I have the privilege of giving my review of Stealth by Kelly Anne Liberto. I met Kelly through a critique group years ago. She is a great writer, and a very sweet person. Stealth releases on Amazon on January 11th!
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Bio:
I have the privilege of giving my review of Stealth by Kelly Anne Liberto. I met Kelly through a critique group years ago. She is a great writer, and a very sweet person. Stealth releases on Amazon on January 11th!
Bio:
Author Bio:
Author Sharon K. Connell has lived in many places across the United States. She retired from the clerical-medical field in 2012, and now writes full time. Sharon lives with her husband in Houston, Texas, from where she writes Christian Romance Suspense, plus mystery, and as much humor as she can get into a story. She has three grown children and eight grandchildren, all living elsewhere in the country.
Sharon attended college in Illinois, graduated from the Pensacola Bible Institute in Florida, and holds a certificate in fiction writing from the International Writing Program through the University of Iowa.
Besides visiting all but six states in the United States, her travels have taken her to Canada and Mexico. The experiences she’s had while visiting and living in these areas has been invaluable in her writing.
Sharon is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Scribes Critique Group, Houston Writers Guild, Christian Women Writers, and CyFair Writers. She is founder of the global Facebook Christian Writers & Readers group forum. Her monthly newsletter, Novel Thoughts, goes out every month to its subscribers in all parts of the world, featuring helpful information for writers and readers. She’s also a contributing writer for Faith on Every Corner, a global online inspirational magazine.
Amid the Cold of Winter is a suspenseful Christmas Extravaganza title by British author Clare Revell.
In this story, I liked the banter between Zander Ellery and Isabel York. The characters were well-developed. I also liked the spiritual arc and inclusion of the devotional moment at the end.
I liked watching British shows, and so reading the story made me feel like I was watching one of those programs. I even pictured British actors as I read the story.
The book starts off with a bang. Kate Dahlbeck is cleaning a church. Her boss is attacked, and there is an explosion. Fearing for her life, Kate pretends to be dead but goes to Zander for help. But she decides not to tell him what happened, and Zander becomes busy with another case. I don't want to say too much more for fear of spoiling the ending. But suffice it to say, be prepared for a very merry happily ever after.
If you enjoy this story, consider reading other Ellery and York novels by Clare Revell.
Blurb:
Every year, Pelican Book Group releases new Christmas Extravaganza titles.
This year, I thought it would be fun to list twenty-five Pelican Book Group Christmas titles (past and present) from various genres: mystery, romantic suspense, suspense, Gothic romance, etc.
2. Christmas Hideaway by Wendy Davy
3. All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead by Lillian Duncan
5. A Christmas Stolen by Lillian Duncan
6. Christmas Passed by Anita Klumpers
7. A Texas Christmas Mystery by Anne Greene
8. Amid the Cold of Winter by Clare Revell
9. Holly in December by Clare Revell
10. Gold, Frankincense, and Murder by Barbara Early
11. The Christmas Stalking by Lillian Duncan
12. No Home for the Holidays by Lillian Duncan
13. A Blessed Blue Christmas by LoRee Peery
14. Candle for a Corpse by Marilynn Leach
15. Murder on Birchardville Hill by Ruth Buchanan
16. All's Fair in Love and Arson by Sharon McGregor
17. Plundered Christmas by Susan Lyttek
18. Chasing Christmas by Steven Hunt
19. Christmas in Coyote County by Mary L. Briggs
20. Down in Yon Forest by Clare Revell
21. Once Upon a Christmas by Clare Revell
22. Season for Miracles by Clare Revell
23. Clear as Ice by Penelope Marzec
24. Undercover Santa by Wendy Davy
25. The Volk Advent by Joy Wilks
I’m giving away two copies of a CD containing thirteen
Pelican Book Group stories, including my suspense novel, Dog Tags, and
three Christmas stories (two mentioned in this post). The CD contains three
electronic formats of each story so you can enjoy the books on almost any
device. *The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
*Update - Giveaway extended*
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post by December 1, 2022 and include your email address. You may spell it out:
yournameatgmaildotcom. On December 2, 2022, I will choose a winner randomly
and then announce the winner.
The CD includes the following stories:
· A Texas
Christmas Mystery—Anne Greene
· After the
Fire—Clare Revell
· Christmas
Ivy—Judy Ducharme
· Clear as
Ice—Penelope Marzec
· Dog Tags—Heidi
Glick
· From
Scratch—C.E. Hilbert
· Girls of
Summer—C.E. Hilbert
· Island
Charm—Audrey Wick
· Just One
Kiss—Wendy Davy
· Rose in
the Desert—K.M. Daughters
· Rose of
the Adriatic—K.M. Daughters
· Someone
to Trust—Lesa Henderson
· The
Inheritance—Pamela S. Thibodeaux
I'm a Metcalfe fan. I can admit it. So I was super excited that the third book in The Metcalfes series, "Range," was available on Amazon. This weekend, I went ahead and gave myself an early Christmas present and purchased the Kindle edition. 😊
In this third book, Range Metcalfe is trying to locate and capture a high profile madam in Afghanistan (who engages in human trafficking), but Range's plans go awry. Things are not what they seem. In this story, just as with the others in the series, be prepared for a wild ride...lots of adventure with a side of romance, plus a great spiritual arc. In particular, I like how Ronie circles back to the characters Canyon and Dani from the Discarded Heroes series, which I highly recommend.
With this series, Ronie does a good job of providing a gritty, realistic view of a delicate topic (human trafficking). She doesn't hold back with her portrayal and exposes hypocrisy.
One thing about fiction is that writers are told to wrap things up quickly and include the HEA at the end of a story. But I appreciate when it's done well, and Kendig handled this ending realistically.
If you enjoy action, adventure, romance, and don't shy away from sensitive topics such as human trafficking, this book should appeal to you!
To purchase this book on Amazon, click here.
Deception, the fourth book in Patricia Bradley’s
Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, is a romantically suspenseful, fast-paced
tale featuring a ranger who works with the Investigative Services Branch (Madison
Thorn) and park ranger, Clayton Bradshaw. The book starts off with a bang and
continues to feature plenty of action to keep readers turning the pages. The
ending contains several twists, which will keep readers guessing until the very
end. The spiritual theme of the book is forgiveness, which is handled well and
woven organically into the story. Additionally, the book deals with the topics
of addiction and adoption. While this is the fourth book in the series, it
could be read stand-alone.
To watch the trailer
for Deception (on Twitter), click
here.
Mary K. Marelli lives with her husband on a private lake nestled in
the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania. Her
writing is inspired by a variety of true life experiences, and a cause dear to
her heart, the preservation of America’s wild horses.
What do you do with an inheritance that no one wants?
Megan Donovan’s broken engagement has left her aimless with
only one place to go: Montana. Her estranged grandfather has left the
broken-down ranch of her mother’s youth. Trouble is, Mom’s memories of that
time are so tainted that Megan doesn’t want anything to do with the place.
The wild horses that David “Cam” Campbell protects from
rustlers need a sanctuary to roam free. What better location than Old Man
Jenkins’ acreage adjacent to his own successful ranch? But Cam’s gotten off on
the wrong foot with Megan, and that gal’s not selling—not unless Cam can
convince her that it’s best for everyone involved.
But is giving Megan a reason to leave, really the best he
can do?
https://twitter.com/MarelliMary
https://www.facebook.com/mary.marelli.9/
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in
exchange for my honest review. All of my opinions are my own.
Please welcome today’s guest, Anita Klumpers. Her new suspense novel, “A Murder of Crows,” came out April 22, 2022. I hope you enjoy my interview with Anita.
Which one of your books was your favorite to write? Why?
“Buttonholed” has to be my favorite. As usual, I had no idea where the story would go when I agreed to write on the theme “Whatever is of good repute.” Hey, I didn’t even have a story! But on a short trip to Nashville we visited Andrew Jackson’s home and learned about duals.
My story, setting, and characters were birthed in pretty short order.
So a book set in a fictional eastern Tennessee town, peopled with southern ladies and gentlemen and sensibilities, was created by a Midwestern grandma who’d never lived further south than Denver and still has her mom’s Chicago-girl accent.
It was fun to write and research and invent and to give life to the characters.
Since I usually write suspense-romance and get myself utterly tangled in plot devices of my own making, a straightforward humorous romance was so much less stressful!
Which of your characters is/was your favorite? Why?
Elise, in “Hounded.” She is so different than my other female protagonists! They all have a bit of me in them—anxious to please, a little insecure, sometimes a bit klutzy. And always trying to be kind.
Elise is strong, opinionated, beautiful, abrasive, and a real mess. It was fun to write about someone I personally have noting in common with, except a love of dogs, our parents, and a need for a Savior.
Which authors have most influenced your writing?
Mary Stewart. She had a strong sense of location, a gracefully intelligent writing style and genuinely suspenseful stories with just a thread or two of romance woven through.
Josephine Tey wrote glorious mysteries but her strong and sympathetic portrayal of characters make me admire her books even more.
Dorothy Sayers was a strong, intelligent and articulate Christian who didn’t write “Christian” fiction but her faith and belief system seemed the foundation of her novels.
“A Murder of Crows” Blurb:
Teacher Paulina Deacon lives in a quiet North Dakota town. Newcomer John Tolen shows interest in her and Pauli senses some delightful changes in her future. But a murder of crows and the murder of John Tolen snatch that future away in an instant. Leaving everything, including her name, behind, Pauli flees to the woods of northern Wisconsin.
Hal Karlsen’s life work at the clinic in tiny Brier is to change lives of those with various addictions. Few people from the outside find the little town. Until a young woman with a deadly secret arrives. And Hal has no idea what to do with her.
A menace followed Pauli into the woods, and grows stronger each day.
Can Hal protect Pauli? Will Pauli stay alive long enough to convince him she means no harm? And will those deadly crows drive her mad before either can occur?
Anita Klumpers Bio:
Anita Klumpers’ previously published novels are “Winter Watch,” “Hounded” “Christmas Passed,” and “Buttonholed.” She lives in south central Wisconsin with her husband (of Dutch origin) and her dog Trudy (of questionable origin).
When not fervently wishing she had a more organized approach to writing, Anita spends time with her family, including three sons who should be used to her by now since she homeschooled them forever. She dotes on three lovely daughters-in-law and seven of the cutest grandkids you ever did see. Her church family is absolutely amazing and she thanks God for blessing her so abundantly. Whenever possible, she enjoys time with her husband and friends, all of whom are also pretty cute. Her deepest joy comes from the grace and knowledge of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Buying Info:
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Crows-Anita-Klumpers-ebook/dp/B09TGNZ5T7
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/
With her latest release, Ronie did a great job. Willow was completely action packed from start to finish. It was a quick read.
While Willow
was a good read, it was a tough read. It won’t be for everyone. I wouldn’t
recommend it for particularly sensitive readers or for teens, unless a
parent/guardian has read the book first.
Willow Metcalfe is busy helping survivors of human
trafficking in Africa, when the Nigerian mafia attacks her group. Afterward, a mysterious
man associated with the Nigerian mafia develops a sudden interest in Willow. Now, not
only is Willow in physical danger, but the horrors she witnesses test her
spiritual resolve.
I can admit I was sad when Ronie's Discarded Heroes series ended,
so I enjoy reading other books about the Metcalfes. I look forward to reading Book
3, which will feature Range. In case you missed Book 1, which features Stone,
be sure to check it out.
If you like stories involving faith, action, and
romance, and you can handle a gritty story about human trafficking, then you
should enjoy this story, or at least the resolution.
What is your favorite Ronie Kendig book?
In case you weren't aware,
Jamie Jo Wright is quite the storyteller. With her latest release, she had me
hooked from the start. My favorite part was the subtext between Eddie and Wren.
Overall, Eddie was my favorite character. The Souls of Lost Lake is
now my favorite book by this author.
The novel opens with a campfire
ghost story about Ava Coons, a woman who supposedly killed her family like
Lizzie Borden. Oh yeah, and there's a creepy, mysterious body of water—Lost
Lake, and for any LOTR fans, there are plenty of Tolkien references. Are you
with me so far?
So, if it's so creepy, why
should you read this? Well, most Jamie Jo Wright fans know things aren't always
what they seem in her stories. ;) I won't say more because I don't want to give
anything away.
It's a time slip novel with
dual timelines that focuses on Wren Blythe in the present and the infamous Ava
Coons in the past.
If you enjoy suspenseful
stories that are a tad creepy, you might like this novel. Not only is it
suspenseful, but it includes romance and history, as well as the faith
struggles of the main characters.
The Souls of Lost Lake is
available on Amazon. Bethany House is the publisher.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B2Q86C8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_XWWENQBKQ7N5K091M637
Please welcome today's guest, Author Michelle L. Levigne. Her new cozy mystery, The Unwelcome Wagon, came out April 1, 2022. I hope you enjoy my interview with Michelle.
Which
of your characters was/is your favorite? Why?
Right now, my favorite character is M'kar. She's
based on my Star Trek "persona," when I was in a Star Trek club in
California. We had such fun making up adventures, writing "ships
logs" and sometimes utterly silly adventures, where our characters roamed
the galaxy. M'kar is a Talent, focused on animals, assigned to the AFV
Defender, in a galactic civilization known as the Alliance. (Yes, a lot of
similarities to the Federation …) The Defender has a reputation of being a
misfit kind of ship, with misfit luck, but they always come out on top despite
truly bizarre adventures. The series is called (surprise!) The AFV Defender,
and has a Middle-Grade series spin-off called Young Defenders, which is about
the children growing up below decks, with all their adopted aunts and uncles
teaching them how to be heroes, despite their youth.
I have a lot of fun with M'kar because she comes
from a barbarian culture. Her father is a mountain of a man, and when he left
his homeworld to protect his half-breed daughter and her scientist mother, he
chose to become a writer of children's books and poetry, just to defy the
stereotyped barbarian image. He's loud and outrageous and children adore him.
M'kar is snarky and can't quite understand why the children on the ship adore
her. She teaches them self-defense and survival skills and growls a lot. I am
currently working on the 3rd AFV Defender book, titled "All the
Boys I've Loathed Before," which follows M'kar's growing up years and all
the problems she has being a half-breed, and all the power-seekers and
politicians who try to use her questionable status for their own profit. Until
she gets the better of them. Somewhat by accident.
Do
you write in more than one genre? If so, which genres?
Oh, yeah. Science fiction, fantasy, romance -- and
then variations in Young Adult and Middle Grade, romantic suspense,
inspirational romance, and now my newest foray, cozy mystery, with The
Unwelcome Wagon, Book 1 of the Book & Mug Mysteries.
What
made you decide to become a writer?
Short answer: Semester exams.
Long answer: I went to a college prep high school,
and we had semester exams, 2 a day for a week, very important part of our
grades. I had a bad habit of finding a movie or TV show or book that snagged my
imagination and just daydreaming variations of the story, rewriting it, or
coming up with new adventures or episodes. Well, semester exams were coming up
and I needed to study. So, I had always managed to kill stories before when I
wrote them down, so I wrote this book idea down …. And that was more than 40
years and 100-plus novels and novellas ago.
I LOVE story. I love adventures, and putting
characters into situations and seeing how they react and survive. Or not
survive. It's an obsession, sometimes. The rest of the time, writing is my
mental health exercise.
Which authors have most influenced your writing?
Homer -- although maybe I should really blame the
Kirk Douglas movie, "Ulysses," because it snagged my interest when I
was in junior high, I did some research and learned about The Odyssey, and
found a really good translation and read
it and one of my first published novels was Penelope's side of The Odyssey.
CS Lewis -- of course -- reading about Narnia and
the Space Trilogy "baptized" my imagination, much as he said George
MacDonald baptized his. I wanted to go to other worlds and explore and have
magical adventures. Some of my favorite books that I've written have some
aspect of a portal fantasy in them.
Terry Pratchett -- silly, snarky British humor
Neil Gaiman -- have only read a few of his books,
but they're awesome. I especially love listening to him read the audiobook
versions of his own books. Gave me the courage to do my own narrating, turning
my own books into audio.
David Eddings, Anne McCaffrey, Janet Evanovich, Meg
Cabot, Lois McMaster Bujold, Ann Crispin, Mary Stewart, Patricia Wrede, Diane
Duane -- each have contributed something to my imagination, and given me
imaginary worlds to explore or characters to want to be like when/if I ever grow
up ….
How
many books have you written?
Last time I stopped to count, over 100. A good
number of them are out of print, and I'm hoping to "redeem" and
revise most of them and get them back into print.
BLURB:
Saundra Bailey has a rough few first days after moving to Camden Township to be the new children's librarian. First a strange man who smells of cheap cigars tries to get into her apartment, then she’s caught between two Welcome Wagon teams, which results in her feeling rather unwelcome. When Cigar Man later tries to steal her purse, she meets Kai, owner of Book & Mug, a coffee shop and bookstore. Cigar Man tried to break into the building Kai owns with his cousins, Eden and Troy, after trying to hire Eden, an investigator, to find lost family documents.
As Saundra settles into her new job and home, she learns about the political and social feuds and alliances in town. Then Cigar Man breaks into the Book & Mug building in the middle of the night, falls from a fire escape, and dies. The hunt is on to figure out what he was looking for, who was the other man with him when he fell, and whose side the mysterious accomplice is on.
Head Trustee Roger Camden, descendant of a founding father, has a growing list of grudges against the cousins and gets in the way of their investigation. Their building used to belong to his family. He accuses them of being in league with Cigar Man, who apparently was seeking Camden family documents. The foursome scramble to put together clues and identify Cigar Man’s accomplice before he hurts more people and makes more evidence and clues vanish.
BIO:
On the road to publication, Michelle fell into fandom in college and has 40+ stories in various SF and fantasy universes. She has a bunch of useless degrees in theater, English, film/communication, and writing. Even worse, she has over 100 books and novellas with multiple small presses, in science fiction and fantasy, YA, suspense, women's fiction, and sub-genres of romance.
Her official launch into publishing came with winning first place in the Writers of the Future contest in 1990. She was a finalist in the EPIC Awards competition multiple times, winning with Lorien in 2006 and The Meruk Episodes, I-V, in 2010, and was a finalist in the Realm Awards competition, in conjunction with the Realm Makers convention.
Her training includes the Institute for Children’s Literature; proofreading at an advertising agency; and working at a community newspaper. She is a tea snob and freelance edits for a living (MichelleLevigne@gmail.com for info/rates), but only enough to give her time to write. Her newest crime against the literary world is to be co-managing editor at Mt. Zion Ridge Press and launching the publishing co-op, Ye Olde Dragon Books. Be afraid … be very afraid.