Blog Tour: Amethyst, The Shallows by Kellye Abernathy

AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS
by
Kellye Abernathy
YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Page Count: 296 pages
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Scroll down for a giveaway!
“This is a night for being brave.”
In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.
When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America–all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth–a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.
Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.
Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.
CLICK TO PURCHASE:
Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!

————————————–
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
THREE WINNERSreceive autographed two-book sets
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 4/19/24)
01-03 Character Spotlights CONDI

Blog Tour: Dead by Proxy by Manning Wolfe

 

DEAD BY PROXY
Proxy Legal Thriller Series, Book 1
by
Manning Wolfe
Legal Thriller / Suspense / Action
Publisher: Starpath Books, LLC
Date of Publication: September 15, 2023
Number of Pages: 324 pages
Scroll down for Giveaway!
 
In this lawyer-on-the-run suspense drama, attorney Quinton Bell loses the trial of his career, and possibly his life.
Dead By Proxy takes you on a heart-pounding journey through the life of a criminal defense attorney whose world is wiped out. When Quinton loses a career-defining case, he finds himself being hunted by the very client he tried to save.
As Quinton navigates the treacherous path of survival, he is running from a powerful and relentless adversary who will stop at nothing to see him silenced. Finally landing in Houston, he hides in plain sight while re-inventing his new life as a trial lawyer.
When he’s forced to take on a high-profile murder case, he exposes himself and those he loves to danger. With each passing moment, the noose tightens, and he must draw on every ounce of wit to outsmart those who still want him dead.
Will Quinton Bell find a way out, or will he forever be a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse?
Dead By Proxy is the first book in the edgy Proxy Legal Thriller Series. If you like memorable characters, smart gritty action, and jaw-dropping twists, then you’ll love Manning Wolfe’s fast-paced page-turner.


PRAISE FOR DEAD BY PROXY:


“A riveting read that expertly teams courtroom drama and legal maneuvering with imminent danger, spine-tingling suspense, a touch of romance, and non-stop action. Talk about an adrenaline rush!” 
Reedsy

“Manning Wolfe just put herself on my list of must-read authors!” 
John Ellsworth

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review from Lone Star Literary.

The novel starts with a courtroom scene and the beginning of a murder trial with Byron Douglas, who we will later come to know as Quinton. Quinton is a confident, successful lawyer. The pivotal case will determine the tragedy of the rest of his life and force him to make quick changes to survive as he finds himself being hunted. Quinton flees from New York to Houston and starts a life as a criminal lawyer. He must work to continue to stay hidden in plain sight and try not to jeopardize his life and the lives of those around him. As the novel progresses we are encompassed in many twists, turns, and surprises. How far will someone go to get the justice they feel they deserve?

The author does a great job with this novel. She meticulously develops each character and allows the reader to feel like they are watching the story unfold right in front of them. You can tell the author did extensive research and allowed some of her true passion to shine throughout the text. Manning was descriptive with her writing style and encompassed what courtrooms are like. You can tell the author’s life as a lawyer shined through the pages as the mystery unraveled and the plot thickened. The novel reveals the extent the author took to make unfamiliar legal terms easier to understand. Manning does a great job of setting the scene in each chapter and makes any Houstonian feel nostalgic with references to the city. I enjoyed the lightheartedness of each character and the developed interactions. Dead by Proxy is one of the first legal thrillers I have read thus far and this book is such a great way to for me to jump into a new genre. This series debut novel is a winner and I look forward to the next titles in the series.

Since the book ends on a cliffhanger, you want more. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a thrilling legal mystery. The book would be great for teens and older since the author works hard to keep the language clean.

Manning Wolfe, an award-winning author and attorney, writes cinematic-style, smart, fast-paced thrillers and crime fiction. Manning was recently featured on Oxygen TV’s: Accident, Suicide, or Murder, and has spoken at major book festivals around the world.
Manning’s legal thriller series, featuring Austin attorney Merit Bridges, includes Dollar Signs, Music Notes, Green Fees, and Chinese Wall.
Manning’s new Proxy Legal Thrillers Series, featuring Houston attorney Quinton Bell, includes Dead by Proxy, Hunted by Proxy, and Alive by Proxy.
Manning is co-author of Killer Set: Drop the Mic, and twelve additional Bullet Books Speed Reads.
As a graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Manning’s experience has given her a voyeur’s peek into some shady characters’ lives and a front-row seat to watch the good people who stand against them.
GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!
THREE WINNERS
Grand Prize: eBook copy of Dead by Proxy + $25 Amazon gift card
2nd & 3rd Prizes: eBook copy of Dead by Proxy
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 10/13/23)

Continue reading Blog Tour: Dead by Proxy by Manning Wolfe

Book Highlight: Tested By Fire by C.J. Peterson

 

Tested By Fire
by C.J. Peterson

Christian Fiction / Suspense / Romance
Page Count: 278 pages
Publication Date: August 21, 2023
Scroll down for Giveaway!

Meet Robin
Flynn
: a woman of artistic soul and iron will, who forges metal and paints
vibrant canvases as an escape from life’s ceaseless challenges. Raised in the
gritty trade of welding, she inherits not just her father’s skill but also his
audacity. But her creative passion takes a daring turn when she accidentally
ignites an abandoned warehouse. Instead of ruin, her act inexplicably wins her
gratitude from the local firefighters. Emboldened, Robin embarks on a
clandestine mission to purge her crumbling town, Hemlock, of its dilapidated
relics.


Enter Nate Mitchell: a man standing on the cusp of his dreams. As he
trains to become a fire marshal, he’s also courting the woman he believes to be
the love of his life. Everything seems perfect until destiny throws a spark
into his meticulously planned world.
A pulse-pounding question burns at the heart of this riveting tale: What happens
when a man committed to extinguishing fires falls deeply in love with a woman
setting them? When faith and love clash like fire and water, will they quench
each other or evolve into something even more powerful?


Dive into Tested By Fire, a Christian Fiction saga that weaves
romance, suspense, and spirituality into a tapestry of human resilience.
Inspired by 1 Peter 1:7, this story reminds us that our faith—far more precious
than gold—emerges stronger through the crucible of trials, as we await the day
when it illuminates the entire world with its glory.

1 Peter 1:7 (NIV) These trials will show that your faith is genuine.
It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far
more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many
trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus
Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

PURCHASE FROM:

AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE  

APPLE BOOKS     KOBO



C.J. Peterson is a ten-time award-winning,
multi-genre published author since 2012. She is also a podcaster, blogger, and
publisher who knows how to relate well to folks of all ages. She has multiple
books and series including:

Grace Restored SeriesThe Holy
Flame Trilogy
, and the Divine
Legacy Series
, which have characters crossing over
storylines. In these books, the spiritual realm crosses into the physical. This
adventurous journey will have you holding onto the pages for dear life!
The
Sands of Time Trilogy
is an
exciting sci-fi series that will have you on the edge of your seat!
This
series follows a group of teens with abilities as they go through the US to
rescue their siblings from the Challenger, their sadistic creator who has the
money & power to win at any cost. Chain Reaction follows Trip
and Tori as they go through time guiding their ancestors to change crucial
decisions. In changing their past to save future generations, will Trip and
Tori cease to exist? 

Connect with C.J.
————————————–

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
TWO WINNERS
First Place – paperback copy; Second Place – eBook copy
(US only; ends midnight, CST, 9/14/2023)

Blog Tour: Christmas in Winter Valley

CHRISTMAS 
IN WINTER VALLEY
Ransom Canyon, #8 
by
Jodi Thomas
Genre: Contemporary / Western / Holiday Romance
Publisher: HQN
Publication Date: September 24, 2019
Number of Pages: 288 pages

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Ransom Canyon welcomes you back for a Christmas that has everything you’re looking for: romance, family, and a whole lot of Texas.

Cooper Holloway would take nature over people any day—especially visiting relatives. That’s why he’s headed for a rustic cabin in remote Winter Valley, where he’ll care for a herd of wild mustangs. But Cooper’s plans are quickly thwarted by the arrival of two unexpected guests: one, a stranger in desperate need of his help, and the other, a very attractive young veterinarian.

Elliott is busy trying to keep Maverick Ranch running smoothly with Cooper gone, which is no easy task with family visiting. And when a long-lost love suddenly reappears in his life, Elliott knows he’ll have more than just books to balance this season.

With a big, chaotic family Christmas around the corner and love blooming in surprising ways, the Holloway men will have to make big choices about the future—just in time for the holidays.


PRAISE FOR CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY:

“This book has everything you would want. Laughter, drama. And tears both happy and sad. I highly recommend this book.” — Patty Champion (5 Stars, Goodreads Review)

” I could not put this book down once I started it and longed for more once I was done.” Melanie (5 Stars, Goodreads Review)

“I got lost in the world that she [Jodi Thomas] has created and enjoyed seeing her characters with their overlapping and interconnected stories find a happiness that none of them expected to ever find.” — B. (5 Stars, Goodreads Review)


fullsizeoutput_211f

Rating :★★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from Lone Star Literary Life partner in exchange for my honest review.  The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. The copies used in those are finalized copies sent to me in exchange for my honest review.  #partner #LSBBT

It’s never too early to indulge in a romantic holiday read. As we near this upcoming holiday I recommend you check out his novel. This novel follows the lives of four different relationships each at different stages.

Cooper, one of the main characters is looking for a moment of isolation as he leaves his farm to head to a cabin for reflection. Cooper has no idea that no only will he not spend his time alone at the cabin but he will encounter a few unexpected guests.

Elliot is left to handle all the business of his family ranch as Cooper decides to take a break from the Family Farm. Elliot must not only continue to manage the finances of the ranch, deal with the family visiting the farm. But also face someone from his past. Some wounds heal over time and some don’t. Can Elliot handle everything that gets’s thrown his way or will he have to deal with more than he handles?

The author provides an additional romantic encounter that you will have you saying “aww” out loud.

The author does an amazing building of realistic relationships and the development of the characters. Once you start this book, you won’t want to put it down. Although this is only the first book I have read by this author, I am excited to read more from her. The author has a writing style that captivates the reader. She provides a realistic approach to the telling of a romance novel by using descriptive vocabulary to engage the reader. From the moment you pick up this book, you feel a connection with the Holloway family and their ranch. Since this story involves the telling of multiple relationships the author tackles the challenge of creating something that flows well with multiple plots. It can be a bit confusing keeping up with the multiple character stories, each different from the next but if you enjoy a bit of a challenge then you will love this just as much as I did.

If you haven’t read this book yet, I would recommend you pick this one up. This standalone book in her Ransom Canyon series will have you wanting to pick up a copy of her other books. I would highly recommend this book for those interested in contemporary Texas-sized romance novel that leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling at the end.

1012 LORILEI NQ 2, 2 of 2 Christmas in Winter Valley
CLICK TO BUY:
HARLEQUIN┃  AMAZONBARNES&NOBLE
GOOGLE BOOKS


With millions of books in print, Jodi Thomas is both a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels and countless short story collections. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world.
In July 2006, Jodi was the 11th writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. With five RITA’s to her credit, along with National Readers’ Choice Awards and Booksellers’ Best Awards, Thomas has proven her skill as a master storyteller.
Thomas was honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and served sixteen years as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.
 
When not working on a novel, or inspiring students to pursue writing careers, Thomas enjoys traveling with her family, renovating an historic home, and “checking up” on two grown sons and four grandchildren.

 ║ Website ║ Facebook ║ Twitter  
║ Instagram ║  Amazon  BookBub 
║ Pinterest  ║ Goodreads 

————————————-
GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!
WIN A PAPERBACK COPY OF CHRISTMAS IN WINTER VALLEY
October 3-13, 2019
(US ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/3/19
Notable Quotable
10/4/19
Review
10/4/19
BONUS Post
10/5/19
Author Video
10/6/19
Review
10/7/19
Excerpt
10/8/19
Review
10/9/19
Scrapbook Page
10/10/19
Review
10/11/19
Review
10/12/19
Notable Quotable

   blog tour services provided by