Secrets Never Die Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Monday, July 22, 2019



Tallie Brown’s life has never made sense. Raised in isolation by her mother, Julia, Tallie was dragged suddenly and without explanation from one third-world outpost to another until life normalized seven years ago when Julia took a position on a mountaintop in the Pacific northwest. But when Julia unexpectedly dies, Tallie uncovers clues suggesting that Julia had a secret life.

Journalistic phenom Jackson James is still recovering from the devastating mistake that flatlined his promising career. Now he’s paying the price, working as the editor of a syrupy community rag in a posh D.C. suburb. But when the very man who destroyed him drops a tantalizing lead about a potential D.C. scandal, the reporter sees his chance for redemption and sets off to chase the story. Jackson’s investigation leads him to Cutler’s Ridge, a dying Virginia coal town, and directly into the path of the mysterious and beautiful Tallie.

As these two mistrustful loners follow their leads, their stories begin to intertwine until they reach an alarming conclusion – something terrible happened in Cutler’s Ridge. As they doggedly pursue the story, the town’s cold reception spirals into threats and danger, proving that there are those who will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden forever–because secrets never die.

Secrets Never Die was a very suspenseful read. There were times where I couldn't put the book down. I was fascinated by the suspense and wanted to know what was going on. There are many twists and turns, surprises, and it's very action packed. I liked the character Tallie. She seemed innocent and yet poised to protect herself and others. Jackson James was an interesting character and seemed motivated to protect Tallie and discover the truth whatever it maybe. The side characters were also likeable and suspicious. I did feel like there were too many secrets. To learn more about Secrets Never Die, click here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
Please note that I received a free copy to facilitate this review, however, my opinions are my own. The giveaway is facilitated by the publisher. There are affiliate links in this post that help to facilitate the maintenance of this blog.   

Tinkering Labs Motor Catalyst Kit - Fun for Kids

Thursday, July 18, 2019

We love our Tinkering Labs Motor Catalyst Kit. The kit has components that kids can use to make their own inventions and multiple projects. The kit can be reused again and again. They are easy to clean-up and come with a convenient storage bags. The kit is also very kid-friendly and I was highly impressed with the thoroughness of making everything easy-to-use and the quality of the parts.

We made a car this week with the kit and loved doing it. My kids learn about motors, wheels and how different components can work together to make something new. My kids loved watching it go over and over again. They did fight a little bit about how who got to turn it on and the baby liked to crawl quickly after the car to try and scoop it up, but it was still fun. We've made a car two years ago, not using the Motor Catalyst Kit, but with different components that I bought off of Amazon and it wasn't kid friendly, broke easily, and to make the car we had to use hot glue so the parts were not reuseable. This kit makes STEM projects very easy! I like how easy it is to work with and you can tell a lot of thought went into making the Motor Catalyst Kit.

This kit is very STEM worthy and I think it's a must for classrooms, home use, preschool and homeschooling. I love the quality of the kit. It's something we will be reusing several times in our home. The kit does say for 8+, but with an adult's help it can be fun for preschoolers and kindergartners. To learn more about Tinkering Labs Electric Motor Catalyst Kits, click here.

Tinkering Labs graciously sponsored a Motor Catalyst Kit as a prize for the Summer Reading Trek for Kids. The Summer Reading Trek for Kids runs for the month of July and kids can earn entries into a giveaway for multiple prizes. To join the Summer Reading Trek for Kids, please click here.

Please note that I received a free sample to help facilitate this review, however, my opinions remain my own. Please note that there are Amazon affiliate links in this review.

Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Review

Monday, July 15, 2019


Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo helps remove buildup, boost shine, and restore
volume. Apple Cider Vinegar can provide benefits for both your hair and scalp. The shampoo can soothe your scalp, remove buildup and restore shine. It also has natural ingredients like sunflower, agan and jojoba oil. The shampoo is great for all hair types!

When Maple Holistics contacted me and asked me to try their Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, I was excited to try it and see how if it could help my scalp improve. We use apple cider vinegar for a variety of things - cleaning, cooking and healing athlete's foot. It's great with athlete's foot, and I thought it would be amazing for scalp buildup. I wasn't disappointed. I've used it for a few days now and my scalp feels healthier, my hair is a little thicker (which is surprising since it was thinning out from having a baby) and shinier (but in a healthy way, not a gross and oily way). You only need a little bit (dime size) when you're washing your hair. I would recommend following the directions and letting it sit in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing. To learn more about Maple Holistic's Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, click here and to learn more about how to care for your hair in the summer, click here.


* Maple Holistics also gave me a sample of their lip balm, Acai Berry. I loved the quality of the product and how smooth my lips felt. They have several fun flavors of lip balms that you should check out. To learn more click here.


Please note that I received a free sample of these products to review, however, my opinion remains my own.



Cover Reveal for Blackbriar Cove and Giveaway

Monday, July 15, 2019

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for
Blackbriar Cove
By Jennifer Silverwood

Coming in 2020...


(Borderlands Saga #2)
Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism
Paperback & ebook
2020 by SilverWoodSketches

In a single night of madness, Amie won the battle, and lost the two people she loved most. As she struggles to be the queen her people need, her family band together against the hidden threat at their borders.

Haunted by the ghosts of her past, Amie strikes a pact with an ancient being called The Storyteller. In order to see Emrys again, they must put aside their blood feud, and cross the veil to a place of spirits and monsters.

Blackbriar Cove is a land where superstition and chaos reign, and spirits plague dreams. A dark curse has twisted the Unseelie who once lived in the home the Blackbriar twins vowed never to return. But death is not the end in Silver Hollow, and the war for the Borderlands has only begun.


Other Books in the Series

Silver Hollow
(Borderlands Saga #1)
By Jennifer Silverwood
Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism
Paperback & ebook, 429 Pages
May 31st 2018 by SilverWoodSketches

Amie Wentworth trusts books more than people. After her parents' deaths ten years before, she writes fiction to escape reality. A timely invitation from her long-lost uncle arrives, but she's used to ignoring the mysterious surrounding her life.

Until she is stabbed in an alley and brought back to life by a handsome stranger. Soon Amie is dragged into the very sort of tale she is used to selling. To make matters worse, the man who saved her life keeps turning up and her would-be-murderer is still at large.

After crossing the Atlantic to her father’s homeland, she discovers a world beyond imagining. Silver Hollow is a place of ancient traditions and supernatural dangers, where everything is the opposite of what it seems and few escape sane. Faced with an impossible choice, Amie is forced to confront a deadly family legacy while remembering a life she soon wishes to forget.


About the Author


Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time, she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it's the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador, or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of three series--Heaven's Edge, Wylder Tales and the Borderlands Saga--and the stand-alone titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight. She recently released her first serialized Urban Fantasy, Angel Blue in August 2018.


Cover Reveal Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a $30 Amazon Gift Card plus a digital copy of Silver Hollow (open internationally)
1 winner will receive a signed hard copy of Silver Hollow plus swag (US only)
- Ends July 19, 2019

Redgrave Murders Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Thursday, July 11, 2019


Loss is inevitable, as Evie Hampton knows all too well. But despite losing her mother to cancer and her older brother to a war, she knows she's one of the lucky ones. After all, she still has her father, a distinguished professor of medieval history. And she has Gary Redhawk, the man she loves despite the emotional scars he carries from the Second World War--and despite her father's opposition to their relationship.

When Evie's car suddenly careens off the road, she chalks it up to poor maintenance or sheer bad luck making another appearance in her life. Little does she know a host of hardships is just beginning--the car was her father's, and the brake lines were deliberately cut. Someone wants them dead--but why? All fingers point to Gary, a man with a troubled past and no solid alibi, but Evie is unwilling to believe he's involved. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins to piece together a startling picture of deception and vice. But as she closes in on the truth, it is clear that someone is determined to silence her--and the next attempt on her life may be a deadly success.

On the cover of the novel, The Redgrave Murders, it says "romantic suspense." To me, this book was more a murder mystery, a classic whodunnit, with some romantic drama splashed in. Evie and Gary try work on their relationship and piece together who committed murder and why. Gary is blamed for the murder by local authorities and several of the people in the town are biased against him based on his race and culture. The suspect list is long and several people have a motive. The writing style reminded me of a classic mystery style novel or a classic mystery movie. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I loved how it was well-written and there was historical events mentioned. I hope Sowards continues to write mysteries. There is a lot of violence mentioned in the novel, but the author isn't descriptive enough to make it graphic. I would also suggest reading the author's notes in the back of the book. They were interesting to read and learn more about the time period. To learn more about The Redgrave Murders, click here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note that I received a free copy to facilitate this review, however, my opinions are my own. The giveaway is facilitated by the publisher. There are affiliate links in this post that help to facilitate the maintenance of this blog.   

By Hook or By Rook Blog Tour, Author Interview, Review and Giveaway

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

BHOBR blog tour banner

About the Book

By Hook or by Rook
Series: The London League
Genre:  Adult, Historical, Regency, Romance
Publisher: Phase Publishing
Publication date: July 1, 2019
​The most dangerous journeys…
Jeremy Pratt is a spy for the Crown, and one of the best. He has been in more dangerous situations than he can admit, and has always come out unscathed. But escorting his colleague’s cousin home to her family, even in disguise, just might be beyond his skills, and the temptation beyond his ability to withstand.
…May be ones of the heart…
Helen Dalton is convinced there is more to this man escorting her than meets the eye, and something familiar about him, as well. There is only one man in the world who looks at her so intensely, banters with her so easily, and makes her blush so furiously. And when he manages a daring and heroic rescue, she wonders if she ever knew him at all.

About the Author

rebecca-connolly-headshot
Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

Author Interview

LIWIC -What was your inspiration for this book?  
Connolly - I had been making my characters sort of secretly pay attention to each other, and then I wondered how I could make things come to a head… And so I made them get in a carriage together for an extended trip. Nothing like a roadtrip to make a good story!
LIWIC - What actors would you choose to play the roles of the characters? 
Connolly - I have Margot Robbie playing Helen, and Sam Claflin playing Jeremy.
LIWIC - What do you hope readers gain from reading this book? 
Connolly - I hope they find it a great adventure and a swoony romance. I want them to catch the excitement that I felt writing it. And I want them to want more!

Review

By Hook or By Rook was an enjoyable read. I love the banter between the two main characters, Jeremy and Helen, throughout the book. The side story was very interesting and I was at times more interested in finding out what Jeremy uncovered rather than the romance. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next. This is the first book that I've read of series so the book was a little confusing at first. I think it might be better to read them in order. There was a lot of characters mentioned in the beginning and it was hard to place everyone within the story. Once I got past the beginning and the set-up, it was a fun read. I will probably try and check out the other books in the series.

Giveaway

BHOBR tour giveaway
(1) winner will receive a By Hook or by Rook Prize Pack (US mailing addresses only). Prize pack includes the following:
Winner’s choice of print or ebook copy of By Hook or by Rook
Chocolate
London League Bookmarks
Book Themed Luggage Tags

Enter the giveaway HERE.
​Giveaway ends July 17 at 11:59pm MT.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Blog Stops

Follow along at SLB Tours for a full list of stops!

July Giveaways to Enter (low to moderate entry)

Monday, July 1, 2019

I like entering low to moderate entry giveaways and I share each month some of the blog or social media giveaways I've entered, thought someone else might be interested in entering or that have been submitted to me through bloggers. Check back often throughout the month to see if I have posted more giveaways. If you are hosting a family-friendly giveaway on your blog and would like to see it listed here, please contact me (via email). If you have a won a giveaway that I posted, please leave a comment and share that you won.


Dumbo Movie (ends 07.07.19)
Pride and Prejudice Babylit Book (ends 07.10.19)
Great Low Carb Bread Co Prize Pack (ends 07.10.19)
Dumbo and Cinderella Digital Codes (ends 07.11.19)
$30 Home Depot Gift Card (ends 07.13.19) 
$100 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.13.19)
$100 Sugar Boutique Gift Card (ends 07.14.19)
Eliza J Dress (ends 07.14.19)
Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelets (ends 07.15.19)
$500 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.15.19)
Marc Fisher Espadrille Wedges (ends 07.16.19) 
$100 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.17.19) 
$250 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.17.19)
$250 Nordstom Gift Card (ends 07.17.19)
$300 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.17.19)
$300 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.18.19)
$100 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.18.19)
$500 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.19.19)
$100 Happy Lady Gift Card (ends 07.20.19)
$100 Happy Bites Gift Card (ends 07.20.19)
$100 Happy Eats Gift Card (ends 07.20.19)
$100 Happy Gift Card (ends 07.21.19)
$100 Happy Student Gift Card (ends 07.21.19) 
$100 Happy Moments Gift Card (ends 07.21.19)
Happy Gift Card (ends 07.22.19) 
Happy Gift Card (ends 07.22.19)
$100 Happy Gift Card (ends 07.22.19) 
$50 Mikarose Credit (ends 07.23.19)
$50 Costco Cash Gift Card (ends 07.24.19) 
$100 Sweet Salt Credit (ends 07.24.19)
$50 Lakeshore Learning Gift Card (ends 07.24.19)
$250 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.25.19)
$100 Happy Beauty Gift Card (ends 07.26.19)
$50 Panda Express Gift Card (ends 07.28.19) 
$75 Pink Blush Gift Card (ends 07.29.19)
$100 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends 07.30.19) 
$25 Visa Gift Card and Entenmann Coupons (ends 7.30.19) 
Scout Box (ends 7.31.19)
Made With Love By The Dutch Lady Designs