Christa Nardi's Blog, page 79

Blog Tour: FRAME CHANGE : A Nina Bannister Mystery by T'Gracie and Joe Reese

Synopsis:
Nina Bannister loves to paint, and she thinks her hobby is painless enough. But she is wrong. Her love of doing seascapes leads to a friendship with a young ex docent from The Chicago Art Museum–and to their entry into the murky and dangerous world of international art smuggling.

Can she save her young friend, who has been kidnapped to the mountains of southern Austria? Can she determine the identity and motives of the mysterious Red Claw? Can she see the real painting that is hidden beneath the false one?

Her success in these matters–indeed her very survival–depend on her ability to perform a last ditch Frame Change!


Review:Nina and her friends take an art class and create some seascapes of limited worth - mostly of worth to the painter for her accomplishments.  Having first gotten the feedback to take them off display, her friend Carol suddenly decides a new frame will make the difference.  Miraculously, her first seascape suddenly sells and the frame change and a few extra enhancements continues with unexpectedly quick sales. All part of a complex art smuggling ring, orchestrated by Michael and thwarted by Red Claw. Carol continues her involvement as she needs the money, but another woman is kidnapped by Red Claw.  As Nina unfolds what is going on, and her unintended involvement, she works to identify Red Claw and ensure the safety of her friends. An interesting twist to the usual cozy mystery.  This is the 5th book in the Nina Bannister Mystery series.
About the Authors:Pam (T’Gracie) Britton Reese is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. She has published books about autism with LinguiSystems. She enjoys teaching and research, but is never happier than when plotting (with her husband) a new murder, or coming up with ways that Nina Bannister can solve it.

Joe Reese is a novelist, playwright, storyteller, and college teacher. He has published seven novels, several plays, and a number of stories and articles. He and his wife, Pam have three children: Kate, Matthew and Sam.

Author Links: reeseswrite.com
Twitter: Nina Bannister@NinaBFurl
Facebook: Nina Bannister

Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N
GIVEAWAY : 1 ebook will be given away at each stop.  Leave a comment to be entered and then stop back when the tour is over to see who wins!

COUNTDOWN DEAL!!!! November 20-24!

Each year, the hype for Black Friday and holiday shopping seems to move earlier and earlier. Did you notice the Christmas decorations before Halloween this year?  When I was growing up Thanksgiving marked the beginning of the holiday season.  It was when the family got together for Thanksgiving - sometimes traveling to be there - and all could participate in the decorating.  Back then, the retail stores stayed closed until normal hours on Friday morning.  I worked part-time in retail, and Black Friday was a boom for business but hell for the sales personnel!  That part hasn't changed.  Having worked a few Black Fridays in my life, I tend to avoid the whole scene. The crowds are too big, the deals not quite as good as they sound, and no, standing in line for hours to get the "limited quantity" of the one item I might want just doesn't thrill me.

My preference?  Take it easy, relax, and bake cookies!  And, of course, curl up with a good book against the backdrop of the Thanksgiving weekend football games and holiday specials.   Care to join me?


November 20th - 24th, MURDER IN THE ARBORETUM will be on sale for $0.99!  Grab it and when you need to wind down after the holiday stress, curl up and follow Sheridan as she tries to solve the murder of Justin Blake.  He's not a student. He's not a faculty member. He doesn't live in Cold Creek.  Why is he in the Arboretum and why did someone kill him? As tensions rise, Sheridan takes a lead and becomes a target herself.

One more thing:  I avoided it as long as possible, but I now have a twitter account!  @ChristaN7777  

Book Review: SWEET MYSTERY (Under the Moonlight Book #3) by MaryAnn Kempher

Synopsis from AMAZON

Who Killed Candy Dashwood!?Candy Dashwood was young, beautiful, and accustomed to getting exactly what she wanted, by any means necessary, including sex and blackmail. Does that make her murder less important? Or her killer less guilty? Her mother doesn’t think so. She asks private detective Jack Harney to help find Candy’s killer. When all signs point to her police officer lover, the case seems cut and dry. So why does the evidence seem so flimsy? And why are the police so unwilling to dig any deeper? Jack uncovers a web of sex and deception in which nothing is as it seems, and the list of potential killers grows every day. Can he put the pieces together and discover who really killed Candy, or will her killer get away with murder? Sweet Mystery is a suspenseful murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Review
Jack left the Reno PD, went to Florida and worked security on a cruise ship Forever as a favor for his friend Curt, ex-military. Jack moves back to Reno to open a detective agency with Curt instead of returning to the force after breaking up with his girlfriend, Amy. The office they rent is next to Nene and Gaga's bakery/candy store. Nene and Gaga are grandmotherly, humorous, touching, and have a mystery of their own - who is eating candy and even Gaga's gingerbread house in the middle of the night and leaving a mess? The agency opens but doesn't have but one real client, Destiny, whose mystery revolves around missing birds from her pet store. Across various friends, the last mystery has to do with a positive pregnancy test left in a bathroom and which of Jack's friends is going to be a father. 

The real mystery, though, is who killed Candy and what was the real motive. Problem is, although the cop accused has asked Jack for help, and Candy's mother, Yvonne, has asked for help, it's well-established that cops do not like PIs nosing in their cases. When one of their own is arrested, they want the situation to go away as fast as possible.  Is that all there is to it though? Will the harassment go beyond giving Jack a parking ticket? 

The characters have depth and personality. The subplots are well integrated into the major plot rather than simply a distraction. I read this in one sitting (airport and airplane) and it was a good read. I couldn't wait to get to the end (though I guessed wrong on the positive pregnancy test). This is the third book in the series. With the focus on Jack, you can read this as a stand alone, but I would strongly recommend you read the first two, or at least FOREVER DOOMED.  I don't see a fourth on MaryAnn Kempher's author page, but I will be looking for it!

Previous books in the series:
MOCHA, MOONLIGHT AND MURDER (Under the Moonlight Book #1)
FOREVER DOOMED (Under the Moonlight Book #2) -reviewed on this blog on 3/3/2014 

Book Review: ABOVE THE BRIDGE : A Paige MacKenzie Mystery by Deborah Garner

Synopsis: 
When Paige MacKenzie arrives in Jackson Hole, her only goal is to complete a simple newspaper assignment about the Old West. However, it's not long before her instincts tell her there's more than a basic story to be found in the popular, northwestern Wyoming mountain area. A chance encounter with attractive cowboy Jake Norris soon has Paige chasing a legend of buried treasure, passed down through generations. 

From the torn edge of a water-damaged map to the mysterious glow of an antler arch, Paige will follow clues high into the mountainous terrain and deep into Jackson's history. Side-stepping a few shady characters who are also searching for the same hidden reward, she will have to decide who is trustworthy and who is not.
Review:Paige writes for a newspaper and is assigned to write about Jackson Hole.  She starts out staying in town for just a few days, but quickly moves out of town to an old cabin.  She hears bits and pieces of conversation in the local watering hole, is drawn to one of the arches in the square, and her short visit and quick write up become a path of mystery and history as she travels not only the terrain around Jackson Hole, but in time, in search of buried treasure.  
Garner's descriptions of Jackson Hole brought make memories of a recent trip to that area, and she provides enough description that readers can get the idea even if they've never been.  Though not quite realistic, the trip back in time, the role of women in that era, and the cowboys Paige meets provide an interesting twist to the story. This was a fun read overall. I've added THE MOONGLOW CAFE to my TBR list and I am looking forward to Paige's next adventure.
AMAZON

VETERANS DAY 2014

 "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"  President Woodrow Wilson

That commemoration of the Armistice and recognition of the continued efforts of our military - in peacetime and wartime, in the past and present - is evident as we pay tribute today. The Armistice marked the end of the first "great war".  
Since then, as a country, we have seen other wars from World War II to Iraq. It took several generations before we acknowledged the potential traumatic effects that often are as significant as the physical injuries. Today, there are many veterans making connections and seeking support. Not just today, but everyday, when we see our men and women in uniform, we should salute them!

Interested in reading one man's experiences in World War II in the Army Air Corps?  I recommend EVER THE PATRIOT (by Candace Riccio Salem) - sale ($0.99) ends today!  AMAZON

Blog Tour: DAE'S CHRISTMAS PAST (Missing Pieces Mysteries #6) by Joyce and Jim Lavene

SYNOPSIS:

When wild horse rescue director Tom Watts is found dead on Duck Road, newly re-elected mayor Dae O’Donnell is determined to find out who killed him. Her friend Jake Burleson is accused of killing Tom even though the two men have been good friends for years.

The problem is the excavation of the horse cult that’s been happening on Jake’s property. Tom and several archaeologists working on the project think that Jake should give up his land to widen the search for artifacts. Jake won’t do that.

It’s not that Jake hasn’t been acting strangely. He shoved one of the ancient stone horses into Dae’s hands when he knew she was afraid to touch it. He’s obsessed with stopping the excavation—maybe to the point of killing Tom.

But Dae thinks there may be more to the story. Jake’s determination has shown her what the horse cult was used for thousands of years ago, the destruction the demon horses brought before they were stopped. She’s afraid something of the past may have already returned to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and there may be more deaths to come. Featuring Pet Psychic Mary Catherine Roberts!

REVIEW:
This story has everything - Dae with her "sense" of history of items she touches, a pet psychic, the caring grandfather, and the ex-FBI agent, Kevin.  When her long time friend, Jake, asks her to discern what is behind the horse statues, Dae senses something is not right. Mary Catherine's arrival and reports of animals being distressed and a sense of foreboding support Dae's unease. Will the Outer Banks fall to more than ghost horses that leave footprints and destruction in their wake?  Could the ghost horses be responsible for the death of Tom Watts?

This is the 6th in the Missing Pieces Mysteries series. Dae and her friends have history, but you can read this one as a stand alone.  Joyce and Jim have done another great job of crafting this story.  If you like the paranormal twist to your mysteries, you will surely enjoy DAE'S CHRISTMAS PAST.  I'm looking forward to her future (#7).  The previous books in the series were:

A TIMELY VISION
A TOUCH OF GOLD
A SPIRITED GIFT
A HAUNTING DREAM
A FINDER'S FEE

Also be sure to check out the other series by Joyce and Jim:  Renaissance Faire Mysteries, Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries, Pet Psychic Mysteries (featuring Mary Catherine), Stock Car Racing Mysteries, Taxi for the Dead Paranormal Mysteries, and Retired Witches Mysteries. 


ABOUT JOYCE AND JIM LAVENE
Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon, and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family.LINKS
www.joyceandjimlavene.com

www.facebook.com/joyceandjimlavene

http://amazon.com/author/jlavene

https://twitter.com/AuthorJLavene

PURCHASE LINK: AMAZON

Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

MURDER IN THE ARBORETUM : What Reviewers Are Saying

Quotes from reviews on Amazon as of 10/29/2014 - Average rating of 4.8!

"I was surprised when I found out who the murderer is, in fact that person was last on my list of suspects. Christa does a great job of keeping us guessing. I hope to be able to read and review more books from Christa."

"I read a lot of cozy mysteries and although I do enjoy the antics of many "ditsy" heroines, Sheridan is definitely not ditsy. She is a college professor with her head on her shoulders, who wants to make sure that the guilty person is the one charged with murder - and manages to put herself in danger in the process. The story line was not predicable, taking a few unexpected turns as the mystery unfolded. Definitely worth reading."

"I really enjoy the extra detail Christa puts into her books. She also makes sure to include plenty of humor. I found myself laughing out loud more than once at some of the thoughts that the characters had along the way. I am glad we were shown another side of him. I just couldn't put this one down I was hooked from the first chapter."

"The twists and turns keep you guessing as to who the murderer is. The characters are well written and the book keeps you turning pages."

"A strong female character is always a plus, and I consider Sheridan strong, intelligent, and intriguing."
"A solid plot development and well rounded characters - so that you could recognize them by their traits rather than by name - helped make the story an easy to read, enjoyable escape for a couple of hours."

"I love the small town life and the characters are painted so perfectly that I feel I know them. Trouble ensues and we are treated to drama & mystery with a bit of humor and romance thrown in."

"Dr. Hendley uses her observations of human behavior to notice those around her and their relationships to each other. She does show concern for her students and friends. She is smart and brave and you like spending time with her in her scholarly world."

Thank you kind readers for reading and writing the reviews!

