Review of Tangerine Morning by Rita Garcia

Rita Garcia/ Tangerine Morning
ASIN: B00B9O2U86 | List Price: $2.99 for Kindle, $5.73 for Soft cover /  | Format: Kindle and Soft cover | Page Count: 202
Romance, mystery and family drama intertwine in the small town of Serenity Cove. 
The fictional town of Serenity Cove boasts of beautiful sunsets and roaring waves. Its characters are as varied as the stars that shine on its diamond crusted-sea. Shoreview Drive provides a scenic drive along the coast, although most residents simply call it the coastal road. Serenity Cove is a contemporary town where people are still good neighbors and family and friends are an important part of everyday life. Where life is a step back in time, blending the best of both worlds. Even a town as wonderful as Serenity Cove has its villains…
Slip into paradise with Rita’s Inspirational Romance: Tangerine Morning, Jezzica’s Story.
Book Two of the Serenity Cove Series.
Jezzica Leigh, a young widow, struggles in her relationship with Christ and with starting over. She moves to Serenity Cove and purchases the Sea Glass Bookshop on Main Street, in hopes of letting go of the past and moving forward with her life.
Detective Zack Johnston, the first man her heart reacts to since her husband’s death, also represents a world that failed to bring her husband’s murderers to justice. The same criminals that now seek to harm Jezzica.
Can Dr. Ellie Clarimonde help Jezzica find her way back to Christ and the freedom to love again?
“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31


My Review:

This was a very fast read, I was able to finish it in a few hours and that was in between taking care of my son and doing laundry.  It was pretty fast paced and filled with great characters that I would like to get to know.  We met Jezzica in Kaleidoscope Morning.  She came to Serenity Cove to get over the loss of her husband.  She buys the Sea Glass Book Shop from Samantha.  In the process she meets new detective to town, Zack.  When the thugs who killed her husband show up, Zack has to protect her.  Rita Garcia did a good job with this book.  Jezzica;s  struggle was so believable.  I enjoyed this story more than I did the first Serenity Cove Novel.  If you are looking for a quick, fast paced read that will keep your attention then this is the book for you.  I look forward to more Serenity Cove Novels and catching up on what the folks of Serenity Cove are doing.  It seems like a wonderful place that I would love to visit.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

  
Author Bio:
Dr. Rita Garcia writes Inspirational Hope-filled Fiction. Romance is a big part of her novels. Hope is an even larger element of the stories.
She is currently working on a series of contemporary novels set in the small town of Serenity Cove. Romance, mystery and family drama intertwine in the small town of Serenity Cove.
Rita resides in southern California with her husband, Joe Garcia. They have four adorable daughters and seven fantastic grandchildren who fill their lives with love, laughter, and never a dull moment.
Rita holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is licensed by the National Christian Counselors Association, and trained in Biblical
Counseling by the American Association of Christian Counselors. She has a passion for helping others achieve their most important life goals.
To learn more about Rita or for more information about her books, visit her website: http://www.ritagarcia.com. Her blog: http://www.reflectionswithdrrita.com. She loves hearing from her readers.
Amazon Link
Purchase on Amazon or through Tate Publishing

Review of Tess Thompson's Riverbend

"Tag. I found you."

Just as Annie Bell's reputation as one of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest grows to new heights, she receives a threatening phone call from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Marco is out on parole and hungry for revenge, blaming her for his ten-year imprisonment. Fearing for her life and that of her young son, Annie reluctantly accepts help from Drake Webber, a cold and wealthy recluse hiding a dark history of his own. Supported by the gang of misfits from their restaurant Riversong, Annie forges ahead despite her growing terror that Marco will appear at any moment and make good on his threats.

Author Tess Thompson (formerly Tess Hardwick) reunites the colorful cast of endearing small-town characters from her bestselling novel Riversong and takes you on a journey that will renew your faith in love, friendship and the power of community - even in the face of seemingly insurmountable grief and fear. You'll find yourself once again cheering for the residents of River Valley, especially the big-hearted and compassionate Annie Bell.

Escape with a blend of love, laughter, friendship, suspense and gourmet food while remembering it's never too late for second chances.

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My Review:

I really enjoyed this book.  I haven't read Riversong yet, but I wasn't a bit lost, Ms. Thompson told this story so well that I could enjoy it without having read her previous novel.  Annie never realized that her past would catch up with her, but it did and in the process she finds love.  She thought there wasn't anyone out there for her and Drake thought he could never love again.  I highly recommend this book.  I couldn't hardly put it down because I so wanted to know what Drake's secret was, why he was so sad, and why he wanted to become a recluse.  Tess Thompson is an exceptional writer and I can't wait to get the chance to read her other books, great job Ms. Thompson. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

Tess Thompson is a novelist and playwright with a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California. In 2000 she wrote her first full-length play, My Lady's Hand which subsequently won the 2001 first place prize for new work at the Burien Theatre. Her first novel, "Riversong", became a bestselling ebook in 2012, reaching #1 on Nook and spending 35 days in Amazon's Top 100.

Like her main character in "Caramel and Magnolias", Tess is from a small town in Southern Oregon. She currently lives in near Seattle, Washington with her two young daughters, Emerson and Ella, and their puppy Patches. She is inspired daily by the view of the Cascade Mountains from her home office window.

Tess is working on her third novel and regularly blogs about her journey as a mother, author and friend at www.tesswrites.com.

Contact her at: tessthompsonwrites@gmail.com

Review of Denise Hunter's Barefoot Summer

About Barefoot Summer:
Madison's heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother's tragic drowning, Madison has struggled with her ability to trust God--or anyone else, for that matter. It was her brother's dream to win the annual River Sail Regatta in their small harbor town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. And Madison's determined to honor his legacy by making his dream her own. Maybe then she can finally find closure.

But learning to sail means learning to swim. And her instructor is Beckett O'Reilly, a man who already has two strikes against him in Madison's eyes. Being on the water terrifies Madison. But Beckett's calming presence and unwavering confidence eases her fear. And as much as she'd like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying.

As her feelings for him grow, a fledging faith begins to take root in her soul, as well. With Beckett, Madison feels alive for the first time in years--carefree and confident she can win the regatta, maybe even find love.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their love and the depth of Madison's faith. Will their love survive summer's challenge? And will achieving her brother's dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

My Review:

This is the first book that I've read by Denise, and I enjoyed it.   Denise writes really well and I felt that I got to know the characters pretty good.  Madison was a very likable character and her struggles with her twin brother's death were heart wrenching.  Beckett had been the bad boy during high school but he has changed.  Madison thought that Beckett had broken her younger sister's heart, so she doesn't like him very much.  When she wins sailing lessons, she and Beckett are thrown together because the guy who was supposed to give the lessons has to work.  They grow to care for each other, and end up sailing in the regatta together.  But then Beckett has to reveal a secret about Madison's twin brother's death.  Will this secret come between Madison and Beckett?  I couldn't wait till the end of the book to find out.  Madison also has to work out some issues that she has with God over her brother's death.  Very good job Denise, I look forward to reading more in the Chapel Springs series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. 




Meet Denise: 


Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Learn more about Denise at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/dhunter

Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers. “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” -- Lisa

 

Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.



Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

Review of Joanna Campbell Slan's Death of a Dowager

In her classic tale, Charlotte Brontë introduced readers to the strong-willed and intelligent Jane Eyre. Picking up where Brontë left off, the year is now 1820, and Jane’s life has finally settled into a comfortable pattern. She and her beloved Edward Rochester have married and have a son. But Jane soon finds herself having to protect those she loves…

When the roof caves in at Ferndean, their country home, Jane and Edward accept an invitation from their friend Lucy Brayton to stay with her in London while repairs are being made. Jane is reluctant to abandon their peaceful life in the countryside, but Edward’s damaged vision has grown worse. She hopes that time in the capital will buoy his spirits and give him the chance to receive treatment from a renowned oculist.

Once in London, the Rochesters accompany Lucy to the Italian Opera House, where they encounter Dowager Lady Ingram, who had once hoped for Edward to wed her daughter, Blanche—and who’s still rankled by his subsequent marriage to Jane. In front of a group of society people, the aging dowager delivers a vicious social drubbing to Jane, enraging both Edward and Lucy. In an attempt to rebuild good will, Jane and Lucy decide to speak to the Dowager in private the next day. But the visit is cut short when the Dowager drops dead before their shocked eyes. Lucy is poised to take the blame—unless Jane can clear her friend’s name…



Joanna Campbell Slan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but she grew up in a small town in Indiana. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in journalism, she worked as a newspaper reporter, a newspaper ad salesperson, a television talk show host, a college teacher, a public relations professional, and a motivational speaker. In that capacity, she was named by Sharing Ideas Magazine as “one of the top 25 speakers in the world.”
When her son, Michael, got his driver’s license, Joanna was freed from carpool duty and finally able to pursue her dream of writing full time. She has since written eighteen books, eleven non-fiction and seven fiction. 
Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl(Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.

Purchase from Amazon.
Connect with Joanne Campbell Slan: Website | Twitter | Facebook


My Review:

This book was good, but it started out kind of slow for me.  It picked up toward the middle when the murder took place.  Jane is a very charming and likable character.  This book gave a very good example of what it would have been like to live back in the times of Kind George the IV.  Dowager Lady Ingram and her daughter, Blanche, did not like Jane because they felt she had taken Rochester from Blanche.  When they meet in London at the Opera she tries to embarrass Jane and her best friend Lucy Brayton.  The dowager is staying with Lucy's very good friend, Lady Grainger.  Jane and Lucy are invited to tea, the next day.  After Blanche gives her mother some coffee, she falls dead.  Lady Grainger's little dog, Mags, also drinks some of the coffee and she is found dead also, this is how Waverly, a Bow Street Runner, knows that it is poison.  Jane is also in possession of a letter that King George the IV had written to Pansy Biltmore  telling of his "real" wife.  This letter gets Jane into a lot of trouble.  After she is injured by Pansy Biltmore, who wants her letter back, Jane finally realizes who killed the Dowager Lady Ingram.  This was a charming story that had a lot of characters in it.  I'll admit I have never read Jane Eyre, but after reading this I am going to surely check it out.  This book had great historical accuracy and there is an author's note telling of this accuracy of what the author has made up.  Great job Mrs. Slan. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. 

Feauture--Kate Carlisle's A Cookbook Conspiracy

Celebrity Chefs I Don’t Want to Murder

By Kate Carlisle, author of A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY

Award winning author Kate Carlisle spent over twenty years working in television production as an Associate Director for game and variety shows, including The Midnight Special, Solid Gold and The Gong Show. She traveled the world as a Dating Game chaperone and performed strange acts of silliness on The Gong Show. She also studied acting and singing, toiled in vineyards, collected books, joined a commune, sold fried chicken, modeled spring fashions and worked for a cruise ship line, but it was the year she spent in law school that finally drove her to begin writing fiction. It seemed the safest way to kill off her professors. Those professors are breathing easier now that Kate spends most of her time writing near the beach in Southern California where she lives with her perfect husband.

 

A lifelong love of old books and an appreciation of the art of bookbinding led Kate to create the Bibliophile Mysteries, featuring rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright, whose bookbinding and restoration skills invariably uncover old secrets, treachery and murder. Find Kate online at www.katecarlisle.com.

 

 

 

From what I can tell, there are two breeds of celebrity chef: those I fantasize about murdering, and those I don’t. (It’s okay, don’t call the cops. I’m a mystery writer. It’s my job to kill people.)

 

For instance, I would never want to murder the Barefoot Contessa. I want to be her best friend. I want to be invited for an elegant yet casual brunch in the garden of Ina Garten, where we’ll sip tea and softly trill with laughter over our rascal neighbor’s latest bon mot.

 

Jamie Oliver seems like a real bloke. The man is working his cute little tail off to promote a healthy school lunch program – in the U.S., which isn’t even his native country! How could I even think of murdering a chef who was trying to eradicate childhood obesity? He loves kids, ergo, I love him. He’s off the hit list.

 

Paula Deen is safe from me, y’all. She’s as sweet as banana cream pie, as homey as gingham draperies, as friendly as a three-legged dog at a barbecue. (Too far?)

 

 

Then there’s Baxter Cromwell, the obnoxious celebrity chef in A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY, my latest Bibliophile Mystery. Baxter is one of those chefs who yells at everyone in his kitchen. He belittles others to make himself feel good. He’s bombastic and vain, and after years of offending others in kitchens around the world, he has more enemies than recipes.

 

And yet, somehow he parlayed that charming personality into a successful TV show and a string of restaurants.

 

He’s also Brooklyn Wainwright’s sister Savannah’s ex-boyfriend. Savannah has asked Brooklyn to restore a 230-year-old cookbook so she can give it to Baxter. Brooklyn, book lover that she is, can’t believe the priceless treasure is going to belong to such a cad. He is, as she puts it, “as endearing as a badger.”

 

Baxter has come to San Francisco to open a high-end restaurant, and he’s invited Savannah and some of their old Cordon Bleu classmates to serve as guest-chefs during the star-studded premiere week. While Savannah lives in the area, the others are flying in for a class reunion of sorts… but it soon becomes clear that one of them has more than reminiscing in mind.

 

Baxter is murdered on opening night – and Savannah is discovered hovering over his body with a bloody knife in her hand. Brooklyn knows her gentle sister would never kill anyone, even the man who did her wrong, but the only way to prove that to the police is to track down the real killer. Otherwise, Savannah might be forced to change from chef white to prison orange.

 

 

Review of S. Dionne Moore's A Heartbeat Away

About A Heartbeat Away:

When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Beth Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to defy her pacifist parents and become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam.

Her mother's mysterious goodbye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely nights, but as she sews each block, she realizes there is a hidden message of faith within the pattern that encourages and sustains her. Reunited with Joe, Beth learns his secret and puts the quilt's message to its greatest test---but can betrayal be forgiven?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/liQMG


My Review:

This was an okay book, I'll admit it wasn't the best that I have read lately, it was just okay.  I had a hard time keeping my attention on this book.  It had a lot of action in it because of being set during the Civil Was and revolving around the battle of Antietam.  It gave a good glimpse of what it would have been like to have lived during that time.  I think the author did a good job with the terror and emotion of the time.  Joe, a southern soldier, is brought, severely wounded, to Beth and her grandmother so they can nurse him.  While he is in their care, he and Beth figure out they have feelings for each other.  But Beth thinks that no man will ever want her because of her injury to her foot.  Joe is also there to help Beth get through a tragedy.  I felt that the quilt in this story didn't come into play till the end of the book.  Beth worked on the quilt throughout the book, but the quilt plays a part in how everything comes out in the end.  This was a
fast read only having 216 pages.  Good job!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. 


Meet Dionne:
Dionne Moore is a historical romance author who resides in South Central PA with her family, surrounded by the beautiful Cumberland Valley and lots of fun, historically rich locations. She is a weekly contributor to "The Borrowed Book", a blog for book-lovers and "Cozy Mystery Magazine", for all things cozy mystery.

Learn more about Dionne at http://www.sdionnemoore.com

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/smoore

 

Peg Cochran's Steamed to Death--Review and Recipe

About Steamed to Death:
Gourmet health food caterer Gigi Fitzgerald is used to helping dieters drop a dress size. But when her clients start dropping dead, she’s ready to switch her chef’s hat for a detective’s cap and track down a killer. . .
Aging soap star Felicity Davenport is looking to revamp her image, and she’s using Gigi’s Gourmet De-Lite to help her shed a few of those unwanted pounds. Having such a high-profile client is definitely good for business, but when Felicity is found murdered in her sauna, things start getting too hot for Gigi to handle.
The list of suspects is a mile long, and Gigi’s best friend, Sienna, is at the top. Refusing to let her friend get blamed for a crime she didn’t commit, Gigi is determined to hunt down the real killer. But, as the case reaches a boiling point, Gigi will have to be careful or she could be the next one getting burned.

My Review:

This was the first book that I have read by Peg Cochran, and it definitely will not be my last.  I am for sure going to be reading the first book in the Gourmet De-lite series.  But you don't have to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one.  It was a great cozy.  It has a lot of action and mystery.  It had a little humor.  Gigi is a great main character and she seems to be in the wrong place at the right time a lot, because she was great at solving this mystery, and she ends up capturing the attention of two men.  Gigi is also a great friend, because her best friend, Sienna, is the main suspect in this case.  I kind of had the killer figured out, but wasn't sure.  But this was still a great book that I highly recommend and I look forward to reading more from Peg Cochran.  Great job. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

About Peg Cochran:
Peg grew up in a New Jersey suburb about 25 miles outside of New York City. After college, she moved to the city where she managed an art gallery owned by the son of the artist Henri Matisse. When her first daughter, Francesca, arrive, the new family moved back to the New Jersey suburbs where her second daughter, Annabelle, was born.
After her husband died, Peg remarried and her new husband took a job in Grand Rapids, Michigan where they now live (on exile from New Jersey, she likes to joke). Peg managed to segue from the art world to marketing and is now the manager of marketing communications for a company that provides services to seniors.
Her greatest love though as always been writing – particularly mysteries! She has two cozy mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime: The Gourmet De-Lite series set in Connecticut and featuring Gigi Fitzgerald, who provides gourmet diet meals to a select group of clients, and the Sweet Nothings Vintage Lingerie series, written as Meg London, set in Paris, Tennessee with Emma Taylor who finds murder and mayhem in this quiet country town.
As for pets – she has a schizophrenic cat (really!) named Frazzle and a Westhighland White Terrier, Reggie, who is desperately in need of losing a few pounds. But you know what they say: If your dog is overweight, it means YOU aren’t getting enough exercise!
When she’s not writing, Peg can usually be found cooking, which she loves. When asked to bring a dish to a potluck she invariably opts to bring dessert – partly because she loves making sweet dishes and partly because she and her husband always manage to be late so there’s no point in putting them in charge of appetizers!


Purchase Steamed to Death from Amazon.


 Connect with Peg Cochran: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Recipe:

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin De-Lite

 

Pork tenderloins, usually packaged in pairs, are very lean, rivaling even the chicken breast.  This stuffing provides enough for a pair of tenderloins, or around 2.5 pounds of meat.  Both pieces can be filled and cooked, or one can be frozen for future use.  Use 1 tablespoon of oil per tenderloin for browning.

 

1 package pork tenderloin, approximately 2.5 lbs. meat
5 ounce package of baby spinach
3 garlic cloves, pressed
Pinch nutmeg
1 cup crumbled fat-free feta cheese
1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil

 

Heat oven to 350°

Spray sauté pan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat.  Add pressed garlic cloves and sauté for a minute or two, stirring and making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.  Add spinach and a pinch of nutmeg and sauté until spinach is wilted but still bright green, approximately for 3 minutes.

Butterfly each tenderloin—using a very sharp knife, preferably with a long, thin blade, slice almost, but not quite, all the way through each tenderloin along its length.  Lay tenderloin open on cutting board.  Place half of the filling along its length on one side, spreading evenly.  Fold tenderloin pieces together and secure with toothpicks or kitchen twine.  Repeat with second tenderloin.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in sauté pan over medium to high heat.  Brown tenderloin on both sides—approximately 5 minutes per side.  (At this point you can remove first tenderloin, add additional 1 tablespoon of olive oil and brown second tenderloin, or you can wrap and freeze the second tenderloin for future use.)

If your pan is oven-safe, place pan and meat in oven (alternatively, transfer meat to an oven safe baking pan) and bake at 350° for 1 hour or until internal temperature reads 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.

Allow meat to sit 5 minutes before slicing into 1 inch slices.

Serving suggestion:  Orzo tossed with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and parsley.