BEYOND THE HORIZON by Ella Carey – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Beyond the Horizon blog tour cover

BEYOND THE HORIZON

by

ELLA CAREY

Historical Fiction / Friendship
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Date of Publication: October 15, 2019
Number of Pages: 326

Scroll down for the giveaway!

Synopsis

Beyond the Horizon book cover

From the author of The House by the Lake comes a powerful novel of friendship during World War II, fighting for the truth, and making peace with the past.

At the height of World War II, Eva Scott’s dream comes true. Accepted into the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), she leaves balmy California and the man she loves for grueling training in Texas, ultimately landing at formidable Camp Davis in North Carolina.

Vastly outnumbered by men and amid contempt, discrimination, and sabotage, Eva and her closest friends, the unconventional Nina and straight-laced Helena, remain loyal to their mission and to each other. They stay focused on the horizon, determined to prove themselves capable women pilots. Until a fatal mission sends Eva’s dream crashing to earth . . .

Now, decades later, is it possible to discover the truth about the night that changed her life? Is there any hope she’ll recover all that she’s lost? When Eva finds herself embroiled in the fight to get military recognition for the WASP, she’s forced to confront the past and to make a decision that could forever change her future.

Thrilling and inspiring, Beyond the Horizon is a portrait of love, friendship, and valor in a time of war—and a tribute to the brave women who risked their lives for their country.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

add to goodreads

Beyond the Horizon meme

PRAISE FOR BEYOND THE HORIZON:

“With snappy dialogue, impressive historical details, a sense of adventure and courage on every page, and even a love story, Ella Carey has hit all the markers that make fine historical fiction.”
Ann Howard Creel, bestselling author of The Whiskey Sea

“Fans of inspirational World War II fiction will cheer on Eva and her fellow pilots as they chase their dreams, endure heartbreak, and discover their true strength. Carey’s evocative descriptions bring home the exhilaration of flight—and the everyday indignities endured by young women who challenged the expectations of their time. The story’s final twist makes for a surprising and moving conclusion.” —Elizabeth Blackwell, author of On a Cold Dark Sea and In the Shadow of Lakecrest

“A moving, beautifully written novel about the amazing WASP during WWII. True to life and packed full of emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling like I was one of these extraordinary women pilots as I read the story.” —Soraya M. Lane, Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Girls of Pearl Harbor 

 

Review_preview

Beyond the Horizon bookstagram

Beyond the Horizon is so impressively well-researched that, at times, it read more like a biography than a historical fiction novel. Ms. Carey impressed with her attention to detail and breadth of knowledge about women pilots and the highly technical subject of aviation. The real-life dramas of gender discrimination in the military, of friendship and sisterhood, of complicated family dynamics, and of love and loss, greatly enhanced that initial impression.

It surprised and delighted me how strongly I personally related to Eva Scott in the early pages of the book. Reading those flying scenes evoked memories of my own unforgettable experience of taking over the controls of a Philippine Air Force plane when I was fifteen and flying it for a quarter of an hour over a dormant volcano. Such is Ms. Carey’s storytelling talent that her work triggers an emotional response from the reader. It certainly did with me.

While I enjoyed the majority of this novel, I still found a couple of things that could have been improved. The pacing is a tad inconsistent. It was slow during the training parts and rushed towards the end. Jack’s character frustrated me in that he came out like a Hollywood villain. Finally, as a romance author, I wish there was more development before Eva’s happily-ever-after.

This is the first book by Ella Carey that I’ve read and I can say this is a wonderful introduction. I was already predisposed to like this novel due to my connection with the US Air Force and my burgeoning interest in World War II historical fiction, but her writing skill convinced me to check out more of her backlist and watch out for her future work.

4 Four-half-stars

 

AboutTheAuthor

Ella CareyElla Carey is the international bestselling author of The Things We Don’t Say, Secret Shores, From a Paris Balcony, The House by the Lake, and Paris Time Capsule. Her books have been published in over fourteen countries, in twelve languages. Her sixth novel is Beyond The Horizon, set around the Women Air Force Service Pilots during World War Two.

Ella is incredibly excited to share this book with her readers, as her mother was a W.A.A.A.F during World War Two, and her father was in the R.A.F, flying airplanes over occupied France. Ella traveled to Sweetwater, Texas, to research the novel, and is grateful to Ann Hobing, the then-Executive Director of the WASP museum for sharing her wonderful knowledge of the WASP. Ella also worked with two pilots to craft the flight scenes.

Ella loves to connect with her readers For more information on the background to her novels and updates about her next release and to contact her about appearances at your local book club, please visit her website.

WebsiteFacebookGoodreads
BookBubInstagramTwitter
Amazon Author Page

————————————-
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

THREE PAPERBACK COPIES OF BEYOND THE HORIZON
OCTOBER 17-27, 2019
(U.S. Only)

Beyond the Horizon giveaway

Click on the photo to enter.

