Thursday, May 2, 2019

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway: Where Demons Dance by Emma Briedis


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Emma Briedis will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A desperate widow…

It’s 1874 in Cedar City, Utah Territory, when Penelope Cavey finds her beloved husband, Henri, dead from a gunshot wound and the mysterious phrase, “demons dance” carved into the parlor mirror. Despite her brother’s attempts to dissuade her, Penelope is determined to find Henri’s killer and sets out alone for St. Joseph, a rural town in Utah—following the only clue Henri left for her.

A lying father…

Ava Patton is haunted by dreams of another life. Her nightmares give way to reality when her caring stepmother, Nellie, confirms her rising suspicions that the man who claims to be her father is only pretending to be, and that her real parents are dead. Astounded by this revelation, Ava sets out to uncover what became of her parents and in doing so, stumbles upon a heartbreaking tragedy. She is forced to stop her quest when her brother, Lawrence, falls seriously ill.

A labyrinth of a mansion…

Lawrence finds himself trapped within the winding halls of a large house, plagued by taunting voices as he struggles to escape. Unable to distinguish reality from the imaginary, Lawrence doesn’t know who or what imprisoned him there, nor to whom the house belongs. Lawrence realizes he holds the key and must find Ava and Penelope before another person is silenced.

Read an Excerpt

There was silence as they rolled along until suddenly Ava ventured to ask, “You believe me, don’t you?”

“Whatever do you mean, dear?”

“That I have these dreams—of my parents—Father’s told me that he’s my father and they’re just fantasies but I—”

Nellie stopped the carriage and turned to Ava. “You must never, ever, tell anyone I said this to you.”

Ava looked at her with surprise.

“The dreams that you have are very real. Your parents were very real, and I am so sorry for what happened. Do you remember it?”

Ava shook her head. “My parents? So you aren’t my real mother? I just dream about bad things. I see faces I recognize, but I don’t know their names. But I know they’re my parents. Father says I am making this up—”

“He’s lying.”

“Lying? Why would he lie?”

“He thinks he’s protecting you. But I don’t want you to have to suffer because of what happened. I really do hope that that tonic will help you, dear,” Nellie said.

Ava smiled. Her liking for Nellie grew even stronger. “Thank you, Mother. May I still call you Mother?”

Nellie smiled and hugged Ava close, “Of course, my dear. It’s an honor.”

“What happened to my parents then?” Ava asked.

“They died,” Nellie replied, her voice cautious.

“How?”

There was a moment’s pause before Nellie continued, “I can’t tell you exactly.”

About the Author:

Emma Briedis has written six books in multiple genres, including fantasy, romance, and historical fiction with Where Demons Dance being her debut novel. After reading Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables at the age of thirteen, she decided to write a book of her own, and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in Southeastern Wisconsin with her dog, Chewie.

Amazon link to buy book: https://www.amazon.com/Where-Demons-Dance-Emma-Briedis/dp/1732983305/ref=sr_1_2

Website: http://www.Elbriedis.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elbriedis
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EmmaBriedis
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/emmabriedis




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Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Review Tour and Giveaway: Colonel Brandon's Widow and Willoughby by Marianna Green



Colonel Brandon's Widow and Willoughby
by Marianna Green

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GENRE:   romance historical Jane Austen sequel

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BLURB:

Mrs. Brandon, the former Marianne Dashwood, is now a widow, and not yet twenty-five.
Her former admirer Willoughby is as unhappily married as ever, and the thought that she is free to marry again drives him to distraction. He has continued in his dissolute lifestyle, which Marianne abhors, while his wife Sophia's life has been poisoned by jealousy of Marianne.
Marianne urges him that the only possibility of happiness for Willoughby and his wife is for him to give up his empty pursuit of pleasure - but now the Colonel is gone, Marianne finds that she can no longer push aside thoughts of Willoughby easily herself; she must find some way of occupying her own empty hours. Willoughby retains his rascally charm, which an older and wiser Marianne is determined to resist; Elinor and Edward are as astute as ever, while Sir John and Lady Middleton are as foolish. Mrs. Jennings remains determined to marry off all her associates as before, while Sophia Willoughby is even more sour as the wife of the man she wanted, and Willoughby's friends are suitably cynical rakes.

This sequel to Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' strives to emulate some of the light ironic touch of the inimitable style of Jane Austen; it is both funny and sad, and is told as dark comedy.



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EXCERPTS

The union of the Willoughbys’ only resembled that of the Brandons’ in being childless. Unlike the latter couple, they had no common interests to compensate, unless an unfortunate tendency to over indulge in wine and other stimulants could count as a mutual source of diversion. It is true that they did share in common a manner of relating to each other that involved raised voices behind slammed doors, angry silences and periods of cold civility; but this shared inclination brought them no closer together.

It could be further urged on their behalf , that in this conduct, they provided society with the diversion of much talk, and their staff with constant entertainment; - for Willoughby’s confidential valet knew all about his improper pursuits, while his wife’s lady’s maid could recount how Mrs Willoughby had cursed him for a fortune hunting libertine in full hearing of the servants, and of how savagely he had kicked shut her sitting room door before retorting that, ‘Devil take it, in his whole worthless life, he had only cared for Mrs Brandon, and he’d be damned if he pretended anything else to please a scolding…’

But the reader does not wish to hear any more of this. Seemingly their staff lacked any discretion, and soon enough, the content of the Willoughbys’ exchanges leaked out into polite society, which showed still less decorum in repeating them assiduously. Many a man had dined out for a month on his knowledge of episodes that ought to have been cloaked in decent silence, and Miss Steele was one of many maiden ladies agog for the latest outrage…

“Not another word, damn it!” he exclaimed, coming again to a stop and turning on her in a fury she had never seen in him before. “I cannot endure to hear this from you, of all people. As to my wife, it must come to a separation; we are so at each other’s throats. Then, Mrs. Brandon, you recommend to me a life devoted to duty?” He stood breathing quickly, while unseen by either of them, a hare bolted across their path. Willoughby’s normally fractious mount did not even notice. Throughout their talk, it had showed remarkable patience at being stopped and started at every other minute, and now stood gently waving its ears, almost as if it felt for its master’s desperation.

He rushed on, “No doubt that is how you plan to waste your youth and beauty. No, I cannot find comfort in a life devoted to good works. Mrs. Smith’s tenants must go to the hell in a handcart along with their master, when he comes to inherit. Lord, but I am well served for my former misdeeds and treachery.”


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marianna Green is lives in the UK, has a geekish fascination with English Literature and History, and an irrepressible sense of humour.
Goodreads link:
Amazon link:

Book will be on sale for $0.99.

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GIVEAWAY:

Marianna Green will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


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April 17: The Reading Addict
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My Review


Colonel Brandon's Widow and Willoughby is a variation of Jane Austen’s famous novel, Sense and Sensibility. I enjoyed this quick read. I had it read in just over an hour. An hour well spent. 

I am giving Colonel Brandon's Widow and Willoughby four and a half stars. I would love to read more by this author in the future. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy variations of classic novels and historical fiction. 

Good read. 

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







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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Book Tour and Giveaway: Sing a New Song by Candee Fick


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Sing a New Song
(The Wardrobe Series #3)
By Candee Fick
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages
May 1st 2019 by Bling! Romance

The pampered diva is about to meet her match

Songbird Gloria Houghton has always needed to be the center of attention, but the spotlight has shifted. Seeking fame and a fresh start, she finds a new stage in Branson, Missouri…only to risk being replaced by a manipulative rival. If Gloria can’t be the star, who is she?

Jack-of-all-trades Nick Sherwood is just one leaf on a vast family tree that includes a restaurant chef, hotel owners, and even the headline act at a family-owned theater. He’s seen how fame can blind a person with jealousy and is more than content to stay in the background thank you very much. If only he wasn’t so fascinated--and irritated--by the newest addition to the staff.

After a disaster of a first impression and financial difficulties land Gloria in the humblest of jobs—with Nick as her boss—it might be time for her to learn to sing a new song.


Other Books in the Series


About the Author


Candee Fick is a multipublished, award-winning author. She is also the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy writing, editing, or coaching other authors, she can be found cheering on the home team at sporting events, exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.

In addition to writing clean faith-based romance novels and inspirational non-fiction, Candee coaches other authors with their marketing plans and offers content editing to aspiring novelists. She is a member of both American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network. Her fiction has semi-finaled, finaled, and won the ACFW Genesis Contest and Selah Awards.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


- One 1st prize winner will receive: the complete set of The Wardrobe Series (ebook only if international winner, otherwise print copies) plus a $25 Amazon gift card
- One 2nd prize winner will receive: Copy of Sing a New Song (ebook only if international winner, US winner can choose ebook or print) plus a $10 Amazon gift card
- Ends May 15, 2019

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My Review: 


Sing a New Song is the first book I have read by Candee Fick and it definitely will not be the last. I loved this book. Gloria and Nick’s are so very sweet, fun and delightful. I was not sure about Gloria at first but she grew on me throughout the book.

I am giving Sing a New Song a well deserved five plus stars. I can not wait to find more by this author in the future. 

Great read!

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