Babs Hightower's Blog, page 107
April 7, 2015
How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days book blast & Giveaway
Enter to Win
For the Runaway Bride’s Great Escape:
A heart-print tote, scarf for going incognito, and cute dark sunglasses.
(US Residents)
Or,
Print copy of Catherine Mann’s RESCUE ME and Joanne Rock’s NIGHTS UNDER THE TENNESSEE STARS
(International)
HOW TO LOSE A GROOM IN 10 DAYS
Runaway Brides #0.5 (FREE Novella)
Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock
Releasing April 7th, 2015
Tule Publishing Group
Grab Your FREE Copy
He thought their love was a grand slam, until his bride calls foul…
After an impulsive courthouse wedding with one of baseball’s rising stars, Melanie Webb wonders if she’s fallen victim to lust at first sight. She hardly knows Grady Hollis, the Atlanta outfielder who swooped into her Florida hometown and charmed the socks—and more!—right off her. She couldn’t resist when he proposed under the stars right on the outfield. But when the aftermath means moving to Atlanta and following him around the country for his eight-month a year travel schedule, she gets cold feet.
But Grady has never been a man to give up on a dream and Melanie is everything he ever hoped for in a woman. He knows if only he can persuade her to come along for the ride, he’ll convince her that their forever can be something special… with a love every bit as fiery as the passion.
THE WEDDING AUDITION
Runaway Brides #1.0
Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock
Releasing April 7th, 2015
Tule Publishing Group
Grab Your Copy NOW
The tabloids call her the Hit and Run Bride after reality show star Annamae Jessup walked out on Atlanta’s favorite baseball player on cable television. Eager to escape her notoriety, Annamae takes a road trip to find the grandmother she’s never met and winds up discovering a whole lot more than a band of back woods relatives. There’s no escape from reality TV, even in Beulah, Alabama, population 3000.
The last thing Wynn Rafferty needs in his new life is a spoiled television princess who can’t even know his real name. He’s in temporary witness protection as an apple farmer after his undercover work put his life in danger. He needs to lay low until the heat dies down from his last case— even if he sucks at growing apples as badly as he sucks at relationships. But Annamae turns his new town into a media circus, unwittingly threatening the lives of him, her and most of Beulah. Wynn is an expert at keeping the world at arm’s length, but when it comes to Annamae, the only way he can keep her safe is too keep her very, very close.
USA Today bestseller and RITA Award winning author Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Berkley, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Tule. With over sixty books released in more than twenty countries, she has also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. Catherine and her flyboy husband live on the Florida coast where they brought up their 4 children – and still have 5 four-legged, furry “children” (aka pets). Catherine is an active volunteer with an animal rescue, serving on their Board of Directors and fostering over 200 puppies, ill dogs, and dogs with service/working potential.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Three-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over seventy novels enjoys writing contemporary romance and medieval historicals alike, recently exploring Young Adult romance under a pseudonym. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance–in all its forms– fits her life outlook perfectly. When she’s not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The post How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days book blast & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
WICKED STIRCH blog tour, Review, Guest Post & Giveaway
Wicked Stitch
by Amanda Lee
Wicked Stitch:
An Embroidery Mystery
Series: Embroidery Mystery (Book 8)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Signet (April 7, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0451467409
E-Book ASIN: B00MNN7GXQ
Synopsis:
When murder strikes the small town of Tallulah Falls, embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer isn’t afraid of getting into the knitty-gritty to clear her own name…
For most small-business owners in Tallulah Falls, the upcoming Renaissance Faire is a wonderful way to promote their specialty shops. For Marcy’s nemesis, Nellie, and her sister Clara, it’s an opportunity to finally put Marcy and her shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, out of business. Apparently the sisters like to keep their grudges all in the family and have set up a competing booth right next to Marcy’s at the Faire.
When Clara is discovered dead in her own booth—strangled by the scarf she had almost finished knitting—Marcy becomes the prime suspect. Now she has to do whatever it takes to keep her reputation from unraveling and get to the bottom of a most deadly yarn…
My thoughts:
This is the first book in the series I have read. Also first time author. Marcy goes to set up her booth when she finds Clara dead. She gets her boyfriend and detective Ted to help her find the killer but of course Nellie has Ted off the case. This doesn’t stop him at all from helping Marcy find out who killed Clara.
