Christa Nardi's Blog, page 70

SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES 2 BLOG TOUR

Welcome in the holiday season with 19 heartwarming and wholesome novellas from New York Times, USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Sweet Christmas Kisses 2 takes you from the Smoky Mountains to Florida’s sun-drenched beaches, from the Italian Alps to Paris, France, and even to a quirky little town in Arizona. The Sweet Christmas Kisses 2 collection features all-new, stand-alone stories that are sure to make you laugh, sometimes bring tears to your eyes, but always put you in the Christmas spirit. Foreword by New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne.
~*~ Christmas Papa by Mona Risk Living for three years in her stepmother’s respected house helps Monica forget the horror of her youth and reform her wild streak, and even dream of a normal life, similar to her stepsisters’, with a loving husband and children. Geez, she’s pretty enough to attract any man she wants, but to keep him is a different ballgame. The moment they learn of her past or meet her adorable twins, they feel the urge to move two-thousand miles away. Until Michael kisses her…
Gingerbread Kisses by Beate Boeker Carol spends Christmas at the luxurious Hotel & Spa “Dolomitissimo” in the snowy Alps of Italy where she’s busy creating gingerbread men as name cards for her younger sister’s wedding. When things start to go wrong, she finds help in the form of Tom, the attractive hotel manager, but then, her sister manages to create havoc and Carol has to fight for her happiness.

Boycotting Christmas by Melinda Curtis Bachelor Nick Santolli needs someone to help him give his niece a Christmas to remember. Back in the day, no one did Christmas better than Joy Encastle. But times have changed and Joy would prefer to boycott the festivities this year.
A Christmas to Remember by Denise Devine Katie McGowan is returning home from a business trip when a blizzard forces her to take refuge at Lakewood Resort and miss celebrating Christmas with her family. The resort is overflowing with people, including Ryan Scott, an avid snowmobiler who’d come to Lakewood to escape the holidays. Ryan and Katie join forces to help others in need and learn the true meaning of Christmas.

An Angel for Christmas by Raine English Alexa Stevens needs a job, or she and her daughter might wind up living out of the car. Blake Collins needs a nanny to help with his spoiled ten-year-old. What seems like the perfect match turns out to be anything but when the two girls and a rambunctious mutt create havoc at Christmas.
The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride by Aileen Fish When veterinary student Tara seeks shelter in a snowstorm with handsome rancher Dylan, she quickly writes him off as boyfriend material since he’s more temperamental than an unbroken horse. Thanks to a job lined up half a state away, she’s not even tempted by a friend’s request that she move to White Oak, until she learns what has damaged Dylan’s spirit. Will a sickly calf and the magic of Christmas help her heal Dylan’s heart?

Lucky Break Christmas: Second Honeymoon by Patricia Forsythe Lily is convinced that her new marriage to Marc is cursed because of a string of fiascoes. Marc knows she’s wrong. It takes the intervention of three body-building wedding planners and most of Lucky Break to change her mind.

Beach Walk by Grace Greene Twelve years earlier, Kelli, a teenage runaway, was taken in by a kind woman named Margie who gave her a home, and safety and security. When Margie dies, her long lost nephew and only blood relative, arrives with plans of his own. Kelli loves her life at Emerald Isle, but how far will she go to keep it, or will Christmas bring a change of heart?

An Irish Christmas Blessing by Roxanne Rustand When Eve travels to Ireland to run an old friend’s quaint village bookshop over the Christmas holidays, the trip is a dream come true—all the more because of the beautiful Irish countryside and the quirky locals in the village. And then there’s the charming, enigmatic stranger who just might steal her heart…

Christmas Wedding by Magdalena Scott Jim Standish is ready—right this minute—to marry the love of his life, but Melissa Singer wants the day to be one they’ll look back on forever. Planning and execution time: 25days. Will it be possible to create the perfect Christmas Wedding?

Finding You at Christmas by Kristin Wallace After years of looking out for everyone else, preacher’s daughter Janie Worthy is ready to get a life of her own. A stalled car and a stranger on a motorcycle puts that plan in a tailspin…and leads to the best Christmas present she could ever find.
Christmas Laurel by Christine Bush. Female army veteran Laurel Covington and her retired bomb dog have retreated to a cabin in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains. She’s dealing with PTSD and a mind full of ugly war memories, and wants nothing more than solitude, quiet, and an escape from the clamor of Christmas. But then she meets the tall handsome mountain man who shares the mountain, and who has his own ghosts from the past to put to rest. Sometimes, the true meaning of Christmas can bring both healing and love when you least expect it.


Country Christmas by Lois Greiman Emily Kane was tossed into the deep end of the foster care system years before, making her cautious of love and commitment. Securing her dream job at the Lazy Windmill, a working farm turned guest ranch, has begun the healing process. But the past can’t be shut out forever. Will familial reunions cause her to bolt back into hiding or will the magic of Christmas heal her heart and allow her to find her happily ever after?


The Christmas Crusade by Shanna Hatfield Levi Clarke is on a crusade to create a merry Christmas for the patrons of Center for Hope community center. He’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen, even if it means seeking a sponsorship from Kat Kingsley, the woman too stubborn to realize she’s still in love with him.


The Christmas Charm by Susan R. Hughes Gemma and Chris were childhood best friends until their lives took separate paths, both leading to heartache. Fifteen years later, a surprise reunion at Christmastime offers them a second chance at happiness.
Evergreen Romance by Julie Jarnagin. After giving up her plans for college to care for her ailing grandmother, Jillian Rogers has a shot at being promoted to project manager at the local nursery, but the owner’s son comes back into town and tries to take the job. Monty Nelson spent the last five years playing triple-A baseball after college but never made it into the major leagues. Now, he has returned to Lakota, Oklahoma, driven to show his parents he can succeed, but they stick him with running the Christmas tree lot with smarty-pants Jillian Rogers. When old sparks reignite, Jillian and Monty must determine whether their romance will wither or if they’ve found everlasting love.


My Christmas Cupcake by Shaleen Kapil. Clare thinks she is doomed to spend the holiday alone managing her new cupcake bakery until a handsome stranger appears just as she is closing up on Christmas Eve. Despite an instant attraction, Starfish Beach is a tourist town, and Clare has learned to be wary. How can she tempt Garrett, a university professor, to move to her small town when all she can offer are cupcakes?
A Christmas Spark by Ciara Knight Sara Foster blames herself for her failed marriage. On Christmas Eve, she hides away in the family cabin, the same place her father abandoned her twenty years ago. Dalton Scot is unable to face the family holiday after his divorce and discovering he can never have children of his own, so he chooses Christmas Eve to fix his buddy’s cabin. Both search for a secluded spot to mourn their Christmas pasts, but instead are snowed in at the cabin for the holiday where they discover the power of the Christmas spark.





Sweet Blizzard by Milou Koenings. He’s an ex-con, she’s a socialite. He saves her life when a blizzard strands them together, but she could make or break his. Will love make it all right in time for Christmas?
~*~All 19 authors in this boxed set write sweet/wholesome romances and are members of Sweet Romance Reads, a group of authors whose books contain no sex, violence, or strong language. While the emotional stakes are high as the characters’ relationships grow, lovemaking is not described in these stories. Think movies rated G or PG. Therefore, Sweet Christmas Kisses 2 can be enjoyed by romance readers of any age. Pull up a chair by a cozy fire, pour a cup of hot chocolate and allow these bestselling and award-winning authors to bring the holiday season alive as they warm your heart. Purchase the book at your favorite online retailer: Amazon: http://indi.uno/1i9UeJv B&N: http://indi.uno/1JsnLXM Kobo: http://indi.uno/1ErAkUy iTunes: http://indi.uno/1NFPAA5 Google: http://indi.uno/1Ep9cp2 Connect with the Authors at Sweet Romance Reads: Website/Blog: http://SweetRomanceReads.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/SweetRomanceReads Twitter: http://twitter.com/SweetRomanceRds Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/donnafaz/sweet-romance-reads/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/123223-sweet-romance-reads Or connect with each of the Sweet Romance Reads Authors individually: A tireless traveler, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Mona Risk, writes contemporary romance, medical romance, and romantic suspense novels, all simmering with emotion, sprinkled with a good dose of humor and set in the fascinating places she visited— or in Florida, her paradise on Earth. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Beate Boeker is a USA Today bestselling author with a passion for books that brim over with mischief & humor. She writes sweet sophisticated romantic fiction and mysteries, many of them set in beautiful Italy. While ‘Boeker’ means ‘books’ in a German dialect, her first name Beate can be translated as ‘Happy’ . . . and with a name that reads ‘Happy Books’, what else could she do but write novels with happy endings? Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Melinda Curtis is an award winning, USA Today bestselling author. She writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet, light-hearted romances for the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”. Melinda also writes the sweet romantic comedy Bridesmaid series, and fun, traditional romances. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “...Wonderfully entertaining.”
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Denise Devine is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic comedy and she also writes inspirational fiction. She wrote her first book, a mystery, at thirteen and has been writing ever since. She writes about true love, happy endings and stories that touch your heart. Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Raine English writes sweet small-town contemporary romances, as well as hotter paranormal and Gothic romantic suspense. She lives in New England with her family and her French bulldog, Bailey. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~USA Today bestselling author Aileen Fish is an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren’t enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her “to do” list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. Her books include The Bridgethorpe Brides series and the Small Town Sweethearts series. Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Patricia Forsythe grew up in a small copper mining town in Arizona where she had the opportunity to observe a great many interesting people who have since turned up in her books. She has written many romances for Harlequin books (as Patricia Knoll), as well as indie-published books and enjoys creating the kinds of stories she hopes people want to read. Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Grace Greene writes novels of romance, mystery and suspense. A Virginia native, Grace has family ties to North Carolina. She writes books set in both locations. The Emerald Isle, NC Stories series is set in North Carolina where “It’s always a good time for a love story and a trip to the beach.” Or travel down Virginia Country Roads and “Take a trip to love, mystery and suspense.” Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~USA Today bestselling author Roxanne Rustand is the author of thirty-five traditionally published novels, plus four indie novels. She was a Golden Heart finalist twice, and a Golden Heart winner in 1995. She has won two RT Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and was nominated for an RT Magazine Career Achievement Award. Her earlier books were secular, but she now writes sweet indie romance, and inspirational romance for Love Inspired.Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~USA Today bestselling author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and women’s fiction with small town settings. She invites readers into her world to find out what’s hidden just below the surface of those tiny dots you can barely see on the map—mystery, romance, and the occasional unexplained occurrence.
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Kristin Wallace is a USA Today bestselling author of inspirational, contemporary and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith.” Her popular series include the Covington Falls Chronicles and Shellwater Key Tales. Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Christine Bush is an award winning author of many sweet romances, mysteries, and novellas. When she’s not writing, she can be found teaching Psychology at a local college, working as a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice, or (mostly) spending time with her twelve grandchildren. Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Lois Greiman is an award winning author who has penned more than 50 heart-warming, laugh out loud novels. She currently lives on a small farm in Minnesota with her best friends, some of whom are human. Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen one story at a time. Her bestselling sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with characters that seem incredibly real. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Susan R Hughes writes contemporary and historical romance novels set in Canada. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario, with her husband and three children. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Julie Jarnagin is a multi-published author of sweet and inspirational romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and ranched, but these days she lives in a not-so-big city with her husband and two young sons who tolerate all her nerdy quirks. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Shaleen Kapil is new and upcoming author. Her first book, None But You, debuted in 2014. Her latest stories are built around the Emerald Coast of Florida, a favorite vacation spot. She created the Starfish Beach series to allow readers to enjoy a taste of romance in a laid-back beach setting. Website | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Ciara Knight writes ‘a little bit of edge and a lot of heart’ with her bestselling sweet romance and young adult stories that have topped the Amazon charts. When not writing, Ciara enjoys her own happily ever after with her husband and three sons living in suburbia, GA.
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter
~*~Milou Koenings writes heartwarming romance novels because she believes sweet stories with happy endings are like chocolate – they bring joy to the world and so make it a better place. She’s lived all over the world, working as an editor and newspaper columnist, but loves staying home with her family most of all. Website | Facebook | Twitter

Spotlight and Guest Post: Nicole Lieren, Author of MORE THAN ONE NIGHT

Today it is my pleasure to have Nicole Lieren as my guest:

Write What You Know…Or Not!
As a debut author, I receive a lot of great advice from both published and aspiring authors. The great thing about advice is that if one thing doesn’t work for you, there are usually two or more varying opinions waiting in the wing for their turn to guide you.

One piece of writing advice authors hear a lot is: “Write what you know.” In other words, pick subjects, professions, locations, etc. that you are familiar with for your story, scenes and characters. Not bad advice. There’s less fact checking on Google (translates to less time spent in the research phase of a book) and less expenses if you’re one of those people who need to “see” things.

Following that advice, I started writing “More Than One Night” with a few things that I know. Details such as the location of the story. Our heroine, Melodie, is a children’s librarian in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago. As I live in that area, I was able to write those details with confidence. Of course, our hero is from Mississippi and I’ve never set foot in the great state – so that required some quality time with my BFF Research Assistant, Google.
Another example that falls into the “what I know” category came from the first date for our hero and heroine. Daniel and Melodie meet on a plane trip to Dallas TX (another location I’m familiar with) and they have their first date at a place called The Glass Cactus while listening to an 80’s cover band. Again, all things I know as not only have I partied at the fine establishment, but I happen to think the 80’s was the best decade of music ever (like totally, for sure LOL)

What was very hard for me to write, though, was the fact that there’s a strained relationship between Melodie and her mother. They’ve never really had a good relationship and it makes life very difficult for our heroine. As I’ve been very fortunate to have a loving and supportive mother my entire life who I love and adore, writing a very different mother/daughter relationship was very unfamiliar.

When it comes to love and matters of the heart, having been married to my real world hero for 27 years, there is a lot I can write about that I know. However, Daniel and Melodie are faced with some challenges that are unfamiliar to me so part of the challenge in telling their story was to have them teach me what they knew of life, love and each other. Together, we were able to get them to their happily ever after.

I hope you enjoy reading this story of courage and the desire to overcome the challenges of our past to find the love each of us deserves. Thank you for letting me hang out and share a little about myself and my characters today with you!

Live, Love, Laugh

Nicole

Thank you Nicole!  Here is a spotlight of your book for my readers!

MORE THAN ONE NIGHT (Heroes of the Night #1)The Few. The Strong. The Brave. 
Melodie Alexander, a children's librarian, prefers to live life between the pages of a book. But when the death of her best friend prompts her to step out of her comfort zone, she finds herself directly in the path of self-proclaimed bad boy, Daniel Bresland.

Daniel knew how to be a solider. Life after war? Not as easy. He served his country in Afghanistan, both in the military and as a private contractor, but fighting the war came at high personal cost. Now he's determined to keep his relationships "casual" in order to protect his heart and prevent anyone from getting too close.

A chance encounter between Melodie and Daniel on a flight to Dallas proves that opposites really do attract. But when scars from the past threaten their new relationship almost before it starts, Daniel must decide if he can risk opening his heart again to convince Melodie he wants more than one night.

AMAZON

Blog Tour: KILL AND RUN : A Thorny Rose Mystery by Lauren Carr

Synopsis

Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.

Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.

The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.

In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Lieutenant Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to sift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Author's Bio:
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday Mysteries, which takes place in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Open Season for Murder is the tenth installment in the Mac Faraday Mystery series.

In addition to her series set on Deep Creek Lake, Lauren Carr has also written the Lovers in Crime Mysteries, which features prosecutor Joshua Thornton with homicide detective Cameron Gates, who were introduced in Shades of Murder, the third book in the Mac Faraday Mysteries. They also make an appearance in The Lady Who Cried Murder.

Three Days to Forever introduced Lauren Carr’s latest series detectives, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday in the Thorny Rose Mysteries. Kill and Run, the first installment in this series, was released September 1, 2015.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, editor, cover and layout designer, and marketing agent for independent authors. Visit Acorn Book Services’ website for more information.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She also passes on what she has learned in her years of writing and publishing by conducting workshops and teaching in community education classes.

She lives with her husband, son, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RRBC Book and Blog Tour: COLD CREEK MYSTERY SERIES

Welcome to my stop as part of the month-long RRBC Book & Blog Block Party.
As part of the festivities, leave a comment on this blog today and be automatically entered for a chances to win an e-copy of MURDER AT COLD CREEK COLLEGE or MURDER IN THE ARBORETUM.  Winners will get to choose which they prefer to receive. There will be 4 winners on this blog stop! Winners will be announced here tomorrow!  

But that's not all, RRBC is offering great prizes to visitors on participating blogs. Simply leave a comment. The more blogs you visit and comment on, the better your chances of winning. Winners will be announced by RRBC in October.For the complete tour lineup and details, click here.

Most times, the posts on the blog are about other authors and books, often as a stop in various blog tours (feel free to check out the other posts listed on the right), but today the topic is my current mystery series:
The Cold Creek Mystery Series
So what can I tell you about the Cold Creek Mystery Series?  Let's start with the location.  You won't find Cold Creek, VA on any map.  Cold Creek is a fictitious town, nestled between Roanoke and Richmond. It's your typical small town where everyone knows everybody's business or at least they think they do. The rich live on the side of town with the country club, and the less wealthy live in smaller neighborhoods. Needless to say, there are tensions between the upper class and the working class.

Cold Creek is home to Cold Creek College, a private four-year college that primarily caters to local families with money.  There are some scholarship students and tension among them. The college, like any other work place has its own problems and personalities. These personalities are reflected in the characters of the series, and surrounding the murder of a faculty member.
What about the characters? Who is who?
Sheridan Hendley is the female protagonist, a professor and psychologist, and unintentional sleuth. Originally from Delaware, she came to Cold Creek to start over when her marriage ended. She's a strong, smart female, independent, or at least she'd like to think so. She's middle-aged, enjoys teaching, and likes to solve puzzles. She's also in charge of the campus crisis plan and that puts her in the middle of things. In her personal life, she has a sheltie named Charlie, likes to run, and hasn't had the best of luck with online dating or with the local dentist. Can helping the attractive detective change the direction of her life?
Kim Pennzel is Sheridan's close friend and fellow psychologist, also involved in crisis response. Middle-aged and divorced, Kim is much more social, gregarious, impulsive, and outgoing than Sheridan. She has a more active dating life but not always with the best outcomes. Unfortunately, her taste in men has not always been best and in MURDER AT COLD CREEK COLLEGE, she is the prime suspect when a faculty member she's been dating is found dead. Online dating anyone?
Brett McMann is the very attractive State Police detective called in to help the local police chief with the potentially political murder of a faculty member. He isn't familiar with the college. Lucky for her, Sheridan is assigned to help him arrange to interview all the possible suspects -er - faculty members. He is middle-aged and divorced, and as I mentioned, attractive. Helping him is not a hardship.
Supporting characters are many, but most notably:

Max Bentley is the obnoxious, arrogant young faculty member who's easy to dislike. He's more interested in his own research with rats and mice than teaching, students, or murder - unless the murder interferes with his research. Somehow, he manages to take pieces of information and turn them around in ways that only make the situations worse. Mostly, he's a distraction, often ranting about how administration could be better. 
Chief Barney Pfeiffe is the bumbling, older police chief. He's pressured to get help from the State Police when there's a murder at the college that may have political ramifications. He isn't thrilled but is quick to call on the State Police the next time there's a problem. Chief Pfeiffe is in favor of quick solutions that don't sully the reputations of the powerful people in Cold Creek. 
There are of course, many minor characters, whose roles are more or less important depending on the book. These include other faculty, support staff, other members of the police department, and community members. Characters grow and change from one book to the next, and relationships (especially between Sheridan and Brett) progress, but each mystery can be read as a stand alone. These are "clean reads" or "flinch free fiction" - no graphic violence or gore, no profanity or offensive language, and no explicit sexual content. 
The Books in the Series
MURDER AT COLD CREEK COLLEGE is the first in the series. A dead body is not a good way to start the fall semester for anyone, but especially the victim. Adam Millberg is a womanizer and the suspect list is long. Is infidelity the only motive? Or sexual harassment?
"It was a fun romp, well-paced and suspenseful, with just the right amount of humor, romance and intrigue thrown in."  
"The story was well-plotted and the twists and turns the story takes make it a very enjoyable read." AMAZON


In the second in the series, MURDER IN THE ARBORETUM, there is no obvious motive, no obvious reason for Justin Blake to be in the Arboretum. Many question the guilt of the convenient scapegoat and Sheridan works hard to prove his innocence. Tensions are high and Sheridan's sleuthing is more dangerous. Is it time for those self-defense classes or too late?
"The story line was not predicable, taking a few unexpected turns as the mystery unfolded."

"I just couldn't put this one down. I was hooked from the first chapter."       AMAZON
The third in the series, MURDER AT THE GRILL, is planned for release later this fall. Sheridan and Kim's favorite waitress at the family owned restaurant is arrested for her ex-husband's murder. Keep your eyes peeled for the cover reveal!

I'm also working on a second series - more on that in the future!  Thanks for stopping by today!   Be sure to comment and check out the other great blog stops -  for the complete tour lineup and details, click here. See you at the next stop!

Blog Tour - SPOTLIGHT - THOREAU IN PHANTOM BOG by B.B.Oak

Thoreau in Phantom Bog
by B. B. Oak
Thoreau in Phantom Bog
(A Henry David Thoreau Mystery)
3rd in Series
Mystery
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kensington (August 25, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0758290274

Synopsis

Henry David Thoreau’s impassioned activism in the Underground Railroad leads him away from the banks of Walden Pond into a morass of murder…

In the spring of 1848, Thoreau returns to Plumford, Massachusetts, in search of a fellow conductor on the Underground Railroad, who has gone missing along with the escaped female slave he was assigned to transport. With the help of his good friend, Dr. Adam Walker, Thoreau finds the conductor—shot to death on a back road.

When the two men discover that Adam’s beloved cousin Julia has given the slave safe harbor, their relief is counterbalanced by concern for Julia, who has put herself in grave danger. Another conductor has been murdered in a neighboring town and a letter has been found from someone claiming to have been hired to assassinate anyone harboring fugitive slaves. With all of them now potential targets, the need for Thoreau and Adam to apprehend the killer is more urgent than ever…

About The Authors

B. B. Oak is the pen name of Beth and Ben Oak, who met in a literature course at Boston University and have been enthralled with Henry David Thoreau (and each other) ever since. They are members of The Thoreau Society and Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum which recreates life in rural New England and served as the model for the book’s fictional town of Plumford.

Author Links

http://www.bboak.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6579683.B_B_Oak

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: PERIL BY PONYTAIL (A Bad Hair Day Mystery) by Nancy Cohen

Synopsis (from Amazon)

Marla and Dalton’s honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch veers from dangerous to downright deadly faster than a horse headed to the corral. With her husband’s uncle–the resort’s owner–on the suspect list for murder, Marla races to prove his innocence. She hopes her blind trust isn’t misplaced, especially when she learns their relative has secrets he’d rather keep buried. As the bodies pile up, she digs deep to find the killer. With her new family in jeopardy, she’d better figure out who’s adding to the spirits haunting a nearby ghost town before someone she loves is hurt. Saddle up for Marla’s latest adventure in the Wild West where a Bad Hair Day is the least of her worries.

Review
Little does Marla know that Dalton has an ulterior motive in choosing the ranch for their honeymoon. Dalton's uncle is set on restoring a ghost town to bring in more tourists for his ranch. Unfortunately, the project is either very unlikely or someone doesn't want this restoration to happen. A vanished worker is murdered and Marla is determined to resolve this mystery as well as why Dalton's mother and uncle haven't spoken in many years. It all seems connected somehow. 
As I've come to expect from the Bad Hair Day Mystery series, Cohen moves the story along at a good pace, with some twists and turns well-placed. The characters are well-developed and the settings - the ranch, the mine, and the ghost town project - are so well described, it is easy to visualize the scenes but not so tedious to detract from the tempo. This was an enjoyable read. 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 as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Blog Tour: GIRL MEETS CLASS by Karin Gillespie

Synopsis

The unspooling of Toni Lee Wells’ Tiffany and Wild Turkey lifestyle begins with a trip to the Luckett County Jail drunk tank. An earlier wrist injury sidelined her pro tennis career, and now she’s trading her tennis whites for wild nights roaming the streets of Rose Hill, Georgia.

Her wealthy family finally gets fed up with her shenanigans. They cut off her monthly allowance but also make her a sweetheart deal: Get a job, keep it for a year, and you’ll receive an early inheritance. Act the fool or get fired, and you’ll lose it for good.

Toni Lee signs up for a fast-track Teacher Corps program. She hopes for an easy teaching gig, but what she gets is an assignment to Harriet Hall, a high school that churns out more thugs than scholars.

