Their Inseparable Bond ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 
Their Inseparable Bond by Jill Weatherholt, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Their Inseparable Bond

K-9 Companions
By Jill Weatherholt

Jake Beckett's been raising his twins since he lost his wife. A older family friend Myrna has been a godsend when he needs help with them. When Myrna's granddaughter decides that Myrna's failing eyesight is an issue, Jake is determined to convince her not to take Myrna from her home or her friends.

Olivia Hart, newly divorced, is convinced her grandmother needs to move someplace safer. But she's willing to give a therapy dog-in-training a chance to prove otherwise. And she's even willing to help with Callie's training. 

As Olivia works with Jake and his children, she realizes just how much she's sacrificed for her career. A career that is waiting for her back in Florida. But the longer she stays away, she finds herself making connections that just may break her heart when she leaves.

This book is part of the K-9 Companions series, all of which can be read as standalone books. When Olivia makes a connection with Jake's kids, it's different with Kyle and Kayla. Kyle is almost immediately, while with Kayla, it is over the loss of her mother and mean girls. And believe me when I say the mean girl is mean, and at such a young age, it makes me shudder to consider what she'll turn into as she gets older. This book explores priorities and just where we place them and why. And Olivia is at a crossroad in her life with just such a decision before her - family or career.

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: Their Inseparable Bond
Series: K-9 Companions
Author: Jill Weatherholt
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

They’re a mismatched family… 

But their hearts line up just right 

Training service dogs is single dad Jake Beckett’s calling. He’s determined to train rambunctious puppy Callie to help his ailing friend Myrna live independently with her growing blindness. Myrna’s granddaughter, Olivia Hart, isn’t easily convinced, but Jake, his twins and Callie are an incredibly persuasive team. If Olivia agrees to give Callie a chance, will working with Jake risk her lifelong dreams?  

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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About the Author

Jill Weatherholt is an author of sweet, emotional, small-town romance novels that guarantee a happy ending.

She's sold over half a dozen sweet romance short stories to Woman's World Magazine. 

 

Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia. She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University. 

 

She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard. 

 

Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a print copy of Their Inseparable Bond and a $25 gift card.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 22, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 29, 2024. 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!

Unseen Danger ~ Review

Unseen Danger

Elite Guardians #3

By Jerusha Agen

Nevaeh Williams's past and present are about to collide with the newest client that Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency has taken on. Dealing with her recurring PSTD while providing security for D-Chop leaves her wondering how long she can keep the rest of her team and Phoenix in the dark and 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 threats have become more personal and closer to D-Chop. When Nevaeh catches D-Chop's eye after an incident with equipment, Phoenix K-9 gets a call to help beef up security. Not only did Nevaeh catch D-Chop's eye, but she also caught Branson's with her quick thinking under pressure and 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 some 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.                                                                                                                               

About the Book:

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.)

26 Below ~ Review with Excerpt

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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

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About the Author

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.

 

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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)

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Tour Giveaway

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

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

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

Chris Crossed Murder ~ Audiobook Review

 

Chris Crossed Murder

A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4

By Lauren Carr

Narrated by Mike Alger

Chris Matheson is dead! Or is he? 

When a body is found with Chris's id, his family and friends fear the worst. Soon it is discovered that Chris isn't dead but he did have an unfortunate experience that rendered him unavailable.

When the misidentified body is connected with an old cold case that Chris was briefly called in on, a whole kettle of doggy kibble is over turned (with all the dogs its kibble not fish in this kettle).  Who died and how? And what's the link to Chris?

Soon the Geezer Squad, Helen, Riley, and Chris are looking for answers into the decades old murder of a college student. And Chris is trying to determine if he was the intended target because of his past undercover work? The upcoming Christmas holiday is about to prove very interesting.

Chris Crossed Murder is a complex and puzzling case as everyone attempts to find answers. But the danger comes close to home. And when tragedy strikes, Chris's newly blended family may not get a Christmas morning together. 

There are so many twists one has to wonder just who did what to whom. Overall this was a wonderful addition to the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series. In my opinion, I believe it may be the best one to date. And I will always enjoy the antics of Sterling, Choppers, and Thor.

Mike Alger's narration is again well presented, with each character having a distinct voice. The pacing is good, perfect for your weekday commute. I recommend this to readers, or listeners, who enjoy mysteries, cold cases, and animals (especially dogs) with personality. 

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

P.S. Be sure to check your voice mail, And avoid Peanuts!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Narrator: Mike Alger
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +), 10 hours, 13 minutes
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Mar 21, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Carr is a master at creating unique, complex plots and colorful characters, both evident in her latest cold case mystery featuring  Chris Matheson and the geezer squad. The plot is twisted, the mystery unique and the ending a surprise. A must-read!" - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer

"Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. ...I would give Chris Crossed Murder one hundred stars if I could. I believe readers who enjoy reading well-written and clean cozy mysteries will most definitely want to read it. I have no doubt they will enjoy it as much as I did. The fifth installment from A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series is on my radar for when it releases." - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Amy Campbell, Locks Hooks and Books

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About the Book:
​It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.
​
With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible 
B&N ~ BAM
BookBub
add to goodreads

