Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: His Honor, Her Family by Tara Randel

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

His Honor, Her Family

(Meet Me at the Altar #2)
By Tara Randel

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages

February 5th 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming Large Print

She could be The One

If he’ll let her in.

The rustic mountain town of Golden, Georgia, is the ideal place for crime scene investigator Deke Matthews to heal after a tragedy left him questioning everything. But there’s another reason he’s here, and moonlighting as an adventure guide provides the perfect cover. It doesn’t include falling for his boss. 

Attorney Grace Harper is back in Golden only long enough to save her family business. Just when Deke has found the woman to share his life with...

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│iBooks│Harlequin│Kobo

My Thoughts

His Honor, Her Family is a well-written romance with lots of character depth, and I enjoyed it very much. This story stands alone, although there’s another book in the series that I’m eager to read.

Setting is a strong element, for it just happens to take place in my state, and the small-town north Georgia area of Golden came alive. Grace’s family business of outdoor activity tours allowed for some vivid nature scenes.

The lead characters of Grace and Deke are realistically drawn with flaws and are easy to connect with. Past events in Deke’s law-enforcement career had left him questioning his work and even life in general. Grace, who has a strong drive to control, finds herself in over her head in taking care of her mother, working to save the family business, and trying to repair strained relationships. The chemistry between these two is strong, with some great kissing scenes.

My favorite element was the relationship drama within Grace’s family, fueled by the dad’s criminal behavior and neglect, and guilt over being the cause of his capture. Most troubling, however, is the negative way Grace’s controlling nature affects her mom and siblings … very true to life. As the sweet relationship between Deke and Grace grows, it’s easy to see how good they are together, and that Grace had touched the empty places inside of him.

There’s room for more development in Deke and Grace’s story, as well in each of their families – not to mention another Matthews brother or two. Hopeful for more stories in this series!

Recommended.

I received 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 Lawman's Secret Vow

(Meet Me at the Altar #1)
By Tara Randel

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages

August 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

To have and to hold—

until the case is solved?

When an undercover assignment pairs laid-back Florida detective Dante Matthews with by-the-book cop Eloise Archer, he knows it won’t be easy. And not just because they’re competing for the same promotion. Now they’re living together under the same roof, and it’s getting harder to ignore his deepening feelings for his “wife.” Can he convince Eloise to partner up—for life?

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│iBooks│Harlequin│Kobo

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. 

Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Amazon

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

Prize #1: Signed print copies of The Bridal Bouquet, The Lawman's Secret Vow, and Rival Hearts, a tote bag, and $25 Amazon Gift Card. (Open to US only)

Prize #2: $25 Amazon e-Gift Card (Open Internationally)

Ends February 20, 2019

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Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: The Seamstress by Allison Pittman

About the Book

Title: The Seamstress  
Author: Allison Pittman  
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Release date: February 5, 2019  
Publisher: Tyndale

A beautifully crafted story breathes life into the cameo character from the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities. 

France, 1788 
It is the best of times . . . 

On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins—Renée and Laurette—have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Émile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renée now spend days tending Gagnon’s sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace. 

It is the worst of times . . . 

Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon’s table in the quiet village of Mouton Blanc bears witness to the rumbles of rebellion, where Marcel Moreau embodies its voice and heart. 

It is the story that has never been told. 

In one night, the best and worst of fate collide. A chance encounter with a fashionable woman will bring Renée’s sewing skills to light and secure a place in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. An act of reckless passion will throw Laurette into the arms of the increasingly militant Marcel. And Gagnon, steadfast in his faith in God and country, can only watch as those he loves march straight into the heart of the revolution.  

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Thoughts

Sometimes a novel inspired by a famous classic achieves classic status in and of itself, and that is what I believe The Seamstress by Allison Pittman is destined to become. Intrigued by the cameo appearance of a seamstress in the closing pages of A Tale of Two Cities, Pittman fleshes out an epic and haunting tale of two young orphan cousins, their kind guardian, and the life-changing choices they made during a bloody and turbulent time. Personally, I have never read, nor wanted to read, this Dickens novel, and only chose to read The Seamstress because I’ve enjoyed Pittman’s writing so much in the past. The result was to become totally immersed in this moving and compelling story.

Pittman’s prose and storytelling are exquisite, vividly drawing readers into the heart of the French Revolution. The four main characters – Renee, Laurette, Gagnon and Marcel – are richly drawn and reflective of the times. With the exception of Gagnon, the guardian, faith seemed to be either ritualistic or nonexistent. It was an era of hunger, heavy taxes, hatred for the ruling class, and a court blind to the plight of its people. The setting is not one that bodes happiness, yet inspiration and hope are found in this story of honor, grace, and forgiveness.

