Winners!

It's Friday! Time for another Winner's Post. I love doing giveaways for great new titles and I know that you like them too. This week we have several winners. Please remember that I am not responsible for publishers who do not send out their prizes. I will help as much as I can, but I cannot make guarantees. Winners will be notified today and publishers will be notified no later than Monday. I want to thank everyone for participating and also for making my transition back into blogging an very enjoyable experience. Now for the good stuff...

The Cat, the Mill and the Murder by Leann Sweeney
Winner: Rachelle Lerner

Killer in Crinolines by Duffy Brown
Winner: Theresa Norris

Jack Absolute by C.C. Humphreys
Winner: bn100

The Begonia Bribe by Alyse Carlson
Winner: Emma

The Sleeping Salesman Enquiry by Ann Purser
Winner: Madonna Dolin

Ours to Love by Shayla Black
Winner: June






Thanks everyone!

Review: That Certain Summer

That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Imprint: Revell
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0800722493
ISBN-13: 978-0800722494

(Received for an honest review from Revell)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook, IndieBound

Irene Hannon on the WEB: Webpage, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Excerpt from That Certain Summer, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

Two very different sisters . . . an unexpected homecoming . . . one unforgettable summer
Karen and Val are family--yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had other reasons for moving away--as well as a secret to keep--and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke.

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with past mistakes as they care for their ailing mother. When two handsome men enter the picture, the summer takes on a surprising new dimension. As their lives intersect, can each of them learn how to forgive, let go, and move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

With her trademark compelling characters and heartwarming hope, award-winning author Irene Hannon pens an inspiring true-to-life tale of complex relationships, the search for forgiveness, and the life-changing process of finding love.

Thoughts:

Christian romantic suspense author Irene Hannon brings reader a different kind of reading experience with her latest title, That Certain Summer. Hannon branches out with her newest offering, giving readers a look into the complex relationships between sisters. Hannon provides heart-warming characters, a bit of romance and as always a message of hope and faith that shines in every book she writes.

Irene Hannon is most usually known for her intense Christian romantic suspense novels. She has two series' that I am particularly fond of, The Heroes of Quantico series and the Guardians of Justice series. But her latest novel, That Certain Summer is a departure from her normal riveting, suspenseful style. Hannon uses a more relaxed approach with this book giving readers a chance to see that she can write more than just suspense. 

The relationship between the two sisters, Val and Karen is written with such detail and care that readers will find themselves nostalgic with memories of their own family members and situations where forgiveness and understanding were needed. Hannon does a wonderful job of expressing the kind of responsibility that care-givers are faced with when caring for an ailing parent. She does not show it as a burden, but as a kind of joy. I loved the way she allowed readers to see into the hearts of these two women, what they needed from each other and from themselves.

Hannon's trademark romantic style sits well with this story as well. Both women are not only looking to each other and God for wisdom as they deal with their mothers illness, but they are also starting to have romantic feelings toward the two new men in their lives. The combination of faith and romance has always intrigued me and I think that Hannon shows that both have their place and that together they can make something beautiful. I liked the romantic aspect of the book very much and I thought it played well against the message that Hannon was trying to convey. Faith and love and the greatest of these is love...

I look forward to seeing Hannon write more titles that are not necessarily suspenseful. She proves with this book that she has the scope and versatility to pull if off with grace and style. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of over forty books, including more than two dozen contemporary romance novels and the Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have garnered many honors, including two RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, and two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. In addition, Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri.

Interview and Giveaway: Tammy Falkner

Please join me in welcoming Tammy Falkner to Debbie's Book Bag today. Tammy is here promoting her book, The Magic of I Do, the second book in the Regency Faery series. Tammy is going to answer a few questions for us today. Please see the end of the post for your chance to win the first book in the Regency Faery series, A Lady and Her Magic.

DEB: Tammy, tell us a little bit about yourself.
TF: I am mom of two boys – 18 and 9.  Been married to my own hero **cough, cough** pain in the ass **cough, cough** for the past 20 years.  I like him most days. Love him like crazy the rest.

DEB: You are here today promoting your book, The Magic of I Do. What was your inspiration for this book?
TF: I had already written Lycans and vampyres in Regency England. So, I started thinking about all the other creatures that might live and work in time period. Faeries came to mind, and they worked out for me!

DEB: Is it a part of a series, or a single title?
TF: This is part of a series.  A LADY AND HER MAGIC came out last fall. And THE MAGIC BETWEEN US will be out in January.

DEB: How is writing solo as compared to a duo? Easier or harder? Pros and Cons?
TF: HARDER!  Much harder!  There’s no one pushing me to produce pages, so I tend to go much slower.

DEB: What was your reaction when you found out your first book would be published?
TF: I can remember it like it was yesterday.  Ava Stone called me because we’d sold the first of the Lydia Dare books.  I think I said, “You have to be kidding me.” (Except I used a word my mom would shake a finger at me over and say, “Tammy…” (Heavy sigh)

DEB: What do you read when you have the chance to read for pleasure? Do you have a favorite author?
TF: I do. I have recently fallen in love with YA and the new adult genre.  Colleen Hoover’s SLAMMED is a particular favorite.

DEB: Tell us something about yourself that readers may not know.
TF: I am a vegetarian who lives a low carb lifestyle. It’s not easy! :-)

DEB: What advice do you have for new writers?
TF:  I always suggest that new writers join RWA.  I honestly wouldn’t be published now if I hadn’t joined, and the friendships I have made there will last forever. There’s a wealth of knowledge in my home group, and I have never had problems finding people at all stages of the publishing process who are eager to share knowledge with me.

DEB: What are you working on right now?
TF: I just finished THE MAGIC BETWEEN US, and now I’m working on a New Adult novel.  I can’t wait to show it to everyone!  (The cover and first chapter are on my website – www.tammyfalkner.com.)

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of A Lady and Her Magic by Tammy Falkner.

~You must be a GFC follower or an EMAIL subscriber to participate.

~US and Canadian addresses only (publisher request)

~The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, June 20th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on this post.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: The Magic of I Do

The Magic of I Do (Regency Faery - Book 2) by Tammy Falkner

Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Casablanca
Genre: Historical Paranormal
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 1402268157
ISBN-13: 978-1402268151

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Tammy Falkner on the WEB: Webpage, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the Series:

A Lady and Her Magic (2012), The Magic of I Do (2013)

Coverart: Click on the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from The Magic of I Do, courtesy of author's website.

Synopsis:

Rules Are Made to be Disobeyed...

Sophia Thorne is new to the Regency's glittering high society, which resembles her magical homeland only insofar as both places are filled with ridiculous rules. Which means no matter where she goes, she's bound for trouble...

And Scandals Are Meant to be Shocking...

The Duke of Robinsworth has flaunted and shocked society for years. In a moment of fateful mischief, Robinsworth encounters the enchanting and distinctly scandalous Sophia. Between her streak of magical mischief and his penchant for scandal, they're about to take rule-breaking to a whole new level...

Thoughts:

Tammy Falkner's Regency Faery series continues with, The Magic of I Do, the second book in the series. Falkner has a wonderful grasp of the Regency period and uses her historical knowledge with a deft hand in this series. The combination of history and magic makes for an intriguing plot line and an unforgettable heroine. Falkner blends the paranormal with the historical convincingly and with great passion. 

The Magic of I Do is wonderful addition to this series. Lydia Dare has always been a favorite of mine and I was extremely excited when I found out that Tammy was doing this series on her own. The first book in the series, A Lady and her Magic was a fantastic book and I was skeptical that she could top it with the second book in the series. I'm happy to say she proved me wrong. I thought I liked the first one, but the second one blew me away. I can't wait to see where she takes this series next. 

It's not always easy to blend two very different genres together, but Falkner does it with ease. Every little girl believes in magic at some point in her life, whether it's the fairy tales they hear as children or that magic day when they walk down the aisle. Falkner brings back that feeling of magic in this series in such a way that the reader will be reminiscing about magic days gone by. I loved the way Falkner welded her own magic wand by combining both history and the paranormal to provide readers with a great experience in both.

