Friday, April 7, 2017

The Last Chance Olive Ranch {+ Giveaway}


The Last Chance Olive Ranch by Susan Wittig Albert
◊ Series: China Bayles Mystery, Book 25
◊ Hardcover: 304 pages
◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
◊ Publisher: Berkley (April 4, 2017)
◊ Language: English
◊ ISBN-10: 0425280039
◊ ISBN-13: 978-0425280034

SYNOPSIS:

In this exciting new mystery from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert, China Bayles fears for her husband’s life as an escaped convict targets him...
 
Max Mantel, the killer McQuaid put away years ago, has busted out of the Huntsville prison and appears to be headed for Pecan Springs. McQuaid knows there’s only one way to stop the vengeful convict—set a trap with himself as bait.
          China wants to stay by her husband’s side and keep him from harm. But McQuaid insists that she get out of town and go to the Last Chance Olive Ranch, where she’s agreed to teach a workshop on herbs.
          When China and her best friend arrive at the ranch, she learns the owner, Maddie Haskell, has her own troubles. She inherited the ranch and olive oil business from the late matriarch, Eliza Butler, but Eliza’s nephew is contesting the will.
          While China throws herself into helping Maddie, McQuaid’s plan backfires when Mantel executes a countermove he never saw coming. Now McQuaid’s life is not the only one at stake—and this time may really be his last chance...

It’s hard to believe this is the 25th installment in the China Bayles Mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert. The author keeps the stories fresh and engaging. She continues to let her characters grow and develop from story to story.

New readers to the series won’t be in the dark when it comes to the characters and their relationship even though they have missed the characters growing and flourishing over time. Returning fans will delight in following the characters as they head out on new adventures.

The story moves at a good pace with adrenaline-fueled moments spread through. The author focuses on two plots that takes readers on separate journeys while intermingling them from time to time. While this story doesn’t focus just on China, it shows how police work impacts the entire family.

The author features the usual comfortable small-town atmosphere while blending in bits of suspense and intrigue for a tantalizing thriller. The twists and turns will keep you guessing. In addition to entertaining readers with an enticing mystery, the author includes tasty recipes and informative tidbits on olives.

THE LAST CHANCE OLIVE RANCH is a captivating story you don’t want to miss.

The Last Chance Olive Ranch by Susan Wittig Albert, China Bayles Mystery (Book #25), Berkley, @2017, ISBN: 978-0425280034, Hardcover, 304 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.


Thanks to the wonderful folks at Penguin Random House, I have a print copy of THE LAST CHANCE OLIVE RANCH by Susan Wittig Albert to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, April 16.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Do you like stories that several plots going on at once and then brings them together at the end?

39 comments:

  1. Her twenty-fifth in the series? Wowsers. She writes under other names too. The woman must be a writing machine.
    I haven't come across this one yet, but have read quite a number of the others.

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  2. I haven't read too many of this series but have greatly enjoyed all that I have! I'd be happy to win and read her latest.

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  3. Twenty-five books and still fresh? Impressive! And yes, a writing machine.

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  4. The China Bayles series is a great one, Mason, isn't it? I like the way the characters have developed over time, and I'm glad you enjoyed this one.

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  5. I love ❤️ this series and I'm looking forward to reading this new book!!! I enjoy all varieties of books so I'm ok with several plots going on at once.

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  6. I am captivated with this novel and do enjoy several plots happening throughout the book. This author is creative and talented.

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  7. I love multiple plot lines being cleverly tied together at the end of a book. I think that Susan's plots have a lot of variety which makes it even more interesting with her character development within the book and across the series.

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  8. I'm amazed that this series has continued so long, but Susan Wittig Albert has great characters to work with. I haven't read any of her books lately so I'll add this to the list. I'm glad you mentioned that you can pick up the story without going back and reading the rest of the series.
    Ann

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  9. I haven't read a long series for awhile. This one is always on my TBR list but maybe it's time to start. Thanks for the great review and giveaway.

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  10. Thanks for a chance to win. I love these books.

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  11. I love this...crazed convict and olive oil. I enjoy this series, and can't believe that I am so far behind, but newbies fear not. The books offer enough to keep you engaged.

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  12. I do enjoy multi-plot stories in books, movies and TV shows. I find it keeps me more engaged and I really enjoy when all the threads come together. Thanks

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  13. I do enjoy stories with several plots that come together. I like the fast pace of those types of stories.

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  14. I love stories that have several plots going on at once it makes the book more interesting.
    Thanks
    Penney

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  15. Wow - 25 books! That is an achievement.

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  16. So happy that Last Chance is released. Looking forward to reading it. I really enjoy following China, her family and friends.

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  17. So happy that Last Chance is released. Looking forward to reading it. I really enjoy following China, her family and friends.

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  18. I haven't missed a single China Bayles book and eagerly anticipate the new one each April. The stories, characters, herb lore, and recipes are always fresh and fun!

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  19. I read the first China Bayles "therapeutically" the year my husband died, 1992. I've continued to read each and every book as it comes out. China and the other characters are like members of the family. I'm so looking forward to Last Chance. Thanks, Susan!

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  20. I have read other books by the author but not one in this series yet. Congratulations to her on book #25. It looks like I have a lot of reading enjoyment ahead of me.

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  21. Hello, I love this author & now I love you for giving us a chance to win such a wonderful prize. Thank you.

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  22. Admire Albert's writing very much. To answer the question at the end of your post, I like more than one plot that tie together in the end, but no so many it's hard to keep up with them all.

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  23. Love Susan's books and have read all her series...looking forward to the latest China book! And yes I love when several plots come together at the end.

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  24. This would complete my collection!

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  25. Love the China Bayles series! I'm a few behind, but I can't wait to read the next one.

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  26. Susan is one of my favorite authors,and amazingly prolific. All her books are incredibly well researched. I always learn something when I read her books.

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  27. Interesting premise, and how cute that the title rhymes!

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  28. I love a book that has lots of plot points that get brought together in the end.

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  29. I love a good mystery and this one sounds great! Thanks for sharing!

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  30. I love this series! I always feel right at home with China, Ruby and the gang.

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  31. The China Bayles series is one of my favorites and the only mystery series I read. Love it! I really enjoy the herbal tidbits in the books and how all the characters grow and change.

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  32. My wife and I are huge fans of the China Bayles series and we'd be thrilled if we could add this one to our home library.

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  33. I love Susan's books! Thanks so much.

    Tracy Shafer

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  34. I've loved this series since the first novel!

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  35. I have read All of your books and heard you speak at "Murder By the Book" several times. Love your books.

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