Blog Tour Stop: The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Imprint: Bethany House
Genre: Christian/Inspiration Historical Romance
Pages: 432
ISBN-10: 076421070X
ISBN-13: 978-0764210709

(Received for an honest review from TLC Book Tours)

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

Julie Klassen on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, goodreads

Excerpt from, The Dancing Master, courtesy of Scribd via the author's website.

Synopsis:

Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul--and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master--a man her mother would never approve of--but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village...and to her mother's tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.

Blog Tour Schedule:

Monday, January 6th:  A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, January 7th:  Reviews from the Heart

Wednesday, January 8th:  Books in the Burbs

Thursday, January 9th:  Christian Bookshelf Reviews

Thursday, January 9th:  Worthy 2 Read

Monday, January 13th:  Let Them Read Books – review

Tuesday, January 14th:  Let Them Read Books – interview/giveaway

Wednesday, January 15th:  Luxury Reading

Thursday, January 16th:  Kahakai Kitchen

Monday, January 20th:  Lavish Bookshelf

Tuesday, January 21st:  Melina’s Book Reviews

Wednesday, January 22nd:  Broken Teepee

Thursday, January 23rd:  Bookfoolery

Monday, January 27th:  WV Stitcher

Tuesday, January 28th:  Deb’s Book Bag

Wednesday, January 29th:  The Overweight Bookshelf

Thursday, January 30th:  Mom in Love with Fiction

Thoughts:

Julie Klassen's latest release, The Dancing Master is a novel that historical romance and Christian fiction enthusiasts alike will come to love. The impeccable research and a well delivered plot, of this novel will endear fans quickly to Klassen's writing style. She is able to evoke feelings of nostalgia, and makes several nods to some of the great writers like Jane Austen. The Dancing Master is a feast for the senses as Klassen's descriptions show a lot of attention to detail. A great novel, but a wonderful novelist!

What I liked:

Julie Klassen's novels have always been favorites of mine. Most Christian/Inspirational books come in a series or trilogy. Klassen however has always done single titles which shows a lot of confidence in her ability to bring her characters to life. She only has one shot and she certainly makes the best of it. She doesn't have to rely on perhaps doing better with the next book in the series. It's often a refreshing change in the genre.

It is obvious that Klassen does a lot of research for her books. She has the time period and the customs down to a science. There was not one slip in character or in the dialogue from how characters who actually lived in the time would act or what they would say. Klassen does a remarkable job of transporting the reader back in time and does not break from that time long past until the book finishes. A great fete for any author.

I loved Alec Valcourt as the hero in this book. I know that many of the leading families during this time period made sure that their children were taught all of the necessary graces of which dancing and music were one. I liked that Alec had an unusual profession and a heart of gold. He is trying to establish himself in a new place because of the ruin of his father, but he also still trying to live his dreams as well. I thought he was insightful and brave to take the stands that he did against the leading family of Beaworthy who did not allow dancing. Such a great character.

I also very much enjoyed the mystery behind why dancing was not allowed and how that played into the story. It gave it a unique and original feel that is sometimes lacking in historical romance. The themes can get a bit predictable, and I thought The Dancing Master stood out as different and fresh.

What I didn't like:

Unfortunately, there were a few things I didn't like about this one. And one of them happened to be the heroine. Julia Midwinter, just did not sit well with me. She was somewhat unlikable. Though she did improve under the watchful eye of Alec, she was still a bit simpering. I just did not connect with her at all. That's a rare thing for me.

The Christian/Inspirational message that is usually the underlying theme of books of this kind was all but missing in this one. What few references there were to it seemed a bit contrived and not essential to the story line. That's something I have never seen in a Julie Klassen novel before, so that was a bit surprising.

Bottom Line:

I was a little disappointed with some aspects of the book and delighted with others. I wanted more of a faith message and I did not like the heroine, but the research in this novel was unparalleled and Klassen has such a way with description. Don't take my word for it... read it and see!

The Dancing Master is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

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

About the Author:

Three-time Christy Award winner Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Learn more at www.julieklassen.com.

Guest Post and Giveaway: Tammy Faulkner

Please join me in welcoming Tammy Falkner to Debbie's Book Bag, today. Tammy is here promoting her book, The Magic Between Us, the third book in the Faerie series. Tammy is guest posting about how she develops her characters. Enjoy! The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Magic Between Us, see details at the end of the post. 

How I Developed My Characters 

When I started to write this series, I knew I had three displaced siblings – Marcus, Sophia and Claire. I knew they were born to a human and a faerie, and that they had inherited the faerie genes.  Because of this, they were taken by the fae, along with the memories of them.  The fae took them back to the fae realm where they were raised by their grandparents.

Their mother fell in love with a British noble when she was on a mission. She gave up her fae life to marry him.  She knew the risk of marrying of a human and she knew that she would lose any fae children she bore.  Her hope was that her magic would be enough to keep her children with her.  She left a token with each child so that he or she could find his or her way back to them in the event that they did get taken.

For years, their lives went on and they had more children who were human and they lived in blissful ignorance that they had lost three children.

That’s all I knew when I started out.  Then I knew the first line of Sophia’s book, A LADY AND HER MAGIC.  It was “If the Duke of Robinsworth had known it would be so difficult raising a daughter alone, he never would have killed his wife.” Since I’m not a plotter, I had no idea of what would happen past that.  Sophia was a mission faerie and the duke had a daughter who needed her help. 

At the end of A LADY AND HER MAGIC, I knew it was Claire’s turn for a story, since Lord Phineas had taken her hostage at his brother’s request.  And so was born THE MAGIC OF “I DO.” 

Then came Marcus.  And Marcus just had a need to please his human family, which he’d just found.  He left his lifelong love, and that created THE MAGIC BETWEEN US.


That’s how the faerie stories were born!  Now add in some magic, a troublesome garden gnome named Ronald, and some murder and mayhem and you have my faerie series.  I hope you enjoy them!

If you would like to see my review of The Magic Between Us, just click here.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Magic Between Us by Tammy Falkner.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 11th.

1. Please leave a comment describing another fae series that you enjoy reading.

2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review and Giveaway: Tapestry of Lies

Tapestry of Lies (Weaving Mystery - Book 2) by Carol Ann Martin

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Obsidian Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 045141361X
ISBN-13: 978-0451413611

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian Mystery)

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

Carol Ann Martin (aka. Monique Domovitch) on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Looming Murder (2013), Tapestry of Lies (2014)

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

Excerpt from, Tapestry of Lies, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

SHEAR MURDER
 
Della Wright can’t believe her luck when celebrity designer Bunny Boyd walks into her weaving studio in small-town Briar’s Hollow, North Carolina, with a large custom fabric order. Bunny needs materials for her latest design project: Bernard Whitby’s mansion. Bernard is Briar Hollow’s resident millionaire, and Della soon discovers that Bunny has designs on the man as well as his house. And he’s happy to have a celebrity at his side when he announces his candidacy for governor.
 
But the buzz surrounding Bernard’s announcement is quickly overshadowed by the murder of a local coffee shop owner. When her good friend Jenny becomes one of the suspects, Della decides to unravel the mystery. But she’ll have to work fast—before she gets tangled in a killer’s clutches.

Thoughts:

Weavers and cozy mystery enthusiasts alike will enjoy Carol Ann Martin's second book in her Weaving Mystery series, Tapestry of Lies. Readers who know something about the loom will enjoy the interesting details about weaving and tapestries, and cozy fans will be on the edge of their seats trying to figure out who did McDermott in. With plenty of suspects and some compromising photos popping up, Della and the Dream Weaver gang will get to the bottom of whodunit or else!

What I liked:

I enjoyed the first book in this series, Looming Murder and was looking forward to reading Tapestry of Lies. In the first book there was a huge amount of interesting facts and terms related to weaving that were a bit daunting for a reader who had no previous knowledge of anything to do with this hobby. In Tapestry of Lies, there is still information on the subject but it comes in a lot more easily digested morsels. It was bit less overkill, which made the book even more entertaining and fun to read.

The real focus on this one was the mystery itself, which is so important in this genre. The amateur sleuths career and background is important as well, but should not be the main emphasis of the story. When someone picks up a cozy, they want the mystery and Carol Ann Martin delivers with this one. Della gets her purse switched with Mrs. McDermott who owns the coffee shop with her husband Mr. McDermott. When Della goes to switch them back she finds Mr. McDermott dead and Jenny is soon a suspect. So Della is on the case. 

Martin does a wonderful job of getting Della involved in the case. I liked the fact that she took a simple misunderstanding like two women having the same purse and turns it into an opportunity to find a murder victim. The simplest things turn into a mystery where this author is concerned and that is extremely entertaining. I wasn't exactly sure how Bunny Boyd and the tapestry she ordered for the Whitby house was going to take a turn for the worst but Martin certainly pulled it off.

It seems that Mr. McDermott had a penchant for photography. The problem was his subject matter. I liked the fact that there were several suspects, including Jenny, which gave Della a good reason to investigate. I thought I had it pinned down a time or two but thanks to some twists and turns and few red herrings Martin had me stumped until close to the end.

I also enjoyed learning more about Della's relationship with Matthew. A friendship that is slowly, slowly starting to become more. I'm glad Martin wasn't too quick on the draw with them. I think the slow pace is endearing and will make their relationship all the more satisfying when it does happen. I have to admit I love Winston, Matthew's dog. He really adds a bit of comic relief and a reason for Matthew to continue to see Della. He is a great plot device and fun to read about.

What I didn't like:

There were a few moments in this book where the pacing was a bit off. It was like things slowed down to crawl and then sped back up really quickly. I prefer a steady pace or at least a building momentum and a I felt like Tapestry of Lies suffered a bit from the ups and downs. 

Bottom Line:

I enjoyed the tidbits about weaving much better in this book than the first in the series. Tapestry of Lies has a few pacing issues but nothing to strongly dissuade reading it. All in all there is a lot of potential in the series and I liked this one a lot. I'm looking forward to seeing where Martin goes with the series next. P.S... I hope she adds more of Winston!

Tapestry of Lies is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 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 Tapestry of Lies by Carol Ann Martin.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 10th.

1. Please leave a comment about your experiences with weaving of any kind.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review and Giveaway: River of Dreams

River of Dreams (Nine Kingdoms - Book 8) by Lynn Kurland

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 0425262820
ISBN-13: 978-0425262825

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)

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

Lynn Kurland on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Star of the Morning (2006), The Mage's Daughter (2008), Princess of the Sword (2009), A Tapestry of Spells (2010), Spellweaver (2010), Gift of Magic (2011), Dreamspinner (2012), River of Dreams (2014)

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

Excerpt from, River of Dreams, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland returns to her enchanting Nine Kingdoms saga as the epic adventure of a weaver and an elven prince continues…

Aisling of Bruadair is frantic to find both the truth about her future and a mercenary to save her country. When an offer of aid comes from an unexpected direction, she is relieved her quest is almost complete. But she soon realizes her task is far from over . . . and will include perils she never dreamed she would ever face.

Rùnach of Ceangail has offered to help Aisling with her quest, then he fully intends to take up his life as a simple swordsman far from magic and evil mages. Unfortunately, a chance finding of a book of indecipherable spells tells him that an ordinary life is never going to be his--especially when he realizes that the book he has in his hands belongs to a black mage who will stop at nothing to have it back.

With time running out, Rùnach and Aisling must solve what seem to be unrelated mysteries before others find those answers first and plunge the Nine Kingdoms into a darkness it will never recover from  . . .

Thoughts:

Author Lynn Kurland continues her Nine Kingdoms series with her latest book, River of Dreams. This is a fantasy novel that will draw readers in with Kurland's phenomenal powers of description and superb world building skills. A mix of both romance and magic, this is a tale of woman trying desperately to save her kingdom and an elven prince who joins her quest. It is a journey of self-discovery and most of the weaving and welding of magic in a magical land.
A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

This was my first experience reading a Lynn Kurland novel. Though I had seen the Nine Kingdom series around I had never had the opportunity to review one of the novels before. I was excited, being a fan of high fantasy in general and magic in the extreme. I certainly was not disappointed. Kurland has gift for description that doesn't often come along. She can put words together that seem to flow like poetry. This book is worth reading just based on that. If you love words and how the can bring to life scenes that you may never have seen before, this book is amazing. Kurland is a skilled wordsmith. 

Another things that really stands out about River is Dreams is the world building. Fantasy and Science Fiction writers have either a challenge or a curse when it comes to dreaming up and writing about worlds that the reader has never heard of or that don't exist. They can either be horrible at it or very good at, as Kurland is. I haven't read the other books in the series, but it obvious from reading this one that Kurland has created a world based on magic and magical principles. It doesn't work like our world and wasn't meant to. The people and even the objects don't operate as most readers would expect them to and that can be frustrating if you are not a fantasy enthusiast. But I think Kurland did a fantastic job of bringing Aisling and Runach's world to life. 

Aisling was an interesting character. She was very strong and courageous, but she had a lot of self-doubt. She was vulnerable where Runach was concerned. She didn't feel worthy or important enough to be with him and that give their relationship the needed conflict the story hinged on. What I thought was interesting was that she did not have a concept of how she was able to do what she did, how she got her abilities or why she had them. That was another angle of the story that was not only captivating but riveting. Kurland character development in Aisling's case was circumspect but very clever.

Runach was a wonderful hero. He had been stripped of his magic but it is easy to tell that he had a commanding presence, a regal bearing that was unmistakable. He is prince in hiding, who wants nothing more than to be left alone as a simple swordsman, but he is drawn to Aisling and her quest to save her country. I thought he was sensitive and thoughtful in regard to her and he knew she was special even if she didn't know it herself.

Fantasy titles are generally light on the romance, but this book had that romantic element that is often times missing. I liked the relationship between Aisling and Runach and thought it developed at a steady pace and did not seem rushed or too vague. Kurland was able to tell the story of their love without a lot of "colorful metaphors" (strong language), or vulgarity. I really appreciated that and I think readers will as well. These two characters were obviously made for each other, though it took them awhile to get there.

This book was in itself a tale of self-discovery for the main characters. I liked Kurland's take on finding one's place in the world and how we all play a part in how things turn out. We have a destiny. That was cool.

What I didn't like:

I think it took a bit too long for Aisling to discover exactly who she was. Not only for the other characters to know but for herself. I'm not always fond of a character who is self-deprecating or down on themselves. But Kuland does turn that around and brings the character full circle to the point that she sees her worth and value, so in the end it's not really a criticism.

Bottom Line:

Fantasy fans you don't want to miss this one. Romance readers, this is an example of a good clean romance that is set in a magical world. Lovers of words and descriptions, this novel is truly magical. 

River of Dreams is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

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

About the Author:

Lynn Kurland is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels and short stories, including All For You, One Magic Moment, One Enchanted Evening, Till There Was You and the bestselling Nine Kingdoms series.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of River of Dreams by Lynn Kurland.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 10th.

1. Please leave a comment describing your interest in fantasy, your favorite fantasy authors or something related to fantasy.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review and Giveaway: A Chorus Lineup

A Chorus Lineup (Glee Club Mystery - Book 3) by Joelle Charbonneau

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425252493
ISBN-13: 978-0425252499

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

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

Joelle Charbonneau on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Murder of Choir (2012), End Me a Tenor (2013), A Chorus Lineup (2014)

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

Excerpt from, A Chorus Lineup, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

Paige Marshall is back in the spotlight in Joelle Charbonneau’s newest Glee Club Mystery. This time the high school show choir coach is fighting to keep her singers in a national competition despite charges of sabotage…
 
They have the talent. They have the heart. Nothing can stop Prospect Glen’s choir from taking home the trophy in the Show Choir National Competition. But below the soaring voices, there are murmurs of suspicion. So-called accidents keep befalling the other choirs. Yet Prospect Glen remains untouched.
 
With their competitors clamoring for them to be disqualified, the group may soon be singing a different tune. If there’s anyone who can restore harmony to the competition, it’s Paige. But this time she’ll needs to stick her neck out to discover who’s behind the sabotage, or she may end up singing her own swan song…

Thoughts:

Joelle Charbonneau is on a roll with the third book in the Glee Club mystery series, A Chorus Lineup. Cozy fans who love music will really enjoy the Show Choir from Prospect High and their director Paige Marshall. It's a combination of the hit television series, Glee and the movie Pitch Perfect with a murder thrown in for good measure. Full of action, twists and turns galore and a red herring or two, this cozy will appeal to readers and music lovers a like. A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

The theme for this cozy series is a lot of fun. Singing groups of all kinds from acapella to those with instrumentalists have become all the rage with successful television shows and movies, and now Joelle Charbonneau is bringing it to cozy readers as well. I loved all the information about the rehearsals and costumes and all of the behind the scenes stories. I thought it was a great theme and somewhat unique. The idea that the director is waiting for her big break is also a fun element to the story.

Paige is quit the sleuth, and in this one she is definitely a person of interest in the murder. She has a beef with the lady who becomes the victim, LuAnn. When she is accused of cutting up costumes and causing trouble at a competition she and her choir are attending. I liked the way that Charbonneau set up the murder in order to make Paige look possibly guilty. It gave the book an edge that was enjoyable. Wondering whether it was going to get better instead of worse for the heroine gave it an urgency we haven't had before in this series.

The mystery aspects were well written. There were plenty of suspects besides Paige and once she convinces Christine it wasn't her, she goes about finding a killer. There were a few unexpected twists and turns that had me going for awhile, but eventually it figured it out close to the end. I thought the motive a wee bit predictable, but that didn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Paige's big audition turns out as well as her relationship with Devlyn and with Mike. Changes are around the corner it appears and I can't wait to see what happens next.

What I didn't like:

Not too much to report here. I do admit that I wonder how much potential there is for this to be a long running series. The motive for this one was slightly predictable and I wonder how many more musically related ideas the author can come up with. A ton, I hope. This is a great series.

Bottom Line:

If you haven't tried this series yet, I think you will be pleasantly surprised, especially if you are a music lover. A Chorus Lineup is a fun cozy read with a personal touch.

A Chorus Lineup is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

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

About the Author:

Joelle Charbonneau is an entertainer. She has performed in a variety of operas, musical theatre, and children’s theatre productions across the Chicagoland area. In addition to her stage work, Joelle has also performed with several bands and worked as a solo performer. While Joelle is happy to perform for an audience, she is equally delighted to teach private voice lessons and use her experience from the stage to create compelling characters in her mysteries.
 
Joelle lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband, Andy, and their toddler son. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of A Chorus Lineup by Joelle Charbonneau.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 7th.

1. Please leave a comment describing any singing or chorus classes or things you have taken or participated in.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: After the Storm

After the Storm (KGI - Book 8) by Maya Banks

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Books
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 400
ISBN-10: 0425263770
ISBN-13: 978-0425263778

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Books)

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

Maya Banks on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

The Darkest Hour (2010), No Place to Run (2010), Hidden Away (2011), Whispers in the Dark (2012), Echoes at Dawn (2012), Shades of Gray (2012), Forged in Steele (2013), After the Storm (2014)

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

Excerpt from, After the Storm, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.

Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.

Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t… 

Over the years, Donovan Kelly has fought relentlessly for justice, women and children always holding a special place in his heart. Working side by side with his brothers, Donovan has witnessed firsthand the toll it’s taken—physically, mentally, and emotionally—on his loved ones, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. What he never expects is for his next mission to happen right on his home turf—or for it to take a very personal turn.

Picturesque Kentucky Lake is the perfect place for a soul in search of safe harbor. A beautiful stranger has arrived—desperate, breathless, and on the run from a dark past closing in on her and the younger siblings she has vowed to protect. Donovan must now draw on every resource at his disposal—if he wants to save a woman and the children who may prove to be his destiny.

Thoughts:

The eighth book in the KGI series from Maya Banks released to much disappointment from many long time fans. One of the last unwed Kelly brothers, Donovan is billed as one of the most intelligent and family oriented of the bunch, but his story lacks the usual Maya Banks romantic feel. Readers who have read all of the books will see potential in the beginning of the book but it fizzles long before the end. Unfortunately, this may not a good addition to this series. 

All of that being said there were still parts of this book that were enjoyable and well written. Banks is a well renowned author who knows her craft and is able to write romantic suspense with the best of them. But every author eventually has some kind of hiccup and I believe After the Storm is that hiccup for Banks in this particular series. There were however some redeeming factors hidden in the novel. 

Starting out Banks was on point and realistic. She has a character who has a lot of back story considering he was in the previous seven books. Donovan Kelly is established as a geek of sorts, more comfortable behind a computer than anywhere else. He also has some very good traits, like the fact that he loves kids and wants a family. In After the Storm, a ready made family drops in his lap. Eve and her siblings seem like the perfect match for this complicated man. So it started out well.

I appreciated the fact that Banks gives readers a heroine who takes things into her own hands and decides that she has to find a way to protect her family. Especially her four year sister who is possibly being abused. I applauded Eve's resilience and her tenacity in that act. But that's where it seems to have ended. Throughout the book she is portrayed as strong, as a fighter and capable of standing up for herself, yet that isn't shown in her actions. She lets others make her decisions and appears to run away from things rather than face them.

So we started out with the good match for a well loved character, a heroine who had some edge to her and then it just kind of goes astray. There are two things that Maya Banks books are known for, lots of action and hot romance. Neither of these two elements were present in After the Storm. 

I felt like Donovan was in love with the idea of having a family but not in love with Eve. There were just too many things that didn't hold up to Maya Banks usual good storytelling. Donovan who has always seemed to be well adjusted and full of life, takes on a creepy edge in this book, that makes him almost have that dirty old man feeling to him. He is obsessive and over-the-top. He is far removed from the character he was in the first seven books. He falls in love in less than two days, after waiting all this time? It just did not ring true. There was no real romance here. It could have been love at first sight, but that most definitely is romantic, not so here. 

The other missing element was the action that KGI novels are usually known for. There was a lot of talking, a lot of speculating, and soul searching but no real conflict. Yes, Eve's step father is monster and needed to be put down, but that is only a fraction of the conflict needed to pull off an entire novel. There was none of the usual serious firefights or edge of your seat moments. It was just humdrum. It didn't grab me and hold on for dear life. 

Honestly, I didn't struggle to read it. It was alright, but certainly not what I have come to expect from this author. I felt like Donovan got a raw deal. That his story could have been so much more interesting and believable than what he got. There was potential in the beginning but none of it was realized. I think perhaps this book is the hiccup I described before. It doesn't make me want to stop reading the series, but it doesn't make wait with baited breath for the next one either.

Bottom Line:

This one had some issues, even more than those described here. If you have all the others, than yes you definitely should buy this one to complete your collection. If you haven't read all the others, don't start with this one. This remains a very well written series, by a very good author. It is a minor drop in the bucket compared to the whole series. 

After the Storm is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 3 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Maya Banks is a #1 USA Today and #1 New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, Scottish historical romances. She is the author of the Breathless Trilogy, the Sweet series, and the Colters Legacy novels.

