Thursday, March 14, 2024

~ LOVE'S PROMISES SOCIAL BLITZ ~

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📖💗 ~  FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~ 💗📖

--  'LOVE'S PROMISES'  --

AUTHOR PENNY ZELLER

 


📖💗 ~ Can one man's love win a fragile woman's heart?

📖💗 ~ Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4bTphoJ

 

📖💗 ~ABOUT THE BOOK:

Series: Wyoming Sunrise #4

Publisher: Maplebrook Publishing

Release Date: March 19, 2024

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

 


After Amaya Alvarado lost her fiancé to a senseless tragedy, she vows never to love again. Two years later, at her grandmother's request, she travels to Poplar Springs to assist with the mercantile and help care for her ailing grandfather. During a stagecoach accident and a confrontation with nefarious outlaws, she crosses paths with a man named Silas McFadden who rescues her and the other passengers. A bond between them soon forms.

Silas is not the man he once was. After a stint on the wrong side of the law, he's now a respectable rancher in Poplar Springs, Wyoming. After becoming a man of faith, he determines to live his life for the One who gave him a second chance. He just never imagined that second chance might include Amaya. Now all he has to do is ensure his past doesn't return and destroy his and Amaya's fragile relationship.

Amaya's and Silas's friendship soon grows, and she begins to trust him with everything but her heart. Can she push her growing feelings for him aside? After all, isn't it betraying her fiancé to care for another man the way she has grown to care for Silas?

When the past comes back to haunt him and revenge is sought, can Silas protect the woman he has come to love?

 


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Tuesday, March 12, 2024

~ WEDNESDAY COZY MYSTERY MURDER IN TEA LEAVES ~

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~ WEDNESDAY COZY MYSTERY FEATURE ~
--  'MURDER IN THE TEA LEAVES'  --
AUTHOR LAURA CHILDS

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Murder in the Tea Leaves (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

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About Murder in the Tea Leaves

 

Murder in the Tea Leaves (A Tea Shop Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 27th in Series  

Setting - South Carolina  

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (March 5, 2024)  

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593200985  

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593200988  

Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C777ZCXN 

 

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It’s Lights, Action, Murder as tea maven Theodosia Browning scrambles for clues in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

When Theodosia Browning reads the tea leaves on the set of the movie, Dark Fortunes, things go from spooky to worse. Lights are dimmed, the camera rolls, and red hot sparks fly as the film’s director is murdered in a tricky electrical accident.

Or was it an accident? Though the cast and crew are stunned beyond belief, nobody admits to seeing a thing. And when Theodosia’s friend, Delaine, becomes the prime suspect, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. But who among this Hollywood cast and crew had murder on their mind? The screenwriter is a self-centered pot head, the leading actress is trying to wiggle out of her contract, the brand new director seems indifferent, and nobody trusts the slippery-when-dry Hollywood agent.

Between hosting a Breakfast at Tiffany’s Tea, a Poetry Tea, and trying to launch her own chocolate line, Theodosia doggedly hunts down clues and explores the seemingly haunted Brittlebank Manor where the murder took place. And just when she’s ready to pounce, a Charleston Film Board member is also murdered, throwing everything into total disarray. But this clever killer will go to any lengths to hide his misdeeds as Theodosia soon finds out when she and her tea sommelier, Drayton, get caught up in a dangerous stakeout.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!
 
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EXCERPT:
 
"Quiet on the set! Quiet on the set!"


As if someone had suddenly spun a dial and cut the volume, there was complete and utter silence in the darkened living room of the dilapidated Brittlebank Manor.

"Roll film, and . . . action!" shouted Josh Morro, the film's director.

Theodosia Browning watched, fascinated, as actors recited lines, cameras dollied in for close-ups, and producers, assistant directors, storyboard artists, set dressers, grips, writers, gaffers, production assistants, makeup artists, and costumers all stood by, ready to jump at the director's every command.

It was the first day of filming for Dark Fortunes, a Peregrine Pictures feature film. And the first time tea shop owner Theodosia had ever seen a full-fledged movie in the making. Of course, she wasn't actually in the movie. But this week was still extra special for Theodosia and Drayton Conneley, her dapper, sixty-something tea sommelier. They'd been tapped to handle the craft services table, an all-day munch fest for the cast and crew. It was proving to be a fun break from their normal roles as hosts at the Indigo Tea Shop on Charleston's famed Church Street, where they spent their days juggling morning cream tea, lunch, tea parties, afternoon tea, special events, and catering.

Catering. Yes, that's exactly why Theodosia and Drayton had loaded their craft services table with a bounty of tea sandwiches, lemon scones, brownie bites, banana muffins, cranberry tea bread, and handmade chocolate fudge. And of course tea, which was Drayton's specialty.

"This is exciting, yes?" Theodosia whispered to Drayton. The director had called a sudden halt to filming and now the crew milled about the darkened set like shadows flitting through a graveyard.

"Exciting but strange," Drayton said, touching a hand to his bow tie. "I had no idea so much work went into filming a single scene." He peered through the darkness to where the director was whispering to a cameraman. "And that director seems to be in a constant uproar."

Josh Morro, the director, was most certainly agitated. "Gimme some light, will you?" he barked. And lights immediately came up revealing the shabby interior of a small, old-fashioned sitting room. "And we need something more dynamic here. A line or action that propels us into the heart of the storyline." Morro turned to Craig Cole, the scriptwriter, and raised his eyebrows in a questioning look.

"It's already in the script, babe," Cole shouted back at him. Cole was Hollywood hyper, rail-thin with a pinched face and shock of bright red Woody Woodpecker hair.

"No, it's not. The script is dreck," Morro cried as he leaped from his chair, knocking it over backward in the process. He was tall and angular, dressed in jeans and a faded Def Leppard T-shirt. Good-looking, handsome even, Morro had intense jade-green eyes and wore a now-popular-again gunslinger mustache.

Cole's face contorted in anger. "Watch it, pal. I wrote that script." His lips barely touched his teeth as he spat out his words.

Morro shook his head tiredly. "Fess up, man. You plagiarized a Japanese film that won a Nippon Akademii-shou back in ninety-five."

Cole's face turned bright red to match his hair. "That might have been the seminal inspiration," he shot back, "but every line of dialogue is completely mine!"

The director stared thoughtfully at the small round table where a woman wearing a purple-and-gold tunic with matching turban sat across from Andrea Blair, the film's leading actress.

"She should read the tea leaves," Morro said slowly. "That's what we need. The fortune teller has to read the tea leaves before she delivers her line."

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Why Write About Tea? 

By Laura Childs, New York Times

bestselling author of Murder in the Tea Leaves

 

A lot of readers are curious about why I chose to write about tea. Actually, tea is just the hook, a subtle reference point, for writing my hybrid cozy-thrillers – what I like to call thrillzys. On the other hand, I do love tea. I’ve traveled through China, Japan, and Indonesia and had the good fortune to sample many of their exquisite teas. In Japan I visited an actual tea plantation set on the steep slopes near Mt. Fuji.

When I signed my first contract with Penguin Random House to write the Tea Shop Mysteries, tea was just beginning its resurgence. Tea shops were popping up like errant mushrooms, tea kiosks were appearing at shopping malls, and women were pulling out their gloves and fancy hats to wear at tea parlors, church teas, and tea clubs.

But what really appealed to me was the idea of a genteel female tea shop owner (as my protagonist) juxtaposed against a backdrop of murder and mayhem. Now there was something that had never been done before. And after a bit of research, I set the series in Charleston, SC because it’s a spooky (some say haunted) city with an actual tea garden located nearby.

So I had my concept, my protagonist, and a fairly dramatic setting. And of course I had all those wonderful teas to inspire my titles. Darjeeling tea jumpstarted Death by Darjeeling, Gunpowder Green just begged to be a title, as did Oolong Dead, Plum Tea Crazy, Haunted Hibiscus, and lots more.

Interestingly, when I began the series, I figured I would write about six or seven Tea Shop Mysteries. But the books were popular from the get-go and now have taken on a life of their own. Right now I’m working on book 28 and there seems to be no end in sight. (Lucky me!)

My tea shop owner, Theodosia Browning, established the Indigo Tea Shop along with Drayton Conneley, her tea sommelier, Haley Parker, her chef and baker, and Earl Grey, the tea shop dog. And because the Indigo Tea Shop is located smack dab in the heart of Charleston’s 350 year-old Historic District, there’s bound to be some excitement. In fact, I always start my first chapters with a bang – we’re talking deadly poisons, shootings, hangings, car crashes, stabbings, explosions, fires, strangulations, drugs, and even a plunge from the tower of a haunted mansion.

And always (always!) Theodosia gets dragged into these murders. Sometimes they happen when she’s catering a tea event, sometimes dear friends are impacted and, when the police come up empty, they beg her to run a shadow investigation. Of course Theodosia always complies. And comes through with insights, clues, and even criminal apprehensions. All the while running a tea shop, imagine that.

As the Tea Shop Mysteries have grown in popularity, many readers have asked about the teas that are mentioned. Most are readily available at your local tea shop or the major online tea retailers – which I list in the back of each book. Of course, some of the teas that Drayton, my bow tie-wearing, slightly snooty tea expert, creates are totally fictitious. These might include his Lamplighter Blend, Palmetto Blend, and Holiday Blend (black tea with dried cranberry, oranges, and Indian spice).

There’s also no Indigo Tea Shop on Charleston’s famed Church Street, though many of my readers have asked to see photos and detailed plans. Which I guess means I’ve succeeded in creating a real sense of place!

So pour yourself a cup of tea, snuggle up with my newest mystery, Murder in the Tea Leaves, and get lost in a dreamy, aromatic blend of tea and mystery.

Love,

Laura Childs

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About Laura Childs

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that takes place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Laura’s Links: WebsiteFacebook Purchase Links – AmazonB&NKoboBookshop.orgPenguinRandomHouse 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:  
March 5 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT 
March 5 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT 
March 6 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT  
March 6 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT  
March 7 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT  
March 8 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST 
March 8 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
March 9 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
March 10 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT  
March 11 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW  
March 11 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  
March 12 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW  
March 12 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
March 13 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST  
March 13 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT  
March 14 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT  
March 15 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW 
March 16 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT  
March 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW  
March 18 – Literary Gold - SPOTLIGHT 
 
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Thursday, March 7, 2024

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE EIGHT DOWN ~

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 ~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
-- '8 DOWN' --
AUTHOR KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE

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8 Down JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz 

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Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 8 Down by Kimberley Woodhouse hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book:

8 Down Title: 8 Down 
Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #2
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse 
Publisher: Kregel Publications 
Release Date: February 20, 2024 
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

8 bodies down.

8 more lives at stake. 

Investigator Carrie Kintz is new blood with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation in Anchorage. But with a serial killer on the loose, there's no easing into the job. It's sink or swim. The only clues to help law enforcement stop this madman are the taunts he drops into crossword puzzles across the country--always in the same 8 DOWN position.

Carrie is desperate to prove her worth to the force and the community by catching the killer. But when she discovers signs that these deaths are just the tip of the iceberg in a frighteningly elaborate cyberattack, it's time to admit she needs help.

Calling in security specialist Scott Patteson for his expertise seems like the right move--until Carrie realizes that he may be a dangerous distraction for her heart. With her faith fading in the face of horror and uncertainty and her career in danger of ending, this is no time for flirtation.

But with a killer who is determined to prove that he's smarter than everyone else, it may be impossible to fight both the madman and their feelings for each other...

Put on your parkas as we head into a cold world of cybercrime, and hang on for the ride! Kimberley Woodhouse once again takes us on a nail-biter of a ride, and you won't want to quit until you've read the last page!" --Jaime Jo Wright, author of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater

"An amazing, breath-stealing, knuckle-biting thrill of a ride!" --Lynette Eason, award-winning, best-selling suspense author

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EXCERPT:

    Cyberterrorism. There really wasn’t any other way to word it.

    People had always hurt people. But now, in addition to guns and bombs, they could shut down the power and communication systems, or in this case, traffic lights.

    Who would do something like that?

    That’s what he didn’t want to wrap his brain around. The cyber part was easy, at least in his mind. He had a master’s degree in computer science. Computers always made sense to him. Code. Programming. Hardware. Software.

    But put an evil presence behind it, and all that technology could be used to harm innocent citizens.

    If someone was planning another cyberattack, his team and law enforcement needed to be ready. Anchorage was much larger than Fairbanks. A lot more lives were on the line.

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REVIEW:

A well-written suspense tale of a demented mind wreaking havoc in modern-day Alaska . . .

Carrie Kintz is a new major crimes investigator for the Alaska Bureau of Investigation (ABI) stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. Her ultimate goal is to work for the FBI, but she is applying her college degree and skills to become the best investigator she can. Her mentor, Kevin, and other team members are supportive of Carrie's efforts to develop as an investigator.

Murders of innocent individuals begin to occur in Anchorage and the surrounding region. When Carrie and the team realize the deaths may be connected by cyber attacks, Scott Patteson—a security specialist with an outside firm—is called in to assist ABI with the case.

The leader of the murder plan uses crossword puzzle clues to taunt ABI, most especially Carrie Kintz. He is wily, but the investigative team is skilled. Their dedication to solving the case leads them on many divergent paths culminating in a brilliant conclusion to the story.

Carrie and Scott's friendship and subsequent romance was sweet and realistic. The faith thread in the story included several meaningful conversations between the couple.

The book is completely clean in language and content. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.

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PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook| Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in Series:

26 Below


About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse

 

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now lives and writes in Colorado where she's traded in her hat of "Craziest Mom" for "Nana the Great."

Connect with Kimberley by visiting kimberleywoodhouse.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive signed copies of 26 Below and 8 Down, bookmarks, and other book-related goodies!

8 Down JustRead Giveaway

 

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 6, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 13, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours
 
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~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~

~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~