Saturday, April 30, 2022

Book Review - MALEVOLENT (A Shaye Archer Novel) by Jana DeLeon

 

Title:  Malevolent
Author:  Jana DeLeon
Genre:  Psychological Thriller, Sleuths
Release Date:  July 23, 2015

About the Book:

From New York Times bestselling author Jana DeLeon, the first in a new thriller series.

Everyone wondered about Shaye Archer’s past. Including Shaye.

Shaye Archer’s life effectively began the night police found her in an alley, beaten and abused and with no memory of the previous fifteen years, not even her name. Nine years later, she’s a licensed private investigator, with a single goal—to get answers for her clients when there aren’t supposed to be any.

And maybe someday, answers for herself.

Emma Frederick thought her nightmare was over when she killed her abusive husband, but someone is stalking her and tormenting her with mementos from her past. With no evidence to support her claims, the police dismiss her claims as post-traumatic stress, but Shaye is convinced that someone is deliberately terrorizing Emma…playing a cat and mouse game with only one goal in mind.

To kill Emma.

Buy Links: Amazon

Right now... if you want to check out this amazing series... you can start with Book #1 free on Amazon.  Not sure how long this price will be effective, so you may want to act fast.

My Review:

If you have read this author's "Miss Fortune" series, please know that this book is entirely different. Do not read it if you are expecting humor. You may also want to stay clear if you can't stomach gore and horror. That being said, if you are a mystery fan and a psychological thriller fan you will love this book. 

I actually listened to it on Audible and that version was even better! 

Shaye Archer is a brand new private detective. Her first client believes she is being stalked... by her dead husband. Okay, that got my attention! I won't give away spoilers, but all I can say is that as soon as you figure out who the stalker is, I'd be willing to bet you are wrong. So many twists and turns! 

The story comes to a conclusion but there is more to learn about Shaye and her history. Yes, I'm going to read the next book because I really want to know more!

My Rating: 

About the Author:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.

Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.

Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.

She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Book Blitz & Giveaway - MODERN DAY COWBOY by Nathaniel Sheft

Modern Day Cowboy
Nathaniel Sheft
(The Modern Gunfighter Chronicles, #1)
Publication date: May 8th 2020
Genres: Young Adult

The Organization or O.W.A, ( Organization of Wealthy Advocates) controls everything. Hundreds of millions of dollars are bet daily via the internet on the ultimate form of gambling. Today’s fighter pay will start at $300,000, and all fights are listed as high-noon types. Only .45 caliber old Western handguns are allowed. Each fighter will take their perspective corner and the countdown will begin. The first fight on today’s schedule will be in the woods, somewhere in Minnesota. Two top fighters will be featured: The Housewife, who is in pink hair rollers and wearing a floral bathrobe; against The SoCal Bunny, a former Southern California Playboy bunny. The second fight will come live from Park City, Utah. It will feature local favorite, Reese, the ex-actress whom most know as Sundance.— Against Amy, known as Aim, a former company exec with a long list of kills. The third fight…

Mattie Pilson had just graduated from high school with no direction in her life. She preoccupied her time with baby sitting Maurice, a mentally challenged kid. Then one terrible day it happened, Maurice was gunned down while under her care. Come to find out, it was a declaration of war from some unseen enemy. Someone set up a row of domino’s and then pushed the first one. At first, all she could do was watch; then one day her boss at the gun shop, Rusty, asked an unorthodox question.—Would she like to be trained as a gunfighter?

Seems she had a lifelong enemy before she was even born. Why? Because enemies are often born at the same time as the other part of one’s soul.—A personal taunt by the universe. Her enemy has wealth, nobility, and power; she holds dreams in her hand. Mattie is simplistic, just a nuts and berries type of girl. Despite her enemy having an entire continent at her whim, she desired the one thing Mattie had yet to appreciate, David.—So she went after Mattie’s prize, with a white wedding dress.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

She hears her voice talking, “I feel dark, gloomy, like the other creatures of the night are waiting for me to arrive. Think I’m over-dosing on death. My sickle is a .45 caliber metal sheath. One swoosh, and it’s all over. I am dressed in a dark hooded robe, reminiscent of an ancient Celtic priest cultivating a fire. My rod of spinning magic consists of gunpowder to cast small metal spells in the chest of victims. Slow motion sonic waves of jet propulsion that are aerodynamically sound through mathematical equations of why people die upon contact. I squeezed the damn trigger. Click, pow!” Mattie sits right up, eyes wide, was it a dream?

Sweating, panting as she tries to catch her heartbeat, talk it down from its hyper thought patterns. Her eyes are watered, carrying a certain sleep wetness like babies with bad dreams. Now she’s rambling, trying to make sense of this moment.

“I killed a cancer patient, I let Maurice die, and if it were night I would have an afterglow of guilt,” blurts out in panic mode. “Where in the hell am I? How did I get in the woods? And why are there leaves in my hair?” rattles off as she reaches up as if turning on the bedroom light. “Wait… I was in a hotel room last night, what happened?” She looks down, “There’s blood on the leaves… oh shit, there’s blood on my shirt.” Her phone rings almost in sync, she spins alarmed by the sudden sound, searches for the phone.

“What did you do?” David says with a heightened sense of alarm.

“I don’t know,” darts out as she stands while brushing herself off.

Leaves are torn from trees, broken bark is ruthlessly misplaced and painted blood is part of the scenic landscape. Scuffle marks, torched branches, staring woodland creatures. A squirrel is reading from a prayer book as birds sing dirges. A section was cleared violently. In the distance the sound of a motor is running as faint fumes dangle nearby. Delilah is still warm and in her holster. She’s armed, why is she armed? It isn’t her blood as she feels around reluctantly.

“You killed three chicks last night,” said with the intonation of shock and awe.

“What?” to a state panic.


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Saturday, April 23, 2022

Book Review - A FAMILY AFFAIR by Robyn Carr

  


Title:  A Family Affair

Author:  Robyn Carr
Genre:  Women's Fiction
Publisher:  MIRA
Release Date:  April 5, 2022




About the Book:

Life’s biggest dilemmas can provide its sweetest rewards

Anna McNichol knows how to take charge. Raised by a single mother, she’s worked to ensure her three children have every advantage she didn’t. And while her marriage has its problems, she values commitment and believes in "till death do us part." Now an empty nester, she’s at the peak of her career and ready to seize the opportunity to focus on her future.

But life can change in an instant, and when her husband dies suddenly, Anna’s carefully constructed world falls apart. The mysterious young woman at the memorial service confirms her husband had been keeping secrets, and Anna is determined to get to the truth.

For once, she doesn’t have the answers. Her kids are struggling with their grief, her mother’s health is in decline and Anna needs closure. Faced with one challenge after another, she finds support from an unexpected source. And as she puts her life back together, Anna realizes the McNichols may not be perfect but they’ll always be family, and family is forever.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

A Family Affair is a stand-alone book dealing with the numerous emotions a family must endure after the sudden death of Anna's husband. Years of secrets are revealed and each family member must handle this new knowledge that is discovered however they can and in their own way.

Perhaps if I read this ten or fifteen years from now, I would have enjoyed it more. The numerous mentions of COVID somehow bothered me and did nothing for the plot or storyline. I'm not sure why it was mentioned at all. For me, it was a little slap in the face of reality instead of a book that allowed me to escape reality. Again, I must say that is a peronal thing with me and really should not take away from this heartfelt story.

There was drama, heartache, acceptance and love. And yes, I shed a tear or two. I loved some characters and got totally annoyed with others. 

*Disclosure:  I received a complimentary advance copy from NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling romance and women's fiction author of over 60 novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn is a recipient of the 2016 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Netflix has taken notice of Robyn’s success and produced a series based on her bestselling 21-book Virgin River Series. Netflix released season 3 of the Virgin River Series in July 2021 and the series held the #1 spot in the US and in numerous countries around the world for over 2 weeks. A Sullivan's Crossing TV series based on Robyn's fan-favorite book series of the same name is in production. Robyn lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at www.RobynCarr.com.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Book Blitz - HEAD OVER FEET by Whitney Dineen

Head Over Feet
Whitney Dineen
(Seven Brides for Seven Mothers, #5)
Publication date: April 23rd 2022
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

*All books in this series read as standalones.

Princess Aubrey of Malquar has loved Grady Basset since they were kids. She followed him and her brother around wherever they went; she wrote his name in her diary repeatedly; and she even practiced saying her name with his last name—for years.

Only once has Grady shown any romantic interest, and things did not turn out well.

As the son of the king’s secretary, Grady grew up playing with the royal children. He’s known them his whole life, and while he’s drawn to Princess Bree, he knows that there’s no way they can be together. The princess’s station is too far above his.

As the captain of the royal yacht, Grady sees Bree often, but in recent months the princess has been rude, belligerent, and an all-around pain in the butt. When unforeseen circumstances have Grady and Bree spending time together on her family’s island, things really start to heat up.

Will Grady finally give Bree a chance? Will it be too late?

Find out in the deliciously fun fifth installment of the Seven Brides for Seven Mothers Series.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

As Lu gets up to welcome another guest—one I didn’t know was coming—I pull the window sheer to the side and watch as none other than Grady Basset strolls up the front path. He’s carrying a bouquet of yellow tulips. What in the world is he doing here?

I’m torn between running out the back door and confronting the man who’s been a thorn in my side since, well, forever. Leaving would be the nicest thing I could do for everyone, but suddenly I’m not feeling very generous.

I stride toward the entryway like a general marching onto a battlefield. My shoulders are squared, and my jaw is sticking out so far it leaves the living room well ahead of the rest of me. Lu yanks the front door open. “Grady! We’re so glad you could make it.”

He’s about to hand her the flowers when he sees me. “What are you doing here?” His tone suggests that he’s as happy to see me as I am to see him.

“Why am I here?” I put my hands on my hips in fury. “What are you doing here?”

“I was invited.” He dismisses me and turns to Lu, offering her the bouquet.

“I was invited, too.” Then I tell my soon-to-be sister-in-law, “You didn’t mention that Grady would be here. Why is that?”

Before she can answer, Alistair comes out of the back room. He immediately takes in the scene but doesn’t seem eager to explain himself. I should have known this was his doing. “Grady, Bree, we’re so glad you could join us.”

“Yes, well, I’m thinking about leaving,” I blurt out.

“Please, let me do the honors.”

Grady turns and is nearly out the door when my brother says, “Children, is there any chance you two can act like adults long enough to enjoy lunch? There is a perfectly sound reason we asked you both here. It has to do with this petty feud you have going on.”

“Petty feud?” I sputter. “The man picked me up and threw me off a boat. Off a boat! That’s not petty, that’s … that’s …” Words escape me. Barbaric? Contemptuous? Illegal? Apparently, words don’t escape me, after all.

“It’s the only sensible thing to do when you’re being harassed by an annoying child who refuses to grow up.” He has no right to be mad at me. I’m the injured party here.

I square off and face him, my hands firmly on my hips. “I’m sorry, Grady.” I’m not and nothing in my tone suggests I am. “Are you, or are you not, the ship’s captain?” Before he can answer, I tell him, “You shouldn’t be entertaining women on my family’s boat while you’re on duty.”

“I had your brother’s permission. I did not need yours.” His face turns an unnatural shade of red.

Instead of commenting, I abruptly turn toward my brother. “Let’s get this over with. I have a million things I’d rather be doing than wasting my time here.” Like tending to a den of vipers. I was not raised to be so rude, but Grady Basset brings it out in me.

Lu leads the way into the dining room. I follow begrudgingly, wishing custom and courtesy didn’t dictate that I walk in front of Grady. I can’t stick my tongue out at him when I’m in front of him.

Once we’re all seated and the champagne is poured, Lu raises her glass. “Alistair and I were hoping the two of you would…”


Author Bio:

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Monday, April 4, 2022

Book Obsessed Babes Author Signing Event 2022

 













Come See Me!

I'll be walking around, taking pictures and mingling with the authors. This will be my first time attending the Book Obsessed Babes Author Signing Event. So if you're a newbie too, let me know!

Come join us April 21-24, 2022, at the beautiful Courtyard Marriott in downtown Jacksonville, FL, formerly Omni Hotel and Resorts. There you will meet incredibly talented Authors of multiple genres, talk to them about the stories they write. You will have the opportunity to visit with your favorites as well as meet new to you Authors. The Authors will have books for purchase. Whether you will join us for the entire weekend of fun activities or just for the day, there is a ticket choice for everyone.

Please join our Book Obsessed Babes Author Signing Event Attendee Group page so you will stay up to date on all activities surrounding the event as well as meet and interact with attending Authors prior to the signing. There you will also find the hotel block link to reserve your hotel room if desired.

Thursday, April 21, 2022 7-9 pm Author/Reader Social

Friday, April 22, 2022 all day activities 6:30-9:30 pm Denim & Diamonds themed Welcome Reception

Saturday April 23, 2022 SIGNING EVENT DAY 9:30-11:30 Breakfast (Fangirl VIP & ALL ACCESS ticket holders) 11 am VIP Registration 12:00 General Admission Registration 12 NOON-1pm VIP Fangirl hour 1-4 General Admission 8 PM Hamburger Mary’s (bobase seat reservation required-see ticket options)

Parking for overnight guest is reduced to $20Day of parking is $10 (tell them you are with the event) Unfortunately, the venue cannot waive parking. The parking garages and flat lots are owned by the city, not the venue.

If you have any questions, please email them to Taira Wilds at  bookobsessedbabes@gmail.com 

This event has a recommended age of 18+. This is recommended, not required.



 

The Novel Lady Published @ 2014 by Ipietoon