Bossy Flossy ~ Review with Giveaway

Bossy Flossy 
By Paulette Bogan

Flossy is just plain bossy, there is no other way to describe her.  She bosses around her toys, her kitty, her mom (which didn't end well Flossy ended up in TROUBLE), her classmates, and her teacher (another not so good idea on Flossy's part).  It seems as if Flossy is on a path to stardom as the world's bossiest person.

But one day everything changes - she meets Edward and the title for bossiest kid in the world is up for grabs!  But sometimes the best way to end bossiness is to experience for yourself and be on the receiving end of all the pushiness.

This is a cute book that is perfect for teaching an important lesson about being a person other people enjoy being around.  Friendship is a give-and-take type relationship and no one like always being told you have to do it this way.  Suggestions are welcomed but takeovers aren't.

This book is also a great way to explain to siblings that just because something works for them this won't necessarily work for bother or sister.

The reader could also discuss the book with their child asking how they would feel if Flossy came in and took over what they were working on or playing at. This is a perfect learning resource at home, school, or daycare situation.

I was provided a copy of this book through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

About the Book:

Flossy is the bossiest girl around. She's bossy at home and she's bossy in school. She's bossy to her friends and she's bossy to her cat. Sometimes she's even bossy to her teacher! Flossy doesn't understand why no one will listen to her. One day, Flossy meets Edward, a boy who may be just as bossy as she is. Has Flossy finally met her match?

Buy the Book:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Chapters Indigo

Author's Bio:

Paulette Bogan admits she was bossy as a child. She is the author and illustrator of Virgil and Owen, which was chosen as one of Bank Street Best Children's books of the Year 2016, Virgil & Owen Stick Together, which won a Mom's Choice Award Gold Medal for Picture Books, and Lulu The Big Little Chick, which won a Children's Choice Book Award. She lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs. They ALL think she is STILL bossy. But they've never told her to go to her room!

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

Win a package of 3 children’s books by
Paulette Bogan:

Bossy Flossy, Virgil and Owen, and
Virgil and Owen Stick Together

plus a $20 Amazon Gift Card
(Open to USA and Can)

2 winners, giveaway ends Oct 8

Enter the contest now because I'm not bossy

and you really want me to come to your home!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Candidate for Murder ~ Review, Book Trailer and Giveaway

Candidate for Murder
A Mac Faraday Mystery #12
By Lauren Carr

Spenser, Maryland, is caught up in the season - election season and the news is bad.  The two candidates running for mayor have lower popularity ratings than anyone running for office should have. And then there are rumors about both candidates that could spell doom for the small resort town of Spenser.

With Mac Faraday away on his honeymoon with Archie it is up to Police Chief David O'Callaghan to save the election and Spenser. And he has the perfect plan ~ Gnarly! But quickly what was political statement of protest becomes something bigger when Gnarly becomes the overnight front runner in the race. Unfortunately for Gnarly his opponents are willing to do anything to win this election - including digging into his past looking for any buried bones he may have hidden away.

With Gnarly's military service and even his status as an American citizen called into question Gnarly's friends have their work cut out for them with the election drawing near. And when a murder comes into the mix this election season just became a whole lot more complicated.

As the present and the past collide in this latest installment of the Mac Faraday Mystery series Gnarly has his work cut out for him running a campaign, protecting those closet to him and uncovering a threat to national security.  For most people this would be an impossible task, but Gnarly isn't most people and with his highly developed intellect this is one German Shepherd that could go as far as the Oval Office if he so desired!

Candidate for Murder has it all murder, intrigue, betrayal, and just enough scandal to make the national news. And then there's the story involving Gnarly, a burning building, and a family of cats... If your looking for a candidate who can think on his feet you may have found him, just be sure to carefully guard your dinner plate.

Overall this was a highly entertaining book with some interesting moments that you're left shaking your head at the absolute insanity of the situations that could very likely happen.  And I have to say all the scenes involving Nigel were priceless especially when Gnarly was involved. I totally loved the cast of dogs in the book and their unique personalities.

Politics will never be the same with Gnarly on the ticket...

I was provided a copy of this book through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

It’s election time in Spencer, Maryland, and the race for mayor is not a pretty one. In recent years, the small resort town has become divided between the local year-round residents who have enjoyed their rural way of life and the city dwellers moving into their mansions, taking over the town council, and proceeding to turn Deep Creek Lake into a closed gate community—complete with a host of regulations for everything from speed limits to clothes lines.

When the political parties force-feed two unsavory mayoral nominees on the town residents, Police Chief David O’Callaghan decides to make a statement—by nominating Gnarly, Mac Faraday’s German shepherd, to run as mayor of Spencer!

What starts out as a joke turns into a disaster when overnight Gnarly becomes the front runner—at which point his political enemies take a page straight out of Politics 101. What do you do when you’re behind in a race? Dig up dirt on the front runner, of course.

Seemingly, someone is not content to rest with simply embarrassing the front runner by publicizing his dishonorable discharge from the United States Army, but to throw in a murder for good measure. With murder on the ballot, Mac Faraday and the gang—including old friends from past cases—dive in to clear Gnarly’s name, catch a killer, and save Spencer!

Buy the book:   Amazon

Author's Bio:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries. The twelfth installment in the Mac Faraday Mystery series, Candidate for Murder will be released June 2016.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Book Trailer:

Giveaway:​

Prize: ​

Win a Fire Tablet, 7" Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB
(Open internationally)

Winner will be person to use #Vote4Gnarly most often

Giveaway ends Sept 24.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Reluctant Duchess ~ Review

The Reluctant Duchess

Ladies of the Manor #2

By Roseanna M. White

In The Lost Heiress we were introduced to Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham. The Reluctant Duchess continues the story in which Brice took possession of a rare treasure from Justin and Eden in an attempt to protect them from those seeking these jewels. With the threat of death now focused on him instead Brice is not in a position of seeking out a bride.  But it seems others have plans for him that include marriage.  And Lady Rowena Kinnaird's family seems determined to see her wed to this English duke and far away from the Scotish Highlands she has called home.

But Brice feels lead to marry this young woman, who is nothing like one would expect of an heiress or the daughter of an earl.  Rowena's life is in danger and Brice is her means of escape, but Rowena is not willing to participate in the subterfuge those closest to her are willing to perpetuate to secure her marriage and her future.

Rowena is a young woman who has been broken and she is unable to trust freely making her a perfect pawn in the treachery that the reader observed in The Lost Heiress as Rowena becomes the newest target of Kitty's friendship.  

Can Rowena learn to trust again before it is too late? Or will she forever be broken and separated from a relationship with the God her new husband urges her to seek? And can Brice see his wife for who she is beneath the layers and years of hurt and betrayal? Can they find her true worth and value?

The Fire Eyes are a continuing lure throughout as Brice works to keep them hidden away until Brook can decide what to do with them - these jewels that have cost her so much. But will they know cost Brice the very woman who is working her way into his heart?

Historical fiction with a touch of intrigue - the perfect way to pass a week-end! These are characters one can empathize with though those who are focused on their selfish desires are harder to identify with. Set in the later half of 1912 in Scotland and England one is taken into another world that is only 100 years ago and yet there are such differences in custom and technology from what we experience today.  If you haven't read the previous book you can still easily follow along and get caught up at a later date.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Will Fleeing the Scottish Highlands Only Leave Her in More Danger?

Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she's never felt good enough--not for her father, not for the man she thought she'd marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she's willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping those threatening her life.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, yet the last thing he needs is the distraction of the newly introduced Lady Rowena. He has enough on his plate having recently come into possession of a rare treasure for which many would kill, yet those around him seem intent on pairing him with this desperate but beguiling girl.

Rowena is reluctant to marry this notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in some kind of questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she'll end up in more danger than she fled.

Proof ~ Review

Proof
Bloodline Trilogy #1
By Jordyn Redwood

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a dedicated ER physician when her life is thrown into chaos when she is attacked. She is the the fifth known victim of a suspected serial rapist, a man with distinctive physical characteristics. The attack has left Lilly in a state of unbalance - her life is slowly unraveling and she is left in a state of anger and fear. Her dedication to her job and empathy for her patients was stolen the night she was attacked.

Detective Nathan Long is determined to get this monster off the the streets. With the evidence he leaves and the description given by his victims he should be easy to find. But no clue as to his identity has been found. When Nathan reaches out to Lilly he is drawn to her in a way that he hasn't been to the other victims.

When an incident occurs in the ER, Lilly believes she's found her attacker. But when the evidence points to someone else, Lilly knows that it is up to her to find the proof needed to get this criminal off the streets and to protect the innocent lives he is now targeting. With no one seeming to believe her Lilly is on her own.

But someone believes her and is working to discover the truth before Lilly's life is cut short by the man who has made her his number one enemy. And very few people have survived once he has them in his sights.

This is not a lighthearted read due to the very nature of the story, but it is well written and intense. There is a subtle undercurrent of a spiritual message throughout that offers Lilly something she has never before experienced - hope that God does love and care for her. This is the first book in the Bloodline Trilogy and worth the read if you can handle the subject matter and the utter depravity of the perpetrator.  The DNA and medical information is completely fascinating and may open a world you've never before contemplated.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review

About the Book:

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it’s the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty if science says he is not?

