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I’m delighted to participate in author Madison Johns’ Cozy Mystery Book Tour for her latest release, GRANNIES, GUNS AND GHOSTS.
As part of the tour, I’m sharing my thoughts on the book, a brief bio of the author and a link for a special $25 giveaway (see the end of the post for details).
Taking up residence in a Winnebago in an East Tawas, Michigan, campground doesn’t sound like something most seventy-two-year-old women would do, but then Agnes Barton isn’t your usual senior citizen.
The campground isn’t the ideal place, but Agnes is making do until her home is repaired after being fire bombed earlier. In the meantime she and her partner in crime, eighty-two-year-old Eleanor Mason, had planned to start a detective agency, Pink Ladies, but ran into problems with the license. Despite the setback, the senior snoops are the ones folks call when there’s a dead body.
Agnes and Eleanor are called to the scene of another death when Herman Butler falls from a third story window. It’s up to the senior sleuths to discover if his fall was an accident or murder. Things get more interesting when a ghost or two show up, as does a gypsy.
But later when the ghost ship, Erie Board of Trades, is spotted off the shores of Lake Huron, ghost hunters swam the town. It’s up to the ladies to determine fact from fantasy before someone else becomes a ghost.
Agnes and Eleanor are far from your typical senior citizens and an unlikely sleuthing duo that will have you laughing out loud. Their antics and friendship make for a entertaining read.
Author Madison Johns has created two spunky seniors that are likable and well-developed. The cast of secondary zany characters adds flavor to the mix for a well-balanced story.
The plot moves at a good pace and will hold your attention from the first paragraph until the end. Johns keeps a good blend of humor and suspense as the story moves along. GRANNIES, GUNS AND GHOSTS is a delightful read combining murder, mayhem, ghosts and seniors.
This is the second installment in the Agnes Barton Mystery series, but can be read alone.
Grannies, Guns And Ghosts by Madison Johns, An Agnes Barton Mystery, CreateSpace Independent Publishing, @2013, ISBN: 978-1484016671, Paperback, 172 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book as part of the author’s virtual book tour. An eBook copy of the book was sent to me by the tour promoter in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As a child, Madison Johns preferred to distance herself from other children her age, and had been described as a dreamer. Even as a small
child, she remembers staying awake many a night fighting dragons, whisked away to foreign lands, or meeting the man of her dreams.
She was a voracious reader of historical romance in her teen years and has always wished to one day journey to England, France, Ireland, and Scotland.
The writing bug bit her at the age of 44 and she pounded out three books since that time. As the publishing climate changed she took a risk and decided to self publish, first a collection of two horror short stories geared for YA, COFFIN TALES SEASON OF DEATH.
Madison's caring nature had led her to work in the healthcare field, where she was employed as a nursing care assistant at a nursing home, and it was there that she was inspired to write her first mystery, ARMED AND OUTRAGEOUS, introducing amateur detective Agnes Barton. The book depicts two elderly ladies digging up clues with enough laugh out loud antics to make James Bond blush.
For more on Madison and her writing, visit her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
The Cozy Mystery Book Reviews is hosting a giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash. Click on this link to enter. Good luck.
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to sign up for the giveaway. Do you enjoy cozy mysteries where the protagonist is older?
I am delighted today to welcome a ‘new-to-me’ author that combines
her passion for romance and an acquired interest in bull riding into a fun loving, tug-on-your-heartstrings series that will lead to many hours of enjoyable reading entertainment.
Author Laura Drake, a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, joins us today to talk about THE SWEET SPOT, the first installment in her bull riders series. Thanks to Laura and Marissa at Grand Central Publishing, two lucky visitors will win a copy of THE SWEET SPOT.
Please see the end of the post for the giveaway guidelines.
You don’t have to be a fan of bulling riding to enjoy this charming tale of romance and second chances. Here’s a quick look at THE SWEET SPOT:
A Love as Big as Texas . . .
