The Nutcracker Conspiracy (+ Giveaway)

"Wow - this is one INCREDIBLE novel that I could not put down. It had me on the edge of my seat and I can honestly say that I never saw the end coming. It was full of suspense, action but also humour (done in a way  that only Lauren can accomplish)." - 5-Star Review of THE NUTCRACKER CONSPIRACY by Working Mommy Journal

Book Title:  The Nutcracker Conspiracy (A Thorny Rose Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  388 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   January 30, 2020
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

Book Description:

Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin.  Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.

Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist who’d disappeared months earlier.

“She was number twelve,” Dean says.

“Twelve?” Murphy asks.

“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”

Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy:

 “13”

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
BookBub ~ Add to Goodreads

Now for my thoughts on the (audio)book:

Narrator Mike Alger does a great job bringing the characters to life by giving a unique voice to each one. His steady pace and distinct tones add depth to this already intriguing story. His mannerisms add to the personalities of the characters making them more realistic to the listeners.

The story is a wonderful mixture of humor, suspense, mystery, and a touch of romance wrapped around a conspiracy plot. The characters are quirky and likable. The author skillfully weaves canines as major characters making readers/listeners believe their participation in this fascinating story.

There are several leads of thought going on throughout the tale, but it’s easy to follow all and not be lost along the way. While this is the fourth installment in the series, the story stands on its own. If you’re new to the series as I was, it will make you want to follow up on the previous stories just for the fun of it to find out where all the various characters come from.

The Nutcracker Conspiracy will hold your attention with zany characters, unexpected twists, and a tantalizing mystery to solve.

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram

Tour Schedule:
June 8 – She Just Loves Books – audiobook review/giveaway
June 9 – Mystery Suspense Reviews – audiobook review/author interview/giveaway
June 10 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review/guest post/giveaway
June 10 - T's Stuff – audiobook review/guest post/giveaway
June 11 – Sefina Hawke's Books – audiobook review
June 11 - Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review/giveaway
June 12 – Splashes of Joy – book spotlight/guest post/author interview/giveaway
June 12 - Nighttime Reading Center – book spotlight/giveaway
June 12 - Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review/guest post/giveaway
June 16 – Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – audiobook review/giveaway
June 17 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight/guest post/giveaway
June 17 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review/giveaway
June 19 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight/giveaway
June 22 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review/giveaway
June 23 – Books for Books – audiobook review
June 24 – JBronder Book Reviews – audiobook review/guest post/giveaway
June 25 – Thoughts in Progress – audiobook review/giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you enjoy stories where the author includes the characters' pets as part of the story?

Enter the Giveaway:

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The Thorny Rose Mysteries (+Giveaway)

"The plot was original, fresh and fast paced in spite of the "traditional elements" employed which can normally be found in any other thriller of this genre. The USP of this story would be its unpredictability. When you think you have it all guessed up, the plot would change its course keeping you hooked. There were a lot of suspense twists and turns that kept the momentum up. Needless to say, the writing was simply perfect. One thing that writer needs to be lauded for is the humor she inculcated in the book. Minus those humorous parts, the book would have been one serious read." - Reviewer: Book and Ink

Join us for this tour from May 4 to Jun 5, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title: Kill and Run by Lauren Carr
Series: Thorny Rose Mystery Series (Volume 1)
Category:  Adult fiction, 422 pages
Genre:  Murder Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  September, 2015
Format available for review:  audible (download code), ebook (mobi, ePub, PDF)
Tour dates:  May 4 to Jun 5, 2020
Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)

Book Description:

          Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.
          Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.
          The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.
          In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?

Buy the Book:
Audible ~Amazon
Add to Goodreads

"Mysteries, murder, danger, and memories that threatens their lives keeps the action and suspense at a high level and even when the answers are found, it left me wanting more." - Review by Sherry Fundin of Fundinmental

Book Description:

          After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.
          When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
          Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

 Buy the Book:  
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Murder by Perfection is a wonderful read and a perfect to escape from the challenges of a busy day. Danger, intrigue, humor, and love all take their turn in this tale which will keep you reading into the wee hours." Review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn

 Book Description:

Beware: Perfection has a dark side!

          Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night. The last thing Jessica Faraday expected for her date night was to take a couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and business.
          When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.

