Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): Falling for a Cowboy

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Falling for a Cowboy

(Rocky Mountain Cowboys #2)
by Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 368 pages
January 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Doesn’t he get that she’s blind?

Barrel racer Amberley James wants to join the premier rodeo circuit more than anything, but she faces the ultimate hurdle when she loses her eyesight to a rare genetic condition. All she’d ever wanted seems out of reach. 

Giving up is the only option…until her best friend and local hero Jared Cade steps in. The last thing she wants is Jared’s help. But his persistence at encouraging her to get back in the saddle is ridiculously annoying. And undeniably inspiring…

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│Harlequin

Mount Sopris, Colorado

My Thoughts

I am enjoying this series so much! Karen Rock has created a family that you can’t help but fall in love with – not flawless by any means, but oh, so appealing. I was hooked by the story of Sofia and James Cade in the previous book, Christmas at Cade Ranch (click on title to see my review), and have been eagerly awaiting this next series release.

Fruit flies lived longer than Jared’s romantic relationships,

if you could call them that.

- Amberley

Jared Cade – Heisman Trophy winner, Denver Broncos halfback, and a member of Carbondale’s biggest ranching family – and Amberley, barrel racing champion, are strong leading characters. They have been best friends for years, a theme that I love, for what could be a better relational foundation than friendship and trust? But both are blindsided when they begin to discover that something more could be involved, and fearful of what that might mean for their relationship. When it came to Jared’s romantic involvements, he didn’t have the best of reputations. The romantic tension between these two if off the charts, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all play out.

The backgrounds of both Amberley and Jared had instilled in them a desire to be winners, for nothing less was good enough – until injury and disability entered the picture. I’ve known a few people with that same drive, and it only leads to frustration and disappointment. Amberley captured my heart from the first page, for “the life she’d always wanted ended before it’d even started, and she had no contingency plan.” She saw herself as “a dusty sparrow with a broken wing.”

The author’s writing flows smoothly and she has crafted a beautiful story with more complexity than most romances. A beautiful Colorado setting, feuding families, career choices, children with disabilities, and a very special horse named Harley make for a deeply satisfying read.

My favorite takeaway is the reminder that, while some are more obvious than others, we all face some type of obstacle. I loved these words from Amberley’s interview: “Winning isn’t a number, it’s not a ribbon or trophy. It’s a willingness to go longer, to try harder and give more than anyone else.”

Between the Cade and Loveland families, there’s enough dynamic characters to keep this series going for a long time, and I certainly hope it does. Falling for a Cowboy is a thoroughly entertaining read that touches the heart.

Highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Prism Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.


Other Books in the Series

Christmas at Cade Ranch

(Rocky Mountain Cowboys #1)

by Karen Rock

Contemporary Romance

November 7th 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

The Christmas they never had.

James Cade has one priority: keep the family ranch running smoothly in the wake of his younger brother's death. With Jesse's ex, Sofia Gallardo, and her young son, Javi, stranded at Cade Ranch over Christmas, this task just got a lot harder. The longer Sofia and Javi stay, the harder it is to imagine the ranch without them.

James couldn't save his brother from his inner demons, but he can give his nephew a secure future. Maybe more - if he can figure out how to trust Sofia, and stop feeling like he's betraying Jesse. Because trying to stop thinking about beautiful, determined Sofia is impossible.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│Harlequin

About the Author

In a quest to provide her ELA students with quality reading material, educator Karen Rock read everything out there and couldn't wait to add her voice to the genre. In addition to her work as a Young Adult romance novelist, she's now an author for Harlequin's Heartwarming line and thrilled to pen stories that moms can share with their teenage daughters. She's loved Harlequin books since she spent summers going through her grandmother's Presents books that she passed along in paper grocery bags each year. 

As half of the writing duo J.K. Rock, Karen also pens young adult romance. 

When she's not busy writing, Karen enjoys scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother's family recipes, reinventing her gardens to suit her moods and occasionally rescuing local wildlife from neighborhood cats. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, her very appreciated beta-reader daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels, who have yet to understand the concept of "fetch" though they know a lot about love. 

For more information about Karen's upcoming books, check out her website.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Tumblr│Pinterest

Other Heartwarming Books by the Author

Tour Schedule

January 15th:
Launch
The Power of Words
I Am A Reader
Nicole's Book Musings
It's All About the Romance
Mythical Books
January 16th:
Janices Book Reviews
Heidi Reads...
Remembrancy
Brooke Blogs
I Love Romance
January 17th:
Getting Your Read On
Hearts & Scribbles
Katie's Clean Book Collection
underneath the covers
Granny Loves to Read
January 18th:
Rockin' Book Reviews
Thoughts of a Blonde
The Bookworm Chronicles
Locks, Hooks and Books
Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews
January 19th:
Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader
Book Lover in Florida
Reading Is My SuperPower
January 20th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card along with print copies of HIS KIND OF COWGIRL, A COWBOY TO KEEP, and CHRISTMAS AT CADE RANCH by Karen Rock
- US Only

- Ends January 24th

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Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): Strains of Silence

About the Book

Author: Bethany Kaczmarek  
Genre: Contemporary Romance  
Release Date: August 1, 2017

Music was her driving passion and the truest expression of her faith, but three months before her wedding, twenty-year-old Kasia Bernolak can’t even pick up her guitar. Feeling like a fraud who will ruin her dad’s pastoral reputation, she can barely meet his eyes. When Kasia finds the strength to break off her engagement, she still doesn’t realize the dangerous truth: Blake Hamilton isn’t ready to say goodbye. And he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her. 

Alexander “Zan” Maddox has seen what a domineering man can do to an unsuspecting woman, and Zan is sick of injustice. He gave up a college baseball scholarship so he could protect his sister from her abusive husband. When he rescues Kasia from her ex-fiancé, he instinctively appoints himself her personal bodyguard. Now, all he has to do is keep from falling for her himself. 

Kasia and Zan become fast friends, but true healing and justice might cost more than either of them is willing to pay.

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

Strains of Silence is an emotionally engaging story that shines the light on the very timely subject of domestic abuse – and while I have no personal experience in this area, I suspect it is pretty realistic. But while the topic is serious, there are moments of relief, resulting in a very uplifting read overall. And I loved how well grounded in the Scripture it is. This is a story that captured my attention from the first page and kept me eagerly turning the pages.

Blake came across as kind and caring of Kasia at first, gradually pulling her away from her godly convictions, only to become controlling and abusive as time went on. From a non-experienced viewpoint, I was frustrated at Kasia’s slow progress, poor decisions, and defense of his actions – which is probably completely true-to-life. It was an enjoyable break to “visit” Peru through Kasia’s summer missionary experience and see her grow spiritually.

I loved how the relationship between Zan and Kasia began with friendship, developing a connection he felt because of his sister’s abusive situation. Zan’s journey from a cynical disbeliever to a man of faith made him an appealing character that I came to care about.

There’s a good group of supporting characters that I liked, although I wished for more character depth overall. Sections of the story move at a steady pace, while others more slowly. Purely from a reader’s perspective, some scenes didn’t seem essential to the storyline and slowed its progress down, but it all came together in a realistic reflection of life.

Strains of Silence is a moving story that leaves readers with much to reflect upon and I look forward to much more from this author.

Recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Bethany loves a home filled with family and friends. Word gets around that—at the Kaczmarek house—food is abundant, conversations are real, and anything is up for discussion. 

She and her clan are fans of laughter, indie music, sonic screwdrivers, and superheroes. Home is wherever in the world they’re all together.

Guest Post from Bethany Kaczmarek

Strains of Silence: A Novel for Anyone Who Can Say #MeToo

We’re everywhere. After years of silence, many survivors of sexual assault are raising our voices. You’ve seen the hashtag. You know someone who suffered like this—a friend, a sister, a daughter. 

Maybe you know personally what it’s like to be used. 

I’m thankful for the conversations the #MeToo campaign has started, proud of the brave women who are speaking out. But I know some are still quiet, nursing wounds. 

I could list loads of valid reasons a victim chooses to suffer in silence.

• People won’t believe her.
• If she doesn’t say it out loud, it’s easier to pretend it was a nightmare.
• He’s got authority over her—at work, at church, in the family—and it’ll cost her too much. He’s done enough damage already.
• He’s threatened to destroy her reputation, and she believes him. One, because he’ll do it without flinching. Two, because she’s already convinced that she’s living a lie.
• Because at church, she’s supposed to be fine, smiling, rejoicing in her suffering and pressing on. Besides, people don’t want to sit with her in her pain and listen. They’d rather offer bumper-sticker theology and trite spiritual bandages.
• The few times she’s tried to speak up, her used-to-be friend basically made her feel like it was her fault.

The list could go on, but it’s fair to say that being honest about what happened to us makes us vulnerable all over again. The idea is understandably stressful. 

But you know what? Pretending we’re fine is exhausting too. We bear a great strain when we hide our hurts, for whatever reason. 

Kasia Bernolak, the heroine of my novel Strains of Silence, gets it. She’s got reasons for keeping it quiet too. But when God brings some new people into her life, she realizes she doesn’t have to be alone. And speaking up offers a freedom, a lightness, she wants. 

It’s a freedom I want for my readers. 

I know. Strains of Silence sounds like a heavy book right now. The themes are heavy, no doubt. There’s no glossing over and prettying up sexual assault or domestic violence. But—just like in real life—it’s how well we surround and support the suffering that can set the tone. Kasia’s friends are real, they’re funny, they’re quirky, and they believe in her. 

Besides, it’s not all dark and brooding. There’s travel—an entire summer in the mountains of Peru. There’s a lot of music—Kasia’s a singer/song-writer who loves indie artists (I’ve got a playlist on my website). There’s heritage and culture—meet her immigrant family and you’ll get a delicious taste of Poland. There’s humor—enough to keep the story light when you need it to be. 

And there’s hope. Kasia’s life is absolutely full of possibility. 

So are the lives of everyone who can say #MeToo. 

Sometimes, it just helps to see someone else fight the battle on our own horizon. And if you can do it with a fantastic new playlist and some laughs, why not? 

My hope is that Strains of Silence will lead to real discussions with reader-friends, book-club gatherings that become turning points, and the true pursuit of freedom. It’s time to throw off the burdens we wear and stand up. Raise your voice, link arms with others, and fight for hope. 

Healing is within our reach.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, January 6

proud to be an autism mom, January 6

Inklings and Notions, January 7

Bibliophile Reviews, January 7

Fiction Aficionado, January 8

Genesis 5020, January 8

The Fizzy Pop Collection, January 9

Bigreadersite, January 9

Red Headed Book Lady, January 10

Mommynificent, January 10

Texas Book-aholic, January 11

allofakindmom, January 11

Blogging With Carol, January 12 (Interview)

The Power of Words, January 12

Pursuing Stacie, January 12

Reading Is My SuperPower, January 13

A Greater Yes, January 13

Christian Author, J.E.Grace Blog, January 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14

Mindy Houg Guest Review on Artistic Nobody, January 15

Janices book reviews, January 15

Faithfully Bookish, January 16

Kat’s Corner Books, January 16

Margaret Kazmierczak, January 17

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 17

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, January 18

Carpe Diem, January 18

Remebrancy, January 19

A Baker’s Perspective, January 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Bethany is giving away a grand prize of ...

