Cold as Ice

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Cold as Ice Sydney Lane Press by M.K. Gilroy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mark won’t claim he has done it all in the world of publishing, but he has packed boxes, edited manuscripts, made sales calls, created marketing plans, directed design and illustration, started companies, consulted, agented the works of others, and written advertising and catalog copy. He’s authored, compiled, and ghost written books that have landed on an array of bestsellers lists and sold millions of copies. His first ghost writing project, The Wal-Mart Way, was done for Don Soderquist, Sam Walton’s longtime right-hand man.

In early 2012 he put on a new hat as a fiction author. His debut novel, Cuts Like a Knife, was released in April 2012 and was met with rave reviews from USA Today, Fresh Fiction, Publishers Weekly, and other leading national reviewers. His second novel, Every Breath You Take, second in the Kristen Conner Mystery Series, released in Fall 2012 to similar acclaim. Kristen Conner returns in Cold As Ice, which releases in Fall 2014.

Gilroy has extensive writing credits. He scripted and served as creative consultant for a two-hour training video that was honored with the Award of Excellence by the International Television Association. He has compiled and written close to fifty books and penned hundreds articles and curriculum pieces for a variety of periodicals and publishers.

Gilroy and his wife Amy reside in Brentwood, Tennessee. Their six children are Lindsey, Merrick, Ashley, Caroline, Bo, and Zachary—the youngest has now headed off for college, so he and Amy are officially empty nesters.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Detective Kristen Conner is back on a new murder case. She’s still fighting with her sister—and no surprise, someone new wants to kill her! He was a pillar in his Chicago neighborhood: popular school teacher, devoted father and husband, political activist on behalf of underprivileged children—and a master gardener who liked to plant flowers in his neighbor’s yards. What wasn’t to love about him? Who would want him dead?

When Detective Kristen Conner lands the case she knows from day one who the key suspect is. That’s simple. The person most likely to kill you is someone close that you know and love. But the wife? She was always at her husband’s side and just as passionate about his causes as he was. No way could this loving wife and mother of three be a killer. Right? Mix in her on-again, off-again relationship with FBI Agent Austin Reynolds, a quick trip to New York City where Kristen helps her media-star sister for a new apartment—only to discover the body of a man who appears to have been executed by a professional killer on a run through Central Park—and Kristen Conner is once again swept into a world of danger, intrigue, and a confusing love life.

What she doesn’t know just might kill her.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Cold as Ice, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
The title of this book alone made me shiver....then I started reading.

A vacation and the Russian Mafia they just don't belong together, but they merge together in this New York City/Chicago mystery, sending shivers up and down your spine.

An extremely good read...one that kept me guessing page after page, the suspense kept me turning each page a little more quickly.

This is the 3rd book in this series, I have not read the first two, it is definitely a stand-alone read.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

Childrens Book: Tillie and Clementine, Noises in the Night

Noises in the night....we all hear them....are they louder when children hear them, are they scarier...larger?  Do you remember ever getting yourself more and more afraid with your imagination?  As a parent did you ever have to 'save' your children from noises in the night? This is a super cute book with equally cute illustrations.  Kids get afraid, but what's better to take away the fear than a bit of silliness, and this book does just that!

.....noises in the night are scary to children, but most fearful for mommies is leaving the children home with daddy.  Daddy may have the trembles thinking about being left alone with the kids....read this story and you'll find out just what DOES happen when Daddy is left home with the kids!

Cute, fun read, a great cuddle-up and snuggle read!

About the Author

Dan Killeen is an author/illustrator living in beautiful and humid St Louis. His books display a love of classic comic strips and silly family humor.Dan Killeen is an author/illustrator living in beautiful and humid St Louis. His books display a love of classic comic strips and silly family humor.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Buoyancy Public Relations

Once Upon a Summertime

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Once Upon a Summertime Revell (June 2, 2015) by Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My husband Chris and I live in a cabin-style home next to the National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Mountain area of the Pacific Northwest. Our two grown sons and granddaughter live nearby and we try to see them as often as we can. We also have two 're-homed' pets to make life more interesting-our yellow Labrador retriever Audrey and a Maine coon cat named Harry.

My writing studio is in a separate building next to our courtyard (a garden area that's off limits to the voracious deer). The window behind my desk looks out into the Ponderosa pine forest, where I see deer, squirrels, rabbits, and an occasional raccoon. The other windows in my office overlook the courtyard which is frequented by numerous hummingbirds in the summertime-one August evening we counted nearly fifty of the little hummers.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises--not the least of which is Sean O'Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

Sweet, romantic, and endlessly entertaining, this romp through the storied streets of New York City will enchant readers. Melody Carlson has created characters so charming that readers will long to meet them in the lobby of the stunning Rothsberg Hotel.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Summertime, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
This is one of those fun, lazy day reads.

At a few points all I could do was shake my head at Anna.....I just wanted to give her a push, to tell her she could do better, but that was something she needed to find out herself!


Anna definitely took a gamble when moving to NYC, but then she fell victim to Sean O'Neil.  That in itself is quite a ride.....and then you have the owners of the Rothsberg Hotel, characters themselves, really.

With it's ups and downs, romance, and friendship this book will keep you turning pages, mostly with a smile on your face.

I always enjoy a Melody Carlson read, and this book was no disappointment!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

CFBA: Hope Harbor

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hope Harbor Revell (July 7, 2015) by Irene Hannon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!

Since then, she has written more than 45 romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels. She is a seven-time finalist and three-time winner of the RITA award—the “Oscar” of romantic fiction—and a member of Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Her books have also won a Daphne du Maurier award, a Carol award, three HOLT Medallions, a National Readers’ Choice award, a Retailers Choice award, two Booksellers’ Best awards and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. One of her novels was also named by Booklist as a top 10 inspirational fiction books of 2011. In addition, she is a two-time Christy award finalist.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full. She is happy to say she has no regrets!

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and singing. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She is also a soloist at her church.

When not otherwise occupied, Irene and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

Fan favorite Irene Hannon brings a whole new cast of characters to life in a charming Oregon seaside village. Emotional and heartwarming, this story invites readers to come home to Hope Harbor, where love and hope bloom--and hearts heal.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Hope Harbor, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
I always jump at the chance to read a book by Irene Hannon, and once again I was not disappointed!

At first I wasn't sure if Michael was a divorcee or a widow, but I did know he was definitely down, lost, and needing to 'find himself' again.  Anna.....she wrapped herself around my heart right away.  Kind of a loner, but willing to stick her neck out.  Tracy...she's a bit feisty, but nothing wrong with that, and together all of these characters make for quite a read.

Of course, you can pretty much imagine on your own that Michael and Tracy will have a romance....they both have a past that needs to be healed, and maybe they both came to Hope Harbor for a reason.

Sometimes humorous, sometimes sad, the journey through the book brings happiness, healing and love.

A great read.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA