Synopsis

 

Phishing: When hackers send malicious emails designed to trick people into falling for a scam.

Phishing test: When organizations send deceptive emails to their own staff to test their response to phishing attacks.

It all started with a cat video. A video that Tess Miller, a sassy and talented greeting card writer, shouldn’t have clicked on. But cat videos are her kryptonite. And how was she to know the video embedded in the email was a phishing test designed to take down the company she works for?

The infuriating man who tricked and humiliated her? Aaron Sinclair, cybersecurity consultant brought on by her paranoid boss to whip their company into peak security shape. A dark-haired man with a dark past, and an unrelenting thorn in her side.

Buried beneath their mutual animosity, however, is an attraction they both have reasons to fight. Thanks to Aaron, Tess’s boss has labeled her a high security risk and her professional reputation is at stake. A fierce battle of wits ensues as Tess uses every trick not to fall for Aaron’s random phishing tests.

With the end of Aaron’s six-month contract fast approaching, Tess is faced with the looming risk of losing not only her job but also her heart to the man who has tested her in every way possible.

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Katherine Center, Phishing for Love is a swoony, laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

This book was the right book to read at this moment. I needed a sweet romance with a little bit of tension between the main characters to liven my day.

Aaron has a troubled past, which has him job hopping to not form any attachments. He thinks that this is the answer until he meets Tess. Tess has a sassy mouth and the chemistry between these two lights up the pages. They may not succumb to their desires until much later in the book, but the heat between them kept me reading late into the night.

Tess is in a relationship that seems to be going nowhere. Will it continue? She also has a caring family that just wants to see her happy. Her sister may have her own issues, but they love each other at the end of the day and only care about each other’s happiness.

This romance is full of wit, snarky comments, friendship, emotional pasts, and so much more. It engaged me and made me smile, laugh, and fall in love with the characters. And Grandma is a hoot with her issues with Google! I won’t even go into her other comments that can be misinterpreted…you will have to read the book to discover those gems.

I do wish that the ending reflected a little more of what happened other than a brief mention in the epilogue. But the epilogue does tie everything up for us. And I didn’t recognize the tie to her previous book with Lucas and Nina until I read a few other reviews. So, while not a series, it could be considered a spin-off.

This is a delightful romance; we give it 4 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lara Martin writes books about imperfect people living messy lives, falling in love and getting their perfect happily-ever-after. She’s lived in South Africa and Australia and now calls a cozy village in England her home. She’s tried a variety of amazing and awful jobs: video game reviewer, graphic designer, insurance claims agent (she has no idea how she landed this one), proof reader, feature writer, and magazine editor. She lives with her husband (always the first reader of her novels), two slightly terrifying teenagers, and the requisite psychotic cat. When she’s not writing, she can be found haunting local coffee shops.

 

Website * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Two men. One wrong choice.

Tempia Wade’s life had jumped the rails.

One fateful night, she believed a stranger’s lie rather than the assurance of a trusted friend. For her lapse in judgment, she paid an agonizing price.

Her now-bankrupt life featured shattered dreams, ruined friendships, and the loss of a promising relationship. Now, two years later, the twenty-three-year-old prayed for a second chance with the man she had fallen for at first sight.

Would Cory Sanders finally overlook her egregious mistake in accepting a next-day date and liaison with another man? Or would she have to truly accept life without him?

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

After installing HVAC systems at a new apartment complex, twenty-eight-year-old Cory Sanders should’ve headed home, eaten a sandwich, and stretched his five-foot-eleven-inch frame onto his king-sized bed. But today he sought diversions at a friend’s pool hall. The short trek across the parking lot led him inside a large yet cozy space teeming with some of his favorite folks. As his eyes adjusted to dim lighting, he stepped up to the counter of the juice and coffee bar.

Glancing at Cory, a middle-aged woman, brown eyes alert, paused her conversation with a customer. “Wait till I tell Dan who stopped by on a late Friday afternoon,” she said to Cory. “Of course, neither he nor our sons will believe me.”

Miss Laura’s husband, Dan, had been Cory’s father’s best friend since their HVAC training program days. He and his youngest son worked for Cory’s father’s heating and cooling business, while his wife helped their oldest son, Scott, run his pool hall.

“Keep our secret, Miss Laura, or someone will demand I show up more often.”

She winked as she laughed. “If anyone asks me, I’ll say you were just winding down from a tough workday.”

Cory chuckled. “Sounds like the perfect plan,” he said. “One pomegranate slush, please. And Miss Laura, let your son know adding slushes to the juice menu was an excellent idea. If he asks, tell him to add grilled cheese, hamburgers, and hot sausage sandwiches.”

“More approval will swell his head. Thank God, he won’t inquire.”

“I bet you he’d consider those suggestions if he did.”

“Serving food ain’t happening on my watch. This mama has enough tasks without piling on more. We’ll hold off on a food menu until Scott quits his day job.”

As Cory left the counter, Miss Laura snuck in, “See you next Friday.”

While sipping his slush, Cory peered around the cavernous room and took in the lively atmosphere. Ten pool tables were strategically set up to maximize solo and group play. Walking across the space, he passed a group of men ribbing each other. A fifty-something man pocketed a ball then spotted Cory. “Lookee here. Grab a pool stick, son.”

Cory sat on a seat close to the action and pointed at the bald, clean-shaven man. “Not today. I just came to watch you masters clean the table.”

“Take notes,” another man said. “Stu left this little boy hanging in the pocket.”

With that, Cory realized he had chosen the correct diversion after all. His bed and sandwich could wait until later that evening. These lively antics might delete a tiresome woman from his mind. Last year, he had purged her from his heart, but no matter how hard he tried, he could never seem to evict her from his mind. He hoped that changing his long-established habits might help.

 

 

Review

 

Of all of the books in this series, this has been the best one. While all of the stories have their pros and cons, this one felt smoother with the writing. The characters were ones that I could relate to in a way. While I haven’t gone through the same situations, I understand betrayal.

Tempia and Corey have a bumpy start to their relationship. While there is attraction, Quince’s underhandness separates them before they ever get started. Quince is NOT a likable character. He is only in a relationship with Tempia to get at Corey. Some friend, right? Quince is selfish and cares only about himself. Sadly, Tempia realizes this too late. But she is able to extract herself from this situation. Now, if she and Corey can find their way to one another.

I think both of these characters have trust issues. They also have parents that, while they want the best for them, can be overbearing. I know that most parents care about what happens to their children, but they are adults and have to learn some of these lessons themselves. Even if it is the hard way. But that is what makes these characters endearing: the willingness to adapt and become better people through their normal lives.

We give this book 4 1/2 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. Thirty-one years later, she adapted the play into Pajama Party: The Story, a companion book to the second book in the five-book standalone Hope series.

Jackson’s favorite pastime is reading fiction. She enjoys taking the journey along with the characters in the books. That also led to her unorthodox approach to story writing. Her vision for each book she writes is to immerse readers into the storyline so they become connected with each character.

“The Write Way: A Real Slice of Life” is the slogan on her Facebook author page. She feels that if every person reading her books feels connected to the characters, her job is done.

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Don’t judge a name by its colors.

MacKenzie Hamilton has the unique ability to see letters and numbers in colors. Her synesthesia seemed almost useless until she decided to start categorizing people based on their names’ color combinations. For instance, her parents’ names are pretty, so they’re destined to reconcile. And David Shaw, the boy next door, has an ugly name, so of course, she had to push him away.

For three years, she’s lived with a false sense of security until senior year, when her color theory is put to the test in the worst way possible. David Shaw doesn’t understand why MacKenzie ghosted him. One minute, they were BFFs, and the next, it was like he never existed. But with money being tight, he has bigger problems to worry about.

College may not be in the cards, especially music school. When David is paired with MacKenzie for a class mock-marriage project, he hopes she’ll finally tell him what went wrong. He would love to be friends again… maybe even more.

The more they work together, the closer they become, causing MacKenzie to question her rationale for ditching David in the first place. Perhaps David’s name isn’t so ugly after all. As long as he never discovers why she shunned him, everything will work out. Famous last words.

 

 

Amazon * Kobo * Google * B&N * Apple

 

 

Review

 

Teenage angst is the worst! But this new novel reminded me of the drama I dealt with as a teen and how it impacted my life.

This story is told from two points of view – Kenzie and David. They are paired together for a project at school which is a problem for Kenzie just because of David’s name. She has synesthesia which allows her to see letters and numbers in color. However, Kenzie has permitted this to cripple her and how she sees people, including David. There are times when she acts like a spoiled brat because of this, which is all wrong. After all, who decides what colors are good or bad?

David has his own issues. His mother passed away when he was younger, his dad works hard, but they don’t have a lot of material goods (which isn’t a bad thing), and he has a younger sister, Fiona, that can be quite a handful. That hasn’t stopped how he feels about Kenzie and loving her from afar.

I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about Kenzie. She seemed very childish when it came to her synesthesia, and expected her visions of color to be 100% accurate. Nothing could be further from the truth. It takes time to be proven incorrect in her thoughts about names and numbers.

I admired David and his desire to improve his life. This included applying for a full scholarship to the college of his dreams. He enlists Kenzie’s help, but more as a bribe to complete their class project on his own if she will help him with part of his scholarship application. I chuckled when Kenzie thought this would be a slam dunk, yet something kept happening to the website that she was creating for David as part of his application. Turns out there were other factors at play, but I won’t spoil that for you, so read the book to discover that for yourself.

I enjoyed the interactions between David and Kenzie as they both learned to let down some of their walls with each other. I chuckled many times during the conversations between Kenzie and her twin brother Michael. There is something about emotional blackmail from stupid things we do as kids that is funnier years later.

This YA novel was a delight to read and we give it 4 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

After several decades of writing medical research documents, Cindy decided to switch gears and write stories where the chances of happy endings are 100% and the side effects include satisfied sighs, permanent smiles, and a chuckle or two.  She writes romance novels with a slice of humor that ranges from historical romance to southern fried romantic comedies. Her young adult debut novel, Tuned Into You (BookFish Books) was released in June 2016 and her adult sweet romance, Left Hanging (Red Adept Publishing) was released in March 2017. In A Jam (Red Adept Publishing) was released summer of 2018.

Cindy was born in Texas and raised in Georgia.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Kennesaw State University and her Master’s Degree from The University of Georgia.  Cindy enjoys gardening, reading, bodybuilding, and a whole bunch of movies.  She can be overheard quoting lines from her favorite movies… a lot.  But her favorite pastime is spending time with Mark, her bass playing husband, Maddie Rose, the coolest girl on the planet, and fur child Daisy Mae.  She currently resides in Nashville, TN where live music can be heard everywhere, even at the grocery store.

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

Instagram * BookBub * Goodreads

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

All it takes to change everything is an enraged woman and a dare…

Love is not for me. Nope. I don’t deserve it, so I keep far, far away from relationships.

Archer – a drifter who won’t stick around – is perfect for me. I can touch those sexy broad shoulders and stare into those smoldering hazel eyes to my heart’s content.

Except, it turns out Archer isn’t Archer at all. He’s Cedar. He’s not some random drifter. He grew up in the quirky small town of Winter Falls.

When I find out the truth, my rage boils over, my mouth opens up, and before my mind can catch up, I’m daring Cedar to stay in Winter Falls for six months.

I must have been temporarily insane.

Because the longer Cedar sticks around, the more my feelings for him grow. And pushing him away is about as easy as getting the eccentric townspeople to respect my privacy.

Especially when he keeps drawing me in, claiming he’s going to prove to me I not only deserve love but everything my heart desires. Easy for him to say. He doesn’t know what I did.

Can a dare spoken in a moment of anger result in my happily ever after?

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

If you are looking for a steamy romantic comedy, look no further than this author, especially the Winter Falls series.

There are two different Winter Falls series. One features the West sisters, and this new series features the Dempsey sisters. In this one, we get to know Cassandra Dempsey. She has some baggage that you will discover, and it takes a lot of convincing before she doesn’t hold herself responsible for some things in the past. We also meet Cedar, Rowan’s younger brother. We actually meet him as Archer first. Cedar is a bit of a nomad or has been for most of his life due to some baggage in his past.

This book is a little different from the others. We don’t see the gossip girls as much in this book. I, for one, was glad to see them have a much smaller role. They can be a bit over the top with their betting and matchmaking. They mean well and add some humor to the story, but after seven previous books, it was time for a slight breather from them. We also see the town take a more minor role in the book, and the relationship between Cedar and Cassandra is front and center.

I still love the concept of Winter Falls and its carbon-neutral stance. The townsfolk care about each other, despite their inability to stay out of everyone else’s business, and they seem to have a good time. The West and Dempsey sisters are still a bit crazy and tend to pull pranks on one another, but deep down, they have each other’s back and will protect their family to the bitter end.

We also get our first look at Olivia Dempsey. Her story is coming next, but so many questions are swirling around in my head, wondering what her story is.

The book kept me chuckling, and the pages were a bit spicy. But it is enjoyable all the same, and I know I’ll be sad with the next book that will wrap up the Dempsey sisters series.

We give this book 4 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

D.E. Haggerty is actually just plain old Dena, but she thinks using initials makes her sound like one of the cool kids. She was born and raised in the U.S. but has spent the majority of her adult life abroad, living in cool-sounding places like Istanbul, Heidelberg, and The Hague. She has job hopped from military policewoman to lawyer to B&B owner. She finally jumped off the job-hopping bandwagon a few years ago when she decided to turn her addiction to romance novels into a career. If anyone has ideas on how to turn a love of wine into a job, she’s all ears.

 

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Synopsis

 

Designed by Destiny is the first book in the brand-new series Fairy Godmothers, Incorporated.

 

After a painful break-up in university, Bethany Clarke has sworn off love to focus on her career. From her humble South Side beginnings to her position as an architect intern at a prestigious Chicago firm, she’s proven to be a hard worker and is proud of her accomplishments. In three years, she’ll be a fully licensed architect which is more important to her than anything else.

Confirmed bachelor Nicholas Grey is more than the playboy perpetrated by the tabloids. Now his position as CEO of the architecture firm Grey & Company is on the line, and his mother’s interference is making things more difficult. Nick’s serious about his work, but, in order to be taken seriously, he needs to land a huge project. A stable personal life will help guarantee the contract.

Fairy Godmother Faye Delmore hears Nick’s plea and steps in to help. Posing as a publicist, she suggests a strategy to polish his public image, which includes convincing Beth to play his wife. Faye knows Nick needs the huge project to save his job, but she also knows he needs Beth in his life.

What happens when you add a fairy godmother who loves playing matchmaker into the equation? A future designed by destiny.

 

 

Amazon * Tirgearr Publishing * B&N * Kobo

 

 

Review

 

I loved the storyline, a trope we have all seen, but with a fairy godmother twist that was unique because we saw some flashbacks to Faye’s life.

I enjoyed the story between Beth and Nick and watching them discover their feelings for each other. However, Beth became annoying when she was confronted with things that scared her, and she ran away vs. talking to Nick about the situation. I get that she had some baggage from the past, but running away never solved anything.

Still a very enjoyable story, and I look forward to learning more about the other fairy godmothers that were mentioned in the book.

We give this book 4 1/2 paws

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Maya Tyler is a multi-published author of paranormal romance novels and blogger at Maya’s Musings. An avid reader, Maya writes the books she loves to read—romances! Her paranormal romances come with complex plot twists and happily-ever-afters.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, listening to music (alternative rock, especially from the 1990s), practicing yoga, and watching movies and TV.

 

 

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Pinterest * Instagram

 

 

Synopsis

 

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been stupid enough to fall in love with your best friend.

It’s not my fault. I was perfectly happy to keep my budding feelings to myself until the ‘kiss’.

Now, all I can think about is how good River smells and tastes. How it would feel to have his hands on my body.

Too bad convincing a player who doesn’t believe in love to take a chance on me is more difficult than succumbing to his charm and ending up in his bed. Oops.

Lucky for me, I have the entire town of Winter Falls on my side. The residents of this kooky small town think they’re the world’s answer to matchmaking. Match away, Winter Falls. Match away!

With their help, maybe I can convince River there’s more to us than friendship because this chemistry between us doesn’t lie.

This friends to lovers small town romantic comedy features an awkward woman who sprouts sexual innuendos on accident when she’s nervous, a player who thinks love exists for everyone in the world except him, a pair of sisters who don’t understand the word ‘privacy’, and a whole town of hippies convinced they’re the best matchmakers this side of the Mississippi.

Meet Not is a standalone novel in the Winter Falls ~ Dempsey Sisters series.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

Another trip to Winter Falls that does not disappoint. In this book, we get a front-row seat to Elizabeth and River’s love dance. There is a strong attraction between the two, but River doesn’t believe in love. That is until he meets Elizabeth, and she sets him straight (eventually).

As with all of the other books, it is chock full of nosey neighbors, sexual innuendos (and even some not so innuendo!), quirky characters, witty dialogue, and a HEA. The gossip girls, aka matchmakers, don’t mess around and will do whatever it takes to pair up the young people of the town. They thought they were done until the Dempsey sisters came to town. Now they have some new people to wreak havoc on their lives.

While the story focuses on Elizabeth and River, we do see some continuing storylines with all of the other characters. So while you could read this on its own, it will be better read in order so that you have a sense of the townspeople and their background, and of course, how the town works since it is carbon neutral.

I enjoyed how the story delves into Elizabeth and River’s past and what holds them back, especially River. It takes time to unwind his fears, but it does happen. You’ll have to read the book to discover more.

The only issue I had was at the very beginning because the first chapter or two is a repeat of the previous book. It is setting the stage for Elizabeth and River’s story, but I thought I had picked up a book I had already read. Once I realized what was going on, I was able to continue and put it all into perspective.

There are two more Dempsey sisters and I can’t wait to read their stories. Cassandra is next!

We give this book 4 1/2 paws.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

D.E. Haggerty is actually just plain old Dena, but she thinks using initials makes her sound like one of the cool kids. She was born and raised in the U.S. but has spent the majority of her adult life abroad, living in cool-sounding places like Istanbul, Heidelberg, and The Hague. She has job hopped from military policewoman to lawyer to B&B owner. She finally jumped off the job-hopping bandwagon a few years ago when she decided to turn her addiction to romance novels into a career. If anyone has ideas on how to turn a love of wine into a job, she’s all ears.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon author page

 

Pinterest * Instagram * BookBub * Newsletter Sign up * LinkedIn

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

NYPD detective turned small town PI Laney Bird is in a fight to save lives—including her own—when an explosion of deadly violence at a block party exposes the crimes simmering underneath her neighborhood’s peaceful façade.

A transplant to the upstate New York hamlet of Sylvan, all Laney wants is a quiet life for herself and her son. But things rarely remain calm in Laney’s life.
When one neighbor, a Russian immigrant, is shot, and his Ukrainian wife disappears—along with Laney’s best friend—at her neighborhood summer block party, Laney will need all her skills as a PI to solve a mystery that reaches far beyond her small town.

As people closest to Laney fall under suspicion, the local authorities, and her colleagues, question her own complicity. And then there’s fifteen-year-old Alfie, her complicated, enigmatic son, obviously hiding something. Even as Laney struggles to bury evidence of her boy’s involvement, his cagey behavior rings every maternal alarm.

Laney’s personal life unravels as she’s drawn into her friend’s dark secrets, and she must ask herself: how far would a wife and mother go to keep her family from ruin? One woman’s desperation is another’s downfall, and with treachery blazing hot as the searing summer sun, Laney realizes she and Alfie are in danger and she must fight to save lives, her own and her son’s included.

 

* Starred PW Review, December 2021

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N *  Indie Bound * Book Depository

 

 

Review

 

This is the second in a series about Laney Bird; a retired police detective turned PI in a small town in New York. The cast of characters is back from the first book, but we find that her best friend Holly has a more significant role in this novel. The story is told from Laney and Holly’s points of view, and while they are doing different things, their stories intersect near the end, bringing everything together. The story also flips in time between April and July of the same year. It is essential to share the events in April since it will help the current-day events make more sense.

While we don’t see Alfie quite as much in this book compared to the first one, he still plays a vital role with a new friend and her impact on the situation at hand. There is also a new potential romance for Laney with one of her coworkers, Jack. Actually, Jack is the son of the owner of the PI firm, but that doesn’t seem to bother him.

Multiple storylines are happening, not just between Laney and Holly, but other characters that impact both of them. I enjoyed trying to figure out what certain characters were up to and how Laney was able to make some educated guesses and ended up in the right place to find the details she needed to prove her suppositions.

I was a bit disappointed with some of Holly’s actions, and I’m not sure how she could have taken out a mortgage on her home by forging her husband’s signature. Usually, things like that are notarized. I also couldn’t believe her brother’s let her keep giving them money to support their lives. Granted, one had cancer, but this had been going on for years. I think it was guilt from her childhood that caused her to act this way. But in the end, she could recognize her issues and move forward.

Laney was a bit calmer in this book, but I suppose since it wasn’t her son that was missing, she could think a bit more rationally.

I enjoyed this book more than the first one, and you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this story. It does give you a little more insight into Laney and her capabilities.

We give it 4 1/2 paws.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Emilya Naymark is the author of the novels Hide in Place and Behind the Lie.

Her short stories appear in A Stranger Comes to Town, edited by Michael Koryta, Secrets in the Water, After Midnight: Tales from the Graveyard Shift, River River Journal, Snowbound: Best New England Crime Stories 2017, and 1+30: THE BEST OF MYSTORY.

When not writing, Emilya works as a visual artist and reads massive quantities of psychological thrillers, suspense, and crime fiction. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her family.

 

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Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power

 

of Midlife Women

 

BY Stephanie Raffelock

 

Categories: Nonfiction / Self Help Memoir

Publisher: She Writes Press

Pub Date: August 24, 2021

Pages:176 Pages

 

 

Scroll for the Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

From the author of the award-winning book A Delightful Little Book on Aging comes a new self-help memoir Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women (She Writes Press). In her new book, Stephanie Raffelock liberates mold-defying midlife women, tired of the oft-inaccurate characterization of the “old crone,” to amplify the resounding strength within.

Ever since Eve was banned from the garden, women have endured the oftentimes painful and inaccurate definitions foisted upon them by the patriarchy. Maiden, mother, and crone, representing the three stages assigned to a woman’s life cycle, have been the limiting categories of both ancient and modern (neo-pagan) mythology. And one label in particular rankles: crone. The word conjures a wizened hag—useless for the most part, marginalized by appearance and ability.

None of us has ever truly fit the old-crone image, and for today’s midlife women, a new archetype is being birthed: the Creatrix.

In Creatrix Rising, Raffelock lays out—through personal stories and essays—the highlights of the past fifty years, in which women have gone from a quiet strength to a resounding voice. She invites us along on her own transformational journey by providing probing questions for reflection so that we can flesh out and bring to life this new archetype within ourselves. If what the Dalai Lama has predicted—that women will save the world—proves true, then the Creatrix will for certain be out front, leading the pack.

 

 

Amazon ~ Indiebound ~ Bookshop.org

 

 

Praise

 

“The perfect topic at the perfect time, Stephanie Raffelock’s self-help memoir, Creatrix Rising, identifies a new archetype, the Creatrix, that transcends the old archetype of Crone. Her stories and insights about how far women have come is nothing short of inspirational. A must-read for any woman who wants to embrace the strength and creativity of midlife.” –Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Women’s Soul

“Poetic and philosophical, Creatrix Rising will inspire readers to claim the courage and confidence that already lives inside of them. An intimate story of transformation, of journeying through life on your own terms without apology.” –Richard Blanco, 2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of How to Love a Country

“The new archetype Stephanie Raffelock assigns to midlife women underscores the assets and wisdom older women bring to our culture and to the greater good. Creatrix Rising is an affirmation and celebration of the feminine story taking place in leadership and creativity throughout our country.” –Gabby Reese, volleyball legend, Nike’s first female spokeswoman, and New York Times best-selling author

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creatrix – an artist, a healer, a teacher, an illuminator.

Stephanie Raffelock knows how to encourage women and remind us that life doesn’t stop as we get older. While many of us probably know that deep down, it can be hard with what we see in the media and it seems that we are being pushed aside for younger women. The funny thing is that this only really happens in the US. Why is that? Why do other countries embrace women of all ages but not us? I believe that there is a shift happening with that mindset but it has been too long in coming in my opinion.

This book is a combination of a memoir and a self-help book. Stephanie shares many stories about her life and family; in fact, she tells us that she is a storyteller and is especially interested in stories about women. I was quite surprised by some of the tales of her life because I never would have expected to learn how she ended up in Los Angeles at 17 and had to figure out how to make it on her own. The other stories she shares are inspirational and might even give the reader pause to reflect on the story and wonder if they had found themselves in a similar situation or how they might have reacted. I found each story to be inspirational but also a period of reflection about these women and what they achieved in their lives and how they shared it with others.

We have all heard the term crone and I think most of us would picture a shriveled up older woman, hunched over, and not very attractive. Sort of like what you think of from fairy tales and other children’s books. However, the term has been used to describe older women since the 1400s and really doesn’t apply to women of today that are out conquering the world in their chosen roles in life. Much like the Helen Reddy song, they are women, hear them roar. I love how Stephanie has found a better word to describe women – Creatrix. This is a word that is already in existence that is feminine and means a woman who makes things, a creator.

As I reveled in each story set forth, it gave me time to reflect upon my own life and wondered if I was living my life to its fullest potential. I think that all of us can do more and get out of our rut and this book is one way to move us forward on that path. Reflecting on each story and then the reflection suggestions/questions at the end of chapters, we might all learn something new about ourselves and seek to become a Creatrix in our own lives.

There are so many wonderful lines to take away from this book, but these few are some of my favorite lines:

“That’s what we learn to do when we hit midlife: we start harmonizing with our younger selves.”

“…none of us escape the presence of grief in our lives and we handle it each in our own way, whether it’s alcohol or a garden of saints.”

“Living life on your own terms is mid-life awakening.”

 

This book is one that could be read over and over especially when it comes to the reflections at the end of each chapter. It is a wonderful starting place for us to reflect on who we are and what has made us who we are today. My only negative comment about this book is the political commentary at the beginning of one of the chapters. While there is a small part that leads into the chapter, most of it was not relevant or necessary and could be a turnoff to those reading the book.

Overall, we give this 4 1/2 paws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Raffelock is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women, (She Writes Press). She also penned the award-winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging.

A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie was a contributor to The Rogue Valley Messenger in Oregon. She has blogged for Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, as well as SixtyandMe.com.

A former i-Heart Radio host, she is now a popular guest on podcasts, where she inspires women to embrace the strength and passion of their personal story. Stephanie continues to build her speaker’s resume by giving presentations for groups like The Ashland Literary Arts Festival, Breaking the Glass, WINS at Charles Schwab and Southern Oregon University, Friends of the Hannon Library. Her commitment to uplift women extends to teaching personal development classes for incarcerated women and non-profits, including Dress for Success, Austin.

A recent transplant to Austin, Texas Stephanie enjoys an active life with her husband, Dean, and their Labrador retriever, Mickey Mantel Raffelock.

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily.

 Or, visit the blogs directly:

9/1/21	Excerpt	Hall Ways Blog
9/1/21	Review	Missus Gonzo
9/2/21	Review	All the Ups and Downs
9/2/21	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
9/3/21	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
9/3/21	Review	Momma on the Rocks
9/4/21	Author Interview	The Clueless Gent
9/5/21	Author Interview	Book Bustle
9/6/21	Review	Reading by Moonlight
9/6/21	Video Guest Post	The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
9/7/21	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
9/8/21	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
9/8/21	Guest Post	The Page Unbound
9/9/21	Review	Jennie Reads
9/10/21	Review	Forgotten Winds
9/10/21	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles

 

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

“I’m serious, Mr. De Groot. Back up now.”

“Pulling out the last names. I guess I better retreat.” Instead of retreating, Niels leans closer to whisper, “Although, I would love to see how you’d punish me.”

I live my life by my rules. I don’t care if I suddenly find myself working overseas in Holland. My rules are my rules, and I’m sticking to them. Everyone can call me Uptight Avery all they want. Not my problem.

Rule #1: Do not tell a subordinate he looks like a Norse god – even if it’s true.

Rule #2: Do not kiss a subordinate when in a conference room with windows for walls. Scratch that. No kissing subordinates period.

Rule #3: Do not stare at a subordinate’s ahem assets when he’s half-naked because you barged into his hotel room. And maybe not barge into his hotel room either.

Rule #4: And do not, under any circumstance, drink too many Pumpkin Spice White Russians and fling yourself into bed with your flirty subordinate.

Will Avery Go Dutch and enjoy herself a scrumptious looking Dutch Treat? Or will she stick to her rules no matter how much her fingers itch to strip Niels bare and lick him from head to toe?

This office romantic comedy features a workaholic determined to stay as far away from love and squishy feelings as possible, a fun-loving Dutchman who’s just as determined to force the workaholic to let her hair down, and two friends who have decided to try their hands at playing matchmaker.

Each book in the Love in the Lowlands romantic comedy series can be read as a standalone.

 

 

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Review

 

I always enjoy books from this author, they are a great combination of humor, sexiness, and filled with good friends and love.

In this book, we get to meet Avery and Niels. Two attorneys that work for the same company in Holland. I love how Niels decides right off the bat that he wants her, however, Avery has other ideas. It takes some persuasion and the help (or interference?) of Avery’s new friends plus some of her coworkers.

I do have to say that Abby was a little over the top in this book. She is obsessed with sex and everyone else’s relationships. I did think the descriptions of the gifs sent with text messages were funny. I could picture them in my mind and it does seem like something Abby would do.

We give this book 4 1/2 paws.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic before returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where, in between tennis matches and failing to save the world, I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

 

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Synopsis

 

The Perfect Daughter is a thriller that explores the truth or lies behind a teenage girl’s multiple personality disorder, from D.J. Palmer, the author of The New Husband.

Grace never dreamt she’d visit her teenaged daughter Penny in the locked ward of a decaying state psychiatric hospital, charged with the murder of a stranger. There was not much question of her daughter’s guilt. Police had her fingerprints on the murder weapon and the victim’s blood on her body and clothes. But they didn’t have a motive.

Grace blames herself, because that’s what mothers do—they look at their choices and wonder, what if? But hindsight offers little more than the chance for regret.

None of this was conceivable the day Penny came into her life. Then, it seemed like a miracle. Penny was found abandoned, with a mysterious past, and it felt like fate brought Penny to her, and her husband Arthur. But as she grew, Penny’s actions grew more disturbing, and different “personalities” emerged.

Arthur and Grace took Penny to different psychiatrists, many of whom believed she was putting on a show to help manage her trauma. But Grace didn’t buy it. The personas were too real, too consistent. It had to be a severe multiple personality disorder. One determined psychiatrist, Dr. Mitch McHugh, helped discover someone new inside Penny—a young girl named Abigail. Is this the nameless girl who was abandoned in the park years ago? Mitch thinks Abigail is the key to Penny’s past and to the murder. But as Grace and Mitch dig deeper, they uncover dark and shocking secrets that put all their lives in grave danger.

 

 

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Review

 

This book was like a roller coaster….a slow build-up before it dumps you down the hill and leaves your heart pounding not believing what you are reading.

Penny was found in the park by Grace Francone. Grace has two sons from her marriage but always wanted a daughter and when they discover that Penny was left alone and the mother willing to give up her rights to avoid prosecution, she finds this to be the perfect answer to her prayer. What she doesn’t expect is to discover that Penny has DID – Dissociative Identity Disorder – or multiple personalities. I’m sure her family didn’t know what to make of the various personalities and they mostly just went with the flow and didn’t call attention to the alters.

Penny’s two brothers have different feelings about her. One adores her and the other dislikes her intensely. I can see why, Grace seems to put a lot of her attention on Penny and when Penny is accused of killing her birth mother, Grace is willing to lose everything to save Penny. This includes the family restaurant and possibly even her family. But I have to admire and appreciate Grace’s devotion to Penny and her belief that Penny is innocent. As the events unfold, we will learn what caused the split personalities to emerge and I can’t even imagine what horrors Penny observed prior to being found in the park.

This book does move along a bit slower than the last 20% when everything unfolds and we learn the truth. I was quite shocked by the ending and did not expect that to happen. Everything that I believed was turned upside down.

There is one event in the book that turned my stomach tied to animal abuse. While I understand the importance of it to the story and revelations further in the story, it still gave me the heebie jeebies. There are other potential triggers for people including child abuse.

Overall, this was a psychological thriller that left me with a slightly better understanding of DID and how it can impact a family.

We give this 4 1/2 paws up.