Charla Rae Denny was the perfect wife with a perfect life, content to keep the home fires burning while her husband, JB, competed as a champion bull rider. Then their son died in a tragic accident-and everything fell apart. Divorced and saddled with a hill of bills and a failing ranch, Charla must now cowboy up to put her life back together.
James "JB" Denny doesn't stay where he isn't welcome. So when Charla shut him out of her grieving heart-and their home-a year ago, he took comfort where he could find it. Now after seeing beautiful Charla again, he wants it all back. She can't work the ranch alone, and deep in his heart he knows he can be the man she needs. But after so much history and heartbreak, can JB convince Charla to take a risk and give their love a second chance?
Mason - How does someone who grew up near Detroit, Michigan, come to write westerns? And why write about bull riders?
Laura:
I know, it’s a stretch, right? But I married a Texan. I fell in love with the West from the back of a motorcycle the past 25 years. I aspire to earn the title ‘honorary country girl’ before I die!
While visiting Texas, I attended my first rodeo, and was hooked. Imagine how excited I was to find out that bull riding was on television every weekend! There’s something about the hubris of a man who straps himself to two thousand pounds of attitude that wants to throw him in the dirt and dance on him – the drama sucks me in every time!
This year, I’ll be signing THE SWEET SPOT at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas – An odd dream maybe, but one that’s come true for me!
Mason - What can you tell us about your couple, Charla Rae and JB, that we won't find in the book?
Laura:
Their first date was a Sadie Hawkins dance, in high school.
Because JB lost his mother when he was young, he never learned to dance. Charla had to teach him, that night!
Mason - When you began writing THE SWEET SPOT, did you know it would be the first of a series or did that develop as you wrote?
Laura:
It’s interesting, because THE SWEET SPOT was actually the second bull riding book I wrote. The first was NOTHING SWEETER, which turned out to be the second in the series! I was unpublished, and just writing what I was passionate about. Selling in a three book deal was beyond my hopes!
Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you.
Laura:
The second book in the series, NOTHING SWEETER, will be out in December. Here’s just a taste of the characters:
Aubrey Madison is guilty. But not of the crime she’s been pardoned for. She knew it was her responsibility as controller to turn her customs-cheating boss over to the law. It just doesn’t seem like her problem until she learns of a much larger scheme--one that has her name all over it. She’s still reeling when Federal agents show up to arrest her.
Eight months later, reveling in freedom and determined to put shame behind her and start over, Aubrey hits the road with a new last name, a hideous scar on her neck, and bad case of claustrophobia.
Max Jameson has big problems. His father has died and his gay half-brother, Wyatt, has returned to the family cattle ranch outside Steamboat Springs. An old-fashioned cowboy, Max wants only to remain a rancher, but the High Heather is bleeding red ink. His father taught him that a man fixes things, but there’s not enough baling wire and duct tape in Colorado to fix this.
Laura, thanks so much for joining us today and giving us a look at how this fun series came to be. The characters in the next installment sounds as fascinating as Charla Rae and JB.
As you can tell from Laura’s writing she never grew out of her serious cowboy crush either, which makes for delightful reading for us. She resides in Southern California, though she aspires to retirement in Texas. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write, full time. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
For more on Laura and her writing, visit her website at http://LauraDrakeBooks.com, find her on Twitter, or check out http://WritersintheStorm.Wordpress.com
GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:
To enter this giveaway, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win THE Sweet Spot.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. And, just so you know, I don’t share this information with anyone other than the publisher nor use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 2 copies of THE SWEET SPOT is 8 p.m. (EDT) Saturday, May 25.
Thanks everyone for dropping by today. Are you a fan of bull riding? Have you ever attended a bulling riding competition or rodeo?
When it comes to diversity in life, books can take you in so many directions. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on a lighthearted story featuring three sisters well past retirement age and a new take on a hair color that has spanned the ages and withstood way too many jokes.
THE BLOSSOM SISTERS wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but it
was a charming story that I enjoyed as it had me laughing at times.
Narrator Jeff Crawford does a wonderful job of bringing the various characters to life, including Wilson. His interruption of the emotions draws the listener in.
Gus Hollister went against the advice of his grandmother Rose, his Aunts Iris and Violet, and everyone else to marry Elaine. Now he’s paying dearly for it. Elaine has taken the house, his car and is filing for divorce. The only thing she gave him was his clothes and his dog, Wilson.
Choosing the gold-digger over his family alienated him from those he loves and they aren’t ready to forgive him yet. Gus is determined to make amends with his grandmother and his aunts with the help of his best friend, Barney.
Working to redeem himself in the eyes of his family, Gus becomes the man he should have been. Seeking forgiveness from his family for his mistakes, Gus also discovers new friendships he never expected and that there is true love.
THE BLOSSOM SISTERS isn’t just a story about three elderly sisters like I thought it would be. It’s about family, friendship, loyalty, helping others, and finding peace with yourself. Author Fern Michaels has created zany, realistic characters you’d like to know in real life. The sisters are spirited and spunky. They aren’t seniors willing to give up on life or living.
The friendship between Gus and Barney is the type we all hope for - friends forever through good and bad. Michaels even brings out the bond between man and his dog. In addition, she gives insight into being productive long after retirement age.
The story moves at a steady pace with a few surprises and twists along the way. Michaels shows how someone can be more connected to a person they dislike than they realize. This is what I call a ‘feel-good’ story that will have you laughing at the antics of some of the characters. THE BLOSSOM SISTERS will warm you heart and give you a new perspective on a few things.
Author Fern Michaels’ website is www.fernmichaels.com
The Blossom Sisters by Fern Michaels, Performed by Jeff Crawford, Brilliance Audio, @2013, ISBN: 978-1455812752, Unabridged, 7 Discs, Listening Time: 8 Hours, 2 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Being born blonde, I was intrigued by author Selena Coppock’s latest
release, THE NEW RULES FOR BLONDES: HIGHLIGHTS FROM A FAIR-HAIRED LIFE, and had to know more.
From the moment you start reading, Coppock will have you smiling no matter your hair color. And the humor doesn’t stop until the last paragraph.
While I was reading this delightful book, I was also fortunate to be able to listen to the audio version read by the author herself. I must say this just enriched the story that much more. To hear the author vocalize the emotions of the story made it seem like a conversation with a friend. Her expressions are priceless.
This is a collection of essays from the standup comedian that form a hilarious guide to being blonde. She tackles how the world doubts the intelligence of blondes while secretly wanting to be one. Coppock gives tongue-in-cheek advice about hair care and running in heels, while relating some of her own misadventures as a blonde.
You might even say this is an empowering book. Listening to the audio version with ear buds, you don’t mind the looks you get from strangers when you laugh out loud or find yourself agreeing with the author (out loud). You’ll just smile at them, flip your hair and go on.
THE NEW RULES FOR BLONDES is a must read book for anyone who enjoys life and laughing. Simply put, this book (both print and audio) is fun entertainment.
Author Selena Coppock’s website is http://www.selenacoppock.com/
The New Rules For Blondes: Highlights From A Fair-Haired Life by Selena Coppock, ItBooks, @2013, ISBN: 978-0062131812, Paperback, 256 Pages
The New Rules For Blondes, Highlights From A Fair-Haired Life by Selena Coppock, Read by Selena Coppock, Harper Audio, @2013, ASIN: B00BU9A3V6, Unabridged, Digital Download, Listening Time: 6 Hours, 38 Minutes
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. The digital download audio version of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copies of both formats did not influence my review.
Thanks for dropping by today. Have you read a book while listening to the audio version? Do you enjoy stories were the main characters are a bit older?
I’m delighted to be a part of author Milly Taiden’s WOLF PROTECTOR Book Blast today as she tours blogdom through Pump Up Your Books.
This is a chance to tell you a bit about the book, the author and provide a way for you to enter the amazing giveaway that is being offered through the tour.
