Showing posts with label Thriller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thriller. Show all posts

10.27.2023

The Christy Award 2023 Finalists

The Christy Award Finalists 2023 JustRead Blog Blitz Banner

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 2023 organized by ECPA and hosted by 
JustRead Publicity Tours! We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to 
The Christy Award 2023 Finalists & Winners!

YOU ARE INVITED

The Christy Award Gala 2023
Via webcast

November 16, 2023 | 7 pm CT

Featuring Chris Fabry, Davis Bunn, Janette Oke, 
and a host of Christy-winning authors

Hosted by Christy Hall of Fame author Chris Fabry, the Christy Award Winners Gala will be held 
Thursday, November 16th at 7pm CT via free webcast to recognize the finalists and announce the winners 
of The Christy Award in nine categories, Book of the Year, and Amplify Award. The event will feature two 
literary greats, Christian fiction legacy authors Janette Oke and Davis Bunn. Award presenters will include 
Christy winning authors Amanda Cox, Toni Shiloh, Nicole Deese, Patricia Raybon, Jocelyn Green,
  Sarah Sundin, Terri Blackstock, Karen Witemeyer, Sharon Hinck,
 and Kara Swanson.

The Christy Award Finalists 2023

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

A Seaside Wonder All That It Takes

To Believe in You To Win a Prince

A Seaside Wonder by Melissa Tagg (Larkspur Press)
All That It Takes by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
To Believe in You by Emily Conrad (Hope Anchor LLC)
To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

FIRST NOVEL

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip  The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon  

Porch Music

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)
The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon by Linda MacKillop (Kregel Publications)

Porch Music
by Kathy Maresca (TouchPoint Press Faith)

GENERAL FICTION

By Way of the Moonlight  When Stone Wings Fly 

  Where the Blue Sky Begins

By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
When Stone Wings Fly
by Karen Barnett (Kregel Publications)
Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner
 (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL

All the Lost Places  The Hidden Prince 

  Within These Walls of Sorrow

All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar
(Tyndale House Publishers)
Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt (Kregel Publications

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

The Italian Ballerina The Rose and the Thistle 

The Sound of Light Yesterday's Tides

The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron (Thomas Nelson Publishers)
The Rose and the Thistle
by Laura Frantz (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)
The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

Yesterday's Tides by Roseanna M. White
(Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER

By Way of Deception Cold Light of Day 

Forged The Souls of Lost Lake

By Way of Deception by Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn (Harvest House Publishers)
Cold Light of Day
by Elizabeth Goddard (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)
Forged by Sara Davison (Mountain Brook Ink)

The Souls of Lost Lake
by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

SHORT FORM

A Return to Hawthorne House  O Little Town

  Kiss Me On Christmas

Always a Lady (in A Return to Hawthorne House) by Kristi Ann Hunter (Oholiab Creations, LLC)
Hopes and Fears (in O Little Town) by Amanda Wen (Kregel Publications)
Kiss Me on Christmas by Sarah Monzon
(Sarah Monzon)

SPECULATIVE

Drawn in Ash  Dream of Kings  

Yesterday's Gone

Drawn in Ash by John W. Otte (John W. Otte)
Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)

Yesterday's Gone
by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall (Tyndale House Publishers)

YOUNG ADULT

Blood Secrets  This Dreamer 

  The Whisperer's Wish

Wishtress  The Wonderland Trials

Blood Secrets by Morgan L. Busse (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media)
This Dreamer by Sara Watterson (Sara Watterson)
The Whisperer's Wish by Janilise Lloyd (Scrivenings Press)
Wishtress by Nadine Brandes (Thomas Nelson)
The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media)


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of 
The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

The Christy Award Finalists 2023 JustRead Tours giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. 
The giveaway began at midnight October 27, 2023, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 3, 2023. 
The 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTY AWARD 2023 EVENTS

The Art of Writing webinars on Thursday evenings, 7 p.m. CT $69
online October 19, October 26, November 2, November 9
This virtual conference for writers, storytellers, and publishing curators includes access and
recordings to four webinars organized by publishers.

The Christy Award winners webcast on November 16 at 7 p.m. CT. - free but registration is required.
Celebrate this year's finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

The Christy Award & Art of Writing 2023 Banner

REGISTER

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is
 the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more 
information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and 
Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

5.15.2023

ICE ~ Audiobook Review

 CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr

ICE by Lauren Carr
ICE
A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1
By Lauren Carr
Narrated by Mike Alger

More than 20 years ago, Chris Matheson was a person of interest in the disappearance of Sandy Lipton. The small-town gossip blamed him and now that he's back in town with his daughters, he learns that the wagging tongues and speculation never died down. Worse, his daughters have started hearing the malice gossip that, if true, would see him still serving a sentence.

Talked into joining his late father's book club, Chris soon learns that this is no ordinary book club. Rather it is a collection of retired law enforcement officers who seek to avoid the utter boredom of retirement by working on cold cases. Drawing on the unique skill set of this group, Chris begins piecing together the random and vague clues and recollections that he has from that time. But someone seems determined to keep him from the truth about Sandy and the child she was carrying.

But this small West Virginian town is hiding more than one crime, and Chris is about to find himself in the midst of it. Whoever is behind this has a malevolence that makes Chris feel these crimes are related and personal. The only question is, which of his old acquaintances is next on the list?

This Lauren Carr series offers up a big dose of both for the whodunnit mystery buff who loves ever-increasing suspense and danger. Murder and mayhem seem to be Chris's new companions after returning home following the loss of both his wife and his father. Juggling the parenting responsibilities of his three daughters with his mother is not something Chris was expecting at this point in his life, but life doesn't go as planned.

And for those familiar with Lauren's other works - YES, there are dogs in this book, and Chris's newest Sterling just might give Gnarly a run for his money as far as crazy antics go. Sterling, in a word, is a HOOT and probably my favorite character. Though the pet rabbit Thor is a pretty close second - who wouldn't love a rabbit who dresses up!
The audio narration by Mike Alger is well done. The pacing is good, and the various characters are easily discernable as the story progresses.  At just under 10 hours, this is an excellent length for a week of commuting or household chores.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the author through iRead Book Tours with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

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
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

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!


Picture
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


Author Lauren Carr
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

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:

5.08.2023

Snow Storm ~ Review

 

12.31.2022

Critical Threat ~ Review

Critical Threat
Extreme Measures #3
By Lynette Eason

A serial killer has made the northeast region just outside of Washington, D.C., his new home. Is it a copycat of Peter Romanos? Or is it something worse? FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley has been tasked with working up a profile. What she didn't expect was prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe being called in to consult. But Sam has a unique perspective on serial killers and possibly this case.

When Grace draws the killer's interest, her life is in danger. But Grace refuses to be intimidated or put her life on lockdown to keep a killer at bay and free to kill more women. But when a personal crisis arises, she has to split her time between work and family, making her an easier target for a man who is now obsessed with her. 

Critical Threat finds both Grace and Sam dealing with their pasts and the regrets they carry. This is the third book in the Extreme Measures series, and it in no way lets up on the intense suspense that kept the first two books as a can't-put-it-down-read. The killings are a tad gruesome but occur off-page, so there aren't graphic details to wade through. There are some unique twists that keep the reader guessing as to just who is guilty. It is interesting to get the mindset of the killer while not knowing who he is. The overall story is completed within this book, so if you haven't read the first two, you won't have any problem reading this book. If you have not yet read Lynette Eason, this would be a good book to start with, and then you can read the first two books in the series (Life Flight and Crossfire). This is a book I would recommend to most readers (but not if you only want gentle reads).

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:
FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

11.03.2022

Presenting The Christy Award Finalists 2022

The Christy Award Finalists 2022 JustRead Blog Blitz

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 
organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours

Today is all about the Christy Award Finalists for 2022.
See who is up for each category, and get ready to cheer on your favorite.
Which is, in several cases, hard - having read many of these books 
I don't envy the judges having to pick one winner.

Congratulations to ALL The Christy Award 2022 Finalists!

May the odds be ever in your favor!

The Christy Award Finalists 2022

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

All That Really Matters Bookshop by the Sea Husband Auditions

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson Publishers), Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong (Kregel Publications)

FIRST NOVEL

All That Is Secret Recorder Sugar Birds

All That Is Secret by Patricia Raybon (Tyndale House Publishers), Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom (She Writes Press)

GENERAL FICTION

The Letter Keeper The Secret Keepers Old Depot Grocery Under the Magnolias

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson Publishers), The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group), Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers)

HISTORICAL

Between The Wild Branches Drawn By The Current The Widows Of Champagne Yours Is The Night

Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Drawn by The Current by Jocelyn Green (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan (Love Inspired), Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

As Dawn Breaks Hope Between The Pages Shadows Of Swanford Abbey Until Leaves Fall in Paris

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham (Barbour Publishing), Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER

Aftermath On The Cliffs Of Foxglove Manor The Barrister And Letter Marque

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock (Thomas Nelson Publishers), On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) 

SHORT FORM

A Texas Christmas Carol False Pretense Mr Nicholas

A Texas Christmas Carol (in Under the Texas Mistletoe) by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), False Pretense by Heather Day Gilbert (WoodHaven Press), Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale by Christopher de Vinck (Paraclete Press)

SPECULATIVE

A Time To Seek Dark Intercept Recorder Windward Shore

A Time to Seek by Tracy Higley (Stonewater Books LLC), Dark Intercept by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson (Tyndale House Publishers), Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)

YOUNG ADULT

A Gentle Tyranny Realms of Light Shadow

A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban (Wander, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers), Realms of Light by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Shadow by Kara Swanson (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles from one category of their choice!

The Christy Award 2021 Finalists 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 on November 3, 2022, 
and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 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 only. 
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTY AWARD 2022 EVENTS

YOU ARE INVITED:

Art of Writing on November 17, 12:30-5 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville $99
A conference for writers, storytellers, and publishing curators.


The Christy Award Gala on November 17, 7-9 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville, $89
Celebrate this year's finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

Bundle the Art of Writing Conference & The Christy Award Gala $139

REGISTER*

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org


*First 100 to register are entered to win a set of Jan Karon novels!

The first 100 registered for The Christy Award events will automatically be entered to win a full set of The Mitford Series novels by our evening's honoree, Jan Karon -- including a signed copy of At Home In Mitford. Karon will address our attendees via video cast.


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

JustRead Publicity Tours