~ EXCERPT ~

Present day ~ Whale Rock, Massachusetts ~ Cape Cod

Ghosts, suicide, curse, disappearances, unanswered questions. This story had it all. Cassie loved where she lived, ghosts and family history included. It was great watching her grow stronger through the story. There were moments of confusion as the mystery unraveled, but I loved how Cassie stuck to her beliefs. I enjoy a good ghost story, and this kept me interested.

I heard about this book through Goddess Fish Promotions, and received an ARC of this story through Netgalley. This is my unsolicited review.

Loyalty, A Sheriff Jeff McQuede mystery short story: How McQuede finds his dog by Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton is a fast-moving, enjoyable story.

I gave this short book five stars because it kept my attention and is suspenseful.

Jeff McQuede was called to the area of the unused stone quarry because of a large, yellow dog that wouldn't leave the same spot. When the sun set he started howling. The woman, Mrs. Ramsey who owned the land near there couldn't sleep because of it. She asked the Sheriff to investigate.

"The dog held his ground. 'So you want to do this the hard way,' McQeude said. McQuede quickly lifted him. His large body remained stiff and resistant. Stubborn and over-weight--must be McQuede's kindred spirit."

I received a complimentary Kindle copy of Loyalty in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.

Link to purchase:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0VQ31Q

For all that it's an enjoyable read, it does have issues.

It's a cheating book. The h is the H's best friend's betrothed.
It actually takes place over less than a week, although you don't realize that.
The H - and his friends - appear to be idiots, or at least, irresponsible dolts.

So the h, for whatever reason, agreed to marry the H's best friend. The wedding is in a few minutes, and she's in a state of panic, because she realizes she does NOT want to tie herself to a man-child just to help her family's finances. She imbibes a bit of liquid courage, and climbs out a window. The H, sent to see what's taking her so long (think Princess Druidia from Spaceballs) sees her running and gives chase.

Chasing proves to be more involved than just running her to ground as she's determined, bossy, and he's only ever dealt with one bossy female before - an aunt we meet later. So much of the book happens in less than 24 hours - being trapped in some sort of conveyance with her, rescuing her from a dipping in the Thames, finding out her aunt has flown the coup (her intended destination), visiting with his aunt...

She spends a lot of time prior to sobering up ranting to herself (he's mostly to provide a voice to the answers really...). He spends a lot of time figuring out how to dawdle in hopes the groom will catch up.

And the groom spends a lot of time drunk, which was possibly one of the reasons she suddenly balked.

Eventually she decides that the H is not going to do the dishonorable thing without a lot of incentive so, while they're seeking shelter in a thunderstorm, partially disrobes and well, men apparently lose their minds at the sight of ladies' underthings.

I am guessing the next one is his friend and his sister as they're married but not exactly enjoying a happily ever after.

Welcome!

Recently, I got together with some authors to ask them a few questions.  Read on as we talk with these 4 authors just a bit.  Thank you for joining us today.

Kitty's Book Spot! Interview with Nicki Chapelway:

1. I write to music as often as I can- especially during the more intense scenes.

 

Do you make playlists of music for your books?

2. I have unofficial playlists of music for my books, but I have yet to rise above manually finding all the different songs I want, to actually putting something together with them.

 

What book was your favorite as a child/teen?

3. That is a hard question since I went through so many phases with so many genres and so many favorites. But the closest to being a supreme favorite would probably be The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope. 

 

What genre do you hope to write someday that you have not had a chance yet?

4. Ooh, that's a hard one, because I feel drawn to both the romantic comedy and the psychological suspense. I have aspects of both in most of my books, but I've never really just focused on them- it seems so much easier to write about spies and superheroes!

 

What do you hope readers take away from your story(ies)?

5. I want readers to know that they are not alone in this world and in what they are dealing with. They have God and me- though sometimes we work through our characters to show it.

 

Can you tell the readers one thing about you nobody knows?

6. Genuphobia is the fear of knees, your own or someone else', and the act of kneeling. 

 

How do find you online?  What is your favorite social media site?

7. Well, some of the cavemen next door were grunting about this thing called wifi, so I thought I'd try it out. So far, I've only gotten as far as Goodreads. Have to keep time for my cave painting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitty's Book Spot! Interview with C. B. Cook:

 

1. Do you write to music?

I don't usually write to music, as it makes it harder for me to focus. But if there's a lot of commotion or conversation around me, I may play some instrumental music (especially movie soundtracks) while I write to block out the other noise.

 

2. Do you make playlists of music for your books?

Not usually. I think that's something I might try in the future, though!

 

3. What book was your favorite as a child/teen?

When I was younger, I loved going back and rereading The Chronicles of Narnia at least once a year. It's still one of my favorite series, but I've gotten out of the habit of doing that. I grew up reading that series, and it's one that I love.

 

4. What genre do you hope to write someday that you have not had a chance yet?

I'd love to write some kind of fantasy book or a mystery that doesn't involve superheroes. I love to read both of those genres, and I'd really like to try my hand at writing them, too!

 

5. What do you hope readers take away from your story(ies)?

I hope that readers are able to learn something about truth from my books, and I also hope that they can learn that you don't need a story to be dark to be enjoyable. Mostly, I want my books to provide some lightheartedness and cleanness that a lot of stories today, especially in the YA category, seem to be lacking. 

 

6. Can you tell the readers one thing about you nobody knows?

I can't think of anything that no one knows, but very few people know that I'm actually a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do!

 

7. How do find you online?  What is your favorite social media site?

I have a blog (The World of the Writer) and accounts on Goodreads and Pinterest! Pinterest is probably one of my favorite social media sites because I love the pictures and writing ideas I get on there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitty's Book Spot! Interview with Loretta Marchize:

 

1. Do you write to music?

Nope! I know a lot of authors who do, and quite honestly I'd love to, but I write in my family living room with my siblings and mom around, so it would be hard to do.

 

2. Do you make playlists of music for your books?

No, although occasionally I will hear a song and think 'oh hey- this goes with so and so book!'

 

3. What book was your favorite as a child/teen?

Well, I still am a teen, but as a child I loved Ella Enchanted, and the classics- especially Cinderella.

 

4. What genre do you hope to write someday that you have not had a chance yet?

Science fiction or historical fiction!

 

5. What do you hope readers take away from your story(ies)?

I mostly want readers to go away from the book happy, glad that they read it. It's an easy read, mostly just a 'fun' read.

 

6. Can you tell the readers one thing about you nobody knows?

I actually like Star Wars. I've never really told anyone, but I actually really love it! I know a lot of random facts about it. I make a pretense of not really knowing much about it though. Otherwise my brother would bombard me with Star Wars all day, and I don't care for it that much.

 

7. How do find you online?  What is your favorite social media site?

Well, I have a blog: lorettamz.com but I'm also frequently on Goodreads! I don't do much (any) other social media (although I do have a Wattpad account).

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much to Jes Drew, Loretta Marchize, C.B. Cook, & Nicki Chapelway for joining us on the Spot!  Thank you readers for being here with us to get to know them.

 

 

 

 

Please check out their latest novels and enjoy!