Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman

Good Day!  New Beginnings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard releases on September 24 along with A Christmas Haven by Cindy & Erin Woodsmall.  A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber will be out on October 1.  Child's Play by Danielle Steel publishes on October 8.  There are some wonderful new books coming out in the next couple of months.  

Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman takes us to Southern Indiana.  Natalie Collins looks forward to Friday evening dinners with her friends Mary and Levi Shetler at their house along with her friend, Lucas.  It is an evening of hearty food and good conversation with people she has come to think of as family despite their differing backgrounds.  Mary, Levi and Lucas are Amish while Natalie is an Englischer.  Lucas has helped Natalie develop a relationship with God and grow in her faith.  They meet at the library each week, have lunch together often and talk on the phone in the evenings.  They each claim that they are only good friends, but, as time passes, their feelings begin to change.  When their family and friends see Natalie and Lucas become closer, they are worried.  Lucas’s mother, Helen does not want him to leave the Amish faith and Natalie’s mother, Cecelia is worried that her daughter would become Amish.  Natalie finds herself falling for her best friend, but she has the goal of becoming a veterinarian.   Natalie worries that Lucas would resent her if he left his family and faith for her.  Is there a way for the two of them to be together?  What is God’s will for Natalie and Lucas?

Listening to Love is the second An Amish Journey Novel.  It can be read on its own if you have not read Hearts in Harmony.  I thought Listening to Love is well-written with developed characters and steady pacing.  Natalie Collins loves animals and is pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine thanks to Mary and Levi Shetler.  They sold the beautiful piano they inherited from Adeline and gave the money to her.  There is a problem, though, preventing her from moving forward.  She cannot give shots and the sight of blood sickens her.  Natalie has developed a relationship with God thanks to Lucas.  He has become her close friend.  They meet each week at the library plus they have lunch dates and talk on the phone each evening.  People do not understand that a man and woman can just be friends.  Lucas has yet to be baptized, but he has never dreamed of leaving the Amish.  As Lucas spends more time with Natalie, his feelings for her change.  I could feel the struggle in Lucas and Natalie as well as their developing love.  I like that each of them has a close relationship with God.  Natalie’s mother, Cecelia is having a hard time after her divorce.  She has gone through her divorce settlement, maxed out her credit cards and her mortgage is behind.  Cecelia has been getting money from Natalie, but that is her college fund.  After attending a housewarming party at Mary and Levi’s, she gets a job with Moses Schwartz, the Shetler’s neighbor.  Cecelia’s dream job soon turns into a nightmare that disrupts the lives of those around her.  I liked this addition to the story as it gave the story added depth and interest.  I enjoyed seeing the changes in the characters as the story progressed especially in Cecelia and Helen.  My favorite phrase is “Listen to God and follow His lead.”  Listening to Love is an absorbing story about family, faith, friendship, and love.  

Listening to Love is available at all major retailers including Amazon (Amazon UK).  Thank you for dropping by today.  I am sharing my review of The Five Shilling Children by Lindsey Hutchinson tomorrow.  It is a heart wrenching story about children sold to Reed's Orphanage for five shillings.  I will have an excerpt and giveaway.  May you have a kindly day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd

Happy September 17!  It is a big day for me.  I was born on this day in 1969.  A fun fact is that I have two male cousins born this same year.  One two months before me and one two months after me.  New books that are out today are A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier and Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd.  Strangers She Knows is the final novel in the Cape Charade series which includes Dead Girl Running and What Doesn't Kill Her.  The novellas in the series are Hard to Kill, Families and Other Enemies, and Hidden Truths.  

Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd returns us to the Yearning Sands Resort in Washington.  Kellen Adams Di Luca married the man of her dreams, Max Di Luca and then collapsed after her wedding.  That pesky little bullet in her brain needed to be removed.  She has finally returned home to find her ten year old daughter, Rae turning into an adolescent with temperamental outbursts (Verona feels Max deserves every single bit of it after what he put her through).  Before life can return to normal, they learn that Mara Philippi was in Cape Charade and left a witness alive to give Kellen a deadly message.  Max decides to have the three of them decamp to Isla Paraiso.  It is an island that can only be accessed by boat or helicopter with no electricity, no wi-fi and, much to Rae’s dismay, no cell phone tower.  While exploring the attic one rainy day, Kellen and Rae uncover the diary of Ruby Morgade.  Ruby’s father built the elaborate home they are living in on Isla Paraiso.  Reading the diary proves to be a bonding experience for the Di Luca’s family.  Unfortunately, there family time comes at an end when the psychotic Mara finds their isle paradise.  Mara has a game she wants to play with Kellen and there can only be one winner.

Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd is the third book in Cape Charade series.  Each book in this fast paced series can be read on its own since the author provides a recap (just enough to catch you up, but not too much as to spoil the other books in the series for new readers).  Kellen Adams Di Luca has gone through so much in the last few years.  She is denied her wedding night and honeymoon when the bullet in her brain shifts requiring immediate surgery.  Kellen does survive the surgery, but she has a long recovery.  She returns home still weak and with one hand that is refusing to cooperate.  The therapist recommends piano lessons which is torture for Kellen and everyone else in the family including Luna, Rae’s dog (everyone’s a critic).  When Mara resurfaces and is determined to get revenge, Kellen is not strong enough to go after her on her own.  The family moves to the remote Isla Paraiso with a cook, Olympia Paolerio and the two islands caretakers, Jamie and Dylan Conkle.  The family explores the island thanks to the three bikes Max had shipped in for them and they get reacquainted.  The pacing in the first half is more laid back (feel the island vibe) with the second half ramped up like a person after drinking three espressos in a row.  Kellen is trying to survive a maniacal killer.  You can feel the suspense, tension and pain. Rae is still her fearless and intelligent self but now puberty is hitting (her poor parents).  She manages to get into scrapes even on an island.  I like how Rae is still a young girl at times who needs her parents.  Max and Kellen are just beginning their marriage and they have no privacy. They are learning each other’s quirks and foibles.   It was interesting to learn more about Mara.  She is a complex woman and her upbringing explains a lot.  I really enjoyed the addition of Ruby’s diary.  I thought it enhanced the story as added depth and interest plus gives us a second mystery.  I enjoyed the various references to Harry Potter and Hogwarts.  Strangers She Knows is one of those books that you will not be able to put down. I am sorry to see the Cape Charade series come to an end.  Strangers She Knows is a riveting suspense with a mad murderer, a temperamental tween, a remote refuge, panicked parents and an explosive ending.

Strangers She Knows is out today and available through Amazon (Amazon UK) and other major retailers.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am off to relax and enjoy the day.  Tomorrow I am sharing my review of Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman.  May you have a joyous day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader  

That's my nightmare!

The Girl Who Loved Ghosts by K.C. Tansley

Good Day!  Christmas Cow Bells by Mollie Cox Bryan along with Last Pen Standing by Vivian Conroy come out on September 24.  The Christmas Boutique by Jennifer Chiaverini releases on October 1.  It is An Elm Creek Quilts Novel (wonderful series of books).  K.C. Tansley (aka Kourtney Heintz) lives with her lapdog, Emerson and three Golden Retrievers in Connecticut.  She travels have taken her to the Great Wall of China, Cape Hatteras, and Salzburg where she took The Sound of Music tour.  The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts was her debut into the young adult genre.  The Unbelievables series consists of The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts, The Girl Who Saved Ghosts and the latest--The Girl Who Loved Ghosts.  K.C. Tansley (aka Kourtney Heintz) can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and her website.

The Girl Who Loved Ghosts by K.C. Tansley is the third installment in The Unbelievables series.  Kat Preston is a senior at McTernan Academy and has a heavy course load in addition to her magical training.  Kat is missing having someone to confide in.  She is keeping her best friend, Morgan at a distance for her own protection and Evan is busy with Seth’s flirty cousin and their new housemate.  It is hard for Kat to see Evan with someone else as her feelings for him deepen.  Evan would like to have a normal college life but that is impossible as the Kingsley heir, owner of Ravenhurst, and magical training in preparation for travelling back in time once again and for the eventual battle with the Dark One.  When Kat is attacked by a dark warlock on campus, she must depart to Dumbarton for her own protection.  The time has come to venture back into the past to retrieve the last amulet and Kat hopes she will not have to make too many changes in order to accomplish their mission.  Evan and Kat will be traveling back to 1793 when Frederick Mallory and the cuff were last seen.  Will their mission be successful?

Kat's special locket

The Girl Who Loved Ghosts by K.C. Tansley is a young adult novel (that adults will enjoy too) that is part of The Unbelievables series, and they do need to read in order.  Each book builds upon what happened in the previous one.  Kat is the Langley heir whose special gift ties to the past unlike her other relatives.  This allows her to travel back in time to retrieve each of the lost amulets.  Kat and Evan only have the Mallory amulet left to recover and they will have to go back further than they have before in order to locate it.  I love the magical elements and the unique creatures.  There are ghosts, goblins, a dark warlock, and other magical creatures.  It is interesting how Kat can tell the difference between different people’s magic by the way it feels on her skin and the way it tastes.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Evan’s ancestral estate, Ravenhurst.  I did feel that the pacing was too slow in the first half of The Girl Who Loved Ghosts plus there is repetition of key details that was unneeded.  A little after the halfway mark, the story starts to become very interesting and pacing increases as well as the tension.  There are some surprising revelations near the end that shock our cast of characters and me.  I love it when there is a good twist in a story.  At the end we are left with unanswered questions and we must wait for the fourth installment for those answers (let us hope the author writes fast).  The Girl Who Loved Ghosts is a spellbinding tale with a family curse, a vanished amulet, time travel, an evil entity, a missing heir, and valiant witches.

The Dark Warlock

The Girl Who Loved Ghosts is out today and available at Amazon (Amazon UK), Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be sharing my review of Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd next time. It is the third book in Cape Charade series. I hope you have a mesmerizing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The Quiet Ones by Theresa Talbot: Excerpt and Review

Welcome!  Theresa Talbot is a freelance writer, journalist and radio presenter.  She is best known as the voice of Traffic and Travel on BBC Radio Scotland and as the host of The Beechgrove Potting Shed.  Before working on BBC, Theresa was with Radio Clyde and the AA Roadwatch team.  She worked a variety of jobs before entering the media field which include an assistant in a children's home, a library assistant, and a Pepsi Challenge girl.  Theresa ended up at BBC thanks to a conversation she overheard on the No. 66 bus in Glasgow (eavesdropping can pay off).  Theresa's likes to rescue chickens, garden, listen to music and do yoga.   Theresa Talbot is the author of The Oonagh O'Neil series which features The Lost Children, Keep Her Silent and The Quiet Ones.  All three books are available through Kindle Unlimited.  Readers can follow with Theresa on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Book

If only someone had listened...

When the supposed suicide of famous Scottish football coach Harry Nugent hits the headlines, the tabloids are filled with tributes to a charitable pillar of the community that gave so much back to sport and to those less fortunate.

But something isn't right. Normally celebrities are queuing up to claim to have had a very special relationship with the deceased, but investigative journalist Oonagh O'Neil is getting the distinct impression that people are trying to distance themselves from Harry.

Oonagh's investigation leads her to uncover a heartbreakingly haunting cover-up that chills her to the core... and places her in mortal danger from those willing to protect their sadistic and dark secrets at any cost...

My Thoughts

The Quiet Ones by Theresa Talbot is the third book in The Oonagh O’Neil series.  Oonagh O’Neil is a television journalist in Glasgow, Scotland who is being shoved off the anchor desk for the latest new young thing.  While Oonagh resents it, it does give her the opportunity to do more in depth pieces since she does enjoy research and production.  Oonagh has a troubled past that continues to haunt her and has her overindulging in alcoholic beverages.  To make matters worse, a certain gentleman with the Glasgow police seems to be ignoring her.  When Oonagh learns that Harry Nugent’s death is the result of foul play, not a suicide, she sees the possibility of a series.   Despite not having official permission to do her story, Oonagh begins digging into Harry’s life.  While Harry’s life appeared squeaky clean on the surface, Oonagh soon discovers that the man had a nasty predilection and she wonders if this is what got him killed.  The more Oonagh digs, the more dirt she uncovers.  The Quiet Ones deals with a sensitive subject and I am glad that the story did not go into detail.  Oonagh is an older protagonist which I appreciated (I can relate more since she is closer to my age).  Oonagh has established connections and is a good researcher.  People seem to open up when she talks to them which helps her get juicy tidbits.  The mystery was complex with new details emerging as the story progresses.  I like how murder is multifaceted and we get information from various sources including flashbacks.  The tension built the further I got into the book and as Oonagh finds out more about Harry’s personal and business dealings.  My favorite phrase from The Quiet Ones deals with Harry and is “up to his eyes in something brown and smelly.”   I do want to let readers know that, unfortunately, there is extensive foul language.   The author’s detailed descriptions allowed me to visualize the characters and the scenes.  I recommend reading The Oonagh O’Neil books in order so you can get the background on Oonagh.  The ending will have your jaw dropping in shock.

Excerpt from The Quiet Ones

They’d pulled out all the stops with this one. One of Scotland’s most prominent businessmen found hanging from a rope with his tongue cut off was major-league, even for Glasgow. Alec Davies stood at the front of the incident room, a mixture of plain-clothed and uniformed cops filling the front two rows, Jim and Toria slightly to his left. He’d already gone over the bare facts, which were scant to say the least, not that that stopped press speculation. Hardly surprising really. They were baying for blood and demanding answers. Davies wondered what the collective name for photographers was. He’d managed to avoid the mob this morning only because he’d stayed overnight at the station, grabbing a couple of hours’ shut eye before trying to drag himself awake with a shower and a shave.

This wasn’t going to be easy and the Chief Constable would have his balls on a plate if he didn’t shut this one down quick style. Despite the press speculation that the streets of Glasgow were no longer safe as long as this crazed killer was on the loose, Davies doubted they would strike anywhere else. This killer had targeted Harry Nugent for a reason and was unlikely to be a danger to anyone else. But they were still dangerous – make no mistake. He took a strange comfort in the fact, however, that in the wake of such a horror the streets were indeed safer – for a few nights at least – as revellers cancelled plans, and even the die-hard neds chose instead to stay where they knew they’d be safe.

Behind him, the incident board read like a who’s who of Scottish sports stars, as well as the usual suspects. Family, close friends, relatives, anyone who’d been connected with Nugent. But it was now running into hundreds of people.

They were waiting for the full post-mortem report, but he’d spoken to the pathologist earlier. Rosemary Gardner was the best they had. Her initial findings were that Nugent had been drugged, then died from asphyxiation through hanging. Lesions around his wrists and his ankles suggested plastic ties had been used as restraints. Despite a detailed search, the ties had not been found, suggesting the killer took the time to remove them. His tongue too, had been sliced off post-mortem, which would account for the lack of blood and the fact his wife had initially thought it was suicide. This was no frenzied, random attack. Nugent had clearly been up to his neck in something, had clearly pissed off someone big style. This was some fucking grudge which bore all the hallmarks of a gangland-style execution.

‘The killer might well have paid some heavies to do his dirty work for him.’ Toria looked shattered; Davies guessed she didn’t get much sleep last night. ‘It’s a bit of a high-risk strategy doing that lot on your own… and besides…’ ‘Stating the bleeding obvious…’ DS Gilroy shifted in his seat. Davies had worked alongside him in the same station, on and off, for years.

‘Yeah,’ he replied, ‘but she did state it, which is more than you’ve done so far, Gilroy, so can we just work together on this one?’ Davies checked Gilroy’s smirk as he glanced around the room. You could read a lot into one expression, and from the look on Gilroy’s face came the suggestion that Davies fancied Toria and was cutting her more than the usual bit of slack. He felt weary, and not just because of this case. The thought of coming across as a sad old git fancying a girl young enough to be his daughter, or granddaughter in some parts of Glasgow, left a bitter taste in his mouth. Truth was she was a good copper; she had an unusual way of looking at things and Davies knew that a fresh eye could often see minor details that a jaded eye could miss. Davies caught Gilroy’s eye and mouthed fuck off under his breath before continuing.

 

The Quiet Ones is available at Amazon (Amazon UK), Kobo, Google Play and iBooks.  Thank you for joining me today.  I hope I have helped you discover a new author and series of books.  Tomorrow I am reviewing The Girl Who Loved Ghosts by K.C. Tansley.  It is the third book in The Unbelievables series.  I hope you have a stellar day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader  

A house (art installation) made entirely out of vintage books.

