March 2015 | Miki's Hope

Book Review-Unravelled-M.K. Tod

Tuesday, March 31, 2015


I won this book in a giveaway I entered. It was one of those giveaways where you will win one of a number of books but you won't know which one until the very end. I was pleasantly surprised when I finally got around to reading it. This is the history of a Canadian family (husband and wife) caught up in both World I and World War II. It is based on the author's grandparents. There is quite a bit of actual history included. It is the story of how this family stayed together despite two affairs--the ups and downs of married life, the secret lives of both and the horrors of war. It is a sensitive and well written book and made me glad that this was the book I won.

About the Book: (from Amazon)

Two wars, two affairs, one marriage. In October 1935, Edward Jamieson's memories of war and a passionate love affair resurface when an invitation to a WWI memorial ceremony arrives. Though reluctant to visit the scenes of horror he has spent years trying to forget, Edward succumbs to the unlikely possibility of discovering what happened to Helene Noisette, the woman he once pledged to marry. Travelling through the French countryside with his wife Ann, Edward sees nothing but reminders of war. After a chance encounter with Helene at the dedication ceremony, Edward's past puts his present life in jeopardy. When WWII erupts a few years later, Edward is quickly caught up in the world of training espionage agents, while Ann counsels grieving women and copes with the daily threats facing those she loves. And once again, secrets and war threaten the bonds of marriage. With events unfolding in France, England and Canada, UNRAVELLED is a compelling novel of love, duty and sacrifice set amongst the turmoil of two world wars. PRAISE FOR UNRAVELLED “M. K. Tod’s skilful debut novel spanning two world wars deftly illuminates the subtle stirrings of the human heart as movingly as it depicts the horrors of battle. Poignant and generous, Unravelled gives us Edward, scarred by war, and Ann, alive with longing, two people bound by the heartbreaking bonds of a marriage forged in the crucible of secrets and war.” - Barbara Kyle, author of Blood Between Queens. “A compulsive and convincing read: a story of webs that were innocently woven - and lives that subsequently become unravelled.” - Helen Hollick, author of historical fiction and historical adventure. “An engrossing historical saga. With narrative insight, compassion, and a strong sense of time and place, M.K. Tod observes the inner workings of a marriage as it’s affected by the uncertainty and tumult of both world wars. - Sarah Johnson, Historical Novel Society Book Review Editor. “Wartime relationships have always been compelling reading, and M.K. Tod’s Unravelled beautifully evokes an era of heightened tension, in which her characters’ decisions become all the more heart-rending. A well researched and very enjoyable book.” - Anne Easter Smith, author of A Rose for the Crown, Queen By Right and Royal Mistress “A beautiful rendering of the healing journey of two war torn hearts.” - Elisabeth Storrs, author of The Golden Dice and The Wedding Shroud

Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the book Here

About the Author: (from Amazon)


I have enjoyed a passion for historical novels that began in my early teenage years immersed in the stories of Rosemary Sutcliff, Jean Plaidy and Georgette Heyer. During my twenties, armed with Mathematics and Computer Science degrees, I embarked on a career in technology and consulting continuing to read historical fiction in the tiny snippets of time available to working women with children to raise.

In 2004, I moved to Hong Kong with my husband and no job. To keep busy I decided to research my grandfather's part in the Great War. What began as an effort to understand my grandpar-ents' lives blossomed into a fulltime occupation as a writer. Beyond my debut novel Unravelled, I have written two other novels with WWI settings. I have an active blog--www.awriterofhistory.com--on all aspects of historical fiction including interviews with a variety of authors and others involved in this genre. Additionally, I am a book reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. I live in Toronto and I'm happily married with two adult children.

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I won this paperback book in a giveaway! All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-Murder in Cottage #6 (Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series #1-Dianne Harman

Monday, March 30, 2015


The start of a new cozy mystery series--one I will be following! Liz owns a spa in a secluded and beautiful area on the coast of San Francisco. She originally bought it with her husband who has since died of a heart attack. The spa is doing marvelously--everyone loves it--the clients, the employees-well everyone. Liz prepares the outstanding meals for her guests (recipes of some of them at the end of the book!) and leaves a lot of the other work to her other employees. Then the fateful day when a client is found dead in Cottage #6.

