The Silver Lode Blog Tour by Suzanne J. Bratcher

 

 

About the Book

Book: The Silver Lode

Author: Suzanne J. Bratcher

Genre: Mystery

Release Date: 2020

JEROME, ARIZONA:

Billion-dollar copper camp alive with rags-to-riches tales

Beneath the ghost town that clings to the side of Cleopatra Hill, a maze of abandoned mine tunnels conceals a vein of silver ore mixed with pure gold. Seventy years ago, the discovery of that silver lode caused a murder. Are more coming?

Historian Paul Russell is about to lose his job and the woman he loves. He doesn’t have time to search for the legendary silver lode. But when a student drops a seventy-year-old unsolved cold case on his desk, a murder connected to the silver lode, the mystery offers Paul the perfect opportunity to work with Marty Greenlaw and win her back.

As Paul and Marty search for the silver lode, suspicious deaths begin to happen. When Paul’s son disappears, the stakes become personal.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

The Silver Lode is an exciting adventure from beginning to end. The idea of early mining fueled my interest, as it has been something that always kept my interest. The setting of Jerome, Arizona and the outskirts with its abandoned mines made a wonderful backdrop for the story.

There are so many twists and turns to the storyline that it kept me guessing and turning pages. I couldn't put it down. The main characters had lots of layers. Paul & Marty's friendship found them trying to help the Reyes family discover the truth about a relative that had disappeared many years ago. The slow romance during times of stress and danger kept the tension high. I loved the ending which wrapped up everything nicely. A great read.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Suzanne J. Bratcher, Ph.D., delights in writing contemporary mysteries sprinkled with history. Her award-winning novels are set in the very real ghost town of Jerome, Arizona as well as the Four Corners states: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Bratcher lives in Phoenix, Arizona. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading with her granddaughter, laughing at her rescue cat, and piecing colorful quilt scraps.

 

 

 

 

More from Suzanne

When readers ask me where I get my ideas, I sometimes wonder if they expect me to reveal a secret process for starting a book. I only wish I could. But far from proceeding along the steps of a process, each of my books begins with nothing more than a spark that catches my imagination like a match catches a piece of kindling. I pile ideas on the spark and when I have enough for a blaze, I start to write. The spark for The Silver Lode was a 3-D display of the myriad abandoned mining tunnels that crisscross the hill beneath the ghost town of Jerome, Arizona.

The idea for The Silver Lode came to me while I was still an English teacher. So, what was I doing studying a model of a long defunct copper mine when I should have been reading William Faulkner or e.e.  cummings? The reality was-at the time, I had no idea I was studying a copper mine. I thought I was visiting an old house.

The first time I turned off Arizona Highway 89A to visit Jerome State Historic Park, I wanted to tour to the Douglas mansion, the park headquarters. I love old houses. I’ve visited Thomas Jefferson’s home, George Washington’s, numerous antebellum mansions scattered throughout the South, and the family homes of many famous American writers. The Douglas Mansion, then, was a natural stop. But besides old houses, I also love research-learning simply for the sake of learning. I don’t have to have a specific goal in mind to enjoy adding bits of information to my hodgepodge of knowledge.

So…as I strolled through the high-ceilinged rooms in the Douglas mansion, I found myself drawn into the history of copper mining in Jerome. In addition to the three-dimensional display of the mine tunnels, I saw shelves of rocks and minerals bathed in ultraviolet light, a wall of photographs of the Douglas family that included one of Winston Churchill’s sisters, and a video that told the story of the ghosts of Cleopatra Hill. My interest piqued, I plunged more deeply into research. I bought books and read firsthand accounts of life in the billion-dollar copper camp. I visited the Jerome Historical Society and read yellowing newspapers. I ventured into the Mining Museum and wandered through a reconstructed mineshaft. I searched the internet for information about mining in the late 1800s and early 1900s, whether for copper, silver, or gold.

By now I was actively working on a plot that would revolve around mining for silver in Jerome. Because The Silver Lode was the second book in my trilogy of Jerome mysteries, I already had the main characters for the story. In my head I could see Scott, a young teenager, exploring those interlocking tunnels under the town. But I didn’t know what he was looking for. I needed another spark to start that fire.

 

I ran across it quite accidentally as I was reading about a large deposit of silver mixed with gold discovered in Virginia City, Nevada in 1859. Dubbed a silver lode, it was one of the richest deposits of its kind ever discovered. Of course, the Comstock Lode had nothing to do with mining in Jerome between the two World Wars. Nor did the history of Nevada influence the history of Arizona in the 1920s. Still, as I read about a large deposit of silver mixed with gold called a silver lode, I knew I had found both the treasure and the title for the story I was working on.

 

The next big story question was “Who else is looking for the silver lode?”  In other words, “Who is the villain?” It was clear I needed secondary characters to drive the search for my imaginary silver lode buried deep in Cleopatra Hill. These characters came from my research into the families who built the town of Jerome and spread down the hill to build Clarkdale. I had my ideas.

 

Now…back to the question my readers sometimes ask: where do I get the ideas for my mysteries? The answer is as simple as it is complicated: I get my ideas from research. As I write, I use these ideas as a springboard so that they appear in camouflage. When you read The Silver Lode, I hope you find these nuggets of fact buried deep in the imaginary story of the long ago murder of a college student’s grandfather, a contemporary search for a legendary silver lode, and a desperate rush to save a child’s life.

              Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 8

Simple Harvest Reads, January 9 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol , January 9

Bizwings Blog, January 10

Artistic Nobody, January 11 (Author Interview)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 12

Guild Master, January 13 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, January 14

Fiction Book Lover, January 15 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 16

A Reader’s Brain , January 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 19 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, January 20 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 20

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, January 21 (Author Interview) 

                   Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate, a print copy of the book, and a bookmark!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/n6moC/the-silver-lode-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review of Underestimated Blog Tour by Sherri Wilson Johnson

 

About the Book

Book: Underestimated

Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery

Release Date: December 9, 2025

Liam Holcomb is a no-nonsense forensic accountant, not a farmer—but when his grandfather dies under suspicious circumstances, Liam returns to the Anything Goats farm near Nashville to investigate. What he finds buried in old records suggests the death wasn’t an accident—and someone wanted the land badly enough to kill for it.

Wren Meadows, a free-spirited goat yoga instructor and single mom, is busy planning the church’s Christmas celebration at the farm when her daughters witness something they shouldn’t have. Now, threats are closing in, and Liam may be the only one who can protect them.

He’s serious, guarded, and sworn off relationships. She’s sunshine, spontaneity, and a walking invitation to chaos. But as danger deepens and sparks fly, Liam and Wren may discover that opposites don’t just attract—they just might save each other.

A cozy but gripping Christian romantic suspense full of heart, humor, and holiday hope.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Underestimated had me turning pages from the beginning—awesome main characters filled with humor, fear, and intelligence. I especially liked seeing Liam's growth and his layers evolve. The story is about a goat farm in Tennessee and a strange inheritance that left lots of questions.

The suspense never lets up as more questions than answers push the main characters to unravel the mystery surrounding Liam's grandfather. Guessing where the story would take me next kept me turning pages. I couldn't put it down. This is a must-read- greed, danger, betrayal, but also a surprising ending and a budding romance. It will keep you guessing.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

 

Sherri Wilson Johnson writes romantic suspense from her home in Georgia where she lives with her husband, their two dogs and spoiled Bombay cat. Sherri loves spending time with family, vacationing at the beach, reading or working on her current work-in-progress. She dreams of a second home on some beach somewhere some day, where she can plot romantically suspenseful novels around the clock.

 

 

 

 

More from Sherri

In Underestimated, Liam Holcomb cooks his grandmother’s Beef Hash recipe. This is actually one of my mom’s recipes that I cook quite often. She passed away in 1993, and cooking her Beef Hash always brings fond memories to my mind. So I’ll share the recipe with you now. Keep in mind that just like Liam’s grandmother, I use lots of garlic salt. I sample along the way until I get just the right amount of seasoning. You may want to use more or less, depending on your preference.

But here are the basics:

Ingredients:

2 lbs lean ground beef

6-8 yellow potatoes (or 4 large Idaho potatoes) cut into cubes

½ cup finely chopped onions or dried minced onions

2-3 large cut carrots (or a ½ to ¾ bag of frozen cut carrots)

Black pepper to taste

Garlic powder and onion powder to taste

Lawry’s Coarse Ground with Parsley Garlic Salt (This is the secret sauce—use as much as you want to get that good savory flavor to your liking.) (I probably use ¼ cup for a large batch, but I’m not 100% sure, honestly. I always eyeball it and then taste it once it’s done.)

Instructions:

Season the ground beef with the garlic salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Brown, drain and rinse.

Cut the potatoes into cubes and slice the carrots into circles about ½ inch thick. Boil until tender (you can use an Instantpot or pressure cooker). You can add salt to the water, but I usually don’t because I don’t want to overdo the salt. I save the saltiness for the garlic salt.

After the potatoes and carrots are tender, scoop them into a pot with the ground beef and add the potato water as the broth. You can add as much as you like depending on how much broth you like.

Bring everything to a boil, smashing some of the potatoes until the broth thickens.

Toast hamburger buns until crispy then pour the Beef Hash on top and gobble it up.

Serve with a side salad.

                   Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 9

The Sacred Line, December 10

Stories By Gina, December 11 (Author Interview)

EmpowerMoms, December 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 13

Simple Harvest Reads, December 14 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 15

Texas Book-aholic, December 16

Artistic Nobody, December 17 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, December 17

For Him and My Family, December 18

Betti Mace, December 19

Bizwings Blog, December 20

Because I said so, December 21

Guild Master, December 22

                  Giveaway

To celebrate her tourk, Sherri is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3edbd/underestimated-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review of Scent of Sabotage Blog Tour by Dana Mentink

 

 

About the Book

Book: Scent of Sabotage

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: December 30, 2025

Detective Beth Wolfe’s reunion with investigative journalist Jack St. James is a matter of life or death—and when a masked assailant attacks them, a severe blow leaves Jack with amnesia. Beth and her K-9, Arthur, are determined to keep Jack safe while he regains his lost memories. Was he targeted due to a case he was working on…or does it have something to do with the son they placed for adoption decades ago? When their investigations lead them inside a booby-trapped amusement park, it’s a race against the clock to put all the pieces together and uncover the park owners’ nefarious plot…or die trying.

To See on Amazon

    

My Review

Another winner in the Security Hounds series. Scent of Sabotage is a wonderful end to the series. I was kept on the edge of my seat many times throughout the story, holding my breath before I even realized it. The story kept me guessing from one twist to another.

It has nonstop action and is a page-turner that will keep you wondering what will happen next. The addition of the bloodhound, Arthur, and a pup called Poe stole the show a few times. The closed-down amusement park made for an exciting cat-and-mouse chase to try and stay alive. I loved the ending, which wrapped everything up nicely. I highly recommend Scent of Sabotage.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own

 

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

 

 

 

More from Dana

How could we be at the end of a series? I’ve been having a wonderful time with the Wolfe family and their house full of hounds. The last book is finally Beth’s story. She’s the matriarch of the family who has experienced the loss of a spouse. In this story, she will meet the son she never knew and explore the idea of learning to love again. I feel especially fond of this book because Beth is an older heroine who has some living under her belt. She’s learned how to carry on, with her old dog Arthur, and stand faithfully in the face of adversity. Now that’s a heroine I can root for! I hope you enjoy this final installment of the Security Hounds series!

              Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 16

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 16

The Avid Reader, December 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 17

Pause for Tales, December 18

EmpowerMoms, December 18

Bizwings Blog, December 19

Texas Book-aholic, December 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20

Alyssa Amey, December 20

Life on Chickadee Lane, December 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 21

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 22

For Him and My Family, December 22

Devoted To Hope, December 23

Blogging With Carol, December 23

Because I said so, December 24

Artistic Nobody, December 25 (Guest Review from Donna)

Lily’s Corner, December 26

Mary Hake, December 26

Labor Not in Vain, December 27

Blossoms and Blessings, December 27

Holly’s Book Corner, December 28

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 28

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, December 29

Lights in a Dark World, December 29

                Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/T2I2F/scent-of-sabotage-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review of New Release- Whispers of the Past by Crystal Mary Lindsey

 From the multi-award-winning author. Crystal Mary Lindsey

This enthralling story is of a young man who left behind his unhappy life in 1925 England, to venture into the unknown and chase a future he could never imagine.

With only a few belongings and a heart bruised by disappointments, he sailed toward Sydney, Australia, a distant land whispered about yet utterly unknown.

As the shoreline of everything familiar faded behind him, one question pressed heavily on his soul: How would he survive alone? And deeper still… how would he endure the ache of leaving his beloved siblings?
What Liam discovered was a world far different from the one he left behind. In that sunburnt country, he was not met with the cold indifference he feared, but with unexpected kindness, and strangers who offered help, with friendship, and hope.

Through trial and persistence, he learned manual labor and new trades, laying the foundation of a life he never dreamed possible.

He also met the gentle young woman who became his wife.

As the years unfolded and the world shifted around him…. through hardship, war, love, and loss…. Liam saw a quiet thread woven through every step of his journey: God’s faithful hand, guiding him from the shadows of his past into the light of a purposely designed future.

This is the sweeping story of a young man who left his home country to survive….. and instead, he found a destiny shaped by grace, courage, and the unexpected goodness of others.

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Past-Crystal-Mary-Lindsey-ebook/dp/B0G52NHFKD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Crystal Mary Lindsey is a retired health professional, widow of Raymond, a Vietnam Veteran and past U.S. Marine. She is also a mother, and devoted grandmother.

She discovered her passion for writing following her retirement from the demanding world of hospitals.

Her hobbies include art, reading, gardening, and research, plus touching lives for Jesus whenever possible.

Her profound appreciation for the transformative power of reading ignited the spark that led her to embark on a writing journey. She has an unwavering goal to encourage and inspire her readers to a more contented state of mind.

As a spiritual Christian (God is a Spirit and we worship HIM in spirit and in truth,) Crystal has been touched by many unexplainable human experiences, which occasionally find their way into her stories. These add depth and intrigue to her narratives and create a unique and compelling blend of spirituality to her storytelling.

Crystal lived and worked in Tennessee with her husband, first as a counselor and after completing medical Boards, as a specialist R.N. In 2007, Raymond decided they would move back to Crystal's home in Queensland, Australia. She has remained there since Raymonds accidental death in 2022.

Credentials: BN (Aus), BSN (USA), MHN, Dip Counselling/Psychology. Cert Theology.

AWARD WINNING AUTHOR (Editor's Choice and Readers Favourite Award x2).

#Christian Fiction, #Inspirational Romance, #Clean Romance, #Clean and Wholesome, #Historical Romance, #Contemporary Romance, #Time Travel Romance, #Medical Romance, #Doctor Romance.

More Books from the Author

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B007CRNPJM

MY REVIEW

   

Whispers of the Past is an inspirational story filled with struggle, forgiveness and redemption. The story gripped my heart from the first few pages, as I got immersed in the story.

The spiritual content is woven seamlessly into the pages and the ending wrapped up everything nicely. The storyline is an emotional one and I found myself reaching for the tissues. Keep them handy. I feel this is one of the author's best. The characters were well-developed. Highly recommended.

 

Review of Otter B (Children's Books) by Pamela Kennedy and Anne Kennedy Brady

Little Learner Edition- Small size for those small hands!

Otter B Honest

Otter B Honest is the first in the series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical character traits. In Otter B Honest, Otter breaks his father’s watch while playing pirates with his friend. After trying to hide the broken watch from his father, he learns that honesty is best. Each book in the series ends with a rhyme that reinforces the book’s theme:

“Sometimes you will make mistakes
You hope no one will see.
But always choose to tell the truth,
It’s how you Otter Be!”

Otter B Helpful

Otter B Helpful are children’s picture and board books that teach young kids basic biblical character traits. In this durable Little Learner board book edition, young Otter B’s grandparents are coming for a visit, but his toys are everywhere! Can Otter B help his mother get ready in time?

Each board book includes:

• A Bible verse that encourages kids to embody the virtue in the book,
• A fun, memorable rhyme at the end to reinforce the value learned.

“There’s always lots of work to do
in every family.
God says that helping out is best.
It’s how you Otter Be!”

Otter B Kind

Otter B Kind is the second in the series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical character traits. In this book, Otter is upset when his friend Franklin the frog can’t play with him because he’s sick. He decides to make Franklin a present to cheer him up. Each book in the series ends with a rhyme that reinforces the book’s theme:

“Kindness doesn’t cost a thing
And thoughtfulness is free.
So when you have a chance, be kind.
It’s how you Otter Be!”

Otter B Brave

The Otter B Brave are children’s picture and board books that teach young kids basic biblical character traits. In this durable Little Learner board book edition, young Otter B is afraid to do show-and-tell at school. After Otter B’s dad tells him that God gives us friends to help us be less afraid, Otter decides to use his friend as his show-and-tell item.

Each board book includes:

• A Bible verse that encourages kids to embody the virtue in the book,
• A fun, memorable rhyme at the end to reinforce the value learned.

“If you are feeling nervous
And you’re shaky in the knees,
Try asking God to make you brave.
It’s how you Otter Be!”

My Thoughts on the Set

Kids will learn important values from each one of the books.  Each book shares an important lesson that will impact your children as an amazing faith building resource.  Start them early learning from these books. The illustrations are bright and colorful.  They will make a wonderful Christmas gift for any child!  I know my great-grandchildren will love their set.

 Follow the link to watch the author share about Otter B and choose the books best for your kids.

To Purchase

Otter B Honest Picture Book

Otter B Honest is the first in the series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical character traits. In Otter B Honest, Otter breaks his father’s watch while playing pirates with his friend. After trying to hide the broken watch from his father, he learns that honesty is best. Each book in the series ends with a rhyme that reinforces the book’s theme:

“Sometimes you will make mistakes
You hope no one will see.
But always choose to tell the truth,
It’s how you Otter Be!”

Otter B Kind is the second in the series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical character traits. In this book, Otter is upset when his friend Franklin the frog can’t play with him because he’s sick. He decides to make Franklin a present to cheer him up. Each book in the series ends with a rhyme that reinforces the book’s theme.

“Kindness doesn’t cost a thing
And thoughtfulness is free.
So when you have a chance, be kind.
It’s how you Otter Be!”

Otter B Brave is the third in the series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical character traits. In this book, Otter is afraid to do show-and-tell at school. After Otter’s dad tells him that God gives us friends to help us be less afraid, Otter decides to use his friend as his show-and-tell item. 

“If you are feeling nervous
And you’re shaky in the knees,
Try asking God to make you brave.
It’s how you Otter Be!”

Otter B Helpful is the fourth in the series of children’s books that teach young children basic biblical character traits. In this book, Otter learns to be helpful when his grandparents come for a visit.

“There’s always lots of work to do
in every family.
God says that helping out is best.
It’s how you Otter Be!”

 Follow the link to watch the author share about Otter B and choose the books best for your kids.   

To Purchase

My Thoughts on the Larger Set

My older great-grandchildren will love the larger set. The illustrations are colorful and eye-catching and the story teaches them important lessons from these faith building resources. These would also be great for a church children's class, nursery school, home schooled, and make a wonderful Christmas gift for the child that wants to learn and loves books!  Who doesn't love books?