Over the Line ~ Review

Over the Line
By Kelly Irvin

Gabriella Benoit is determined to never let Eli Cavazos break her heart again - there's just one problem her heart doesn't agree with her decision. Eli broke her trust and she just can't find it in herself to forgive him. But when a total stranger calls out to her and with his last breath gasps out the name of her brother as he dies of a gunshot wound she knows she needs Eli's help.

With Jake not responding to her attempts to contact him she has to get to Laredo to find him before it is too late. Eli isn't about to let Gabby head off on her own especially with their victim having ties to Laredo. Insisting on accompanying her he connects with local law enforcement for clues to his case which has links to gun smugglers.

But Laredo just unearths more questions than answers. Jake is the main suspect in a local murder case. Convinced that her brother is being framed Gabby isn't about to trust the local PD to give Jake a fair chance or to do all they can to find him before it is too late. The information they do uncover reveals secrets that Jake has been keeping but was it part of his cover? Or was he truly hiding something from his sisters?

Over the Line is an ever-building story that keeps the reader wondering who can be trusted.  If you like suspense that comes seemingly from the headlines you will love this new offering from Kelly Irvin. And a word of warning be careful who you trust your life could depend on it...


About the Book:

You have something we want. We have something you want.”

Gabriella has never forgiven her former fiancé, homicide detective Eli Cavazos, for breaking her heart. Then a man she’s never met shows up at her restaurant, a bullet in his chest and her brother’s name on his lips. Gabby soon realizes this man is connected to a powerful ring of criminals who know far too much about her.

Against her better judgment, Gabby turns to Eli for help in finding her brother. When she receives a cryptic text from her brother’s cell phone, she realizes she is in deep and may be dragging Eli down with her. With her brother nowhere to be found and pain from her past threatening to overwhelm her, Gabby wonders how she will make it through this unexpected quest unscathed—or alive.

Taking us into the heat of Laredo, Texas, the secrets of a gun-smuggling ring and the tensions on both sides of the border, Over the Line will keep you guessing until the last page.

By Hook or By Rook ~ Review with Guest Post and Giveaway

By Hook or By Rook
London League #4
By Rebecca Connolly

Someone has managed to uncover the identity of the members of the London League and it has put their families in danger. When the Gent needs to send the favorite cousin of his wife to the home of her brother he enlists the aid of Rook.

Jeremy Pratt is less than thrilled to be escorting Miss Helen Dalton from London to York. It's not that he has any problems with Helen Dalton other than the fact that he enjoys the time he spends in her company too much. But with the increased presence of highwaymen on the road to York that seem to have ties to French traitors Gent wants Helen protected and he's convinced that Jeremy is the only man for the job.

Helen is just a tad put out with Margaret's husband - she's made the trip from London to York before and never needed the protection of a man before. She just wants to leave London behind and forget the flirtation she had been enjoying with Mr. Pratt. His easy and charming personality had charmed her but the bantering they had shared had touched her in a way she had never expected and she's determined to leave it behind before her heart is broken.

But nothing ever goes as planned and both Jeremy and Helen end up getting to know one another better. But Jeremy confuses Helen - he has secrets that he refuses to share and the different personas he presents. Just who is this man sent to protect her?

By Hook or by Rook is the fourth book in the London League series and this time the reader is more fully introduced to Rook one of the newest members of the League who was brought in after the death of Trace. In addition to his normal League assignments Rook also is working on a secret assignment for the Shopkeepers looking into the death of Trace and what exactly he was working on at the time they lost him.

Helen Dalton is the cousin of Margaret both of whom the reader first met in The Lady and the Gent (book 1 in the series). She is an interesting character - she has a wit and intelligence that many don't seem to notice. She thinks she has escaped the notice of Society and is well on her way to being a spinster - which she finds surprising. And the one man who has caught her attention is a fop whom she hasn't seen for several weeks now.

This book can be read on its own if you haven't yet read the previous books in the series but it is better if read in the series order. This is an enjoyable and easy read that at just 170 pages is perfect for a weekend escape. If you are a fan of Regency period pieces or just like a historical romance fiction give By Hook or by Rook and the London League a chance to be a new favorite read.

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


About the Book:

​The most dangerous journeys…

Jeremy Pratt is a spy for the Crown, and one of the best. He has been in more dangerous situations than he can admit, and has always come out unscathed. But escorting his colleague’s cousin home to her family, even in disguise, just might be beyond his skills, and the temptation beyond his ability to withstand.

…May be ones of the heart…

Helen Dalton is convinced there is more to this man escorting her than meets the eye, and something familiar about him, as well. There is only one man in the world who looks at her so intensely, banters with her so easily, and makes her blush so furiously. And when he manages a daring and heroic rescue, she wonders if she ever knew him at all.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Series: The London League
Genre:  Adult, Historical, Regency, Romance
Publisher: Phase Publishing
Publication date: July 1, 2019

About the Author

Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

Connect online with Rebecca at:

​GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | 

BOOKBUB | WEBSITE | NEWSLETTER | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

Guest Post:

Researching Regency Spying

If there’s one thing I have learned to hate since my school days, it’s research. I didn’t like it when I was in school and I’m not a huge fan of it now.

So why did I decide to write in a time period that requires lots of research?

Glutton for punishment, I guess.

So when I decided to turn a mysterious character of mine into a spy, and start off a series with him, and create more spies to go with him, I found a whole new set of obstacles. Not only did I have to get the time period details right, as my usual books required, but now I had to figure out how spies worked back then, and how I could make them work for my story.

First up was a trip to every used bookstore around me. I looked in the time period I needed and crossed my fingers. I came home with 7 books, I think, not specifically about spies in the Regency era, but about spies during the revolutionary war, political intrigue at the time, and things like that. I could make those work for me. I got a British history book that actually gave me the best historical Easter egg ever for the series, and I’m still super proud of that.

Then I hit up one of my writing chapters that specifically deals with this time period. They are always a wealth of information, and boy did they deliver! I was wading through all kinds of information from them for ages.

After that, the research that I did was story specific, depending on whatever plot twists I had. Gypsies, codebreaking, ciphers, building layouts, docks, relations with France… I take a lot of care with the situations I put my spies in and do the best I can to make it accurate and believable.

Hopefully, I succeed.

And you know what? Sometimes I enjoy doing this research. Every time I find something perfect, it feels like a victory.

Maybe that’s worth it after all.

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a By Hook or by Rook Prize Pack  (US mailing addresses only). 

Prize pack includes the following:

Winner’s choice of print or ebook copy of 

By Hook or by Rook

Chocolate

London League Bookmarks

Book Themed Luggage Tags

Enter the giveaway HERE.
​Giveaway ends July 17 at 11:59pm MT.
​
Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Blog Stops

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

No Ocean Too Wide ~ Review

No Ocean Too Wide
The McAlister Family #1
By Carrie Turansky

Following the death of their father, the McAlister family had a difficult time scrapping enough to meet their needs. Edna took in sewing while her oldest daughter Laura went into service sending home her earnings to help the family. But when Edna falls ill and is sent to the hospital her three youngest children - Katie, Garth, and Grace are taken to the Grangeford Children's Home. The stay was only to be until their mother got well or Laura came for them.

But when Laura went to get her siblings she learned that she was forbidden to visit with them and to get them into her care would come at a steep price. With little recourse, Laura seeks help from any she knows but her efforts are too late when she learns that all three have been sent to Canada be employed or, if one of the fortunate few, to be adopted into a family.

Andrew Fraser and his mentor Henry Dowd have been tasked with investigating child emigration between Britain and Canada. With more than 50,000 British children being sent to Canada there were concerns about the children and their ultimate fate. Could there be a dark, hidden side to this beneficial program?

When Laura and Andrew end up on the same ship to Canada he wants her to speak with Henry for his legal opinion. But having received no help from anyone of power Laura fears making her story known to anyone else. But with both time and the law possibly against her plans to reunite with Katie, Garth, and Grace Laura needs help.

This is the first book relating the McAlister family's story. As those around have portions of their stories revealed one can't help but be moved for these poor young souls whose life was so difficult both before and after their emigration to Canada. It is also amazing how money is almost always at the root of most deeds of kindness. I'm interested to see exactly how the rest of the series plays out as Laura's efforts aren't at an end with the last page of this book. This is an attention engaging read and those who love historical fiction will love this newest offering from Carrie Turansky.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans--but was that the truth?

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God".

Play to Live ~ Spotlight with Giveaway

Book Details:
Book Title: Play to Live:  Life Skills and Joy Through the Natural Talent to Play by Brian VanDongen
Category:  Self help / Inner Child; creativity, 119 pages
Genre:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+)
Publisher:  BVDPlays
Release date:  April 30, 2019
Tour dates: June 17 to July 5, 2019
Content Rating: G





Book Description:

Play To Live: Life Skills and Joy Through The Natural Talent To Play by author Brian VanDongen takes you back to your childhood to remind you about what being a child is all about. Playing! We all have those fond childhood memories of growing up playing with our friends in social settings. Developing social skills and learning how to handle friendships and relationships.

What we didn't realize at the time was that those skills we learned for the building blocks which lay the foundation for the rest of our lives. What are our children learning right now? How are they playing now and what part are we playing in how our children interact with the world around them.

For many children, their idea of play and playing now consists of talking to friends online and playing with electronic devices, staying safe indoors, and not venturing further than their own small safe world which we have created.

Inside Play To Live you'll discover:

• Understanding what it means to play.
• Where play has gone and what has changed?
• How playing inside the box promotes the simplicity of play.
• Why risky play is not the same as dangerous play. Are we too overprotective?
• That climbing up the slide is just as important as sliding down.
• Getting muddy outside and rediscovering nature is imperative.
• That play is serious business and so much more.

Inside Play To Live: Life Skills and Joy Through The Natural Talent To Play you'll read about case studies and reports followed by tips, tricks, and information to help you. If you would like to rediscover what it means to play, then grab a copy of Play To Live right now!

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com
Apple books
Add to Goodreads
​​

Meet the author:
​Brian is a life-long "parks and rec kid." Now, he is a parks and recreation professional.

Brian has created, designed, and implemented transformational recreational programming for thousands of residents. ​ Through his work as a park and recreation professional, Brian helps people play and find their natural talent to play.

He believes everyone has that talent, but it is sometimes hard to find, or even suppressed in today's society. ​ Fortunately, play at its most basic level is easy, fun, healthy, and desirable. That playful talent just needs to be unleashed.

Brian has helped thousands of people find their natural talent to play and become happier and healthier people through the power of play.

Connect with the author:   Website   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram

BOOK SPOTLIGHT TOUR SCHEDULE:

June 17 - Rockin' Book Reviews
June 18 - Library of Clean Reads
June 19 - It’s All About the Book
June 20 - #redhead.with.book
June 21 - Book Corner News and Reviews
June 24 - The Irresponsible Reader
June 25 - Blooming with Books
June 26 - Locks, Hooks and Books
June 27 - The Autistic Gamer
June 28 - Olio by Marilyn
July 1     - B for Bookreview
July 2     - StoreyBook Reviews
July 3     - Mystery Suspense Reviews
July 4     - Literary Flits
July 5     - Bookworm for Kids


ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
Ends July 13, 2019

​Win a signed copy of

Play to Live: Life Skills and Joy Through the Natural Talent to Play

(1 winner / open to USA only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Reluctant Bride ~ Review

A Reluctant Bride
The Bride Ships #1
By Jody Hedlund

Mercy Wilkins is leaving the life she has always known because of a promise she made to her sister Patience. With no jobs available short of selling her body Mercy has no choice but to sail to British Columbia with the group of women being sent by the Columbia Mission Society. With the prospect of a respectable paying job at the end of her journey, Mercy is torn leaving behind Patience and the new life awaiting her. Unlike the other young women, Mercy isn't anticipating marriage to one of the men awaiting the civilizing influences of the women. Rather Mercy has no plans to ever marry as it brings nothing but heartbreak and more hungry mouths that can't be feed.

Joseph Colville is the younger son - he was never expected to inherit the family title or the estate. He turned his attention rather to medicine and to the aiding of those in need. But following the loss of his family and his unexpected inheritance Joseph finds himself running away to sea to escape the pain. But escaping is nigh on impossible when the pain lives within him. But Joseph is determined to be the best ship's surgeon he can be. But when the need arises he is pleased to accept Mercy's assistance in caring for the passengers onboard. As Joseph and Mercy continue working together they both begin to admire each other but the differences in their stations in life make any future together impossible. And Mercy for one knows her place she's had it pointed out to her more than once.

More than anything Mercy dreams of freedom - freedom to pursue the life she's dreamed of one that allows her to make her own way and not be under the control of another. But will she be given the chance to find employment or will this ship that promises a new life only end in marriage to one of the hundred's of single men waiting on Vancouver Island?

This is the first book in Jody Hedlund's new series The Bride Ships and those who love her artistic renderings of history to text will love with this book and the promise of what is to come. The premise behind the Bride Ships was to ship out London's excess of marriageable young women who were of upright morals to British colonies and help bring civilization to the poor single men who found themselves at the mercies of the low morals of the "local" people (yeah, right). But travel by ship was not the easiest of passages, especially when sailing from England to British Columbia, nor was it particularly fast.

I like how Mercy comes to truly know herself through this journey. The most important lesson she needs to learn is to see herself through eyes other than her own. She needs to see herself through the eyes of the Father who created her and found her worthy of His love just because. I also like how Joseph grew as a person - he thought himself beyond the prejudices of class and station but as he worked on the Tynemouth he learned that some of his notions about people weren't what he thought.

This is yet another work by Jody Hedlund that I highly recommend to fans of historical fiction. I truly believe that readers who devour the orphan train/orphan ship books will find this book to be of a similar vein and well worth their time to read. This would also be a good choice for a book club selection.

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


About the Book:

A New Life Awaits Her across the Horizon

Living in London's poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins harbors little hope for a better life. So when she's offered the opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. The journey abroad is her only prospect to escape a bleak future--both for herself and to help her sister, who's suffering in a workhouse. 

Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves everything behind and takes to the sea to escape the pain of losing his family. As the ship's surgeon, he's in charge of the passengers' welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love.

With hundreds of single men congregating along the shore of Vancouver Island, eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph miss their chance at true love, or will they overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart?

All Manner of Things ~ Review

All Manner of Things
By Susie Finkbeiner

All Manner of Things is both moving and heartbreaking. Annie Jacobson's family calls Fort Colson, Michigan home but their home has changed over the years following their father's departure from their lives. The horrors of war he experienced in Korea left their mark and he removed himself from their lives. The years that followed found Annie's mother working to support her three children - Mike, Annie, and Joel.

Fast forward 12 years and Mike is about to leave for Vietnam - the one thing Gloria Jacobson never wanted for her sons is about to happen. And considering the changes that happened to her husband Frank her fears are valid. War changes people - the things they saw, heard and did wounded their souls and she feared just what it would do to Mike.

With the war taking center-stage in their lives that should be enough for any family, community or nation but that was just one of the concerns that was gripping the headlines. Civil rights were being demanded and riots were occurring as sentiments reached new highs and boiled over. And then there were the normal and not so normal concerns that affect all lives. But when a personal tragedy brings Frank Jacobson back to Fort Colson and into his family's lives will that have a positive impact or will it be just another ember to stoke these tumultuous times?

These are just some of the things Annie finds herself dealing with as she works through her world as she officially enters into the sometimes overrated world of adulthood. I think the following quote from page 279 sums up the book quite well:

Anyway, Annie my dear. When you become afraid or worried or even

just tired, think of our friend Julian's words.

'All manner of things shall be well.'"

These words of wisdom would serve us all well to remember as we live our own lives. 

I really enjoyed this book though I will admit that I may have shed a tear or two a few times. This is a story of family, a story of friendship, a story of first love, a story of loss. Susie Finkbeiner brings to life people that one could have known or been related to. She brings a personal reality to history - giving it a face that one can empathize with. I highly recommend this book as one to add to your summer to-be-read list and can see this being a book worth reading more than once.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinions.

About the Book:

After Annie Jacobson's brother Mike enlists as a medic in the Army in 1967, he mails her the address of their long-estranged father. If anything should happen to him in Vietnam, Mike says, Annie must let their father know. 

In Mike's absence, their father returns to face tragedy at home, adding an extra measure of complication to an already tense time. Letter by letter, the Jacobsons must find a way to pull together as a family, regardless of past hurts. In the tumult of this time, Annie and her family will grapple with the tension of holding both hope and grief in the same hand, even as they learn to turn to the One who binds the wounds of the brokenhearted.

Summer by the Tides ~ Review

Summer by the Tides
By Denise Hunter

Maddy Monroe's life couldn't get much worse - everything has just gone kaput - her job, her boyfriend, and now her grandmother is missing. And the fact that her life was falling down around so that she didn't answer her phone or text messages means that both of her sisters are now on their way to Sea Haven, North Carolina, too.

The last summer that the family spent together at Sea Haven, is one that Maddy would rather forget after all it was the summer that shattered their family. And no matter how much she's tried to be the peacemaker between her sisters the betrayal of that summer has driven a wedge between Nora and Emma that seems an impossible divide.

With their grandmother missing could this be the chance to heal old wounds and find healing? Or will the bitterness further divide them? And the helpful neighbor who let them all know that they were needed Maddy just doesn't trust him with his surfer beach-bum looks. But could she be misjudging Connor Murphy? Maddy doesn't think so.

But as the summer continues and three sisters work on getting their grandmother's house cleaned and touched-up old memories are revealed and long-held family secrets unearthed. Sometimes there are two sides to every story and the side not known, changes everything we thought we knew. And when your heart has been broken and your trust trampled can you ever love again? Is it ever too late to forgive? Maddy certainly hopes not.

This is a story of family and the bonds that tie us together. Just how strong are they before they break completely and can the fraying edges be woven together again? This book is set in the present with flashbacks to 20 years ago as that fateful summer that changed everything is slowly revealed.  This makes for an excellent summer read that is easy to follow. Looking for a potential book club selection - here's your next title. Just like a gentle read for a before bed chapter or two - enjoy!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through TLC Book Tours with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.

Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe’s love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram’s maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.

As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven—nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.

As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy’s heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes and Noble

Connect with Denise

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Instagram tour:

Monday, June 3rd: @read.write.coffee

Tuesday, June 4th: @beritaudiokilledthebookmark

Wednesday, June 5th: @_ebl_inc_

Thursday, June 6th: @my_book_journey

Friday, June 7th: @nsiabblog

Friday, June 7th: @sarahs_reads

Saturday, June 8th: @thecaffeinated_bibliophile

Sunday, June 9th: @sarahandherbookshelves

 

Review tour:

Monday, June 10th: @angelareadsbooks

Tuesday, June 11th: Lori’s Reading Corner – spotlight or guest post

Tuesday, June 11th: Amy’s Book-et List

Wednesday, June 12th: Jathan and Heather

Thursday, June 13th: A Chick Who Reads

Friday, June 14th: View from the Birdhouse

Monday, June 17th: @simplykelina

Tuesday, June 18th: Reading Reality

Wednesday, June 19th: Empowermoms

Thursday, June 20th: I Wish I Lived in a Library

Friday, June 21st: Blooming with Books

Monday, June 24th: Mel’s Shelves

Tuesday, June 25th: Christian Bookshelf Reviews

Wednesday, June 26th: Midwest Ladies Who Lit and @mwladieswholit

Thursday, June 27th: Running Through the Storms

Friday, June 28th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, July 1st: Back Porchervations

Tuesday, July 2nd: Moonlight Rendezvous and @moonlight_rendezvous

Wednesday, July 3rd: Books and Spoons

Friday, July 5th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Monday, July 8th: Run Wright

Tuesday, July 9th: Girl Who Reads

Wednesday, July 10th: What is That Book About