Killing Me Softly by Kathryn R. Biel (Book Review)

Killing Me Softly by Kathryn R. Biel

Publisher: Independent Self Publisher

Publication Date: July 2, 2015

Format: Paperback - 266 pages

               Kindle - 1197 KB

               Nook - 831 KB

ISBN: 978-0991391783

ASIN: B010WCE4H0
BNID: 2940149841066

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a book review program hosted by Chick Lit Plus.


Book Description:

Sadie Perkins has a sixth sense about things—especially people dying. Her clairvoyance has never bothered her until she starts to believe that her visions are causing the deaths of those around her. After her latest relationship ends ... badly ... Sadie swears off love for good. While searching for an uncomplicated life, Sadie finds her hands full not only with a home renovation project but with defending herself against suspicion of murder. There's a fine line between predicting someone's death and causing it. Has Sadie finally crossed that line?

Enter contractor Max Schultz, who is not only good at working on houses, but he's good at working on Sadie too. Much to Max's dismay, as he's trying to win Sadie's heart, he finds Sadie's first love, Henry Fitzsimmons, is back in the picture, snooping around.

Sadie doesn't know which way to turn or who to trust, including herself. Can Sadie clear her name and open her heart all at the same time?


My Book Review:

In Killing Me Softly, author Kathryn R. Biel weaves an intriguing romantic tale with a twist of mystery, and suspense. The readers are easily drawn into Sadie Perkins' story, she has the gift of clairvoyance which causes complications in her life when she starts to believe that her visions cause the death of people around her. She finds her life gets complicated when she is under suspicion of murder, and has the burden of trying to defend herself and clear her name. To relieve the stress, Sadie turns to a home renovation project, and along comes sexy contractor Max Schultz, who tries to win her heart. With plenty of drama and trouble following at her heels, can Sadie clear her name and open her heart to love?

Killing Me Softly is a thoroughly entertaining story that has just the right amount of intertwining romance, humor, mystery and suspense. As Sadie's story unfolded, it had enough drama, emotion, laugh out loud moments, and gritty twists and turns, that easily drew me in, kept me guessing, and wanting to know what would happen next. I have always been interested in the area of psychic phenomenon, so Sadie's gift of clairvoyance and the burden that comes with it really peaked my interest, kept me engaged, and turning the pages. I loved the backstory of Sadie's life, the rich description of the small town setting, the quirky pop culture references, the witty dialogue, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I really enjoyed watching how Sadie's romantic relationships played out in the end.


RATING: 5 STARS 

About The Author

Telling stories of resilient women, Kathryn R. Biel hails from upstate New York and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful and energetic kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her clients' needs, and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her musings and rants can be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather. She is the author of Good Intentions (2013), Hold Her Down (2014), I'm Still Here (2014), Jump, Jive, and Wail (2015), and Killing Me Softly (2015).


Author Blog / Website
Amazon Author Page
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Completions & Connections by Kathryn R. Biel (Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Completions & Connections by author Kathryn R. Biel!

Book Review

Completions & Connections by Kathryn R. Biel

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing

Publication Date: November 1, 2015

Format: eBook - 72 pages

               Kindle - 1170 KB

               Nook - 401 KB

ISBN: 978-0991391790

ASIN: B0157L16OU

BNID: 2940150834125

Genre: Holiday Romance

Buy The Book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Kobo

Smashwords

Goodreads

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

Book Description:

Christine's list of resolutions contains many clichés. Try something new. Buy a pair of heels. Get a promotion. Fall in love.

Seems simple, especially when Christine meets Patrick, the man who could be Mr. Right. He's got the right credentials: a job, a sense of humor, a love of all things Indiana Jones, and best of all, he's actually taller than Christine. But busy schedules take over and gets in the way of Patrick and Christine's budding romance.

Life interferes, as it has a way of doing, and Christine wants to throw in the towel. Is the magic of the Christmas season enough to renew Christine's faith in love?


Book Excerpt:

Me and four kids under four feet tall. I feel even more like a giant than I normally do.

And sadly, most of them are better skiers than I am.

After ninety minutes, I've learned to pizza and french fry enough to stop and start. The most challenging thing for me is to stand up once I've fallen down.

Wait, check that. The most challenging thing is the damn J-hook bar contraption that drags me up the bunny hill. You can't sit. You can't stand. You hang in a weird crouch, praying your skis don't hit a rut knocking your ass over tea kettle into the other tow-ees, toppling them like bowling pins. Not that this happens. Okay, yes, it totally happens.

