Blog Tour and Review - Fit to be Dead by Nancy G. West

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Henery Press(July 29, 2014)

About the book:

Aggie Mundeen, single and pushing forty, fears nothing but middle age. When she moves from Chicago to San Antonio, she decides she better shape up before anybody discovers she writes the column, “Stay Young with Aggie.” She takes Aspects of Aging at University of the Holy Trinity and plunges into exercise at Fit and Firm.

Rusty at flirting and mechanically inept, she irritates a slew of male exercisers, then stumbles into murder. She’d like to impress the attractive detective with her sleuthing skills. But when the killer comes after her, the health club evacuates semi-clad patrons, and the detective has to stall his investigation to save Aggie’s derriere.

My review:

This is such a great storyline!  The health club setting is fun to read!

Aggie wants to get in shape, and decides to start going to a local gym.   She has no idea that she will be involved in a murder mystery!  Aggie asks a detective friend of hers to help her solve the mystery, but she also wants to help him figure out "who did it".  She is a strong determined woman, and I really liked her character.

 The story is intriguing, and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

About the author:

I’ve been writing since age seven: poems back and forth with my mom. I had a real poem published in the Library Journal, Pegasus, at age fifteen. At eighteen, I wanted to study journalism and English literature, but friends who chose that college route were making minimum wage or selling lingerie. Being practical, I earned a business degree. After marriage and two children, I decided I HAD to study literature and write. I wrote non-fiction articles, a biography, and a suspense novel in 2004. That’s when whimsical Aggie Mundeen cut through the suspense, popped into my head and demanded her own series. The Aggie Mundeen mystery capers were born. Aggie must have been right:FIT TO BE DEAD is a LEFTY FINALIST 2013 for best humorous mystery, nominated by Left Coast Crime.

Visit Nancy G. West online:

http://www.nancygwest.com

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour - Fit to be Dead 

Tour Participants

September 28 – The Gal in the Blue Mask – Review, Interview
September 29 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – Review
September 30 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Interview
October 1 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – Review
October 2 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review
October 3 – MysteriesEtc – Review
October 4 – My Recent Favorite Books – Review
October 5 – off 
October 6 – A Chick Who Reads – Review, Interview
October 7 – Back Porchervations – Review, Interview  
October 8 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Interview
October 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
October 10 – Dalene’s Book Reviews – Review
October 11 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
October 12 – deal sharing aunt – Interview

*I received a copy of this book from the Publisher for my honest review.

Home to Chicory Lane - $200 B&B Weekend Getaway Giveaway & 9/9 Facebook Party with Deborah Raney

The first book in Deborah Raney's new Chicory Inn series, Home to Chicory Lane, introduces us to Audrey Whitman, a mother who has launched all her children into life and now looks forward to fulfilling some of her own dreams during her empty-nest years. However, not all of her children are ready to stay out of the nest quite yet.

Deborah is celebrating the release of her new series with a $200 B and B Weekend Getaway and a Facebook author chat party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• A B&B Weekend Getaway (via a $200 Visa cash card)
• Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 9th. Winner will be announced at the Home to Chicory Lane Author Chat Party on 9/9. Deborah will be hosting a heartfelt book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the Chicory Inn series!

So grab your copy of Home to Chicory Lane and join Deborah on the evening of September 9th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!

For more information about this tour, visit http://litfusegroup.com/author/draney


My Review:
   I love small town settings, and this book captured my attention from the very first page!
 I think the Bed and Breakfast that Audrey and her Husband, Grant open sounds wonderful. They turned their family home into the Bed and Breakfast for the community and others to enjoy. 
 When their Daughter returns home, ( during their Open House Tours ) they are suprised and delighted to see her, but she has some news for them!

 As the whole family helps get the new Bed and Breakfast open for Business,  Audrey and Grant get adjusted to their new Life thats full of suprises and love. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series! 

Deborah's novels have also won the RITA Award, the National Readers Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest, ACFW Carol Award, and numerous others.
Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, recently traded small-town life––the setting of many of Deb's novels––for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, Kansas. They love traveling to writers conferences, and to visit four children and five grandchildren who all live much too far away.
For more information about Deborah Raney, visit her website  http://deborahraney.com

Follow Deborah Raney on Pinterest 
http://www.pinterest.com/deborahraney





I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Tour, Review and Giveaway - Heartache Motel Three interconnected Mystery Novellas

Elvis has left the building, but he’s forever memorialized at the Heartache Motel. Filled with drag queens, Rock-a-Hula cocktails, and a vibrating velveteen bed, these three novellas tell the tales of three amateur sleuths who spend their holidays at the King’s beloved home.

Heartache Motel 

Three interconnected Mystery Novellas

DINERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPERS by Terri L. Austin

A Rose Strickland Mystery Novella (follows DINER IMPOSSIBLE) When Rose and the gang head to Graceland right before Christmas, they get all shook up: the motel is a seedy dump and an Elvis impersonator turns up dead. Rose discovers missing jewels tie into the death and her suspicious mind flips into overdrive, questioning her fellow guests, the staff, and even a cute impersonator who keeps popping up. Will Rose be able to find the murderer and get home by Christmas day? It’s now or never

QUICK SKETCH by Larissa Reinhart 

A Cherry Tucker Mystery Novella (prequel to PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY)  Sassy Southern artist Cherry Tucker and her poker-loving boyfriend, Todd, pop into Memphis to help Todd’s cousin who’s been hustled out of his savings, right before Christmas. Staying at the shady Heartache Motel, Cherry can’t tell a shill from a mark and fears everyone is playing them for chumps. Cherry and Todd quickly find themselves in a dangerous sting that could send them to the slammer or mark them as pigeons from cons looking for an even bigger score.

DATELINE MEMPHIS by LynDee Walker

A Headlines in High Heels Mystery Novella (follows BURIED LEADS)   Crime reporter Nichelle Clarke thinks she’s going home for Christmas. But a quick stop at Graceland proves news breaks in the strangest places. When the King’s home gets locked down with Nichelle inside, she chases this headline into the national spotlight—and the thief’s crosshairs. Christmas dreams of blue suede Manolos fade, and all Nichelle wants from Santa is to land the story before the thief cuts off her news feed for good.

About the Authors:

TERRI L. AUSTIN  As a girl, Terri L. Austin thought she’d outgrow dreaming up stories and creating imaginary friends. Instead, she’s made a career of it. She met her own Prince Charming and together they live in Missouri. She loves to hear from readers!

Website: http://www.terrilaustin.com

LARISSA REINHART   After seeing Paper Moon as a child, Larissa Reinhart fell in love with stories about confidence capers. QUICK SKETCH is the Cherry Tucker prequel to PORTRAIT in the mystery anthology THE HEARTACHE MOTEL. HIJACK IN ABSTRACT is the third in the Cherry Tucker Mystery Series from Henery Press, following STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW (#2) and PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (#1), a 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist. She lives near Atlanta with her minions and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit.

Website:  http://larissareinhart.com

LYNDEE WALKER   LynDee Walker grew up in the land of stifling heat and amazing food most people call Texas, and wanted to be Lois Lane from the time she could say the words “press conference.” An award-winning journalist, she traded cops and deadlines for burp cloths and onesies when her oldest child was born. Writing the Headlines in Heels mysteries gives her the best of both worlds. LynDee adores her family, her readers, and enchiladas. She often works out tricky plot points while walking off the enchiladas. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel.

My thoughts:  Each of these stories revolve around the Heartache Motel, a run-down motel located near Graceland.  The characters in the stories are visiting in the area but find themselves in the middle of solving mysteries during their stays.  With the addition of drag queens ( that are on staff at the motel ), and the rooms and beverages that are titled after Elvis Presley songs, - all 3 of these books grabbed my attention!
I liked all of the interesting situations that the Characters get themselves into while solving the crimes, the stories really had me guessing till the end!
I plan on reading more books by all 3 of these authors!

For more reviews and interviews - see these Tour Participants

December 10 – A Chick Who Reads – Review

December 11 – Socrates’ Book Review Blog – Socrates’ Cozy Cafe – Review, Interview

December 12 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – Spotlight

December 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight

December 14 – Books-n-Kisses – Review

December 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview

December 16 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review 
December 17 – fuonlyknew – Review
December 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
December 19 – Mochas, Mysteries and More – Interview
December 20 – My Recent Favorite books – Review
December 21 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Interview
December 22 – Jane Reads – Review, Interview
December 23 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview
December 23 – Queen of All She Reads – Review

Sharing at my favorite Parties!  

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Book Tour and Review "A Nantucket Christmas" by Nancy Thayer

MB"s Book Tours - "A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer

    I really enjoy romantic Christmas stories,  they really get you in the mood for Christmas!

  In "A Nantucket Christmas", we follow the story of    Nicole and  Sebastian as they meet each other later in life,  fall in love and get married.  Nicole moves into Sebastian's home on Nantucket Island and  enjoys getting to know the Community.
  
Sebastian's daughter, Kennedy ( from his first marriage ) and her husband and son Maddox come to stay with Nicole and Sebastian during the Christmas holidays.  Kennedy is 8 months pregnant, and while she wants to have a nice Christmas..she is not happy that her mother and father are divorced. 

One of my favorite characters in this book is a little dog named Snix.  He was left on the island by his previous owners, and he has to wander the streets for food and shelter.  Maddox has always wanted a little dog, but his mother has told him that he cant have one right now....I really liked the way that the author writes the story of Snix, ( also known as Pooh ) he is so cute!
Without giving too much of the story away, I enjoyed the suprise ending and the way that everything turned out!

** I received a ARC copy of this book from the Publisher to review.

More about the Author

Nancy Thayer is the author of twenty-three novels, including Summer House, The Hot Flash Club, Beachcombers, Heat Wave, Summer Breeze, and Island Girls.

Her books concern the mysteries and romance of families and relationships: marriage and friendships, divorce and love, custody and step parenting, family secrets and private
 self-affirmation, the quest for independence and the normal human hunger for personal connections.

For more information, visit Nancy Thayer online

Website  http://nancythayer.com

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

Be sure and visit all of the Tour stops for this book!

November 1st    My Home of Books

November 2nd  A Book Addict's Musings

November 3rd  Melina's Book Blog

November 6th  My Recent Favorite Books

November 7th   Griperangs Bookmarks

November 8th  The Book Bag

If you enjoy reviewing books, please click the "Book Tour Host Signup form"  above!

Sharing at some fabulous Parties! 

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Review and Book tour - "A Christmas Gift for Rose" by Tricia Goyer

About the Book:
 Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II—only to discover she’s an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work.
Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind—Englischers?   When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.



My thoughts:
I really enjoy Historical books, and the story of Rose and the man she loves is a really touching story of the Amish family lifestyle.  When Rose learns that Jonathan, ( who she was planning on marrying )..volunteers to enlist in the Military during World War II, it really upsets her.  Her Amish Faith does not believe in people fighting, so she is torn between her strong feelings for Jonathan and her Faith.  He returns to their home town and tries to re-adjust to his lifestyle and wants to see Rose again.
When Rose learns some things about herself, she starts to question her beliefs in the Amish community.   This is a story about love, family and family ties ( and how those ties are strong, no matter how the family was created )

If you love Amish stories, Historical stories or Christian fiction stories, this is the book for you!

To read other reviews,  Click here

About the Author:
USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.






Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her first Christmas novella, A Christmas Gift for Rose, with a Christmas Gift giveaway! 

Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire HDX for you AND one for a friend!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX and one to give away to a friend!
• A Christmas Gift for Rose, by Tricia Goyer for you and your friend!

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Christmas Gift for Rose Christmas pack (includes a recipe card, bookmark, a signed book plate, discussion questions, and a Gathering & Giving handout!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. All winners will be announced October 21st at Tricia's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Tricia's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Visit Tricia Goyers website

http://www.triciagoyer.com/

 

Book Tour Review and Giveaway - Chili Con Carnage by Kylie Logan

Genre: Cozy mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
First in the "Chili Cook Off" mystery series

One of my favorite kinds of cozy mysteries are "food related", and I really enjoyed this story about Maxie, and  her half-sister Sylvia as they make the rounds in the chili-cook off circuit in the Hot-Cha Chili Seasoning Palace! 
As soon as I started reading it, it grabbed my attention.  I really like the cute expressions and sayings that are mixed into the mystery, and I love the chili pepper costume!
Maxie and Sylvia dont always get along..but they are trying hard to keep the Chili Seasoning Palace up and running.
The characters are well written and the story leaves you guessing "who did it" until the end!

I love chili, and just recently there was a chili cook off near where I live, they are so much fun!

There is a chili recipe at the back of the book, and a sneak peek of her next book "A Tale of Two Biddies" ( League of  Literary Ladies mysteries # 2 - release date February 2014 )

If you love chili, or cozy mysteries...you will love this book!

The author has offered to give away a copy of this book 

to each stop on the tour!

 For your chance to win see below!

Giveaway ends on 10/8/2013

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen, thanks!

** I was given a copy of this book for review for my honest opinion.

More about the Book:
( from Amazon.com )
Romance is supposed to be the spice of life. But Maxie Pierce is so done with bad relationships—well, almost. She just has to get rid of the latest loser, Roberto. Besides, she has more important things to worry about. Her daddy, Texas Jack Pierce, king of the chili cook-off circuit, has been missing for nearly six weeks now. In his place, she must team up with her irritating half sister, Sylvia, to promote the family business at the Taos Chili Showdown, to be judged by celebrity chef Carter Donnelly.
 But when Maxie discovers Roberto’s body in the chef’s trailer—only hours after publicly breaking up with him while wearing a giant red chili pepper costume—she suddenly finds she’s the one in the spotlight as the police pepper her with questions. Now this Chili Chick needs to kick up the search to catch the real killer and get back to finding her father…

More About the Author:

Kylie Logan has loved mysteries since she was a kid. Her dad was a Cleveland Police detective and he introduced her to Sherlock Holmes stories and gave her investigating experience when on his days off, they’d pile into the car and hit the streets to look for stolen cars. When he retired from the force, Dad became head of security for the Cleveland Public Library.
Kylie is currently writing three different mystery series: the Button Box mysteries , the League of Literary Ladies mysteries and now, the Chili Cook-Off mysteries. She can’t pass up an antique shop…there might be buttons in there! She can’t put down a classic book,  even if she already knows the story. And she can’t say no to a good bowl of chili. Luckily, her husband is the world’s greatest chili maker.

Join her online! 

Website: http://www.kylielogan.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KylieLoganBks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kylie.logan.52



To visit the other stops in this tour, please visit this link


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Book Tour and Review: "A Seaside Christmas" by Sherryl Woods

I love books about Christmas, and I really enjoyed reading Sherryl Wood's new Christmas book called " A Seaside Christmas"!  

As Jenny Collins returns to Chesapeake Shores after living in Nashville for years..she is looking forward to helping out with a Christmas program and to see all of her family.
She is trying to put her past relationship with a county music singer behind her, but she still thinks of him and wonders how he is doing...
With all the charm of a small town Christmas, and wonderful family characters, this book will put you in the Christmas spirit!

** I was provided a ARC copy of this book for my honest review.


About the book:
A Chesapeake Shores Novel #10
Hardcover  Release date: October 2013 (09-24-13)

As the only child of a single mom, Jenny Collins wanted nothing more than to be part of a large, rambunctious family like the O’Briens. Ironically, though, when her mother married into that family, Jenny found herself feeling more like an outsider than ever.

Now, after years in Nashville as an established songwriter, Jenny’s drawn back to Chesapeake Shores to collaborate on a Christmas production...and to make peace with the past. As if that’s not challenging enough, Caleb Green, the singer who broke her heart, has followed her to town, determined to win hr back.

With the help of a little O’Brien holiday magic, will Jenny and Caleb find a way to make sweet music forever?

From: http://www.sherrylwoods.com

To read an excerpt from this book, click here

About the Author:

With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says.

 "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."

Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.

What is your favorite Christmas Movie or Song?

Visit Sherryl Woods online:

Website -  http://www.sherrylwoods.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sherryl-Woods

Visit the other stops on this book tour:

September 20th - PJ's Book Nook

September 21st - A Book Addict's Musings

September 23rd - Creative Madness Mama

Book Tour, Review and Giveaway - "Bran New Death" by Victoria Hamilton

Great Escapes Bran New Death Virtual Book Tour 

**Giveaway has ended

Genre:  Cozy Mystery - New series
Published by:  Berkley Prime Crime
Release Date: September 3rd, 2013

About the Book:
Expert muffin baker Merry Wynter is finally ready to turn her passion into a career. But when a dead body is found on her property, she’s more worried about cooking up an alibi…

Merry is making a fresh start in small-town Autumn Vale, New York, in the mansion she’s inherited from her late uncle, Melvyn. The house is run-down and someone has been digging giant holes on the grounds, but with its restaurant-quality kitchen, the place has potential for her new baking business. She even has her first client—the local retirement home.  Unfortunately, Merry soon finds that quite a few townsfolk didn’t like Uncle Mel, and she has inherited their enmity as well as his home. Local baker Binny Turner and her crazy brother, Tom, blame Melvyn for their father’s death, and Tom may be the one vandalizing her land. But when Tom turns up dead in one of the holes in her yard, Merry needs to prove she had nothing to do with his death—or her new muffin-making career may crumble before it starts…

I received a e-copy of this book for my honest opinion.

To visit all of the Tour stops for "Bran New Death" visit here

My thoughts:

When Merry Wynter goes to Autumn Vale ( a small town in New York )  to check out the mansion that she inherited, - she is not sure what she will find.
She enjoys making muffins and is glad to discover that the mansion has a big kitchen.  She is looking forward to starting her new baking business with her first client being the retirement home in this small community.  She enjoys getting to know the staff at the retirement home and likes creating new healthy muffin recipes for the residents there.

  She would like to sell the mansion, but first needs to figure out who is digging holes on the property.  When someone is found dead in one of the holes,  Merry needs to convince the local sheriff that she is not the killer!

I like the way that Merry is described as "plush-size", such a cute way to say "plus size"!

This is a great story for the first book in a brand new series, with captivating characters, a historical old mansion and a hint of a romance..., the book has you hooked from the very first pages.  There are also recipes included in this book.
I really enjoyed it!

One of my favorite quotes from this book "Patience, my dear. I have a feeling that there is a lot you would like to know about your uncle, and Wynter Castle, but one step at a time".

About the Author:

Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of romance and historical mystery novels. 

She loves to cook, and collects teapots and teacups, as well as vintage kitchen utensils and bowls. She  enjoys crafts and summer days in the garden. Victoria Hamilton also writes the "Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series", the next book in the "Vintage Kitchen Mysteries" is called "Freezer I'll Shoot" ( release date November 5th ) visit her website for lots more information!  She also has a blog, and is on Twitter.

  Author Facebook page 

 Merry Muffin's Mystery Series Facebook page

Sharing at "Thursday Favorite Things"  @ Katherine's Corner

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