**GIVEAWAY** and Review of Trial on Mount Koya (A Hiro Hattori Novel) #6 by Susan Spann

Trial on Mount Koya by Susan Spann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure what to think when I saw that this book had a cast of characters and a glossary of terms. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the novel was easy to follow, entertaining, and taught me aspects of Japanese culture. Well done, Ms. Spann!

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Trial on Mount Koya by Susan Spann

Publication Date: July 3, 2018

Seventh Street Books

Paperback & eBook; 256 Pages

Genre: Historical Mystery

Series: Hiro Hattori, Book #6

Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo head up to Mount Koya, only to find themselves embroiled in yet another mystery, this time in a Shingon Buddhist temple atop one of Japan's most sacred peaks. November, 1565: Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya, carrying a secret message for an Iga spy posing as a priest on the sacred mountain. When a snowstorm strikes the peak, a killer begins murdering the temple's priests and posing them as Buddhist judges of the afterlife--the Kings of Hell. Hiro and Father Mateo must unravel the mystery before the remaining priests--including Father Mateo--become unwilling members of the killer's grisly council of the dead.

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Praise for Trial on Mount Koya

“A page-turning and atmospheric historical mystery that beautifully melds fascinating Japanese history with a cleverly constructed mystery reminiscent of And Then There Were None—if the famous Agatha Christie mystery had been set in medieval Japan on a sacred mountaintop during a snowstorm.” —Gigi Pandian, USA Today–bestselling author of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries “Susan Spann is up front in saying that Trial on Mount Koya is an homage to Agatha Christie. Believe me, she does the great Dame Agatha proud. This excellent entry in Spann’s series of Hiro Hattori mysteries offers plenty of esoteric clues and red herrings that are fun to chase. Along the way, she even does Christie one better, giving readers a fascinating glimpse of life and religion in feudal Japan. This is a book sure to please Spann’s growing legion of fans as well as anyone who loves the work of Agatha Christie.” —William Kent Krueger, Edgar® Award–winning author of Sulfur Springs

About the Author

Susan Spann is the award-winning author of the Hiro Hattori mystery novels, featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo. Susan began reading precociously and voraciously from her preschool days in Santa Monica, California, and as a child read everything from National Geographic to Agatha Christie. In high school, she once turned a short-story assignment into a full-length fantasy novel (which, fortunately, will never see the light of day). A yearning to experience different cultures sent Susan to Tufts University in Boston, where she immersed herself in the history and culture of China and Japan. After earning an undergraduate degree in Asian Studies, Susan diverted to law school. She returned to California to practice law, where her continuing love of books has led her to specialize in intellectual property, business and publishing contracts. Susan’s interest in Japanese history, martial arts, and mystery inspired her to write the Shinobi Mystery series featuring Hiro Hattori, a sixteenth-century ninja who brings murderers to justice with the help of Father Mateo, a Portuguese Jesuit priest. Susan is the 2015 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Writer of the Year, a former president of the Northern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime (National and Sacramento chapters), the Historical Novel Society, and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She is represented by literary agent Sandra Bond of Bond Literary Agency. When not writing or representing clients, Susan enjoys traditional archery, martial arts, photography, and hiking. She lives in Sacramento with her husband and two cats, and travels to Japan on a regular basis. For more information, please visit Susan Spann's website. You can find Susan on Facebook and Twitter (@SusanSpann), where she founded the #PubLaw hashtag to provide legal and business information for writers.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, July 3 Kick Off at Passages to the Past Wednesday, July 4 Interview at Donna's Book Blog Thursday, July 5 Interview at T's Stuff Feature at The Bookworm Friday, July 6 Guest Post at Jathan & Heather Sunday, July 8 Review at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings Tuesday, July 10 Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit Wednesday, July 11 Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book! Thursday, July 12 Guest Post at Oh, for the Hook of a Book! Friday, July 13 Review at Jorie Loves a Story Monday, July 16 Review at Writing the Renaissance Tuesday, July 17 Guest Post at Writing the Renaissance Wednesday, July 18 Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog Friday, July 20 Feature at Maiden of the Pages Saturday, July 21 Review at Cup of Sensibility Tuesday, July 24 Feature at Svetlana's Reads and Views Thursday, July 26 Feature at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Friday, July 27 Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog Monday, July 30 Review at Pursuing Stacie Wednesday, August 1 Feature at CelticLady's Reviews Thursday, August 2 Review at A Book Geek Friday, August 3 Interview at Jorie Loves a Story Sunday, August 5 Feature at What Is That Book About Monday, August 6 Review at Broken Teepee Wednesday, August 8 Review at Reading the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 5 copies of Trial on Mount Koya! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Trial on Mount Koya

Review of After Nightfall by A.J. Banner

After Nightfall by A.J. Banner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, this book, though! I loved it! Haunting and unique, this story is a great whodunnit mystery full of secrets, repressed memories, jealousy, and more! A great read for fans of stories by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.

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**GIVEAWAY** and Review of Last Dance in Kabul by Ken Czech

Last Dance in Kabul by Ken Czech
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lots going on in this book, from an insurrection, a rivalry, and a love triangle. This book is chock full of action. At the crux of the story are the heroic Reeve and feisty Sarah, characters who must overcome great danger amidst their growing feelings for each other. A perfect read for fans of Laura Libricz's A Soldier's Return.

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Last Dance in Kabul by Ken Czech

Publication Date: August 2, 2018

Fireship Press

Paperback & eBook; 306 Pages

Genre: Action & Adventure/Historical/Romance/War & Military

The Ultimate Dance Between Love and War When his superiors ignore his warnings of an impending Afghan insurrection in 1841, British army captain Reeve Waterton vows never to return to Kabul. But then he rescues strong-willed Sarah Kane from an ambush and his plans for civilian life and self-preservation unravel around him. At first Reeve dislikes Sarah as much as she loathes him. She's as impudent and disdainful of authority as he, plus she's betrothed to his bitterest rival.

It's only after Reeve's closest friend is brutally murdered and the Afghan tribes explode in revolt that he and Sarah discover their desperate need for each other. When the retreating British army is caught between the jaws of Afghanistan's blizzard-wracked mountain passes and hordes of vengeful tribesmen, Sarah and Reeve must rely on their skills, courage, and blossoming love just to survive.

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Praise for Last Dance in Kabul

“Reeve Waterton, a dashing rogue, is a true hero who stands among the most valiant officers of British fiction. Sarah Kane is an assertive woman assured of her own mind yet vulnerable in her heart. Together they spark the blaze that energizes Last Dance in Kabul.” —Rex Griffin, historical writer

“You won't find two more compelling characters than Reeve Waterton and Sarah Kane. I love them. I rooted for them to survive and work things out from the third chapter until the exciting conclusion. Their story was so expertly woven between survival and romance that I found it difficult to pull myself away from it.” —Ray Simmons, for Reader's Favorite “Last Dance in Kabul is a war story; a story of life and death; a story of love and hate, and it is a very good read. I was pulled back to 1841 and dropped in the middle of the Afghan insurrection.” –Trudi LoPreto for Reader's Favorite “[The] character development is impeccable and the conflict gives the story its powerful depth and emotional intensity. Last Dance in Kabul is a captivating, well-plotted and beautifully paced novel.” —Christian Sia, for Reader's Favorite

About the Author

Dr. Ken Czech is a retired history professor and an internationally recognized authority on the historical literature of exploration and sport. His passion, however, has turned to writing fiction. He and his wife Mary live in Central Minnesota on an abandoned granite quarry. For more information, please visit Ken’s website. You can also find him on Facebook, Amazon and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Sunday, July 15 Interview at Passages to the Past Monday, July 16 Review at The Caffeinated Bibliophile Feature at Donna's Book Blog Tuesday, July 17 Review at Cup of Sensibility Wednesday, July 18 Review at Books and Glamour Thursday, July 19 Review at Broken Teepee Friday, July 20 Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog Monday, July 23 Review at Bri's Book Nook Tuesday, July 24 Guest Post at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots Wednesday, July 25 Review at A Darn Good Read Thursday, July 26 Review at Pursuing Stacie Friday, July 27 Review at Hopewell's Public Library of Life Monday, July 30 Feature at Just One More Chapter Tuesday, July 31 Review at Hoover Book Reviews

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of Last Dance in Kabul! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on July 31st. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Last Dance in Kabul

Review of Ashley Farley's Magnolia Nights

Magnolia Nights by Ashley Farley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Magnolia nights is a lovely and intriguing read that delves into complicated familial relationships. Ellie has inherited the house belonging to the grandmother whom Ellie has not seen in decades. While exploring her new place, Ellie discovers journals written by her mother who passed away when Ellie was quite young. These journals ignite memories long buried in the depths of Ellie's mind. Ellie begins a journey of self-discovery and finding a long-lost piece of her past. Author, Ashley Farley's, charming story keeps the reader enthralled throughout!

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Review of Stillwater Rising (Stillwater Bay #1) by Steena Holmes

Stillwater Rising by Steena Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is especially relevant during these unfortunate times where school shootings assault our televisions and newspapers way too often. Stillwater Rising is about just such an event and how a small town must learn to cope in the aftermath. The story is told from the perspectives of different community members, each with their own agenda as to how the town should handle the incident and how the shooter's mother should be treated. Holmes does an amazing job of explaining the emotions of the players as they strive to overcome turmoil and anger in order to find hope once again.

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Review of Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A spooky, can't-put-down, thriller! Paris uses a seemingly harmless prop to elicit spine-tingling fear. Twists and turns ensure the reader a roller-coaster ride of intrigue. I will definitely be reading more from author, B.A. Paris! Fans of Shari LaPena and Emily Carpenter will enjoy this book!

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Review of The Season of Silver Linings (A Sweet Lake Novel Book 3) by Christine Nolfi

The Season of Silver Linings by Christine Nolfi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The momentum continues in the third installation of the Sweet Lake series! Each of Nolfi's characters is so heartfelt, and each of their stories is compelling. The scenes that she sets are alive and immerse the reader into the story. Main character, Jada, is the epitome of a best friend, so much so that she has almost lost herself. She strives to overcome loyalties from the past in order to pursue her own love story. Fans of Tess Thompson's Cliffside Bay series are sure to enjoy this novel!

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Review of Going Up: A Novella by Tawna Fenske

Going Up: A Novella by Tawna Fenske
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first book by Tawna Fenske but I have fast become a devoted fan! Going Up: A Novella is a fun and quirky read about strangers who get stuck in an elevator together...with a packrat. And the fun continues from there! It is also a novel about learning to trust oneself and others. I can't wait to read more from Fenske!

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