Babs BookMark E X P L O R I N G
T H E
W O R L D
Issue No. o5 • July 2018
Kate Carlisle
Cozy Mystery
Cookbook Love
Avon
Recipes
Reviews
Non Fiction
Giveaway
Non-Fiction
Contents 4
Kate Carlisle
27
Interview, Book Features and more
13
22
Cozy authors
Tamparey Jones Interview & Book  Feature
32
J.C. Eaton Abby Vandiver Kathryn Dionne Sonia Paria Carolyn L. Dean Sherri Bryan Wendy Meadows Angela C. Blackmoore S.J. Pajonas
33
Mystery Reviews
44
Publisher News Avon Books
Non Fiction Nancy Andres Alice Langholt & Giveaway
Lean Gregory
Romance Adrienne Blake Reviews
25
Classic Southern Virginia Peanut Soup Kentucky Pecan Pie Corn on the Cobb-Microwaved
51
Other Genre Reviews Urban Fantaasy Historical Fiction Mytery
Editor's Note Welcome to the July issue of Babs BookMark. We are excited to have Kate Carlisle on the cover. Â She has been kind enough to do a Q & A Â and included and excerpt from her newest release. There are several new authors you will notice from a few genres. We hope you find something interesting in this issue and if you would like to see something different or added please feel free to contact us. Babsbookbistro@icloud.com
Babs Hightower EDITOR IN CHIEF
Kate Carlisle Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I come from a large family, much like Brooklyn's family in the Bibliophile Mysteries. In fact, Brooklyn's mom was modeled in part after my own mother, although my mother never followed the Grateful Dead around the country nor performed a spell to ward off evil spirits. As far as I know. But the loving part, the part that would do anything for her kids, that was my mom, through and through. I
Photo © Peter Lovino
was born and raised in California and, while I love to travel, California will always be home. I'm married to the love of my life, and we moved not too long ago from the beach to
What are you currently working on?
the desert. Life is good. I just finished revisions on A Wrench in the Was there a certain time in your life you
Works, the next Fixer-Upper Mystery, which
knew you wanted to write?
will be out in November. I'm getting excellent feedback from early readers. And
I was a late bloomer when it came to writing.
the day I turned in my revisions on that book,
I had many different jobs—a couple that
I got right back to work on next year's
could even be considered careers—but none
Bibliophile Mystery. No title yet, but I can tell
that felt exactly right. But I think I started
you that the rare book at the center of the
writing at the right time for me, because like
mystery is going to be a James Bond novel,
wine, I needed to ferment for a bit. I was in
so it should be a really fun story. It will start
law school when I began to seriously
out in Paris, where Brooklyn and Derek are
consider writing. During one particularly
on their honeymoon. (They get married in
tedious class, I found myself daydreaming
Buried in Books.)
about ways to murder my professor and get away with it. I decided I'd better put those dark thoughts to good use.
Of the books you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why? I absolutely love Buried in Books, Bibliophile Mystery 12, for a couple of reasons. One, it was inspired by my trip to the American Library Association's annual conference. I was blown away by the fangirl level enthusiasm that so many librarians have for books. No cynicism, just genuine joy about the written word. I felt like I had met my tribe, and it meant the world to me. So although Buried in Books was supposed to be about the long-awaited wedding of bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright to her partner, Derek Stone, I also brought a library conference to San Francisco during the week of the wedding. And then—oops!—I killed a librarian. But I promise, I did it out of love. What books have most influenced you as a writer? Oh, that's an excellent question, and a tough one. I think everything we read influences us to some degree. Agatha Christie is a major inspiration for me, of course. More contemporarily, Louise Penny is an absolute pleasure to read. My books aren't as dark as hers, though. They're more of the light side of murder. Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series is one of my favorites. I love her world-building, and the way she can bring even the most minor character to life. What do you find to be the most challenging part of writing? And the most rewarding? The most challenging part of writing for me is keeping track of the timeline, which, as you can imagine, is very important in a murder mystery. The problem is, during revisions, I might swap a couple of scenes around, so then the timeline (which was perfect) gets messed up. So I have to take very careful notes as I do a final read-through to make sure that everything is logical. The most rewarding part, without question, is meeting my readers. I'm blessed to be able to write two ongoing mystery series, and the enthusiasm of my readers is what allows me to do so. It is the greatest gift of my life.
What book is on your nightstand? Wedding Cake Crumble by Jenn McKinlay. I bought it as soon as it came out, but I saved it as a reward for when I finished revisions on A Wrench in the Works. (I'm like a recalcitrant teenager. I must be bribed to do my chores.) What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future? After Buried in Books comes out in June, my next book will be A Wrench in the Works (a FixerUpper Mystery) in November. You might recognize the Fixer-Upper Mystery series from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. I've been so honored by the way they have brought my books to life, in movies starring Jewel and Colin Ferguson. They do me proud! Is there anything you’d like to share with your readers? Yes, I'd love to invite everyone to visit the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com, where I've shared lots of fun, free bonus content. Free maps: Brooklyn's San Francisco; Dharma, the fictional wine country commune where Brooklyn grew up; and Lighthouse Cove, home to the FixerUpper Mysteries. I've got free word searches in there, using words from each Bibliophile Mystery, free bookmarks, book cover puzzles, and more. There's no cost to enter. You just have to sign up for my mailing list, which I hope you'll want to do in any case, so I can let you know when I release a new book. I've got a couple of really exciting contests coming up soon for mailing list members, as well.
Blurb Matrimony and murder collide as San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright walks down the aisle. Not everyone has been as lucky in love as Brooklyn. Her college roommates Heather and Sara lost touch twelve years ago when Sara stole Heather's boyfriend. Brooklyn was caught in the middle and hasn't seen her besties since. When the two arrive in town for the annual librarians' convention and then appear at her surprise bridal shower, Brooklyn is touched that the women seem willing to sort out their differences and gift her rare books. But when one of the friends is murdered and Brooklyn determines that one of the books is a forgery, Brooklyn and her fiancĂŠ must catch the killer before their big day becomes a big mess.
Buried In Books Excerpt “The name is Wainwright,” I said to the conference volunteer seated at the registration table before me. “Brooklyn Wainwright.” The young woman gave an absent nod and began to skim the thick stack of envelopes standing upright in the box in front of her. Not exactly the friendliest greeting, but the crowd was huge and the woman was probably feeling overwhelmed. Halfway through the row, she stopped suddenly and gaped up at me. “Wait. You’re Brooklyn Wainwright? Wow. I signed up for your workshop.” “Oh.” I smiled. “I hope you’ll enjoy it.” “I know it’ll be fantastic,” she said brightly. “I’m, like, your biggest fan.” “That’s so nice.” I peered at her badge to catch her name. “Thanks, Lucy.” For the fifth year in a row, I had been asked to present the bookbinding workshop for the annual National Librarians Association conference. It was a real honor to be asked because there had to be hundreds of talented bookbinders among the librarians who attended every year. I was doubly thrilled that the conference was being held in San Francisco this year so I wouldn’t have to lug all of my supplies and equipment halfway across the country. Sighing inwardly, I admitted that I would’ve been looking forward to the workshop a lot more if I hadn’t botched up my schedule so badly. But nobody here needed to know that. Lucy flipped her pink-streaked hair away from her face and continued to stare at me as though I were a rock star. Her former boredom had turned into wide-eyed excitement. It was fun, but also a little intimidating. She knew me and my work. What if she hated the workshop?
“I saw your Alice in Wonderland pop-up display at the Covington Library,” she said. “It was amazing.” “Thank you.” I sensed the people in line behind me getting antsy to move things along. I turned and flashed an apologetic smile. But my new biggest fan didn’t seem to notice the impatient crowd. Instead, she leaned forward and whispered loudly, “Everyone says you’re going to dish about the murders during the workshop. I’m so psyched!” “Uh . . . what?” She nodded eagerly. “Is it true you found a body inside the Covington? What a rush!” “Umm, no, I . . .” I had no words. The fact was, I had found a body inside the Covington. More than once, to be honest. But I wasn’t about to discuss the details with a stranger. She began to nod slowly as if she and I were in on a secret together. “Ah, I get it. You’re saving the gory details for the workshop. I understand. Don’t worry. I can wait.” Snapping back into work mode, she pulled a manila envelope from the stack and handed it to me. “Here you go. This envelope contains your badge and your program book. It’s got all the events listed, as well as the speakers’ bios. And there’s a map of the convention center inside the back cover. This place is huge, so we don’t want anyone to get lost.” She pointed toward the opposite side of the massive hall. “You can pick up a book bag at the south end of the auditorium.” “Okay. Thanks, Lucy.” “Enjoy the conference, Brooklyn.” She gave me a conspiratorial wink. “See you at the workshop.” “You bet.” A little dazed and a touch breathless, I stepped away from the registration table feeling like I’d just run a sprint. Pulling my rolling briefcase behind me, I began the long trek across the crowded room. Was someone spreading the word that I would be talking about murder? Seriously? I didn’t even like thinking about the bodies I’d stumbled across, let alone using them as filler in my workshop program. It wasn’t going to happen.
Which meant that there were going to be some disappointed people—like Lucy, for instance. I sighed and shook my head. The conference had just gotten more complicated. I’m a bookbinder specializing in rare book restoration, which means I make my living refurbishing old books. I also enjoy creating handmade books when I’m feeling particularly artistic. Unfortunately, in connection with my work, I happened to have stumbled across more than a few dead bodies over the past several years. And yes, the victims were all connected to the various books I had been working on at the time. But that didn’t mean I was an expert on the subject of murder! I absolutely refused to draw attention to myself or to these crimes simply because of my weird proclivity for finding dead people. Why would anyone think I would take time out of a bookbinding class to talk about murder? When it came to any connection between rare books and murder, the only bit of information I was willing to offer was this: If you thought that books weren’t worth killing for, you were dead wrong. “Brooklyn? Is that you?” I whirled around and frowned at the red-haired woman standing a few feet away. “Yes?” She laughed and ruffled her short red hair self-consciously. “I know it’s been years and I’ve changed a few things, but I don’t look that different, do I?” I blinked. “Oh my God. Heather? Heather Babcock?” “Yes!” She squealed and grabbed me in a crushing hug. “I was so afraid I wouldn’t find you!” “I was just thinking about you,” I said. She had been one of my favorite people back in the day. “I didn’t realize you were coming. Why didn’t you call me?” “I didn’t know I was coming until two days ago and then it was like a whirlwind trying to get ready for the trip.” “Wow. I’m stunned. But it’s a good feeling,” I added quickly. Heather had been one of my roommates in graduate school and a best pal from the good old days.
She was so beautiful and petite, with a delicate bone structure and shortshort hair. She always looked like an adorable pixie to me, but today she looked almost . . . haggard. Like maybe she hadn’t slept in a week. “Gosh, it’s been . . . how many years?” “Ten, maybe? You look fantastic.” “So do you.” It had been twelve years, but who was counting? “Yeah, right.” She chuckled ruefully. “I do own mirrors, let’s not get carried away.” “Don’t be silly, you’re beautiful,” I insisted, but quickly changed the subject. “Do you have time for a cup of coffee?” “Of course.” I bought two café lattes and two biscotti and we found a small table in the far corner. Within seconds we were talking and laughing like the old friends we had been, as if twelve long years hadn’t passed since we’d last seen each other. Heather and I, along with our best friend, Sara Martin, had been roommates back in library school. We had clicked from the get-go and became so inseparable that our classmates took to calling us the Three Musketeers. Sadly, though, a few weeks before graduation, Sara and Heather had a major falling-out when Heather found out that her boyfriend, Roderick, had been cheating on her—with Sara. Heather had been inconsolable, especially when news filtered back that Sara and Rod had run off to get married. About a year later, I heard through the grapevine that Sara had caught Rod cheating on her. This was not a big surprise to anyone since Rod was adorable, but very shallow and prone to believing his own hyped-up PR. But in the end, Sara forgave him and they were still together, as far as I knew. Heather and I avoided the dreaded subject of Sara and Roderick. Instead, Heather talked about her fulfilling job at the local library in her small town, and I told her all about my adventures in bookbinding and my relationship with Derek.
I didn’t mention the wedding, worried that my happiness would make her feel even worse. After thirty minutes of chatting and catching up, we both sat back and smiled. “It’s really good to see you,” I said wistfully. “You, too.” Heather’s smile turned enigmatic. “So, are we ever going to mention the big fat bitchy elephant in the room?” I reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “I didn’t want to ask.” She raised an eyebrow. “But you’re dying to know.” “Sorry,” I said, wincing. “But yeah, I would love to know if you’ve had any news or run-ins with . . .” “No.” Heather inhaled quickly, as if she were about to take some horrible-tasting medicine. “I haven’t seen Sara in twelve years. But I have a friend who has a friend who knows her, so I hear things.” “I hope you intend to share what you’ve heard.” She chuckled. “Absolutely.” I frowned. “Do you think she’ll be coming to the conference?” “I sure hope not,” Heather said. Her jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed in unrepressed fury. “Because I swear, if I ever see Sara Martin again, I’ll kill her.”
Author Bio: Kate Carlisle is the New York Times bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mysteries, including Once Upon a Spine and Books of a Feather, as well as the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, including Eaves of Destruction and Deck the Hallways.
Cozy J.C. Eaton Abby Vandiver Kathryn Dionne Sonia Paria Carolyn L. Dean Sherri Bryan Wendy Meadows Angela C. Blackmoore S.J. Pajonas
J.C. Eaton Book Feature When members of the Booked 4 Murder book club in a small Arizona retirement community start dying mysteriously after reading their latest selection of the month, they become convinced the book is cursed. One of the members, Harriet Plunkett, calls upon her daughter, Sophie Kimball (Phee), to fly out west and solve the mystery behind the deaths before all the club members wind up six feet under. After all, Phee’s been employed by the Mankato, Minnesota, police department for over a decade. Never mind the fact that she works in accounts receivable and has no idea how to conduct an investigation, let alone one that involves possible murders. Booked 4 Murder received a starred review from Booklist.
The moment Sophie (Phee) Kimball’s seventy four year old aunt decides to marry Louis Melinsky, the family is convinced she’ll be left at the altar. After all, Louis has been married three times before and none of those marriages was successful. To make matters worse, Phee is roped into becoming the unofficial wedding planner for her Bridezilla aunt. Throw in a rivalry between the caterers, a missing bridegroom, and a master chef found dead in a ditch, and Phee is up to her elbows in mayhem. With hours to go before the wedding, and visions of her aunt becoming the next “Miss Havisham,” Phee has no alternative but to find the killer and the missing groom. Kirkus Reviews called Ditched 4 Murder “A Hoot! With scads of looney characters…”
When Sophie (Phee) Kimball’s mother lands a role in her community’s production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, Phee expects the only murder to be the one written in the script. However, when a cast member’s body is found dangling from the catwalk, Phee is coerced to find the killer before her mother becomes the next victim. Adding to her dilemma, the cast members are convinced the restless spirit of the murder victim is now haunting the theater. If Phee doesn’t act fast, it may mean curtains for everyone.
Sophie "Phee" Kimball is getting dragged into the drama again at her mom's Arizona retirement community. A new board member wants to get rid of two golf courses and replace them with eco-friendly parks, and some of the residents are pretty teed off about it. On top of that, her mother's book club friend Myrna is being pushed out of the bocce league. These seniors are serious about winning, and Myrna's dragging them down. She's so bad at bocce, in fact, that when a community mem.ber's dead body is discovered while Myrna's practicing for a tournament, she assumes it was one of her own errant balls that killed the woman. But before Myrna can be tossed off the bocce court and into criminal court, the police find an arrow in the victim's neck. It looks like this was no accident--and Phee and her investigator boyfriend Marshall will have
The last thing twenty-something screenwriter Norrie Ellington expected was to manage her sister’s winery in upstate New York for a year. And yet, that’s exactly what happened when her entomologist brother-in-law gets a grant to study some godforsaken insect in Costa Rica. Norrie figures she can still work on her screenplays while the seasoned staff goes about their wine making business. Unfortunately, her plan falls apart the minute a miserable neighbor is found dead in some newly planted Riesling vines. Left with no alternative, Norrie must solve the murder before the winery’s reputation is sullied for good. “Plenty of chuckles throughout the story, and a great supporting cast of characters for Norrie.” Chatting About Cozies, Linda Langford, Reviewer
In Seneca Lake, New York, Norrie Ellington’s Two Witches Winery has been selected by the local vintner community to host the annual Federweisser, a celebration of the season’s first fermentation of white Chardonnay grapes. But the festivities are spoiled when Norrie learns that landowner Roy Wilkes has raised her neighbor Rosalee Marbelton’s rent so high, she may have to close her vineyard. Before the rent hike could go into effect, Wilkes is found dead on Roslaee’s property—stabbed by a flowerpot stake—and she becomes the police’s number one suspect. To clear her friend’s name, Norrie conducts her own investigation. But as she gathers clues, Norrie finds herself targeted by a killer, and if she’s not careful, her desire to see justice done may die on the vine . . . .
Ann I. Goldfarb New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington) and the new Wine Trail Mysteries. In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at: www.jceatonauthor.com and www.timetravelmysteries.com James E. Clapp When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching. Visit the website at www.jceatonauthor.com
Abby Vandiver Kathryn Dionne Sonia Paria Carolyn L. Dean Sherri Bryan Wendy Meadows Angela C. Blackmoore S.J. Pajonas Book Feature
Destination: Murder INDIVIDUAL BOOK TITLES, AUTHORS AND BLURBS A Ticket to Murder by Abby Vandiver While vacationing in India, Rowan receives a ticket to come to Brazil to help a man prove his innocence. Instead she finds him murdered... Murder in Marrakech by Kathryn Dionne When Chef Stevie Elliott travels to Marrakech to learn the fine art of Moroccan cooking, the last thing she expects to find there is murder. Being the daughter of a small town sheriff, Stevie decides to put her sleuthing skills to the test. She soon discovers, however, that if she’s not careful she could be next! The Last Stop by Sonia Paria It's been months since Abby Maguire made the move from Seattle to the small alpine town of Eden, Australia. Now her Iowa based travel phobic mom is coming to visit‌ virtually. Abby will give her the grand tour via a video link to prove Eden is a safe town. If she succeeds, she can start working on convincing her mom to travel down under. On the first day they join a tour group. All goes well until one of their traveling companions suffers what appears to be a heart attack, Abby decides this is something her mom doesn't need to know. The tour must go on! The entire town comes to Abby's assistance in hiding the man's death from her mom. Meanwhile, Abby wants to make sure there hasn't been any foul play. To her dismay, she stumbles upon enough circumstantial evidence to warrant further snooping around at the same time as her mom begins to suspect Mr. Howington is not just camera shy, but is in fact dead.
Perils in Provence by Carolyn L Dean When Jennifer Peetman catches the first plane out of Ravenwood Cove for her new job working with a mysterious new boss, she never counted on the danger that searching for precious art and antiques could put her in! Bread, Dead and Wed by Sherri Bryan This is another instalment in Sherri's first series, featuring her reluctant amateur sleuth, Charlotte Denver. The story sees the return of characters from the series as they travel to London to take advantage of an exclusive competition prize. There are the usual shenanigans that always ensue when the friends get together, a wedding on the horizon and, of course, a dead body. Camp Pain by Wendy Meadows Patricia, a travel writer, makes a quick stop with her RV in the heart of Georgia, only to find herself in the middle of chaos and a mysterious murder. A Dash through Dubai by Angela C Blackmoore Follow the adventures of Laura Dash as she finds herself in a highstakes cooking competition, sponsored by a mysterious benefactor that brings all the competitors to the fantastical city of Dubai. This fairy-tale trip quickly goes south when a body is found, and her new friend and cooking assistant is linked to the crime. Who will defend her friend in this kingdom of sand? Laura, of course, but she has no idea what she’s getting into.
Daydreamer Detective by S. J. Pajonas Even on vacation, Mei can’t get away from murder. Traveling to Kubako for a three-day matsuri festival and fireworks, Mei, Akiko, and Kayo are just looking for some relaxation and tasty food, not a weekend full of drama. But when a local celebrity is poisoned in Kayo’s family brewery, Kayo's father is the main suspect. Now, Mei, Akiko, and Kayo must put their meddling ways to the test. With the help of Kayo’s mother and some local friends, they gather evidence while dodging hotheaded detectives and another dead body. But time is running out and the murderer has everything they need to bury the evidence and deflect suspicion onto someone else. How will they find the murderer when the matsuri is in full swing and everything points to the wrong suspect?
Cozy Reviews
Murder Made To Order by Lean Gregory reviewed by Babs Hightower This is the second book in the All-Day Breakfast CafĂŠ series. Just as Gia, native of New York who has moved to Florida is settling in her new life, the town council wants to shut her down due to a zoning ordinance. As she is trying to figure out what to do she comes across the body of a council member in the woods. Things start to get interesting.
Hunt is removed from the case but Savanah's boyfriend is helping out. She has a lot going on between Trevor, her puppy, trying to find the killer. This was a fun read and one that will keep the reader turning the pages. You will be kept guessing until the end. Could there be more to hint this could tie unto Savanah's mother's murder?
Spook In The Stacks by Eva Gates reviewed by Amber Marr This book features a wealthy gentleman shopping for the best library to house his extensive collection of documents featuring the history of North Carolina. When he is found dead in the Lighthouse Library during a ghostly lecture, Lucy and the rest of the librarians must find a killer. A wonderful book full of twists turns and red herrings. There are a number of potential suspects and the race to figure out who did it is on.
I love the setting, the characters, and the mysteries in each book in the series and The Spook in the Stacks just adds another wonder book to my shelf. Lucy is a wonderful character. She may come from money but she doesn't act like it or flaunt her family's riches. She's pretty down-to-earth and likeable. I love Charlene's obsession of rap music and her passion for wanting to share. The love triangle is still present throughout most of the book but it doesn't overstep the death of Jay Ruddle. All of the secondary characters are unique in their own way and believable. Oh, and how could I forget about Charles?! The library cat is a delightful addition to the cast. The story is well paced, enjoyable, and full of suspense. The author did a wonderful job describing the characters and scenery within the book. I was able to visualize the story as it played out. A fantastic cozy mystery and addition to the Lighthouse Library series, The Spook in the Stacks is engaging, doesn't divulge the suspect right away, and keeps the reader guessing. I certainly hope there is a book 5.
Bear Witness to Murder By Meg Macy review by Amber Marr is the second book in Meg Mims' Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series. Set in the Fall, Bear Witness to Murder takes place just prior to the Octobear Fest. The whole town is preparing for the festival including a fiberglass bear decorating contest. The bears will be unveiled a few at a time each night during the festivities. Sasha's sister Maddie, Maddie's new boyfriend Kip, and, a mutual friend Jay all have bears being created and unveiled during the festival. The only problem is the return of Sasha's high school nemesis, Holly. She is making things extremely difficult for Sasha and her family's bear factory, including extended family, who own a bookstore. Holly is intent on shutting the bear factory and bookstore down - by any means possible it seems. Then Sasha stumbles across the dead body of Holly's assistant, who also just happens to be the on-again off-again girlfriend of Sasha's ex-husband, Flynn. A clever who-done-it, Bear Witness to Murder kept me entertained and engaged in the story. Meg Macy delivered a well-written story with a unique setting in a fictional small town in southeast Michigan. As a lifelong Michigander I enjoy a good story, in any genre, that is based in my state. I enjoyed the personalities of each character introduced to us in the book. Sasha's mother certainly is a character and we get a healthy dose of her in this book. The book was descriptive and well developed, allowing me to visualize the elements of the story, characters, and locations. The characters and situations were believable and the pacing of the story was steady. Bear Witness to Murder also includes a wonderful twist that changes the entire murder mystery. I enjoyed Bear Witness to Murder and found the mystery interesting, the characters likable, and the story's pacing to be on target. The author provided an assortment of potential suspects and I incorrectly guessed who committed the murder. The author did a great job masking who did it from the reader. I look forward to book 3 in the series.
Recipes Classic Southern Virginia Peanut Soup by Grace Topping ¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 celery ribs, finely chopped 3 tablespoons flour 8 cups Chicken Stock (or low-salt canned chicken stock) 2 cups smooth peanut butter 1 ¾ cups light cream or half-and-half Finely chopped salted peanuts, for garnish Instructions:
Kentucky Pecan Pie by Grace Topping
In a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the
1 cup white corn syrup
onion and celery and cook, stirring often,
1 cup dark brown sugar
until softened, three-five minutes.
1/3 teaspoon salt
Stir in flour and cook two minutes longer.
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
Pour in the chicken stock, increase the heat
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
to high, and bring to a boil, stirring
3 eggs, slightly beaten
constantly. Reduce the heat to medium and
1 heaping cup pecans
cook, stirring often, until slightly reduced
9 inch pie shell, unbaked
and thickened, about 15 minutes. Pour into a
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
sieve set over a large bowl and strain,
(optional)
pushing hard on the solids to extract as much flavor as possible. Return the liquid to
Combine syrup, sugar, salt, butter, vanilla
the sauce pan or pot.
and mix well. Add slightly beaten eggs.
Whisk the peanut butter and the cream into
Pour into unbaked pie shell. Gently place
the liquid. Warm over low heat, whisking
pecans on top. Bake in pre-heated 350F
often, for about five minutes. Do not boil.
degree oven for approximately 45 minutes
Serve warm, garnished with the chopped
until pie filling is firm when shaken. When
peanuts.
cool, top with whipped cream or ice cream.
CORN ON THE COB – MICROWAVED There’s nothing simpler than microwaved corn on the cob. Some people leave it in the husk but I don’t, because of the occasional worm. Husk the corn and remove silks. Wash the ears and leave a little water clinging. Wrap in waxed paper –I roll from one corner, tucking in the ends as I go. With my microwave, nine minutes is about right for 3 ears. Butter & enjoy.
-Gail Gardner Author of Murder at Harbor Village Coming from Kensington in November.
Tamparey Jones THIS COOKBOOK HAS OVER 100 RECIPES AND INCLUDES TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR LOVE LIFE NEW AND REFRESHING. ITS FILLED WITH IDEAS ON HOW TO ENTICE YOUR PARTNER AND BRING SOME NEW SPICE IN THE BEDROOM.
Interview with Tamp Jones BBM: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I am a Mother of three, two boys and one girl. I attended the University of Indianapolis, with a major of Business Marketing. I like to spend my free time reading and researching whatever excites me at the current moment. Lately I have been studying Chakras and stone work. At the moment I own over 600 physical books, I’m really not a big Ebook reader, I have to literally hold the book in my hand to get the most from it. I recently got engaged and am ready to pull my hair out with wedding planning, whoever said planning a wedding was fun, totally lied. I meditate daily and chose a different affirmation to focus on each day to keep my life balanced. BBM: Was there a certain time in your life you knew you wanted to write? I have always had a passion for writing. As a child my mom would buy me diaries and every night before I went to bed I would write about what I did that day and anything interesting that happened. It was also filled with lots of love stories about me and Dylan from the tv series 90210.
BBM: What are you currently working on? Well, I recently just published a cookbook for couples titled “Just the two of us” and I am working on a Urban Fiction Novel titled “Queens of Nap” that will be released this summer. I am relentlessly working on building my women’s online boutique which I have had for two years now “Flawless Closet” and brainstorming marketing strategies for my brand.
BBM: Of the books you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why? My favorite is my first book “Goal Digging” because it is so important for us women to not lose sight of our goals no matter of our age. Everyone has had something that they wanted to accomplish in their life and just living day to day, work, taking the kids to practice, cooking dinner daily can sometimes lead to us pushing our goals to the back burner. We have one life to live and I hate to see us living like robots. We must show up for our goals, take baby steps, create mini goals that will ultimately lead to accomplishing the big goal we have set, make vision boards and do something everyday that will bring us closer to living our dream life. BBM: What books have most influenced you as a writer? One of my favorites is Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba because the book is so down to earth, and her writing style makes it seem as though your sitting down, sipping a glass of Champaign and getting advice from a trusted friend. Another fav is She Wins by Andromeda Raheem. Her book is so powerful and motivating that it makes you want to get up and do something to better your current circumstances no matter what point you are at in life. BBM: What do you find to be the most challenging part of writing? And the most rewarding? The most challenging part of writing to me is disciplining myself to sit down and write on a schedule. I absolutely can not stay on task. The most rewarding is when I finish a project and publish it. There is no greater feeling than seeing something you created that is actually affecting people’s lives and motivating them. I have gotten hundreds of emails and messages on social media letting me know how I have inspired someone to complete a goal that they otherwise would have let years go by without even pursuing it.
BBM: What book is on your nightstand? I am currently reading two books. One is “Abundance Now” by Lisa Nichols and the other is titles “Chakra for everyday living” by Liz Simpson. It is a book about Chakras and the different type of stones to use. BBM: What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future? I plan to publish four more cookbooks. A vegan cookbook will defiantly be a part of that series and I’m sure I will expand my urban fiction book to a part two and three. I also will be working on a self-care book for women and teenage girls this fall. BBM: Is there anything you’d like to share with your readers? I challenge you to set one big goal that you will accomplish before the end of 2018. No excuses! One week you can dedicate to researching or reaching out to others that already have accomplished what it is your aiming toward. One week you may clean up your social media pages by following people that inspire you and delete the Debbie Downers. You may want to enroll in school. Find out how high the demand is for your field and the recent salary wages for your state.
Tamparey Jones was born and raised in Indianapolis Indiana. She is passionate and determined to achieve her goals and has written a book titled "Goal Digging". She also blogs, is a product tester and owns an online women's boutique which is named Flawless Closet. She attended the University of Indianapolis where she majored in Business marketing and is striving to make her boutique and products a household name.
Tamparey has also been a radio co-host, is a wife and a mother of three who loves to help people conquer and reach their goals. She is a lifelong learner who is committed to personal growth through reading and obtaining as much knowledge as she can. In her downtime, she runs and operates a facebook group called Bossbabes where she is dedicated to creating a place where women can go to be motivated, uplifted, heard and share tricks and tips on running or starting a successful business. You can order a copy of her book Goal Digging on Amazon or Barnes and Nobles.
JULY AVON TITLES: ·
THE HIGHLANDER’S PROMISE by Lynsay Sands · CAJUN PERSUASION by Sandra Hill · WICKED AND THE WALLFLOWER by Sarah MacLean – BY REQUEST ONLY. Please email Pamela Jaffee at pamela.jaffee@harpercollins.com or Libby Collins at libby.collins@harpercollins.com for more info. · MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION by Jennifer L. Armentrout – BY REQUEST ONLY. Please email Shaylin Tavella at Shailyn.tavella@harpercollins.com\ AUGUST AVON TITLES: ·
BORN TO BE WILDE by Eloisa James - –BY REQUEST ONLY. Please email Pamela Jaffee at pamela.jaffee@harpercollins.com · TO LOVE A DUCHESS by Karen Ranney · THE DUKE BUYS A BRIDE by Sophie Jordan · A DUKE BY DEFAULT by Alyssa Cole · THE PROTECTOR by HelenKay Dimon AVON IMPULSE TITLES: RUNAWAY HEIRESS by Syrie James A GENTLEMAN NEVER KEEPS SCORE by Cat Sebastian AVON INSPIRE TITLES: HER FEAR by Shelly Shepard Gray
Non Fiction Nancy Andres Alice Langholt
Nancy Andres BBM: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I'm a Health and Lifestyle Writer, Author, and Wellness Blogger who lives in Tucson AZ. My husband and I are transplants from a small city on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in NY to the majestic mountain ranges and desert of the southwest. We have four grown children and eight wonderful grandkids.
BBM: Was there a certain time in your life you knew you wanted to write in the health and wellness industry?
I've been fascinated with biology since high school, and still get excited learning new things about health and the mind/body connection. Around 1990, I began to make better health choices which had a ripple effect on my personal and professional life. I researched, studied, and practiced color healing and self-care techniques to help me recover from childhood trauma and low self-esteem, and improve overall well-being. My first health and lifestyle article was published in the NYT in 1997. Since then, articles or blog posts offer tips about meal planning, the environment, food facts and recipes, travel, and lifestyle resources that improve social, physical, spiritual, and creative/career/interpersonal aspects of daily living. I aim to spread the word that self-care is a privilege only you can grant yourself.
BBM: What are you currently working on? I just prepared and published the 2nd printing of Colors of Joy: A Woman's Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss. I'm so excited about it. Colors of Joy can now help a new audience of women boost vitality, enhance well-being, and spark delight through journal writing, affirmations, reflection, and color-coded activities. I'm scheduling book signings, virtual book tour events, healthy lifestyle workshop presentations, as well as blogging at my 2 blogs.
