Thursday, March 18, 2021

Dead Man's Watch by Kay DiBianca

About the Book

Book: Dead Man’s Watch

Author: Kay DiBianca

Genre: Cozy mystery

Release date: September 2020

Half-sisters Kathryn Frasier and Cece Goldman stumble into another mystery in this second book in the Watch series. When a former acquaintance of Kathryn’s is accused of murder, she and Cece go on a mission to prove his innocence by finding the real killer. But things are never what they seem in this tangled web, and Kathryn’s spunky determination to solve the mystery pushes her closer and closer to a deadly climax.

Join the adventure as these two young women commit themselves to live up to the quote from the Jerusalem Talmud: “Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Book two of this series is a strong read. It's a perfect cozy styled read that fit this cold weather snap. It had me throughly involved. These half sisters have landed another murder mystery to solve. Katherine and CeCe are gaining favor and reputation with law enforcement while solving this case. The clues are well hidden, with the obvious finger of who done it left more mysterious than in some books. It also is a clean read, which I do dearly love, as well as having faith elements included. It easily stands alone, but how much better as a series, right? I'm looking forward to the next book, and give this delightful mystery with its false leads here and big smile of approval.

5 Stars

About the Author

Kay DiBianca is a bestselling author who loves to create literary puzzles for her readers to solve. Her characters come to life as they struggle to solve mysteries and create relationships amidst the ongoing themes of faith and family. Her first novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, won an Illumination Award for General Fiction and an Eric Hoffer Award for Mystery. The second book in the Watch series, Dead Man’s Watch, was released in September 2020.

Kay is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. An avid runner, she can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home. Her background in software development fuels her fascination with puzzles and mysteries, and her dedication to running helps supply the endurance and energy she needs to write about them!

Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, Tennessee.

You can connect with Kay through her website at https://kaydibianca.com.

More from Kay

RUNNING AND WRITING

I’m a runner. Over the years I’ve discovered so many benefits from running, including improved health, good outlook, sense of well-being, and even a spark to creativity. That’s a lot to get from an investment in a pair of running shoes!

Of course, running is also a great metaphor for life. This one sport exemplifies so much that we experience in our lives: success, failure, injury, joy, and pain. So, it’s not surprising that although my books are not specifically about running, they contain running scenes.

I got the idea for my first mystery novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, while I was out running. The first chapter of that book introduces the main character, Kathryn Frasier, as she runs a five-miler while training for a marathon. Kathryn deals with the sorrow of her parents’ recent deaths by putting in hard miles on the trails around the fictional town of Bellevue. As I wrote that narrative, I could almost feel Kathryn’s effort, her struggle to maintain pace, the pain in the final sprint, and the satisfaction of finishing well.

The second book in the series, Dead Man’s Watch, takes place just a month or so after the first one. Kathryn continues her training by running a half-marathon race. Once more I run with her as she experiences the elation of being in the lead pack (I’ve never been there!), the exhaustion as the miles build up (I do know about this), and a dramatic event as she nears the finish.

I hope readers will see the analogy between the Kathryn’s experiences on the trails and her efforts to try to solve the mysteries in each story. I’m working on the third book in the series now. I haven’t written any running scenes yet, but I’m sure Kathryn’s going to insist on putting one in.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 18

Blogging With Carol, March 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 21

Reviewingbooksplusmore, March 21

deb’s Book Review, March 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 23

Texas Book-aholic, March 24

Mary Hake, March 24

Inklings and notions, March 25

Older & Smarter?, March 26

The Write Escape, March 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 29

Pause for Tales, March 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 31

Bizwings Blog, March 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kay is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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/10987/dead-man-s-watch-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, March 12, 2021

Torch by R. J. Anderson (The Flight And Flame Trilogy Book 3)

Torch

About the Book

Book: Torch

Author: R.J. Anderson

Genre: Christian YA Fantasy

Release date: February 9, 2021

Anderson - Torch How do you fight fire without fire?

When a freak storm uncovers the entrance to a mysterious underground chamber, Ivy and Martin expect to find treasure. But what they discover is even more valuable: a barrow full of sleeping spriggans, magically preserved for centuries. With the vengeful piskey queen Betony determined to capture Ivy and her followers, the secret hideaway could be key to both their peoples’ survival.

But the piskeys and spriggans are ancient enemies, and when Ivy tries to make peace her own followers threaten to turn against her. Plagued by treachery, betrayal and desertion on every side, Ivy must find a way to unite the magical folk of Cornwall–or doom herself, Martin and everyone she loves to death at Betony’s hand.

