The Railroad Magnate ~ Review

The Railroad Magnate
Colter Sons #3
By Karen Baney

Early on James Colter knew he wanted to be involved with the railroad and trains. Ranching wasn't for him. His path became successful, but it was a lonely one. As his work with the industry grew, his younger brothers began having families of their own, something he himself wanted. But no woman ever caught his eye, though they tried. No woman until the day the saw Keri Glassman.

Keri was only sixteen years old when she caught the eye of James Colter, and he asked her to dance. The ten-year difference in their age seemed too much. But she never was too far from his thoughts.

Following in her parents' footsteps, Keri became an attorney with a focus on being a contract attorney. When her skills save James's railroad company hundreds of thousands of dollars, she finds herself working with James.

But nothing is ever easy and when an economic crisis threatens the railroad industry, everyone's future is in flux. Can they weather the storm that could destroy everything James has spent the last ten years sacrificing for?

When an opportunity to visit the Chicago World's Fair comes, James and Keri are about to face a choice that could change their lives. But pleasing her parents or following her heart could be a decision that Keri is not willing to make. Who is she willing to disappoint? 

This is the third book in the Colter Sons series, and it follows the family as they deal with a changing world. Some changes are easier than others, but others could break the bonds of family when differences arise. I would recommend reading the series in order, but this book could be enjoyed on its own. This is an enjoyable clean historical read. The characters are relatable, and one can empathize with the various viewpoints and concerns of each. 

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:

Prescott, Arizona Territory, 1891 – 1893

James Colter was a successful entrepreneur and businessman in the railroad industry. As he watches his younger brothers marry and start their families, his loneliness deepens. He has everything, except the one thing he longs for the most:  a wife and family of his own. When he dances with the daughter of an older friend, was it love at first sight, or will he put his personal dream on hold again to pursue his professional aspirations? 

Keri Glassman wants to follow in her parents’ footsteps. She dreams of becoming a contract attorney. When a handsome suitor invites her on a train ride, the course of her life is rewritten. Like her mother, she wants it all, a career, a loving husband, and a family. Can she find her own way or will her desire to please her parents threaten to destroy her hope for a lasting love?

Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: December 2, 2022

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

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

The Roaming Adventurer ~ Review

 

The Roaming Adventurer
Colter Sons #2
Karen Baney

Boone Colter has finally decided to open his own office as a surveyor and needs to hire a crew. Time is of the essence as he has a job that needs to be done as soon as possible, routing a new railroad line. When Jack Bennett applies for the job, he seems a perfect fit with his experience. There's just one problem "Jack" is actually Jaclyn.

Jaclyn's plan is working perfectly, and her disguise has fooled everyone. Until she gets hurt and her secret is revealed. With Jaclyn's reputation ruined, Boone does what he can to protect her by offering to marry her. 

Marriage wasn't something either Boone or Jaclyn was contemplating when suddenly it was thrust upon them. Can they make it work, or will the entire situation make them resent one another and their marriage?

The Roaming Adventurer is the second book in the Colter Sons series, and it picks up a couple years after The Reluctant Cattleman. It is interesting to revisit the Colter family and see how it has changed. The relationship between the brothers is definitely a tangled mess, and one has to wonder just what makes them each the way they are. Overall this is a good story with emotional peaks and valleys as life unfolds. 

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

About the Book:

Prescott, Arizona Territory, in 1890–1891.

Boisterous Boone Colter settled into his career as a surveyor when his older brother approached him to survey a route for a new railroad. When Boone hires Jack Bennett, he never expected to be forced to choose between his desire for independence and protecting Jack. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he find a way to strike a balance? 

Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett spent the last six years apprenticing as an assistant surveyor under her father. When her father asks her to give up her dreams, settle down, and get married, Jaclyn disguises herself as a man and flees to Prescott, Arizona. Except she never thought through how her choice would destroy the lives of those around her. Will she find a way to reconcile broken relationships?

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

The Colter Sons Series ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the 

first three books of the Colter Sons series by Karen Baney, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Reluctant Cattleman
Colter Sons #1
By Karen Baney

All his life Sam Colter has felt like he doesn't belong and that he's a disappointment to his parents, especially his father. And when he invites EM Thatcher to the family's ranch in his father's name, he knows he's messed up. 

Ellie Mae Thatcher moved to Prescott to further her career as a newspaper journalist, and interviewing the Prescott Pioneers is on her list of articles. There's just one little problem when she contacted the Colters, she did it under her professional name EM Thatcher. She knows presenting herself as a woman will hinder her career and judging by the reception she received from Sam Colter, she was right. Soon Ellie Mae is making a name for herself, all while getting closer to Sam. 

The Reluctant Cattleman is the first book in a series that focuses on the children of Hannah and Will Colter. This book is mainly Sam's story, a story that finds him confronting the past while hoping for a future that offers him the feeling of belonging he has long sought.  The book is presented so that the reader is experiencing it through Sam and Ellie Mae's eyes. Often the same event is shared through both of their unique perspectives. This first-person presentation allows one to more fully immerse in the story and connect with the characters. There are moments of joy and grief, love and despair. Overall an excellent series starter that will make one want to read book two.

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 Books

Title: The Reluctant Cattleman
Series: Colter Sons #1
Author: Karen Baney
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Publisher: Desert Life Media

Release Date: August 19, 2022

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Coming of age story set in Prescott, Arizona in 1887. 

As Sam Colter takes on more responsibilities at the family ranch, he believes he is a disappointment to his father. He feels like the misfit of the family. When a journalist shows up to interview his mother, secrets from the past threaten his fledging sense of security. Can he overcome his fear and doubts to accept his role as a cattleman and rancher? Will he allow himself to love the woman who turned his life upside down? 

Ellie Mae Thatcher moves to Prescott to start her career as a writer. When she misleads the Colters about her identity, she hurts the man she is falling in love with. Can she win back his trust and his heart?

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

Title: The Roaming Adventurer
Series: Colter Sons #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Shotgun Wedding, Main Character Disguise Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1890 – 1891.

Boisterous Boone Colter settled into his career as a surveyor when his older brother approached him to survey a route for a new railroad. When Boone hires Jack Bennett, he never expected to be forced to choose between his desire for independence and protecting Jack. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he find a way to strike a balance? 

Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett spent the last six years apprenticing as an assistant surveyor under her father. When her father asks her to give up her dreams, settle down, and get married, Jaclyn disguises herself as a man and flees to Prescott, Arizona. Except she never thought through how her choice would destroy the lives of those around her. Will she find a way to reconcile broken relationships?

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

Title: The Railroad Magnate
Series: Colter Sons #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1891 – 1893.

James Colter was a successful entrepreneur and businessman in the railroad industry. As he watches his younger brothers marry and start their families, his loneliness deepens. He has everything, except the one thing he longs for the most:  a wife and family of his own. When he dances with the daughter of an older friend, was it love at first sight, or will he put his personal dream on hold again to pursue his professional aspirations? 

Keri Glassman wants to follow in her parents’ footsteps. She dreams of becoming a contract attorney. When a handsome suitor invites her on a train ride, the course of her life is rewritten. Like her mother, she wants it all, a career, a loving husband, and a family. Can she find her own way or will her desire to please her parents threaten to destroy her hope for a lasting love?

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

More Books in This Series

   

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About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona in the late 1990s, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona. 

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win all 6 books in the Colter Sons series (winner picks paperback or ebook)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 3, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 10, 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

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

Deep Blue Murder ~ Review

Deep Blue Murder

A Fiona Quinn Mystery #11

By C.S. McDonald

Fiona Quinn and her now husband, Nathan Landry, have been offered a free weekend getaway in the Bahamas. What newlyweds would turn down such a chance? Not Nate and Fiona, but maybe they should have? Especially since it was going to be a "working" trip for Nate's mom, Rita. But what could go wrong in paradise? A whole lot!  Especially when you are stuck on an island with no connections to the outside world, as in no phones, computers, or anything. Yikes!

