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The New Cover for Last Shot Revealed!

Happy New Year!  Today is the day! Last Shot at Justice has its new cover, and is now up for pre-order on Amazon. That's right, ALL th...

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

*HUGE Giveaway Alert!*


*HUGE Giveaway Alert!*
I am teaming up with Electively Paige Book Blog and a small group of other YA authors to bring you a MASSIVE giveaway. 


ONE lucky U.S. winner of this giveaway will win the GRAND PRIZE featuring the following:

A  Kindle Fire STOCKED 
with an ebook from each participating author
Book Art from Musings from a Book Lover 
An Alice in Wonderland Themed Literary Necklace 
from Fictional Fox 



Sunday, July 24, 2016

My reviews now include "content ratings"

For those of you who care about "content ratings" in books, I'm beginning to add my best guess at the ratings of the books I review on my blog. As I have time (meaning don't hold your breath, lol) I'll be going back to the ones that posted before I made this decision, and adding them in. 

The ratings will be modeled after the movie system (All Audiences, PG-13, PG-17, R, X, etc.) and will include codes like you see in TV shows that says what the rating is for: L = language, V = violence, A = adult content [i.e. Sex] and so on.

I know my readers come from diverse tastes, and some are more interested in this kind of information than others, and since I read across the board, it is a small service I'm happy to provide.

Happy reading!

Review of Becalmed, by Normandie Fischer

Oh my. This one had me glued to the tablet to finish. 5 Stars, easy.

I have read so much indie work that has great story, but not always the best execution. There are notable exceptions, and Becalmed by Normandie Fischer is one of those.

This story is simple but beautiful, the characters are well-rounded and believable - Jilly especially was adorable - the setting gorgeous, and the sailing scenes made me want to get back out there. The description of riding out the hurricane made me feel like I was right there. (I'd never considered that being in a boarded up house when the lights go out would mean not knowing whether it was day or night outside.) All in all, the "world" was built so well it easily transported me into the story. The final 50 pages or so I totally shirked my schedule of things to do in order to finish.

The editing was superb. I didn't make any notes, which almost never happens with me. So either there were no errors, or I was too caught up in the story to mark them. Either way, well done!

My only quibbles that keep this from being a full 5 stars is the bad guy. I guess I didn't quite buy Alex's motivation? Something about him didn't sit right with me. I mean, I get it that he is going through a divorce, but why does he decide he wants Tadie? I didn't gather that information from the narrative. Why become stalker-ish on her? And why would he ever think that what he ended up doing was a good way to win her back? (Trying not to give a spoiler, here. I didn't quite believe the escalation. The other quibble I had with the end action was Tadie's response to it. I'm pretty sure if that happened to me, I'd either be way more angry, or way more freaked out. Especially in her circumstance. Not sure I could joke about it quite as quickly as she does. But maybe she's a stronger woman than I. And it is a minor quibble, really - all things considered.

The final quibble would be a spoiler if I spelled it out, so if you don't like vague spoilers, don't read this paragraph. I did think things moved rather quickly in the romance at the end, considering how much time they spent apart. Then again, they're in their 30s, they should know their hearts by now, right?

If you like a well written, sweet love story (I'd give it a PG-17 rating, for the end action) the you will be more than happy with Becalmed.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Release Blitz - Whiskey & Honey by Andrea Johnston





Title: Whiskey & Honey


Series: Country Road #1


Author: Andrea Johnston


Release Date: July 21, 2016

 Blurb

Guys have rules. Rule #1: You don't date your sister’s best friend.


Bentley Sullivan hasn't found the one. He's always been the good guy - the gentleman. With one quick, and possibly irrational, decision everything changes. After a case of mistaken identity and a drunken kiss, Ben is convinced that the one is finally right in front of him. Only, she's untouchable.


Girls have rules. Rule #1: You don't date your best friend’s brother.


Piper Lawrence has not been successful in love. Almost as quickly as she swears off men, he comes into her life. Her childhood crush and the man who has set the standards for every man she’s ever dated, he is also the one man she can’t have.


A single kiss changes it all.


 On sale for $0.99 for a limited time!

Excerpt 

Chapter 1


Ben 


I felt it deep in my bones the minute she walked through the door.