Also Available for Review:

Book Details:

Book Title: ICE  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1) by Lauren Carr
Narrator: Mike Alger
Category:  Adult fiction,  9 hours, 54 minutes
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  April 25, 2018
Available for review in: audiobook (audible download code), ebook (mobi, epub, PDF), 
Tour dates:  May 1 to May 26, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Lauren spins an amazing web of lies, murder and love that will have you on the edge of your seat...I love the way Lauren spun this novel - I could not put the book down! I had to know what happened to Sandy and her unborn child and how this disappearance was tied into a string of other murders. I never saw the end coming but it was perfect and suited the novel. A definite must read novel!" 5-Star Review by Carla at Working Mommy Journal

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Book Description:
​When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappeared, the court of public opinion found young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. 

With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!

​Buy the Book:
Amazon.com
Audible ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title: Winter Frost  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2) by Lauren Carr
Narrator:  Mike Alger
Category:  Adult fiction,  8 hours, 56 minutes
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  Mar 22, 2019
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Filled with twists and turns, Winter Frost reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it is part of a series. The author creates tension and suspense throughout by keeping the reader guessing; she keeps readers engaged with well fleshed out characters and a dash of humor. Sterling, the retired German Shepherd police dog turned card shark, is a new favorite. As the story flows, the truth unfolds, layer by layer, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

"Winter Frost was an entertaining, at times humorous read with suspense, some surprises, and even cute animals in the mix." Review of Winter Frost by The iRead Review

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Book Description:
​It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.

Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas. 

Nothing is as it seems. 

In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?

​Buy the Book:
Amazon.com 
Audible ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr
Narrator: Mike Alger
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  10 hours, 41 minutes
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Sep 16, 2019
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Too many twists and turns to easily share about this book. Nevertheless, Carr has pulled off another "hit" that kept me reading in one setting until the clues were so well together that the villain fell into our laps...or Chris's, LOL Carr has put a lot into the book beyond the mysteries this time...Characters enjoyed chocotinis, visited book stores...and even blundered into getting engaged (the ring had been purchased 4 months ago)... But, for me, a special thank you for the political spoof at a time when politics at the national level is devastating, gave me a laugh and lightened the load of it all!" - Review by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven

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About the Book:
​“I’m working on the greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.

For decades, the writer’s fate remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com 
Audible ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads​

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​Meet the Narrator:

One of the most popular and recognizable faces on television sets in Nevada and California; Mike Alger is the Chief Meteorologist for KTVN-TV Channel 2 (CBS) in Reno, Nevada. The award-winning weatherman is a holder of the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval. He is happily married with two children.

connect with the author: website ~ acx ~ facebook ~  twitter

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​Meet the Author:

​Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor. 

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.  

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. 

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV. 

connect with the author: website ~ blog ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~ pinterest

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Tour Schedule:

May 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – audiobook review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
May 3 – Casia's Corner – audiobook review of ICE/giveaway
May 4 – Casia's Corner – audiobook review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
May 8 – Liese's Blog – book series spotlight
May 9- Rajiv's Reviews – audiobook review of ICE
May 9 – Casia's Corner – audiobook review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID/giveaway
May 10- Rajiv's Reviews – audiobook review of WINTER FROST
May 10 –Casia's Corner – audiobook review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
​May 11 – Stephanie Jane – book series spotlight/giveaway
May 11 – Rajiv's Reviews – audiobook review of the LAST THING SHE SAID
May 12 – Rajiv's Reviews – audiobook review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
May 15 - Blooming with Books – audiobook review of ICE/giveaway
May 16 - Blooming with Books – audiobook review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
May 17 - Blooming with Books – audiobook review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID/giveaway
May 18 - Blooming with Books – audiobook review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
May 19 – @enjoyingbooksagain – audiobook review of ICE
May 22 –Diane’s Book Journal – book series spotlight
May 22 - – @enjoyingbooksagain – audiobook review of WINTER FROST
May 23 – @enjoyingbooksagain – audiobook review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID
May 23 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
May 24 - FUONLYKNEW - book series spotlight/giveaway
May 24 – @enjoyingbooksagain – audiobook review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
May 25 –fundinmental – book series spotlight/giveaway
May 25 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of ICE/giveaway
May 26 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
May 27 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID/giveaway
May 28 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of CHRS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
TBD – Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

Just Gus ~ Review

Just Gus

By McCall Hoyle

Gus is a working dog tasked with guarding sheep and chickens. And Gus is good at what he does, keeping the wild prey away. Until Gus comes up against a dangerous foe who injures him badly. Gus needs to rest someplace while he heals. But for a working dog, Gus is driven to do his job, so he needs to be away from his sheep and his need to guard. 

Gus's connection with Diego proves to be a blessing. Diego struggles with worry and fear, but his connection with Gus helps him cope. But can a dog use to open outdoor spaces be content living in a house in a neighborhood?

Just Gus is an excellent book for middle-grade readers. The book is presented through Gus's point of view. We experience Gus's fear and frustration as he faces the unknown when his very identity is challenged.  What determines a person's (or dog's) worth? And how do we handle our fears and worries when they overwhelm us? 

This is a story with heart and is perfect for any young reader who loves animals, especially dogs. I love how it shows Gus's transition from a guardian of livestock to an emotional support dog. I also liked how Diego changes when he has Gus at his side. I have no qualms about recommending this book to middle-grade readers. This book both informs and entertains while exploring this timely topic.

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 boy and his dog learn that they are better together.

Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job—protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he’s very good at it.

One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy’s constant worry.

When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn’t risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.

Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don’t appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner—the junkyard man with the heavy boots.

Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can’t learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can’t protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world.

Just Gus is a tender story of belonging and of two friends who learn they are better together than they were alone.

Alaskan Avalanche Escape ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Alaskan Avalanche Escape by Darlene L. Turner, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Alaskan Avalanche Escape 

K-9 Search and Rescue #9

By Darlene L. Turner 

When an unexpected avalanche costs her boss and friend his life Jayla Hoyt is determined to bring him home. But soon, her recovery mission turns dangerous when someone tries to stop her team. When Alaskan park ranger Bryson Clarke brings his suspicions that the avalanche was deliberate, Jayla has no choice but to partner with a man she doesn't trust. 

Being a Love Inspired Suspense, one knows that a romance is in the offing. And the mystery that grows bigger with each hour is soon all that Jayla and Bryson have time for. And with someone seemingly targeting them constantly, the threat to their safety and their very lives is a lot closer than they are prepared for. Worse, someone seems to be targeting Hercules, Jayla's K-9 partner. 

Jayla and Bryson are both trying to put the past behind them, but this case is bringing what they hope to avoid to the forefront. With trust at a premium, they have no choice but to depend on one another if they hope to solve the case and save lives. 

I have to admit everything is better with dogs, and I loved Hercules. This book is set on the US-Canadian border, and there are mountains and snow and lots of danger. And there is a blizzard, what proper book would avoid the potential of natural disaster to add to the growing suspense. I appreciated how there were so many potential suspects, which further isolated Jayla and Bryson. 

If you like books that jump into the suspense almost immediately and keep it going throughout, you will love Darlene L. Turner's newest Love Inspired Suspense title. 

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: Alaskan Avalanche Escape 

Author: Darlene L. Turner 

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense 

Release Date: February 21, 2023 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Sabotage in the mountains…

Can this K-9 sniff out the truth? 

After surviving a sudden avalanche, mountain survival expert Jayla Hoyt and her search-and-rescue K-9 discover that it was no accident—someone deliberately triggered the mountain explosion. To uncover the culprit, she’ll have to partner with Alaska park ranger Bryson Clarke, a man she doesn’t trust. But when the investigators become targets, can they capture the criminal mastermind…before they’re buried alive? 

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookDepository | Christianbook | IndieBound | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

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

 

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Tour Giveaway

(4) winners will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight February 13, 2023, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 20, 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!

 

Explosive Christmas Showdown ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Explosive Christmas Showdown by Darlene L. Turner, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Explosive Christmas Showdown 

Crisis Rescue Team #2 

By Darlene L. Turner

When a serial bomber puts his sights on criminal investigative analyst Olive Wells, K-9 officer Zac Turner, and a seemingly random sampling of the area residents, they'll have to put the past behind them. And they have days to determine who they are after before the Jingle Bell Bomber reaches his (or her) goal. 

Months ago, Zac broke her heart when he ended their engagement, so working with him to bring down a killer is less than ideal. But the killer is calling the shots and somehow knows their every move. Can they stay ahead of the killer while protecting those they hold dearest?

Explosive Christmas Showdown finds long-held secrets creating havoc and being the catalyst for both the bomber's "motive" and Zac and Olive's break-up. But whose secrets will be revealed first?

This book opens with the action unfolding as Olive and Zac are quickly drawn into the bomber's net. With little choice, they have to follow his (or her) instructions or face the repercussions of not following the "rules." And in this game, the bomber can change the rules at will. The action and threats keep the story in a sense of peril throughout, and when a moment of calm occurs, danger strikes again. There are definitely a few surprises at the end, so don't skip ahead, or you will ruin the suspense and the climax. Overall this was an enjoyable read; maybe not the best Christmas ever but one that provides a chance at a second chance once truths come out. And I'll admit it has a dog on the cover, and that is always an added bonus in my opinion.

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: Explosive Christmas Showdown 

Series: Crisis Rescue Team #2 

Author: Darlene L. Turner 

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense 

Release Date: October 25, 2022 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

 

A bomber brings terror to Christmas 

as the presents go tick…tick…boom. 

 With criminal investigative analyst Olive Wells at the center of a bomber’s dangerous game, she’ll do anything to catch the culprit—even work with her ex-fiancé and his K-9 detector dog. But with the Christmas rampage drawing ever closer, Zac Turner’s convinced the attacks are personal. Can they piece together their ties to the bomber…before another gift explodes? 

  From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

PURCHASE LINKS: 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository 

IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

   Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her   husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she   read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her   writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by   her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

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

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(3) winners will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on October 24, 2022, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 31, 2022. 

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/CAN only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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