Here’s a brief synopsis of the paranormal romantic suspense book, WOLF PROTECTOR:
A woman with a secret…
The Federal Paranormal Unit is an elite squad of supernaturals dedicated to solving missing persons cases. Erica’s gift allows her a special connection with the crime, but it comes at a deep personal cost…
Until now, she’s kept her gift a secret, even from the other members of the team. But this case will throw her together with Agent Trent Bucha
nan. He’s the object of her secret desires, but he’s also a cocky womanizer. She’d rather swim in shark-infested waters with a paper cut than admit she has feelings for him.
A man with one desire…
Wolf Shifter Trent wants Erica more than he’s ever wanted any woman. He’s spent years patiently waiting for her to admit that she wants him too. Working one-on-one in a race to find a serial killer, Trent’s patience and Erica’s resolve wear thin.
When Trent discovers the truth about Erica, will he accept her for who she is? And can he protect her from the horrors that her gift brings?
A case that pushes them to the edge…
Erica will have to risk it all if she wants to stop the killer, and when she does, Trent may have to put his own life on the line to make sure his mate is protected…
WOLF PROTECTOR is available for purchase at the following locations:
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Want to know about this author? Milly Taiden (aka April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.
She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee. She loves hearing from readers so feel free to connect with her.
For more information on Milly and her writing, visit her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
HERE’S HOW THE GIVEAWAY WORKS: Now as part of her book blast tour, Milly is teaming up with Pump Up Your Books to giveaway a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash to one lucky visitor to the tour.
Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour. This promotion began April 15 and will run through May 17. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter and announced on May 18. Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!
Participating Blogs:
Monday, April 15 – Urban Girl Reader
Tuesday, April 16 – Miki’s Hope
Tuesday, April 16 – The Top Shelf
Wednesday, April 17 – The Dark Phantom Review
Wednesday, April 17 – As the Pages Turn
Thursday, April 18 – Paranormal Romantic Suspense Reviews
Thursday, April 18 – Lori’s Reading Corner
Friday, April 19 – Laurie’s Thoughts & Reviews
Monday, April 22 – Fictional Candy
Tuesday, April 23 – Cheryl’s Book Nook
Wednesday, April 24 – The Writer’s Life
Thursday, April 25 – Not Now…Mommy’s Reading
Thursday, April 25 – Freda’s Voice
Friday, April 27 – Dr. Pepper Diva
Friday, May 3 – Authors & Readers Book Corner
Saturday, May 4 – Bookingly Yours
Monday, May 6 – Must Read Faster
Tuesday, May 7 – Celestial Reviews
Wednesday, May 8 – Inside BJ’s Head
Wednesday, May 8 – My Devotional Thoughts
Thursday, May 9 – Moonlight Lace & Mayhem
Friday, May 10 – Literarily Speaking
Monday, May 13 – Janna Shay
Monday, May 13 – Mary’s Cup of Tea
Tuesday, May 14 – Shh…Not While I’m Reading
Tuesday, May 14 – Book Marketing Buzz
Wednesday, May 15 – Beyond the Books
Thursday, May 16 – My Cozie Corner
Thursday, May 16 – The Book Rack
Friday, May 17 – Review From Here
Friday, May 17 Jody’s Book Reviews
Thanks for stopping by today for Milly’s Book Blast. Be sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash. Do you enjoy the mix of paranormal, romance and suspense all wrapped up in one story?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you enjoy being transported back in time to the early 1900s for a 
story of love and determination then you will adore WHEN LOVE CALLS by Lorna Seilstad.
The first installment in Seilstad’s new series, The Gregory Sisters, focuses on the eldest sister, Hannah Gregory.
Hannah’s parents have died and she has had to leave law school in order to care for her two younger sisters, Charlotte and Tessa. Just as she has found a job, the bank forecloses on their family farm. The sisters are forced to move into a small cottage, taking only a few of their possessions with them.
Hannah’s job is as a switchboard operator. Sounds easy enough but the Hello Girls must follow strict, sometimes bewildering, rules. Following rules is one thing Hannah isn’t good at. Throw into the mix the bank’s handsome young lawyer Lincoln Cole and you have the makings of a delightful story.
Lincoln tries to assist the sisters in small ways, but Hannah won’t accept charity and is determined to repay him for his help. But she finds she does need his help when a friend gets in trouble with the law. Hannah is determined to care for her sisters, but will she do it at the cost of her own happiness?
The author has an eye for historical details that places the reader in the midst of the early 1900s. She has created characters that are likable, well-developed and realistic. She has crafted a story that combines love of family, determination, and friendship with a delicate romance and a tinge of inspirational foundation. The results is a charming book that will remind readers how sweet romance can be.
Hannah is feisty and resilient as the protagonist, but her sisters also play large roles in the story and add to the colorful storyline. Seilstad’s endearing characters will have readers longing for the next installment in the series. WHEN LOVE CALLS, a feel-good story you don’t want to miss.
Author Lorna Seilstad’s website is www.lornaseilstad.com
When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad, Book 1 in The Gregory Sisters Series, Revell, @2013, ISBN: 978-0800721817, Paperback, 352 Pages
Available May 2013, at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book as part of a blog tour and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A history buff, antique collector, and freelance graphic designer, Lorna Seilstad is the author of MAKING WAVES, A GREAT CATCH, and THE RIDE OF HER LIFE. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing contests and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Lorna lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with her husband.
Thanks for stopping by today. Doesn’t the cover of this book just draw you right in? Do you think you would have liked to have been a switchboard operator?
I’m delighted today to be a part of author Melissa Turner Lee’s Juniper Grove Virtual Book Tour for her latest release, THE EARTH PAINTER.
As part of the tour, Melissa is sharing an excerpt from her book. First a brief description of THE EARTH PAINTER:
When a self-conscious young woman discovers the boy in drama class is actually the immortal who painted the world into being, she becomes the target of another painter who hates humanity.
THE EARTH PAINTER is a Young Adult Supernatural Romance set in the small mill town of Chesnee, SC. It revolves around Holly Scruggs, whose family has just moved back to Chesnee after her dad lost his job along with pretty much everything they owned.
Her image conscious parents correct her to the point of brokenness until she meets Theo. He is the artist responsible for all the beauty of the land and he thinks Holly is beautiful, too. Together they will fight against Fritz, the water painter, who hates humans and is hiding a secret under the high school.
THE EARTH PAINTER is available at Amazon Paperback | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads
Here’s an excerpt from the book to spark your interest:
My mouth fell open. Was he nuts? How was I supposed to answer a question like that?
I balled my hands into fists and put them on my hips. “What’s the matter with you?”
When he put his hands on his hips, I got upset for a moment before I realized he was still doing the mirroring exercise.
Ms. Jones suddenly yelled and clapped. “I love this. Love it! Everybody look at Holly and her partner. They aren’t just moving, they are conveying emotion with it. Brilliant!”
I went back to doing normal movements. And Theo continued to stare at me. “You look so familiar. I heard you say you just moved here, but did you move back? I mean, did you live here before…a long time ago maybe?”
“No.” I half-smiled and then bit my lip.
He was exceptionally good looking. I’d been too irritated to notice at first, but the more I looked at him the warmer my cheeks grew. The way he stared at me didn’t help. It was intense and inquisitive, and he was too close. We weren’t touchy-feely at my house so this invasion into my personal space was especially uncomfortable.
“So you’ve never been here before?” His gray-blue eyes studied me even more.
“Well…um…I’ve been to Chesnee before—to visit my grandmother before she died. Maybe you saw me around town then.”
He shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I’ve seen you up close, like this. I remember your eyes. They’re the color of the sea—just inside a coral reef, and your freckles are the stones of a volcanic island scattered along the sand. Your hair is like the sun setting over the water, shooting out orange rays in all directions.” He stared into my eyes even deeper. “You’re very pretty.”
The impact of his words slammed into me. I’d braced myself for an insult. That’s what I was used to. This was either the way he came onto girls for a hook-up, or more likely, some mean joke to get a good laugh going with the other kids. Anger bubbled up. I knew those kinds of tricks. Those were the kinds of things the kids I used to hang with did all the time. They played them on me too, when I no longer belonged in their circle.
My hands trembled, and my lips drew up to hold in the anger, but I refused to cry in front of this boy. I wanted to call him on his prank. I knew better than to think it was a real compliment, but I couldn’t think of anything clever to say.
The tears burned in my eyes despite my efforts.
“Forget this!” I shouted as I ran off the stage. Everyone’s stares bore into my back as I grabbed my backpack and made for the door. My head throbbed from ear to ear. I was dropping the class, and that was final.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa Turner Lee holds a BA in Communications with a concentration in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She has studied fiction writing since 2008, attending various writing conferences and workshops, along with guidance from professional writing coaches.
She resides in Spartanburg, SC with her husband and 3 sons.
To learn more about Melissa and her writing, visit her Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Blog
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
There is a tour-wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:
5 eBook Copies of both books in the Painter Series (each winner gets both); and a gift basket that contains: 1 Signed Paperback of both books in the Painter Series, Charm Necklace and Metal Bookmark inspired by The Earth Painter (US Only). The giveaway is open internationally for the eBooks and to US residents only for the gift basket. Enter below.
rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope this excerpt sparked your interest in THE EARTH PAINTER.
Times moves slow for some, fast for others. Either way memories are made as time travels on.
This Sunday Salon is a perfect time to reflex on memories of books we’ve enjoyed and for many, the person who inspired us to read - our mother. Today is Mother’s Day…so Happy Mother’s Day everyone. Whether you are a mother or not, you inspire others.
My love of books comes from my mother’s passion for them. As far back as I can remember, my mother loved reading and collecting books (another passion I learned from her). She liked all books, but especially mysteries and romance.
She encouraged me to read. In fact, the very first present I received when I was born was a book. Each year we would make special visits to our local library where I would enroll in the annual summer reading program. We would both come home each week with an armload of books to read.
In elementary school, it was my mother who encouraged me to enter my first writing contest. I would learn many months after she passed away that she too enjoyed writing stories. I discovered where she had started a story in a composition book and then put it away. I have no way of knowing when she wrote it as it wasn’t dated.
During the last few years of her life, arthritis made it difficult for her to hold a book. This was in the early days of audio books. The ones that were available to us were from the library in a neighboring county and the selection wasn’t that large. But she was still able to enjoy books and that was all that mattered. She would be thrilled at the vast array of audios available today.
This is another reason I enjoy listening to audio books. With that in mind I’d like to share my thoughts on a fun audio about the early years of a famous detective.
Have you ever wondered what Sherlock Holmes would have been like as a teenager?
Author Andrew Lane tackles that topic in his series, Sherlock Holmes: A New Beginning. In the latest installment in the series, BLACK ICE, young Sherlock has to come to the aid of his older brother, Mycroft.
Narrator James Langton does an excellent job bringing the various characters to life. His vocalization of the diverse accents adds to the story, as does his interruption of the varied ages of the characters. His cadence is most effective in portraying the scale of emotions the characters encounter.
Sherlock and his American tutor, Amyus Crowe, are to meet Mycroft at his club for lunch. But when they arrive, they find Mycroft alone in a room with a dead man. Mycroft, holding a knife, has no memory of what happened.
Sherlock and Crowe work to clear Mycroft of the charges. As the case progresses, Mycroft finds it necessary to travel to Russia to get to the heart of the matter. Taking Sherlock along, the brothers set out on an adventure that will lead them into danger, deceit and secrets.
BLACK ICE is an intriguing story that takes readers/listeners on a roller coaster ride of action. The plot contains twists, turns and red herrings. Just when you reach one conclusion, another element is introduced to change your mind.
Lane has created well-developed, likable characters. He gives us a look at how Sherlock may have developed his detective skills in a plausible manner. Lane keeps the story moving steady with an eye for detail when it comes to the setting and history of the era (1868).