What “it” is, I’m not quite sure. When the door opened I felt a shift in the atmosphere. As if someone lit a fire that burned only in my soul. My attention caught, I was bamboozled. This girl, no more than five feet tall, managed to drown out the sounds around me without even noticing I was in the same establishment.

Handling the large wooden door of Country Road as if it weighed no more than a feather, she seemed both determined and frightened as she walked through. Tossing her hair, the color of the most violent fire, over her shoulder, straightening her back and tilting her chin up in determination, I enjoyed the view as her hips swayed in perfect tempo to the drum solo coming from the speakers and she walked across the room. The way her jeans complement every curve, she not only has my mouth feeling like the Sahara Desert but my dick has suddenly awoken from its recent hibernation.


It isn’t either of those things that have me ignoring my friends though. No, it’s something about the fierce way she has made her entrance yet not made eye contact or smiled at a single person as she made her way to the bar. Even from here, without so much as speaking a word, I can tell that she is something special. A woman made up of layers and layers of intrigue. Someone who I have to know.


“Dude, are you even listening?”


“I don’t think he’s heard a single word any of us said since she walked in. His dick is obviously in charge tonight.”


I hear those assholes; I just don’t have anything to contribute to whatever debate they’re having. Besides, Owen is right. Somehow my normal level-headed self seems to have left the room and my previously mentioned dick is in charge tonight.


All of our lives I’ve been the logical and straight-laced one in this group. Suddenly a sassy redhead has taken all of my logic and tossed it aside. I’m acting like a pubescent teen. The problem is, I’m quite a few years from being a teen, and even when I was, I never had this reaction to a woman.


Nope. I, Bentley James Sullivan, am the good guy. The guy who approaches life with a plan and never does a single thing without one. Hell, I even plan spontaneity. Yeah, I teeter on the edge of boring.


I take another drink of my beer as I turn to Owen. “Kiss my ass. I heard you, and for your information, Iron Man always wins.”


Without a second thought I return my attention to the beauty who has garnered all of my interest. She’s made her way to a stool at the bar and is waiving her arms around as if she’s the conductor of an orchestra. I can tell from the expression of the bartender, also my sister Ashton, that whoever has her this fired up should stay clear of her.


The only time her hands still is when she grabs the shot glass my sister has placed in front of her. From where I’m sitting I can see that she doesn’t even shudder as she takes the shot of dark and beautiful whiskey. I don’t care what anyone says, there’s something fascinating about a woman who drinks whiskey. Just the thought makes me smile.


“Why don’t you just go over and talk to her, Ben?”


I shoot a look at Jameson over my beer bottle as I drain it. My best friend since, well forever, he knows I’m not the “hook up in a bar” kind of guy. But, I won’t deny this girl has sparked a little something. Something familiar tugs at me, but I can’t place it.


“Nah, I’ll pass,” I say unconvincingly. I really want to go over to this girl and tell her the fucker who made her this upset isn’t worth it.


I’m not psychic, but honestly what else could have her this upset?


The reality is, guys are dicks and the only person who could make a woman this upset.


Don’t get me wrong, we’re not all assholes, but the reality of it all is we screw up.


All the fucking time.


I sit here with three variations of the asshole to good guy makeup in front of me. The four of us have been best friends since high school, more like brothers than anything else. When I accepted a college scholarship that took me more than three hundred miles away from home, I assumed we’d grow apart, that I would grow apart from the four of them. I was wrong.


Owen Butler and Landon Montgomery are two of the coolest and most loyal friends a guy could ask for. We’ve had each other’s backs through a lot of dumb shit, and not only managed to stay friends but we’ve never screwed each other over either.


Jameson Strauss is like a brother to me. When we were kids we were convinced we were some sort of dynamic duo considering my middle name was close to his first name. Only the reality is that my middle name is a family name and he was named after his dad’s favorite whiskey. Regardless, we didn’t care and thought it made us pretty bad ass.


Jameson is the best person I know and gives to others without a second thought. I would trust him with my life. Of course, he’s also a bit of a slut and has probably screwed half the women in this town, but he’s not a bad guy. Sure, a few have declared their undying love and begged him to do the same. For the most part he’s managed to come out of each encounter unscathed and unattached.