There were several things that I really enjoyed about this book including it's unpredictable heroine Claire. She was definitely one of a kind. She had a lot spunk and she knew how to have fun. When the rules didn't quite suit her in the Fae world, she knew where she could find a party, the Regency world. I thought Falkner did a great job of making Claire seem a little superficial at first, but showed her depth and her heart as the plot played out. 

Finn was also a one of the kind hero. I liked his attitude and his sense of enchantment. I liked the fact that he didn't have all the answers, but he kept trying. He didn't give up and it all worked out in the end. I love a good happy ever after and I think Falkner did this one with style. I look forward to reading more from this author and I can't recommend this one enough. It's a great addition to the series and stands on it's own with a little bit of magic and whole lot of talent.

The Magic of I Do is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

See my interview with Tammy Falkner for a chance to win the first book in the series, A Lady and Her Magic.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Tammy Falkner lives on a farm in a lovely, sprawling little town in rural NC with her beekeeper husband and a house full of boys, a few dogs, and a cat or two (or five - who has time to count?). As half of the Lydia Dare team, she has co-written ten books, including the Westfield Wolves series and the Gentlemen Vampyre series. A huge fan of Regency England, she often wonders what other kinds of magical, mythical and strange creatures might live and interact within the ton. Exploring the theory that the fae can walk between Regency England and their own land, Tammy spends as much time as possible with the lords and ladies of society, horse-drawn carriages, and elegant balls. Now add to that some faeries, a little murder, a bit of mayhem, and a troublesome garden gnome, and you have her exciting new series. She hopes you enjoys her world as much as she does.

Review and Giveaway: Mayhem at the Orient Express

Mayhem at the Orient Express (League of Literary Ladies - Book 1) by Kylie Logan

Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 04205257754
ISBN-13: 978-04205257753

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Kylie Logan AKA Casey Daniels on the WEB: Webpage, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Synopsis:

At a local Chinese restaurant, it's the owner who gets taken out...

Most folks aren't forced by court order to attend a library-book discussion group, but that's just what happens to B and B proprietor and ex-Manhattanite Bea Cartwright, hippy cat lover Chandra Morrisey, and winery owner Kate Wilder after a small-town magistrate has had enough of their squabbling. South Bass, an island on Lake Erie, is home to an idyllic summer resort, but these three ladies keep disturbing the peace.

The initial book choice is Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, and that sets their mouths to watering. The Orient Express is the island's newest Chinese restaurant. They might not agree about much, but the ladies all love the orange chicken on the menu. But their meal is spoiled when the restaurant's owner, Peter Chan, has the bad fortune of getting murdered. Now, with Christie as their inspiration, the League of Literary Ladies has a real mystery to solve…if they can somehow catch a killer without killing each other first.

Thoughts:

Kylie Logan, a popular cozy mystery writer with many pseudonyms, scores once again with the first in a new series, called the League of Literary Ladies. Mayhem at the Orient Express is the first book in the new series and introduces readers to three amateur sleuths who aren't brought together by friendship, but by adversity. Logan's strong characters and great sense of place and setting makes this a must read for cozy fans.

The first mysteries that I ever read as a teenager were  Agatha Christie classics, including Murder on the Orient Express. I loved the fact that Kylie Logan pays homage to Christie in her latest book. The League of Literary Ladies is such a good concept. I really liked the idea of putting three not so good friends together. The fact that it was court appointed made it even better. When the ladies choose one of Agatha's books as a starter, was just good writing by Logan. I loved the idea.

I also was very intrigued with the setting for this one. An island off Lake Erie, sounded like an exotic type setting but not too eccentric. I liked the atmosphere that Logan created. She gave her characters a lot to work with, with the townspeople and the touristy feel she sets up in the first book. It may be off the beaten path, but South Bass is still a small town. The idea of the magistrate making the ladies form a book club in order to keep the peace was ingenious. 

Arguably the best part of this book though, would have to be the characters. The three main heroines are very different from each other and their differences are causing some problems in this small community. I thought each lady brought something different to the team, when they finally got past their obstacles and started working together to solve the crime. 

The mystery aspect of the book was well written as any book by this author usually is. I loved her Pepper Martin series written as Casey Daniels. Her other series under the Kylie Logan name, the Button Box mysteries was not my favorite, but I can definitely see potential with this one. It has a good premise, promising characters and a lot of things going for it. 

Mayhem at the Orient Express is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag

About the Author:

Casey Daniels has a degree in English, experience as a journalist and writing teacher, and lots of ideas for more Pepper Martin mysteries. When she's not writing, she's usually with her family and two dogs, Ernie, an adorable Airedale pup, and Oscar, a rescued Jack Russell who spends far too much time watching TV. Daniels enjoys knitting, gardening and of course, stomping through cemeteries in search of history, stories and inspiration.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Mayhem at the Orient Express.

~You must be a GFC follower or an Email Subscriber to participate.
~US addresses only (publisher request)
~The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, 
June 19th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on this post. 
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review and Giveaway: Bled and Breakfast

Bled & Breakfast (Immortality Bites Mystery - Book 6) by Michelle Rowen

Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Obsidian
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 0451239962
ISBN-13: 978-0451239969

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Michelle Rowen on the WEB: Webpage, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the Series:

Bitten and Smitten (2006), Fanged and Fabulous (2007), Lady & the Vamp (2008), Stakes & Stilettos (2009), Tall, Dark & Fangsome (2009), Bled & Breafast (2013)

Coverart: Click on the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Synopsis:

Fledgling vampire Sarah Dearly knew what she was getting into when she married master vampire Thierry de Bennicoeur. As an agent of the Ring, Thierry is sent all over the world to solve vampire crimes and keep them secret from humans. And now Sarah's on the job with him - for better or worse.
Right after their wedding in Las Vegas, Sarah and Thierry get their next assignment: Three vampires have gone missing in Salem, Massachusetts, and they need to find out why. Their contact in Salem turns out to be a local lothario with a penchant for witches, but before he can help them, he suddenly goes up in smoke - leaving behind nothing but a stain on the ground and a seemingly impossible mystery.

Did a witchy ex-mistress cast a deadly spell, or is there something even more sinister happening to the vampires of Salem? Getting to the truth may require raising the undead, with a little help from the owners of a vampire-friendly bed and breakfast. But uncovering Salem's darkest secrets may drag some of Thierry's own past into the light.

Thoughts:

Michelle Rowen is well known for her paranormal and urban fantasy writing. But the release of Bled & Breakfast is the sixth novel in her paranormal cozy mystery series, Immortality Bites. There are many categories that split off of any genre. From the mystery genre we get cozies, which a little less graphic than most mysteries, but there are also sub-categories of cozies. This series is a paranormal cozy mystery. Quite a mouth full, huh? Rowen is a master at weaving all those categories together. 

Bled & Breakfast has a very paranormal feel yet it has everything most cozy readers love in a good mystery as well. A murder, lots of clues to figure out, a plethora of suspects and motives. The difference is basically that the characters are vampires as opposed to normal everyday townspeople. It could actually be considered a cross-over novel that will pull in both paranormal fans and cozy mystery fans. Since I like both, it's a good mix for me. 

Another thing I really liked about this particular book in the series was the fact that they gave this book a cover change. The cover for this one is more a cartoon type cover that is very popular right now, where as, the older covers were very plain and featured realistic people. I thought this was a good change and fits the feel of the series more adequately. I hope they continue with these types of covers.

The setting for this one was of particular interest to me, being a major history buff. Salem, Massachusetts is most usually known for it's ties to the Salem witch trials. Bled & Breakfast uses the witchcraft aspect, but adds to it, a bunch of vampires trying to solve a murder. I thought it was ingenious how, Rowen was able to blend both concepts together so effortlessly. I thought it was a great way to add even a fourth element like history into the mix.

Rowen is a very versatile author and this particular series is well written and full of good characters. I like the mystery aspect of Bled & Breakfast and thought Rowen did a fantastic job of melding all of these different categories together. A great addition to an already well done series.

Bled & Breakfast is available TODAY from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

National bestselling author Michelle Rowen writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult fantasy. She was the winner of the 2007 Holt Medallion for Best First Book and the 2009 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Vampire Romance. Michelle also writes YA high fantasy as Morgan Rhodes.Michelle lives in Southern Ontario

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Bled & Breakfast.

~You must be a GFC follower or Email subscriber to participate.
~US addresses only (publisher request)
~The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, June 18th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on this post. 
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review and Giveaway: Looming Murder

Looming Murder (Weaving Mystery - Book 1) by Carol Ann Martin

Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Obsidian
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 0451413601
ISBN-13: 978-0451413604

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Carol Ann Martin on the WEB: Goodreads

Synopsis:

LOOM WITH A VIEW 
Della Wright has come to peaceful and picturesque Briar Hollow, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to realize her lifelong dream of owning a weaving studio. To promote her new business, Dream Weavers, Della is offering weaving workshops for all levels of ability. In her first class, she meets half a dozen of the town's colorful characters, who seem as eager to gossip as to learn how to work a loom.

But when a shady local businessman is found murdered, Briar Hollow suddenly appears a lot less idyllic. And when one of her weaving students is suspected of the crime, Della can't help getting entangled in the investigation - with some help from her criminologist friend, Matthew. But can she weave together clues as well as she weaves together yarn - and stop a killer from striking again?

Thoughts:

First in a new series from author Carol Ann Martin, Looming Death focuses on amateur sleuthing and weaving. Cozy mysteries come in all shapes and sizes so to speak, and every occupation you can think of. Martin succeeds in providing an alternative profession for her heroine, by making her a weaver, instead of a baker or any other typical cozy business. It's debatable whether Della Wright is in the right place or the wrong place when murder occurs Briar Hollow. But she definitely up to the challenge for figuring out those clues.

Carol Ann Martin is apparently new to cozy sub-genre. I was unable to find out very much information about her, but I am impressed with the first book in this series. Most authors starting out a new series spend an inordinate amount of time, just setting up what's to come. They tend to focus too much on letting the reader in on who everyone is and how they are connected and sometimes the actual story takes a beating in the process. Martin was able to avoid that pitfall by providing a good balance between the back story of the series and the mystery of this particular book. Her clues, suspects, motives an other necessary ingredients were spot on. She gave enough time to each aspect of the mystery, but still gave it her own spin. I think Martin scores a real hit with this one.

As many of you know, I love crafting of just about every kind. I am an avid cook and cross-stitcher as well as a reader. I have tried a lot of different kinds of crafts and I have always thought I would like to learn to weave. I once worked for a friend of mine who owns a wool mill and I have always enjoyed the idea of looms and working with the wool after it's been carded and dyed. So this book was right up my alley. Especially with the weaving tips in the back of the book. The book was very well written and I loved all the information about weaving. It was a great book.

Della Wright is such a good heroine. I liked everything about her. Her sense of helping those around her and wanting to do the right thing. Matthew her friend is actually her police connection, so to speak, since he is a criminologist. I liked his attitude and the way he helped Della to figure out what she was finding. For an amateur she did a great job figuring it all out. I liked the way she observed and put her thoughts together. I think she will develop into a great heroine. Martin has a lot of potential to work with here. I look forward to seeing where she takes it.

A great first book!

Looming Murder will be available tomorrow from your favorite bookseller. 

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Carol Ann Martin is an author and former television personality who divides her time between San Diego and the Canadian coast. She lives with her husband and an ever expanding collection of dogs. When she is not writing Carol Ann enjoys baking and beekeeping.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Looming Murder by Carol Ann Martin.

~You must be a GFC follower or Email subscriber to participate.
~US addresses only (publisher request)
~The deadline for entering this giveaway is Midnight EST, June 17th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on this post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.