In a heap, one ski pointing one way, one ski lost, I'm pretty sure this skiing thing is not for me. And if I can figure out how to stand up, I'm going to go in the lodge and have a hot toddy. Or ten. And hope that this day passes quickly.

It's just I don't have a lot of free time. I work crazy hours. Free weekends are a rarity and to waste one on something I hate seems frivolous.

Maybe I'll read while I'm in the lodge. That's something on my list. To read three books this year. I've been trying to read the same book for about two years now. I never get through more than a page or two at a time, and anytime I get a large chunk of time to read, I have to start again because I can't remember what I've read.

This is what I'm thinking about, lying in a heap, snow creeping down into my snow pants.

"You need a hand?"

I look up through my goggles to see another begoggled face leaning down over me. The face emits a voice with a deep timbre, which makes my belly twist a little bit. A thick-gloved hand extends and I grasp it. With apparent ease, he hauls me up to a standing position. I still only have one ski on. Not saying a word, he retrieves my ski and guides my boot back into the binding.

"Better?" His smile shows a row of white teeth. Just one looks crooked. It's probably a good thing, though. Otherwise, I have a feeling he'd be too perfect. The best part—he's looking down on me. Do you know how often the guys I meet are my height or shorter? I swear there's a shortage of tall men out there.

"No. I'm still out here, making a fool out of myself."

"I take it this is your first time."

"Is it that obvious I'm a virgin?"

He lifts his goggles up, eyebrows raised. The bemused expression in his light green eyes highlights my faux pas. "Oh really? I didn't know we were getting this personal."

"Oh my God!" My mitten-covered hand, white with snow, flies to my mouth. Which, of course, results in me getting a face full of snow. "That's um, not, crap. I'm not a virgin-virgin. I meant a skiing virgin. I have lots of experience with the other. Well, not lots. I mean, I'm not loose or anything. Oh crap, I should just stop talking."

"No, keep talking. It's quite amusing."

"I'm going to go bury myself in a snow bank right now. Thanks for the help. It's been nice knowing you."

FYI, it's impossible to storm off in a dignified manner when you're wearing skis.

My Book Review:

If you are looking to kick start your holiday reading season, then Completions & Connections by author Kathryn R. Biel is the perfect entertaining holiday romance novella to read in one afternoon!

Author Kathryn R. Biel weaves a delightful holiday romance tale that follows Christine's year long journey of fulfilling her list of New Year's resolutions and finding love! This is a sweet little novella that is just right to get you in the holiday mood with its fun mixture of drama, humor, and romance. The reader is easily drawn into Christine's journey, you can't help but cheer her on as she checks off the items on her New Year's resolution list, and finds an unexpected romance in the arms of Patrick, even though it does have its challenges! This was such a fun story about the challenges in life and romance, it kept me smiling and laughing, and left me wanting so much more! 


Completions & Connections is a fun, flirty, and thoroughly enjoyable holiday romance novella that will definitely get you into the holiday spirit!


RATING: 5 STARS 

About The Author

Telling stories of resilient women, Kathryn R. Biel hails from upstate New York and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful and energetic kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her clients' needs, and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her musings and rants can be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather. She is the author of Good Intentions (2013), Hold Her Down (2014), I'm Still Here (2014), Jump, Jive, and Wail (2015), and Killing Me Softly (2015).


Author Blog / Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Goodreads

Contest Giveaway

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Virtual Book Tour

Completions & Connections by Kathryn R. Biel ~ Virtual Book Tour Event Page

Tour Schedule:

November 2- A Southern GirlsBookshelf – Excerpt
November 2 – Love Chick Lit – Review & Excerpt
November 3 – Hey Said Renee – Review & Excerpt 
November 4 – Change the Word – Q&A 
November 5 – Living Life With Joy – Q&A & Excerpt
November 6 – Chick Lit Goddess – Q&A & Excerpt
November 6 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
November 6 – Books and Wine – Excerpt
November 6 - Books and Wine - Q&A
November 6 – Basically Books – Excerpt
November 6 – Granny Loves to Read – Review
November 6 – The PhantomParagrapher – Review 
November 6 – A British Bookworm – Excerpt
November 6 – CDYess Writes – Excerpt
November 6 – Caroline Fardig – Excerpt