A Hope Unburied ~ Release Day

It's Release Day for

A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Beyond the perilous landscape lies a love that defies extinction. . . .

In the bustling world of paleontology in 1916, Eliza Mills defies societal expectations to pursue her passion. Having published her early groundbreaking papers under a false name, she has finally earned her place at the Carnegie Museum and seizes the opportunity to work at Dinosaur National Monument with a renowned paleontologist. But things in Jensen, Utah, aren't what they appear. When Eliza gets the chance to dig up bones at a ranch with a dark history, it sparks a chain of events that will rock the very fabric of her carefully constructed world.

Devin Schmitt, Eliza's closest friend since childhood, harbors unspoken feelings for her but knows he will never be able to win her heart. Just as he vows to give her up for good, Eliza begs him to visit her in Utah for another grand adventure. He reluctantly agrees, and within a few days of his arrival, he and Eliza find themselves entangled in a web of danger where the stakes are much higher than they ever anticipated. Together, Devin and Eliza must hold on to God as their hope as they navigate a treacherous terrain of betrayal to unbury the truth and save Eliza from those who wish to see her fail.

Enter the Instagram Giveaway for a chance to win all three books in the series.

 

Author Bio:

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandkids, and research all the history around them.

 

You can connect with Kimberley on her website, KimberleyWoodhouse.com.

The Handmaiden's Blood ~ Now Available

 AVAILABLE NOW!

The Handmaid's Blood: The Goose Girl Retold 

Once Upon a Twisted Time

By Kendra E. Ardnek

This is a short story based on The Goose Girl. But there is a twist.

The Princess has her handmaid bound by blood to do her will. There is one wee problem, the princess is bound by blood to the queen.

And what an evil queen she is. She plans to use her daughter to cause an international incident and hopefully bring down a kingdom. Yes, that kind of evil. The kind you want to run and hide from. Except for the whole "bound to do her-will" thing going on, which prevents running and hiding.

Though short, this is an intriguing and ingenious retelling that satisfies the key elements of the story but presents them in an original story. 

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

About the Book:

Three drops of blood bind her to the princess's will.

The Goose Girl retold from the perspective of her servant.

Book Fun Fact:

This was actually my third choice for which Goose Girl retelling I would release as part of the Lost Kerchiefs, but the other two retellings I had planned each depended on me finishing the book ahead of them in the series. But, you can watch out for a total of three other Goose Girl retellings from me in the near future, including:

Goose Chase (A Twist of Adventure #8): Another servant-as-the-heroine, but in this one, the twist is that when she lost the handkerchief, the princess swaps bodies with an actual goose, so the servant has to pose as a princess until they can figure out how to fix this curse. This one came really close to being part of this set, and is partially written, but since I didn't release Beanstalk Trials as planned, I had to hold off on this one.

Goose Boy (Ever After Maneuver #3): I promise I'm not copying Tricia, but Cinderella-12DP-Goose Girl seems to be a story order that just works. This isn't a genderswap, as the title implies, but it does shake up the story and make Curdkin the hero. Won't say much more about it, other than the fact that Anice is the princess but not the main character. She has the next book after. 

Sing a Quest of Golden Geese (Bookania #9): This is the book I *really* wanted to release as part of the Kerchiefs, but I just didn't have the brain space to write Bookania #8. I'm really excited about this one, though, as it's one of the crazy mashups, including The Goose Girl, Rumpelstiltskin, The Golden Goose, and the Pied Piper. There may or may not be a baby dragon, and this book is also technically a sequel to The Dancing Princess (A Twist of Adventure #5). because people begged so hard to see more of that world. 

I did also consider writing "The Princess and the Goose Girl" which is a Princess and the Pauper mashup I have rolling around in the back of my head, but I'm not *quite* ready to take the plunge into that series yet. 

K-9 Ranch Ranch Protection ~ Review with Excerpt and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for K-9 Ranch Protection 

by Darlene L. Turner, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

K-9 Ranch Protection

Crisis Rescue Team #6

By Darlene L. Turner

Ten years ago, Austin Murray froze, costing Izzy Tremblay her best friend's life. Now, Austin may be Izzy's only hope of living and finding her father's killer. 

The killer knows Izzy is working unofficially to find the truth, and he has access to systems he shouldn't be able to touch. Now, he's using technology to help him track her. Worse he knows things about her that he shouldn't.

When an attack wipes three hours of memories from her brain, Izzy is left vulnerable. Could she have seen or done something that could bring a resolution to this case? Only time will tell if her perfect memory can be restored. If Austin can keep her safe. 

Determined to keep Izzy safe, Austin offers his ranch as a hideaway. What could be safer? Hidden away on a ranch with an ex-partner she hasn't had contact with for a decade and a barn full of K-9s in training. There is just one little problem - keeping their hearts safe. But this is Love Inspired Suspense so I'll let you draw your own conclusions in the heart department. 