• a signed book
• a Polish pottery mug with two of the main character’s favorite kinds of teas, 4 of her favorite albums (Josh Garrels, Waterdeep, The Gray Havens, and Andrew Greer)
• a box of chocolate butter cookies
• and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click the image above or the link below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/c5dc

Spotlight (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): The Valentine Verse

About the Book

Author: JoAnn Durgin  
Genre: Contemporary Romance  
Release Date: May 5, 2017

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for February 14th anymore! Love should be celebrated every day of the year. That’s Thornton Fielding’s philosophy. In spite of a few false starts in the arena of love, he holds out hope he’ll eventually find the woman of his dreams. The problem? He loves his job, and there’s no end in sight to his travels. But when Thornton returns to his tiny hometown of Cherish, Minnesota, he meets a beautiful and intriguing woman he believes might be God’s answer to ending his bachelor status—permanently.  
Vara Alexandris is soured on love and scoffs at the notion of soul mates. But soon after meeting the handsome and unconventional Thornton, the speech and language pathologist suspects he might be the perfect ally to help jump-start her stroke patient’s recovery—if only Vara can keep Thornton grounded in Cherish long enough. This man who spouts romanticized and idealistic ideas about love seems all too eager to resume his world travels. Could it be Thornton actually prefers globetrotting in order to avoid a romantic relationship? 

Is it time for Vara to call the dreamer’s bluff? And can Thornton convince Vara to put past heartache behind her and trust in God’s plan for her heart? 

Join Thornton and Vara in USA Today bestselling author JoAnn Durgin’s latest release full of her trademark humor, romance, and lively, small-town characters in a story of God’s fierce passion and loving guidance for His children—if only they pay attention! The Valentine Verse is sure to warm your soul during any season of the year.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

JoAnn Durgin is the USA Today bestselling author of the beloved Lewis Legacy Series as well as Prelude, the prequel to the series. Her other works include the Amazon bestselling Catching Serenity, Heart’s Design and its sequel, Gentle Like the Rain, The Wondrous Love Series, Echoes of Edinburgh, Perchance to Dream, Whisper to My Heart, Thee Will I Cherish, The Christmas Challenge, and the popular Starlight Christmas Series. 

A former estate administration paralegal, JoAnn now writes contemporary Christian romance full-time and lives with her family in her native southern Indiana. Writing Christian fiction is her passion, and she loves nothing more than sharing the hope to be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Guest Post from JoAnn Durgin

A Little More about The Valentine Verse from Author JoAnn Durgin 

I adore writing and reading contemporary Christian romance, but I’ve noticed very few novels in the genre have an actual Valentine’s Day theme and/or title. Perhaps authors believe it would limit the “shelf life” of their book. The way I see it, if Christmas novels (and Hallmark Christmas movies) can be popular year-round, why not Valentine’s Day books? 

I’ve always been somewhat of a rebel in my writing career. Don’t tell me I can’t do something or I might just try it (within reason)! After a Christmas release last year followed closely by the eighth installment (500 pages!) of my longest-running series, I knew I couldn’t possibly release a Valentine’s Day book. That’s when one of the primary themes of The Valentine Verse “hit” me—Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be reserved only for February 14th. Expressing our love to one another should be celebrated throughout the year! This concept became the philosophy of the hero, Thornton Fielding, and the book released in early May. Let me tell you a little more about the idea for Thornton… 

I dedicated The Valentine Verse to my uncle, Mr. Thornton, and named my hero after him. My uncle was instrumental in my being able to quit my full-time paralegal job in mid-August 2014. Without going into specific details, there were three things that took place (“signs,” if you will) beginning earlier that same year, which seemed to clearly indicate I should try to make writing my full-time career. My debut novel released in late 2010, and the story of my road to publication can be found on my website at www.joanndurgin.com. By early 2014, my books were beginning to find faithful readers, and I was blessed with decent sales. The third and final “sign” and blessing came from Mr. Thornton. Truly, it was as if God were saying, “JoAnn, what more will it take for you to step out in faith?” I promised the Lord and myself that I’d take a year and see how it went…and I haven’t looked back since! I took the leap of faith, but I’m also doing what I feel the Lord has called me to do. Almost three years to the day of quitting my day job, I released my 24th novel. God is so good, and it is my great honor and privilege to write for His glory. 

Thank you to Celebrate Lit for the gracious opportunity for this blog tour. The Valentine Verse features fun characters (how can you miss with a small Minnesota town named Cherish?), heartwarming lessons, *sightings* of two of my most popular heroes from another series, and even a surprising twist at the end! I hope you’ll enjoy The Valentine Verse. 

Blessings, friends. 
JoAnn 
Matthew 5:16

Blog Stops

Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 9

Christian Author, J.E.Grace Blog, January 9

Mommynificent, January 10

Power of Words, January 10 (Spotlight)

Karen Sue Hadley, January 11

Reading is my Super Power, January 11 (Interview)

Quiet Quilter, January 12

Remembrancy, January 13

proud to be an autism mom, January 14

Bibliophile Reviews, January 15

Texas Book-aholic, January 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 17

Janices book reviews, January 18

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 19

Carpe Diem, January 20

A Baker’s Perspective, January 21

Simple Harvest Reads, January 21 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

God is Love, January 22

A Greater Yes, January 23

margaret kazmierczak, January 23 (Interview)

Pursuing Stacie, January 24

Bigreadersite, January 24

Giveaway:

To celebrate her tour, JoAnn is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click the image above or the link below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! 

https://promosimple.com/ps/c5dd

Review + GIVEAWAY): Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper

Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper
By Amy Lillard
An Amish Mystery #1
Kensington, 2017


Summary

Content to be unmarried and plain-spoken, Kathryn “Kappy” King is an odd-woman-out in the Amish community of Blue Sky, Pennsylvania. But she’s skilled at making the special kapps local women need to cover their hair. And she might be the only one who can unearth the danger hiding in this peaceful valley . . .

When Kappy’s neighbor, Ruth Peachey, turns up dead in her yard, everyone in Blue Sky believes it’s a tragic accident. Until the Englisch police find the gentle dog breeder was deliberately struck down—and arrest her mentally-challenged son, Jimmy, for the crime . . .

Jimmy’s sister, Edie, returns to Blue Sky clear his name, yet no one will speak to a shunned former Amish woman, much less give her information. Determined to help, Kappy starts digging for the truth among her seemingly-innocent neighbors. But suddenly a series of suspicious “accidents” threatens Edie and the Peachey farm—property Edie is determined to protect for her brother’s future.

Now, as danger looms large in the small community, Kappy must bait a trap for a killer snapping hard at her heels. And Edie must decide whether to make a home once more in the town she thought she’d left behind . . .


My thoughts

Quirky, funny, entertaining, and full of puppy love … Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper has a lot of heart and I loved it! Amy Lillard begins a delightful new series that combines the best of cozy mystery and Amish fiction. I can honestly say that I’ve never read anything quite like it, and that’s very good.

One strength of this mystery is the crime-solving duo of Kappy and Edie. I’m not sure this pairing would work in any other setting, but it is most delightful here. Kappy, who makes Amish kapps, is a perfect example of someone who marches to their own drumbeat, as the saying goes, and I rooted for her all the way. She’s basically the district’s eccentric, choosing to remain on the fringes of her community. How could I not connect with a character who refuses to conform to tradition, yet is a strong woman of faith in God?

One area of being out of step is in speaking to her neighbor, Edie, who is under the Bann for leaving the Amish church after being baptized – and not only speaking to, but befriending. Actually, each is what the other needs and I love their friendship. Edie’s brother Jimmy, who has Down syndrome – "sweet as pie, stubborn as a mule, and cute as a button on a shirt" – is one of my favorites. Honestly, how could anyone believe he could be guilty of the crime with which he is charged? The author does a great job making Jimmy real and showing all that someone with this disability is capable of.

It was fun to follow the well-crafted mystery as Kappy and Edie questioned people – and the beagle puppies are absolutely precious! (Spoken by a cat lover). Spiritual themes are subtle, evidenced by Kappy’s conviction that God has a plan for everybody, especially for these three – one in jail for murder, one seemingly invisible to the Amish community, and one on the outskirts of that community.

I would love more character depth in Kappy and Edie – and that’s a compliment, because Lillard has created characters I want to know better and I’m eager to read the next story that releases in June 2018. Kappy’s closing thoughts indicate that there’s a lot more to come …

After all, it was a new day in Blue Sky.

And on a new day anything could happen.

I was provided a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Amy Lillard is the award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the Wells Landing series, The Quilting Circle  novels, the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries  and the Kappy King Mysteries .

Born and raised in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Please visit her online at www.AmyWritesRomance.com.

Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Goodreads

Barnes & Noble │ Hudson Booksellers │ Amazon │ Books-A-Million │ IndieBound │ Walmart

GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here letting me know that you shared.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, January 22. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): Bringing Rosie Home

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Bringing Rosie Home

(By Way of the Lighthouse, #2)
by Loree Lough
Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
January 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A kidnapping shattered their family…

Rena and Grant VanMeter lived every parent’s worst nightmare when their preschool daughter was abducted. Riddled with guilt and hoping time apart would help them heal, Rena made the hardest decision of her life. But stunning news reunites her with Grant. Rosie has been found.

Putting up a united front for their child’s sake isn’t as easy as they thought. Grant hasn’t forgiven Rena for taking her eyes off Rosie for a few critical seconds. And Rena has yet to forgive herself. But their little girl needs them more than ever…

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin

Fenwick Lighthouse

My Thoughts

I was drawn to Bringing Rosie Home by Loree Lough because of its dramatic theme and I enjoyed it very much. The story is well written and flows at a steady pace, characters have depth, and the uplifting theme grabs the emotions from page one.

Something that’s every parent’s worst nightmare, the kidnapping of a child, should draw them together – but often traumatic events like this have the opposite effect, which is what happened to Rena and Grant. While I can only imagine what parents go through, the author did a great job at conveying the emotions of guilt, blame, and insecurity that test a couple’s love.

He’d always blame her for what happened to Rosie.

And since the blame outweighed the love…

~ Grant

Bringing Rosie Home begins with the Rosie’s return after almost six years’ absence, with Grant and Rena determined to put forth a united front. Complicating that is Grant’s continued playing of the blame game that had kept him strong, contrasted with Rena’s unwillingness to lash out, even in self-defense. I love a story that focuses on a married couple learning to work out their problems, and I enjoyed Rena and Grant’s journey. Rosie simply captured my heart and I could identify with her struggles and insecurities – connecting with Grant more than Rena at first, calling the kidnapper her “other mother,” etc.

Lighthouses, beacons of hope to the lost and weary, provide an uplifting theme throughout the story. Bringing Rosie Home is a moving, heartwarming story and I look forward to more from this series.

Recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Prism Book Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Other Books in the Series

The Man She Knew

(By Way of the Lighthouse, #1)

by Loree Lough

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 pages

June 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Don't they both deserve a second chance?

Fourteen years ago, one reckless act cost Ian Sylvestry everything, including the girl he planned to marry. Since then, he has fought hard to turn his life around. Returning to his Baltimore town after serving a prison term was the first step. 

Winning back Maleah Turner's trust is a far more daunting challenge. From their first sparks-flying reunion, it's obvious they still have powerful feelings for each other. In fact, they might be even stronger together now. But if their second chance is going to work, Maleah has to believe that Ian is a changed man. She really wants to believe…but she simply isn't convinced.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin

About the Author

Bestselling author LOREE LOUGH once sang for her supper, performing across the U.S. and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she writes novels that have earned hundreds of industry and "Readers' Choice" awards, 4- and 5-star reviews, and 7 book-to-movie options. 

The Man She Knew, #1 in her “By Way of the Lighthouse” series, her 3rd for Harlequin Heartwarming, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Harlequin.com.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest

Tour Schedule

January 8th:
Launch
The Power of Words
It's All About the Romance
Katie's Clean Book Collection
January 9th:
Rockin' Book Reviews
Becky on Books
Rainy Day Reviews
The Bookworm Chronicles
January 10th:
Janice's Book Reviews
Paulette's Papers
Heidi Reads...
Hearts & Scribbles
January 11th:
Leels Loves Books
Book Lover in Florida
Among the Reads
Teatime and Books
January 12th:
Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader
Nicole's Book Musings
Thoughts of a Blonde
underneath the covers
January 13th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- Two winners will receive a print copy of BRINGING ROSIE HOME (US only)
- Three winners will receive an ebook of BRINGING ROSIE HOME (open internationally)

- Ends January 17th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): Stowed Away

Stowed Away
By Barbara Ross
A Maine Clambake Mystery #6
Kensington, 2017


Summary

It’s June in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and Julia Snowden and her family are working hard to get their authentic Maine clambake business ready for summer. Preparations must be put on hold, however, when a mysterious yacht drops anchor in the harbor—and delivers an unexpected dose of murder . . .

When Julia’s old prep school rival Wyatt Jayne invites her to dinner on board her billionaire fiancé’s decked-out yacht, Julia arrives to find a sumptuous table set for two—and the yachtsman dead in his chair. Suspicion quickly falls on Wyatt, and Julia’s quest to dredge up the truth leads her into the murky private world of a mega-rich recluse who may not have been all that he seemed.


My thoughts

What a great mystery to start the new year off! If only all cozy mysteries were this good. Stowed Away is #6 in the Maine Clambake series and can stand alone, but this series has me hooked and I’m eager to read the previous stories.

I love New England settings, which is what initially drew me to this story, and let me just say that Barbara Ross excels at vividly conveying the feel of Maine’s coast, making me feel as if I was actually there. And what could be more representative of Maine than the Snowden family clambake business? Julia and her family are easy to connect with, and it’s obvious that there’s good character development throughout the series.

The mystery itself is very well crafted and easy to follow. Suspects are plenty, but not too many to keep up with. I felt sympathy toward to murder victim, a billionaire who made money on the country’s banking collapse, only to become a recluse or self-imposed prisoner of his wealth. Add a yacht named Garbo after the actress Greta Garbo into the mix, and you’ve got a fascinating plot. Rather than being scary or suspenseful, the pace moves steadily along with a solid investigation that held my interest constantly. There’s also a little romance between Julia and one of the characters, but I felt her connection was stronger with a certain police detective and wondered if there might be a change coming for Julia.

Windsholme was built as an exclusive retreat for a

small family. My parents had made it available to thousands

of people a year for the cost of a boat ride and a meal.

Sharing was always better than hoarding.

- Julia

A secondary plot involves the future of Windsholme, the Snowden family estate on Morris Island. With the decision to renovate and open it up to more events – wedding receptions, retreats, etc. – there’s so much to build future stories on. I think it’s that attitude of caring and sharing that not only makes Julia’s family business successful, but gives the series a unique appeal.

Highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Barbara Ross is the author of the Maine Clambake Mysteries . The first book in the series, Clammed Up, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel, the RT Book Reviews, Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Amateur Sleuth, and was a finalist for the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.

She is co-editor/co-publisher of Level Best Books, which produces anthologies of crime stories by New England authors. She writes at her home overlooking the harbor in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Barbara blogs with the Wicked Cozy Authors and Maine Crime Writers. Readers can visit her website at MaineClambakeMysteries.com.

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