Showing posts with label Excerpt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Excerpt. Show all posts

9.12.2023

Spotlight ~ The Time Patriot - Hail Mary Pass with Author Q & A and Excerpt

Today, I'm spotlighting Episode 1 from The Time Patriot. Hail Mary Pass 


About the Book
:

A Hail Mary Pass - that's what the President of the United States called it.
What are the chances Marc McKnight's time travel team can convince George Washington to
leave his home and travel with them to the year 2037?

Another bloody civil war is imminent in the United States. Political parties are hopelessly divided
and fanning the embers of war. Can the war be prevented if George Washington tells modern
America what the Founding Fathers were trying to achieve?

A Hail Mary Pass. 

A long shot. 

But it's worth a try.

About the Author:

Kim Megahee is a writer, a musician, and a retired IT consultant. His background includes playing in rock bands, teaching high school, and having experience in computer programming,
security, and consulting.

He lives in Gainesville, Georgia, with his soulmate wife Martha and Leo, an incredibly smart and stubborn red-headed toy poodle. In addition to writing, he enjoys reading, playing live music,
and socializing with friends.

Website: https://www.authorkimmegahee.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.kmega

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3OdX8xE

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65138146-the-time-patriot



Excerpt from Chapter Five of
The Time Patriot: Episode 1 – Hail Mary Pass

Before Washington could speak, McKnight and Tyler stepped out of the trees with their sidearms in their hands.

The robbers turned to them as McKnight spoke.

“Release him or you’ll answer to us. This gentleman is our companion and under our protection.”

The robbers spread out and raised their rifles.

“Just the two of you, then?” the leader said. “Not very good odds.”

McKnight whistled, and the rest of the team stepped out of the bushes, weapons trained on the robbers. “I won’t ask again. Lay down your weapons if you want to live.”


The bandits laid down their weapons, but the one named Sam drew a knife, leaped toward Washington, and held the blade to his throat. 


“I think you are the ones who should lie down your weapons. Else, I’ll slice your benefactor’s throat. Your choice.”

McKnight didn’t blink. 

“Hatcher?” he said.

“No shot, sir, I’ll hit the General.”

“Cutty?” 

“I have him, sir. Say the word and I’ll blow his head off.”

“Wait, now wait!” David cried out and stepped forward with his hands out. 

“Hold, Sam!” he said, and pointed at Washington. “Did you call him General? Who is he?” 

Tyler spoke. “That’s General Washington. Did you fight with him during the war?”

Sam stepped away from Washington and dropped his knife.  

“I did,” he said. “I’m sorry, sir.”

The other robbers hung their heads. 

“We all did, sir,” David said, dropping Washington’s sword. “We wouldn’t have attacked if we’d known it was you, sir. We’d sooner starve than hurt you.” 

Several of the others nodded.

Hatcher bounded over and cut the ropes that bound Washington and Lee to the tree, then went to secure the horses.


The general shrugged off the rope fragments, rubbed his wrists and, after a long look at Hatcher, he approached McKnight and Tyler. 


“Sirs, I beg you, please release these men. Their primary crime is being hungry, a common plight in this part of the country. Three of them have already paid with their lives.”

Before they could reply, Washington did a double-take and stared at Tyler’s face.

“Colonel Tyler, isn’t it?” he said. “You look different.” 

Tyler glanced at McKnight and winked with a smile. 

McKnight could almost read his friend’s mind and sense his humor. “I’m a colonel, too.”

“Yes, General Washington. It’s me. May I present—”

“I know,” Washington said. “Colonel McKnight, I presume?”

McKnight was stunned. “How…?”

Washington looked him up and down. 

“You’re not what I expected, sir. I look forward to talking with you, but we have an immediate situation to resolve. What should we do with these men?”


David spoke up. “General Washington, you have our humblest apologies. We’ll accept any punishment you demand. We deserve it.”

Washington looked at McKnight, who gave a slight nod.

“When we were at war,” Washington said, “I had men flogged for stealing.” 

He sighed. 

“The war is over, and I’m a businessman now. I’m not inclined to punish these men. What about you, Colonel McKnight?”

“I’ll leave it to you, General. It’s to your discretion.”

Washington nodded and turned back to the robbers. He walked to David and picked up his sword. He looked him in the eye, then stepped back to address all the bandits.


“I am releasing you to go back to your homes. If I learn you are waylaying people on this trail again, I shall raise a force and come looking for you. I won’t be merciful the second time.”

He approached the leader David again. The man stared at the ground.

Washington spoke in a low voice. 

“Look at me, sir.” 

David raised his face to Washington. Tears flowed down his cheeks.

“These men respect you, David,” Washington said. “You have influence over them. I’m counting on you to keep them on a Christian path. Don’t let them stray.” 

“I will, sir,” he said. “I swear before God I will.”

“Good. Pick up your weapons and go home. Find a better way to survive if you can. If not, come see me at Mount Vernon. Together, we will find a solution.”

David’s men picked up their long guns and walked back uphill to the trail. 

Washington turned his back to them and walked back to McKnight and Tyler. 

McKnight glanced at Wheeler, who nodded and slipped into the brush after the robbers. 

Washington looked at Tyler again. He touched Tyler’s hat and said, “May I?”

“Yes, sir,” Tyler said, and Washington reached forward and lifted his hat from his head. 

“I’ve known you for twenty years now, Colonel, and the last time I saw you, your hairline was receding. Now your hair is full again and the wrinkles on your face are gone. How is this possible?”

“It’s part of a plan, sir,” Tyler said. “It’s what brought us here to this time and place.”

“A plan?” Washington said. “Clearly, there’s more here than I perceive.”

He turned to McKnight.

“So, tell me, Colonel McKnight, what army are you in? What brings you and your men…” He stopped and scanned the faces before him, his eyes resting on Hatcher and Lagunas. “… Your men and women… to these woods?”

“We represent the Army of the United States, sir, and we came here looking for you.”

Washington nodded. “It appears you have found me, Colonel. What can I do for you?”

McKnight laughed. “That we have, sir. We need your help, and if you’ll allow me a few minutes of your time, I’ll explain.” 

Washington looked around and spread out his arms.

“I am at your disposal, Colonel. How can I help?”


Author Q/A

Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?

The hardest was George Washington—How do you do justice to an American Icon, but show
him as a man with faults like everyone else? The easiest was Marc McKnight, because he’s
partly me and this is my fifth book with him in the lead role.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

Mostly from things around me. For example, we recently vacationed in San Antonio and visited
the Alamo. I got an idea for a story about Davy Crockett.

There are many books out there about time travel.... What makes yours different?

Most time travel stories have no limits on the capability of time travel. In my stories, you can
only visit times that are a multiple of 25 years (give or take a week) from the current date. To
me, this adds a bit of urgency to the stories—you have limited time to make things happen. I
think having unlimited possibilities is less interesting.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Write a little every day and read books (or podcasts or videos) about the writing craft.


How long have you been writing?

I started writing around the year 2006, but I wasn’t serious about it. I’d write a few pages every
month or so. There was no urgency and no strong commitment to getting it done. Somewhere
around 2012, I decided to stop fooling around and get it done.


What genre do you write and why?

Science Fiction Time Travel. I’ve always been interested in “what if” stories, alternative history,
or stories that change history.

How are you similar to or different from your lead character?

Marc McKnight is my lead character. We are a lot alike in that we both want to do right things
and we both suffer from self-doubt and spending too much time in hindsight. Other than that,
we’re pretty different.


8.08.2023

Unseen Danger ~ Review with Excerpt

Unseen Danger JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 
Unseen Danger by Jerusha Agen, 

Unseen Danger
Unseen Danger
Guardians Unleashed #3
By Jerusha Agen

When Nevaeh Williams saves a man's life, her quick thinking puts her past and present on a collision course. Her actions catch the eye of not only Branson Aaberg, but his employer D-Chop. When the famous rapper hires the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency as additional security, her recurring PSTD is triggered leaving her wondering how long she can keep her attacks from affecting her work.

Branson Aaberg has been heading up D-Chop's security for a while, but the lifestyle of his employer has been eating him up. He needs the job and its pay, but its cost is high. When Nevaeh and Phoenix K-9 get the call to help beef up security, he is puzzled by her almost hostile attitude toward him.

Nevaeh's nightmares have come back. But what's real, and what is paranoia? Are her feelings of being watched just a symptom of her PSTD or because of D-Chop's overzealous fans? 

This is a fast-paced read that draws one in from the opening scene. It is interesting to finally get Nevaeh's backstory. Also, getting a small glimpse into her friendship with coworker Jazz provided an intriguing hint at Jazz and Nevaeh's pre-Phoenix friendship. 

Overall this was a very good read that dealt with several important issues facing many people. Staying true to your beliefs and the undermining power of fear. How many allow fear to control their lives? How does one recognize such damaging control? Unseen Danger is an excellent addition to the Elite Guardians series. I will say one could read this as a standalone title without reading the previous books, but it will read better after reading the series in order. Highly recommended; this would also make an excellent book club selection. And I have to say it, I love the dogs!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.    

Excerpt:
Nevaeh whirled to see the nanny dart into the building as Darren crashed to the blacktop. Shot.
Two men in ski masks rushed out from behind garbage bins, carrying guns. Kidnappers?

Alvarez barked and snarled.

“On it!” She dropped his leash, pulled Bear behind her legs, and gripped the boy’s arm
with her left hand as she drew her Sig. She didn’t want to shoot someone in front of Bear, but she’d do it to save his life.

Alvarez launched himself at the closest man, gripping his wrist in powerful jaws and
thrashing.

The man screamed, and his gun dropped.

The other one tried to aim at Alvarez, but he’d probably hit his pal with how much Al
was moving.

“Don’t try it.” She leveled her Sig at him. “Drop the weapon.”

Brakes screeching jerked her head to the right.

A black van pulled to a halt six feet from Sam and Destiny.

“Kids! Run to me!” She holstered her Sig, scooped Bear into her arms, and sprinted for
the other kids as they ran her way.                                   

About the Book

Title: Unseen Danger
Series:
Guardians Unleashed #3
Author: Jerusha Agen
Publisher:
SDG Words, LLC
Release Date:
July 27, 2023
Genre:
Christian Romantic Suspense

This woman and her K-9 protect others. Now who will protect them? 

After a brutal attack, it took Nevaeh Williams six years to rebuild her life. Now a security specialist at the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency, she faces danger nearly every day. But when an old friend is targeted, her fragile stability begins to crumble. 

Celebrity bodyguard Branson Aaberg could lose more than his career if he fails to end the mysterious threat against his client. Soon he’s more concerned with rescuing the tough but vulnerable woman who joins his security team. 

Nevaeh is there to protect her friend, but what if she needs protection? What if the feeling she’s being watched isn’t the result of her traumatized imagination? If the danger is real, Nevaeh's only hope for survival may be the God powerful enough to defeat her worst enemy—the one she doesn't see before it's too late.  

Unseen Danger continues the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1). (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)  

Praise for Jerusha Agen: 

"Jerusha Agen once again delivers top-level suspense and thrilling action. Fast-paced suspense at its best.”  

– DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of Concrete Evidence on Covert Danger 

"Fast-paced, explosive thriller. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough." 

 – Carrie Stuart Parks, award-winning, bestselling author of Relative Silence on Rising Danger

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in this Series

Hidden Danger  Covert Danger


Jerusha Agen

About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. 

Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.

Connect with Jerusha by visiting JerushaAgen.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

 


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card,
 signed copy of Unseen Danger, an Unseen Danger mug, Unseen Danger magnet,
plus more swag!

Unseen Danger JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 7, 2023, and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 14, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

5.19.2023

26 Below ~ Review with Excerpt

26 Below JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 
26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse, 

26 Below

26 Below
Alaskan Cyber Hunters #1
By Kimberley Woodhouse

Darcie Phillips is the new director of Fairback's Emergency Operations Center. And with an older woman making dire predictions about what would happen when the temperatures drop to -26 degrees. Well, it isn't anything good. And when you throw in other random but serious issues, you know you are in trouble.

Jason Myers is a cyber-security expert who has been assigned to Darcie's team. Soon he is busy in the extreme as various systems begin having issues throughout Fairbanks. Is it just a coincidence, or is this part of a greater problem?    

As the thermometer inches ever downward, time is running out.

This is the first Contemporary Romantic Suspense by Kimberly Woodhouse that I have read. I've read her historical fiction titles in the past and was curious how she would translate into the now. Well, 26 Below was excellent reading as the story is told from both Darcie's and Jason's POV. The suspense slowly builds as the temperature drops and the problems increase. 

This is the first book in the Alaskan Cyber Hunter series, and if it is any indication of how the series will play out, this will be a page-turning must-read! There is a resolution in this book, but in no way does it wrap everything up in this book. There is an appetite-whetting teaser included for the next book, which will have you getting in line for when it comes out. 

Now while this is a Romantic Suspense title, 26 Below finds the main characters struggling with personal issues as well. Darcie struggles with never being enough, while Jason deals with family issues. And then there are the demands of the job and regular life that's just normal. 

I highly recommend this book, especially if you happen to be living somewhere where the threat of dangerous below-zero temperatures is currently nonexistent. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book

Title: 26 Below
Series
: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #1
Author
: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher
: Kregel Publications
Release Date
: April 4, 2023
Genre
: Christian Romantic Suspense

"A THRILL RIDE . . . AS CURRENT AS TODAY'S FRONT-PAGE NEWS!" --Colleen Coble, USA Today best-selling author

A curse.
A killer.
A chill in the air. 
 
Temps are dropping and time is running out. 
 
In her new role as Emergency Operations Center director for Fairbanks, Alaska, Darcie Phillips prevents disasters. But none of her training can prepare her for the terror that's coming. 
 
As a cybersecurity specialist, Jason Myers is determined to ferret out any threats to the town he now calls home--and that includes his reckless brother and his ecoterrorist friends. 
 
When an old woman's wild prediction--widespread destruction as soon as the Fairbanks temperature falls to 26 below--hits national headlines, neither Darcie nor Jason sees a real risk to anything but tourism. 
 
Then the bodies start dropping. 
 
Darcie is relying on her experience and intelligence to stop a killer; Jason is relying on God to guide the way. But they'll have to work together to find the truth and prevent their Alaskan town from becoming a city of nightmares. 
 
"An action-packed page-turner that . . . blew me away. If you like stories of intrigue, action, romance, and biblical hope, this is the story for you." --Tracie Peterson, ECPA and USA Today best-selling author

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub


About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now makes her home in the Pennsylvania Poconos.

Connect with Kimberley by visiting kimberleywoodhouse.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

 

Excerpt

Natalie ran through a field of magenta fireweed, just as she had when she was young.

Wait . . . Her feet stilled, and she studied the sky. White clouds moved across the blue background as if
the world was spinning faster and faster. She closed her eyes and opened them once more. She was
young again. Glancing down at her hands, she watched them transform from wrinkled and aged back to
smooth and firm. Young for now. Wherever she was.

Thump, thump, thump.

The field changed. Fireweed and blue sky morphed into floor and walls. Her home. The one where she’d raised six children and buried Tito. The home she lost after he died.

Thump, thump.

With a blink, she now fought the Alaskan wind. Struggled against the blinding snow. A small part of her
brain recognized she was dreaming. The people at the clinic in Anchorage had warned her the disease
would ravage her brain. The most frustrating part was not always recognizing what was real and what
was a dream or a memory. The dreams and memories were places she begged to stay.

Reality much harder to swallow.

Where would her mind take her now? The wind bit through her sweater and sent a chill up her arms.
Shelter. That’s what she needed. Before she froze. Shelter . . .

Where had she found shelter? A glimpse of hope at the tip of her mind wouldn’t materialize. What could
she do? Where could she go?

Cold. So cold.

Thump, scrape.

A little jolt took her breath away. She blinked several times. Where was she now? Wait . . . she wasn’t
cold anymore.

Her favorite blanket was around her. A soft pillow under her head. Blinking several times, she looked at
the wood planks above her head.

That’s right—she’d found shelter in a tiny cabin about three miles from Fairbanks.
(pp 16-17)

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

26 Below blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 15, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 22, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US Amazon accounts only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

5.05.2023

The Shifting Current ~ Review with Excerpt

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 
The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey, 

The Shifting Current

The Shifting Current 
Coastal Guardians #4  
By Dani Pettrey

Logan Perry loves his job as a Special Agent with the Coast Guard's Investigative Services division. And he especially loves working with Emmy Thorton; she makes him a better investigator. And makes him want to be a better man. But the secrets from his past will forever stand in the way of any future they could have.

When Logan gets word that Colt, his grandfather, the man who raised him, has been murdered, he returns home. He needs to lay his grandfather to rest and find justice. But he won't be going alone; Emmy insists on helping him because together, nothing can stop them from getting to the truth. And she refuses to allow him to suffer such a loss alone.

The Shifting Current brings the Coastal Guardians series to a conclusion. It is interesting to finally get Logan's back story, to learn who and what shaped him into the man he is. But throughout, we get to see Emmy and Logan working together to discover not who but why someone decided to kill Colt. And as they get closer to answers, danger comes ever closer. Overall this was a good book, it is a novella, so it is just under 200 pages and a relatively quick read. The action keeps the story moving while maintaining the tension of wondering, "What's next?" The fact that we've gotten glimpses of Logan and Emmy's rather complicated relationship throughout the series makes this the "cherry on top," where their romance is concerned. And to best enjoy this book, you should probably read the first three books in the series first, but it is doable even if you pick this up first; it's just like skipping to the end of the book (only in this case, it would be the series).

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book

Title: The Shifting Current 
Series: Coastal Guardians novella 
Author: Dani Pettrey 
Publisher: Gracie & Johnny Inc. 
Release Date: May 2, 2023 
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

An elusive killer. A false identity. A deadly maze of lies.

When Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent LOGAN PERRY’s beloved grandfather is murdered, Logan races to his hometown of Cauldron Creek, New Mexico to investigate the murder. His teammate and friend, EMMY THORTON, insists on joining him. Not a good idea—not when he loves her, but carries a secret that he knows will tear them apart. 

Emmy knows Logan will pursue the investigation no matter the cost, and she won’t let the man she loves plunge into a dangerous situation alone. She needs to be at his side, even if he believes friendship is her only reason for joining him. 

What looks like a robbery gone wrong rapidly shifts, drawing Emmy and Logan into a dizzying maze where nothing is as it appears. Every lead slips through their fingers as threats against them grow deadlier at each turn. Having only each other to rely on, their love for one another deepens, but will they live long enough to admit their attraction to each other? 

They’re in the killer’s sights. One wrong move puts their future together and their lives on the line.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in this Series

The Killing Tide    The Crushing Depths     The Deadly Shallows


Excerpt

Em was a natural. He knew she’d be. She took to everything so easily, her easygoing
nature just adapting. He loved her so. The lyrics for “I Lived” by OneRepublic tracked through
his mind, especially the part about hoping the person found love and that it hurt so bad. Hurt in
a good way. It was the strangest dichotomy, but he understood it. He ached for her.

“Now we’re going to have to go through a narrow stretch along the trail. Just go slow.”

“Where exactly are we headed?”

“There’s an outcropping on the far ledge. We’ll tie up the horses and head out on the
boulder. Sitting there, away from any man-made lights, you can see a gazillion stars.”

“A gazillion, huh?” She laughed. “Oh.” Her voice went up an octave. “I see what you
mean about the trail narrowing.

“You’ll be good. Just let Wrangler do his thing. The horses have walked this trail so many
times over the years, it’s second nature to them.”
Em stared down at what was visible of the steep drop-off in the moonlight. It had to be
well over a hundred-foot drop.

“Easy now,” Logan said. “Nice and slow. You’ve got this. Just trust your mount—he
knows what he’s doing.”

A noise like the crack of a whip sounded a millisecond before the rock by Em’s head
shattered.

Wrangler reared back, and Logan’s heart lodged in his throat. Em.

About the Author

Dani Pettrey

Publishers Weekly, #1 Parable, #1 Amazon, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly 800,000 copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters (Publishers Weekly), gripping storyline[s], (RT Book Reviews), and sizzling undercurrent of romance (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland.

Connect with Dani by visiting danipettrey.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" mug, 
gourmet roasted coffee from NYC, 
and the full Coastal Guardian series 
including The Shifting Current in paperback!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" notebook, 
gel pens, and a paperback copy of The Killing Tide!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" vintage sign 
and a paperback copy of The Crushing Depths!

The Shifting Current JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. 
The full tour schedule is linked below. 
The giveaway began at midnight May 5, 2023, and lasts 
through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2023. 
The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of their prize. 
US only. 
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

The Shifting Current JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

5.02.2023

The Duke and the Lady Gardener ~ Review with Excerpt

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 
The Duke and the Lady Gardener by Alissa Baxter, 


The Duke and the Lady GardenerThe Duke and the Lady Gardener
The Grantham Girls #1
By Alissa Baxter

Alexandra Grantham does what she can to provide for the poor. But now her questionable activities are about to get her into trouble when she targets her new neighbor, Mr. Robert Chanderly. Suddenly she has someone not intimidated by her activities as a lady highwayman. Worse, he knows who she is, and her fate rests in his hands.

But when her London Season begins, rather than ruining her, Robert pays her attention, effectively elevating her in the eyes of society. But her outspoken ways have made her enemies, enemies who are in the ton. Can Robert protect her as her enemies draw close?

The Duke and the Lady Gardener is the first book in The Grantham Girls series, and it is a fun read. Alexandra feels burdened to help those in need in her neighborhood. But she doesn't have the means to support them on her own, and the other landowners don't seem to care. But when she challenges Robert, she never expected him to care, much less listen to her. Taking over his newly inherited estate, Robert decides to keep his true identity a secret in an effort to thwart the attentions of title-hungry mothers. He didn't expect to find a red-haired miss who was outspoken and cared little for her marriage prospects. This is a clash of wills and personalities, as Alexandra and Robert learn that not everything is as it seems at first glance, and sometimes love blooms in the most unexpected places.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion, all thoughts expressed are my own.


Excerpt


The thieves rode swiftly across the countryside, saying not a word to one
another as they sped away. Finally, they came to a secluded copse where
they drew up their horses and silently dismounted beside an open carriage,
which had been carefully concealed amongst the bushes. The leader picked
up a bundle from the conveyance and slipped away behind some trees while
the larger highwayman harnessed the horses.

He went about his task efficiently, muttering to himself as he put the
animals in their traces. Finally, the man raised his voice: “Our escape this
time was too narrow, Miss Grantham. When I saw the barrel of that gun in
your face—. Your brother would have my blood if he knew I aid you in such
foolishness.”

“It isn’t foolishness, Ben, and we managed to escape, so don’t fuss. Is my
appearance tidy enough?”

Ben scowled at the young lady who emerged from behind the bushes.
“Aye, miss, you look tidy enough. But that wouldn’t be the case if a
bloodstain happened to mark those pretty clothes of yours.”

“You concern yourself far too much over me. I admit our plans went
slightly awry today, but Lady Luck has smiled on us—as she always does.”
She laughed up at him as he assisted her into the carriage.

Ben continued to frown. “Well, in my experience, miss, it don’t pay to
tempt fate. We’d be mad to continue this for much longer.”

About the Book

Title: The Duke and the Lady Gardener
Series: The Grantham Girls #1
Author: Alissa Baxter
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Release Date
: May 2, 2023
Genre
: Regency/Historical Romance (sweet, wholesome)

Love blossoms for a Lady Gardener when she robs a Duke. . . and then steals his heart.

Alexandra Grantham becomes Lady Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to provide for the local farm workers in the district. However, when her new neighbor, Mr. Robert Chanderly, unmasks her, Alexandra cannot hide her horror as he has it within his power to ruin her reputation. But, instead of blighting her social chances when they arrive in London, Robert decides to bring Alexandra into high fashion, and she effectively takes the ton by storm.  
 
Enemies abound in the Capital, however, causing trouble for Alexandra at every turn. So when an adversary threatens to reveal Alexandra’s dangerous secret, Robert must do everything within his power to defend the honor of the woman he loves—or lose the only lady he’s ever wished to make his wife.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

   


About the Author

Alissa Baxter

Alissa Baxter wrote her first Regency romance during her long university holidays. After traveling the world, she settled down to write her second Regency novel, which was inspired by her time living on a country estate in England. Alissa then published two chick lit novels, The Truth About Clicking Send and Receive(previously published as Send and Receive) and The Truth About Cats and Bees (previously published as The Blog Affair).

