Review Tour & Giveaway for Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis

Welcome to my stop on the Review Tour, presented by Goddess Fish Promotions, for Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis.  Please leave a comment or question for Judy Ann to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her tour wide giveaway, for a $25 Amazon GC, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  You can also follow the rest of the stops on her tour by clicking on the banner above.  The more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning.  

Under Starry Skies

By Judy Ann Davis

Stand Alone Sequel to Red Fox Woman

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Release Date: April 22, 2014

Genre: Western Romance/Mystery

Length; 306 Pages

ISBN:  9781628303650

ASIN:  B00K63QO5G

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Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | ARe | Kobo

About the book:

Hired as the town’s school teacher, Maria O’Donnell and her sister Abigail arrive in the Colorado Territory in 1875, only to find the uncle they were to stay with has been murdered.

    

Rancher Tye Ashmore is content with life until he meets quiet and beautiful Maria. He falls in love at first sight, but her reluctance to jeopardize her teaching position by accepting his marriage proposal only makes him more determined to make her part of his life.

    

When their lives are threatened by gunshots and a gunnysack of dangerous wildlife, Tye believes he is the target of an unknown enemy. Not until Maria receives written threats urging her to leave does she realize she might be the target instead of the handsome rancher.

    

With the help of Tye, Abigail, and a wily Indian called Two Bears, Maria works to uncover her uncle’s killer and put aside her fears. But will she discover happiness and true love under Colorado’s starry skies?

EXCERPT

Tye rolled up into a crouch, reset his hat, and faced her. “Listen, Maria, I have an idea. I’m going to take you farther back into the forest, hide you, and then I’m going down the mountain a bit in search of my horse.”

    

“You’re going to abandon me, Tydall Ashmore?”

    

He winced, his expression was almost apologetic. “No, I’m going to leave you for a few minutes. I promise I’ll return.”

    

“No, take me with you. Please.” Icy fear glistened in her eyes.

    

He raised his hand and caressed the side of her face with his knuckles. “You have to trust me, Maria, if we’re going to get back down this mountain alive.” He gestured toward the dense woods behind them. “Come, let me find a place farther from the path where it’s safe and secure. I promise I’ll be back to get you.”

    

Minutes later, when he turned to leave, she grabbed him by his upper arm. “Wait,” she said, her voice faltering, her gaze fearful. “Please be careful.”

    

He felt the electricity of her touch, and for a moment they stared at each other, unable to tear their attention away.

    

He left her then on the perimeter of the small clearing, but not before softly touching his lips above her eyebrow and whispering near her ear, “Trust me. You have to trust me, Maria. I’ll come back for you.”.”

  

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 Judy Ann Davis began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. Throughout her career, she has written for both industry and education.

Over a dozen of her short stories have appeared in anthologies, and literary and small magazines, and have received numerous awards. Nineteen of them are now collected in UP ON THE ROOF AND OTHER STORIES.

Her first novel, RED FOX WOMAN, published in 2010, is a western, mystery, and romance and was a finalist in the International Book Awards and USA Book News Best Book Awards. UNDER STARRY SKIES is the stand-alone sequel released earlier this year.

When Judy Ann is not behind her computer, you can find her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club where the chuckles are few. She is a member of Pennwriters, Inc. and Romance Writers of America. She lives in Central Pennsylvania.

Visit her on the web at these locations:

Website: www.judyanndavis.com

Blog: www.judyanndavis.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Judy-Ann-Davis/561285450554606?ref=hl

      

Twitter: @JudyAnnDavis4

      

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4353662.Judy_Ann_Davis

A historical western romance set about a decade after the Civil War, Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis, tells us about the country’s continuing travels west, about what life was like on the American frontier, and about a country repairing itself after the ravages of war.  With three primary characters, an interesting mystery and a sweet romance, Ms. Davis had me turning the pages to discover what would be happening next.  If you’re looking for a new historical romance, you’ll want to give this one a try,

Destitute after their father’s death, Abigail and Maria O’Donnell head west to the Colorado territory to live with their aunt and uncle.  Abigail plans to help her aunt and uncle while Maria becomes the teacher at the local school.  Neither one imagined how different life on the frontier was going to be or on a local rancher falling in love with Maria.  When they arrive at their destination, Abigail and Maria discover that their uncle has been murdered and strange and dangerous things begin to happen.  Soon it becomes apparent Maria is the intended target.  Will Abigail and Maria’s new love be able to keep Maria safe?

Ms. Davis does a good job developing both Abigail and Maria’s characters; while Abigail clearly takes on the role of the older sister, she took charge of everything on their journey west, Maria is more laid back and enjoys her life as it unfolds.  Ms. Davis also did a good job with the secondary characters and I especially enjoyed getting to know Ty Ashmore, the rancher who falls in love with Maria at first sight.  He’s the kind of romance hero every woman wants to fall in love with; hard working, considerate and very protective.  While Maria and Ty’s romance is a part of the plot, the main focus is the sister’s move west and the mystery they must solve. 

Will Maria and Abigail be able to solve the mystery of who killed their uncle with Ty’s help? Will both Maria and Abigail get a happy ever after? You’ll have to read Under Starry Skies to find out.  I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this author.

My Rating:  3.5 out of 5 Crowns

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FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review.  I received no additional payment for my opinion of the reading material provided.