Tratorous Toys by Mildred Abbott

Book Description:
It’s Christmas in Estes Park, Colorado: cozy fires, twinkling lights, soft snowfall, and… murder. 
The winter holidays in charming Estes Park lulls Winifred Page and her corgi, Watson, into thoughts of spiced chai and gingerbread as they settle into their new home. Fred’s dream bookshop is becoming a reality, and with Christmas only days away, her only concerns are spending time with family, enforcing Watson’s diet, and finding the perfect gifts. 
The toy store beckons Fred and her friend Katie, who dash in out of the cold, during a shopping spree to discover handmade toys, cuddly stuffed animals… and a dying man on the floor. 
When Katie’s desperate attempts to save the man ends in her being taken in for his murder, Fred once again dons her detective hat. She puts aside her Christmas list and—with Watson sniffing around—begins a list of suspects. But as quickly as clues point to one person, new discoveries shift the spotlight to another.   
With Katie’s freedom in the balance, Fred has little time to think about gifts or to enjoy the holiday lights and music. A killer is on the loose, one who became violent in a picture-perfect Christmas toy shop, and Fred and Watson can’t begin to predict what might happen next…

My Thoughts:
This is the second in this series and I think you should read the first to get the full effect but it can also stand on its own.  Watson is still my favorite character, the little pup is just too cute.  Fred and dead bodies...she just must investigate. That is especially true when it looks like her friend Kate is going to be blamed for the murder.
This one pulled me in faster than the first book and felt a little more 'mystery' than the last one because it kept me guessing more. That didn't take away from the cozy portion because it isn't nail biting, just more curiosity. I love Fred's investigation and how it all unfolds (and bugs the police!).  I'm ready to start the next one now!
It was a 5/5 for me.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PUYB). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Maxon by Christina Bauer

Book Description

Prince Maxon may be twenty-two years old now, but he’s still haunted by his boyhood abduction and torture in Hell. To deal with his past, Maxon limits his present-day activities to killing demons and seducing women. No long-term relationships. No combat too dangerous. No problem, right? 

Wrong.

Maxon’s life has stalled out. The old thrills aren't there anymore, either on the battlefield or in the bedroom. While staking out his next fight, Maxon meets what seems like just another girl after a good time. What he gets is a close encounter with Lianna, a lady warrior with ties to the mysterious elemental rulers called the monarkki. It’s love at first fight. Trouble is, Lianna’s running from a dark history of her own, and her elemental enemies are closing in. When Lianna gets taken, Maxon realizes that after years of wrong choices and dead ends, the right woman is worth risking it all. 

Book contains adult language and sexuality. Can be read as a standalone.

My Thoughts:

I just love Christina Bauer's books and this one was no exception.  Maxon's life is in a rut. He won't let his friends know but there isn't really any thrill left in life. Killing demons is meh, women are meh, and life in general is just meh. Lianna is struggling with her own issues. She has taken on great power and has a jilted ex who doesn't like the idea of her moving on.
Their interaction was greatness.  I loved they met with fighting and mocking. That just set the perfect tone for their relationship. His friends were wonderful and seeing his parents and grandmother again was a nice 'peek' into their lives.  Mya will never change! 
It was a 4/5 for me. I will be reading the next one.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy (via netgalley).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Shadows & Spells Release Blitz

Title: Shadows & Spells (A Havenwood Falls High Novella)

Author: Cameo Renae

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Publication Date: October 12^th, 2018

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Blurb:

Welcome to Havenwood Falls, a small town in the majestic mountains of Colorado. A town where legacies began centuries ago, bloodlines run deep, and dark secrets abound. A town where nobody is what you think, where truths pose as lies, and where myths blend with reality. A place where everyone has a story. Including the high schoolers. This is only but one…

This sequel to Bound by Shadows continues the story of Eris and Rylan.

Rylan Gilles has found a new life in Havenwood Falls. A better one. One with a new pack, a new family, friends, a job, and even a girlfriend. He vows to himself to never allow his past to interfere with his future. But when an enemy of his father, a psychotic shifter named Lars, hunts down and kills his old pack’s alpha, they turn to Rylan to lead and save them.

Eris Blaekthorn has been working on growing her newfound magical powers, and with that has come intense nightmares that feel more like premonitions. Horrifying images of a large, dark shifter ripping Rylan to shreds and killing him plague her dreams. But when she tries to discuss these with Rylan, he shuts her out.

Dead set on keeping his personal vow, Rylan’s determined to handle Lars on his own, but Eris knows where this will end. She hopes he’ll turn to her and his new pack for help, while she fears that he’ll do the opposite. If he faces Lars alone, her nightmares may soon turn to reality. But if he doesn’t, he risks losing everything, including the girl he loves.

This is a Young Adult paranormal tale in the Havenwood Falls High series of Young Adult fantasy stories featuring a variety of supernatural creatures. The series is a collaborative effort by multiple authors. Each book is generally a stand-alone, so you can read them in any order, although some authors will be writing sequels to their own stories. Please be aware when you choose your next read.

USA Today Bestselling author, Cameo Renae, was born in San Francisco, raised in Maui, Hawaii, and now resides with her husband and children in Alaska.

She's a daydreamer, caffeine and peppermint addict, who loves to laugh, and loves to read to escape reality.

One of her greatest joys is creating fantasy worlds filled with adventure and romance and sharing it with others. It is the love of her family and amazing support of her fans that keeps her going.

One day she hopes to find her own magic wardrobe and ride away on her magical unicorn. Until then...she'll keep writing!

Happy Reading! Xoxo

Author Links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CameoRenaeBooks/

Blog: http://cameorenae.blogspot.com/ Website: http://cameorenae.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CameoRenae

Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CameoRenaeFanClub/

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/23HGKIy

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mycZJj

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4794993.Cameo_Renae

Buy Link:

Bound by Shadows

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QGsZIU

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bound-by-shadows-cameo-renae/1127754447?ean=2940158956430

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bound-by-shadows

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/bound-by-shadows/id1304586461?mt=11

Shadows & Spells:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pgANV4

Amazon UK: http://havenwoodfalls.com/ss-zonuk\

Kobo: http://havenwoodfalls.com/ss-ko

Barnes & Noble: http://havenwoodfalls.com/ss-bn

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shadows-spells/id1414480728?mt=11

Cruel Candy by Mildred Abbott

Book Description:
Estes Park, Colorado: picturesque mountains, charming shops, delightful bakeries, a cozy bookstore… and murder. 

Winifred Page and her corgi, Watson, move to Estes Park to hit the reset button on life. Fred is about to open her dream bookshop, and the only challenges she anticipates are adjusting to small town life, tourists, and living close to her loveable mother, Phyllis, and hippy stepfather, Barry.

When Fred steps into her soon-to-be-bookshop for the first time, she expects dust bunnies and spiders… not the dead body in the upstairs kitchen. The local police have an easy suspect—Barry.

Determined to prove quirky Barry innocent of murder, Fred puts on her detective hat, and with Watson by her side, she explores her new town and gets acquainted with her fellow shopkeepers. Could one of her friendly neighbors be the real culprit? And what would be the motive for killing the owner of the Sinful Bites candy store? The secrets Fred discover put her at odds with the local police sergeant and threaten her cozy future in Estes. 

With snow falling outside, all Fred wants to do is curl up by the fire with a good book and Watson snuggled at her feet. But before she can begin her new life and put her plans for her bookshop into action, Fred and Watson have a mystery to solve…

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book.  The author is new to me and I was in the mood for a good cozy, this fit the bill entirely.  Watson may have been my favorite character because he loves treats and is just adorable! (I mean who doesn't love treats....maybe not the doggie kind but I'm all for cupcakes!).  
Fred is a good lead because she isn't a damsel in distress, but rather a strong woman.  She has had problems in the past but has moved home to open a bookshop.  Then there is the dead body, the accusation and she is determined to prove who really did commit the murder, most assuredly not her stepfather, and of course there is just a touch/hint of romance.  
Overall, I enjoyed the story and how it ended!  It was a 4/5 for me, I will be continuing with this series.

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via PumpUp Your Book).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Burden of Proof by DiAnn Mills

Book Description

Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.

My Thoughts:

This was a pretty good book.  April is FBI, specifically a negotiator who is having a bad day. I love that she was getting irritated with the woman and the baby in the grocery store line. It shows how different perspectives can be.  She had a horrid day and the woman was upset about a crying baby.  Jason is determined to not be framed for crimes he didn't commit.
I really didn't like the way he got April to come with him at all and was glad for his dad's reaction. I completely adored Jason's family. Watching their reactions showed real love. The bad guy was really bad and I was hoping they would take him down in a big way.
Overall, I enjoyed the book.  It was a 3/5 for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

A Secret to Die For by Lisa Harris

Book Description:
Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--one worth killing for. But when she finds out one of her clients has been murdered, she quickly realizes that the computer security specialist wasn't simply suffering from paranoia.

Detective Nate Quinn has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed eighteen people, including his partner, and left him dealing with PTSD. His first case back on the job involves the murder of Stephen Shaw, and his only lead turns out to be an old friend, Grace Callahan--and her life is in grave danger. Someone believes Shaw gave his psychologist information before he died. Information they are willing to kill for.

With her signature pulse-pounding suspense, Lisa Harris takes readers deep into the heart of fear in this race against the clock.

My Thoughts:
Yep, this is a keeper.  This book starts with action and never lets up. Grace doesn't realize she knows what she knows. Nate is suffering from PTSD and I thought the author did a wonderful job in how she portrayed that. With his back story, it was easy to understand why he was dealing with PTSD.
The book flowed really well and is one I just didn't want to put down. I love the Christian themes and overtones throughout and how they are delivered.  The characters are what got me, I really loved them.  The ending did seem somewhat abrupt but it followed the pace of the book.

It was a 4/5 for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Delayed Justice by Cara Putman

About the Book

Book Title: Delayed Justice

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: Legal Romantic Suspense

Release date: October 15, 2018

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard. 

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jamie, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

My Thoughts:
This was a really well written book on a tough subjects.  Jamie suffered abuse as a child at the hands of her uncle and it really shaped her life. I liked how realistic the author made that. It  wasn't just an event that happened, it was something that effected every part of her life. Chandler has his own issues he is going through and had to deal with. He served in the military and now helps others.
I really liked the therapy dog angle and how Chandler had to realize setting boundaries was necessary. His heart was in his job(s) and it came through. His and Jamie's realtionship was very realistic. I understood her reactions to him from the way the author wrote the character...it all fit. There were some tense moments and some sweet moments. Overall, it was a really good, solid read.
It was a 3/5 for me. 

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via Celebrate Lit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine. 

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently working on book 30 and 31.

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW, and currently serves on its Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana.

Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, and Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com

Guest Post from Cara

Delayed Justice was a hard story to write.

I’d known from Beyond Justice that Jaime had a hard story, but I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. She tried to hide from her past. She tried hard, but in the end it slowly spilled out. A young girl wounded deeply by someone who should protect her. And now as a professional young woman, Jaime is still fighting the shadows.

She believes she’s okay, or as okay as she’ll ever be.

Instead, she has to learn that there’s so much more waiting for her. Freedom from the chains of a past she didn’t choose. A love that will never end. And a God who has always loved her even when she questions His existence because of her past.

I think we’ve all lived that. There’s a place in our hearts that seems beyond His reach. For some of us, it’s a barrier to knowing Him. To others of us, it makes us question what we thought we knew about God. And for others of us, it presses us deeply into Him. Jaime’s book, Delayed Justice, explores this space. The space where some days we scream at the heavens Where are you, God? And the days we just curl into ourselves because life is too hard.

And in that space of shadow and light, God ultimately shines brightest. This is a truth that is slowly revealed through friends and The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 29

Fiction Aficionado, September 29

The Avid Reader, September 29

The Power of Words, September 29

The Christian Fiction Girl, September 29

The Lit Addict, September 30

BBHfiction, September 30

Painting with Words, September 30

Real World Bible Study, September 30

Janices book reviews, September 30

cherylbbookblog, October 1

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 1

Back Porch Reads, October 1

Cafinated Reads, October 1

Faithfully Bookish, October 1

Because I said so – adventures in Parenting, October 2

Lighthouse Academy, October 2

Livin Lit, October 2

Inklings and notions, October 2

Bigreadersite, October 2

All-of-a-kind Mom, October 3

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 3

The Becca Files, October 3

Blogging With Carol, October 3

Lights in a Dark World, October 3

Genesis 5020, October 4

Cathe Swanson, October 4

Spoken from the Heart, October 4

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 4

100 Pages per Hour, October 5

Multifarious, October 5

Book by Book, October 5

Splashes of Joy, October 5

Rockin’ My Mom Jeans, October 6

Mary Hake, October 6

Godly Book Reviews, October 6

Two Points of Interest, October 6

C Jane Read, October 7

Daysong Reflections , October 7

Bibliophile Reviews, October 7

Buy, Borrow, Skip, October 7

The Mimosa Blossom, October 8

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 8

Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses, October 8

Maureen’s Musings, October 8

Just the Write Escape, October 9

Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Remebrancy, October 9

Carpe Diem, October 9

Quiet Quilter, October 10

Margaret Kazmierczak, October 10

At the Fence, October 10

By The Book, October 10

God is Love, October 11

A Baker’s Perspective, October 11

proud to be an autism mom, October 11

Texas Book-aholic, October 11

Henry Happens, October 12

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 12

Have A Wonderful Day, October 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize package that includes a Courage Dear Heart bracelet, a The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe print, a copy of Delayed Justice, and a box of Turkish Delight!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d5c4/delayed-justice-celebration-tour-giveaway

NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Genuine Leather

Book Description

Encounter the power of the word. Walk in the freedom God intends. Experience the Holy Spirit. For the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Jack Hayford, founding pastor of The Church on the Way and chancellor of The King’s University, assembled a team of respected, Spirit-led scholars to produce this resource of solid biblical truth. Now in a full-color third edition with new contributors, it is even more dynamic. With over 2 million copies sold, the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible continues to equip God’s people to live in his kingdom, exercise gifts of the spirit, and lay hold of God’s promises.

My Thoughts:
I absolutely LOVE this Bible.  It is simply gorgeous, stunning leather and it comes in a hard box to protect it. The tabs in it help find the book of the Bible you are looking for quickly. The text reads just as a Bible should and the pages aren't too thin.
As I read through, there are helpful things throughout.  Footnotes, maps, articles and more. The ribbon to mark your place is something I remember from my first Bible given to me by my parents and I don't know that I've had another like it. (I love that!). Overall, I enjoyed it and plan to keep it and read through it more in dept and study with this Bible.
It was a 5/5 for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. (via BookLook). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

A Billionaire Wolf for Christmas by Terry Spear

Book Description:
When the wolves' own blood betrays them, they risk their lives to find a miracle.

Wolf shifter Dr. Aidan Denali has been working day and night to find a cure for werewolves' alarmingly sudden decline in lifespan. The key to the problem eludes him. But when Aidan grudgingly leaves his work to do some holiday shopping, he meets a remarkable she-wolf whose mysterious pack could bring him one step closer to the answer.

Dr. Holly Gray is thrilled to meet the wolf who's been working so hard to help others. Now, it's her turn to help him. But while their attraction is sizzling, the packs are at odds, and the danger is increasing. It's going to take a holiday miracle for Holly and Aidan to get themselves--and their loved ones--out of this alive...

Billionaire Wolf series: 
Billionaire in Wolf's Clothing (Book 1)
A Billionaire Wolf for Christmas (Book 2)

What People Are Saying About Terry Spear's Wolf Shifters: 
"Packed with adventure... Magnificently entertaining."--RT Book Reviews TOP PICK for Billionaire in Wolf's Clothing, 4 1/2 Stars
"Spear has become a master storyteller."--RT Book Reviews for Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply, 4 Stars
"Nobody does werewolf romances like Terry Spear. The romance sizzles, the mystery intrigues, and the characters shine."--The Royal Reviews

My Thoughts:
I always enjoy Terry's books and this one was no different.  From reading previous books, I already knew Dr. Aidan Denali but this book focuses on him. He has been trying to figure out why shifters are suddenly not living as long and figure out a way to fix it. He has worked tirelessly and not for gain, but for survival of his people. I loved the way he and Dr. Holly Gray meet. It is just a chance meeting that changes both of their lives.
I couldn't stand the pack leaders of Holly's pack. They were jerks. I did love the old 'santa' that she was searching for. The story itself was good, I love the characters. Holly's family was great. Really good people, and so was most of her pack. There were a couple twists I didn't expect. I also completely fell in love with Aidan's bodyguards, they were great!
It was a 4/5, and I hope the bodyguards get their own books soon!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Undercover Memories by Lenora Worth

Book Description

Her most important mission…

and she can’t remember what it is.

After amnesia strands private investigator Emma Langston in Dallas, only Detective Ryder Palladin can stop the men trying to kill her. But protective custody on Ryder’s family ranch has its own risks, like falling for the handsome cowboy. Before she can untangle her feelings for Ryder, Emma must recover her memory…because she’s sure someone’s life depends on it, even if she can’t remember whose.

Look for 6 new titles from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

Love Inspired Suspense: Suspenseful romances… strong heroes and heroines facing challenges to their faith… and to their lives.

My Thoughts:

This was a pretty good book. Emma is a PI working on a case in Dallas. Ryder and his partner find her after some goons try to kill her. Problem is, with the blow to the head, Emma can't remember the case she is working on, just that it is important. Ryder is determined to help the headstrong PI that may have caught his attention.
I can honestly say, I wasn't expecting the investigation to be what it was, but it was well written. My heart broke for Emma though I could have strangled her a few times with her rash choices. Overall it was a good, quick read. There is action, a bit of romance and some mystery.
It was a 3/5 for me. 

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.