Cover Reveal: Book 3 of the Publicist - CLIMAX by Christina George

It's finally here, the long-awaited sequel to The Publicist! CLIMAX by Christina George is the final installment in the series. It comes in two parts:


The Covers




Here is the Bundled set version:


About the Book
Release date: December 15, 2014. You can pre-order now!
Kate Mitchell has never forgiven herself for breaking Nick Lavigne’s heart. Now he’s back and he’s moved on, and it’s affecting Kate’s life more than she’s willing to admit.
Kate Mitchell has everything. She's the head of a crazy successful publishing house, engaged to the traffic-stopping sexy Mac Ellis and she's about to sign one of the biggest authors of her career.
And that's when everything falls apart.
Everything is perfect…until it’s not.
In a city of 8 million people Kate manages to run into someone she never expected to see again.
Nick is handsome, impossibly kind, every girl’s dream, and Kate’s former fiancé. He’s also the brother of the rising star author she’s trying to sign. Now that Nick’s back in town and has moved on he insists he’s over Kate, but part of him still can’t get past how amazing they were, and his sister won’t let anyone forget how brutally it ended.
When Mac is dealt a life-changing blow, it forces Kate to question every single choice she’s made.
Follow Kate as she embarks on a journey of life and love, navigating through the decisions that will change it all forever.


About the Author

Website  ~  Twitter  ~   Facebook  ~  Goodreads
Christina George has worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here’s what this book isn't. It’s not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it’s not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won’t know which ones, cause it’s more fun to guess, right? George continues to work in publicity and helps authors because at the end of the day she does love books, she loves publishing, and she loves authors. She hopes you’ll enjoy this romp through Kate’s world as much as she enjoyed creating it.


Let's Revisit the Characters...



Some Fun Stuff!
Head on over to Kate's site and listen to a sample of the audio book version of The Publicist and enter her Amazon gift card giveaway. She also has a playlist of songs for the book!
So which team are you on? Want to know who Kate ends up with?


Want to win a signed copy of all three books? How about a $20 Amazon Gift Card?


And now for the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway COVER REVEAL: The Publicist Book 3 (for Wordpress) Click on the "text" tab in your draft post (found on the right-hand corner) and paste this code:
 
It's finally here, the long-awaited sequel to The Publicist! CLIMAX by Christina George is the final installment in the series. It comes in two parts:The Covers  
 
Here is the Bundled set version: 
About the BookRelease date: December 15, 2014. You can pre-order now! 
Kate Mitchell has never forgiven herself for breaking Nick Lavigne’s heart. Now he’s back and he’s moved on, and it’s affecting Kate’s life more than she’s willing to admit. Kate Mitchell has everything. She's the head of a crazy successful publishing house, engaged to the traffic-stopping sexy Mac Ellis and she's about to sign one of the biggest authors of her career.And that's when everything falls apart. Everything is perfect…until it’s not. In a city of 8 million people Kate manages to run into someone she never expected to see again.Nick is handsome, impossibly kind, every girl’s dream, and Kate’s former fiancé. He’s also the brother of the rising star author she’s trying to sign. Now that Nick’s back in town and has moved on he insists he’s over Kate, but part of him still can’t get past how amazing they were, and his sister won’t let anyone forget how brutally it ended.When Mac is dealt a life-changing blow, it forces Kate to question every single choice she’s made.Follow Kate as she embarks on a journey of life and love, navigating through the decisions that will change it all forever.About the Author  
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads 
Christina George has worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here’s what this book isn't. It’s not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it’s not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won’t know which ones, cause it’s more fun to guess, right? George continues to work in publicity and helps authors because at the end of the day she does love books, she loves publishing, and she loves authors. She hopes you’ll enjoy this romp through Kate’s world as much as she enjoyed creating it.Let's Revisit the Characters...  
  Some Fun Stuff!Head on over to Kate's site and listen to a sample of the audio book version of The Publicist and enter her Amazon gift card giveaway. She also has a playlist of songs for the book!So which team are you on? Want to know who Kate ends up with? 

Blog Tour: HANDCUFFS AND HIGH HEELS by J. M. Edwards

Synopsis:
Meet Ruby Wisdom. Smart and sensible. Humorous and heroic. Tough and tender. As the only private investigator in tiny Wormwood, New York, Ruby handles a wide range of cases—everything from jewel heists and cheating husbands to stolen wedding gowns, kidnapped artwork and fraudulent heirs.

In HANDCUFFS & HIGH HEELS, Ruby is hired by the wife of a millionaire when the woman suspects her husband is having an affair. And he is—several of them. But when Ruby begins connecting the duplicitous dots, the deceitful spouse ends up in a much more difficult dilemma than being caught with his hands in Cookie’s jar. And that’s when the real investigation begins.

HANDCUFFS & HIGH HEELS is a cozy mystery loaded with humor, romance, memorable characters and a sleuth who knows her way around baked goods and sweet treats as well as crime scenes and tricky investigations.

Review:
HANDCUFFS & HIGH HEELS is the first in what will likely become a popular series featuring business executive turned PI, Ruby Wisdom.  Ruby's case includes aspects of small town, a cheating husband, Hello Dolly tattoos by Blaze, the expected police-PI interaction, and of course the real mystery that goes beyond Tripp's infidelity. There are lots of twists and turns to unravel, but the story moves at a steady pace.  
It looks like the second in the series, DEATH BY DONUT is already out.  Welcome JM Edwards to a growing group of cozy mystery authors!


About J M Edwards:
J.M. Edwards loves crime. But only when it’s fictional. A lifelong fan of mystery novels, police procedurals and thrillers, J.M. has worked as a copywriter, bartender, dog walker and newspaper reporter. When it comes to reading, she has a few favorites (Robert B. Parker, Sue Grafton, Dashiell Hammett, Robert B. Parker, Lee Child), but always enjoys learning about new authors to add to the TBR pile. In addition to writing the new Ruby Wisdom cozy mystery series, J.M. spends time gardening, traveling, spoiling a small herd of cats and dogs, doing volunteer work and taking the occasional nap.Author Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22854772-handcuffs-high-heels?ac=1
Purchase Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
KOBOAPPLE

Tour Participants
October 21 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
October 22 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview
October 23 – Lilac Reviews – Guest Post
October 24 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
October 25 – A Blue Million Books – Guest Post
October 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
October 27 – Back Porchervations – Review
October 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
October 29 – Michele Lynn Seigfried’s Blog – Guest Post
October 30 – readalot blog – Review
October 31 – Kelly P’s Blog – Guest Post
November 1 – dru’s book musings – Guest Post
November 2 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post
November 2 – OmniMystery News – Interview

Giveaway  --  Leave a comment to be entered to receive a free e-book (format of your choice) and check back after the tour!  Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour as well!

Blog Tour: CAPTAIN SHELBY by Jesse Giles Christiansen

Synopsis
In coastal Denmark, a young man named Nereus builds a longship and leaves at age eighteen to discover a new, enigmatic land. Faced with unimaginable obstacles, he crosses the North Atlantic, only to be captured by the Skraelings, the Inuit indigenous people who seek revenge on all settlers because of a “Great Red Man” who murdered many of their family members.

Many years later, Nereus is hired by a group of Irish settlers who are fleeing the tyranny of King Henry VIII, and he takes them across the North Atlantic to the Newfound Land. A fierce battle ensues against the sea, the Little Ice Age, and the vicious Skraelings.

When Nereus falls in love with Laura Hodges, fiancée to the group’s leader, William Brockelby, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous love triangle…until the formidable mystery surrounding Captain Nereus H. Shelby is finally revealed.

Review
The reader is introduced to Captain Shelby, grandfatherly fisherman in Pelican Bay and his story continues here. He is the fisherman who seems more than real with a depth of knowledge – or secrets– that he is not all too keen on sharing. With well positioned metaphor and description that is crisp yet potentially esoteric, Christiansen again shares both history and mystery in this tale. What is the secret that Captain Shelby works so diligently to hide? How does is this secret entwined with his love of Laura and the customs of the long ago time? Readers who enjoy history, rich description, and eloquent language will enjoy this story.

About the Author - Jesse Giles Christiansen:
Jesse Giles Christiansen is an American author who writes compelling literary fiction that weaves the real with the surreal. He attended Florida State University where he received his B.A. in English literature, and holds an M.A. in philosophy from Georgia State University. He is the author of Pelican Bay (book one in the Captain Shelby Series), an Amazon #1 list bestseller, outselling Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. One of Christiansen’s literary goals is to write at least fifty novels, and he always reminds himself of something that Ray Bradbury once said: “You fail only if you stop writing.”

Author Links

Web Site: www.jessegileschristiansen.com
Blog: www.jgchristiansen.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JesseGilesChris
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jesse.gileschristiansen.7
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5261095.Jesse_Giles_Christiansen

Purchase Link:
Amazon