Take a romcom and through in some action and adventure and you get an engaging new read from Gail Koger! Check out an excerpt from SWAT for Dummies and then download your own copy! Check out the rest of the tour for even more fun. Best of luck entering the great giveaway!
To me, summertime is rom com time. They're always light and fun to read and perfect for reading next to the pool or at the beach. So enjoy this excerpt from Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keyes and then download your own copy. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more. And best of luck in the giveaway!
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Jeanette Watts is known for her Jane Austen-inspired stories. Coming soon is her latest with a great title that we've all thought on occasion! Check it out! Follow the tour for more chances to enter the great giveaway!
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**My thoughts**
Rich Amooi is back with another winner in Men or Paws. Bonus: 10% of proceeds go to help animals via the SPCA International.
It's another one that would play out well as a movie.
Beth has a chip on her shoulder where Rocco is concerned. (And rightfully so!) But she needs the money to foot her new business, so she agrees to dogsit his aptly named pooch, Houdini.
Their first encounter is one of those cringeworthy comical moments that make you fall for them both and want to see them fall in love.
And I also wanted them both to become my friends, which is another sign of a fun story. Plus they aren't as stereotypical as you may expect.
The playful banter and bickering between the two just demonstrates their chemistry. Quirky extra characters add to the fun. I needed the smiles that this book delivered! 4.5*s!
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**My thoughts**
How many times as women have we had to utter those words? Or at the very least, we have thought them. The title alone was enough to capture my attention, along with the cover. But I have also seen Rich Amooi recommended several times by authors I follow. I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Book Links
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**My thoughts**
After finally reading The Cuffing Season, I had to go back and reread Fifty Frogs, the book that inspired that one. (I will say that each of these does work as a standalone, but you'll enjoy reading them together.) And I loved it as much the second time around as I did the first.
Vivian has just come home from an amazing three-month writer-in-residency program where she blogged about how Millenials are doing travel differently. (And can I just say that I would like to sign up for one of these, please?) She comes home ready to pick her life up where she had left it, only to discover that it is all gone - her apartment, her parents and sister, her job, and her boyfriend. The boyfriend is probably the least unsettling, because she knew they just were not right for each other. But that comfort thing, ya know?
Cue an entire life makeover. She moves in with her mom's best friend, affectionately known as Aunt Gail, and comes up with a column idea that she think will gain her some attention. Aunt Gail tells her that you have to kiss 50 frogs before you find your prince. So she decides to try out this theory and write about it all.
She meets some of the craziest men and gets herself into some very interesting situations. According to the author, these are all somewhat based on her own daughters' stories. And let me tell you, I related to every single one of them. In fact, I think I need to write my own Fifty Frogs column.
And of course, there is a great Meet Cute scene involving a very fine specimen of a seemingly normal man named Charlie. In fact, this book is part of a multi-author series called Meet Cute. I would like to have one of him, please!
There are plenty of moments to make you smile, as well as to make you cringe in solidarity. It's a fun romantic comedy escape for an afternoon.
Romance, comedy, and mystery, three of my favorite things, all wrapped up into one book! Check out an excerpt from Temporarily Out of Luck by Vicki Batman and then download your own copy. Leave questions and comments below and then follow the tour for even more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!
Sometimes, I felt like a small white mouse housed in a cage with lots of small white mice, whose playground activities involved eating, sleeping, and continually revolving on the exercise wheel. Just like one rodent friend—who I named Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky, having a field day back-flipping from the top of the spinning wheel—something happened. Unexpectedly, I found myself airborne.
Not hurt, a sense of disappointment overcame me, plus a bit of confusion, and a whole lot of colorful adjectives too numerous to list. I, mostly known as Hattie Cooks, shook off the pine shavings and joined the rat race. Sometimes, life sucked.
But wallowing? Not a good solution.
Being positive? A better one.
In most cases, a pitstop was a good idea, and I found comfort in my chocolate stockpile. And in most cases, I found empty shelves, for I had little dough to supply my habit due to the loss of my adored job as an assistant buyer at Sommerville’s top-class department store, Tucker’s, and the subsequent low-paying temporary ones I reluctantly took in the interim. Due to the expenses of rent, food, utilities, budgeting became my new compadré. However, for my recent birthday, Mom suggested friends and family provide me with treats. They were generous—gifting lots and lots of my favorite M&Ms in vast colors and flavors.
Mom’s idea totally rocked as the best birthday gift ever.
From outside my door, I heard Allan Wellborn smack the doorframe.
“You know how to find me.”
I roused from my ruminations and banged my forehead against the wall.
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I featured this mystery last week on the blogs (Andi's Book Reviews and Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters) and told you to stay tuned for my review. I had the chance to read this book this weekend and got a big kick out of it! Check out an excerpt and then my thoughts on this quirky mystery story. Make sure you follow the rest of the tour to read more and to make comments and leave questions for the author! Best of luck in the giveaway!
Read an excerpt:
Passing the front desk on my way to the elevator, I wanted to avoid eye contact with any of the clerks on duty. But, like Lot’s wife, I couldn’t resist just a peek. Unfortunately, one of the check-in clerks, an older woman with gray hair pulled back into a tight bun, happened to be looking in my direction and our eyes met.
The woman immediately called to me, “Miss, would you please step over here?”
I returned a mimed “Who, me?” gesture. The bun lady nodded in the affirmative.
Damn, that’s all I need, I berated myself. I just had to look, didn’t I? But I knew I now had no choice but to comply. I walked over slowly as I tried frantically to think of answers, having no idea what the questions might be. Would I be asked who I was and what I was doing here? If so, would my answers be credible? When I reached the desk I tried to act nonchalant.
“Yes, ma’am?”
The bun lady said, “Just a moment, please,” and reached under the desk.
Totally irrationally it flashed through my mind that the woman was going to pull out a pistol and place me under arrest. Good thing I’d just peed, or I’d probably have done it now. It’s amazing what tricks a guilty conscience can play on you. What she actually pulled out, however, was a stack of letters. She handed them to me and, motioning toward a mail box mounted on the far wall, said, “Would you be a dear and drop these in the box over there?”
I accepted the letters and the assignment with relief. “Certainly, ma’am. No problem.”
I marched directly over to the mail box and deposited the letters. I then continued on my way to the service elevator, this time resisting any urge to look anywhere but straight ahead.
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**My thoughts**
Our story begins with Flo uncomfortably crouched in a closet, attempting a burglary. She then backtracks to explain why she's there, and is a little scattered. And at first, I'm not sure I'm going to like this heroine who has purposely decided to become a burglar and whose best friend actually semi-supports her.
But I pressed on.
And when she gets back to the present to where she is caught by her intended victim and the tables turned on her, I was all in.
This story is actually quirky and delightful, rather light, and yet has plenty of plot twists that kept me engrossed.
It's naturally a bunch of borderline ridiculous situations that would likely never happen in real life. But that is what makes this kind of book so much fun to read.
The author is also an adept storyteller who is capable of making us believe that this craziness really happened. His detail brings the story to life, playing out in your mind like you are watching it on a screen. And I think this one would make for a fun movie.
I'm not sure if Flo has any other books about her [mis]adventures as a burglar, but I would definitely read about more of them!
Thank you to the author and Goddess Fish for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
MARK REUTLINGER is an attorney and former law professor. He now writes novels in which the law is frequently broken, including his “Mrs. Kaplan” cozy mystery series (MRS. KAPLAN AND THE MATZOH BALL OF DEATH and A PAIN IN THE TUCHIS) and the political thrillers MADE IN CHINA and SISTER-IN-LAW: VIOLATION, SEDUCTION, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (under the pen name M. R. Morgan). MURDER WITH STRINGS ATTACHED is his latest novel. He is also a reviewer for the New York Journal of Books.
Mark and his wife Analee live in University Place, Washington, where in addition to reading and writing he plays clarinet with the Tacoma Concert Band and enjoys tennis, biking, exotic cars, model railroading, and various arts and crafts. He has no idea where he finds the time for it all.
I love reading mysteries, especially those with a touch of humor in them. This one looks like it is going to be a lot of fun! Read an excerpt today and then stay tuned, because I will be reviewing it here later! Make sure you follow the rest of the tour to read more and to make comments and leave questions for the author! Best of luck in the giveaway!
Read an excerpt:
I was going to use my “one phone call” (assuming a person really gets one and that’s not just something they say in the movies) to call Aaron, but I didn’t have to bother. Almost as soon as I arrived at the police station, Aaron, who obviously had been watching developments and following the police car I was in, walked in and inquired how I might be released. Given the relatively minor nature of the charge, despite what they might actually suspect, and my clean record, despite all the burglaries they were thankfully unaware of, bail was set according to a standard schedule rather than my having to wait to see a judge the next day.
I don’t know how much it cost Aaron to bail me out, but of course whatever it was, he could well afford it; and besides, he owed it to me. After all, I was really just his employee, and surely posting bail is a standard employee benefit.
When all the necessary papers had been signed and funds transferred, Aaron and I walked out into the sunshine that I’d been afraid I wouldn’t be seeing for quite a while.
On the way to Aaron’s car, I gave him a hug and a little kiss on the cheek and thanked him for extricating me from the pokey and doing it so quickly. He looked a bit embarrassed by that, but he cleared his throat and said in his best businesslike manner:
“Okay, so why’d you shoot him, and where’d you put the violin?”
Buy on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
(affiliate link included)
MARK REUTLINGER is an attorney and former law professor. He now writes novels in which the law is frequently broken, including his “Mrs. Kaplan” cozy mystery series (MRS. KAPLAN AND THE MATZOH BALL OF DEATH and A PAIN IN THE TUCHIS) and the political thrillers MADE IN CHINA and SISTER-IN-LAW: VIOLATION, SEDUCTION, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (under the pen name M. R. Morgan). MURDER WITH STRINGS ATTACHED is his latest novel. He is also a reviewer for the New York Journal of Books.
Mark and his wife Analee live in University Place, Washington, where in addition to reading and writing he plays clarinet with the Tacoma Concert Band and enjoys tennis, biking, exotic cars, model railroading, and various arts and crafts. He has no idea where he finds the time for it all.
We could all use a few laughs these days. So why not try this sci-fi comedy, Stealing Jia, by Gail Koger? There's an excerpt to whet your appetite before you download your own copy. Let the author know what you think in the comments section and follow the tour for more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!
“What are you staring at?”
Trayon pointed at my legs. “Do not move!”
I looked down and gasped. I knew I had picked up some hitchhikers, but wow. There was a brown snake with a crocodile's head and bright blue eyes coiled around my left thigh. A baby dinosaur chewed on my right pants leg. “Merda!”
Pepe cautiously sniffed them. “Me like.”
I guess that was a good thing. I had to admit the little dinosaur was cute as a bug.
The Askole drew an enormous sword. “I will kill the vermin.”
“What? Stop!” I threw my hands out. “We don’t kill babies.”
“It is a Rodan. None can be allowed to live.”
“It’s a baby.” I stiffened as something moved in my hair. Had I picked up an alien version of lice too?
“Our law is quite specific. All must be destroyed.” Trayon advanced toward me.
The Rodan whimpered and tightened its grip on my leg.
Pepe growled menacingly. “No hurt.”
I pulled my laser pistol. “You harm one scale on that kid’s head, and I’ll shoot you.”
“The Rodan have your brother.”
“So, you think this baby is the mastermind behind his kidnapping?”
Trayon’s tentacles knotted. “I am your mate, and you will obey me. Lower your weapon.”
“I guess you haven’t heard, but Earth women aren’t good at following orders and I’m not your mate.”
Trayon tapped his gauntlet. “Your weapons have been disabled.”
I pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. Cazzo! There was no way I could take Trayon in hand-to-hand combat.
Welcome to the Name Before the Masses Tour for All Bags to Cleveland, a clever paranormal romantic comedy by C.S. Hale! I'm letting you know what I thought of the book, plus sharing an excerpt. You can also get a sneak peek into the author's life as she talks about balancing life and writing. Lots to enjoy here and then as you follow the tour! Plus there's a great giveaway at the end.
“You owe me.”
Angela glanced up from her computer screen. Dave Ford stood in front of her. The blood drained from her face. “Do I?” She raised her “helpful” smile.
“Yes.” Dave handed over his passport and put the Louis Vuitton garment bag on the scale. “Last time, you sent my bag to Cleveland.”
“The system isn’t perfect,” Angela said, punching Dave’s information into the computer. “Things do happen sometimes.”
“You control the system. I think you owe me a glass of wine for having to find a tailor at six a.m. I had a nine o’clock business meeting and just my jeans and sweatshirt.”
“Hmm. By that reckoning, I think I’d owe the tailor for having to get you a functional suit so quickly at that early hour.”
“I tipped him £100. Least you can do is buy me a glass of wine in return.”
Angela lifted her gaze. Dave—all six feet of him with his fabulous hair— had a hopeful expression on his face.
“I’m not in the habit of buying strange men alcohol.”
Dave stuck his hand out. “Hi. Dave Ford. Business traveler.” Angela laughed. “All I’m asking for is a glass of Malbec. Or maybe pinot noir. Small price to pay in comparison to my having to fight off jet lag via acupuncture.”
“Acupuncture?”
Dave shrugged. “It was early for the tailor. His aim wasn’t quite what it could have been.”
Angela dipped into Dave’s mind. The tailor had stabbed him a couple of times. And Dave was playing with her. He wanted to see what she’d do.
Peggy Jaeger's books are always fun, and now she has a new holiday rom-com to share! Enjoy excerpt from Mistletoe, Mobsters, & Mozzarella! And then be sure to follow the tour for more, letting her know your thoughts along the way. Best of luck entering the giveaway!
Being the oldest of six kids and the only girl in the mix, it takes a lot to scare me.
My brothers are, each and every one of them, a pain in the ass to their cores and I’d grown up the victim of their arguably stupid shenanigans too many times to count. Cooked linguini placed in my bed to look like worms; a farting cushion placed on my chair at the dinner table; toothpaste spread on my school lunch sandwich instead of peanut butter. More times than I could remember one of them would hide in my closet then jump out at me when I least expected it. Anything and everything dumb and dumber they could think up to annoy me, they’d done. And still did to this day if they thought they could get away with it. Chronological maturity hadn’t made its way to their brains yet and they all still acted liked little boys when it came to infuriating me.
This spine tingling sense of unease rippling through me didn’t feel like one of their usual pranks.
But with my brothers, you never know.
“I swear on all that’s holy, Giacomo,” I called out, naming the brother voted most likely to do something moronic, “if this is some dumbass attempt to scare me, I’m gonna make you suffer.”
The water is filling.
We’re spinning.
Blondie is rapturing.
Below us, the nightclub turns like a sparkling dream. Worse, Underwearld is wallpapered in phosphorescent art photos of Caleb in his Calvin Kleins.
“Hey Edger—it’s Caleb!” says Mary, banging her shoulder against the side of our disco ball water torture prison and sloshing water. “Caleb! Caleb!”
I roll my eyes. “Of course you know Caleb. Because the universe just couldn’t let me die without letting me know: Hey—Mary knows Caleb.”
“Edger, Caleb’s H.A.R.D.O.N.”
“Hard-on for you, hard-on for Kate—”
“Oh my God, Edger. Not now, okay? High Risk Agency for Regulating the Defense Of the NFL.”
“What!? That doesn’t even make any sense! It should be H-A-R-D-O—wait, somebody capitalized the freaking O—?! You know, my tax dollars paid someone to capitalize that letter O.”
“Really? Really, Edger? You want to do this now?”
“That’s what they always say too: ‘You wanna do this now.’ But notice they never balance the budget. All I’m saying is, you gotta talk about it sometime.”
“Edger! We. Are about. To die.”
So I’m panting, she’s panting, and Caleb’s down there scanning the room in front of a larger than life phosphorescent photograph of his crotch. Because apparently all paths in life lead there.
“Caleb!” Mary yells.
“Caleb!” I yell.
And so there we are, yelling our butts off, banging our shoulders into the wall, water sloshing over our faces—you know, not panicking.
Then the water level reaches our chins.