What’s a spoiled Southern belle to do when confronted with a bunch of street smart students who are determined to make her life as difficult as possible? Luckily, Carl, a handsome colleague, is willing to help her negotiate the rough teaching waters and keep her bed warm at night. But when Toni Lee gets involved with some dark dealings in the school system, she fears she might lose her new beau as well as her inheritance.

Related subjects include: chick lit, women’s fiction, humor, humorous fiction, Southern humor, Southern living, friendship.

Review

Toni Lee is spoiled and used to buying anything. Suddenly required to give up the rich life and get a job, she has a rude awakening or two. This is a coming of age story in many ways, but Gillespie sneaks in commentary on the educational system, corruption, racism, and the elusive concept of trust.  

Toni Lee's growth is not without setbacks. She is very creative in her attempt to teach life skills with no training or support. And five million dollars is very distracting. There are some unexpected turns and some steamy scenes. My favorite character by far is Carl - his character is well-developed and down to earth. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About the Author

Karin Gillespie is national bestselling author of five novels and a humor columnist for Augusta Magazine. Her nonfiction writing had been in the New York Times, The Writer Magazine and Romantic Times. She maintains a website and blog at Karingillespie.net. Sign up for her newsletter on her website, follow her on Twitter or connect with her on Facebook.


Other books by Karin Gillespie

BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR (#1)
A DOLLAR SHORT (#2)
DOLLAR DAZE (#3)






Purchase Links
Amazon B&N

Blog Tour & Guest Post: Julie Anne Lindsey, author of A GEEK GIRLS GUIDE TO MURDER

It's my pleasure to welcome Julie Anne Lindsey, author of A GEEK GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER as my guest today:


A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder: A Television Series?
Back in April, I got an exciting call from my agent. A production company had interest in my story, and they wondered if the television rights were available, (They are) and if they could take a look at the manuscript. (They could!). If that wasn’t exciting enough, when I researched the company, I discovered they were responsible for many of my favorite shows and are a division of a larger company everyone in America knows well. The whole thing is quite thrilling for a newbie author like me. My manuscript wasn’t scheduled for final edits for weeks, but Harlequin worked their magic, pushed my edits to the frontline and got A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder ready in record time. An early copy of my polished manuscript was sent to the production company in under a week, and I died a little from the possibilities. For anyone who doesn’t know: Harlequin is a fantastic, powerhouse company that makes things happen for their authors. They’ve been beyond amazing to me from the day I signed on with their smaller digital side, Carina Press, writing cozy mystery – a genre they aren’t even known for.

As for the production company, I’m still waiting. I guess television production is as slow as publishing, and that’s okay. I’m used to waiting and I’m cherishing the possibility of a Yes. I did some research and learned the request for my manuscript isn’t an uncommon occurrence. Tons of manuscripts are requested and rejected every year for use in television and film. Still, I’m very excited. In June, my agent made a follow-up call to the company to check the status. She asked if anyone had a chance to give it a read yet. Someone had, and they liked it. (Cue fainting author). They’ve since passed my manuscript up the food chain for more reads and whatever comes next. I really need to find out what happens next. Hopefully, a rejection isn’t next…

So, I wait, but I can’t help dreaming of What If? What if my story becomes a television series? Who will play the roles? What if the series is a success? How could this change my life? Would anything change?
As I wrote the book, I kept a Pinterest Board for inspiration, so I know what the characters look like in my mind. I thought I’d share that with you.

My Mia inspiration was a combination of two of my favorite actresses. Her look is 100% Zoe Deschanel. Sure, Zoe’s already rocking my favorite sitcom, New Girl, but Zoe’s signature look was a major source of inspiration for this character. Since Mia has a twin, Bree, Zoe plays both roles in my mental script.

As for Mia’s personality, that sassy mess comes from my love of Felicia Day. Felicia is a self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all the things I think are very cool and gave Mia her sparkle. Plus, Ms. Day is hilarious. I love her.

As for Mia’s best friend, Nate? Well, my love for Marvel, Norse mythology and Loki mad Tom Hidelson my inspiration for Nate, the red haired god. I did some digging (mostly on Pinterest) for a true ginger that I could use for inspiration and I found this guy, Rob Cattanach. Not bad, eh? It’s okay if you need a minute before moving on. I did.

Finally, the inspiration for Mia’s hero Jake Archer comes from one of favorite actors ever: Taylor Kinney. He’s got the eyes, the abs and the attitude to make a perfect country boy with a secret.

His younger brother, Detective Dan Archer is 100% Jensen Ackeles. You’re welcome.

Maybe nothing will come of my manuscript making rounds at the production company, but it’s exciting to think about, and if you’re in the mood for a fresh new mystery series, I hope you’ll check out A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder. Maybe it will make it to the small screen one day, and you can say you read it first! Who knows? However you meet my heroine and her cast of sidekicks, I hope it will make you smile!
A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder, The Geek Girl Mysteries, Book 1
IT manager Mia Connors is up to her tortoiseshell glasses in technical drama when a glitch in the Horseshoe Falls email system disrupts security and sends errant messages to residents of the gated community. The snafu's timing couldn't be worse—Renaissance Faire season is in full swing and Mia's family's business relies on her presence.

Mia doesn't have time to hunt down a computer hacker. Her best friend has disappeared, and she finds another of her friends murdered—in her office. When the hunky new head of Horseshoe Falls security identifies Mia as the prime suspect, her anxiety level registers on the Richter scale.

Eager to clear her name, Mia moves into action to locate her missing buddy and find out who killed their friend. But her quick tongue gets her into trouble with more than the new head of security. When Mia begins receiving threats, the killer makes it clear that he's closer than she'd ever imagined.

Amazon Barnes&Noble Carina Press iTunes Kobo
About Julie:

Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd with a penchant for words and proclivity for fun. Julie lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three small children. Today, she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.
Julie also writes The Patience Price Mysteries series.

Learn About Julie at:
Julieannelindsey.com
Find Me on Facebook!
Tweet Me!!
Read with me on Goodreads
Pin with me on Pinterest
Blogging at Musings from the Slush Pile
Capturing life on Instagram

Thanks Julie for stopping by today!  I look forward to reading A GEEK GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview: GERALD W. DARNELL Author of the Carson Reno and Jack Sloan Series

Today it is my pleasure to have Gerald Darnell as my interview guest:

Welcome Gerald! After reading MURDER IN HUMBOLDT, I have a few questions for you ...

How long have you been writing? 

Since college. Early in my working career I wrote for several outdoor magazines and some local newspapers, then I walked away from writing to go earn a real living! However, I kept notes of my life events and a few years before retirement put them together for my non-fiction book ‘Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time To Go’. I didn’t realize the size of my task – I had 23 years’ worth of notes!

What inspired you to write the Carson Reno mystery series? What inspires you to continue the series? 
A close friend suggested a murder mystery centered in our hometown, Humboldt, TN. I began to create characters, and with the inspiration of several other friends wrote my first fiction book ‘Murder in Humboldt’. 12 novels later I still find pleasure in writing what I call ‘Fiction for Fun’. I use real places, create semi-real characters, place them in a time in our history that I’m familiar with, and tell a story that didn’t happen…..but could have. The time frame for all Carson Reno Mystery Series novels is the early 1960’s – an interesting and troubled time for America. Fans who know me personally get a kick out of trying to put real names to my characters… sometimes they get them right – most of the time they don’t. All Carson Reno Mystery Series books are PG rated and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. As other writers will tell you, that’s not easy when trying to be realistic with bad guys, murder and the Mafia of the 1960’s.

How long does it take you to write each book in the series? Is it easier with the latest ones than the early ones? 
Average is about 6-8 months and I actually think it gets harder and not easier. I certainly spend more time on each new novel than I did on the previous one. I like to think my writing and style improves with each book, and I know my story telling has grown during the process.

How did you choose the location for the series? 
Carson Reno’s office is located in the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, and all stories begin there. Early in my working career I lived in Memphis and actually had an office in the Peabody. So, many of the stories about the hotel you find in the novel are real – especially the ones about the ducks.
Location really is Memphis, West Tennessee and the Southeastern United States as it existed during the early 1960’s.

Which book in the series is your favorite? ‘the Illegals’ is my favorite, not sure why. I’m just proud of the story and sometimes still listen to the audio book when I travel.

Who designed the book covers? 
I do my own covers.

If you were in charge of casting, who would play the part of Carson Reno? 
I can’t think of any living actor, but you couldn’t go wrong with Humphrey Bogart.

What are your favorite things to do besides writing? 
Hunting, fishing and playing golf
Who is your favorite author and why? 

I have two – James Patterson and John Grisham. There styles are polar opposite and I find myself trying to put them both together when I write – short compact bursts (Patterson) and long drawn out dramatic events (Grisham). I also enjoy their story lines – Grisham is sometimes predictable, but Patterson never is.

Anything else my readers might want to know about you?

During my 30+ years working career I traveled constantly – flying somewhere on Monday and (if lucky) returning on Friday. While traveling I read books – novels mostly. I’d estimate I’ve read over 2000 books and still have most of them. And, I always read the book BEFORE the movie and never afterwards.

However, during travel I would use my boarding pass as a bookmark. Today I can open an old book and several of those boarding passes will greet me, still stuck between the pages. While I would always remember the book, I might not remember when I read it; but, the dated airline boarding pass certainly gives me a good idea!
NOTE:

There are 13 books in the Carson Reno Mystery Series. All are offered in paperback and ebook formats. Some are offered in hardcover and 6 are offered as an Audio book.

The first 3 books in the series are also offered as a single ebook called ‘Carson Reno Mystery Series – the beginning’.

The second 3 books in the series are also offered as a single ebook called ‘Carson Reno Mystery Series – the early years’.

I have just one book in my Jack Sloan Series – ‘Concrete Jungle’. It is offered in paperback and ebook format. An audio version is currently in production.

