Blurb: Are you ready to start your journey with NetGalley? Or maybe you’re a long-time member looking to take your book advocacy up a notch? No matter where your starting point is, this toolkit is designed to have everything you need to succeed. From guidelines for creating your member Profile to tips for maintaining a strong Feedback Ratio, these pages are packed with advice for utilizing NetGalley to your advantage. Once you have a few books on your Shelf, pop over to this toolkit’s review section to brush up on tips for crafting book reviews—even those tricky critical ones! When you’re ready to share those reviews, this toolkit can help jumpstart your bookish social media platforms and offer suggestions for reviewing and creating content on social. So what are you waiting for? Download the kit and get started.

Thoughts: If you’re on Netgalley, or thinking about it, this is the first book you should download and read. There are guidelines on types of members, how to take your reviews to the next level, FAQs on who approves you as a reader/reviewer, and more. There is also information on the difference between “Read Now” books and the other ones where you have to ask for approval. Keeping your Feedback Ration at 80% and above is crucial to getting approvals.

You’ll also learn how to give a review that actually works, how to tag publishers, how to use social media outlets, videos, blogs, and Goodreads. No, you don’t have to use all this, but there are guidelines for the things you do use.

Recommendation: Do yourself and the publishers a favor and read over these guidelines. I’ve been on Netgalley almost since the beginning and I learned some things I never knew. Definitely recommended.

Blurb: B and B owner Fiona Campbell leads a busy, yet well-organized, life. She hosts a popular afternoon tea, while adjusting to a recent guardianship. An unfamiliar man arrives to assess the needed repairs on the property’s old barn, and she’s inexplicably intrigued by his charm, compelling presence, and knowledge about construction techniques. However, she suspects he’s not being open about his family’s construction business. Could he be a secret billionaire or involved in illegal deals? Gavin McIver traveled from Scotland to participate in the local Highland Games. Helping a friend, Gavin goes to assess the Campbell barn repairs. Meeting Fiona, a woman who captivates him with her intelligence, independence, and understated glamour, is the highlight of his visit. His divorce left him leery about relationships, but winning custody of his daughter was the marriage’s silver lining. He can’t deny that meeting the sassy innkeeper gives him a change of heart.

https://www.amazon.com/Her-Perfect-Blend-Highland-Falls/dp/1509258418

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-perfect-blend-zelda-benjamin/1146142802?ean=9781509258413

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217907463-her-perfect-blend

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/zelda-benjamin

Author Bio

Zelda Benjamin is the author of the Love by Chocolate series and Highland Falls series.  She lives in Florida with her husband and a very active Labrador mix. She always loved telling stories and expanded her repertoire to include writing sweet romance with strong female characters. All her stories conclude with a delightful happily ever after. When not writing she loves to travel with family, experiencing the food and culture of the places she visits.

Social media links

https://www.facebook.com/zelda.benjamin.7

https://instgram.com/love_by_chocolate_romance

Blurb:

Olivia wants to escape the grief and hopelessness of watching her family die from the same illness she has survived. Her guilt and helplessness overwhelm her as she tries to escape her grief by seeking solace with her beloved horse. The stable, a fifteen-minute drive from her house, is now a seven-mile bike ride through a post-apocalyptic landscape. When she arrives, she finds her horse, Shadow, is also dead.           Much to her annoyance, a boy, Brian, follows to help her. She knows he’s in love with her and is the last person she needs or wants, especially since her breakup with Perry. But Mr. G needs hay to save his surviving horses from starvation, so together she and Brian go in search of Mr. Coffey, the hay man, but he needs help saving Gracie his youngest child, and Brian volunteers to go in search of a doctor who is rumored to have medicine. Still sick from her illness, Olivia agrees to help, but between the stolen bikes, the snowstorms, and Brian fall from a cliff, how can she help anyone? She has no idea who she can trust, the boy she pushes away or the reckless boy who once cared for her. During her journey, Olivia learns that she must first trust herself then maybe she can find the strength to overcome the obstacles of nature and the weakness of her own recovering body to save the people she loves.

Bio:

Avis M. Adams lives in Portland, Oregon and has had two YA novels released by The Wild Rose Press, The Incident, The Disappearing Names, and The Consequences. She has a romance novella, The Christmas Wish Knotts. Quilcene, a chapbook of her poetry.  She teaches English at a local community college, and belongs to the Baker Street Writers Group, and Flamingos Reborn, and is an active member of the Willamette Writers. She presents sessions on writing craft at local conferences and meetings. She lives in Portland, Oregon, where she writes, hikes, kayaks, gardens, and plays with her granddaughter.

Buy Link: The Consequences

My social and book links!

• Goodreads:
  •  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22062648.Avis_M_Adams
• Bookbub:
  •  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/avismadams
• webpage:
  •  https://avis-m-adams.com 
• facebook:
  •  https://www.facebook.com/avismadams/ 
• instagram:
  •  https://www.instagram.com/amadams53/
• facebook (personal):
  •  https://www.facebook.com/Avis29
• Amazon author page:
  •  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Avis-M.-Adams/author/B07VJWWPPR

FINDING AKASHAN’TE by Vicky Burkholder

Rowyn of Antilon has eyes as black as midnight, bone-white hair, and powers that go beyond anything the world has seen in centuries. Raised by her aunts in a secluded cottage, she knows nothing about her powers until a fateful day when she returns home from a shopping trip to find everything and everyone she knew gone. A cryptic note and puzzle box direct her to the mythical city of Akashan’te at the conjunction of the six sister stars or the world as everyone knows will end. When an assassin makes an attempt on Rowan’s life, guardsman Daniel McAfree is assigned to guard and guide her. On their journey, they encounter friends who benefit from Rowan’s abilities, enemies who will stop at nothing to control her, and love that will last a lifetime and beyond.

Note: this is an updated reprint of “Akashan’te” published in 2007.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Also available from Apple Books and other fine online stores in both ebook and paperback format.

About the author: It seems like I’ve been writing and editing forever. And, in a way, I have. But only professionally for the last twenty years or so. I’ve worked for newspapers and magazines, done policy and procedures manuals for organizations and the government, and worked as an editor for a variety of publishers and private clients doing everything from novels to college-level textbooks. Whew! That’s a lot!

As a writer, I write fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and romance novels and novellas. At various times in my life, I have been a teacher, librarian, computer specialist, short-order cook, DJ and more. I’m married to the most supportive guy in the world and together we raised four great kids. I can be found at:

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

Bookbub

FaceBook @vickyburkholderauthor

A SECRET IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH y Gin Jones & Elizabeth Ashby

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: It’s Halloween, and Maria Dolores is hoping for a trouble-free weekend, the last one before the Lighthouse Farmers’ Market closes for the winter. But her hopes are dashed when a state agricultural inspector threatens to shut down the market prematurely… right before a young woman falls to her death from the lighthouse cliff! The local homicide detective thinks it was suicide and won’t listen to Maria’s extensive list of possible suspects for foul play or the fact that the victim was known for getting into fights that went beyond mere words. Not even Maria’s boyfriend, lawyer-turned-farmer Merle Curtis, can convince the detective otherwise. Now it’s up to Maria to unearth A SECRET IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH before the killer buries the truth—and possibly Maria along with it—forever.

Thoughts: This is the 17th book in the Danger Cove Mysteries – and the third one with Maria Delores as the main character. It’s Halloween weekend and the last weekend for the farmer’s market in Danger Cove and market manager Maria Delores is just trying to hang on until the market closes down. But… the murder of someone dressed as she is, then someone tries to run her down in the street lets her know that someone really wants her dead. Add to that, a crooked agriculture inspector, a bee keeper who can’t make up his mind, and an irritating vendor who criticizes her every move and you have the makings for an interesting whodunnit.

And a very satisfying ending!

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Thanks to the Gemma Halliday Publishing for providing this book. All opinions are mine and are not solicited or influenced by anyone or anything.

MY LAST GIFT: An Essential End-of-Life Planner by Kim Boyer

Nonfiction; Self-Help; Planning Ahead

5*****

Blurb: Create a road map for your loved ones and peace of mind for yourself with this invaluable end-of-life planner. Written by a certified elder law attorney with more than two decades of experience in estate planning, My Last Gift helps you record your vital personal, medical, financial, and other critical information for the future. It provides practical advice as you get your affairs in order and offers handy tips for heirs who will manage your affairs after you’re gone. Whether you’re dealing with aging or illness or simply want to be prepared, this essential end-of-life planner is the perfect organizer for you and your loved ones.

Thoughts: I’ve seen several of these sorts of planners over the last few years and this is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s easy to read and understand. There are suggestions that will help you complete each section so that you and your family will know what to do when the inevitable happens. There are sections for topics like finances, medical notes, dependents and pets, property, business affairs, and more. It’s large notebook size and spiral binding so it’s easy to write in and there’s an envelope in the back if you need more pages (though there is a lot of room). This book is practical and useful. And will definitely be a help to your family in the future. Even if you think you’ve taken care of most of this, I suggest you get this to make sure you’ve covered all the bases.

Highly recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

@zeitgeist #partner

@penguinrandomhouse #partner

DBT CARDS FOR COPING SKILLS by Kiki Fehling

Nonfiction, Self-help,

5*****

Blurb: Portable DBT skills and strategies for when you need them most. Discover how Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can help you regulate intense emotions, strengthen emotional resilience, and build healthy relationships, no matter how challenging life gets. With accessible cards that you can throw in your bag, display as reminders in your office, or keep in your Distress Tolerance kit, DBT Cards for Coping Skills offers a new level of flexibility and accessibility for practicing DBT skills at home or on-the-go—and building a Life Worth Living.
Comprehensive 125-card deck with standard skills from all four DBT modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness; Additional DBT-inspired coping ideas with practice suggestions, tips, and calls to action; Linehan-Board-certified DBT expert who has helped hundreds of clients through DBT; A summary booklet with expert guidance, key concepts, and troubleshooting tips; Sturdy cards and box that hold up to daily use with clear organization for easy retrieval; Accessible explanations that don’t require familiarity or prior experience with DBT.

Thoughts: I’m not a psychologist or therapist, just a person who’s been there. And these cards are really helpful. And sturdy. They’re not going to be easily destroyed from use. But, as much as I like them—and I do—they really should be used in conjunction with a therapist. They are easy to work with and “user-friendly” in that they’re well-written and easy to read and understand. Using them daily will make this kind of therapy more approachable and understandable.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from PenguinRandomHouse with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

@penguinrandomhouse #partner

@zeitgeistpublishing #partner

FINDING SAFE HARBOR by Adrew Grey

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, M/M, Novella (105 pgs), 4 flames heat

4****

Blurb: Sometimes what you start takes longer than you thought to finish. DEA contractor Thorsen Magnus thought he caught the big fish, but in the end it led nowhere. Now, four months later, he is still trying to get the rest of the meth operation in the Mendocino area. And it’s proving almost as frustrating as most of the relationships in his life have been. The one major exception there, and bright spot, is his new partner, Michael. Michael Constantine left his father’s employment to start his own architecture firm. But the family has a way of not letting go, especially with his father’s business in trouble and his brother implicated in Thorsen’s investigation. With his case stalled and his boss threatening to pull the plug, Thorsen needs to find a lead, and fast. While not happy about it, and against his protective instincts, he enlists Michael’s help, and together they manage to get things back on track. But the leads they uncover could expose them to more danger than either of them imagined.

Thoughts: This is a sequel story to “Chasing Safe Harbor.” Thor and Michael are continuing on with their lives after their last adventure with drug smugglers, but the smugglers aren’t done. With the help of Peter, Michael’s brother, they and the DEA set up a trap, but things don’t always go to plan. They’re also still dealing with issues with their families, especially their dads. They try to have a loving relationship in the midst of conflicts and trouble. But somehow, they manage. And get to the HEA that an Andrew Grey romance demands.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Welcome to the Sunny Side Up Diner, where the pancakes are fluffy, the bacon is crisp, and murder should not be on the menu… Jax Tapman has lived in the same small town her whole life. On one hand, it’s helped her dream of buying the local diner with her best friend come true, and their newly opened business is hopping. On the other hand, it means everyone knows her, and she pretty much never gets away with anything. There are a lot of expectations that come along with being the town darling. So, when Jax finds a dead body behind her Aunt Hildy’s restaurant, surely no one will truly believe she did it, right? Wrong. The victim was strangled with swag from Jax’s diner, and suddenly every eye is squarely on her, town darling or not! Enter Eliot Taylor, Aunt Hildy’s new cook and a former cop who grudgingly agrees to help Jax clear her name and save the diner’s reputation. Only the deeper they dig, the more dirt they churn up, proving there’s far more happening in the small, innocent town than meets the eye. Together they’ll uncover more secrets than Jax can shake a spatula at and far more danger than she might be ready to handle. Can Jax save her reputation and solve a murder…or will this order be her last?

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time. Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three.

Website

MASHED POTATO MURDER by Leslie Langtree

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Novella

4****

Blurb: It’s Thanksgiving—time for family, fun and… murder? Thanksgiving would seem to be the holiday for sharing—that is, except for the bloodbath that usually occurs over the last crescent roll. This year, ex-CIA agent turned Girl Scout leader, Merry Wrath, has to host the turkeystravaganza with her husband Rex’s family and a few friends. And with eccentric-eater Officer Kevin Dooley around, she also has to set up a security perimeter to defend the leftovers. Turns out, the turkey’s not the only thing that is dead… Things really get interesting when the world’s most terrifying thirteen-year-old, Betty, shows up with a Murder Mystery Game, where everyone is a character and the victim only pretends to be dead. But there are secrets served up with the turkey and gravy, and Merry realizes she doesn’t know everything about her kith and kin. At least it’s only a pretend murder, but Merry has a reputation to protect. Can she solve the “murder” before everyone else and keep her spot as the best amateur detective in the family?

Thoughts: I honestly don’t know whether to laugh out loud at the antics in these books, or groan. Maybe a combination of both? In this one, Merry Wrath and her husband Rex are hosting Thanksgiving dinner. But they end up with several more guests than they planned on, including two of the girls from Merry’s girl scout troop and Rex’s deputy – who attempts to completely eat them out of house and home. The one girl, Betty (who is really scary) devises a murder-mystery game that all must play. At least this time, there’s no real body, though they do go through the whodunnit clues and suspects. It’s ridiculous, silly, fun, and entertaining.

Recommended for those who want something different and short.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”