We recently popped off to WDW for a few days and then took a 3 day Disney cruise to the Bahamas on the Dream.
What a great vacation!
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at WestMetroMommyReads.com
Check her site for participation details.
I’m thrilled today to be part of the Litfuse blog tour for THROUGH WATERS DEEP by Sarah Sundin! This Christian historical fiction tells the story of Mary and Jim as they deal with sabotage at the shipyard in Boston as the US is about to enter WWII.
Here’s what the tour has to say:
|
Book info
|
|
|
About the book: Through Waters Deep (Revell, August 2015)It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war.Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges—and dangers—await them. Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1DkJmlO
Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, In Perfect Time, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2014,On Distant Shores was a finalist for the Golden Scroll Awards from both AWSA and the Christian Authors Network. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. |
|
I enjoyed Mary and Jim’s story – my parents were in their twenties during WWII and I always find stories of that era fascinating. Mary is an interesting character — in one regard she is shy and anxious almost to the point of being dysfunctional, and yet she is a capable and efficient admin, working far from family and living on her own. Early on in the story I wanted to give her a bit of a wake up call and tell her to stop being so worried about what others think about her. I’d like to think that she was a bit exaggerated, but I know someone exactly like her — so worried about what people will think and that she will be seen as “prideful” that she is almost paralyzed by social anxiety. Truly — not a fun way to live your life.
Anyhow, I liked their love story (though I found poor Jim rather pushed around by the women) and I liked the ending.
It looks like this is the start of a series – I look forward to the next one.
Thank you for making me part of the tour and for my review e-copy!
I also found this fun video on You Tube that shows the making of the cover —
You, too, can follow the tour for giveaways, reviews, and more:
Blog Tour Schedule:
8/4/2015
Debra | 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too !
Jennifer | LIFE WITH 3 BOYS 1 GIRL
Tima | Book Reviews by Tima
Jalynn | A Simple Life, really?!
Marianne | reviewing Novels Online
8/5/2015
Vicky | Deal Sharing Aunt
Veronica | Adventures of D and V
Megan | When life gets you down…read a book
Laura | Memawsstuff
8/6/2015
Joan | Book Reviews from an Avid Reader
8/7/2015
Dianna | Savings in Seconds
Hope | Finding Joy in Everyday
Amanda | Inklings and Notions
Carole | The Power of Words
Cara | Cara Putman
Kathleen | Reviews From The Heart
Margaret | The World As I See It
Julia | Avid Reader Reviews
8/9/2015
Renee | Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot
Lisa | A Rup Life
8/10/2015
Taylor | Taylor Reid Reads and Breathes
Linda | Mocha with Linda
Pam | Southern Gal Loves to Read
Crystal | Our Perfectly Imperfect Life
Sandra | Simple Harvest Reads
Lena | A Christian Writer’s World
Kristie | Moments
Sally | Proverbial Reads
Jennifer | Mother of Three
Brooke | i blog 4 books
Erin | For Him and My Family
Karen | Ting’s Mom Books
Kelly | Leafy Not Beefy
8/11/2015
Raechel | God’s Peculiar Treasure Raechel
Erin | ReviewsByErin
Chelsey | Charming Chelsey’s
Jami | Jami’s Words
8/12/2015
Britney | Buzzing About Books
Charity | aTransParentMom
Debra | Footprints in the Butter
Victor | Vic’s Media Room
Elle | Elle in organicshoes
Becky | Christian Chick’s Thoughts
Maureen | Maureen’s Musings
Suzanne | Cows and Lasers and Everything in Between
Alyssa | Sunrise Avenue
8/14/2015
Marjolaine | Books, Beautiful Books
Kim | Window To My World
Rayleigh | Accelerate The Jesus Movement
Pamela | Daysong Reflections
Trish | View from the Birdhouse
Carrie | Reading Is My Superpower
Veronica | Veronica’s ‘Views
Hallie | Book by Book
Carla | Working Mommy Journal
Melinda | Living, Laughing, Loving
8/15/2015
Tiffany | The Crafty Home
Lisa | Seeking With All Your Heart
8/16/2015
Rebekah | Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews
8/17/2015
Leticia | My Daily Trek
Laura | Lighthouse Academy
Tressa | Wishful Endings
8/18/2015
Rachel | EmpowerMoms
Charity | Giveaway Lady
8/19/2015
Brittany | Britt Reads Fiction
Alyssa | A Vintage Girl in the Modern World
Beth | Beth’s Book-Nook Blog
8/20/2015
Abbi | Christian Novels
Melina | Melina’s Book Blog
Beth | For The Love of Books
Sara | Shoopette’s Book Reviews
Amber | Seasons of Humility
Beth-Anne | Book Reviews
8/21/2015
April | Dixie n Dottie
Beckie | By The Book
Marissa | The Review Stew
Stephanie | Finding My Yellow
Becca | Manic Mama of 3
Kathy | MysteriesEtc
8/22/2015
Emilie | Thinking Thoughts
Barbara | I’m hooked on Books
Cindy | All Things Are Possible
8/23/2015
Melanie | Christian Bookshelf Reviews
Michelle | Our Little Corner of the World
Amanda | Amanda’s Pile of Books
Christy | welcome to our crazy world
8/24/2015
Bethany | Perfect Beginnings
Amanda | LoveandaPrayer
Rebekah | Backing Books
Wendy | Life at Rossmont
Amanda | The Talbert Report
Brittanie | a book lover
Shirley | A Mom After God’s Own Heart
My friends at Smith Publicity sent me a kindle copy of David Myles Robinson’s new crime novel: TROPICAL JUDGMENTS. This is one in a series centering on Pancho McMartin, Honolulu attorney, and the first one I’ve read by him. This novel easily stands alone.
In TROPICAL JUDGMENTS a popular Hawaiian performer is murdered in an apparent robbery and a young, homeless black man is charged with the crime. Pancho is asked to defend him as his court appointed defense attorney and he is really not looking forward to the experience. However, the more Pancho and his partner Drew look into the facts, the more they question whether Jackson, their client, is actually guilty, or just at the wrong place at the wrong time. As things progress Pancho starts uncovering an underworld of crime that definitely wants to stay covered.
I just loved this fast paced mystery which takes place in one of my favorite places! If you know me, you know I love all things Hawaiian. There is something intriguing about layering the beauty of the islands and Hawaiian culture with the seediness of drug lords, addiction, and homelessness. I really liked the character of Pancho, and hope to go back and read the previous book in the series.
Here a bit about the author from Net Galley: David Myles Robinson is a retired attorney who specialized in personal injury and workers’ compensation law and was awarded the Consumer Lawyer of the Year by the trial lawyers’ association in Hawaii. He retired in 2012 and currently lives in Taos, NM with his wife. He is the author of Tropical Lies and Tropical Judgments.
If you like a realistic crime novel set in paradise, pick up TROPICAL JUDGMENTS by David Myles Robinson!
I’m a stop on the historical fiction blog tour for Laini Giles’ novel: THE FORGOTTEN FLAPPER. I absolutely loved this creative novel which focuses on Olive Thomas, a real life star of stage and early film. In the novel, the ghost of Olive is living at the New Amsterdam Theater in NYC. She delves into her past and tells her story, from growing up in the midwest to becoming a star, to her work with some of the biggest names of the day. She focuses on her marriage to Jack Pickford (Mary Pickford’s brother) and then her untimely death. Her character and voice is so strong throughout this story, that I looked up Olive Thomas afterwards and found out more about her. Here’s a picture of her, taken from google images:
I found Olive fascinating and just like the novel’s ghost, she continues to haunt me. I love just about any story about the early days of Hollywood and the heyday of big name classic movie stars, but this one is a stand out. It looks like it’s the start of a series of books about actresses so I can’t wait for the next one! Thank you for my review e-copy and making me part of the tour!
Here’s what HFBVT has to say:
Publication Date: August 1, 2015
Publisher: Sepia Stories Publishing
Formats: eBook & Trade Paperback
Pages: 411
Genre: Historical Fiction/Biographical
A presence lurks in New York City’s New Amsterdam Theatre when the lights go down and the audience goes home. They say she’s the ghost of Olive Thomas, one of the loveliest girls who ever lit up the Ziegfeld Follies and the silent screen. From her longtime home at the theater, Ollie’s ghost tells her story from her early life in Pittsburgh to her tragic death at twenty-five.
After winning a contest for “The Most Beautiful Girl in New York,” shopgirl Ollie modeled for the most famous artists in New York, and then went on to become the toast of Broadway. When Hollywood beckoned, Ollie signed first with Triangle Pictures, and then with Myron Selznick’s new production company, becoming most well known for her work as a “baby vamp,” the precursor to the flappers of the 1920s.
After a stormy courtship, she married playboy Jack Pickford, Mary Pickford’s wastrel brother. Together they developed a reputation for drinking, club-going, wrecking cars, and fighting, along with giving each other expensive make-up gifts. Ollie’s mysterious death in Paris’ Ritz Hotel in 1920 was one of Hollywood’s first scandals, ensuring that her legend lived on.
A native of Austin, Texas, Laini Giles grew up the daughter of bookworms, and became a Nancy Drew devotee early on. When she realized there might be no escape from hairy tarantulas and bad guys with guns, she put her detective dreams on hold and wrote about them instead, finishing her first mystery novel with custom illustrations when she was eight. It was this love of mystery combined with a love of old MGM musicals and The Marx Brothers that led her to check Kenneth Anger’s Hollywood Babylon out of the library during her formative years. Ideas began to simmer.
A graduate of the University of North Texas, she put the writing on hold for a while when real life got in the way (i.e.—she met and married her Canadian husband and headed north for maple-flavored goodies and real beer). She highly recommends moving to another country and not being able to work for a year for finishing any novels you may have laying around.
Laini and her husband live in Edmonton, Alberta with their three gray girl cats, nicknamed The Supremes.
For more information visit Laini Giles’ website and blog. You can also find her on Twitter andGoodreads.
Monday, August 3
Kick Off & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, August 4
Interview at The Maiden’s Court
Wednesday, August 5
Book Blast/Spotlight at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Thursday, August 6
Review at Book Nerd
Friday, August 7
Book Blast/Spotlight at What Is That Book About
Monday, August 10
Review at Book Babe
Tuesday, August 11
Book Blast/Spotlight at Room With Books
Wednesday, August 12
Character Interview at Boom Baby Reviews
Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More
Thursday, August 13
Review at Beth’s Book Nook Blog
Friday, August 14
Spotlight & Giveaway at To Read, or Not to Read
Saturday, August 15
Book Blast/Spotlight at Please Pass the Books
Monday, August 17
Book Blast/Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
Tuesday, August 18
Book Blast/Spotlight at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, August 19
Review at A Book Drunkard
Thursday, August 20
Spotlight & Giveaway at View From the Birdhouse
Friday, August 21
Book Blast/Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Monday, August 24
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Wednesday, August 26
Review & Giveaway at Raven Haired Girl
Thursday, August 27
Book Blast/Spotlight at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
If you read me regularly, you know I love a good mystery! I had never read Kevin O’Brien before but this one looked intriguing — a talented chef is being tormented by someone from her past, a movie is being made about a Manson-like murder, people are dying in accidents and a ghost is being blamed, and it all ties together in this fast-paced, twisty murder mystery!
Here’s the description from Net Galley:
A SECRET WORTH KILLING FOR…
In July 1970, actress Elaina Styles was slain in her rented Seattle mansion along with her husband and their son’s nanny. When the baby’s remains were found buried in a shallow grave close to a hippie commune, police moved in—only to find all its members already dead in a grisly mass suicide.
AGAIN…
Now, decades later, a film about the murders is shooting at the mansion. On-set caterer Laurie Trotter ignores gossip that the production is cursed. But then people start dying…
AND AGAIN…
As Laurie digs deep into what happened all those years ago, the truth emerges more twisted than any whispered rumor, as a legacy of brutal vengeance reaches its terrifying climax…
Me again!!
This was one of those books that I just couldn’t put down! Poor Laurie has enough problems – she’s a single mom and young widow, who’s trying to put a major mistake in her past behind her, when she starts being stalked by a guy she had a relationship with. Heading off to Seattle to work with a caterer seems like a great idea until the stalkers seem to have followed her and her new boss appears to be covering up some serious stuff. Secrets abound in this novel – just when you think you’ve figured it out, it changes. Throughout, though, I really liked the character of Laurie who was tough but not perfect. There were lots of side characters who were interesting, too – I particularly liked all her neighbors.
I really can’t say much more without giving too much away — but if you like a fun, fast, mystery/thriller, pick up a copy of NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW!
Thank you, Net Galley and Kensington Books, for my review e-copy!
Last week we were out at the Berkshires and had the chance to visit Edith Wharton’s beautiful home THE MOUNT. It was a lovely day to take a few pictures and walk through the beautiful rooms and gardens.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at westmetromommyreads.com. See her site for participation details and more pictures!
Look at this BEAUTIFUL cover which was revealed today for the new story collection FALL OF POPPIES – Stories of Love and the Great War —
There is also a GIVEAWAY for a copy of the book:
Here’s what Harper Collins has to say —
Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War
by Heather Webb, Hazel Gaynor, Beatriz Williams, Jennifer Robson, Jessica Brockmole, Kate Kerrigan, Evangeline Holland, Lauren Willig, Marci Jefferson
William Morrow Trade Paperback; March 1, 2016; $14.99; ISBN: 9780062418548 Barnes & Noble / Amazon / IndieBound / Books-a-Million
Top voices in historical fiction deliver an intensely moving collection of short stories about loss, longing, and hope in the aftermath of World War I—featuring bestselling authors such as Hazel Gaynor, Jennifer Robson, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig and edited by Heather Webb.
A squadron commander searches for meaning in the tattered photo of a girl he’s never met…
A Belgian rebel hides from the world, only to find herself nursing the enemy…
A young airman marries a stranger to save her honor—and prays to survive long enough to love her…The peace treaty signed on November 11, 1918, may herald the end of the Great War but for its survivors, the smoke is only beginning to clear. Picking up the pieces of shattered lives will take courage, resilience, and trust.
Within crumbled city walls and scarred souls, war’s echoes linger. But when the fighting ceases, renewal begins…and hope takes root in a fall of poppies.
We are shouting it out today for Marci Jefferson’s new novel: ENCHANTRESS OF PARIS!
Publication Date: August 4, 2015
Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press
Hardcover & eBook; 336 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Fraught with conspiracy and passion, the Sun King’s opulent court is brought to vivid life in this captivating tale about a woman whose love was more powerful than magic.
The alignment of the stars at Marie Mancini’s birth warned that although she would be gifted at divination, she was destined to disgrace her family. Ignoring the dark warnings of his sister and astrologers, Cardinal Mazarin brings his niece to the French court, where the forbidden occult arts thrive in secret. In France, Marie learns her uncle has become the power behind the throne by using her sister Olympia to hold the Sun King, Louis XIV, in thrall.
Desperate to avoid her mother’s dying wish that she spend her life in a convent, Marie burns her grimoire, trading Italian superstitions for polite sophistication. But as her star rises, King Louis becomes enchanted by Marie’s charm. Sensing a chance to grasp even greater glory, Cardinal Mazarin pits the sisters against each other, showering Marie with diamonds and silks in exchange for bending King Louis to his will.
Disgusted by Mazarin’s ruthlessness, Marie rebels. She sacrifices everything, but exposing Mazarin’s deepest secret threatens to tear France apart. When even King Louis’s love fails to protect Marie, she must summon her forbidden powers of divination to shield her family, protect France, and help the Sun King fulfill his destiny.
“Told with vivid historical detail and packed with court intrigue, this is sure to please fans of royal fiction.” — Library Journal
Years after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, immersing herself in a Quality Assurance nursing career, and then having children, Marci realized she’d neglected her passion for history and writing. She began traveling, writing along the way, delving into various bits of history that caught her fancy. The plot for GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN evolved slowly after a trip to London, where she first learned about the Stuart royals. Marci is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, making hair-bows for their daughter, trying not to step on their son’s Legos, and teaching a tiny Pacific Parrotlet to talk.
For more information visit Marci Jefferson’s website. You can also find her on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Tuesday, August 4
Unabridged Chick
Wednesday, August 5
Unshelfish
Beth’s Book Nook Blog
Curling up by the Fire
Thursday, August 6
Book Lovers Paradise
History From a Woman’s Perspective
Friday, August 7
100 Pages a Day
Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Saturday, August 8
Historical Readings & Reviews
Sunday, August 9
Book Nerd
Monday, August 10
Genre Queen
Tuesday, August 11
A Chick Who Reads
To Read, Or Not to Read
Wednesday, August 12
A Literary Vacation
So Many Books, So Little Time
Thursday, August 13
Broken Teepee
CelticLady’s Reviews
Friday, August 14
A Book Geek
The Lit Bitch
Saturday, August 15
The Maiden’s Court
Sunday, August 16
Ageless Pages Reviews
Monday, August 17
Luxury Reading
Boom Baby Reviews
Tuesday, August 18
A Bookish Affair
To enter to win a signed copy of Enchantress of Paris: A Novel of the Sun King’s Court, please enter via the GLEAM form below.
Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 18th. 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 suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
A while back, I received AWAKE through Net Galley. I love a good YA thriller/mystery.
In Awake, Scarlett Garner starts to “awake” and have memories of an event that changed her life when she was four-years-old. Always told that she escaped a fire and was left with amnesia due to trauma, Scarlett’s memories return in hazy part, and don’t quite fit the story she’s been told. Meanwhile, the new guy in school (Noah) is drawn to Scarlett (really drawn to her and we later find out why) and they start a relationship. But what really happened in Scarlett’s past? And how does Noah fit in? And why would her family not be telling her the truth?
Well, there’s a complicated back story going on here. I won’t go in to details as I don’t want to spoil it, but Scarlett has a lot going on and it gets weirder and scarier the more she remembers. While I read this whole story and wanted to know what happened, it did pace a bit slowly for me (especially the first half). This is probably because this is book one of a series (or a sequel is coming). The hardest part of reading it for me was that I never really felt I got into Noah’s head. I didn’t understand his actions. In fact, I found most of the characters terribly frustrating. But I kept reading because I really wanted to know what happened to Scarlett (thus my distress over the somewhat “hanging” ending)!
I’ll be curious what others think. This book releases Aug. 4. Thanks for my review e-copy!
As part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour, I’m blogging about BLACKWELL’S HOMECOMING today – book 3 in the Blackwell series. (I posted about book 2 yesterday).
This series follows the adventures of Captain Blackwell – Royal Navy captain – and his wife Mercedes as they find adventure and romance while sailing around the world.
Here’s what HFVBTours has to say:
============== POST TEXT ==============
Publication Date: December 19, 2014
Publisher: Old Salt Press, LLC
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 278
Series: Blackwell’s Adventures, Book 3
Genre: Historical Fiction
“A very satisfying conclusion to the Blackwell’s Adventures series, with lusty escapades tempered with amusing side passages, lively characters and a lovely ending.” – Broos Campbell, author of the Matty Graves series
In a multi-generational saga of love, war and betrayal, Captain Blackwell and Mercedes continue their voyage in Volume III of Blackwell’s Adventures. The Blackwell family’s eventful journey from England to Hawaii, by way of the new and tempestuous nations of Brazil and Chile, provides an intimate portrait of family conflicts and loyalties in the late Georgian Age. Blackwell’s Homecoming is an evocation of the dangers and rewards of desire.
“This entire trilogy has lots of adventure, lots of romance, and lots of wonderful settings that will thrill any historical fiction reader.” – Meg Wessel, A Bookish Affair
“A real pleasure to read, this book can stand alone, although I recommend reading the previous volumes to see additional development of the main characters.” – Jeff Westerhoff, Historical Novels Review
AMAZON (KINDLE) | AMAZON (PB) | BARNES & NOBLE (PB) | BARNES & NOBLE (NOOK) | ITUNES
Me again!! I love reading about Hawaii in the early 1800’s – the culture and traditions and the thought of the islands being not overdeveloped is wonderful reading. (If you know me, you know I have a long fascination and love of Hawaii and have been there many times). Blackwell and Mercedes have all sorts of interesting relationships with friends and family and adventures together. In this installment, they are growing older and they have the trials of aging. However, their love still binds them strong.
I have to say there is a story line re: Emma and Aloka that I found somewhat disturbing (or at least until the conclusion) – but that might just be me. I’d be curious what other readers think.
A long time resident of California, V.E. Ulett is an avid reader as well as writer of historical fiction. Proud to be an Old Salt Press author, V.E. is also a member of the National Books Critics Circle and an active member and reviewer for the Historical Novel Society.
Eighteenth and nineteenth century journals and letters inspired the writing of CAPTAIN BLACKWELL’S PRIZE. The sequels take Captain Blackwell and Mercedes to the far side of the world, on new personal and cultural adventures. Coming soon from V.E. Ulett, a historical adventure with a fantastic edge.
You, too, can follow the tour!
Monday, July 27
Spotlight & Excerpt at Unshelfish
Spotlight & Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Tuesday, July 28
Review & Excerpt at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Wednesday, July 29
Review at Book Nerd
Review at Just One More Chapter
Thursday, July 30
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
Friday, July 31
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Sunday, August 2
Review at Beth’s Book Nook Blog (Blackwell’s Paradise Audio Book)
Monday, August 3
Review at Beth’s Book Nook Blog (Blackwell’s Homecoming)
But wait there’s more! A Giveaway!
To enter to win a paperback of Blackwell’s Paradise, please enter via the GLEAM form below.
Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 3rd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US, UK, Canada & Australia only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Click here:
Or here:
Beth's Book-Nook Blog 