Showing posts with label Kensington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kensington. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Books I'm Looking Forward to Reading-May

With May just around the corner I thought I would take the time to let you know about some books I'm looking forward to reading. 
How do you hear about new books?
As for me, I hear about new books from several places (Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, newsletters and sometimes publishers).  My biggest problem is I'll hear about a book I want to read and then forget when it's releasing.  Honestly, I think we're all a little guilty of this.  So I'm going to share with you some books I am looking forward to not only releasing, but also reading next month.  

I will show both fiction and nonfiction, but honestly I lean more towards fiction.  
Here we go:




Prosecutor Sophie Dawson has taken a new role at the Fulton County DA's office, and her first case involves a local bank employee who may be cheating customers. She's determined to bring justice to those who've lost their savings . . . but her life is turned upside down when she becomes the only witness to a double homicide involving a vengeful gang. 

With her life at risk, friends and family convince her that she needs protection, and private security guard Cooper Knight is hired as a bodyguard. But as threats escalate, neither Cooper nor Sophie knows whom they can trust. 

Unwilling to back down on either case, Sophie pursues the truth at any cost. But her bank litigation gets more complicated by the day, and the gang will stop at nothing to keep her from taking the stand. With all sides closing in, steadfast Cooper is the only man she can lean on. But drawing close may be the distraction that costs both of their lives. 




A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community, and among the missing are not only a group of students but also PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved--and lost--walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.

A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked--no, ran--from over a year ago. She had her reasons--good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up--not on the missing students or on her.




Willow Bradford is content taking a break from modeling to run her family's inn until she comes face-to-face with NFL quarterback Corbin Stewart, the man who broke her heart--and wants to win her back. When a decades-old missing-persons case brings them together, they're forced to decide whether they can risk falling for one another all over again. 



It's been ten years since Payton Thatcher's twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine--as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm's length.

But with her middle sister Jillian's engagement, Payton's party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian's plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.



In the aftermath of her husband’s act of adultery and abandonment, Savannah must finally face the ghosts that haunt her and discover for herself whether authentic faith, grace, and ultimate healing really do exist.

When her husband of twenty-one years leaves her, Savannah Barrington believes she’s lost almost everything she’s ever loved. With her daughter in college and her son in boarding school, Savannah retreats to her parents’ lake house in the Berkshires, where hope and healing come in the form of an old woman’s wisdom, a little girl’s laughter, a touch of magic, and a handsome man who’s willing to risk his own heart to prove she’s still worth loving.

But when her husband asks to reconcile, Savannah is faced with the hardest challenge of all: Forgiving the unforgivable. Somehow she must find freedom from the chains of their past and move forward, or face an unknown future without him.



Daisy Swanson and her Aunt Iris run a delightful shop in Pennsylvania’s Amish country with an emphasis on tasty teas and treats—but murder is not so sweet . . .

As local merchants unite to attract tourists for a much anticipated weekend quilting event, business is sure to spill over into eateries like Daisy’s Tea Garden. Gorgeous craftwork is hanging everywhere—but among the quilts, potholders, and placemats, one gallery owner is wrapped up in some dangerous affairs . . .

Reese Masemer had been dating one of Daisy’s employees, Tessa, an artist, though their last interaction was as strained as a cup of loose leaf tea. Now Reese has been found dead near a covered bridge where Tessa’s been practicing her sketches. She’s the obvious suspect, but Daisy’s learning that there were some major secrets in Reese’s background, and several of his relationships were infused with resentment. To save Tessa, she’ll have to find out who’s tainted this quaint little town with murder . . .
 


Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she'll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. 

As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever. 



Ever since her best friend died six months ago, Laura Reihl has vowed to make each day count. And that means she should probably break off her relationship with Rudy. They’ve been together for so many years, and his friendship means the world to her. But she knows friendship doesn’t come close to the fireworks of true love, and she’s not really feeling the fireworks.

So when Savilla’s widower, Allen, asks her to help him take care of the baby Savilla left behind, Laura jumps at the chance. Maybe the change of scenery will help her gain perspective on her relationship with Rudy. And she’d do anything to help Allen out—he’s always been a good friend to her, and he’s Rudy’s best friend as well.

When she arrives at Allen’s house, though, she finds a man she barely recognizes. Allen is distraught over his wife’s death, blaming himself for not taking her to the doctor soon enough.

As Laura helps Allen work through his grief, she remembers just how easy he is to talk to. And she discovers an attraction she’s never felt with Rudy. She can’t be falling for Allen, can she? It would be a betrayal to the two people she’s care most about, Savilla and Rudy. But if she denies her feelings, is she betraying herself?
 


As you can see there are some great books releasing in May and I am anxiously looking forward to each one.  Check back here and see my reviews.  
Happy Reading!!
Blessings
Katrina


Monday, November 28, 2016

Caprice De Luca Mystery #6

Shades of Wrath (Caprice De Luca Mystery #6)SHADES OF WRATH is book 6 in Karen Rose Smith's Caprice De Luca Home Staging cozy mystery series.  Between her booming business, her family, and her work rescuing stray animals, home stager Caprice De Luca's life is packed. But when a murder unsettles peaceful Kismet, Pennsylvania, she adds amateur sleuth to her resume.

Thanks to a wealthy patron, Kismet's women's shelter, Sunshine Tomorrow, has inherited a run-down mansion. Now the shelter's director, Wendy Newcomb, wants Caprice's decorating expertise. Caprice is happy to help, but when she glimpses a few heated encounters between Wendy and some locals, she fears that Wendy may be in need of protection herself.

When Wendy is found dead inside the old house, Caprice is compelled to poke around in her affairs--and discovers she had her share of enemies. Now, with countless clients, a TV gig that could make her a household name, and rumors of a marriage proposal on its way, Caprice must find time to design an investigation that will lure a crafty killer into the wide open--before someone else winds up in a state of permanent disrepair...
 

Expected publication: November 29th 2016
 by Kensington  
 
 
 
Available for Purchase:
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
 
 
Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Although she was an only child, she remembers the bonds of an extended family. Family is a strong theme in her books and she suspects her childhood memories are the reason.

In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both began married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home-decorating business.

She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing relationship novels. Now she writes romances as well as mysteries full time. Her first book was published in 1992; her 80th novel will be published in 2013. A winner of New Jersey's Golden Leaf Award in Short Contemporary Romance, Colorado Romance Writers Award Of Excellence for short contemporary, as well as the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter's Golden Quill for Traditional Romance, she has also been honored with Cataromance.com's award for Best Special Edition and Washington Romance Writers Career Achievement Award. Her romances have made both the USA TODAY list and the Amazon Romance and Contemporary Romance Bestseller lists.
 
 
 
My Thoughts:
 
 
I absolutely love these cozy mysteries starring Caprice DeLuca. She is a very strong, compelling woman who loves a good puzzle. She has reinvented herself with the decline in the economy and is loving her business of staging homes. She is quiet busy with her work, but also she has a love of animals and helps with rescues and finding them forever homes. In this mystery she touches on a very tough issue, domestic abuse, and gives the reader a realistic view of it.
 Wendy Newcomb had established a woman's shelter in Kismet and is planning to expand her foundation and invites Caprice to an old Tudor home being renovated as housing for transitional care with the possibility of her doing the decorating. After meeting with Wendy it's decided that Caprice with formulate a design and they would discuss putting the final touches on it. Unfortunately for Caprice before anything can be put into motion Wendy is found dead in the Tudor mansion.
 As the investigation heats up so does Caprice's business and love life. As the story unfolds Caprice takes the opportunity to be involved in a reality show which will showcase her talents and she starts taking a deeper look at her relationship with Grant. Of course there's a kitty rescue involved in the story so Caprice's love of animals comes shining through.
This is a wonderful mystery with lots of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages quickly. The secondary characters are engaging and well integrated into the story. The plot flows effortlessly and brings beautiful imagery. The author brings an artful touch to the book by including recipes at the end. Each recipe is taken from the story and I love them. I have tried several. If you like a good, clean mystery then this one is perfect for you. Even though this book is part of a series this is an easy stand alone story. I think this is my favorite book in the series so far, but then again I say that every time because each story keeps getting better and better. I look forward tot he next one in the series. I volunteered to read the advanced reader copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Thursday, September 22, 2016

The Coldwater Warm Hearts Club

The Coldwater Warm Hearts Club  
The lake is crystal blue, the hills roll for miles, and breaking news travels via the Methodist prayer chain. But don’t let the postcard fool you. Coldwater Cove, Oklahoma, leavens its small-town charm with plenty of Ozark snark.

For Lacy Evans, returning to flyover country is the definition of failure. She had everything she wanted—an award-winning design firm, a chic city condo, a handsome, aristocratic almost-fiancĂ©. Then her boyfriend ran off with her receptionist and her clients' money. Now she’s out of business and crashing on her parents’ couch. When she slides into a booth at the Green Apple Grill, she's feeling lower than a worm's belly.


But Lacy’s old classmate Jacob Tyler is happy to see her. Coldwater’s football hero came back from Afghanistan short part of a leg and some peace of mind, but he’s counting his blessings, and Lacy could be one of them. Then there’s her ex, Daniel, wearing a sheriff’s badge and a wedding ring, but looking like young summer love. And a host of unlikely serendipities: the selfless do-gooders who sneak around taming curmudgeons and constructing second chances. The Fighting Marmots. The sprawling, take-no-prisoners Bugtussle clan.

Lacy thought she knew her hometown, and herself. She just wanted to get on her feet and keep running. But the longer she stays, the more she finds to change her mind. . .

Expected publication: September 27th 2016
 by Kensington  


Available for Purchase:



Meet the Author:


Lexi Eddings


Lexi Eddings is the pen name of multi-published author Diana Groe, who has written for Kensington, Sourcebooks, and Entangled. A classically trained soprano, she calls her historical work a cross between Grand Opera and Gilbert and Sullivan. Her historical romances have received glowing reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and RT Book Reviews.


 Connect with Lexi:

BLOG 


 My Thoughts:

 Lexi Eddings is a new author for me and I love finding to authors.  
When I heard the name of this book I knew it was one I wanted to read, but when I found the book description I was more than intrigued.  Of course the beautiful cover just gives a glimpse of the wonderful story inside.  
I loved everything about this book!
From the plot to the characters, and did I mention Lexi has included recipes from the Green Apple Grill.  Yes, an author after my heart.  
This story is set in the foothills of the Ozarks in a small town of Coldwater Cove.  
Coldwater Cove is your typical small town with one exception.
It has the Methodist prayer chain.  
Everyone and everything makes it there, not out of meanness though.  
Lacy Evans has arrived back home.  Willingly? No, it was a matter of necessity. 
The last few months have been difficult to say the least, but her survival instincts kicked in. She doesn't expect  a warm welcome, but life has many surprises in store for her yet.  
I liked Lacy mostly because she takes lemons and makes lemonade.  She's faced with not only starting over in the place she begun, but also facing the fact everyone has heard about her mistakes.  She plans to first find a place to live, then a job and hopefully finally lay her past to rest.  
In this story we meet a variety of interesting characters, but Jake Tyler stole my heart and there's no other way to put it.  He was the guy who stole every girl's heart in high school with that crooked little grin.  Of course life has not gone as planned for him, but it rarely does for anyone.  He received a football scholarship to college where he obtained several concussions, then a stint in the marines where he obtained injuries, both seen and unseen, and home he came to take over and run the Green Apple Grill.   Then there's Daniel, Lacy's ex, who is now wearing the sheriff's badge and sporting a wedding ring.  
This story contains elements of humor, heartbreak, second chances, faith and love.  This is a wonderful story about going home and finding that even though some things stay the same, somethings are different.  But has it really, or have we changed?
This is a story I would recommend to anyone who loves a clean, sweet romance.
**I received this book from the author for a honest review without bias or outside influence.  

   I am looking forward to reading more about Coldwater Cove in the next book, A Coldwater Warm Hearts Wedding, which is set to be released in May, 2017.  

A Coldwater Warm Hearts Wedding

Here's a little bonus:


Jake Tyler, the hunky proprietor of the Green Apple Grill in The Coldwater Warm Hearts Club borrowed his recipe for Belgian Waffles from another great cook, Emeril Lagasse.  


Ingredients
2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 cups milk
non-stick cooking spray
 
Directions
Preheat the waffle iron. In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a second bowl use the wooden spoon to beat together the egg yolks and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and eggs have turned a pale yellow. Add the vanilla extract, melted butter, and milk to the eggs and whisk to combine. Combine the egg-milk mixture with the flour mixture and whisk just until blended. Do not over mix. 

In third bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Using the rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the waffle batter. Do not over mix! (That's starting to be a theme, isn't it?) 

Coat the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour enough batter in iron to just cover waffle grid. Close and cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

 

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Caprice De Luca Mystery #5

Release Day!!!
Silence of the Lamps 
Published April 26th 2016
 by Kensington  

Synopsis:


Business has never been better for home stager Caprice De Luca, but her personal life could stand a few renovations. Just when she thought things were getting serious with her boyfriend Grant, his pretty ex-wife swoops into town and nabs his attention. Uncle Dom is living with her parents and desperately needs a new job. And her sister Nikki's catering business is threatened when rival Drew Pierson starts eating away at her share of the market. Things could not possibly get more chaotic when Drew is found bludgeoned to death by one of his grandmother's antique Tiffany lamps--and Nikki is the number one suspect. Now, Caprice must act fast to illuminate the truth and clear her sister's name--before a cold-blooded killer puts her lights out next. 
Meet Caprice:
Caprice 
 Caprice De Luca—Home stager and amateur sleuth

I never thought I'd solve a murder!

I'm just an ordinary woman, thirty-two years old this year. I love my big family. My younger sister Bella sometimes drives me crazy. My older sister Nikki always tries to give me advice. My brother Vince hovers sometimes like older brothers do. Because I've always been curious and slightly rebellious, my parents usually take a hands-off approach. Usually. However, my Nana Celia tells me exactly what she thinks and even gives me decorating pointers. Except for Bella, they all accept my quirks—I love anything retro, especially the 60's and the Beatles, and wear vintage fashions when I can find something that suits me. Bella can't understand why I like wearing "old" clothes and especially doesn't understand why I take in stray animals and find them good homes!
Speaking of animals, a long-haired calico named Sophia (after my Nana's favorite actress Sophia Loren) pretty much owns me. She has me trained to give her cream whenever I have it in the fridge and has her own turquoise carpeted cat tree in our living room. In addition to Sophia, an adorable mop of a dog, Dylan—I'm a Bob Dylan fan, too—lives with us for now.
Did I mention my roots are Italian and I enjoy cooking like my mom and nana? My sisters do join me in this hobby and at least once a month when we all gather at my parents' house for Sunday dinner, everybody cooks something...except for Vince who brings the wine.
When the economy declined, my home decorating business took a hit. So I reinvented myself into a home stager. My specialty is now themed, high-end client stagings. (Though I still love decorating a single room for a client, too.)
I can't tell you about the murder I'm solving. I don't want to give too much information to you because it will spoil your attempts at investigating with me. Just know I'm glad you're reading along, meeting my friends and family in Kismet, Pennsylvania, and getting to know my furry friends.
 Meet the Author:


Karen Rose Smith

In 2016, my 95th novel will be published. I'm having so much fun writing my Caprice De Luca cozy mysteries that I become more emotionally invested in each book. This is why.
I created a heroine that has a lot of me in her. Caprice De Luca, home stager, has a background similar to mine. An only child, I dreamed of brothers and sisters and a big family like my mom and dad came from—seven children in my mother's family and ten in my father's. On weekends I was often surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. Caprice has that large family and the complicated relationships that accompany it. I'm a child of the 60's, a lover of the Beatles and now I appreciate antiques and retro fashion. (After all, haven't the 60's fashions just come back?) You'll see all of this mirrored in my amateur sleuth.
It is no secret that I fell in love in college. My husband and I will celebrate our 45th anniversary this summer. I believe in the power of commitment and the hope that goes along with the promise of everlasting love. You'll see that reflected in my mysteries as well as my romances. I'll be concentrating on planting clues and solving murders. But a touch of romance, I hope, adds sparkle to this mystery series.
Readers often ask me about my pastimes. I have herb, flower and vegetable gardens that help me relax. I enjoy raising heirloom tomatoes from seed. In the winter, I cook rather than garden. And year-round I spend most of my time with my husband, as well as our four rescued cats—Zoie Joy, Halo, Paddy and London. You can read about my cats, book news, gardens and giveaways in my newsletter IN TOUCH.

Connect with Karen:
Website
Blog  
Facebook 
Twitter 

My Thoughts:

Let me start by saying I loved this book!!
This is the 5th book in the Caprice De Luca mysteries and it was everything I had hoped it would be.  To be honest with you, I had read Karen's romance novels and loved them, but when I picked up the very first Caprice book I was hooked.  Caprice is a free spirit. She is a person who didn't dwell on the negatives of life, but took the negative, down turn in the economy, and made a positive, her home staging business.  Yet at the same time she always has time for others and that includes our fur friends.  I love that she rescues animals and finds them a forever home.  The other thing I really like about Caprice is her love and dedication to her family.  
In this book we find Caprice's business has taken off and she's really busy.  She puts a lot into each home she stages and the open houses for them.  She bases each house around a theme and works to incorporate every aspect around the theme, even down to the food.  She and her sister, Nicki, plan a menu of the food to be served.  Of course this also helps Nicki showcase her talents  and the possibility she can pick up some catering jobs. Unfortunately during the latest open house Nicki's former employee/rival, Drew, shows up unexpectedly to check out her latest dishes and to make trouble for her.  No one knows the extent of the trouble he could cause until he is found dead by none other than Nicki and Caprice.  Caprice knows that Nicki will automatically by a person of interest in the police investigation so she needs to solve this case before Nicki is arrested for murder.  
Caprice is still rescuing animals, don't you just love that.  Her uncle is pet sitting and notices a tortoise shell cat hanging around the property and it appears injured.  Knowing Caprice's history he gives her a call to help. They make the decision to safely trap the animal, but surprises are in store for when they finally are able to get it to the vet.  Miss Kitty is going to be a mother soon.  Will her neighbor still give this kitty and possible her babies a forever home? 
Grant and Caprice have gotten closer in the last couple of books and to me they are more than friends.  In fact I would put them in the couple category, but she hopes the relationship would turn into something more.  He is the one person she can always depend on.  Just as their relationship seems to be heading in the direction she wants there's a kink, his ex-wife shows up for a visit.  What does this mean for their relationship?  Will her history repeat itself? 
Poor Caprice.  Her life is going in so many directions I don't know how she keeps up with it all.   
Needless to say, I loved this book.  It's a spectacular read.  
The plot is steady and flows effortlessly, yet has a lot of twists and turns that keep you turning the pages.The characters are well developed and engaging.   For me this is a very addicting series.  I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cozy mysteries.  
**I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.   


Available For Purchase:

AMAZONBARNES & NOBLEKOBO 

Coming December 2016

Shades of Wrath
Caprice De Luca Mysteries #6

Wendy Newcomb, director of the Kismet women's shelter Sunrise Tomorrow, is thrilled when the shelter receives a legacy. Leona Wyatt has left the organization not only her huge Tudor mansion but a monetary inheritance to accompany it. Wendy asks Caprice De Luca, home stager and decorator extraordinaire, to scope out the house and renovations. She hires Caprice to decorate the mansion to serve women who need more than an overnight port in a storm.
When Wendy is murdered in the mansion, Caprice is pulled into the investigation by the assistant director of Sunrise who wants a quick resolution to the investigation so new plans for the mansion aren't impeded. In her drive against domestic violence, Wendy has made enemies. Not only the husbands of women she has sheltered or relocated but also co-workers as well as Leona Wyatt's children. And what about Wendy's significant other who is instrumental in running the cooperative neighborhood where he, Wendy and his teenage boys live? Caprice's life is about to change as she accepts a marriage proposal, helps her uncle adopt kittens, sees her sister Bella attach to a stray cat, and learns whether Wendy was a blackmailer or the one being blackmailed. Caprice finds herself in danger once more as she asks questions and even calls on St. Anthony for inspiration to solve this murder mystery.