Renee’s chance encounter leads her to the court of Marie Antoinette and brings this historic figure to life. But while The Seamstress came to be written because of Renee, it was the storyline revolving around her country cousin, Laurette, that I loved most. The young Laurette had a wildness about her, a desire to seek love in the wrong ways, and Gagnon’s strong faith, patience and influence were exactly what she needed.

The Seamstress is a captivating story, relevant for today, and contains much to reflect upon. I look forward to much more from the pen of Allison Pittman.

Very highly recommended.

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

About the Author

Allison Pittman is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a three-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series and once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties. 

She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike. 

Connect with her on Facebook (Allison Pittman Author), Twitter (@allisonkpittman) or her website, allisonkpittman.com.



 

Guest Post from Allison

My dream of being an author began by “finishing” other author’s works, fleshing out the stories of neglected characters. When I read the final books in the Little House series, I was far more interested in Cap Garland than I was in Almonzo Wilder, and I imagined all kinds of stories in which he was the hero. 

This, The Seamstress, is one of those stories that came to me in a single burst of thought. I was teaching my sophomore English class, discussing through the final scenes in A Tale of Two Cities, when the little seamstress in those final pages reached out to me. She is a nameless character, seemingly more symbolic than anything. Dickens, however, gives her an entire backstory in a single phrase: I have a cousin who lives in the country. How will she ever know what became of me? I remember pausing right then and there in front of my students and saying, “Now, there’s the story I want to write.” 

Now, years later, I have. 

While every word of every Charles Dickens novel is a master class in writing, what he gave to me for The Seamstress is the kind of stuff that brings life and breath to fiction. I have to convey the fact that any character on my pages—no matter how much story space he or she is allotted—has a life between them. Every man was once a child; every woman a vulnerable young girl. 

So, Dickens gave me the bones of the story. A seamstress. A cousin in the country. A country ripped apart; family torn from family. I did my very best to put flesh on those bones, but no writer can ever bring the life and breath. Only a reader can do that.  

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Allison is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card, a hardcover copy of The Seamstress, and this copy of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/db0e/the-seamstress-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Fiction Aficionado, February 9

The Lit Addict, February 9

The Power of Words, February 9

Jennifer Sienes: Where Crisis & Christ Collide, February 10

Lis Loves Reading, February 10

Maureen’s Musings, February 10

Carpe Diem, February 11

A Baker’s Perspective, February 11

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 12

Emily Yager, February 12

Mary Hake, February 12

Stories By Gina, February 13

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 13

The Christian Fiction Girl, February 13

Inspired by fiction, February 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 14

Remembrancy, February 14

Through the Fire Blogs, February 15

Seasonsofopportunities, February 15

Inspiration Clothesline, February 15

Books, Books, and More Books, February 16

Inklings and Notions, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 16

Bibliophile Reviews, February 17

Texas Book-aholic, February 17

Margaret Kazmierczak, February 18

A Reader’s Brain, February 18

By The Book, February 18

Multifarious, February 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 19

Pause for Tales, February 19

Bigreadersite, February 20

Simple Harvest Reads, February 20

Janices book reviews, February 20

For the Love of Books, February 21

Book by Book, February 21

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, February 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 22

To Everything A Season, February 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 22

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

About the Book

Title: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge  
Author: Susan Barnett Braun  
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction  
Release date: July 25, 2013, and updated with chapters on each of William and Kate’s children

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is known to most of the world as Kate Middleton. She was an ordinary girl on her way to an ordinary life until she met her Prince Charming. Now, she appears on television and in magazines. She wears beautiful, expensive clothing and travels all over the world. One day, she will be Queen of England. But along the way, she was bullied as a schoolgirl and she waited nearly ten years before marrying Prince William. 

Learn more about Kate’s road to royalty in this book! Written at Lexile level 930 (same as the Little House on the Prairie books), this book will appeal to girls eager to learn more about the most popular royal since Princess Diana. Full-color photos; timeline that places Kate’s life events into context next to world historical events

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

“One million Britons lined the London streets,

hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple

either before or after the wedding. On television,

two billion  more were glued to the action.”

