COTT's Sizzling Summer Reading Clash!

Looking for some awesome take-me-away Summer Reading?

Check out these new releases and I dare you to tell me which one you'd put on the top of your reading list. We offer contemporary and historical romance, a little fantasy, dager, mystery, suspense!

Vote for your next most likely read, and leave the author a word of encouragement, then share with your friends. 

Vote in the survey box, and come back next week for the Reveal!

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Fantasy

The Last Princess of Meigen

Rachel A. James

To unite the kingdoms and bring peace, Princess Alena must enter into a royal marital alliance, but when the handsome physician, Sherwin, befalls her, matters become complicated. Torn between obligations to her young son and country, she faces a difficult decision, will Alena obey the king's orders, or choose to follow her heart?

*****

Romance

Blue Columbine 

Jennifer Rodewald

Friendship, love, and then betrayal...for Jamie Carson one thing becomes clear: Andrew needs a savior, and she cannot be it. Will Andrew allow the hand of grace to redeem his legacy of addiction, or will he and Jamie remain the casualties of heartbreak?

*****

Suspense

Trial by Twelve

Heather Day Gilbert 

Tess Spencer loves her low-key job at the Crystal Mountain Spa, which allows her plenty of down-time with her one-year old daughter and lawyer husband, Thomas. But when a pool installation turns up eight skeletons in the spa's back yard, Tess becomes entangled in a sleuthing job destined to go awry...even as she sifts through layers of deceit, Tess realizes too late that a serial killer's sights have zeroed in on her.

*****

Contemporary Romance

In Firefly Valley

Amanda Cabot 

Marisa St. George has lost her dream job and come home to manage the struggling Rainbow's End resort in the small Texas town where she grew up. The only silver lining is Blake Kendall, a new guest who is making her believe in love at first sight. But is he really who she thinks he is? 

*****

Historical Romance

Until the Harvest

Sarah Loudin Thomas 

When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, he consoles himself with his fiddle and the family farm. His grandmother's helper, Margaret Hoffman, is always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems she doesn't care about his troubles. But Margaret has her own problems. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as they face potential loss and find healing in the most surprising places.

Going for Gold with "Red Gold"

Red Gold,

winner of Clash of the Titles's April Clash!

What COTT voters had to say about this month's winner:

"Reading Red Gold by Sandy Nadeau gave me a much needed 'vacation'! The faith story was heart-filling...and the adventure carried me to the mountains.

Thanks, Sandy, for sharing your talent with the rest of us!"

"Not only does Sandy Nadeau and Red Gold have a great cover, the story is realistic, inspiring and a fun thrill ride in Colorado."

Red Gold

by Sandy Nadeau

~COTT's April Champ~

"Sandy Nadeau's work was a very fun read with good moral value!"

"A shout-out to Sandy Nadeau, author of Red Gold! I have an autographed copy,

and couldn't be more delighted for your success!!"

"Red Gold sounds like a book that will keep readers turning the pages!"

"Keep writing, Sandy Nedeau! I'm in the middle of Red Gold now and love it! Blessings!"

About Red Gold:

Mandy Phillips loves life with her husband running an adventure ranch in the Colorado mountains, but when Mr. Shonee, their crotchety old neighbor, tries to stop them from building a kid-size old west town their dreams of expansion are crushed. Is Shonee just being a difficult neighbor, or is something more sinister going on? A discovery on the property of Colorado's state mineral leads to more mysteries for the ranch, and then a teenage guest finds herself thrust head first into danger. Mandy will have to rescue her, but who will rescue Mandy? Her faith in God is her only source to keep the guests safe, solve the mysteries surrounding her ranch, save her neighbor from himself, and discover the secrets of the Red Gold.

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Pelican Book Group

Autographed Copy

About Sandy:

Sandy Nadeau loves to go on adventures, photograph them and equally loves to write about them. She and her husband do a lot of four-wheeling in the back country of Colorado and share those experiences with others by taking them up in the mountains. With a background in writing a column about her community for a

local newspaper, she also has had several magazine articles published. She loves to write novels about adventure, mystery, romance, but most importantly sharing God’s love. She is currently a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Vice President of the ACFW South Denver Chapter. Married for 37 years, she and her husband are loving life as grandparents to their nine month old grandson. Travel is their favorite thing to do and they don’t get to do it as often as they’d like. Adventure awaits around every corner, over every hill and mountain.

How Red Gold came about:

"This story developed out of a dream my husband and I shared of wanting to run a guest ranch as depicted in the book. We love the mountains of Colorado so much and have spent many days exploring the deep reaches of the state. We get a lot of out-of-town guests so we take them out on adventures with us. Our favorite thing to do is four-wheeling into the back country. We have ended up in a few places we never should have gone, at least not with the vehicle we drove. I wanted to share some of the adventures we have had through my book, the beauty, and the excitement of Colorado. My hubby actually came up with the title. It was so perfect for it." ~Sandy Nadeau

Connect with Sandy:

Blog

Website

A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano ~ Bethany House Review

About Book

Miss Arabella Beckett, defender of the down-trodden women of America, is returning from her travels in support of the women's suffrage movement when she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need. But things go sadly awry, and both ladies soon find themselves in dire need of rescue. Arabella, always loath to admit she needs help, is particularly reluctant to receive assistance from the arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor who shows up just in time.

Private investigator extraordinaire Mr. Theodore Wilder is on an assignment that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. He is already in a less than pleasant mood, and when Hamilton's sister turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he's at his wit's end. 

Much to their chagrin, Theodore and Arabella's paths continue to cross when they return home to New York, but the most unusual feelings beginning to grow between them certainly can't be anything serious. When the trouble Arabella accidentally stirred up in her travels follows her home and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.

• ISBN-13: 9780764210198
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Publication date: 6/1/2013
• Pages: 352

Where buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

About Author

Jen Turano, author of A Change of Fortune, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, and A Talent for Trouble, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. 

Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

My Thoughts

Arabella Beckett has acquired a reputation as an out spoken woman in support of the women's suffrage movement.  Most men see her as a trouble maker because she finds herself in undesirable situation for the sake of the cause. Some incidents as wound her up in peril needing to be rescued from  jail.  This is when a private investigator, Theodore Wilder is sent to bail her and her accomplices out of  the confines of jail.  The problem with this is he is one such man that does not look kindly on her suffrage antics. He feels that she is not only putting herself in danger but also any tag-a-longs in her pursuit for women's rights.

Arabella and Theodore end up traveling a great distance without a proper chaperon which puts them in a most peculiar circumstance   It does not matter that they have nothing in common and get on each others last nerve, they have broken proper etiquette by not having a chaperon.  To make things even worse Arabella's mother is determined to play matchmaker for the couple. As if there were any love between the two or is there?

The author has taken a very important event in history, the women's suffrage movement and wrote a suspenseful romance with lots of humor. She definitely hit right on the horrendous injustice of women's rights and the need for education and proper training for women to acquire a decent job instead of being forced into prostitution in order to provide food and shelter for them and their families.

The author provides stimulating discussion questions in the back of the book which would especially be beneficial in a reading group.   I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to her next book.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House/Baker Publishing for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

I you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

ROSEMARY COTTAGE, A HOPE BEACH NOVEL, BY COLLEEN COBLE

About Rosemary Cottage: 

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there's a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She's even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It's always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben's disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine's father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can't help being drawn to Hope Beach's new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other . . . and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/mQ63a

Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/ccoble

Meet Colleen:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

My Thoughts

Amy Lange has so many wonderful memories of her and her brother, Ben at Rosemary 
Cottage and their long hours playing on the beach.  But this year Ben isn't with her at Rosemary Cottage but his memory is here.  Ben lost his life in a surfing accident.  Amy was looking for closure in her brother's death.   She may even move her midwife practice to Hope Island.  

Amy can't help but wonder if his death was really caused by an accident.

Curtis Ireland has also lost a sibling, his sister, Gina was was killed in a boating accident. She left something very valuable to Curtis's care, Raine, Gina's daughter.  Curtis will do anything to protect his niece from intruders.  That is until he meets Amy Lange and then his world is turned upside down.  But is that a good thing  or a bad thing?

This is a nail biting, chills running up your spine, suspenseful story.  Your brain will be working overtime to find the secrets that will solve THE mystery.  Aside from all the suspense is an on and off romance between Amy and Ben, with littIe Raine in the middle. 

I get really into the books I'm reading and forget sometimes that the characters can't hear me giving them some well needed advice.  

This author never seems to let me down when I read one of her books and I have read several of them.  All winners, in my opinion.

I highly recommend not only this book but this series and especially this author.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson/Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

Interview with DIANNE K. SALERNI Author of THE CAGED GRAVES

THE CAGED GRAVES

A Junior Library Guild Selection

In Catawissa, the dead don't always stay where you put them...

17-year-old Verity Boone expects a warm homecoming when she returns to Catawissa, Pennsylvania in 1867, pledged to marry a young man she's never met. Instead, she finds a father she barely knows and a future husband with whom she apparently has nothing in common. And a truly horrifying surprise awaits her: the graves of her mother and aunt are enclosed in iron cages outside the local cemetery. Nobody in town will explain why, but Verity hears rumors of buried treasure and witchcraft. Perhaps the cages were built to keep grave robbers out . . . or to keep the women in. Determined to understand, Verity finds  herself in a life-and-death struggle with people she thought she could trust.

 Inspired by a pair of real caged graves in present-day Catawissa, this historical YA novel weaves mystery, romance, and action into a suspenseful drama with human greed and passion at its core.

• ISBN-13: 9780547868530
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 5/14/2013
• Pages: 336
• Young Adult/Middle Grade

Where to buy:  Amazon, Barnes&Noble 

Interview with Dianne K. Salerni

Caged Graves and the Origin of a Story

I first saw the photograph in a random article on the internet: a lonely cemetery with worn and tilted tombstones – and one grave with an iron cage around it.

I couldn’t get the photo out of my mind, so my husband used the clues in the article and Google Earth to identify the graveyard as the Old Mt. Zion Cemetery outside Catawissa, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t that far from home, so we decided to take a drive to see it in person. I wasn’t even sure the grave would really be there, but we received a shock when we pulled the car up beside the abandoned graveyard and saw two caged graves! Two?!

The graves belonged to Asenath Thomas and Sarah Ann Boone. They were clearly related in some way, since Sarah was a Thomas by birth and Asenath was a Thomas by marriage. Both women died in 1852, within a few days of one another.

Why would anyone erect iron cages around their graves? The original article I read claimed Sarah Ann’s family believed she’d been bitten by a vampire – or maybe a werewolf. But legends of vampires and werewolves weren’t popular in the U.S. in the 1850’s, and besides, the writer of the article hadn’t even been to the cemetery or he would’ve mentioned the other grave.

I found a more respectable article written by the local historian who suggested the cages were erected to keep out grave robbers. In the mid-19^th century, fresh corpses were in demand by medical schools. This was a logical (although still creepy) explanation for the cages -- but why build something permanent when the danger of grave robbing would pass within a few weeks? And why were only these two graves protected? What made these women potential targets – who they were, or what they died from?

By now, I knew I had a novel-worthy premise. I started digging around in the history of that region and discovered a little known battle of the Revolutionary War had taken place nearby – about 75 years prior. When the Americans lost, captured Continental soldiers were brutally massacred by British and Indian forces. Then the countryside was razed by the victors, driving settlers to flee into a vast marsh. Most of them died of exposure in what would eventually become known as the Shades of Death swamp, but a few stragglers made it out and took refuge in Catawissa -- the town with the mysterious cemetery.

Tying these elements together became the heart of my story and a three-pronged mystery. How did Sarah Ann and Asenath die? Why were their graves caged? And how are they connected to events in the Shades of Death 75 years earlier?

My novel The Caged Graves is fictional, of course. The real story behind these graves remains a mystery.

About Author

Author Dianne K. Salerni of WE HEAR THE DEAD (Sourcebooks 2010), THE CAGED GRAVES (Clarion 2013), and THE EIGHTH DAY (a forthcoming series from HarperCollins). She is represented by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger, Inc.

Visit Dianne's website: http://diannesalerni.blogspot.com/p/the-caged-graves.html

My Thoughts

Verity Boone at age two years, was taken from her father, shortly after her mothers  unforeseen death, in order to have the chance to have a normal life while being raised with her cousins in her Aunt's home.  Now Verity is 17 years old and has promised to marry a respectable young man from her home town of Catawissa, Pennsylvania.  When she arrives at her father's home nothing is familiar to her. She did not receive a very warm welcome from anyone including her father. Something was not right, maybe she was being ill treated because people were jealous that she was to marry the most sought after bachelor in Catawissa.  But then as time goes by it is apparent it was more of the fact she was her mother's daughter. Stories of witchcraft was whisper behind her back.  There are many secrets leading up to her mother's death and even at this time in her life when she should be enjoying the preparations for her wedding she is forced to face a life and death situation with no one to turn to for help. 

If this had been a movie, which I think it should be, you would be sitting on the edge of your seat and would not dare to go to the restroom or to get popcorn. Yep, it is that good.  I did not want to put the book down I took it everywhere with me. Yes even to the restroom.  

The author has done a bang up job on this book. You will find high anxiety, greed, action, mystery, romance and redemption all through this book. What a creative imagination this author has put to work in her writing.  I hope to be reading more of her books soon.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Netgalley for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here. 

Grave Consequences by Lisa Tawn Bergren ~ Giveaway iPad Mini

The Powerful, Epic Romance Continues, Book 2 in Lisa T. Bergren’s Grand Tour series

For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future—her very life—depends on the decisions she’ll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her newfound family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone’s plans in danger.

And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own. She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences.

• ISBN-13: 9781434764324
• Publisher: Cook, David C.
• Publication date: 3/1/2013
• Series: The Grand Tour Series
• Pages: 448

Purchase a copy here.

Read an excerpt here.

About Lisa

Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs.

Learn more about Lisa T.  Bergren at her online home,www.lisatawnbergren.com. Readers can also join Bergren’s Facebook fan page or follow her on Twitter.

Celebrate the release of Grave Consequences

with Lisa T. Bergren 

by entering to win an iPad Mini!

One "grand" winner receive:

• A brand new iPad Mini
• Grave Consequences and Glamorous Illusions will be pre-loaded onto the Mini!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 23rd. Winner will be announced on March 25th at Lisa's website.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

My Thoughts

In book two of THE GRAND TOUR Series, Cora Kensington and her siblings continue the grand tour on shaky ground.  They have agreed, that even in impending danger, to continue on to meet their father at the next stop in their tour.  Mr. Kensington agrees to let them go on with the tour but has decided to join the tour to make sure there is no danger lurking after his children. When a tag-along with their group betrays them Mr. Kensington puts his foot down.

Cora informs him she is in charge of her own life and that she loves Will.  Her father would never welcome a tour guide to court one of his daughters.  This angers her father and gives her an ultimatum. He orders her to court and marry someone of his choosing.  She feels as if she is trapped by her fathers demands. 

With worrying about her Papa's health, her dictator of a birth father and the possible loss of the man she truly loves, what does her future hold.  Let's not forget constantly looking over her shoulder for fear of her or the others she has become to love might be kidnapped or possibly killed.

The author has continued right where book one, Glamorous Illusions left off, with suspense, mystery, romance, reconciliation  and danger around every corner. I devoured the history the author provided, making me feel as if I were actually on the tour.  

This book was in my hands every time I left a room, it stayed with me.  My family is getting use to me getting lost in my reading especially when it is one so well written.  

I want book 3, Glittering Promises now!  But we have to wait patiently until October 2013 for it's release, you may want to pre-order the book.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this review 5+ out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author/Litfuse Publicity Group/David C. Cook Publishing for review.

You can read my review of book one, "Glamorous Illusions" here.

If you found this review helpful for yes or no here.

Landing page:  

http://litfusegroup.com/author/lbegren 

Follow the Litfuse Publicity Group 

Grand Tour

3/4/2013

Melanie | The Ramblings of Two Readers

Ruth | My Devotional Thoughts

Kristen | readgreatfiction

Loren | Heart of a Bookworm

Rachel | a fair substitute for heaven

3/5/2013

Beth | For the Love of Books

Paula | The Phantom Paragrapher

Rachelle | Sojourner's Journey

Andi | Radiant Light

Ruth | Booktalk & More

3/6/2013

Blossom | North Laurel Home & School

Holly | 2 Kids and Tired Books

Mary | Mary's Cup of Tea

Tara | Rumblings of the Blonde Mother Bear

3/7/2013

Patricia | It's Time To Read Mamaw

Heidi | Buzz4Mommies

Amy | A Nest in the Rocks

Billy | Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Pam | Southern Gal Loves to Read

3/8/2013

Beckie | By The Book

Rissi | Dreaming Under the Same Moon

Jessica | A New Leaf

Renee | Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot

Alicia | Surrendering All Of Me

3/9/2013

Margaret | Creative Madness Mama

Amanda | Short and Sweet Reviews

Ruth | This That and the Other Thing

Julie | More of Him

Melanie | Christian Bookshelf Reviews

3/11/2013

Tammi | Our Homeschooling Pilgrimage

Mindy | A Room Without Books is Empty

Lori | Morning Glories and Moonflowers

Christy | My Book Reviews

3/12/2013

Teresa | Nanna of 3

Kianna Rose | Kianna's Korner

Victor | Vic's Media Room

Michele | My Blessings From Above

Rebecca | A Book Lover's Library

3/13/2013

Caroline | Happy Four

Joy | Splashes of Joy

Jeremy | Christian fiction addiction

Abbi | Christian Novels

Laura | Lighthouse Academy

Katherine | Story Matters

3/14/2013

Ronie | Rapid-Fire Fiction

LaTawnia | LaTawnia Kintz Reviews

Charity | hosannas journey

Krystal | Live To Read ~Krystal

Maopa | Luscious Deals

3/15/2013

Charity | Giveaway Lady

Lisa | A Casual Reader's Blog

Michelle | I hope you Dance

Crystal | Cinnamon Hollow

Melissa | Mel's World with Melissa Mashburn

Lena Nelson | A Christian Writer's World

3/16/2013

Kimberly | Turning the Pages

Lydia | The Overweight Bookshelf

Katie | Legacy of a Writer

Lauri | Knits, Reads and Reviews

Brooke | i blog 4 books

3/18/2013

Pamela | Daysong Reflections

Laura | Day by Day in Our World

Marissa | The Review Stew

Jendi | Jendi's Journal

Jalynn | A Simple Life,really?!

Linda | Mocha with Linda

3/19/2013

Stephanie | A Cooking Bookworm

Linda | Linda's Lunacy

Cara | Law Books &Life

Kemi | Homemaking Organized Blog

3/20/2013

Tammy | TammyIsBlessed

Shirley | A Mom After God's Own Heart

Becky | Christian Chick's Thoughts

Erin | Erin's Fiction Tidbits

Lindsey | The IEMommy

3/21/2013

Rachelle | Sojourner's Journey

Amanda | Books By Amanda

Amber | Seasons of Humility 

JoJo | JoJo's Corner

Charity | Austenitis

3/22/2013

jen | book reviews from a book lover

Patty | Broken Teepee

Anjanette | Raising the Barrs

Bethany | Giveaway of Blessing

Chelsey | Charming Cheley's

Vera | LuxuryReading.com