BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: WHISPERED TRUTH by M.M. Hall

Historical Mystery

Date Published: 3/31/13

In 1911, England hovers on the cusp of change. A new king waits to be crowned. Women and the poor are fighting for their rights. Political turmoil rages throughout Europe. And a promising young artist lies dead in the heart of London.

Just another tragic death in a city filled with untimely demises. Or so thinks Hargreaves, the gifted, but troubled, Detective Inspector called in to investigate. Haunted by the tragedy of his own past, he is unprepared for the onslaught of long-buried memories and powerful emotions the case brings. Making his task even more difficult is the troubling presence of Daisy Cartwright, a wealthy widow closely connected to the victim, and a woman he feels inexplicably drawn to.

Untangling the tightly woven threads connecting the victim and the suspects, Hargreaves soon reaches a conclusion, only to have that theory shattered by the revelation that everything he has been led to believe is a lie. Groping through the silence and secrets, he uncovers a cold-blooded killer, and a connection to his own past that leaves him reeling.

Author Bio:

 

M M Hall is the author of Whispered Truth, the first novel in the Inspector Hargreaves series. She also writes as Molly M Hall, and is the author of Reckoning, the first installment in the Dark Prophecy series. She currently lives just outside of Denver where she's at work on her next novel.

She pursued a degree in English Literature at Columbia College and worked in the corporate world for several years before turning to writing full time.

When not reading or writing she can be found listening to music, playing piano, exercising, working on her very inadequate French, or looking for inspiring landscapes to photograph.

Contact Links

Twitter - @mollymhallbooks

Website - mollymhall.com

Facebook - facebook.com/mollym.hall.31

 facebook.com/pages/Inspector-Hargreaves/173827136102656

Giveaway!!!

$25 Amazon Gift Card and a Signed Copy of the Book

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

BOOK REVIEW: DELAYED DEATH by BEATE BOEKER

About Delayed Death:

What do you do when you find your grandfather dead half an hour before your cousin’s wedding? You hide him in his bed and tell everyone he didn’t feel like coming.


Delayed Death is an entertaining mystery set in Florence, Italy. When Carlina finds her grandfather dead on the day of her cousin’s wedding, she decides to hide the corpse until after the ceremony. However, her grandfather was poisoned, and she becomes the attractive Inspector’s prime suspect. On top of that, she has to manage her boisterous family and her luxurious lingerie store called Temptation, a juggling act that creates many hilarious situations.


About Beate Boeker:

Beate Boeker is a marketing manager by day and a writer by night. She has published several contemporary romances with Avalon Books and a choice of e-books. Two of her novels were chosen as finalists in contests.

If you mix Latin and German, Beate Boeker literally translates as Happy Books, and with a name like that, what else can she do but find a happy ending for her novels?




Purchase from Amazon.

Connect with Beate Boeker: 
Website | Twitter | Facebook
Blog

Read More

BOOK REVIEW: CAMPING FOR STRESS RELIEF by DARLENE JOSAPHE

Book Description

If you’re a devoted camper, you already know the endless benefits to a weekend camping trip. But if you haven’t yet indulged in these impromptu getaways, or had a bad experience with a camping trip years ago, you have yet to discover the natural beauty and effortless endeavors of camping.

The greatest benefit to camping is that it takes place outdoors. Becoming one with Mother Nature is one of the most effective ways to find peace and harmony, relax the mind and body and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. It’s amazing how even on a stressful day, listening to the birds sing, taking in deep breaths, capturing the current season and watching the sun rise or set can transform our moods. This is something that no five-star hotel room can accomplish.
 

ABOUT DARLENE JOSAPHE                          

Darlene Josaphe helps women manage stress successfully with resources that educate, combined with personal support. Her website, Natural Stress Relief Tips For Women, is an exclusive website for women that provides self-improvement articles, stress reduction resources, and transformational tools to women who want to improve their lives and achieve their life goals.

Natural stress relief tips for women is a site about turning your life from OK to extraordinary by reducing the stress, anxieties, and tensions that rob you of the peace of mind and happiness you deserve. If your life feels like a constant pressure cooker, you’re not alone. Women today are under a lot of pressure.

Knowledge is power, and theirr self-help ebooks for women will empower you to cope with the stresses in your life and achieve your life goals, whether it is happiness, good health, loving relationships, financial freedom, fulfillment … or all of the above.

Links:

• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• Facebook
• Google+
• Linkedin

Reader review . . . 

In this installment of Darlene Josaphe's “Self Help Stress Solutions” Book Series, Ms. Josaphe explores the benefits of camping.  The author reminds us of the stress felt by more of us in the modern world.  Work, social media, and family obligations combine to raise our stress levels beyond the acceptable limit.  Camping is a means to get away from everything.  By unhooking from our smart phones and laptops, we remove ourselves temporarily from all the pressures of work and constant communication.

As someone who enjoys camping, I can attest to the accuracy of camping as a means of lowering stress.  The author explores the different types of camping from primitive to luxury RVs.  Ms. Josaphe lists the possible activities to be enjoyed by family members and the different types of accomodations.  

One thing:  she talks at length of last-minute weekend trips and the ease of finding nearby camping sites.  I would respectfully offer a caveat to this theory.  In some parts of the country (US), there are peak camping seasons when finding a last-minute site is almost impossible.  I do, however, agree with her statement regarding camping as a low-budget getaway.  Many state parks offer camping sites for as low as $20 a night; just a suggestion from this reviewer.  

While this is not my favorite of the series, the book is still worth reading, especially by anyone wanting to get away from it all.

3.5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Pump Up Your Book book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

 

Read More

BOOK REVIEW: SWEET MERCY by ANN TATLOCK

Sweet Mercy

by

Ann Tatlock

About the book . . . 

Stunning coming-of-age drama set during the Great Depression and Prohibition

When Eve Marryat's father is laid off from the Ford Motor Company in 1931, he is forced to support his family by leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, and moving back to his Ohio roots. Eve's uncle Cyrus has invited the family to live and work at his Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge.

Eve can't wait to leave St. Paul, a notorious haven for gangsters. At seventeen, she considers her family to be "good people," not lawbreakers like so many in her neighborhood. Thrilled to be moving to a "safe haven," Eve soon forms an unlikely friendship with a strange young man named Link, blissfully unaware that her uncle's lodge is anything but what it seems.

When the reality of her situation finally becomes clear, Eve is faced with a dilemma. Does she dare risk everything by exposing the man whose love and generosity is keeping her family from ruin? And when things turn dangerous, can she trust Link in spite of appearances?

  

About the author . . .          

Ann Tatlock is the author of the Christy Award-winning novel All the Way Home. She has also won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association "Book of the Year" in fiction for both All the Way Home and I'll Watch the Moon. Her novel Things We Once Held Dear received a starred review from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly calls her "one of Christian fiction's better wordsmiths, and her lovely prose reminds readers why it is a joy to savor her stories." Ann lives with her husband and daughter in Asheville, North Carolina.  

 

Read More

BOOK REVIEW: A THYME TO DIE by JOYCE AND JIM LAVENE

About A Thyme to Die:

Peggy Lee and her gardening friends have managed to persuade the International Flower Show to move to Charlotte from Atlanta this year. Excited and enthusiastic, Peggy agrees to step into the role as director of the event, but on opening day, a good friend of hers is found dead in the middle of the show.

Dr. Aris Abbuto, an orchid grower from South Africa, has been shot and buried in a makeshift grave covered with pink thyme. Peggy is especially devastated since he came at her personal invitation. The presence of the pink thyme, a plant once used for ancient burial rites, tells her it’s possible one of the show’s growers may be involved in his death.

She plans to work with the Charlotte Police on this one, in her position of contract forensic botanist, and is surprised to learn of the Charlotte FBI’s interest in the case—which means her husband, Steve is involved too.

Peggy is focused on finding her friend’s killer and running the flower show with hundreds of sometimes disgruntled vendors. Her questions will find a devious plot with her friend and his young daughter, unwittingly, at the heart of it.

Asking the wrong questions can be dangerous, however, as Peggy knows so well. If she isn’t careful, finding her friend’s killer might also lead to a flower-covered grave for her.

About Jim & Joyce Lavene:

Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 60 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.

Connect with Joyce & Jim Lavene:
Website | Twitter | Facebook

 Join Jim & Joyce on tour:
May 13, 2013 - A Chick Who Reads
May 13, 2013 – Shelley’s Book Case
May 14, 2013 – Brooke Blogs
May 16, 2013 - The Self Taught Cook
May 17, 2013 - Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries & More
May 17, 2013 - Melina’s Book Blog
May 19, 2013 – Chloe Gets a Clue & A Blue Million Books
May 20, 2013 - Omnimystery
May 26, 2013 - Cozy Up with Kathy
June 24, 2013 - Socrates Book Review

Reader review . . . 

Peggy Lee is excited when the International Flower Show is moved to Charlotte and she is named director of the show.  Her happiness is short-lived when a friend is found murdered and buried in a shallow grave in one of the show exhibits.  The scattered thyme leaves on the grave tell Peggy that one of the exhibitors may be involved.  Peggy helps with the investigation as a contract forensic botanist, but her work may place her in a grave like that of her friend.

Another winner in the Peggy Lee Garden series, and a sure-to-be favorite of cozy mystery fans and botany enthusiasts, this novel has plenty to offer.  The characters are engaging, and the story is compact and concise.  Each chapter begins with a short description/history of a different herb or flower, making this book informative as well as entertaining.

4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Cozy Mystery book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

   

Read More

#BOOK REVIEW : THE HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT by BETH WISEMAN

About the Book

Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?

In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret—maybe even a treasure—and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way?

Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again?

Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat—and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.

Purchase a copy here.

About the author . . . 

Beth is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends! 

Author's Website

Reader review . . . 

Two years earlier, Brooke's young husband was killed in an auto accident.  Now, she is raising their two small children on her own in their hometown of Smithville, Texas.  Owen Saunders is the new guy in town.  After his divorce, he left Austin and brought his broken heart to Smithville to restore an abandoned house.  Brooke and Owen feel that they understand one another.  Neither feels ready to have a romantic relationship and they enter into a platonic friendship.  As their relationship grows, they learn about forgiveness and growth.  As Owen rebuilds the house, will he be able to repair his broken heart?

This is a story about second chances and forgiveness.  Brooke is understandably apprehensive about letting another man into her life.  Not only did she lose the love of her life,  but she is concerned about the effect of a relationship on her children.  Meanwhile, she is learning a valuable lesson on forgiveness.  Her father, who left her mother years earlier, has returned, and Brooke refuses to allow him into her life.  Owen refers to himself as "damaged goods" and "a shell of a man", and does not believe his bitterness will allow him to be in a relationship again.

The House That Love Built is a  contemporary fiction containing romance and mystery, while including a Christian theme.  Real-life situations and characters make this a very enjoyable novel.

4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group<http://www.litfusegroup.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

 

    

Read More

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: DEFIANT HEART by MARTY STEERE

Author - Marty Steere
Publisher: Penfield Press (April 15, 2013)
Category: Historical Fiction, WWII, General Fiction
Tour Dates: April-Mid May, 2013
Available in: eBook, 385, and paperback.

Purchase from:-
Amazon UK // Amazon US // 

BOOK BLURB

Set against the backdrop of small town America on the eve of World War II, Defiant Heart features two extraordinary characters and one unforgettable love story.
 
In the spring of 1941, young Jon Meyer’s family dies in a tragic accident, and he is sent to live in a small Indiana town. He arrives to find himself unwanted and shunned.
 
Mary Dahlgren is the daughter of the town’s mayor. A pretty girl, she could have the pick of the boys in town, including Vernon King, the star of the vaunted high school basketball team. To the chagrin of her friends, though, Mary has always been more interested in books than boys. That is, until she meets Jon.
 
But Jon and Mary are kept apart by an insidious campaign orchestrated by Mary’s father, who perceives their relationship a threat to his political aspirations, and Vernon, to whom Jon is a rival for Mary’s affections. For months Jon is subjected to a painful ostracism. Then, just when the young man’s earnestness and perseverance begin to win over many of the townsfolk and it appears that love may conquer all, tragedy strikes.
 
As the country is caught up in war, so too are the young lovers swept up in events beyond their control, leaving both fighting for their very lives. If, against the odds, they are to be together, each will need to find the strength, the courage and the resourcefulness that beat only in a defiant heart.

About Marty Steere:                

The son of a career air force officer, Marty Steere grew up on or near military installations across the country and overseas before settling in Southern California, where, when he’s not writing, he practises law. His debut novel, Sea of Crises, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012.

Marty Steere’s Website

On Facebook

Defiant Heart on Goodreads


Also from Marty Steere:-

Sea of Crises

GIVEAWAY

The author has graciously offered to give a copy of his book to one of my readers.  US winners have a choice of print of eBook format, while International winners will receive an eBook format.  Good luck!  :)
 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway



Reader review . . . 

Jon Meyer was sent to live with a grandmother he had never met when his parents and brother were killed in a car accident.  On the eve of World War II, Jon encounters anti-Semitism in her small town and is ostracized and bullied at school.  While struggling to find his place there and still grieving for his parents, Jon falls for Mary, his boss's daughter.

This novel is an excellent example of fiction which causes the reader to think about difficult subjects.  At times, I had difficulty staying with the book, not because of the quality of the writing, but because the subject matter was uncomfortable.  Racism, anti-Semitism, and bullying always upset me, and the author has done such a good job of making the characters real that it was painful to read.  Jon is a truly sympathetic character.  I could imagine a young man dealing with that grief and loneliness.  However, I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this novel.  It is worth reading.

5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Virtual Authors Book Tours  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

    

Read More

BOOK REVIEW: THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: RECIPE FOR LOVE by Darlene Panzera

The Cupcake Diaries:

Recipe for Love

By: Darlene Panzera
 

• Avon Impulse
• available May 14th, 2013
• e-book ISBN: 9780062242686

For fans of Debbie Macomber comes Recipe for Love, the second installment in the Cupcake Diaries series

Relationships can be tricky, but will Mike the magician convince Rachel to break her two-date rule? Rachel Donovan believes first dates are fabulous, second dates are fun, but third dates? She never sees a guy three times in a row for fear he'll break her heart, but she's tempted to make an exception when her coworkers, Andi and Kim, hire Mike Palmer to drive their Cupcake Mobile. Mike meets Rachel when he's wearing his black-masked magician costume at a Creative Cupcakes birthday party and then tries to saw her in half. He draws closer while helping Rachel devise promotion plans to outsmart the arrogant new French pastry chef threatening to put the shop out of business. When a rat runs through the middle of her glitzy promo party and the video is uploaded to YouTube, Rachel fears she won't be able to save the shop, help her mother pay for her grandfather's medical treatment, or win back the heart of the one guy she's come to love . . . or will she?

Avon Romance / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Author          

Darlene Panzera is the winner of the “Make Your Dreams Come True” contest sponsored by Avon Books. The win led her novella, The Bet, to be published with Debbie Macomber’s Family Affair. The award-winning novella (chosen in a blind-read by Debbie Macomber) was then published as a full length novel retitled, Bet You’ll Marry Me. Born and raised in New Jersey, Darlene is now a resident of the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and three children. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, two horses, and loves: camping, hiking, photography, and lazy days at the lake.

Author Links
 www.darlenepanzera.com
https://www.facebook.com/DarlenePanzera
https://twitter.com/DarlenePanzera


Reader review . . . 

Rachel has a firm two-date rule, but when Mike the magician comes along, she finds herself breaking that rule.  When he takes the job as driver of the Cupcake Mobile, they are thrown together on a regular basis, joining forces to fight the self-important  French pastry chef who is trying to put the cupcake shop out of business.  Has Rachel found true love, or will her magician disappear?

Awesome sequel to Sweet on You!  Ms. Panzera knows what works and she is sticking with it.  Short chapters that seldom drag, cute and/or appropriate quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and engaging characters combine to make another great novella.   

4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tasty Book Tours book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

 

Read More

BOOK REVIEW: THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: SWEET ON YOU by DARLENE PANZERA

The Cupcake Diaries
Sweet On You

                                                                  By: Darlene Panzera

The Cupcake Diaries Book One: SWEET ON YOU
(Avon Impulse; on-sale May 7th, 2013; e-book ISBN: 9780062242662)

Fans of Debbie Macomber will love THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Sweet on You, the first in the new and exciting three-book romantic comedy, by Darlene Panzera. Set in the small seaport town of Astoria, Oregon, Sweet on You begins the delicious and charming mini-series with Andi Burke’s adventure through love and cupcakes.

Sisters Andi and Kim, along with best friend Rachel, haven’t had the best luck in recent months: unemployment, divorce, and heartbreak. After so many disappointments, what can the trio do to change things around? Open up a much needed gourmet cupcake shop of course!

Andi has always had a dream—a kitchen big enough to bake and dance in, while still being able to support her dear daughter Mia, and hopefully find true love (one day). Could opening up a cupcake shop make it all a reality?

Together, the best friends are determined to open up Creative Cupcakes. But, with no business experience or money to finance the project it seems their dream won’t come true. Until, Jake Hartman, the hunky Astoria Sun reporter, offers to partner up with them.

Trying to hold it together as a single mom hasn’t been easy, and the thought of dating hasn’t crossed Andi’s mind since her divorce. But, the way Jake keeps looking at her might change her mind. After all, what could go wrong?

Plenty! There's a shady tattoo parlor behind their shop and a crowd of crazy Zumba dancers out front—ready to ruin them. The trio is forced to think quick to counter the attacks from Zumba fanatic Pat, while still finding a way to bring in business. It seems the only thing that’s going right is Andi's blooming romance with Jake. As if things weren’t hard enough, Jake’s media crew captures a story that could shut them both down forever.

Avon Romance / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Author          

Darlene Panzera is the winner of the “Make Your Dreams Come True” contest sponsored by Avon Books. The win led her novella, The Bet, to be published with Debbie Macomber’s Family Affair. The award-winning novella (chosen in a blind-read by Debbie Macomber) was then published as a full length novel retitled, Bet You’ll Marry Me. Born and raised in New Jersey, Darlene is now a resident of the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and three children. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, two horses, and loves: camping, hiking, photography, and lazy days at the lake.

Author Links
 www.darlenepanzera.com
https://www.facebook.com/DarlenePanzera
https://twitter.com/DarlenePanzera





Reader review . . . 

Andi, Kim, and Rachel are out on the town to celebrate Kim's birthday when they meet Jake, a good-looking newspaper reporter.  Although Andi has not been dating since her divorce, Jake may change that.  Meanwhile, the three young women team up to open a cupcake shop together, despite no real business experience. If they can survive the attacks from the local health nut, they just might make it.

A fun, romantic novella with engaging characters and interesting scenario, and my personal favorite, a recipe at the end of the book. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

4 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tasty Book Tours book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

     

Read More

BOOK REVIEW: LADD SPRINGS by DIANNE VENETTA

Ladd Springs
by Dianne Venetta

Book Details
Genre: Romantic Fiction
Published by: BloominThyme Press
Publication Date: April 9, 2013
Number of Pages: 285
ISBN: 978-0-9884871-2-3
Romantic Heat Index: Mild
***This is the first in a series ***
Purchase Links:    

Synopsis:

A deathbed promise and a mysterious find in the Tennessee forest bring Delaney Wilkins and Nick Harris together in a dramatic fight for the rights to Ladd Springs.

Delaney Wilkins finds herself at odds with hotel developer Nick Harris over a deathbed promise and a mysterious find in the forest. Both are after title to Ladd Springs, a mecca of natural springs, streams and trails in the eastern Tennessee mountains, a tract of land worth millions. But Ernie Ladd, current owner of the property and uncle to Delaney, is adamantly opposed to them both.

Felicity Wilkins, Delaney’s daughter, deserves to inherit her family’s legacy, but neighbor Clem Sweeney is working against her, ingratiating himself with Ernie Ladd. Clem is also harboring a secret that will make him a very wealthy man—unless the others stop him before he can bring it to fruition.

Complicating matters is Annie Owens. Ex-girlfriend to Jeremiah Ladd, Ernie’s estranged son living in Atlanta, she declares her daughter Casey is Jeremiah’s, making Casey every bit as entitled to the property as Felicity—only Annie hasn’t proven this claim. Yet.

All are fighting to get the property, but only one will walk away with the gold. Which will it be? Find out in the first installment of Ladd Springs…

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

Crouched in the Tennessee mountain brush, Delaney Wilkins pushed up from her knees and moved farther into the thicket for a better view. Beneath the canopy of laurel and oaks, the scent of wet earth and decomposing leaves rose thick in the air around her. She craned her head to look between the trees. Some blackened, others gray, trunks stood in varying stages of decay, victims to the slew of storms that ripped through the area several years back. And among them, two strangers. By the outline of their build, the rough jerk to their movements, they appeared to be men. But gender didn’t matter. Trespassers were trespassers and they were on her land.

Delaney held her breath, suppressing all thought but one. No one was supposed to be in her part of the woods. Did they venture too far off the USFS trail and get lost?

Her instincts hummed. These two were up to no good, she was sure of it.

Author Bio:           

Dianne Venetta lives in Central Florida with her husband and two children–and her part-time Yellow Lab (Cody!). An avid gardener, she spends her spare time growing organic vegetables. Surprised by the amazing discoveries she finds there every day, she wondered, “Who knew there were so many similarities between men and plants?”

In addition to writing women’s fiction and romance, she pens the blog for BloominThyme.com. What began as a brief hiatus from writing has blossomed into a garden blog, children’s fiction series and more volunteer hours at school than she imagined!

At the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses (or rosemary!), kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she’s done all right.

Find Dianne:

 

 

Reader review . . . 

Delaney is willing to fight for the land she calls home in the Tennessee mountains, and she may have to.  Nick Harris thinks the land would be perfect for the resort he wants to develop in the area.  Ernie, Delaney's uncle and owner of the property, doesn't want either of them to have it.  Ernie is leaning toward leaving the land to Clem, a neighbor with a secret, but Annie Owens is also making a play for the inheritance.

This is the first novel in a series set in eastern Tennessee.  The descriptions of the mountain region are wonderfully detailed.  I could almost hear the stream going by as I read.  Admittedly, the characters at times seem a bit stereotypical, but they seem to be developing throughout the novel, and I'm sure there will be further development as the series progresses.  

A nice mystery/romance in a popular setting with mild situations; nothing objectionable.

3.5 stars

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Providence Book Promotions book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

   

   

Read More