The House on Hallowed Ground by Nancy Cole Silverman: Review & Giveaway!

The House on Hallowed Ground 

A Misty Dawn Mystery

by Nancy Cole Silverman

About the Book

The House on Hallowed Ground (A Misty Dawn Mystery)

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Henery Press (September 10, 2019)

Hardcover: 260 pages

ISBN-10: 163511554X

ISBN-13: 978-1635115543

Paperback: 260 pages

ISBN-10: 1635115515

ISBN-13: 978-1635115512

Digital ASIN: B07TKNGZ2Z

When Misty Dawn, a former Hollywood Psychic to the Stars, moves into an old craftsman house, she encounters the former owner, the recently deceased Hollywood set designer, Wilson Thorne.

Wilson is unaware of his circumstances, and when Misty explains the particulars of his limbo state, and how he might help himself if he helps her, he’s not at all happy. That is until young actress Zoey Chamberlain comes to Misty’s door for help.

Zoey has recently purchased The Pink Mansion, a historic Hollywood Hills home, and believes it’s haunted. But when Misty arrives to search the house, it’s not a ghost she finds, but a dead body.

The police are quick to suspect Zoey of murdering her best friend. Zoey maintains her innocence and fears her friend’s death may have been a result of the ghost...and a long-time family curse.

Together Misty and Wilson must untangle the secrets of The Pink Mansion or submit to the powers of the family curse.

About Nancy Cole Silverman 

Nancy Cole Silverman’s realization that she and Edgar Allen Poe shared the same birthday sparked her lifelong interest in mystery fiction. After a very successful career in the radio industry she turned to writing, and her crime-focused novels and short stories have attracted readers throughout America. Her Carol Childs Mysteries series (Henery Press) features a single-mom whose “day job” as a reporter at a busy Los Angeles radio station often leads to long nights as a crime-solver. Silverman lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a thoroughly pampered standard poodle.

Author Links

Facebook, GoodReads, and Twitter: @NancyColeSilve1

My Thoughts

The House on Hallowed Ground by Nancy Cole Silverman is the debut novel in A Misty Dawn Mystery series.  She was once a psychic to the stars who did the talk show circuit (Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin) and consulted with the FBI.  Now, she is down on her luck and living in her VW bus with her cat, Bossypants.  When Denise offers Misty her deceased brother’s home in exchange for readings, she is quick to move in.  What Misty did not know is that her brother’s spirit, Wilson Thorne still inhabits the home.  Misty is visited by actress, Zoey who believes her home, the Pink Mansion is haunted.  Before Misty can address the ghost situation, Zoey’s friend is murdered, and Zoey is at the top of the suspect list.  Misty with Wilson’s help begins searching for answers.  Misty Dawn is a unique character and I like that she is an older protagonist.  She was not going to let Wilson scare her out of her new home.  Misty showed Wilson that she had no intention of departing.  Wilson was a set designer who managed to collect numerous unique pieces over the years.  He may have left his estate to his sister, but Wilson does not like Denise in his home or touching his belongings.  Denise is a dramatic woman who believes Hugh Jackman is her soul mate.  The character’s antics will have you laughing.  The murder mystery provides multiple suspects and misdirection.  You will wonder if the ghost killed Zoey’s best friend or did a human commit the deed.   I enjoyed the paranormal aspects with the ghosts and a family curse.  The ending was sweet and left me smiling.  The House on Hallowed Ground is a lighthearted paranormal cozy mystery with sensitive specters, a zealous admirer, an acclaimed actress, polluted possessions, and a seasoned spiritualist. 

The House on Hallowed Ground is available at Amazon (Amazon UK), B&N, and Kobo.  To win a signed copy of The House on Hallowed Ground (U.S. Only), click here or enter via the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!  I appreciate you stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow to feature The Quiet Ones by Theresa Talbot.  It is the third novel in The Oonagh O'Neil series. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

September 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 9 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

September 10 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – COZY WEDNESDAY

September 11 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

September 12 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

September 13 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

September 15 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author - SPOTLIGHT

September 16 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

September 16 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

September 17 – eBook addicts – REVIEW

September 18 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

September 19 – StoreyBook Reviews - REVIEW

September 20 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW

September 21 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

September 22 – Hearts & Scribbles - SPOTLIGHT

The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman: Review & Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: The Amish Christmas Matchmaker

Series: Indiana Amish Brides #4

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Publisher: Love Inspired 

Release Date: September 1, 2019

Genre: Inspirational Amish Fiction

She’ll find him a wife for Christmas…

Which of these Indiana Amish Brides is next?

With her wedding business thriving, Annie Kauffmann could never leave her beloved Amish community.

So when handsome Amish cowboy Levi Lapp tries to convince her father to move the family to Texas, she must put a stop to it.

If Annie finds Levi a wife, he might forget his dream of moving…but can she keep from falling for him herself?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon (Amazon UK) | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner, a Christy finalist, and she also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and resides in the Texas hill country.

CONNECT WITH VANNETTA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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My Thoughts

The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman is the fourth novel in Indiana Amish Brides series. Each book in this series can be read on its own, but I have found each one a pleasure to read.  I thought The Amish Christmas Matchmaker was a unique and creative story.  Annie Kauffmann co-owns Plain & Simple Weddings with Englischer, Priscilla.  They provide the wedding meal for Amish weddings with their portable kitchen and are quite successful. Then Levi Lapp wearing his cowboy boots and hat comes to town and starts touting Texas to recruit Amish families for a new settlement.  When Annie sees that gleam in her father’s eye, she knows he is considering the move.  Annie sets out to derail Levi by convincing him to go out on dates with some of her friends.  Annie hopes he will fall in love and forget about faraway Texas.   I had to laugh at Levi with his cowboy hat and boots spouting numerous facts about Texas.  Thanks to Vannetta Chapman’s word imagery, I could picture him in my head.  This is such a cute story featuring two very different people, but they do say that opposites attract.  We see the importance of praying for guidance and listening to God.  Sometimes we get so caught up in an idea, that we forget to see if it is what God wants for us.  The Amish Christmas Matchmaker is an engaging story that will hold your attention until you turn the very last page.  I appreciated the epilogue which nicely wrapped up this cute story.  The only thing I felt was lacking from this charming tale was the feeling of Christmas.  The Amish Christmas Matchmaker is an amusing Amish romance with Texas trivia, wondrous weddings, fabulous food along with one willful woman and a fanciful fellow.  

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GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of The Amish Christmas Matchmaker (print or digital), a quilted Amish mug mat, a woven Amish mug mat, and $10 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight September 9, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 16, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. Good Luck!

For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

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The other three novels in Indiana Amish Brides series are A Perfect Amish Match, A Widow’s Hope and Amish Christmas Memories.  An Unlikely Amish Match is the next book in the Indiana Amish Brides series and it will be out on January 21, 2020.  Thank you for dropping in today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on The House on Hallowed Ground by Nancy Cole Silverton.  It is the debut novel in A Misty Dawn Mystery series featuring a physic, famous actress and some intriguing ghosts.  May you have a merry day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Launch Page at JustRead

September 9The Power of Words
Older & Smarter?
Hallie Reads
Beauty in the Binding

September 10
Heidi Reads…
For Him and My Family
Christian Bookaholic
Reading Is My SuperPower

September 11Faith Lane Author
mpbooks
Remembrancy
Sprinkles and Pink

September 12Angela Walker’s Reviews
Edits and Reviews by Leslie
A Modern Day Fairy Tale

September 13The Avid Reader
Batya’s Bits
EmpowerMoms
Dee’s Farm and Family

Reviewers…Karen R. & Laura S.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Buried in the Stacks by Allison Brook: Review and Giveaway!

Buried in the Stacks

A Haunted Library Mystery

by Allison Brook

About the Buried in the Stacks

Buried in the Stacks: A Haunted Library Mystery

Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Crooked Lane Books (September 10, 2019)

Hardcover: 320 pages

ISBN-10: 1643851381

ISBN-13: 978-1643851389

Digital ASIN: B07NKPTL81

Librarian Carrie Singleton is building a haven, but one of her neighbors is misbehavin'. Can resident spirit Evelyn help Carrie catch the culprit who made her a ghost?

In winter, the Haunted Library is a refuge for homeless townspeople. When a group purchases a vacant house to establish a daytime haven for the homeless, Carrie offers the library as a meeting place for the Haven House committee, but quickly learns that it may be used for illegal activities.

As the new Sunshine Delegate, Carrie heads to the hospital to visit her cantankerous colleague, Dorothy, who had fallen outside the local supermarket. She tells Carrie that her husband tried to kill her--and that he murdered her Aunt Evelyn, the library's resident ghost, six years earlier.

And then Dorothy is murdered--run off the road as soon as she returns to work. Evelyn implores Carrie to find her niece's killer, but that's no easy task: Dorothy had made a hobby of blackmailing her neighbors and colleagues. Carrie, Evelyn, and Smoky Joe the cat are on the case, but are the library cards stacked against them?

About Allison Brook

Allison Brook is the pseudonym for Marilyn Levinson, who writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for kids. She lives on Long Island and enjoys traveling, reading, watching foreign films, doing Sudoku and dining out. She especially loves to visit with her grandchildren on FaceTime.

Do you see the library's ghost?

Author Links

Website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com

My Amazon page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10?ref=ts&fref=ts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/161602.Marilyn_Levinson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marilev/

My Thoughts

Buried in the Stacks is the third book in A Haunted Library Mystery series.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  Carrie Singleton finds herself becoming the library’s new Sunshine Delegate and involved in a group trying to establish a daytime sanctuary for the homeless population in Clover Ridge.  When Dorothy Hawkins, the tetchy reference librarian, ends up dead, the library’s resident ghost & Dorothy’s aunt, Evelyn asks Carrie to find the guilty party.  I found Buried in the Stacks to be easy to read.  Carrie has certainly changed from when she first appeared on the scene with her colorful hair and a wardrobe more suited to rock concert than a library.  She has settled into her cottage, has Smoky Joe (her cat), dating Dylan, and getting involved in community events.  With the homeless population needing a daytime facility (where they can read books, play games, crochet, etc.), a group of local citizens bought a home they are going to turn into Haven House.  Carrie joins the members, but she soon learns that some citizens have ulterior motives.  I like how the author deals with the topic of homeless.  She shows that they are not anonymous people that should be ignored.  They have fallen on hard times and just need a little extra help.  As with any group of people, there are various types of personalities.  Dorothy Hawkins ends up dead and her aunt, Evelyn (the library’s resident ghost) is upset.  I am shocked that some individuals were not doing a little jig and singing “Ding dong the witch is dead” when the news was announced.  Dorothy was an unlikeable woman who collected secrets and used them to her advantage which leads to a long list of suspects.  It is amazing that Dorothy lived as long as she did.  While identifying the guilty party is a walk in the park, I did like that a cold case gets solved in the process.  Carrie did not seem as involved in solving Dorothy’s death as she did in what was happening with Haven House.  She took some unnecessary risks that did not yield good results.  I would have liked the story to have more focus on Dorothy’s murder with less repetition of case details.  I do not know why people keep warning Carrie to not investigate, as with any cozy mystery sleuth, she cannot help herself.  Buried in the Stacks is a haunting cozy mystery a chubby cat, a sweet spirit, deceptive do-gooders, an irascible reference librarian and pugnacious patrons.  

Buried in the Stacks is available at Amazon (Amazon UK), B&N, Kobo, and IndieBound.  The other books in A Haunted Library Mystery series are Death Overdue and Read & Gone.  Make sure to enter the giveaway for a print copy of Buried in the Stacks (US Only).  You can here by clicking here or via the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!  To find out more about the author and the characters in A Haunted Library Mystery series, visits the other stops on the tour (schedule below).  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be sharing my review of The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman next time.  It is the fourth book in the Indiana Amish Brides series.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

September 10 – I'm All About Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 10 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST

September 11 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

September 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

September 12 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

September 12 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

September 13 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

September 13 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

September 14 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 14 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 15 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW

September 15 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW

September 16 – Nadaness In Motion - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 16 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

September 17 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 17 – That's What She's Reading – GUEST POST

September 18 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 18 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

September 19 – eBook addicts – REVIEW

September 19 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

September 20 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 20 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW