Thursday, June 20, 2019

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Wrong Place Wrong Time by E. James Harrison


ABOUT THE BOOK

The first idyllic hours of Greg and Marena Walker’s Caribbean vacation are filled with turquoise water, sand as soft and white as powdered sugar, and gentle ocean breezes. But all too soon the Walkers find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they are running for their lives . . .

Scott Vaughn has made a lucrative career of secretly transporting illegal materials. Pay him enough, and he’ll move whatever you want from anywhere to anywhere. And though he has never met the Walkers, he needs them dead. His future depends on making certain they don’t have one..

Wayne Hovey desperately wants Scott Vaughn—alive is best; dead is acceptable. And luck has handed him the perfect bait: Greg and Marena Walker..

In a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse, each player is driven to succeed, never realizing they are all pawns in something much larger—and more dangerous—than any of them knows.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I grew up on the west side of Salt Lake City in a pretty typical family.  My dad worked most of his life in a factory, my mom was a homemaker and my three sisters were...sisters!  The two older ones were always bossing me around and I always had to give in to my younger sister.  (They may not remember it exactly like that, but it's true--really!)  A mom and three sisters means a lot of estrogen in a house, so during my preteen years my dad and I would escape whenever we could to the quiet of the mountains and deserts of Utah pursuing my dad's favorite hobby--rockhounding. Saturday's meant trapsing over desolate ground and blasting old cans full of holes with a .22 rifle.     

My early teen years were filled with pimples and the clumsy awkwardness of getting to know girls and for the most part, those are years to be forgotten.  It was during my high school years that two great things happened in my life.  First, I discovered airplanes and boats--two things I thoroughly enjoy to this day.  But second, and by far the most important and best thing that's every happened to me, was I met my wife, Debbie. (That's a picture of her over on the right.)  I met her in a geometry class. The teacher sat us alphabetically and I ended up in the desk behind her.  Had there still been ink wells in the desks, I'm sure I would have dipped the tips of her long dark hair in the ink in an effort to attract her attention.  With no ink I had to satisfy myself with untying the bows made from ribbons that she used to tie back her hair.  I succeeded in getting her attention, and ultimately convincing her to marry me, but not for several more years.


After high school there was a year of college (University of Utah) and then two years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Returning from my missionary responsibilities I shocked everyone--including myself--by being accepted to Brigham Young University.  And that's when I first discovered writing.  I had no idea what I wanted to be when I "grew up," but the fiancĂ©e of one of Debbie's roommates was majoring in public relations.  I had no idea what that was, but it sounded fun so from then on I told everyone I was a public relations major.  I thought it would be a bunch of back slapping and socializing. Little did I know that English and writing are at the heart of public relations.  And the rest, as they say, is history.  I ultimately got an Associate degree in public relations and a Bachelor degree in creative writing.

REVIEW

E. James Harrison has written a compelling suspense novel.  The focus is on the horrible situation that Greg and Marena find themselves in rather than a romance which made the suspense the most compelling part of the story.  The prologue pulled me into the story immediately and the book didn't let go anywhere along the way.  It was interesting to see the different perspectives as the story went on, including the bad guys and their motivations and actions and how they collided with the 'good guys' including Greg and Marena who came to the Domincan Republic for vacation and ended up in the 'wrong place' at the 'wrong time' and ended up facing death.  I especially enjoyed the details about Greg and Marena's vacation and snorkeling trip before things went wrong.  An enjoyable mystery full of suspense and sympathetic as well as evil characters, Wrong Place Wrong Time is a great choice for those who enjoy a good suspense story without all the romance.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thursday, June 13, 2019

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Love in Disguise by Anneka R. Walker


ABOUT THE BOOK

Marion Watt is set to embark on her first London Season, and her parents have spared no expense to help her secure a suitable husband. Unlike most of the social-climbing women in her position, Marion has no desire to marry hastily or for anything less than love. But when she learns of her mother's declining health, she knows she must keep an open mind and allow herself to be courted. What she does not anticipate, however, is that the attentions of the insufferable Lord William Everton will be placed squarely on her. He might be the most sought-after bachelor of the Season, but she sees in him nothing but a frivolous cad.

Until William inherits his father's title and seat in parliament, he must rely on his own devices to change the world. Dressing like a ridiculous dandy serves its purposes, but he is certain his newest disguise will help him find a wife to please his parents and further his own agenda. From among the glittering group of debutantes, William finds only one woman who passes his test. Unfortunately, the perfect choice is the only woman in all of London who despises him.

REVIEW

Marion Watt loves to play the pianoforte.  But after a performance in public goes disastrously, she vows never to play in public again.  Since that disaster was caused by none other than Lord William Everton, London's most eligible bachelor, she develops a dislike for him, especially after an insult at a ball.  She's stunned when he seems to develop an interest in her and they start courting.  But initial impressions are hard to get past.  Her feelings do start to shift though as she starts to see the man behind the dandy.  But as things develop between them, things start to go wrong in other ways and it seems their relationship may not survive.  I quite enjoyed reading this story of slow-developing love.  Both Marion and William are likable characters with flaws to be overcome.  And of course, as in real life, things don't run smoothly, especially after their first few unfortunate encounters.  The book has both a sweet romance and some rather amusing misunderstandings along with some serious problems.  Walker has written a very pleasing, delightful tale of growing in love despite all the difficulties that arise.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thursday, June 6, 2019

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: The Heart of a Vicar by Sarah M. Eden


ABOUT THE BOOK

Young love is all too fleeting, as Harold Jonquil painfully discovered years ago when Sarah Sarvol, the niece of a neighboring landowner, captured his heart. After an idyllic few weeks in the throes of blossoming love, reality intervened. They could have no future. Following their disastrous parting, Harold attempted to push aside thoughts of love and regret, but Sarah has never left his heart. Now, years later, he has achieved his lifelong aspiration of becoming the local vicar. However, the role proves more difficult than he imagined. He feels hollow and uninspired—until the most important person in his past returns, challenging him as no one ever has.

When Sarah’s ailing uncle summons her back to the family estate in England, there is only one person from her past she is reluctant to see again: Harold Jonquil, the only man who has ever claimed her heart. But when she comes face-to-face with her former beau, she hardly recognizes the aloof and dull man before her. She is determined to help Harold rediscover the passion he once felt toward his chosen profession. Soon, despite their exasperation with each other, they cannot deny the stirring of feelings long buried—but is it too late for second chances?

REVIEW

Another fabulous Jonquil book always excites me.  I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about each of the Jonquil brothers as they find romance.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one just as much as all the others.  It was refreshing to get to know Harold as I've gotten to know the other Jonquil brothers.  Harold is rather different than his brothers, and not just because he's a vicar.  He's always been more reserved and serious than his brothers, but he became even more so after Sarah Sarvol, the girl he loved, returned to America.

When Sarah returns, she finds Harold stiff and cold, a result of his brother's incessant teasing and his own uncertainties.  She challenges him by telling him she could be a better vicar.  This leaves Harold wondering if he's a complete failure.  But as he starts to warm up in the face of Sarah's warmth and caring, he is faced with deciding where his future lies and if he can make Sarah a part of it. 

Once again, Sarah Eden has written an engaging story full of heart and humor.  She makes her characters feel so real that I wish I could really know the Jonquils.  The period details are spot on, often frustratingly so, especially in this book as Sarah suffers very poor treatment at the hands of her uncle, despite her brother's efforts to protect her.  I always appreciate the care Eden takes in making her characters real.  I especially enjoy reading about characters I met in other books.  It's great to find out what's happened to them.  All in all, another delightful book in what is probably my all time favorite regency series ever.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heart of Vicar.png