Yet without the legendary fire-wielding power that marks a true piskey queen, can Ivy convince her people to believe?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This is such an excellent trilogy! This book is a sound ending to the set, with lots of the elements I loved about this series. This book is best in the series, and not as a stand alone. Ivy grew so much during this series, especially this last book. Action, adventure, danger, pretty much all the emotions you'd hope for are here. It's good on faith, with excellent as points that we need to have shine as Christians. These things are worked into the story so that they are seamless. Just a fantastic book, and a lovely series! I've become smitten with Ivy and Martin along the way. I hope to read more books by this author soon.

5 Stars

About the Author

Anderson-2876lowres Born in Uganda to missionary parents, R.J. (Rebecca Joan) Anderson is a women’s Bible teacher, a wife and mother of three, and a bestselling fantasy author for older children and teens. Her debut novel Knife has sold more than 120,000 copies worldwide, while her other books have been shortlisted for the Nebula Award, the Christy Award, and the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Science Fiction. Rebecca lives with her family in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

More from R. J.

What does it take to be a good leader?

Looking at some of the religious, social and political leaders around us, it seems like a confident attitude, dramatic flair, and the ability to make stirring speeches are the keys to success. But is that the kind of leadership people really need, or is it only what we’ve grown used to?

Ivy, the heroine of my book Torch, never wanted to become a leader, or expected anyone to follow her. After being exiled from her underground home by her proud Aunt Betony, she’s been struggling to make sense of her own life, never mind anyone else’s. But when a ragtag band of old friends and former neighbours turn up on Ivy’s doorstep looking for a new home, she has no choice but to help her fellow Cornish piskeys as best she can.

What Ivy soon finds, however, is that her people’s hopes and expectations for her are much bigger than any she had for herself. They want a queen strong enough to defeat Betony and free their people — but how can Ivy stand up to her aunt’s ruthless tactics and magical fire-wielding powers, when she’s just a slight teenager with barely any magic at all?

As I wrote this book, the last in my Flight and Flame trilogy about Ivy of the Delve, I wanted to explore the difference between the popular idea of a great leader, and the humble servant leadership taught and exemplified by Christ. Unlike Betony, who has become so obsessed with her own power and reputation that she’s blind to her people’s suffering, Ivy only wants to help and encourage her fellow piskeys and keep them safe from harm. She’s willing to sacrifice her own comfort, put aside her own feelings, and do whatever it takes to make sure her followers survive. And though she makes some mistakes and faces some painful challenges along the way, she never forgets that her goal isn’t personal fame or glory, but the good of everyone around her.

Ivy’s personal journey also reflects some of my own recent experiences of caregiving, which can seem like an impossible task when the needs of our loved ones grow greater than our own strength and wisdom can bear. She has to learn, as I did, that the only solution is to ask for help and be willing to let others do it their own way, instead of trying to control everything ourselves.

Torch is the last book of the epic adventure that began with Swift and continued in Nomad, taking Ivy from the depths of obscurity to heights she never imagined, and from a life of loneliness to a love sweeter — and stranger — than she ever dreamed she’d find. It’s a story that’s close to my heart, and I hope it will find a place in yours and your family’s as well!

— R.J. Anderson

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, February 27

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 28

Woven by Words, February 28

Through the Fire Blogs, March 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 2

Worthy2Read, March 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 3

For the Love of Literature, March 4

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 4

Inklings and notions, March 5

For Him and My Family, March 6

The Book Chic Blog, March 6

deb’s Book Review, March 7

Sodbusterliving, March 8

Sara Jane Jacobs, March 8

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 9

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 10

Artistic Nobody, March 10 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 11

Blogging With Carol, March 12

Mia Reads, March 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, R.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a signed bookplate, bookmarks, notecards, and a copy of either SWIFT, NOMAD or TORCH!! (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/1089c/torch-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, March 8, 2021

Methuselah Project S.O.S. by Rick Barry

About the Book

Book: Methuselah Project S.O.S.

Author: Rick Barry

Genre: Christian suspense

Release date: October 20, 2020

Born in the final days of Nazi Germany, an underground organization is alive, growing, and manipulating events in our world today …

The survivor of a secret German experiment in 1943, Roger Greene possesses a unique physiology. To this day, his body remains youthful and heals quickly. In exchange for information about the mysterious Heritage Organization that Roger once escaped, the CIA has given him a new identity and pulled strings to get him into the modern U.S. Air Force.

Now, Roger’s main thrills are serving his country in an F-35 and spending time with Katherine, the love of his life. Suddenly, the CIA shows up and drops a bombshell—evidence that Sophie, the woman who Roger believed had died helping him escape, is alive. The Heritage Organization is holding her and others prisoner in an unknown location.

Honor-bound to rescue the woman who risked her life for him, Roger accepts temporary duties with the CIA. But just when the mission is already straining his relationship with Katherine, Roger becomes a murder suspect. A fugitive, he continues alone the mission to find Sophie. What he discovers lands this pilot deep inside a shadowy network intent on world domination.

Will Roger’s faith carry him through this quest—or will those tracking him succeed in snuffing out his long life once and for all?

A sensational standalone story, Rick Barry’s sequel to The Methuselah Project launches you into an unforgettable journey through danger, suspense, hope, and love—an experience that will keep you turning pages well into the night!

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Wow. This actually has twists. I couldn't see what was coming next in many places. It's the type of book you don't want to put down and I didn't know I missed the first book in series. This book stood alone well enough. While I'm not so big on war stories, this one is spellbinding. It has some Sci-Fi feel, along with heroes, war, and suspense. Faith elements were not tossed aside, but the superhero aspects were well done. The characters were interesting and I now would like (no, I think that's a need!), more of this series.

5 Stars

About the Author

Rick Barry has authored 4 novels: The Methuselah Project, Methuselah Project S.O.S., Gunner’s Run, and a young adult fantasy called Kiriath’s Quest. In addition, he has hundreds of published articles and short stories to his credit. He speaks Russian and has visited Eastern Europe over 50 times. Experiences that have provided fuel for his fiction include skydiving, mountain climbing, rappelling, serving in Christian camping ministries in Russia, kayaking, wilderness hiking, white-water rafting, visiting World War II battlegrounds, and prowling deserted buildings in the evacuated Chernobyl zone in Ukraine.

More from Rick

More than once, I’ve told friends that if I could write only one novel in my life, The Methuselah Project is the one I’d choose. After all, that inspirational suspense story has equal appeal for men and women readers. Plus, its hero—Captain Roger Greene—is such a fun character. He’s patriotic, handsome, humble, conscientious, and he possesses a sense of humor that carries him through tough times. Sure, it’s a suspense story, but it also includes a satisfying touch of romance.

However, with the publication of its standalone follow-up, Methuselah Project S.O.S., I might have to revise my statement. In this second book I worked hard to raise the stakes, to increase the danger, and to ramp up the tension. Also, in this book we get much better acquainted with the main characters, and the romance deepens. (Sorry, no spoilers!) Even though Roger Greene and his girlfriend Katherine are my own inventions, I’ve really grown to love these two. Judging by reviews, readers have, too!

I confess that S.O.S. was harder to write than the first book. My brain insists on details and believability. For me to write it, the plot of S.O.S. compelled me to research a variety of subjects—the CIA, the Air Force, escape and evasion techniques, functional booby traps, and more. The resulting story is a roller coaster ride of action and emotions.

So, what gives me as author the most joy from these books? Probably the reviews where readers begin, “I don’t usually read this kind of book”—but then tell why they absolutely loved it. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next one to say so!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 3

Where Faith and Books Meet, March 3

Texas Book-aholic, March 4

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 6

Becka Jiménez, March 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 7

Inklings and notions, March 8

Betti Mace, March 9

Blogging With Carol, March 9

For Him and My Family, March 10

deb’s Book Review, March 11

Lights in a Darkness World, March 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 13

Pause for Tales, March 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 14

CarpeDiem, March 15

Mary Hake, March 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 16

Bizwings Blog, March 16

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Rick is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paper copy of Methuselah Project S.O.S.!!

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/108cd/methuselah-project-s-o-s-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman (Doors to the Past Book #1)

About the Book

Book: The Lady in Residence

Author: Allison Pittman

Genre: Christian Historical

Release date: February 2021

Can a Legacy of Sadness be Broken at the Menger Hotel?

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

Young widow Hedda Krause checks into the Menger Hotel in 1915 with a trunk full of dresses, a case full of jewels, and enough cash to pay for a two-month stay, which she hopes will be long enough to meet, charm, and attach herself to a new, rich husband. Her plans are derailed when a ghostly apparition lures her into a long, dark hallway, and Hedda returns to her room to find her precious jewelry has been stolen. She falls immediately under a cloud of suspicion with her haunting tale, but true ghost enthusiasts bring her expensive pieces of jewelry in an attempt to lure the ghost to appear again.

In 2017, Dini Blackstone is a fifth-generation magician, who performs at private parties, but she also gives ghost walk tours, narrating the more tragic historical events of San Antonio with familial affection. Above all, her favorite is the tale of Hedda Krause who, in Dini’s estimation, succeeded in perpetrating the world’s longest con, dying old and wealthy from her ghost story. But then Dini meets Quinn Carmichael, great-great-grandson of the detective who originally investigated Hedda’s case, who’s come to the Alamo City with a box full of clues that might lead to Hedda’s exoneration. Can Dini see another side of the story that is worthy of God’s grace?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Welcome to two timelines. It's always important to know that when you have a book split into different timelines. Hedda, back in the 1900's sets up lodging in a hotel. The plan is to have her jewels, and get a husband in a two month time frame. How will that work when her jewels are all missing? Who took them? Why? What's going to happen when a ghost keeps popping up, even in photos?

Dini is in 2017. She's fascinated with the history of this hotel, and with Hedda, who pulled off some long-term things with these jewels. But what if it wasn't all a hoax? What if Hedda wasn't just a con artist?

I found this book to be fun, with a good mystery. It is very light on faith, but has an interesting story. Some of the characters are maddening, but I think that's intentional. I liked the real location, and history parts. I even liked the "paranormal" aspect. I do wish it had more faith or scripture to it, but I would read the next book in this series.

4 Stars

About the Author

Allison Pittman is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a four-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series, once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties and most recently for the critically acclaimed The Seamstress which takes a cameo character from the Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities and flourishes her to life amidst the French Revolution. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike. Connect with her on Facebook (Allison Pittman Author), Twitter (@allisonkpittman) or her website, allisonkpittman.com.

More from Allison

From Haunting to Healing: How Stories Bring New Life to Old Ghosts

If you really think about it, every story is a ghost story. Not the floating spirits of the dearly departed kind, not bumps in the night or mysterious howling in the darkness—but the best stories come from examining a haunted heart. Memories that pursue the present.

A few years ago I took the walking tour of haunted San Antonio. It was a lark, a fun tourist-y thing to do with some visiting friends. I’m not a believer in ghosts, but I am a collector of stories. The tour opens at the Alamo—sacred ground of slain soldiers. The second stop is the Menger Hotel, listed as one of the most haunted hotels in the United States by those who measure and evaluate such things. And while the tour guide waxed on about the guests’ litany of haunted experiences (including Teddy Roosevelt raging through the lobby), my mind stuck with the story of Sallie White. Sallie White is the Menger Hotel’s most famous ghost—a chambermaid whose apparition is reported to be seen walking the halls, towels draped over her arm, or to be heard as an efficient two-rap knock on your door late at night. My mind, however, didn’t dwell on Sallie the ghost, but Sallie the woman—just a normal, hard-working, poor woman, murdered in the street by a man who claimed to love her. But for that, she would have passed into history unknown. Instead, her story is told every night as strangers gather on the very sidewalk where the crime took place.

Years after first hearing the story of Sallie white, I stayed in the Menger for a few days to gather details for The Lady in Residence. I booked what they call a “Petite” room—meaning it is a room that maintains its original structure. Read: tiny. Exposed pipes, creaky wooden floors, antique furniture—the only update, the bathroom fixtures. As it turned out, my room was directly above the place where Sallie White was murdered. One night I pressed my ear against the glass and listened to the ghost tour guide tell her story. The next morning, I stood in the exact spot with a fancy Starbucks drink, thinking about her. She lives on, not because people claim to see her walking and hear her knocking in the dead of night, but because she is a woman remembered.

So, is that beautiful? Is it ghoulish? Maybe it’s both, but when I was given the chance to write a story set in and around the Menger Hotel, I was determined to make Sallie White’s story a part of it. I didn’t want to write her story—that would have required embellishment beyond those few historic, factual tid-bits that such a woman left behind. Sallie White didn’t have correspondence to catalog or a journal to give us insight to her thoughts. Instead, I wanted to tell it to readers everywhere who might never make it to San Antonio to hear it for themselves. When you read The Lady in Residence, you are going to hear the true story of Sallie White, all of it taken from a newspaper account of the time. And then, I did what all historical writers do…I folded it into my own tale and folded that tale into another.

That’s really the joy of writing a split-time novel—being able to draw back and shoot a narrative-arrow straight through the hearts of two stories, threading them together, to bring a haunting to a place of healing.