Babs Hightower's Blog, page 74
January 13, 2016
THREAD AND GONE by Lea Wait, review & giveaway
Thread and Gone
by Lea Wait
Thread and Gone
(A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery)
3rd in Series
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (December 29, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1617730085
E-Book ASIN: B00VQFKH8I
Synopsis
When a priceless antique is stolen, murder unravels the peaceful seaside town of Haven Harbor, Maine…
Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group’s Fourth of July supper with a question about antique needlepoint she’s discovered in her family Colonial-era home, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter.
Their best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If they’re right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in her office safe. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe and ransacked, the real mystery begins. . .
My thoughts:
So with the an old piece of needlepoint with possible ties to Marie Antoinette, Mary Queen of Scots, the story takes off into an interesting read. So many suspects to choose from the story will keep the reader guessing until the end.
With Angie’s grandmother on her honeymoon she is on her own for this investigation. But Ruth does help and it was great to see the two work together. It’s also funny that Ruth writes erotica. Another wonderful read for this author.
About The Author
Lea Wait lives on the coast of Maine. A fourth generation antique dealer, and author of the Agatha-nominated Shadows Antique Print mystery series, she loves all things antiques and Maine, and she’s learning to do needlepoint. She also writes historical novels for young people set in (where else?) nineteenth-century Maine. Lea adopted her four daughters when she was single; she’s now the grandmother of eight, and married to artist Bob Thomas.
Author Link
Webpage – http://www.leawait.com/
GoodReads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25310520-thread-and-gone
Purchase Links
Amazon
–
http://www.amazon.com/Thread-Gone-Mainely-Needlepoint-Mystery/dp/1617730084
IndieBound – http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781617730085
B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thread-and-gone-lea-wait/1121697423?ean=9781617730085
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January 12, 2016
The Edge of Nowhere by CH Armstrong
The year is 1992 and Victoria Hastings Harrison Greene—reviled matriarch of a sprawling family—is dying.
After surviving the Oklahoma Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Victoria refuses to leave this earth before revealing the secrets she’s carried for decades.
Once the child of a loving family during peaceful times, a shocking death shattered her life. Victoria had to come face to face with the harshness of the world. As the warm days of childhood receded to distant memory, Victoria learns to survive.
No matter what it takes.
To keep her family alive in an Oklahoma blighted by dust storms and poverty, Victoria makes choices—harsh ones, desperate ones. Ones that eventually made her into the woman her grandchildren fear and whisper about. Ones that kept them all alive. Hers is a tale of tragedy, love, murder, and above all, the conviction to never stop fighting.
My thoughts:
So where to begin…The Edge of Nowhere is a book you will want to have a good drink, tissues, light on and comfy clothes. Why do I say this? Because it is one hell of a page turner. The story will grab you from the first few pages and not let you go.
Victoria has had some rough times, more than her fair share but that made her a woman you either loved or feared. A love hate relationship at times. Yes, she could be have been softer around the edges and some choices might not have had to happen but what would you do to take care of your children? You might make some of the exact same choices.
The story is well written and the character’s pop from the page. You feel what they feel, see what they see and you want to make it all better for them. The depression is interesting all in itself but this story about real characters and real situations will have you wanting to take them into your heart and never let them go.
I would give this 6 stars if I could-it’s just that good.
You can pre-order today…Click here
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GUNFIGHT AT GRACE GULCH spotlight
Gunfight at Grace Gulch
by Darlene Franklin
Gunfight at Grace Gulch
(Christian Cozy Mystery)
(A Dressed For Death Mystery Book 1)
Forget Me Not Romances
A Division of Winged Publications (February 28, 2015)
Paperback: 216 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1508946991
E-Book B00U4XPROW
Synopsis
The feud between the Graces and the Gaynors is still going strong more than a century after its inception in the 1891 Oklahoma land run. Newspaper editor Penn Hardy is murdered during the reenactment of the most famous gunfight in the history of Grace Gulch, Oklahoma. Cici Wilde, owner of a vintage clothing store, feels compelled to investigate when police suspect people close to her. She soon discovers her talent for sleuthing equals her flare for wearing period clothing. Theater director Audie Howe never expected the reenactment to end in a real murder. He cares too much for the future of the Magda Grace Mallory Theater – and the charming Cici Wilde – to let her face danger alone. Cici and Audie take a dangerous gamble to nail the killer – and lay their lives on the line.
