Saturday, July 27, 2019
Friday, July 26, 2019
First Line Fridays
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
by Laurie Cass
And the first line is...
"I stood at the kitchen window, staring out into the backyard as January's chill seeped through the glass and into my bones."
Happy reading and happy Friday!
Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
Summer Snoops Unleashed - Spotlight Book Tour
Summer Snoops Unleashed: 14 Furr-ocious Mysteries and Cozy Crimes by Judith Lucci Anna Celeste Burke, Colleen Mooney, Fiona Quinn, Maria Grazia Swan, Kelly Hashway, Kim Hunt Harris, Susan Boles, Lisa B. Thomas, Emily Selby, Ava Mallory, Chelsea Thomas, Sam Cheever, and Joanna Campbell Slan
About the Book
Cozy Mystery
Independently Published
Release Date - July 23, 2019
ASIN: B07R49T674
Summertime Murders are RUFF
ALL BRAND NEW STORIES!
They're howlingly good reads!
All pre-orders support best lives for pets!
Purchase Links:
Individual Links:
AMAZON KOBO APPLE NOOK
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
First Line Fridays
Happy Friday friends! How is your summer going thus far? Have you had any exciting plans or adventures? This is my favorite season, and I love to travel, but I also love that this time of the year delivers time to read more books! As you know mysteries are my favorite genre, and today's FLF is from a book I just discovered. I can't wait to read this one--happy reading!
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig, Dana Mentink,
Candice Prentice, and Janice Thompson
And the first line is...
Coffee, Tea, or Murder
by Cynthia Hickey
"The store definitely needed a new sign. I stared up at the faded plastic rectangle with the hand-painted words THE COFFEE PERK across its surface."
Happy reading and happy Friday!
Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Friday, July 12, 2019
First Line Fridays
Happy Friday friends! I was looking at all the books on Amazon the other day, and I purchased a few new Kindle books--when they are $.99 you just have to! At least, that is what makes sense to me. :) So today's book is one I ordered, and I'm excited to read it. I don't think I have read anything by this author before--maybe in a novella collection--but I'm not sure. Have you read any books by this author, and if so which stories? Also, what periods of history do you most enjoy reading and learning about? Let me know in the comments below. As always, happy reading!
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
by Andrea Boeshaar
And the first line is...
"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."
Proverbs 23:26
Kingsley Manor
Periwick, England
July, 1814
"Ladies in pastel gowns of pink, green, and blue skipped by as the orchestra played a lively tune."
Happy reading and happy Friday!
Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Friday, July 5, 2019
First Line Fridays
In lieu of the 4th of July, I wanted to highlight a seasonal book today. Did anyone ever read the Berenstain Bears books? They were always so good! So here is a first line from one of their stories. Happy reading friends!
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
by Mike Berenstain
And the first line is...
"It was a beautiful early summer afternoon in Bear Country. Bees were busily buzzing in their hives and cowbells clunked over at Farmer Ben's farm as milking time drew near. Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear were busy too. School was out and the first big event of summer vacation was coming up--the Bear Country Fourth of July Parade."
Happy reading and happy Friday!
Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
The Portrait - Spotlight Book Tour
The Portrait
by Cassandra Austen
Publication Date: December 31, 2018
Apollo Grannus Books
eBook & Paperback; 340 Pages
Genre: Historical/Romance/Suspense
When the old earl dies, his only child feels no sorrow. The earldom will now revert to the crown and Lady Catherine will continue to live life exactly as she pleases. But when she learns that she is the heir to a secret family title, everything changes.
Marriage had once seemed unnecessary and out of the question; now it is the only thing she wants. The two men in her life both need her influence and wealth. Whom shall she choose? The kind but secretive Captain Avebury? Or the notorious Sir Lyle, the handsome smuggler? Both men deal very differently with honor. And when Catherine's secret self-destructs, which man can be trusted to save her?
The Portrait is about a strong woman, foolish decisions, trust, and the definition of honor. Fans of Jane Austen's independent women will recognize in Catherine a voice which will not be silenced.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Cassandra Austen writes historical and contemporary fiction set in both old and New England. She is the author of The Portrait, a historical romance that takes place during the Regency period in England, and Coming Home to Greenleigh, a contemporary New England romance.She lives and works in her 1700s farmhouse in northern New England, but you are welcome to visit her at her virtual home: cassandraausten.com. You can also find Cassandra on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.
“Your mother, Lady Catherine, was the
Countess Delamare through her marriage to your father. But she was also the
Countess St Clair, a title she held in her own right from her mother, the
previous Countess St Clair.”
“But I have never heard of such a thing!”
Catherine protested, a little alarmed. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“Most certainly. In fact, all of the
staff here at Albrook knew her as the Countess St Clair before she married your
father.” He paused. “After you were born, however …” His voice faltered, but
his gaze held steady. “… after you were born, the staff were forbidden to
mention your name, and certainly never to speak of you as the heiress to the St
Clair title. In fact, he allowed people to assume that your mother had ceded it
to him on their marriage. Nevertheless, you have been the Countess St Clair
since your mother’s death.”
Catherine jerked back in her seat. Her
voice trembled. “Who-who is responsible for keeping this from me?” she managed
to choke out.
“Primarily, your mother,” Beaseley
said. “She feared what would happen if it became known while you were still a
child that you were both extravagantly wealthy and held your own title. She did
not want evil people to manipulate you for their own gain. And she hoped that
your father would come to love you as his own flesh and blood, without the
constant reminder—”
“—that my mother had borne an heiress
for her own line and left his bankrupt! Oh, how she misjudged him!” she cried. “My
poor mother! She thought that her actions would protect me, but she
underestimated the power of my father’s resentment!”
“And secondarily, of course, your
father. As I said, he would not permit the name to be mentioned in this house,
the servants could not address you as countess and, when he sent you to Wansdyke,
he dismissed the old servants. No one knew your mother or could tell you
anything about her.”
Catherine felt numbly in her pocket
for a handkerchief. She wiped her eyes, but they filled again. She was
unaccustomed to having her armour pierced. Venturing into the hotbed of gossip
that was Bath after years spent alone at Wansdyke had taught her how to
maintain her calm. It had not been easy to insinuate herself into society; it
would have been far easier to remain in seclusion as her father had intended.
Those difficult first excursions into the public eye – when she had been stared
at, whispered about, and occasionally laughed at – had led her to believe she
could endure anything.
But now she discovered she was not
quite at that point. There was, apparently, some feeling in her yet.
“Shall I send for Clara, my lady?” Beaseley
was looking concerned. She shook her head.
“No.” She choked a little on the word, but
raised her head. “No. I …
there are things I need to know, questions …”
“Of course, my lady.” He bowed. For a
moment, the silence hung thick between them.
Catherine spoke. Her voice rasped. “This
is in writing?”
“Yes. That was the source of the
disagreement when the marriage contract was drawn up. Your mother insisted that
the St Clair properties were to be held in trust for future heirs to the title.
They never entered your father’s hands. The documents are in my possession.
Your mother passed them to me and required my oath of secrecy.” He looked
deeply upset. “I am sorry that I felt I could not honour her request to the
end. With your father so ill – and unsure as I am when I might see you next – it
seemed impossible.”
Catherine shook her head. She was
still confused. “My mother, and her mother before her – Countess St Clair. Does
the title only pass through the female line?”
“No, my lady. It is an earldom.”
“An earldom!” For a moment, she couldn’t
speak. Beaseley filled the silence for her.
“It is a very old title, much older
than your father’s. It was originally meant to pass to heirs general – the heir
might be male or female, at the pleasure of the Crown. But your grandmother was
the only living heir of the last earl, and your mother was her only heir, so
both became countess without challenge. Should you have a son, he would become
the next Earl St Clair.”
A son! The thought had never entered
Catherine’s mind. She had a fleeting image of a plump golden-haired child,
laughing and toddling. A son who would become the next Earl St Clair. She shuddered
and chided herself. It was a ridiculous, far-fetched thought.
She looked at Beaseley blankly.
“You have a castle in Wales,” he continued. “It is more or less in ruins, although
there is a manor house on the site as well. It has not been lived in for a very
long time, although it is the seat of the St Clairs – with the line passing
through several females, maintaining even that has been a difficult task. The
women married into other families,” Beaseley said apologetically. “And they … well,
they made only token acknowledgement of the needs of the St Clair estates. But
if … if there were a male heir, the family could thrive and grow once more.”
Catherine stared. This hardly seemed
possible. A male heir? A St Clair earl?
She suddenly understood. This was why
her father was so deeply angry. This was why he wanted her hidden away in Bath.
Because, were she to one day bear a son, the St Clair dynasty would live to see
another century but the Clavertons would be gone.
Monday, July 1 Feature at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots Tuesday, July 2 Feature at A Holland Reads Wednesday, July 3 Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads Thursday, July 4 Interview at Passages to the Past Friday, July 5 Review at A Chick Who Reads Excerpt at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Monday, July 8 Interview at Let Them Read Books Tuesday, July 9 Feature at CelticLady's Reviews Wednesday, July 10 Review at McCombs on Main Thursday, July 11 Feature at What Is That Book About Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit Friday, July 12 Review at Coffee and Ink Review at Book Reviews from Canada Monday, July 15 Review at My Vices and Weaknesses
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two copies of The Portrait!
To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 15th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is 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.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
The Earl in Black Armor - Spotlight Book Tour
The Earl in Black Armor
by Nancy Blanton
Publication Date: March 17, 2019
Ellys-Daughtrey Books
eBook, Paperback, Hardcover
Genre: Historical Fiction
Leaving his young daughter Elvy in the care of his best friend Aengus, Faolán works as a porter in Dublin Castle, and aligns with the alluring Denisa, Wentworth’s personal assistant. She, too, spies on Wentworth, but for very personal reasons. While Faolán knows he should hate Wentworth, he admires his prosecution of pirates and corrupt nobles who prey on Irish merchants. Supremely arrogant and cruel to his enemies, Wentworth shows loyalty, warmth and compassion for family, friends and a few select others.
A common mission takes Faolán and Denisa from Dublin to London and Hampton Court; to York and Scotland; and to the highest levels of court intrigue and power. But secrets, fears, war and betrayal threaten their love—and even their lives. And as Wentworth’s power grows, so grow the deadly plans of his most treacherous and driven enemies.
"If you are looking for an adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then look no further! Get ready for court intrigue, roguish behavior, and of course, that little bit of romance... Well, then you have a book that is hard to put down." -- Rebecca Hill, Net Galley Reviewer
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound
In non-fiction, Brand Yourself Royally in 8 Simple Steps is also a medalist, providing a valuable personal branding guide for authors, artists, and business consultants. Her blog, My Lady’s Closet, focuses on writing, books, historical fiction, research and travel.
Ms. Blanton is a member of the Historical Novel Society and is proud to be an occasional guest author on the award-winning UK blog, Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots. She has worked as a journalist, magazine editor, corporate communications leader and brand manager. Her books celebrate her love of history and her Irish and English heritage. She lives in Florida.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
During the Blog Tour, one winner will receive a signed hardcover copy of The Earl in Black Armor! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 19th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US & UK only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is 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.
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