Tales from Harborsmouth {+ Giveaway}

Have you been wanting to give the Ivy Granger series a try, or are you a mega fan wanting more stories from the monster-filled streets of Harborsmouth? You're in luck.

Tales from Harborsmouth Now Available for Pre-Order

Tales from Harborsmouth, an Ivy Granger series anthology with two novellas and two exclusive short stories, is now available for pre-order. More Ivy, Jinx, Marvin, Sparky, Forneus, and Torn! Are you excited? We are, and we're celebrating with an awesome giveaway. So grab some cake and pull up a chair. It's time to party!

Tales from Harborsmouth (Ivy Granger #0.5, #1.5, #2.5, #5.5) by E.J. Stevens.

In Tales from Harborsmouth, readers get the chance to delve deeper into the award-winning world of Ivy Granger.

Ivy Granger is a psychic detective with ties to Harborsmouth's paranormal underworld. Too bad those ties tend to ensnare Ivy and her friend Jinx in the Machiavellian schemes of the city's teeming population of bloodsucking vampires and psychotic faeries.

FROSTBITE (Ivy Granger #0.5)

In this Ivy Granger prequel, join Ivy and Jinx on a disturbing case that leads down a dead end alley to a house ravaged by time and circumstance.

Everyone knows that there's no such thing as ghosts, but when a client claims that her house is being haunted, Ivy tries to keep her mind open and her weapons handy. If her psychic gifts and recent cases have taught her anything, it's that you're better off arming yourself for the unexpected. Anything is possible in Harborsmouth.

BLOOD AND MISTLETOE (Ivy Granger #1.5)

Holidays are worse than a full moon for making people crazy. In Harborsmouth, where many of the residents are undead vampires or monstrous fae, the combination may prove deadly.

Holidays are Hell, a point driven home when a certain demon attorney returns with information regarding a series of bloody murders. Five Harborsmouth residents have been killed and every victim has one thing in common—they are fae. Whoever is killing faeries must be stopped, but they only leave one clue behind—a piece of mistletoe floating in a pool of the victim's blood. The holidays just got interesting.

CLUB NEXUS (Ivy Granger #2.5)

A demon, a human, an Unseelie faerie, and a vampire walk into a bar...

Author E. J. Stevens (and friend)

These four intertwining short stories are set in Club Nexus, the hidden haunt of Harborsmouth's paranormal underworld.

Iced:  A bargain gone wrong leads a highborn Unseelie faerie to life as an enslaved bartender with a taste for revenge.

Dusted:  Being a highly skilled predator doesn't necessarily put you at the top of the food chain at Club Nexus. A southern vampire with a hankering for blood and wanton violence may have bit off more than he can chew.

Demonized:  The demon attorney we love to hate has his eye on a certain rockabilly human. Too bad she's brought a crossbow loaded with holy water dipped bolts for this night on the town.

Jinxed:  Just when Jinx needs a carefree girl's night out with Ivy, a smoking hot demon tries to buy her a drink. She really is the unluckiest human on the planet.

THRILL ON JOYSEN HILL (Ivy Granger #5.5)

Few places are as rife with opportunity or as fraught with danger as Harborsmouth's notorious Joysen Hill. 

Vampires own the real estate, and even the most ruthless human thugs won't venture out after dark, but when Torn gets stuck babysitting, he can only think of one place in Harborsmouth interesting enough to take a demon toddler, a teenage bridge troll, and a grouchy hearth brownie.  What happens next substantiates the city's advertising slogan.  No matter who or what you are, no matter how young or old, you can find your thrill on Joysen Hill.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Supernatural Suspense
Release Date: July 11, 2017

Pre-Order Available Now:

 Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Add to Goodreads TBR.

How's the cake?  Ready to win some great prizes?

Tales from Harborsmouth Pre-Order Party Giveaway

We are giving away an Ivy Granger Prize Pack, including a $25 Amazon Gift Card and *signed* collectible Passport to the World of Ivy Granger. 

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter from below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends June 13th midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
In the Ivy Granger prequel story FROSTBITE, Ivy's client claims that her house is haunted.  Do YOU believe in ghosts?

The Snowman {+ Giveaway}

It’s a pleasure to be participating in author Yolanda Renée’s THE SNOWMAN Blog Tour through MC Book Tours today.

