CHARLEY DAVIDSON BLOG TOUR

This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.

Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.

Release Date: February 1, 2011

St. Martin's Press

Charley Davidson #1

Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Liza's Review:

I bought First Grave on the Right for my kindle after seeing lots of talk on twitter, many blogs, and one very long conversation with a bookseller in the Elizabethtown, KY B&N store (who says actual bookstores aren’t still a good thing?). I’m glad I went with my gut instinct and downloaded it to my kindle as soon as I walked out of B&N that day (parking lot Wi-Fi doesn’t restrict kindle like some B&N store Wi-Fi does). 

Charley Davidson is one of the best characters I’ve ever read about. She is the grim reaper and dead people see her as sparkly. She works as a PI to help dead people who have been murdered find their killers so they can move on. She also has been having some really hot dreams involving Reyes, who she remembers seeing from the very first moment she was born. Charley remembers every single thing that has happened since the day she was born. She can be pretty snarky at times, but she is also super smart and I love smart women in books.

While Charley is helping the police solve the murder of 3 attorneys, she is also trying to figure out who and what Reyes really is. She also has to deal with skip tracer Garrett Swopes, who knows her secret thanks to her Uncle Bob, who gave up her secret after having a few too many beers one night. Uncle Bob is on the police force and Charley uses her talents to help him solve crimes, much as she did for her dad before he retired. Garrett doesn’t know what to do about Charley. I could see he was attracted to her, but didn’t believe she could really see and talk to dead people. Charley’s focus throughout the entire book was really saving Reyes. She knew he had been in her life since she was born and wanted to know who he really was, especially since he didn’t seem to age.

I liked First Grave on the Right when I read it originally. I found myself really loving it on my most recent reading. The humor in this series really is something that started with this very first book and it has kept me coming back for more. I also highly recommend the audiobooks in this series. Lorelei King absolutely brings the characters and the story to life with her narration.

Original Review Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

Updated Review Rating: 4.5 Stars (A)

 Q&A with Darynda Jones

How did you come up with Charley?

So, I’m lying in bed one morning, waiting for my turn in the shower, when Charley popped into my head in all her glory. I loved her from the get-go. I will add that I was looking for her. I had just typed The End on my second complete manuscript, a YA titled Death and the Girl Next Door which later sold to my amazing editor along with the Charley books. So, I was craving another project. I knew I wanted it to be adult and paranormal. That was all I had. And then Charley walked in.

What has it been like to planning and writing this series, and how does it feel to be wrapping it up?

I had no clue! I dreamed, of course. We all do that. But for that dream to become a reality…it’s quite surreal. I have the best job in the world. Planning and writing the last two books have been bittersweet. I love writing these books so much, so the fact that it’s coming to an end is a little heartbreaking, but I want to go out with a bang. Like a HUGE one. I hope everyone loves reading them as much as I’ve loved writing them.

Are there any side characters or plots you wish you would have developed more?

Actually, yes. In Fifth Grave Past the Light, I brought in a character named Nicolette Lemay, gave her an insanely cool gift, then never brought her back in again. We see her briefly in Twelfth Grave, but I wish I’d done more with her.

Can you give us a sneak peek into how it all ends? What do you hope readers feel as they reach the last page?

I am very hopeful that readers will feel a sense of happiness, closure and (dare I dream?) euphoria. All I can say is that this book is truly darkest before the dawn. Charley and Reyes have accidentally opened a hell dimension within our own, and they have to figure out how to close it before it takes over the world. But it’s expanding exponentially, and soon there will be nothing left of the world as we know it. But with a little help from Charley's departed mother, one clue leads Charley in the right direction and, hopefully, to the secret to stopping the hell dimension and save all of humanity. Sadly, she only has three days to do it. 

What's the next project you're working on?

Right now I am working on a brand new series, a trilogy set in a small town in New Mexico with a sheriff named Sunshine, a missing girl named Olivia, and a murder suspect named Levi. Too bad she is in way over her head, especially since the missing girl is her daughter's best friend and Sunshine has been in love with Levi since she could breathe. 

Enter for a chance to win the entire Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones, an ARC of the epic finale, Summoned to Thirteenth Grave, plus fun swag! Open to the US ONLY. Runs through November 14^th.

https://read.macmillan.com/promo/charleydavidsonseriessweeps/

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series! 

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity—which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer. 

She’s missed her daughter. She’s missed Reyes. She’s missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. Now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

BUY LINK:
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250149411

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author DARYNDA JONES won a Golden Heart and a RITA for her manuscript First Grave on the Right. A born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

DARYNDA’S SOCIAL LINKS:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Darynda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darynda.jones.official
Website: http://www.daryndajones.com/

SMPRomance Twitter: https://twitter.com/heroesnhearts& https://twitter.com/SMPRomance
SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

THE CHRISTMAS STAR (CHRISTMAS HOPE #9)

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Hope series comes another heartwarming, inspirational story for the holidays.

Thirty-two-year-old Amy Denison volunteers at Glory's Place, an after school program where she meets seven-year-old Maddie, a precocious young girl who has spent her childhood in foster care. Unbeknownst to Amy, Maddie is a mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just the right man for Amy at Grandon Elementary School, where she is a student. Amy is hesitant - she's been hurt before, and isn't sure she's ready to lose her heart again - but an unexpected surprise makes her reconsider her lonely lifestyle.

As Christmas nears and the town is blanketed in snow and beautiful decorations, Maddie and the charming staff at Glory's Place help Amy to see that romance can be more than heartache and broken promises.

In The Christmas Star, Donna VanLiere delivers yet another sweet, joyous story that is sure to capture readers' hearts.

Release Date: October 16, 2018

St. Martin's Press

Inspirational 

Christmas Hope #9

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's review:

The Christmas Star is the 9th book in the popular Christmas Hope series of books from Donna VanLiere. The Christmas Star is a sweet inspirational story that will get readers ready for Christmas.

I have to say that having a young child as a main character of a story doesn't always work for me. However, I really did fall in love with Maddie the mini-matchmaker. She was so precious and I loved she wanted to get her friend Mr. G married off to the new volunteer at Glory's Place. Of course she has no idea the Gabe and Amy not only already know each other, but also were once married to one another. Both Amy and Gabe have changed so much since their divorce, but Amy understandably has trust issues when they first see one another again.

The slow build to Amy and Gabe finding their way back to one another was done very well. I did see it coming well before they started spending more time together, but it was still sweet to see this couple not only rediscover each other, but find a way to accept the changes that occurred while apart and let go of the past. Maddie was really sweet to keep trying to throw them together in the beginning, but I liked the adults took it into their own hands pretty quickly.

My only real issue with the story was I felt like it was more of a surface story than one the delved into all their feelings about the past and present. I really did want Gabe and Amy to discuss the changes that have come about in their lives. I felt like they accepted the changes really quickly, and I would have liked them to talk a bit more before they made long-term choices.

The Christmas Star was an enjoyable read. Readers who enjoy sweet inspirational stories will fall in love with this book. Maddie is absolutely delightful and her joy and enthusiasm is part of the reason I enjoyed the story as much as I did. 

Rating: 3 Stars (B-)

THE CHRISTMAS WISHING TREE BLOG TOUR

Summary:
Sometimes life’s most magical journeys bring you back to where it all began…From USA Today bestselling author Emily March comes The Christmas Wishing Tree, an enchanting account of the magic and miracle of Christmas.

A man who loves adventure and the open sea, Devin Murphy returns for a short Christmas trip to his small hometown of Eternity Springs. Immersed in the joy and magic of the holiday season all around him, he doesn’t hesitate to play along when a young boy phones Santa to ask for a very special wish. Devin never guesses that a wrong number has the potential to make everything in his life so right.

Jenna Stockton adopted Reilly when he needed a mother and she intends to keep him safe. A small town across the country called Eternity Springs seems like a good place to hide from their past without any complications —until sexy Santa himself discovers her secrets. When Devin proposes a daring plan to face down the danger together and defeat it once and for all, she is tempted. Maybe Devin really is capable of making wishes come true? Perhaps in a Christmas wish they’ll both find the miracle they’ve been looking for all along…

A delightful Christmas novel in the New York Timesbestselling Eternity Springs series.

Buy Links:

Macmillan

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

Indie Bound

Powells

Liza's Review:

The Eternity Springs series from Emily March is one of my favorites. I especially love her Christmas novel release each year and have to say The Christmas Wishing Tree was another wonderful addition to the series.

Devin Murphy is one of the yummiest heroes from this series. He is so sweet with his family and when a little boy calls his loaner phone thinking he is calling Santa, he rolls with it and talks to Reilly from Nashville. Devin keeps trying to reach Reilly's mom, but unknown to him she is dealing with a stalker so she is super cautious when answering unknown numbers calling her cell phone. Jenna Stockton is such a strong character. She adopted Reilly when his biological mom passed away and will do anything on earth to keep her son safe. 

On Jenna and Reilly's first trip to Eternity Springs, they don't actually meet Devin as he is in Australia, but they do meet and spend time with his entire family. Jenna and Reilly felt so at home while in Eternity Springs, I just knew they would be back. Especially as Celeste Blessing takes them both under her wings and teaches them all about the Christmas Wishing Tree. I adore each and ever scene with Celeste and look forward to her time on the page in each book. She just gives me all the happy feels, and I love how she bring so much good to each story.

When Jenna's stalker strikes again after they leave Nashville, Eternity Spring seems like a safe place to visit again, only this time "Santa Devin" is back in town. As Jenna and Reilly are in hiding, they didn't expect to run into the Murphy clan or anyone else they knew from the last visit. Once Jenna shares her stalker situation, Devin and all his friends immediately step up to find a way to help find her stalker. I love how the town of Eternity Springs pretty much always takes care of anyone they see as theirs, and Jenna and Reilly were definitely theirs after their very first visit. 

I loved how quickly Devin and Jenna connected to one another. I loved the slow build to their relationship, as it wouldn't have worked for me for them to move faster. They had great chemistry, and I loved that Devin seemed to fall in love with Reilly every bit as much as he fell in love with Jenna. I did hate that Devin let his past initially get in the way of what could be a happy future with Jenna and Reilly. They were pretty much the perfect family from the moment they met in person. 

I love that with each new book in the Eternity Springs series, readers get to spend time with characters from other books. It makes it easy to pick up a book at any point within the series and not feel completely lost. As you see characters from other books, they backstory is always shared and just makes each story even richer than it would be on its own. While I normally reach books in a series in order, I found the Eternity Springs book after several books had been released, and had no trouble starting the series several books in and not feeling lost. Emily March pulls me in with each new book in this series and makes me want more. The Eternity Springs series is the perfect series for any romance readers who enjoy a sweet and emotional story.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

Review copy provided by publisher

Author Bio: 

Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Todaybestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springsseries. Publishers Weeklycalls March a "master of delightful banter," and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.

Social Links:

Emily March Website

Twitter: @EmilyMarchBooks

Facebook: Emily March

Pinterest: Emily March

EXCERPT

THE CHRISTMAS WISHING TREE

An Eternity Springs Novel

Eternity Springs (Volume 6)

Emily March

St. Martin's Paperbacks

Chapter One

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Christmas carols played softly in the background. The scent of spiced cider perfumed the air. Shoppers munched happily on gingerbread cookies and perused the bookshelves for that perfect gift.

Dr. Jenna Stockton imagined ripping the halo off the angel’s head and choking her with it. Instead, she reached deep within herself for patience and managed to find a smile for the costumed character behind the bookstore counter. “If I could speak with your manager, please?”

“She’s awfully busy.”

Jenna thought of the ridiculous length of her own to-do list as she fought to keep her smile from turning into a sneer. “Yes, well, it’s that time of year, isn’t it? Your manager?”

The little angel gave a haughty sniff, and then said, “If you’ll step out of line, please?”

Without missing a beat, the angel turned a bright smile toward the woman waiting behind Jenna. “I’m sosorry for this unfortunate delay, ma’am. I’ll be as quick as I possibly can.”

Jenna didn’t snarl like a rabid dog. She didn’t. She smiled at the woman behind her in line. Sweetly. Without canines.

The woman and the four people behind her each gave Jenna an annoyed glower. She gave them all a smile too, then reached for the nearest book, which she pretended to read until the clerk returned, accompanied by a fiftysomething woman dressed like an elf. The angel gestured toward Jenna and said, “This is the one, Ms. Thomas.”

The elf spoke in a harried tone. “May I help you?”

“I hope so.” Especially considering that I went out of my way to support a local business rather than ordering online. Jenna set down the paperback. “I placed a special order two weeks ago and someone from this store called me last week to tell me it was in. However, your … angel … can’t find it in your computer system, so she insists I’m mistaken.”

“Do you have your receipt?”

“Not with me, no.”

“Well, if you’ll come back—”

“I don’t have time to come back. I ordered the books for an event that begins”—Jenna checked her watch—“in forty-five minutes. I’d like you to check your stock room. My name is Jenna Stockton.”

“Ms. Stockton, I can’t—”

“I ordered thirty copies of New Adventures in the Christmas Angel Waiting Room.”

“Oh.” The manager pursed her lips. “Oh. I recall that order.”

“Good.”

Then the manager winced. Uh-oh. Maybe not so good. Jenna drew a deep, calming breath, then asked, “If you will get it for me, please?”

“Oh dear.”

Jenna closed her eyes.

“I’m afraid we had some internal miscommunication. We sold out of our stock of that particular title and an employee unfortunately failed to notice the hold notice on your order. She put them on the shelf.”

“How many are left?”

“It’s a popular title,” the manager hedged.

Jenna leaned forward. “The books are for pediatric cancer patients at Children’s Hospital. The Christmas party is at four o’clock.”

“Oh dear,” the manager repeated. “Four o’clock you say?”

Jenna nodded curtly.

“I’ll call our distributor. If you can stop back by—”

“You’ll need to deliver them directly to the hospital. To the attention of Dr. Jenna Stockton.” She removed a card from her purse and handed it to the manager. “Here’s the address. Take them to the information desk in the lobby. I’ll tell the volunteers working there to expect them.”

“But we don’t have a delivery—”

Jenna folded her arms and gave the manager her best take-no-prisoners look.

“I’ll do my best to have them there by four, Dr. Stockton. I apologize for the inconvenience. Now, is there anything else I can help you with? I saw you looking at the new Liza Holcomb thriller.” She picked up the book and handed it to Jenna. “It’s a fabulous book. Scariest stalker story I’ve read in years.”

Jenna quickly returned the book to the display table. A stalker story? That was all she needed. “No, thank you. All I need today is what I ordered. Thank you for the help. You have my phone number. I trust if there is any further problem, you will give me an immediate call?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Perfect. Merry Christmas, Ms. Thomas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Dr. Stockton.” The manager gave her a bright smile that didn’t quite hide the worry in her eyes.

Jenna headed for the door, glancing over her shoulder before pushing it open. The elf was on the phone, the angel had been replaced at the register by a reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman was on hands and knees beside the urn of mulled cider wiping up a spill. She sighed. Angels with attitude aside, she liked this little store. She really hoped they didn’t let her and the children down.

Outside, the jangle from the Salvation Army bell ringer mingled with the shrieks and laughter of children embroiled in a snowball fight in the park across the street. Jenna tugged leather gloves from her coat pocket and pulled them on as she walked to the street corner and waited for the light to change. Her gaze drifted back to the snowball warriors. It did her heart good to see healthy, happy children playing, especially after a morning like this one.

When the walk signal flashed on, she crossed the street and cut through the park headed for her car, which she’d left in a lot a block away. Her thoughts returned to her to-do list. She could save a few minutes if she bought cookies at the grocery store instead of making the extra stop at the bakery before picking up Reilly from daycare. But she’d promised Reilly a gingerbread man from—

Whack.

Something cold and wet stung her cheek. What in the world? Reflexively, Jenna lifted her hand to her face and the remnants of … a snowball. She’d been hit with a snowball. Had the battlefield moved without her noticing and she’d been struck by an errant shot? Or had the attack been deliberate? If that was the case, one of these heathens was about to get a piece of her mind.

But when she turned to identify the culprit seconds after the snowball landed, her gaze skidded over a group of youngsters to an adult standing nearby. The pockets of a black wool coat concealed the man’s hands. A black knit cap pulled low on his brow and the matching scarf looped around his face shielded everything but his eyes.

Eyes that watched her.

A shiver of fear skidded down Jenna’s spine. She whirled around and picked up her pace. By the time she reached her car, she was all but running. She thumbed the key fob and unlocked the door as she approached, then locked it again the moment she was inside. She sat behind the steering wheel breathing hard, her heart pounding. Her gaze locked on the path through the park.

Nobody had followed her. Chased her. She’d let her imagination run wild.

“You didn’t imagine the face full of snow,” she muttered.

She should call the cops. File a report.

Sure. Be one of “those people.” Tie up a law enforcement officer’s time over a child’s prank. Because surely, that’s all it had been. One of those kids probably threw the snowball, and the guy dressed in black probably saw it as it flew by. He’d watched her to see if she’d pitch a fit about it.

She slipped her key into the ignition, started the car, and did her best to dismiss the incident. Forty minutes later—after stops at the dry cleaners, grocery, bakery, and party store—she made it back to the office in time for her one-thirty appointment with five minutes to spare. If she’d checked her rearview mirror more often than usual and paid close attention to those around her as she completed her errands, well, she was simply being responsible.

Whenever she had a few free minutes during the rest of the afternoon, her thoughts drifted back to the troubling events of recent months. The harassment had begun in October, although for the first few weeks, she hadn’t recognized the threat. Everyone got hang-up calls. She explained away the texts as wrong numbers. But once online orders she hadn’t placed began showing up on her doorstep, she realized she had a problem.

She’d thought she’d been a victim of identity theft. She’d spent an entire weekend canceling cards and changing accounts. Then last week when a particularly difficult case kept her at the hospital until early morning hours, she came out to the physician’s section of the parking garage and found the air had been released from each of her tires.

Random vandalism, the police said. Teenage pranks. Jenna wasn’t so certain, but she didn’t know who would be doing this to her or why.

As she exited Exam Room 4, her receptionist met her with the news that her three o’clock was a no-show, which meant she was done for the day. Jenna tucked away her dark worries and turned her thoughts to the light and bright. Now she’d have time to pick up Reilly from school rather than have his after-school caregiver drop him off at the hospital.

Luck was with her for a change because a parking place became available just as she pulled up. As she got out of her car, a bell rang, and the door to the kindergarten classroom opened. Reilly was the third youngster out.

“Mom!” exclaimed her six-year-old son. “You’re here! It’s time for the Christmas party, isn’t it? Is it time for the party? Is Santa going to be there? I have my list all ready.”

“Hello, little man. Yes, it’s time for the Christmas party and yes, Santa has promised to make an appearance.”

“I’m so excited!”

“Me too, Reilly. Me too.”

She’d been trying to make the Santa visit happen for two weeks now. Because kids grew up so fast these days, she knew that this might be the last year that Reilly believed in Santa Claus. Jenna had wanted to make it a special event for them both.

For the initial effort, she had planned an all-day Saturday holiday adventure beginning with breakfast at a pancake house, followed by shopping for gifts for Reilly’s friends, then a matinee performance of Rudolphat the children’s theater, and culminating with a visit to Santa’s Wonderland and a conversation with the big man himself. They’d had a great time eating and shopping and watching the play, but as they left the theater, her pager had gone off. She’d tried again the following Saturday with a different itinerary, but with similar Santa results. She and Reilly both were counting on “The third time is the charm” axiom working today.

Arriving at the hospital, she took advantage of valet parking due to the amount of party supplies she had to tote inside. She loaded up a collapsible wheeled cart with gifts and decorations and bakery boxes, then Reilly helped her tug it inside, where she approached the information desk with trepidation. “I’m Dr. Stockton. Do I have a package waiting, I hope?”

“Books,” the volunteer said. “Yes, they’re here.”

Yes!

She reached beneath the counter then pulled out a box. Jenna spied twice as many gift-wrapped items as she’d expected. The folded note taped to the front of the box read, “Your complete order is enclosed. In addition, please accept these thirty copies of the first book in the Christmas Angel Waiting Room series as a gift to the children from the staff here at Hawthorne Books.”

“Well, isn’t that nice?” Jenna murmured.

“Isn’t what nice, Mom?”

“The Christmas spirit.”

He nodded in all seriousness. “I love the Christmas spirit. I wish it could last all year long.”

“You and me both, little man. You and me both.”

The Christmas party that followed was a bittersweet success. Local and a few national celebrities showed up to shower attention and gifts and good cheer on the patients of Children’s Hospital and their families. It was always nice to see the smiles, but invariably, tears were shed too. The what-ifs and if-onlys were unavoidable. Hospital events always caused Jenna to hug Reilly a little tighter and spend a little more time on her nightly prayers.

The books Jenna gifted were well received by parents and patients alike. Reilly finally had his visit with Santa, and Jenna shed a tear or two of her own while she snapped photos of the moment with her phone.

In the car ride on their way home, Reilly bubbled about the party—the food, the games, the gifts. “There were a lot of dads there,” he observed. “Did you see, Mom? There were a whole bunch of dads.”

“Yes.” Then, in an effort to alter the direction of the conversation, she said, “I was surprised to see how many football players attended. How many autographs did you get?”

“I don’t know,” Reilly answered with a shrug before proving that he was not to be distracted. “I thought Dr. David would be there. Why didn’t Dr. David come?”

Oh, Reilly. Dr. David Henderson was Reilly’s pediatrician, a widowed father whom she’d dated briefly last summer. “I told you he moved back to Minnesota to be closer to Bella and Jessie’s grandparents. Dr. Larimer is your new doctor.”

Reilly gave a long sigh. “I pretended I forgot. I thought he would make a really good daddy for us, Mom.”

“Oh, Reilly.”

“We really do need a daddy.”

“Reilly,” Jenna said, warning in her tone. “Please. It’s been a long day. Let’s not get started on that subject again.”

“But, Mommy…”

She silenced him with a stern glance. Her son could be a terrier when he got an idea in his head, and lately, every time she turned around, he’d been yipping and yapping about needing a daddy.

How about I just order one online? Everything else was showing up at the house. She’d certainly have more use for a daddy for Reilly than a yodeling pickle electronic noisemaker.

She switched on the radio, which was tuned to the Christmas music station. Listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks hope that Christmas wouldn’t be late wasn’t much better than the yodeling pickle. However, the music did manage to distract Reilly, who sang along the rest of the way home, so she wasn’t about to complain.

Her son helped her unload the car, and then he dashed about the house turning on the lights of all of their Christmas decorations while Jenna sorted through the mail. One envelope in particular caught her notice. Whitewater Adventure Rafting on the Snake River? Her stomach took a sick little flip.

Dread filled her as she stared down at the envelope addressed to JENNA M. STOCKTON, MD.

This was coincidence, surely. Just bad timing of an advertisement that probably went to everyone in her zip code.

She slid the letter opener blade beneath the envelope flap and removed the folded paper.

A reservation for one. Paid in full. January 23rd at 10:00 a.m.

She dropped the paper as if it were on fire. Her hands trembled. Her heart pounded.

Her always-adventuring parents had drowned in a whitewater rafting accident seven years earlier … on January 23.

“Mom, can we read a story?”

Jenna saw her son standing in the doorway with his stuffed Rudolph beneath his arm. His request was a life preserver tossed to a drowning person. “Absolutely. I have a new book for us.”

Because she wasn’t on call tonight and she had no patients she suspected of being in imminent need of her services, she poured herself a glass of wine, traded her shoes for slippers, and settled into the overstuffed easy chair in the family room with the copy of The New Adventures in the Christmas Angel Waiting Room that she’d reserved for her own family. “In my lap, little man.”

He bounded over to her, his face alight with joy.

Story time was special for them both. She’d finished the first book and allowed herself to be talked into reading a second and a third. They were negotiating a fourth when she answered the doorbell to a pizza delivery she had not ordered.

By nine thirty, her doorbell had chimed eleven more times with deliveries of eleven more cheese and mushroom pizzas. Jenna was allergic to mushrooms.

At nine forty-five she called the police.

Copyright © 2018 by Emily March in The Christmas Wishing Tree and reprinted with permission from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

DAGGER'S EDGE (BRUTE FORCE #2)

Ivan Resnova wants nothing more than to escape his hard, brutal past. Starting over is not so easy once you've been a powerful crime boss but now, instead of being punished for his alleged crimes, Ivan fears that the one woman he can't forget is in danger of paying the price.

Crimsyn "Syn" Delaney thought the danger she'd faced was over, and that she could resume her life. She never imagined it would return with a vengeance and throw her back into Ivan's world. But when an attempt is made on her life, she needs Ivan more than ever to keep her safe--even if she is in danger of falling deeply and dangerously in love. . .

Release Date: August 28, 2018

St. Martin’s Press

Brute Force #2

Romantic Suspense

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

I struggled a bit with this one. I absolutely love Lora Leigh's romantic suspense books, but there was something about the hero and heroines relationship that didn't quite pull at me like her other characters in the past. I think it was because it felt somewhat forced. There's tons of lust and sex, but the emotion wasn't quite there.

I liked Journey. She had been handed a crap deal in life. She's never really known love. Her family has always treated her horribly. In spite of that, she's really strong. She's soft where she needed to be; vulnerable when appropriate. I liked the many facets of her personality.

Ivan is your typical over the top alpha male. Lora Leigh's books are always full of those! And I love them! He's a bit of an anti-hero. He kinda toes the line between an honest life and organized crime. 

I liked these two characters separately, but I couldn't connect to them as a couple, at least not easily.

It wouldn't be a Lora Leigh book if it didn't have off the charts smouldering hot sex scenes. I do so look forward to those! 

Overall, the plot was great. I didn't have a clue who the bad guy was. I like being surprised, because it means the author did a great job weaving the mystery storyline. 

I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. I never miss a book by this amazing author!

Rating: 3 Stars (B)

DEEP COVER (LOVE OVER DUTY #3)

ARE THEY IN TOO DEEP?

Ex-Navy SEAL Cabe Moss always comes when called to duty―at all costs. Even though the death of his fiancée nearly destroyed him, Cabe won’t let his past interfere with any work that has to get done. When his latest task pushes him to team up with FBI Agent Amy Murray, a fierce beauty with the undercover skills to match, Cabe must admit that, for the first time in years, he wants to do more than just complete their mission together…

Amy was born ready for this assignment, but working side-by-side with the strong, silent, and frustratingly professional Cabe seems to be the biggest challenge of all. But when the sparks begin to fly―and the stakes rise to dangerous heights―the only thing Amy is left worrying about is how she can resist him. Their lives may be in danger, but their hearts hold the biggest risk of all… 

Release Date: July 31, 2018

Love Over Duty #3

St. Martin’s Press

Romantic Suspense

Review copy provided by publisher

Nikki’s Review:

Oh man, this one may be my favourite in the series! I knew Cabe would bring me to my knees...and I couldn't wait!

Cabe is mourning the death of his fiancée, Jess. He walks through life not fully immersed in it. He's trying to move on, but the thought of it shreds his heart. Until he meets Agent Amy Murray.

Amy is all work and no play. She's an FBI agent with something to prove. But Cabe Moss makes her want to break all her rules and take a risk.

The slow simmer of passion in this book was amazing. It was frustrating at times because I wanted them to get down to the hot and sweaty stuff. But they both needed to tread a bit carefully. Sweet baby Jesus, when Cabe and Amy finally hit the sheets, it took my damn breath away! Cabe has a deliciously filthy mouth. And he uses it for more than whispering sweet nothings. 

I was totally caught up in the undercover mission they were both working on. I felt like I was trying to solve a puzzle by gathering the bits of clues that were thrown my way. As much as I liked that aspect of the story, I appreciated that it didn't take away from the romance.

Every time Scarlett Cole let us "see" inside Cabe's head, my heart both broke and mended. His difficulty keeping Jess in the past and allowing Amy in was so hard to read. I hurt for him. The journey to his heart healing, while sad at times, was beautiful.

I appreciated that Amy wasn't meant to replace Jess, or even erase her from Cabe's memory. She was meant to make Cabe happy again; meant to help him find a new and different happiness with her. 

The chemistry between these two was powerful. They complimented each other well in their careers and personal lives. Cabe had to fight his need to shield her from everything. He knew he couldn't clip her wings when it came to her job. That just made me love him more.

Scarlett Cole never fails to weave an amazing story that grips me from the first page. Her writing is a source of comfort for me. I know I can expect to be fulfilled in every way when I dive into one of the worlds she's created. 

Ya, I really do think that this book is my favourite in the series. But don't get me wrong, I love my men Six and Mac! You need to read their books! You could technically read this book as a stand alone, but don't cheat yourself out of enjoying the first two books. Read them all. In order of course, because my eye twitches when series are read out of order! 

Now I need to beg Scarlett for books for Harley and Lite! 

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

Buy Links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2xXExCb

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2xXzT75
B&N: https://bit.ly/2sJJSrB
Chapters Indigo: https://bit.ly/2xXFytZ
iBooks: https://apple.co/2xSW5PI

A DUKE LIKE NO OTHER (PLAYFUL BRIDES #9)

General Mark Grimaldi is devoted to his service for the Crown, risking his life and giving up everything for his career. The political promotion he's always wanted is now within his reach, but he needs to convince his estranged wife to return to England and play the role of happy bride in order for him to get the position.

Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has spent the past ten years in France, not having seen her husband since she left England. But now he's on her doorstep, asking her to return with him, and Nicole sees the opportunity to get something out of this deal. So she agrees, on one condition: she wants a baby.

A Duke Like No Other is a Regency spy caper with Valerie Bowman at her best as husband and wife match wits and may just fall in love in the process.

Release Date: May 1, 2018

St. Martin's Press

Playful Brides #9

Historical Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

A Duke Like No Other was a really great story. I love a good reunion story and seeing Mark and Nicole find each other again was so much fun.

I liked both Mark and Nicole from the moment we met them both. It was obvious they both were still in love with the other and I loved how they negotiated to pretty much get exactly what each of them wanted. I have to say both characters were so strong, it could have ended up being an ugly battle of wills between them, but it felt right to me. I don't think either Mark or Nicole could have been happy with someone who didn't share a common interest in investigations and an unconventional life. 

I have to say I thought Mark was a little too hung up on his family on his mother's side. Yes mistakes were made when he was young, but he never tried to see if anyone had changed their mind along the way about what was said and done. I also hated that Nicole knowing who his family was ended up being part of the reason they were apart for so many years. It was almost as if Mark continued to look upon the connection through a child's eyes for way too long. I love when it as pointed out to him how beneficial the connection could be in his chosen profession, something I felt like Nicole kept trying to tell him forever. I loved seeing Nicole help Mark out as they investigated the death of his cousin. I had figured out who was behind it ahead of time and was glad to see it was Nicole who pointed Mark into the same direction.

Mark and Nicole's battle of wills was really fun for me. Especially when I could tell how much each wanted the other. They had super chemistry between them, which only grew stronger the more time they were together. Seriously there were some smoking hot love scenes between the two of them that steamed up my kindle screen.

A Duke Like None Other is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a sexy historical romance with a bit of mystery to the story. The mystery in no way overshadowed the romance aspects of the book, but added a little something extra. I really enjoy Valerie Bowman's voice and look forward to reading many more books from her in the future.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

EXCERPT

CHAPTER THREE

Mark quirked his mouth into a half smile. Nicole had always been direct. It was one of the things that had first drawn him to her. She wasn’t about to let him get away with arriving unannounced without admitting that he wanted something. Good, because he liked to be direct too. “You’re right. I do want something from you.”

“Say it.” She crossed one leg over the other and for the life of him he couldn’t stop staring at how those breeches hugged her long legs. Outside, he’d been slightly obsessed with how they hugged another part of her anatomy. And that shirt . . . the one that was exposing her chest in a way that made the back of his neck sweat. Leave it to Nicole to have her hair down and to be wearing breeches while riding around a French château on a horse named Atalanta. She’d been besting the comte in the race they’d been engaged in. That was also like her. She adored competition and hated to lose at anything. If he had any hope of her saying yes to his proposal, he needed to make certain he didn’t become her adversary . . . again.

He glanced around the drawing room. Outfitted in rose and cream silks with the occasional hint of green, the room was tastefully decorated. The château itself was large and well appointed without being ostentatious. She had access to his money but had never spent a shilling of it. No, this was all a result of her own money or her family’s.

He spread his arms wide along the back of the settee. “No reminiscing? No catching up? No discussing the good times?”

Her dark red eyebrow inched even higher. “Were there good times? I seem to recall those being few and far between.”

“There were a few.” In bed. He tugged at his collar.

She poked at the chignon on the back of her head. Only she could make a quickly put-together hair arrangement look effortlessly gorgeous. Several tendrils of the long red locks fell to frame her face, which wore a decidedly disgruntled look. “Out with it. I’m quite busy. I’m attending a dinner party this evening and I must dress.”

Mark bit the inside of his cheek but ultimately he couldn’t keep the comment that had sprung to his lips to himself. “A cleaner pair of breeches?” Damn, she looked good in those breeches. She looked good altogether. Better than good. The years had been kind to her. The fresh-faced plumpness of her cheeks had given way to a slenderness that made her cheekbones prominent. Her lips were still full and pink and inviting. Her hair luxurious, soft and smooth. Her eyes looked more world-weary, to be sure, but their sea-foam-green depths were still astute and intelligent. Her body was still trim and fit. Her thighs looked even fitter, probably from riding astride. Ahem. What he wouldn’t give to see those thighs once more, to have them wrapped tightly around his—

“Despite my present appearance, I do own a gown or two.” Her words snapped him out of his indecent line of thought. She gave him another tight smile.

He stood, crossed to the nearby sideboard, and poured himself a brandy. “Going to meet the comte again?”

“Careful,” came her throaty voice from the settee. “It’s nearly sounding as if you’re jealous.”

Still facing the sideboard, he cocked his head to the side. “Jealous? Whatever does that word mean?”

“The comte is a friend, nothing more.” Her voice sounded dismissive. He didn’t believe her, however.

Mark splashed more brandy into his glass. “I’m certain you’d tell me if he weren’t.”

“I’m certain you’d care.”

Mark turned back toward her and took a healthy swig of his drink. “A man doesn’t like to think of his wife in the bed of another.”

She actually rolled her eyes at that comment. “Oh, you’ve been celibate all these years then?” she countered, her voice dripping with skepticism.

He had been, but he’d die a slow death back in the French prison camp before he told her that. However, he wasn’t so unrealistic as to think Nicole would have remained untouched. They had agreed to part ways, hadn’t seen each other in ten years. She was a beautiful woman in the prime of her life. Still, the notion of punching the comte dead in the face held a great deal of appeal at the moment. “I’ve never been one to kiss and tell, love.”

She gave him a tight smile, which clearly indicated she didn’t believe him, either. “You’re a general now?” she asked abruptly, clearly ready to change the subject.

“I am.” He moved to the window and looked out across the lavender fields, one arm held behind his ramrod-straight back as if he were surveying a battlefield. The stance was still comfortable for him even after all these years of working for the Home Office.

“I suppose congratulations are in order.” The tea arrived and Nicole poured a cup for herself and splashed in a liberal amount of cream. He remembered that about her. She took her tea with no sugar, just cream.

“No congratulations needed,” he intoned, taking another swig of brandy.

The silver spoon she used to stir her tea clinked against the delicate china teacup. “I must admit, I’ve often wondered when I’d get a missive that you’d been killed.”

His chuckle was humorless. He turned to face her. “Such little faith in me? Or wishful thinking?”

“Neither,” she replied, lifting the cup to her pink lips. “Just a profound knowledge of how reckless you are.”

He inclined his head. “Used to be.”

“Really?” She raised a brow. “Is that why you’ve come? To tell me you’ve changed?”

He chuckled. “I haven’t changed that much.”

“I’m not surprised.” She set down her teacup and crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell me, Mark, why have you come?”

He saluted her with his glass, the amber-colored liquid shining in the afternoon sunlight. “You were right. I need a favor from you.”

She didn’t so much as bat an eyelash. “Of course you do. What’s the favor?” She picked up her cup once more and took a sip.

He downed the final splash of brandy and met her gaze. “I need you to return to England with me for a few months and pretend to be my loving wife.”

Copyright © 2018 by Valerie Bowman in A Duke Like No Other and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

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Author Bio:

VALERIE BOWMAN grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzer, Huckleberry. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. She is the author of the Secret Brides and Playful Brides series.

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