Book Mama Blog

About the author:

Anita Hughes was born in Sydney, Australia. At the age of eight, she won first prize in a nationwide writing contest sponsored by THE AUSTRALIAN, Australia's most prestigious newspaper. She graduated from Bard College with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Creative Writing, and attended UC Berkeley's Masters in Creative Writing Program. She lives at The St. Regis Monarch Beach, where she is at work on her next novel.

Connect with the author at:

St. Martin’sGriffin is giving

One lucky winner a print copy of

White Sand, Blue Sea by Anita Hughes

Friday, April 7, 2017

The Hope Chest - Giveaway

The discovery of one woman’s heirloom hope chest unveils precious memories and helps three people who have each lost a part of themselves find joy once again.

Ever since she was diagnosed with ALS, fiercely independent Mattie doesn’t feel like herself. She can’t navigate her beloved home, she can’t go for a boat ride, and she can barely even feed herself. Her devoted husband, Don, doesn’t want to imagine life without his wife of nearly fifty years, but Mattie isn’t likely to make it past their anniversary.

But when Rose, Mattie’s new caretaker, and her young daughter, Jeri, enter the couple’s life, happiness and the possibility for new memories return. Together they form a family, and Mattie is finally able to pass on her memories from the hope chest she received from her mother.

With each item―including a favorite doll, family dishes, an embroidered apron, and an antique Christmas ornament―the hope chest connects Mattie, Don and Rose to each other and helps them find hope again in the face of overwhelming life challenges.

A beautiful story about the unconditional love and support of family, The Hope Chest by Viola Shipman will remind you that hope can be found where and when you least expect it.

Purchase the book at:

About the author:

VIOLA SHIPMAN is a penname for Wade Rouse, a popular, award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his writing. Rouse lives in Michigan and writes regularly for People and Coastal Living, among other places, and is a contributor to All Things Considered. To date, The Charm Bracelet has been translated into nine languages.

Connect with the author at:

ThomasDunne Books is giving one lucky winner
A print copy of The Hope Chest by Viola Shipman

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

The Sisters of Blue Mountain - Pub Day Promo & Giveaway

An emotional, suspenseful novel about the bond between sisters and the secrets we hold to keep our family safe, The Sisters of Blue Mountain by Karen Katchur is a thrilling mystery that hurtles towards an unexpected ending that will leave readers speechless.

The small town of Mountain Springs, Pennsylvania thrives on the snow geese migration. Each year, the birds flock to the dam, and the tourists follow, filling up Linnet’s Bed and Breakfast.

But one morning Linnet wakes up to discover hundreds of dead geese by the B&B and her life is thrown into the media frenzy when her father―a former ornithology professor―is asked to study the case. As the tourists cancel their plans and Linnet’s father’s health grows increasingly worse, the last thing she expects is to see her estranged sister, Myna, on her doorstep.

Myna has never stayed in one place for long after running from Mountain Springs. Although she and Linnet were close growing up, a family secret broke their bond, and Myna’s return has brought back memories both sisters have tried to keep buried.

When a reporter arrives in town who may have a connection to the sisters’ past, Linnet and Myna are forced to confront the event that tore them apart. But when a young professor who was assisting their father on the case turns up dead―and their father becomes the primary suspect―Linnet and Myna realize that their secret won’t stay hidden for long…

Purchase the book at:

About the author:

Karen Katchur holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University and a Masters of Education degree from East Stroudsburg University. She is an active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America. She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. She enjoys running and tennis and playing with her flat coat retriever, Tucker and her cat, Carly.

Connect with the author at:
Website * Facebook * Twitter

St.Martin’s Press is giving one

Lucky winner a print copy of

The Sisters of Blue Mountain

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The Promise Girls - Pub Day Review & Giveaway

What if you could create your ideal child, would you? For Minerva Promise the answer was yes. Prodigies designed for success and greatness by their narcissistic mother, as adults they were determined to break free of the hold that she had over them. What better platform to do so than while on live TV?

Now adults, none of the daughters are doing what their mother was determined to make of them. Yet all are struggling with issues that stemmed from their childhood. After an accident brings financial strains, the sisters agree to do a documentary that will expose how the Promise girls’ lives turned out.

So many strive for perfection, but what’s perfect to one may not be to another. And with the advancements of science, there’s always someone out there trying to manipulate what should just be left up to will.

I found this book to be fascinating. The story flowed smoothly and the characters felt so real and relatable. A perfect weekend read that you will consume in one sitting!

Purchase the book at:

About the author:

Marie Bostwick is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels about family, relationships, and women’s friendships. She was born and raised in the northwest, but in the three decades since her marriage, Marie and her family have lived in 8 different states at 18 different addresses. These experiences have given Marie a unique perspective that enables her to write about people from all walks of life and corners of the country with insight and authenticity. Marie currently resides in Oregon, where she enjoys writing, spending time with family, gardening, collecting fabric, and stitching quilts.

Connect with the author at:

Kensington Publishing is giving one lucky winner

A print copy of Marie Bostwick’s new release

The Promise Girls

Monday, March 27, 2017

Royally Roma - Pub Day Promo

In ROYALLY ROMA, the first book in the three-book series The Royals, Niccolo La Torre, the Crown Prince of Lazaretto, gets a taste of life as a civilian when he disappears for a day under the guise of wealthy tourist. His tour guide, a broke, overworked graduate student named Julia Costa, is looking to start fresh in a new country following a devastating break-up and a scandal involving her father. Consumed by her busy schedule, she rarely picks up a tabloid or turns on the television, so when she crosses paths with Niccolo, she fails to recognize him and instead mistakes him for a client. Intrigued by the idea that there is someone in Rome who has no idea who he is, Niccolo acts on impulse and assumes the role of Julia’s client.

Although she senses that something amiss, Julia can’t quite put her finger on what it is and more importantly, she needs the money, so she ignores all warning signs that Niccolo is not who he claims to be. Complicating matters is the undeniable chemistry between Julia and Niccolo. As the adventurous day comes to a close, their attraction grows more intense and they struggle to keep things professional. And in the back of Niccolo’s mind he wonders if he’s willing to let go of the first person who’s ever seen him as just a man and not a prince.

Purchase the book at:

About the author:

Teri Wilson is a novelist for Harlequin Books and Gallery/Pocket Books. She is also a contributing writer at HelloGiggles.com and Teen Vogue covering books, pop culture, and more. She has a gift for writing enchanting and cinematic love stories. Her 2013 novel Unleashing Mr. Darcy, a modern-day retelling of Pride & Prejudice, was optioned for film by the Hallmark Channel and debuted as a Hallmark Channel Original Movie in January 2016 to 3 million viewers and set social media records for the network. Following the success of Unleashing Mr. Darcy, the Hallmark Channel optioned her 2016 novel The Art of Us and her 2013 novel Sleigh Bell Sweethearts for release Christmas 2017.

Connect with the author at:

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Sweet Lake - Review #Wintervention

The Mayfair Inn, located in the small town of Sweet Lake, Ohio is a family business that Linnie has been running since her father had a stroke. After she began overseeing the inn she began making improvements that she thought would ensure that she be able to take over the business. But the inn has always been passed on to the son of the family.

It was never Sarah and Treat Mayfair’s intention to cause a rift between their children. They felt they were doing what was right for the business and following tradition. When their son, Freddie, does something deceitful he causes the fissure between him and his sister to become even deeper.

But leave it to the Sweet Lake Sirens, a group of elderly women, to concoct a plan to reunite Linnie and Freddie.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but she quickly made me a fan. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Purchase the book at:

About the author:

Award-winning author Christine Nolfi provides readers with heartwarming and inspiring fiction. Her novel TREASURE ME, Liberty series book 2, is a Next Generation Indie Awards finalist. The Midwest Book Review lists SECOND CHANCE GRILL, Liberty series book 1, and the other Liberty books as "highly recommended".

Look for SWEET LAKE, book 1 of her new series, on February 28, 2017 and THE COMFORT OF SECRETS, book 2, on July 18, 2017.

Connect with the author at:

Learn more about BookSparks’ #wintervention book tour HERE.

Connect with BookSparks at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Monday, March 6, 2017

Two Good Dogs - Pub Week Giveaway

Single mom Skye Mitchell has sunk her last dime into a dream, owning the venerable, if run-down LakeView Hotel in the Berkshire Hills. It’s here where she believes she’ll give her fourteen-year-old daughter Cody a better life. But being an innkeeper is more challenging than she imagined, and Cody still manages to fall in with the wrong crowd. In addition, Cody is keeping an earth-shattering secret that she’s terrified to reveal. The once loving, open girl has now become completely withdrawn, and Skye is both desperate and helpless to reach her.

When Adam March and his pit bull Chance check into the hotel, it becomes the first of many visits. Here in these peaceful mountains he finds an unexpected relief from his recent bereavement. He and the beleaguered innkeeper form a tentative friendship. Adam knows the struggles of raising a difficult teenager and Skye understands loneliness.

And then there is Mingo, a street kid with a pit bull dog of his own. When Cody discovers an overdosed Mingo, Adam takes the boy’s dog not just for safekeeping, but to foster and then rehome. But the dog isn’t the only one who needs saving. A makeshift family begins to form as four lost people learn to trust and rely on each other, with the help of two good dogs.

Purchase the book at:

About the author:

Susan Wilson is an American author. Her first novel, Beauty, was adapted into a television movie. A later book, One Good Dog, was a New York Times bestseller.

She is working on her next novel, another work featuring the complicated relationship between humans and the dogs they love.

She lives on Martha's Vineyard with her husband. She has two grown daughters and three grandchildren. Susan also lives with her demanding terrierist, Bonnie.

Connect with the author at:

St. Martin’s Press is giving one lucky winner

A print copy of Two Good Dogs by Susan Wilson