I thought this was a fun read I did not know who the killer was early on which was a great thing. A great cozy mystery and I will be reading the other books. I hate I have missed out on this series.
Guest post
Learning My Craft
Since I’m a writer, you probably think the title of this post suggests that I study the craft of writing. And you’re right in that I’m always trying to learn—by doing, by studying other writers’ techniques, by reading books on writing. But, since I write embroidery mysteries, I also need to learn embroidery.
I already know how to do cross-stitch, needlepoint, redwork, blackwork, and candlewicking. I made the little guy to the left (he’s on a small tote bag) from a pattern created by Follow the White Bunny.
But my heroine, Marcy Singer, can do everything! She does all of the aforementioned techniques plus crewel, ribbon embroidery, Huck embroidery, Hardanger, beaded embroidery, and even some Indian embroidery called chikankari. I have done one ribbon embroidery kit—a jewelry box—and I enjoyed it. I also once did a really small Hardanger project which made me realize it’s so named because it’s “Hard—dang it!” At least, it was to me.
So I went to Craftsy and signed up for two embroidery classes. One is a crewel embroidery class and the other is a ribbon embroidery class. I’m really looking forward to them. I feel that learning these techniques will provide new dimensions to my understanding of them and writing about them.
In addition, Marcy teaches embroidery classes three evenings a week at her shop, the Seven-Year Stitch. By taking these classes, I’ll see how the instructor does her job and interacts with her students. I know it won’t be exactly like a one-on-one type class in real time, although the website indicates that students can email the instructor for guidance. Still, being self-taught in the other forms of embroidery I do, taking the classes will give me more insight into Marcy’s character as she teaches her students.
I truly enjoy researching the embroidery mystery books. With each new book, I try to introduce the readers—and myself—to something new. In Wicked Stitch, there is a Renaissance festival coming to Tallulah Falls. I attended a Renaissance Faire years ago and fell in love with it. Maybe it was the longing to attend another that led me to write a book set against the backdrop of a RenFaire.
Once I’d chosen my theme, I wanted to learn what embroidery was popular during the Renaissance. I discovered blackwork was en vogue. I found a terrific website (http://www.blackworkarchives.com/inde...) containing patterns popular during the Elizabethan era. I incorporated learning and stitching blackwork into the book.
I also loved researching various Renaissance festivals. It was fun to see what types of merchants attend the festivals and what they sell at their booths. I was able to integrate the existing Tallulah Falls merchants into the Faire, and I contacted an Oregon winery to see if I could make that company a vendor at the Faire as well. The owner wrote back with an enthusiastic yes! It’s always great to be able to lend a little authenticity to the books.
About This Author
Gayle Trent (writing as Amanda Lee) writes the embroidery mystery series. The series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back. Gayle/Amanda lives in Virginia when she’s not inhabiting the fictional world of Tallulah Falls.
Author Links
https://www.facebook.com/GayleTrentandAmandaLee
https://twitter.com/GayleTrent
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/426208.Gayle_Trent
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Book Depository Kobo Google Play
The post WICKED STIRCH blog tour, Review, Guest Post & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
April 6, 2015
IPad 2/3/4 Designer Belt Buckle Case Review
As you can see in the video below I received the light blue to review. I love it. Looks sleek and you can use it to prop up your iPad on desk or table if you are out eating. This will be a case I will be using for a long time. Now to get one for the mini iPad hope they come out with one for it soon.
Product Description
Designer Feel at Discount Prices
The Kyasi Belt Buckle folio case is an amazingly high quality synthetic leather case featuring smooth and supple leather feel combined with heavy duty stitching to ensure the long life of your iPad. A belt wraps around the case and is secured by a buckle that snaps shut for added security when device is not in use. So although the buckle does work you don’t have to use it each time. You just have to snap and unsnap which makes it easy.
Case can be opened like a book or used as a horizontal stand, with three resting angles to choose from. Careful cutouts provide direct access to camera, speakers and all controls and ports. Everyone will love this case and you will be the envy of your fashion forward friends.
The 3 viewing angles are easy to adjust and the device will stay in place as you watch your movie or surf the web.
Customers around the world have praised this case as one they regularly get compliments from their friends and relatives. This case offers 5 colors in the range to choose from.
This designer look has many cheap imitations, but we are so confident ours is better we say go ahead and order this incredible Kyasi case and order the cheap knock off competitor. When you compare them it is easy to decide which is the best value. Just return the losing case. In this case Kyasi will win every time. It’s not just a case, It’s a Kyasi.
To see more details about this Designer Belt Buckle case check out: http://kyasi.com/products/sexy-ipad-c...
To Learn more about Kyasi and the products available check out www.kyasi.com
The post IPad 2/3/4 Designer Belt Buckle Case Review appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Zubels Lil Dimples hand crochet dolls Review
These Lil Dimples are the cutest ever. I got to review Bella Ballerina. She is 4 inches tall and so cute. I have her hanging near my desk. The crochet work is remarkable. You couldn’t ask for anything better. Reminds me when my grandmother would crochet things for us. I will be buying some for the boys as they loved the small ballerina.
They would be great for zipper pulls, back packs, holiday ornaments or just as a great gift. On the back behind the neck you will see a little loop to use. I even thought about tying these to a birthday gift for my friends kids. The thoughts are endless what you can do with these.
LIL DIMPLES
These little crochet dolls are all made by hand in 100% cotton. They are 4″ tall
They are great collect, play with , attach to back packs , use as a gift tie ons –
kids can use your imagination. We have 10 designs we are selling now and we
will be offering another 10 for the Holidays !!!!
FYI We got the name Dimples becuase they look like dimples on a golf ball LOL just a fun fact !!
The post Zubels Lil Dimples hand crochet dolls Review appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
April 5, 2015
A BOOKMARKED DEATH Guest Post & Giveaway
A BOOKMARKED DEATH
by Judi Culbertson
A Bookmarked Death: A Delhi Laine Mystery
(Delhi Laine Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery – 262 Pages
• Publisher: Witness Impulse (March 31, 2015)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• ASIN: B00JDKBUXE
Synopsis:
For the first time in nearly twenty years, Delhi Laine’s family is whole. But that doesn’t mean everything is back to normal. With no proof to condemn her daughter’s kidnappers, Delhi’s family is forced to share Elisa with her “adopted” parents. But when they suddenly perish in a mysterious house fire, Elisa is heartbroken…and Delhi’s husband, Colin, is charged with their murder. Delhi knows it’s up to her to prove his innocence, but the deeper she digs, the more it becomes evident that nothing is as it seems. When Elisa goes missing, Delhi fears her nightmare may be repeating itself. If she can’t clear Colin’s name and find Elisa again, there may not be another chance. Twenty years ago she lost her daughter…if she fails now, she might lose everything—and everyone—she holds dear.
The Thrill of the [Book] Hunt
I’ve been reading an interesting book, Simple Living by Sister Jose Hobday. She lived in the Southwest and as a Franciscan nun took a vow of poverty, but part of her mission was to help other people get their belongings under control. She felt that having fewer things was the way to freedom and joy. Interestingly, books were her weakness, the thing she found hardest to discard in her life.
Books are a lot of people’s weakness too, including mine. In my case to read, to escape into, to write, to surround myself physically with the look of them. Like the protagonist of my mysteries, Delhi Laine, until a few years ago I also loved hunting them down at estate and library sales. Although I’ve “retired” from selling used and rare books, I loved every minute of the chase, loved talking to other book people on line as the sun was just coming up, loved discovering what had been buried in someone’s basement or attic. At the end there was the joy of schlepping home cartons of treasures. Would-be treasures anyway.
What I did next was to look them up online at abebooks.com or via Libri. It was a thrill to find that an ordinary-looking book was worth several hundred dollars–balanced, of course, by the moment of learning that the book I had had great hopes for was as common as dandelions in spring. I’m talking money now, not a book’s intrinsic value. A beautifully illustrated book of Fra Angelico murals or Egyptian mummies is wonderful in itself, no matter what its financial worth. Finding a book that someone had been searching for for years was one of the most gratifying parts of being a bookseller.
My character, Delhi Laine, captures the feelings sellers have about living this life they have chosen–or that has chosen them. “I thought about Susie, fortified by huge bags of M&Ms, working way past midnight to upload book descriptions onto eBay. Why did we torture ourselves this way? Why not just get a job at Walmart or buy lottery tickets? The truth was, we were addicts. Addicted to the heft of a book under our fingers, the wonderful mystery of where it had been. And we were addicted to the hope that one of these days a book, a scrap of paper, a tattered pamphlet, would pay back our devotion by being worth more than we could have imagined.”
It took Sister Jose Hobday two years to get her book habit under control. She decided she could live with a maximum of 58 books. Looking across the room to the shelves where my first edition fiction is kept, I am thankful that no one has placed a limit on the rest of us.
About This Author
Judi Culbertson draws on her experience as a used-and-rare book dealer, social worker, and world traveler to create her bibliophile mysteries. No stranger to cemeteries, she also co-authored five illustrated guides with her husband, Tom Randall, starting with Permanent Parisians. She lives in Port Jefferson, New York, with her family.
Author Links:
http://www.judiculbertson.net/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/172665.Judi_Culbertson
The post A BOOKMARKED DEATH Guest Post & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
April 4, 2015
THE GLASSBLOWER’S WIFE Blog Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway
THE GLASSBLOWER’S WIFE
by Joanna Campbell Slan
THE GLASSBLOWER’S WIFE
by JOANNA CAMPBELL SLAN
Historical Mystery – short story
Synopsis:
When Jewish glassmakers and their families flee the powerful Doge of Venice, the cost of their freedom is three hundred and fifty-seven mirrors—the creation of the magnificent Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. But the Doge sends assassins to pick off the artists, one by one. Can Ruth Telfin, the mute widow of the head glassmaker, save her people?
Love Can Be Better, The Second Time Around
By Joanna Campbell Slan
If practice makes perfect, then it makes sense that a second marriage should be happier than the first, doesn’t it?
Worked that way in my life. I learned a lot about what I wanted (and didn’t want) in a husband after I was married for five years. Then I met my current husband, my own “happily ever after” husband, David, and we’ve been together for nearly thirty-one years. In fact, it occurred to me last year that I’d been married to him for nearly half of my life! Imagine that!
In The Glassblower’s Wife, Ruth Telfin is a second wife. Her husband, Saul, was initially married to a woman who wouldn’t shut up. So the fact that Ruth is mute doesn’t bother Saul. He actually finds it charming.
Because she doesn’t speak, people make the mistake of thinking Ruth is stupid. Nothing could be further from the truth. She’s incredibly bright. She’s also very, very observant. Since she’s silent, she’s often overlooked, so she sees and hears things others don’t. All of this comes in handy when she has to step forward to save her community.
I am always amazed at how women are undervalued. Decades ago, I heard the legendary Shirley Chisholm speak about her career. She was frank, saying that she’d suffered more prejudice against her as a woman than against her as an African-American. As I wrote this LONG short story, The Glassblower’s Wife, I had no problems imagining how a woman with a disability might be underestimated. Consequently, I love how Ruth triumphs in a most unexpected way.
The Glassblower’s Wife is definitely what you’d call a “feel good” story. That was my goal all along, and if the early reviews are any indication, readers agree with me.
**
About The Glassblower’s Wife –
In the late 1600s, the Doge of Venice sent assassins to kill a group of glassblowers who had been enticed by the French to work on the Palace of Versailles. One by one, the Jewish artisans were picked off…leaving the Hall of Mirrors unfinished, until an unlikely heroine stepped forward and performed a miracle.
Buy it today for only 99 cents! * 4.8 out of 5 stars rating * http://www.amazon.com/Glassblowers-Wife-Joanna-Campbell-Slan-ebook/dp/B00UI4UTJ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427474823&sr=1-1&keywords=the+glassblower%27s+wife Or use this handy link: http://tinyurl.com/GlassBW
**
Free offer—
If you’d like to learn more about the background of this LONG short story, send an email to TGBWBonus@JoannaSlan.com You’re receive a printable copy of the cover, discussion questions, and information about the fact and fiction in this tale.
**
About This Author
Joanna Campbell Slan is the award-winning author of the Kiki Lowenstein Mysteries (an Agatha Award Finalist) and two other mystery series. Her stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series has been read and loved by millions. Her books reviving the classic heroine Jane Eyre have won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award. In her past life, Joanna was a television talk show host, an adjunct professor of public relations, a sought-after motivational speaker, and a corporate speechwriter. She is married to David Slan, CEO of Steinway Piano Gallery-DC. The Slans make their home on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Author Links:
Website http://www.joannaslan.com
Blog http://www.joannaslan.blogspot.com
Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/joannacampbellslan
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/joannaslan
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/joannacampbellslan
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/joannaslan
Purchase Link:
Amazon
Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway
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April 2, 2015
NOBODY’S ANGEL
Nobody’s Angel
Willow Park Romance # 1
By: Sarah Hegger
Releasing March 31st, 2015
Zebra
Blurb
In this evocative new series from author Sarah Hegger, a woman returns home after a long absence—and wonders if two wrongs really can make a right…
Nine years ago Lucy Flint ran away to Seattle, taking her friend’s boyfriend and leaving her high school sweetheart without a word of explanation. Now she’s back in Willow Park, Illinois, to help care for her ailing father—and it’s no surprise that her ex, Dr. Richard Hunter, is still angry.
Still, she’s a different Lucy now. Sober, wiser, ready to make amends to the long—make that very long—list of those she mistreated during her wild younger days. Falling for Richard all over again would mean wreaking havoc in both their lives and possibly squandering her opportunity for redemption. But here, in the place where everything went wrong, is the one person who always felt right, and a second-chance that could be the best mistake she ever made…
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnj4I...
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2014/12/nobodys-angel-willow-park-1-by-sarah.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22494932-nobody-s-angel?from_search=true
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes | ITunes | Kobo
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nobodys-Angel-Willow-Park-Romance/dp/1420137395
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nobodys-angel-sarah-hegger/1119742529?ean=9781420137392
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/nobodys-angel/id928922851?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/nobody-s-angel-8
Author Info
Born British and raised in South Africa, Sarah Hegger suffers from an incurable case of wanderlust. Her match? A hot Canadian engineer, whose marriage proposal she accepted six short weeks after they first met. Together they’ve made homes in seven different cities across three different continents (and back again once or twice). If only it made her multilingual, but the best she can manage is idiosyncratic English, fluent Afrikaans, conversant Russian, pigeon Portuguese, even worse Zulu and enough French to get herself into trouble.
Mimicking her globe-trotting adventures, Sarah’s career path began as a gainfully employed actress, drifted into public relations, settled a moment in advertising, and eventually took root in the fertile soil of her first love, writing. She also moonlights as a wife and mother.She currently lives in Draper, Utah, with her teenage daughters, two Golden Retrievers and aforementioned husband. Part footloose buccaneer, part quixotic observer of life, Sarah’s restless heart is most content when reading or writing books.
She loves to hear from readers and you can find her at any of the places below.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Website: http://sarahhegger.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahheggerauthor?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahHegger
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8202895.Sarah_Hegger
Rafflecopter Giveaway (Including: (1) $20.00 Amazon Gift Card, (3) $10.00 Amazon Gift Cards, Five Print Copies of NOBODY’S ANGEL (Or Digital for Int. winners))
Excerpt
And of course, his pisser of a day would not be complete without a visit from his mother. And Richard knew from the moment he saw her marching toward the front porch, Donna had heard the news.
“Hello, darling.” She gave him that special smile he’d been getting since she fetched him after his first day of kindergarten. Donna was not a beautiful woman, but it was easy to forget that in the charming symmetry of her neat, delicate features. Her eyes were the same as those he saw in the mirror, the sort of clear, impenetrable blue that was not merely a shade of green in disguise.
Her skin was flawless and her bone structure good, if a little too definite for feminine beauty. But it was her smile that drew people to Donna. It appeared as suddenly as the sun through the clouds and was as welcome. She turned that celestial grin on him now, but Richard wasn’t fooled.
“You’ve heard.” He folded his arms over his chest and planted himself in the middle of the Oriental rug Ashley had insisted would give the entrance hall a “pop” of color. Whatever that meant. Beige was good enough for him; it went with the wood and the walls.
“What, darling?”
“Are we really going to do this tonight?” Richard wasn’t buying the vague thing for a second. Donna was her most penetrating and deadly like this. His mother looked up at him, her smile at half wattage, but just as charming. “I’ve had a living shit of a day, I’m tired and I’m hungry and I don’t feel like playing games.”
“You never did feel like playing games, Richard.” She used the mother voice that took all the starch out of his shorts and made him want to squirm. “Even as a little boy. You were always so serious.” She amped up on the friendly and waved a shopping bag at him. “And I brought dinner with me.”
“What is it?” Richard eyed the bag warily; man enough to know the way to his heart and not too proud to go with it.
“Spaghetti and meatballs.” She had him and her eyes told him so.
“Your spaghetti and meatballs?” He would at least go down swinging.
“Richard Hunter,” she said, taking a menacing step forward. “Have I ever, ever fed you store-bought spaghetti and meatballs?”
“Non, maman, je m’excuse.”
The French got her every time and she melted like a snowball in front of him. Richard could reach out and touch the glory now.
“Verse-moi un verre se vin, espèce d’enfant ingrat.”
Yes, indeed, her ungrateful child would pour her a glass of wine. The prospect of a good feed always made Donna’s boys more malleable.
“So, tell me?” Donna settled on the opposite side of his kitchen table.
More of those “pops” of color in the bright, green flower things on the seats. He didn’t get it. He really hated those cushions, he realized, as he watched Donna get comfortable. He didn’t like flowers and he especially didn’t like flowers that looked like they should be painted on the side of a sixties passion wagon.
Stripes. He dug into his dinner with relish. What he needed in this room was something manly, like stripes. And not in that girly green color either. Blue. Blue stripes. When Ashley came back, he would speak to her about it. Make her see that stripes were a much better option. That settled, he risked looking over the edge of his wineglass at his mother.
Donna looked at him, her eyes unfathomable but full of love, and Richard sighed. Her love wound around him like a spider’s web and he knew she would outpossum him.
He tried for nonchalant. “She’s back.”
Donna, however, had the advantage of having handled him since the day his ass was cracked and she sat perfectly still and waited.
“Aw, jeez, Ma. What do you want me to tell you? Lucy Flint is back.”
“I want you to tell me how you feel, Richard.” Donna took a hefty sip of her wine.
“I am a guy,” he barked at her. “We don’t have feelings. We have urges.”
“Richard, tu me tapes sur les nerf, fais pas le niaiseux et dis-moi ce que tu penses de tous ça.” It all came out in a torrent and he knew he was beat. She was not going to back down and Donna could turn this into the War of 1812 if she chose to.
“All right.” He threw up his hands in disgust. His fork clattered noisily against the side of the bowl. “She’s back and she’s as beautiful as ever. No.” He slashed his hand decisively through the air. “She’s even more beautiful. Leave it to Lucy not to get fat or dumpy looking. She’s smoking hot and just as deadly.”
“And you feel?”
“FREAKED OUT.”
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April 1, 2015
THREADS OF DECEIT Blog Tour, Review & Guest Post
Threads of Deceit
by Mae Fox & Jan Fields
Threads of Deceit
(Vineyard Quilt Mysteries)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Annie’s (April 1, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1573674775
E-Book ASIN: B00Q1UF8X2
Synopsis
The first in a new mystery series—for quilters and mystery lovers alike!
Former antiquities bounty hunter, Julie Ellis, is on the run, trying to stay one stiletto step ahead of her past. She accepts a position as manager of the Quilt Haus Inn in Missouri wine country, thinking it the perfect place to keep a low profile and start a new, less-dangerous career. It is—until Daniel Franklin walks through the door and asks for a room.
Daniel claims he’s come to Straussberg in search of a famous sunken ship that he believes is buried in a nearby farm field. Julie finds the handsome historian’s story odd at best, but when a dead body is discovered at the proposed dig site, it becomes clear somebody else believes the theory and doesn’t want the ship or its secrets exposed. Who in the town would possibly care about the old shipwreck? As frightening things start to happen at the inn—all seemingly connected to the hunt for the missing ship—Julie and her quilting friends must unearth the truth before someone else is buried.
