Book Review: A Limited Run by Karen McQuestion

Book Review

A Limited Run

Karen McQuestion

Book Description:

When billionaire Felix Worthington invites the five cast members of the TV show A Little Slice of Haven to recreate their roles twenty-five years later, they’re initially skeptical. It’s an unusual request, even for a self-professed superfan like Felix.

For several of them, playing a member of the Barlow family in the small town of Haven in the 1940s was an experience best forgotten. Meri Wetzel, who played a loving wife and mother, has spent the last two decades avoiding her TV husband, Jeff. And the actors who played their children each have lingering resentments of their own.

But living in a recreated version of the town in a warehouse in Montana has its appeal, even knowing they’ll be filmed with hidden cameras as they improvise with other actors playing the townspeople. And the clincher? Two million dollars for each of them, provided they stay all ten days and remain in character the entire time. One by one, they set aside their hesitations and agree to the terms.

After all, with two million dollars they’d be set for life, and really, what could go wrong?

 

Buy now:

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

Audiobook

 

 My 5-Star Review

Imagine your favorite television show returning after two decades with all the same characters. How much fun would that be? Except in this scenario, the actors are still playing their same ages as before and they aren’t even sure if it will ever appear on screen. Hey, but for the money they are being paid, who cares, right? What they don’t know is there is trouble lurking in their quiet little television land town which may turn their happy homecoming into a nightmare.

I really enjoyed A Limited Run by Karen McQuestion. It was so unique from the average story and in tune to today's society. A cross between a reality show and renewing an old favorite decades later. It takes a very interesting plot to keep me turning pages and this one was truly hard to put down. I highly recommend this novel!

 

 

About the Author:

Karen McQuestion is an Amazon Charts bestselling author who's written more than twenty novels and has sold over two million books worldwide. She's also the co-host, (along with USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson), of the popular podcast, BEHIND THE BOOK.

Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR and she has appeared on ABC's World News Now and America This Morning.

 McQuestion’s books share common themes of connection and kindness. She lives in Hartland, Wisconsin.

 From Karen: To be notified of giveaways and book news, please sign up for my email newsletter at www.karenmcquestion.com 

Cover Reveal: The Ones We Leave Behind by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Cover Reveal

I am so excited to share my upcoming historical women's fiction novel with you

THE ONES WE LEAVE BEHIND

A heart-wrenching story of family, loss, and redemption.

The amazing cover is designed by

Deborah Bradseth of Tugboat Design

Book Description:

Diane picked up her mother’s phone. “How do you feel about your mother being let out of prison today after sixty-five years?” the reporter asked. Diane stared at her mother. “My grandmother is alive?” That one phone call hurled shock waves throughout the entire family.

1955 – Anna Bergman Craine’s life changes in an instant when she commits a crime of passion and is sentenced to life in prison. Leaving behind two young children, she is left alone in the world, never to hear from family or friends again. Decades later, she is set free, and finds she has a family that has chosen to forget her. What caused this beautiful, intelligent, young woman to commit such a drastic deed that would pull her away from everyone she loved?

2020 – Diane Martin is shocked to learn that not only is her maternal grandmother alive, but she’s just been released after decades in prison. Against her aging mother’s wishes, she visits the older woman and soon hears a tale of the events that led up to that tragic day in 1955. Diane realizes that her own life has mirrored that of her grandmother’s and, had circumstances gone differently that fateful day, she might have experienced the same fate.

A heart-wrenching story of a family torn apart because of a moment in time and trying to put the pieces together after being separated for decades.

Historical Women's Fiction

Release Date: September 8, 2020

Preorder now on:

Amazon Kindle

Will also be available on Kindle Unlimited

Coming also to:

Paperback and Audiobook

I can't wait for you to read Anna's story!

Book Review: Just After Midnight by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Just After Midnight

Catherine Ryan Hyde

Book Description:

No longer tolerating her husband’s borderline abuse, Faith escapes to her parents’ California beach house to plan her next move. She never dreamed her new chapter would involve befriending Sarah, a fourteen-year-old on the run from her father and reeling from her mother’s sudden and suspicious death.

While Sarah’s grandmother scrambles to get custody, Faith is charged with spiriting the girl away on a journey that will restore her hope: Sarah implores Faith to take her to Falkner’s Midnight Sun, the prized black mare that her father sold out from under her. Sarah shares an unbreakable bond with Midnight and can’t bear to be apart from her. Throughout the sweltering summer, as they follow Midnight from show to show, Sarah comes to terms with what she witnessed on the terrible night her mother died.

But the journey is far from over. Faith must learn the value of trusting her instincts—and realize that the key to her future, and Sarah’s, is in her hands.

Buy Now:

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2Ph5gwJ

Paperback: https://amzn.to/2zIni65

Audiobook: https://amzn.to/2St55Am

My 5-Star Review:

A young girl is coming to terms with a tragedy. A grown woman is running from her husband. A grandmother is fighting desperately to get custody of her granddaughter. When these three people meet, their lives are forever changed, surprisingly by a beautiful horse.

Author Catherine Ryan Hyde creates magic again in her latest novel, Just After Midnight. Hyde is a master at creating down-to-earth stories with characters that you feel you know immediately and want to root for from the get-go. She uses emotion and sometimes humor to keep a story flowing steadily along and knows how to make a reader connect to the real-life characters. Life isn’t glossed over in her stories, and that’s why they are so heartfelt. True, raw emotion comes through and that’s just one of the reasons her stories capture readers.

I enjoyed reading Just After Midnight and recommend it to anyone looking for a story that will touch your heart.

About the Author:

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than 35 published and forthcoming books, including JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT, HEAVEN ADJACENT, THE WAKE UP, ALLIE AND BEA, SAY GOODBYE FOR NOW, LEAVING BLYTHE RIVER, ASK HIM WHY, WORTHY, THE LANGUAGE OF HOOFBEATS, TAKE ME WITH YOU, WHEN I FOUND YOU, WALK ME HOME, and DON'T LET ME GO. 

An avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she has released her first book of photos, 365 DAYS OF GRATITUDE: PHOTOS FROM A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.

She is co-author, with fellow author and publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE: A SELF-HELP GUIDE.

Her novel PAY IT FORWARD was adapted into a major motion picture, chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than 23 languages for distribution in over 30 countries. The paperback was released in October 2000 by Pocket Books and quickly became a national bestseller. Simon & Schuster released PAY IT FORWARD: YOUNG READERS' EDITION in August of '14. It is suitable for kids as young as eight. A special Fifteenth Anniversary Edition of the original PAY IT FORWARD was released in December of '14

LOVE IN THE PRESENT TENSE enjoyed bestseller status in the UK, where it broke the top ten, spent five weeks on the bestseller lists, was reviewed on a major TV book club, and shortlisted for a Best Read of the Year award at the British Book Awards. Both BECOMING CHLOE and JUMPSTART THE WORLD were included on the ALA's Rainbow List, and JUMPSTART THE WORLD was a finalist for two Lambda Literary Awards. WHERE WE BELONG won two Rainbow Awards in 2013 and THE LANGUAGE OF HOOFBEATS won a Rainbow Award in 2015.

New Kindle editions of her backlist titles FUNERALS FOR HORSES, EARTHQUAKE WEATHER AND OTHER STORIES, ELECTRIC GOD, and WALTER'S PURPLE HEART are now available. Also available is THE LONG, STEEP PATH: EVERYDAY INSPIRATION FROM THE AUTHOR OF PAY IT FORWARD, her first book-length creative nonfiction. 

More than 50 of her short stories have been published in The Antioch Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, Glimmer Train and many other journals, and in the anthologies Santa Barbara Stories and California Shorts and the bestselling anthology Dog is my Co-Pilot. Her stories have been honored in the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and the Tobias Wolff Award and nominated for Best American Short Stories, the O'Henry Award, and the Pushcart Prize. Three have been cited in Best American Short Stories.

She is founder and former president (2000-2009) of the Pay It Forward Foundation, and still serves on its board of directors. As a professional public speaker she has addressed the National Conference on Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with Americorps members at the White House and shared a dais with Bill Clinton. 

Walking Sam Cover Reveal & Pre-order

Hi all,

I am so excited to share with you all today the cover reveal of my latest contemporary romance novel, Walking Sam. And even more exciting - you can now pre-order it on Amazon Kindle!


Walking Sam

Cover design by Tugboat Design

Deanna Lynn Sletten

Book Description:

Love isn’t always a walk in the park…

Ryan Collier has lived a quiet life with his golden retriever, Sam, and two orange tabbies since the death of his wife nearly three years ago. His friends and family are encouraging him to move on and find someone to share his life with, but Ryan feels he’ll never find anyone he’ll love as much as his wife. Ryan reluctantly starts going out on weekends, and soon finds that not only have women changed, but also the rules of dating. He’s longing for a fulfilling relationship but everyone he meets only want one-night stands. Then, Kristen moves in next door and he finds they have a lot in common. There’s only one problem—she’s not available.

Kristen Foster craves a peaceful place to call home. With her stressful job as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse and a failed marriage behind her, she doesn’t want any more drama in her life. Then her casual boyfriend—a surgeon—proposes to her. And she finds that the widower next door is a thirty-something, handsome man who seems to have his choice of young women every weekend. His only redeeming quality is his beautiful dog, Sam. But as she gets to know Ryan, Kristen is drawn to him. She finds herself struggling to choose between the dependable surgeon or the man she believes is the neighborhood playboy.

Can Sam’s furry charm bring Ryan and Kristen together?

Walking Sam is a heartwarming story of two people who have to let go of the past in order to see what’s right in front of them.

 

Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 29, 2016

 

Pre-order now on Amazon Kindle - $3.99

 

Coming soon to Paperback

 

A big thank you to Deborah at Tugboat Design for creating the beautiful cover. This is one of my favorites of all the covers she's created for me.

Cheers,
Deanna

Book Review: Once Haunted, Twice Shy (Peyton Clark #2) by H.P. Mallory

Hi all,

I received an advance copy of this latest novel by H.P. Mallory from NetGalley and Montlake in exchange for my honest review. I came into this novel without having read book one of the series, but that didn't seem to make a difference. It was fairly easy to catch up with what was going on in the story. I have read other books by H.P. Mallory, so I knew what her writing style was like and I was looking forward to an entertaining read. So…on to the book and the review.

 

*Check Below for the link to one of H.P. Mallory's books for FREE on Amazon Kindle (Deal may expire so check price before buying.)*

 

Once Haunted, Twice Shy
Peyton Clark Book Two
H.P. Mallory

 

Book Description:

After agreeing to let the spirit of Drake Montague inhabit her body, Peyton soon discovers that the twentieth-century French policeman may be dead but his lothario longings sure aren’t. Now she has to find a way to explain to her sweet, sexy boyfriend, Ryan Kelly, that a spirit has taken up residence in her head, whispering French words of affection day and night.

While Peyton is torn between her love for a living man and her growing affection for one deceased, supernatural activity in New Orleans spikes—and something wicked this way comes. With the help of her friends (and a little voodoo), Peyton learns that the demonic spirit of the Axeman may still dwell in her home. To stop bloody history from repeating itself, Peyton will have to travel back a century to confront the Axeman at his roots, with the help of a certain handsome—and suddenly flesh and blood—police officer in the Big Easy.

 

Coming September 16, 2014 to:

Amazon Kindle $3.99 (Pre-order now)

Paperback $9.99 (Pre-order now)

 

My Review:

Peyton Clark has a problem—she is currently possessed by Drake Montague, a twentieth-century French policeman who happens to also be quite sexy. Peyton hasn't yet been able to tell the new man in her life, Ryan Kelly, about the man who inhabits her body because she knows he won't be very happy about it. On top of that, spirit activity is going crazy in New Orleans, and Peyton finds it is up to her and Drake to figure out what is responsible and stop it. All in a day's work, right?

Once Haunted, Twice Shy has all the right elements for those who love a good paranormal romance story and adore New Orleans. Peyton is a strong character who is trying hard to deal with, not only having a stranger occupying her body, but managing that along with her budding romantic relationship. Strong description brings you into the scenes of the story. Voodoo, demons, and spirits abound in this fast-paced novel with an ending that will have you wanting for more. And luckily, there will be more!

 

About H.P. Mallory:

I started my writing career as a self-published author and was lucky enough to hit both the Amazon and the Barnes and Noble bestseller’s lists with my two series, the Jolie Wilkins series and the Dulcie O’Neil series. Most recently I hit the New York Times and the USA Today lists with books in the Jolie series.

I signed with Random House (Bantam imprint) to write three books in the Jolie Wilkins series (Witchful Thinking, The Witch is Back and Something Witchy This Way Comes). Now I love the fact that I’m both a traditionally published author as well as a self-published one (with my Dulcie O’Neil series).

I’m a huge fan of anything paranormal and I always have been. I get super excited whenever they have those Twilight Zone Marathon days and anything ghost or vampire related will always attract my attention.

My interests are varied but aside from writing, I’m most excited about traveling. I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to live in England and Scotland, both places really having a profound effect on my books.

Follow her on:

Her Website

Twitter: @HPMallory

Facebook

Goodreads

*Try one of H.P Mallory's books for FREE – To Kill A Warlock (Book One Dulcie O'Neil Series) is FREE on Amazon Kindle as of this posting. I can't guarantee it will be for long, so grab it now! Click Here

Enjoy!

Deanna

Book Review: Charming The Duke by Holly Bush

Hi all,

 

I had the honor of reading, CHARMING THE DUKE, the latest novel by author Holly Bush. If you read my blog, you know that I am already a devoted fan of Holly's and have enjoyed all of her other books, including Train Station Bride, Cross the Ocean, and Reconstructing Jackson. Holly writes historical romances and each one is unique, heartfelt, and intriguing. I found CHARMING THE DUKE to be as delightful as the rest, and I am so pleased to have had the chance to read it.

Here is more about Holly Bush's novel and my five star review:

 

Charming The Duke

Holly Bush

 

Book Description:

1849 . . . Matilda Sheldon, the middle daughter of the sixth Earl of Bisset, has never been interested in the fashionable society events that so preoccupy her parents and siblings. Her loving, albeit, daft family cannot understand why. But Matilda has little use for silly rules and dramas. She would rather occupy her time with a worthwhile cause such as opening The Sheldon Home for Orphans, much to the chagrin of her mother and grandmother. They are quite certain a venture of this nature will discourage suitors. Matilda is quite certain that if suitors are discouraged it is because she is clever, plain, a bit clumsy, and inevitably compared to her beautiful sisters.

The Duke of Thornsby is in tight spot. After receiving the title on the death of his father, he discovers the inheritance is to be gifted elsewhere if he does not marry before his thirtieth birthday. Unfortunately, our man-about-town is embroiled in a scandal, not of his own making, and the marriage mamas won’t let any eligible misses anywhere near him. What’s a Duke to do? Get invited to a house party hosted by the notoriously absent-minded Earl of Bisset, who just happens to be Papa to some young ladies of marriageable age!

Thornsby finds himself fascinated, not with the two Sheldon debutantes actively seeking a husband, but rather with the ‘brown wren’ he first mistakes for a servant. Matilda is counting the hours until the house party ends when the necessity of conversing with the guests will be over, and ridiculously handsome men go far away. Can a worldly Duke convince a sensible girl to accept his court? Find out in Charming the Duke.

 

Buy Charming The Duke:

Amazon Kindle

B&N Nook

Paperback

 

My Five Star Review:

 It's 1849 and Matilda Sheldon is not interested in snagging a suitable suitor like her two sisters are. Fashion, gossip, and all the other trappings of her social status do not interest her, especially putting on a show to find a husband. She feels she is not as pretty or graceful as her sisters and therefore puts her energy into other more serious pursuits like starting an orphanage. But when The Duke of Thornsby, who desperately needs to find a proper wife, meets Matilda, he finds himself not only irritated by her manner, but also drawn to her at the same time.

CHARMING THE DUKE is another delightful romance novel by Holly Bush. Holly is a talented writer who is able to draw you back in time with the language and nuances of her prose, yet make the characters so believable they jump off the page. I like the no-nonsense Matilda and the prim and proper Duke. Humor and drama are combined to create a wonderful, historical world you can lose yourself in for a few hours.

I highly recommend CHARMING THE DUKE to anyone who loves reading historical romance. You won't be disappointed.

 

I hope you give CHARMING THE DUKE a try. All of Holly's books are a joy!

 

Cheers,

Deanna

 

Destination Wedding ~ A Novel ~ Now Available!

Hi all,

I am so excited to announce that my seventh novel, (yes, seventh!) DESTINATION WEDDING is now published. You can buy it on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook at the links below. The paperback version is currently being formatted (by my amazing cover designer and formatter, Deborah at Tugboat Design) and will be available soon.

DESTINATION WEDDING was such a fun novel to write. It the midst of this long, terrible, cold winter, it was fun running away (in my book) to an island paradise and writing about these delightful characters. I fell in love with Claire and Jim as they struggled to get along during their week in paradise on their daughter's destination wedding. I hope you fall in love with them, too. They have some pretty hot exchanges, in more ways than one, and they have their tender moments, too.

Destination Wedding is also going on tour in June. Be on the lookout for the tour schedule in an upcoming post.

I hope you enjoy this new novel. After a few days off from writing/editing/promoting, I'm going to get back to the grindstone and start my next novel. What do you think about a cowboy in the next one? Sounds good to me. :)

Buy Destination Wedding:

Amazon Kindle: $3.99

B&N Nook: $3.99

Read more about DW

Add DW to your To-Read list on Goodreads


Cheers,
Deanna

Summer of the Loon eBook Giveaway!

Hi all,

Just for the fun of it I'm giving away FIVE ebook copies of my latest novel, SUMMER OF THE LOON to FIVE lucky winners. The FIRST FIVE PEOPLE who leave a comment on this post with their email address and their preferred ebook style (Kindle or B&N) will WIN! I will gift you your copy directly from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, so make sure you have an account at one of these locations so you can receive it. U.S. SITE USERS ONLY, PLEASE.

Good luck!

Deanna

Book Review: Everwud – The Tree, The Boy & The Dog by Marilyn Dieckmann

Hi all,

I first met Marilyn Dieckmann, the author of Everwud, online on Twitter and Facebook, and was surprised to learn she lives not too far from me up here in the North Country. Although we have never met, I feel as if I know her like a friend, and I couldn't resist reading her novel. I'm so happy I did, it is as enchanting as I hoped it would be. Here is more about her novel and my review.

 

 Everwud - The Tree, The Boy & The Dog

Marilyn Dieckmann

 

Book Description:

Life isn't always fair, and if you're an orphan it’s probably worse.

Well, Joey is an orphan. His world is totally turned upside down the moment he sees a shaggy dog in the window at the animal shelter and exchanges a wagon-load of pop bottles for the dog.

But life is never that simple. Dogs are not allowed at the orphanage and a deal is made with Mister Tim, the kind man at the animal shelter that ultimately changes his life.

With his new friends, Joey rescues a fellow orphan from scoundrels who use an adoption scheme to gain cheap labor. and unlocks the secret to his birth. He discovers his mom is in fact a wood elf, and she was sucked back into her world the day he was born.

But that’s not all… there's magic too. Joey is the direct descendant of the mage of EVERWUD and will inherit pure magic one day.

Life couldn’t possibly have more surprises in store for Joey… or could it?

EVERWUD… where adventure begins.

 

Buy Everwud – The Tree, The Boy & The Dog on:

Amazon Kindle $0.99

 

Buy Everwud – Book Two – Castles, Clowns & Potions:

Amazon Kindle $1.99

 

My 5 Star Review:

I decided to read Everwud – The Tree, The Boy & The Dog by Marilyn Dieckmann, even though I knew it was geared toward children, because of all the intriguing Tweets Marilyn passed along on Twitter. She made it sound enchanting, magical, and lovely. And it is. From the very first paragraph, Marilyn had me hooked. She drew me into the story before I even realized what was happening. I had to know what happened next, and next, and next.

Everwud is not only a magical story, it is also fun and full of adventure. You can't help but like the main character, Joey, right away. He's such a typical boy, yet he really isn't, we soon learn. When Joey befriends a furry companion his life changes. He is caught up in an adventure he can hardly believe is happening to him. And he soon learns more about the parents he has never known and that he wasn't completely abandoned after all.

I would recommend Everwud to children ages eight and up. It's perfect for reading to your child at bedtime, for older children to read to themselves, or for adults looking for a little magic. And the best part about Everwud is it doesn't end with the first book. There are two more in the series.

 

 

About Marilyn Dieckmann:

To give credit where credit is due... I would say it was my husband's idea for me to write a book. I absolutely LOVE to read, and devour books every chance I get. The fact that I create magical fairy houses and make up stories for the inhabitants... well, it seemed like a natural step to take. I've made over 78 fairy houses and writing has now become a passion.
http://www.weetreehome.com

I'm a wife, mom, grandma and chocolate lover. Chocolate covered cherries are my all-time favorite candy, but any chocolate will do in a pinch!
Wine taster fits in here too!
I dream in full color and never ever think inside the box. As a matter of fact I don't think I own one of those box thingies.

We live in northern Minnesota where the seasons are well defined... winter and summer, with a brief glimpse of spring and fall in between. Our garden is spectacular even though the season is so short.

I've been a student, house painter, waitress, teacher (2 degrees), care-giver and worked in a lumber mill. However, like I told my sons... it's not necessarily what you do for a living (the job that pays the bills) that defines who you are.
It's what you do that brings you JOY.

My epitaph will read... she LOVED her family well!

 

Connect with Marilyn on:

 

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

 

I hope you will read Everwud to your favorite little adventurer!

 

Cheers,

Deanna