Thursday, August 29, 2019

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Great Jewel Robbery by Elizabeth McKenna



Book Details:
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Book Title: The Great Jewel Robbery: A Front Page Mystery Book 1 by
Elizabeth McKenna
Category: Adult Fiction, 204 pages
Genre: Cozy mystery
Publisher: Elizabeth McKenna
Release date: May 28, 2019
Tour dates: August 19-30, 2019
Content Rating: PG-13 (There is no profanity. There is drinking, desire, and a kiss.)

Book Description:

Mystery with a splash of romance…Chicago Tribune reporters Emma and Grace have been best friends since college despite coming from different worlds. When Grace is assigned to cover an annual charity ball and auction being held at a lakeside mansion and her boyfriend bails on her, she brings Emma as her plus one. The night is going smoothly until Emma finds the host’s brother unconscious in the study. Though at first it is thought he was tipsy and stumbled, it soon becomes clear more is afoot, as the wall safe is empty and a three-million-dollar diamond necklace is missing. With visions of becoming ace investigative journalists, Emma and Grace set out to solve the mystery, much to the chagrin of the handsome local detective.

To read more reviews, please visit Elizabeth McKenna's page on iRead Book Tours.

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Buy the Book:




Meet the Author: 


Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She combined her love of history, romance, and a happy ending to write the historical romance novels Cera’s Place and Venice in the Moonlight. Her contemporary romance novel, First Crush Last Love, is loosely based on her life (she eventually married her first crush)

The Great Jewel Robbery is her debut cozy mystery, and she hopes readers will like it as much as they have enjoyed her romances. Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

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


Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Sept 6, 2019


a Rafflecopter giveaway


My Review

The Great Jewel Robbery is the beginning of Elizabeth McKenna’s series, A Front Page Mystery. This is my first introduction to Miss McKenna’s writing. It definitely will not be the last for me. In this book, the reader is introduced to best friends since childhood and now Chicago Tribune reporters, Emma and Grace. Grace is set to work at yearly auction and charity ball. She invites Emma to join her. While at the mansion where the event is held, Emma stumbles across an unconscious man inside. What once thought to be a simple passed out drunk, turns out to be something more! The wall safe is emptied, including a diamond necklace worth three million dollars. The two best friends quickly start their investigation of what happened and where the necklace has gone. 
I really enjoyed The Great Jewel Robbery. This is a fun and delightful cozy mystery. I was caught up in the suspense and mystery along with Emma and Grace. I never knew where the two would end up next. I had no problem what so ever continuing to read until the end. I had it read in just a few short hours. It was fun getting to know the two friends and enjoyed their bond. Such a beautiful and special friendship. 

I am giving The Great Jewel Robbery a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy a quick cozy mystery. I look forward to the next installment from A Front Page Mystery series. 

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion. 

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Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Review: Dear Grandchild, This Is Me by Waterbrook

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 Blurb: 

 Preserving a family legacy can feel like a daunting task, but this new keepsake journal makes it easy for grandparents to capture memories, wisdom, and stories in one beautiful package.

Being a grandparent is an incredibly rewarding experience. Dear Grandchild, This Is Me--designed for any grandmother or grandfather to complete--will allow grandparents to collect these priceless memories in one heartfelt keepsake.

Special Features:
* Built-in envelopes to stash special, private letters for specific occasions in your grandchild's future.
* A sheet of adhesive photo corners to adhere photographs and special memories throughout.
* Off-the-record questions to prompt fun stories.
* A family tree to track your ancestry.
* Space to share your favorite recipes, or those passed through the generations.
* A world map to showcase your travels.
Within these pages you'll find a place to answer questions that speak to a grandchild of any age from the simple questions about favorite things to deeper questions about childhood memories, identity, and faith. This book will be a tangible way to keep a loved one close at all times.

My Review: 

 I believe Dear Grandchild, This Is Me is a must have. I can not wait to give it to my mother so she can fill out and gift to my children. Within the first few pages, there is a section “My dearest grandchild” where the grandparent can write a letter to their grandchild. There are several sections in the book. Such as:
The grandparent tells about their early days, their family, and how they grew up.
The grandparent tells about their life after high school, getting married, and raising children.
The grandparent tells their joy of becoming a grandparent, their homes, routines, life experiences and more about themselves.
The grandparent tells about their faith, looking back on their life, their advice, and wisdom.
Each section includes inspirational message, Bible verse, pages to paste photos and a pocket to keep mementos

 I highly recommend Dear Grandchild, This Is Me. I look forward to see what my mother writes in it for my children. Five plus stars.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Castle of Concrete by Katia Raina



Castle of Concrete by Katia Raina

Publication Date: June 11, 2019
Young Europe Books
eBook & Paperback; 304 Pages
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
In 1990-1991, when the history of Russia and the entire Soviet Union is being revisited and the rules are changing, a fifteen-year-old Jewish girl, Sonya Solovay, reunites with her dissident mother after twelve years of hiding out in Siberia--her life's dream realized. Still, she sees herself as a typical Soviet citizen: a shy, quiet, obedient, barely-there girl, dissolving into the past, her country's and her own. Determined to break into her new existence, Sonya tries out a shining new persona, but most of her efforts backfire. One mysterious boy notices her, wants to hear her stories, makes her feel like she is the shiniest part of his world. Everything else might as well fade away--her distant and hungry-for-gossip classmates, the equally shy Jewish friend who doesn't always seem to understand her, the growing tension with her fiercely Jewish Mama, the rumors of an impending communist coup. More and more, Sonya spends time with her "rescuer" at a construction site she calls "castle." So what if he uses an occasional anti-Semitic slur? In the shadow of a crane, among metal pipes and concrete blocks, she finds it easy, falling, falling in love with a muddy-eyed boy she knows so little about. As for being Jewish in a country where the Republics are supposed to be "sisters" and the People brothers," what does one's nationality have to do with anything? All the while, Sonya's mama is falling in love also: she is falling in love with shiny America, a land where being different seems to be celebrated, and not everyone is so very Russian and snow-white. The place sounds amazing, but so far away. Will Sonya ever find her way there?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Praise

“This book stole my heart. Gorgeously crafted and deliciously romantic, Castle of Concrete left me breathless until the very end.” ―Heather Demetrios, author of I’ll Meet You There “In Katia Raina’s fascinating and sympathetic Castle of Concrete, the concerns of young adulthood are amplified tenfold against a background of historical upheavals. . . . [A] riveting story about growing up in dark political times.” ―Foreword Reviews (starred review) “Castle of Concrete is constructed of the finest story materials: complex characters, page flipping suspense, and exquisite details. All in a troubled historical landscape. The story kept me reading with pounding heart.” ―Joyce Moyer Hostetter, author of the award-winning Bakers Mountain Series “Readers won’t easily forget spunky Sonya, struggling to understand her Jewish roots amid rising anti-Semitism, her activist mother’s secrets, and her attraction to two boys, each of them dangerous in their own way.” ―Lyn Miller-Lachmann, author of the award-winning Gringolandia "A tour de force about the Russian people, and their first, tentative steps toward what had been denied for generations--a private life in all its imperfect glory. And then comes the ending." ―Lynda Durrant, author of The Last Skirt

About the Author

When she was a child, Katia Raina played at construction sites and believed in magic mirrors. She emigrated from Russia at the age of almost sixteen. A former journalist and currently a middle school English teacher in Washington, D.C., she has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives with her family just outside of D.C., and still believes in magic.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, August 16 



Sunday, August 18 



Monday, August 19 
Interview at Passages to the Past 



Thursday, August 22 
Excerpt at I'm All About Books 



Friday, August 23 



Monday, August 26 



Tuesday, August 27 



Wednesday, August 28 

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Castle of Concrete! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to the US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen. Castle of Concrete



My Review

Castle of Concrete is a wonderful read. This debut by Katia Raina tells the story of Sonya going to live in late twentieth century Moscow and learning to fit in a new world she is not used to. I loved getting to know her and learning a little bit of history of her time. 

 Castle of Concrete gets a four and a half stars from me. I would love to see where Miss Raina’s imagination takes her readers to in her next book. I recommend this one. 

 I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion. 
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Review: Evermore by Jody Hedlund

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 Blurb: 

 An ancient key. A secret treasure. And a princess destined to use them both to fight evil and restore peace.

Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne…until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.

Unable to tolerate King Ethelwulf’s cruelty and lawlessness, Christopher Langley left Mercia years earlier, training a group of rebels in neighboring Norland. When he returns home after his mother’s death, he discovers that not only is Adelaide all grown up, but she’s also the rightful queen of Mercia.
When King Ethelwulf discovers Adelaide’s location, he’ll stop at nothing to capture her and the key she holds to the ancient treasure. Christopher is just as determined to protect Adelaide so she can lead the growing rebellion. When feelings ignite between the two old friends, forces threaten to destroy their love and rip them apart forever.

My Review: 

 Evermore is the start of Jody Hedlund’s newest young adult Medieval era series, The Lost Princesses. Readers are introduced to Lady Adelaide, an orphan, who soon discovers she is heir to Mercia’s throne and soon finds her life is in danger when this secret is revealed. I loved that her old friend, Christopher, comes to her rescue and does whatever it takes to protect her.

Evermore is getting a well deserved five plus stars from me. I enjoyed Adelaide’s story and can not wait to read the next installment from The Lost Princesses series.

Great read!

 I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


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VBT and Giveaway: In Pursuit of Perfection by Jacki Kelly

In Pursuit of Perfection
by Jacki Kelly

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GENRE:   romance

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BLURB:

The next man in Macy Rollins’s life must be perfect. She’s had enough impostors and isn’t willing to settle for anything less. All she has to do is get through the company contract negotiation season and she will get that promotion she has been working so hard for. Avery Malveaux – one of Philadelphia’s most eligible bachelors – has been hired to work with her as legal counsel for the company. From the moment they are forced to work together tensions are high and expectations are low. He questions her ability, she questions his intentions. After Macy is suspected in an accounting shortage, she accuses Avery of betraying her confidence. Has she once again been deceived by a man she thought she could trust? Can she clear her name and win her job back? And can there be any hope for Macy’s pursuit of perfection.

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EXCERPT

Macy rubbed her forehead. Right now, wasn’t the time to fire Michelle and start interviewing for a new assistant. The world needed to stop spinning for just a few moments. Her job depended on finding that money. She picked up the phone and dialed accounting.

“Connie, I need your help,” she said. “Can you run monthly balances on my account, starting with January?”

“You want everything? That’s a lot.”

“Yeah. How soon can you get it to me?”

“Give me a day or two.”

“Connie, one more thing. I’m seeing a lot of new accounts. Several that I don’t recognize. I know we’re going after market share, but I didn’t expect this many. If I send you a list of the names, what information can you provide on them?”

“Well, I can tell you when the account was set up, by who, and purchasing activity. What else would you need?”

“That’s a good start. Thanks.”
Macy ended the call, but the nagging didn’t subside.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Men and women have always sought the promise that only love can offer. Jacki invites you into an intriguing world where romance abounds around every corner and down every street. You’ll be amazed at the crazy things we do and don’t do for the promise of love.
Jacki has been writing since her fourth grade teacher made her keep a journal for a grade. Now she does it to keep track of all the fascinating and heartbreaking moments that life throws our way. Poetry, personal essays, short stories and novels have all occupied space in her heart and her hard drive.
Jacki lives in the northeast where the winters are too cold and the summers are warm. But, she wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else, well maybe for a fabulous house on the sunny sands of Miami Beach in February. Her loveable husband and adorable floppy eared dog endure her long periods behind the computer creating happy-endings for her amazing hero and heroines. Romance makes the world go round and Jacki is enjoying the ride.

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GIVEAWAY:

Jacki Kelly will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND COMMENT ON EACH STOP TO EARN MORE ENTRIES TO WIN!







My Review
In Pursuit of Perfection is my first experience reading a story by Jacki Kelly. It will not be the last. I thought it was a really good read and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It was fun and delightful getting to know Macy and Avery. 

 I am giving In Pursuit of Perfection four and a half stars. I think many readers would love reading this one, as well. It is definitely worth a read. 

 I received this book from the publisher. This review 100% my own honest opinion. 




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