Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid - Blog Tour and Review

Engagement and Espionage, an all-new quirky and swoon-worthy romantic comedy featuring fan favorites Jenn and Cletus Winston from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid is available now!

 

 Jennifer Sylvester made her deal with the devil . . . and now they’re engaged!

 But all is not well in Green Valley. A chicken choker is on the loose, 61 dead birds most "fowl" need plucking, and no time remains for Jennifer and her devilish fiancé. Desperate to find a spare moment together, Jenn and Cletus’s attempts to reconnect are thwarted by one seemingly coincidental disaster after another. It’s not long before Cletus and Jenn see a pattern emerge and the truth becomes clear.

Sabotage!

 Will an undercover mission unmask the culprit? Or are these love-birds totally plucked?

 'Engagement and Espionage' is the first book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries series, is a full-length cozy mystery, and is a spin-off of Penny Reid's Winston Brothers series. This novel is best read after 'Beard Science,' Winston Brothers #3.

 

 Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3auZzqI

Apple Books: https://apple.co/33ONMAK

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/engagementespionage

Nook: https://bit.ly/3dvV8hf

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2wxWreY

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3aqIT3h

 Add ENGAGEMENT AND ESPIONAGE to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2UoVpea

 My Review

You know when you need a feel-good story and a return to characters that you absolutely adore?
This was it.
This is everything.

Cletus and Jenn are back - and trying to figure out who is trying to sabotage Jenn's bakery supply chain. There's dead chickens (and all the jokes that go along with THAT), burned bees (NO - not the Bees!), farm animal auctions, bickering parents, and Jenn is in the middle of all of it.

What's best about this - it's a mystery with humor, love, and a fierce connection between the two characters. Cletus adores Jenn, and it's clear he will protect her at all costs. His devilish and devious mind is brilliant, and Jenn is adorable here!

 Excerpt:

“Don’t stop.” She reached for my belt again, this time completely undoing it, the button of my pants, and my zipper at world-record speed.

Her phone buzzed. Then it chimed. Then it buzzed and chimed two more times. Then it rang again. Reba.

Cursing, Jenn pulled the phone from her pocket, once again her face illuminated, murderous rage in her eyes. Her finger moved to the power off button. She blinked, hesitating. Her eyes widened, her body stiffened, and she gasped.

“Cletus!”

Something about her tone, like she was horrified, and maybe a little afraid, cut through the heavy haze of lust inertia, and my hands stilled. Shaking myself, it took me a few moments to realize she was showing me the phone screen, and another few to bring the content of the text messages into focus.

 Momma: Jennifer Anne Sylvester, pick up your phone. If you’re with Cletus, I need his help. Please.

Momma: ALL THE CHICKENS AND ROOSTERS ARE DEAD! PICK UP YOUR DAMN PHONE!

Momma: I’m calling you in a second, pick up the phone. Mr. Badcock’s chickens are dead. All of them. I got here and he’s running around, deranged, yelling about his dead chickens! I called the police and they’re on their way. Please, please, please pick up the phone!

 At some point, I must’ve taken the phone from Jenn and stepped away, because I glanced up upon reading the messages for the third time, finding the phone in my hand and Jenn fixing her skirt.

“This is nuts.” Her big eyes searched mine imploringly. “Who could have done this?”

I shook my head, having not yet managed to fully shift head gears—you know, from that head to the one on my neck—and my gaze dropped to the wet patch on the front of her dress just visible in the swath of light. My erection throbbed.

So we’re . . . not having sex?

“Why? Why would they do it? And WHO?” She snatched her phone back, her tone bewildered, distracted, and distraught. She was distraught because of the dead chickens, like any normal person would be.

I was distraught also, but my distress had nothing to do with farm animals.

“We have to go.” Jenn grabbed my hand and began walking toward the direction of the hall. Meanwhile, it took me until her hand found the door handle to realize my zipper and belt were still undone.

“This is crazy.” She paused as I zipped up, her tone halting and distracted. “Poor Mr. Badcock. And those poor chickens.” A sound of distress escaped her throat. “This is terrible.”

It was terrible.

And I was going to hell.

Because all I could think was, Talk about a cock block.

  

 Meet Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

 Connect with Penny:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD

Twitter: @ReidRomance

Mailing List: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/

www.pennyreid.ninja

 

Truth or Beard, by Penny Reid (Winston Brothers #1). Blog Tour, Review

Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my!

 The series that Penny's fans have been waiting for! First introduced in Beauty and the Beard, the Winston Brothers have their own series! 

First up: Duane

Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life.

His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…

But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Order.

Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?

My Review:
Penny, Penny, Penny!

Just when I think you can't possibly eclipse the greatness of the Knitting gals, you bring me the Winston Brothers. Dude. Seriously - I can't deal.

They're all awesome. I really can't pick a favorite.

Of course, this book focused on Duane, 1 of 2 red-headed, bearded hot guys. 1 of 2 because he's a twin, but 1 of 6 bearded mountain men in the Tennessee countryside just waiting for hijinks.

Duane is cranky and snarky, has the hots for Jessica. Only Jessica has had dreamy eyes for twin brother Beau (the sweet one) ever since he saved her kitten from a tree. Duane and Jessica were the bickering bunch - grew up constantly fighting, teasing, and tormenting. You know that old childhood saying "When a boy pulls your pigtails, it's because he likes you?" Yah. Duane and Jessica.

Only Jessica doesn't know that she's really hot and bothered for Duane until one night he tricks her, takes her behind the stage at the local community center and kisses her senseless. When she realizes that it's Duane and not Beau, she freaks! Completely befuddled, she soon realizes that her affection for Beau was because he was safe - Duane was the reckless choice, and her wild side needs to take a chance. Except...she's on a timeline and ready to high tail it back out of town as soon as she can save enough to see the world.

Duane isn't giving up so easily. The two get together under a crazy agreement and more chaos ensues. Thrown in some evil dealings by the local biker dudes and brother Jethro that gets Beau and Duane in a bind, a hilarious Cleatus (who steals the show), and drive by appearances by brothers and friends on both sides, and you have an entertaining read on your hands!

I really enjoyed this one, and the small piece of drama thrown in was just enough to make the story not just about Duane and Jessica.

I can't wait for the next in the series! Bring on the rest of the brothers!

Series Description:
Everyone in Green Valley, Tennessee knows that the six bearded Winston brothers have been imbued with an unfair share of charm and charisma… and are prone to mischief.

Truth or Beard is book #1 in the Winston Brother’s series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the romantic exploits and adventures of one of the six Winston Brothers.

Add this to your Goodreads reading list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23314731-truth-or-beard

 

I was going to kiss her.

But first I was going to strangle her.

“Duane…” She said my name again in that breathless way, making my neck itch and my throat tight. Jessica was looking at me expectantly. Her big amber eyes on mine like I was the center of her world. I liked it too much. It was also irritating because I didn’t know what it meant, what she was thinking. She hadn’t said a damn word to me on our walk back from the lake. She hadn’t called me. We hadn’t spoken since Friday.

Five days. Five days without touching or tasting her.

I was going to kiss her while I strangled her.

Available now at all your favorite book place: 

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/TOBamazonUS

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/TOBamazonUK

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/truth-or-beard/id998184685?mt=11

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/TOBkobo

Barnes and Noble Nook: http://tinyurl.com/TOBnook

 

About the Author: 

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

Follow her, stalk her: 

Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Truth or Beard, Penny Reid. Book #1 in the Winston Brothers Series.

Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my!

 The series that Penny's fans have been waiting for! First introduced in Beauty and the Beard, the Winston Brothers have their own series! 

First up: Duane

Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life.

His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…

But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Order.

Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?

Series Description:
Everyone in Green Valley, Tennessee knows that the six bearded Winston brothers have been imbued with an unfair share of charm and charisma… and are prone to mischief.

Truth or Beard is book #1 in the Winston Brother’s series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the romantic exploits and adventures of one of the six Winston Brothers.

Add this to your Goodreads reading list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23314731-truth-or-beard

 

I was going to kiss her.

But first I was going to strangle her.

“Duane…” She said my name again in that breathless way, making my neck itch and my throat tight. Jessica was looking at me expectantly. Her big amber eyes on mine like I was the center of her world. I liked it too much. It was also irritating because I didn’t know what it meant, what she was thinking. She hadn’t said a damn word to me on our walk back from the lake. She hadn’t called me. We hadn’t spoken since Friday.

Five days. Five days without touching or tasting her.

I was going to kiss her while I strangled her.

Available now at all your favorite book place: 

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/TOBamazonUS

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/TOBamazonUK

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/truth-or-beard/id998184685?mt=11

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/TOBkobo

Barnes and Noble Nook: http://tinyurl.com/TOBnook

 

About the Author: 

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

Follow her, stalk her: 

Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads