The Nutcracker Conspiracy by Lauren Carr Review + GIVEAWAY

Book Details

The Nutcracker Conspiracy
A Thorny Rose Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr

Category: Adult Fiction (18 +) 388 pages

Genre; Mystery

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Release date: January 30, 2020

Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries,

 so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on

stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs

Book Description

Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the

United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two

dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise,conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was taking orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital. 

Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander

Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up

at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to  bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean's latest work-in-project-completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist who'd disappeared months earlier.



“She was number twelve,” Dean says.



“Twelve?” Murphy asks.



“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide."


Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy:

My thoughts:

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Carr and I kept thinking, how is this possible that I am so late to the party?  The Nutcracker Conspiracy has it all, intrigue, suspense, mystery and incredible characters including some quirky canines.  I absolutely adored  Newman the basset hound who is addicted to TV and doesn't take kindly to anyone taking the remote control away from him. I actually loved all of the dogs but we had a basset and I know how silly and adorable the can be.

The humans in this novel are equally as interesting and entertaining as their four legged friends.  There are twists and turns in this book that kept me reading as fast as I could to try to get to the bottom of the mystery., this how caught up I became in the lives of the characters lives. I loved the personalities the author gave her characters, they are intelligent, interesting and at times they made me smile.

Overall, I thought this was one of the most engaging mystery novels that I have read in quite some time.  I loved the descriptive storytelling, the pace of the storyline and I was so happy to enjoy every turn, didn't become bored but most of all I'm glad to have found a new to me author who pens terrific novels.

My thanks IRead Book Tours for the complimentary copy of this book.

Purchase the book:
Amazon

Add to Goodreads
Goodreads

Meet the Author

Lauren Carr is the international

best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson

Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mysteries filled with twists and turns.


Book reviewers and readers alike

rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.


A popular speaker, Lauren is also  the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls, iRead Book Tours,  She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV


Website    Twitter    Facebook    Instagram

Check Out These Other Thorny Rose Mysteries:

“The plot was original, fresh and fast paced in spite of the “traditional elements” employed which can normally be found in any other thriller of this genre. The USP of this story would be its unpredictability. When you think you have it all guessed up, the plot would change its course keeping you hooked. There were a lot of suspense twists and turns that kept the momentum up. Needless to say, the writing was simply perfect. One thing that writer needs to be lauded for is the humor she inculcated in the book. Minus those humorous parts, the book would have been one serious read.” – Reviewer: Book and Ink

Book Description:

Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.

Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.

The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.

In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?

Amazon     Audible  

“Mysteries, murder, danger, and memories that threatens their lives keeps the action and suspense at a high level and even when the answers are found, it left me wanting more.” – Review by Sherry Fundin of Fundinmental

Book Description:

After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.

When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

Amazon      Add to Goodreads

Enter the Giveaway

Prizes: ​ $50 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Lauren Carr, author of THE NUTCRACKER CONSPIRACY (ends March 6)

ENTER HERE

Promise for Tomorrow review + GIVEAWAY

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Promise for Tomorrow
By Michelle De Bruin
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 290 Pages
November 19th 2019 by Mantle Rock Publishing

Living a life of faith isn’t going the way Logan and Karen hoped until some special visitors arrive and offer them their future back.

Karen Millerson dreamed of teaching high school but now finds herself boarding with a farm family and teaching country school. She is engaged to marry Logan De Witt and is getting prepared to share in ministry with him. But when she gets blamed for the tragic fire at the school, Karen’s future grows uncertain.

Logan De Witt is working to clear his family’s name with the bank. But when he breaks his leg, hindering his ability to work the farm, Logan is faced with life-changing decisions. When his best friend can’t offer the help he requested, can Logan find a way to care for his family and court Karen at the same time before his love for her destroys all of them?

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads    Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Book Depository

Author Interview

What was your motivation behind Promise for Tomorrow? Why did you want to write it?

My motivation was to tell a story based on actual events that happened in my family. This book is dedicated to my parents. They had to make the difficult decision, just like the hero did in this story, to sell the family’s farm ground. I witnessed their sense of loss and also their triumph in the years following the sale as they remained steady in their faith and true in their relationships. I wanted to write the story because I detected much potential for the sharing of testimony to the power of faith.

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

I would like readers to take away from my book the message that faith wins. Every day. All the time. This is true because God is faithful, and he carries us through trouble to the beautiful plans that he has dreamed up for our lives. When everything seems to be going wrong, or things don’t turn out the way we expect them to, we can still rest in the promises God has made to us because he will deliver and work his plan in our lives in his own good time.

Do you have a favorite scene that you can share with us?

My favorite scene is the one where Logan’s mother is starting to catch on to his feelings for Karen. He and his mother are having their noon meal together when she starts to interrogate him. Sandy, the mother, thinks he has been acting like a young man in love. Logan wants to deny it because he is still trying to figure out how to court Karen when she occupies a room in his house as part of her boarding arrangement.

Here is an excerpt from the book which includes a bit of dialogue and Logan’s response:

After a few moments Mama murmured, “Oh, my goodness.” Her gaze returned to him. Joy radiated on her face. “You’ve gone and fallen in love with our own dear, sweet Karen, haven’t you?”

Logan bit his lip. Never in his wildest dreams did he see things coming to this. Mama really should mind her own business more often.

“This is tremendous!”

Apparently no answer form him meant a “yes” in his household.

“How long have you known?”

Mama always did have a way of pressing him into honesty. Boy, he wasn’t ready to expose the depths of his love for Karen. Not here. Not yet. Mama deserved to know, but not over a mundane meal of soup. And not while he was still in a cast. And certainly not while he still slept in the house. Couldn’t Mama at least wait to get curious until he and Karen had a few more details worked out?

Logan puffed out his cheeks with the breath he’d been holding. “Too long.” That about summed up all his struggles.

“Does Karen know?”

Oh, yes. Karen knew. He’d kissed her passionately enough the night he proposed to leave no question. He nodded.

Mama smiled wide. “Does anyone else know?”

“I hope not.”

Mama’s happiness faded. “You aren’t excited. Is something wrong?”

Logan paused. His hand trembled as he held his spoonful of soup midair. A bit of soup spilled over the edge and splashed into the bowl below like a trapeze artist from a circus he’d seen one summer while in seminary. The poor man had failed to maintain his precarious posture on the tightrope. Like Logan right now with Mama. He dropped the entire spoon and remaining helping of soup into his bowl with a clang. Impatience threatened to hijack his voice. “Mama. Karen shares my address, my kitchen table, and even my . . . my . . .” As much as it convicted him, Logan must spit it out. “Even my . . . my . . . up . . . upstairs.”

If you could sum up the book in one sentence, what would you say?

Living a life of faith isn’t going the way Logan and Karen hoped until some special visitors arrive and offer then their future back.

Share something about you that is unique.

My favorite food is pie. I eat it for breakfast when there is some on hand. Cherry, lemon, pumpkin, and strawberry are my favorites. My tastes change along with the seasons.

My thoughts:

This is the first book that I have read by Michelle De Bruin but as soon as I saw the cover I just knew it would be a book that I would enjoy and after reading the description, I was  even more convinced it would be an enjoyable read.  Turns out I was absolutely right in my thinking because I thoroughly loved the story of Karen Millerson and Logan De Witt.  This is the second book in the series which I didn't realize but there was never a point in the story where I felt lost or couldn't figure out what had happened in the past.  

I love a clean, sweet romance with obstacles that the characters must overcome and this one has plenty of obstacles and plenty of faith to get through the hard times.  I'm also a fan of books that a feature a  one room schoolhouse in a small community because you know there will be a little drama and a few smiles in the storyline. There are characters I rooted for and some others who just annoyed me but in this book I always wanted Karen and Logan to live their best possible live because they deserved it after everything they went through. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author but was under no obligation to post a review.  All opinions are my own. 

Other Books in the Series

Hope for Tomorrow
By Michelle De Bruin
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 294 Pages
October 23rd 2018 by Mantle Rock Publishing LLC

When Logan De Witt learns of his father’s sudden death, he returns home to the family’s dairy farm. During his stay, he discovers his mother’s struggle with finances and his younger sister’s struggle with grief. Concern for his family presses Logan to make the difficult decision to leave his career as a pastor and stay on the farm. As a way to make some extra money, he agrees to board the teacher for their local school.

Karen Millerson arrives from Chicago ready to teach high school but her position is eliminated so she accepts the role of country school teacher. Eager to put her family’s ugly past behind her, Karen begins a new career to replace the trust she lost in her own father who had been in ministry when she was a child.

Logan and Karen both sense a call from the Lord to serve him, but neither of them expected that one day they would do it together.

Can Karen learn to trust again? Will Logan lay aside his grief in exchange for God’s purpose for his life?

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads    Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Book Depository

About the Author

Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015. Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story. Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. The sequel, Promise for Tomorrow, released November 2019.

Website    Goodreads    BookBub    Facebook    Twitter    Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a signed print copy of Promise for Tomorrow, chocolates, and a winter-themed quilted table runner (US only)

Ends February 26, 2020

CLCIK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

FOLLOW THE TOUR HERE

Finding the Road Home by Tina Radcliffe

Synopsis

Some paths need courage to follow…

Can they find their fresh start with roadblocks around every corner?

To care for her orphaned nieces and nephews, Daisy Anderson moved to a small town for a new deputy position—but now her job could be eliminated. With potential budget cuts looming, her only hope is to work with police chief Mitch Rainbolt to save their department’s funds. But can their fight for her job lead to something neither dared wish for: a future together?

My thoughts:

What a great start to the new series by Tina Radcliffe.  Everything about this book is absolutely charming from the residents who live in the small town to the flow of the storyline.  I have never visited Oklahoma but I suddenly had the urge to after reading this book.

I loved how welcoming everyone was to Daisy Anderson, her grandmother and the five young nieces and nephews Daisy is raising. 

Daisy is the new officer hired in the Rebel Police Department, police chief Mitch Rainbolt has a lot on his plate with his small department and obtaining funding to run the department.  I loved Daisy and Mitch, they are funny and co cute together.  The witty banter between them is delightful. Speaking of delightful the five kids in the novel truly are delightful, they are good, sweet kids and I loved how natural their interactions with Mitch were.  That was one of the things that stood out to me throughout this book, everything had a natural flow because if it's one thing that annoys me when reading a book is when something seems forced.   The dialogue was just as natural as those lending a helping hand to the new family in their town who desperately needed it.

Overall, I thought Finding the Road Home has the perfect blend of a good solid community who loves their neighbor by extending a helping hand, witty dialogue, a storyline that moves at a perfect pace and some of the sweetest characters who I wanted to spend time with. I'm not just talking about the humans either, there are several cute furry creatures who I fell in love with, too.  So, if you are looking for a clean, well written novel, then I highly recommend this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was under no obligation to write a review.  All opinions are my own.

An Unlikely Amish Match by Vanetta Chapman

Book Description

Is she about to fall for trouble?

She could never love an Amish rebel…Or could she?

Susannah Beiler is determined to protect the other young marriageable Amish women from falling for the new bad boy in town…by pretending to date Micah Fisher herself! Their deal is simple: she’ll keep him company if he stays away from her friends. But she doesn’t count on finding out there’s more to Micah than his reputation…

My thoughts:

This was a quick read with a sweet storyline.  Susannah Beiler and Micah Fisher are polar opposites, she's the Bishop's daughter, settled into her life as an Amish woman and he is an Amish man who lives a different lifestyle.  He isn't a bad person, he's a little unsettled and spoiled.

For a fairly short novel, there is a lot going on and truthfully there are no real surprises which isn't a bad thing since it was a pleasant one day read.  I liked how enterprising Micah could be it was when it was necessary but most of all I liked seeing him mature and make the right choices in his life.  

If you like a weekend or one day read than you will want to consider this one.

Two Steps Forward (The Deacon's Family) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Synopsis

Back and broke in Stoney Ridge, Jimmy Fisher has coasted as long as he could through life on charm, good looks, and deep-set dimples. They always worked just fine for him--until they didn't. His smile has no effect on the violet-eyed beauty he met at the Bent N' Dent, the one with that stunning horse. She's offered him a job, but nothing else.

The last thing Sylvie Schrock King needs around Rising Star Farm is a grown boy working for her, especially her neighbor Edith's son. The woman holds a serious grudge against Sylvie and her son, and hiring Jimmy Fisher will only fan the flames of Edith's rancor. But Sylvie is desperate for help on the farm, and Jimmy understands horses like no one else.

While Jimmy's lazy smile and teasing ways steal Sylvie's heart, Edith is working on a way to claim her land. Has Sylvie made another terrible mistake? Or is it too late to outfox the fox? More importantly . . . just who is the fox?

Writing with both wit and warmth, Fisher delivers a supremely satisfying conclusion to the popular Deacon's Family series. 

My thoughts:

I always like returning to Stoney Ridge the community where people care about their families, friends and neighbors.  Some may leave the community but most of them return like Jimmy Fisher did in this novel.  There was no fanfare because the Amish don't really do that sort of thing but he does stop off at The Bent N' Dent where he sees a beautiful horse and an adorable little boy who both belong to a woman who sets his heart racing.

Sylvie Schrock King is a widow who needs help in getting her farm, Rising Star in order so she offers the job to Jimmy, much to his mother's chagrin. 

This isn't just a story of Jimmy and Sylvie although they do figure prominently but we also reconnect with Luke, Izzy, Fern, David and some others that I have grown fond of.  If you have read the first two books in this series than you're familiar with Luke's involvement with children and adoption, so that is as important aspect in the storyline.  There are parts of the storyline that are serious, funny, touching and oh so sweet!

The characters are flawed, they are lovable but most of all they seem real which is why I love this authors writing. 

Overall, I have loved the time I've spent in Stoney Ridge and will miss this community and it's residents. This is the third and final book in the series but this could be read as a standalone although I think it's better to read the books in order to get better acquainted with the characters.  I thought the author has penned a wonderful conclusion to the series and is a perfect read for fans of Amish and Christian fiction. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck Review +Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Fifth Avenue Story Society
By Rachel Hauck
Christian Contemporary Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 400 Pages
February 4th 2020 by Thomas Nelson

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.

Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.

Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.

Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.

Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.

When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to reveal their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.

Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

Praise for the Book

"Hauck inspires and uplifts with this mix of tales." - Publishers Weekly

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads    Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Target

Christian Books     TNZFiction

My thoughts:

Rachel Hauck is one of my must read authors and after having read this novel, I think she will be one yours, too if she isn't already.  If you haven't read any books she's written so far than I have no hesitation in recommending you start with this one.  I absolutely loved the premise and the characters, but I may have been a bit partial to Ed the oldest of the five people who were invited to the Fifth Avenue Story Society because he actually did have an amazing story he wanted to tell. None of the group have a clue who invited them or why but they decide to meet every week. 

I found myself looking forward to their meetings probably more so than a few of them did.  Jett and Lexie have a past history and Chuck has had a brief encounter with Jett but Ed and Coral were a bit of a mystery to me at first but as the story unfolds and the group begins to share more of their lives and secrets, it was pure perfection that they should have been included.  I could easily imagine them in their homes, their workplace but most important I could see them sharing a meal inn the library where the five of them met each week.   I love that about the author, the vivid details of her settings and her characters makes me "see" what she's writing in her novels. 

Overall, I thought The Fifth Story Society has some heartbreaking moments but also there is hope, hope for new beginnings, hope for brighter futures and best of  meeting new people who will change your life for the better.

I received this book from the publisher through Prism Book Tours.  The opinions expressed are completely my own.

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower.

Website   Goodreads    Facebook    Twitter    Instagram

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of The Wedding Dress (US only)

Ends February 19, 2020

CLICK HERE TO ENTER