But the island does offer monkeys, beaches, and an interesting mix of people staying there with them. And did I say a possible scandal in the making? Yep, a real relaxing weekend getaway, NOT!                  

I really enjoyed this book. The pacing was excellent, and the various potential victims and suspects make for an exciting who-did-what-to-whom to the very end. Can they find the answers they seek before the whole weekend goes horribly wrong? Probably not before a crime or two happens. But just who is the guilty party? 

And then there are Fiona's home parents there for the wedding. With an armload of Yorkies to harass her nosy neighbor and her mom, Nancy taking on her own investigation into the murder, well, it won't get boring. 

I listened to the audio version of this, and the narration was excellent. The book was narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg and was well presented. At just over 7-1/2 hours, this is the perfect busy work listen. This is most definitely a cozy mystery, and I would have no qualms recommending it to any reader over twelve years of age. This is one to add to your Summer TBR list, perfect for wherever you are when you need to getaway without going anywhere.

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

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Book Details:

Book Title:  Tastes Like Murder:  A Fiona Quinn Mystery #11
Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  YA Fiction, 268 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Nov 2022
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books, and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

About the Book:

Fiona is delighted when her new mother-in-law, Rita Landry invites her and Nathan to a private island in the Bahamas owned by a US ambassador. Sun, sandy beaches, and romantic tangerine sunsets await the newlyweds, but for Rita and her executive assistant, Hal Underwood the trip to Deep Blue Isle is a working vacation. Ambassador Taslow has summoned them to the island to discuss a scandal he has fallen victim to. However, when the Landry’s and Hal arrive, they find less than welcoming circumstances: no internet or Wi-Fi, mischievous monkeys, a dangerous tenant, and then there’s that pesky dead body.

​A storm is brewing on Deep Blue Isle, and it has nothing to do with wind and rain.

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BUY THE BOOK:
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries includes nine books with a tenth slated for 2021. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg.

Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh and the female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Nest Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister. 

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook ~ Instagram

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A Novel Tea Evening with Authors ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors including Lynn Austin, Susie Finkbeiner, Jocelyn Green, Laura Frantz, Kate Breslin, Amanda Barratt, and Joanna Davidson Politano, sponsored by JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited

A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors
September 2, 2023 at 7 p.m. 
Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Chicago

Join us at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, at Chicago’s historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel for a tasteful evening with tea and talk of books, writing, history, and the power of story. Emceed by Chris Jager of Baker Book House, seven novelists will share what inspires them, tales from the research files, what they’ve learned on the journey, and their hope for readers.

Learn More about A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors

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About the Authors

LYNN AUSTIN, whose titles include Long Way Home, Chasing Shadows, and If I Were You. 

Connect with her at LynnAustin.org.

AMANDA BARRATT, whose titles include Within These Walls of Sorrow, The White Rose Resists, and My Dearest Dietrich. 

Connect with her at AmandaBarratt.net.

KATE BRESLIN, whose titles include In Love’s Time, As Dawn Breaks, and Far Side of the Sea. 

Connect with her at KateBreslin.com.

SUSIE FINKBEINER, whose titles include The All-American, The Nature of Small Birds, and All Manner of Things. 

Connect with her at SusieFinkbeiner.com.

LAURA FRANTZ, whose titles include The Rose and the Thistle, A Heart Adrift, and Tidewater Bride. 

Connect with her at LauraFrantz.net.

JOCELYN GREEN, whose titles include The Metropolitan Affair, The Windy City Saga series, and The Mark of the King. 

Connect with her at JocelynGreen.com.

JOANNA DAVIDSON POLITANO, whose titles include The Lost Melody, A Midnight Dance, and The Love Note. 

Connect with her at JDPStories.com.

Purchase Tickets to Attend A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors

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The Lost Melody

A Midnight Dance #2

By Joanna Davidson Politano

Vivienne Mourdant is finally free of her father. But his death has forced her into a time of mourning, preventing her from performing as she wants; no, she needs to. When she receives word that she now has a ward in Hurstwell Asylum, she makes inquiries. But the woman she seeks is not there, nor has she ever been there. Her curiosity piqued, Vivienne decides to find the answers she seeks herself. 

Working at the asylum under a false name, Vivienne soon finds herself getting lost in the darkness that has taken hold of Hurstwell. And unless she guards herself well, she may never leave the place alive.

The Lost Melody is a true Gothic novel. It will drag you into it as a willing victim to its haunting call. Who are all these people trapped within its walls? You, like Vivienne, will be unable to pull yourself away. I have always enjoyed books with a Gothic thread throughout them. An unexplained abandoned tower. Unexplained music in the night. Whispers. And treacherous people undermining your very sanity. There is something to be said for reading these books late into the night as the night closes in around you. And Joanna Davidson Politano does an excellent job setting the mood and feel to create just such a story that one cannot help to be drawn to the plight that Vivienne finds herself in. I highly recommend this book and would say it would make for an intriguing Book Club discussion. 

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:

"Haunting. Riveting. Filled with hope."--Michelle Griep, author of Lost in Darkness

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. Vivienne had no idea the woman existed, and yet her portrait is shockingly familiar. When the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.


The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know.

But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository |Bookshop.org | Christianbook | BookBub

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About the Author:

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, and A Midnight Dance. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. 

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

                                                         JustRead Tours

All the Lost Places ~ Review

All the Lost Places

By Amanda Dykes

Daniel Goodman made mistakes and paid the price society deemed he owed. But he knows he owes more to those he wronged, and he is determined to pay it in full. But when he learns that his mother is in need he takes on a job that will make use of his skills with language and sketching. His journey will take him from San Francisco to Venice, where he must search out a long-held secret. A secret that will mean more to him than he could have ever anticipated. What Daniel must discover is the conclusion to Sebastien Trovato's story. A story that Sebastien himself has long wondered about himself. 

This is a story of discovery. Two men, one in the nineteenth century and the other at the dawn of the twentieth, both seeking answers. Sebastien seeks to learn who he is - as a child adrift upon the waters, he doesn't know where he came from, though his early years were filled with the caring of those who took him in and raised him. But this is so much more; this is a story of redemption. No life is too far gone if the heart is willing to change. But one must choose to change. It takes time, effort, and dedication, yet it is given to those who will accept it.

This is a work of Historical Fiction, but there is a thread of mystery that runs through it. The story alternates between Daniel's and Sebastien's, with more devoted to Daniel's at the beginning of the book.

I loved the prologue. I know there are those who skip it, viewing it as unnecessary. But this one is beautiful - the language is music to the soul as it introduces the reader to Venice.

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:

When all of Venice is unmasked, one man’s identity remains a mystery . . .

1807
When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the quiet canals of Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as a son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastien Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn’t until a woman washes ashore on his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastien must make a choice that could alter not just his own future but also that of the beloved floating city.

1904
Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden with regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien Trovato.

Recruit of Talionis ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Recruit of Talionis by C.J. Milacci, 
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 Recruit of Talionis

 Talionis Series #1

 By C.J. Milacci

 The Recruit of Talionis is an intriguing read. Set sometime in the future,  the world as we know it has been drastically altered by something known as the Demise, and it is in this environment that we are introduced to Bria Averton. Bria is seventeen years old when her life is altered when she is stolen away from her home to an unknown city known as Talionis. 

 What is Talionis? And why she was brought there along with hundreds of other teens is foremost on her mind. All too soon, Bria learns that she is to forget her past and willingly serve Talionis and its ruler, Commander Demetrius Ark, without question. Following rules has always been a thing with Bria, and she isn't about to willingly and blindly serve her captors as they try to turn her into the perfect soldier. But her captors know things about her that they shouldn't, and they are more than happy to use any means possible to force her compliance.

But those who rule and control Talionis don't know Bria and her determination to escape and warn her family of this unknown threat to them. 

This is a harsh world. Punishment for failure or disobedience is severe, and kindness is vulnerability to be leveraged. Welcome to Talionis! This is definitely a dystopian read at its best. Survival is paramount, and betrayal is to be rewarded.

This is an action-packed read that is sure to engage. I will admit I found this to be a book I didn't want to put down. The characters are well-developed, and there are a few I really dislike (I mean, I really, really dislike them). There are a couple characters I can't get a good read on - are they evil? Are they sympathetic to the plight of the recruits? And then there is our small group of recruits determined to resist and not lose themselves to Talionis. Truly an excellent read that is a must-read, in my opinion. I love how it ended so that one knows more is to come. 

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.

Support the Kickstarter campaign to bring book two, Fugitive of Talionis, to print.

Kickstarter campaign for Fugitive of Talionis (Talionis Series #2)

About the Book

Title: Recruit of Talionis
Series: Talionis Series #1
Author: C.J. Milacci
Publisher: Fayette Press
Release Date: November 3, 2022
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi Dystopian

"Forget where you came from. Forget the life you knew. You are now recruits of Talionis!"

A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis? 

America has fallen. Seventeen-year-old Bria Averton grew up in a small town of survivors near the ruins of Portland, Maine. It’s all she’s ever known — until she’s kidnapped along with hundreds of other teens and brought to the city of Talionis. A city no one knew existed. 

The soldiers tell them the intense trainings are for the good of the survivors, and Bria resists being forced into a new life as a recruited soldier. But she soon finds the dangers in the city are greater than she imagined. 

Escape is impossible, and Bria fears drowning in the evil of the city… and the guilt from her own past. But can she find hope, even here?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

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About the Author

CJ Milacci has found creating to be therapeutic in the chaos of life. Writing is her favorite way to create, and she seeks to take her readers on a grand adventure that begins with a single word. As a referee, she is always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She is passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance. Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She loves deep conversations, yo-yos, rollerblading, and finding reasons to throw a dance party. She chats about writing, her faith, and the hope found in Jesus, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Recruit of Talionis with swag and a $15 Amazon gift card!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on March 27, 2023, and 

will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 3, 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 only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

The Blackout Book Club ~ Review

The Blackout Book Club

By Amy Lynn Green

Avis Montgomery has never been a recreational reader, her reading has always leaned toward the educational - magazines that help her be the perfect housewife. But she is now the head librarian of Derby, Maine, taking her brother Anthony's position when he signed up to serve in Europe. And in an effort to save the library, she impulsively announces a new book club - the Blackout Book Club. 

Soon the Blackout Book Club grows into something more than Avis ever expected - friendship. And as the daily struggles and hardships of life and a world in turmoil continue, this could be the very lifeline they all need.

The story is told through the perspectives of the various founding members of the book club. I especially loved the "minutes" taken during the meetings. It added more depth to the characters who were relating how the meeting went through their perspective. I also found it intriguing how several of the characters seemed to be hiding something, but we are kept in the dark just what is being hidden. But other characters we learn what they are hiding almost from the beginning. Now I need to read some of the books that the Blackout Book Club read - some of them sounded interesting.

I think this would be an excellent book club selection given the title and the various books mentioned.

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

I did purchase this book in audio format and the narration by Leah Horowitz is excellent. She presents the story well and the various characters are for the most part easily identifiable. The story moves along well, I played it back 1.35 times as I listen along with my reading.

About the Book:

An impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European Front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different--a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they share more in common with each other than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

The Secrets of Emberwild ~ Review

The Secrets of Emberwild

By Stephenia H. McGee

Nora Fenton wants to decide her own future; she wants to train and race her colt, Arrow. But society frowns upon such action, and the men who work at Emberwild are less than helpful when she tries to break out of the mold her family is forcing her into. 

When her father dies, Nora is the only one to hear his confession, a confession that is left half unsaid. But the only thing Nora knows is that a lie has embittered her father's last years. And if the lie is what she suspects, everything around her will come tumbling down around her. 

Seeking answers, Silas Cavallero returns to the place his father died, was it indeed an accident? Or was it something more sinister? Feeling that the answers he needs may be found at Emberwild, Silas offers his skills as a trainer. Skills that Nora may need if her dreams for Arrow are to come true. 

But the secrets that Emberwild hides are deeply seeded and nearly impossible to uncover. And worse, discovering just what those secrets are could cost Silas and Nora their lives.

The Secrets of Emberwild is the perfect book. I've always loved books that featured horses, and this one does that while adding both mystery and romance to a historical backdrop. This was my first-time reading Stephania McGee's work, and I wasn't disappointed. The characters were well-written and the pacing was excellent. I can honestly say this is one I didn't want to put down it was that good.

If you judge a book by its cover, you won't regret picking this one up and getting lost amongst the pages. And it would make an excellent book club selection.

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:

A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They’re easier to handle, they’re more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father’s passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father’s death–even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he’s come to admire.

A Return to Hawthorne House ~ Review

A Return to Hawthorne House

A Hawthorne House Novella Collection

By Kristi Ann Hunter

A Return to Hawthorne House is a collection of shorter stories mostly set before A Noble Masquerade. There are three stories Always a Lady, The Lady's Maid, and A Lady of Esteem (which is only in the print edition, not the digital edition). I read the digital edition, as that is what I preordered (I had previously obtained A Lady of Esteem). 

Always a Lady finds Miranda in the midst of her Season, but she isn't catching the eyes of any gentlemen; rather, her mother is. Specifically, the Earl of Blackstone has singled her out. But is the Earl looking for another chance at love? Or is he sabotaging Miranda's chances so his own daughter will win the hand of the Season's most eligible bachelor? 

This is the lovely story that was only hinted at throughout the Hawthorne House series as Miranda, Georgina, Trent, and Griffith all search for love, as their parents did.

In The Lady’s Maid, Trent takes over the home that Amelia Stalwood had called home. The servants were more like family than servants, and they are taking Trent into their fold. One of the servants, Lydia Smith had been Amalia's companion and a parlor maid and was content with her work. But when Trent's valet turns out to be the one man Lydia had feelings for, she's not sure she'll be able to stay. When Finch is ordered to work closely with Lydia, all the feelings and dreams that she's been hiding for years could come true or ruin everything. 

But working for the Hawthornes could provide unexpected surprises - after all, they all believe in love matches, not marriages of convenience. Could this trickle down to their servants? Or are some boundaries uncrossable? 

A Lady of Esteem is Amalia's story - a forgotten ward raised by servants and her chance at finding true love. This story takes place between Always a Lady and The Lady's Maid and before A Noble Masquerade. There are some interesting mistakes in regard to Amalia and her status as a ward. Her friendships with servants throughout the Ton have resulted in a unique insight into the various homes of the elite of society. If you get the digital version of A Return to Hawthorne House, you need to get A Lady of Esteem if you have not previously purchased it (it explains a few points in A Noble Masquerade and An Elegant Facade).

This is a delightful collection that anyone who enjoyed the Hawthorne House books won't want to miss.

About the Book:

Always a Lady

Despite the fact that her daughter is not cooperating, Caroline, Duchess of Riverton is determined to ensure every one of her children marries someone they love as much as she loved their late father. William, the widowed Earl of Blackstone, is delighted to have his days of escorting daughters approaching an end. The last thing he expects is to find himself drawn to a woman who is just starting such a journey. Are they each too set in their ways to grasp this chance to have a second love?

The Lady’s Maid

When Lydia Smith began her career as a parlor maid, she knew love and marriage wasn’t likely in her future. Dreaming about the boy next door as she dusted seemed harmless until he started working as the new valet under the same roof. When Finch needs her help with a special project, will it give them a chance to defy expectations and find love or ruin their happiness forever?

BONUS - Print edition only - A Lady of Esteem

Christmas Games ~ Review

Christmas Games

A Kynaston Royal Saga Short Story

By Erudessa Gentian 

In this unique twist on The Snow Queen, we are taken 2000 years into the future. Christmas has come, and the festivities are grand. For Lark and her brothers, it is a very different celebration from what they had a year ago.

