Showing posts with label Winter Games Reader Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter Games Reader Challenge. Show all posts

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Penhallow Train Incident at the Winter Readers Challenge

Riders up! Only two more days to go before the Winter Reader Review Challenge. Take deep breaths and exercise those fingers for turning pages. I’m taking this opportunity to give you a bit of background on my featured book The Penhallow Train Incident.


The Penhallow Train Incident is set on the coast of Maine in the fictional town of Penhallow. Midcoast Maine sits right about where the state begins to change from heading due north to “down East.”  The land is quite different from the southern beaches or the North Woods. Fronting Penobscot Bay, it is a region of lakes, farms, small villages, and lobstermen.  Most people have lived there for generations, and refer to anyone who moves to Maine from elsewhere as “from away.” Rachel Tinker and her hero Griffin Tate are both from away, but when a series of murders roils their adopted town, they spring into action.

If you’re not participating in the Winter Reader  Challenge, or want to buy The Penhallow Train Incident to read at your leisure, it is on sale at Amazon for 99 cents from now through the duration of the challenge. Amazon



If you're interested in the Reader Challenge, here is the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/364535027526617


Monday, February 22, 2021

Fun Fact #3 About Mrs. Spinney's Secret

I'm participating in the Winter Games Reader Challenge, featuring my new mystery romance Mrs. Spinney's Secret. Part of the book takes place in Castine, Maine.



Castine—where the Penobscot Expedition—met its fate, is a town on the Blue Hill peninsula in Maine. It is the oldest continuously occupied town in New England. Founded in 1613 as a trading post, the Baron de St-Castin developed it in 1667.



It is a beautiful, classic Maine village with Greek Revival and Federal houses. It is home to the Maine Maritime Academy. The town has a checkered history. Controlled at various times by Abenaki Indian tribes, French, Dutch, English, and Americans, it was a bone of contention during the American Revolution, when the British sought to annex it as a haven for Tories and a bulwark against marauding privateers.


Friday, February 19, 2021

Fun Fact about Mrs. Spinney's Secret

I'm participating in the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge. If you love to read this group is a fun way to get meet more than 50 authors and challenge yourself to read more and faster. Games and giveaways daily, Author Q & As, free books, and more. And you might win up to $250!  I'm offering Mrs. Spinney's Secret for free read to review.

Click here to join NOW!

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdHFwMRdVC8fu.../viewform



Here's a fun fact about Mrs. Spinney's Secret you want like:


In Mrs. Spinney’s Secret, a Hollywood studio is making a movie based on the Penobscot Expedition of 1779, the worst defeat in American naval history. In 1779, at the height of the American Revolution, a contingent of British forces were dispatched to Castine. Their mission was to take possession of the peninsula and build a fort to protect loyalists and to prevent marauding by privateers along the coast. At the time, Maine was still part of Massachusetts, and the boys in Boston took offense at the blatant theft of their territory. So they organized a flotilla to sail up the coast and remove said Brits.

Their leaders—including the revered Paul Revere—were dumb as tree stumps and couldn’t decide how to attack the city—a city that sticks out like a sore thumb on the Blue Hill peninsula. The Redcoats were prepared to surrender, but the Americans dithered offshore for almost three weeks, which was just enough time for English reinforcements to arrive and surround the hapless armada.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Mrs. Spinney's Secret On Sale $1.99 through March 14

Treasure left behind after the worst naval rout in the American Revolution—where is it hidden? Did the cabin boy find it? What will his descendant do to get it back? Will he go as far as murder?

Hey buckaroos! Mrs. Spinney's Secret is now on sale at Amazon for $1.99. Get your copy now!

Books2Read

Amazon  



If you want a free copy for review, join the Winter Games Reader Challenge.


If you love to read, this group is for you. Winter Games is a great way to meet and get to know 56 authors, read tons of books, and challenge yourself to read more and faster. The event includes games and giveaways daily, fun raves twice a week with Author Q & As, free books, and loads of fun. Oh, and you can win big cash prizes! The main event runs Feb 14th-March 14th but the fun has already started.

Scroll down to learn more or click here to join NOW!

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdHFwMRdVC8fu.../viewform


Sunday, February 14, 2021

Winter Games Reader Challenge Kicks Off Today!

 Join us on Facebook tonight at 7 pm EST for our opening ceremonies!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/364535027526617


JOIN THE WINTER GAMES READER CHALLENGE

If you love to read, this group is for you. Winter Games is a great way to meet and get to know 56 authors, read tons of books, and challenge yourself to read more and faster. The event includes games and giveaways daily, fun raves twice a week with Author Q & As, free books, and loads of fun. Oh, and you can win big cash prizes! The main event runs Feb 14th-March 14th but the fun has already started.

Scroll down to learn more or click here to join NOW!

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdHFwMRdVC8fu.../viewform

I'm offering Mrs. Spinney's Secret for review.

Amity Landing is being invaded by Hollywood and Cassidy Beauvoir, chairman of the board of overseers, doesn’t like it. That is, until she meets Jasper MacEwan, the director of American Waterloo: the Rout of the Penobscot Expedition. Their budding romance is interrupted by a series of deadly incidents, sending them on a quest for long-lost English gold. Who will be the next victim? Can they find the treasure before the murderer does?


Monday, February 8, 2021

Come Join Me at Winter Games Reader Challenge 2/14-3/14

 


★★★ WINTER GAMES Reader Challenge Feb 14th –– March 14th! ★★★

If you love to read, the Winter Games is for YOU!

I’m excited to be a part of the free WINTER GAMES Reader Challenge Feb 14th –– March 14th and you’re invited…

Join me and 55 other authors from all genres for this FREE four-week online event. Challenge yourself to read more and faster and you could win up to $250 plus loads of other prizes.

Winter Games is a fun way to meet and chat with authors, read tons of free books, enjoy online FB parties, win signed copies of print books, and so much more.

I’m offering Mrs. Spinney’s Secret for review:


Here’s the blurb:

What do you do when Hollywood takes over your tiny Maine village to make a movie?

Cassidy Beauvoir, chair of the board of overseers of Amity Landing, is ready to throw the bums out; that is, until she meets Jasper MacEwan, the director of American Waterloo: the Rout of the Penobscot Expedition. It’s instant attraction until a series of deadly incidents threatens their budding romance. Are the attacks directed at the movie crew or the townspeople?

As the two search for answers, the trail leads them to long-held secrets of the worst naval defeat of the American Revolution—including betrayal, murder, and a lost hoard of English gold.


This four-week event includes:

· Free books to read and review.

· Online rave parties with games, prizes, and author Q & A hosted on our private Facebook group.

· Loads of great swag and prizes daily.

· Live Q & A chats with all 56 authors.

· PLUS a $250.00 first prize and $100.00 second prize!



But you don’t have to wait to get in on the fun. We’ve got games and opportunities to meet authors and win prizes already happening daily.

To join the fun as a Winter Games Reader, you MUST fill out the Official Sign up Form. It's FREE, so click now and join us.*

Click Here NOW!

* To participate, readers must have an Amazon Reviewer page (IE: You must have posted book reviews on Amazon in the past)

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdHFwMRdVC8fu.../viewform

Friday, February 21, 2020

What's in a Title? Orion's Foot is up for review at the Winter Challenge


My latest release, Orion’s Foot is available for review at the Winter Games Reader Challenge. Find it here:



Orion’s Foot: Myth, Romance & Murder in the Amazon, is a murder mystery romance, with a bit of paranormal thrown in just for fun. Petra Steele has just been left at the altar when her brother invites her to the Peruvian Amazon. Before she even sets her suitcase down, she's confronted with a dead man. In a research station peopled with a quirky assortment of scientists, she is drawn to Emory Andrews, a man with a secret past. Murders, secrets, and mysteries ensue, all in the deeply romantic, sizzling jungle.



You ask about the title? 

Orion—along with Ursa Major and Ursa Minor—is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky. Most people zero in on the three stars that make up his belt, but the brightest star in the constellation is Rigel—his left knee or foot. 

Oddly enough, I came up with the title for Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, & Romance in the Amazon, separately from the actual inspiration for the book. I was sitting outside on a beautiful night and saw Orion—I’m sorry to say one of the few constellations I can identify. I thought, what a neat title for a book. There you have it.



Orion was the son of Poseidon, who gave him the power to walk on water. He was a great hunter. In the excerpt below, Petra tells Emory why she wishes on Orion’s foot, and he in turn warns her to be careful of him.

Excerpt: Orion’s Foot

After supper, she sought the hammock room,  hoping to see the capybaras again, but the lawn was  empty. For once, the sky was clear, and she wandered  out and down to the dock to enjoy the stars. Ah, there’s  Orion. Usually people chose Venus or Polaris, but Petra  always wished on Orion’s left foot. Nick had once asked her why. “Because it’s his foot that takes the first  stride across space.”
 “So what does that have to do with your wishes?”
 “Whenever I’m faced with a scary decision, Orion  gives me the courage to take the first step.”
 Nick had laughed at her. 
 As she closed her eyes and pondered her request, a  rustle sounded behind her. “Don’t fall in."
Petra sprang forward and nearly did fall in, but a strong hand caught her around her waist and pulled her back. She felt warm breath in her ear. “Emory!”
He let go. “What are you doing anyway? You had one leg hovering over the water.”
“I guess the stars distracted me.” She glanced at him shyly. “I was wishing on Orion. Or rather, on his foot.” She pointed at the star twinkling below the famous belt.
“Why Orion?”
No need to let on how weird I am just yet. “It’s…uh…the only constellation I recognize?”
“It’s probably the only constellation most people recognize.” He looked down at her. “Okay, do you have a foot fetish, or what? Why wish on the foot?”
Just because Nick made fun of me doesn’t mean Emory will. “It brings me luck.”
“Like a rabbit’s foot, only better?”
She didn’t answer. The thing that had been simmering in the back of her mind for the last two days, obscured by the chaos of events, had made itself known. She knew what she wanted to wish for.
“Petra? Did you hear my question?”
Petra lowered her eyes to Emory. “I don’t know about better—but it serves the same function. See, everyone zeroes in on Orion’s belt, or his dog, or his manly physique, but his left foot—Rigel—is actually the brightest star in the constellation.”
He inspected the night sky. “True. And?”
“Well, it reminds me that when you have to take that first step into the unknown you…um…put your best foot forward. I look at Orion striding across the cosmos, and he helps me believe I can meet any challenge.”
Emory was silent for a minute. Petra was about to take her leave when he said, “Did you know that Orion claimed he was the greatest hunter of all time? Gaia sent a scorpion to kill him.”
“Huh. Who is Gaia?”
“Gaia means Earth—she’s the goddess the Greeks called the mother of all life—the primordial deity. The cool New Age kids all worship her. Don’t tell me you aren’t into crystals and yoga?”
“No. So why did Gaia want to kill Orion?”
“Because, to prove his prowess, he announced he was going to hunt down and kill all the animals in the world. Since Gaia is the guardian of every living thing, you might say his threat kinda ruffled her feathers.”
“I’ll bet. So she decided to kill him before he massacred her subjects. Did she succeed?”
“No. Another god—I forget his name—gave Orion the antidote. That’s why you never see both Orion and Scorpio in the sky at the same time.”
Hmm.”
“So,” he said softly, “Orion is hardly the hero you want to set your heart on. All the stories of him involve power, lust, and murder.”


Buy Links:




Saturday, February 1, 2020

Winter Games Reader Challenge All Month Long-with Orion's Foot & Prizes Galore



“As he started to climb down, a twig snapped below them. They froze.
Something’s being dragged through the underbrush.” 

Monsters, murder, and mysteries lurk deep in the Amazon in M. S. Spencer’s Orion’s Foot.


Orion’s Foot is featured at Winter Games Reader Challenge.This is a month-long reader challenge, featuring up to 60 bestselling & award-winning authors, with an amazon review average of 4.0 or higher!

$200 GRAND PRIZE gift card will be awarded to the one who reads and posts Amazon Reviews for the most books. Additional prizes which may include swag, print books, and gift cards. will be awarded to other reader participants, including ones with the most reviews on BookBub and/or Goodreads, and the reader who attends and participates in the most Host Parties during the event.

There will be Raves—times to interact with a few authors at a time—on Mondays and Wednesdays during February. I’ll be on Rave 2, so get your questions ready! This is the Facebook link to the Rave Cave:

A grand finale scheduled after the reading portion of the event ends will be where readers will receive their prizes.




She wishes on Orion’s Foot—and gets mystery, murder, myth, and romance.

Searching for a legendary monster deep in the Amazon, scientists confront murder, living fossils, fanatics, and romance.





If you didn’t get to sign up to be a reader, you can still catch the reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub!

Here's a list of all the wonderful authors: