I HAVE NO POWER, WILL ANNOUNCE WINNER NEXT WEEK

I  still have no power or heat, will pull the winning name as soon as power is restored, Sorry for the delay

 

 

Nora

Review and Giveaway – Highball Exit by Phyllis Smallman

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

The Lucky Winner is Nancy H. B.  she has been sent an e-mail and has 48 hours to reply with her snail mail addie. I also have a surprise bonus gift for her. Phyllis has graciously offered to send her a signed bookplate to place inside the book.

Thank you to all that entered the contest and I hope you’ll keep watching for my next giveaway, or just stop by to catch my next review.

 

Nora

 

 

 

 

 

Highball Exit

By Phyllis Smallman

Copyright October 2012

Publisher: Touchwood Mystery

Sherri Travis is three months behind on her mortgage and it will be last call for the Sunset Bar and Grill if she doesn’t come up with some cash. So when Aunt Kay offers to pay Sherri to ask a few questions about Holly Mitchell’s death, it sounds like easy money. But it quickly descends into a dangerous world of drugs, sex workers, and perversion. Did Holly really take the highball exit, or was she murdered? And what happened to her baby?

Set in small beach towns along the western coast of Florida, the Sherri Travis Mysteries follow Sherri Travis, a bartender and ordinary woman caught up in extraordinary situations. A traditional mystery series serving Jack Daniels instead of tea, the stories walk the line between mystery and suspense and include a delicious mix of cocktails, beaches, and murder. In a place where the very rich live next door to the very poor, where tourists come and go, and where newcomers reinvent themselves, all good stories begin with “One night in a bar . . .” Highball Exit is the fifth book in the series.

This was truly the most terrifying Sherri story to date. It held me spellbound all day until now at 3:01 am Brooklyn time. I have finally read the last two words “THE END” and I can finally drag myself off to bed.Poor Sherri is dragged into the hunt for a missing young woman, and the only reason she let herself get pulled in was MONEY.  It all started on a quiet Sunday morning when a police car pulled into her driveway and her “Aunt Kay” pulled herself out of the back seat.  Kay is not a relative. She was her after school sitter, baby sitter, and when she was older, a safe haven from her hellish life at home.Sherri tried to turn her aunt down but the lure of the money (the three months back mortgage payment) was too much.  This began the adventure and case from hell. FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher who only hopes for a fair and impartial review.CONTEST Somehow the publisher sent me TWO copies of Highball Express, and I decided to hold this giveaway for one lucky commentor. Tell us why you want to win “Highball Exit”. You must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment (it would also be nice if you became a follower of my site but it’s not necessary to enter).  Please break it up using (at) and (dot), like domain (at) host (dot) com.  This is only open to US & Canadian mailing addresses—sorry, no international entries this time!  Contest ends on Friday November 2 at 4 pm EST.  Winner will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond.  The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. The winner will be chosen by using random.org to make things fair.

My Special Guest Host Today is Kari Lee Townsend.

This contest is closed!

Random.org has picked the winning number

#13 and the winner is Dale Phillips

Dale has 48 hours to respond or I will be forced to pick another winner.

CONGRATULATION TO DALE!

Psychic Sunshine Meadows makes a dark discovery in the woods…

After clearing her name as the prime suspect in a murder, Sunny Meadows hopes she can finally enjoy some serenity in the idyllic town of Divinity in upstate New York. She’d also like a second chance with Detective Mitch Stone. But when Mitch’s gorgeous ex-girlfriend Isabel Gonzales shows up, Sunny’s not sure she can compete. Then Isabel mysteriously disappears. When the police turn to Sunny for help, her visions lead to the discovery of Isabel’s corpse in the woods. Before she died, Isabel scrawled a message in the dirt implicating Mitch in her murder. Now Sunny must help the man she’s falling in love with as she sets out to find the real killer. But this time Sunny’s clairvoyant abilities might not save her—as what she doesn’t see can hurt her…

The Inspiration Behind Granny Gert

 

When a writer creates their characters, they draw upon inspiration from a variety of resources. Sometimes the inspiration comes from a TV personality. Other times the inspiration comes from a complete stranger they run across. Still other times the inspiration comes from people they actually know. And sometimes the inspiration comes from a dream or a vision in their head.

I’ve used all of those resources, but in book two Corpse in the Crystal Ball, I introduced a new character named Granny Gert. Granny Gert is based after my real life deceased Grandmother Gertrude. Everyone loved my grandmother and her orange pumpkin cookie jar with the foil-covered plate for a lid. She was the sweetest kindest woman I’ve ever known. My grandmother looked exactly like Granny Gert. Many aspects of her personality are the same, but some of the over-the-top quirky aspects are based after my mother Marion. Everyone says I act exactly like my mother J I figure by combing the two I am getting the best of both of them. Together they make such a fun likable character people would actually want to spend time with. It’s my way of immortalizing them both.

It can be tricky using real-life people, especially if they are still living. When paying tribute to someone, be careful to showcase the best of them and not offend anyone. Not to say that I haven’t ever gotten revenge on someone by making them the villain or killing them off. In that case, I simply changed the character’s name and silently chuckled. In all seriousness, most of my characters tend to be a combination of people I know, people I’ve seen, people I’ve read about, etc.

Granny Gert means so much to me that it’s a huge relief to see her so well received. In fact, it now has me wanting to add a new character in book four. My husband’s Grandma Tootsie. Her real name is Bernita but everyone calls her Toots, and for years I thought that was her real name. She’s ninety-seven, still lives alone, is sharp as can be, and is a total hoot who loves Lawrence Whelk. I’m thinking she and Granny Gert need to become friends. For me, slipping a bit of my real life into my books makes them special. So tell me, what kind of characters do you like best?

National Bestselling Author, RT Reader’s Choice Award & Agatha Nominee Kari Lee Townsend lives in Central New York with her very understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter, who keep her grounded and make everything she does worthwhile…not to mention provide her with loads of material for her books. Kari is a longtime lover of reading and writing, with a masters in English education, who spends her days trying to figure out whodunit. Funny how no one at home will confess any more than the characters in her mysteries!

Kari writes fun and exciting stories for any age, set in small towns, with mystical elements and quirky characters as Kari Lee Townsend. Kari also writes romantic comedies and women’s fiction with the same sense of humor and quirky characters as Kari Lee Harmon.

To find out more about Kari and all her books go to www.karileetownsend.com  or click on the links below:

 

Kari Lee Townsend (Website & Newsletter & Facebook & Twitter)

National Bestselling Author of The Fortune Teller Mysteries

TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES 4 1/2 Starred RT Review

Best Amateur Sleuth of 2011 RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee

Best First Novel Agatha Award Nominee

CORPSE IN THE CRYSTAL BALL – June 2012 (preorder now)

DIGITAL DIVA: TALK TO THE HAND (Kindle & Nook)

DIGITAL DIVA: RISE OF THE PHENOTEENS (Kindle & Nook)

DESTINY WEARS SPURS (by Kari Lee Harmon) (Kindle & Nook)

PROJECT PRODUCE (by Kari Lee Harmon) (Kindle & Nook)

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY – US ONLY

Kari Lee is graciously offering one lucky blog reader a copy of Corpse in the Crystal Ball, and Kari Lee will send the winner a Signed Bookmark AND an autographed Bookplate to put in the book.  I’ll be picking the winner using random.org.

The contest will run from today (June 1st.) through Monday evening June 4th. at 6PM NYC time.  Good luck to you all.

NoraA

Review and Contest – Win a copy of The Real Werewives of Vampire County

The Real Werewives of Vampire County

By: Alexandra Ivy/Angie Fox/Jess Haines/Tami Dane

Copyright: November 2011

Publisher: Kensington Paranormal Romance

 

I’m Pureblood Were, And Proud Of It. . .
“Where Darkness Lives” by Alexandra Ivy

No one’s more surprised than Sophia when she’s struck by an unfamiliar maternal urge to move near her daughters. But instead of being greeted by a welcome committee, she’s targeted by kidnappers. . .and saddled with a gorgeous bodyguard on a mission to protect—and seduce. . .

I’m A Tomboy At Heart, But I Want A Man Who Makes Me Feel Like A Real Woman. . .
“Murder on Mysteria Lane” by Angie Fox

When a werewolf trophy wife is found dead in Vampire County, Heather McPhee goes undercover to investigate. Heather’s never been a mascara-and-manicures sort of girl, but she’s willing to learn. Especially with sexy vampire detective Lucien Mead posing as her husband. . .

Who’s Afraid Of The Big, Bad Werewolves? Not Me, That’s For Sure. . .
“What’s Yours is Mine” by Jess Haines

Still Waters is like many other exclusive gated communities—except that it’s home to one of the largest werewolf packs in the state. But Tiffany Winters isn’t frightened of her big, bad new neighbors. In fact, she intends to take her place among the pack. . .

This Is A Town Full Of Secrets. And I Intend To Uncover All Of Them. . .
“Werewolves in Chic Clothing” by Tami Dane

Ever since Christine Price moved in with her fiancé, Jonathan, and his twelve year-old son, she’s worked hard to fit in with a cadre of local women whose lives seem picture-perfect. Except no one in Jon’s upscale neighborhood is quite who they appear to be. Least of all Jon. . .

 

This anthology is a fun read. Each of the stories take you into a different area of people’s lives. I think it’s even better then television.

Where Darkness Lives:

 

Sophia thought that moving closer to her daughter would make things better. She’s got her own business to run, a nice home in a gated community and all she wants is to be on her own and take life one day at a time. Why someone would want to kidnap her is beyond her understanding.  Now she’s stuck with a bodyguard with a body to die for and an attitude she could certainly do without. How this little play runs its course is just something you’ll have to read on your own. LOL

I thoroughly enjoyed this section of the book and will certainly keep an eye out of more of Alexandra Ivy’s works.

Murder on Mysteria Lane:

Heather McPhee is both honored and feared in her pack. Her gift is used for their benefit and her own.  When a werewolf trophy wife is found dead she is sent in by Finnegan the Alpha of her pack she is not a happy camper. She is paired up with a Vampire Detective and expected to go undercover to find the killer and she’s got only three nights to do it or her pack goes to war.

I love Heather’s character, she an uber tomboy on steroids.  She’s also got a very dry sense of humor that just seems to click with me.  I hope she will be making more appearances in the future.

Whats Yours is Mine:

There’s a new hottie in the neighborhood and unfortunately she’s single.  Chain up her husbands ladies.  Cassandra Sachs thinks that “Tiffany” will fit right in with her group.  A group of Werewolves.  Little do they know that Tiffany has plans of her own for this group of women and their families.  Too bad that in their zeal to bring in someone new it could all come back to bite them in the rear.

This little story is about the ladies of a werewolf pack who think they can find new talent better then the boys can.  I thought it was humorous and fun to read.

Werewolves in Chic Clothing:

Christine Price has her life packed into her old junker and a rusty U-Haul.  She’s leaving the city to move in with her Fiancé and his twelve year old son.  She’s excited and extremely nervous.  Is she doing the right thing?  Will this all work out for a “Happily Ever After”?  Arriving at her new home she sees Jonathon  standing in the driveway wearing an extremely happy face.  He opens the driver’s door before she even puts the car in PARK and is sweeps her into his arms. This might sound like your everyday fairy tale where Mr. Wonderful does everything in his power to make his lady happy and welcome.  But Jonathon’s got secrets.  The whole neighborhood has secrets as she finds out when she meets the neighborhood ladies.

I was waiting for Christine to pack herself into her car and head back to the city by chapter 3. The world she is entering is like the Twilight Zone compared to her past life.  This story is for anyone who enjoys intrigue and romance all balled up in a comedic paranormal romance.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received and ARC of this book from the publishers who only asked for a fair and impartial review.

 

CONTEST

The publishers have kindly offered me a copy of  The Real Werewives of Vampire County for one lucky entrant.

Tell us why you want to win “The Real Werewives of Vampire County”. You must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment (it would also be nice if you became a follower of my site but it’s not necessary to enter).  Please break it up using (at) and (dot), like domain (at) host (dot) com.  This is only open to US & Canada mailing addresses—sorry, no international entries this time!  Contest ends on Wednesday Nov. 23rd, 2011 at 6pm EST.  Winner will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond.  The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. The winner will be chosen by using random.org to make things fair.

Review and Giveaway – Sunrise on Cedar Key by Terri DuLong

The contest is closed and the winner of my copy of Sunrise on Cedar Key is….. Elle Hyson

 

Congratulations and don’t forget to contact me so I can send you your book.

 

Nora

 

 

 

Sunrise on Cedar Key

By: Terri Dulong

Copyright: November 2011

Publisher: Kensington Fiction

For the second time in ten years, Grace Stone is starting over on Cedar Key. Grace first moved to the serene island to escape a disastrous relationship. Now a visit with her Aunt Maude is interrupted by unwelcome news: Grace’s apartment and coffee shop have been destroyed by fire.

Grace is devastated, yet ever-practical Maude has a plan. While she helps Grace resettle, Maude even has a business venture in mind—weekend knitting retreats where women can craft, chat, and support one another.

But other surprises await her, including the return of Grace’s estranged sister, and a tentative romance with the local bookstore owner. Knitting together her past and future will mean untangling the painful threads Grace left behind. But the result could be a vibrant new life—and the courage to live it fully. . .

Gracie is visiting her aunt Maude to help her with her move to Cedar Key.  She is awakened at 5:30 am by the insistent ringing of her cell phone.  She is barely awake when Jim Jacobs the town’s Fire Chief informs her that her apartment and the coffee shop under it have been totally destroyed by fire. This is NOT what she wants to hear this early in the day.  All she has left are the clothes she brought to her aunt’s house.  She is distressed and overwhelmed by the enormity of this abrupt change to her life.

Aunt Maude offers to let Gracie live in the upstairs apartment at her new house until she finds other quarters and also explains that she wants Gracie as a partner in her new business venture. So with all these things reverberating through her head, she and her aunt finish packing aunt Maude’s belongings and hit the road for Cedar Key.

Grace and her sister have not and do not get along.  Finding out that Mrs. Perfect is separated and getting divorced, AND moving to Cedar Key is putting a lot of strain on Gracie’s ability to plan what and how she is going to get things back on track.

This is a story about family, reconciliation, love, new business ventures, and a large box of tissues.  Terri DuLong has the gift for pulling you into the world of her story with her storytelling.  I felt like I was in the room with the characters and witnessing their lives first hand.

FTC Full Disclosure: This book was supplied by the publishers in hopes of a fair and impartial review.

CONTEST

I am offering my review copy (very gently used) as a giveaway to let one person share in my enjoyment of this story and Ms. DuLong’s writing. Terri DuLong has graciously agreed to send the winner of Sunrise on Cedar Key an autographed and personalized bookplate for their book.

To enter, leave a comment telling us why you can’t wait to read Sunrise on Cedar Key. You must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment (it would also be nice if you became a follower of my site but it’s not necessary to enter).  Please break it up using (at) and (dot), like domain (at) host (dot) com.  This is only open to US & Canada mailing addresses—sorry, no international entries this time!  Contest ends on Friday Nov. 11th , 2011 at 6pm EST.  Winner will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond.  The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. The winner will be chosen by using random.org to make things fair.