Then there’s me. The relationship guy. I’ve had two girlfriends in my twenty-nine years. Well, two real girlfriends. Stolen kisses on the playground and the occasional hand-holding in middle school don’t count.


“Ben, why are you staring at…”


Before Owen can finish his sentence, Jameson spills his beer.


“What’s your problem, J? That was a rookie move,” Landon says as he starts wiping at the spilled beer with his hand.


“Sorry, I thought there was a bee or something. I just jumped.”


All three of us look at Jameson like he’s crazy. Unfazed by our confusion, he signals for a waitress to come over to our table with a towel.


“Hey, Beth, sorry about the mess,” Jameson says, offering this poor girl a smile that is a little predatory. I can tell from her reaction to him that there’s a little history there but not in a bad way.


“Beth, this is Ben. Ben, this is Beth.”


“Hey there, Ben. You look familiar, have I served you before?”


“Nah, Bethy, Ben’s been gone from home for a hundred years. I think the last time he was in here we had fake IDs. He probably looks familiar because he’s Ashton’s brother.”


Bethy? Good God, he’s laying it on thick.


“Oh, Bentley. Ashton was just telling me that you were moving back. Does she know you’re here? You should go say hi to her; she’s just at the bar talking to…”


“So anyway, thanks for cleaning up. Looks like you’re busy. We don’t want to keep you.”


This poor girl, Jameson doesn’t even let her finish a sentence before he’s sending her off.


“Hey, Ben, why don’t you just take that twenty and go grab us another round? I’ve got a little spill here in my lap or I’d do it myself.”


I don’t need to be told twice. I grab the money and head to the bar. I already know I’m screwed.

About the Author


Andrea Johnston spent her childhood with her nose in a book and a pen to paper. An avid people watcher, her mind is full of stories that yearn to be told.  A fan of angsty romance with a happy ending, super sexy erotica and a good mystery, Andrea can always be found with her Kindle nearby fully charged.


Andrea lives in Idaho with her family and two dogs.  When she isn’t spending time with her partner in crime aka her husband, she can be found binge watching all things Bravo and enjoying a cocktail. Nothing makes her happier than the laughter of her children, a good book, her feet in the water, and cocktail in hand all at the same time.


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Review of Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar, by Carol Guthrie Heilman

This book came to my attention through the Beach Reads Bonanza 2016 (a Facebook event) and I bought it because it sounded cute. Amazon gave me the option to add the audio version for a couple extra dollars, so I did. 

At times silly and heartbreaking, Agnes' story was also often poignant and heartwarming. Agnes herself is a perfect storm of happenstance and tomfoolery. I was transported to Sweetbriar Manor and listened to her adventures with bemused enjoyment. 

My only quibble with the story is that I wasn't sure how it should be categorized. I'd thought it was a cozy mystery, but I thought Agnes did very little in the way of actual sleuthing. She mostly bumbled into questions and answers, and powered her way into and out of trouble through sheer obstinacy. She was more of the catalyst for others to come forward and see their way to sharing their own pieces of the puzzle, and therefore solving the mystery. I was a little confused by the ending, and whether or not the perpetrators got their just rewards or not.

The characters were all well drawn, and made for a delightful cast of characters with stories that ranged from tragic to delusional. They stayed true to character throughout.

The performance was delightful - although Agnes' voice could get to be a little whiny at times. I did have my own ideas of what the characters should look like based on the voices, and then a bit of narrative would remind me of how wrong I was. That was a little jarring, but hard to help, as everyone comes with their own preconceptions when it comes to a character's voice.

All in all, I'd recommend this to anyone who thinks a clean cozy mystery involving slightly daffy senior citizens would fit the bill for the day. Be prepared with your hanky if you are prone to tears at the misfortunes of others.


      

Sunday, July 10, 2016

To Make a King is LIVE - July 10, 2016

Title: To Make a King
Author: Kristi L. Cramer
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fantasy
Release Date: July 10, 2016
To Make a King

Blurb
Five years have passed since Sebastian learned of his birthright as a true prince of the Bonnie Isles. Now the king is dead, but Sebastian isn’t ready to wear his father’s crown. His whole world crumbles around him while every eligible woman in the kingdom competes for the crown prince’s attention, driving him to distraction.

Mari of Dewbury is the youngest daughter of a baron from the smallest estate in the kingdom. Between her mother and elder sister’s scheming to win the future king’s heart, and the dozens of other beauties making their play, she entertains little hope of even being seen by the crown prince, much less attracting his attention. She has only come to Fair Haven to pay her respects to King Isaiah, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the man destined to become king, but a chance encounter changes everything.

Unseen forces use dark magic to undermine Sebastian’s succession, and Edward is encouraged to take action against his half-brother in a plot to usurp the crown. Before the sun sets on coronation day, brother will face brother and swords will be bared. Will royal blood be spilled and evil reign in the Bonnie Isles? Or will love truly conquer all?

Early reviewers are loving To Make a King!
See reviews on Amazon

Excerpt


   Mari felt invisible, as usual. No one had spoken two words to her all night. Only the servants seemed to notice her at all. Though she hated to admit it, she feared her mother had been right: her presence was a waste of time and the money she had been saving for years.
   All to pay her respects to a king who had never seen her and a chance to meet the man who was to be crowned in a week’s time—along with at least a dozen other young women, including her older sister, Rochelle, who had the same general idea.
   Indeed, the king’s wake had something of a circus air: all the gaily festive colors on gowns, ribbons in hair, and jewelry could belong to clowns or players. Mari nearly felt out of place in her simple, somber grey dress. But even if she owned a costume to rival those of the other ladies competing for the heir’s notice, Mari could not see herself dressing for a wake as though it were a carnival.
   She had found herself standing near the door all night, unable to fit in with the prince’s unabashed suitors, both visually and ethically. But dressed as she was, she apparently blended into the tapestries, despite the strands of red hair escaping her black mourning coif.
   From her position, she had watched Prince Sebastian slip away from the riot of what should be a thoughtful evening of reflection. She considered following, though even if she had gotten her nerve up, the guard at the door had no doubt been instructed to keep the prince’s privacy. And so, she had waited all night, watching for his return.
   It was morning now. Shafts of sunlight sprayed through the chapel’s stained glass windows to paint the room in ever more garish colors. Mari wished the whole thing would get over with. Her feet hurt, her head hurt, and she felt foolish for having spent all her money traveling to court for a lost cause.
   Prince Sebastian could pick from the flower of the Bonnie Isle’s beauties: small chance of recognition for Lady Mari, the youngest daughter of Baron Tidwell, lord of the smallest holding in the kingdom.
   “Not exactly what one would envision, is it?” a man said from close by her side. Mari turned in surprise to find Lord Wingfield.  She curtsied, and he bowed in return, smiling at her. “I rather hoped our prince would be allowed to mourn his father properly. Instead, this, and he is driven from his own chapel.”
   “Indeed, Lord Wingfield. I almost expect tumblers to come through.” Realizing what she had just implied, Mari felt herself blushing furiously.
   The young lord smiled and leaned in close. “Don’t worry, Lady Mari, I feel the same way. It seems you are the only one who cares to show proper respect to our late king.”
   “Oh, no, sir. I see plenty—”
   “Let me amend that. I should have said the only young lady....”
   Mari could think of no response, and knew she was blushing again. “He was a great king,” she fumbled out at last.
   “Indeed.” Lord Wingfield smiled at her, but she saw sadness behind his eyes.
   Mari had known Adam Wingfield since childhood, as the Greyloch Estate bordered her father’s own small estate of Dewbury. In those years, he had grown from the impish neighbor boy into the dashing son of a duke, older and wiser in the ways of the world.
   He had always been kind to her. Once, she had dared to hope if her sister won his heart—which had always been their parent’s dream—she would have in him a fine brother who would care for his spinster sister-in-law. Having always been told she had no prospects for marriage, she could hope for nothing better. But he had gone away to Fair Haven to learn the art of war, and had captured and been captured by the heart of Princess Aslynn.
   “Ah, look,” Lord Wingfield said. “Here comes Prince Sebastian and my wife now. May I present you?”
   “Oh no, I couldn’t...,” she began, but his hand was at her elbow, guiding her toward where he stood in the doorway with his twin sister, talking quietly. Not everyone had noticed the Prince’s return, but Lord Wingfield guided her up and bowed low. Without looking up, Mari curtsied deeply.

   “Your Highness, may I present Lady Mari of Dewbury, daughter of Baron Tidwell.”

###

The first few chapters of To Make a King are up on Goodreads and Wattpad. I'm releasing one chapter a week until it's published - so head over and check it out to see why you want to pre-order this second installment.

Buy the Kindle or Borrow from Kindle Unlimited





To Make a King is also available on Kristi's website in Mobi, ePub or PDF for discounted prices. Otherwise, it's only available on Amazon at this time, which means it is/will be on Kindle Unlimited for the first 90 days of publication. After that it will go to all markets. The price is $2.99.


About the Author

Kristi doesn't know how she got old enough to say she's been writing for three and a half decades. Her Young Adult books are exciting adventures that always include wholesome life lessons. She also writes Adult Suspense with a Dash of Romance, most of which are considered "clean" - especially by today's standards.

Stalker Links



Friday, July 8, 2016

Review of Pieces of Me, by Carrigan Richards

So this was a tough read for me, for all the right reasons. It was well done enough that the subject matter made me uncomfortable; both the situation Corinne was in and her emotional state, but especially concerning one "friend's" behavior.

This story deals with some tough topics, and I think it deals with them with deft determination. 

I was a little put off by the style - you know me and first person narrative - it's not the easiest for me to get lost in. Also, the flashback setup of much of the book was a challenge for me, because by its very nature, it became a lot of telling rather than showing. But despite these, my usual complaints against a first person narrative, I was able to connect with Corinne and feel with her - enough that I felt acute discomfort for her. The author did a good job of making me feel empathy for Corinne.

This book will put you through the wringer, and it did indeed wring tears out of me at the end - and that doesn't happen often. If you're up for an emotional challenge, then I recommend Pieces of Me.


Thursday, July 7, 2016

The Boys of Syracuse, Kansas Collection (Books 1-3) has been released!

Title: The Boys of Syracuse, Kansas series, Books 1-3 - PG-13 edition
Author: Kristi Cramer
Genre: Clean Suspense with a Dash of Romance
Release Date: July 4, 2016
The Boys of Syracuse, Kansas: Suspense with a Dash of Romance - Collection of Books 1-3

Blurb

Looking for an exciting, suspenseful trio of full length standalone novels that will keep you turning the pages, without running into language or scenes that make you cringe? Look no further!

Books One through Three of the Boys of Syracuse, Kansas series were originally pretty clean: no sex, and only brief graphic violence, but there were those pesky four letter words that stop some discerning readers on a dime. 

This Collection has been edited for that offensive content without losing any of the excitement or flavor of the originals. So you can turn the page without hesitation for what you will find. There is still brief violence, a small amount of which may be considered mildly graphic, but nothing is gratuitous.

Last Shot at Justice: Detective Mitzi Reardon doesn't know what she did to anger her boss, but he is gunning for her, literally. Now a prostitute is dead, and she is the prime suspect, with the law hot on her heels. With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Mitzi's only hope lies in the hands of Blue Thomas, a chivalrous cowboy from Kansas.

Last Second Chance: An ex-con's search for a new start in a small Kansas town leads to a chance at a life and a love he never expected. But the life he left behind won't stay quietly in his past.

One Last Song: In a bold operation that leaves the tiny town of Syracuse reeling, Kylie and Jax are kidnapped. Getting nabbed for human trafficking would be bad enough, but their captors have an additional agenda.

Links

Find it for $5.99 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Koboand iTunes. It is half price on Smashwords through the month of July.

About the Author

Kristi writes about hard-working people living realistic lives, putting ordinary people into extraordinary situations and letting them discover true character in the face of danger. The end result is nail-biting, edge of your seat suspense that will keep you turning pages, rooting for the good guys and that happily ever after ending.

She also writes YA Fantasy as Kristi L. Cramer. The Bonnie Isles Trilogy is good, clean excitement, with an uplifting message you'll be happy to share with your young ones, and enjoy yourself.

Stalker Links