About the Author
Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over forty books and has written more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont.
Author Links
http://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Franklin/e/B001K8993A/ https://www.facebook.com/darlene.franklin.3
www.darlenefranklinwrites.com (currently in development, will be live by November/December)
@darlenefranklin
Purchase Links
Amazon
A Book Excerpt
The gigantic black hands on the town clock atop our municipal building inched toward twelve o’clock. Audie put a cell phone to his ear.
Cord and Penn, reprising their roles as Bob Grace and Dick Gaynor, burst through the saloon doors, shouting insults.
My heart stuttered a bit, worried for Cord. Penn sounded really angry.
“You can’t get away with it. You’re a scoundrel and a cheat.” Penn’s face was set into deep lines, hatred aging him prematurely.
“I’m not a cheat. I arrived first, fair and square.
You have to accept it.”
Tension twisted my shoulders. I held my breath.
“That’s what you think!” Penn pulled out a Colt and fired.
A flash of light—popping sounds—two men fell to the ground.
Tour Participants
January 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review, Giveaway
January 12 – Babs Book Bistro – Spotlight
January 13 – Laura’s Interests – Review, Giveaway
January 14 – Island Confidential – Interview, Giveaway
January 15 – MHDeanCollectibles Book Blog – Review
January 16 – The Girl with Book Lungs – Guest Post, Giveaway
January 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
January 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
January 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
January 20 – deal sharing aunt – Interview
January 21 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Spotlight, Giveaway
January 22 – Book Babble – Review
January 23 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review
January 24 – dru’s book musings – Guest Post, Giveaway
The post GUNFIGHT AT GRACE GULCH spotlight appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Release Blitz – Irrationally His, The Collection by Jessa Jacobs
Author: Jessa Jacobs
Title: Irrationally His, The Collection
Release Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Mad for Romance Publishing
Cover Designer: EDH Graphics
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Editor: Candice Royer
The five titles in the Irrationally His series are brought together in one seamless read in Irrationally His, The Collection.
Chelsea couldn’t stand Travis ten years ago when her mother married his dad and moved to his ranch in Montana. The feeling was mutual. He stayed – she went to live with her dad. On the occasion of a week-long ten-year anniversary party, they meet as virtual strangers, and sparks still fly. The trouble is, where sparks fly, fire soon follows. Even though he’s too cocky, too arrogant, too flippant and a bum, she can’t keep her mind and soon her hands off of him. And even though she’s illogical, unfathomable and completely annoying, she’s all woman and irresistible to him.
Nothing but trouble can come from them acting on their desires. The question is, just how much trouble are they willing to tolerate for the sake of exploring how far their passion will take them?
What people are saying about the series…
Travis and Chelsea, described by one reviewer at the beginning as “an uncommitted, somewhat self centered man, and a directionless and slightly flakey woman” meet as virtual strangers on his father’s ranch, where his father and her mother are about to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary in opulent style. Undeniable chemistry versus misunderstandings, separation, and tragedy inevitably change and mature them. The question is whether they’re right for each other in the greater scheme of things. Only time and distance will tell.”
Chelsea
“You do know you’re trespassing, right?”
The voice startled me from a sound sleep and my eyes flew open to reveal what I at first thought was a vision straight out of my book. From my position, lying on my back, he looked too tall to be real, and the tight-fitting jeans, plaid Western shirt, and Stetson hat did nothing to dispel that thought. The expression on his face puzzled me at first. A wide grin revealed perfect teeth and belied the words he’d spoken.
I started to answer when I noticed his eyes flick from my face to my — oh, my God! My chest. My bare boobs. What the hell? I crossed my arms over myself and sat up in one motion. Looking around wildly for my shirt, I heard him speak.
“Looking for this?”
I hadn’t answered his accusation of trespassing, but I had plenty to say about him holding my shirt out of my reach. I wanted to cover way too much quivering flesh A-S-A-P. Thank God my lower half wasn’t naked. That would have been too much. Literally.