My thoughts:
This is the first time author for me and I loved this book. Julie thinks Daniel’s belief that a sunken ship is in a farm filed is odd but goes with it especially when a dead body is found at the site. Julie and her quilting buddies jump in to solve the case.
I loved this book with all the characters and suspense. The author does a wonderful job in the interactions and the scenes in the book. The story help my interest from the beginning until the end. I was not disappointed at all and will be reading more books by this author.
Guest Post
THREADS OF DECEIT is a special book for me because the main character, Julie Ellis, is such a strong woman. She isn’t anti-men, but she doesn’t pine for one either. She loves her work and her friends and the sheer joy of learning something new. I admire Julie, but her strengths can also be her weakness, because she can sometimes be prone to doing too much on her own and running into danger. So she’s not perfect, but she enjoys her life, and I like that about her. Plus, she’s a bit quirky, and I can relate to that very well.
I do most of my writing first thing in the morning in my home office. It’s a rather chaotic space, but I like to think of it as controlled chaos. I keep sticky notes down the side of my monitor that list the things I need to accomplish, so I don’t overlook anything. I have a bulletin board on the wall right beside me, and I stick things on there that must not be lost. That can range from the specs for the latest series I’m working on, to reference photos for a book, to the tickets for a show I’m going to with my husband. Right beside the bulletin board, I have a little hook where I hang two pairs of headphones. One is connected to the computer since I don’t have speakers. The other pair are actually to block out noise when I work.
The rest of my desk is taken up with piles of books and reference materials, and a beautiful little wooden box that my husband made. The box presently holds my meds, a Doctor Who action figure, a bar of handmade soap that a fan sent me, and one of my daughter’s Epipens. That kind of weird combination of items is very much representative of me. I’m a little bit of this and a little bit of that. A mystery writer and a children’s writer. A mom and a writing teacher. A rabid Doctor Who fan and a middle-aged lady. But then, aren’t all of us a potpourri? That’s what makes us interesting. I try to bring that into the characters I write, and I believe Julie Ellis and the quirky cast of the Vineyard Quilt Mysteries will be an interesting potpourri for fans to discover.
INCLUDES A FREE QUILTING PATTERN INSPIRED BY THE STORY!
About This Author
Since my first magazine publication in the 1980s, I have been steadily writing for money in some form. Today I have over twenty books in print and still more in the pipeline – books for children and adults. I’ve also written for magazines, educational publishers and even a toy company!
Writing is the only thing I’ve ever done really well that didn’t eventually become more like work than fun.
Although I grew up in the South, I have lived in New England since 1998, when I married the kindest, most wonderful man I had ever met, and he proceeded to haul me all the way to Connecticut. He keeps my life, my computer, and my focus in good order. Together we have one brilliant daughter who has spent 15 years teaching me how little I really did know about parenting (and after I wrote all those parenting articles, tsk tsk tsk). Every day my family shows me again the value of laughing, and taking time for other things besides work. I hope they always will.
These days, I teach as an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature and serve as their webmaster. I jump back and forth between being a teacher and a learner every day and I think that is the best thing anyone can be. I want to learn something new every day, and find someone I can help with that knowledge, as well.
Author Links:
Webpage: http://www.janfields.com/index.htm
Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/janisfields
Twitter: @JanisFields
Purchase Links
Amazon
B&N Book Depository Kobo Google Play
Tour Participants
April 1 – Babs Book Bistro – Review, Guest Post
April 2 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
April 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
April 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
April 5 – Tea and A Book – Review, Interview
April 6 – Back Porchervations – Review
April 7 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – Review
April 8 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post
The post THREADS OF DECEIT Blog Tour, Review & Guest Post appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
March 31, 2015
Never Too Late by Robyn Carr review and blog tour
#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr examines the lives of three sisters as they step beyond the roles of wife, mother, daughter and discover the importance of being a woman first
Clare Wilson is starting over. She’s had it with her marriage to a charming serial cheater. Even her own son thinks she’s given his father too many chances. With the support of her sisters, Maggie and Sarah, she’s ready to move on. Facing her fortieth birthday, Clare is finally feeling the rush of unadulterated freedom.
