I have a number of Christmas books and novellas to share with you, starting with this one.
About Organized for Christmas Wishes
Christmas is days away, but a puzzling mystery leaves residents in Hazelton, Vermont wondering about more than what presents are wrapped and under the tree...
Kate & Meg are making their lists and checking them twice, trying to finish all their Christmas tasks on time and stress free. However, things take an unexpected turn when they find a mystery in their hometown.
This year, there's a Secret Santa who's keeping everyone wondering who the mysterious benefactor is, why the goodwill is suddenly coming to town, and if more surprises are on the way. What is this benefactor's true motive? There might not be a murder to solve this time, but there is a festive mystery that grows bigger each day--and the organizing duo keep a-sleuthing...
Organized for Christmas Wishes is a holiday novelette in the popular Organized Mysteries series from USA TODAY bestselling author Ritter Ames. The series features a small town New England setting and interesting characters, along with humor, strong family and friendship ties, and absorbing cozy mysteries.
Review
Kate and Meg have their hands full with the cookie exchange - one larger than I've ever heard of. This was a fun "mystery" and Ted is an interesting character. There are a few not so fun characters, and the twins, Sam and Suze, add to the family friendly story of kindness without recognition. If you've enjoyed the "Organized" series, you will like this one. New to the series? No worries. This is easily read as a stand-alone, and will give you a taste of the characters. Beware, though, you might get hooked and have to read the rest! Best yet? This short Christmas story is FREE.
November 28, 2020
Blog Tour and Review: ON DEADLY TIDES : A Penny Brannigan Mystery by Elizabeth J. Duncan
About On Deadly TidesWith a picturesque black and white lighthouse, pebble beaches and stunning views of sea and mountains, the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales is the perfect place for an idyllic mid-summer painting holiday. And watercolour artist, businesswoman, and amateur sleuth Penny Brannigan is enjoying the retreat enormously - until she discovers the body of a New Zealand journalist on a secluded beach just as the tide is going out, threatening to take the body with it.
The post mortem reveals the victim died from injuries "consistent with a fall from a great height," and the death is ruled accidental. But Penny thinks there's more to the story. Curious how the victim came to such an untimely end at this most inhospitable spot, she uncovers a link to a mysterious disappearance several years earlier.
And as her holiday romance with a wildlife photographer turns to love, she learns some truths about herself, too, that surprise her.
As the winds of change blow through Penny's own life, she sets sail on a friendly tide for a future she never dreamed possible, in a beautiful place she never imagined.
Review
A quaint Welsh village, artists, and a murder. Penny normally is a businesswoman, partner in a spa in her home town. She and a friend travel to Anglesy to paint and get feedback from an actor turned artist. Their first night in town, they meet Colin, a wildlife photographer, and a young journalist from New Zealand who's there to interview the famous actor, get some good photos, and look into a possible murder. Penny stumbles on the dead body the next morning. That, her curiosity, and her existing relationship with Bethan, the detective for the area, lead her to disentangling the relationships and hostilities that resulted in this person's death.
The characters are well developed and there is sufficient back story of Penny's prior experiences with murder and Bethan to give her credence without being excessive. The island village of Anglesy sounds lovely, a place I'd like to visit some day. The pace is steady with unexpected discoveries that keep the story moving. If you're a fan of British cozy mysteries, you'll enjoy Penny Brannigan's latest adventure. Although part of a series, this is easily read as a stand alone.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
About Elizabeth J. Duncan
A two-time winner of the Bloody Words (Bony Blithe) Award for Canada’s best light mystery, Elizabeth J. Duncan is the author of two series: the Penny Brannigan mysteries set in North Wales and Shakespeare in the Catskills featuring costume designer Charlotte Fairfax. A former journalist, public relations practioner, and college professor, Elizabeth is a faculty member of the Humber School for Writers. She divides her time between Toronto, Canada and Llandudno, North Wales.
Author Links Website www.elizabethjduncan.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabethjduncan Twitter: @elizabethduncan
Purchase Links Amazon B&N Kobo
a Rafflecopter giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
November 27 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT November 27 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW November 28 – I Read What You Write – CHARACTER GUEST POST November 28 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT November 29 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW November 29 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW November 30 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT November 30 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW December 1 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST December 1 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 2 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW December 2 – Thoughts in Progress – SPOTLIGHT December 2 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT December 2 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT December 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW December 3 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW December 3 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT December 4 – Christy's Cozy Corners – GUEST POST December 4 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 5 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST December 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 6 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT December 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
November 25, 2020
GIVING THANKS
For those of us in the US and Canada, today is the celebration of Thanksgiving. It is a time to celebrate the harvest and the blessings of the past year. Americans traditionally model the festivities based on historical descriptions of a harvest feast shared by the pilgrims who settled in Plymouth and Wampanoag people who lived there before the pilgrims. Although not sharing a language, these two groups of people shared food and friendship.