As one of those two billion people glued to the TV, I enjoyed Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge by Susan Barnett Braun, an excellent biography for children interested in learning details about Kate Middleton’s life and her journey to become the wife of England’s future King. It’s a fairly short book, but very thorough, concise, and easy to follow. While entertaining and informative in itself, it would also make a great educational resource for children.

I have always admired and enjoyed following the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne when I was a child. And like many Americans who were later drawn to Charles and Diana, I’ve longed for William and Kate to have a happy marriage. I loved how this book follows Kate from her school years – when a fellow student described her as “ordinary, hard-working, athletic, and easy-going” – through the birth of their third child. Although I was fairly familiar with Kate’s journey, there were some interesting facts that I learned, such as the bullying she experienced at one school and that, at 29, she was the oldest woman to ever marry a future King of England.

I had to laugh at these stats about the college William and Kate attended: “Applications to St. Andrews were up 44% the year the prince started there, and 90% of those extra applicants were female.” The author does a good job at showing a couple who want to be as normal as possible – and, while no lurid details are given, it’s obvious that William and Kate seek to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Recommended.

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

About the Author

Susan Barnett Braun earned a BS in retail management from Indiana University and an MA in education from the University of Alabama. She taught for eight years in northeast Indiana, earning a Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Study Scholarship. 

Susan has had work published in Parents, Children’s Ministry, and The Secret Place. She also writes online for Fort Wayne Visitor’s Bureau and blogs at Girls in White Dresses. 

She is married with three wonderful young adult daughters. Susan enjoys reading, playing piano and organ, and spending her time with her family and pets (currently three rabbits and a chinchilla). She has loved the British Royal Family since Diana came onto the scene back in the 1980s.

Guest Post from Susan

Back in 1981, as a teenager, I woke early to watch Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer. My fascination with the British royal family began with Diana. As a high school senior, I submitted my senior paper topic: Charles and Diana and the royal romance. My teacher was not amused — but once he read the paper, he did enjoy it and asked to keep a copy. 

Over the years, I’ve continued following and enjoying the British royals. When I worked as an elementary teacher, and the next generation of royals came along, I felt that there should be books about Prince William’s wife, Kate. I fondly remembered reading books about Diana when I was younger and felt that today’s girls might be fascinated by Kate in a similar way. I didn’t find many books about Kate, so I decided to write one myself. I learned much while researching Kate (or Catherine, as she prefers to be called). She’s a wonderful role model for girls today in many ways. To name just a few examples: she overcame being bullied by other girls at one of the schools she attended. And, she developed lots of patience during her nine-year courtship with Prince William. 

I hope you and the young people in your life will enjoy this biography of the Duchess.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away a grand prize of a paperback copy of the book and a stuffed Beefeater bear!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d9a7/kate-middleton-the-duchess-of-cambridge-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, February 7

Multifarious, February 8

Moments, February 9

Texas Book-aholic, February 10

A Reader’s Brain, February 11

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 13

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

Janices book reviews , February 15

Bibliophile Reviews, February 16

Carpe Diem, February 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 18

Just Your Average reviews, February 18

A Baker’s Perspective, February 19

Bigreadersite, February 20

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: The Secret of Willow Inn by Pat Nichols

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Secret of Willow Inn by Pat Nichols, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Secret of Willow Inn (Willow Falls #1) 
Author: Pat Nichols 
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas 
Release Date: January 10, 2019 
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

Two women fighting for their dreams, one who’s long lost hers, are united by tragedy and a long-held secret.

Pregnant with her first child, Emily Hayes is eager to help her mother finish transforming an estate into the Willow Inn and write a novel about Willow Falls’ colorful history. A tragic event threatens her parents’ plans to refurbish an abandoned hotel and transform the obscure Georgia setting into a tourist destination.

Sadie Lyles left Willow Falls a murderer who’d killed the town hero. She returns as a despised felon and seeks solace in the town’s café. Emily struggles to unite the close-knit community and becomes Sadie’s biggest advocate. She strives to uncover the truth about the crime and save her town from dying.

To appease her father, Rachel, a VP in his Atlanta real-estate-development firm, relegates her acting dream to secret performances for imaginary audiences. After meeting charming, flirtatious Charlie Bricker, manager for Willow Falls’ future vineyard, she vows to break free from her father’s control.

The tragedy and Willow Inn’s secret past launch Emily and Rachel on a collision course with destiny and truth.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon


MY THOUGHTS

The Secret of Willow Inn is a gem and I am thrilled to find writing of this quality in the Christian fiction genre. This story beautifully combines elements of relationship drama and women’s fiction in a character-driven narrative that is hard to put down. A favorite of mine, for sure!

