A Deadly Stitch (Creative Woman Mystery #2) by Susan Sleeman + A GIVEAWAY

Title: A Deadly Stitch (Creative Woman Mystery #2)

Author: Susan Sleeman

Pages: 240

Year: 2012

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Annie’s Attic

Format: Hardback (also available in eBook)

About the book:

     After Purls of Hope member Melanie’s ex-husband is found buried in the flower bed outside the craft store with one of her knitting needles in his neck, she’s named as the number one suspect in his murder.

     She certainly had the motive. He’d left her a year earlier, after learning she had breast cancer. And it’s no secret they hadn’t been on good terms since.

     Shannon and the Purls know someone is setting Melanie up. But who would do such a thing? And can Shannon track down the real killer before he strikes again?

My review:

     This is a delightful cozy mystery!

     The mystery is a stand-alone story. But Shannon’s personal life is moving along and things in the first book are referenced.

     I absolutely love the main character in this series. Shannon McClain is the devoted friend that everyone needs to have at least one of. Even though she is dealing with her own personal struggles when her friend Melanie needs her she focuses on helping in any way she can. I thoroughly enjoy the fact that her love of watching mysteries and crime shows on TV has made her the group expert for solving crimes for her friends.

     Michael Stone is a nice person for her to have step up and help her out. I was very amused by the fact that all of Shannon’s friends keep trying to make him a romantic interest for her. It will be very interesting to see how their relationship develops over the course of the series.

     The mystery itself is wonderful. There are enough suspects that show up over the course of the book to keep the reader guessing. Shannon’s approach to solving the case is very methodical.

     I am very caught up in Shannon’s life and look forward to seeing what comes next for her personal life. It will be interesting to see what the next mystery is that she and her friends the Purls of Hope knitting circle come across.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I am also highly recommending it.

Giveaway Information:

     Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win a copy of this fantastic book. Please include in your comment your email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner. Suggested format: debbie (at) yahoo (dot) com

     I will leave the giveaway open for one week. Next Tuesday, February 7, 2017, I will use Random.org to draw the winner. I will then send an email to the winner to get their mailing address. I will give that person 3 days to contact me before drawing another winner. I plan to mail the book out within 3 days of receiving the winner’s mailing address. After confirming the winner I will announce their name here in the comment section of this post.

     Good luck!

Undercover Protector (Wilderness, Inc. #2) by Elizabeth Goddard

Title: Undercover Protector (Wilderness, Inc. #2)

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Pages: 224

Release Date: January 3, 2017

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Shattered sanctuary!

     Undercover at a tiger sanctuary, Special Agent Grayson Wilde’s convinced the owner must be involved in a wildlife trafficking ring—until someone tries to kill her. Now with Gemma Rollins’s life on the line, it’s clear that more than the wildcats need his help. Gemma’s determined to rebuild the tiger oasis she lost when her family died. But someone wants her out of the way, and she’s starting to wonder if her parents’ and uncle’s deaths were really accidental. Grayson says he’ll do anything to protect Gemma, but she can’t shake the feeling that her alluring new volunteer might not be all that he seems. With a vicious criminal closing in, though, she has to trust Grayson… because she won’t survive without him.

My review:

     An incredibly exciting suspense novel!

     This book is a “stand-alone within a series” novel. The story itself stands alone though characters from the first book are mentioned and make cameo appearances.

     I absolutely love both of the main characters in this wonderful story. I was completely able to understand the emotional hang-ups that both Gray and Gemma deal with. They are so well developed and their pasts are slowly shared and discussed.

     The journey that Gemma goes on to trust God again is very easy to understand. She wants to believe but her heartache has raised horrible doubts.

     The mystery about the wildlife trafficking ring is gradually spelled out. The suspense and danger that Gemma and Gray face is so well presented that I was caught up in it and at times my heart was racing as their lives were in danger. I was hooked from the first chapter and knew that I needed to find out who was behind it and how they would be caught.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars and highly recommending it. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Never Forget (Beacons of Hope #5) by Jody Hedlund + a GIVEAWAY

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book: Never Forget

Author: Jody Hedlund  

Genre: Historical Romance  

Release Date: January 4, 2017  




Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island  

June 1880  

Will she betray his trust to stay on the island she loves?

Abbie Wilson is content to spend her days clamming, crabbing, and tending Rose Island Lighthouse. Her grandpa is the head light keeper, but his senility may lead to their eviction. Since leaving the island would kill her beloved Gramps, Abbie will do anything to keep him in the one place he knows and loves.

Wealthy Nathaniel Winthrop III’s wild living has gained him a reputation as the ‘bad boy’ among the elite social circles of Newport. After a blow to the head in a yachting accident washes him up on Rose Island, Nathaniel has no memories of his past.

Abbie tends the wounded stranger in her home only to realize he assumes they’re married. Although she knows she needs to correct Nathaniel’s mistake, his presence calms Gramps and provides a way to prevent eviction from the lighthouse.

The longer the charade continues, the harder it gets for Abbie to tell Nathaniel the truth, more so as she begins to fall in love. Everyone she’s ever loved has abandoned her. Will Nathaniel leave her too, once he discovers he’s not really her husband?

My Review

This is an incredible historical romance!

I absolutely love the depth of the main characters in this wonderful book. They are both so flawed and very believable. Abbie’s actions and decisions through much of the book are so mixed up and just plain wrong. But I was amazed by her intentions and the love for her grandfather that drove them. Nathaniel is struggling with his own demons but his desire to live a better life is strong.

The development of the story is great. I was sucked in quickly and rooting both Abbie and Nathaniel along. I wanted desperately to see them both grow and develop integrity in their interactions. I have to admit that a large part of me wanted to see the romance between them work out. They had huge obstacles to overcome for it to happen.

I love seeing how the cross of hope that was crafted in the first story in the series keeps appearing. It is a fantastic reminder of the beacon of hope that is the cross of Christ.

I received a free eBook copy of this story from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

 About the Author

Winner of the 2016 Christian Book Award and Christy Award, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

Which Do You Prefer: Series or Standalones?

By Jody Hedlund

Readers usually have strong opinions about whether they like series or standalones.

Some readers refuse to read books that are inter-related. Others can’t get enough books about their favorite characters.

I see the pros and cons of both.

For series, I don’t like feeling lost as I try to wade through previous characters along with their backstory. I recently started a series by a well-known author and was disappointed to realize the first book was connected to a previous series she’d already published. From the get-go, I felt left out as though I didn’t quite know who all the characters were or their significance.

On the other hand, for standalones, I sometimes feel as though I would like the story to continue. I’ve invested in the setting and characters and so enjoy when I can return to that place and continue to glimpse the characters I’ve fallen in love with—even if from a distance.  

My favorites are books that fall in the middle between standalone and series. I like to think of them as standalones within a series. Becky Wade’s Porter brother series is like that. Each of the books centers around one of the brothers (and a tomboy sister). While characters from other books make an appearance in the stories, each plot is separate and complete without any reliance upon another book.

My Beacons of Hope lighthouse series falls in the middle too. The books are related in that they all take place at lighthouses and share a symbolic “cross of hope” that is passed on from one book to the next. A minor character in a previous book becomes the hero or heroine in the next book. But each book can be read by itself without having read any of the others.

In other words, readers can pick up my newest release, Never Forget, which is the fifth and final book in the series, and they wouldn’t be confused about who the characters are or what their history is. The plot starts with a bang and ends with a satisfying sigh. It is complete story unto itself.

And yet, for those who’ve read other books in the series, they’ll get to see the happily-ever-after of a character from a previous book. And they’ll also get to find out where the cross of hope finally ends.

If you’re not a fan of series, I encourage you to give the Beacons of Hope series a try. It might satisfy the need for standalones and series all in one neat little package.

To that end, I’m giving away all FIVE books in the series as part of the Celebrate Lit blog tour to one lucky winner!  

Tell us: What is your preference: Standalones, Series, or Standalones within a Series?
 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away the entire Beacons of Hope series. Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ad6d

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Another Day, Another Dali (Serena Jones Mystery #2) by Sandra Orchard

Title: Another Day, Another Dali (Serena Jones Mystery #2)

Author: Sandra Orchard

Pages: 352

Year: 2016

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     The world of art theft can be a deadly game – one that Serena Jones understands all too well.

     When FBI Special Agent Serena Jones takes on the case of a forged Dali painting as a favor to her grandmother, she assumes it will be a typical investigation. Hopefully collaring the thief will also mean finally measuring up in her grandmother’s eyes. But the deeper she delves into the forgery and the suspects surrounding it, the less typical it becomes.

     The Dali isn’t the only painting that’s fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the possibility of a sophisticated theft ring—one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena’s grandfather. To make matters worse, someone connected to the forgeries seems to be determined to stop Serena’s investigation—no matter the cost.

     Another Day, Another Dali gives the plucky Serena—and readers—a new high-stakes case to crack. You won’t want to miss a single brushstroke!

My review:

     This is another fantastic mystery!

     This book is part of a “true” series. The plotline of Serena’s murdered grandfather continues in this book.

     I love the cast of characters in this book. Many of them are the same as in book one. There are a lot of different quirks and personalities among them. It is fascinating to see how Serena interacts with each of them and tries to keep a balance between her profession and dealing with family.

     I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Aunt Martha “helps” Serena throughout the book. She is so enthralled with mysteries and trying to solve them herself that she is a riot. Yet at times she does have some good ideas.

     The plot for the separate mystery in this book is wonderful. I was hooked and knew that I had to finish the story to find out how it turned out from early on. There are enough different suspects to confuse things nicely.

     There is a second ongoing story from book one that is very amusing. I can’t wait to see if either Tanner or Nate will end up being a romantic interest for Serena. She keeps insisting that they are both “just” friends.

     I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. I am highly recommending this wonderful mystery. It gets a 5 star rating from me.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Turbulence (Kennedy Stern #5) by Alana Terry

Title: Turbulence (Kennedy Stern #5)

Author: Alana Terry

Pages: 206

Release Date: December 19, 2016

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Firstfruits Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this story from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     It’s been another grueling semester at Harvard, and Kennedy can hardly wait to take a break from her premed studies for some much-needed rest and relaxation at her roommate’s homestead in rural Alaska.

     Unfortunately, Kennedy’s great arctic adventure might come to a crashing halt before it ever begins.

My review:

     This is an exciting suspense novel!

     The particular story in this novel is a stand-alone plot. Throughout the book though there are many references to things that Kennedy has been through in her life and I believe some of them are from earlier books in the series. I have to admit I was a little out of the loop since this is the first book about Kennedy that I have read.

     Kennedy is a well-developed character that I was able to really “see” in my mind’s eye as the book went on. She has a number of insecurities that are very relatable. I enjoyed seeing how she was able to evaluate her life and learn from older more mature believers that she meets.

     The suspense of the danger on the airplane is incredible. The different people and how they reacted was very clearly presented and easy to understand and follow.

     I do want to mention that there are very in-depth discussions about Christian living and witnessing. If this is something that you don’t like to read then I suggest that you select something else.

     I am giving this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars and recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Christmas Conspiracy (First Responders #6) by Susan Sleeman

Title: Christmas Conspiracy (First Responders #6)

Author: Susan Sleeman

Pages: 224

Release Date: December 6, 2016

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     It’s a typical day at Rachael Long’s day-care-center—until a masked gunman tries to abduct one of the children in her charge. First response commander Jake Marsh manages to diffuse the situation before anyone is harmed…but not before Rachael unmasks the would-be kidnapper. Now Jake must lead a manhunt and protect from the criminal who’s turned his focus on her. But the case is reawakening painful memories for Jake, and Rachael’s treating emotional wounds of her own. And with danger mounting as Christmas nears, they must learn to let go of the past in order to outwit a killer…and find the peach that’s always eluded them both.

My review:

     Another incredible romantic suspense!

     This book is a stand-alone suspense story. The character’s lives are moving right along though and if you read the series in order a number of the references to personal lives will make a lot more sense.

     The characters in the book are as well developed as I expected them to be. I love the details that Susan Sleeman puts into each one of them and the way she brings characters from previous books into each additional story within a series.

     I loved finding out so much about what makes the team leader, Jake Marsh, tick. He has a lot of personal heartache that has helped to shape him. I wanted so badly for him to work through his history and be able to move on with his life.

     Rachael has a huge hole in her life that she is working hard to fill with her day-care-center. As I read the details of her pain and loss my heart broke for her. Now she needs to try and determine if that is how she is to fill it for the rest of her life.

     I thoroughly enjoyed Rachael’s belief in God. It was wonderful to find out how she has trusted Him to help her through past trials.

     I am definitely giving this exciting story a rating of 5 stars and highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*