Friday, August 21, 2020

More Great Romantic Suspense (Repost with Giveaway) -- The Crushing Depths




(A few weeks ago I posted a review of this book as part of the author's launch team. This post is a part of Celebrate Lit's tour and includes a recipe from the author and an awesome giveway. You can find the link for the giveaway at the end of the post.)
About the Book

 Book: The Crushing Depths
Author: Dani Pettrey
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: June 30, 2020

 They know the power and peril of the ocean.
But as they get closer to the deadly truth . . .
An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker, Coast Guard Investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are flown to the scene thirty-eight miles from shore. Tensions aboard the rig are high, and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the "plague on the environment" from continuing its work. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating on board about an ancient curse lurking in the depths below.

Mounting evidence shows the death might not have been an accident. Was the man killed by one of the activists or, more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only numerous suspects, but also their own haunted pasts and their attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems about to break open, worse news arrives: a tropical storm has turned their way. Now they're cut off from any rescue--right where the killer wants them.
My Thoughts:

 The Crushing Depths is exactly what you would expect in a Dani Pettrey novel -- excitement, danger, mystery, romance, hope and redemption -- from the very first page to the last. This second book in the Coastal Guardians series is not for the faint of heart, with multiple deaths, lots of potential suspects, and even a tropical storm and a fisherman's curse thrown in for good measure. And unless you are extra good at solving mysteries, you might be surprised at some of the plot twists! This is definitely a book that you won't want to put down once you start reading.

The characters are all strongly developed and play well into the story. If you have read book one, The Killing Tide, you will recognize some of the characters in this story. Each of the books works fine as a stand-alone, and both are well worth your time if you are a fan of great romantic suspense.

 Thanks to the author and her publisher, Bethany House, for providing a copy of The Crushing Depths. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.


About the Author

Praised by New York Times bestselling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their "wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters" (Publishers Weekly), "gripping storyline[s]" (RT Book Reviews), and "sizzling undercurrent of romance" (USA Today).

Her Alaskan Courage series and Chesapeake Valor series have received praise from readers and critics alike and spent multiple months topping the CBA bestseller lists. Dani has also been honored with multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing's Best Award.

Dani considers herself blessed to be able to write the kind of stories she loves--full of plot twists, peril, love, and a longing for hope and redemption. Her greatest joy as an author is sharing the stories God lays on her heart. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com.

 More from Dani







Enjoy this special recipe for a Lavender and Honey Latte that makes a special appearance in my book!

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 13
Artistic Nobody, August 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Mia Reads, August 15
Emily Yager, August 15
Stories By Gina, August 16
CarpeDiem, August 16
Betti Mace, August 17
Lighthouse Academy, August 17
KarenSueHadley, August 17
Livin’ Lit, August 18
Life of Literature, August 19
Older & Smarter?, August 20
Mary Hake, August 20
Empowermoms, August 21
Amanda Tero, August 22
Splashes of Joy, August 22
Simple Harvest Reads, August 22 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Pause for Tales, August 22
Worthy2Read, August 23
Hallie Reads, August 23
Live. Love. Read., August 25
Remembrancy, August 25
Lights in a Dark World, August 25

 Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dani is giving away the grand prize package of a necklace, tumbler and a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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Monday, August 10, 2020

A Great Series Beginning -- Morning Star (includes EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY)

When you read a book by Charlotte Hubbard, there are a few things you can count on. One of those things is that while she writes from authentic research into the Amish lifestyle, her stories don't fit the cookie-cutter style of some others. Another is that her story will be filled with strong female characters who have strong ideas and will do whatever they can to follow their dreams. And her characters and plot will be driven by compassion and grace.

 The description above pretty well sums up Morning Star, the first book in her newest series. A group of single Amish young ladies band together with a plan that gains the support of their caring and understanding bishop and that promises to bring great benefit to their community as well as to each of them as individuals. The plan doesn't come together, though, without some major challenges and difficulties that provide the basis for a very engaging story. Secrets and surprises pop up that keep the interest level high and make the book hard to put down. I am looking forward to more stories to come about this fascinating group of friends.

 I highly recommend Morning Star to fans of great Amish fiction. Thanks to Charlotte Hubbard for providing a copy of her book and to Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to be a part of this book tour. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

 About the Book:

 When four maidels join forces to turn an abandoned barn into an Amish marketplace, the unmarried women have community in mind. But their fledgling enterprise promises to reap surprising rewards for each in turn, including the gift of unexpected love . . . 

For Regina Miller, the new Morning Star Marketplace is a chance to share her secret work with the world—without revealing herself. Old Order Amish forbid the creation of art without purpose, but without a husband, Regina has been free to explore the joy of painting in her attic. Yet when Gabe Flaud’s curiosity leads him to speculate that Regina herself is the painter, the full weight of their community’s judgement falls on her shoulders.  When Gabe stands up to defend Regina, questioning the Order’s restrictions, he reveals his own guilty secret and is shunned along with her. Forced to turn to each other for companionship, the young couple must learn to balance their own needs with their deep faith … and a love that will show them all things are possible. 

Read an Excerpt:

 Regina entered her bedroom, stepped onto her large wooden trunk, and then opened the short, narrow door in the wall so she could climb the wooden stairs to the attic.

What if nobody wants my paintings, or worse yet, ridicules them? And what if folks figure out that I’m the artist—and that I’ve been living a lie for years? Best to nip this in the bud before I have to tell any more whoppers and get caught in them.

And yet, as Regina stood in the center of her secret studio, something deep inside her longed to display the work that so satisfied her soul. Nearly every evening, after a day of staining furniture, she spent a few hours in her hideaway, painting nature scenes.

Regina needed to paint the way most folks needed to eat and breathe. Her schoolteacher had complimented her artwork when she’d been young—and her parents had allowed her to take a short watercolor class at Koenig’s Krafts when she’d entered rumspringa. Dat’s brother Clarence was a preacher, however, so he’d been adamant about Regina joining the church at an early age. She’d secured her salvation at seventeen by being baptized, but she’d forfeited her innermost soul: in the Morning Star district, members were forbidden to create art for art’s sake because it was considered worldly and it called attention to the artist.

Regina had obediently tucked her paints and brushes into her wooden trunk, but she’d felt the loss of her art acutely. After her parents had died when a train collided with the bus they were all riding home from a wedding, Regina had kept herself sane by taking up her paints again, setting up her easel in the attic—out of sight when anyone came to visit. At twenty-two, she’d been rather young to live alone on her family’s small acreage but moving in with Uncle Clarence, Aunt Clara, and their young daughters would’ve killed her spirit forever.

Bishop Jeremiah had taken her side and had dropped in on her often until she’d gotten a little older. Martin Flaud had hired her because her father had been one of his finest craftsmen—and because Regina had proven herself to be more meticulous at staining and finishing than any of his male employees. She’d survived the rough, lonely times by working hard at the factory, and by surrounding herself with the quilts and curtains Mamm had made and the furniture Dat had built for their cozy home.

And so the last ten years had passed . . .

Regina had willingly given up any chance for marriage—because she couldn’t reveal her sinful pastime to a husband.

Gazing at the nature paintings that surrounded her on that Sunday afternoon, Regina felt torn. Why had God given her a keen eye and the talent to render woodland scenes, flowers, and wild creatures on paper if He wouldn’t allow her to paint pictures of His creation openly and without guilt?

 About the Author:


In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 50 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.
www.charlottehubbard.com
Facebook -- www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1


Giveaway:

Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.  Click here on upcoming dates to find links to the other stops on this tour for more chances to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ordering Information:
Order Ebook

Kindle  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPKX5SQ/
Kindle UK  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZPKX5SQ/
Kindle Canada  http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07ZPKX5SQ/
Kindle Australia  http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07ZPKX5SQ/
Apple Books  https://books.apple.com/us/book/morning-star/id1507818638
Apple Books UK  https://books.apple.com/gb/book/morning-star/id1507818638
Apple Books Canada  https://books.apple.com/ca/book/morning-star/id1507818638
Apple Books Australia  https://books.apple.com/au/book/morning-star/id1507818638
Apple Bohttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/morning-star-charlotte-hubbard/1134434813?ean=9781420145151oks New Zealand  https://books.apple.com/nz/book/morning-star/id1507818638
Nook   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/morning-star-charlotte-hubbard/1134434813
Kobo  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/morning-star-60
Google Play  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Charlotte_Hubbard_Morning_Star?id=goq5DwAAQBAJ

Order Print
Zebra Books
July 28, 2020
ISBN-13: 9781420145120
ISBN-10: 1420145126

Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1420145126/
Amazon UK  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ISBN=1420145126
Amazon Canada  http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ISBN=1420145126
Barnes & Noble  http://barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9781420145120
Books-A-Million  http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781420145120
Chapters Indigo  http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/a/9781420145120-item.html
IndieBound  http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781420145120
The Book Depository  http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781420145120
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