The Wrong Side of Murder ~ Review with Giveaway

 

The Wrong Side of Murder

A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery #2
By Lauren Carr

Narrated by Anita Alger

Nikki Bryant and Elmo are back and the cold case that is about to capture Nikki's attention involved a classmate who was tried and convicted in the court of public opinion of her mother's murder.

Jodi Gibbons never saw her mother's murderer brought to justice because Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, found Jodi guilty when she became the victim of gossip and rumor. Twenty years have passed a chance meeting finds Nikki looking to right the wrongs of the past and give Jodi a chance to bring her side before the listening and viewing public. And with any luck, the true killer will be found. But someone wants Jodi to be silent on the subject. But with Nikki on the case, she's not about to let the killers away with another murder and have an innocent woman again take the blame.

But could Nikki be seeing something that isn't there? She's going to put her award-winning investigative skills to the test. And if she gets a little help along the way from friends, family, and her significant other, all the better to get to the long-hidden past. And Elmo is available when not putting his other talents to use.

This is the second book in the Nikki Bryant series, and it is an engaging read, just as Killer Deadline was, though I did miss Nikki's interactions with @nerdyguy. And like almost everyone who's met Elmo, I've become a fan of this distinct, unique, and highly intelligent dog who just happens to be a social media sensation, and with good reason. So if you are looking for a new cozy mystery to enjoy, give Nikki, Elmo, and the Bryant clan a place on your TBR list. You won't be sorry. This is a fun, mostly lighthearted murder mystery (murder being the non-lighthearted moment btw), with a dog you'll adore. The audio is well-presented, and the story is well-paced (and if you want it a little different, you can adjust the playback speed. And at under 8 hours a perfect commute companion.

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 Details:

Book Title:  The Wrong Side of Murder (A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +)
Narrated by Anita Alger
Length: 7.8 hours
Genre:  Mystery/Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   July 21, 2022
Content Rating: This cozy mystery is rated G for everyone! 

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The Wrong Side of Murder is another wonderful cozy mystery by author Lauren Carr. It has all the elements that draw me in - an intelligent female lead, an equally smart boyfriend who partners to help her, a complicated plot where clues are slowly revealed, people who aren't what they seem to be, comedic moments to balance the darker ones, and several quirky pets full of personality.  

It's a wonderful book to escape into at the end of the day. And get ready to read into the wee hours as, if you're like me, you won't be able to stop reading until the mystery is revealed.  -review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
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Nikki's an intense individual who makes the perfect investigative journalist. She wants answers yesterday and she is willing to dig in to get them. She might get it wrong at the beginning but with the help of her family and close friends, she'll get the answers she wants and needs. – review by Blooming with Books

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​Book Description:

Nikki Bryant’s Next Case Takes Her to the Wrong Side of Murder

One spring morning, Jodi Gibbons got up and went to school as she did every day. Her young life went sideways though when the police found that her mother had been brutally killed during the night.

Twenty years later, many in Pine Grove believe Jodi got away with murder. After all, how could she have possibly slept through her mother’s violent death in the very next room?
After decades of silence, Jodi accepts investigative journalist Nikki Bryant’s invitation to tell her side of the story. However, before the interview can take place, someone silences Jodi permanently.

Now it is up to Nikki Bryant and her friends to uncover the secret that Jodi Gibbons has been protecting—a secret someone believes it is worth killing to keep from being revealed.

Buy the Book:
Audible ~ Amazon
BookBub 
add to goodreads

Also Available for Review:

Book Details:

Book Title:  Killer Deadline (A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +)
Narrated by Anita Alger
Length:  6 hours, 34 minutes
Genre:  Mystery/Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   April 23, 2020
Audiobook release date: August 5, 2020
Format available for review:  audiobook (audible download), ebook (mobi, epub, PDF)
Tour dates: Oct 3 to Oct 28, 2022
Content Rating: G. This is a true cozy mystery. No sex. No on-stage violence. No swearing. Just good clean fun!

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Here we go! Carr is a master storyteller who always offers a plot full of twists and turns, a bit of humor to offset the dark, and a unique cast of characters. In Killer Deadline that cast includes - handsome Ryan, her first love (who is now her step-brother); a mysterious social media friend called Nerdy Guy; Elmo, a super smart dog, a boxer, she rescued who has become a social media star and has a penchant for cleaning; a TV station full of suspicious employees; and more.

This book is a wonderful read to pick up at the end of a long day. It truly is a "cozy murder mystery."  I promise, it'll draw you in right from page one and keep you turning the pages until you reach the very last page. I can't wait for the second book in this series. - review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn

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Book Description:

​Folks in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, claim that where Nikki Bryant goes, trouble is not far behind. Her refusal to back down from a challenge has made Nikki Bryant a top investigative journalist.

When an online friend nudges her to join him in a pact to reconnect with their first loves, Nikki and her boxer dog Elmo leave the bright lights of Las Vegas for the charming town of Pine Grove. There, she must face the biggest challenges in her career and life—the first love she had left behind and her father’s unsolved murder.

But before she has time to unpack her car, Nikki stumbles upon the dead body of local news anchor, Ashleigh Addison, her childhood rival. Could Ashleigh’s death be connected to an explosive news story that she had teased about airing live? Did that explosive story have anything to do with the murder of Nikki’s father?

With the clues in her father’s cold case hot again, Nikki intends to chase down the story of her life until she catches his killer—no matter what it takes. 

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads

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Lauren’s best-selling standalone novel (released in 2017) contains the main characters from her three successful series: Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose mysteries. ​ 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Twofer Murder by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction (18+)
Narrated by Mike Alger, Anita Alger
Length: 13 hours, 20 minutes
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  November 17, 2017
Content Rating:  PG-13: While there are murders committed in this murder mystery, there is profanity (a hell or a damn few and very far between). No F-bombs. No explicit sex or graphic violence. ​

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The book is intense, compelling, as readers follow the story lines for two different books. Yet the humor, family interactions, and loving relationships in Carr's books keeps reading both entertaining and fun... Carr gets better and better in her humorous scenes, as well as snappy dialogue that comes only from within close-knit friends and family... If you aren't reading this author, you are missing much more than an average mystery writer. - review by Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven

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Book Description:

Twofer murder? What’s a twofer murder?

Twofer Murder is a treat for fans of best-selling author Lauren Carr’s fast-paced mysteries! Lauren’s latest novel contains the main characters from her three successful series: Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose mysteries.

​The guys go away for a fishing weekend only to get caught up in the murder of a journalist investigating fraud at a timber company.

Meanwhile, the ladies are spending the weekend in the presidential suite at a posh resort where Jessica Faraday is to accept a lifetime achievement award for her late grandmother at a murder mystery writers conference. But before they have time to get their facials, they get wrapped up in their own real mystery when an up and coming author ends up dead!

Lauren Carr’s Twofer Murder is a 2-for-1—making it a must-read for any mystery fan!

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
BookBub
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Audiobook Production Team:

Narrator:
A relative newcomer to audiobook narration, Anita Alger is a producer and composer of dozens of musical themes for audiobooks. Working with veteran narrator (and husband) Mike Alger, they’ve teamed up to produce over 30 full length audiobooks. While her musical skills are usually at the forefront, she has also narrated three audiobooks herself, including the new Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery Series written by Lauren Carr.
 
When not expressing herself in the arts, Anita is also a Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist working in microbiology, and therefor knows two dozen ways to kill you while making it look like natural causes.

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Producer:

​A broadcast veteran of over 35 years, Mike Alger is best known as the award-winning Chief Meteorologist for KTVN-TV in Reno, NV. Narrator and producer of over 30 audiobook novels, he is also a successful author, having penned the Mystery-Thriller novel Snow Storm, and is the narrator of the audiobook of the same name. He collaborates with his wife of 40 years, Anita Alger, who writes and produces the musical themes for his productions.

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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:
Oct 3 – Mystery Review Crew – book series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 4 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 5 – kelly_hunsaker_reads – audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Oct 5 - Leanne bookstagram - book review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 6 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Oct 6 - Casia's Corner- audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Oct 7 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 11 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 11 - Faith and Books – audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Oct 12 –Paws.Read.Repeat – book series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 12 - Blooming with Books – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 13 – kelly_hunsaker_reads – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 13 - Casia's Corner- audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 14 – Geaux Get Lit – audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Oct 14 - Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 14 - Duckfacekim09 – audiobook review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 17 – fundinmental – book series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 17 - Leanne bookstagram - book review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Oct 18 - Locks, Hooks and Books – book series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 18 –Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 19 - FUONLYKNEW - book series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 19 –kelly_hunsaker_reads – audiobook review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 20 - Locks, Hooks and Books –book review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 20 - Leanne bookstagram - book review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 21 – Geaux Get Lit – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 21 - Duckfacekim09 – audiobook review of KILLER DEADLINE / giveaway
Oct 24 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 24 - Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 24 - Faith and Books – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 25 – Amy's Booket List – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 25 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of TWOFER MURDER / giveaway
Oct 26 – Cover Lover Book Review – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 26 - Liese's Blog - books spotlight 
Oct 27 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – books spotlight / giveaway
Oct 27 - Books for Books – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER
Oct 28 – Duckfacekim09 – audiobook review of THE WRONG SIDE OF MURDER / giveaway
Oct 28 - Books for Books – audiobook review of TWOFER MURDER

Enter the Giveaway:

A Quilt for Christmas ~ Review

A Quilt For Christmas

By Melanie Carlson

Vera Swanson recently lost her husband and has made a major life-changing event - selling her home and moving into a condo to be near her daughter and grandchildren. Well, that doesn't work too well as said daughter shortly thereafter moves far away because her husband got a job transfer. Now for the first time in like forever, Vera is less than all into Christmas.

But when her young neighbor across the hall makes a plea for help, Vera's life takes another turn, and this one is positive. Young Fiona's mother is seriously ill, and the family's finances are more than a little tight, but Fiona wants to give her mother a Christmas quilt for Christmas. What follows is a sweet story that affects more than one life when a community pulls together to grant a young girl's Christmas wish.

I always look forward to Melody Carlson's annual Christmas release. I love Christmas, and her books are always great at bringing a special touch to the season. A Quilt for Christmas does not disappoint at all. The characters are realistic and face many of the same challenges that one faces in the day-to-day of living.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites 

you to cuddle up this holiday season with this cozy story of 

giving, forgiving, and a little bit of romance.

Recently widowed Vera Swanson is having a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit in her new town. When asked to make a quilt for an ailing neighbor, she pulls together a diverse circle of quilters, including freespirited Tasha Ellison. The group becomes stitched together through shared stories, trust, and a little romantic weaving.

Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that’s not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one–until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera’s help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request–a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all–and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way.

Green as Grass ~ Review

Green as Grass

Clean Regency Romances #2

By Mary-Celeste Ricks

Miss Louisa Grenfeld is the standard by which any well-informed lady strives to achieve. As a contemporary of Beau Brummell, she is well thought of and turns heads but is of no mind to marry anyone anytime soon. But when her father gives her an ultimatum, she has no choice but to make up her mind to find a match this season, for he refuses to fund another one.

She has caught the attention of Mr. Andrew Brougham, who is as green as can be and is more attuned to rare birds than fashion. Determined to turn his attention in another direction, Louisa begins tutoring Mr. Brougham in the social graces and soon succeeds in making him the gentleman to catch this season. 

But Louisa's success soon finds her longing for the almost daily visits she and Andrew once shared. But Louisa was more than firm in her lack of interest in Andrew as anything other than a friend, and he managed to ruin it. And then his mother - she has greater aspirations for him than an untitled lady. What's a gentleman to do when his heart is pulling him one way, and everyone else has other plans for him.

This is a fun read in which no one knows what they truly want, and, in the process, they all make a perfect muddle of everything - and by everything, I mean everything. Understandings and attachments are formed, but are they ones that will result in happiness for all involved, or will a life of misery be the unfortunate outcome of rash and ill-advised actions. This is a big mess that will take some interesting maneuvers to set to rights.

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:

Miss Louisa Grenfeld is a budding arbiter of London fashion, a protégé of the great Beau Brummell himself. But when her father informs her that the only way she can continue her lavish lifestyle is through marriage, she reluctantly begins her search for a husband.

She soon captures the interest of Mr. Andrew Brougham. But the awkward, bird-loving man is a social novice with an overbearing mother, and Louisa quickly determines to rid herself of both of them by tutoring Mr. Brougham into fashionable comportment, hoping he will turn his attentions toward other young ladies in the process.

Andrew Brougham may not understand fashion, but he certainly knows his own mind, and he has determined that Miss Louisa Grenfeld and he would suit perfectly together. But between his mother forcing him toward an unwanted match and Miss Grenfeld's uncertainty, he has a difficult path ahead. If he molds himself to conform to society's desires will that be enough to please both Miss Grenfeld and his exacting mother?

Art of Writing ~ Blog Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for the 

Art of Writing Conference organized by ECPA, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

A QUICK NOTE ABOUT THE CHRISTY AWARD FINALISTS

Christian fiction fans are invited to register and watch the free webcast announcement of The Christy Award finalists in each category live on October 11 at 11 am (CDT), featuring award-winning novelist and radio host Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby.

Registration is available at ecpa.org/event/Christy22Finalists

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ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Art of Writing conference will be held from 12:30-5 pm (CDT) on November 17 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, and is designed to bring Christian writers, creatives, storytellers, and publishing curators together for a half-day of intensive seminars that: celebrate the creative life while recognizing the weariness; provide practical tips for engaging in a rapidly-changing industry; introduce challenges to become better writers; and answer the questions authors are asking.

The four-session conference will bring together writers, creatives, and publishing curators for training and connection around these topics presented by industry experts, authors, and publishers:

What Makes a Gush-Worthy Book with book reviewer Carrie Schmidt, Revell senior acquisitions editor Kelsey Bowen, author and agent Cynthia Ruchti, and WaterBrook editor Jamie Lapeyrolerie.

How Reading Diverse Books Makes Us Better Authors and Humans with a panel of writers, agents, and publishers including Edwina Perkins, Deborah Gonzalez, Dorena Williamson, Jeff Crosby, and Jevon Bolden who share their own stories and best practices through this approach

To Tok or Not to Tok with reel pros Emilie Haney (pen name Bell Renshaw) and author/ podcaster Kristi Ann Hunter

When Weary & Discouraged: How We Can Care for Our Writing Souls with author Carolyn Weber, whose debut book Surprised by Oxford, is being made into a feature film

REGISTER: The Art of Writing conference $99 | The Art of Writing conference + The Christy Awards Gala Bundle $139  

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive their choice of one ticket to the Art of Writing conference OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles from one category!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 10, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 17, 2022. 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

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REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTY AWARD 2022 EVENTS

The Christy Award Finalist Reveal Webinar on October 11 at 11 am CT FREE 
Christian fiction fans are encouraged to watch the announcement live!
SIGN UP

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

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

 

Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers ~ Spotlight with Excerpt and Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers by Hope Bolinger, Linda Fulkerson, Rowena Kuo, and Carrie Schmidt, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers 

Authors: Hope Bolinger, Linda Fulkerson, Rowena Kuo, and Carrie Schmidt 

Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC 

Release Date: October 11, 2022 

Genre: Nonfiction / Writing

Remember when Dorothy finally reached the Emerald City only to be halted by the Gatekeeper, blocking her hopes of seeing the Great and Powerful Wizard?

The path to publication is like that. Agents, and Editors, and Publishers, oh, my! 

Each one is a barrier between you and a publishing contract. 

 But what if you understood what agents, editors, publishers, and readers really want? 

 If you’re struggling to get past the publishing gatekeepers, this book will give you a behind-the-scenes peek at how to win the heart of each type of publishing professional. In fact, Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers won’t just give you a peek—it will give you a guided tour. In this book, four publishing professionals—an agent, a publisher, an editor, and an influencer—share what it takes to unlock each “gate” within the publishing industry. 

 Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers is a must-have resource for all aspiring authors, and it offers insights to help multi-published authors as well. 

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

Subscribe to the Publishing Gatekeepers newsletter and receive a tip sheet on 

12 ways for getting past the gatekeepers.

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Excerpt

~ from the section on editors, written by Rowena Kuo

At writers’ conferences, I expect to see rough drafts, as that is a big part of the experience.

Authors go to conferences to learn and receive help with their manuscripts. However, before

you submit your work to an agent or a publishing house, I recommend that you get your

manuscript edited and polished. A freelance developmental or content editor can help with

that process. They point out loopholes in your story, may suggest rearrangement of chapters,

or strengthening of your plot, conflict, and characters.

Where do you find freelance editors? We come in all genres and all budgets. You can find us on

social media, through referrals from other writers, and you can find us at writers conferences. A

developmental edit can cost you between $300-$2500, depending on word count and the time

it would take to edit your book. If writing your novel takes you a year or more, having it edited

could take just as long. Be patient. Before you obtain the help of a content editor, a way to

improve your manuscript would be for you, the author, to become a Master of Firsts.

How many numbers are there between 0 and 1? As there is an infinite number between 0 and

1, so, too, are there infinite word combinations to consider before you even write your first

sentence. A Master of Firsts recognizes the gift of infinity to lift the limits off how the story

comes to life. What separates failure and greatness fall to just one word: and.                                                                           

What is your and? With what content will you fill your pages? There is infinity between failure

and greatness. “And” equals infinity. Decide now that failure is not an option.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, so the opening lines of your work need to

have impact. The first sentence intrigues the reader, must be compelling enough to hold the

reader’s attention, and may or may not be its own paragraph. The first sentence introduces the

author’s voice. The first line, which sets the tone, can be a quote from a character, and may be

in the middle of an action. A Master of Firsts draws the reader in by the first paragraph. Every

word matters, so don’t waste any. Use strong, active verbs.

An ideal first page has between 100-300 words. You are developing a relationship with your

reader. With your words, you are painting a picture of what your characters are experiencing.

This establishes a dialogue between you and your reader. Your first page should also establish

your Point of View (POV) character.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press and the author of 21 books. She's contributed to 10 other books, in addition, including Getting Past the Gatekeepers. She loves to model, do theater, and get lost in the woods.

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

USMC veteran Linda Fulkerson began her writing career as a copyeditor and typesetter at a small-town weekly newspaper. She has since been published in several magazines and newspapers, including a two-year stint as a sportswriter and later the online editor of a midsize daily. Linda also served as the director of digital services for the largest media outlet in central Texas. She is the author of two novels, two novellas, and several nonfiction books. In 2020, she founded Scrivenings Press LLC, a traditional publisher of clean and Christian books. 

Linda and her husband, Don, live on a ten-acre plot in central Arkansas. They are part of an RV ministry group and travel the country volunteering at various entities. Linda and Don have four adult children and eight grandchildren. In addition to kicking back in her recliner with a good book, Linda enjoys photography, travel, and spoiling her two dachshunds. 

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

Rowena Kuo is the CEO and Executive Editor for Brimstone Fiction, Brimstone Books and Media, and Brimstone Fire. With over 15 years of ministering to children, youth groups, young adults, women, and family groups, Rowena advocates for writers to build God-centered support systems consisting of people, perseverance, practice, and most of all, prayer. She has written for Christian Devotions, Written World Communications, Splickety, and the 168 Write of Passage. When not working on words or films, she is a full-time mom with secret aspirations for spaceflight. 

Connect with Rowena by visiting www.brimstonefiction.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.   

  Carrie Schmidt is an avid reader, book reviewer, story addict, KissingBooks fan, book boyfriend collector, and cool aunt. She also loves Jesus and THE Story a whole lot. Carrie started the popular blog ReadingIsMySuperPower.org in 2015 and since then has had the honor of co-founding the Christian Fiction Readers' Retreat and JustRead Publicity Tours. In addition to these endeavors, she is a regular contributor to Seekerville and has written for magazines such as RT Book Reviews and Christian Market. Carrie now lives in Georgia with her husband, though her roots range from East Tennessee to Central Kentucky and northern Illinois. 

Connect with Carrie by visiting readingismysuperpower.org to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $40 Amazon gift card.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 5, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 12, 2022. 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

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

The Orphan Keeper ~ Review

The Orphan Keeper

Adapted for Young Readers 

By Camron Wright

Chellamuthu had a family but, like many left to their own devices, was getting himself into the wrong crowd. This unfortunate troublemaking group of boys leads to Chellamuthu being stolen off the streets of his village in India. When Chellamuthu is bartered off to a home for orphans, he tries to get those in charge to realize that he has a family and needs to get home. 

But Chellamuthu is a commodity who is about to be sent to a family wanting a child. But not to a family in India but one far away in America. Years pass, and Chellamuthu becomes a blending of his old and new life with a new identity and a new family. But can he truly leave behind who he was?

The Orphan Keeper is a moving story about a little boy, lost, who searched and found what he was looking for. Was he better for the trials and losses he experienced? Or were the lost years something that would forever mark him, keeping him from truly ever being part of either world that he knew? This book is based on the true events of Chellamuthu's (Taj's) life. There are definite moments of heartbreak as a family is torn apart, and yet there are moments of triumph, as well, as Chellamuthu becomes Taj and his story comes full circle.

This book is adapted for younger readers and recommended for those 8 years and older. When it is time for book reports that are supposed to be biographies or from another culture, keep this book in mind as it fits both well. This book doesn't come across as dry or boring, in my opinion. It is well written and well-detailed without getting stuck in the detailing. I highly recommend it to readers, whether they be 8 years old or 88 years. 

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:

Seven-year-old Chellamuthu’s life—and his destiny—is forever changed when he is kidnapped from his village in Southern India and sold to the Lincoln Home for Homeless Children. His family is desperate to find him, and Chellamuthu anxiously tells the Indian orphanage he is not an orphan, that he has a mother who loves him. But he is told not to worry as he will soon be adopted by a loving family in America.

Chellamuthu is suddenly surrounded by a foreign land and a foreign language. He can’t tell people that he already has a family and becomes consumed by a single, impossible question: How do I get home? But after more than a decade, home becomes a much more complicated idea as the Indian boy eventually sheds his past and receives a new name: Taj Khyber Rowland.

It isn’t until Taj meets an Indian family who helps him rediscover his culture and family history that he begins to discover the truth he has all but forgotten. Taj is determined to return to India and begin the quest to find his birth family. But is it too late? Is it possible that his birth mother is still looking for him? And which family does he belong to now?

The Orphan Keeper is a deeply moving and gripping journey about discovering one’s self and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us forever.

Elite Guardians Collection ~ Series Review with Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Elite Guardians Collection 

by Lynette Eason, Kate Angelo, Sami A. Abrams, 

and Kelly Underwood, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Elite Guardians Collection #1-3

By Lynette, Eason, Kate Angelo, Sami A. Abrams, and Kelly Underwood

The Elite Guardians Collection is a series spinoff of Lynette Eason's five-book Elite Guardians series. The Elite Guardians are bodyguards who are almost all women. This series focuses on other members of this team who were not the main characters in the original series.

Using Lynette Eason's original series as a guide, three new authors have added their voices to create new and unique characters and stories for this new series. So those who loved The Elite Guardians and wanted more, this is a delightful way to get it as three new authors add their unique take and blend it into the world Lynette Eason has already introduced us to. Now it isn't necessary to read the original series first unless you'd like the backstory to flesh out your understanding of who is who and how they all fit together.

Elite Guardians (EG) / Elite Guardians Collection (EGC) series in chronological order

Always Watching (EG-1)

Without Warning (EG-2)

Moving Target (EG-3)

Chasing Secrets (EG-4)

Dark Prophecy (EG-4.5)

Driving Force (EGC-1)

Impending Strike (EGC-2)

Defending Honor (EGC-3)

Driving Force
Elite Guardians Collection #1

By Lynette Eason and Kate Angelo

Christina Sherman never thought she'd be hired to provide protection to a dog. But Boss isn't just any dog - he is a highly trained national asset and the only thing capable of stopping a chemical warfare attack in America. Grey Parker will do anything to keep his partner safe, including higher private security for round-the-clock protection. He's about to undergo an experimental surgery, and the only way to ensure Boss's safety is to hire the woman he just witnessed saving the governor from a dangerous, potentially deadly attack.

The chemical agent that could bring America to her knees and destroy her should not be taken lightly. Grey has been working for years to stop the coming attack, and bodies are starting to be discovered as the mastermind begins to make his moves.

As the mastermind begins his attack, he seems bent on removing the only threat to his plan - Boss. But to get to Boss, he'll first have to stop Christina, Grey, and the Elite Guardians. But how do you stop someone who is always one step ahead of you while taunting you with what will happen next?

Can Christina and Grey outsmart a mastermind before it is too late? Time is against them in this fast-paced Romantic Suspense. Driving Force is the first book in the new Elite Guardians Collection that builds on Lynette Eason's Elite Guardians series. This is a not to be missed book that you won't be able to put down once you start reading it. And really, how can you go wrong when there is a dog involved, and not only involved, he is a hero!

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

Impending Strike

Elite Guardians Collection #2

By Lynette Eason and Sami A. Abrams

Charlie Lee is the only guy in the Elite Guardians, and he has no problem with that. His friendship with his partner Lizzie Tremaine is what it is, but if things were different, if he were different, he wouldn't mind something more. But he has his work and his special undercover assignment from the mayor to help bring done the growing drug threat.

Lizzie has been keeping a secret, one she fears could get her ousted from the Guardians if the truth ever came out. But she's protected her secret for years and can't see herself ever revealing her greatest weakness. When she misses a call for help from her best friend she fears it is her fault. If Charlie pulls through she'll just have to keep more distance between them, after all, she doesn't want another good man's blood on her hands.

An unexpected attack costs Charlie four years of memories and the threat of a deadly upcoming attack has been lost along with everything else. Can Charlie remember before it is too late? And can Lizzie keep him alive long enough for his memories to return?

Impending Strike is the second book in the Elite Guardians Collection and it keeps the action going full speed as the Guardians deal with a threat to their own while trying to uncover why Charlie was attacked. What did he hear or see? And is his cover still intact? Though this is part of a series this thrilling read can be read as a standalone if you have not read the other Elite Guardian books - though reading one can never be as satisfying as reading them all. Excellent reading if you want something that takes you out of your day-to-day normal. This is one you won't want to put down.

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

Defending Honor

Elite Guardians Collection #3

By Lynette Eason and Kelly Underwood

Laila Rabbinowitz does her job, and if she has to say so, she does it well. With incidents from her past, she doesn't trust anyone (not completely), and if given a choice, she'd rather work alone, calling upon her Elite Guardian teammates and coworkers only when absolutely necessary. 

When Laila is assigned a protection detail to Preston Whittaker, she is less than thrilled to be stuck with the billionaire playboy with a tabloid history to make almost anybody cringe. After five years of incognito silence, Preston is back to bury his father and brother. And there are fears that the boating accident might not be so accidental and that a killer has Preston in his sights.

When fears for Preston's life prove true, Laila needs to be with him 24/7, and the only way to accomplish this is by posing as his wife. The paparazzi are about to have a field day with Preston back in the Whittaker fold, with secrets in his past to unearth, and an unknown wife on his arm.

As you can imagine, if you've read any of the previous Elite Guardian books, this case is about to prove not only eye-opening but life-changing for those most closely involved in it. Secrets long-held are about to be discovered but are any of them motive enough to kill over? The only way to find out is to discover who is behind everything. Now Laila and Preston just have to live long enough to stop a killer and know where the fake stops and the real begins. 

This is the third book in the Elite Guardians Collection and can be enjoyed easily without first reading the previous books, but you'll want to go back and read the others later. Just saying you'll want to know what some of the backstory references are to. 

I was provided with 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

Dive into the exciting ignition of the Elite Guardians Collection.

Title: Driving Force 

Series: Elite Guardians Collection #1 

Authors: Lynette Eason and Kate Angelo 

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 

Release Date: March 22, 2022 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense 

He’s the last client she wants to protect… 

Elite Guardians bodyguard/former sniper CHRISTINA SHERMAN has protected uncooperative clients before—but this time, well her client is bossy, headstrong and occasionally eats off the floor. Yes, he’s a highly trained military working dog, but certainly her skills could be put to better use, right? 

Not according to former Special Forces Air Commando GREY PARKER. He needs her help to protect his dog while he undergoes an experimental surgery that could restore his ability to walk. He just needs someone to keep his canine partner safe. Most of all, Grey wants back on his feet so he can track down a deranged scientist known as The Scavenger who unleashed a nerve agent that left Grey sidelined in a wheelchair. 

When an attempt is made on Grey’s life, and dead bodies begin piling up—with evidence the same toxin is responsible—suddenly Christina is tasked with keeping both dog and soldier alive…and with them, the secrets that could stop a terrorist attack. But this time, even Christina might be in over her head.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | BookBub | Christian Book

Another edge-of-your-seat Elite Guardians thriller!

Title: Impending Strike 

Series: Elite Guardians Collection #2 

Authors: Lynette Eason and Sami A. Abrams 

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 

Release Date: June 28, 2022 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense 

Protecting him just might cost her everything…

Elite Guardian Charlie Lee knows that there is no future with the woman he loves—fellow Guardian Lizzie Tremaine. And, he gets it—as a single mom, Lizzie has to protect her daughter. But more than anything, he wants the chance to prove himself.

Then, the unthinkable happens—while working undercover, Charlie is seriously injured…and his memory of the past four years is lost. Could it be the fresh start that he didn’t realize he longed for?

Despite a friendship that’s turned flirtatious at times, Lizzie Tremaine has held Charlie at arms’ length. She’s lost all the men she’s ever loved, and is unwilling to risk her heart again. Still, she’s glad to keep an eye on him—as his bodyguard—and while she’s at it, help him put the pieces of his past together, including discovering who attacked him, and why.

But Charlie seems to have forgotten their agreed-upon professional distance—and suddenly, all the rules are off the table. She’s seeing a side of Charlie she could possibly let into her heart. Problem is, the closer he gets to uncovering his memories, the closer he gets to trouble.

It’s her heart…or his life. What will protecting Charlie cost her?

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

Book three of the riveting, high-octane world of the Elite Guardians reboot!

Title: Defending Honor 

Series: Elite Guardians Collection #3 

Authors: Lynette Eason and Kelly Underwood 

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 

Release Date: October 4, 2022 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense 

She'll have to pretend to be his wife to save his life...but what will it cost her heart?

Laila Rabbinowitz is all business. Tough and stoic, she was the perfect Mossad agent…until a terrible betrayal led to her worst nightmare. Being a bodyguard with the Elite Guardians allows her to keep her heart safe—she’ll never let anyone close enough to betray her again. And she’s certainly not going to trust anyone who doesn’t earn it.

Billionaire and former playboy Preston Whittaker walked away from his famous family after a terrible event, but then his father and brother are killed in a suspicious boating accident. Since he’s next in line to helm the family business, now someone wants him dead. Preston needs someone by his side 24/7, and the only solution is a fake marriage.

In order to keep him safe, Laila will have to convince everyone that she and Preston are in love. She’s used to putting her life on the line for a client. But what will this case cost her heart? 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

 

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Life Flight and the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children.

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

Kate Angelo is an author, minister, and public speaker from Southwest Missouri who works alongside her husband strengthening and encouraging marriages and families through their ministry. As the mother of five mostly grown children, she is fluent in both sarcasm and eye rolls-subjects she never intentionally taught while homeschooling. With her chihuahua taking up half of her desk space, she writes suspenseful stories of imperfect people who encounter hope and healing through Jesus. Kate is a tech enthusiast, coffee lover, productivity guru, accomplished knitter, avid boater, prayer warrior, and known klutz.

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

Sami A. Abrams grew up hating to read. It wasn't until her 30s that she found authors who captured her attention. Now, most evenings you can find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. In her opinion, a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story. Sami lives in Northern California, but she will always be a Kansas girl at heart. She has a love of sports, family, and travel. However, a cabin at Lake Tahoe writing her next story is definitely at the top of her list.

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

Kelly Underwood's favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don't ask her about snow, because she's been a Florida girl since she was twelve. She writes book reviews for her blog bestinsuspense.com and is an active member of the Central Florida chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She's a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you have to read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you're looking for her, she's probably on her back patio with a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Visit her at kellyunderwoodauthor.com

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

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a paperback set of all three Elite Guardians Collection novels, plus an Elite Guardians T-shirt!

 

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 3, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 10, 2022. 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

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