Wishing on Snowflakes by Joanne DeMaio

It’s my pleasure today to tell you about a special Christmas collection New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio has recently released.

It’s called WISHING ON SNOWFLAKES and is a two-book-in-one holiday volume containing only Joanne's previous "snow" novels - Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes and Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer. It's intended for newer readers, holiday gifting, or for those who'd like to relive Joanne's wintry New England tales.

As part of Joanne’s tour, I’m sharing my thoughts on the two books that I previously reviewed when they were originally released.

SNOWFLAKES AND COFFEE CAKES

SNOWFLAKES AND COFFEE CAKES is a heartwarming story of loss and love, hope and happiness.

The story is set in the quaint New England town of Addison with a wonderful small-town atmosphere. The characters are warm, likable and realistic.

Vera Sterling, recently fired from her Boston newspaper job, goes home to Addison for her sister Brooke’s wedding. As she’s leaving to return to Boston, she discovers an old colonial home on the banks of Addison Cove for sale. On an impulse, she buys the house and adjoining barn not really knowing what the future holds for her.

As she begins to make repairs on the house, she meets Derek Cooper, whose family owns the local hardware store. Derek is a quiet sort of guy filled with grief and guilt over his young daughter’s drowning death five years earlier. After losing his daughter and the breakup of this marriage, Derek exists but doesn’t live.

Derek has a ritual each year at Christmas he conducts in honor of his late daughter and the entire community turns out to help. This year a terrible snowstorm makes his ritual impossible and Vera does all she can to make the day special just the same.

In the end, Vera and Derek discover that life comes at you every day no matter what has happened and you have to learn how to make the most of it.

SNOWFLAKES AND COFFEE CAKES will swiftly put you in the holiday spirit while inspiring you to reach for your dreams. This is a feel-good tale that blends family, friends, and hope for a warm, tug-at-your-heart adventure. It will have you longing to live in a community like Addison.

Author Joanne DeMaio has created a setting that quickly pulls you in and holds you spellbound. She blends romance with a touch of suspense for a well-balanced story that flows smoothly. DeMaio weaves bits of snowflake trivia with delightful holiday traditions that will stimulate your senses.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and cozy up to the fire with this magical story that will warm your heart and have you believing.

SNOW DEER AND COCOA CHEER

When it comes to making you feel you know the characters personally, author Joanne DeMaio has the knack.

In her latest release, SNOW DEER AND COCOA CHEER, DeMaio takes readers to the quaint, picturesque town of Addison. With an eye for detail and vivid, rich descriptions, the author makes the town come alive around you. The small town atmosphere and friendly characters draws you and makes you want to be a part of the community.

As the lives of the two main characters – Jane March and Wes Davis – come together and interact, readers are taken on a magical journey. The characters will inspire and delight as they gain self-awareness and discover life’s full of unexpected wonders.

The characters are rich, well-developed and likable. The author explores faults and traits with the characters that readers can relate to. The emotions throughout the story will tug on your heartstrings but is a heartwarming tale you can’t put down.

This is a feel-good story that is a perfect read for the coming holiday season, as well as throughout the year.

Wishing on Snowflakes by Joanne DeMaio, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, @2016, ISBN: 978-1533343741, Paperback, 460 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.

These two wonderful stories are now included in WISHING ON SNOWFLAKES, which can be found on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes and Noble.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Are you in the mood for Christmas or snow-themed stories? Do you already have some Christmas stories lined up? Will you be giving books as gifts this Christmas?

Hooking for Trouble {+ Giveaway}

◊ HOOKING FOR TROUBLE by Betty Hechtman

◊ Series: A Crochet Mystery, Book 11

◊ Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: Berkley (November 1, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0425279456

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0425279458

SYNOPSIS:

          Molly Pink can’t help seeing a pattern of trouble in the latest mystery from the national bestselling author of Seams Like Murder.
 

The Tarzana Hookers’ Yarn University has been a big success, and the classes have drawn in a slew of new crochet devotees. A less welcome arrival is the boxy monstrosity in the yard behind Molly’s house. She hasn’t met her new neighbors, but when she sees a couple struggling on the balcony and later spies what looks like someone lying on the ground, Molly wastes no time calling in her ex, homicide detective Barry Greenberg.

To Molly’s shock, Barry reports that nothing is amiss with her neighbors and asks her to lay off with the amateur detecting. Molly knows she wasn’t just seeing things, but with no body to prove her case she’ll have to unravel the evidence on her own—because someone in Tarzana is tangled up in murder...

