A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY:OLD WEST COLLECTION—Book Review

A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY: OLD WEST COLLECTION. This collection of short stories was a great, quick read. I enjoyed the stories, some more than others. Each one has great characters that will leave you smiling at the end. It is a great way to get a taste of several different authors. I would recommend this anthology to any romantic at heart.

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In BREAK A LEG, a charming story by two-time Rita Award winner Carla Kelly, hospital steward Colm Callahan is ready to move away from army life at Fort Laramie. His only regret is leaving behind exotic Ozzie Washington, easily the prettiest woman on the post. As a maid to the lieutenant colonel's wife, Ozzie is no wilting flower when it comes to hard work. When the post surgeon leaves for an extended week, Colm must handle several medical emergencies on his own. He pleads for Ozzie's help at the hospital. While they spend long days and nights working together, Colm, a shy man, realizes he can't hide the truth of his feelings for Ozzie. He needs a little help, though. Enter from stage left, Lysander Locke, Shakespeare tragedian on his way to Deadwood. 

THE SOLDIER'S HEART, an enchanting novella by Sarah M. Eden, follows Gregory Reeves has fallen in love with a woman he’s never met. Her brother’s dying wish is that Gregory checks on his family, and after the war, Gregory is only too happy to meet the woman he’s been dreaming about. Helene mistakes him for a hired hand and sets him to work immediately. As time passes, Gregory finds it more and more difficult to reveal his true connection to her family, fearing that a woman who loathes liars will turn her disapproval on him. 

HIDDEN SPRING is an enthralling novella by Liz Adair, in which Susannah Brown is just getting her life back together after becoming a widow. She still misses Wesley with a fierce longing, but when she meets his half-brother, Douglas, she learns her heart is not completely dormant. Over the next several weeks, Douglas helps Susannah with repairs on her small ranch in exchange for supper. The exchange becomes more and more meaningful as Susannah realizes that Douglas might be the one to finally heal her heart. 

In Annette Lyon’s delightful story, THE SWEETEST TASTE, Della Stafford hates being a farm girl in the tiny town of Shelley, Idaho. She’ll do anything to live in a big city and experience real city life. Her only regret is that she’d have to leave Joseph behind, the young man who makes her heart flutter. But she's convinced that moving away is for the best; her dreams and Joseph's dreams are too dissimilar. Then Della takes a job as a maid in Los Angeles and must face the truth that what she thought would make her happy and what really will are totally different things. 

THE SILVER MINE BACHELOR, by Heather B. Moore, is a sweet romance between an unlikely pair. Lydia Stone has a checklist for men who qualify as the eligible bachelors in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado. Her new boss, Mr. Erik Dawson, is about to be struck off the list when she sees him coming out of the town brothel. Lydia doesn’t know that Erik Dawson’s sister has been living the brothel lifestyle for years, and he’s set on redeeming her soul. When Lydia discovers Erik’s secrets, she learns that life is not as black and white as she thinks. 

In the captivating novella, FAITH AND THE FOREMAN by Marsha Ward, Faith Bannister is forced to travel west to earn a living as a school mistress in Arizona Territory. Faith soon learns that living the frontier lifestyle of a single woman has many harsh challenges. But when she meets Slim McHenry, she discovers that life doesn’t have to be so lonely. Unfortunately the dangerous Rance Hunter stands between her and Slim, and she must act with courage before everything is lost. 

TROUBLE AT THE RED PUEBLO by Liz Adair—Book Review

TROUBLE AT THE RED PUEBLO by Liz Adair. This was a great mystery. I enjoyed the laid back yet serious attitude of Spider and the trouble he found himself in. It was interesting to see how he worked his way through different situations. And you can't beat the beautiful setting. It made it fun to know exactly where Spider and Laurie were tromping. I would recommend this book to any mystery lover.

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When Deputy Sheriff turned private investigator Spider Latham is sent to help the Red Pueblo Museum, he doesn’t suspect it will cause a rift between his wife, Laurie, and himself. 

Museum Director Martin Taylor is desperate, and his son Matt is angry. Some unknown person is bent on destroying the museum financially and is about to succeed. Things turn violent. It ends with someone’s skull bashed in with an Anasazi ax, and everyone has motive for the murder. 
Can Spider untangle the web of secrecy and lies surrounding the museum before the Taylors lose it all? And in the process, can he save his own marriage?

CHRISTMAS IN JULY GIVEAWAY(US only)—The Mist of Quarry Harbor by Liz Adair

Today you can win a copy of THE MIST OF QUARRY HARBOR by Liz Adair. Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to come back to see what other great books you can win!

The sheets were damp and cold as she climbed into bed, and as she lay shivering, she ached with loneliness. . . . Cassie lay listening to the creaking timbers of the old hotel, and tears slid down her face.

It doesn't matter what answers I find, she thought. Nothing will ever be the same.
It was in that twilight between wakefulness and sleep that she wondered how she could find any answers when she didn't even know the questions.

* * *

Cassie Van Cleeve is thirty-two years old, single, and comfortably settled into a demanding career that leaves little time for romance. Suddenly faced with two unexpected proposals of marriage, she finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions with a vital choice to make. Her decision takes Cassie on an adventure she could never have imagined as she seeks to solve a deadly puzzle and uncover the mysterious past of her new husband.

Author Liz Adair has shown herself to be a wonderful storyteller, and in The Mist of Quarry Harbor, she has crafted another fast-paced novel that will satisfy even the most avid mystery lovers. Set in the starkly beautiful Sonora Desert and the picturesque islands and waterways of Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, this romantic novel provides a visual as well as an emotional feast. It is a book whose intriguing characters, startling plot, and exciting scenes will stay with you long after you have closed the book.

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Other Giveaways

THE ARCHER'S HOLLOW
THE BIG DEBATE
A NIGHT ON MOONHILL
SAVE THE CHILD
COURAGE TO THRIVE
THE DRIVE TO THRIVE

MIST OF QUARRY HARBOR by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'

THE MIST OF QUARRY HARBOR by Liz Adair. This is another great read that will be up for grabs during my Christmas in July 2014 Giveaway. Take a look!

Cassie Van Cleeve is thirty-two years old, single, and comfortably settled into a demanding career that leaves little time for romance. Suddenly faced with two unexpected proposals of marriage, she finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions with a vital choice to make. Her decision takes Cassie on an adventure she could never have imagined as she seeks to solve a deadly puzzle and uncover the mysterious past of her new husband.

Author Liz Adair has shown herself to be a wonderful storyteller, and in The Mist of Quarry Harbor, she has crafted another fast-paced novel that will satisfy even the most avid mystery lovers. Set in the starkly beautiful Sonora Desert and the picturesque islands and waterways of Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, this romantic novel provides a visual as well as an emotional feast. It is a book whose intriguing characters, startling plot, and exciting scenes will stay with you long after you have closed the book.

SNAKEWATER AFFAIR: A SPIDER LATHAM MYSTERY by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'

SNAKEWATER AFFAIR: A Spider Latham Mystery by Liz Adair. Great mysteries. Stay tuned for my review!

             “I know there was a problem with the mine at Snakewater,” said Jade. “It wasn’t as profitable as Dad thought it should be, and he sent Stan up to investigate.”

            “And what did Stan say?” asked Spider.

            “I don’t know. He never came back. The police say that he got on the plane to come home, but he never picked up his luggage when he landed. He disappeared.”

            “And the police have investigated?”

            “Well, that depends on your definition of the wordinvestigate. My dad doesn’t feel that they have. That’s why he wants to hire someone else to look into it.’

             When Spider Latham takes a leave of absence from his regular job as deputy sheriff in Panaca, Nevada, to solve a mysterious disappearance, it isn’t long before he wonders if he isn’t in over his head. Something is fishy at Brick Tremain Enterprises in Las Vegas, and from the reception Spider gets from a couple of toughs in the parking garage, not everyone is enthused about his taking on the case. Did the regional manager run off, or did something more sinister happen to him? And what about Opal, Stan Lucas’s sad-eyed wife? Did she know more than she’s saying?

            Snakewater Affair once again finds the affable deputy sheriff up to his ears in a baffling mystery.  Click here to order. 

AFTER GOLIATH: A Spider Latham Mystery by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'

AFTER GOLIATH: A SPIDER LATHAM MYSTERY by Liz Adair. Another great one by Liz. Stay tuned for my review!

Spider looked first at the humble grave marker and then at the grizzled man who stood there with his hand outstretched. Just as Spider stepped forward to clasp Nephi's hand, the late-afternoon sun glinted on something on the cliff above them. Then something exploded in his head for a split second, sending jagged, multicolored laser-lines on a black background reverberating in his vision, like a thousand POW! signs from a Batman comic book all at once. Just a split second, the fireworks, and then all went black as Spider fell unconscious at Nephi's feet. He never got to shake the hand that shook the hand that had shaken the hand of the Prophet. He never heard the report of the rifle that sent a bullet hurtling toward him aimed right for the middle of his forehead.

When Deputy Sheriff Spider Latham finds himself investigating his second murder in six months, it looks as if someone would rather he not finish the job. Can he find the killer-before becoming the next victim?

After Goliath is the second of the Spider Latham mysteries.

THE LODGER: A SPIDER LATHAM MYSTERY by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'

THE LODGER-A Spider Latham Mystery by Liz Adair. This one sounds great! I love Liz's book. Stay tuned for my book review.

           The telephone rang, and Laurie went to answer it.

 
           She listened. "No," she said, winking at Spider, "he's here. Matter of fact, he was just sworn in this morning." She paused, listening again. "What!" The freckles on Laurie's nose stood out as the blood drained from her face.  Her eyes widened.
 
           "What's the matter?" Spider asked, sitting up straight.
 

           "Wait," she croaked into the receiver.  She thrust the instrument toward Spider. "It's Kyle Bates calling for the deputy sheriff," she rasped. "His son was out rabbit hunting with Cody Larson this afternoon, and they found a body."

Cold River Book Review and Giveaway (US)

COLD RIVER by Liz Adair. I've always enjoyed Liz's book and this one was no exception. Mandy is a spunky main character that you fall in love with in the very beginning. I can't say I agree with everything she does throughout the book, but when do we ever agree with everything anyone does. :) The secondary characters were just as fun and helped pull the story forward. My one big beef with this one was how long it took to get to the death threats. Overall, it's a very enjoyable read for anyone. Here's an interview I had with Liz earlier in the year.

:):):)

Mandy Steenburg thinks her doctorate in education has prepared her to run any school district - until she tangles with the moonshine-making, coon-dog-owning denizens of a tiny district in Pacific Northwest timber country. She's determined to make a difference, but the local populace still looks to the former superintendent for leadership. When Mandy lands in the middle of an old feud and someone keeps trying to kill her, instinct tells her to run. And though she has to literally swim through perilous waters, she finds a reason to stay and chance the odds. 

Now for the giveaway:

Liz has graciously donated a copy of COLD RIVER for you to win! What do you need to do? Glad you asked. It's simple.

1) Follow my blog via GFC and/or Networked Blogs. Leave me a message telling me you've done so and a way to contact you if you win.

Optional Entries:

• Follow Liz's blog here. Leave a comment telling me so.
• Follow me on twitter here. Leave a comment.
• Spread the word! Leave a comment telling me so.

It is in your best interest to leave seperate comments for each entry. Random.org will choose the winner on March 23rd. Please enter by midnight on the 22nd. Check out my other giveaways here. And, as always, thanks for stopping by!

Book Buzin'--Cold River

Cold River by Liz Adair. I've been a fan of Liz's books for a couple of years now and am excited to read this one. Here's a blurb and an interview with Liz. Let me know what you think!

Mandy Steenburg thinks her doctorate in education has prepared her to run any school district—until she tangles with the moonshine-making, coon-dog-owning denizens of a tiny district in Pacific Northwest timber country. She’s determined to make a difference, but the local populace still looks to the former superintendent for leadership. When Mandy lands in the middle of an old feud and someone keeps trying to kill her, instinct tells her to run. And though she has to literally swim through perilous waters, she finds a reason to stay and chance the odds.

What made you decide to become a writer?

LIZ: I didn’t decide. It just happened. It may be something you just are, like having blue eyes or seeing color in shadows or being able to roll a double R (I can’t).

Who inspires you?

LIZ: My critique group inspires me. They are four incredible women, and I recharge my battery each Thursday evening as we go over the pages each has sent in for a critique. They not only inspire me, they teach me.

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing?

LIZ: A cheap vacation. Seriously, I remember when I was a young mother on a tight budget. I didn’t hate my life. I loved being a mom, but every now and then it was so delicious to read a book that took me to an exotic place where people had conversations on a higher level than Goodnight Moon. That’s what I want to do. My settings might not be exotic, but they’re different, and I hope my dialogue is witty and sharp.

Where did this idea come from?

LIZ: Cold River came out of my experience teaching at Concrete, Washington thirty years ago or so. Concrete is a tiny town in timber country, and the local populace are descendants of people who moved west from North Carolina during the early twentieth century to work in the wood products industry. When I arrived, there hadn’t been much happen there to dilute the cultural or speech patterns the people had brought with them. It’s changed since then, as TV has come to the area, but when I was teaching there, the people called themselves Tarheels and were proud of their North Carolinian heritage.

Who was your favorite character to develop?

LIZ: It’s much more a process of getting to know the characters than developing them. Of course I liked the main character, Mandy Steenburg, who comes to Limestone as a mid-year replacement as superintendent of schools. She has her doctorate, has been on the fast track in Albuquerque’s school administration, and she thinks she knows how to run a school district.

I also liked Vince Lafitte. He grew up in Limestone, but he’s always been an outsider. Illegitimate and poor as a child, he made lots of money blowing up buildings, and he’s invested that money in Limestone, so he’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s handsome in an angular way, a careful dresser, and he’s very interested in Mandy.

I also liked…well, I think I liked them all. Edith Berman who keeps the first aid kit stocked with herbs she’s collected; Nettie Maypole who is angry that the school cook stole her mama’s recipe for Yum Yum Potatoes and now calls them Tarheel Spuds; Mo Smith, the district accountant who looks so nondescript with his thinning hair, rounding shoulders and anemic mustache but who becomes Mandy’s staunch ally. And then there’s Granny Timberlain. Well, you’ll have to read the book.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

LIZ: Yes. First, write, write, write. Next, join a writers group, but pick one that is supportive. Third, get comfortable putting your work out for a critical review. You will never grow as a writer if you don’t ask for feedback.

Where can we purchase Cold River?

LIZ: You can find it at Deseret Book or Amazon. If your independent book store doesn’t carry it, ask for it.

What can we expect next from you?

LIZ: I’m working on another romantic suspense with a working title Rats in the Attic. I definitely know I’ll change that, but for now I like it. It’s set in southern Nevada, in Spider Latham country. That will mean something to people who have read my first three books, all part of the Spider Latham Mystery series.

Anything else you’d like to add?

LIZ: Just that my blog can be found at www.sezlizadair.blogspot.com Followers and people who comment are always welcome.

THANK YOU LIZ!

FYI-great book deal

I just found out found out about a deal on an amazing book, Counting the Costs by Liz Adair. Right now it is Whitney Finalist and is being offered at a special price of $5 off the cover price AND is being offered to book clubs and people alike for a FREE download at this website http://www.lizadairfreebooks.com./. This book is absolutely amazing. I loved it from beginning to end. Take a look at it and hey . . . who can beat a free download! Here's my review from when I read it last year.

A poignant love story. I couldn’t put it down yet at times I wanted to. It gave me more insight as to the customs of the West in the 1930’s and the sacrifices that were made by some because of their choices. I walked away wanting to make sure that everyone I care about truly knows how I feel about them. Life is short and you never know what is going to happen. I loved the story.