Captivating Regency Romance by Carolyn Miller

Song Stuck on the Brain: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

The Captivating Lady Charlotte

by

Carolyn Miller

MY TAKE:

If you are a fan of Regency Romance, than this is a Don't Miss book and series. If you aren't familiar with the genre, then this is a great way to discover a new style of historical novels. 

Carolyn Miller writes beautiful stories of faith and love that sparkle with wit while still bringing out deep emotions in all her characters. Lady Charlotte  and Lord Hartwell are as different as can be, at least at first look. Age and life experience doesn't appeal to Charlotte. William is wary of her beauty and youth. Maybe an obvious set up to begin with, but their journey to love and understanding is powerful. 

It's the second in a series, but reads well as a stand alone. I think you'll find that reading the series is well worth it, so be sure to check out book one The Elusive Miss Ellison too. 

ABOUT THE BOOK:


Her heart is her own--but her hand in marriage is another matter

Lady Charlotte Featherington is destined for great things on the marriage market. After all, as the beautiful daughter of a marquess, she should have her pick of the eligible nobility when she debuts. She, however, has love at the top of her list of marriageable attributes. And her romantic heart falls hard for one particularly dashing, attentive suitor. Sadly for Charlotte, her noble father intends her betrothed to be someone far more dull.

William Hartwell may be a duke, but he knows he was Charlotte's father's pick, not the young lady's own choice. And the captivating Lady Charlotte does not strike him as a woman who will be wooed by his wealth or title. While she has captured his heart, he has no idea how to win hers in return--and the betrayal and scandal his first wife put him through makes it difficult for him to believe that love can ever be trusted. His only hope is that Charlotte's sense of responsibility will win out over her romantic notions.

Can a widowed duke and a romantically inclined lady negotiate a future and discover love beyond duty? Will they be able to find healing and hope from the legacy of grace?

Poignant and charming, this is another beautifully written, clean and wholesome Regency romance from Carolyn Miller in the tradition of Georgette Heyer and Julie Klassen. Fans of The Elusive Miss Ellison will meet compelling new characters--and a few old friends.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Carolyn Miller

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. She is married, with four gorgeous children, who all love to read (and write!).

A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of Romance Writers of American (RWA) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Her favorite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but she also enjoys contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

Her stories are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges we all face at different times.

Her books include:
Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace
The Elusive Miss Ellison
The Captivating Lady Charlotte
The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Dark Deception - Edge of Your Seat Suspense from Nancy Mehl

Song Stuck on the Brain: It's the Number of the Day sung by Count on Sesame Street. My littlest nephew loves this and we watch it on YouTube. He's only 1 but has been saying "ah, ah, ah" after counting for 6 months. It's adorable. :)

Dark Deception 

by

Nancy Mehl

My Take: 

Have you read any of my fellow Missourian author's books before? If you haven't, what are you waiting for! If you love suspense you have to hurry to her amazon page ASAP. Well, preferably you'll wait until you've finished this post, but then you should definitely go stock up on Nancy Mehl novels. 

When Dark Deception became available for review, I hadn't read the first book, Fatal Frost yet. I knew it would be worth it, so I purchased it and read them in order. Although not necessary, Dark Deception was readable as a stand alone, Fatal Frost was fantastic and I'm so glad I read them in order.

One of the things I loved the most about both books, was how the location was as much a character as the people. In Dark Deception it's the small town atmosphere and the treacherous storm on the mountain. I hate spoilers, so I won't give you the specifics, but the scenes on the mountain especially had me holding my breath. 

More than just a law enforcement procedural. Way more than your run of the mill romantic suspense. Inspirational and Faith challenging situations flow organically through the drama and action filled stories. Edge of your seat read is a great description. 

About the Book:

New Edge-of-Your-Seat Read from an Established Romantic Suspense Author
Kate O'Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker--along with some last-minute evidence--that convicted the suspect. 

She's been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn't the murderer and she's been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she'll only agree if the same Marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.

About the Author:

Nancy Mehl lives in Festus, Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. She's authored fifteen books and is currently at work on a new romantic suspense series for Bethany House Publishing. 

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help." 

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com or find her newsletter at: www.nancymehl.blogspot.com. She also is active on the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com and on FaceBook!


Don't forget to check out Fatal Frost, book 1 in the Defenders of Justice series. 

Mehl Ramps Up the Suspense in This Brand-New U.S. Marshals Series
Mercy Brennan followed in her father's footsteps in a law enforcement career, but she has no interest in any other connection to him. A U.S. Marshal in St. Louis, Missouri, she's assigned to a joint task force with the St. Louis PD that puts her back into contact with her father and in the sights of St. Louis's most powerful gang.

When the gang has reason to believe Mercy has possession of some highly sensitive and incriminating information, her boss assigns Mark St. Laurent--a Deputy U.S. Marshal and Mercy's ex-boyfriend--to get her out of town until they can guarantee her safety. 

Initially unaware of the danger she's in and uncomfortable working with Mark, Mercy's frustration escalates when she discovers the extent her boss and Mark have been keeping her in the dark. It isn't until a freak ice storm hits, stranding them at a remote location and out of contact with the district office, that the full severity of their situation becomes clear. As the storm worsens, the forces of nature combine with a deadly enemy closing in to put their lives at imminent risk. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive--if help is even coming at all?

Summer Solstice Presents: That Summer Day vol. 1 & A NEW Sadie K. Frazier story!

That Summer Day Vol. 1

A day where the sun seems to shine forever, spring gives way to summer and everyone is celebrating with picnics, playing on the beach, and just having fun. Stories about this day are yours from eight very talented authors.

https://bookgoodies.com/a/B072VTJKD7

Fun in the sun turns into a nightmare after a murder.

A summer reunion ignites romance.

City vs Country: which one will prevail?

Goldilocks and Baby Bear like you’ve never seen them before

A promise leaves them wondering about the future.

Summer Solstice on a distant planet provides adventure, romance, and mystery for two, star-crossed lovers.

Can a stranger save her?

The fate of the world lies with a conflicted angel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfdwG2q0LBE&feature=youtu.be

The longest day of the year. Fun in the sun. Renewing friendships. Continuing traditions. Adventures of all sorts. K.A. Meng, Debbie De Louise, Stephy Smith, Justin Herzog, K.C. Sprayberry, Candace Sams, Margaret Scott, and Alex Pilalis bring you stories to entertain on this very special day.

And a very special story…

In a split second, the future Keaghan Graham dreamt of shattered into a million pieces, along with the remnants of his broken heart.

He escapes in search of an end to the inconceivable pain he feels after an unimaginable loss.

Will a chance meeting with a triad of Magical beings give his life purpose again? 

He learns that nothing happens, simply by chance.

https://bookgoodies.com/a/B072VSYCL6

Every twist in fate will reveal his destiny in the exact preordained moment in time it was meant to.

They are preparing Keaghan to become one of the twelve warriors of the Zodiac Illuminaries of Ravenokh.

Will he rise to the challenge and accept the call of the universe?

Enlightenment awaits just beyond the Cusp of Magic.

Spell Caster by Leah Hamrick - a New Voice in New Adult

Song Stuck on the Brain: Little Einstein's Theme song. Mighty Max loves this show. :)

Spell Caster 

by

Leah Hamrick

About the Book: 

Three paranormal short stories. One sweet, one dark, one fun. Which one will be your favorite?

Love Caster: There is nothing greater than pure, sweet love, and that’s something Anna Bowden knows all about. While trying to get the courage to kiss her boyfriend Killian, she has to deal with her overbearing dad, who will stop at nothing to tear them apart.

In the Darkness: After Anna Bowden witnesses someone—or something—lurking in her backyard, it starts a chain of frightening events that leads to a gruesome discovery.

First Holiday: Featuring the characters from Frost On My Pillow—be prepared for a sweet, fun, wild ride. While Ethan gives Lyla—who has never celebrated Christmas before— the task of finding out the true meaning of the holiday, he surreptitiously tries to tell her how he really feels, but before that can occur, a lot of decorating and snowball fights has to happen!

My Take: 

Leah Hamrick is a fresh new voice in New Adult fiction. Her unique twist includes a younger main character dealing with more adult themes. Although I enjoy fantasy, paranormal isn't usually my first choice, but I found Love Caster to be a fun first love type of story. If you enjoy stories with witchcraft, this would be for you.

In the Darkness is a sequel to Love Caster and although the story was good, it was too scary for me! LOL, I was seriously creeped out. I guess the author did her job and nailed that theme. It was an interesting twist, but a shock after Love Caster. 

First Holiday follows a different cast, and was a cute look at Christmas through the eyes of someone who has never experienced it. The romance and theme are sweet, but all of the stories stay well within the New Adult category. Nothing too steamy, but more than you might anticipate for a cast so young. 

About the Author:

Leah Hamrick lives in Michigan with her partner in crime husband Jon, young daughter Khloey, and plethora of reptiles, fish, and a tree frog named Sticky. She can always be found with her nose in a YA book, daydreaming and thinking up new ideas for a story, and trying to figure out how to make a characters chemistry clash with one another’s. She is a fan of romance, and anything paranormal. She gets the inspiration for her stories from things that have happened in her real life—except the paranormal/fantasy aspect… She wishes she were that awesome! She enjoys listening to heavy metal music, traveling, watching bad reality TV, and everything pink. She hopes that one day she can be become a well known author, and to keep writing stories for everyone to enjoy for years to come

I received a free copy of Spell Caster in return for my honest opinion. 

Netgalley: No Way Up by Mary Connealy

Song Stuck on the Brain: The Ants Go Marching... I was singing it with my great-nephew and niece this morning and I'm still singing about those militant ants. :)

No Way Up 

by 

Mary Connealy

MY TAKE: 

I signed on early with Netgalley.com to get the opportunity to read and review Mary's latest adventure/laugh riot cowboy romance. Love her books. Unfortunately, there were technical issues and although I was able to download the e-book, pages were missing. A LOT of pages. This was a prerelease file so I decided if I wanted to read the story and not guess at what 5 missing pages had said, I should buy the eBook. So I did. BEST choice ever. Supported the author's sales AND I got a perfect file. YES!!

So, how did I like the Cimarron Ranch, you ask? It was awesome. Mary weaves her settings flawlessly. It's great to see the appearance of Heath Kincaid and follow his story arc not only to romance, but love and understanding in several different relationships. The story has depth and heart that isn't always obvious in the moment because your too busy slapping your knee with laughter, but that heart and strength is what proves them all wrong when they're sure there is No Way Up.

Loved it and the prequel The Boden Birthright. Great new adventure for long time Connealy fans or for those just discovering her. 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Fight for the Cimarron Ranch Has Just Begun!
When Cimarron ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, only the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Before leaving by train to receive treatment to save his leg--and possibly his life--Chance demands that Heath read the patriarch's will and see its conditions enforced immediately. If Chance's three bickering adult children, Justin, Sadie, and Cole, don't live and work at the home for an entire year, ownership of the ranch will pass to a despised distant relative. 

Before long, however, Heath discovers that the avalanche may have been intentionally set--and that more danger lurks ominously. Finding his own future--and a desired future with Sadie--locked up in saving the Cimarron Ranch, Heath and the Boden siblings must work together against outside forces that threaten them all.

Don't forget to read the prequel novella The Boden Birthright. (Easily read after, but better read first.)

After the death of his wife, prosperous businessman Chance Boden heads west along the Santa Fe Trail with his son to escape the powerful, controlling hands of his in-laws. He has plans to establish his own ranch, but instead he finds work with Frank Chastain, owner of a vast amount of land.

Chance doesn't want to work for anyone, but Frank's beautiful daughter gives him reason to delay buying his own holdings. With winter coming, no home in which to live, and Veronica's offer to care for young Cole while Chance learns the ways of successful ranching in the desert, Chance has little choice but to accept the Chastains' offer to stay on.

When Frank is attacked, his dying wish is that Chance marry his daughter, but after dealing with his in-laws, Chance isn't going to let anyone come between him and his son. Then Frank's precarious hold on the land he received as part of an old Spanish Land Grant forces Frank to make a desperate choice to save Veronica's inheritance--and also gives the men who attacked Frank reason to come after him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Mary Connealy is the bestselling author of romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Carol Award winner and a Rita and Christy and IRCC Award Finalist.

She is the author of The Cimarron Legacy series, Trouble in Texas series, Swept Away, Fired Up and Stuck Together, The Kincaid Brides Series, Out of Control, In Too Deep and Over the Edge.
The Sophie’s Daughters Series, Doctor in Petticoats, a Rita Award finalist,Wrangler in Petticoats and Sharpshooter in Petticoats. These three books are now contained in the single volume Sophie’s Daughters Trilogy. The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now available in the single volume Montana Marriages Trilogy. The Wild West Wedding series Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist, and In Too Deep. The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.

She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing, a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances. She is one of the four authors contributing to Alaska Brides Collection with her Carol Award Winning historical romance
Golden Days along with Tracie Peterson, Cathy Marie Hake and Kathleen Y’Barbo.

She had published two ebook Christmas novella collections. A Home for Christmas with Robin Lee Hatcher and Candlelight Christmas with Linda Goodnight. And with a pseudonym she has published the romantic thriller Ten Plagues and she has republished three out of print books Bury the Lead, Fright at the Museum
and Trial and Terror, three lighthearted cozy mysteries formerly published as the Nosy in Nebraska series under the titles Of Mice…and Murder, Pride and Pestilence and The Miceman Cometh.

Find Mary online at:

Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Blog 
My Website

I initially received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion. 

Romance Week Day 6: Cast party!

Song Stuck on the Brain: Everything I Do I Do It For You - Bryan Adams

Welcome to the last day of Romance Week hosted by the cast of Justice Burning and Dysfunction Junction! Every day this week different characters have shared their tips and ideas on how to have the sweetest and/or most romantic Valentine’s Day. It's been so much fun sharing this sweet holiday with all of you.

Today the cast is back for one last minute tip to ensure that tomorrow is the best Valentine's Day it can be.

Aidan McLeod

Keegan McLeod

 Aidan: What a great week. Valentine's Day was a difficult holiday for me after losing my wife, but rediscovering it through the eyes of my kids has changed the way I feel. Romance is wonderful, but love should be celebrated  with everyone - family, friends and co-workers.

Keegan: I agree, and as I learned last year, the gifts are fun - but it's the time spent with the one you care about that makes the time special. Of course, on that note guys (yes, I'm talking to you guys at the station) this is NOT an excuse to avoid any kind of gift at all. Loving someone means knowing them as a person. Give them a gift that suits them personally. 

Rissa Fuller

Rissa: Good advice, Keegan. Girls, if the guys can be satisfied with gifts given from the heart, so can we. Of course chocolates and cards and jewelry are awesome. Sometimes those gifts are possible and sometimes they're not. We can all spend this holiday looking deeper at our relationships and acknowledging to the one we love that, "Yes, I see you. I know what you like. I care about you enough to put time and effort into you. You are my Valentine."

Alexa: That is beautifully put, Rissa.

Ember McLeod

Ember: Yes; and after your help Alexa, I think Dad, Ash, Kindall and Cole are in for a great Valentine's Day supper.

Ash: Yes, thanks for that, Alexa. I don't think we could have handled her special Valentine's Day Chocolate Bar Chili.

Alexa Fehr

Ember: Hey! Remember, it's the gifts given with love that are best for the heart.

Ash: That may be, little Sis', but its how your gift affects my stomach that I was more concerned with.

Alexa: LOL. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, Ash. Ember's culinary skills are growing. 
Kianna: If anyone can make an amazing Valentine's Dinner, it's Alexa. She can Cook! Her food makes me sing. Maybe even deserves a song written about it...

Alexa: Oh, please! Whatever. Your love songs are better focused elsewhere. By the way, you and Ash came up with an awesome Romance Day playlist. I loved the Power Ballads.

Kianna: We had fun finding all the songs.

Ash McLeod

Ash: We were up until after 1 a.m. and I had to force her to stop. I think she's still sneaking songs on the list.

Kianna Ravencamp

Kianna: I am, but I know you are too. Just own it.

Ash: Okay, I admit, I can't leave it alone either.

Alexa: I'm having the same problem with the Romantic Meals pinterest board. I keep finding new meal ideas to add!

Hope: You are such a Pin-head!

Morgan: I do not think that word means what you think it means...

Hope Campbell

Hope: LOL! I meant she's addicted to Pinterest. But I can see you're a Princess Bride fan.

Morgan: I am. Couldn't pass up that opportunity, you just left it wide open.

Kianna: She does that a lot, Morgan. It's one of the things we love about her.

Morgan Daryl

Hope: Good, if you love me so much, how about sending me a friendship bouquet to remind me.

Rissa: I'd send you zinnias any day, Hope.

Keegan: Would you like a zinnia bouquet, Aidan?

Aidan: Sure, baby brother. Go ahead and buy me flowers, just be sure Emily's bouquet is better.

Keegan: Not a problem. This year I ignored the guys taunts and got in touch with my inner romantic. Thanks to everyone here, Emily is going to be blown away. 

Kianna: Aww, that's sweet. I hope everyone here has an amazing day. LOVE to you all.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Don't forget to enter the Valentine's Day Super Romance Giveaway for a last chance to win 1 of 3 prize bundles! Winners will be announced Sunday, February, 14, 2015.

To enter, simply fill out the entry form below and complete at least one option to be entered. Complete additional options for extra entries. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Connect with Hope and her girlfriends on their Pinterest pages! Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Kianna Ravencamp on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Alexa Fehr on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Hope Campbell on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Carissa Fuller on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Independence, MO - Hometown Lowdown on Pinterest.

Looking for more romance and excitement? 

Be sure to visit Susanne Matthews at Living the Dream to read more about her Romantic Suspense The Harvester Series. A sensual romantic suspense series that will take you "From the streets of Boston to the wilds of Alaska..." 

Love beyond this world? For something out of the ordinary, try A.B. Funkhauser's Award Winning post mortem mortuary romance complete with happy ending! HEUER LOST AND FOUND 

Visit Author Mary Ann Cortez at her blog The Write Place and enter to WIN an autographed copy of First Love anthology and a bookmark with heart charm. 

That magic moment for a teen. The realization that the person you’ve liked is a little more than a friend. Chance meetings. Old friendships. Even a social media post. These can all lead to that first love. Solstice Publishing is proud to present First Love, a Summer Solstive Valentine's Day Anthology.

CFBA: Once Upon a Summertime by Melody Carlson

Song Stuck on the Brain: Stars from Les Mis

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Once Upon a Summertime Revell (June 2, 2015) by Melody Carlson

MY TAKE:

Once Upon a Summertime is a fun, lighthearted romance. It unfolds like the best of Hollywood's chick-flick's - like Maid in Manhattan, Sleepless in Seattle or While You Were Sleeping  - and I mean that in all the best ways.

Anna and Sean are tossed together with a surprise whirlwind of romance, only to learn they can't be a couple because their company prohibits co-workers dating. The premise may seem simple or expected, but the fun of the story is in the journey of their blossoming relationship. It was also fun to get a behind the scenes peek at the hospitality industry. I love a sweet romance and this one proved to be solid gold. I think Sean is my new book hunk. I'm pretty smitten.

Melody Carlson always hits it out of the park, and this is definitely another home run.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises--not the least of which is Sean O'Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

Sweet, romantic, and endlessly entertaining, this romp through the storied streets of New York City will enchant readers. Melody Carlson has created characters so charming that readers will long to meet them in the lobby of the stunning Rothsberg Hotel.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Summertime, go HERE.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My husband Chris and I live in a cabin-style home next to the National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Mountain area of the Pacific Northwest. Our two grown sons and granddaughter live nearby and we try to see them as often as we can. We also have two 're-homed' pets to make life more interesting-our yellow Labrador retriever Audrey and a Maine coon cat named Harry.

My writing studio is in a separate building next to our courtyard (a garden area that's off limits to the voracious deer). The window behind my desk looks out into the Ponderosa pine forest, where I see deer, squirrels, rabbits, and an occasional raccoon. The other windows in my office overlook the courtyard which is frequented by numerous hummingbirds in the summertime-one August evening we counted nearly fifty of the little hummers.

The Unicorns are Coming!!!

Guess what's coming!

A NEW book by Author

Suzanne de Montigny

Will Ulysees find the truth before disaster strikes?
 How did the Legacy of Azaria transform to a world of fear it has with the unicorns barely existing hidden in the depths of the forest? Why is Icharus, the Great Stallion, so cruel and ruthless? And who is Jaresh, the powerful being no one’s ever seen who takes away their powers? Angry, the young colt, Ulysees and his friend Téo rebel, following an abandoned trail where they’re discovered by humans. Now the entire herd must make an exodus. But Ulysees discovers there’s more danger then just humans when he meets a giant creature who warns them of impending doom…

Shadow of the Unicorn II: The Deception 

available 

March 2015

The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Deception is the sequel to The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy. If you haven't read this yet, be sure to check it out. It's not to be missed!

The Ghost Catcher Blog Event

Welcome to this spectral literary event. My good friend and fellow writer, KC Sprayberry, has a new release and I'm helping her spread the news.

The Ghost Catcher

A gift to know when people are in trouble of the ghostly type puts Hailey Hatmaker in the middle of a major problem – one that winds up getting her into more hot water than she can handle. In true Hailey Hatmaker fashion, she dives into what turns out to be a battle with Limbo, her number one nemesis.

Can Hailey rescue two friends before it's too late? Or is she forever condemned to losing to Limbo?

Excerpt:

No adult in Landry, Georgia would ever admit a teen can do something right. Not a one, for then they would have to 'fess up to the teens being able to make their own decisions. The people in charge just plain ignored any good thing teens did.

Then I saw a problem, one I couldn't say a word about. All I could do is stand to one side and watch as disaster loomed.

I was the last person with Maren Dougless and Zac Morton Friday afternoon at the high school. What I saw of their auras – green with a black outer edge – scared me right down to my toes. As if that wasn't bad enough, since black represented death, and green meant vibrant life, in addition the center of those auras each had a reddish eye in the center with sickly yellow streaks arcing throughout it.

            That was more than enough to make any person run for the hills, but I'm Hailey Hatmaker, Ghost Catcher extraordinaire. After many, many years of catching ghosts, I didn't want two good friends to suffer that fate, but I had a big problem.
 

 

About KC Sprayberry:
 

I am happily married to a man I met while in the Air Force. We will soon celebrate 20 years of marriage. Our teen, the youngest of 8, keeps us on our toes with his band activities. Writing is something I've done since I was very young. At first, it was in a diary and then I poured all my energies into English compositions, earning praise from my Advanced Composition teacher in high school for an extremely visual project. While in the Air Force, I placed second in the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge's annual contest and from then on, was hooked. However, the reality of a military career and raising children forced me to put off attempting publication until my husband and I moved to Georgia. It was after the birth of our now teen that I began taking courses through The Institute of Children's Literature, Long Ridge Writer's Group, and Writers Digest in an effort to make my life's dream come true.

We live in Northwest Georgia, in a small town, where I write Romance, Westerns, Young Adult, and Middle Grade stories, both short and book length. More than a dozen of my short stories have appeared in magazines such as Listen Magazine, Brio, and The Pink Chameleon website. I also have two short stories in anthologies, Passionate Hearts Anthology and Mystery Times Ten. My westerns have garnered interest by avid readers and appear on The Western Online and Frontier Tales.

My work appears under the pen names of KC Sprayberry and Kathi Sprayberry. Softly Say Goodbye, a young adult novel, was my NaNoWriMo winning project for 2010. This story was inspired by a quote from a song and hearing of an auto wreck involving teens and drinking.

You can find out more about KC Sprayberry and her other great books at the following links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KC-Sprayberry/331150236901202

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/

Blog: http://outofcontrolcharacters.blogspot.com/

Website: www.kcsprayberry.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5011219.K_C_Sprayberry

JacketFlap: http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=kathispray

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005DI1YOU

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kcsprayberry/boards/

Authorgraph: http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/kcsowriter

CFBA: Redeeming Grace by Ward Tanneberg

Song Stuck on the Brain: Like Sugar by Matchbox Twenty from their new album North.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:   Redeeming Grace Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas;
1st edition (February 28, 2013)   by   Ward Tanneberg



MY TAKE:

I read the summary of the book when it came up for review option and thought, "Sure, this one sounds interesting. I'll give it a try." Then when my book arrived and I saw that it was nearly 600 pages I about croaked! Not that I'm leery of hefty prose, I've read plenty that could match or put that page count to shame, but they've all been in a fantasy/Suspense genre - Never suspense. It begged the very big question for me, Can Ward Tanneberg keep me hooked and in suspense for that long?

Short answer? YES!

Longer answer? Okay, so the first chapter was a little overwhelming as it jumped from local to local introducing characters and events that don't appear to tie together. Yet, despite the disoriented feeling, I was still hooked with enough emotion and dilemma by the main character that I didn't want to stop reading. That feeling never went away. Despite the story going back in forth between present day and the horrible events that led to Grace Grafton's misfortune years earlier, it began to make sense.

There's a large cast of characters, but I didn't find it too hard to keep up with them. The bad guys are truly, disgustingly bad, when Grace faces her tormentor in the end, I felt her rage and hurt and pain just as clearly. The writing is strong, the characters are well built and the plot is substantial but easy to follow without giving away too much at a time.

The only draw backs I found had nothing to do with the story itself, and everything to do with the editing/printing. I didn't notice anywhere on the book where it was stamped Advanced Reader Copy, but for the publishers sake I hope it was. There were several times where sentences were repeated twice, as if copied and pasted too many times. In one place it was a whole paragraph and it was duplicated three times in a row. Clearly the editing needed to be tweaked.

Despite that annoyance, I would still highly recommend Redeeming Grace. I would hate to see a talented author's story get missed because a publisher didn't check their galleys better. It happens, especially in this digital age. So, acknowledge you'll see a few typos and put that aside, because Redeeming Grace is a suspense that is NOT to be missed.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Seven years ago, Grace Grafton died in a boating accident while partying on the Georgia, South Carolina coast. Was her death the result of alcohol and drugs or something more sinister? Nobody knows: her body was never recovered. Now years later, a woman reads in disbelief the note addressed to her: Hello Grace, did you think we wouldn't find you?

Those nine chilling words end Grafton's self-imposed sanctuary of witness protection. Now she and everyone she loves are in grave danger. Long believed dead, she has a secret that can change the world. She knows the man running for president is guilty of a double murder! But who will believe her?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Redeeming Grace, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ward Tanneberg is a pastor/writer/novelist who has given more than 50 years to evangelism, youth, college and pastoral ministry, including two Pacific Northwest churches and 23 years as the senior pastor at Valley Christian Center in Dublin, CA. In 2008, he was named President/Executive Director of The CASA Network. Ward speaks extensively at 50+ retreats and ministry leadership events in the USA and elsewhere. When at home he meets weekly with a group of business and professional leaders. He and Dixie have 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and a great grandson.