Jane Reads

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Ultimate Prey by Kristine Mason | Blog Tour with Excerpt and Giveaway

The Blurb

When the hunter becomes the hunted… who will become the ultimate prey?

CORE agent Lola Tam has two things on her mind, quitting her job as a criminal investigator and baking a frozen pie for Thanksgiving dinner without burning it. But a midnight call forces a change of plans. Her boss and future stepfather, Ian Scott, has been kidnapped from his Florida vacation rental — along with her mother. The kidnapper’s plan? Drop Ian and her mom in the Everglades and hunt them like animals. Terrified for her mom, Lola takes the bait and travels to Everglade City, Florida where she’s determined to end the hunt before it begins.

Ryan Monahan, former Navy SEAL turned airboat captain is used to taking tourists through the Everglades, not guiding a sexy agent on a rescue mission. After spending years dealing with a past filled with guilt and regret, he needs a little action and adventure in his life — he needs to prove he could still be a hero. What he doesn’t need? Falling for a woman he has no business wanting, especially when the hunt takes a deadly turn…

Ultimate Prey by Kristine Mason
Series: Ultimate CORE, #3
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publication Date: December 12, 2014
Paperback: 418 pages
ISBN-10: 099065432X
ISBN-13: 978-0990654322
eBook File Size: 2170 KB
ASIN: B00QZCYL98
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

The Excerpt

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Monday, February 9, 2015

Death of a Beauty Queen by Barbara Jean Coast | Blog Tour with Review and Interview

The Blurb

It’s the 1950’s in Santa Lucia, California, and the height of the social season. Time for the new Miss Santa Lucia, Nora Burbank, to display her loveliness at a high society fashion show produced by the city’s own fashionistas — Margot and Daphne, owners of Poppy Cove, the most elegant and “in” little dress shop in the county.

Nora steals the show in her designer gown and custom-made necklace created by local jeweler Isaac Mendelson, and used on the sly by his apprentice son-in-law, Efrem Goldberg. At the conclusion of the show, the young queen is allowed to keep her dress and a replica of the necklace for her own. But Monday morning, Efrem arrives in a panic at Poppy Cove to beg Margot and Daphne’s assistance in tracking down the real necklace, which he believes was inadvertently switched for the replica backstage. The girls get involved in Efrem’s dilemma and try to help him before Isaac’s any the wiser. But before that can happen, Miss Santa Lucia is found dead in her bed and the necklace is missing.

Who killed Nora Burbank? Is it someone jealous of her new royal position and all of its perks? Or did she just happen to be in the way when a thief attempted to steal her diamond-studded necklace? Did Nora have the real or the fake necklace, and how much did the thief and murderer know about it? But, of course, before the girls can find the killer, they’ll have to create several beautiful ensembles, calm numerous irate clients, and flirt with their ever-so-attentive boyfriends, before solving this mystery.

Death of a Beauty Queen by Barbara Jean Coast
Series: Poppy Cove Mysteries, #2

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Cozy Cat Press
Publication Date: May 9, 2014
Paperback: 220 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1939816436
eBook File Size: 353 KB
ASIN: B00PKEQU4G
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Kobo | Goodreads

The Review

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Sunday, February 8, 2015

Death & The Redheaded Woman by Loretta Ross | Blog Tour with Review and Giveaways

The Blurb

Auctioneer Wren Morgan is cataloging the contents of the Campbell house, an ante-bellum mansion with a Civil War-era lost jewels legend. She was hoping to find something interesting, but the naked dead guy on the stairs is an unwelcome surprise. When the body turns out to belong to a small-time criminal with ties to a more recent jewel heist, Wren suddenly finds herself face-to-face with Death.

Death Bogart (pronounced “Deeth”) is a disabled Marine combat vet, down on his luck and trying to start over as a private eye and part-time bounty hunter. The stolen jewels he’s searching for are the final evidence needed to convict a murderer — and the reward money could turn Death’s life around.

In Wren, Death finds a friend and a willing ally — someone to help him learn to overcome his new physical limitations, and possibly even a second chance at love. But Death and Wren aren’t the only ones searching for treasure. Two ruthless men are also on the hunt, and they will do anything to eliminate the competition. To survive, Death and Wren will have to solve two mysteries spanning a century and a half and outwit a pair of cold-blooded killers.

Praise:

“Ross’ thoroughly entertaining debut combines smart details about the auction business with two engaging mysteries and a uniformly appealing cast. Fans of small-town cozies, especially those by Denise Swanson, will love this, as will mystery readers who double as thrift-store aficionados and followers of auction reality shows.” — BOOKLIST (STARRED REVIEW)

“[A] winning debut.” — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“The witty sarcastic banter between the lead characters was charming and endearing.” — RT BOOK REVIEWS

"Ross' debut features a likable pair of sleuths, some local Missouri history and a nice little mystery." — KIRKUS REVIEWS

Death & The Redheaded Woman by Loretta Ross

Series: An Auction Block Mystery, #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Midnight Ink

Publication Date: February 8, 2015
Paperback: 264 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0738743936

E-Book File Size: 3441 KB

ASIN: B00S1MTLCW

The Review

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Saturday, February 7, 2015

The Ex File by Alexis D. Craig | Release Day Party with Excerpt and Giveaway

Happy Release Day to The Ex File and Alexis D Craig!

We're having a party to celebrate.

The Blurb

Second Chances Can Be Lethal

Narcotics Officer, Sean O’Leary is bitter after a messy divorce that has reinforced his solitary nature, leaving him only with his dog and a sword collection. He could never imagine that his former best friend may be the only woman to bring happiness into his lonely life.

Ellie Gardner knows loss; especially after she was banished from her best friend/crush's life by his jealous wife. Although the regret of walking away from the love of her life still stung, a chance encounter with Sean may change everything.

When Ellie and Sean reconnect, they could never expect it'd be in such an explosive way, leaving them both to gain the fulfillment of their 'what if's.

Finding love is hard enough without the past breathing down their necks, especially when said past has no intention of letting go. When Sean's ex, Pia Mastriani returns, Ellie must face her nemesis' relentless tactics to get Sean back, including eliminating Ellie if necessary.

Sean and Ellie’s relationship is put to the test but will they fare well while they go rummaging through The Ex File?

The Ex File by Alexis D. Craig

Series: Behind the Blue Line, #1

Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Hot Ink Press
Publication Date: February 6, 2015

eBook File Size: 2546 KB

ASIN: B00TAJLFVA

Amazon | Goodreads

The Excerpt

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Friday, February 6, 2015

Whistlin' Dixie by Maggie Adams | Blog Tour with Excerpt, Author Interview, and Giveaway

The Blurb

A man on a mission....

Mackenzie Coalson was determined to rebuild his hometown after a devastating flood left it in ruins. He has no time for a relationship and all the romantic junk that goes with it. He has a vandal to catch and no sweet smelling bundle of femininity is going to sway him.

A woman protecting her family.....

Dixie Harris charged into the county sheriff's office with a sassy sway and a smart mouth, eager to give the sheriff, and anyone else, a piece of her mind. When she locks horns with the devil himself, in the form of Mac Coalson, she quickly learns he has a temper to rival hers, even if he's the living epitome of her sexual fantasies.

When the two unite to catch a potential murderer, it's in everyone's best interest to keep it, "business only". But that's hard to do when their combined attraction is volatile enough to burn down the town.

Whistlin' Dixie by Maggie Adams
Series: Tempered Steel, #1

Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense

Publication Date: November 13, 2014
Paperback: 242 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1503228085
eBook File Size: 1360 KB
ASIN: B00PKEQU4G
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

The Excerpt

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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

The Defenseless by Carolyn Arnold | Excerpt

The Blurb

The first victim was poisoned. Three others are still missing. One more turns up dead. But there is one connection that ties them all together.

This case has FBI Agent Brandon Fisher and the team in Colorado to stop a serial killer targeting men who beat charges of animal abuse over twenty years ago. With the method of murder changing to match what his victims had allegedly inflicted on the defenseless, the team questions who is on the side of justice — them or the murderer. After all, their unsub is seeking retribution on behalf of the victims who have no voice.

While facing this moral dilemma, Brandon’s loyalty to the bureau is also tested. But Brandon is up for the challenge — anything to get his mind off his pending divorce and the upcoming holiday. Being thousands of miles from home, the forbidden relationship between him and Paige becomes more tempting, but is he willing to risk all that he’s worked for?

The Defenseless by Carolyn Arnold
Series: Brandon Fisher FBI Series, #3
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Police Procedural

Date Published: December 11, 2014

The Excerpt

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Monday, February 2, 2015

Life is But a Dream by Lee Strauss | Cover Reveal

I am pleased to reveal the cover for Life is But a Dream By Lee Strauss, her second set of Nursery Rhyme Suspense serial books, designed by Steven Novak.

I really like these covers — the colors and the patterns, in the water and the clouds. The two boats and the sky color give a desolate feeling to the landscape.