My House Is Haunted Whenever I Have A Stephanie Black Book To Read (And A Giveaway!)

Well, as most of you know, I'm a scaredy-cat when it comes to reading Stephanie Black books, but they're just so good I can't resist them! So I was brave and dove into her new one called Mind Games. Oh. My. Goodness. You will not even believe what happened.

A little history, first of all. Years ago when I was reading one of Stephanie's first books that came out, it was late at night and it was at an extremely tense part of the book. I sat up in bed because I couldn't stand it anymore and there was just enough light for me to see MY ROCKING CHAIR START TO ROCK. By itself.

Yeah, I freaked out. Totally.

And then my cat walked out from behind it with no idea of how badly she'd scared me. But after that, I read the rest of the book with the lights on, I'll tell you what.

Fast forward to today. I'm at the climax of Stephanie's new release Mind Games, in the family room with my entire family and there's A HUGE CRASH IN MY BASEMENT.

We all look at each other and then send my husband down to investigate. A headboard in the storage room just fell over. By itself. A reasonable explanation, right? But I was still a little freaked out, so I turned all the lights on to finish the book. And I mean ALL the lights. But I've still been jittery all day!

Stephanie Black books do that to me. I don't ever watch horror shows or anything like that because I'm a scaredy-cat. Stephanie's books aren't scary, but they are TENSE! Just when I think I know who the culprit is, she has me thinking that maybe it could actually be this other person I really like! Turn a few pages more and it could totally be this other person. I can never guess who it is and believe me, that's hard to do. I can usually guess the villains in other books. Mind Games is particularly creepy, though, because there's this woman Heather who seems to be able to predict the future and it's never a good thing. And then there's these shocking twists that will seriously make you say, NO WAY THAT JUST HAPPENED.

I guess I better back up a little bit and tell you about the book. I'm still so rattled! (Which you can tell by the all caps. I NEVER use those in reviews.) Our main heroine Natalie has finally accomplished her dream of  providing mental health services in a newly renovated 19th century building, but things seem to be going wrong from the start. At their opening, a woman who says that the ghost who lives in the building isn't happy about what's going on, tries to jump to her death. Natalie and her friends stop her, but she seems to know where they live and a lot of information about them and doesn't ever really go away. Then there's these robberies happening at the mental health clinic employees' apartments and people getting followed, but that's just the beginning of the spooky stuff. Natalie and her boyfriend Gideon get pulled into this web of lies and murder that seems to pull them tighter and tighter into someone's plot that could leave them dead as well. (And you'll never guess who it is!) It's so completely absorbing, you won't be able to put the book down, but yeah, my advice is to keep the lights on at all times! And lock your doors!

Be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway, IF YOU DARE!

Here's the back copy:

Psychologist Natalie Marsh’s dream is now reality: her mental health services clinic has opened and is housed in an elegant, newly renovated nineteenth-century building. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the clinic’s presence, including Heather Osbourne, a troubled young woman who wholly objects to the occupation of the building. Heather has spent years wandering the halls of the abandoned structure, convinced she’s communing with her ancestor’s ghost. When Natalie thwarts Heather’s attempt to leap from a window, the shaken psychologist soon realizes Heather’s failed jump is merely one piece of a disturbing puzzle. Greed and deceit are weaving a web around Natalie, and someone will stop at nothing—not even murder—to get what they want. Stretched to her breaking point, Natalie struggles to learn the truth, but only one thing is clear: nothing is as it seems.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Book Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 11th: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 12th: http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*Sept. 13th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 14th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 15th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://brooklynberrydesigns.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

TWO Freebies for You Today!

I'm so excited to pass along two freebies to you today!

The first one is a fantasy with fairies and mortals, war and romance, called Of Ice and Snow by Amber Argyle.

Here's the back copy:

Never bargain with the fae . . .

The fourth, throwaway son of the clanchief, Otec witnesses his faraway mountain village come under attack by raiders while all the other men are off to war. Cut off from his clan, he must trust a foreign woman stalked by a dark, mysterious magic as they race to save his people.

Dodging enemies, Otec soon discovers that what he thought was a mere raid is actually a full-scale invasion. The woman helping him—the one he’s developing feelings for—is not only one of the raiders, she’s also his best chance of survival.

You can download your free Kindle copy here

The second freebie is a regency romance by GG Vandagriff called The Taming of Lady Kate. This marriage of convenience might not be so convenient after all!

Here's the back copy:

Lady Kate Derramore and the Marquis of Northbrooke have one thing in common: In order to receive their inheritances, they must marry. Lady Kate, prevented from marrying the man she loves by her father's will, determines to marry for convenience. With the forthrightness for which she is noted, she sets her sights on Jack--aforesaid Marquis. Jack, meanwhile, has tumbled into love with Kate at their first meeting.

All might have gone swimmingly, were it not for his "other life," the mysterious job that calls him out of town at the most inopportune moments. Unwittingly, he puts Lady Kate's life in danger, and while attempting to rescue her comes up against her "reins-grabbing" nature.

Will he ever be able to master Lady Kate? Will he ever be able to oust another man from her heart? And, despite Kate's penchant for disaster, will he be able to save her life and his own?

You can download your free copy here

Griffin Force Boxed Set Release!

Tomorrow is the big day for my Griffin Force Boxed set to be released! I'm so excited to be able to have that available for those who want to read the entire series whether for the first time or the fifth time. Sort of like binge-watching your favorite TV show, but with books!

Here's the cover for it. Isn't it beautiful? I really do have the most amazing cover designer.

The minute I see it available on Amazon, I will post the link! (I'll be anxiously sitting in my computer chair until I do!)

Book Review and Giveaway!

I was so glad to be included in the Miss Leslie's Secret blog tour. I love Jennifer Moore's books and this one was no exception!

Conall Stewart has come home from the war to find his family's home burned out and everyone missing. He settles in the next township over until he can find them, and while there, encounters a young lad named Jamie who likes to get into mischief.  Trying to help Jamie and his mother, Aileen, begins to soothe parts of his wounded heart, but even with their newfound love, Aileen keeps a big secret from him. When it all comes out he feels betrayed, but will he fight for his family? Or lose everyone he's come to love?

I love Scottish Highland stories that are done well and this one hits every note. The setting has just enough detail to transport the reader back to Scotland, the secondary cast of villagers are unique and easy to love with all their quirks, but it's the hero, heroine, and small boy that make this a standout novel. The depth to Conall and Aileen really gives the story a three-dimensional feel and the way they deal with the horrifying events of the past affecting their future gives the reader a peek into how it really could have been. Their love story was sweet and unrushed, with little Jamie adding another dimension to a complicated, but genuinely endearing, romance. The danger element pulled me right in and had me turning pages whenever I had even the smallest free moment so I could see what happened. I think this is the perfect book to start off the new season, curled in my favorite chair in front of the fireplace with my extra-soft blanket. I would highly recommend this one for anyone who loves a good Scottish Highlander romance with a little danger on the side.

Be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway!

Here's the back copy:

Decorated war hero Conall Stewart has spent ten years envisioning his return to his beloved Scottish Highlands. But now, with the days of battle finally behind him, it seems that his dreams of home have been in vain: the land of his youth lies in ruins, and his family is gone. Though he will never stop searching for his kin, Conall knows he must begin again. But when he takes on a rented farm in a nearby town, he finds far more than the fresh start he was looking for . . .

After catching a mischievous local lad stealing, Conall returns young Jamie to his mother, Aileen Leslie—and finds the woman’s coddling of the child maddening. What Conall does not realize is that Aileen hides a frightening secret: her devoted protection of Jamie is all that shelters them from discovery by a dangerous man from their past. Drawn together by circumstance, Conall soon develops a fatherly relationship with Jamie—as well as romantic feelings for Aileen. But even as the couple accepts their growing affection for one another, time runs out for Aileen and her son: after years of hiding, they have been found. Conall lost his family once—he will do all in his power not to let history repeat itself . . ..

a Rafflecopter giveaway . 

Book Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 4^th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ , http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/

*Sept. 5^th: http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/

*Sept 6^th: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://thethingsilovemost.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/

*Sept. 7^th: http://www.kindleandme.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/ , https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 8^th: http://readingismysuperpower.org/ , http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/

Hanging Out With Emily Belle Freeman

If any of you have had the privilege of hearing inspirational speaker, Emily Belle Freeman, you know she is funny and down to earth and the kind of person you would want to be best friends with. I was at an event with her tonight and she was amazing, as always, but it was a small event so I got to sit and chat with her, laugh with her, and even meet her husband. It was such a fun night with great food, a great band named Mercy River that performed, and lots of fantastic conversation.

We're going to be reviewing Emily's new book, Even This, in a couple of weeks on the blog. She told some amazing behind the scenes stories about what led her to write this book and I can't wait to share them with you all!

Here's a picture of the food. No one wanted to be the first to ruin the beauty of how it was all set out!

So yummy.

Here's a picture of Mercy River singing for us.

They have a beautiful song called Undeniable that really touched me.  Here's their new album cover. I'm not sure if their song Undeniable is on it, but they had several other ones that were beautiful as well. You can buy it here 

Here's Emily sharing her stories with us. She is so funny, yet motivating at the same time.

I can't say enough good about her and her books. She is charming and real and that comes across in her books. I was having so much fun chatting with her later on, that I didn't get a picture. Oh well. It was still a fun night!

You guys are going to love her new book! We'll be posting the review at the end of the month.

Happy Labor Day! Here's a Free Book For You!

I hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day weekend! If any of your holiday plans don't start until later today, here's a cute historical romance called, The Fall of Lord Drayson, by Rachael Anderson, for you to read until the party gets started!

When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience?

Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact.

And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

Download your free Kindle copy here

You Could Win $250! Don't Miss This One!

Farewell to Summer

$250 Cash Giveaway

September 1st to 22nd

I am so excited to be part of this giveaway. Who couldn't use an extra $250, am I right?! Scroll down for your chance to win $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon Gift Card.

Thanks to this fabulous group of bloggers and authors for sponsoring this giveaway!

I Am A Reader
Julie Coulter Bellon
Lori's Reading Corner
Donna K. Weaver
Helen Smith
Simple Wyrdings
Kasey's Book Reviews 
Krysten Lindsay Hager 
Geybie's Book Blog
Heather Gray, Writer of Christian Romance
Glistering: B's Blog
S.T. Bende
Heather Boyd, Romance Author
Simply Sherryl
Laurie Treacy, author
Maureen's Musings
Carol Malone
Bound 4 Escape
The Late Bloomer's Book Blog
Christy's Cozy Corners
The Editing Hall
Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love
Auggie Talk
The Serious Reader
The Lovely Books
Bookroom Reviews
BloominThyme Organic Gardening

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Details
$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 9/22/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.