From the Review Pile #1

From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday.

The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review (or if you don't receive review books, any book that you own and really want to read/review) but haven't yet got around to reading, in order to give the book some extra publicity.

This week I'm featuring Emma Lang's Brody, the second book in her Circle Eight series, revolving around the Graham siblings following the brutal murder of their parents and the abduction of their baby brother Benjy. I loved the first book  in the series Matthew, and this one is the story of two of my favorite characters from Matthew, his sister Olivia and Texas Ranger Brody. I'm really looking forward to reading it. Emma Lang is one my favorite western historical authors.

Book Description:

A year after their family was brutally torn apart, the Graham siblings begin to put their lives back together at their ranch in East Texas. With their parents gone, their bonds will truly be tested . . .

Olivia Graham has worked hard to take care of her younger brothers and sisters at the Circle Eight Ranch. But their family circle was broken when their young brother Benjy disappeared. She can't shake the feeling that he must be out there, somewhere. Brody Armstrong, a handsome but rough-around-the-edges Texas Ranger, has been working on their case for months, and now he has a promising lead. As Liv follows him across the rugged Texas landscape and into Mexico, she'll begin to find the answers she needs—as Brody finds a passion he didn't know he wanted . . .

Murder on the Half Shelf by Lorna Barrett

Book Description: Stoneham, New Hampshire, is a haven to bookstores, including Tricia’s own mystery shop, Haven’t Got a Clue, but is sadly lacking in bed and breakfasts. Pippa and Jon Comfort’s Sheer Comfort Inn opens its doors to the public in a week and the couple has offered some locals a free night as a trial run.

But what should have been a pleasant overnight stay for Tricia becomes a nightmare when she makes two startling discoveries: Pippa’s murdered body in the backyard, and the fact that her husband Jon is actually Harry Tyler, a man Tricia loved—and believed dead—for nearly twenty years.

Now Harry is the prime suspect, but Tricia doesn’t believe him capable of murder, regardless of her own feelings toward him. And even though Harry’s led a life of lies, Tricia’s learning that Pippa had her share of secrets that some people may have not wanted revealed…

My thoughts: Time spent in the fictional town of Stoneham, NH has become like spending time with old friends to me. This sixth book in the series (it’s hardcover debut!) is the best yet. You would think Tricia and Angelica wouldn’t find trouble spending the night at a quaint New England Bed and Breakfast, would you? Wrong! A murder at the B&B makes everyone staying there that night a suspect, and really throws Tricia for a loop when she learns the victim’s husband is her former lover, long believed dead.

I loved  the secondary storylines involving Angelica’s first foray into foodie tv; the marital discourse between sweet Mr Everett and Grace; and Tricia’s hiring dilemmas involving new characters Linda and Pixie (who I can’t wait to see more of in future books…what an interesting gal!!!) The revelation of the murderer and motive was a true shocker, and the set-up for the next book will leave you breathless with anticipation!

Tara’s Thoughts: Three times Tricia takes Sarge out for a walk. Three times they end up finding trouble. I think that says it all. Miss Marple, on the other hand, is a little lady like me, staying inside where she belongs, bossing her mom around, not getting into any mischief (except for misplacing a miscellaneous Post-it containing important information…) I think we could be friends.

Liebster Blog Award

How exciting! My first blog award, and I've been nominated TWICE in the same week!!!  I've been tagged with the Liebster Blog Award by Home is Where the Book Is and By the Cover Book Club.

The Liebster Award is for bloggers with less than 200 followers. Award winners share 11 facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who tagged them, come up with 11 of their own questions and tag 11 more bloggers with the award.

So here we go...

11 Facts About Me:

1) I prefer the company of animals to people.

2) I have a beautiful tortie, Tara, the true star of my blog.

3) I am a total homebody.

4) In spite of #3, I hope to one day travel to Alaska and England.

5) My favorite foods are coffee, cocoa, pizza and chocolate.

6) I love classic country music.

7) I'd love to time travel to the Old West.

8) Christmas is my favorite time of year - I start decorating in mid November, don't take my tree down until mid January, and read nothing but Christmas books during the season.

9) My favorite color as a child was purple. Now it's pink.

10) I devoured every Nancy Drew book in middle school.

11) I love to watch scary movies and tv shows late at night, especially anything Hitchcock.

My questions from Home Is Where the Book Is:

1. Kindle or Book? Both

2. Favorite Book? Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

3. How long have you been blogging? A year in August

4. Favorite Author? Agatha Christie

5. Birthday or Christmas? Christmas

6. Favorite Season Fall

7. What author living or dead would you like to meet? Laura Ingalls Wilder

8. Hardback or paperback Paperback

9. Favorite song? George Strait's Amarillo By Morning

10. Favorite genre to read? Cozy mysteries

11. Favorite TV show? Little House on the Prairie

My questions from By the Cover Book Club:

Is there a specific genre you like to review best? Cozy Mysteries

What book would you like to see turned into a movie? Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat

Who is your favorite book hero? Rhett Butler

What do you like to do when you are not blogging? Reading and quality time with my cat.

What is your favorite book/movie snack? Tortilla chips

What do you look for in a leading man/woman? Kindness to animals, strength, sensitivity

What is your least favorite genre and why? Horror, can’t stand blood and gore

If you had to pick a book that stayed with you long after the cover was closed, what would it be and why? The Devil in the White City, deliciously creepy

What is your biggest book pet-peeve? Having to wait too long for the next book in a series to come out!!!

Do you prefer happily ever afters or a good tear jerker? Happily ever after

My 11 questions:

1.Christmas or Halloween?

2. Favorite pizza topping?

3. Coffee, tea, or cocoa?

4. What is your favorite time of day to read?

5. What is the first website you go to in the morning?

6. Favorite cable channel?

7. When you walk in the bookstore what is the first section you visit?

8. Favorite ice cream flavor?

9. Do you collect anything (besides books?)

10. Snowmen or gingerbread men?

11. Do you believe in ghosts?

11 people I have given the Liebster Blog Award to:

1. Cozy Mystery Book Review

2. The Historical Christian Review

3. Palmer's Picks for Reading

4. Reading Between Classes

5. Bookish Whimsy

6. Framed in Words

7. Cozy Writer's Den

8. Random Ranting

9. out.Rageous Pages

10. You Only Write So Much

11. From the Bootheel Cotton Patch

Sacrifice of Passion

Book Description: A tall, dark, single-dad Texas rancher finds himself facing more than his stubbornly silent son when the chupacabra, a supposedly mythical blood-sucking beast, starts killing his livestock—and stalking the town’s newly returned veterinary assistant, the sensual woman who ran from the altar and broke his heart twelve years earlier. Determined to purge his sizzling memories of her from his all-too-vivid imagination, he seeks her help to get to the bottom of the disturbing animal mutilations, only to have her break through to his sullen son...and rekindle the love he’d thought was lost forever. But her refusal to share a terrible secret sends her running straight into the lair of the chupacabra, plunging her back into her worst nightmare, and forcing them both to confront the wrongs of the past—in order to stay alive for the future they desperately want.

My Review: I’ve heard nothing but good things about Entangled Publishing’s category imprints, so when I was offered a chance to review a book from their new Dead Sexy romantic suspense line, I immediately chose Melissa Bourbon’s title since I’m such a fan of her Magical Dressmaking mystery series. Romantic suspense isn’t a genre I read very often, but this story really sucked me in. The romance between Vic and Delaney sizzles, and it’s even more intense because of their tragic past. One night 12 years ago, what should have been the most special night of their lives, turned so tragic it changed them forever and molded them into who they are today…strong, yet fragile with guarded hearts. The terrifying events happening in San Julio, linked to the mythical chupacabra, bring them back into each others lives, forcing them to face all of their painful secrets.

I enjoyed all of the secondary characters in the book as well, from the townsfolk to Zack and little Sheila. I was sure I had correctly identified the attacker, but I was completely wrong and was shocked by the revelation, but it made perfect sense. Truly suspenseful.

This is the first book in Ramirez’s Deadly Legends trilogy. I had heard about the chupacabra before, and am intrigued enough now to learn even more about it. The legend of La Llorona is briefly alluded to as well, and I hope this is the subject of one of the subsequent books in the series.

Make yourself a pot of coffee…you won’t want to put this one down.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher with the request for a review.

Waiting on Wednesday (#1)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

These are 2 western historicals I'm really looking forward to coming out this fall...by mainstream publishers! I'm just crazy about the covers as well!

Lady Gone Bad by Sabine Starr

The saloon singer known as "Lady Gone Bad" is the most drop-dead gorgeous outlaw the West has ever seen. Lady has never met a cowboy she couldn't entice, or a lawman she couldn't outrun. But when Lady tangles with a sexy U.S. Marshall, she's tempted to stick around long enough to watch him lay down the law - in her bed. U. S. Marshall Rafe Morgan wants to lock up Lady Gone Bad for good - and he won't let his attraction to her slow him down. But when his attempt to bring Lady to justice goes awry, Rafe is nearly hanged - and by dawn, his face is plastered next to hers on every "Wanted" poster in Texas. Now on the run together, Rafe and Lady find themselves in very close quarters - and even more compromising positions. As Lady surrenders to Rafe's touch, she slowly begins to reveal all her secrets - including her real name. Maybe "Lady Gone Bad" isn't beyond redemption after all. Either way, Rafe is in for one wild ride...

Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin

Cathleen Chase is no killer—but as Cat O’Banyon, she is a ruthless bounty hunter who always gets her man. Catching one lowlife after another, she continues her search for the only man she really cares to locate: the one whose voice she will never forget; the man who murdered her husband. She'll stop at nothing to find him.

Con artist Alexi Romanov taught Cat every trick she knows. He is a master of deceit, of disguise and of desire. He’s difficult to trust, and even more difficult to resist, but he has news she can’t ignore. The man she’s after has placed a bounty on her head. To get him before he gets her, she’ll have to team up with Alexi  again… And just like before, the two of them together are nothing but trouble.

First Tuesday-July 2012 (and a little peach sangria, anyone?)

First Tuesday is happily upon us once again, and here is the list of what’s available today in bookstores and online retailers:

Going Organic Can Kill You by Staci McLaughlin (first in a series)
Pies and Prejudice by Elley Adams (first in a series)

Plotting at the PTA by Laura Alden
Murder On The Half Shelf by Lorna Barrett (hardcover debut!)

In A Witch's Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell
Cloaked In Malice by Annette Blair

Murder For Choir by Joelle Charbonneau (first in a series)
A Sinister Sense by Allison Kingsley
Lethal Outlook by Victoria Laurie
Beef Stolen-Off by Liz Lipperman

Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay

And now for a cover reveal...I was recently engaging in one of my favorite activities, Amazon browsing, when I came across the next book in Diane Kelly's Tara Holloway series, due out in January 2013. Now I have a thing for skulls in unique places on cozy covers...look at that adorable little skull in the peach pit!!! Isn't this just the yummiest cover???

A Sinister Sense

Book Description: Visions of the future and turning into people’s thoughts come naturally to Clara Quinn thanks to her inherited Quinn Sense. Unfortunately, it offers no insight into her love life—or lack thereof—especially where hardware store owner Rick Sanders is concerned. But even though she’s still nursing a broken heart, Clara offers Rick a home for his troublesome dog, Tatters.

But Tatters is the least of Rick’s problems when a dead body is discovered in the back of his truck. The victim was seen in the hardware store—and bludgeoned to death with a hammer stolen from there. Clara believes Rick is innocent, but she’s not sure whether that belief comes from the Quinn Sense in her head or simply from a desire in her heart… 

My Thoughts: Cousins Clara and Stephanie find themselves in the midst of another mystery while running their paranormal bookstore Raven’s Nest, this time to help out Clara’s good friend/maybe boyfriend Rick. These two are a really fun crime-solving team, and I also enjoy the mother/daughter dynamic of Clara and Jessie. The addition of Tatters makes this terrific cozy series even “cozier” and I loved how Clara can even read his thoughts at times! The mystery isn’t extremely complex, making this a great summer read…not too taxing on the brain yet extremely enjoyable.

Tara’s Thoughts: Why is there a cat on the cover? There’s no cat in the book! False advertising, I say!!! (Calm down, Tara…)

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher with the request for a review.