Blog Tour: CHRISTMAS IN THE CROSSHAIRS - Author Guest Post - Review - Giveaway!

Christmas in the Crosshairs (Love Inspired Suspense) by Deena Alexander

Author Guest Post:

Since it’s the holiday season, I thought it would be fun to share a delicious, easy-to-make recipe.
 

My father has baked cookies every Christmas for as long as I can remember, and my all-time favorites are his Italian Rainbow Cookies! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Rainbow Cookies

 
INGREDIENTS:
4 Eggs
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup flour
3 Tsp. almond extract
3 Tbsp. Amaretto 
2 Sticks melted margarine
Food coloring: Red, yellow, green
1 Bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 jar Apricot or Raspberry jam or jelly (whichever you prefer)
 
DIRECTIONS;
 
Preheat oven to 350
 
Beat eggs and sugar together. Add flour and stir. Add Amaretto, almond extract, and melted margarine. Beat well. Separate into three bowls (an even amount of batter in each bowl). Add one color food coloring to each bowl (until batter is desired color).

Spray three 9 X 11 disposable baking pans with non-stick spray. Pour one color batter into each pan and spread evenly. Bake at 350 for 14 – 15 minutes (cooks quickly, so watch closely and remove if browning). Remove and let cool.

Melt chocolate chips.

Once cool, spread apricot or raspberry jelly over one colored sheet. Put next sheet on top of it. Spread a layer of jelly over that sheet. Put next sheet on top. Cover top layer with the melted chocolate chips – spread thin. 

Cut into small rectangles and enjoy!

Those look absolutely delicious!

About Christmas in the Crosshairs

 Christmas in the Crosshairs (Love Inspired Suspense) Inspirational Romantic Suspense Setting – Seaport, Long Island, New York Love Inspired Suspense (November 28, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1335597794 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1335597793 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BTJ3BSJW

A baby in need of protection— and a hitman in pursuit.

After evading an attack, defense attorney Adam Spencer is on the run from a dangerous hitman. The killer’s wife is Adam’s only hope at apprehending the criminal—until she lands in the hospital. Now he must depend on her twin sister, Jaelyn Reed, to find the answers they need…all while protecting the baby niece Jaelyn didn’t know she had. But with threats at every turn, trust may be the deadliest trap…

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading this Love Inspired Suspense book! Jaelyn and Adam were great main characters, and even though they had been through horrible things, I loved getting to see them find happiness. The epilogue was a fantastic ending! Overall, I would definitely recommend this romance novel!

I received a finished copy from the blog tour company/publisher.

About Deena Alexander

Deena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, a son-in-law, and four dogs. Now she enjoys long walks in nature all year long, despite the occasional alligator or snake she sometimes encounters. Deena's love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn't sleep through the night, and she now works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor.

Author Links:

• Webpage: http://deenaalexander.com/index.html
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• Blog: http://deenaalexander.com/blog.html
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• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeenaAlexanderAuthor
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• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeenaAlexanderA
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• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20382104.Deena_Alexander
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• BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/deena-alexander
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• Newsletter: https://gmail.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d7e6e9ecdc0888d7324788ffc&id=42d52965df

Purchase Links - Amazon B&N Kobo Harlequin Apple Google Play 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 28 – Maureen's Musings – REVIEW 

November 28 – Just Another Teen Reading Books - REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST November 29 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT 

November 29 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – REVIEW 

November 30 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

November 30 – Diane’s Book Journal – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Christy's Cozy Corners - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

December 2 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 5 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

December 6 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Sapphyria's Books – REVIEW

December 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

December 7 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

December 8 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 8 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

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Blog Tour: Lovelight Farms - Review!

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

Where the lovelight gleams …

A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.

In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, she enters a contest with instafamous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only … there is no boyfriend.

Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just came home for some hot chocolate, and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: I really enjoyed reading this romance novel! The characters were excellent. I loved the Christmas atmosphere. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Bitsy Bat, School Star - Review!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR by Kaz Windness Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR

Author: Kaz Windness

Pub. Date: June 6, 2023

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 48

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/BITSY-BAT-SCHOOL-STAR 

A little bat struggles to fit in only to learn to celebrate differences in this “darling book for all children but especially those with autism” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about starting school, making friends, and seeing what makes each person special.

Bitsy is a little bat with big star dreams of making friends at her new school. But when she arrives, Bitsy doesn’t feel like she fits in. The other kids sit on their chairs, but sitting upright makes Bitsy dizzy. The other kids paint with their fingers, but Bitsy would rather use her toes. Everyone tells Bitsy she’s doing things wrong-wrong-wrong, so she tries harder…and ends up having a five-star meltdown.

Now Bitsy feels like a very small star and doesn’t want to go back to school. But with help from her family, Bitsy musters her courage, comes up with a new plan, and discovers that being a good friend is just one of the ways she shines bright!

 My Review: 

This was a lovely Picture Book! The illustrations were absolutely charming (Bitsy was adorable!), and I thought the message was great. Overall, this was a wonderful PB that I would definitely recommend reading!

I received a copy of the book from the blog tour company and publisher.

About Kaz Windness:

Kaz Windness is an author-illustrator who loves to make her readers laugh. Kaz specializes in cute (and sometimes spooky!) characters with lots of humor and heart for kids and teens.

Kaz studied children’s book illustration at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) where she was a valedictorian graduate in 2002. Kaz is passionate about helping artists succeed and believes education is key. She is a professor of illustration and curriculum author at RMCAD (2013-present) and illustrator mentor.

Kaz is obsessed with squishy-faced dogs, waffles, and all things spooky. She loves working in watercolor, acrylic, collage, pencil, but mostly Photoshop. There's not much she won't turn into an art supply.

Kaz lives in Colorado with her English teacher husband, two children, and a bunny-obsessed Boston Terrier named Remy.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR, US Only.

Ends June 6th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/22/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
5/22/2023	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
5/23/2023	yabookscentral.com	Excerpt
5/23/2023	Little Red Reads	Excerpt
5/24/2023	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
5/24/2023	Nerdophiles	Review
5/25/2023	Confessions of the Perfect Mom	Review/IG Post
5/25/2023	thealylifestyle	Review/IG Post
5/26/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
5/26/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post

 Week Two:

5/29/2023	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
5/29/2023	nolareads504	IG Review
5/30/2023	@stargirls.magical.tale	IG Review
5/30/2023	@get.outside.and.read	IG Review
5/31/2023	Carly Sunshine Books	IG Review
5/31/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
6/1/2023	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
6/1/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
6/2/2023	@read.with.mama	IG Review
6/2/2023	@katherinebichler	TikTok Post

Blog Tour: Summer Reading - Review!

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

When a woman who'd rather do anything than read meets a swoon-worthy bookworm, sparks fly, making for one hot-summer fling in New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay's new rom-com.

For Samantha Gale, a summer on Martha's Vineyard at her family's tiny cottage was supposed to be about resurrecting her career as a chef, until she's tasked with chaperoning her half-brother, Tyler. The teenage brainiac is spending his summer at the local library in a robotics competition, and there's no place Sam, who's dyslexic, likes less than the library. And because the universe hates her, the library's interim director turns out to be the hot-reader guy whose book she accidentally destroyed on the ferry ride to the island.

Bennett Reynolds is on a quest to find his father, whose identity he's never known. He's taken the temporary job on the island to research the summer his mother spent there when she got pregnant with him. Ben tells himself he isn't interested in a relationship right now. Yet as soon as Sam knocks his book into the ocean, he can't stop thinking about her.

An irresistible attraction blossoms when Ben inspires Sam to create the cookbook she's always dreamed about and she jumps all in on helping him find his father, and soon they realize their summer fling may heat up into a happily ever after.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: I love this book! I read it in a day, because I couldn't stop reading it! Sam was a great main character. And Ben! He is now one of my favorite bookish love interests, he was absolutely wonderful. I loved how Sam's family played such a big part in the book. Her friend was a fantastic character, and I can't wait to read her book! I don’t have enough words to describe how much I enjoyed this novel. A 5 star read, I highly recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl - Spotlight/Review!

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renée Rosen

It’s 1938, and a young woman selling face cream out of a New York City beauty parlor is determined to prove she can have it all. Her name is Estée Lauder, and she’s about to take the world by storm, in this dazzling new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces and Park Avenue Summer.

In New York City, you can disappear into the crowd. At least that’s what Gloria Downing desperately hopes as she tries to reinvent herself after a devastating family scandal. She’s ready for a total life makeover and a friend she can lean on—and into her path walks a young, idealistic woman named Estée. Their chance encounter will change Gloria’s life forever.

Estée dreams of success and becoming a household name like Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Revlon. Before Gloria knows it, she is swept up in her new friend’s mission and while Estée rolls up her sleeves, Gloria begins to discover her own talents. After landing a job at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York’s finest luxury department store, Gloria finds her voice, which proves instrumental in opening doors for Estée’s insatiable ambitions.

But in a world unaccustomed to women with power, they’ll each have to pay the price that comes with daring to live life on their own terms and refusing to back down.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was a really neat and interesting historical fiction novel! This fictionalized story of Estée Lauder was fascinating, and I thought Gloria was a good character to follow. And I love the cover of the book! Overall, I would definitely recommend to anyone who thinks it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Deep Tide - Review!

Review: Deep Tide by Laura Griffin

With two brothers on the police force, Leyla Breda is well aware of the rising crime in her small beach town, but she never expected it to show up on her doorstep. When Leyla finds one of her employees murdered in the alley behind her coffee shop, she's deeply shaken, and as a new law enforcement officer in town begins to circle her place of business, her instincts only sharpen.

Sean Moran is on an undercover The seaside community of Lost Beach may look like a picturesque postcard, but his team suspects it's a point of intersection for several crime syndicates that the FBI has been investigating for years. Even so, when the brash and beautiful Leyla Breda starts bossing him around, he's immediately intrigued. He knows her brothers want him to back off, but every time he sees her, he feels more of a spark.

Leyla's connections in the local community and Sean's skills allow them to go deeper into the case together than they would be able to go alone. But when a single crime spirals into something much darker, Sean's carefully planned mission takes a deadly turn.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: I really enjoyed reading this novel! The mystery/suspense portion was well written, and I liked the characters a lot. Overall, I would definitely recommend checking out this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: THE CARREFOUR CURSE!

I'm really happy to be hosting a spot on the THE CARREFOUR CURSE by Dianne K. Salerni Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours! Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Book:

Title: THE CARREFOUR CURSE

Authors: Dianne K. Salerni

Pub. Date: January 31, 2023

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 224

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-CARREFOUR-CURSE

The Addams Family meets The Westing Game in this exhilarating mystery about a modern magical dynasty trapped in the ruins of their once-grand, now-crumbling ancestral home.

Twelve-year-old Garnet regrets that she doesn’t know her family. Her mother has done her best to keep it that way, living far from the rest of the magical Carrefour clan and their dark, dangerous mansion known as Crossroad House.

But when Garnet finally gets summoned to the estate, it isn’t quite what she hoped for. Her relatives are strange and quarrelsome, each room in Crossroad House is more dilapidated than the last, and she can’t keep straight which dusty hallways and cobwebbed corners are forbidden.

Then Garnet learns the family secret: their dying patriarch fights to retain his life by stealing power from others. Every accident that isn’t an accident, every unexpected illness and unexplained disappearance grants Jasper Carrefour a little more time. While the Carrefours squabbles over who will inherit his role when (if) he dies, Garnet encounters evidence of an even deeper curse. Was she brought to Crossroad House as part of the curse . . . or is she meant to break it?

Written with loads of creepy atmosphere and an edge-of-your-seat magical mystery, this thrilling story reads like The Haunting of Hill House for preteens. Perfect for late-night reading under the covers. 

Reviews:

★  "A standout, genre-bending dark fantasy. . . . Salerni enlivens classic horror tropes and gothic ambience, complete with a sentient manor house, blending wry humor with atmospheric descriptions. . . ."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "Salerni’s gothic charmer is deliciously creepy and atmospheric, building an immersive fantasy world that gently explores intergenerational trauma. . . . An enchanting and evocative tale."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "An inventive take on the supernatural that skillfully blends drama, humor, magic and mystery. Salerni's large cast of characters is delightful and each family member is enough of a rounded individual that readers should easily keep track of them all. The puzzle, spook factor and complex family dynamics make this a perfect book for upper middle-grade readers and fans of The Addams Family."—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

"Interconnected mysteries keep readers turning pages, and when they all converge, the payoff is spine-chilling and satisfying."—The Horn Book

"Fans of The Haunting of Hill House or Schwab’s Gallant will surely stay up late at night reading this heart-pounding novel."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A fun page-turner that touches on the deeper themes of family, identity, and what it means to pay for the sins of the past."—Booklist

"Spooky, dark, and enthralling. I couldn't put it down until every mystery had been solved." —Cassie Beasley, New York Times bestselling author of Circus Mirandus

My Review:

This was such a well written, interesting, and truly terrifying MG read! I started reading  this before bed one night, and ended up finishing it the following afternoon, because I just had to know what would happen to the Carrefour family. This book was so creepy, and I loved it! The magic was interesting. Garnet was a great main character, and I loved getting to know (at least most of them) the other members of her family. Even though this book stands on its own, I really hope we get another book with this family! I think there are so many possibilities for more books. Overall, I loved this MG novel, and I would highly recommend reading it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher. 

About Dianne K. Salerni:

Dianne K. Salerni has written many books for children, including Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts and Jadie in Five Dimensions. After teaching elementary school for twenty-five years, Dianne now spends her time hanging around creepy cemeteries and climbing 2,000-year-old pyramids for book research. Visit her online at DianneSalerni.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE CARREFOUR CURSE, US Only.

Ends May 2^nd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/17/2023	The Book View	Excerpt/IG Post
4/17/2023	Log cabin library	Excerpt
4/18/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
4/18/2023	@hodophile_z	IG Review
4/19/2023	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Re-Post Review/IG Post
4/19/2023	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
4/20/2023	The Real World According To Sam	Review/IG Post
4/20/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/21/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
4/21/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

4/24/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
4/24/2023	@katherinebichler	TikTok Post
4/25/2023	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post
4/25/2023	Jaime_of_gryffindor	IG Review
4/26/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
4/26/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
4/27/2023	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
4/27/2023	Confessions of the Perfect Mom	Review/IG Post
4/28/2023	Books With a Chance	Review/IG Post
4/28/2023	Breysreviews	IG Review/TikTok Post