Lamb to the Slaughter Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Lamb to the Slaughter Blog Tour! Today I have a review of Lamb to the Slaughter and there is a tour giveaway to enter. Also make sure to check out the whole tour and follow along for more chances to enter the tour giveaway by clicking the banner above or the schedule at the bottom at the post. 

About the Book

Title: Lamb to the Slaughter

Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Series: Serenity's Plain Secrets #1
Publication Date: March 14, 2014

Genres: Adult, Mystery

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Lamb to the Slaughter is a story about the intertwining lives of three unlikely people in an Indiana Amish Community and the devastating results when a rebellious teenage girl is found shot to death in a corn field during the harvest.
Serenity Adams is the newly elected young sheriff in the country town of Blood Rock and besides dealing with the threatening behavior of her predecessor, she now has a dead Amish girl on her plate.  At first glance, the case seems obvious.  The poor girl was probably accidently shot during hunting season, but when the elders of the Amish community and even the girl’s parents react with uncaring subdued behavior, Serenity becomes suspicious.  As she delves deeper into the secretive community that she grew up beside, she discovers a gruesome crime from the past that may very well be related to the Amish girl’s shooting.
Serenity enlists the help of the handsome bad-boy building contractor, Daniel Bachman, who left the Amish when he was nineteen and has his own dark reasons to help the spunky sheriff solve the crime that the family and friends who shunned him are trying desperately to cover up.  Serenity’s persistence leads her to a stunning discovery that not only threatens to destroy her blossoming romance with Daniel, but may even take her life in the end.
*Lamb to the Slaughter is book one of Serenity’s Plain Secrets.

For a limited time, Lamb to the Slaughter is available for $2.99 from Amazon and Barnes & Noble so get your copy now! 

About the Author

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.
    

My Review of Lamb to the Slaughter

Murder, secrets and a Sheriff determined to prove herself makes Lamb to the Slaughter a must read for any mystery fan. The key to any mystery novel is to keep the reader guessing until very end, especially in a whodunit type of mystery. Karen Ann Hopkins has delivered this element perfectly, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the different twists and turns throughout the novel. I also have to say that I also enjoyed the romantic elements of the story. Seriously, one of the best murder mystery novels I have read in a long time. 

Serenity Adams is a tough by the book cop who is trying to prove herself to Blood Rock, when Naomi a young Amish girl is found shot in a cornfield. While it looks like an open and shut case of accidental shooting, something just feels off for Sheriff Adams, and she know the Amish community is hiding something. Her tenacity to go after the truth even when everyone else is telling her to close the case and move on it the reason I love her as a character so much. 

The story is told in two parts as the mystery unfolds, one from Serenity and Daniel as they try to find out the truth behind Naomi’s death, and one from Naomi herself in the events leading up to her death. This before and after point of view switching really opens the readers eyes, but still manages  to leave the truth hidden until the very end. Also watching Naomi’s life unfold before the tragedy of her death made me want to know what happened more than anything else. 

Karen Ann Hopkins has delivered with Lamb to the Slaughter, and I am hoping for a lot more Serenity Adams mysteries in the future. I love the uniqueness Karen Ann Hopkins brings to the mystery genre, and I will DEFIANTLY be reading more from her in the future. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**

We have a really exciting prize package for this tour, so make sure to follow along for more chances to win every day! What’s up for grabs:

• A $100 Amazon Gift Card

• An autographed set of Karen’s YA Temptation series

• A traditional Amish style hand stitched wall hanging/lap quilt with the lone star pattern in country colors

Please enter via the Rafflecopter form. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

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Tour Schedule

Monday April 21 - Caffeinated Book Reviewer - Review 

Tuesday April 22 - Lose Time in Reading - Review 

Wednesday April 23 - Love Life Read - Review 

Thursday April 24 - A Book Addicts Bookshelf - Author Interview 

Friday April 25 - Curling Up with a Good Book - Guest Post 

Monday April 28 - Page Turners - Character Interview 

Tuesday April 29 - Andi's Book Reviews - Review 

Wednesday April 30 - Unabridged Bookshelf - Review 

Thursday May 1 - Evie Bookish - Guest Post 

Friday May 2 - Bookish Brunette - Excerpt 

Monday May 5 - Bewitched Bookworms - Review 

Tuesday May 6 - Blissful Book Reviews - Guest Post 

Wednesday May 7 - Bittersweet Enchantment - Interview 

Thursday May 8 - Chosen by You Book Club - Interview 

Friday May 9 - Christy Howell Books - Review 

Monday May 12 - Book Swarm - Review 

Tuesday May 13 - Literary Me - Interview 

Wednesday May 14 - Addicted Readers - Guest Post 

Thursday May 15 - Tien's Blurb - Review 

Friday May 16 - Jeanz Book Read N' Reviews - Review 

Monday May 19 - Bajgajka Loves Books and Giveaways - Guest Post 

Tuesday May 20 - Actin' Up with Books - Review 

Wednesday May 21 - Kimberly Faye Reads - Review 

Thursday May 22 - Reading Lark - Review 

Friday May 23 - Janiera Eldridge - Review 

Monday May 26 - I Read Indie - Review 

Tuesday May 27 - Glorious Books - Guest Post 

Wednesday May 28 - Little Miss Drama Queen - Review 

Thursday May 29 - Once Upon Twilight - Review 

Friday May 30 - It's a Book Thing - Review

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

Alyssa Rose Ivy Duel Cover Reveal: On the Rocks and The Hazards of Sex on the Beach

I am so excited to reveal not one but two covers from upcoming books by the ever amazing Alyssa Rose Ivy!!

On the Rocks by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Mixology #2

Expected Publication: May 29th, 2014
 Cover Design by Once Upon A Time Covers
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Love is best served on the rocks.

My roommates look really good naked. At least one of them does. I’m sure the other one does too, but I haven’t seen him without his pants on. Living with two guys wasn't something I’d ever considered, but the opportunity fell in my lap, and I’d have been crazy to turn it down.

College went by in a great big blur leaving me with less of a direction than I had going in. Add in a family that wanted nothing to do with me, and my post-college plans were less than clear. What’s a girl to do when she has nowhere else to turn? She moves to the Outer Banks and learns to bartend. After all, it was my horrible bartending skills that led me to my roommate’s bed and into his heart.

The Hazards of Sex on the Beach by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Hazards #3

Expected Publication: July 21st, 2014

 Cover Design by Once Upon A Time Covers

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

One broken heart, one drink too many, one steamy night in the sand... 

About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and
a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

    

My Thoughts: If you are a regular visitor to Unabridged Bookshelf, you know that I am an avid Alyssa Rose Ivy fan. I love her Mixology Series, and I love her Hazards Series! I cannot wait to see where her new stories take me, and I know that I will defiantly be reading them as soon as they are available!

I want to hear what you think!

Let me know in the comments

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Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

Cover Reveal: The Harvesting

The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
The Harvesting #1

 Cover Design: Princess of Shadows
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Young Adult, Zombies
Buy Now at Amazon

The world, it seemed, had gone silent. It was something we knew but did not talk about. We were alone.”

While Layla Petrovich returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she never could have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla’s cool head, fast blade and itchy trigger finger to survive the undead apocalypse that’s upon them. But even that may not be enough. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.

This exciting new dark fantasy/horror hybrid blends the best of the zombie genre with all the elements a fantasy reader loves!

It’s all fun and games until someone ends up undead!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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 About the Author

Melanie Karsak grew up in rural northwestern Pennsylvania and earned a Master's degree in English
from Gannon University. A steampunk connoisseur, white elephant collector, and zombie whisperer, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.

   

My Thoughts: While I love the dark foreboding of the forest on the original cover, I think the new cover is gorgeous. The flames and the girl with the sword are eye catching, and make me want to read this story again.

I want to hear what you think!

Let me know in the comments

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

Stone of Destiny Release Day

Stone of Destiny by Laura Howard

The Danaan Trilogy #2

Publication Date: April 25, 2014

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

Allison thought it was crazy enough when she found out her father, Liam, wasn't entirely human. But now she has to join his magical allies to unravel his former mistress's plans. Aoife wants to keep Allison's parents apart forever.

Despite Allison's efforts to keep Ethan, the only guy she's ever cared about, out of this supernatural mess, fate keeps throwing him back into the mix.

Will Allison be able to find the amulet that holds the enchantment Aoife placed on Liam and destroy it? Are Ethan' s feelings for Allison strong enough to endure the magic of the Tuatha De Danaan?

The Forgotten Ones

Book One in The Danaan Trilogy

About Laura:

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known.

 Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Coral & Bone

Coral & Bone by Tiffany Daune

Expected Publication: July 7, 2014
 Cover Design by Nathalia Suellen
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal,

Halen knows the sparks igniting under her fingertips are dangerous. She has spent her entire life trying to quell the tingly feelings that make her destroy things, but now that she is back in Rockaway Beach, where she watched her father drown, the flames have become impossible to tame. Halen is trying to hold on, but when she is thrust into a mysterious new world, the underwater realm of Elosia, she unravels the secrets of her past, and can’t help but ignite. As she explores Elosia, she realizes her life has been a lie. And when those who have deceived her come to her for help, Halen must choose—walk away or unleash the magick that could destroy them all.

 About the Author

Tiffany Daune doesn’t get why people want to grow up, or why anyone would ever stop eating candy.
Her purse is filled with books, lip gloss and a few pieces of Lego bricks. She writes best with a dish of chocolate chips on hand, and finds licorice makes a better straw than plastic.
She lives on an island and believes mermaids may be raiding her candy stash, though she hasn’t caught them, yet.

   

My Thoughts: I absolutely love the cover even with the creepy skeleton hand in her hair. I love the elements of the title tied together. The cover artist is an exceptional talent. The premise also has grabbed my attention, I love the idea of a secret underwater world. I am curious to see what Halen chooses to do when she learns the truth.

I want to hear what you think!

Let me know in the comments

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Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

Cover Reveal: Descent

Descent by Kallie Ross

Expected Publication: June 9, 2014

Seventeen year old Ollie Miller is ready to leave all of her hurt feelings behind, but moving on seems impossible while living next door to her ex-best friend, Mateo. When curious earthquakes begin to shake and rip open the foundation of her small town, the ground becomes as unsteady as her feelings for him. When they fall, they fall hard…

 

Ollie’s disastrous attempt to save Mateo’s brother from falling into a curious chasm results in their descent into a cavernous wonderland. Ollie, Mateo, Jesse, and Alexis search for a way back home, and encounter a mysterious tribe of natives. Gabriel, the next in line to lead his people, is granted permission to guide them to the surface. On their treacherous journey, an overzealous elder threatens all of their lives, because he can’t risk them exposing his people, or the power he wields. The group discovers ancient secrets, unexpected truths, and uncharted feelings. Ollie must find a way out or risk being stuck in the caves forever—or worse, dead.

 About the Author

Over time my love for learning gravitated toward studying conspiracy theories and contradictions in
our culture. My conclusions have ignited a passion to write compelling young adult fiction that incorporates legend, conjecture, fantasy, and conviction.

I love being a wife, mother, friend, writer, and teacher. I began teaching high school English in 2002 and started blogging and podcasting in 2008. I have a brilliant husband, two redheads, and never imagined my life would ever be this fun!

   

My Thoughts: I love the cave on the cover and the sparkling lights. It makes for a very breathtaking cover, and I think it fits the synopsis very well. As for the Synopsis, Descent sounds like something I would really enjoy. Secret civilization below the surface of earth defiantly has my attention!

I want to hear what you think!

Let me know in the comments

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!