BLACK ICE is the third installment in the Sherlock Holmes: A New Beginning series, but can be read or listened to as a stand alone. References to prior events from the first two books will not leave new readers in the dark. They may, however, spark an interest to see what young Sherlock has already encountered. This series, the first teen series endorsed by the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Estate, gives a fresh look at the famous detective.
BLACK ICE, an outstanding tale of intrigue and deceit, will enthrall you.
Black Ice by Andrew Lane, Book 3 of the Sherlock Holmes: A New Beginning Series, Performed by James Langton, Macmillan Audio, @2013, ISBN: 978-1427229618, Unabridged, 6 Discs, Listening Time: 7.5 Hours
FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I hope you’re having a great Mother’s Day. Remember to say ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to the mother in your life, even if you’re not on the best of terms at the moment. Life is too short and you may not get the chance next year. Thanks also for enduring my look back at why I love books and the one who inspired me.
Thanks Mom for introducing me to the wonderful world of books and reading. Love ya and miss ya!
With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, many thoughts turn to
love and what better way to say romance than with flowers and sexy cowboys. Author Abigail Sharpe does just that in her debut digital original, WHO WANTS TO MARRY A COWBOY?, released this week by Forever Yours.
Set in Wyoming, WHO WANTS TO MARRY A COWBOY? tells the story of Riley Pommer, a forest ranger who moves back to his family's pay-to-play-cowboy ranch to care for his siblings after their father's death. He's been burned by women in his life, and is content to be without any entanglements, but his siblings have other ideas. They decide to turn the ranch into a singles retreat, and volunteer him to be the market-research guinea pig for the eight women they invite for a trial run.
With the family ranch in dire straits, Riley knows his sisters’ crazy plan to turn the ranch into the setting for a dating competition—and using him as the bait—is the only thing standing between them and foreclosure. But the rules of the game change the instant Riley lays eyes on the spirited Ainsley.
There’s nothing florist Ainsley Fairfax won’t do to help her sister get the love of her life—even if it means taking her place on a bachelorette weekend at a Wyoming ranch so Cecelia can sail off with the man of her dreams. Ainsley is determined to spend the time keeping her head down and her heart safely tucked away. At the ranch, she's free from trying to please everyone around her and is more interested in the ranch's greenhouse than any smelly cowboy so desperate for a woman that he needs a singles retreat to find himself a girlfriend.
Ainsley's misconceptions are shattered when she meets Riley and realizes he isn't smelly or desperate. He's also not happy about the bachelorettes invading his home. Neither Ainsley nor Riley expects the attraction that develops between them.
In the face of sabotage attempts by the other would-be wives and family pressures, Ainsley has to stand up for herself and Riley needs to let go of old hurts and open his heart before they can find happiness together.
As others try to stampede over their love, can Riley prove to Ainsley that true love is a prize worth fighting for?
DID YOU KNOW?
Ainsley gets her name from Ainsley Hayes from The West Wing. Every year Abigail dress in medieval garb and perform at the local Medieval Faire. For the past two years, she’s been a wench singing naughty songs.
The story Robin’s character (who works in tech support) tells about the man who used his mouse upside down really happened to the Abigail!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Abigail has a degree in public relations and works as a technical writer.
She's published articles in a local parenting magazine, published short stories online and is publishing a short story with Highland Press. She is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America and president of the First Coast chapter.
She is also a Boston-bred Yankee now eating grits and saying “y’all” in North Central Florida. She dreamed more of being a stage actress or joining the CIA than being an author. While she still enjoys participating in community theater productions and singing karaoke, the secret-agent career was replaced by hours at her computer, writing stories of love and laughter and happily ever after.
Abigail lives with her husband, two kids, and one crazy princess puppy. She is part of a kitchen blog with friends – chickletsinthekitchen.com – and you can keep up with her on Goodreads or at her website – www.abigailsharpe.com
In addition, Abigail is at work on her next novel, WHO WANTS TO MARRY A DOCTOR?, slated for release in September.
Thanks for visiting today and checking out Abigail and her debut original WHO WANTS TO MARRY A COWBOY? in the limelight. Do you enjoy a good romance story infused with a bit of humor?
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