But when a near-fatal car accident lands Clare in the hospital, her life takes another detour. While recovering, Clare realizes she has the power to choose her life’s path. The wonderful younger police officer who witnessed her crash is over the moon for her. A man from her past stirs up long-buried feelings. Even her ex is pining for her. With enthusiasm and a little envy, her sisters watch her bloom.
Together, the sisters encourage each other to seek what they need to be happy. Along the way they all learn that it’s never too late to begin again.
The post Never Too Late by Robyn Carr review and blog tour appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
March 30, 2015
Always Love You by Shirleen Davies & Giveaway
Book Description:
“Romance,
adventure, motorcycles, cowboys, suspense—everything you want in a contemporary
western romance novel.”
Eric Sinclair loves his bachelor status. His work at
MacLaren Enterprises leaves him with plenty of time to ride his horse as well
as his Harley…and date beautiful women without a thought to commitment.
Amber Anderson is the new person at MacLaren Enterprises.
Her passion for marketing landed her what she believes to be the perfect job—until
she steps into her first meeting to find the man she left, but still loves,
sitting at the management table—his disdain for her clear.
Eric won’t allow the past to taint his professional
behavior, nor will he repeat his mistakes with Amber, even though love for her
pulses through him as strong as ever.
As they strive to mold a working relationship, unexpected
danger confronts those close to them, pitting the MacLarens and Sinclairs
against an evil who stalks one member but threatens them all.
Eric can’t get the memories of their passionate past out of
his mind, while Amber wrestles with feelings she thought long buried. Will they
be able to put the past behind them to reclaim the love lost years before?
Read, Always Love You, book five in the MacLarens of Fire
Mountain Contemporary Romance series.
Excerpt:
The trip to her apartment had been
excruciating. Not so much because of where she sat, within arm’s reach of him.
It had more to do with his acceptance he still loved Amber, wanted her back in
his life and his bed—always. No other woman had been able to find a way into
his heart the way she had, and there’d been many who’d tried.
He’d spent the drive trying to come up with
the right words, something to make her understand he’d never stopped loving
her. The fear she’d turn from him again began to fade as the need to find out
if they could ever have a future took over. He’d seen the way she watched him
when she thought he wasn’t looking. The regret he’d seen almost choked him.
It had taken all his willpower to unlock her
door and step aside instead of taking her in his arms. Now he found his control
falter as she stared up at him.
His chest squeezed as his breath caught. He
reached for her hand, turning it over to press his mouth to her palm, never
taking his gaze from hers. Her lips parted, her breathing quickened. The air
around them pulsed as if they’d been enveloped in a magnetic force neither
could escape.
“Amber…” He whispered her name a moment before
lowering his head until his mouth came down on hers. The first touch seemed
almost tentative before he wrapped his arms around her and tightened his hold.
The kiss deepened, his mouth devouring hers, hot and moist.
He could feel her hands move up his arms to
wrap around his neck, pulling him tight, melding her body to his. He groaned as
her tongue traced his lips, sending a hot ache through him. Gathering her
closer, he explored the recesses of her mouth until he pulled away on a ragged
breath, letting his lips trace a path down her neck to the soft spot at the
base. He sucked lightly before moving back up to reclaim her mouth.
Amber’s caution shattered at the first touch
of his lips to hers. It had been so long and she wanted him so much. The feel
of his mouth devouring hers sent waves of heat pulsing through her. She
remembered how they used to be together and began to feel the same sense of
urgency. Her hands moved under his jacket, splaying across his back.
“Ah, baby,” he groaned as fire roared through
him. “God, I want you.”
Bio: Shirleen Davies writes
romance—historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. She grew up in
Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San
Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she
provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real
passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find
redemption through love and acceptance.
She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.
Author links
Website
Blog
Google+
Tsu
Buy Links
Amazon
Amazon UK
iBooks
Barnes
& Noble
Kobo
Smashwords
The post Always Love You by Shirleen Davies & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