Thank you for stopping by today Gerald! I enjoyed MURDER IN HUMBOLDT and hope to read more of the series, as well as the Jack Sloan series.
Some important links:
Gerald Darnell Author Page
Twitter

Guest Post: DIANE BURTON Author of The Case of the Bygone Brother

Today it is my pleasure to have Diane Burton, author of The Case of the Bygone Brother, as my guest to talk about small towns:
Small Towns by Diane Burton
When I was seven, we moved to a rural farming area where everyone either knew each other or were related. Except us. I went to a one-room schoolhouse. The second grade “class” consisted of two cousins and me. Awkward. Eventually, the township expanded, population-wise, became a city, and is now a Detroit suburb.

I’ve lived in suburbs, cities, small towns, and now I live in a lakeshore resort town. There is a commonality in all those communities. The natives—those born there. I remember being surprised when I heard a merchant say he wasn’t a native, even though he’d been there for thirty-plus years. Even in ever-expanding suburbs, there are the natives and those who aren’t.

While writing the first of my Alex O’Hara stories, I knew she had to be a native—born in the fictitious Lake Michigan resort town where she’s a private investigator. She knows everybody. Well, almost everybody until the construction of new luxury homes north of town. The chief of police used to cut her parents’ lawn. His wife was her babysitter. One of the deputies had been in her class since kindergarten, which was also where she met her best friend. Being a native gives her access to resources an outsider wouldn’t have. If she didn’t go to school with them, they knew her dad.

Her father and his business partner started the investigation agency nearly fifty years ago and only recently turned it over to Alex then retired to Arizona. Older members of the community (including the police chief) find it necessary to remind her that 1) she’s a girl and 2) question her father’s wisdom in “letting” her be a detective. In response, she smiles through gritted teeth. Small towns have their pluses and minuses. Just like any community.

Small towns also have mysteries, people have secrets, and crime knows no boundaries. Alex is never out of work.

- Diane's Media Links: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page
- Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books | Smashwords
- Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis
Alex O’Hara finally gets a case that will give her bottom line a much needed boost. She might even be able to change her diet from ramen noodles to prime rib. All she has to do is track down a man who’s been missing for over ten years. Piece of cake . . . until an old flame arrives and a mugger roughs her up with orders to back off.

Excerpt She had trouble written all over her.Like a scene out of The Maltese Falcon, a beautiful woman begs the P.I. for help. Shades of Sam Spade, with a slight difference. The elegantly-dressed woman pounding on my plate glass window was more than twenty years older than me and, even though my name is Alex O’Hara, I’m not male. But I am a PI —O’Hara & Palzetti, Confidential Investigations since 1965. Not that I’ve been around since 1965.As soon as I unlocked the outer door, the woman burst through, a few maple leaves stuck to her Manolo’s. Frankly, I was surprised she wore only a sweater. She must have been freezing out there. In spite of the fact that it was mid-October, the temp had dipped that afternoon to the low forties. We might even get frost.“Ms. O’Hara, thank God you’re still here. I was so afraid—” She broke off on a sob. Taking a small, white, lace-edged handkerchief out of her Louis Vitton purse, she dabbed at her eyes.Now I’m not one to belittle a person’s worries. However, I thought she switched a little too quickly from imperious knocking to damsel in distress.Damsel? Not quite. I pegged her around fifty-five, give or take a few years, and well-preserved. Even in her Manolo’s, she only came up to my chin. Next to her I felt like a hulking giant. Since I’m five-ten in my socks, I look down on most women. Despite her elaborate up-do, from my angle I could see her roots. A visit to her hairdresser might be in order. But I digress.“What can I do for you?” I tried not to sneeze from her overpowering perfume. An oriental scent. Shalimar or Opium. I never knew which was which. I tried them on at the perfume counter at Macy’s. That’s the closest I’d ever get to wearing expensive perfumes.“I need your help.” Her breathy voice reminded me of Marilyn. As in Monroe, not Manson. Because Pop loved old movies, I became addicted to them. Just like I did with detective novels. I cut my teeth on Nancy Drew, moved on to the likes of Daphne duMaurier and P.D. James before graduating to Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. I watched Masterpiece Mystery on PBS and every movie Alfred Hitchcock made. In my teens, I watched reruns of Remington Steele. Once, I wore a fedora like Laura’s to work. The Pops laughed so hard I never did again. I ushered the woman into my office with its mahogany paneling and closed the door. I held out my hand. “As you’ve guessed, I’m Alex O’Hara.” I looked at her expectantly.She laid her hand in mine. I clasped hers firmly enough to reassure but gently enough not to crush the delicate bones beneath the cold skin.“My name is Babette Rhodes. Babette Anslyn Rhodes.”She perched on the visitor’s chair, her back finishing-school straight and knees pressed together. I took my place behind the desk in the big leather chair that had been Pop’s. While she twisted the handkerchief, I stacked the bookkeeping papers and tucked them into the top desk drawer. Once I placed a clean legal pad in front of me, I folded my hands on top ready for her story. A story that could solve my financial problems.“Ms. O’Hara, I must ask you to keep what I am about to tell you in absolute confidence.”“Of course.” Hadn’t she see the word confidential on the sign on the door?“My brother is missing. I must find him.”
a Rafflecopter giveaway