Altogether, this is a good read. It doesn't contain any graphic material, which is how I like my books. So, if you love suspense that doesn't give you nightmares and romance that doesn't leave you feeling icky, give K-9 Ranch Protection a chance. 

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: K-9 Ranch Protection
Series: Crisis Rescue Team #6
Author: Darlene L Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

A killer on the loose. 

A K-9 keeping watch. 

Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. The ambush leaves her in the hospital with three hours of crucial memory missing, which she knows holds the key to finding her father’s murderer. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer? 

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

More Books In This Series

   

   

Excerpt:

Izzy observed the malamute. “She’s not a protection dog, right?”

“No, but she senses danger from the other two and likes you. I need to follow the dogs.
Evacuate.” Austin ran toward the station’s front office where Goose and Thor had headed.

“Not a chance.” Izzy followed with Névé at her heels.

Constables and HRPD’s civilian staff hustled to the exit. Their tortured expressions revealed
everyone’s horror. Izzy couldn’t remember a time when their station had been attacked in this
magnitude.

Was it all her fault?

Thor’s heightened bark cut off her thoughts.

Izzy hurried to catch up to the K-9s and Austin. She stepped inside the bullpen.

Thor sat a few feet away from a desk. Her desk.

“Thor, Goose, retreat!” Austin’s forceful commands stopped Izzy in her tracks.

It was then she noticed a backpack under her chair. A beeping filled the room, then intensified.
Izzy’s heartbeat slammed in her chest. The bomb was about to blow.

The K-9s bolted toward the entrance where Austin stood. He turned. “Get out!”

Beside her, Névé growled and latched on to her coat, tugging her back into the hallway. The
group scrambled to get away from the ticking time bomb.

They reached the exit and Austin thrust open the door, hauling her with him.

Seconds later a thunderous explosion rocked the building, sending debris pelting through the
station and out the shattered front glass doors.

The impact shoved Izzy to her knees on the snowy walkway. The attack revealed one thing.

None of them were safe.

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About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling 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, where there’s suspense beyond borders, to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(4) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon egift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

So True a Love ~ Review

So True a Love

By Joanna Barker 

There is nothing better than a mystery and when it is a historical mystery too all the better. Verity Travers can't help herself, not when she witnesses a crime right in front of her. But the mugger didn't know who he was attacking when he struck. The violence made her forget herself and pursue the man But when she unexpectedly gets in the path of a man connected with the Bow Street Runners she literally loses her suspect.   

But soon there are other matters that force Verify and Nathaniel Denning to work together to catch a thief and protect their hearts. Yeah , that is so not happening. But they can try. 

So True A Love is much more than a Historical Romance, it is a story of a parent's love for a child and what they are willing to do protect their child. It is a discovery of learning ones own heart and learning that sometimes asking for help is a sign of strength. 

This was an engaging read. There are so many layers of secrets throughout that one is shifting through to get to the truth of just what is going on. Romance and mysteries make this a must read! 

 

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:

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

A Lady Most Fitting ~ Available Now and Review

A Lady Most Fitting
A Grimm Regency
By Sienna Peake

Charlotte Linfield had thought she'd marry for love but her father is driven to see her have London Season that will secure him a better foothold in Society.  Charlotte is willing to do her part and be the perfect debutant. What she never anticipated was tangling with the local shoemaker.

After Philip Notley finds a young woman at the center of a minor disaster in his aunt's shoe shop, he can't help himself. He has to have a bit of fun. Charlotte is not impressed or amused by his antics. Soon, he begins to admire her and hopes for a positive reaction to his interactions. But first impressions and a driven father may keep any kind of feelings turned in any direction but his own. He just might need to call on those helpful shoe elves himself.

Unfortunately Charlotte doesn't appreciate the attentions she's garnered in her new home. How is she to get an advantageous match with Mr. Notley hanging around and talking about shoe elves? Worse when she's near him she is at her absolute clumsiest. But there are the most exquisite shoes showing up. Shoes just her size and perfect matches to her gowns.

I loved Philip's character from the first, Charlotte I wasn't to sure of. And when Philip"s mother shows up it is interesting watching him navigate his way to love and marriage.

A Lady Most Fitting is a delightful read. Easy to read and enjoy on a sweltering afternoon. It is a clean read appropriate for any reader who enjoys romance or fairytale retellings. This will be a reread in my opinion! Time to add to your TBR wish list!

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:

If the shoe fits, then...

Charlotte Linfield wants nothing more than to please her exacting father and prepare for a perfect London season. Getting tangled up with the teasing young gentleman from the local shoe shop is the last thing on her mind.

Philip Notley is just after a bit of fun when he begins leaving secret gifts for the new girl in town. What starts as a prank soon proves something far deeper, but will it be enough to bring two mismatched halves into a perfect pair?

A Lady Most Fitting is a sweet, wholesome romance filled with plenty of heart and humor, inspired by the fairy tale The Elves and the Shoemaker.

This series reimagines classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales as unique Regency romances. Sit back, pour a cup of tea, and let these sweet, captivating romances transport you to a world of charm, adventure, and happily ever afters. 

A Grimm Regency Tale series

• A Lady Most Engaged by Audrey Glenn
• A Lady Most Fitting by Sienna Peake
• A Lady Most Untamed by Amanda Panhorst
• A Lady Most Intrigued by Jenni Ward
• A Lady Most Entangled by Mary-Celeste Ricks
• A Lady Most Isolated by Heloise C. Kensington
• A Lady Most Alluring by Amy Newbold

The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings ~ Review

The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings

By Jolie Taylor

Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Understanding feelings isn't easy at any age, but this book attempts to help young readers do just that. This book is aimed at ages 3 - 8, but it could be bumped up in the age. Some of this might be a little beyond the grasp of 3 to 5-year-olds just because of the words used. 

I like explaining feelings through a story (or poem). It is a well-thought-out concept and an excellent teaching tool. How often do we describe a feeling with a feeling? It's not the best way to explain to a child. I'm angry, which means I'm mad and upset. But what does this mean to someone who learning what feelings are?

The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings combines words and black-and-white drawings to convey feelings. I recommend this book for families with young children and classroom settings.

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:

40 fun poems that explore big feelings and emotions. This whimsical journey through verse and illustrations can help children recognize and understand their big emotions.

From the imaginative minds of Brandon Dorman, renowned illustrator of Goosebumps, Land of Stories, and Fablehaven, and Booktok creator Jolie Taylor comes a whimsical illustrated collection of poems about feelings for newly independent readers.

This beautifully crafted book of forty short stories in rhyme ranges from a dragon’s fiery bursts of boredom to the gentle tones of an older sister’s love for her sibling with Down syndrome. This creative collection of tales is not only a powerful resource for children who are fostering a lifelong love of reading—it’s also a delightful portal for them to understand and celebrate the richness of human emotions.

Spirits and Pacts ~ Review

Spirits and Pacts:

A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and 

          The Phantom of the Opera - Part 2
The Roumaterra Chronicles #3

By Erin Halbmaier

Before you read any further IF you have not read part one Songs and Spun Gold  don't read any further. Part one is a must read.

Five years ago Katy and Axel married after a rather difficult trial. Katy was forced to spin gold after her not so reliable father popped off at the mouth and criticized the king. Yeah not too smart. But it resulted in Katy and Axel marrying one another. 

But Katy made a deal that has her first born child's future out of her hands. The stranger who aided her in spinning all that gold has a claim on her child. But this child will also be heir to the kingdom's throne. Will Axel or the king ever forgive her if she has to give up her child? Of course she must first have a child and after five years the nobles are getting restless about this lack of an heir.

Axel's always been drawn to singing, to his father's displeasure. Five years ago the theater was destroyed by fire and his father refused to allow it to be rebuilt. Even worse Axel lost his mentor. After five years Lottie must be dead, but still Axel hopes to find her.

But something is happening within the kingdom. And that something is a danger to the throne. Until Katy and Axel along with those closest to them can figure out what is going on no one is safe.

I love how the author has carried the Rumpelstiltskin and The Phantom of the Opera theme into this third book in The Roumaterra Chronicles series. The reader is drawn into the story as Katy struggles with her childless state and what it means for her. This book allows Katy and Axel to further grow, but this time as a couple as they must face the choices that they have made. 

There are a few surprises along the way that add another layer to this book and provide a potential avenue for additional books in the series. The book is a clean read that retells two different stories that one would not think of working so well together, yet the author does so in a beautiful work that will engage your imagination.

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:

She married the man she loves. But at what cost?

Five years after the fire at the theater and Katy and Axel’s wedding, pressure is building because of their childless state. Katy’s feelings are mixed: the kingdom needs an heir, but the gold-spinning stranger can’t take a child she doesn’t have.

While Axel longs for the stage, he can’t ignore the fact that his kingdom needs him, little as he feels qualified. He tries to shield Katy from the trouble brewing in the council, but more accidents at the theater, a curse no one remembers until it breaks, and physical danger mix with the secret she is hiding.

Can Katy find a way to save their child? Or will the troubles in the kingdom pull her and her husband down with them?

Spirits and Pacts is part two of a clean, no-spice retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and The Phantom of the Opera. It is the third book in The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.