This is a prequel to the author’s Detective Steven Quaid Mysteries. This story tells of Steven's first case as a rookie detective. It takes place 10 years before the events in MURDER, MADNESS & LOVE, the first book in the series.

If you're a murder mystery fan who enjoys twists and turns, this is definitely a series for you. I've shared my thoughts on the first book in the series, MURDER, MADNESS AND LOVE already, I'll be sharing my thoughts on the other books soon. Let's just say, you don't won't to miss these books in print and/or audio.

The author is offering a tour-wide giveaway featuring both print and eBook copies from her series. More information on the giveaway is listed below.

◊ THE SNOWMAN
◊ by Yolanda Renée
◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
◊ Publisher: TRACE Enterprises
◊ Series: Detective Quaid Mystery
◊ Novella
◊ Print & eBooks
◊ Contains explicit sex & violence

It takes a true artist to pursue his victims in the art of seduction, and Stowy Jenkins is no exception, especially with blood as his medium.

          Stowy Jenkins, aka, Stone, and as Alaskans refer to him, the Snowman, is a true artist. His muse, Gigi, is the ultimate inspiration for his painting. Her rejection inspires him to use a very unusual medium…blood.

          While art may be his passion, the taste for blood is his obsession, and multiple murders, the result.

          Rookie, Detective Steven Quaid, is no fan of the Snowman’s murderous exhibitions. A twisted and deadly relationship bond the two men and neither knows who will come out of it alive.

At one time Alaska called to me, and I answered. I learned to sleep under the midnight sun, survive in below zero temperatures, and hike the Mountain Ranges. I've traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and the memories are some of my most valued. The wonders, mysteries and incredible beauty that is Alaska has never left me and thus now influence my writing.

Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and I have two handsome sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure!

You can connect with me here:

Blog    *     Facebook     *     Twitter     *     Pinterest     *     Email

The other books in the Detective Quaid Series include:

MURDER, MADNESS & LOVE (Book 1)

          A killer plays cat and mouse with a young widow against the snowy backdrop of an Alaskan winter. Branded a black widow after the suspicious death of her millionaire husband, Sarah Palmer flees Seattle for Anchorage. However, the peace and quiet she hoped to enjoy in her hometown is soon shattered. A killer is murdering Sarah look-alikes on the 14th of each month, taunting Sarah with a valentine of evidence. After her experiences in Seattle, Sarah is slow to go to the police. When she finally does, she finds Detective Steven Quaid—Anchorage P D’s hotshot investigator—has not only heard the rumors, he believes them. Worse, her aloofness and composure only confirm his suspicions. Is Sarah a victim or a very skilled manipulator?

MEMORIES OF MURDER (Book 2)

World damnation is a psychotic man’s goal, but two obstacles stand in his way, greed and a dedicated detective.

Catching Alaska’s most notorious serial killer as a rookie made Detective Steven Quaid a hero, but falling in love with the victim of his last case tarnishes that status. While attempting to repair both his personal and professional life, he stumbles upon an unusual case–and an even more extraordinary foe: a man who believes he is Lucifer. An insidious man who delivers Quaid the ultimate choice: save his fiancée from an assassin’s bullet or stop the sacrifice of a young girl.

MURDER & OBSESSION (Book 3)

Flames burn between a hardboiled cop and a gifted artist, but soon extinguish as another man’s obsession ignites into an inferno of desire, driving him to destroy the object of his madness.

Detective Steven Quaid is ready for new challenges as Anchorage's top detective, but not until he marries the woman of his dreams on New Year's Eve. Determined to give Sarah the wilderness honeymoon she desires, he turns his grandfather's cabin into the perfect honeymoon retreat. After the final details are complete, Steven treks into the mountains to hunt. On his return to the cottage, instead of Sarah, he is greeted by several police officers and a bloody crime scene. Accusations fly, and Stephen flees into the wilderness, his heart racing and thoughts etching into his soul. The wilderness is unforgiving, but Steven faces it head on: Caught between a massive grizzly and a black bear in a deadly tug of war, he is barely saved from death's door by the fortuitous appearance of his uncle. Despite surviving multiple injuries, Steven continues his investigation as he recovers, but answers don't come quick or easy. Having enlisted the aid of his number one suspect, Steven faces a struggle that has become more than personal. This one just may cost him his heart.