When she's invited to take part in an immersive role-playing game, Lark says yes. But when something goes wrong, she and her friends are trapped and at the mercy of the Snow Queen. What happens if they die while trapped? That is one option they want to avoid at all costs.

I've never actually played an immersive role-playing game, but I have read several books in which this is a major part of the game, and it seems something always goes wrong, turning it into a real life-and-death struggle. That being said, I love how the Snow Queen story was woven into this futuristic world. The characters were engaging, and I wanted to learn more about them (BTW, there are other books in the series which I had to get after reading this short story!) This story wasn't long, but it was the perfect read for a subzero, windy day. It was also a good intro to a new-to-me author and series. I highly recommend this book, would make a great last-minute gift for the reader in your life too.

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.

Book Description:

A Kynaston Royal Saga Short Story

Beware the harmless Christmas Gift.

When a group of friends decides to play a new immersive role-playing game, exciting fun turns into a glitchy mess.

Larkspur’s real-world superpowers interfere with a simple, in-game mission. Discovering they’re unable to exit gameplay, the team scrambles for answers. When their leader and most experienced player, Conan, is kidnapped by the game’s main Boss, it’s up to Lark, Joshua, and Shamira to save him … and themselves.

Join the beloved Kynaston Royal Saga cast in this short Snow Queen retelling.

Purchase Links: Ebook 

 Signed Paperback 
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Get book 1 Kynaston Royal Saga Epoch 1

Author Bio:

Erudessa Gentian is a firm believer that clean entertainment can be powerful. Inspired by her love of cultures and learning, she produces dynamic art to spark imagination and touch souls.

Erudessa writes in multiple genres but specializes in fantasy and science fiction. She posts about lifestyle, travel, and so much more on her blog.

Find her online at: 

Website || Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || YouTube || Newsletter || 

Instagram || Amazon

Through a Shattered Glass ~ Review

Through a Shattered Glass

By Sarah Pennington

Alys hasn't been in Wonderland since Kai died when she made a decision that changed everything. But she is being summoned back to the world of madness, back through the mirror to a dying world. 

But will she save Wonderland, or will she be the instrument of its final destruction? Alys will have to use what she knew of Wonderland if she hopes to live. And she'll have to put her fears behind her if she is to free her dearest friend from the frozen death he has been trapped in for years.

Through a Shattered Glass is an interesting twist on the Snow Queen, which is blended with  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There for a wholly unique and enjoyable story. This is a story in which hope and fear vie for control of a land lost in chaos. Alys will have to draw on a strength she doesn't know she possesses to save those she holds dear. But can she find the strength she needs before the White Queen destroys her? 

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.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Book Description: 

Drop the mirror and you break the world in two.

Alys hasn’t set foot in Wonderland in years. Not since the White Queen’s mirror shattered; not since her best friend, Kai Hatter, was killed; not since Alys fled back to her own world with a shard of enchanted mirror in her eye. She’s done her best to set aside the past and move on — until a red-painted rose appears in her room, and the portal opens once more.

Simultaneously desperate for hope and terrified of what she might find — or cause — Alys ventures back through the mirror. But the Wonderland she finds is not the same one she left behind, and though Kai is less dead than she thought, he still might be past saving. To make matters worse, the mirror shard is still in Alys’s eye, and Wonderland is all too susceptible to its corrupting power.

Only Alys can save the land and friend she loves — but if she’s not careful, she might be their doom instead.

A dark portal fantasy remix of The Snow Queen and Lewis Carroll’s Alice duology. 

Purchase on Amazon 

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Author Bio:

Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. When she isn't writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list. 

Find her online at: 

Author Site || WordPress Blog || Blogspot Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Amazon

Sticker Promo:

Anyone who preordered Through a Shattered Glass or who purchases the paperback on release day can submit a proof of purchase to receive a set of character art stickers featuring art by the lovely Chloe Grace (@chloegraceartist on Instagram). 

One set of stickers per person; proof of purchase must be submitted by end of the day on December 26. 

Link to request stickers