Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink

About the Book

To rescue a witness…

this K-9 team must face a killer and a storm.

After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

What a challenge to write the eighth book in this fabulous Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series! Writing a continuity (linked books with an overarching mystery) with seven other authors requires us to work closely together which is a rare blessing in this solitary business. There were so many good conversations, emails and texts that went into the construction of this series. Since wilderness escape novels are my favorite, it was great fun to write Tanner, Mara and Boxer Britta’s dramatic survival story. I hope you enjoy the book and the entire series as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!

My Thoughts

Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink is a page turner. I enjoyed getting to know Mara, Tanner, and Britta. I do not know how Mara managed to live on the run for seven months. The author captured the stress, the terror, the cold, the worry, hunger, and loneliness. The way the author described the cold weather had me feeling Jack Frost nipping at my nose. I was caught in a blizzard once; I know that bone chilling cold and how the wind feels like icy needles on your skin. You quickly become disoriented. It did not take me long to get caught up in Mara and Tanner’s story. I loved Britta. She is a smart, sweet dog. I loved all the action along with the suspense. It had me flipping the pages to find out what would happen next (it is a wonder that my kindle was not smoking). The characters are strong, smart, and likeable. Faith was nicely woven into the story. Mara’s faith grew while on the run and I like how she shared what she had learned with Tanner. Snowbound Escape is the eighth book in the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit. While Snowbound Escape can be read as a standalone, I believe it would have been helpful if I had read the series in order. It would allow me to get to know the other members of the K9 unit and their stories. Before beginning Snowbound Escape, you will want to settle into a cozy chair with a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. Snowbound Escape is a chilling tale with a cruel killer, a clever canine, a cold climate, blasting bullets, a terrible threat, and mountains of snow.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter. Good Luck!

Snowbound Escape is available from Amazon*. You can find the other seven Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit novels here. Dana Mentink has Tracking the Truth coming out March 26, 2024. It is the first book in the Security Hound Investigations. If you follow Dana Mentink on Amazon, you will receive an email when she has a new book release. Thank you for stopping by today. I will be taking a few days off. Between a new medication and a fibro flare up, I find myself needing a little extra rest. I will return on Tuesday, November 7 with The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman. I hope that you have a fun weekend. Do not forget to enter the giveaway and leave a comment for nine extra entries. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

The Avid Reader, November 1

Pause for Tales, November 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 2

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3

Devoted to Hope, November 3

Bizwings Book Blog, November 3

She Lives to Read, November 4

Vicky Sluiter, November 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5

Betti Mace, November 6

Pens Pages & Pulses, November 6

A Good Bok and Cup of Tea, November 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7

Blogging With Carol, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 8

Simple Harvest Reads, November 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, November 9

EmpowerMoms, November 9

Wishful Endings, November 10

Blossoms and Blessings, November 10

Bigreadersite, November 11

Labor Not in Vain, November 11

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 12 (Author Interview)

Raining Butterfly Kisses, November 12

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 13

Holly’s Book Corner, November 13

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Thanksgiving Blessing by Marta Perry

Thanksgiving Blessing

Book Summary

When Promise Glen is struck by a vandalism spree around the Thanksgiving holiday, a community’s values—and two weathered hearts—are put to the test.

As a widow with two-year-old twins and a struggling orchard, Rebecca King’s dreams of expanding her business seem near impossible. To make matters worse, a troublesome string of destructive acts around Promise Glen threatens her roadside fruit and vegetable stand, forcing Rebecca to accept the help of her condescending new neighbor, Nathan Mueller.

Nathan didn’t intend to offend Rebecca with his offer to share the stand, especially since he’s a widower and single parent himself. He admires Rebecca’s strength and kindness in the face of adversity. If only they hadn’t started off on the wrong foot…

Despite their best efforts to shield their hearts, working side by side through the busy harvest plants the seeds of a budding friendship. But when the vandalism spreading through Promise Glen escalates to arson and rumors blaze through the town, they’ll have to learn to rely on each other more than ever. As Thanksgiving approaches, Rebecca and Nathan are forced to reconcile with their own grief, forgive what can’t be changed, and come to truly understand the core values of the holiday: love and gratitude.

My Thoughts

Thanksgiving Blessing by Marta Perry takes up back to Promise Glen where Rebecca King, a widow, is raising her twins, managing her farm, and selling produce at her roadside fruit and vegetable stand. Halloween is approaching and vandalism is occurring in the area. Nathan Mueller and his teenage brother move into the neighboring farm that Nathan inherited from his ne’er-do-well uncle. Nathan has no intention of getting involved with the pretty widow next door, but his protective instincts kick in. Plus, Rebecca’s family has a way of drawing people into their circle. I enjoyed returning to Promise Glen. While Thanksgiving Blessing is the third An Amish Holiday Novel, it can be read on its own. I like Marta Perry’s writing style. The story is told from a dual third person protagonist point of view. It allows us to see issues from Nathan and Rebecca’s point of view. I thought the characters were developed and realistic.

We get to know Rebecca and Nathan as well as Peter (Nathan’s teenage brother), Miriam, Abel, and the twins (Joanna and James). I like that each character has their own storyline. The twins keep Rebecca hopping. They provide some cute and amusing moments. I like that a mystery was included in the story. Someone is creating havoc, and it seems to be more than the normal Halloween hijinks. I like how Amish traditions are included in the story. I like learning about the Amish culture and their traditions. Thanksgiving Blessing is a story about family, grief, love, friendship, and faith. Being supportive of family and friends was another element. I like how Amos introduced Nathan to the men he would be doing business within the community. He made sure to include him in family meals and gatherings. This is a story that is great to read on a rainy day or one of those rare, chilly days we have in Florida (because then I can lounge in a cozy chair with a warm blanket and read all afternoon). Thanksgiving Blessing is a wholesome, heartwarming story that left me smiling.

Thanksgiving Blessing is available from Amazon*. You can find the other two An Amish Holiday Novels here. Marta Perry has The Widow's Bachelor Bargain coming out January 23, 2024. If you follow Marta Perry on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book coming out. Tomorrow I am featuring Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink. I hope that you have a Happy Halloween with more treats than tricks (my family loves to play tricks on me). Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Happy Halloween

I hope you have a spooktacular day!

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Dating Can Be Deadly by Amanda Flower

Dating Can Be Deadly

Book Summary

Set in the fan favorite Amish village of Harvest, Ohio, the latest novel in the USA Today bestselling author’s Amish Matchmaker series features the unlikely sleuthing duo of an Amish widow and her zany, oft-divorced English best friend. Will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries, small-town mysteries, wholesome romance, inspirational fiction, and readers of Jennifer Beckstrand, Charlotte Hubbard, Rachel J. Good, and other authors of Amish fiction.

It's August in Holmes County, and that means it's time for the Holmes County Fair. It's the county’s biggest annual event, drawing tourists and locals alike to see livestock, eat too much fried food, and watch the rodeo and speed racing contests. This year, Millie has entered the quilting competition—while her very not Amish best friend, Lois Henry, is distracted by her new dating app and her search for husband number five. In a place where quilting is a way of life, the competition is fierce—especially this year, when an anonymous donor doubles the winning cash prize. Amish and English women are up against each other, and some will do anything to win—even murder . . .

When someone attacks the quilt barn by slashing the quilt display, it’s unsettling enough. But when a quilting judge is found murdered, Millie knows it’s time to for Lois to get off her app and help her hunt for a killer instead—before the competition is wiped out for good . . .

My Thoughts

Dating Can Be Deadly by Amanda Flower takes us back to Harvest, Ohio for the Holmes County Fair. I just love Millie Fisher and Lois Henry. Those two are quite a pair. Lois and Millie are opposites, but they have been best friends since they were children. Lois’s handbag must weigh a ton. I am just amazed at what Lois has in that bag (and I thought I carried a big bag). Millie’s mischievous goats are entered into the competition at the county fair (thanks to Millie’s nephew Micah) and you know those two are itching to explore the fairgrounds. When a murder occurs at the fair in the quilt barn, Lois and Millie are on the case. There are a handful of suspects. Millie and Lois ask questions plus nose around for clues. Some readers may be surprised when the killer’s identity is revealed (it means you missed a vital clue or two). I like how Lois’s purse played into the reveal.

I laughed often while reading Dating Can Be Deadly. You never know what Lois will say or do next (and her outfits are something else especially her ensemble for the square dance). I do wonder how much gel and hairspray Lois uses to get her hair to stay in place (I bet Lois could get picked up by a twister and her hair would remain intact). I love that the story includes characters from An Amish Candy Shop Mysteries including a certain polka dotted pig. Cupid is in town, and he is knocking at Millie’s door. The question is, though, Millie ready to open her heart. Dating Can Be Dating is the fifth An Amish Matchmaker Mystery. It can be read as a standalone, but I encourage you to read this delightful series in order. Dating Can Be Deadly is an entertaining tale with fighting fair officials, roguish goats, quality quilts, dating dilemmas, helmet hair, a heartless relative, and fair food.

Dating Can Be Deadly is available from Amazon*. You can find the other An Amish Matchmaker Mysteries here. This series ties into An Amish Candy Shop Mysteries. If you follow Amanda Flower on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release. Amanda has a new series coming out in 2024 titled A Katharine Wright Mysteries. The first book will be out on March 26, 2024, and it is titled To Slip the Bonds of Earth. Thank you for stopping by today. I will return on Tuesday, October 31 with Thanksgiving Blessing by Marta Perry. It is the third An Amish Holiday Novel. I hope that you have a spooktacular weekend. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Killer Christmas Evidence by Sami A. Abrams

Killer Christmas Evidence

About the Book

The search for a criminal…becomes a fight for survival.

The moment detective Cassidy Bowman links a chain of suspicious deaths to a serial killer, she becomes the deadly assassin’s number one target. But a blow to the head robs her of her memory and she can’t put the pieces of the case back together alone. Can she convince detective Kyle Howard to help her catch the culprit by proving her theory…before the killer succeeds in taking Cassidy’s life?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning, bestselling author Sami Abrams grew up hating to read. It wasn’t until her 30’s that she found authors that captured her attention. Now, most evenings, you can find her engrossed in a Romantic Suspense. In her opinion, a crime and a little romance is the recipe for a great story.

She lives in Northern California, but she will always be a Kansas girl at heart. She has a love of sports, family, and travel. However, a cabin at Lake Tahoe writing her next story is definitely at the top of her list.

More from Sami

While coming up with the idea for Kyle and Cassidy’s story, Killer Christmas Evidence, I loved the idea of a serial killer that no one knew about. Someone who killed in different places and in different ways to avoid detection. Kim Rossmo’s theory on Geographic Profiling was intriguing, and I wanted to implement that concept. But, as I started to write, I realized the idea was too big for a Love Inspired Suspense length book, so I had to adjust the story a bit to fit the situation. The basics are there, just not the details I had hoped for.

However, when I sat down to write and I got to know Kyle and Cassidy a little better, I realized the story wasn’t about the stealth serial killer, but about learning to let go of guilt and learning to forgive. How many times in our lives due to being hurt or the pain of loss do we assume we know the truth? Yet, if we listened—really listened—we discover not everything is what is appears to be. And the truth is not painful, but healing.

My Thoughts

Killer Christmas Evidence by Sami A. Abrams is a story that will have you reading late into the night. I enjoyed getting to know Cassidy and Kyle. Both are still grieving the loss of Kyle’s fiancé and Cassidy’s friend (as well as roommate and coworker). I like that the characters were flawed. This made them realistic and relatable. All the action kept the pace peppy. There are twists and turns that keep things lively. I had a good time unraveling the clues along with Kyle and Cassidy. It was an intriguing mystery. Faith is nicely incorporated into the story. After so many losses, it can be difficult to have faith. They need to learn to trust God which is something we all must do. Pray for His help when someone is in trouble and place their worries in His hands. Killer Christmas Evidence is the fourth book in the Deputies of Anderson County series. It can be read as a standalone, but it is better to read as a series. I was happy to catch up with the characters from the previous three books. I like Ethan and Brent’s (the EMTs) humor. I loved the ending which left me smiling. Killer Christmas Evidence was over far too soon. Killer Christmas Evidence is a fastmoving tale with a grieving fiancé, an anomalous accident, an almost fatal fire, a shadowy shape, faithful friends, and a Christmas romance.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sami is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter. Good Luck!

Killer Christmas Evidence is available from Amazon*. You can find the other novels in the Deputies of Anderson County series here. If you follow Sami Abrams on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release. Thank you for stopping by today. I will return tomorrow with Dating Can Be Deadly by Amanda Flower. It is the fifth An Amish Matchmaker Mystery. I hope that you have calm hump day. Do not forget to enter the contest and leave a comment for nine extra entries. Take care, good luck, and Happy Reading!