You can find out more about the books and the author by following the tour HERE. You can also include your chances of winning in the giveaway.

This tour-wide giveaway features both print and eBook copies of the four books in the Detective Quaid Series. The giveaway will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, June 6.

The prizes include:

* Grand prize - Winner receives a print copy of all four books in the Detective Quaid Series (U.S. and Canada only).

* First place - Winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift certificate.

* Second place - Winner will receive eBook copies of all four books in the Detective Quaid Series.

* There will be 3 runner-up winners and each will win an eBook copy of THE SNOWMAN or one of the other books in the series (winner's choice).

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. If the widget doesn’t show up, just click HERE and you’ll be directed to the widget.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to follow Yolanda on her month-long tour. You never know what you might find out. Do you enjoy books that draw you in to the point where you want to know the ending, but you don't want to know the ending because then it will be over?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Toughest Cowboy in Texas {+ Giveaway}

I’m always thrilled to be able welcome one of my favorite authors back to Thoughts in Progress. Today I’m welcoming author Carolyn Brown as she joins us to celebrate the upcoming release of her newest book, TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS, the first installment in her new Happy, Texas series.

As part of the celebration, Carolyn is sharing her playlist for this new release. In addition, you can enter to win one of ten (10) mass market copies of TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS. Please see the end of the post for more details on the giveaway.

* Title: TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS

* Author: Carolyn Brown

* Series: Happy, Texas #1

* On Sale: May 30, 2017

* Publisher: Forever

* Mass Market: $7.99 USD

* eBook: $6.99 USD

Be sure to add TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS to your Goodreads shelf.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown's begins an all-new series of rugged cowboys.

“This is an emotional star-crossed lovers tale with tangible depths and an attitude that’s relatable to real life.” –RT Book Reviews

Last time Lila Harris was in Happy, Texas, she was actively earning her reputation as the resident wild child. Now, a little older and wiser, she's back to run her mother's café for the summer. Except something about this town has her itching to get a little reckless and rowdy, especially when she sees her old partner-in-crime, Brody Dawson. Their chemistry is just as hot as ever. But he's still the town's golden boy-and she's still the wrong kind of girl.

          Brody hasn't had much time lately for anything other than ranching. Running the biggest spread in the county and taking care of his family more than keeps him busy. All that responsibility has him longing for the carefree days of high school—and Lila. She may have grown up, but he still sees that spark of mischief in her eyes. Now he's dreaming about late-night skinny dipping and wondering how he can possibly resist the one woman he can never forget...

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Google Play

iBooks

IndieBound

Kobo

Special Edition Available at Walmart! 

THE HAPPY, TEXAS SERIES

TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS, #1

LONG, TALL COWBOY CHRISTMAS, #2

Series Page on Goodreads

Carolyn share her playlist for this intriguing new release.

1.      17 – Cross Canadian Ragweed

2.     Boys ‘Round Here – Black Shelton (feat. Pistol Annies & Friends)

3.     Straight Outta Cold Beer – Blake Shelton

4.    If You’re Gonna Play In Texas (You Gotta Have A Fiddle In The Band) – Alabama

5.     Sideways – Darryl Worley

6.    Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson

7.     Feels Like Love – Vince Gill

8.    Heaven’s Just A Sin Away – The Kendalls

9.    Unlove You – Jennifer Nettles

10. Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge To Burn) – Vince Gill

11.  Check Yes or No – Georoge Strait

12. Don’t Go Near The Water – Sammy Kershaw

13. Holdin’ Heaven – Tracy Bryd

14.Bless The Broken Road – Rascal Flatts

15. H.O.L.Y – Florida Georgia Line

16.So Much Like My Dad – George Strait

17. I Never Knew Lonely – Vince Gill

18.  Rockin’ Years – Dolly Parton

If you click HERE and sign up (it’s free), you can listen to Carolyn’s playlist.

Carolyn Brown Credit Charles C. Brown

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA® Finalist who has sold more than 2.75 million books. She presently writes both women's fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title, and contemporary series.

She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

For more on Carolyn and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Goodreads.

You can follow FOREVER online by visiting their website and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

This giveaway is for one of ten (10) mass market copies of TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS. To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks for stopping by today. What are your thoughts on Carolyn’s playlist? Any songs there that you enjoy? What suggestions would you make to add to the list?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tornado Warning: The Extraordinary Women of Joplin

You may recall that Author Tamara Hart Heiner joined us earlier this week and shared her experience writing about the deadly tornado that struck Joplin, MO, in 2011.

Well, today I’m sharing my thoughts on the audio version of Tamara’s inspiring book.

◊ TORNADO WARNING: The Extraordinary Women of Joplin by Tamara Hart Heiner

◊ Narrator: Jennifer Gilmour

◊ Audible Audio Edition

◊ Listening Length: 6 hours and 53 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Biographies, Memoirs

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press LLC

◊ Audible.com Release Date: March 9, 2017

◊ Language: English

◊ ASIN: BO6XGJFPHP

◊ ISBN-10: 1939844037

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1939844033

SYNOPSIS:

The true story about seven ordinary women and one extraordinary event....

Summer is coming, and the residents in Joplin, Missouri, anticipate the rush of freedom and activities that will follow: graduation, summer classes, vacations, overflowing gardens, family time, and plenty of photo opportunities.

What they don't anticipate is the mile-wide tornado that will devastate the town on May 22, 2011, in the middle of dinner preparations, visits to friends and family, and graduation ceremonies. The tornado kills over a hundred in the deadliest tornado disaster in the modern era and leaves thousands more homeless.

In the face of this tragedy, seven women must gather their courage and hold their families together. Each will make different choices to protect loved ones and strangers and recover from the winds of destruction.

If you have ever worried when a storm blows up, you’ll find inspiration and hope in author Tamara Hart Heiner’s story about the deadly tornado that struck Joplin, MO, in 2011.

Narrator Jennifer Gilmour does a great job quickly pulling you into the story. Her tone and temp are engaging. Her interruption of the story enhances the spirit of the message.

The story begins with background on the various levels of tornadoes and other weather-related material. While you may think this information makes the story start off slow, just know these facts are important and very vital to the story. Trust me, you will learn things that will help you better understand the destructive nature of storms.

This is an inspiring story of hope over loss, compassion over indifference, love over heartache, and triumph over tragedy. This is a story that will touch your heart in many ways.

These are true stories of how people faced this unimaginable tragedy and survived to persevere. This is a story you won’t be able to put down or turn off until the last sentence.

Tornado Warning: The Extraordinary Women of Joplin by Tamara Hart Heiner, Narrated by Jennifer Gilmour, Dancing Lemur Press LLC, @2017, ISBN: 978-1939844033, Unabridged, Audible Audio Edition, Run Time: 6 Hours and 53 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio 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 for stopping by today. Do storms worry you or do you go on with your daily routine without giving them much thought?

The Beach House Cookbook {+ Giveaway}

◊ THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by Mary Kay Andrews

◊ Hardcover: 272 pages

◊ Genre: cookbooks, food and wine, south

◊ Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (May 2, 2017)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1250130441

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1250130440

SYNOPSIS:

          You don’t have to own a beach house to enjoy Mary Kay Andrews’ recipes. All you need is an appetite for delicious, casual dishes, cooked with the best fresh, local ingredients and presented with the breezy flair that make Mary Kay Andrews’ novels a summertime favorite at the beach.

From an early spring dinner of cherry balsamic-glazed pork medallions and bacon-kissed Brussels sprouts to Fourth of July buttermilk-brined fried chicken, potato salad, and pudding parfaits to her New Year’s Day Open House menu of roast oysters, home-cured gravlax, grits 'n’ greens casserole, and lemon cream cheese pound cake, this cookbook will supply ideas for menus and recipes designed to put you in a permanently carefree, coastal state of mind all year long.

If you’re on the hunt for casual dishes that delight the taste buds this summer, look no further than THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by March Kay Andrews.

This Southern author knows the way to enjoy the season with dishes featuring fresh, local ingredients. Sharing numerous recipes and menu ideas, the author will have you enjoying a coastal state of mind regardless of where you reside.

From a delicious Tomato Pie to tasty Tybee Fish Tacos and Boy Howdy Baked Beans, you’ll find a wide variety of recipes to please the hunger crowds at your outdoor gatherings or family around the dinner table. Don’t forget the Red Rooster Cocktails or Frozen Lemon Granita to top off a meal.

The recipes are presented in an easy-to-read and follow method. The book is jam packed with beautiful color photos displaying the mouthwatering dishes (as well as a few coastal scenes). This cookbook will quickly become a favorite summer go-to for those perfect meals. It will also make the perfect gift for any occasion.

The author adds her Southern flare to the menus for a tantalizing touch. This book is filled with recipes to enhance your summer dining, as well as throughout the year.

The Beach House Cookbook by Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin’s Press, @2017, ISBN: 978-1250130440, Hardcover, 272Pages

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 lovely Meg @ Tandem Literary, I have a print copy of THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by Mary Kay Andrews to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, June 2

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 have a favorite summertime recipe that you go back to year after year but only prepare it during those warm months?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Harlequin's Deception {+ Giveaway}

Harlequin's Deception

The Naked Truth Series

By Candi Fox

Candi will be awarding 1 $10 Amazon GC, 2 Eooks of Harlequin's Deception and 1 Print Copy of Harlequin's Deception to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here.

Ten years ago, the world as we know it changed. The shift is what it became known as. Overnight, paranormal beings came out of the proverbial closet. Something in reality had shifted. Those who had no idea they were paranormal were awakened to a new reality. Ten years in and Harlowe Lake Kelly, Harley to her friends, is back in her small Oklahoma town, widowed and striking out in a new career, namely, a successful magic agency. 

Her uncanny abilities at using potions, spells, and other means at solving supernatural crimes, thrust her into a partnership with local law enforcement. Things would be great if it wasn’t for the three sexy, but deadly, men who stand at all corners of her new life. Lucien, the ancient, alluring Vampire who has made it clear he wants more than Harley’s luscious curves. Cowboy, who wants to possess her in every way imaginable, and Aiden. 

The newcomer who has strict orders from his Vampire boss... but she senses has his own agenda. But in a world where things and beings are never what they seem, life isn’t promised and love comes with many strings. So what’s a girl to do to untangle those strings? 

  Amazon Buy Link

Candi joins us today to answer some questions about her writing. Welcome, Candi.

What is the hardest part of writing a paranormal story and what is the easiest?

Candi:

Honestly for me there isn’t a hard part for writing paranormal. I saw my first ghost at the early age of two. I’ve been immersed in it ever since. The easiest part is I love paranormal. I get to write about something I can’t seem to get enough of. I get to share it with others.

Do you have a writing routine or just write where and when the muse strikes?

Candi:

I have a minimalistic routine. The plan is to write every single day, and as much as I can.

What 2 books would be found on your protagonist's bedside table to read?

Candi:

Deepak Chopra’s version of the Kama Sutra

Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Are you currently working on any new books?

Candi:

I have several new books in the works. The third installment of The Killing Chronicles, Darkest Knight. A novella for a hot summer romance anthology. Working on a book for the Tulsa Immortals series which I have been invited to write in by the creator. I have a YP series on the backburner.

Candi, thanks for joining us today and answering these questions. I like your protagonist's reading selection. I have a copy of Scott Cunningham's book.

 
About the Author: 

Candi Fox, co-host of the wildly popular radio show Candi and Company with over 900 thousand listeners began her venture in the paranormal at the tender age of two, when she witnessed her first apparition. From that moment on the paranormal seemed to follow her. No matter where she moved, the house she lived in the house next door, or the house down the street always seemed to be haunted.  She often wondered if she drew the spirits to her. Little did she know that she was indeed a magnet of sorts. It wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she found people who could not only explain her gifts, but would also help her hone them. 

Armed with this new knowledge she began to openly explore hauntings and other paranormal phenomena. Growing up in Indiana lent her the opportunity to explore many famous haunted places including the Hannah House, which was once part of the Underground Railroad. A little over two years ago she moved to Tulsa, OK and has began to explore the haunted landscape in a new state.  

Candi lives with her husband and furry children in Tulsa. She is passionate about the occult, saving and rehabilitating horses, horseback riding, magic, all things mystical and has her Reiki Mastery. She uses her own paranormal experiences as well as her own life traumas to write from a grounded and realistic perspective about subjects that are hard to talk about and even harder to feel for yourself.  

Social Links:  Facebook | Amazon | Website | Facebook Author Page | Blog | Twitter | Instagram
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway