Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

This is a great romance. I loved it. I did not want to put this down. I loved Eric even though he is a lawyer and BJ was wonderful. This book had great characters like Eleanor and Luis and as always in Hope Harbor there is Charlie. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion.
Three-Time RITA Winner Invites Readers Back to the Captivating Coastal Town of Hope Harbor After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up–only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he’s constantly distracted by noise, chaos–and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who’s invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client’s son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn’t high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves? Three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon takes readers back to Hope Harbor for a new season of charm, romance, and second chances.

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels, including “Buried Secrets” and “Thin Ice,” as well as the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. In addition to many other honors, she is a seven-time finalist for and three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame. Learn more at http://www.irenehannon.com.

Little Girl Gone by Gerry Schmitt

I loved Afton Tangler and look forward to many more books starring her. This thriller had many twists and turns. Who could be the kidnapper? Is it someone in the family or the woman who makes reborn babies. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I received an ebook copy for a fair and honest opinion.
In the first Afton Tangler thriller, the unforgiving cold of a Minnesota winter hides the truth behind an even more chilling crime… On a frozen night in an affluent neighborhood of Minneapolis, a baby is abducted from her home after her teenage babysitter is violently assaulted. The parents are frantic, the police are baffled, and, with the perpetrator already in the wind, the trail is getting colder by the second. As family liaison officer with the Minneapolis P.D., it s Afton Tangler s job to deal with the emotional aftermath of terrible crimes but she s never faced a case quite as brutal as this. Each development is more heartbreaking than the last and the only lead is a collection of seemingly unrelated clues. But, most disturbing of all, Afton begins to suspect that this case is not isolated. Whoever did this has taken babies before and if Afton doesn t solve this crime soon, more children are sure to go missing . . .”

Gerry Schmitt is the author of the Afton Tangler Thrillers, and, writing under the pseudonym Laura Childs, the “New York Times” bestselling author of more than thirty-five novels, the Tea Shop, Scrapbooking, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. She is the former CEO of her own marketing firm, has won TV and radio awards, and produced two reality TV shows. She and her professor husband enjoy collecting art, travel, and their two Shar-Pei dogs.

Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

Fantastic read. Great start to a new series. I really look forward to reading more Evie Blackwell cold case books.it was great to meet the Thane brothers. Each brother has a bit of a diffeent personality. All would be nice to know. It will be nice to learn more about Evie and the brothers. I received this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest opinion.
A Riveting Cold-Case Mystery from Dee Henderson Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police detective . . . mostly. She’s very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job. Gabriel Thane is a lifetime resident of Carin County and now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he’s sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have. When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it’s to help launch a new task force dedicated to reexamining unsolved crimes across the state. Spearheading this trial run, Evie will work with the sheriff’s department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she reexamines old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths a surprising connection . . . possibly to a third cold case. Evie’s determined to solve the cases before she leaves Carin County, and Sheriff Thane, along with his family, will be key to those answers.

Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including “Taken,” “New York Times” bestseller “Full Disclosure,” the acclaimed O’Malley series, and the Uncommon Heroes series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Learn more at http://www.deehenderson.com.

Hold Me Close by Marguerite Martin Gray with a giveaway

This was a very good historical. I really liked Louis Lestarjette and Elizabeth Elliott. It would have been very hard to want freedom from England when your parents were Loyalists. This was a good way to introduce the revolution in Charles Town. Most books on the Revolution seem to take place in the Boston area. The rest of the colonies were part of this revolution. It is nice to see this area have some books about it. I received this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion.
Giveaway:  https://promosimple.com/ps/9cc8

Louis Lestarjette, a Frenchman, arrives in Charles Town, South Carolina, in 1772 without purpose or plans. He encounters a society on the brink of revolution and is forced to make decisions that include finding meaning and direction in his carefree life. Who can he trust in his endeavors to prosper? Will he be able to stay neutral in a battle for independence? When decisive events confront him, will he stay or leave? Running from God and commitment is a constant option.
Elizabeth Elliott, daughter of a prominent British citizen, believes God will hold her close in uncertain and changing times. Faced with making difficult decisions about her loyalties, she finds comfort in close friends, a devout sister, and her music. When the mysterious Frenchman with no commitment to God or Charles Town enters her life, her role in the political battle is challenged. Can she trust her heart in volatile situations?
Set in pre-revolution Charles Town, Hold Me Close takes the reader into the lives of immigrants, ordinary citizens, and prominent historical figures at a time in which decisions are made that will change the world.
About the Author
030Marguerite Martin Gray enjoys the study of history, especially when combined with fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Recently, she received a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. She has two grown children and currently lives with her husband and Cleo, her cat, in Abilene, Texas.
Guest Post from Marguerite Gray
I’m very happy to be a part of Celebrate Lit! Thank you for the opportunity to present my book Hold Me Close and to share a little about my journey. It has been a journey of faith, a very exciting one for me. Hold Me Close is Book One in the Revolutionary Faith series. The book’s journey is my journey.
Six years ago I finally put on paper some of the stories forming and rambling in my imagination. My grown children left me some time to let God lead me into a writing career, well part-time. My husband and I decided I could work part-time and write part-time. During this period I wrote six novels. The next part of the trek took me to American Christion Fiction Writers (ACFW). I joined and have been an active student for six years. I attended three conferences and loved every minute, even the harsh criticism and “helpful” words of encouragement. Also, I became a contributing member of several critique groups within the organization. Needless to say, Hold Me Close went through many changes before it was published. My growth in faith expanded as much as my book. I thank all who had a role in the needed transformation.
I went back to work full-time after a three year sabbatical and pondered over the future of my novels. Where did God want the books to find a home? Or did they remain my little hobby? The journey was not over for Hold Me Close. The book was published by Westbow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan in December 2015.
Quickly, I landed far outside my comfort zone in a world of social media and personal appearances. Even though I am a teacher and stand in front of 120 students every day, there is something intimidating about audiences of professionals and my peers. Rotary Clubs, Book Clubs, Writers’ Guilds, Church Groups! What a journey….and it hasn’t stopped.
My tagline is “Entertain. Educate. Encourage.” I entertain through fiction. I educate through the historical genre. I encourage through faith journeys of my characters. It’s exciting and I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I have.
Facebook Party
HoldmecloseFBpartycover
Join us at the FB Party to celebrate Marguerite Gray’s Hold Me Close. RSVP here.
Blog Stops
June 20: Proverbial Reads
June 21: Lane Hill House
June 22: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
June 23: A Northern Belle
June 23: Cassandra M’s Place
June 24: History, Mystery, and Faith
June 25: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
June 26: His Grace is Sufficient
June 27: Big Reader Site
June 27: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
June 28: Splashes of Joy
June 28: Mary Hake
June 29: Pause for Tales
June 30: Red Headed Book Lady
June 30: Bows and Basketballs
July 1: Just the Write Escape
July 2: Jeanette’s Thoughts
Giveaway
Hold me close giveaway blogger
 
 
 
To celebrate her tour, Marguerite is giving away a fun themed prize basket! Click to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9cc8

Unbound by J. B. Simmons

This is a book for young adults and adults. This is a book of romance and science fiction with a bit of thriller.is the world going to end or will Elijah be able to save the world. He and another group of teenagers try to join a group that will teach them to be spies. Can they do it? I really enjoyed this first book of a trilogy and look forward to reading the second two in the series. I received this book from bookfun.org for a fair and honest opinion.J.B. Simmons lives outside Washington, DC, with his wife, two kids, and an intriguing day job. He likes to drink coffee and run marathons, both of which help when chasing around his three-year-old boy. While he carries forward the torch lit by heroes like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, he also finds inspiration in history’s great books and thinkers, from Plato to Locke and Machiavelli to Nietzsche. J.B.’s main characters champion these competing philosophies and bring them to battle. Visit http://www.jbsimmons.com to learn about the sequel, Breaking the Gloaming.
to ignore. Why would a rich kid from Manhattan dream three straight nights about a dragon and the destruction of St. Peter’s Basilica? He’s never even been to Rome.
It’s bad timing, too. He’s graduating soon and applying to be a spy in the International Security Agency. That’s where he meets Naomi. She’s the kind of girl who makes boys like Elijah want to share their secrets. Were they brought together to learn what his secrets mean? There’s more to their sparks than they thi

Dawn of Liberty by Amber Schamel with a giveaway 

I really enjoyed these three short stories. It was fun to learn more about Samuel Adams during the beginning of the revolutionary war. This makes me want to know more about this time period. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion.
About the Book
June 21- July 4 

Click to purchase

Liberty comes with a price. Can a fledgling nation bear the cost?
British forces advance upon a struggling colonial army. The time of decision has come. Declare independence, or give up the fight. The weight of a nation rests on Samuel Adams’ shoulders as he joins the delegates of the Second Continental Congress. Can he raise the cause of Liberty above the fear of the King’s wrath in the hearts of his countrymen?
Three riveting short stories follow Samuel Adams as he struggles through the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence and evokes the Dawn of Liberty.
Dawn of Liberty
Liberty hangs in the balance. With Pennsylvania’s vote divided, the declaration may not pass. Samuel Adams has two hours to convince the delegates to pass the document, or the lives sacrificed for freedom will be worthless.
A Shot at Freedom
“The Regulars are coming!”
Samuel Adams is awakened by Revere’s cry of alarm. A large force of British soldiers are marching on Lexington to seize him and his compatriot John Hancock. Adams and Hancock encourage the militia to make a stand against the Regulars, but should they stay and join the fight, or escape to safety?
Travail of a Nation
Samuel Adams felt the weight of the nation resting on his shoulders as he and his cousin entered the Pennsylvania State House. If the declaration did not pass today, their chances at ever truly gaining independence were all but lost. The British forces bound to arrive in New York any day would crush their revolution if it was not bolstered by a formal declaration. The “Travail Of A Nation” has begun…
About the Author
Author Shot – ReadingAuthor of over half a dozen books, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call “historical fiction at its finest”. She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Visit her online at http://www.AmberSchamel.com/
Guest Post From Amber Schamel
On July 4th, 2016, Americans across the nation will celebrate the 240th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Besides the basic overview you got in history class, how much do you really know about the document and the men that signed it?
As an American and a history nerd, I was upset when I realized how much I didn’t know the struggle these men went through, who they really were, what they felt, and what they were putting on the line when they signed their name to that document. There are SO many inspiring stories in the signers and founding fathers, so when I began looking at which signer to feature in Dawn of Liberty, it was a tough decision to pick only one. One of the signers was terminally ill and rode unthinkable miles through the rain to be there in time to sway the vote. Most were away from their homes and families for incredible amounts of time. Some sacrificed fame and fortune.
But after looking through all of the names, I ended up with Samuel Adams. Sam is such a passionate and inspiring character, and I really related to him. He voiced his passion for freedom and independence before the idea was popular, spent countless nights writing articles and pamphlets promoting the cause, always held faith and optimism that someday the Colonies would be free from the tyranny of England. His character is so intriguing and inspiring…Yet, Sam is only known as a beer brand.
Talk about infuriating a history nerd!
Sam Adams is a patriot and a hero. The more I learned and read about him, the more I liked him. Americans should know Sam for who he really is, rather than as the icon to sell liquor. That’s why I am so excited for people to meet Sam in DAWN OF LIBERTY. These stories give folks a chance to experience the tension in Philadelphia at the time of the signing, meet some of the signers, and feel the weight of the decision placed in their hands. It is my hope that this collection of short stories will make the signers more than just portraits in a history book. By the time you finish reading it, my prayer is that you feel you know Sam and his compatriots as friends.
Blog Stops
June 21: inklings and notions
June 22: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
June 23: Petra’s Hope
June 24: A Greater Yes
June 24: Simple Harvest Reads
June 25: A Holland Reads
June 26: bigreadersite
June 27: Red Headed Book Lady
June 28: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
June 29: History, Mystery and Faith
June 30: A Northern Belle
July 1: Singing Librarian Books
July 2: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses
July 3: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
July 4: Cassandra M’s Place
Giveaway
Dawnoflibertygiveaway
To celebrate her tour, Amber is giving away a signed copy of The Healer’s Touch and a $15 Amazon Gift Card! Enter to win here: https://promosimple.com/ps/9ccf

Gathering Prey by John Sandford

This was a well written book in this series. I didn’t want this to end. I loved reading about Lucas Davenport and his daughter. This story was fantastic. It read very smoothly.The extraordinary new Lucas Davenport thriller from #1 New York Times–bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize–winner John Sandford. They call them Travelers. They move from city to city, panhandling, committing no crimes—they just like to stay on the move. And now somebody is killing them. Lucas Davenport’s adopted daughter, Letty, is home from college when she gets a phone call from a woman Traveler she’d befriended in San Francisco. The woman thinks somebody’s killing her friends, she’s afraid she knows who it is, and now her male companion has gone missing. She’s hiding out in North Dakota, and she doesn’t know what to do. Letty tells Lucas she’s going to get her, and, though he suspects Letty’s getting played, he volunteers to go with her. When he hears the woman’s story, though, he begins to think there’s something in it. Little does he know. In the days to come, he will embark upon an odyssey through a subculture unlike any he has ever seen, a trip that will not only put the two of them in danger—but just may change the course of his life.

John Camp (better known to readers as thrillmeister John Sandford) began his career as a journalist — first as a crime reporter for The Miami Herald, then as a general reporter, columnist, and features writer for the Saint Paul Pioneer Press & Dispatch. In 1986, he won the Pulitzer Prize for “Life on the Land: An American Farm Family,” a five-part series examining the farm crisis in southwest Minnesota. Camp’s interests turned to fiction in the mid-1980s, and he took time off to write two novels which were ultimately accepted for publication: The Fool’s Run, a techno-thriller featuring a complex con man known as Kidd, and Rules of Prey, a police procedural starring maverick Minneapolis detective Lucas Davenport. When both books were scheduled (by different publishers) to be released three months apart in 1989, Camp was persuaded to adopt a pseudonym for one. He chose his paternal grandmother’s maiden name, “Sandford” for Rules of Prey, and the nom de plume has remained attached to all the books in the series. Less Dick Tracy than Dirty Harry, hard-boiled, iconoclastic Lucas Davenport is a composite of the cops Camp met while working the crime beat as a reporter. Intelligent and street smart, Davenport is also manipulative and not above bending the rules to get results. And although he has mellowed over time (something of a skirt chaser in his youth, he is now married with children), he remains one of the edgiest and most popular protagonists in detective fiction. Fans keep returning to the Prey books for their intelligently hatched plots, high-octane pacing, and deft, fully human characterizations. From time to time, Camp strays from his bestselling series for standalone thrillers (The Night Crew, Dead Watch), and in 2007 he introduced a new series hero, Virgil Flowers of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, who debuted in Dark of the Moon. Although he is no longer a full-time journalist, Camp contributes occasional articles and book reviews to various publications. He is also a passionate archaeologist and has worked at a number of digs, mainly in Israel.

Liar Liar by M.J. Arlidge

This has been my favorite Detective Helen Grace series. This really kept me on my toes. We learn a little more in each book about Helen and the rest of the crew. Also this story line is wonderful. Who could be starting all of these fires almost nightly. This is scaring everyone and the police. Will they ever be able to figure out the culprit. I received this book from Firsttoread for a fair and honest opinion. I give this a five out of five stars.
Detective Helen Grace gets caught in an inferno of death and destruction in the red-hot new thriller from the author of “Eeny Meeny,” “Pop Goes the Weasel,” and” The Doll s House” Detective Helen Grace has never seen such destruction. Six fires in twenty-four hours. Two people dead. Several more injured. It s as if someone wants to burn the city to the ground… With the whole town on high alert, Helen and her team must sift through the rubble to find the arsonist, someone whose thirst for fire and control is reducing entire lives to ash. One misstep could mean Helen s career and more lives lost. And as the pressure mounts and more buildings burn, Helen s own dark impulses threaten to consume her ”
M.J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last 15 years, specialising in high end drama production. Arlidge has produced a number of prime-time crime serials for ITV In the last five years, and is currently working on a major adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans for the BBC.

Since She Went Away by David Bell

How do you live knowing that if you had only been 15 minutes earlier that your best friend might still be alive. This book is very intense and has a lot of twists and turns. I could not put this down. I give it a five out of five stars. Jenna is a wonderful character and I loved getting to know her and her son through this tragedy. I received an ebook copy from Firsttoread for a fair and honest opinion.Popular Fiction
Three months ago, Jenna was supposed to meet her lifelong friend Celia. But when Jenna arrived late, she found that Celia had disappeared, and hasn’t been seen again. The only piece of evidence is a lone diamond earring found where they were planning to meet. And even though Jenna has obsessively surfed message boards devoted to missing persons cases, she is no closer to finding any answers. But when her son’s new girlfriend disappears too, long-buried secrets finally come to light and a stricken Jenna begins to unwind the tangled truth.

David Bell is Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He has written several books on Lifestyles and also Science, Technology and Culture. Joanne Hollows is Principal Lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at Nottingham Trent University. She has written several books on food and cultural studies, and feminism and popular culture.

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

Loved this romance. Love how well Julie and Zeke get along. They had known each other in college and then broke up. Julie could not handle Zeke’s religion at the time. Now she has become a Christian and Zeke is having doubts. Julie and her son Max along with her mother come to the resort that Zeke runs to plan a wedding to help the resort get more business. I did not want to put this book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion.
Realistic Characters Shine in Bylin’s Latest Romance Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max’s father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart. Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he’s surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances acclaimed for their true-to-life characters and plots. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the Reviewers’ Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Kentucky. Visit her website at http://www.victoriabylin.com to find out more.