I'm not sure if the pilgrims and Wampanoag people truly ate turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, and potatoes. Having lived in different regions of the US, I've discovered that what constitutes the Thanksgiving meal, aside from the turkey, varies considerably, handed down within families and then blended with other family's traditions. But one thing stays the same. The idea of giving thanks.
This year has been a stressful one, not just here, but worldwide. A pandemic, weather systems that have broken records, massive fires, economic upheaval, and unrest. Yet, there are still things to be thankful for:
The continued efforts and dedication of our first responders and health care workers who have given so muchThe resilience and adaptability of people and businesses, including schools and colleges, to come up with innovative means to meet needs from telehealth to shipping and deliveryThe scientists and the volunteers who are working hard on developing a vaccine and better approaches to reduce the spread of COVID-19The health and well-being of my family, friends, and colleagues, providing support and laughs as we all deal with cabin feverAs always, I give thanks to my fellow authors for their encouragement, and, of course, to my readers. What are you thankful for?BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
(or a happy Thursday if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving)
Ever wonder about the tradition of Black Friday? Check it out here: https://www.history.com/news/whats-th...
In the spirit of the holiday season...
a Rafflecopter giveawayNovember 21, 2020
Blog Tour and Book Review: THE LIGHT CATCHER MURDERS A Kate Atherton Mystery by Jo Cassie McRae
About The Light Catcher Murders
Kate Atherton’s idyllic retirement is going well…if you don’t count the two murders, the mysterious drone, and her photographer friend who manages to poke a hornet’s nest of criminal activity, that is.Nestled in the scenic Texas Hill Country, the cozy town of Wheaton Creek seemed to Kate Atherton an idyllic place to escape the world’s harsh realities. And then there was the first murder.
Kate once enjoyed a long, successful career with a specialized, highly secret federal intelligence agency. Crises in both her personal and professional life drove her to early retirement and, ultimately, to Wheaton Creek, the perfect place for her and her former-military husband to escape what had come to feel like a world made up of wars, hatred, fear, and untimely death. And, at first, the escape was all Kate had hoped for. Then murder came to Wheaton Creek—a crime that a corrupt county sheriff seems determined to pin on Kate’s photographer friend, Lucy Celek.
Lucy’s work has been chosen to appear at a prestigious photography festival, a festival that could take her from amateur to professional standing. All goes well until the gallery displaying her work is broken into, and one of Lucy’s photographs is vandalized. A week later, the man Lucy suspected of destroying her photograph—a fellow photographer who was angry that his own work was not chosen by the festival committee—is murdered. Faced with a sheriff who shows little interest in expanding his list of suspects beyond Lucy, Kate feels she must dust off her puzzle-solving skills to find the real killer. Murder is just the beginning, though, as Kate’s amateur sleuthing begins to reveal a tangled web of crimes that go beyond anything she could have imagined.
Review
This was an interesting read with potentially two related mysteries, an artist (Lucy) who managed to photograph something worth ruining her showcase photograph, Kate's sleuthing, a potentially corrupt sheriff, and a deputy Kate trusts. She and her husband get involved to find additional suspects in a competitor's death. As the story unfolds, the accidentally photographed activity and use of a drone to gain more information take on growing importance. Time is of the essence.
Like most cozy mysteries, this book revolves around friends in a small town. The characters are well-developed, with unique personalities that fit their role in the story. Kate may be retired and many may not know her background, but I suspect she will continue to find mysteries to solve. The pace speeds up quickly and maintains the quicker pace to the resolution. If you like cozy mystery with twists and turns, you'll enjoy this one.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
Jo Cassie McRae is a native Texan who has lived near Austin on the edge of the Texas Hill country for over 30 years. In addition to writing, McRae loves to read, garden, and cook. Like Kate Atherton (The Light Catcher Murders), McRae’s bookshelves overflow with history books, biographies, historical fiction, and mystery novels. Unlike Kate, McRae does not have a mysterious, secret former career, having worked instead as a rather ordinary legal assistant at an Austin law firm.
Author Links Website: jocassiemcrae.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorjocassiemcrae/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20608017.Jo_Cassie_McRae Purchase Link - Amazona Rafflecopter giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS November 17 – I Read What You Write- SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT November 18 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT November 18 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT November 19 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT November 20 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW November 21 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews - SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT November 21 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT November 22 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW November 22 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT November 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT November 24 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic - SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT November 25 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW November 25 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT November 26 – THANKSGIVING U.S. November 27 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT November 28 – Diane Reviews Books – SPOTLIGHT November 29 – Cassidy's Bookshelves- REVIEW November 30 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
November 18, 2020
Blog Tour Spotlight : DEAD OF WINTER BREAK A Cassandra Sato Mystery by Kelly Brakenhoff
About Dead of Winter Break
It's beginning to look a lot like murder . . . And Cassandra is knee deep in . . . Suspects. Her boss is dead, and the police are calling it burglary gone wrong. But when the killer comes after her, it's going to take more than a pair of furry boots to keep the smart, witty Morton College administrator, Cassandra Sato, out of the deep. . .
Snow. Her first Christmas in Nebraska could be her last unless her friends help unravel the mystery and housebreak her dog.
Buy now for a fast-paced, holiday themed whodunit.
Dead of Winter Break is the third book in Kelly Brakenhoff's popular Cassandra Sato Mystery Series. Death by Dissertation was a 2020 RONE Award Finalist. Publishers Weekly called Dead Week, "a diverting whodunit."
About Kelly Brakenhoff
KELLY BRAKENHOFF writes the Cassandra Sato Mystery series including DEATH BY DISSERTATION, a 2020 RONE Award Mystery Finalist, DEAD WEEK, "a diverting whodunit," (Publishers Weekly), and DEAD OF WINTER BREAK available in November 2020. Kelly is an American Sign Language Interpreter whose motivation for learning ASL began in high school when she wanted to converse with her deaf friends. NEVER MIND and FARTS MAKE NOISE, her children’s picture books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog and illustrated by her sister, Theresa Murray, have quickly become popular with children, parents, and educators for promoting inclusive conversations about children with differences. The mother of four young adults and a German Wirehair Pointer, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home. Author Links:
https://kellybrakenhoff.com/ https://twitter.com/inBrakenVille https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18964313.Kelly_Brakenhoff https://www.facebook.com/kellybrakenhoffauthor/ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly-brakenhoff
Purchase Link
Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
November 16 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT November 16 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT November 17 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW November 17 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT November 18 – Socrates Book Reviews- RECIPE November 18 – Island Confidential – REVIEW November 19 – Baroness' Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT November 19 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT November 20 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW November 21 – I Read What You Write - GUEST POST November 21 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW November 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST November 23 – Christy's Cozy Corners – GUEST POST November 24 – Book Club Librarian - REVIEW November 25 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic - SPOTLIGHT November 26 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST November 27 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST November 27 – Diane Reviews Books – SPOTLIGHT November 28 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW November 29 – Brooke Blogs -SPOTLIGHT
November 11, 2020
Book Review: IT'S STEELE CHRISTMAS : A Lacy Steele Christmas Novella by Vanessa Gray Bartal
Synopsis
Christmas is fast approaching and Lacy Steele is nowhere near ready. Not only does she not have a gift for Jason, despite several failed attempts to make one, but she volunteered to host a Christmas party she accidentally forgot to plan. As she's distracted trying to find the perfect gift for him, Jason is meanwhile immersed in a baffling mystery of his own. All over town, ugly little handmade dolls have popped up in the unlikeliest of places. No one knows if the dolls are supposed to be lovable or creepy. Worse, they all look like they were made by someone who has no idea how to knit, someone a lot like Lacy Steele. Investigating her has never been fun, and she doesn't make it easier with her cryptic hints and frequent disappearances. When the truth is finally revealed, will Jason have to make an arrest or will Christmas finally soften his law-loving heart?
Review
This is a blast of Christmas cheer with a mystery to boot. Between Lacy and her brother, and a few friends, she manages to stay in trouble. All the while working to keep Jason from losing it as she steps a little over the legal line. Characters are great with a quirk or two. There are several "mysteries" and lots of laughs. This is one to get and read when you need a good laugh!
AMAZON