Buy the Book:
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Enjoy this latest Thorny Rose Mystery! Coming soon to Audible!

"Wow - this is one INCREDIBLE novel that I could not put down. It had me  on the edge of my seat and I can honestly say that I never saw the end coming. It was full of suspense, action but also humour (done in a way  that only Lauren can accomplish)." - 5-Star Review of THE NUTCRACKER CONSPIRACY by Working Mommy Journal

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Nutcracker Conspiracy (A Thorny Rose Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  388 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   January 30, 2020
Format available for review:  audible (download code), mobi, epub, PDF
Tour dates: May 4 to Jun 5, 2020
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs! 

Book Description:

          Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin.  Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.
          Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist who’d disappeared months earlier.

“She was number twelve,” Dean says.
“Twelve?” Murphy asks.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy:
 “13”  

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com ~ Audible (coming soon!)
BookBub ~ Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram

Tour Schedule:
May 4 - Hall Ways Blog - series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 – She Just Loves Books – series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 - Elizabeth McKenna – Author – series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 4 – Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of Kill and Run
May 5 - Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder
May 6 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 6 - Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection
May 7 - A Mama's Corner of the World – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 8 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 11 - Locks, Hooks and Books – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 11 - Jazzy Book Reviews – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 11 - Merlot Et mots –book review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 12 - Laura's Interests – series spotlight / giveaway
May 12 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 13 - mowgli with a book – series spotlight / author interview
May 13 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 13 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 13 - Lamon Reviews - series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 14 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 15 - Sefina Hawke's Books – series spotlight
May 18 - Merlot Et mots –book review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 19 - Rockin' Book Reviews – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 19 - Rosepoint Publishing – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 20 - Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
May 20 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 20 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 21 - Books for Books – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection
May 21 - La libreria di Beppe - series spotlight / giveaway
May 22 – fundinmental – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 25 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Murder By Perfection / giveaway
May 25 - Merlot Et mots –book review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 25 - T's Stuff – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 26 - Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – series spotlight / giveaway
May 27 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May  27 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 27 - Books for Books – series spotlight
May 28 - Bookish Quest – series spotlight / author interview/ giveaway
May 29 - Mystery Suspense Reviews – series spotlight / guest post
Jun 1 - Merlot Et mots –book review of The Nutcracker Conspiracy / guest post / giveaway
Jun 1 - Thoughts in Progress – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 2 - Svetlana's reads and views – series spotlight
Jun 2 - Kristin’s Novel Café – series spotlight
Jun 3 - Buried Under Books – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 3 - Blooming with Books - series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 4 - Rosepoint Publishing – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 5 - The avid reader – series spotlight / giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by. Doesn't this sound like an intriguing series?

Enter the Giveaway:

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Killer Deadline (+ Giveaway)

"Lauren Carr's books are never boring, that's for sure. They entertain, give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing, give us a few good laughs and make us eager for the next book. Warning: Lauren Carr's series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just one book!" - Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads 

Join us for this tour from April 20 to May 22, 2020!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Killer Deadline (A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  232 pages
Genre:  Mystery/Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   April 23, 2020
Content Rating: G. This is a true cozy mystery. No sex. No on-stage violence. No swearing. Just good clean fun!

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"Here we go! Carr is a master storyteller who always offers a plot full of twists and turns, a bit of humor to offset the dark, and a unique cast of characters. In Killer Deadline that cast includes - handsome Ryan, her first love (who is now her step-brother); a mysterious social media friend called Nerdy Guy; Elmo, a super smart dog, a boxer, she rescued who has become asocial media star and has a penchant for cleaning; a TV station full of suspicious employees; and more.

"This book is a wonderful read to pick up at the end of a long day. It truly is a "cozy murder mystery."  I promise, it'll draw you in right from page one and keep you turning the pages until you reach the very last page. I can't wait for the second book in this series." - Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn

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Book Description:

Folks in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, claim that where Nikki Bryant goes, trouble is not far behind. Her refusal to back down from a challenge has made Nikki Bryant a top investigative journalist.

When an online friend nudges her to join him in a pact to reconnect with their first loves, Nikki and her boxer dog Elmo leave the bright lights of Las Vegas for the charming town of Pine Grove. There, she must face the biggest challenges in her career and life—the first love she had left behind and her father’s unsolved murder.

But before she has time to unpack her car, Nikki stumbles upon the dead body of local news anchor, Ashleigh Addison, her childhood rival. Could Ashleigh’s death be connected to an explosive news story that she had teased about airing live? Did that explosive story have anything to do with the murder of Nikki’s father?

With the clues in her father’s cold case hot again, Nikki intends to chase down the story of her life until she catches his killer—no matter what it takes.

Order Your Copy Today!

Amazon.com
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Killer Deadline marks Lauren's first venture into mystery's purely cozy sub-genre with a female protagonist.

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram ~ Pinterest

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Tour Schedule:

April 20 – Olio by Marilyn – book review/giveaway
April 20 - Working Mommy Journal – book review/giveaway
April 20 - Michelle's Goodreads – book review
April 21 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review/guest post/giveaway
April 21 - The avid reader – book spotlight/giveaway
April 22 - Thoughts in Progress – book spotlight/giveaway
April 22 - Brooke Blogs – book spotlight/giveaway
April 23 - My Reading Journeys – book review/giveaway
April 23 - Christa Reads and Writes – book review/giveaway
April 23 - Sefina Hawke's Books – book spotlight
April 23 - Books for Books – book spotlight
April 24 - Jazzy Book Reviews – book review/giveaway
April 27 -Cassidy's Bookshelves – book spotlight/guest post/giveaway
April 28 - It’s All About the Book – book review/giveaway
April 28 - Down the Rabbit Hole – book review/author interview/giveaway
April 29 - Book Corner News and Reviews – book review/giveaway
April 29 - Laura's Interests – book review/guest post/giveaway
April 30 - I'm Into Books – book spotlight/giveaway
April 30 - Stephanie Jane – book spotlight/giveaway
May 1 -
May 4 -
May 5 - She Just Loves Books – book review/giveaway
May 6 - A Madison Mom – book review/giveaway
May 7 - Locks, Hooks, and Books – book review/giveaway
May 8 – Adventurous Bookworm – book review/giveaway
May 11 – Literary Flits – book spotlight/giveaway
May 12 – Bound 4 Escape – book review/giveaway
May 12 - Leels Loves Books – book review/giveaway
May 13 – FUONLYKNEW – book review/giveaway
May 14 – fundinmental – book review/giveaway
May 15 - Splashes of Joy – book review/author interview/giveaway
May 15 – Adventurous Jessy – book review/giveaway
May 18 – Mowgli with a book – book review
May 19 – Pause for Tales – book review/giveaway
May 20 – Peaceful Pastime – book review
May 20 - eBook Addicts – book review
May 21 – Books and Zebras – book spotlight/giveaway
May 22 -  Sahar's Blog – book review

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I gotta love any story that involves an investigative journalist, what about you?

Enter the Giveaway:

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Literary Contest and Discovery Platform

Has a story or characters ever floated around in your heard before? Sure they have if you’re an author, but what about those of us who have only thought about the concept?

Laura at iRead Book Tours recently brought to my attention some news about the world's first crowd-sourced literary contest and discovery platform for readers and writers called World's Best Story! 

Now if you’re an aspiring author or know of an author who could benefit from this contest, visit World's Best Story.

The contest aims to find a manuscript that has the potential to be a smash hit in books and beyond – from movies to video games, to graphic novels, to merchandise. Anyone with a story can enter their synopsis and sample chapter for the community to review and help select ten finalists.

This is the third year they are open and accepting submissions. If you have a manuscript for a story you or someone you know has written in the following genres, it  can now be submitted:

◊General Fiction

◊Crime / Mystery 

◊Romance

◊Horror / Thriller

◊Sci-fi / Fantasy

◊Young Adult

◊18+ Adult Fiction

◊All - including Non-fiction

This is a free contest submission. 

Writers from around the world can submit stories for free in several fiction and nonfiction genres while readers across the world vote on those stories using WBS's  easy and fun to use proprietary blockbuster story potential™ voting algorithm. All winning stories receive a pedigree building publishing deal represented by WBS Entertainment Inc.

Ready for your book deal? Submit your story by visiting World's Best Story.