BBM: Of the books you’ve written, which one is your favorite and why? I am passionate about writing, and use it to help others and myself be the most joyful version of ourselves we can be. Colors of Joy is my fav, because it uses color energy to encourage personal growth, and helps us tune into our innate goodness. BBM: What books have most influenced you as a writer?
1. The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie 2. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay 3. Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom by Christiane Northrup MD 4. Colors of Joy: A Woman's Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss by Nancy Andres 5. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron 6. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg 7. The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly by Brené Brown 8. Quiet by Susan Cain 9. One Day My Soul Just Opened Up by Iyanla Vanzant 10. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Some shed light on my misconceptions and inspired me to risk change. Others helped me re-program my thinking by providing methods that helped me stop listening to that "old internal critic" that shouted I wasn't good enough. Still others supported me, as I practiced expressing myself through writing. I also gained tips about letting go of those things that are beyond my control or understanding. BBM: What do you find to be the most challenging part of writing and blogging? And the most rewarding? The most challenging aspect of writing and blogging is actually sitting down to work. Once I start, I’m in my zone. Finding my bliss through writing is a joy, and being able to help others and make my way in the world are a double blessing. BBM: What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future? The first draft of a novel is in the wings. I’m hoping to tend to revisions this summer and fall. I’ll continue to provide information and inspiration for readers at my 2 blogs, Colors 4 Health and Obloggernewbie. Perhaps I’ll be publishing another type of journal in the future. I’m currently reading two novels. One is The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell, and the other is Forest Dark by Nichole Krauss.
BBM: What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future? The first draft of a novel is in the wings. I’m hoping to tend to revisions this summer and fall. I’ll continue to provide information and inspiration for readers at my 2 blogs, Colors 4 Health and Obloggernewbie. Perhaps I’ll be publishing another type of journal in the future. BBM: Is there anything you’d like to share with your readers? Select and read books to inspire, inform, and entertain. Reading has the knack of lifting our spirit, increasing knowledge, and improving our outlook, so make it a priority. Some character's stories have even prevented me from making the same or similar mistakes that were revealed in that book. They can help you too. I welcome comments and questions from readers, and want you to feel free to reach out to me. My contact information is listed on My Website.
Nancy Andres is a person-in-progress. She writes non-fiction content about the powerful relationship between mind and body health, and provides ideas and tips about subjects to enhance her readers’ quality of life. Nancy is married to a wonderful man, and they enjoy the great outdoors, watch videos by the dozen, and savor whole food plant-based meals in Tucson, AZ.
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Paypal Shops Where COJ is Sold https://www.nancyandreswriter.com/colors-of-joy/
Colors of Joy by Nancy Andres Review by Babs A woman's guide for Self-Discovery is a wonderful book to learn about yourself. I have been journaling for years now and it helps a great deal. I go back to the earlier days and read though to see how far I have grown. Nancy has really done a great job with this book and she goes deeper to help you reflect and help move forward. It's all about taking care of yourself. All women need to pick this book up and start taking care of YOU!
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Alice Langholt You will need 30 seconds. That’s all. Start at the beginning, or turn to a random page. Every page has a title, a benefit, and simple directions. Read and complete the task on the page. If you know that you are in the mood for a creative, confidence-boosting, stress-releasing, or peace-promoting task, use the Index at the back of the book to choose the one that fits your interest. Notice the positive changes you go through because you took that 30 second break. Many of these tasks can also be shared with your students, allowing them to benefit too. Add a little bit of body text
You will need 30 seconds. That’s all. Use in order, or turn to a random page. Each page has a title, a benefit, and simple directions. Read it and do exactly what it says. Or, if you know that you are in the mood for a creative, emotionally uplifting, physical, or spiritually-oriented task, use the Index at the back of the book to choose one that fits your interest. Notice the benefits you experience because you took that 30 seconds just for you.
First Family is a modern language journey through the story of Adam and Eve, told by the characters themselves, as they fill in the gaps in the story with breathtakingly real first person descriptions of growth, discoveries, angst, joy, determination, and heart. First Family is today's voice for the story behind the familiar story of Adam and Eve. Themes of love, loss, grief and faith will resonate with every reader.
Like energy healing, and using your own intuition, manifesting is a skill that we are all capable of doing. We have a relationship with the Universe of which we are a part. Learn it and try it. Notice the shifts. Repeat until you see that the results surpass “random chance.� Let your own experience convince you that it works. This book offers a simple, straight-forward approach to understanding and doing manifesting.
Luckily, even 30 seconds can make a difference in all of these areas. Use this book to inspire you any time of the day to stop and bring yourself some balance. You'll find that the stress-relieving results last far longer than the 30 seconds you spent on the task in the book. You'll also find that you're becoming more mindful, present, and emotionally balanced because in those 30 seconds a day, you're training yourself to value your own care. That has a profound effect on your life.
In this Compendium, you will find three resources for your development and understanding of the essence of working with the Universe and Life Force Energy for healing, and for making your life better. The first, Reiki Distance Healing Made Simple, explains in practical terms how to understand distance healing, many ways to do it, and how to know that it’s working. The second resource, Manifesting Made Simple, teaches you the essential ingredients in working with the Universe to bring your goals and dreams into being. The third resource, Who Are You, and Why Have You Become So Strange? will help you understand when your growth separates you from others, and teaches you how to assess and adjust as needed.
You were never lost. But, if you feel lost, open this book to help you reconnect with your true essence, purpose, and the rich meaning in this experience called life. Use this book when you feel disconnected. It will remind you that there’s something bigger than what’s on the news. There’s more to life than chores, bills, work, and worries. So much more.
Choose any page. Read and do the 30 second task on that page. You will find your stress levels decrease, and your confidence, creativity, and optimism elevate, as you become empowered to greater levels of personal achievement and better health.
You will need 30 seconds. That’s all. Start at the beginning, or turn to a random page. Each page has a title, a benefit, and simple directions. Read and complete the task on the page. Or, if you know that you are in the mood for a communicationenhancing, self-reflective, or time-together-oriented task, use the Index at the back of the book to choose one that fits your interest. Doing the tasks in this book will give you and your partner a chance to learn about each other, grow closer, express appreciation, have better communication, and value each other in new and meaningful ways.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 1.Turn to the Contents page. 2.Select the situation that is closest to how you are feeling. 3.Turn to the page designated for that situation and read the empowering message(s) in that section. 4.Let the message speak to you.
If you’ve never heard of Reiki, this book will explain it in plain, clear language. Reading the book will help you understand what Reiki is, how it works, how it helps, and how it can be learned. This book presents a down-to-earth, “woo-woo-free” approach that’s easy to understand whether you’ve had any experience with intuition or none at all. Anyone who wants to learn to connect with the innate, natural power for healing is capable of doing so. If you already practice Reiki, this book will show you the true essence of working with energy, beneath the ritual, symbols, and mystery surrounding the practice.
Hot Romance Tamed by the Alien by Adrienne Blake
When the evening started, Megan didn’t know extraterrestrial life existed. That was before she was suddenly and very unexpectedly beamed from a bar to a spaceship, unceremoniously stripped naked, and then given a painful, humiliating spanking over the well-muscled thighs of a huge, infuriatingly sexy alien named Chaz as punishment for daring to resist his treatment of her. Soon Megan finds herself crying out in helpless, desperate abandon as her beautiful body is mastered completely by an alien warrior who is well-equipped to wring every bit of pleasure possible from a conquered female. Her best efforts to hate Chaz prove unsuccessful, and even when he makes her wear nothing but a collar it merely increases her shameful desire for him. But Chaz is not the only one out there with an interest in Earth women, and when enemies of his people seek to take Megan for
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themselves, he will have to decide whether to defy the laws of his world to save her. How far will Chaz go to protect the feisty little human he has grown to love? Publisher’s Note: Tamed by the Alien includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
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Romance Reviews When a Vamp Falls by A. M. Griffin review by Amber Marr Ramsey Moreau is one of the powerful Original vampires. When he's viciously attacked in his home town of New Orleans by newbies wielding a non-standard weapon he thinks his several thousand years of living has finally come to an end. He wasn't expecting her to walk down the alley to him. Danya is only wandering New Orleans because her sister, Bride, planned a girls weekend. She has too many things to do and staying out all night isn't on the to-do list. After a long night of dancing, Danya is too wound up to sleep. Pulling out her laptop to do some work, she decides to make coffee and is need of supplies. After all, there's no harm in running from the hotel in the middle of the night to the local convenience store, right?! When she finds that she has to go a couple blocks further to find a store open, Danya almost loses her life. The weak voice of a man calls to her from back in the alley and she soon finds herself on the business end of a pair of fangs. Fangs that are draining her life force right out of her and there isn't anything she can do about it. Eventually the man stops and takes care to make sure she receives help. And as twisted as everything is, both Ramsey and Danya are forever changed by that fateful night when soulmates collide in love and almost in death. When a Vamp Falls is an interesting vampire novel that brings together a vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and a human woman still trying to carve her own path. Their pull is instant even after Ramsey almost kills Danya. She should be horrified, terrified, and want to stay as far away from Ramsey as possible, but Danya can't stop thinking about him, desiring him, wanting to be with him. The chemistry is electric and believable. I enjoyed the character interactions, even when a blast from Ramsey's past comes a calling. Ramsey's love and affection for Marcos, his far removed grandson, and Nadine, a voluntary blood donor, is evident and a nice addition to the storyline. The book has action, suspense, and romance. The author does a wonderful job with character develop and world building. I was able to visualize the story in my head as I read along. I was engaged in this vampire tale from start to finish. I can't wait to see what happens in Book 2.
Stand & Deliver by Rhenna Morgan review by Amber Marr Stand & Deliver has easily become my favorite book in the Men of Haven series. Don't get me wrong, all of the books are excellent but I loved Beck and Gia's story so much. The chemistry between the pair crackles and is so intense. Gia is strong heroine working a field dominated by men. She's worked her way up to where she is and is proud of her accomplishments. Her family, however, can't see beyond their own egos to provide her with any kind of praise. When a series of events takes place putting Gia in a negative light, Beck and the rest of his family have her back when her own family tries to tear her down. I had a feeling the events were going to go down the way they did but it did not diminish anything about the story. The author wrote the characters realistically and with emotion the reader can feel. I found it easy to slip into Gia's shoes when she was around her biological family. The author projected Gia's emotions clearly, and in some instances her pain was pain I have felt in the past concerning my family. Her struggles to be the person she is and not the person her family thinks she should be caused conflict in her mind. Also, constantly having to be perfect and in control in her field in order to be taken seriously and remain at the top takes a toll on her.
Gia is able to give that control up, though not at all in the work environment. Gia's ability to relinquish control in the bedroom occurs with the last person she thought she'd ever tangle the sheets with - Beck. Finding compatibility with Beck surprises her but also shows her vulnerable side. If you've read the other four books in the series you know that the brothers are fiercely protective of those they love. Women in their lives tend to view that protectiveness as control. It's no different in Stand & Deliver. Beck is a wonderful character who learns that Gia is a strong woman that can take care of herself. Gia is a wonderful character who learns she can trust and rely on Beck and his brothers. Trusting each other goes a long way in keeping Gia from feeling like he's controlling her and Beck from alienating her and making her feel like she can't to the job. Finding that balance is what makes their relationship work, but it's not all wine and roses while they figure each other out. That is where the realism in this tale lies. This series is phenomenal. Rhenna Morgan has mad freaking skills. Everything about her books are wonderful. I love everything about Stand & Deliver. The character development and world building continues in each book with each main brother and their potential love interest while still making sure we get to hang out with the rest of family. Both characters are unique, yet are perfectly paired in the author's brotherhood world. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and everything about it kept me engaged. The love scenes were steamy and sensual and written well.
Beck and Gia compliment each other in the security detail industry and between the sheets. The plot was smooth and the entire story was perfectly paced. I was never bored or overwhelmed with details. The dialogue between everyone was realistic and conversational - it was like I was there with them. The events and storylines were well thought out and eventually they all came together in an explosive crescendo. Be prepared to get lost in Stand & Deliver and not find your way back out into the real world until you get to the very last word in the story!
Mail Order Bride: Lyna's Forgiving Heart (Nurses Of The Civil War) by Faith-Ann Smith review by Babs Hightower Lyna was orphaned at a young age and Uncle Kit too her in after her parents passed. They were inseparable as she grew older. Now her uncle has gone missing after the war. So she hired an investigator to find him. With no luck, Lyna decides she must become a mail order bride as she can not bare to stay in the house and she can't afford to live on her own. She starts corresponding with a man, Adam Conner. He proposes and Lyna and Celia, her housekeeper pack up and go to him in California.. No one has come to greet her off the ship. What's a girl to do but go to the address of her intended. When she finds the man in the barn helping a foal be born she letter anger subside and helps. Soon, Lyna learns the hard way that Adam is not who he says he is and with a surprise in store for her can Lyna learn to maven and forgive? I loved this story, it has to be one of my favorites by this author. I love the way she tells a story it is so powerful it draws you in. You don't want put the book down until you finish
Old West Christmas Brides: 6 Historical Romances Celebrate Christmas on the Frontier By Margaret Brownley, Rosey Dow, Darlene Franklin, Marcia Gruver, Vickie McDonough and, Debra Ullrick review by Babs Hightower Releases September 1, 2018 Ellie Mae Myers has set out to find her brother who used to be a Pony Express rider. Her family is gone so now she has to find him. She helps a man from hanging who ends up being an ex Ranger. He helps Ellie Mae find what really happened but can he stop the love he is feeling for her? A great read of some good characters it was nice to see Ellie Mae find happiness along the way on her A Wife in Name Only long journey. Katherine is looking for a job to help her mom and brother. She finds a ranch that is looking for a cook and she gets the job. Brett’s requirement is she must be married so she lies to him. As someone is stealing food from the house things heat up and Katherine is falling for Brett but can she tell him the truth now? Brett was great and you could feel the love and care he takes for his ranch, men and Katherine. Great story. Lucy Ames, Sharpshooter Lucy has always wanted to be like Annie Oakley and she gets her chance with a Wild West Show. She makes something of herself and preaches the work of God as well. She falls for the son Gordon, but he is taking a teachers job can he find room for her too and will she go? This was a fun read of the characters and how the wild west show shared the word and was true to their help.
A Badlands Christmas Noela and her sister have been moved to Montana by their father little do they know it s a sod house they are moving into. With the help of a neighbor, they get the sod house looking decent and Noela can’t help but think she is falling in love. This story was of shock and forgiveness and help. It was nice to see the characters come together. Unexpected Blessings Erik Olson is not prepared for Anna and the two orphans she has with her. They are his brothers children but his brother died more then 10 years ago or did he? Anna has to struggle to get Erik to understand and she has to work on the side to stay and take care of the kids until he sees reason. She wasn’t wanting a relationship. What will happen to her and the kids? The kids won over the story they were cute to read about and how they changed their uncles mind. A Grand County Christmas Awnya is now on her own after her father passed away. She is out looking for food and is about to shoot a dear when someone tells her no it is his pet. Amadeus has lost his wife a few years ago and has 2 boys, a daughter and his mom. They all like her but Isabella, the daughter. She doesn’t want to forget her mom. Can these two still love each other and help Awyna and what about her home? A great story of love and second chances.
RNWMP: Bride for Aaron (Mail Order Mounties #22) by Kay P. Dawson review by Babs Hightower Elizabeth grew up in a decent home and was attracted to the stable boy, but no one would hear of it. He left with no word to leave her heartbroken and gossip. The man she was supposed to be marrying married her sister instead more gossip ensued. Aaron was an orphan after his parents died then his grandmother. He got a great job that he loved and then had to leave. He thought the woman he loved would come with him but she never showed up. A man helped him become a mountie and now he is looking for a bride. When Elizabeth and Aaron meet they can not believe their eyes. Was this some kind of trick? How did Miss Hazel do this. Can these two forget the past and love again? I loved this story it was fast paced and the characters were well done. I did not put this book down once I started it was that good. I love this series and some books are better than others. I have to say right now this is one of my favorites. A book well done.
Other Genre Reviews Urban Fantasy Historical Fiction Mystery
Venom in the Veins (Elemental Assassin #17) by Jennifer Estep review by Amber Marr When Mosley, Finn's boss, is almost abducted by muggers, Gin and Finn are in the right place at the right time. Someone is after Mosley and Gin wants to know who. At an auction of Mab Monroe's estate at the Eaton mansion, Gin gets a pretty good idea who may be involved, especially after certain details are revealed about how Mosley is involved in the care taking of the Eaton Mansion. Before the auction begins, Gin is suddenly thrust back into the past when when she comes face-to-face with an enemy. One problem - Gin killed that enemy several years ago. Now she has to figure out what is going on and how it relates to Mosley - that is, if it relates to Mosley. This newcomer is a formidable foe, having been fully trained to intimidate, stalk, and kill in the same manner as another person Gin knows. Gin certainly has her work cut out for herself. Amid the chaos, Gin is still trying the infiltrate the Circle, with an unlikely savior continually pulling her to safety. When she finally gets to put a face with the leader of the Circle, Gin's entire world shatters. The 17th book in the Elemental Assassin series is action packed, suspenseful, and a wonderful addition to Gin's story. I found this installment of the series fresh and exciting as Gin faced the result of one of her past action actions. Gin also dug down deep in her own mind and conscience and partially blames herself for the monster she encounters in the book. She's bit more human in this book and a lot less stone-faced (pun intended) killer. I was pulled into this story and the author did a wonderful job keeping me engaged. In fact, the entire series has pulled me in and kept me engaged from the very beginning. These are the types of books that have me longing for the next one. They are written with vivid descriptions and genuine feelings, allowing the reader to become totally immersed in this world. The twists and turns come out of nowhere and there are many surprise moments. My heart was pounding and I was on the edge of my seat through a good portion of the book. The world building continues and we learn a bit more about Gin's past and the Circle.
A Brush with Shadows (Lady Darby Mystery #6) by Anna Lee Huber review by Amber Marr In the sixth book of the Lady Darby Mystery series, Sebastian Gage (henceforth known as Gage) and his wife, Kiera, are summoned to Sebastian's childhood home. He hasn't stepped on Langstone Manor property for at least 15 years so to say he's not looking forward to going home is an understatement. However, his grandfather has grown terribly ill and one of Gage's cousins has disappeared. Known to be flighty, Gage doesn't take Alfred's disappearance to seriously. Kiera, however walks right into the mysterious disappearance of Alfred from the get-go. Gage quickly changes his tune when his other cousin Rory also disappears from the Manor. As Gage and Kiera become more involved in the mysterious disappearances, they discover that all may not be what it seems at Langstone Manor. Family secrets, jealousies, lies, and tight-lipped family members make searching for Alfred, and then Rory, too, pretty difficult. There are a number of twists and turns throughout A Brush with Shadows. I thought I had the mystery figured out when all-of-asudden the author shattered my story board and made me rethink my choice. The relationship between Kiera and Gage was sweet and I thought their characters were well written. The author did a wonderful job with the world building in the novel. I felt like I could picture the manor, the moors, and the characters based on her descriptive imagery. I enjoyed Kiera's empathy toward Gage during the difficult decision to go home and face his family and her empathy toward his grandfather. There are things that went on the past that are not loving or caring, yet she put those things aside and helped care for the gravely ill man. This is my first experience with Anna Lee Huber and her Lady Darby Mystery series. I was able to jump right into the story without having read the other books. As a reader, I found that Ms. Huber provided enough backstory and other historical information to allow me to enjoy the story without wondering what she was talking about. Despite the ability to read the story without having read the previous five books, I found that I wasn't really engaged in the story. The story didn't really jump out at me. Parts of the story fell flat for me and I was able to put the book down without feeling that eagerness to get back to it as soon as possible. This doesn't mean the book is bad or that I didn't like it; it just means that I wasn't able to become engrossed in the book at any point. I did enjoy the mystery. That twist at the end? Wow!
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