Wintergreen by Mari Biella

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Mystery, supernatural

• File Size: 715 KB
• Print Length: 95 pages
• Publisher: Mari Biella 
• Publication Date: November 27, 2015
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B018O2Y6UA

Synopsis: The past never dies…

When journalist Cat Armistead visits the small village of Wintergreen over Christmas, she thinks that staying in the peaceful English countryside will give her a chance to relax. Her illusions are shattered, however, when a local businessman, Hugo Montbray, is found dead in a wooded area near the village.

As Cat delves into the mystery she finds that Montbray was a man with many enemies, and that his death might not have been accidental. Her search for the truth uncovers local and family rivalry, broken trust, and even a touch of the supernatural. And, as if that weren’t enough, Cat reluctantly finds herself being drawn to Jake Fernsby, the detective who is investigating Montbray’s death.

However, Cat’s interest in the case has not gone unnoticed – and, in investigating it, she might have put herself in grave danger.

A cozy crime mystery set around Christmastime, Wintergreen is the perfect read for long winter evenings.

Review: This was a wonderful mystery, although I'm not sure I would agree with the synopsis about it being a cozy mystery, but I suppose that is up to each individual reader.  To me, it read more like an old-fashioned, traditional British crime novel.

Misgivings about the genre aside, this was a very interesting story. Along with the murder mystery, there was a side story of paranormal activity, as well as a family curse and a budding romance. 

The numerous twists in the murder plot kept me guessing right up until the final reveal, which is just the way I like it. I'm hoping to read more mysteries like this one from the author in the future.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Mari Biella was born in Wiltshire, England, of Anglo-Welsh parentage. Growing up in a small town, she took refuge in books. The progression from reading to writing seemed entirely natural, and the result was a deluge of terrible juvenilia, which has, mercifully, all been destroyed.

These days Mari lives in Northern Italy. She'll read just about anything she can get her hands on, but she particularly loves fantasy, the supernatural, horror and historical novels. She writes because she loves writing, and has a day job because it's a grim necessity. Pressures of work allowing, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and embellishing an already tortuously complicated fantasy world.

RELAUNCH TOUR: King Arthur's Sister In Washington's Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee

#IT'S RAINING BOOKS--SPRING READS TOUR: Meternity by Meghann Foye

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Women's fiction, romantic comedy

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Mira (April 26, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 077831930X
• ISBN-13: 978-0778319306
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Synopsis: Not quite knocked up… 

Like everyone in New York media, editor Liz Buckley runs on cupcakes, caffeine and cocktails. But at thirty-one, she's plateaued at Paddy Cakes, a glossy baby magazine that flogs thousand-dollar strollers to entitled, hypercompetitive spawn-havers. 

Liz has spent years working a gazillion hours a week picking up the slack for coworkers with kids, and she's tired of it. So one day when her stress-related nausea is mistaken for morning sickness by her bosses—boom! Liz is promoted to the mommy track. She decides to run with it and plans to use her paid time off to figure out her life: work, love and otherwise. It'll be her "meternity" leave. 

By day, Liz rocks a foam-rubber belly under fab maternity outfits. By night, she dumps the bump for karaoke nights and boozy dinners out. But how long can she keep up her charade…and hide it from the guy who might just be The One? 

As her "due date" approaches, Liz is exhausted—and exhilarated—by the ruse, the guilt and the feelings brought on by a totally fictional belly-tenant…about happiness, success, family and the nature of love.

Review: To be honest, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book. From the synopsis, I thought it would be just a fun, silly read, and I wasn't sure I wanted to spend my time on that when I have so many other, more intense books waiting for me.

I am very glad I decided to take the chance on it, however. Yes, it is comedic, but it is also much deeper than that. It is a very realistic portrayal of what women deal with in the workplace in terms of their life choices.

Liz is a character who grows on me as the story progresses. In the beginning, I thought she was ridiculous for coming up with the fake pregnancy idea....but as she worked through the entire situation, I could see her becoming more mature and self-aware.  I wasn't thrilled with the way it all wrapped up, though, which is why I could only give it four stars. I can see this as a FABULOUS rom-com movie, though---keeping my fingers crossed!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

In addition to writing Meternity (MIRA, May 2016), Meghann Foye is the Senior Web Editor at Redbookmag.com, where she covers topics such as parenting, relationships, and infertility. She is an experienced women’s magazine editor, previously serving as deputy editor ofSeventeen Magazine, and has also worked at Woman’s Day, For Me and Elle.com, where she got her first taste of good strong coffee while covering fashion shows as an assistant in the Paris office. Meghann took her own #Meternity from 2010 to 2012 when she quit her job to travel to China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Australia to pen freelance travel articles and write this book. She has yet to figure out her own marriage and baby plan but hopes it ends up something akin to Angie and Brad’s globetrotting brood (no pressure there).

BOOK TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: Raisin The Dead (Bread And Batter Mystery #2) by Karoline Barrett

BOOK INFORMATION

Raisin the Dead:
A Bread and Batter Mystery

2nd in Series

Cozy Mystery

Publisher: InterMix (April 19, 2016)

ASIN: B00PHV81AS

Synopsis: The author of Bun for Your Life returns to Destiny, New York, where bakery owners and amateur sleuths Molly Tyler and Olivia Williams never crumble under pressure…

While the rest of Destiny is focused on the arrival of an upper crust perfume mogul, Molly is more concerned about what’s on the front page of the newspaper: her mother. Library director Anne Tyler was photographed at the most romantic restaurant in town having a cozy dinner with library advisory board member Philip Baldelli. But there’s more for Molly to worry about after Philip is found dead a few days later.

When Detective Sean Corsino zeroes in on Anne as a person of interest in the case, it turns down the heat on his budding romance with Molly. But after he’s injured during the course of his investigation, Molly and Olivia must step in to sift through the clues and clear Anne’s name.

Review: I loved the first book in this series, BUN FOR YOUR LIFE, and this second installment keeps me enjoying the adventures of Molly and Olivia. 
Molly's sense of humor is still as evident as it was in the first book, and she still has humorous moments without even trying, as well. 
I was a little disappointed that the majority of the book seemed to focus on the romance between Sean and Molly, rather than solving Philip's murder. I hope the next book will return to being more about the mystery, with romance being a bit more incidental.
In spite of those misgivings, I was still able to spend a few enjoyable hours with this book, and would recommend it to all cozy fans!
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

I live in a small Connecticut town with my husband. When I’m not writing, I’m either reading, spending time by the water, taking pictures, traveling, indulging in social media, accompanying above-mentioned husband to New York Yankees games, or doing anything that does not involve math..

Author Links

Webpage      http://www.karolinebarrett.com/

Blog                http://www.karolinebarrett.com/category/blog/

Facebook      https://www.facebook.com/KarolineBarrettBooks

Twitter          https://twitter.com/KarolineBarrett

Goodreads   http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3315555.Karoline_Barrett

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KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN: AFRICA STUDY BIBLE

“The Africa Study Bible is a project that has almost unprecedented ability to positively influence the body of Christ in Africa, perhaps more than other single continental-wide project in the history of Christianity.” --Dr. Danny McCain, University of Jos, Nigeria 

ABOUT THE PROJECT
Millions of English-speaking Africans know and love Christ, but for many, God’s word is hard to grasp. With nearly every full evangelical study Bible written from the viewpoint of the United States and United Kingdom, Africans have lacked a resource that connects with their unique experience, hindering discipleship. But that is about to change as major Christian organizations, led by Oasis International, are joining together to launch the Africa Study Bible (ASB), a six-year, cross-continental effort that has produced the first study Bible developed by Africans for Africans. “With the ASB, we’re bringing the power of Scripture to Africa in a new and culturally relevant way,” says Dr. Matthew Elliott, president of Oasis, publisher of the ASB. “Under the leadership of an 11-member editorial board of scholars from across Africa, we’ve brought together 350 writers and editors from over 40 African countries, representing 50 denominations. This is an unprecedented project that will impact the global church.” With the editorial nearly complete, Oasis, with the support of its partners, is inviting fellow Christians to join with them in helping get the ASB into the hands of Africans. With a goal of raising one million dollars to print the first 100,000 copies, Oasis is seeking private donors as well as launching a Kickstarter campaign, which begins April 18 and runs through June 16. Contributors to the Kickstarter campaign have the opportunity to receive incentives ranging from artwork prints to limited Italian leather editions of the ASB as well as all-expense paid trips to the launch of the ASB in the United States and in Africa. “Our goal is to have the first run of the ASB available in Africa by the end of 2016,” says Elliott. “We already know of more than 100 million people in denominations and movements in Africa whose leaders want to use the ASB for discipleship so there is a lot of anticipation throughout the continent.” Designed to grow the faith of African church members, teach them to evangelize their communities, and apply a biblical worldview to their society, the ASB uses the New Living Translation and includes 2,400 plus features such as application notes, stories and proverbs, touchpoints that link Africa and the Bible, learn notes that explain basic theology, and major theme articles that apply the Bible to key issues. Oasis plans to initially release the ASB in English with French and Portuguese translations in development. Oasis is also developing a full-featured app of the study Bible. To support the effort, Oasis is partnering with Tyndale House Publishers to create the study Bible. Other participants include Campus Crusade for Christ, International, Willow Creek and Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit, IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), Scripture Union, Africa Leadership, TransWorld Radio, Moody Broadcasting, Center for Early African Christianity, PJA (Publications pour la Jeunesse Africane), MMD Global, The Livingstone Corporation, InSight Books, Urban Ministries Inc., and the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, with additional participants being added on a regular basis. “We have seen the hand of God in amazing ways throughout the development of this project,” says Elliott. “In the words of our supervising editor, Dr. John Jusu, the content of the ASB is bubbling up from the cultures of Africa. The biblical truth is percolating through our own cultures and stories to create a rich and textured tapestry that Africans can claim as their own.”

KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1816907898/launching-the-africa-study-bible



Meet Matthew Elliott 

Dr. Matthew Elliott serves as president of Oasis International and project director for the Africa Study Bible. Oasis International serves areas of the English-speaking world where people lack access to affordable Christian literature and the Bibles needed to mature in their faith. In these countries, the measure of annual incomes is often in hundreds, not thousands, of dollars. The great needs of Africa, in particular, drive Oasis to concentrate on this continent, where the Church is experiencing significant growth yet printed resources are scarce. Matthew earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in New Testament at Wheaton College, as well as a Masters of Theology and a Doctorate of Philosophy in New Testament Studies from University of Aberdeen (Scotland). He was ordained at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois under Dr. Kent Hughes. He is the author of Faithful Feelings: Rethinking Emotion in the New Testament (InterVarsity UK/Kregel) and Feel (Tyndale House). Matthew, his wife, Laura, and three children reside in the Chicago area.

For more information on Oasis and the Africa Study Bible, visit www.oasisint.net or www.africastudybible.com

Edge Of Wild by Danika Stone

Book Information

Genre: Cozy mystery

Paperback, 329 pages

Expected publication: May 2016 by Stonehouse Publishing

ISBN13: 9780986649431

Synopsis: Transplanted from New York City to the tiny mountain town of Waterton, Alberta with the task of saving a floundering new hotel, Rich Evans is desperate to return to the city as soon as he can. The locals seem unusually hostile towards his efforts, or maybe even menacing, and was that a cougar on his doorstep last night? As Rich begins to wonder whether his predecessor disappeared of his own accord, he finds himself strongly drawn to Louise Newman, the garage mechanic who is fixing his suddenly unreliable BMW, and the only person in Waterton who doesn’t seem desperate to run him out of town. As Rich works on the hotel, the town is torn apart by a series of gruesome, unsolved murders. With Louise as his only ally in a town that seems set against him, Rich can’t help but wonder: will he be the next victim?

Review: This is one of the few cozy mysteries I've read where the main character is a male, and I wasn't sure whether I would like that or not. After the first couple of chapters, I had no more doubts, however. Danika drew me into the setting and the story, and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. 

The characters are great. The relationship between Rich and Louise has such a future, and I can't wait to see where it will go from here. They are such different people, there is room for complications, but I hope that, in the end, they will wind up as a committed couple.

The mystery is very well presented, and leaves the reader guessing till the reveal comes. There are secrets everywhere, and you never know what Rich will discover next.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both adults (The Intaglio Series, Edge of Wild and Ctrl Z) and teens (Icarus, and All the Feels). When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Rachel's Day In The Garden by Giselle Shardlow

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Children's book

• Series: Kids Yoga Stories
• Paperback: 34 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 23, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1500138495
• ISBN-13: 978-1500138493

Synopsis

Join Rachel as she and her adorable puppy look for signs of spring in the garden. Crawl like a caterpillar, buzz like a bee, and flutter like a butterfly. Discover spring, explore movement, and learn the colors of the rainbow! Age group: Preschoolers ages 3-6.

Where to find the book:

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24873899-rachel-s-day-in-the-garden 

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1RzYXCK

Book Sales Page: http://www.kidsyogastories.com/product/rachels-day-in-the-garden/

My Review: I absolutely love this little book! It can help with color recognition, along with giving children (and parents) the opportunity to practice ten different yoga poses. Each pose is related to a keyword in the text of the story, and they are all summarized at the end of the book. There is also a guide at the end of the book for parents/teachers, to help you get the most out of the book.

At first glance, the illustrations in the book seem like most other picture books, but if you look again, you will see that they have a collage quality to them, appearing to be made of a variety of materials.

The story is also one that can be read without using the yoga poses, for a quiet time activity, talking about the colors and the things Rachel and her dog do/discover in the garden.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My Rating: Five stars

Author Bio

Giselle Shardlow is the author of Kids Yoga Stories. Her yoga books for kids get children learning, moving, and having fun. Giselle draws from her experiences as a teacher, traveler, yogi, and mom to write the yoga stories found at www.kidsyogastories.com/store or on Amazon(amazon.com/author/giselleshardlow) worldwide. The purpose of her yoga books is to foster happy, healthy, and globally educated children. She lives in Boston with her husband and daughter.

Follow Giselle on Twitter: http://twitter.com/kidsyogastories

Visit on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsYogaStories