July 30, 2017

Cat About Town by Cate Conte - Guest Post & Giveaway



Book Details:

Minotaur Books (August 1, 2017)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250072061
E-Book ASIN: B01N0Z4ZDP

About this book:
The first novel in a frisky new mystery series set in a small New England town, where an unlikely citizen is called in to solve the purrfect crime. . .

Maddie James has arrived in Daybreak Island, just off the coast of Massachusetts, eager to settle down and start her own business—and maybe even fall in love. When a stray orange tabby pounces into her life, she’s inspired to open a cat café. But little does Maddie know that she’s in for something a lot more catastrophic when her new furry companion finds the dead body of the town bully. Now all eyes are on Maddie: Who is this crazy cat-whisperer lady who’s come to town? If pet-hair-maintenance and crime-fighting weren’t keeping her busy enough, Maddie now has not one but two eligible bachelors who think she’s the cat’s pajamas . . . and will do anything to win her heart. But how can she even think about happily-ever-after while a killer remains on the loose—and on her path?

Meet the author - Cate Conde
Cate Conte is the alter ego of Liz Mugavero. Liz is the author of the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series from Kensington Books, the first of which was an Agatha nominee for Best First Novel. As you can imagine, her canine and feline rescues demand the best organic food and treats around. She is a member of Sisters in Crime National, Sisters in Crime New England, Mystery Writers of America, and the Cat Writers’ Association. She currently lives in Connecticut.

Author Links
Webpage – http://www.lizmugavero.com;
Twitter – https://twitter.com/lizmugavero;
GoodReads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475412.Liz_Mugavero;
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Mugavero/329291780446231;

Purchase Links
Amazon – B&N

Guest Post:


Hello readers! I’m JJ the cat—that’s short for Junkyard Johnny—and I wanted to introduce myself as one of the stars in Cat About Town, the first in the Cat Cafe mysteries. I could argue i’m the star, but I wouldn’t have had the chance if my human, Maddie James, hadn’t saved me from life on the mean streets of Daybreak Island.

Now. One could say none of Daybreak Island’s streets are mean, theoretically. There are worse places to be a stray cat, for sure. The good thing about an island is there aren’t a lot of wild animal predators. There are still mean people and cars, but at least my chances of getting eaten by a coyote is pretty slim.

Still, it’s nice to have a comfy bed to sleep on every night. And to know where my next meal is coming from. I’ve even gotten some fame, as the cat who hits the town on a harness. Of course, stumbling across that dead body attracted more attention to myself than anything else, which is to be expected. I got a big mention in the local news, and people started asking if I could come visit senior centers and nursing homes and wanting their pictures taken with me. Stardom is pretty cool, for sure! And the whole being part of a murder investigation is very exciting, dead body aside.

But the best part is, my new mom really loves cats and wants to help them. I mean, aside from me. Of course she loves me; everyone does. But she really loves my stray friends too. I think once this murder is solved, she’s going to be able to really focus on staying here on the island. That’s the rumor, anyway. I know she still talks about California, but she doesn’t do it with as much passion anymore. And, I heard an anonymous “friend” is trying to steer her toward opening a cat cafe. I think that would be so cool for the island. It’s something new and different and could really help a lot of cats, since all we have to house the rescues is that tiny room at the pound…

But first, we have to get to the bottom of all this crazy stuff that’s going on. Between this nasty guy who ended up dead, and all this drama around Grandpa Leo’s house, and then there’s the guy at the dog grooming shop who Mom totally has a crush on. I have no idea how this is all going to play out. Ah, well. Maybe a nap and some lobster from the guy down the street will help sort things out…

I hope you all enjoy the first book in the series!

Giveaway:


TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 26 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
July 26 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
July 26 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – INTERVIEW
July 27 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
July 27 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW
July 28 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW 
July 28 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW
July 28 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
July 29 – Jane Reads – REVIEW
July 29 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
July 29 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW
July 30 – Mystery Playground – GUEST POST
July 30 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST
July 30 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
July 31 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
July 31 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
August 1 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW
August 1 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
August 2 – Socrates’ Book Review – REVIEW
August 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
August 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
August 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
August 3 – Book Babble – REVIEW
August 3 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
August 4 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW
August 4 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW
August 4 – MysteriesEtc – REVIEW
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July 28, 2017

The Sisters Texas Series by Becki Willis - Spotlight and Giveaway


Chicken Scratch
The Sisters, Texas Series Book 1
by Becki Willis
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Named 2016 Best Mystery Series by Texas Association of Authors.
When Madison Reynolds finds herself widowed and penniless before forty, she does the only thing she knows to do – she packs up her teenage twins and moves back home with her eighty-year-old grandmother. Life in The Sisters, Texas has not changed much since she’s been gone, but at least her best friend Genesis is there to soften the transition back into small-town life.
To make ends meet, Madison opens In a Pinch Temporary Services. Her first real client is Ronny Gleason, but when she shows up for the first day of work at the Gleason Poultry Farm, Madison makes a gruesome discovery. The dead body she finds belongs to Mr. Gleason. When a local man is arrested for murder, Madison takes on the job of proving his innocence. Even though she is not a private investigator, both mothers are desperate: Lucy Ngyen to clear her son’s name, and Madison to pay her bills. But as she begins asking questions around town, her interference is not welcome.
With a daughter determined to go back to Dallas, a son settling into small town life, a feisty grandmother who knows all the town gossip, bill collectors calling, and now someone trying to keep her silent, Madison has no time for re-kindling her high school crush with police chief Brash deCordova. She has her hands full just trying to stay alive.

If she survives her amateur investigation, Maddy has a decision to make. Will she go back to her life in Dallas, or will she build a new life here in The Sisters?
**99 on Amazon!**
When The Stars Fall
The Sisters, Texas Series Book 2


Madison Reynolds is rebuilding her life, one obstacle at a time. 

But the building blocks aren’t standard issue: widowed at thirty-nine…betrayed by her late husband…mother of teenaged twins…finances in shambles…living with her eighty-year-old grandmother…still attracted to her teenage crush Brash deCordova, who just happens to be the Chief of Police in The Sisters…embroiled in yet another murder mystery… How will she ever get all the blocks assembled and stacked one upon another, in order to build a future for herself and her children?

Madison’s newest client at In a Pinch Temp Service is a suspicious wife, up against a formidable foe—the lovely Caress Ellingsworth, former soap opera queen. When the star is murdered and Madison is eyewitness to the deed, she wonders if the shadowed person she saw commit the crime might really be her client. Now Madison is torn between uncovering the truth and keeping her client’s name off the suspect list.
Caress is not the only star in town these days. With a little help from Granny Bert and Madison’s best friend Genesis, the popular television show Home Again arrives, with some crazy notion about remodeling the Big House for Maddy and her twins. The problem is, Madison can’t afford to buy the house, much less pay to have it renovated. No matter how tempting the offer—or how tempting the show’s star, Nick Vilardi—Madison sees it as just another block that will not fit.
Even if she manages to stack the blocks in a semblance of order, even if she climbs her way up and reaches for the sky, what happens when the stars fall?
**FREE on July 1-2 and July 14 **

Stipulations and Complications
The Sisters, Texas Series Book 3

Life comes with stipulations.

If you want to fit into last year’s swimsuit, you can’t eat ice cream and a Gennydoodle cookie after every meal.

If you want to go to Heaven, you can’t raise Hell on Saturday night and show up in the church pew on Sunday morning, hungover and reeking of cheap perfume.

And if you want your hundred-year-old mansion completely updated and remodeled for free, you have to sacrifice.
Stipulations, my child.
-Granny Bert Cessna


Now that Madison Reynolds has agreed to be part of a reality-television home remodeling show, she barely recognizes her own life. The show is an instant success, bringing cameras and reporters right to her doorstep, eager to chronicle her every move in the small Texas town.

With In a Pinch Temporary Services hovering on the thin line between prosperity and extinction, Madison takes on another quirky case, this one concerning a property dispute. Complications turn a simple mission into all-out danger, and once again Madison finds herself embroiled in an intriguing mystery.

Between her cantankerous grandmother, a moody teenage daughter, an ever-starving son, townspeople eager to grab their fifteen minutes of fame at her expense, and a mother-in-law appalled by her undignified foray into the public eye, Madison had her hands full, long before the skeleton was discovered. Now work is interrupted at the Big House, ghost stories abound, more secret passages have been unearthed, and someone is trying to scare her away from her new home.

What she needs is another session of Brash deCordova’s unique ‘river therapy’… not to mention the kiss that eludes them with frustrating regularity.

What she gets is another round of stipulations and complications.

Home Again: Starting Over
The Sisters, Texas Series Book 4

Named "Best Mystery Series of 2017" by Texas Association of Authors 

Things in The Sisters are heating up, and Madison Reynolds is in the hot seat.

When a local woman dies in a most unconventional way, In a Pinch takes on the quirky case and once again, Maddy finds herself in the middle of a would-be murder investigation. Even with the help of her grandmother and best friend Genny, this case may be too hot to handle. 

As summer scorches its way across Texas, drama as thick as the August humidity rolls through the twin towns of Juliet and Naomi. Granny Bert reveals a secret that rocks Maddy’s foundation. A celebrity designer joins the renovation crew at the Big House, bringing twice the chaos and twice the fans. Madison’s estranged mother-in-law convinces the twins to spend the summer with her in Dallas. As if all of that isn’t enough to wreak havoc in Madison’s life, Barry Redmond continues to propagate his ridiculous grudge against her. 
Things really start smoking when Cutter’s grandfather, rodeo legend Sticker Pierce, returns to The Sisters and tries to rekindle a romance with old flame Belle, aka Granny Bert. And Maddy’s latest brush with death prompts Brash to finally make his move. 
With renovations almost complete and the love of a good man behind her, Maddy is ready to tell the world: I’m home again, and starting over. 
Don’t miss Book Four in the award-winning The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series.

**On sale for .99 from July 1st-21st, then $1.99 until July 28th**

Genny's Ballad
The Sisters, Texas Series Book 5

By all accounts, everyone loves Genny. 

So why does someone want her dead? 



There’s something special about Genesis Baker, owner of The Sister’s popular New Beginnings Café. With her dimpled smile and twinkling blue eyes, Genny has practically the entire town eating from the palm of her hand. But Genny is hiding a secret. Despite her sunny disposition and golden touch, there is heartache in her past, and heartache, they say, comes in threes. 
Heartache Number One: An unwelcomed customer shows up at New Beginnings. Apparently, the restraining order against him has lapsed. 
Heartache Number Two: Genny’s arch nemesis from high school returns to town. Twenty years has done nothing to mellow the bitter feud between these two women. 
Heartache Number Three: As Genny finally acknowledges her feelings for a younger man—sexy firefighter Cutter Montgomery—memories of her first love come back to haunt her.

On top of it all, someone is stalking Genny, determined to make her life miserable. 
As it turns out, being kidnapped is only the beginning of her troubles… 

Great as a stand-alone, but Book Five of the award winning The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series, voted Best Mystery Series by the Texas Association of Authors, two years in a row!



Becki Willis, best known for her popular The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series and Forgotten Boxes, always dreamed of being an author. In November of '13, that dream became a reality. Since that time, she has published eleven books, won first place honors for Best Mystery Series, Best Suspense Fiction and Best Audio Book, and has introduced her imaginary friends to readers around the world. 



An avid history buff, Becki likes to poke around in old places and learn about the past. Other addictions include reading, writing, junking, unraveling a good mystery, and coffee. She loves to travel, but believes coming home to her family and her Texas ranch is the best part of any trip. Becki is a member of the Association of Texas Authors, the National Association of Professional Women, and the Brazos Writers organization. She attended Texas A&M University and majored in Journalism.


Becki Willis is having a Christmas in July Sweestakes! Share your favorite holiday tradition on Facebook and win Fire tablet, signed books, a $25 Amazon gift card, ornament or ebooks! 
More details can be found HERE!

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts!

July 1- kickoff at The Silver Dagger Scriptorium
July 3- A Writer's Life
July 7- Ourbookstars
July 9- Indie Wish List
July 11- Traci Hayden
July 19- The Avid Reader
July 20- The Authors Blog
July 21- Sylv.net
July 21- The Book Town
July 26- Mello & June
July 28- A Holland Reads
July 28- Bound 2 Escape
July 30- Rabid Readers Book Blog - REVIEW
July 31- Anna Del C Dye
July 31- Laura's Interests - REVIEW











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July 27, 2017

Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery - Review

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher

Book Details:
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (July 11, 2017)

About this book:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Daughters of the Bride comes the charming tale about the problem with secrets, the power of love and the unbreakable bond between sisters

Kelly Murphy’s life as a tulip farmer is pretty routine—up at dawn, off to work, lather, rinse, repeat. But everything changes one sun-washed summer with two dramatic homecomings: Griffith Burnett—Tulpen Crossing’s prodigal son, who’s set his sights on Kelly—and Olivia, her beautiful, wayward and, as far as Kelly is concerned, unwelcome sister. Tempted by Griffith, annoyed by Olivia, Kelly is overwhelmed by the secrets that were so easy to keep when she was alone.

But Olivia’s return isn’t as triumphant as she pretends. Her job has no future, and ever since her dad sent her away from the bad boy she loved, she has felt cut off from her past. She’s determined to reclaim her man and her place in the family…whether her sister likes it or not. For ten years, she and Kelly have been strangers. Olivia will get by without her approval now.

While Kelly and Olivia butt heads, their secrets tumble out in a big hot mess, revealing some truths that will change everything they thought they knew. Can they forgive each other—and themselves—and redefine what it means to be sisters?

Told with Mallery’s trademark heart and humor, the Tulip Sisters are in for the most colorful summer of their lives…

.

Meet the author - Susan Mallery:
Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books about the relationships that define women’s lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan’s books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Critics, too, have heaped praise on “the new queen of romantic fiction.” (Walmart) Booklist says, “Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling,” and RT Book Reviews puts her “in a class by herself!”

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool’s Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they’re an integral component to a happy life.

Connect with Susan
Website | Facebook | Twitter

What did I think of this book:
I like the general setting of this book - a small quaint town with great characters. It makes me want to spend the day invested in reading the day away. I also like that it takes place around a tulip farm - I think that would be a beautiful place to live. All the colors and smells. The title of this book was rather fitting as these sisters seem to hold a lot of secrets from each other. Then when they did come out there were hurt feelings until they would finally work things out. To me this is how a lot of relationships are so I thought it was a good representation of real life. I liked how the author would throw a bit of humor in the story as well. This was a an enjoyable book and I am glad I took the time to read it. 
Susan Mallery’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Wednesday, June 28th: BookBub Blog – “14 New Beach Reads Coming in July”
Tuesday, July 11th: Reading Reality
Wednesday, July 12th: Snowdrop Dreams
Thursday, July 13th: Suzy Approved
Friday, July 14th: Thoughts on This ‘n That
Tuesday, July 18th: A Chick Who Reads
Wednesday, July 19th: A Splendid Messy Life
Thursday, July 20th: From the TBR Pile
Friday, July 21st: Not in Jersey
Monday, July 24th: Books and Bindings
Tuesday, July 25th: Broken Teepee
Wednesday, July 26th: Just Commonly 
Thursday, July 27th: A. Holland Reads
Friday, July 28th: View from the Birdhouse
Monday, July 31st: The Romance Dish
Wednesday, August 2nd: Mrs. Mommy Booknerd
Friday, August 4th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Monday, August 7th: Patricia’s Wisdom
Tuesday, August 8th: Becky on Books
Wednesday, August 9th: Written Love Reviews
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July 26, 2017

Lift and Separate by Marilyn Simon Rothstein - Review

I received this book free from the publisher

About this book:
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (December 1, 2016)

What this book is about:
Marcy Hammer’s life has been turned upside down. Her husband, the head of a global brassiere empire, didn’t think twice about leaving her after thirty-three years of marriage for a 32DD lingerie model. Now Harvey the Home-Wrecker is missing in action, but Marcy’s through thinking about what a cliché he is. What she needs now is a party-size bag of potato chips, a good support system, and a new dress.

Striking out on her own is difficult at first, but Marcy manages to find traces of humor in her heartbreak. Even while devastated by Harvey’s departure, she still has her indomitable spirit and her self-respect. She has no intention of falling apart, either, even when her adult children drop a few bombshells of their own and she discovers a secret about her new, once-in-a-lifetime friend. Life may be full of setbacks, but by lifting herself up by her own lacy straps, Marcy just may be able to handle them all.

Praise for this book:
“Lift And Separate is a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming story that begs to be a blockbuster starring Nicholson and Keaton and shares the vulnerability, wisdom, and brilliance of Nora Ephron’s Heartburn.” —Jennifer Belle, bestselling author of High Maintenance

“Lift And Separate takes us on a funny but moving journey through heartbreak, hilarity, betrayal, and healing. Marcy Hammer is a hammer indeed! Rooting for her all the way, one is exhilarated by the journey Marilyn Simon Rothstein gives her without ever burning a single bra! Hip-hip hurrah!” —Lanie Robertson, writer of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, the Tony Award–winning play


Meet the author - Marilyn Simon Rothstein:
For more than twenty-five years, Marilyn Simon Rothstein owned an advertising agency in Connecticut. Lift And Separate, released by Lake Union Publishers, is her debut novel. Her second novel, also contemporary women’s fiction, will be published in December 2017.

Connect with Marilyn
Facebook | Amazon | Twitter

What I thought about this book:
This is the first book I have read by this author and it was rather enjoyable. It has been awhile since I have read what I consider a chick lit book and I needed this change of pace for me. From the first page I loved Marcy. I think I liked that she was not your typical twenty-something main character. She did not just roll over when her husband went through his "mid-life" crisis. It was also nice to see her adult children support her through her journey to rediscover herself. The author did a good job of telling the story of a real life situation in a laugh out loud way. I thought this book was a quick read and a great way to spend a lazy day. I will be looking for more books by this author.


Marilyn Simon Rothstein’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Thursday, July 6th: BookBub Blog– 6 Books That Will Have Women Laughing
Monday, July 17th: Novel Gossip
Wednesday, July 19th: West Metro Mommy Reads
Monday, July 24th: Bookchickdi
Wednesday, July 26th: A. Holland Reads
Monday, July 31st: Girl Who Reads
Tuesday, August 1st: Why Girls are Weird
Wednesday, August 2nd: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, August 3rd: Readaholic Zone – author guest post
Friday, August 4th: BookNAround
Monday, August 7th: Must Read Faster
Tuesday, August 8th: Just One More Chapter
Wednesday, August 9th: Jathan & Heather
Sunday, October 1st: Writer Unboxed
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July 25, 2017

Killer Party by Lynn Cahoon - Spotlight and Giveaway


About the book:
Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Lyrical Underground (July 18, 2017)
Paperback: 188 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1601836366
E-Book ASIN: B01M9EM56U

What this book is about:
After a few months of living with her boyfriend Greg, Jill is still getting used to sharing such close quarters, but she’s got no hesitation about joining him for a weekend at South Cove’s most luxurious resort. While Greg and his college pals celebrate their buddy’s upcoming wedding, Jill intends to pamper herself in style. But when the groom is found floating facedown in the pool, Jill must find the killer fast, or she might not have a boyfriend to come home to any more . . .

Meet the author - Lynn Cahoon
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Lynn Cahoon is an Idaho native. If you’d visit the town where she grew up, you’d understand why her mysteries and romance novels focus around the depth and experience of small town life. Currently, she’s living in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi river where her imagination tends to wander. She lives with her husband and two fur babies.

Author Links
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon
Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor
Website – http://lynncahoon.com/
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N

Giveaway:


TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 17 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
July 18 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
July 18 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
July 19 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW
July 20 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
July 20 – Cozy Up With Kathy – SPOTLIGHT
July 21 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
July 22 – The Bookwyrm’s Hoard – REVIEW
July 22 – Brooke Blogs SPOTLIGHT
July 23 – deal sharing aunt – SPOTLIGHT
July 24 – Varietats – REVIEW
July 25 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
July 25 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
July 26 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
July 27 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
July 27 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
July 28 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT
July 29 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
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