DELICIOUS RECIPES & CROCHET PATTERNS INCLUDED!

Author Betty Hechtman creates a cozy setting that draws you into a feeling of being with good friends. Warmth and companionship shines through the pages of this mystery despite the tragedy of murder.

The characters are likable and realistic with quirky twists that readers can relate to. One doesn’t have to know how to crochet to enjoy this mystery just like a good plot with fascinating characters.

The story moves at a steady pace that will hold your attention. New readers to the series won’t be left in the dark as the author provides enough background detail for this story to stand on its own.

A good blend of mystery, mayhem, friendship, romance, humor, and loyalty make this a delightful tale that is well-balanced. For those who do enjoy crocheting, there’s a pattern added at the end along with several tasty recipes.

HOOKING FOR TROUBLE is a perfect book to curl up with in any type of weather or season.

Hooking for Trouble by Betty Hechtman, A Crochet Mystery (Book #11), Berkley, @2016, ISBN: 978-0425279458, Mass Market Paperback, 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 HOOKING FOR TROUBLE by Betty Hechtman to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, Nov. 20.

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 enjoy stories where there appears to be a murder, but there isn’t, but there really is?

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Better Late Than Never {+ Giveaway}

◊ BETTER LATE THAN NEVER by Jenn McKinlay

◊ Series: A Library Lover’s Mystery, Book 7

◊ Hardcover: 304 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: Berkley (November 1, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0399583734

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0399583735

SYNOPSIS:

          In the latest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Likely Story, a decades overdue book puts library director Lindsey Norris hot on the trail of a cold case...
 

When the Briar Creek Public Library holds its first overdue book amnesty day—no fines for late returns—the volume of incoming materials is more than Lindsey and her staff can handle. In a bind, Lindsey drafts the crafternoon ladies to help check in and sort the stacks of books.

But one tardy tome catches her attention—a copy of J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, twenty years past due. When Lindsey looks up the borrower, she’s shocked to discover it was a murdered teacher named Candice Whitley, whose killer was never found.

Candice checked out the novel on the day she was murdered. Now Lindsey wonders if it could provide a clue to the decades-old cold case. No one noticed who brought the book back in, but could it be Candice’s killer? Lindsey is determined to catch the culprit one way or another because justice for Candice Whitley is long overdue...

INCLUDES READING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

Author Jenn McKinlay creates delightful characters that are well-developed, realistic, and likable. They have problems (not counting murder) and hopes like people you interact with every day.

The library setting is a perfect backdrop for this story. It’s inviting with just the right mix of intrigue and friendship. The day of amnesty adds a layer of mystery and mayhem in itself.

The story moves at a good pace and holds your attention from beginning to end. The twists and turns will keep you wondering. There’s a good blend of mystery, romance, humor, and friendship for a well-balanced story. Several tasty recipes at the end are an added bonus.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER is the seventh installment in the series but can be read on its own. This delightful cozy mystery will have you visiting your own local library for a chance to soak up the atmosphere.

Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay, A Library Lover’s Mystery (Book #7), Berkley, @2016, ISBN: 978-0399583735, 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 BETTER LATE THAN NEVER by Jenn McKinlay to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, Nov. 17.

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. Have you ever forgotten to return a library book? If so, what was it? Do you like the idea of an overdue book amnesty day?

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Love Between the Lines {+ Giveaway}

Today is a busy day throughout the U.S. as it’s Election Day, but it’s also the launch day for Christina Collie’s first coloring book, LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES.  

What better way to recover from the stress of the polls then sitting down to color these original drawings inspired by our favorite romance novels! To celebrate the release, you can enter to win one of 10 copies being given away. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

◊LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES: An Adult Coloring Book for Book Lovers

◊By Christina Collie

◊Pub Date: November 8, 2016

◊Forever

◊Trade Paperback; $14.99/$19.99 Can.)

Fall in love all over again with this adult coloring book featuring 45 hand-drawn illustrations inspired by romance novels from bestselling writers Colleen Hoover, Anna Todd, S.C. Stephens, Abbi Glines, K. Bromberg, Jodi Ellen Malpas and more. Sit back, grab your pens and markers, and get ready to explore LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES.

          In the pages of this book you will find:

· Designs to help you relax and reduce stress

· Hidden images and book quotes

· Each design printed on a separate page

· Elaborate drawings s as well as quickie pages for when you just have a few minutes to color

          Illustrations inspired by the works of: Anna Todd, Jodi Ellen Malpas, Colleen Hoover, S.C. Stephens, Abbi Glines, K. Bromberg, Claire Contreras, Jillian Dodd, Amy Harmon, Tiffany King, R.K. Lilley, Molly McAdams, Tara Sivec, Alessandra Torre, Mia Sheridan, J. Sterling, Katy Evans, Emma Chase, S.L. Jennings, K.A. Linde, Beth Ehemann, Tarryn Fisher, Karina Halle, Helena Hunting, Leisa Rayven, Madeline Sheehan, Harper Sloan, and K. A. Tucker.

LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES is available at the following sites:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UnwIam

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1ZWGTEh

Books A Million: http://bit.ly/261JrIC

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/261KAja

Christina has graciously answered some questions for me about her work. Welcome, Christina.

Why do you think adult coloring books have gotten so popular?

Christina:

I think that it's because it's a very relaxing thing to do. 

Do you have a favorite design you've created?

Christina:

I have many favorites. I think Madeline Sheehan's Undeniable illustration in the coloring book is my favorite because it's the most complex. I'm very excited to color it :) 

  

What do you do for relaxation and stress relief?

Christina:

Relaxation and stress relief comes to me by drawing. Any time I'm on the phone, I've most likely got a pen in my hand and drawing something. 

Do you have a current project you're working on?

Christina:

I'm currently working on book artwork, and brainstorming new coloring book ideas :)

As adult coloring books become more and more popular it’s only natural that themes are being featured. With stunning illustrations, it’s only logical that romance would be involved.

Author/illustrator Christina Collie has created gorgeous drawings of various items associated with love such as flowers, birds, jewels, butterflies, and so much more. The illustrations are vivid.

The book is designed beautifully with a heavy paper perfect for coloring. The hidden images and quotes throughout the book add to the enjoyment of coloring.

Don’t be surprised if the ‘doodles’ in this book cause you to try your hand at it too. You will recognize various romance books featured through these illustrations.

An exquisite coloring book that will make a perfect gift for anyone, especially a book lover.

LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES: An Adult Coloring Book for Book Lovers by Christina Collie, Forever Clr Csm edition, @2016, ISBN: 978-1455598687, Paperback, 96 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.

Author Christina Collie

Christina Collie is a twenty-eight-year-old Tennessee native who began doodling images inspired by her favorite books almost four years ago before launching Doodles by Christina. Since then she has doodled over 50 images and has sold prints around the globe.

Outside of being a huge bookworm, she enjoys watching LSU football, playing with her dog Nola, and hanging out on her best friend's farm. This is her first coloring book.

For more on Christina and her work, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to add LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES: An Adult Coloring Book for Book Lovers to your shelf on Goodreads.

This launch day blitz giveaway is for 10 copies of LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES. For your chance to win one of these copies, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few moments to load so please be patient.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you been bitten by the adult coloring book bug yet? Is there a book you’d like to see turned into a coloring book?

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Mâtowak Woman Who Cries {+ Giveaway}

I’m excited to be taking part in the MC Book Tours Virtual Blog Tour for author Joylene Nowell Butler’s upcoming release, Mâtowak Woman Who Cries.

As part of the tour, I’m sharing my thoughts on this suspenseful mystery and you have a chance to win a copy of the book. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

◊ Mâtowak Woman Who Cries by Joylene Nowell Butler

◊ Paperback: 278 pages

◊ Genre: Mystery, Suspense

◊ Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press (November 1, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1939844234

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1939844231

SYNOPSIS:

          A murder enveloped in pain and mystery...

          When Canada's retired Minister of National Defense, Leland Warner, is murdered in his home, the case is handed to Corporal Danny Killian, an aboriginal man tortured by his wife's unsolved murder.

The suspect, 60-year-old Sally Warner, still grieves for the loss of her two sons, dead in a suicide/murder eighteen months earlier. Confused and damaged, she sees in Corporal Killian a friend sympathetic to her grief and suffering and wants more than anything to trust him.

Danny finds himself with a difficult choice—indict his prime suspect, the dead minister's horribly abused wife or find a way to protect her and risk demotion. Or worse, transfer away from the scene of his wife’s murder and the guilt that haunts him...

Mâtowak Woman Who Cries is available to pre-order in eBook at the following sites:

Amazon.ca 

Amazon.com

Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C

The print copy is available to pre-order at: 

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

Author Joylene Nowell Butler

When Joylene's father died in 1983, she wrote her first full–length manuscript to channel her grief. The seven-year process left her hooked and she began Dead Witness within a few weeks of finishing Always Father's Child. Today Joylene is the author of three suspense novels: Dead Witness, Broken But Not Dead, and the steampunk collaboration Break Time. While she'll admit being published didn't fix all the wrongs in her life, she wishes her parents had lived to see her success. Dead Witness was a finalist in the 2012 Global eBook Awards. Broken But Not Dead won the 2012 IPPY Silver Medal and its sequel Mâtowak Woman Who Cries is due for release November 1, 2016.

Joylene lives with her husband and their two cats Marbles and Shasta on beautiful Cluculz Lake in central British Columbia. They spend their winters in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico.

For more on Joylene and her writing, visit her website and blog then connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and her Amazon Author Page.

For more on Joylene, her writing, and more chances to win a copy of her book be sure to check out the blogs participating in her tour. You can find the tour schedule HERE.

With a dysfunctional family at the core, author Joylene Nowell Butler skillfully crafts a suspenseful murder mystery with teeth.

Her characters are a diverse group, well-developed, likable, and easy for readers to relate to and understand. The varied emotions of the characters can easily be felt through the author’s rich descriptions.

The setting adds depth to the story. With numerous twists and turns, the story moves along smoothly and at a good pace. The story opens with a bang and doesn’t let up until the shocking last page.

Throughout the story, the author deals with major issues such as verbal and physical abuse in families, racial elements, as well as grief and blame over the loss of a loved one. The tough issues mixed with police procedures and numerous light moments makes this a well-balanced read.

Mâtowak Woman Who Cries pulls you in quickly and then you don’t want to let go until you know the real truth. The characters linger long after the story ends. A fascinating read that will stir your emotions. This is a follow-up to BROKEN BUT NOT DEAD, but can be read on its own.

Mâtowak Woman Who Cries by Joylene Nowell Butler, Dancing Lemur Press, @2016, ISBN: 978-1939844231, Paperback, 278 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author and 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 Dancing Lemur Press this giveaway is for three (3) print copies that are available to those living in the U.S. only and one (1) eBook copy available international.

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.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Do you enjoy books that draw you into family dramas? Do you enjoy stories where the investigating officer has problems of their own to deal with?

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Crepe Factor {+ Giveaway}

◊ CREPE FACTOR by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran

◊ Series: A Scrapbooking Mystery, Book 14

◊ Hardcover: 320 pages

◊ Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery

◊ Publisher: Berkley (October 4, 2016)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0425266702

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0425266700

SYNOPSIS:

The Winter Market in the French Quarter is in full swing, but murder isn’t taking a holiday in the latest from the New York Times bestselling author of Parchment and Old Lace...
 

The holidays are a busy time for scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand—but not so hectic that she doesn’t have time to enjoy browsing the booths at the Winter Market with her best friend Ava. The last thing the ladies expect to see is a lurching man stabbed by a serving fork, dying in front of them.

The victim is loathed restaurant critic Martin Lash, who posted his scathing reviews on the Glutton for Punishment website. And the prime suspect is New Orleans restauranteur Quigg Brevard—who was seen giving the critic a tongue-lashing minutes before someone stuck a fork in him. An old flame of Carmela, Quigg asks for her help, which does not please her current beau, Detective Edgar Babcock, to say the least.

Before her relationship is the next victim, Carmela needs to find a murderer who had no reservations about punishing the culinary curmudgeon...

Scrapbooking tips and recipes included! 

The sights, sounds, and smells of New Orleans come alive in the latest installment in the Scrapbooking Mystery series by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran.

The book features a core cast of characters that are well-developed, realistic, and steeped in New Orleans tradition The bonds of friendship among the group enhances the story.

The New Orleans setting is perfect, especially with the festive activities going on. Through rich descriptions and vivid details, readers are placed in the middle of the action.

One doesn’t have to enjoy scrapbooking to appreciate this murder mystery. But there are crafting tips and delicious New Orleans recipes included in the back as an added bonus.

Tension mounts right from the beginning and holds your attention until the very end. There are twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing. There’s a good mix of mystery, mayhem, friendship, humor, history, and romance to make this a well-balanced story.

CREPE FACTOR can be read on its own, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to know more background on these intriguing characters. This is a delightful read that will keep you entertained for hours and may just make you want to visit New Orleans (minus the murder, of course).

Crepe Factor by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran, A Scrapbooking Mystery (Book #14), Berkley, @2016, ISBN: 978-0425266700, Hardcover, 320 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author and 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 CREPE FACTOR by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, Oct. 30.

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. Are you a scrapbooking fan? What about New Orleans, have you been there or want to go there?

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