To Tuscany With Love by Gail Mencini Review For JKS Communications!

Paperback, $16.95; eBook, $3.99 
ISBN: 978-1-938592-00-3 
Fiction/Women’s Fiction, 392 pages 

Capriole Group, January 2014 

BREATHE IN THE ITALIAN COUNTRYSIDE WITH A NEW ADULT COMING-OF-AGE STORY 

Author Gail Mencini makes debut in January 2014 with ‘To Tuscany with Love’ 

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Italian countryside through Gail Mencini’s debut novel “To Tuscany with Love” (January 2014, Capriole Group). 

Can one college semester abroad change the course of your life? 

Bella Rossini, a vivacious college junior, lands in jailovernight with acquaintances whom she mistakes for friends. Shipped off to Tuscany by her mother, Bella is suddenly thrust into living with seven strangers during one life-altering summer. 

Meet Hope, the sturdy and practical girl, steadfast in herloyalty to her boyfriend; Meghan and Karen, identical twins with an eye for fashion and beauty to match; Stillman, haunted by his hard past, and Phillip, an athlete, both fueled by competition; Lee, by family mandate in pre-med; and Rune, the Hollywood-bound wild child. All add sizzling chemistry and rebellious humor to the mix. 

In one whirlwind summer, while uncovering the charms of Italy, they discover both friendship and love. 

After their summer together, life – and loss – happens. 

Returning to Tuscany 30 years later, their dreams, anger, secrets and disappointments create an emotional kaleidoscope. Their reunion sends them on a startling collision course that none of them could have predicted. 

Set against the allure of Tuscany, with an irresistible fusion of heartbreak and humor, this debut novel, “To Tuscany with Love,” explores the fear of letting the past determine the future and the power of friendship.

Inspired by a family friend’s trip to Tuscany for a college reunion, Mencini introduces readers to eight very different students who meet while studying abroad during a life-changing summer semester. They reunite 30 years later only to discover lingering emotions, the need to address the fear of letting the past dictate the future, and the power of friendship. 

“What entices me about college reunions, especially those that happen several years after graduation, is that I imagine people going through life with a suitcase,” Mencini says. “By the time a person is in ‘those middle years,’ their suitcase is full of successes, failures, secrets, regrets, and unfulfilled dreams. It is a fascinating time to bring people back together again.” 

In this heartbreaking and humorous romp through central Italy, the author breathes life into the book’s pages with eloquent descriptions of cities and hillside towns as well as the region’s local wine and cuisine. Mencini personally visited the 

historical and cultural landmarks detailed in “To Tuscany with Love” in order to capture the flavor of the area with authenticity. 

As a breast cancer survivor, Mencini writes the life-threatening disease into her novel in an effort to 

encourage other women to do a self-breast exam or get an annual screening mammogram. 

Mencini writes and cooks with her husband and family in Colorado. She is fascinated by all things Italy, especially the food and wine.

My Thoughts
To Tuscany with Love is a story that is very satisfying in that it covers eight different people that come together one summer in Italy for a summer class, then they come back 30 years later to a reunion orchestrated by one of the eight. In between these two events we learn more about each individual, their loves, lives, losses,passions and missed opportunities. The reader comes to like some of the characters and dislike others for a variety of reasons. Very well written and it is easy to see where the authors passions lie... definitely in Italy. The descriptions of the country, the food, museums and shops are all very important in a great story. I loved that some of the characters had good and bad experiences and not everything was happily ever after, but at this reunion they all  come to find out what is important to them in one way or other. Money and successful careers are important but not necessarily what can make a person happy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series...

I received a copy of the book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review...

Q&A with “To Tuscany with Love” 
author Gail Mencini 
~Is any part of “To Tuscany with Love” autobiographical? 
The events and characters in “To Tuscany with Love” are products of my imagination and the places and people that are real are used fictitiously. I will, however, quote Garrison Keillor on this subject, “Bad things don’t happen to authors; it’s all material.” When a person travels, things happen that are not humorous at the time but later, in the recounting, are often hilarious. The novel is not autobiographical, but have I drawn from my experiences? Absolutely! 

~You use multiple points of view in the book. Was it difficult to keep the characters, and their voices, separate and distinct? 

The characters have strong, unique personalities and I found they liked to grab the reins from their friends and tell their own story. To me, they are so different from each other that alternating voices was not a problem. Keeping track of the passage of time and age of the characters during each period seemed a more tedious, although essential, task. I enjoyed being able to view events from their different perspectives and plot 
how their friendship was the foundation for their growth as individual characters. 

~The characters in “To Tuscany with Love” are all interesting in their own way. How did you come up with their personalities?

For all my characters, their personalities are integrally related to their backgrounds and their families. Once I started fleshing out the characters’ names, careers, and what their homes were like growing up, their individual personalities flowed. I purposely plucked them from different regions in the country, with a variety of family dynamics. 

I started with an Italian-American, Bella Rossini, which seemed a natural for a story set in Italy, and then my mind flew to two possible suitors with radically different backgrounds – a California athlete, Phillip, and a Southerner with a preacher for a father, Stillman. Rune, a man who grew up in Nebraska and escaped for a fast and loose life in Hollywood, presents an intriguing dichotomy and an element of humor. Having two sisters and a brother myself, I am interested in the dynamics and bonds between siblings, so including a set of twins fed that 
attraction. My husband is a physician and to show my respect for him, I wanted to include a physician character, although that is where the resemblance stops. Finally, I added Hope, a strong woman from Colorado who lives up to her name, as a tribute to my home state. 

~Breast cancer plays a part in the novel. Did you have a special reason for including this? 

Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States. In Colorado, where I live, it is one in seven. 
Among the women in my neighborhood book club, the ratio is an alarming one in five. I am a breast cancer 
survivor myself, having undergone a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction in 2009. Early detection is the key 
to survival. If in any way by writing about people with this disease I can spur someone to do a self-breast exam or 
get an annual screening mammogram, I will have achieved my goal of helping others fight breast cancer. 

~“To Tuscany with Love” touches on many themes including lost love, friendship, regret and entering adulthood. Can you tell us more about the message behind your book? 

It’s never too late to take stock of one’s work,relationships,and life. What dreams of yours are unfulfilled, and why have they been pushed aside? Sometimes circumstances or economics are the unavoidable roadblock to achieving your dreams. When things are outside of a person’s control, all one can do is to evaluate how best to deal with these obstacles, and then take action. That was my personal approach when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The best thing about my cancer was that I realized how many people cared about me and wanted to help. I am not very good at asking for help and, unfortunately, many people are the same. Family and friends are a grossly underrated asset, which is why I centered “To Tuscany with Love” on a group of friends who help each other save, and forgive, themselves. A surprising occurrence is that sometimes we ourselves, like my characters, have become the obstruction to achieving our goals. Passionately investing in your relationships and dreams is the first step to molding 
yourself into the person you dream of being and in the process, achieving happiness and fulfillment.

 ~Have you visited the Tuscan cities and hill towns you describe in the book? Do you have a favorite place? 

I have been fortunate to visit these lovely locales. A large city such as Florence has advantages as a base for your travels: proximity to an airport, ease of public transportation, and an abundance of historical and cultural sites. I have to admit, though, the charming, friendly hill towns of Tuscany stole my heart. When you read “To Tuscany with Love,” I suspect you will figure out which one of these hill towns is my favorite. 

~Do you have any advice for people traveling to Tuscany for the first time? 

A person should define their goals for any trip up front. What are your priorities? Some examples are: seeing as many (historical, religious, or cultural) attractions as possible, sampling the cuisine, relaxation, touring with an athletic focus (biking or hiking), successful traveling with children, or what I term “piazza sitting and watching the world go by.” Determining one’s goals and likes, dislikes, budget, and special needs makes 
planning a rewarding and enjoyable trip much easier. I like using public transit, especially for a first-time visitor, because you travel shoulder-to-shoulder with the native Italians and are immediately immersed into their 
everyday life. 

~Your professional background is mainly in accounting and tax planning. Did you always secretly want to be a writer?

The creative arts were always a passion for me, but once I started reading Mary Stewart novels set in Greece, I was hooked: I longed to write and travel. With my husband’s encouragement and belief in me, I was able to take the overwhelming, terrifying, and thrilling first step of tackling book-length fiction. 

~How did you learn how to cook gourmet Italian food? 

Learning to cook was easy, as I apprenticed under two accomplished and adventurous cooks, my mother and grandmother. I developed my expertise in gourmet Italian cuisine in several ways: gathering tips from my many Italian relatives, wanting to recreate the foods I savored in Italy, and having a shameless love of cookbooks, especially those featuring Italian cuisine—my collection overflows the bookshelf! 

~Describe the most memorable meal you ate while in Italy. 
Picking only one of the many memorable meals is a challenge! My husband and I were in Piedmont and Tuscany during the floods that devastated northern Italy in 2000. Following a turbulent flight from the U.S., we drove through the rain with double shots of espresso and the thought of a hot meal sustaining us. When we 
finally arrived at our destination, we happily parked our car, requested a recommendation for a ristorante that catered to locals, and walked through the rain to dinner. We greeted our waitress with our rustic Italian and the gracious woman took one look at our weary, jet-lagged faces and suggested she select our food for us. We trusted her, and it was comforting, simple, delicious, and perfect: tomato bruschetta, feather-light tortellini in chicken broth, melt-in-your-mouth papparadelle with a sauce of wild boar and porcini, a house salad of field 
greens dressed with a light vinaigrette and freshly shaved parmesan cheese, and finally, lemon sorbetto and amaretti cookies. Magnifico! 

~Are you working on another book? Will it take readers on another trip to Italy? 

I have another book underway already and am having fun scheming up new dilemmas for my characters. My next book, the second in the Tuscany series, takes place primarily in and around a charming Tuscan hill town not visited in To Tuscany with Love, so my readers will have the pleasure of new Italian experiences in another small area of Tuscany. One thing I will reveal, though, is that the delightful Tuscan cuisine and wine are certain 
to play a memorable role in this book! 

Biography of Author Gail Mencini 

Gail Mencini makes her literary debut with “To Tuscany with Love” (January 2014, 

Capriole Group) an adult coming-of-age novel set in central Italy. 

Born in rural Nebraska, Mencini graduated with honors in 1976 from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she majored in 

accounting, economics and business administration. She holds a Master of Laws of Taxation degree from the University of Denver College of Law. 

Mencini co-owned an accounting firm and practiced for 15 years in public accounting, specializing in tax law related to mergers 

and acquisitions and real estate. She also spent time in the higher education field, working as an adjunct professor at the 

University of Colorado and Metro State College, as well as the University of Denver College of Law. She was a repeat speaker at national continuing education seminars and a featured presenter in a real estate conference in the Caribbean. 

In 1990 when she married her husband, Mencini became an “instant mother” of three boys plus another son two years later, which opened the doors to becoming a full-time mother and igniting her long-time passion for creative arts, gourmet cooking and 

traveling. 

She went on to become a contributing editor and photojournalist for Buzz in the ‘Burbs, writing monthly cooking columns featuring dinner themes, recipes and complementary 

wine suggestions. She also served as interim director of marketing for Wine Master Cellars as the company transitioned to new leadership. She has been a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers for nearly 20 years as well as the Pikes Peak Writers for over 10. She most recently joined Author U based in Aurora, Colo. 

She writes and cooks in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and family who are always ready to critique her abundance of story ideas and recipes.

Author Links below:

Author Website
Twitter
Facebook

Goodreads

Pinterest

Virtual Tour Page 

Spotlight and Guestpost for Satan's Chamber by Molly Best and Karetta Hubbard

Satan's Chamber Summary

Junior CIA operative Victoria Pierce is posted to Khartoum, Sudan, where her father vanished five years before. Obsessed with solving the mystery of his disappearance, she uncovers a horrific plot that threatens to ignite World War III. A fast-paced spy thriller, Satan's Chamber shuttles between Washington, DC, and war-torn Sudan, geo-political intrigue and ancient mysticism. It introduces a rich array of memorable characters, from Bart Wilkins, the bumbling but buff young supply officer at the Embassy, to Kendacke, one-eyed descendant of the female pharaohs, to Adam Marshall, one of the richest and most ruthless men in the world.

Satan's Chamber web site:

http://www.satanschamber.com/Satan's Chamber Goodreads page:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6891436-satan-s-chamberSatan's Chamber Blog Tour Site:
http://satanschamber.blogspot.com/

Guestpost with Molly and Karetta

How did you come up with this topic to write about and what kind of research did you do?

 When Molly and I decided to collaborate on a spy thriller, I had already chosen the title, Satan’s Chamber.  The image conjured evil, and I knew that the story should begin with evil and from there navigate out of the darkness into the light.  Molly agreed to the title, and the two of us zeroed in on Sudan, a little-known place on earth and home to  plenty of horrific action, thanks to the discovery of large oil fields under its territory.  As the world grabs for a piece of these resources, the government massacres its own people to get them off the land. 

 We already knew that our CIA protagonist would be female, Tory Pierce, but we wanted to go against the grain of the typical spy thriller and make her human, vulnerable, flawed, actually to give her story a psychological arc, beginning in naivety and gradually wising up.  As with many CIA employees she would be a “legacy”: her father and mother both worked for the CIA when she was born. This birthright of hers also gave us another strong female character, Maud Olson, head of the Intelligence Directorate and Tory’s somewhat micro-managing godmother. 

 Our research into Sudan actually turned up a whole different side to that poor country via its spiritual history, centered on the sacred mountain of Jebel Barkal, which was regarded by the Egyptians 3000 years ago as the birthplace of the gods.  This ancient history led us to our third strong female character, Kendacke, the descendant of one of the early female black pharaohs of Sudan.  She is attempting to unify the disparate tribes of the country under a single symbol that would galvanize a sense of national identity.

 To mention all the other areas of our research would be to give away the twists of the plot.  Suffice to say, that once we had all the pieces to the puzzle, the book began to write itself. The title Satan’s Chamber is a sort of  metaphor for what we wished our story to be about.  While it describes the horrific circumstances under which the people of Sudan must live, it is also a metaphor for the hell people create for themselves when they turn to greed to fulfill themselves.  Satan’s Chamber is ultimately opposed by the sacred chambers inside the mountain of Jebel Barkal, where the female leader Kendacke, who finds fulfillment through love and generosity, is hatching her counter-plan to bring peace and unity to her people. 

Thank you ladies, sounds interesting!!

Molly Best Tinsley's Bio:

Air Force brat Molly Best Tinsley taught on the civilian faculty at the United States Naval Academy for twenty years and is the institution’s first professor emerita. Author of My Life with Darwin (Houghton Mifflin) and Throwing Knives (Ohio State University Press), she also co-authored Satan’s Chamber(Fuze Publishing) and the textbook, The Creative Process (St. Martin’s). Her fiction has earned two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Sandstone Prize, and the Oregon Book Award. Her plays have been read and produced nationwide. She lives in Oregon, where she divides her time between Ashland and Portland.

Karetta Hubbard's Bio:
As a businesswoman and entrepreneur, Karetta Hubbard has more than twenty-five years of experience in consulting, strategic management, and organizational change for companies throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan. Having recently turned to literary endeavors, Ms. Hubbard credits her five grandchildren as her inspiration and encouragement to put pen to paper.

As an active member of the Washington, DC community, Ms. Hubbard has held appointments at the Small Business Advisory Council (SBA), the Tyson Business and Professional Women Foundation (BPW), and the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. Ms. Hubbard attended the University of Virginia and received her B.A. degree from George Mason University. She also attended Catholic University’s Graduate School in Social Work. 

Fuze Publishing's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fuze-Publishing-LLC/297440248596Fuze Publishing's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/fuzepublishingFuze Publishing's Website:
http://www.fuzepublishing.com/Fuze Publishing's Blog:
http://fuzepublishing.wordpress.com/


Price: $19.95 hardcover, $14.95 paperback, $5.99 ebook
ISBNs: 9780984141210, 9780984141203
Pages: 294
Release: August 2009
Amazon buy link:
Fuze Publishing buy link:
Amazon Kindle buy link:
Barnes&Noble.com Nook buy link:

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Book Tour Grand Finale for Home to Stay By Kate James and Giveaway!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Home to Stay

By Kate James

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

This promises to be a fun-packed tour with lots of stops along the way. Heartfelt thanks to all the bloggers who signed up for this tour. I put together a special prize-pack to recognize the terrific response. I’m looking forward to all the stops, and I hope to see you along the way!

— Kate

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Sawyer rolled onto his side and tucked an arm under his head. He considered drifting back to sleep for a few more minutes as he listened to the sounds of nature and the gentle flapping of canvas…

Flapping of canvas?

That wasn’t right.

He bolted up and stared at the tent flap, unzipped and fluttering in the light breeze. He immediately shifted his gaze to Dylan’s cot. From this angle and with Dylan’s form as slight as it was, he couldn’t tell if his son was in his sleeping bag. Sawyer wasn’t taking any chances. He scrambled out of his own bedroll and hurried over to Dylan’s.

The adrenaline rush had him gasping for air.

The sleeping bag was empty.

Becky on Books - Excerpt

“What are you doing here?” Sawyer demanded.

“Shannon called me.”

“What? Why?”

“She thought you shouldn’t be alone right now. But she didn’t say why. Let me bring Dylan in. We’ll get him settled in his room and then you can explain.”

Thoughts of a Blonde - Excerpt

“Dylaaan!”

His voice was hoarse from shouting his son’s name. Occasionally, he heard Meg or his father calling out, too, but without response.

Never a response.

They had to find Dylan.

Tripping over an exposed tree root, Sawyer landed hard on his hands and knees. He pushed back up to his feet, absently brushed at the grime and the blood, and moved on.

With Love for Books - Review

"Kate James has an impressive descriptive writing style. She makes her stories come to life in a beautiful emotional way. I love her empathy and her great skill to explore what her characters are feeling through and through. It gives all of her stories a strong foundation. True love can surprise people at the most unexpected moments, which is a subject I'm a big fan of. Home to Stay is a terrific story about this topic and the story kept surprising me. It has plenty of unexpected twists and turns and it's captivating and really well written. I highly recommend this special book."

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review

"Just like in the earlier books of the series, the action and suspense happens right from the beginning and it doesn't ease up until it's all over. It was almost over-the-top, crazy drama--the kind that you wonder if it ever happens in real life. There's a mystery angle that really kept me reading because I couldn't figure out the who-done-it and what the motive was. I devoured the story and came away feeling a little emotionally exhausted and heart wrenched, yet satisfied with how the events finalized."

Hearts & Scribbles - The Inspiration for the Story and Some Fun Research

I’m frequently asked about how I come up with my story ideas and how much of what I write is based on my own knowledge and experiences rather than research. Writing about what I know or have experienced leads to a more genuine, believable story, in my opinion. But to write convincing, diverse stories, there is always an element of research that is necessary. I’m fortunate to have a network of fascinating subject-matter experts I can draw on directly for research purposes, or to assist me in making connections to those who can.

Slice of Life - Review

"Kate James is a master of intrigue, and Home to Stay will keep you on the edge of your seat as she brings to light the agony of kidnappings and steps that can be taken to solve these crimes. Revealing much knowledge concerning the police department and canine search-and-rescue, she skillfully weaves it into her complex plot. For a romantic mystery that’s difficult to put down, pick up a copy of Kate James’s Home to Stay."

It's All About the Romance - Excerpt

She bent down beside them. “Ready to go home?”

“To Daddy?” he asked in a subdued voice.

“Yes.”

His lower lip quivered and Shannon sensed he was about to start crying. “You’ll get to ride in a police car, and Darwin and I will be right there with you. Is that okay?”

Mel's Shelves - Review

"Kate James is one of my favorite authors! This book is a great addition to her San Diego K-9 series. It wasn't easy to figure out who took Dylan and what their motive was. I enjoyed the mystery aspect, as well as the sweet romance. I also loved catching up with characters we've met in other books and getting a glimpse of what they're currently doing. Each of the books stand well on their own, but it's definitely more fun to read them all! This is a great series for anyone that enjoys clean, contemporary romance!"

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"ALL of Kate James books are very well written but I feel this one is among the best story lines. The reader is never quite sure “who did it” until the very end. The actio0on steadily “flow” as does the reader’s emotions! The characters are al very real and the scenes easily visualized. The tale of loss, grief, “moving forward”, faith, hope and forgiveness is complete."

underneath the covers - Character Descriptions

The heroine of Home to Stay is Shannon Clemens. Shannon is a rookie officer in the San Diego Police Department K-9 Unit. Shannon had wanted to be in law enforcement since she tragically lost her little brother when she was only fourteen. The K-9 Unit is one of the hardest to get into in the police department, and Shannon is thrilled that she finally made it.

Getting Your Read On - Review

"Kate James is one of my favorite Harlequin Heartwarming authors and I love her K-9 Unit series. The dogs in these books are such a fantastic addition to the stories. This is the fourth book in the series but it can stand alone. . . . The mystery kept me interested and wondering all the way through the book. There were twists I didn't see coming and that always makes a book more fun."

Nicole's Book Musings - Excerpt

Sawyer was rubbing his wet hair with a towel when he walked out of his bedroom, wearing dress pants, a white shirt and a sports jacket. He strode down the hall toward the living room—and stopped dead in his tracks.

Dylan was kneeling by the coffee table, a coloring book open in front of him. He had a crayon in his hand. The tip of his tongue was caught between his teeth, a sure sign that he was concentrating.

Shannon sat cross-legged at the end of the table, her back to him. Her shorts were hiked up and her slim legs glowed with her light tan. She was leaning toward Dylan and his drawing. Rufus lay stretched out on the carpet next to them, snoring softly.

Cafinated Reads - Review

"This book is filled with a little mystery, a lot of fun, and just the right amount of love. This story of letting go of the past and moving on to a new future really will pull you in. It’s a rollercoaster ride that you don’t want to miss! "

Christian Suspense Author Mary Alford - Review

"Kate James has weaved a wonderful story, filled with heartache and fear…and love. When these two wounded people come together to bring Dylan home, they will have you cheering for them to have a happy ending of their own throughout the entire book. I would highly recommend HOME TO STAY and the rest of the K-9 series."

Wishful Endings - Review

"HOME TO STAY is a good mix of light suspense and romance. The characters are endearing and the story emotional, with a very sweet ending. An enjoyable read from the first to the last page."

A Baker's Perspective - Review

"This book had a lot going on emotionally, so brace yourself for a roller coaster ride of emotions! Love, respect, fear, suspense, worry, excitement, happiness, sorrow, and surprise. And don’t forget there are dogs involved!! . . . Overall I felt it was a good book. It has a little bit of something for everyone. Just make sure you have your tissues nearby."

Paulette's Papers - Sawyer’s Single-Father Tips

Authors often incorporate topics in their books that they don’t know much about. To make their stories credible, they do research. When I was asked to write this post about Sawyer’s single-father tips, not being a single father, I naturally thought to research the topic and ask some men who are.

First, let’s acknowledge that being a single dad—or mom—is hard. So here are the top ten tips (try saying that fast ten times!! ) I came up with.

Christy's Cozy Corners - Review

"This romantic suspense book moves very quickly, and you’ll want to keep reading to find out what happens! There are some great twists and turns that will keep you guessing. I loved the ending, and you will too! Add Home to Stay to your must-read pile of books!"

The Bookworm Chronicles - Excerpt

SHANNON TRIED ONE more time with Darwin, but he kept wanting to run down the road. Dylan couldn’t have walked down that road barefoot. That thought had her considering that she and Darwin had run a good two miles. How likely was it that a four-year-old could’ve walked that far, and without shoes?

Remembrancy - Review

"A sweet and enjoyable read with a strong story line filled with moments of tension and others of heart. While this is part of a series, it is easy to follow on its own. But if you’re anything like me and get invested in characters, you’ll probably want to go back and read the other books in the K-9 series. I know they’re now on my TBR list!"

Janice's Book Reviews - Review

" I just love how Kate James knows how to tell a great story, brings the characters to life and really love books with dogs and children in them. This is great series that each book is a stand alone, I have read one other one that is in the series and loved it too."

Singing Librarian Books - Review

"This story will not only tug at your heartstrings, but is full of twists and turns that will keep readers coming back for more. Along with the mystery there is also a bit of romance that readers will enjoy. This is an excellent addition to the K-9 series and is one readers will not want to miss!"

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Suspense, action, romance, DOGS – Home to Stay has something for everyone. The theme of rescue – adopting rescue dogs, the search-and-rescue-team, the way Sawyer and Dylan really rescued Shannon from life- was subtly woven throughout the fabric of the story. This well-crafted novel brims with personality and warmth, and readers will fall in love with the masterfully-trained canines!"

Book Lover in Florida - Excerpt

“But you think someone put him in a vehicle and…took him?” Sawyer couldn’t believe what he was hearing. If someone had found Dylan, lost and alone, surely that person would have taken him to the rangers’ office or the police by now. And if not? As he realized what she was saying, the horror of it threatened to overwhelm him. “You think he’s been…kidnapped?” he asked, his voice raw.

Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader - Review

"This book had a lot of twist and turns that I did not expect. I was shocked yet relieved at the ending of this book. I had suspected another suspect. The caring nature of the San Diego Unit is beyond reproach and they hunt for suspects and leads till they close the case. They also care about the people in which they are trying to help. I really enjoyed this read."

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Home to Stay

by Kate James
Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 312 pages
July 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She's bringing his son home

A missing little boy triggers San Diego K-9 officer Shannon Clemens and her canine search-and-rescue partner into instant action. For the rookie cop haunted by a childhood tragedy, bringing Sawyer Evans's son safely home is more than a job. It's a mission she can't fail… But forging a friendship with the father is a tactical error that could compromise her first solo assignment. Yet the deepening bond between them is almost impossible to resist…

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│iTunes│Indigo

Other Books in the Series

  

About the Author

Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word.

Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors, with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.

Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by email, through her website, her Facebook page, Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.

Tour Giveaway


Prize Pack:
· A gorgeous aqua cross-body bag;
· "Dreamer Extraordinaire" charm bookmark;
· signed copy of When Love Matters Most, the second book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series);
· signed copy of When I Found You, the third book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series;
· an assortment of bookmarks and bookplates; and
· a $20 Amazon gift card.
· (US/CAN - if winner lives elsewhere, will receive ebooks & gift card instead)

Signed Books:

· Six winners who comment on any of the blog posts, will receive a signed book (US/CAN) of their choice from the first three books in the San Diego K-9 Unit series, When the Right One Comes Along, When Love Matters Most, or When I Found You.

Ends July 18th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

@Cathlanigan Web of Deceit by Catherine Lanigan Book Tour!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Web of Deceit

By Catherine Lanigan

We hope you enjoyed this tour as we got to know more about Amanda's story! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway...

September 6th: Launch - Web of Deceit Tour Welcome

Welcome to my world of historical fiction on ebook. WEB OF DECEIT is a step into the refined world of 1890 London and New York Society where deceit, treachery, murder and above all incalculable ambition reside.

Falling Leaves - Excerpt

Lady Kent would be furious; recently, a perpetual state of being for her employer, Amanda thought.

Amanda had no time for remorse or guilt for her tardiness.

Bloomfield of thoughts - Excerpt

“Amanda, I don’t think it wise to make decisions without your employer’s permission.”

“Tonight is the Queen’s birthday ball. There will be two hundred and fifty debutantes coming out this year. Eloise must look her best. This blue will make her eyes more lively.”

underneath the covers - Favorite Historical Books

Sommerset Maugham “OP Human Bondage”

In some ways, Web of Deceit, is my ode to Maugham. For the plot of getting Amanda out of London and to New York, I needed Harriet to provide her daughter with money. Harriet is a beautiful woman. Though by the time she is nearing 40 in 1889, she feels her life is over.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Favorite Historical Movies

Casablanca. This is one of my favorite movies bar none. It’s always number one for me. It was my inspiration for my book SINS OF OMISSION, which I set prior to WWII and through WWII in Paris.

Nicole's Book Musings - Excerpt

Georgia whirled around, hands on hips, lips pursed tightly. One look at Amanda’s smiling face and her anger melted.

“Go on with you. Miss Eloise didn’t sleep at all last night. She’s been ringing since dawn.”

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium - In Remembrance

When I set the dates for this tour, I wanted it to be in September as a remembrance of my husband, Jed Nolan, a film producer and director. His birthday was in September and I can’t begin the month without thinking of him.

Mel's Shelves - Excerpt

“I’ve had a dreadful night. Now I’m to have a dreadful day.”

“What are you talking about?” Amanda asked as she opened the thick lace draperies and let the morning sun wash the room in a pink-gold glow. “You should be happy. It’s your debut, all your friends will be there, you’ll get to wear your beautiful new gown. What could be better?”

Wishful Endings - Interview

If you were to sum up the story in a sentence, what would it be?

Desperate, never-ending hope-filled love triumphs over deceit and evil.

Becky on Books - Interview

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?

This is one of those stories that came from the character. Amanda showed up in dreams as a young girl of about 10. Then later as a woman, the toast of New York society and then later, as the first voice of women’s rights.

Colorimetry - Excerpt

“This is a debutante ball, Amanda. I know you have no knowledge of these things, being from the . . . with your background. But all the girls must wear white. Only pale pink bordering on white is acceptable. And these gloves. They are vulgar and crass.”

My Devotional Thoughts - Amanda's Journey

On this book tour, most of my posts and information have been about the fact that Amanda Granger came from the London slums and rose in New York society by telling a lie. In 1890 New York, though there were no “classes” as there were in England, there were still levels of society. Money bought a person a measure of a position. Political power was another. Fame still another.

Thoughts of a Blonde - Excerpt

Five years later, Amanda was making over ten shillings a week, two shillings more than the neighborhood girls, who worked at the garment factories or as telephone operators. Hers was not a difficult job. She was responsible for both the care and the acquisition of wardrobes for both girls, their personal care, their social schedules, and their studies. Eloise was just as disciplined as Amanda. Emily, however, was lazy and always looked for the easiest courses. But Emily was fun and full of pranks, and when her mischief wasn’t getting her into trouble, it was difficult for Amanda not to like Emily.

EskieMama Reads - Excerpt

Disgusted with Amanda’s lack of awe, Eloise checked herself in the mirror. As she had earlier that day, she raised her hand and played with the tendril of hair that hung from her temple. The pink gloves did not have the impact of the blue ones. Eloise could almost hate the rules. Almost.

Book Lover in Florida - The Leading Man, Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade is the kind of historical hero whose only real flaw is situational. He’s tall, dark and handsome. Matthew MacFadyen comes to mind when I think of my Matthew. But then Matthew MacFadyen often comes to mind.

Harlie's Books - Promo

Sylv all about books and films - Excerpt

In a rush of fondness for a lifetime of shared moments, Eloise embraced Amanda in the way she had last year—before things, and she, began to change.

Eloise ceremoniously walked down the stairs with Amanda trailing her. At the foot of the stairs waited, a bit nervously, breathlessly, the entire Kent family.

Web of Deceit

by Catherine Lanigan

Adult Historical Romance

ebook, 462 pages

June 4th 2016 by Cat Nolan Publishing

A Passion she could not deny—A lie she could never escape—

From the depths of a London slum, Amanda Granger created an illusion of wealth and breeding that became her passport into New York society. With her dazzling beauty and the ease with which she lived her lie, Amanda captivated an adoring public and drove men to bold and dangerous passions.

But for all her fierce ambition, all her daring dreams, Amanda Granger knew that her heart’s desires were held together by the fragile threads of deception and secrets. Triumph would always be elusive until she escaped from her web of deceit.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, and more. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into dozens of languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Store, Mobi and Kobo. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference.

Lanigan is the author of a trilogy of non- fiction books regarding angelic intervention in human life: Angel Watch, Divine Nudges and Angel Tales published by HCI and Cedar Fort.

Skyhorse published Lanigan’s “how-to” book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel.

Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid Foundation to write a non-fiction book addressing teen addictions. Ms. Lanigan’s first Young Adult adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute, was published by Cedar Fort.

Currently, she has published six novels in the Shores of Indian Lake series for Harlequin Heartwarming: Love Shadows, Heart’s Desire, A Fine Year for Love, Katia’s Promise and Fear of Falling. Sophie’s Path pubs July, 2016. She has recently contracted for three more in the series: Danger Zone, Wedding for Isabelle and A Bride for Mica.

As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. (THE EVOLVING WOMAN). She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│LinkedIn│Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally
Ends October 1st

a Rafflecopter giveaway