Guest Post :: Mysteries and More by Jenna Bennett | Small Business Saturday

In honor of Small Business Saturday (today--November 24th) I'm hosting guest posts by author's wanting to support a favorite local business of theirs! So, here is a post by Jenna Bennett, author of "Tall, Dark, and Divine," about her favorite local bookstore!!

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Mysteries and More
Let me tell you a little story.

Once upon a time, there was a young lady named Mary. A very lovely young thing, with soft blonde hair and a sweet smile and all that.

(No, this isn’t a romantic story. She was married. His name was Greg. He was dashing and handsome. They had a couple kids too, but that doesn’t figure into this, except peripherally.)

To continue:

Mary loved to read.

She loved it so much, she got a job in a bookstore, so she could be around books all day.

She read everything, the way people who love to read do, but what she particularly liked to read were mysteries.

Like Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters and Carolyn Hart.

Ah, yes. Carolyn Hart.

The Death on Demand series, about Annie and Max Darling, and their mystery bookstore – Death on Demand – in South Carolina.

You know a mystery reader who works in a bookstore is gonna lo-o-o-ove Death on Demand, don’t you?

Fast forward a few years, and that lovely girl and her dashing husband retired, and moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

And guess what they did?

Yup, they opened their very own Death on Demand!

Only it’s called Mysteries and More.

That’s right: I’m talking about Nashville’s only mysteries-only bookstore: Mysteries and More in Lenox Village, and its owners, Mary and Greg Bruss: that sweet young thing herself, and her dashing and handsome husband.

Ask any writer who’s ever been to visit, and they’ll tell you it’s the second most magical place on earth, right after Disneyland. And maybe the North Pole.

Like the name implies, there are mysteries... new ones and old ones, vintage ones and previously loved ones. Adult mysteries, young adult mysteries, kid mysteries.

All kinds of mysteries, by practically any author you can imagine. Certainly a lot I’ve never heard of.

But there aren’t only mysteries. There’s more.

See, Mary likes books, but Greg likes other stuff.

Much of it quite... interesting.

Remember those mystery role-playing parties we used to have back in the 80s?

No, me either, but you can buy the games there.

Fancy a copy of Clue! The Movie? They’ve got it.

And you can buy notepads with old Nancy Drew covers on the front.

And BandAids that look like crime scene tape.

Knife sharpeners that look like dead people. (No, I’m not kidding. I bought one.)

Mystery themed jewelry.

Christmas cards with the likeness of Edgar Allen Poe.

In fact, in honor of the season, I think someone deserves a box of Christmas cards with the likeness of Edgar Allen Poe. In a puffy parka. With a red scarf around his neck. And a raven holding a sign saying “The North Poe.”

Who wants it?

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About the Business :

If you’re ever in Nashville, don’t forget to stop in at Mysteries and More, on Sunnywood Drive in Lenox Village. Greg and Mary are never too busy to hang out and talk mysteries. But if you don’t have any plans to visit Nashville, you can find them and their store on the web, at www.mysteriesandmore.net.

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About the Author :

New York Times bestselling author Jennie Bentley/Jenna Bennett writes cozy mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, romance for Entangled Publishing, and whatever she wants for self-publication. Among other things, “whatever she wants” includes the Amazon bestselling Cutthroat Business mysteries, as well as "Act of Redemption," first book in a series of romantic suspense novels about the FBI’s Art Crime Team, ACT. For more information about her books, whether traditionally or self-published, please visit her website, www.jennabennett.com.

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : August 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tall, Dark, and Divine

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My Giveaways!! :

All giveaway ends December 1, 2012 at midnight. Make sure to only enter the giveaway(s) you are eligible for.

Giveaway Prizes from a few authors are for US residents only. [Click the book titles to find out info about them]

• An e-book copy of "Deadly Obsession" OR an e-book copy of "Deadly Addiction" WINNERS CHOICE to TWO randomly drawn people from Rafflecopter
• An Kindle e-book copy of "Face The Music" to FIVE randomly drawn people from Rafflecopter
• "The North Poe" Christmas Cards -- Click Here to get a look at them -- to one randomly drawn person from Rafflecopter
• An e-book copy of "The Booby Trap" to one randomly drawn person from Rafflecopter
• A hardcover copy of "Savage Worlds" to one randomly drawn person from Rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Find Jenna Bennett :

• Jenna Bennett - Website
• Jenna Bennett - Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook Page
• Goodreads

Disappointmentville: The Nox Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1702 KB | Expected Release Date: July 5, 2015 | Publisher: Raven Companies Press | Obtained: InkSlinger PR

"Dare" [The Nox Series, Book 1] by T. A. Foster

Author's Book Description : Hey Everyone!
Dare releases July 9th, so get ready to enter a new world of she-panther shifters. This is my first paranormal novel in a year, which makes me extra anxious to get it in your hands. I've added the Goodreads link for you and I hope to have a few pre-order buttons soon!

Here's the back cover synopsis for you.
#TheNoxAreComing

Choices should come easily to a queen.

Especially the queen of panther shifters. But Dare, leader of the Nox, faces the most difficult decisions of her life as she struggles to keep her freedom and keep the Nox safe.

Destined to marry when she turns twenty-two and give up the magic that is her birthright, Dare fights back, determined to change the course of history. Only along the way she falls for a human who forces her to face the reality that there are some things she can’t resist.

Zac Morgan has crossed the globe hoping to find comfort after a tragic loss has left him empty. He hopes Sullen’s Grove will give him peace and just a little taste of home. Even though he’s worked hard to keep his heart protected, he can’t stop the attraction he feels for the mysterious green-eyed college girl Dare.

When Zac is thrust into the middle of a dangerous shifter war, Dare may be the only one who can save him.
Sometimes the choices we make are the ones we least expect.

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars, this intense novel builds the reader up for an intriguing series. Over the last few years Dare has taken it upon herself to defy the counsel by shaking up protocol and organizing a way for she-panther shifters to choose a life for themselves instead of what is dictated to them, in doing so she created her group called The Nox. However, Chase, the jaguar who the counsel planned for her to “marry,” is determined to stick to the counsel’s plans and will do whatever it takes to become “king.” Fate has other plans for them both by having Dare meet Zac, a history buff wanderer, who makes her question her wants in regards to her personal future. What will they all decide? Will Dare give in to Chase’s demands? Can Dare trust Zac enough to let him into her world?

This novel is a good build up for its series. Intense, highly dramatic, with multiple plotlines, it definitely keeps the reader on their toes. Yet, I found this novel to be a struggle to get through.

My reasons I had trouble with this novel:

1. The first chapter really didn’t hook me at all. I had to force my way through the novel until I got into its rhythm and liked something about it, which I found wasn’t until I started reading from Zac’s POV in Chapter 3.
2. Zac and Dare really didn’t discuss anything of consequence through most of this novel and it irritated me. They were both wrapped up to much into themselves (Dare dealing with Chase while Zac can’t get over his tragic past) to really go far in their relationship.
3. Because of them not talking about magic, she-panthers, etc. when Zac unknowingly falls into getting involved with everything that surrounds Dare he makes some really stupid choices. Those choices made me start not liking him a bit. I mean he was acting desperate and it wasn’t flattering.
4. For Dare’s part, I got annoyed with her half-effort into her relationship with Zac. I understand that she doesn’t believe it’ll go anywhere but when they have that kind of connection with each other, it was hard reading about her wanting to have him in her life yet still not be willing to share her true self with him. Since if she did share about herself I know, some of the scenes would have been quite different.

With all that being said, the reason I stuck with this novel was because I was rooting for Dare and Zac’s connection. Their connection is explosive and I feel that if they worked on it better, I’d have liked this novel a whole lot more!

I recommend it ONLY to those who are fans of Ms. Foster and/or those who REALLY ENJOY suspenseful paranormal romances.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Kobo (e-Book): Dare (Book 1)

Author's Novel Extras : New things are happening

Only 16 days until I release the panthers on you!#TheNoxAreCominghttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25780805-dare
Posted by T.A. Foster on Tuesday, June 23, 2015

I wanted to say thank you to Sommer at Perfect Pear Creative for such a gorgeous cover for Dare. #TheNoxAreComing
Posted by T.A. Foster on Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Author's Series Extras : Meet the Nox - Overview

Book Teaser(s) :

"What if we agree for now I'll drop it?" I suggested.
"Really?" She smiled.
"Really." I felt like I had accomplished something monumental. I made her happy. ~ within Chapter 9 - titled 'Zac'

DARE by T.A. Foster -- Read my review here:...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Tuesday, July 7, 2015

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by T. A., then please check out her website.