“Give me that, you bastard!” As I spoke, I lifted my face to glare at him. With a cocky grin, he tossed my shirt to me, but didn’t look away. “You could at least turn your back while I put this on.”
When he didn’t, I snarled, “You’re no gentleman.”
“Didn’t say I was,” was his laconic reply.
When he still didn’t turn away, I had no choice but to let one arm move to retrieve the shirt, and then to expose my boobs to his gaze again as I lifted my arms to pull the shirt over my head. Although I was covered, it wasn’t much better as the shirt was a bit too small, and in my haste to cover myself, I’d skipped the bra. A quick glance downward made me groan. In the now-chilly air under the shade of a tree, my traitorous nipples were in full evidence under the thin fabric. As was my belly. I sucked it in.
I was at a severe disadvantage in my sitting position on the ground, so I stood to look him in the eye. It wasn’t usually a problem for me, at my five-eleven height. Nevertheless, I had to look up several inches to meet his. “I’m not trespassing.”
He quirked one eyebrow, the challenge clear. Then he looked pointedly at my chest again.
I crossed my arms. “My mother is married to the owner of this ranch.”
His eyes widened. “Is she? How nice for you.”
“How long were you standing there getting an eyeful before you woke me?” I asked. I was about two seconds from punching this asshole in his pretty face.
“Oh, I don’t know,” he answered with a slow drawl. “Ten minutes? Fifteen?”
“You bastard!” I exclaimed again. “I assume you work for my step-dad. I’m going to have you fired.”
“You assume wrong, Chelsea,” he said.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon |
Like you, I’m a reader. When I read a good story with characters I can connect with, my everyday existence fades into the background as I enter a world that may contain exotic locations, adventure and excitement. And, if I can be totally honest with you, in my favorite stories I can fall in love for a while with an impossibly gorgeous guy who is the best lover imaginable.
So, maybe it won’t come as a surprise that in my books you’ll find hot alpha male book-boyfriends, sassy heroines who are much more clever and beautiful than I am, and stories I hope will make you laugh and cry while reading them, as I did while writing them. Oh, and some scenes you may want to role-play with your lover.
If you’d like to know more about me, my books, or special offers for free reading, please check my website at www.jessajacobs.com.
The post Release Blitz – Irrationally His, The Collection by Jessa Jacobs appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
January 11, 2016
Virtual Tour, FINDING PROMISE by Scarlett Dunn & Giveaway
Enter to Win a Paperback Copy of
FINDING PROMISE
FINDING PROMISE
The McBride Brothers #2
Scarlett Dunn
Released Dec 29th, 2015
Kensington: Zebra
A
trail of danger and dreams…
She may be an heiress, but Parker
Promise Sinclair cares more about living an adventurous life than snaring a
suitable husband. So it’s no surprise when she joins a Wyoming wagon trail—only
to survive a massacre that leaves her with no memory, a target on her back—and
her abiding faith tested by the only man who can possibly protect her.
His gunfighting skills and trail
savvy have saved U.S. Marshal Jake McBride more times than he can count. And
his instincts tell him the only way to keep Promise alive is to take her along
on his high-stakes cattle drive. But she soon proves she can ride and shoot
with the best of them—and Jake finds it increasingly difficult to keep himself
from falling for her. Soon, with danger closing in, they’ll have only one
chance to face their doubts, their fears—and their growing love…
BUY NOW
Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo
Scarlett Dunn lives in Kentucky surrounded by all manner of wildlife, and
enjoys long “God walks” where most inspiration strikes. Possessing an
adventurous spirit, and a love of history, particularly the pioneers of the
West, she has a special place in her heart for all cowboys, past and present.
Readers can visit her website: www.scarlettdunn.com.
Website | Facebook | GoodReads
Looking for more McBride Brothers?
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | GooglePlay
The post Virtual Tour, FINDING PROMISE by Scarlett Dunn & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
January 10, 2016
Harlequin Heartwarming tour with Leigh Riker & Giveaway
On tour with†Prism Book Tours.
Heartwarming†for Everyone
Iím so excited (as in the Pointer Sisters song)Öand Iím not going to hide it.
Beginning in January our Harlequin Heartwarming books now in mass market paperback are on the shelves in a select number of Walmart stores!!
I love print books. Donít you? Thereís just something about holding that hard copy in your hands, and even the scent of paper, that makes me smile. Iím one of those readers too who like to thumb back to check details earlier in the story so this new physical form of our Heartwarming books works beautifully for me.
Itís not always easy to find a romance thatís clean and wholesome with a rich, compelling plot and multi-faceted characters to root for all the way to a happy ending. The first romance I ever read was The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss. It certainly got me hooked and I still love that book. But itís pretty spicy, not one Iíd feel comfortable buying for a grandmother, mother, daughter or friend.
My own granddaughter hadnít read one of my books until I started writing for Heartwarming. Before that, she didnít want to connect me with the, um, grittier side of romance.
Now she doesnít need to worry. With Harlequin Heartwarming you donít either! You can trust this brandófour books in the line each monthóto provide a great reading experience. Pick up a copy (or more) today. And enjoy!
ó†Leigh
Award-winning author Leigh Riker began her career with short stories then novels, and she still loves to write romance. When not writing, or thinking about writing, she likes to read, watch movies (funny or sad), dig in the garden, travel, and play the pianoówith gusto if not finesse. At home in the Southeast she is (of course) working on a new novel.
Website – Goodreads – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest
†
Tour Schedule
Check out these Heartwarming authors’ own selfies…
January 3rd: Launch
January 4th:†I Am A Reader†- Amy Vastine
January 5th:†Mel’s Shelves†- Anna J. Stewart
January 6th:†deal sharing aunt†- Cari Lynn Webb
January 7th:†Reading Is My SuperPower†- Carol Ross
January 8th:†Katie’s Clean Book Collection†- Catherine Lanigan
January 10th:†Babs Book Bistro†- Leigh Riker
January 11th:†Love, Laughter, Friendship†- Melinda Curtis
January 12th:†Heidi Reads…†- Pamela Tracy
January 13th:†Christian Chick’s Thoughts†- Rula Sinara
January 14th:†Bookworm Lisa†- Tara Taylor Quinn
January 15th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
15 – $10 Walmart Gift Cards
– Rules: To enter, take a selfie at a local Walmart with a Heartwarming book and post publicly on social media (can be your hands, your face, etc. with a Heartwarming book). Can enter once each day with a different picture each time. Those who post the same picture multiple times will be disqualified. Those who only post privately (so that it can’t be viewed publicly) will also be disqualified.
– US Only
– Ends January 20th
The post Harlequin Heartwarming tour with Leigh Riker & Giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters by Lida Sideris & giveaway
Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters
by Lida Sideris
Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters
Paperback: 408 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (September 11, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1509202409
E-Book ASIN: B014BVSWTE
Synopsis
Watch out Southern California! There’s a new entertainment attorney in town and she’s got game. Only problem is, it’s not the one she should be playing. Corrie Locke belongs behind a desk, not behind a Glock. She should be taking VIP calls, not nosing around a questionable suicide. Instead, she’s hot on the trail of a murderer.
Luckily, she’s the daughter of a late, great private eye and she’s inherited his love of sleuthing…and illegal weaponry. It doesn’t help matters that her gene for caution is a recessive one. Corrie finds herself in the center of a murder case, unearthing suspects in shocking places. With a cold-blooded killer on the loose, Corrie will have to up her game, or die trying.
About The Author
Like her heroine, Corrie Locke, Lida Sideris worked as an entertainment attorney for a film studio. Unlike her heroine, she did not get blackmailed into investigating the suspicious death of a co-worker. Lida resides in the northern tip of Southern California with her family, their rescue shepherds, and a flock of uppity chickens. She was one of two national recipients of the Helen McCloy/Mystery Writers of America scholarship for mystery writing.
