End Game by Rachel Dylan (Capital Intrigue Book #1)

About The Book:  

Each New Clue . . .
Every Crime Scene . . .
Brings Them Closer to Discovering the End Game
When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper who Bailey refuses to believe is guilty. 

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. After Bailey is targeted, it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets. 

With the stakes getting higher by the moment, Bailey and Marco rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust in this twisted conspiracy. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of them all.

"Readers who love CBS's NCIS will be thrilled to discover the first book in Dylan's Capital Intrigue series . . . Dylan introduces a fascinating cast of characters in this taut, romantic suspense novel that will keep readers on the edges of their seats. Fans of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and Susan May Warren will be happy to add Dylan to their lists of must-read authors."--Booklist

My Review: 

Goodness Gracious what a read! Skip sleeping, this one will keep you stuck to the words and bumping into walks if you walk while reading. As legal thrillers go, this one is riveting. The romance is sweet, but the action and the suspense are profound. From the who's behind this to the team and the characters, I was blown away. Simply an excellent read and a must-follow series, and it feels so relevant to our current world as well. 

5 Stars 

About the Author:

Rachel Dylan (www.racheldylan.com) was a litigator in one of Atlanta's most elite law firms for over eight years and now works as an attorney at one of the Big Three automobile manufacturers. She is the author of Deadly Proof and four Love Inspired Suspense novels and lives in Michigan with her husband.

APARTMENT 6 by STUART JAMES

A Bloodhound Book

About the Book:

Be careful what you wish for…

When Meagan was five years old her mother was viciously attacked and murdered. 

Now an adult, she herself is the victim of an abusive relationship. Meagan is desperate to escape but doesn’t have the courage to leave. 

So, when Meagan meets Oliver, a decent guy who is on the rebound after a failed relationship, the two strike up a connection. But when Meagan confesses that her husband is abusive, it leads Oliver down a dark and dangerous path. 

Just how far would you go to protect someone? 

Oliver is about to find out and be pushed to his very limits… 

My Review:

Wow, this book didn't let up and I really enjoyed it. Megan's past and her present, both shown on full display. All the horrible things she has endured and now, now this. 

It's dark, it covers some mental things that happen to people and it has some twists. I like twists. The book is gripping and the people are extremely realistic. I enjoyed the candid take on how people are shown as they really are in the characters and those around them. I don't post spoilers so all that's left is looking forward to another book by this author. 

5 Stars

About the Author: 

He has built a substantial following on social media platforms and has almost 1000 followers on his Facebook page, 250 followers on Goodreads.

He has always been a fan of scary stories since a very early age and loves nothing more than to put pen to paper and develop his terrifying ideas.

He will always interact with his readers and loves nothing more than receiving messages on social media from people who enjoy his books.

He is a keen singer/songwriter and sang in a band for 20 years. He’s an amateur magician, is married with 2 teenage children.

His other hobbies are reading and keeping fit. Currently, he lives in Hertfordshire with his family, French Bulldog called Hugo and tabby cat named Amber.

He’s keen to write for years to come and his dream is to see one of his thrillers on the small screen. That would be his dream come true.

Broken Promises by Melody Carlson (Being Zoey Book #3)

About the Book

Book:  Broken Promises

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre:  Middle Grade

Release Date: December 15, 2019

A school play sounds like fun…for some.

As she settles into life in the middle school of her new hometown, Zoey agrees to audition for the school play to encourage Louisa. Isn’t that what a BFF does? But she’s none too sure it’ll actually be fun—especially when she’s cast as a dog! Louisa really does need her support though when some of the older girls get upset at a sixth grader landing the lead role. Zoey does her best to be supportive and finally begins to feel really at home with her grandparents and at school.

Until someone pulls the plug on all her dreams.

Click here for your copy.

My Review:

This is a fantastic next book in this series. I'm hooked! I don't care that its middle grade, this series works for everyone. Zoey and Louisa are back. As the title says, this book is about promises. I love following Zoey's life and watching her work through decisions. Middle school is hard, drama should be for drama class, but it's almost always oh-so-much-more. This book is realistic, like the rest of the series and focuses on prayer getting us through things. 

