Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Mingle With the Authors January 30 Downtown West Bend WI

UPCOMING EVENT: MINGLE WITH THE AUTHORS, LISA and NICOLETTE PIERCE
CHOCOLATE. NEED I SAY MORE?

YOUR $25 gets you a book from each of us (I have two more coming this year, so if you want a future book, it's yours), oodles of goodies, and chocolate galore. Add the number of tickets, and hit the Add to Cart button to purchase. JANUARY 30, 3-5 PM Downtown West Bend

 



All In Books Used Bookstore
Home of Book Exchange Tuesdays!
136 N. Main Street
West Bend WI 53095
262-334-2836


Mingle with the Authors

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Michelle Lindo Rice Tell Me Lies

New Book Release: Tell Me Lies by Christian Fiction Author
Michelle Lindo-Rice

Kindle ASIN: B018EXNO70   Nook Book ISBN: 9781625179685
$3.99
Publication Date: Jan 12, 2016
Genre: Christian Fiction
michelle_2015

About The Author
Michelle Lindo-Rice is an award winning, bestselling author of "Able to Love" and "On the Right Path" series. She enjoys crafting women's fiction with themes centered around the four "F" words: Faith, Friendship, Family and Forgiveness. She is the 2015 winner of the Black Writers And Book Clubs Rocks Author of the Year Award. www.michellelindorice.com  

About The Book

A broken heart...When Sydney Richardson meets Pastor Noah Charleston it was practically love at first sight. Sydney has battled so much deception in her personal life and in her work as an attorney, she is glad to have a perfect man she can depend on. But her Prince Charming has some secrets that are worse than Sydney could have ever imagined. What will she do when Noah's past life come to light? A broken truth… Pastor Noah Charleston has come a long way since his troubled youth. A respected Man-of-God, Noah’s long buried past emerges in the form of blackmail and threats. Noah not only fears for his safety but also for his newfound love. Will he take a chance on the truth before it’s too late? A broken trust...Newly converted Christian, Belinda Santiago, harbors a secret that could end her friendship with Sydney. She’s in love with Lance Forbes, Sydney’s ex-fiancĂ©. When Belinda and Lance’s relationship is exposed she may have to choose between her man and her best friend. A broken man...Lance Forbes returns to Port Charlotte to make things right with Sydney, but his feelings for Belinda are in his way. Lance knows for him to become a do-right man, he must face his childhood pain. Will Lance get his act together and take a chance on love or run again?


Connect Socially Website: http://www.michellelindorice.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.lindorice 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mlindorice

Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1kj24B7  Amazon: http://amzn.com/B018EXNO70

Prologue
“The rumor is three black boys killed your parents. Is it true?” 

Perched on the edge of his cot, Noah Charleston lifted his eyes to look at the four half-men standing before him. The leader of the pack, Mitch, was sixteen with a baby face, braces and bad acne around his chin. His two muscles, twins Roger and Wylie, were about a year older at seventeen. Both were built like linebackers. Finally, the Whiz, or Matthew a slender fifteen year old with glasses that took up half of his face was the brain of the group. 

“Answer him,” Roger prodded, stepping into the small cell. 

Noah shrugged. “That was a year ago.” 

“We can do something about that.” Mitch popped his gum. “Join us.” 

Noah had heard about the “Avengers” as they dubbed themselves. They ruled the juvenile detention hall and dressed in their version of combat gear: khaki pants, boots and camouflage shirts. Even the counselors were afraid of them. Noah kept to himself. Everyone pretty much left him alone. Except for today. He looked up at them. “Do I have a choice?” 

Wylie stepped forward. “Do you want me to help you make up your mind?” 

“How about I help fix that ugly face of yours?” Noah threw back. 

Wylie sprung at Noah. Noah jumped to his feet and sidestepped the much bigger guy. Then he bashed Wylie in the back of the head. Roger lunged at him. 

“Quit it,” Mitch bellowed. “Leave him alone.” 

Roger’s chest heaved but he backed off. His eyes held a threat. Noah met his gaze, daring him to bring it. 

“I like your heart,” Mitch said. “We need you.” 

“I like my own company,” Noah said. 

“We have something you want,” the Whiz said. His voice was barely above a whisper. He wheezed his words as if he was always in need of an asthma pump. 

“You don’t have—” Noah’s eyes widened. The Whiz held a crumpled 3x5 photograph in his hand. Noah snatched it, “Where did you find this?” 

“We have our ways,” Mitch bragged. 

Noah squinted.

“I hacked into the computer system,” the Whiz said. This time he coughed at the end of his words. “I know who took your picture.” 

“We’ve handled him.” Mitch’s tone was solemn. 

“That’s why you should be thanking us,” Wyle said, rubbing the back of his head.

Noah looked at the photograph of his parents and closed his eyes to keep the tears from falling. It was his most prized possession. When he had been sent here to the juvenile home two months ago, Noah had placed it under his pillow before lunch. When he checked for it later that night, it had been gone. He searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. That was the first time since his parents’ funeral Noah had cried himself to sleep. “Thank you,” he grounded out. 

“Thank us by joining us,” Mitch said. The Whiz held up a picture. It was an African-American by the name of Tony Billows who had taken it. 

Noah clenched his fists. “Where is he?” 

“In the hospital with some missing teeth,” Roger said. 

“And a missing pinky,” Wylie added. 

Noah blinked. He would have settled it with a well-deserved punch or two. Not doing Tony serious injury. “That was vicious.” 

“It was a message. You mess with one of us you mess with us all. We’re a family,” Mitch said. 

“The Avengers,” Wylie and Roger said in unison. They held out their fists.

Noah had reservations but Mitch had used the magic word. Family. Noah wanted family. He made a fist and the boys all did a fist bump. “The Avengers,” he said.

“Welcome,” Mitch said.

“Glad to have you,” The Whiz whispered. “Now, let’s get you some proper clothes and a haircut.” Noah swallowed his reservations. He had a family again. Nothing else mattered. 

To Read the first three chapters, click here: http://michellelindorice.blogspot.com/2015/09/tell-me-lies-prologue-and-first-three.html

Friday, January 8, 2016

New Suspense from Linda Glaz Fear Is Louder than Words

Fear Is Louder Than Words - A Christian Suspense Novel: Her stalker taught her fear. Her suspicions taught her terror. (Christian Suspense Thrillers and Mysteries)

Book Review for Linda Glaz, Fear is Louder Than Words

From the publisher:
Rochelle Cassidy has the perfect life as a radio talk show host in the Detroit market, but her celebrity status doesn't stop an angry listener from wanting her ... dead. Ed McGrath's ideal life as a pro-hockey player doesn't include a damsel in distress until the night he discovers Rochelle being attacked in a deserted parking structure.

Circumstances throw them together in more ways than one when Rochelle's producer plays matchmaker. A sick boy, a corrupt politician, and questionable medical practices put more than merely Rochelle in danger, and still, her attacker shadows her every step.

Will Ed be able to break through her trust issues in order to protect her, or will she continue to see him as Detroit's bad boy athlete? Her life AND his depend on it.

ISBN 978-1941103500
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
December, 2015

My review:
The motor-mouth princess, Rochelle “taking a stand against hell” freely opines from her conservative Christian radio talk show. Getting into trouble upon occasion comes with the territory, like from a politician exposed for corrupt practices, and all kinds of hate mail. When the hate mail has a stalker behind it, however, life turns upside down.

Glaz’s novel about wounded and empty souls will touch sore spots with readers. Many people walk around, hearing of God, but never really knowing Him, or understanding Him. While never leaping over the line of preaching, Glaz lets you know there’s a difference, and those who put actions and character behind what they profess about the Lord are at peace with their faith over the Sunday go-to-church, I’m-a-nice-guy believers.

Even as her character, Rochelle, fears for her life, she is able to affect those around her, such as her best friend co-worker and the co-worker’s pesky brother-in-law, Ed McGrath, celeb hockey star. Ed becomes Rochelle’s self-proclaimed protector, whether she wants him or not, and the two pursue a twisting and occasional rocky relationship. In a kind of weird parallelism, ghosts from Rochelle’s past and ghosts from a time of horror in international history haunt Rochelle and Detroit. Rochelle and Ed won’t let the past continue to destroy the future. These mysteries blend together for a suspenseful read.

I have to admit that I often buzzed through pages of “can I or can’t I” from Rochelle and Ed, but on the whole, Fear Is Louder than Words is an entertaining read. Recommended for those who enjoy conservative stances, a little bit of not too graphic gore in several arenas such as medical, physical attacks, hockey, the use of weapons, and don’t mind occasional suggestive language which fits the scenario.

About the author:
Suspense Sealed With a Kiss


I'm a wife and mother of three...and grandmother of three. I balance being a child of God while also being older than God. Hmmm, scary, but almost true. I've been blessed to have had an amazing life so far: Air Force meteorologist during Vietnam era, teaching karate and self-defense along with soccer for 25+ years. I sing and direct in church and community theatre musicals where this little old lady sounds more like the guys than the gals. Also scary, but true. My writing life is a 24/7 proposition. As well as writing my own stories, I am an agent for Hartline Literary Agency. I also speak at conferences, churches, ladies' teas, you get the picture. I have a big mouth and love to share words on writing. I wear so many different hats I'm surprised I wasn't invited to the Royal wedding. Blessings to everyone, may your writing dreams all come true. Visit LindaGlaz.com.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Sweet read on limited time Sale Murder in Sun City by Sid Frost



 Murder in Sun City
ISBN-13: 978-0-9903181-2-5

$2.99 Regular price
$1.99 1/3/2016--1/10/2016

£1.99 Regular price
£0.99 1/3/2016--1/10/2016

CHRISTIAN BOOKMOBILE NOVEL No. 5

Sun City is typically calm…until Liz shows up in her red double-decker bookmobile and starts cruising. When she finds one of her patrons dead, the police call it an accident and a day…but Liz has her suspicions and isn't about to give up. Lieutenant Bratton has met his match.

James Jones is a Vietnam War veteran who continued to fight the battles long after the war ended and everyone went home. His encounters are mostly in his head today, but if the military took senior citizens, he'd sign up without batting an eye. Combat was what he did best and he is lost without it. Now, as a soldier of fortune, James ends up in Sun City also.

This is the story of what happens when Liz and James cross paths.


My review:
Sid Frost is not only one of my favorite people, he's become one of my favorite authors. In this mystery, the fifth in his bookmobile series, Sid draws his readers into the life of librarian Liz Seido Helmsley who has found her true love in a British ex-pat farmer named Samuel, married and moved to Sun City. She takes the beloved red double-decker mobile library introduced in The Vengeance Squad Goes to England, and it’s not long before Liz and the library give her the opportunity for a mobile library route in this squeaky clean retirement community.

But wherever Liz goes, trouble seems to proceed her. This time it’s with a library patron found dead. Neighbor’s stories about the deceased don’t add up, and when Lt. Joe Bratton of the local police wants to wrap up the case as a simple accident, Liz decides to dig a bit deeper. Sharon Coleman turns out to be a lady of many oddities and mysteries, and Mr. Coleman even more so. With the help of her newly graduated grandson Michael and the blessing, mostly, of Samuel, Liz embarks on her own investigation to help Lt. Bratton whether he needs it or not, and make sure the Coleman’s daughter receives her proper inheritance.

One of Sharon’s secrets, an apparently homeless veteran with PTSD, James Jones, complicates everything. As the story progresses and the twists and turns lead the reader deeper into the corkscrewed life of the Colemans, about the only sympathetic figure left, so it seems, is Princess, Sharon’s pet pooch.

Murder in Sun City is a fun mystery, highly recommended for those who enjoy cozy mysteries featuring characters with a lifetime of experience, and plenty of exciting turns. I especially appreciated the treatment of those who suffer from PTSD and may not be in full control of their faculties.

About the Author:
Sidney W. FrostSidney W. Frost was born and raised in Austin, Texas, served in the U.S. Marines in California, worked in the space industry in Los Angeles and Houston, and is now living in Georgetown, Texas. 

He is active in his church and is a former Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader.

He has loved choral music from an early age, and was in 42 Austin Lyric Opera productions. He and his wife, Celeste, sing in their church choir as well as the San Gabriel Chorale. They have also participated in several Berkshire Festivals in and out of the United States. He loves to travel and has visited 33 countries.

He has a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Long Beach. He has worked in the Information Technology business for many years, and in May, 2011, retired after thirty years as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Austin Community College. He received the adjunct teaching excellence award in 2005. He now teaches writing courses, most recently a class on memoir writing for the Senior University of Georgetown.

He is the author of four Christian novels, set in and around Austin, Texas, and three non-fiction books. Awards for his first novel, Where Love Once Lived, include First Place in the 2007 SouthWest Writers Contest and First Place in the 2007 Writers' League of Texas Novel Manuscript Contest. Visit Sid’s website http://sidneywfrost.com, and Amazon author pages.
http://amazon.com/author/sidneyfrost


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Clash of the titles champ Cindy Thomson and Sofia's Tune

Thank you to our viewers, fans, and voters—this was a near record-setting post view for our five authors. Congratulations to all of you.
Congratulations to this month’s Champion, 
Cindy Thomson, and Sofia’s Tune!

Sofia's Tune (Ellis Island #3)


Released November 1, 2015
Ebook - $4.99
Print: $14.99

In Sofia’s Tune, we meet Sofia Falcone, a young woman who has been living in New York only a short time when she is stunned to discover a family secret, one that soon sends her beloved mother into a mental institution. Scrambling to keep her job and care for her mother, Sofia is convinced confronting the past will heal all wounds, but her old world Italian family wants to keep the past in the past.

During this time, she encounters Antonio, a Vaudeville pianist with a street-smart dog, seeking to discover why his father was mysteriously killed. Their crossed paths uncover a frightening underworld in Little Italy. Bringing the truth to light may cost Sofia’s mother’s sanity, Antonio’s career, and the livelihoods of countless immigrants. Change is on the horizon, but it may not bring what they expect.


Author Cindy Thomson
Hi! I’m Cindy. Here’s a little about me so you’ll know what kinds of things to expect here. For as long as I can remember I’ve made up stories. When I was a teacher I thought about writing books for children. However, when I finally began writing a novel, I turned to my genealogy research and wrote a fictionalized story of my ancestors. That novel is still unpublished, but my interest in my roots, which go back to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, sparked an interest in Irish history.


My newest historical fiction series was released beginning in 2013 by Tyndale House Publishers. Set at the turn of the 20th century in New York City, the Ellis Island Series follows the lives of new immigrants as they struggle to find their place in America. Along the way they will find friendship, love, and renew their faith in God. Each will focus on an important icon introduced at that time. The first book, GRACE’S PICTURES, will involve the Brownie camera, which opened photography to the masses. The second, ANNIE’S STORIES, will focus on the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which changed children’s literature. The third book is SOFIA’S TUNE, and features the theme of the advertising icon, His Master’s Voice. Plans for future books include a sequel to my first novel, and more stories set in ancient Ireland.

Visit Cindy's website for some great info!

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Sci fi lovers! Grace Bridges is back

BRIDGES OF SPLASHDOWN

Yes... yes I have been off the scene for some time! Bear with me while I shake things up just a little bit. Come along for a free story in Mariah's world, AND a spaceship poem...

99c

That's right - for this week only, you can still get my latest novel, Mariah's Dream, for just 99c on Kindle.
If you need another format, just let me know.

But that's not all...

Mariah's Prologue #7, "Foe or Forager", is a tale of Peter and Liam before the events of the novel. You won't want to miss it! Coming soon on Kindle, but for now, click here to view for FREE in Issue 5 of the Common Oddities e-zine; you can also check out my space opera poem, "Let There Be Stars". I'd love to hear what you think! 

Friday, December 18, 2015

Love's Christmas Past and Present novella review

Two new stand-alone novellas, or bundled for 
Print holiday romantic reads from Prism Book Group!

I've read three of the six so far... but here they are, great holiday quick reads for the busy season. 
At .99, they're a steal.


Love’s Christmas Past
Prism Book Group


A Medieval Christmas 
Rachel A. James 

ISBN 978-194310428-4
.99 or bundled print $13.99
Bundled with Christmas Bells, by Jewell Tweedt, Fragile Blessings by Susan Baganz

From the publisher:
Lady Nola is a woman of good-standing, but one tragic mistake is set to change her life forever. Rather than be forced to wed a stranger to hide her transgressions, she flees from home.

With child, hungry and homeless, Nola wanders the streets of medieval London in search of a Christmas miracle. 

My review:
This short novella in the Love's Christmas Past series is packed full. The story of a maiden in medieval England taken advantage of by a roué and determined not to bring shame on anyone else is a sweet and thoughtful adventure. Nola, daughter of Lord Langley is at a marriageable age, and the nearby newly inherited Sir Guy Beauwater could use a wife. But Nola's secret threatens everything--especially when they meet by chance and fall in love. Worse, Nola's cousin may ruin everything. A freak storm, tragedy, and misunderstanding add to mix in this sweet holiday read.




Love’s Christmas Present
Prism Book Group


All’s Fair in Love and Arson 
Sharon McGregor

c. Nov 2015
Stand alone novellas or bundled three in one
Bundled with Love Again by Paula Mowery, All’s Fair in Love and Arson by Sharon McGregor
ebook
ISBN 9781943104255

From the publisher: 
Bella is back at her childhood home. When her mother took a fall in the Nuisance Grounds (garbage dump) and broke her leg, Bella came back to help her and run her shop, Izzie's. Soon Bella discovers she's also been handed Izzie's role in the town's Christmas theatre production, a musical version of a well-known mystery that threatens to become more bizarre each day. A serial arsonist is frightening the townspeople, a family feud threatens young romance, and intrigue and rumors are the order of the day. On top of everything, Bella's high school sweetheart Jake, who dumped her for a cheerleader, is now Chief of Police. Poor Bella! Christmas in St. Christopher's is not what it used to be.

My review:
Bella comes home to her small town of St. Christopher to help her mother Izzie at the shop while Izzie heals from a broken leg. It’s been twelve years and old wounds have festered. But St. Christopher has some secrets—some good, some not-so-good. One of them is the new chief of police—Jake—Bella’s high school honey she thought cheated on her all those years ago. She can’t decide if that’s a good or not-so-good secret. Another is the amount of nostalgia for a sense of home Bella left behind and never really felt anywhere else.

Izzie has a few secrets of her own—including a romance and a task for Bella to force her into the public through a local theater production role. A definitely not-so-good secret is there’s an arsonist afoot, and no one knows his or her next target. This is not the St. Christopher Bella left behind. In some ways, it’s better.

McGregor’s small town family stories pack a lot into a sweet, easy, quick read that tends to linger with a sense of nostalgia after the last page. Told in a folksy, third person manner from Bella’s point of view, the reader is transported to December in St. Christopher, where the nativity set in the hardware store window reminds Bella and Jake what life is truly all about. A gentle, multi-generational love story with a bit of mystery and lots of fun. For those who enjoy a quick and clean read with forgiveness to go around twice.


Backwards Christmas 
Brooke Williams

Stand alone novellas or bundled three in one
Bundled with Love Again by Paula Mowery, All’s Fair in Love and Arson by Sharon McGregor
ISBN 978-1943104-29-1
.99 or bundled print $13.99

From the publisher:
Local tour guide Noelle Richards loves everything Backwards Christmas has to offer in South Pole, Alaska. She gets wrapped up in the upside down trees, taking presents TO Santa Clause and all the festivities. Sled dog trainer Chris Furst, on the other hand, approaches the holiday with nothing but skepticism. When their history bubbles into the present, their difference of opinion comes to a head. When Chris gets himself into a dangerous situation in the snow, Noelle and the hope of Christ are his only hope for redemption.

My review:
Where else could Backwards Christmas take place other than South Pole, Alaska? The tiny town banks on its annual backward holiday celebration and tours where groups are sung to by homeowners and mistletoe is more likely to get stepped on, rather than hung. Noelle, a wood carver, loves her home and work, even giving the tours her former boyfriends sneaks into at least every week. His sorrow and anger remained years after a tragic accident and Noelle is helpless to give him back the joy and faith they once shared. A kind busy-body pushes them in the right direction, while a humorous accident and a nearly tragic one send them the rest of the way. Delightful holiday read.