A Rafflecopter giveaway

 

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/17/19 	Promo 			Texas Book Lover 
10/17/19 	Promo 			Hall Ways Blog 
10/18/19 	Review 			Sydney Young, Stories 
10/19/19 	Excerpt 		Forgotten Winds 
10/20/19 	Review 			Bibliotica 
10/21/19 	Character Interview 	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews 
10/21/19 	Excerpt 		Chapter Break Book Blog 
10/22/19 	Guest Post 		Nerd Narration 
10/23/19 	Review 			StoreyBook Reviews 
10/23/19 	Review 			Book Fidelity 
10/24/19 	Excerpt 		That's What She's Reading 
10/24/19 	Scrapbook 		All the Ups and Downs 
10/25/19 	Review 			Reading by Moonlight 
10/26/19 	Review 			Carpe Diem Chronicles 
10/26/19 	Review 			The Clueless Gent

 

blog tour services provided by

LONGING FOR A COWBOY CHRISTMAS By Leigh Greenwood, Rosanne Bittner, Linda Broday, Margaret Brownley, Anna Schmidt, & Amy Sandas – Book Blog Tour: Promo and Giveaway

LFACC tour cover

LONGING FOR A COWBOY CHRISTMAS

with stories by

ROSANNE BITTNER, LINDA BRODAY,
MARGARET BROWNLEY, AMY SANDAS,
LEIGH GREENWOOD, ANNA SCHMIDT

Genre: Romance Anthology / Western / Historical
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date of Publication: September 24, 2019
Number of Pages: 528

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Synopsis

LFACC book cover

Find your very own cowboy to keep warm these long, wintry nights as you cozy up with six sweeping, epic tales of heroism, passion, family and celebration from bestselling authors Leigh Greenwood, Rosanne Bittner, Linda Broday, Margaret Brownley, Anna Schmidt, and Amy Sandas.

Fall in Love with Christmas

Whether it’s a widower finding an unexpected new start, a former outlaw and his new wife welcoming their very own Christmas miracle, a long-lost lover returning just in time for a special holiday celebration, a second chance at love between two warring hearts given peace at last, an unlikely pair working together to bring joy to a small Texas town, or a cowboy and his dark-eyed beauty snowed in one unforgettable wintry eve … every Christmas with a cowboy is filled with light, laughter, and a forever kind of love.

book trailer

 

——–║——–

CLICK TO PURCHASE

AMAZONiTUNES
BARNES AND NOBLEINDIEBOUND

add to goodreads
——–║——–

PRAISE FOR LONGING FOR A COWBOY CHRISTMAS:

“Greenwood is a master at westerns.” ―RT Book Reviews for Leigh Greenwood

“An emotional powerhouse! This classic historical western is destined for the “keeper” shelf.” ―RT Book Reviews, Top Pick for Rosanne Bittner

“Fun and sensual…great for fans of history, romance, and some good old Texas grit.” ―Kirkus for Linda Broday

“A great story by a wonderful author.”―#1 New York Times bestselling author DEBBIE MACOMBER for Margaret Brownley

“The perfect read.” ―RT Book Reviews for Anna Schmidt

“A genuine page-turner…electric and absorbing.” ―Kirkus for Amy Sandas

 

LFACC authors

Blog Tour Participating Authors (L to R): Rosanne Bittner, Linda Broday, Margaret Brownley, Amy Sandas

Author Links

Rosanne Bittner:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Blog * Amazon
Linda Broday:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Pinterest * BookBub * Amazon
Margaret Brownley:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon
Leigh Greenwood:
Website * Goodreads
Amy Sandas:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Instagram * Amazon
Anna Schmidt:
Website * Pinterest * Goodreads

————————————-
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

Grand Prize: Copies of Longing for a Cowboy Christmas, The Cowboy’s Honor,
Logan’s Lady, Cowboy Charm School + $25 Amazon Gift Card
2nd Prize: Copies of LFACC, The Cowboy’s Honor, Logan’s Lady + $25 Amazon Gift Card
3rd Prize: Copies of LFACC, Logan’s Lady
October 15-October 25, 2019
(U.S. Only)

LFACC giveaway

Click on the picture to enter.

A Rafflecopter giveaway

 

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/15/19 	Book Trailer 		Carpe Diem Chronicles 
10/15/19 	BONUS STOP 		Hall Ways Blog 
10/16/19 	Review 			Book Fidelity 
10/17/19 	Author Spotlight 	That's What She's Reading 
10/18/19 	Review 			Chapter Break Book Blog 
10/19/19 	Author Spotlight 	All the Ups and Downs 
10/20/19 	Author Spotlight 	StoreyBook Reviews 
10/21/19 	Review 			Reading by Moonlight 
10/22/19 	Author Spotlight 	The Page Unbound 
10/23/19 	Review 			Missus Gonzo 
10/24/19 	Review 			Forgotten Winds 

 

blog tour services provided by

LSBBT pairing

CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY by Jodi Thomas – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

CiWV tour cover

CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY
Ransom Canyon, #8

by

Jodi Thomas

Genre: Contemporary / Western / Holiday Romance
Publisher: HQN
Publication Date: September 24, 2019
Number of Pages: 288 pages

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Synopsis

CiWV cover

Ransom Canyon welcomes you back for a Christmas that has everything you’re looking for: romance, family, and a whole lot of Texas.

Cooper Holloway would take nature over people any day—especially visiting relatives. That’s why he’s headed for a rustic cabin in remote Winter Valley, where he’ll care for a herd of wild mustangs. But Cooper’s plans are quickly thwarted by the arrival of two unexpected guests: one, a stranger in desperate need of his help, and the other, a very attractive young veterinarian.

Elliott is busy trying to keep Maverick Ranch running smoothly with Cooper gone, which is no easy task with family visiting. And when a long-lost love suddenly reappears in his life, Elliott knows he’ll have more than just books to balance this season.

With a big, chaotic family Christmas around the corner and love blooming in surprising ways, the Holloway men will have to make big choices about the future—just in time for the holidays.

PRAISE FOR CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY:
“This book has everything you would want. Laughter, drama. And tears both happy and sad. I highly recommend this book.” — Patty Champion (5 Stars, Goodreads Review)

“I could not put this book down once I started it and longed for more once I was done.” — Melanie (5 Stars, Goodreads Review)

“I got lost in the world that she [Jodi Thomas] has created and enjoyed seeing her characters with their overlapping and interconnected stories find a happiness that none of them expected to ever find.” — B. (5 Stars, Goodreads Review)

 

add to goodreads

CLICK TO BUY:

HARLEQUINAMAZONBARNES & NOBLEGOOGLE BOOKS

 

Review_preview

CiWV bookstagram

Fitting the season of love perfectly, Christmas in Winter Valley tells the story of four romantic pairings finding their happily-ever-afters in snowy Ransom Canyon. There’s the seasoned romance between Tye and Dani, the opposites attract scenario of Creed and Dallas’s story, the second-chance love between Elliot and Jess, and the instalove between Coop and Hayley. If those are not enough, there’s also the happy ending for the orphaned Tatum. Truly, there’s something for everyone to appreciate.

Happening two weeks before Christmas day, the events in this book take place at a fast clip. A good number of characters are named, which would have confused many readers if not for the deft hands of Ms. Thomas. Each person mentioned has a distinct personality, even those who are only on the other side of the phone.

As is Ms. Thomas’s signature, Christmas in Winter Valley has plenty of humor, a touch of drama, and a whole lot of Texas. Long-time fans will love this series-ender, while new readers will want to read as many of the earlier books as possible. This book can be read as a stand-alone but for those just coming into this series late, I highly recommend reading Griffin and Sunlan’s story at the very least.

I enjoyed reading this book although I wish it’s longer so that the relationships are developed better. While I appreciate the inclusion of the older pair and the varying body types, I wish there’s more diversity in the characters. I would have loved to see some persons of color. For a contemporary novel not to have them present is unrealistic in this day and age.

4 out of 5 stars

 

AboutTheAuthor

Author Pic Thomas

With millions of books in print, Jodi Thomas is both a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels and countless short story collections. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world.

In July 2006, Jodi was the 11th writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. With five RITA’s to her credit, along with National Readers’ Choice Awards and Booksellers’ Best Awards, Thomas has proven her skill as a master storyteller.

Thomas was honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and served sixteen years as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

When not working on a novel, or inspiring students to pursue writing careers, Thomas enjoys traveling with her family, renovating a historic home, and “checking up” on two grown sons and four grandchildren.

WebsiteFacebookTwitter
InstagramAmazonBookBub
PinterestGoodreads

————————————-
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

WIN A PAPERBACK COPY OF CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY
October 3-13, 2019
(US ONLY)

Click on the photo to enter:

CiWV giveaway

A Rafflecopter giveaway

 

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/3/19 	Notable Quotable 	The Page Unbound 
10/3/19 	BONUS Post 		Hall Ways Blog 
10/4/19 	Review 			That's What She's Reading 
10/5/19 	Author Video 		All the Ups and Downs 
10/6/19 	Review 			Librariel Book Adventures 
10/7/19 	Excerpt 		StoreyBook Reviews 
10/8/19 	Review 			Rainy Days with Amanda 
10/9/19 	Scrapbook Page 		The Clueless Gent 
10/10/19 	Review 			The Book Review 
10/11/19 	Review 			Carpe Diem Chronicles 
10/12/19 	Notable Quotable 	Missus Gonzo

LoneStarLitLife

blog tour services provided by:

LoneStarBookBlogTours

A DISTANCE TOO GRAND by Regina Scott – Book Blog Tour: Author Interview and Giveaway

A Distance Too Grand

A DISTANCE TOO GRAND

(American Wonders Collection, Book One)

by

REGINA SCOTT

Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell
Date of Publication: October 1, 2019
Number of Pages: 384

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Synopsis

A Distance Too Grand cover

Meg Pero has been assisting her photographer father since she was big enough to carry his equipment, so when he dies she is determined to take over his profession–starting with fulfilling the contract he signed to serve on an Army survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1871. What she doesn’t realize is that the leader of the expedition is none other than the man she once refused to marry.

Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart. He can’t afford to be distracted during this survey, which is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.

As dangers arise from all sides–and even from within–Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind.

PRAISE FOR A DISTANCE TOO GRAND:

“Five stars is not a rating I usually bestow. But Regina Scott’s A Distance Too Grand merits it. Lively, realistic, engaging characters. A compelling and intriguing plot with life and death consequences kept me turning pages. I hated to put the book down.”–Lyn Cote, Carol Award-winning author

“Adventure, danger, and romance in a wonderful, fresh setting: the Grand Canyon of 1871. Readers will find much to love.” —Julie Klassen, bestselling author

“Regina has done an excellent job of bringing the setting and characters to life. I could see and feel the canyon and picture the characters going about their tasks. A balance of mystery, romance, and adventure with enough factual information that I almost felt I could take over for the heroine. I highly recommend this book.” — Linda Ford, award-winning, fan-favorite author of the Glory, Montana series

 

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Baker Book HouseAmazonBarnes & Noble
Christianbook.comKobo Books-A-Million
Additional Retailers

add to goodreads

 

book trailer

 

AuthorInterview_preview

Interview with Regina Scott

How do you write?
I’m probably one of a few authors today who still writes longhand. To me, a pen moving across the page is creative, while typing is analytical. So, I write the first draft with a smooth-flowing ink pen in shorthand in a journal, then transcribe it into the computer, editing as I go. I’ve tried composing directly on the computer, but it’s too easy to stop and edit. It’s faster to get the story out first.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Revisiting my memories of the Grand Canyon and learning about photography in the mid-1800s. How challenging to compose a shot of such grandeur using only black-and-white ink on glass!

What are some day jobs that you have held? Have any of them impacted your writing?
Growing up, I was convinced I didn’t want to go through that period of “artist starving in the attic” so many writers experience. So, I always wanted a backup plan. Along the way, I’ve been a preschool teacher, before-and-after-school care director, camp counselor, technical writer, and scientist. Each of those positions gave me insight into people and situations that feed my writing.

What do you like to read in your free time?
Historical mysteries, particularly ones with a romance included. I wish Elizabeth Peters had written dozens more of her Amelia Peabody series!

What projects are you working on at the present?
I’m just finishing the second book in my American Wonders collection, set in Yellowstone National Park in 1886 when the Army came to the park’s rescue. 

 

AboutTheAuthor

Regina ScottRegina Scott is the author of more than 40 works of warm, witty historical romance. Her writing has won praise from Booklist and Library Journal, and she was twice awarded the prestigious RT Books Reviews best book of the year in her category. A devotee of history, she has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research. She and her husband of 30 years live south of Tacoma, Washington, on the way to Mt. Rainier.

WebsiteFacebookBlog
PinterestGoodreadsBookBub
Amazon Author Page

 

————————————-
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

FIRST PRIZE: Copy of A Distance Too Grand + 2020 National Parks Calendar;
SECOND PRIZE: Copy of A Distance Too Grand + Grand Canyon Candle;
THIRD PRIZE: Copy of A Distance Too Grand + Parks Pencil Set
October 8-October 18, 2019
(U.S. Only)

Click on photo to enter:

A Distance Too Grand giveaway

A Rafflecopter giveaway

 

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/8/19 	Notable Quotable 	Nerd Narration 
10/8/19 	BONUS Post 		Hall Ways Blog 
10/9/19 	Author Interview 	Carpe Diem Chronicles 
10/10/19 	Review 			That's What She's Reading 
10/11/19 	Excerpt 		Story Schmoozing Book Reviews 
10/12/19 	Review 			StoreyBook Reviews 
10/13/19 	Excerpt 		All the Ups and Downs 
10/14/19 	Review 			The Clueless Gent 
10/15/19 	Scrapbook Page 		Chapter Break Book Blog 
10/16/19 	Review 			Missus Gonzo 
10/17/19 	Review 			Reading by Moonlight 

 

LoneStarLitLife

blog tour services provided by

LoneStarBookBlogTours

FAKER by Sarah Smith – Happy Release Day!

Faker_FBCover_4

FAKER

by

Sarah Smith

 

SYNOPSIS

faker cover

Emmie Echavarre is a professional faker. She has to be to survive as one of the few female employees at Nuts & Bolts, a power tool company staffed predominantly by gruff, burly men. From nine to five, Monday through Friday, she’s tough as nails–the complete opposite of her easy-going real self.

One thing she doesn’t have to fake? Her disdain for coworker Tate Rasmussen. Tate has been hostile to her since the day they met. Emmie’s friendly greetings and repeated attempts to get to know him failed to garner anything more than scowls and terse one-word answers. Too bad she can’t stop staring at his Thor-like biceps …

When Emmie and Tate are forced to work together on a charity construction project, things get … heated. Emmie’s beginning to see that beneath Tate’s chiseled exterior lies a soft heart, but it will take more than a few kind words to erase the past and convince her that what they have is real.

add to goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon     Barnes and Noble     Books A Million
Hudson Booksellers     Indie Bound     Powell’s

 

ABOUT SARAH

Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith is a copywriter-turned-author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie’s stash of romance novels. She’s been hooked ever since. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and adorable cat Salem. Faker is her debut novel.

Follow her here:

Website
Facebook Author Page
Twitter

PARANORMAL TEXAS by Tui Snider – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Paranormal Texas tour cover

PARANORMAL TEXAS

Your Travel Guide
to Haunted Places
Near Dallas & Fort Worth
2ND EDITION

by

TUI SNIDER

Genre: Travel / Haunted Places / Texas History
Publisher: Castle Azle Press
Date of Publication: September 19, 2019
Number of Pages: 210 with 100+ black & white images

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

Synopsis

Paranormal Texas cover

More Haunted Places and True Ghost Stories!
Tui Snider’s popular travel guide to haunted places in North Texas is back with a fully updated 2nd Edition featuring more haunted places and true ghost stories!

What’s new in Paranormal Texas, 2nd Edition?
Just like the original travel guide, Paranormal Texas 2nd Edition gives readers haunted history and directions to sites where paranormal activity is reported in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex.

The 2nd edition now includes:
• Photos: Readers asked for photos of haunted places. Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition has over 50 photos of haunted towns, haunted hotels, and more.
• Ghost hunting tips: Tui Snider explains what she has learned since she began attending paranormal investigations with Texas ghost hunters.
• More haunted places: Several new venues (including a haunted doll museum!) with fascinating haunted history were added to Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition.
• Firsthand accounts: Readers asked for more true ghost stories and hauntings. (She even shares personal experiences with paranormal activity, including a strange encounter with her doppelganger at a haunted hotel!)

All the above, PLUS a paranormal activity evidence database:
See the paranormal activity for yourself: Readers can access an online database with links to EVPs, ghost photos, videos, and other evidence gathered by paranormal investigators who have visited the haunted sites in her book.
Continually updated: This database will be continually updated with EVPs, anomalous photos, videos, and other data gathered at haunted places featured in Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition.
Add your paranormal activity: Readers can contact the author if they have paranormal evidence to add!

Is Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition for YOU?
1. Ghost Hunters – If you want to plan a fun road trip to haunted places (with or without ghost hunting equipment) Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition can help.

2. Armchair Travelers – If you prefer reading about haunted history, Paranormal Texas, 2nd edition can take you on an exciting armchair tour through haunted towns of North Texas.

 

“Tui’s 2nd edition is spot on fun and thrilling for everyone to read as only Tui can tell it!” – Greg Stephens, Paranormal Investigator (RIP)

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

add to goodreads

 

Author Video

 

Review_preview

Paranormal Texas bookstagram

Pack your bags, fill up the tank, and go on a road trip to places recommended in this book. This was the message I received from Tui Snider’s Paranormal Texas right after I read it. Written in a casually chatty, engaging, and knowledgeable manner, this book both informs and entertains. It’s unlike any travel guide I’ve ever read. Whether she’s recounting her own investigations, debunking urban legends, sharing other people’s personal experiences, or stating factual history, Ms. Snider proves her professional expertise and immense talent as a story-teller.

I can see the depth of her research and her enthusiasm for the subject of paranormal activity in North Texas in every location she mentions. I like the variety of places that were included: hotels, bookstores, concert halls, and restaurants in addition to the usual cemeteries, bridges, and houses. I dog-eared a few of my favorites, usually the ones with the lengthy stories – Hotel Lawrence in Dallas, Emily Fowler Central Library,  and Granbury Opera House.

Haunted places organized alphabetically by city, with addresses, websites, and photographs, Paranormal Texas delivers on the travel guide part of its description. What elevates it from other books of its kind is the lively personality of its author which shines through despite the creepy, scary, and sometimes tragic tales she wrote. I’ll definitely read more of Ms. Snider’s work.

5 stars

. AboutTheAuthor

Tui Snider

Tui Snider is an award-winning writer, speaker, photographer, and musician specializing in offbeat sites, overlooked history, cemetery symbolism, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction, but then I moved to Texas!”

Tui lectures frequently at universities, libraries, conferences, and bookstores. This fall, she will speak about the Great Airship Mystery of 1897 at this year’s UFO Congress and teach a course on Understanding Cemetery Symbols at Texas Christian University. She also shares weekly info-videos based on her research on her YouTube channel.

Snider’s writing and photography have been featured in a variety of media outlets, including WFAA TV, Coast to Coast AM, LifeHack, Langdon Review, the City of Plano, Wild Woman Waking, Shades of Angels and many more. She has several more books in progress.

WEBSITE FACEBOOKTWITTER
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE
GRAVE HOUR ON INSTAGRAM

—————————————
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

GRAND PRIZE (US only):
Signed Paperback + Handmade Cemetery Angel Pendant
+$10 Amazon Gift Card
2ND PRIZE (US only): Signed Copy
3RD PRIZE (International): Kindle eBook
(US ONLY)

October 1-October 11, 2019

Click on the image to enter.

Paranormal Texas giveawayA Rafflecopter giveaway

 

CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/1/19 	Reading by Moonlight 
10/2/19 	Bibliotica 
10/2/19 	Book Fidelity 
10/3/19 	StoreyBook Reviews 
10/4/19 	Nerd Narration 
10/4/19 	Hall Ways Blog 
10/5/19 	Carpe Diem Chronicles 
10/6/19 	Forgotten Winds 
10/6/19 	Books and Broomsticks 
10/7/19 	The Page Unbound 
10/8/19 	The Book Review 
10/8/19 	Chapter Break Book Blog 
10/9/19 	Missus Gonzo 
10/10/19 	All the Ups and Downs 
10/11/19 	That's What She's Reading 

 

LoneStarLitLife

blog tour services provided by:

LoneStarBookBlogTours

EDEN’S VOICE by Catherine Stein – Release Day Review

Tagline Wide

Happy Release Day to Catherine Stein’s Eden Voice, the first book of a new series she’s calling Sass and Steam.

BLURB

cover_ev_09162019 - Front Only

Football, mechanical dragons, industrial espionage, sexy romance. Welcome to fall in Ann Arbor.

Eden Randall has her life under control. Sure, people call her weird for having a mechanical dragon with her at all times, but she’s content. All she needs are her studies and her sports—and for the football team to have another undefeated season. What she doesn’t need are nosy men from out-of-town poking into her business.

Spending months in a tiny town shadowing the football team is the last thing Boston reporter Bruce Caldwell wants to do, but the tedious job could be his ticket to something bigger and better. When he meets a sports-mad spitfire on the sidelines, he realizes the town may hold stories far more interesting than he expected.

With dragons running loose in the laboratory and a ruthless New York industrialist threatening their budding friendship, Eden and Bruce find themselves players in a game far more dangerous than the one on the gridiron. Never ones to quit, they know the only way to emerge as The Victors is to become a team. This football season, winning might mean losing their hearts.

add-to-goodreads-button

Buy links: 

Books2read      Amazon      Google Play      Kobo     Barnes and Noble

 

ABOUT CATHERINE

Catherine Stein

Award-winning author Catherine Stein believes that everyone deserves love and that Happily Ever After has the power to help, to heal, and to comfort. She writes sassy, sexy romance set during the Victorian and Edwardian eras and full of action, adventure, magic, and fantastic technologies.

Catherine lives in Michigan with her husband and three rambunctious girls. She loves steampunk and oxford commas, and can often be found dressed in clothing that was purchased at a Renaissance Festival, drinking copious amounts of tea.

Follow Catherine here: 

Facebook page        Facebook group        Twitter        Instagram        Pinterest               Bookbub        Goodreads        Amazon        Book + Main        Newsletter

 

REVIEW

In a genre often accused of being formulaic, Catherine Stein and her latest work of genius Eden’s Voice stand out as refreshingly original.

First, there’s the setting: 1904 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Most historical romance novels I read are set in England during the Regency. If they’re American-based, they’re typically in New York during the Gilded Age or in wartime Texas. I’m astounded by the depth of research Catherine must have undertaken to make the time period come alive as she did in this book.

Next, there’s the football theme. The historical sports romance category has only one entry and this is it. The author’s love for the game shines bright. Competence porn at its best.

Oh wait, there’s another unique sub-category for this book–historical STEM romance. All the biomechanics were explained in an engaging manner, I felt smart after reading those passages.

And then we have the characters. How I love Eden and Bruce. They come across as real, compelling, and sympathetic people to me and that’s not just because they both have disabilities. It’s because their thoughts, feelings, decisions, and actions appear true to who they are.

Catherine Stein has become my favorite steampunk romance author from the moment I read How to Seduce a Spy. Eden’s Voice only cemented that status in my mind with its fantastic story, smooth flow, wonderful characters (even including the villains), steamy sexy times, and amazing originality.

5 stars

THE READER AND THE ROAD by Brianna Nicols – New Release

RR Graphic Cover Photo Collage Square FB IG (1)

I’m so happy for my friend Brianna Nicols on the recent release of her latest novel The Reader and the Road, Book 2 of her Found Family series. As a reader myself, I think I’m going to be able to relate to Libby so much and enjoy the forced proximity of a road trip trope.

 

BLURB

Reader and the Road Ebook Draft 3 (1)

As a voracious reader, Libby couldn’t be happier working in the Duchess of Winston’s workshop. She’s surrounded by books, one of her best friends, and Adam, the man she’s secretly loved from afar for years.

Their livelihoods are threatened, however, when a difficult customer demands a book so popular, there are no copies available in England. To save the bookshop’s reputation, Libby must set out for Scotland in the dead of winter with an impossible task: retrieve the book by New Year’s or else.

Due to a childhood filled with disease and poverty, Adam despises everything to do with winter. All thoughts of avoiding the season end, however, when he hears of Libby’s impossible mission. Without a second thought, Adam agrees to travel with her, though it will test his resolve to keep his secret—and his feelings for Libby—hidden.

As they deal with blizzards, delays, and other mishaps, the bond between Libby and Adam only grows stronger. Their weeks-long journey will reveal long-held secrets and buried passions. No amount of love will matter, however, unless they make their deadline.

add to goodreads

Buy it here: 

eBook: https://books2read.com/u/3JV6jB

paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1692359797/ 

 

REVIEW

Perfectly titled, The Reader and the Road is a sweet, slow-burn romance between bookseller Libby and her co-worker Adam who accompanied her to Scotland to retrieve a rare book wanted by a demanding client. I love that both of them had been yearning for the other and were finally able to express their feelings once in the close confines of a carriage during their two weeks road trip.

This book is light and entertaining and I really like that it features working people instead of members of the nobility. I’d have loved it if Ms. Nichols expounded more on the holiday traditions during the time in addition to the exchange of gifts. That would have given the story a richer sense of time and place.

 

ABOUT BRIANNA

Brianna Nicols

Brianna Nicols has always been a reader. Books about magic, history, or anything revolving around romance are her favorites. The idea of writing her own stories didn’t occur to her until 2017 when some awesome ladies online said: “Why not give it a try?”

Since then, she’s been experimenting with all sorts of ideas. Though a very organized person by nature, when putting words on the page, Brianna has found that she has to write the story as it comes to her. Unfortunately, she gets bored when trying to outline more than a handful of details. So far, Brianna has written in two genres; historical and contemporary romance. Anything paranormal is a love of hers, though, so something of that nature isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Rest assured, however, that when you pick up a Brianna Nicols novel, romance will always be a prominent, if not an integral, part of the story no matter the genre.

Follow her on:

Facebook       Twitter       GoodReads       Amazon       BookBub

BN FB Twitter cover name plus covers

 

 

HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS by Kerrigan Byrne – Release Day Review & Giveaway

How_to_Love_a_Duke_Tour_Banner_PRESALE

HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS 

by 

Kerrigan Byrne

 

SYNOPSIS

How to Love a Duke in Ten days_MM

These men are dark, bold, and brave. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees…

Famed and brilliant, Lady Alexandra Lane has always known how to look out for herself. But nobody would ever expect that she has darkness in her past—one that she pays a blackmailer to keep buried. Now, with her family nearing bankruptcy, Alexandra strikes upon a solution: Get married to one of the empire’s most wealthy eligible bachelors. Even if he does have the reputation of a devil.

LOVE TAKES NO PRISONERS
Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is seeking revenge and the first step is securing a bride. Winning a lady’s hand is not so easy, however, for a man known as the Terror of Torcliff. Then, Alexandra enters his life like a bolt of lightning. When she proposes marriage, Piers knows that, like him, trouble haunts her footsteps. But her gentleness, sharp wit, independent nature, and incredible beauty awakens every fierce desire within him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms.

Buy-book link:
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250243270

 

ABOUT KERRIGAN

Kerrigan Byrne

 

Whether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, USA Today bestseller Kerrigan Byrne uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in every book. With her handsome husband and three lovely teenage girls, Kerrigan has fulfilled her dream of settling on the Pacific Coast. Her Victorian Rebels novels include The Highwayman and The Highlander.

 

 

 

 

REVIEW

I am such a huge fan of the Victorian Rebels series that when a new Kerrigan Byrne series-starter was announced for the anticipated August release instead of Inspector Morley’s story, I was slightly disappointed. That feeling didn’t last long because this new Devil You Know series promises the same intensity and vivid imagery that made me love Kerrigan’s books from the first moment I started reading them in 2015.

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days introduces five (?) of the compelling characters in this new series: Alexandra and Piers, Cecelia and Case, and Francesca. (I have a suspicion about who Francesca’s partner will be. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read the book yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s someone from her past.) A close friendship, hair color, and shared secrets bind the three female leads while familial ties connect two of their love interests. Kerrigan drew each character so distinctively, I can picture them in my head clearly.

She did the same with the book’s many locations and action sequences, so much so that it has the feel of a gothic screenplay. There’s plenty of violence — from the shocking Prologue to the dramatic denouement. There are also tender moments in between wherein Piers and Alexandra learn one another on their way to falling in love. Instant chemistry, mutual interest in exploration, and emotional connection make these two work as a couple. After suspicions, misunderstandings, secrets, and threats to their lives, their happy-ever-after is well-deserved.

Both are heavily scarred. Piers physically, from a skirmish with a jaguar, and emotionally, from a negligent mother and an unfaithful lover that colored his opinion of women. Alexandra’s sexual assault when she was a teenager and the tragic events afterwards forever changed her personality. Fear, shame, and guilt warred within her despite accomplishing so much from her archaeological pursuits. Their coming together is a miracle only a romance novel and a talented author who wrote it can achieve.

The use of male names for the female characters, an abundance of villains, and the over-elaborate language are some of the elements I didn’t fully appreciate, but aside from these, I really liked this book and I’m extremely excited for All Scot and Bothered –Cecelia and Ramsay’s story.

4 out of 5 stars

 

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, I’m giving away a paperback copy of Kerrigan Byrne’s How to Love a Duke in Ten Days to one of my US readers. All you have to do for a chance to win is comment below. I will draw a random winner at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 3. Watch out for the announcement here and on my Facebook author page Maida Malby.

A GLITTER OF GOLD by Liz Johnson – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Gold Tour Cover

A GLITTER OF GOLD

Georgia Coast Romance #2

by

LIZ JOHNSON

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance / Mystery
Publisher: Revell
Date of Publication: August 6, 2019
Number of Pages: 368

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Synopsis

Gold Cover

Discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but things do not go as planned.

Carter is fascinated with the wreck, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she’d never do again: trust a man.

 

"Both an exciting treasure hunt and penetrating exploration of overcoming mistakes Johnson's excellent novel will captivate readers." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, STARRED REVIEW

 

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Baker Book HouseAmazonBarnes & Noble
Christianbook.comKoboBooks-A-Million
Additional Retailers

add to goodreads

 

Review_preview

Gold BookstagramPacked with deep emotions and filled with important life lessons, A Glitter of Gold tells a compelling story about finding treasures of grace, forgiveness, and love after being battered by storms, both natural and man-made.

Anne’s fortuitous discovery of a precious artifact caused a chain of events that changed her life forever. Not only did it lead her to Carter, but it also gave her a reason to stay in Savannah, the place she has chosen to hide from the shame of her bad decisions in California.

With the help of a 250-year old diary, Carter’s Aunt Tessie, and an influential grand lady, Anne and Carter worked together to search for a sunken ship, the treasures of which they hoped will secure their individual goals. Despite many difficulties thrown their way, including betrayal of trust, Anne and Carter found what they were looking for and so much more. She received true freedom from her past and he had his family returned to him when he surrendered his pride to right a wrong.

I enjoyed Liz Johnson’s previous novel A Sparkle of Silver that’s why I snatched up the opportunity to review this second book in the series. A Glitter of Gold certainly exceeded my expectations. The clever device of narrating a story within a story lent the Georgia Coast Romance series a unique quality that makes it stand out against other books in the genre. Rebecca and Captain Thackery’s suspenseful tale is a real treasure with its action-packed high-seas adventure sequences. There was plenty of drama, bits of humor, historical factoids, so much wisdom, and loads of love. Five glittering gold stars.

5 stars

 

AboutTheAuthor

Liz Johnson

 

Liz Johnson is the author of more than a dozen novels, including A Sparkle of Silver, A Glitter of Gold, The Red Door Inn, Where Two Hearts Meet, and On Love’s Gentle Shore, as well as a New York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories. She makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.

WebsiteFacebook
Twitter Instagram
GoodreadsPinterest

 

————————————-
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

GRAND PRIZE: Copies of both Georgia Coast Romance Series Books + $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card;
SECOND PRIZE: Copy of Glitter of Gold + $10 Starbucks Gift Card;
THIRD PRIZE: Copy of Glitter of Gold + Tote Bag
AUGUST 6-16, 2019
(U.S. Only)

Gold Giveaway

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

8/6/19 	Scrapbook Page 		The Clueless Gent 
8/6/19 	Bonus Post 		Hall Ways Blog 
8/7/19 	Review 			That's What She's Reading 
8/8/19 	Review 			Missus Gonzo 
8/9/19 	Excerpt 		Story Schmoozing Book Reviews 
8/10/19 Excerpt 		All the Ups and Downs 
8/11/19 Review 			Chapter Break Book Blog 
8/12/19 Playlist 		StoreyBook Reviews 
8/13/19 Author Interview 	Forgotten Winds 
8/14/19 Review 			Reading by Moonlight 
8/15/19 Review 			Carpe Diem Chronicles

book blog tour provided by:

LSLL and LSBBT