Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Another Blog Bites the Dust


Will now cry a few tears because The Broke and the Bookish, who sponsored one of my favorite memes--Top Ten Tuesday, is closing its doors on January 16. Luckily, one of its writers will take over Top Ten Tuesday at That Artsy Reader Girl.

First, let me say that I applaud all my fellow bloggers out there who work hard to provide fresh and interesting content for their readers. Blogging is a lot of fun, but it's also a ton of work--especially if you are reviewing any type of product or service. It takes commitment. It takes stamina. Sometimes you don't get much sleep.

In July of 2018 I'll be celebrating eleven years of blogging here at The Book Connection and nine years at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. That seems so unreal to me. What was born out of my need to draw attention to my writing and the desire to express my creativity has put me in touch with so many wonderful people within the publishing industry. It even led to the seven plus years I worked at Pump Up Your Book. I am truly blessed.

Here's wishing the best to all the bloggers over at The Broke and the Bookish. Maybe we will see you back before too long. Good luck to Jana as she takes over Top Ten Tuesday. Looking forward to all her ideas. To all you bloggers out there---you rock!

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

First Book of the Year Sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey



Sheila from Book Journey is sponsoring First Book of the Year for the fifth year in a row.

Here is what First Book is. The first book of the New Year should be:

A. A coveted book that you have wanted to read but have just not found the time.

B. A delicious favorite… one you have read before, but crave to read again.

C. Really whatever you want it to – it is after all YOUR First Book Of the year.

Make it AWESOME.

Then, once you have picked what it will be, you email Sheila a picture of you with the book. On January 1st she will post all the pics in a collage format of all of us around the world that are doing First Book.

Sign up here if you would like to join us!

Monday, December 25, 2017

Musing Monday - Merry Christmas!


Musing Monday is hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker It is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

I’m currently reading…
Up next I think I’ll read…
I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
I can’t wait to get a copy of…
I wish I could read ___, but…
I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK'S RANDOM QUESTION:  None. Merry Christmas!

I'm actually typing this a day late because this weekend was too busy to consider blogging duties. I pray you had a blessed Christmas. We certainly did.

I'm looking forward to reading the new books I received from my family:

Say Goodbye and Gone by Lisa Gardner (one of my former book promotion clients)
Twelve Day of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Christmas in Icicle Falls by Sheila Roberts (a current Pump Up Your Book client)

With any luck I will start Twelve Days of Christmas after the new year. Need to read a couple of books for upcoming reviews right now.

See you Musing Monday followers in 2018!

Friday, December 22, 2017

Bargain Seasonal Non-Fiction: Christmas on Jane Street by Billy Romp & Wanda Urbanska


The warm, wonderful, real-life tale of the family that brings the Christmas spirit to life on a street corner in Manhattan.

Every holiday season for nearly twenty years, Billy Romp, his wife, and their three children have spent nearly a month living in a tiny camper and selling Christmas trees on Jane Street in New York City. They arrive from Vermont the day after Thanksgiving and leave just in time to make it home for Christmas morning—and for a few weeks they transform a corner of the Big Apple into a Frank Capra-esque small town alive with heartwarming holiday spirit.

Christmas on Jane Street is about the transformative power of love—love of parent and child, of merchant and customer, of stranger and neighbor. The ideal Christmas story, it is about the lasting and profound difference that one person can make to a family and one family can make to a community.

A lovely, lovingly illustrated little gem of a book, this delightful tenth anniversary edition of a beloved Christmas classic tells the poignant, inspiring story of an unforgettable family and the warm, wide circle of friends who have welcomed them to the neighborhood.

File Size: 717 KB
Print Length: 168 pages
Publisher: William Morrow; Reprint edition (May 21, 2013)
Publication Date: May 21, 2013
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
Language: English
ASIN: B00CD36164


Order from:

Amazon
B&N
iBooks
Google
Kobo

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Pre-Order the New Gus LeGarde Mystery: Murder on the Brewster Flats by Aaron Paul Lazar


Some family secrets shouldn’t stay buried…

Music professor Gus LeGarde and his wife Camille are looking forward to a relaxing vacation at Paines Creek Beach on beautiful Cape Cod. But Gus barely has a chance to feel the sand between his toes before a near-miss car accident drags him right into the middle of a local family feud — and a centuries-old mystery that’s begging to be solved.

As Gus is drawn further into the conflict between the Cooks and the McNabbs — two families with a grudge going all the way back to Colonial times — he and Camille keep uncovering more questions than answers. Where is the long-lost Cook family treasure? What’s really wrong with Beckett, the McNabb-side member who’s the father of young Jane Cook’s son? And who’s telling the truth about Beckett and Jane’s clandestine relationship: Jane’s grandfather, surly patriarch Albert Cook; or Beckett’s slightly odd parents?

Before long, mounting tension gives way to true danger as people start vanishing. And in the middle of a fast-brewing hurricane, Gus discovers the real secret at the heart of the feud: someone who will stop at nothing to make sure their side wins. Including murder.

Packed with shocking twists, exciting action, and fascinating tales of family lore and pirate treasure, Murder on the Brewster Flats is the first LeGarde Mysteries crossover novel with award-winning author Aaron Paul Lazar’s popular Paines Creek Beach series. Don’t miss this installment!

Pre-order on Amazon!


Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. An award-winning, bestselling Kindle author of three addictive mystery series, romantic suspense series, love stories, and writing books, Aaron enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys.

Visit Aaron online at:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Monday, December 18, 2017

Musing Monday - Dec 18


Musing Monday is hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker It is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

I’m currently reading…
Up next I think I’ll read…
I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
I can’t wait to get a copy of…
I wish I could read ___, but…
I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK'S RANDOM QUESTION:   Have you ever wanted to become a character in a book so you could actually experience the world you’re reading about?

Last week was a busy week--two home inspections, an open house, two doctor appointments, and the regular run of the mill stuff. With any luck real estate will be slowing down after this week...though someone did stop by today's open house to say they want me to list their house. :)

You'll notice I posted my review of Lethal in Old Lace, the sixth book in Duffy Brown's Consignment Shop Mystery series. If you haven't read any of these you really need to. They are fabulous!

Right now, I am reading The Body in the Casket by Katherine Hall Page.


The inimitable Faith Fairchild returns in a chilling New England whodunit, inspired by the best Agatha Christie mysteries and with hints of the timeless board game Clue.

For most of her adult life, resourceful caterer Faith Fairchild has called the sleepy Massachusetts village of Aleford home. While the native New Yorker has come to know the region well, she isn’t familiar with Havencrest, a privileged enclave, until the owner of Rowan House, a secluded sprawling Arts and Crafts mansion, calls her about catering a weekend house party.

Producer/director of a string of hit musicals, Max Dane—a Broadway legend—is throwing a lavish party to celebrate his seventieth birthday. At the house as they discuss the event, Faith’s client makes a startling confession. "I didn’t hire you for your cooking skills, fine as they may be, but for your sleuthing ability. You see, one of the guests wants to kill me."

Faith’s only clue is an ominous birthday gift the man received the week before—an empty casket sent anonymously containing a twenty-year-old Playbill from Max’s last, and only failed, production—Heaven or Hell. Consequently, Max has drawn his guest list for the party from the cast and crew. As the guests begin to arrive one by one, and an ice storm brews overhead, Faith must keep one eye on the menu and the other on her host to prevent his birthday bash from becoming his final curtain call.

Full of delectable recipes, brooding atmosphere, and Faith’s signature biting wit, The Body in the Casket is a delightful thriller that echoes the beloved mysteries of Agatha Christie and classic films such as Murder by Death and Deathtrap.

*

Interesting question this week. Have I ever wanted to be a character in a book? Probably not. I like being me. That said, I have wanted to temporarily be transported to the setting of a book. As a lover of historical fiction, I would love to visit early America or America in the mid-late 1800s. Sure would be a cheap way to travel the world too. :) 


That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you have a great week!

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Book Review: Lethal in Old Lace by Duffy Brown

Wedding planning, a dead body or two, a plethora of suspects, and a whole lot of southern food and charm are to be found in Lethal in Old Lace by Duffy Brown.

All Reagan Summerside wants to do is put her history of finding dead bodies behind her and focus on her upcoming wedding to Walker Boone. Alas, dead bodies seem to get in her way. When the body of a resident from Pines Retirement Center is found in the Abbot sisters' pink Caddy and another recently deceased resident of the Pines may have swindled the sisters out of some money, they quickly become primary suspects. It will be up to Reagan, Boone, Auntie Kiki, Bruce Willis and their good friends to uncover the truth.

This series keeps getting better and better. Brown really outdid herself with this latest Consignment Shop mystery. Some of these things could only happen to Reagan Summerside! The great thing is that this masterful storyteller keeps it fresh while making the reader feel right at home with so many familiar faces. She develops her characters well and you learn a little bit more about each of them as the series progresses. Reagan's mother is becoming my favorite.

I'm still jealous that Brown can keep me guessing all the way to the end. Oh, how I wish I could write a mystery like that. There are so many twists and turns. People are on the suspect list. They are off the list. New people are added to the list. I rarely guess the culprit until it's revealed.

Lethal in Old Lace is another perfect and fun cozy mystery by Duffy Brown.

Highly recommended!


Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (March 13, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1683315359
ISBN-13: 978-1683315353


I received a digital copy from the author through Netgalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Day 12 - 12 Days of Clean Romances - Cami Checketts




How to Kiss a Billionaire by Cami Checketts




Sassy meets swoon-worthy in this fast-paced contemporary romance.

Miriam Salisbury escapes to Oregon to avoid a boyfriend who won't take no for an answer, killing her beloved cat to prove it. When her father sends Clay Browning to protect her, she's certain he's lost his mind. As far as she's concerned Clay's experience is limited to posing for the camera, charming women, and making fun of her. He's been teasing her since they were children and she's never gotten over the way he threw crawdads at her at church picnics.

Clay retired from the military and entered the world of private security. When he gets the call to protect Miriam he's excited to be around his lifelong crush. As expected, he teases her nonstop and the only thing he takes seriously is her security. He knows she'd never give him a chance and he can't help but give her a hard time.

After Miriam is dumped in the freezing ocean on a crabbing expedition and Clay saves her from drowning and freezing to death, she takes a second look at her hired gun. But opening up to him is more terrifying than facing her stalker.

As events escalate to a frenzied climax, Miriam and Clay must put aside past grudges in the hope of finding a lasting love for their future.





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Praise for series:


"Cami Checketts is an expert at sending a flurry of butterflies straight to the heart! If you love the beach, a dash of suspense, and some toe-curling, swoony romance, then the Billionaire Beach Romance series is definitely for you.” Katie Watkins, Book Reviewer, Katie’s Clean Book Collection

"I LOVE these sweet romances! I love that each of them is a mini escape. You almost feel as though you've traveled to a warm destination even though it's cold and snowy where you live. I love that I can pass them to either my daughter or my grandma and never have any concern about the content. And the characters in these are amazing! I love them all!” Cathy Jeppsen, Book Reviewer, My Book a Day





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Miriam closed her eyes as Clay’s arms came around her and held her tight.


“Whoa, darling, if I would’ve known I’d get this reception, I would’ve broken into your house years ago.”

Miriam pushed away from him, stumbling from the realization that he hadn’t changed. Clay was a vicious flirt and never took anything seriously. She shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. He was real and he was here, and unfortunately for her unsteady nerves, it didn’t look like he was going away. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.

“Your daddy hired me.”

“My daddy … hired you?” She glared at him. “For what? A pinup model?”

He smiled and tilted his head to the side. “I know I look good, but I actually have a few skills in protection too.”

“You do not. All you’ve ever been good at is spending your billions of dollars and getting women to simper at your feet.” She knew he’d been in the military for four years after high school, but after that, he appeared to be the ultimate player. At least, it looked that way in the online photos she’d seen, when she’d googled him. Okay, it was pathetic that she’d googled him, but he was Clay Browning, a.k.a. Miriam’s dream man.

He spread his arms, and she couldn’t help but notice the definition from his forearms and biceps up through his shoulders and chest. Maybe he should find a shirt that wasn’t so … form-fitting. “Hey, I’ve got lots of talents. What can I say?”

Miriam pushed out a huffy breath. “You are not here. This is all some kind of crazy fantasy.”

“I know I’m the stuff fantasies are made of, but I really am here.” He sauntered a step closer, and that spicy cologne made her stomach heat up. “You want to enact some of those fantasies you’ve been having about me?”

She put a hand on his chest to keep him from coming any closer. Those muscles were real. Yikes. She dropped her hand and stepped back. “For one second, just for one, be serious. Why are you here, and how did you get in my house?”

Clay rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. Sheesh. What did he do with biceps that defined? Wrestle bulls?

Focus, Miriam!

“Your daddy called me, said Greg was threatening and stalking you and I had to find you. So I found you, and now I’m here to watch over you.”

Watch over you? She would not survive with this man in the same town, let alone the same house. Her throat was dry and all those daydreams she used to have about him rotated through her mind.

“How did you get in?” she demanded.

“I told you: I have skills.” He smiled and finally admitted, “I was special ops in the Army and I’ve worked in private security since then.”

“You’re being serious now? This isn’t some bull crap line that Clay Browning is giving me?”

He smirked. “You can believe whatever you want, sweetheart.” He took a step closer, and her legs betrayed her by not backing up. “But do believe that I’m here and you I and are going to get real cozy.”

Miriam looked over his gorgeous face. She clenched her trembling hands together and swallowed hard. “I’m not one of your flavors of the week, Clay.”

He leaned in and sniffed her. “Ah. Yeah, I think you are. Vanilla with a hint of chocolate. My favorite flavor this week.”


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Author Cami Checketts


Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. She and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.




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Also by Cami Checketts

Don't miss the rest of the Billionaire Beach Romances:

Shadows in the Curtain

Caribbean Rescue

Cozumel Escape

Cancun Getaway

Trusting the Billionaire

Onboard for Love














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Giveaway Details


$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/31/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, December 15, 2017

Day 11 - 12 Days of Clean Romance - Lucy McConnell



Marrying Miss Kringle: Lux by Lucy McConnell

Christmas Magic is changing and the Kringle Family scrambles to keep up in this fun and entertaining, sweet Christmas romance from Author Lucy McConnell.

A normal electrical substation takes two years to build; but, Lux has 365 days to install one at the North Pole or Christmas Magic will overload the factory and send them back to the Dark Ages.

The one man on the planet with the know-how, the education, and the time to help Lux finish the substation before her Noel deadline, is also the one man who sends sparks through her heart and surges through the power system.

If Lux kisses Matthew Quik—again!—she could blow up Santa’s workshop before she has a chance to save it. If she doesn't kiss him, she may lose him forever.




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Praise for the book:

"For getting me in the mood for Christmas, and the romantic aspect of this holiday even before Thanksgiving, I’m happy to give Ms. McConnell the 5 STARS I’ve given her book."

"Marrying Miss Kringle: Lux is a funny, tender, magical adventure into the sparkles of Christmas Magic and the sparks of human love."



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Lux’s cheeks dusted pink. With her red hair and fair skin, she should have flushed bright red, but only this sprinkling of pink appeared, like she’d been dusted with pink powdered sugar. Why did this woman bring to mind sweet things like powdered sugar and chocolate and kisses at sunset? He gave his head a mighty shake.

 “You fell in the water.”

“I know.” At least, he thought he knew. Everything had happened so fast. He’d fallen asleep and woken up when the ice cracked. He plopped his feet to the floor only to have them land in several inches of water. His stove had tipped over and the hot metal had melted clear through the ice. There must have been a crack in the ice nearby.

“We pulled you out.”

“We?” Quik adjusted the blankets over his arms. He could only imagine Lux and Ginger and Frost tearing his clothes off. Lux made to adjust her glasses, but they weren’t there. She looked around like they’d fallen off and she didn’t know how. So he wasn’t the only one thrown off by all this. Quik’s eyes traveled lower to find her bare shoulders and her skintight tank top. He jerked his eyes back up to her face, hoping she hadn’t caught his wandering eye.

“Me and Dunder.” She chewed her lip. “My reindeer.” “Of course.”

The situation was going up in weirdness. Having used up all his ability to care about propriety, Quik leaned back against the seat. He was in the bottom of a fancy velvet-lined sled. Yep. Weird. His eyes dropped shut.

 “You cut my pants?” he asked.

 “I’ll get you new ones,” offered Lux.

“Did you cut my shirt too?”

“No!” She was offended. That was kind of cute.

“Too bad. I needed a new shirt.” He half smiled.



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Author Lucy McConnell

Award-winning author, Lucy McConnell, loves Christmas, romance, chocolate and Elvis.

She started out as an editor at an advertising agency before moving on to teach in the marketing department of the local community college. She loved teaching and often misses the academic environment.

Lucy retired from teaching and began to write articles and sweet romance novels. She has been published in national magazines, newspapers, short story compilations, and she writes cookbooks under the name Christina Dymock.

If she's not at the computer, you can find her trying to keep up with her husband and four kids on the ski slopes, in a boat, in the kitchen, or on a horse.



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Also by Lucy McConnell




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Giveaway Details


$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/30/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway