The Root of Murder by Lauren Carr: Review Tour & Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK
​Homicide Detective Cameron Gates learned long ago that there is no such thing as a typical murder case. Each mystery is special in its own right—especially for the family of the victim.The homicide of a successful executive, husband, and father seems open and shut when the murder weapon is found in his estranged son-in-law’s possession. The circumstantial evidence is so damning that when her step-son, J.J. Thornton, agrees to act as the defendant’s public defender, he assumes his first murder case will be a loss. Only the report of a missing husband proves that this case is not as open and shut as it seems. Strap on your seat belts for a wild ride in this mystery rooted in decades of deception that sprouts into murder.

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com 
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MY THOUGHTS.....

In the first few pages of The Root of Murder, a body has been found burning in a field and an investigation soon begins. Homicide detective Cameron Gates, her lawyer husband Joshua Thornton, and her step-son J.J. Thorton all becomed involved in this case that eventually points to the deaths of two men and uncovers a friendship between two young women that borders on obsession for one of them. There are many questions and many intense moments but they are buffered with the mention of family time, a wedding being planned, and some humor that adds lightness to this story.

Since this is the fourth book in the Lovers in Crime series, it is very helpful to know a little about all of the people mentioned in the previous books and I appreciate that Carr included a list of characters at the beginning. She also succeeded in keeping me searching for clues, letting me believe that I had solved the mystery, and then showing me just how wrong I was---exactly what a good mystery should do!

This is my first Lauren Carr book and I have enjoyed discovering her talent. I will certainly be adding more of her books to my TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but a positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

View all my reviews

Lovers in Crime Mysteries

Dead on Ice

Real Murder

Killer in the Band  

The Root of Murder

MEET THE AUTHOR

  Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Thorny Rose, Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries—over twenty titles across four fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author:   Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram

BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:

Sept 9 -  Rockin Book Reviews - review of The Root of Murder / guest post / 
  Lovers in Crime series spotlight / giveaway
Sept 9 - Working Mommy Journal - review The Root of Murder / giveaway
Sept 10 - Life as Leels - review of Dead on Ice
Sept 11 - My Reading Journeys - audiobook review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
Sept 11 - Hall Ways Blog - audiobook review of Real Murder / giveaway
Sept 11 - Literary Flits - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Sept 12 - Elizabeth McKenna - Author - book spotlight / giveaway
Sept 12 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Killer in the Band (audible) / giveaway
Sept 12 - A Fountain of Books - audiobook review Dead on Ice
Sept 13 - Words and Peace - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sept 16 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
Sept 16 - Amy’s Booket List - review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
​Sept 16 - Working Mommy Journal - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Sept 17 - Hall Ways Blog - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Sept 17 -  Laura’s Interests - audiobook review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
Sept 18 - Literary Flits - review of Killer in the Band / giveaway 
Sept 18 - Read and Review - book spotlight / guest post
Sept 18 - Sefina Hawke's Books - audiobook review of The Root of Murder / series spotlight
Sept 19 - #Redhead.with.Book - Lovers in Crime Series book spotlight / giveaway
Sept 19 - Life as Leels - review of Real Murder
Sept 20 - Locks, Hooks, and Books - audiobook review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
Sept 20 - Nighttime Reading Center - audiobook review of Real Murder / giveaway
Sept 23 - Amy’s Booket List - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Sept 23 - Christa Reads and Writes - review of The Root of Murder / series spotlight  / giveaway
Sept 24 - Fundinmental - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Sept 25  Laura’s Interests - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Sept 26 - Library of Clean Reads - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Sept 26 - FUONLYKNEW - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Sept 26 - Mystery Suspense Reviews - review of The Root of Murder
Sept 26 - Mystery Suspense Reviews - book spotlight / guest post 
Sept 27 - Locks, Hooks, and Books - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Sept 30 - Amy’s Booket List - review of Killer in the Band / giveaway
Sept 30 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Sept 30 - Life as Leels - review of The Root of Murder
Sept 30 - Older & Smarter? - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 1 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
Oct 1 - Dab of Darkness - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Oct 2 - Literary Flits - review of Real Murder
Oct 3 - Books for Books - review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
Oct 3 -  My Reading Journeys - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Oct 4 - Locks, Hooks, and Books - review of Killer in the Band / giveaway
Oct 4 - Cuzinlogic - series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 7 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Oct 7 - Amy's Booket List - review The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 8 -  A Fountain of Books - review of Killer in the Band
Oct 9 - Kristin’s Novel Cafe - review of The Root of Murder
Oct 9 - To Thine Own Shelf - series spotlight / guest post
Oct 10 - Books for Books - review of Real Murder  / giveaway
Oct 10 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review of Killer in the Band / giveaway
Oct 10 - Locks, Hooks, and Books - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 11 - Pause for Tales - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 14 - Celtic Lady’s Reviews - Lovers in Crime series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 14 -  My Reading Journeys - review of The Root of Murder / guest post / giveaway
Oct 15 - Dab of Darkness - review of Killer in the Band / giveaway
Oct 15 - Bound 4 Escape - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 16 - A Fountain of Books - review of The Root of Murder / author interview
Oct 16 - Buried Under Books - review of Dead on Ice / review of Real Murder / giveaway
Oct 17 - Books for Books - review of Killer in the Band / giveaway
Oct 18 - B for Bookreview - Lovers in Crime series book spotlight / author interview
Oct 21- Nighttime Reading Center - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 21 - Laura’s Interests - review of The Root of Murder / guest post / giveaway
Oct 21 - T's Stuff - audiobook review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 22 - Dab of Darkness - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 22 - Books Are Love - review of Dead on Ice / giveaway
Oct 23 - Books Are Love - review of Real Murder / giveaway
Oct 23 - Books for Books - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 24 - JBronder Book Reviews - review of The Root of Murder / series spotlight / giveaway
Oct 24 - Books Are Love - review of Killer in the Band / giveaway
Oct 24 - Buried Under Books - review of Killer in the Band / review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
​Oct 25 - Jypsylynn  - review of The Root of Murder
Oct 25 - Adventurous Jessy - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 25 - Books Are Love - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
Oct 25 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review of The Root of Murder / giveaway
TBD - The Quirky Romantic - review of The Root of Murder / author interview / giveaway
TBD -  A Fountain of Books - review of Real Murder 

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

ENTER to win a $50 Amazon gift card courtesy of Lauren Carr, author of the Lovers in Crime Mysteries.

The Neighborly Thing by Wanda E. Brunstetter

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Neighborly Thing by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Sinda Shull has secrets from her past which are the reason she feels she can never marry. When Sinda moves next door to widower Glen Olsen and his daughter, Tara, she struggles to leave the past behind. Sinda's home business keeps her hands busy, but Glen's neighborly gestures occupy most of her thoughts.

Glen is drawn to Sinda believing it's his responsibility to do the neighborly thing and befriend her. His daughter, though, has other plans. The would-be detective tries to prove that Sinda is up to no good - and Tara does everything she can to keep her father and Sinda apart 

MY THOUGHTS.....

"I'm not a snoop! The correct word for my work is 'detective'!"

This is ten-year-old Tara's answer when her father accuses her of snooping on their new neighbor. Sinda Shull is the new person in the neighborhood and she is searching for a new beginning but she hasn't been able to leave secrets about her past behind. She soon learns that one of her neighbors loves playing detective and that she is the person that young Tara Olsen is now investigating! Tara might be described as precocious and her dad Glen tolerates her playing detective until he realizes that Tara is 'digging' for reasons to dislike Sinda because she feels threatened by his increasing feelings for this new neighbor.

Wanda E. Brunstetter is the 'Queen' of Amish fiction but this is a contemporary novel that she wrote in 2002. Sinda's difficult childhood has affected her ability to open up to others and she still feels mixed emotions about her domineering and sometimes abusive father. It is when she finds her mother's Bible that Sinda questions everything she has ever known. I especially like widower Glen Olsen's obvious Christian beliefs and his efforts to pass them on to his young daughter and I also loved seeing Sinda's faith deepen as she interacts with Glen. After hearing Pastor Benton quoting Philippians 4:6, Sinda realizes that 'She'd spent many years worrying about everything, praying about little, and never thanking God for the answers she'd received to those prayers she had uttered.'

The Neighborly Thing is an interesting story with secrets, misunderstandings, and the suggestion that what we see or have been told isn't always the complete picture. Brunstetter also reminds us that we shouldn't judge, that we need to offer compassion and forgiveness always and, most of all, it is our complete trust that God desires.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction with romance and light mystery, you will enjoy The Neighborly Thing.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest


View all my reviews

Author Interview with Amy Cipston & Your Invitation to a Facebook Chat Party

Amy Clipston is a well-known author of Amish fiction and she has joined with three other authors to offer fans of the Amish genre some enjoyable reading just in time for the holidays. An Amish Christmas Bakery will be available on October 1, 2019 and that evening Amy will be chatting with everyone in a Facebook Chat Party to celebrate this new collection.

Amy's contribution to An Amish Christmas Bakery is Cookies and Cheer and in her story Alyssa Byler wants to build a sugar cookie nativity scene for her bakery’s Christmas window display—all she needs is the right cookie cutters. She turns to handsome blacksmith Kyle Smoker. Using Kyle’s handmade cutters, Alyssa created a striking display that brings more customers than she can handle. She soon realizes she’s been too busy to focus on the true meaning of Christmas—and too distracted to explore her feelings for Kyle. Together, they put aside the holiday rush to celebrate the season that brought them together.

Amy has, in preparation for her Facebook Chat Party, answered interview questions that were submitted to her earlier. I am thrilled to share those questions and Amy's answers! 

Have you ever seen a sugar cookie nativity scene like Alyssa wants to make in “Cookies and Cheer?” What are some other creative, yet simple, ways the Amish might use to celebrate the Christmas season?

No, I have never seen a display like it; however, when I was little, we had cookie cutters. I remember having a star, a camel, a tree, and an angel, which were part of my inspiration. The Amish don’t decorate like we do. They may have a poinsettia and then decorate with some evergreen branches. They do send out Christmas cards, and they buy practical gifts. My Amish friend talked about decorating the kitchen table with gifts for her children and giving gifts such as ice skates.

How did you come up with such a cute name for the story?

To be completely honest, I can’t take credit for the name for the story. My publishing team holds meetings to name books and stories, and they chose it. I do love it!

Since this novella is one that Alyssa works in a bakery, what is a baked good that just has to be in the Clipston house or it isn't Christmas?

My mom and I like to make cookies and cheesecake. I also love her lemon pound cake. Yum!

Did any of your own Christmas traditions get written into this novella?

The only tradition I included was writing Christmas cards, which the Amish do. I love to send out Christmas cards every year. Lately, I have ordered cards with cats on them. What a surprise, right? I send them out to friends and family members and I always include a family photo that we had taken that year, along with the boys’ school photos. I already have decided what photo to include in this year’s card.

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie that you make sure to watch every year?

Yes! We always watch “Die Hard” (the first one, of course). It’s been a tradition for many years. It was one of my father’s favorite movies, and it always brings back happy memories. In fact, my son Matt and I pretty much know the lines by heart, and we like to quote them during the movie. (I’m sure that’s annoying to the other watchers!)

Every December, my family hangs a Christmas stocking for our pet dog. Do you have any special Christmas traditions that include your cats in your family's holiday celebration?

Yes, of course! I used to have stockings with each of their names; however, I haven’t purchased stockings yet for Leo or Daisy Mae. (Yes, I know. I’m a bad cat mom.) Last year I purchased two premade cat stockings filled with toys at PetSmart. Actually, I bought them the night we found Leo at PetSmart and choose him for adoption. This year I’ll definitely buy them more toys, even though they have two big baskets full. I also need to get stockings made for Leo and Daisy Mae.

What is your favorite Christmas ornament and why?

I don’t think I could choose one favorite. Each year, I go to the Hallmark Store and buy one new one for each member of my family. I also make sure I get one that has the year on it. When we decorate the tree, it’s so fun to see the older ones with photos of the boys when they were little, the ones that they made when they were little, and also the ones that Joe and I made when we were little. I also love finding the ones with the year on it and then trying to remember something that happened that year. Someday I hope the boys have special memories from their previous Christmases when they put the ornaments on their trees.

What is your favorite cookie to bake for Christmas?

Sugar cookies! It reminds me of baking with my mom when I was little. I loved decorating them.

Thanks for reading Amy's interview and I hope that these questions have caused you to think about your own traditions.. I invite you to join in on the FB chat and I hope that you will continue to get exclusive updates from Amy by signing up to receive her emails. https://amyclipston.com/email/

Entertaining Mr Pepys (Women of Pepys’ Diary, #3) by Deborah Swift

ABOUT THE BOOK

Entertaining Mr Pepys by Deborah Swift

London 1666

Elizabeth ‘Bird’ Carpenter has a wonderful singing voice, and music is her chief passion. When her father persuades her to marry horse-dealer Christopher Knepp, she suspects she is marrying beneath her station, but nothing prepares her for the reality of life with Knepp. Her father has betrayed her trust, for Knepp cares only for his horses; he is a tyrant and a bully, and will allow Bird no life of her own.

When Knepp goes away, she grasps her chance and, encouraged by her maidservant Livvy, makes a secret visit to the theatre. Entranced by the music, the glitter and glamour of the surroundings, and the free and outspoken manner of the women on the stage, she falls in love with the theatre and is determined to forge a path of her own as an actress.

But life in the theatre was never going to be straightforward – for a jealous rival wants to spoil her plans, and worse, Knepp forbids it, and Bird must use all her wit and intelligence to change his mind.

Based on events depicted in the famous Diary of Samuel Pepys, Entertaining Mr Pepys brings London in the 17th Century to life. It includes the vibrant characters of the day such as the diarist himself and actress Nell Gwynne, and features a dazzling and gripping finale during the Great Fire Of London.

The third in Deborah Swift’s atmospheric trilogy, bringing to life the women in Pepys’ Diary. Each novel features a different character and can be read as a stand-alone book. 

MY THOUGHTS.....

Entertaining Mr. Pepys begins in 1659 when Mary Elizabeth "Bird" Carpenter enters a loveless marriage that has been arranged by her father. It is also when she first meets Livvy, a blackamoor, and a very special friendship begins between Bird and her maid. Bird's life with Christopher Knepp isn't easy and and it is Livvy who helps her through these times. Bird even considers going back to her father's house and when she does, she finds that 'Dorcas was putting her 'woman's touch' on her family home, eliminating her father's former life, and by doing it, claiming if for her own. It was clear enough to Bird that she could never be able to come back here.' Recognizing the inevitable, Bird returns to her husband Christopher Knepp and it is only after many tragedies, including the fire that destroyed London, that she sees him in a new light. 'So this is what it is, to be married, Bird thought. To lean on each other in times of hardsip and know the other will always be there. A comforting quietness fell over her.'

This book is large in its number of pages and it is huge in content. I enjoy historical fiction but I haven't read any books centered on this time period and it is apparent that author Deborah Swift has done extensive reseach to portray London as it was in the 17th century. Her description of The Great Fire of London is riveting and I also enjoyed learning about Bird's introduction to the theatre and her eventual success as Elizabeth Knepp, the actress who enjoyed a friendship with Samuel Pepys. The final chapter relates Bird's successful appearance at The King's Playhouse in March, 1667, when The King himself was in the audience, along with Pepys, his wife Elizabeth, and Bird's husband and father. This woman, who had witnessed so many tragedies and experienced so many hurts, was finally able to feel love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

This is the third book in Swift's trilogy centered around Samuel Pepys. I haven't read the first two but my enjoyment wasn't diminished by this and I hope to read the first two. I appreciate that at the end of this book, there are historical notes so that we understand what was true and what was fictional during this famous man's life. I recommend Entertaining Mr. Pepys to all who enjoy historical fiction.

I appreciate the chance to read an advance copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts. These are my honest thoughts and I received no monetary compensation for this review.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

PRAISE FOR THE PEPYS TRILOGY

‘Swift is a consummate historical novelist, basing her books on immaculate research and then filling the gaps between real events and real people with eloquent storytelling, atmospheric scene setting and imaginative plot lines’ – The Visitor

‘A novel that transports readers with astonishing and engrossing detail’ – Readers Favorite 5*

‘Pepys and his world spring to vibrant life… Gripping, revealing and stunningly imagined’ -Lancashire Evening Post

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah Swift is the author of three previous historical novels for adults, The Lady’s Slipper, The Gilded Lily, and A Divided Inheritance, all published by Macmillan/St Martin’s Press, as well as the Highway Trilogy for teens (and anyone young at heart!). Her first novel was shortlisted for the Impress prize for new novelists.

She lives on the edge of the beautiful and literary English Lake District – a place made famous by the poets Wordsworth and Coleridge.

For more information, please visit Deborah Swift’s website. You can visit her website and also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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Christmas in Winter HIll by Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages.

As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn't always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, "Where's the snow?" Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista's Christmas spirit before the big day?

Bestselling author Melody Carlson invites you to spend this holiday season in a town you'll never forget--and never want to leave. 

MY THOUGHTS.....

Christmastime is special everywhere but a Christmas spent in Winter Hill is a really big deal! Everyone there loves all of the activities, all of the decorations, and all of the fun and joy associated with the Christmasville celebration. Everyone, that is, until Krista Galloway is hired as the new city manager!

Melody Carlson is known for creating wonderful Christmas stories and she has succeeded once again with this new book. She made me want to visit this small town in Washington to experience the holidays during the Christmasville celebration. This year Winter Hill has a mayor who loves playing Santa Claus--a celebration scheduled to last for days--and an essay contest that will reward the winner with a new home known as the Christmas House!

Krista does not like Christmas and she has serious reservations about all of this hoopla but how can she refuse? As I learned about the years in foster care when her Christmas Eve birthday and Christmas Day were often overlooked, my mind understood why she disliked the holidays so much but my heart ached for the effect that her unhappy childhood was having on her eight-year-old daughter. Emily wanted and needed a joyful Christmas and the essay that she wrote for the contest almost broke my heart! After explaining why she wanted to win the Christmas House, Emily wrote 'So if I win the Christmas House, I will give it to my mama and it will be her best birthday and best Christmas present ever.' Grab your tissues!

There is also a mystery and the promise of romance in Christmas in Winter Hill and this is a story that will warm your heart, remind you of the miracles of Christmas, and put you in an early Christmas spirit. It is also a story worthy of being made into a Hallmark movie! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it to all who enjoy inspirational holiday stories.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but a positive review was not required.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Connect with Melody

Amazon Author Page       Facebook     Instagram     Twitter

Bookbub          Website

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