Category: August 2022

Just Read Blog Tour - Escape Route by Tanya Stowe (Giveaway)

8/31/2022

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Escape Route by Tanya Stowe,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Exposing a gang’s leader…
is the only way out of danger..

While flying above the Texas border, helicopter pilot Tara Jean “TJ” Baskins witnesses a brutal murder. Now a deadly arms-smuggling gang wants her out of the way. To stay alive, TJ must work with border patrol officer Trace Leyton—her old friend and the man who once betrayed her—to catch the ringleader. But when the search leads to Trace’s family, can TJ trust him to save her?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense

My Review

Can they move beyond the pain of the past...?

I was totally intrigued by Escape Route as soon as I saw those cool old planes on the cover. They looked so mysterious that I just had to read it. This was the fourth Love Inspired Suspense that I've read by Tanya Stowe so I knew the story would certainly live up to its cover. And it certainly did.

Escape Route had a little bit of everything in it. From gunrunners and drugrunners to secrets from the past, from betrayal to a thrilling ground/air chase. Tanya Stowe kept the tension high and action fast-paced throughout the entire story – and the final showdown was definitely edge-of-your-seat stuff!

The thread of the importance of forgiveness and the letting go of past hurts, even when it seems impossible, that was woven throughout the story was both accurate and very well done. I appreciated how Tanya Stowe portrayed it as something that doesn't come easy to everyone – even Christians sometimes.

Escape Route was an entertaining read that did not disappoint. The romance and suspense were pretty well balanced, which kept the story moving forward zippity-zip and me very much interested in what would happen next to the characters I was quickly coming to like, well, except for that particularly nasty villain with vicious disposition. Anyway...Any Love Inspired Suspense fan will be sure to enjoy this book as I did and be left in anticipation of more from this author...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Escape Route by Tanya Stowe a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Tanya Stowe

Tanya Stowe is a Christian Fiction author with an unexpected edge. She is a Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author who fills her books with the unusual…mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a train down a mountain or a suspenseful journey packed with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.
Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyastowe.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Escape Route and $25 Amazon gift card.
(2) additional winners will receive a print copy of Escape Route.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 29, 2022
and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 5, 2022. Winner will be notified
within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk
forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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Epic Book Launch - Into The Fog by Karen Randau

8/18/2022

2 Comments

Love and danger spar in this thrilling romantic suspense.

Hands push Marie Jessica (“MJ”) Goodrich from a rural roadway into an icy creek. The clock is ticking for her pleading friend on the other side of the ravine.

Running from flashbacks of a life-altering attack in Afghanistan, MJ takes refuge with her mother, managing Peach Blossom Orchard. But peace is illusive in a rural Oklahoma town full of secrets.

After losing his wife and children in a fatal car crash, Josh Rivers doubts he deserves a second chance at love. He can’t believe his bad luck when MJ, the woman who plagues the nightmares of his military service in Afghanistan, shows up in his hometown. She claims a driver ran down and abducted her friend Kelsey. Frustrated with the county sheriff’s investigation, MJ and Josh partner to follow clues that lead to a kidnapper who demands a bizarre ransom.

With danger increasing for everyone MJ loves, will the clock run out before they solve the mystery? Find out how MJ and Josh—swirling in a whirlwind of mystery and suspense—lean on their mutual faith to find answers, courage, forgiveness, healing … and wholesome romance.

If you like to read Christy Barritt and Colleen Coble, you’ll love Into the Fog, a keep-you-up-at-night clean romantic suspense novel that launches the Peach Blossom Orchard series.

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release date: September 6, 2022

Excerpt from Into The Fog

Almost. She needed to break that habit now that she was making a new life for herself.
With a deep breath, she stood tall on her right leg—all five-feet-six-inches of her—and
stiffened her core, placed her hands on her hips, raised her left leg at a ninety-degree angle.
“Rotate out,” her physical therapist had instructed while she recovered at Walter Reed Hospital.
“Draw a circle in the air with your knee.”
Having repeated the exercise on both legs, still without Kelsey, she moved onto lunging
stretches with a side bend, her dark ponytail slapping her face, wisps sticking to her lip balm.
Engrossed in how good it felt to stretch her hips, glutes, and hamstrings, she startled when
Kelsey stopped smack-dab in front of her and said, “Sorry I’m late.”
The woman’s red puffy eyes didn’t match her chipper tone.
MJ recognized Kelsey’s clothes from her last trip to Walmart: purple sports cap, a purple
long sleeve top, and black capri running pants with a purple stripe down the side. Kelsey always matched. Unlike MJ, who straightened her orange running top over the phone wedged into the waistband of her blue running capris.

Karen Randau

A native of the southwestern U.S., Karen Randau has been writing and telling stories since elementary school. She holds a degree in journalism/public relations from The University of Texas at Austin and has enjoyed a long career in marketing communications.
After a short stint working in a psychiatric hospital, when she wrote three self-help books, Karen joined an international relief and development organization to use her skills to help people struggling with extreme poverty. She has traveled to numerous developing countries, witnessing famines, violence, and hopeful people working to overcome a generational cycle of poverty.

She loves to read and write fast-paced mysteries and thrillers, especially those with intricate plots, lots of action, and
rollercoaster-like twists and turns.

Blog Stops

Excerpt One: http://amandanicolle.blogspot.com/2022/08/into-fog-excerpt.html?m=1

Excerpt Two: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/epic-book-launch-into-the-fog-by-karen-randau

Excerpt Three: http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/into-the-fog-book-excerpt/

Excerpt Four: https://catsinthecradle.blog/2022/07/29/into-the-fog-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Five: https://nannie3.blogspot.com/2022/07/into-fog.html

Excerpt Six: https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2022/07/29/into-the-fog-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Seven: https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2022/08/10/into-the-fog-epic-book-launch/

2 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Gold Rush Bride Caroline by Linda Shenton Matchett (Giveaway)

8/17/2022

4 Comments

She thinks he’s high-handed and out for her gold. He thinks she’s difficult and money-hungry. Will they discover that love is the true treasure?

Scarred in a childhood accident, Caroline Vogel has yet to find a man willing to marry her, so she heads to the Pike’s Peak goldfields to pan enough ore to become a woman of means. When she and the handsome assistant trail boss hit it off, she begins to hope her future may not be spent alone. Then she catches wind of dark secrets from the man’s past, and she’s not sure what or who to believe.

Orphaned as a teenager, Oliver Llewellyn stole to survive, then used his skills for the army during the war. Nowadays, he applies his knowledge to catch dangerous thieves for the Pinkerton Agency, so guarding a young woman during a wagon train journey should be easy. But he didn’t count on the fact she’d angered a man bent on revenge. He also didn’t count on losing his heart.

Genre: Historical Romance
Release date: July 21, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Linda

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Gold Rush Bride Caroline is book 2 in the Gold Rush Bride series, and the main character is the daughter of the protagonist in book 1. I needed a rush that took place within a certain timeframe after book 1 and found the Pike’s Peak rush that occurred in 1859. I read diaries of women who participated in that rush and others, and a common theme emerged that the men didn’t want the women there, especially single women. The men didn’t seem to mind the wives as much, but they didn’t want to share “the goods” with singled or widowed women. At the same time, I read a story in which the main character lost an arm which I found intriguing. I decided to give my protagonist facial scars and explore what that would have been like.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
After outlining the story over the course of about two weeks, I wrote the story in six weeks.

#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I love exploring history and what it was like to live in a different time period, what were considered “modern” conveniences, etc. Because the Pike’s Peak rush created boomtowns, I wanted to learn how those places differed from “regular” towns of the era.

#4. How did you name your characters?
My characters’ heritage is what drove their names. Caroline comes from a German heritage family, and I decided to make the male protagonist Welsh. I used websites that list names and their meanings for those backgrounds.

#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
We are all beautiful and valuable to our heavenly Father, no matter our outward appearance. He is only interested in our hearts.

More from Linda

Dear Readers,

Have you ever heard the quote about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers that says, “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards…and in high heels?” Originally seen in a 1982 Frank and Ernest comic strip, the line has been used by many people from comedians to politicians.

A slight twist on the statement can be made about women in the centuries before modern attire allowed them to wear slacks…they did everything men did, but in floor-length skirts (to say nothing of when they had to wear corsets!). A few examples include cooking over an open hearth, hauling water before the invention of pumps and indoor plumbing, farm work such as milking cows or gardening, and riding a horse.

One of my favorite aspects about writing is developing the characters, especially the female protagonists. Mine are typically…well, untypical. The gals in my books are war correspondents, mechanics, spies, doctors, pilots, and midwives, just to name a few. While thinking about what to write next, I stumbled on an article about female prospectors, and I knew I had my story. The few images I found confirmed my suspicion. These women prospected alongside the men, swirling their pans of silt hour after hour…all while wearing a dress.

I continued to dig and was delighted to find journals and diaries of these stalwart women who either followed their husbands, brothers, or fathers to the gold field or actually set out on their own. The first book in the series, Gold Rush Bride Hannah takes in northern Georgia during the rush of 1829 when more than one million dollars of gold was unearthed.

Today’s tour book, Gold Rush Bride Caroline, is about Hannah’s daughter and takes place during the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in Colorado. I hope you enjoy Caroline’s story.

Blessings,
Linda Shenton Matchett

Linda Shenton Matchett

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/20a89/gold-rush-bride-caroline-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 13
Texas Book-aholic, August 14
Inklings and notions, August 15
For Him and My Family, August 16
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 17 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, August 17
Bizwings Blog, August 18
deb’s Book Review, August 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 21
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 22 (Author Interview)
Book Looks by Lisa, August 22
Betti Mace, August 23
Connie’s History Classroom, August 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 26

4 Comments

Book Review - The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

8/12/2022

0 Comments

Genre:
Contemporary

The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip
by Sara Brunsvold

-From Amazon-

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered hospice care.

But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her--but she's going to have to work for it.

Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You'll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!

ISBN-13: ‎978-0800740276

What will you be remembered for...

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Sara Brunsvold

Author Website

There are some stories that should not be read flippantly or for mere entertainment and escape alone. Some stories need to be carefully read and the time taken to to just let it all sink in. And some stories need to be read with a box of tissues handy...

I picked up The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip based entirely on that oh-so-intriguing title but even after reading the back cover I was still not quite prepared for the emotional rollercoaster I was about to embark on...

Sara Brunsvold's debut novel was most definitely a moving story – the story of an older woman passing on her story and a lifetime of hard-earned wisdom to a young woman who, unknown to herself, is in great need of both. The moments between Aidyn and Mrs. Kip were funny at times, sometimes sweet, but always, always poignant.

There isn't a lot more that I can say about Sara Brunsvold's The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip because it is a story that you really need to discover for yourself...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold a 4 Bark rating.

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Throwback Thursday August 11th, 2022 (Ties That Bind)

8/11/2022

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FBI agent Jo McDaniels has been called to her hometown of Claremont, Oregon, to help on a grisly serial murder case. As with most profilers, she is able to take the evidence, background of the victims, and crime scene photos, and reenact in her mind what took place between the killer and the victim. But what if there are no crime scenes and the victims have been decapitated in order to hide their identity? This is where Jo's unusual gift comes into play. Unlike other profilers in her field, she is able to sense what the victim felt prior to death. She not only feels their emotions, she feels their pain.

Sheriff Austin Garrett doesn't quite know what to think of the beautiful and sassy profiler with a unique gift that defies all reason. He's willing to try anything, though, to stop the monster plaguing his community.

But can Jo and Austin find the killer before he makes it even more personal?

ASIN: ‎B01696QM8M

Though this story originally released a decade ago, I only discovered it a couple of years ago during 'the summer that never happened'. Even now, two years later I can honestly say that Ties That Bind is still by far my favorite Anne Patrick novel! It was chilling, it was riveting, it was creepy, it was gritty, it was gripping, it was engrossing, and it was even a little scary. It reminded me much of the Kaely Quinn Profiler series from Nancy Mehl as well as Brandilyn Collins's Chelsea Adams books. I enjoyed it so much that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to any fan of gritty Christian romantic suspense...

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella (Giveaway)

8/10/2022

1 Comment

Solve the clues. Face your fears. Survive the Trials.

All Alice Liddell wants is to escape her Normal life in Oxford and find the parents who abandoned her ten years ago. But she gets more than she bargained for when her older sister Charlotte is arrested for having the infamous Wonder Gene—the key to unlocking the curious Wonderland Reality.

Soon, Alice receives a rather cryptic invitation to play for Team Heart in this year’s annual—and often deadly—Wonderland Trials. Now she has less than twenty-four hours to find her way into Wonderland where nothing is impossible . . . or what it seems.

The stakes are raised when she discovers players go missing during the Trials each year. Will she and her team solve the clues and find the missing players? Or will betrayal and distrust win, leaving Alice alone in a world of her own? Follow the White Rabbit into this topsy-turvy fantasy where players become prey, a sip of the wrong tea might as well be poison, and a queen’s ways do not always lead one where they ought to go.

Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy / Alice in Wonderland retelling
Release date: July 12, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is not the Wonderland you remember...

This, this is what fiction inspired by a long-ago novel should be! While, I have heard of Sara Ella before this was my introduction to her writing and to say I was impressed would be an understatement! I never liked the original Alice stories by Lewis Carroll and I thought the animated Disney film was OK but I loved Robin Hood and Jungle Book a lot more. However, in the last couple of years I have fallen in love with more than one YA modern interpretation inspired by the first Alice...

And The Wonderland Trials is definitely inspired by the original, only it's much better in my opinion. All the usual suspects are present and accounted for such as the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen Of Hearts, and even Dinah the cat, but they are not quite as you expect them to be...or maybe one does not expect them as they are... At any rate, the imagination, the whimsy, the magic, and the mind boggling vividness of the original is here but it has been dropped into a YA dystopian fantasy that is both familiar and yet completely new.

One of the things that truly charmed me about this first The Curious Realities book was the inclusion of British words and spellings that play homage to the original author's nationality. I caught most of them as they came by and it lent an authenticity that was truly welcome.

I enjoyed every bit of The Wonderland Trials and couldn't seem to put my e-reader down for love nor money. My only complaint isn't even really such but still...how could Sara Ella leave me hanging like that until the next The Curious Realities novel releases?! My curiosity must be satisfied! What happens next?! I have to KNOW...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella a 5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Sara

Welcome to Wonderland!

When I started this journey down the rabbit hole, I had no idea where it would lead me. From switching publishers to signing a book contract during a pandemic, this writing journey has certainly been an adventure for the books!

As with every story I write, life handed me a few trials along the way with this one. I didn’t know how it would end until a few weeks before deadline. With that time crunch came an epiphany that altered a good portion of the plot—an idea that had me scrambling to rewrite entire scenes right up until the final hours before I turned the story in to my editor. It was difficult, but the book is better for it—I am better for it.

It could be said that an author shapes the story, but I personally believe it’s equally true that the story shapes the author. Every book I have written has changed me in some way. With The Wonderland Trials, I can pinpoint three takeaways that helped me grow in ways I never expected.

I learned to not take life so seriously

We all have to do the adulting thing. We have bills to pay and homes to clean and deadlines to meet. But in the midst of all that chaos and craziness is a time to laugh. To play. To make a mess on the living room floor building Legos with my toddler or take a walk to the park.

I found myself often rushing through time with friends because I had to write or work or check more boxes off my task list. But feeling stressed and cutting friend and family time short didn’t accomplish anything. It didn’t get my book written faster. I’m not saying to put things off that need to be done—it’s important to be responsible. I am saying I learned that I have to balance work and play, and most importantly, I need to be present for those in my life.

It’s not only okay to sit back and relax now and again, it’s necessary. I need to let go of the constant to-do list and invest my time in things that bring me joy. That way, when it’s time to sit down and pound the keys, I’m filled and inspired, rather than tired and anxious.

I learned to see the beauty in found family.

They say you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. I disagree. As a girl who was raised by a stepdad who has loved me unconditionally as his own from the time I was two, I think there is something truly special about family that you find and make your own.

There have been times I’ve felt jealous of my friends who still have their biological parents around. I lost my mom in 2012 and my birth dad in 2020. I have maybe a handful of blood relatives left. I love them to bits, and I’m so grateful for them! But my family extends beyond the boundaries of blood. When I really think about it, I have family coming out of my ears and then some.

I have besties who became my soul sisters and women who stepped in as moms and grandmas. I have big brothers who would protect me with their lives and nieces and nephews I get to spoil on holidays and birthdays. As Alice says in The Wonderland Trials, “Sometimes family isn’t the one you’re born with. It’s the one you find. Or the ones who find you.”

I learned to believe in the impossible.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m the pessimist in my family. I try to see every worst-case scenario when making a decision. I ask all the what-ifs in the book. I’m like MJ in the Spider-Man movies— “If you expect disappointment, then you can never really get disappointed.”

My husband, on the other hand, has the faith of a child. When I’m lacking in faith, he’s there to remind me of all God can do. And God almost always surprises me with how He goes about doing those things. In a world with drive-thrus, mobile bank deposits, food deliveries, and every other form of instant service we can think of, the call to be patient and wait on the Lord is often forgotten.

I want answers now. I want my family member to be healed now. I want the baby we’ve been waiting over a year to adopt now. God can do the impossible, right? So why doesn’t He hurry up and do it already?

Because God is not a vending machine. And just because He chooses not to perform the miracle I want when and how I want it, that doesn’t mean he isn’t working. In fact, it’s the waiting period when God tends to do His best work on me.

More often than not, I am the impossible one, the impossible heart that needs changing. The stubborn clay that needs molding. The cracked tea cup that needs to be fixed and filled with rivers of gold. What I see as impossible to fix or change, God sees as an opportunity to help me grow. So I’ll keep believing in the impossible. After all, God took me, an impossibly helpless sinner, and made me into something new.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts and for giving this little book a chance. Happy reading, Wonders! The impossible awaits!

Sincerely,
Sara Ella

Sara Ella

Once upon a time, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a prince and live in a castle. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). When she’s not writing, Sara might be found behind her camera lens or planning her next adventure in the great wide somewhere. She is a Hufflepuff who finds joy in the simplicity of sipping a lavender white mocha and singing Disney tunes in the car. Sara is the author of the Unblemished trilogy and Coral, a reimagining of The Little Mermaid that focuses on mental health. Her latest journey into the world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland feels like coming full circle after her time spent chasing the White Rabbit around Walt Disney World. Sara loves fairy tales and Jesus, and she still believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away.” Connect with her online at SaraElla.com or find her on Instagram at @saraellawrites.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize package of
a signed Limited Edition Hardcover of The Wonderland Trials,
$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card, and $15 Starbucks Gift Card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/2038e/the-wonderland-trials-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 30
Rachael’s Inkwell, July 30
A Reader’s Brain, July 31
For Him and My Family, July 31
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1
Texas Book-aholic, August 2
Where Faith and Books Meet, August 3
Inklings and notions, August 3
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 4
deb’s Book Review, August 5
Live. Love. Read., August 5
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 7
Mary Hake, August 7
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 8
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 8
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 9
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 10
Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 10
Wishful Endings, August 11
Blogging With Carol, August 12
Rebecca Tews, August 12

1 Comment

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Off The Chain by Janice Thompson (Giveaway)

8/6/2022

7 Comments

The Town of Brenham, Texas, Has Gone to the Dogs!

Curl up with your pup and sink into a delightful small-town mystery as riddles and rescues stack up in book one of a new cozy mystery series.

Marigold Evans’ first attempt at rescuing an abandoned pooch lands her in a drainage pipe in Brenham Texas. . .and almost in jail, until Parker Jenson comes to her rescue. Then a bad day only gets worse as the Lone Star Vet Clinic, where they both work, is vandalized and the list of suspects starts to climb. With the help of her fellow employees, Marigold sets out to simultaneously solve the crime, rehab the rescued dog, and help more dogs in crisis. But why would anyone continue to work against all their good efforts?

Genre: Christian Fiction / Mystery
Release date: July 1, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Her heart has truly gone to the dogs...

It's been awhile since the last time I read a Janice Thompson book but what better way to dive back in than a charming cozy style mystery series featuring dogs of all shapes and sizes?! Off The Chain is the first book in the Gone To The Dogs Mysteries series and I must say that this first book was as adorable as the name of the series promised.

Janice Thompson's first-person narrative style was excellent and the perfect fit for Off The Chain. I fell in love with Marigold 'Mari' and all of her crazy quirks right from the start. She may be an accident waiting to happen and one step away from being arrested for...climbing around inside a sewer, errr, drainage pipe...but her antics are funny and you can't help but chuckle aloud.

The mystery in this story was light and the romance subtle allowing readers to be just as Gone To The Dogs as the fictional characters at the Lone Star Vet Clinic were. I found the entire book to be easy reading and just right for a quiet afternoon at home.

From reading Off The Chain it is obvious that the author loves dogs and has a heart for rescue and it shines through on every page. The tale is definitely entertaining but it is also a great reminder anyone can help out their local rescue(s) whether it is fostering, volunteering, attending fundraisers, or simply making a donation.

Any and all dog lovers will be charmed by the start to the Gone To The Dogs Mysteries series just as I was. There is no doubt that Janice Thompson has a really winner here! Now I have to impatiently wait for the next book to come out...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Off The Chain by Janice Thompson a 4.5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Janice

Dogs, dogs, and more dogs! My world is full of dogs. If you follow me on social media you’re probably overwhelmed with dog photos, but I simply can’t help myself. I’m in love with pooches of all shapes and sizes.

My fascination with dogs began when I was six years old and I got my first pup, Spunky. He was a mixed breed terrier. From that day until now I’ve had the pleasure of owning many, many pups—some purebreds, some street dogs that needed a safe place to stay, some elderly with chronic or acute health issues. I can’t get enough. They offer unconditional love, after all!

A few years back I was asked to foster for a local rescue, My Chi and Me. The rest, as they say, is history. For a quick glimpse at some photos, follow this link. You’ll see that I’m mostly enamored with small dogs. (Hey, I live in a tiny townhome and have limited space!) That said, I’m always willing to take on one more.

My most recent rescue ventures landed me squarely in the middle of a book idea: Why not use a dog story as the basis for a cozy mystery? My editor at Barbour Publishing wanted something dog-themed and I was happy to oblige. That’s where the idea for Off the Chain (and the whole Gone with the Dogs series) came from—a simple idea involving dogs and crime.

I took the opportunity to focus solely on rescue dogs as the idea developed. These days (especially post-Covid) the need for homes for these pups is great. I linked arms with my BFF, Kathleen Y’Barbo, and together we set our series in Brenham Texas, not far from our stomping ground in the Woodlands. I felt strongly that we should merge two separate dog worlds: rescue and veterinary. (Hey, Brenham is close to A&M and they know a thing or two about veterinary training!)

Thus, the Gone with the Dogs series was born. And writing the first book, (Off the Chain), was a blast! I hyper-focused on one primary point of view character, a vet tech. (As the owner of three dogs I feel like I’m always in the vet’s office!) My stories, which is written in first person, took me back to my writing roots. I love, love, love writing in first person because I “become” the character. Fun, right?

My editors loved the book and it got some fun endorsements, so I’m excited to see what my readers think. I can’t wait to get their feedback. I hope it’s not too “Ruff!”

But, seriously. . .I’m hyped! And I’m feeling so blessed to merge my worlds—dogs and writing!

Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson, who lives in the Houston area, writes romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, nonfiction devotionals, and musical comedies for the stage. She is the mother of four daughters and nine feisty grandchildren. When she’s not writing books or taking care of foster dogs you’ll find her in the kitchen, baking up specialty cakes and cookies.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Janice is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a paper copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/1ffe2/off-the-chain-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 26
Texas Book-aholic, July 27
The Book Club Network, July 27
An Author’s Take, July 28
Remembrancy, July 28
deb’s Book Review, July 29
Pause for Tales, July 29
The Avid Reader, July 30
For Him and My Family, July 30
Christina’s Corner, July 31
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 31
Inklings and notions, August 1
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 3
She Lives To Read, August 3
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 4
Blogging With Carol, August 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 5
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 6
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, August 7 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, August 7
Labor Not in Vain, August 8
Books I’ve Read, August 8

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Wishtress by Nadine Brandes Preorder

8/4/2022

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She didn’t ask to be the Wishtress.
He can stop time with a snap of his fingers.
They are on a journey that can only end one way: with her death.

She didn’t ask to be the Wishtress.

Myrthe was born with the ability to turn her tears into wishes. But when a granted wish goes wrong, a curse is placed on her: the next tear she sheds will kill her. She needs to journey to the Well and break the curse before it claims her life—and before the king’s militairen track her down. But in order to survive the journey, she must harden her heart to keep herself from crying even a single tear.

He can stop time with a snap of his fingers.

Bastiaan’s powerful—and rare—Talent came in handy when he kidnapped the old king. Now the new king has a job for him: find and capture the Wishtress and deliver her to the schloss. But Bastiaan needs a wish of his own. He gains Myrthe’s trust by promising to take her to the Well, but once he gets what he needs, he’ll turn her in. As long as his growing feelings for the girl with a stone heart don’t compromise his job.

They are on a journey that can only end one way: with her death.

Everyone seems to need a wish—the king, Myrthe’s cousin, the boy she thinks she loves. And they’re ready to bully, beg, and even betray her for it. No one knows that to grant even one of them, Myrthe would have to die. And if she tells them about her curse . . . they’ll just kill her anyway.

Claim Gifts

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Movie Trailer - Lifemark

8/4/2022

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Coming To Theaters September 9th

David’s comfortable world is turned upside down when his birthmother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she’s only held once. With the encouragement of his adoptive parents, David embarks on a journey of discovery that leads to a staggering truth from his past. From executive producers Kirk Cameron and the Kendrick Brothers—creators of War Room and Fireproof—comes LIFEMARK, inspired by an incredible true story that celebrates the gift of life.

#LifemarkMIN

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Just Read Blog Tour - The Epic Story Of RJ And York by Susan May Warren (Giveaway)

8/3/2022

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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Epic Story of RJ and York
by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

It’s an epic adventure across Europe, from France to Italy, to Germany and even Russia in this riveting,
fun, romantic, enthralling trilogy about true love, honor, and the cost of, well, saving the world.

The romantic trilogy ignites in book one of the Epic Story of RJ and York!

He’s not looking for trouble…
All former spy and current national security agent York Newgate wants is to propose to the woman he loves, RJ Marshall. Then they can move to Shelly, Washington, and start the calm, safe life he’s been dreaming of for over a year.
Too bad trouble doesn’t agree…
Or maybe RJ simply attracts trouble because she’s just going out for coffee when she spots a wanted, known terrorist standing in the middle of a street in Paris. At least she thinks it’s international criminal Alan Martin, the mastermind behind a plot to kill the president.
But he's in jail, right?
Wrong. Martin has escaped, and it’s up to RJ—and York—to keep him in their sights until he can be apprehended. But chasing down Martin means following him into the darkness of whatever plot he's cooked up now.
Will he ever outrun trouble to find his happy ending?
So much for York’s epic proposal. Now, he just wants to escape Europe with their lives.

Publisher: SDG Publishing
Release Date: August 9, 2022
Genre: Romantic Suspense (Clean)

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The gripping romantic adventure continues across Europe in this second installment of the Epic Story of RJ and York!

The woman he loves has vanished…
When RJ Marshall said she’d be right back, York should have objected. No, he wasn’t going to let her run off to Berlin, even if it was to save a little girl.
Only problem—she’d told him this while he was unconscious. So really, it doesn’t count, and it’s not his fault that she’s gone missing. And, he didn’t know why he expected RJ not to chase danger into trouble. But now he has to find her before criminal mastermind Alan Martin tracks her down.
She’s in over her head…
RJ didn’t mean to leave York behind, but she’s on a mission to save a little girl caught in the crossfire of Martin’s terrorist plot. Now, she’ll have to find the girl and keep her safe while leaving clues for York to follow her.
But who will catch up to her first—York, or the man with a vendetta?

Publisher: SDG Publishing
Release Date: August 16, 2022
Genre: Romantic Suspense (Clean)

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The riveting conclusion to the Epic Story of RJ and York!

Her worst nightmare has happened….
RJ refuses to believe it, and until she has proof, she’s going to keep searching for answers. And most of all, for the man she loves, even if it means diving into the past he always wanted to keep secret.
The kind of secrets that could have set York free. It’ll take a trip back to Russia, to the sketchy and dark history of York’s life to find the clues to the sinister plans of a global terrorist. And the answers that might lead her to a happy ending.
Or has it? What if her happy ending is more than a dream?
If RJ hopes to save her country—and find out the truth about York—she’ll have to become the high-action, Sydney Bristow spy that she always dreamed of being. But really, does RJ really have what it takes—with, or without the man she loves—to save the world?
And if she does…what will be the cost?

Publisher: SDG Publishing
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Genre: Romantic Suspense (Clean)

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

ALSO AVAILABLE

My Review

Out Of The Night

He wants peace, she craves adventure...

What a great start to this series! While I was not familiar with RJ and York's backstory, I was still able to dive wholeheartedly into the danger and intrigue in Out Of The Night. It was fun to see how Susan May Warren has loosely connected most of her more recent series together into one big high stakes thriller universe. And trust me, the stakes are pretty high in this book! The only question is if both RJ and York can survive long enough to save the world and work things out between them...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Out Of The Night by Susan May Warren a 4 Bark rating.

I Will Find You

Betrayal and secrets threaten them...

The international intrigue continues in I Will Find You as readers are taken on a wild ride across Europe. Trust me, when I use the word intrigue because this story is nothing but! The addition of a historical thread that ties in was unexpected but worked perfectly. My biggest problem with this book? How could Susan May Warren leave me hanging like that at the end?! Good thing I have the next book in this series because after this one I am most definitely desperate to read it...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives I Will Find You by Susan May Warren a 4 Bark rating.

No Matter The Cost

Will they complete the mission or die trying?

Well, that was quite a conclusion! Susan May Warren sure knows how to finish things of with a bang!All of the threads from the previous books in the series came together and to a head in No Matter The Cost in a pretty spectacular and riveting way that made it pretty much impossible to put my e-reader down. I HAD to know any of my suspicions about certain characters were correct or not, if the free world would be saved, and most importantly if RJ and York would finally get their happily ever after...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives No Matter The Cost by Susan May Warren a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of all three books from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Susan May Warren

With over 1.5 million books sold, critically acclaimed USA Today best-selling novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas.
Connect with Susan by visiting susanmaywarren.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive a paperback set of The Epic Story of RJ and York trilogy.

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below.
Giveaway began at midnight August 2, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 9, 2022.
US only. Items may vary from image. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

3 Comments

WORD Wednesday - August 3rd, 2022

8/3/2022

0 Comments

Reading Challenge: 12 Books Recommended by 12 Readers - August

8/2/2022

1 Comment

August

It's time to reveal my eighth book for this reading challenge. It was recommended to me by Kristen.
I am still looking for recommendations so comment below!

1 Comment

Reading Challenge: 12 Books Recommended by 12 Readers - July

8/1/2022

0 Comments

July

It may be quite a bit late but it's time to reveal my seventh book for this reading challenge.*
It was recommended to me by Tammy.
I am still looking for recommendations so comment below!

*Book was read in the month of July.

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Just Read Blog Tour - Escape Route by Tanya Stowe (Giveaway)

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Epic Book Launch - Into The Fog by Karen Randau

Excerpt from Into The Fog

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Gold Rush Bride Caroline by Linda Shenton Matchett (Giveaway)

Interview with Linda

More from Linda

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Book Review - The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip
by Sara Brunsvold

Throwback Thursday August 11th, 2022 (Ties That Bind)

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella (Giveaway)

More from Sara

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Off The Chain by Janice Thompson (Giveaway)

More from Janice

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Blog Stops

Wishtress by Nadine Brandes Preorder

She didn’t ask to be the Wishtress.
He can stop time with a snap of his fingers.
They are on a journey that can only end one way: with her death.

Movie Trailer - Lifemark

Coming To Theaters September 9th

Just Read Blog Tour - The Epic Story Of RJ And York by Susan May Warren (Giveaway)

It's Time For A Giveaway!

WORD Wednesday - August 3rd, 2022

Reading Challenge: 12 Books Recommended by 12 Readers - August

August

Reading Challenge: 12 Books Recommended by 12 Readers - July

July

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Excerpt from Into The Fog

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Interview with Linda

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The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kipby Sara Brunsvold

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It's Time For A Giveaway!

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​She didn’t ask to be the Wishtress.He can stop time with a snap of his fingers.​They are on a journey that can only end one way: with her death.

Coming To Theaters September 9th

It's Time For A Giveaway!

August

July

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Follow Us

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Archives

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The Extraordinary Deaths Of Mrs. Kip
by Sara Brunsvold

She didn’t ask to be the Wishtress.
He can stop time with a snap of his fingers.
They are on a journey that can only end one way: with her death.