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!

The Danger with Diamonds ~ Book Review

My Thoughts:

Eighty years ago, the Lang family lost everything to the Nazis when Austria came under their control. The three Lang children managed to survive the violence that came to their home, but it forever separated them in a world being torn apart by war.

Fast forward to today, someone is determined to keep the truth hidden and prevent the Lang children from claiming what is theirs by birth. And if necessary, murder is an option that could be employed to silence them forever. And these heirs have no idea of the danger they are in, but when they come together, they are able to thwart their longtime enemy and recover not only their ancestrial home but the treasures it hid. 

But now the treasures of Falcon Point have been stolen - were they the target of the bank robbery? Or were they a bonus stolen along with the diamonds, Cole Bridger secured there after a CIA operation?  Whatever the reason, Lars and Cole aren't about to lose the legacy that they had only recently recovered. But time and an enemy are working against them.

The Danger with Diamonds is the perfect companion to The Heirs of Falcon Point, which is a prequel. There is plenty of suspense and a generous helping of clean romance blended well to craft a wonderful story. The talents of Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey create a seamless story so that one doesn't get a jarring transition between their literary efforts. You can't tell where one ends, and the other begins. Now you don't have to read Heirs of Falcon Point to enjoy Danger with Diamonds but having the backstory is nice so that you'll know who Anna and Tess are when they are referred to. This book is perfect if you are looking for clean-reading Contemporary Romantic Suspense. I highly recommend this book, and it is one worthy of a reread!

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

About the Book:

When Lars Hendriks arranges to meet Marit Jansen in Vienna, he is hoping their friendship will blossom into romance. What he doesn’t expect is a surprise visit from his cousin Cole or the loose diamonds he brings with him.

As a CIA operative, Cole Bridger is used to uncertainty, but when his work takes him back to Vienna, he looks forward to reconnecting with Isabelle Roberts, the fellow agent he dated briefly before duty took him away from Austria. Unfortunately, his silence over the last few months has created a chasm that he can’t cross without help. He barely takes a step toward repairing the damaged relationship when a brazen jewel heist seemingly links Cole, Lars, Marit, and Isabelle to the crime. The group is drawn into a deadly mystery, and once again, the treasures of Falcon Point are threatened. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have stumbled upon something far bigger and more dangerous than a simple robbery. And someone on the inside knows it.

Abduction Cold Case ~ Review

Abduction Cold Case

By Connie Queen

When a file about a more than twenty-year-old kidnapping lands on her desk, Kennedy Wells does her job, contacting the mother of the long-missing little girl. Suddenly she is thrust into a situation she's unprepared for - someone wants to silence her and the mother who lost her oldest child years ago. But when Texas Ranger Silas Boone comes to their rescue, he presents Kennedy with a reason why her life is in danger. But can Kennedy even consider his theory when it will destroy everything she thought she knew about herself?

Abduction Cold Case is a standalone title from the Love Inspired Suspense collection that throws the reader immediately into the action. A murder attempt, kidnappings, fraud, elder care, and an overwhelming desire for the truth - what more could you ask for? A clean read, of course, which makes this a perfectly enjoyable weekend excursion at your favorite reading corner. I, for one, have no qualms about recommending this book. I found it to be entertaining and well worth the few hours of reading it entailed.  This book has a little bit of everything one expects from Connie Queen, with no disappointments for fans of her previous books.

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:

An unsolved case. A family secret.

Getting to the truth could be deadly…

Finding a mysterious file on her desk sends psychologist Kennedy Wells chasing down clues to solve a twenty-six-year-old kidnapping—and straight into a violent assault. When Texas Ranger Silas Boone comes to Kennedy’s rescue, he can’t help but wonder at her resemblance to the long-missing girl. With someone willing to kill to end the investigation, can they uncover the truth…and live to see Christmas?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Double Dog Dare ~ Review

 

Double Dog Dare

The Owl's Nest Mysteries #3

By C.S. McDonald

Read by Maren Swenson Waxenberg

Detective Bobby Starr is back and Alexa is about to be pulled into another unsolved cold case from Bobby's past. But this time, everything is different. First off, they are given five days rather than three to solve the case. And the potential suspect has two potential murders tied to his name. And if Bobby can solve this case, he'll be part of Saint Peter’s Guardian Angel Squad. And Alexa is more than ready to have Bobby out of her life.

But when Alexa is suddenly thrown back into the future, her feelings of unease are explained. Worse she's brought a tag-along from the past with her, and that's in addition to the always slumbering Bassett Hound that has somehow made its way into her home. Soon Alexa is caught up in her contemporary troubles while Bobby continues working on his murder case from 1963. 

Double Dog Dare offers a change-up to the previous cases that Saint Pete has sent this sleuthing duo on. The unexpected twists find Bobby and Alexa working hard to find answers to different questions this time. As always, this book is a fun and entertaining escape from this reader's day-to-day. It is written so a reader new to the series could easily pick this up and enjoy it as a standalone title. And then there is a particularly amusing scene with a Roomba, you have to read it to fully enjoy it! This a contemporary read that is a cozy mystery that as well as magical realism with a touch of romance. The book is just over seven and a half hours, making it a perfect afternoon/evening commute listen.  The narration by Maren Swenson Waxenberg is well done, the pacing is good, and provides an excellent version of this book.

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

Book Details:

Book Title: Double Dog Dare (The Owl's Nest Mysteries) 

Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 274 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  May 2022
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald's books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults--no bad language or sexual content.

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Prologue - Double Dog Dare

Book Description:

That ornery, but oh, so handsome, charming, and somewhat, wayward angel, Detective Bobby Starr, has returned. This time, he’s back to fulfill his third and, hopefully, his final requirement to get into Saint Peter's prestigious Guardian Angel Squad. This time, the usually reluctant time traveler, Alexa Owl, is ready to go back to the 1960's to assist in solving one more long-ago murder. Why? Because if all goes well, she'll be rid of the menacing angel once and for all. Except, an emergency jerks Alexa back to her own time, and to complicate matters, she’s got a tag-along. Can Bobby solve this last case without Alexa’s help? After all, she’s got her hands full with a life-or-death mystery in the twenty-first century!

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible 
add to goodreads

Also Available:

Book Details:

Book Title:  Back to the Burgh and Beyond (The Owl's Nest Mysteries, Book 1) 
Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 208 pages
Run Time: 5 hours, 59 minutes
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Sep 10, 2020
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald's books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults--no bad language or sexual content.

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Book Description:

​Meet Alexa Owl. She's returned home to Pittsburgh after a divorce to start a new life and a new business, The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe. Much to her surprise, she's getting more than she ever bargained for: Detective Bobby Starr, and he's no ordinary sleuth. Bobby is an angel who's returned to Earth in hopes of earning his way into the Guardian Angel Squad. He's been sent by none other than Saint Pete to acquire Alexa’s help to solve three cold case murders he left behind. Except, here’s the catch: he’s only been allotted four days to solve the first case! How in heaven’s name is she supposed to do that? Alexa is a professional seamstress—not a detective. Bobby insists the only way to solve the first case is to return to 1953, and Alexa’s not in love with that idea at all!

Buy the Book:
Audible
Amazon ~ B&N
Add to Goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title:  Maxed Out (The Owl's Nest Mysteries) 
Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 184 pages
Length: 5 hours, 32 minutes
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  April 2021
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald's books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults--no bad language or sexual content.

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Book Description:

The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe is a huge success! Business is booming and Alexa Owl’s love life is heating up. Yet much to the seamstress’s dismay, Detective Bobby Starr is suddenly back again! Bobby isn’t your everyday gumshoe. Rather, he’s an angel who’s trying to earn a place in Saint Peter’s Guardian Angel Squad. He’s required to solve murders he had left unsettled from when he walked the earth in order to be accepted into this prestigious group. Of course, they will need to return to the time period in which the murder took place, and again, Alexa is a reluctant time traveler. Oh, and there’s one more little problem—this time, Bobby’s brought along a friend, Maxi Krogen, and she’s no angel!

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

Meet the Narrator:

Ms. Waxenberg is a voice-over artist and presentation coach.  She serves as a consultant to the Professional Development Company, Inc., teaching presentation and interview skills seminars to a variety of clients, Columbia MBA, and SIPA graduate students.  Maren has a 30-year background in special events, performing arts production and the entertainment industry.   In 1996, she founded Maren Productions which produces audio books, radio and television voice-overs, and podcasts.  Maren Productions also offers special event production and consultancy services. 

Ms. Waxenberg has worked in Special event production with George Trescher Associates, theater production and management at the TheatreVirginia in Richmond, the Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, and The New Dramatists in New York. She edited and formatted feature films for ABC Motion Picture Post Production.  Maren served as the concert manager of The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall for four years, produced events for the promotion department of The New York Daily News, and has produced chamber music recitals at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  Ms, Waxenberg has produced, directed and performed in numerous Off-Broadway theatre productions.  She trained with the CoActive Training Institute.

Meet the Author:

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

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

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

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

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Range ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for 
Range by Ronie Kendig, 
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 Range 

 The Metcalfes #3 

 By Ronie Kendig

 Range Metcalf is angry, and he has been for a long time.  

 His anger drove him from his home, and he hasn't looked 

 back since. His brothers have always overshadowed him 

 and he's about to do whatever it takes to step into his own 

 light, and if the cost is his soul - so be it. And he knows 

 who is his next target, and he won't stop until he finds her 

 and takes her into custody.

 Kasra Jazani is as much a victim as the women and

 children under her care, but the American determined to  

 make her pay doesn't care to hear the truth from her. And 

 the information she carries has her capturers determined to 

 end her life before she can leave Afghanistan. And Range 

 Metcalf has unwittingly stepped into the target with her.

 Range is the third book in The Metcalfs series, which 

 focuses on a different Metcalf sibling in each book. The 

 series is taking a deeper look into human trafficking and 

 the pain and damage it has caused to not only the victims 

 caught up in it but on those associated with them. When you've had your soul slowly stolen from you, how do you heal? Is healing even possible? Is there a point from which you can't be rescued even if you are freed? These aren't pretty stories, but I'm sure they don't fully paint the true story of those who find themselves trapped in the life of a trafficked person. This is a book written to open the eyes of those who read it and to make one think. Could you identify a trafficked person if you saw them?

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: Range 

Series: The Metcalfes #3 

Author: Ronie Kendig 

Publisher: Task Force Press 

Release Date: September 30, 2022 

Genre: Clean with faith elements, Romantic Suspense

He's back and he's out for blood

Fed up with living in the shadow of his brothers, Range Metcalfe struck out to carve a name for himself—one written in the blood of many a terrorist. Now, he’s targeting the notorious Madam of Kandahar, who has trafficked children and women. Finally given the green light, he captures her and quickly finds himself entrenched up in a deadly encounter that forces him into the Afghan wilderness—with the madam. 

After ten years trapped in human trafficking and five of those spent overseeing a compound, Kasra Jazani has little left of her soul. No longer able to live with herself, she takes matters into her own hands and coordinates an escape, a massive coup against the man who has kept her and so many others captive. They flee into the night—right into the fierce and capable hands of American operators, who ruin everything and put lives at risk. Livid, she knows death is coming for them because she also holds a very dangerous, very powerful secret: the name of the man at the top of the trafficking ring. Now that monster wants her—and her American protector—dead.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Ronie Kendig is a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty

 books. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-

 veteran husband have returned to their beloved Texas after a nearly 

 ten-year stint in the Northeast. They survive on Sonic runs, barbecue,

 and peach cobbler that they share--sometimes--with Benning the 

 Stealth Golden. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen 

 novels of intense, raw characters.

 Connect with Ronie by visiting roniekendig.com to follow her on 

 social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Range and an Operation Underground t-shirt.

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on October 18, 2022, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 25, 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

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

The Danger with Diamonds ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

The Danger with Diamonds 

by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Danger with Diamonds 

Falcon Point Suspense #1 

By Traci Hunter Abramson 

       and Sian Ann Bessey

The Danger with Diamonds is the first book in the Falcon Point Suspense series, but it is not the first book dealing with these characters. No, we were introduced to Lars Hendriks, Cole Bridger, Marit Jansen, and Isabelle Roberts in The Heirs of Falcon Point. And building on that story we are given a wonderful addition to that world with this new series debut.

Lars has been photographing the family heirlooms that were recovered in The Heirs of Falcon Point, and everyone is quite literally in the wrong place at the wrong time. Someone has decided to rob the bank where the Falcon Point jewels are being housed. But the target happens to be diamonds that Cole had to secure overnight in the same bank and the Falcon Points jewels are an added bonus.

Yes, the treasures that had been lost for years have been stolen, and the two cousins, along with Marit and Isabelle, will have to put all their skills and assets to work if they hope to clear their names, recover the jewels, the diamonds, and find out who is the mole within the CIA. And Lars and Marit have to be kept in the dark as to Cole and Isabelle's CIA affiliation. No problem!

The Danger with Diamonds is the perfect companion to The Heirs of Falcon Point, which is a prequel. There is plenty of suspense and a generous helping of clean romance blended well to craft a wonderful story. The talents of Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey create a seamless story so that one doesn't get a jarring transition between their literary efforts. You can't tell where one ends, and the other begins. Now you don't have to read Heirs of Falcon Point to enjoy Danger with Diamonds but having the backstory is nice so that you'll know who Anna and Tess are when they are referred to. This book is perfect if you are looking for clean-reading Contemporary Romantic Suspense. I highly recommend this book, and it is one worthy of a reread!

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

Some secrets are worth keeping. 

Others are not.

When Lars Hendriks arranges to meet Marit Jansen in Vienna, he is hoping their friendship will blossom into romance. What he doesn’t expect is a surprise visit from his cousin Cole or the loose diamonds he brings with him.

As a CIA operative, Cole Bridger is used to uncertainty, but when his work takes him back to Vienna, he looks forward to reconnecting with Isabelle Roberts, the fellow agent he dated briefly before duty took him away from Austria. Unfortunately, his silence over the last few months has created a chasm that he can’t cross without help. He barely takes a step toward repairing the damaged relationship when a brazen jewel heist seemingly links Cole, Lars, Marit, and Isabelle to the crime. The group is drawn into a deadly mystery, and once again, the treasures of Falcon Point are threatened. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have stumbled upon something far bigger and more dangerous than a simple robbery. And someone on the inside knows it.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Title: The Danger with Diamonds 
Series: Falcon Point Suspense #1 
Authors: Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey 
Publisher: Covenant Communications 
Release Date: October 10, 2022 

Genre: Clean and Wholesome Romantic Suspense

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas for suspense novels as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists. She considers shoes an optional accessory which became evident when she won her first three Whitney Awards in 2013 (Code Word), 2014 (Deep Cover), and 2016 (Failsafe.) Safe House won Whitney Awards for both the mystery/suspense category as well as 2017 Adult Novel of the Year. She added two additional awards in 2019 (Mistaken Reality - best mystery/suspense and Sanctuary - Adult Novel of the Year.) She currently lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys sports, travel, writing, and recently retired from coaching high school swimming.

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

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Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English. She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today best selling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist. Although Sian doesn't have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

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

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card,

 a signed copy of The Danger of Diamonds, 

and book-themed swag (including stickers, a bookmark, and a postcard).

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on October 17, 2022, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 24, 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

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

By Way of the Moonlight ~ Review

By Way of the Moonlight

By Elizabeth Musser

Oh My!! This book is an emotional rollercoaster. There are moments of triumph and then extreme sorrow. I totally needed tissue while reading this book, which I was not expecting. This is one of those books you just can't put down, so I was glad I had picked a weekend in which to read it.

By Way of the Moonlight is a split-time work Dale Butler was born in the 1920s to a family of means and inherited her mother's love of horses. This love brought with it some of her most memorable moments in her life, some of joy and some of sorrow. This love was later passed on to her granddaughter Allie Massey.  But Allie has recently lost her grandmother, and in an unexpected twist, the family farm that she expected to take over has been lost to her. With her dreams in shambles, Allie won't give up on trying to keep the farm and home she planned her whole life around, even to the point of driving away the man she loves. But she is sent on a journey by her grandmother, a journey of discovery. Can she discover who Nana Dale really was before everything is gone forever?

I wanted to read this book when I first saw the cover - it promised something rich. I just didn't realize just how rich a story it would reveal. Most of Dale's story is told in snippets from 1931 to 1943, while Allie's story is set in 2020. The similarities in their stories are interesting as the differences. Both are driven to the point of obsession in their pursuit of what they want, and it has a definite effect on their relationships with those around them, and it is not necessarily a positive effect. 

I love the historical attributes of this book. German U-boats off the Eastern Atlantic Coast are not something one has heard too much about, certainly not in any of the history books I ever had. In my opinion, this would be an excellent book club selection, and the discussion questions in the back would make for a good discussion starter.

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

About the Book:

Two courageous young women, tied together by blood and shared passion, will risk everything to save what they love most.

For as long as she can remember, Allie Massey, a gifted physical therapist, has dreamed of making her grandparents’ ten-acre estate into a trauma recovery center using equine therapy—a dream her grandmother, Nana Dale, embraced wholeheartedly. But when her grandmother’s will is read, Allie is shocked to learn the property has been sold to a developer.

Decades earlier, headstrong Dale Butler’s driving passion is to bring home the prized filly her family lost to the Great Depression, but with World War II looming, she’s called upon in ways she never could have imagined. And while her world expands to include new friends and new love, tragedy strikes close to home one fateful night during the Battle of the Atlantic, changing her life forever.

As Nana Dale’s past comes to light in Allie’s search for answers, Dale’s courage and persistence may be just what Allie needs to carry on her grandmother’s legacy and keep her own dreams alive.

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"Lush and romantic prose uplifts this affecting tale that celebrates the hard-won wisdom of elders. This is perfect for book clubs." Publishers Weekly

“Musser delivers yet another emotional escape.”—Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials

“The characters in this touching double story stayed with me long after ‘the end.’ One of the best novels I’ve read this year.”—Lynn Austin, author of Long Way Home

“Elizabeth’s signature artistry as a storyteller dazzles in By Way of the Moonlight. Brimming with impressive historical detail, here is a story to remind us all that we can honor the past and still bravely embrace the future.” –Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things