The vividly-conveyed setting of Willow Falls is a typical north Georgia town, and that this story takes place in my state is an added bonus. Locations and places of business, from Atlanta to outlying areas, convey a cozy sense of place. And as in any small town, you can expect to find some gossip, financial worries, tragedy, and mystery – as well as a romance, caring, and coming together when the situation demands it.

A strong ensemble cast adds richness and depth, and makes me long for more stories in this series. Emily and Rachel might come from totally different places – rural vs. big city – but they have a lot in common, unfulfilled dreams being one example. Suspense builds around a 30-year old crime as Emily’s friend, Pepper, hires the ex-con Sadie to work in her café.

The Secret of Willow Inn is well written and heartwarming, with some unexpected elements added along the way. I highly recommend this story and am eager for the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Pat Nichols is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. 

During the spring, summer, and early autumn of her life this side of heaven, she and her high-school-sweetheart husband struggled and triumphed through life’s peaks and valleys. They raised two children, welcomed four grandchildren—one is with the angels—bought a Corvette, and ticked off every item on their travel bucket list. Now approaching her winter years, she ignores the minor aches that come with age and is grateful she can still paint her own toenails and dance with her hubby. 

Following twenty-five years in six different management positions with an international beauty company, Pat launched career number two as a novelist and freelance editor. She chose women’s fiction to honor her daughter’s strength in the face of significant health issues and the loss of a child. Her corporate experience, working with hundreds of amazing women from all walks of life, inspires her to create stories about women who confront challenges in the pursuit of their dreams. 

Although she writes five days a week, she and Tim—her best friend and number one fan—continue to celebrate their fifty-plus-year marriage. They lead a small group, volunteer for church guest services, participate in two social organizations, and spend time with family and friends. She thanks God for the blessings that brought her joy and the challenges that continue to strengthen her faith, skills, and resolve. 

Pat was born in Illinois, grew up in Orlando, and has called Georgia home since the eighties. She lives in an Atlanta suburb, is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers, Christian Pen, and Gwinnett Church (a campus of Northpoint Ministries).  

CONNECT WITH PAT NICHOLS: website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card from the author.  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 4, 2019 and lasts through 11:59pm February 11, 2019. Open Internationally. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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

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Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Winning the Cowboy's Heart by Karen Rock

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Winning the Cowboy's Heart

(Rocky Mountain Cowboys #5)
By Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 379 Pages
February 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Jewel Cade wants two things—

One is Heath Loveland

The Rocky Mountain cowgirl has her heart set on becoming range boss of the Cade ranch. But first she has to accompany the son of her family’s longtime enemy—and her off-limits secret crush—on a cattle drive across Colorado. Discovering Heath shares her attraction only makes for a rockier road. Because Jewel has a sneaking suspicion that if she drops her guard, the cowboy might ride off with her heart.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│iBooks│Kobo│Harlequin

My Thoughts 

“In the end, you only regret the chances you didn’t take.”

– Jewel

Winning the Cowboy’s Heart is an excellent story, as is the whole Rocky Mountain Cowboys series. It’s well written, highly entertaining, almost impossible to put down, engages the emotions, and is clean. Each story stands alone, but I recommend reading the whole series for the most benefit. Whichever book I’m reading at the time seems like my favorite, but there’s something special about Heath and Jewel’s story.

Karen Rock has created a memorable cast of characters in the Cade and Loveland families – two families who work hard, care about each other and the community, but are enemies because of a long-standing feud. That enmity weakened ever so slightly with the marriage of two senior family members in a previous story, then a little more when the feud’s origins proved false, but still remained firmly in place when Jewel Cade began helping the Lovelands on a cattle drive.

Jewel and Heath are engaging, well developed, and relatable characters. To Heath’s thinking, Jewel “preferred horses to people and was as approachable as a cactus” – but that hard edge soon reveals a softer side. I quickly connected with Heath’s musical ability, but wanted to shake some sense into him for always trying to please others instead of following his heart. In the words of his sister, Sierra, “He’s so used to making others happy and playing the role of knight in shining armor that he doesn’t know how to save himself.”

Woven throughout this story is the off-the-charts chemistry between Heath and Jewel, with some kissing scenes guaranteed to leave you weak at the knees, but there’s also tons of atmosphere, character depth and relational drama. I loved how Jewel and Heath cared for their cattle and learned interesting things from Jewel’s knowledge, such as the benefits of freeze branding in order to reduce stress. And a cattle-drive scene during a rain storm will hold you spellbound.

Both Jewel and Heath had to learn not to let other people control how they felt about themselves, something we can all easily relate to. And the Cade/Loveland feud reminds of how natural it is to hold a grudge, even when the basis for it is proven to be false. I also thought Sofia spoke truth about love when she told Jewel…

“Falling in love isn’t really falling, it’s more like two

people bending until they meet in the middle.”

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this series and hope for more stories to come. Highly recommended.

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

Other Books in the Series

And coming in April 2019...

About the Author

Award-winning author Karen Rock is both sweet and spicy—at least when it comes to her writing! The author of both YA and adult contemporary books writes sexy suspense novels and small-town romances for Harlequin and Kensington publishing. A strong believer in Happily-Ever-After, Karen loves creating unforgettable stories that leave her readers with a smile. 

When she’s not writing, Karen is an avid reader who also loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes, baking and having the Adirondack Park wilderness as her backyard, where she lives with her husband, daughter, dog and cat who keep her life interesting and complete. 

Learn more about her at http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Google+│Tumblr│Pinterest│BookBub│Amazon


Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card - Open Internationally
- 1 winner will receive signed, print copies of the first four books in the Rocky Mountain Cowboys series (Christmas at Cade Ranch, Falling for a Cowboy, Bad Boy Rancher & A Cowboy's Pride) - US Only

- Ends February 13, 2019

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Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Death by Committee by Alexis Morgan

Death by Committee
Alexis Morgan
Abby McCree #1
Kensington, 2019


Summary

When Abby McCree suddenly inherits her favorite relative’s property in small town Snowberry Creek, Washington, she soon realizes that the ramshackle home comes with strings attached—one of which is tied to a dead body!

After a rough divorce, Abby McCree only wants to stitch up her life and move on. But other loose ends appear after her elderly Aunt Sybil passes away, leaving Abby to tend to a rundown estate, complete with a slobbery Mastiff of questionable pedigree and a sexy tenant who growls more than the dog. As Abby gets drawn into a tight-knit quilting guild, she makes a twisted discovery—Aunt Sybil’s only known rival is buried in her backyard!

Despite what local detectives say, Abby refuses to accept that her beloved aunt had anything to do with the murder. While navigating a busy social calendar and rediscovering the art of quilting, she launches an investigation of her own to clear Aunt Sybil’s name and catch the true culprit. The incriminating clues roll in, yet Abby can’t help but wonder—can she survive her new responsibilities in Snowberry Creek and still manage to patch together a killer’s deadly pattern without becoming the next victim?

Amazon – B&N –  Kobo – GooglePlay  –  IndieBound 


My thoughts

Set in the small town of Snowberry Creek, Washington, Death by Committee begins a delightful new cozy mystery series by Alexis Morgan. With likeable protagonist and support characters both, gentle humor, a precious dog, and even a little romance, this story has all that I look for in a tradition cozy and I enjoyed it very much.

Having recently gone through a divorce, Abby moves to Snowberry Creek and into the Victorian home that she inherited from her beloved Aunt Sybil. All the quirky things that came with this inheritance add richness to the story – the attractive tenant who does odd jobs in return for reduced rent, three of Sybil’s friends who get Abby involved in Sybil’s responsibilities, and the adorable Zeke, a mastiff mix of pure delight. The story is clean, well-written, and flows at a steady pace.

There’s just enough characters to make the mystery theme easy to follow, and when someone is described as having ice in their veins … well, that describes the killer. Abby’s tenant, Tripp, makes a good romantic interest, although he’s a little short tempered. I especially liked how the police – namely, Chief Logan – are involved from the beginning and come across as intelligent and fair. It’s also enjoyable to follow Abby along as she garners information to clear her aunt by questioning people. And Zeke proves to be a pretty good judge of character himself!

Death by Committee thoroughly entertains, and its strong ensemble cast makes me eager for more stories in this series.

Recommended.

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

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USA Today Best-selling author Alexis Morgan has always loved reading and now spends her days imagining worlds filled with strong alpha heroes and gutsy heroines. She is the author of over forty-five novels, novellas, and short stories that span a variety of genres: American West historicals (as Pat Pritchard); paranormal and fantasy romances; and contemporary romances. 

She is excited to say that next year will also see the release of her first cozy mystery series. 

Alexis has been nominated for several industry awards, including the RITA, the top award in the romance genre.

Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Blog

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GIVEAWAY

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