About the Author:

Jordyn Redwood is a nurse by day, novelist by night. She has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. As a self professed medical nerd, she reads medical textbooks for fun. This led to the creation of Redwood's Medical Edge-- a blog devoted to helping authors write medically accurate fiction. Jordyn loves to weave medical mystery into her story lines and see how her characters navigate through the chaos she creates.

Mountain Christmas Brides ~ Review

Mountain Christmas Brides
Nine Historical Novellas Celebrate Faith 

                   and Love in the Rocky Mountains
by Carrie Turansky, Mildred Colvin, Debby Lee, 

Gina Welborn, Mary Davis, Tamela Hancock Murray, 

Lena Nelson Dooley, Susan Page Davis, and Darlene Franklin

A Trusting Heart (Carrie Turansky)

Annika Bergstrom is leaving the life she knew and the family she loves behind on the promise of becoming a mail-order bride to Charles Simms and becoming a mother to his young daughter, Mariah. But there is an unexpected surprise when Annika arrives in Laramie and this is a surprise that could affect just how she envisioned her life being. The letters that convinced her to travel all this distance seemingly don't match up with the man she's come to marry. Will Annika get the Christmas she was expecting or will her heart be left wishing for one more gift? 

Home for the Holidays (Mildred Colvin), One Evergreen Night (Debby Lee), All Ye Faithful (Gina Wellborn, and A Carpenter Christmas (Mary Davis)

Anna Wilkin has no time for boys or romance until an incident with an unwelcome bustle and a tray of cookies literally knocks her off her feet along with new comer Jeremiah Tucker. Can this feisty young woman find love with a logger who wants to keep love at bay?  Anna just may be the one to work her way into Jeremiah's heart especially with her skill with a fishing pole.

Emma Pearson is determined to be there for her brother and be sure nothing happens to him. To her way of thinking Frederick Corrigan train engineer for the logging camp is a incentive to invite danger for her brother. And Emma is sure Frederick is well aware of her opinion. But the way to anyone's heart is through the unexpected and when Frederick gifts Emma with a most unusual gift she just may discover love in a place she never expected - her own heart.  But can love move one past the fears of the past?

Larkin Whitworth is the wealthiest girl in town as well as the sweetest, at least as far as E.V. is concerned.  He's been paying attention to her for years and yet never declared his intentions.  As Larkin begins to despair of ever wedding the man who's captured her heart, she faces a crisis that threatens her standing within the community.  Can the truth set her free of scandal? Or is protecting the secret she has been keeping the path to winning the love she seeks?

Natalie Bollen has determined that it's time for Willum Tate to notice her. Willum seems to take his time in getting things done - he's been working on a house for years. If he can't finish a simple building job how can he be expected to ever provide for her should they marry? Can Natalie and Willum move past their doubts and fears to find love? Or will doubts push them further apart than any distance could? It's a season for miracles.

Fires of Love (Tamela Hancock Murray), The Best Medicine (Lena Nelson Dooley), Almost Home (Susan Page Davis), and Dressed in Scarlet (Darlene Franklin)

Christmas in 1913 Denver, Colorado is started off with a Christmas party that is crashed by an unexpected blizzard that sends the various party-goers off in different directions.  Thalia Bloom's party was the perfect chance for a Christmas get-together for her life-long friends and her friends from boarding school.  The night is perfect except for Maximilian Newbolt actually showing up. Maximilian and Thalia had a break that broke both their hearts - a break that neither understood why it happened.  When a crisis occurs Maximilian and Thalia have a second chance if they can move past their differences.

Rose Fletcher has no where to go with the blizzard that has her extending her stay at the Bloom's home. The extended visit leaves her anxious for her father and self-conscience meeting Thomas Stanton again after he left years again.  Thomas's return just might be what the doctor ordered when illness strikes. Can two hearts find the chance they are seeking thanks to a Christmas blizzard.

Patricia Logan is determined to get home in spite of the warnings that the blizzard makes travel dangerous. Her Aunt Edna is soon to have a baby and Patricia needs to get back to her.  Her only chance is convincing Jared Booker to help her get home by horse. But there are years of hurt that have divided the two families - could this be a second chance to mend old hurts and lead to love? 

Natalie Daire is heading home when her has an accident with her car that leads her to a chance encounter with Fabrizio Ricci.  The blizzard strands both at the Brown Palace - the hotel where Fabrizio is employed in the garage. Natalie with her life of privilege couldn't be more different from the young man who aided her. The blizzard offers the two a chance to get to know one another. As Natalie works at making everyone comfortable with their extended stay she shows the sweetness and kindness that is in her heart. This is the Christmas where she might find an unexpected love.

I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher and Carrie Turansky in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

From a Wyoming ranch in 1880, to a logging camp in Washington Territory in the late 1800s, to Denver, Colorado, in 1913, meet nine couples who find that Christmas is the perfect time for climbing to the heights of romance. Watch as their faith and courage propel them through challenges that come with mountain winters to cozy fireside celebrations that lead to lasting proclamations of love. Penned by an exclusive selection of Christian fiction authors—including Susan Page Davis, Vickie McDonough, and Carrie Turansky—this collection of nine romances is one to treasure.

To Follow Her Heart ~ Review

To Follow Her Heart
The Southold Chronicles #3
By Rebecca DeMarino

Patience has waited for years for Captain Jeremy Horton to marry her.  Now it seems her heart has lost to the ocean when word reaches Southold the Jeremy's ship was lost with no survivors. Patience refuses to believe that Jeremy is dead, but how can she convince those closest to him to not lose hope?

Jeremy Horton survived and is given a mission by the British which returns him to Southold.  But his return is temporary one as he fulfills his orders.  With each delay Patience lives up to her name as she waits for the man who has captured her heart. But how long is she willing to wait?

To Follow Her Heart takes place over several years as the world that they have come to call home changes and yet remains the same. There are births, marriages, and deaths that have a profound impact on those who call Southold home. Those who have read the previous books in the series (A Place in His Heart and To Capture Her Heart) will enjoy the chance to be reacquainted with the Horton family and their friends.

It is amazing how different life was then when compared to the conveniences we enjoy today. Communication over distances could be weeks or months to share news of joy or sorrow. Cooking and baking were a good day's work. And education, as Patience ran the Dame School, is vastly different from what we experience today.

If you are looking for Colonial Period historical fiction this is a delightful book and series to delve into.  The characters are believable and one can empathize with Patience as she proves worthy of her name and yet wonder how she can be so patient. At times I felt Jeremy could have stood a couple of wacks from his hat to get his attention, but one can see his point of view whether or not one agrees with it. This is a series one will want to revisit.

I was provided a copy of this book by Revell in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

Duty and love are powerful forces. 

Only one has the power to make 
her life complete.

It is 1664 and Patience Terry is devastated to learn that Captain Jeremy Horton's ship has been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados. There were no survivors. She had hoped that Jeremy would someday give up the sea and settle down with her in Southold, Long Island. 

Unaware his memorial service is being planned, Jeremy sails aboard a British warship with secret orders to attack New Amsterdam and claim it for the British Crown. When he makes his surprise return to Southold--and to an overjoyed Patience--it's not quite the happily-ever-after his beloved had hoped for. 

With a finely tuned sense for authentic historical characters and settings, Rebecca DeMarino plunges you into a world of tall ships, daring journeys, and yearning hearts.

Accidentally Me ~ Review

Accidentally Me
By Kim Karras

Sabrina wants to go away to college ~ specifically Caltech. There's just one small problem ~ her parents are insisting she attend Boise State.  But when you are yours parents midlife accident you have to be the perfect child.

And Sabrina has just come up with the perfect plan to convince her parents to let her go to Caltech ~ She's going to hire her very own stalker.  Now she just has to find one...

Operation Stalker begins when she finds a former classmate who fits her idea of the ideal creepy stalker.  Now she just needs to convince him to be a stalker.

Nothing seems to work quite according to Sabrina's plan and in a strange twist she may be developing a crush on her stalker.  And when her mother decides they need to take action against this threat Sabrina finds herself getting deeper into the lie she's dug herself in.

This is a fun story that teens and adults will enjoy, as Sabrina works through her insecurities and dealing with growing up.  The prospect of facing the world on one's own can be both exciting and scary at the same time.

This is clean fiction reading that you will enjoy laughing over and even shed a tear or two over. This is a book in which the importance of family is appreciated.  Altogether a highly enjoyable and recommended book.

I was provided a copy of this book by Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.


About the book:

WANTED: Pretend stalker. No experience required.
        Tall, dark, and quirky preferred.

Sabrina is desperate to go to her dream college, but her parents want her to stay close to home. If she wants to maintain her perfect child image, Sabrina must break rules that even her rebel sister keeps.

About the author:

Kim Karras writes contemporary fiction for adults and teens. Follow her at kimkarras.blogspot.com for notes on life, writing, and motherhood.