Author Links
WEBSITE: http://www.lidasideris.com/
BLOG: http://www.lidasideris.com/blog/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lidasideris
TWITTER: @lidasideris
Purchase Links
The post Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters by Lida Sideris & giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
January 8, 2016
Cinderella Busted by Petie McCarty and giveaway
Enter to Win a
$10.00 Amazon eGift Card
CINDERELLA BUSTED
The Cinderella Romances #1
Petie McCarty
Released December 16th, 2015
Soul Mate Publishing
Cinderella’s fairy tale moves to
Jupiter Island, Florida where Lily Foster, owner of an eclectic landscape
nursery, is mistaken for a wealthy socialite by billionaire resort developer
Rhett Buchanan. Overdue for a little romance in her life, Lily is anxious for
one fabulous date with her handsome prince, so she cultivates her inadvertent
masquerade.
Rhett Buchanan has become jaded with
the Palm Beach social scene, dominated by scheming women desperate for more
money — his money. Rhett falls hard when he meets Lily Foster. She is a breath
of fresh air after the smog of gold diggers constantly surrounding him.
For Rhett and Lily, it’s love at
first sight until her deception comes to light and pitches their relationship
into a disastrous tailspin. Well-meaning friends are determined to intercede
and resort to inept high jinks to reunite the estranged couple while a wicked
ex-girlfriend plays dirty to keep the couple apart.
BUY NOW
Amazon
Petie spent a large part of her career working as a biologist at
Walt Disney World — “The Most Magical Place on Earth” — where she
enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic
fairy tales by night. She eventually said good-bye to her “day” job
to write her stories full-time.
Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with
her horticulturist husband, a spoiled-rotten English Springer spaniel addicted
to pimento-stuffed green olives, and a noisy Nanday conure named Sassy who made
a cameo appearance in Angel to the Rescue.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
The post Cinderella Busted by Petie McCarty and giveaway appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Maisey Yates, The Queen’s New Year Secret
New Year’s Resolutions:
Queen Tabitha, of Petras:
Escape from loveless marriage
Clean up pieces of life (And broken heart)
Find a new job (Probably a new position as queen not likely)
Do NOT sleep with sexy soon-to-be-ex-husband
King Kairo, of Petras:
Seduce recalcitrant wife
Kidnap her and take her to private island
Seduce her again
And maybe again for good measure
I don’t usually ‘cast’ actors as my characters, mostly because when I pick inspiration pics I like to go for a mood or feeling, versus nailing down exactly what everyone looks like.
BUT, I can definitely see the eternally handsome Henry Cavill as King Kairos from the Queen’s New Year Secret, especially when he’s looking stoic and hot in a suit.
The post Maisey Yates, The Queen’s New Year Secret appeared first on ~*~Babs Book Bistro~*~.
Virtual Tour : HEARTSONG by Sara Walter Ellwood, review and promo
Enter to Win a
$10.00 Amazon or B&N eGift Card
HEARTSONG
Singing to the Heart #2
Sara Walter Ellwood
Releasing Jan 5th, 2016
Lyrical Shine
Gabriel
McKenna is living the dream. A rising country music star he’s no stranger to
fame, money, or beautiful women. Despite his bad boy image, he’s also got a
heart of gold, and when his ten-year-old brother is orphaned, he wants to take
him under his wing. But the judge on the case is less than impressed by Gabe’s
reputation and awards custody to the grandfather Gabe knows firsthand is
abusive.
Michaela
Finn is no stranger to heartache. Years ago she was engaged to Gabe McKenna,
but two days before their wedding he ran off to Nashville with a female talent
scout. Now Gabe is back in her life with an insane plan. Marry him, so he can
get custody of his younger brother. Michaela can’t bear to think of any child
being hurt, but she’s just not sure her heart can carry a happy tune when Gabe
is playing lead…
My thoughts:
Gabe and Michaela were once engaged until something happened…Devastated Michaela retreated into ranch life while Gabe moved on and became country music’s biggest star. Tragedy stuck which lead Gabe back to Michaela. To keep Jesse, Gabe asks that Micki marries him and also to keep him away from his abusive Grandfather as he wants to adopt him. A second chance at love and it works.
BUY NOW
Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo
Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long
ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences
growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her
contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20
years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny.
She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at
heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published
and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up. She
also publishes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name Cera duBois.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Don’t Miss the other Singing to the Heart Releases
HEARTSTRINGS
Available Now
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
HEARTLAND
Coming Soon
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
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