Disappointmentville: 10 Days Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 276; Kindle Edition - File Size: 456 KB | Expected Release Date: September 25, 2012 | Publisher: Brava Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"How to Marry a Warlock in 10 Days" [10 Days Series, Book 2] by Saranna DeWylde (aka Sara Lunsford)

My Book Summary : Mordred (Dred) is a billionaire playboy warlock who can have any woman he wants. If the rumors are true about him, it seems like he has already had them all. All possibly, except for Midnight (Middy) Cherrywood, the one girl he teased the most while at the Academy and the one now who he would love to hook up with. However, Dred gets more then he bargained for when one date turns into a fake engagement for a mission he (and Middy) have been requested to do.

Middy has never liked Dred but just because she might not like him doesn't mean she doesn't lust after him. He is the only man she has ever really wanted to hook up with and that's exactly her bargain with Dred for her compliance on this mission, for him to have sex with her. Of course when Middy made the packed with Dred she really thought that he was kidding about the mission altogether.

Now the too are paired up for more then just a little fun, while learning a whole lot more about each other during the process. However, there are other people from an evil warlock that wants to take over the world to Dred's mother who are trying their hardest to either kill them both or push them together for good ... which one will win?

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. This is a unique take on the whole good vs. evil thing since who you think might be good and who you think might be evil aren't always true. Middy & Dred are quite a pair that are definitely made for each other! I loved them and Middy's quirky ways.

However, I SOOO wanted to like this novel but even with me liking the main characters and all of the cute funny stuff it just seemed to drag on too much for me to thoroughly enjoy it. Which is why I stopped reading at Chapter 25 - titled 'Things to Do in Loudun When You're Still Dead' and then skimmed through the rest of the book. =0/ However, I will say from what I read of the ending it was cute and wrapped up nicely.

Therefore, I would only recommend this novel to those who are fans of Saranna DeWylde, those who liked "How To Lose a Demon in 10 Days" (Book 1), or to those who enjoy quirky paranormal romances!! Thankfully, you don't need to read Book 1 to understand the plot of this novel, but you also get to catch-up with the characters from Book 1 to see what they are up too now!!

Author's Series Extras : Treasure Room | Is It Always the Hero... | Book Signing Odyssey | Hex Your Ex Box and How To Lose A Demon In 10 Days | How To Seduce An Angel in 10 Days - snippet

Book Teaser(s) :

"I can't wait until one of you decides that you've found the one. I'm going to make that witch wish she'd never been born." Middy gave them a wicked grin. "All for your own good, of course. Have to test her, make sure she can go the long haul, right, boys? Everything that you dish up to Dred, I'll be taking notes."
"Go ahead, Mids. I don't think any of us is the marrying kind," Raven snorted.
"Yeah, remember that. And don't forget to repeat that little gem in front of Mom."
They all cringed. ~ within Chapter 7 - titled 'The Worst That Could Happen'

Dred's eyes widened and then the bastard had the gall to laugh. It wasn't just a little giggle, or a smirk, it was an all-out belly laugh. As if that weren't enough, it was a deep sound that curled somewhere in her nethers and made her feel all warm inside. Middy found that to be a particularly inappropriate feeling.
She'd made her Grand Confession and he'd laughed and patted her on the head as if she were a favorite puppy who'd been caught chewing on his shoe. "Mother gave you the potion, didn't she?" ~ within Chapter 17 - titled 'Stuck in Old Loudun Again'

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Saranna, then please check out her website.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Awakened

Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here

"Awakened" [House of Night Series, Book 8] by P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Publication Released Date: January 4, 2011

Author's Book Description:

At the start of Awakened, the pulse-pounding eighth installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey has returned, mostly whole, from the Otherworld to her rightful place as High Priestess at the House of Night. Her friends are just glad to have her back, but after losing her human consort, Heath, will Zoey—or her relationship with her super- hot Warrior, Stark—ever be the same? Stevie Rae is drawn even closer to Rephaim, the Raven Mocker with whom she shares a mysterious and powerful Imprint, but he is a dangerous secret that isolates her from her school, her red fledglings, and even her best friends. When the dark threat of Neferet—who is coming closer and closer to achieving her twisted goal of immortality—and Kalona returns, what will it take to keep the House of Night from being lost forever, and what will one desperate girl do to keep her heart from being irreparably broken?

I LOVE this series!! I can't wait to read this book once it comes out! YAY!!!

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempted | Divine By Blood | The Avenger | Burned | Elphame’s Choice

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