Please note that the sheriff in this small town is a bumbling idiot and no one expects him to be able to solve the mystery. Liz is worried about the reputation of the spa and her new "friend" (an accomplished criminal lawyer) tells her that she will have to play private detective. He does go out and buy her Winston--a beautiful and extremely well trained Boxer for protection--she really should have listened to Winston!

Things really start heating up and ------------nope not telling you! You will just have to read it for yourself!!

About the Book: (from Amazon)

A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery from Amazon All Star Author - Dianne Harman.

Liz Lucas, a 52 year old widow, is beginning to think she’s been given a second chance at life by owning a successful spa located in a beautiful forest area on the coast north of San Francisco.

What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, discovering that a guest staying in cottage #6 at the spa has been murdered.

In order to save the spa’s reputation, Liz, along with her two dogs, Brandy Boy and Winston, sets out to find the killer. The cast of characters includes a handyman, spa employees, the bumbling police chief, the owner of Gertie’s Diner, the dead woman’s husband (the mayor), his girlfriend, and a Tiffany glass collector. One of them probably committed the crime, but it’s up to Liz to quickly find the culprit.

Dianne is the author of two best-selling series - the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series and the Coyote Series. This is the first book in her new “Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series.” Her books have won numerous honors, and she has been recognized by Amazon as one of its best-selling authors.

Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the book here


About the Author: (from Amazon)(Picture from Twitter)


Dianne Harman draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught yoga and certified yoga instructors. She's traveled extensively throughout the world, most recently dividing her time between Huntington Beach, California and Sacramento, California, where her husband was a Senator. An avid reader, Dianne brings the richness of her life experiences to her novels, Blue Coyote Motel, Coyote in Provence, and Cornered Coyote - all of which are available now in the Coyote Series. She is also the author of Tea Party Teddy and Tea Party Teddy's Legacy, California political novels.

Being a dog lover and having attended cooking schools all over the world, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs - and her first cozy mystery, Kelly's Koffee Shop was written. It is #1 on the culinary cozy mystery list and #3 on animals. Her second book in the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series, Murder at Jade Cove, will be published soon..

An Award Winning Bestseller, Blue Coyote Motel was selected as a quarter finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest, Goodreads Psychological Thriller of the Month Book, and e-thriller Book of the Month. Blue Coyote Motel and Coyote in Provence were finalists in Chanticleer's CLUE awards contest.

Blue Coyote Motel is a suspenseful love story which begins in the barrios of Southern California and spans the globe in such diverse locations as Provence, South America, and the Himalayas. The beautiful Latina, Maria, and her husband, Jeffrey, a scientist fired from a prestigious laboratory, struggle to build a new life in a remote Southern California desert area as owners of the motel.

Along with the anti-aging hormone, Jeffrey invents a "feel-good" wonder drug to help Maria with her depression. As Jeffrey becomes insane, he begins to experiment with the wonder drug. Six wayward travelers, including an alcoholic priest, a couple who own gold mines in Brazil, a depressed widow, a struggling salesman, and a Native American pediatrician, find themselves spending the night at the small motel. The next morning they wake up feeling better than ever. Has Jeffrey's miracle drug delivered? Or is the nightmare of addiction only beginning?

Coyote in Provence and Cornered Coyote complete the trilogy which spans the globe and introduces a character, Slade Kelly, a loveable irascible private eye, who many say has become their favorite literary character. The Mafia, food, wine, art, Provence, courtroom drama - all find a place in these books.

The Teddy saga is a multicultural romance set against the political background of California. It's the story of Nina, whose husband succumbs to the power of his office. Bigoted and biased, the ultimate irony occurs when she becomes romantically involved with the founder of the Republicans for Latinos, and in the process, discovers herself. The story continues in Tea Party Teddy's Legacy, a conclusion to Tea Party Teddy in the form of a novella.


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I received an e-book edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-Faith 15 (Men of Faith Book 2)-BethAnn Buehler

Friday, March 27, 2015


This is not the genre anyone would expect me to be reading--inspirational romance. However-there is a very important message in this book and it is not religious. It is how child abuse can affect adult relationships and how, in this case, the person was able to overcome the resulting PTSD and to stop inflicting wounds on himself. It is also the story of two high profile individuals who need to come to some understanding about trust and truth before they can finally come together as a unit.


About the book: (from Amazon)

Cooper Hensen is back in the Midwest, a place that holds haunting memories for him. Worse, he’s been labeled the newcomer, the guy now responsible for replacing a pro bowl, quarterback superstar destined for the hall of fame. And while the other guy’s name graces everything around the city from a children’s hospital to a golf course and philanthropic foundation, people keep misspelling Cooper’s, driving him crazy. Twice in as many weeks he’s heard his neighbor, a die-hard other guy fan, refer to him as Copper. Seriously?

Cali Carter is a hard charging, no non-sense district attorney determined to clean up the city of Indianapolis. But lately things have shifted and she’s felt torn between her work and the position she fought so hard to achieve, and helping her sister, who’s struggling to manage her own young family and run the small cafĂ© where she’s invested all of her heart, not to mention her life savings.

When a bossy, quick thinker who likes to fix things meets a man with incredible potential clouded by a haunted past, can two household names find a balance of power within their relationship and share the spotlight?

Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the book here

About the Author: (from Amazon)



BethAnn Buehler's world revolves around her family, her friends, her faith and her love of writing. When she's not writing, in her studio creating the latest craft project sensation, driving carpool or checking email, she can most often be found having breakfast at a local restaurant with her parents, enjoying a caramel latte with her girlfriends or neglecting her responsibilities as a wife and mother because she's thinking about her next story.

BethAnn switched to the inspirational side of the romance pond after taking serious stock of her writing career and rebalancing her personal priorities. She gets most of her ideas from talking with her friends about what everyone really wants for Christmas---a little bit of hope for a brighter tomorrow and someone to hold hands with on the journey.

BethAnn accepted her first publishing contract in March of 2010. BethAnn is a member of the Indianapolis Writer's Group as well as Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her awesome husband, handsome teenage son and four rotten Silky Terriers.


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I received an e-book copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-The Executive Officer’s Wife- Denisea Kampe

Wednesday, March 25, 2015


I found myself chuckling over possibly the two most stubborn people to ever go head on into a non relationship--which of them would give in first? It was pretty obvious they really cared for each other. Of course when they met at her God Father's bar Libby didn't know that Chase had been hired as her body guard--and neither did he! Sparks flew throughout this really nice novel and when the unthinkable happened--well I'll let you find out for yourself. You really will enjoy reading this one.

About the Book: (from Amazon)

Target: Libby Calhoun. She’s independent and strong-willed, the daughter of a near infamous Marine Corps sniper. Libby’s been raised by the resident housekeeper, has learned to take care of herself over the years and doesn’t take crap off anyone. She’s also sassy and pretty darn cute. After one failed marriage she’s not in the market for love, a husband or any semblance of children. One night of hot sex should do it but that pesky situation with her father is making that near impossible.

Security Agent: Chase Wayland. He’s not looking for love either but his golden-eyes sure can lure a girl in. Chase is a former Marine turned owner of his own security firm. He also has a failed marriage under his belt and trust isn’t in his vocabulary. There’s only one way in Chase’s world and that’s his way, whether anyone else agrees or not.

Can these two live under the same roof after the incident? Chase seems to think so, as long as they ignore each other, play by his strict 'business only' policy and he makes Libby hate him. Libby thinks so, too, but she wants to do things her way. And her way means Chase’s resolve to be a good guy will be stretched to its limits, especially when she takes to the town in her red boots…

Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the book here


About the Author: (from Amazon)

From the Author's Blog

Born and raised in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Denisea Kampe was spinning tales before she could even spell and once her sixth grade creative writing teacher encouraged her by leaving a most prophetic comment on one of her assignments, the wheels of destiny were set in motion. But those wheels would need greased again and again as her writing would take a back seat to life and her jobs of mom and wife many times over before she'd finally see her dream of becoming a published writer come to fruition in 2010. Denisea is a military wife who's traveled the world over. She's lived in four states and Okinawa Japan and held more drivers' licenses than she can count. Her nest is empty save one furry and quite mischievous Siberian Husky and one spoiled rotten Rat Terrier mix. Denisea takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she's lived around since marrying her very own fairy tale prince in dusty cammies. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance and when she's not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum, taking field research trips, crafting, and sewing. Her works include One Tear, The Executive Officer's Wife, Private Pirouette, and the Slower Lower series.


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I received an e-book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Green Your Earth GA #GYE0315-4 winners (various ARV's)-US-Ends 4/22 @las930

Monday, March 23, 2015

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There may be affiliate links in this giveaway-THEY ARE NOT MINE! All I received for posting this were a couple of entries on the rafflecopter form. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-DESERT ROSE-(Warrior Series-Book 1)-LAURA TAYLOR



This is unlike any love story you have probably ever encountered. Try imagining being taken prisoner in a Middle Eastern country and being tortured and alone for many weeks. That is what happened to Marine pilot David Winslow. Then one day he heard another prisoner being thrown into the cell next to his. Emma, a humanitarian relief worker, was robbed of her identification and then captured and incarcerated. They managed to keep each other going until, against all odds, they were able to escape. Their love had grown in prison although they had never seen each others faces--and there are a couple of hot and heavy episodes once they do. Then David--who thinks that Emma only thinks she loves him because of what they went through together--leaves. Will these two eventually heal and come together where they obviously belong? Have tissues when you read this book!!


About the Book: (from Amazon)

DESERT ROSE (Warrior Series - Book #1)
Contemporary Series Romance with a Military Hero.
“A firecracker of a book from Laura Taylor! In the beautifully written DESERT ROSE, a downed pilot imprisoned in the Middle East learns the true meaning of love when a lovely humanitarian relief worker is thrown into the next cell. Ms. Taylor brings more than one tear to the eye as she brilliantly depicts the very high price sometimes asked of individuals in the name of higher causes. But it is the joy of her lovers’ triumph over their adversity that will linger with you always.” ROMANTIC TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Romantic Times Book Awards for DESERT ROSE:
Reviewer’s Choice Certificate of Excellence for Best Series Romance Novel
Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Bantam Loveswept Novel of the Year

Reader Praise for DESERT ROSE:

“I absolutely loved this book!”
“If you like patriotic, tough as nails military guys with a sensitive side, read this!”
“Loved the book … I look forward to reading more from Laura Taylor!”
“Great writing style by the author.”
“Compelling!”
“I loved this story!”
“Yet another winner by Laura Taylor!”
“They found true love in the most terrifying place.”
“I love everything Laura Taylor writes.”

Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the book here the kindle price as of this writing is free

About the Author: (Goodreads)

(Picture from Facebook)

LAURA TAYLOR is an award-winning romance writer with over a million books in print. More than a half million digital editions of her books have already been downloaded by eBook readers.

She is the recipient of numerous awards for her writing, including 6 Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement, Reviewer's Choice, and Career Achievement Awards, 2 MAGGIE AWARDS from GRW/RWA, 2 Golden Heart Finalist Awards (RWA), an RWA RITA Finalist Award, and a Golden Rose Award from the Gold Coast Chapter of RWA.

Laura is also a highly regarded editorial consultant, a popular Workshop Leader at writers' conferences in the U.S., a permanent faculty member of SCWC, a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), and one of the Original 25 Founding Members (and a member of the Board of Directors) of Novelists, Inc.

She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology from California State University, Long Beach, and she currently resides in Southern California.


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I purchased this book with my own funds. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.
 
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