She lives in the South with her husband and three children and other assorted babies, such as her two Bengal kitties and a Calico who’s been with her as long as her youngest child. She’s an avid reader of romance and loves to dish books with her fans and anyone else who’ll listen! She very much enjoys interacting with her readers on Facebook and Twitter as well as in her Yahoo! Group.

Review and Giveaway: Murder Sends a Postcard

Murder Sends a Postcard (Haunted Souvenir Shop - Book 3) by Christy Fifield

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 288
ISBN-10: 0425252299
ISBN-13: 978-0425252291

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

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

Christy Fifield (aka. Christy Evans) on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Murder Buys a T-Shirt (2012), Murder Hooks a Mermaid (2012), Murder Sends a Postcard (2014)

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

Excerpt from, Murder Sends a Postcard, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

It’s the height of summer tourist season and Glory Martine is busier than ever running her souvenir shop, Southern Treasures. The shop’s parrot, Bluebeard, is becoming quite the celebrity among tourists—little do they realize he’s the bird-host to a ghost…

Residents of Keyhole Bay, Florida, are dismayed when Bridget McKenna, an auditor in chic attire, arrives to assess the local bank’s shady dealings. Curious about the new arrival, Glory brings dinner to Bridget at her temporary residence—the notorious Bayvue Estates, a halted development complex with no view and no estates – just a couple of hastily-completed model homes .

Thoughts:

Christy Fifield's third book in the Haunted Souvenir Shop series, Murder Sends a Postcard will have readers biting their nails as Glory tries to solve the murder of a bank auditor that no one seemed to like. Fifield's trademark wit and humor stand out in this cozy which features a haunted parrot named Bluebeard. Readers will enjoy Fifield's characters and fall in love with the Southern Treasures souvenir shop. A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

Fifield has a real way with humor in this series. A lot of it comes from the parrot host of Uncle Louie, affectionately named Bluebeard. Bluebeard is a great character who adds plenty of comic relief to a story that centers around murder. That bit of lightness gives Murder Sends a Postcard a much needed boost. Bluebeard also helps to solve the crime in this one by giving Glory a clue to the killer. I liked the fact that Fifield created a really interesting way to include a paranormal element by making the bird the host of a ghost. Very original.

I also really enjoy Glory's relationships with the other characters in the book. She and Jake are taking their relationship slowly and becoming friends before taking the plunge into something more intense. I'm glad Fifield chose to write it that way because it allows the reader to get to know them better in the beginning and it will be very satisfying when they do get together. Glory has some old friends and new friends in this book and I thought each character added something different to the mix. I liked how the interacted with each other, especially their Southern dinners which sound fun and full of surprises.

The mystery aspects of this one were well written and executed. The bank auditor comes across as perhaps a nice person that Glory wanted to get to know, which is interesting because usually we don't know that much about the victim in most cozies until after the murder. I liked the fact that the victims brother was the one that asked Glory to help figure out what happened to his sister and the fact that there were plenty of suspects from the lot owner to the bank manager. 

What I didn't like:

Glory's cousin who has an interest in the souvenir shop provides the story a second source of conflict in the fact that he wants to run things around the shop though he has no idea what he's doing. But I think he is basically an unnecessary character. I think the story works well without this plot device but perhaps he will become more important as the series progresses.

This was pretty straight forward mystery and I had it figured out a little bit before I needed to. Once I knew who it was it took a little something out of the book. I liked the personal aspects more than the mystery in this case, which wouldn't be a bad thing if it were not a mystery novel.

Bottom Line:

This was a good addition to the series, even though I think there are a few flaws with it. Don't let those stand in your way of reading this one. It was good, but perhaps not the best in the series so far.

Murder Sends a Postcard is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

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

About the Author:

Christy Fifield is a pen name of Christina F. York. Chris lives on the rugged Oregon coast, with her husband and fellow writer, J. Steven York.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Murder Sends a Postcard by Christy Fifield.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 6th.

1. Please leave a comment describing some of the crazy souvenir's you have bought over the years.
2. Please fill out the FORM.