5 Stars

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

More from Melody

For many tweens, middle school is a jungle of insecurities, mean girls, and disappointments. As usual I gave Zoey plenty to deal with. Including a BFF with high expectations and an absentee mom who still hasn’t grown up. Even though some people let her down, Zoey keeps plugging along, even playing Sandy the dog in the school play. And through her struggles she changes and matures — kind of like real life.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 18

janicesbookreviews, January 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20

For Him and My Family, January 21

deb’s Book Review, January 22

Texas Book-aholic, January 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 24

Older & Smarter?, January 25

Mary Hake, January 25

Christian Bookaholic, January 26

Inklings and notions, January 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 28

Blogging With Carol, January 29

Remembrancy, January 29

Vicky Sluiter, January 30

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Melody is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Broken Promises and the classic Annie movie (DVD or digital download, winner’s choice)!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f4a1/broken-promises-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock (True Colors)

About the Book

Book:  The Gray Chamber

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre:  Christian Historical / Suspense

Release Date: January, 2020

Will Edyth prove her sanity before it is too late?
Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

On Blackwell’s Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving.

With her late parents’ fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Foster does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. And Edyth fears she will never be found.

At the asylum she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

I had been looking forward to this book, and I'm not at all disappointed. I love this author's voice, and the research shines through in her work. The story is completely captivating. I'm fascinated by the basis of the true crimes. Not having fear is a strong theme, one we often need remind of daily. Edyth's locked in the insane asylum. Nelly Bly, she's stuck there because she went in undercover and can't get out. Or can she? Or does she just think she is a journalist? I have seen the undercover reporter trapped in horrible situations as a plot more than once, but this one is my favorite! It will pull you through highs and lows, show you darkness and the light of redemption. This book fits so very many categories, it is a magnificent read. This author is about to be one of the few ones who made the "cut" to be on my physical book shelves.

5 HUGE Stars

About the Author 

Grace Hitchcock is the author of three novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. The White City is her debut novel and releases March 2019 with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

More from Grace

I am thrilled to share with you my second novel in the True Colors series, The Gray Chamber, which is set in New York City in 1887. I loved writing about Edyth Foster, our cat-rescuing, spunky heroine who spends her days painting, fencing with her dreamy instructor, and avoiding society at all costs, which as you can imagine, comes back to haunt her before the end. I’ve never written about a character who despised reading, so that was a new one for me. Edyth just doesn’t like to sit still long enough to finish a book, but you’ll find out why later.

I am pretty certain the librarians at my local branch are wondering what in the world my hobbies are, judging from the stacks of fencing books for beginners, histories of New York crime in the 19th century, and Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Mad-House, and more that I have continuously checked out since moving back to Louisiana.

The inspiration for this book came from Nellie Bly’s scandalous exposé for Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper, The World. In reading Nellie’s articles, I was shocked at the grounds by which the asylum would commit women and that’s when I discovered a tiny mention about an heiress with family members who had her tucked away so they could have her fortune. . .and Edyth Foster was born.

I hope you will enjoy reading about our eccentric leading lady and her fencing master hero, Raoul “Bane” Banebridge. If you are interested in seeing pictures of the asylum and to see what I pictured the characters looking like, check out my Pinterest board here.

Thank you for joining the fun for the Celebrate Lit tour! Join my author newsletter for more bookish news and to find out what is coming next! Just enter your e-mail address and name here. Happy Reading!

“With beautiful description and shiver-worthy scenes, Grace Hitchcock has penned an incredible fiction story based on true history. The Gray Chamber was a fascinating and chilling read. Edyth’s story had me glued to the pages. But as I journeyed with the heiress and her eccentricities, the greed of her family which saw her locked up in an asylum against her will made me grateful for the freedoms I have today. And made me pray that my voice would never be silenced. The nightmare was brought to life so vividly that I found myself holding my breath and then cheering on Bane as he never gave up on Edyth. This is a story that will stick with me for a long time…”

~Kimberley Woodhouse – Carol-Award winning and Best-Selling Author of more than twenty books, including: MissTaken Identity, The Express Bride, The Golden Bride, The Patriot Bride, and The Mayflower Bride.

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, January 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20

Texas Book-aholic, January 20

Emily Yager, January 21

All-of-a-kind Mom, January 21

Older & Smarter?, January 21

Bigreadersite, January 22

Inklings and notions, January 22

For Him and My Family, January 22

Genesis 5020, January 23

deb’s Book Review, January 23

Blogging with Carol, January 23

Christian Bookaholic, January 24

KarenSueHadley , January 24

Mary Hake, January 24

For the Love of Literature, January 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25

Godly Book Reviews, January 26

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 26

The Becca Files, January 26

Through the Fire Blogs, January 27

Daysong Reflections, January 27

Back Porch Reads, January 28

Robin’s Nest, January 28

Connie’s History Classroom, January 28

Betti Mace, January 29

Rebecca Tews, January 29

Vicky Sluiter, January 29

By The Book, January 30

Hallie Reads, January 30

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 30

Blossoms and Blessings, January 31

A Baker’s Perspective, January 31

Remembrancy, February 1

To Everything There Is A Season, February 1

With a Joyful Noise, February 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 2

Pause for Tales , February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free copy of The Gray Chamber!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f4a2/the-gray-chamber-celebration-tour-giveaway

Breaking Point by Marji Laine (Heath's Point Suspense #2)

About the Book

Book:  Breaking Point

Author: Marji Laine

Genre: Psychological suspense, romance

Release Date: September, 2019

The mere rumor of treasure can change lives, destroy friendships… even kill?

Alynne’s Stone’s planned out and predictable life ended when she hurried to her mother’s side to support her during a family tragedy. So why would she now have a target on her back? Her father’s death had nothing to do with her, but suddenly she’s having these “accidents”? How can she stay and support her mom when someone is intent on eliminating her?

Police Lieutenant Jason Danvers believes her father was murdered. How, he can’t fathom, but he also can’t ignore the details that don’t add up. Attempts on Alynne’s life must be somehow connected. Still dealing with the pain of his own wife’s death, he can’t allow an innocent woman to die on his watch. Especially one as scintillating as Alynne Stone.

Even in a small town, things—and people—aren’t always what they appear to be.

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

Small town life, I get it. So how would this small town story go down? With it being the second book, I'm really happy with it! What can we really endure? Where do we break? How strong is your relationship with God? This book and it's characters are stronger than the first one. It has a good combination of suspense mystery and romance. I didn't want to put it down. The only thing to not like is waiting for another book, but I like that too, so I can't fault this book at all. 

5 Stars 

About the Author 

Marji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling, but with her publishing business, her various volunteer activities, and her large family, she will likely never live a life of leisure. And that suits her just fine! When she does find spare time, she enjoys watching sports and Hallmark movies and mysteries, loves having game night with her family and friends, and enjoys talking “shop” with other authors. You can usually find her in her favorite recliner, plucking away at her keyboard with her rescue fur-babies at her feet or at www.MarjiLaine.com.

More from Marji

It Started with a Dream

You know how just before you actually wake up, you sometimes have dreams that stay with you? I’ve recently chatted with a lady who had a dream about her husband and woke up mad at the man without realizing that her discontent was from a dream. Dreams are powerful, amplified thoughts that can move us to unexpected emotions and actions.

Such was the case with me. My latest release, BREAKING POINT, actually stemmed from a dream.

I had a scene in my sleep of a woman trapped on the roof of a beautiful, three-story, Victorian house, having crept out the window of one of the second floor gables. A storm whirled around her, slapping her brunette hair across her eyes and into her mouth. She was afraid of something.

Then I saw the something… or rather the someone. A hand raised above the eave of the roof. A man’s gravelly voice, “I know you’re up here.”

Lightning flashed revealing the top of his head as he climbed onto the window sill from which she had escaped. His left hand gripped the eave of the roof, likely holding onto the gingerbread décor that laced the edging.

The woman had nowhere to go, no other place to hide. Thunder jarred the air and rumbled across the ground. The woman stiffened, but not from the explosive sound.

The man’s eyes appeared over the rooftop. “There you are.”

This was it. She had no hope of survival. After all she’d done to avoid this moment.

He leaned to his left to pull his right hand over the edge of the roof. A murderous glint filled his dark eyes as a smile stretched his lips. The barrel of a gun appeared, cresting the roof.

Then a loud crack split the night. Not thunder. The man’s smile disappeared as his mouth fell open and his eyes widened. He dropped the gun and grabbed at the surface of the shingles with both hands.

The woman had climbed up the side of the gable up to the top of it. The surface didn’t offer a finger grip anywhere. The gingerbread must have broken, giving the man no handhold.

With a prolonged yell, the man’s face and hands disappeared from view. A close lightning strike and the thunderous result covered the sound of the man hitting the ground below.

This scene, from a dream, was where the story BREAKING POINT began. It was actually the very first novel I ever completed. However, after no less than five total rewrites where I changed every aspect of the story except the hero, heroine, and the setting – the beautiful Victorian house – that scene didn’t make it to the book at all. Maybe it will find itself in a new story someday!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 12

Betti Mace, January 13

Texas Book-aholic, January 14

Reading Is My SuperPower, January 15

janicesbookreviews, January 16

Inklings and notions, January 17

For the Love of Literature, January 18

For Him and My Family, January 19

deb’s Book Review, January 20

Artistic Nobody, January 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 22

Blogging With Carol , January 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marji is giving away the grand prize package of a Texas mug, Bluebonnet seeds, Bluebonnet room spray, and some specialty chocolate!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f46a/breaking-point-celebration-tour-giveaway