Many years later, Alissa returned to her favorite era. She writes Regency romances that feature women in trend-setting roles who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways… at least eventually. Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons.

Connect with Alissa by visiting alissabaxter.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card!

The Duke and the Lady Gardener JustRead Tours giveaway
The full tour schedule is linked below. 
The giveaway begins at midnight on May 2, 2023, and will last 
through 11:59 PM EST on May 9, 2023. 
The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 
US Amazon accounts only. 
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


 

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

The Duke and the Lady Gardener JustRead Blog + Review Tour

4.25.2023

Safeguarding the Witness ~ Review with Excerpt



Safeguarding the WitnessSafeguarding the Witness
The Protectors
By Laurie Winter

Kayla Swartz’s return to Snowberry, Montana, was a last-minute trip after a call from her estranged father. Her little sister is in need of someplace to stay. And Kayla answered the call, but when she arrives, her father has been murdered. 

Worse, the killer was looking for something - stolen jewels. Could her father's old ways have again gotten him into trouble? Trouble that he couldn't get out of this time. 

But Nicholas Galanis, Kayla's high school boyfriend, claims that her father had changed. But after years of living under the shadow of her father's ill reputation, she has a hard time believing he could have changed. And when someone makes a threat against Kayla and Olive, Kayla turns to Nicholas for help. Their lives depend on staying one step ahead of the killer. And this killer isn't going to back off until he gets what he thinks Trevor Swartz gave to his daughters. 

In Safeguarding the Witness, Nicholas and Kayla have to deal with their shared past - one that resulted in their plans for the future going completely off-track, and Kayla was the one everyone blamed. 

This book is part of the Love Inspired Suspense series, and as such, you know that you will get a clean read without getting the story lost in a lot of graphic details. The story opens by jumping right into the action. Something was very wrong. How could this not draw you in? What was wrong? And not only was it wrong, but it was very wrong. And from here, it just ups the tension and builds to the climax. This is not to be missed if you are a fan of Love Inspired Suspense or Christian Romantic Suspense.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Safeguarding the Witness
Series: The Protectors
Author
: Laurie Winter
Publisher: Inspirational The Protectors Collection (Love Inspired Suspense)
Release Date
: April 25, 2023
Genre
: Christian Romantic Suspense
 
A treasure worth killing for…  
 
Unless the bodyguard can protect them 
 
Kayla Swartz’s return to Snowberry, Montana, has been a living nightmare. She found her estranged father murdered, and unless she retrieves some missing jewels, Kayla and her three-year-old sister could be next. With nowhere else to turn, Kayla entrusts their lives to bodyguard Nicholas Galanis. But is hiding at a remote cabin in the mountains their best chance to survive…or the perfect opportunity for an ambush?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop/IndieBound | BookBub


Laurie Winter

About the Author

Multiple award-winning author Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love. She keeps her life balanced with jogging and binge-watching true-crime shows. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she's enjoying time with her family, who are scattered between Wisconsin and Michigan. Laurie has three kids and one fantastic husband, all who inspire her to chase her dreams.

Connect with Laurie by visiting lauriewinter.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.




Excerpt

Kayla raced outside after Nicolas but couldn’t react quickly enough. The blast caught her off guard, knocking her off the front stoop. She tumbled down the stairs and landed on a patch of brown grass. Her ears rang, and she pressed her hands over them to muffle the sound. She blinked, trying to soothe the sting of tears.

Nicolas! her mind screamed. He’d been close, too close. If he was hurt—or worse… Kayla halted her anxiety-producing theories. She pushed herself back onto her feet. Her vision narrowed in on Nicolas’s large form sprawled on the front lawn. He’d always seemed indestructible to her. Please let him be okay.

The front door swung out, and Detective Reimer sprinted out, barking orders into her cell
phone. She skidded to a stop by Kayla. “Are you hurt?”

Kayla shook her head. “No. Nicolas was near the blast.” 

“Emergency services are on their way. Stay here.” Detective Reimer left Kayla with firm instructions before heading to Nicolas.

Nicolas would be all right. He had to be. The alternative clawed inside her.



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Safeguarding the Witness JustRead Blog + Review Tour