Posted in 4 paws, Children, Review on March 16, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

When Loretta digs in the dirt to plant her flower garden, she discovers glowing larvae. Learn about the lifecycle of the firefly as she puts the larvae in her empty ant farm box and watches the larvae build tunnels and mud houses. After they hatch, she also learns the secret to their special flashing messages.

 

 

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Review

 

This book will introduce young readers to the life cycle of fireflies. I have to admit, I learned a few facts that I did not know about these insects.

Loretta is a curious young girl, and when she finds these glowing larvae in her garden, she puts them into her ant farm container so she can watch them grow and become full-fledged fireflies. She studies their life cycle and even learns how to have them come to her by using a small flashlight, imitating their flashing patterns.

This book is good for all young readers, especially those with a strong interest in insects. There is even a page at the end that goes through the life stages of fireflies that parents could read to their children and discuss this fascinating insect with them.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lois Wickstrom earned her BA in biology with a minor in chemistry and English. She is the creator of the Imagenie videos on YouTube and “Starting With Safety,” available from the American Chemical Society. She also co-authored the Nessie’s Grotto Books with Jean Lorrah and the Orange Forest Rabbit books with Lucrecia Darling.

 

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 About the Illustrator

 

The artist Francie Mion received a degree in fine art and resumed her avocation for art after a career in the holistic health field as a Massage Therapist. She has illustrated Lois Wickstrom’s STEM books. Some take place in the Colorado Mountains.

Posted in 4 paws, fiction, Review, women on March 10, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Recent college graduate Holly Schlivnik dreams of being a writer, but fate has other plans. A family crisis throws her into an improbable situation, and her life will never be the same. Determined to make her own luck when things don’t happen the way she plans, the irrepressible young woman takes a sledgehammer to the glass ceiling and shatters it to smithereens. The wise-cracking, irreverent transplanted Californian takes you on a raucous, rollicking rollercoaster ride of her hysterical adventures as a ladies’ apparel sales rep traveling in the deep South as she ends up finding herself along the way.

 

 

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Review

 

There is a cozy series featuring Holly Schlivnik (Swimsuit), and this book is a great introduction to her, including how she came to work for Ditzy Swimsuits, her background, etc. This book is the prequel and is not a cozy, so don’t expect murders she has to solve.

This is based on the author’s experiences in the garment industry, and I found it fascinating how reps for different clothing lines would travel across the country to meet with buyers to sell those lines for the stores. There is a diverse character list, scenes that might make you cringe, and friendships and love found on the road.

This story is also a great reminder that your path in life might divert from what you expect after college. However, there are so many stories for Holly to tell about her travels with her job, the people she meets, the lessons she learns, and even family life.

I appreciated that Holly was not a person who would roll over just because she was a woman. There are still chauvinistic men in this world, in all industries, and she is not afraid to stand her ground and let them know she is not going to be taken advantage of or be told how to do her job.

This can be read as a standalone or before you start the Holly Swimsuit cozy series.

We give this book 4 paws up and encourage all women to take note of Holly’s endeavors and stand their own ground!

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now, she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

 

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Posted in 4 paws, Action, Adventure, suspense, Thriller on March 7, 2024

 

 

REAP THE WIND

 

by

 

Joel Burcat

 

 

Action-Adventure / Suspense / Climate Change / EcoThriller

Publisher: Milford House Press, an imprint of Sunbury Books, Inc.

Date of Publication: February 6, 2024

Number of Pages: 215 pages

 

 

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THE PERFECT STORM meets THE FIRM.

Reap the Wind is a thrilling action/adventure novel that follows three lawyers as they embark on a treacherous journey from Houston to Cincinnati during a catastrophic hurricane. Josh Goldberg is on a mission to be with his girlfriend for the birth of their child. Along the way, they’ll face terrifying obstacles like tornadoes, hailstorms, and driving rain. But the real danger may come from within as they struggle to survive each other’s company. His two travel companions—his best friend, a drug-addicted lawyer, and his conniving boss who has her own agenda.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable odyssey that might just be a suicide trip.

 

 

 

 

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Praise for Reap The Wind

 

Reap the Wind is a bold, bracing and blisteringly original take on the legal thriller form. Joel Burcat has fashioned a seminal tale focusing on the nightmare of all road trips in which a storm raging outside the car is matched only by the storm raging within. Burcat dares to tread on the hallowed ground of John Grisham and Scott Turow and ends up blazing a fresh, daring literary tale of his own. Not to be missed!” —Jon Land, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have ever lived through a major storm (hurricane, tornado, etc), then you will be able to appreciate this novel from Joel Burcat. While the focus of the novel is the storm, there is also the interpersonal dynamics between several of the characters.

Josh is an ambitious attorney, but at the same time, he wants a good work-life balance. His fiancee, Keisha, is pregnant with their child. Their relationship is interesting, but not without struggles, especially from the parents. His are Jewish, but admittedly, not practicing. Keisha is African-American with helicopter parents. However, there is something in their relationship that binds them together. All is well until Keisha decides to leave Houston, where Josh is for a conference, ahead of a major storm about to hit the shores. She is eight months pregnant and wants to be closer to home in case the baby decides to make an early appearance. This is where everything goes awry.

Living in Texas, we are no strangers to some crazy storms. Everyone has heard of the hurricanes that hit Houston and New Orleans. It was not a pretty sight when everything was said and done. This storm is giving signs of being very similar. If it were me, I would have holed up in the hotel in Houston until everything passed. They were in a Four Seasons, after all! However, that would not have made for an interesting tale. Keisha flew out and ended up in the hospital in Cincinnati. This has Josh worried to no end, and he makes the (not so smart) decision to drive, in a major storm, from Houston to Cincinnati. Luckily, he has a friend and coworker who will go with him, so he won’t drive this alone. Originally, it would have been the two of them on this trip until their boss, Diane, forces her way into the situation. I will state that I do not like Diane. There are many reasons, but some would take away from the story, and I don’t want to reveal too much. Let’s just say she is very bossy, more than what could be considered appropriate for anyone. So, the three set off in the car for an adventure.

I had to chuckle at some of the observations by the characters on the drive. They nailed the driving habits of Texans and the love for guns. There are many humorous moments peppered throughout their journey. While perfect conditions would have allowed them to make the trip in a reasonable amount of time, the weather slowed down their travels. There is nothing like a road trip to bring out people’s true personalities.

While this band of characters is on their journey, Keisha has her own issues to deal with in the hospital. She never expected to see her former boyfriend at the hospital and as her OB/GYN while there. He crosses some ethical lines, in my opinion. But seeing him brings Keisha to a crossroads, and she has to decide which road to follow. I am not too surprised at how that situation resolved itself, but it was probably the best outcome.

There is a prologue and an epilogue that seemingly have nothing to do with the crux of the story other than to share another perspective on how someone survived the storm. I am not sure why they were included.

The book was told from the POV of Josh and Keisha. While there are two other main characters, Geoff and Diane, their story is included to a minor degree. Maybe not as in-depth as Josh and Keisha, but it is really their story to be told.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and if you like books about major storms, you just might like this one. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Burcat is an award-winning author of three environmental legal thrillers: Drink to Every Beast (illegal dumping of toxic waste), Amid Rage (a coal mine permit battle), and Strange Fire (a fracking dispute). His most recent book, Reap the Wind, is about three lawyers trying to drive from Houston to Cincinnati in a climate change-induced hurricane.

He has received a number of awards, including the Gold Medal for environmental fiction from Readers’ Favorite for Strange Fire, and as a Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Amid Rage.  He has written numerous short stories. Burcat imbues his novels with facts to educate his readers about critical environmental issues while they are being entertained by the story.

Burcat’s books are infused with realism developed over a forty plus year career as an environmental lawyer.

 

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Posted in 4 paws, Review, romance on March 3, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Appalled by his daughter’s vain and impertinent attitude, the king forces her to marry a peasant, hoping to teach her a lesson. Feeling devastated by this decree, Alora loses everything she knows and is thrust into a world she is not prepared for. The skills she learned to help her rule a kingdom have not prepared her for the drudgery of living the life of a peasant’s wife.

Larik, her new husband, is determined to help Alora and show her kindness despite her unfriendly personality. Will Larik’s example and affection towards her be enough to heal her heart of anger and grief so that she can see the beauty in the world once again? Can she let go of the past and allow herself to be loved? This is a retelling of the Grimms’ fairytale, King Thrushbeard.

 

 

 

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Praise

 

“What a wonderful book! It hooks you on the first page and doesn’t let go. It was full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I loved it!” –Ann Ferri, Book Reviewer

“I didn’t really know what to expect. What I found was a sweet romance with heroes and villains and a surprise at the end! The story has twists and turns, and you won’t know what happens next until you keep on reading! It’s amazingly clever how the author retells the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, the spinner of gold. There was great chemistry going on in the romance, and it totally engaged me. Well done!” –Sunnie Reviews

“Promises of Gold by Serena Clarke is a retake on the fairytale of Rumpelstilkin. I really did like it. This is a love story with heroes and evil villains. I think the ending will surprise most readers. It did me but it was a sweet surprise. This story is different from the original version, but it still covers the gold from straw, guessing the real name of the hero and etc.” Debbie Curto, from Dusty Deliberations

 

 

Review

 

Take one spoiled princess, one weary peasant traveler, and a King set on making things right, and you have this fantastic fairytale story retelling of King Thrushbeard.

Alora lost the love of her life, and this has turned her into a bitter woman. So much so that her father decided to marry her to a random traveler who visited their kingdom. Let’s just say this did not go over well with Alora. Especially since that means she will not have the cushy life she has enjoyed for the past few years. It is an eye-opening experience for Alora as she has to travel to another kingdom to Larik’s home, is not garbed in the finest apparel, and has to watch what she says and does around others. This is the kind of experience that will humble nearly anyone.

Despite the living conditions, Alora learns much more about herself and her capabilities. She also learns to love and appreciate those around her. The interaction between Alora, Larik, and the neighbors was engaging, and I was able to watch Alora evolve from a petulant child to a kind and caring young woman. I also enjoyed her relationship with Larik, and learning how to be a giving soul to your spouse and that it isn’t all about what she could get from this world.

I had some suspicions as to who Larik might really be from a few hints dropped here and there, but I didn’t know for sure until the end.

This fairytale does have a happy ending, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Serena Clarke is from Sunny St. George in Southern Utah. Serena has a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and has taken several writing classes in college. Her favorite genre is fantasy romance. She is not only an author but also a member of the Red Mountain Shadows Publishing team and creates book covers for indie authors. She has three fantasy romances and two fairytale romances. Her fantasy/romance novels are The Treasure of Isian, The Alliance of Isian, and The Secret of Isian. Her fairytale/romances are Promises of Gold and In Royal Ruins.

 

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Posted in 4 paws, Review, suspense, Thriller on February 28, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

Detective Cara Kennedy thought she’d lost her husband and son in an accident, but harrowing evidence has emerged that points to murder–and she will stop at nothing to find the truth in this riveting mystery from the author of City Under One Roof.

On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.

Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.

Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.

 

 

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Review

 

While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. This is important to note because if you follow my reviews at all, you know that I hate reading books out of order! The author does a great job of filling in the details of what happened in the first book.

Alaska is a beautiful state, but it can be cold and desolate in the winter. That doesn’t mean they don’t have their fair share of crime and misadventure. This novel blends native cultures with present-day issues. Set in a small town where everything is located in one tall building, we become involved with the lives of those residents of the Davidson Condos. This town doesn’t see a lot of tourism, but if people do venture that way, there are condos for rent in this town. There is another small town that plays a factor in this book called Unity. It is an incorporated village and was set up to be a haven and refuge for abused women and their children. No men are allowed except for the children. I really enjoyed the part of the story that was based here and learning how they lived, their traditions, how they incorporated all beliefs and the structure of the village. Sometimes, leaving to discover what else might be out there doesn’t mean they will be happier.

This story is told from three points of view – Cara, Ellie, and Mia. These three women are tied together without knowing it until events unfold in the novel. Each plays an internal part in the story, and while they may not trust each other, they find their commonalities and work together to bring this story to its conclusion.

I thought the book was action-packed, with just enough mystery and suspense to keep me guessing. I will say that the ending was quite a surprise. I should have expected that revelation, but I didn’t.

I doubt I will go back and read the first book, but I look forward to future novels in this series. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Iris Yamashita is an Academy Award–nominated screenwriter for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima. She has been working in Hollywood for fifteen years, developing material for both film and streaming, has taught screenwriting at UCLA, and is an advocate of women and diversity in the entertainment industry. She has also been a judge and mentor for various film and writing programs and lives in California.

 

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Posted in 4 paws, Giveaway, Historical, Review on February 23, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

The Knotted Ring

 

By

 

Myra Hargrave McIlvain

 

 

Historical Fiction / Family Saga / Historical Romance

Publisher: Next Chapter

Page Count: 412

Publication Date: December 7, 2023

 

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Susannah Mobley, expecting a baby by her lover, a slave owned by her family, submits to an arranged marriage to Hezekiah James who is headed to Texas to claim a Spanish land grant. Caught in a series of lies about the origin of a beautiful ring woven from her red hair and the circumstances of her pregnancy, Susannah embarks on the harsh trip to Texas, grieving for her lost love and determined to control her destiny.

On the wagon train journey, Hezekiah is tested by his beliefs and strengths with his slaves and Native Americans, as well as a strange Mad Stone. His determination to build a plantation as fine as Susannah’s home place and to make the best decisions for Susannah fails. Susannah will have to decide if she can live with the consequences of her lies and open herself to this man who shows every form of contrition or if she will allow longing for what she cannot have to destroy her life.

 

The Knotted Ring is currently a semi-finalist in the Laramie Awards for Western and Americana Fiction.

 

“An often engrossing and well-handled story of the 19th century.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

 

 

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This historical romance depicts the tough times that early settlers had moving west and settling in uncharted territory. It also showcases women’s lives and Susannah’s forbidden love.

Our protagonist, Susannah, is a smart woman who lives in a time when slavery abounds, marriages are arranged, and love does not always win the day. She has a forbidden affair with a slave and winds up pregnant. To save face, her father marries her off to a man who is leading a wagon train to Texas. This solves her father’s issues and not wanting to see his daughter give birth to this child. But what Susannah doesn’t realize until much later is that Hezekiah truly loves her and will do anything for her to make her happy.

While Susannah fights the relationship forming between the two of them, after all, he isn’t her lover; we do see their relationship grow in spite of everything. It takes a lot of time; hurt feelings have to be overcome, and the realization that perhaps her first love was not her true love.

Outside of the marriage, Susannah has to learn a lot about life on a wagon train and in a strange new state. Life was not easy for the pioneers as they journeyed to stake new claims in the West. I admired their fortitude in seeking this new life. While it wasn’t easy, they had others to lean on in harder times. The women especially created a close-knit friendship and supported one another. Not everything was rosy, but knowing that someone had your back was important.

This story reminded me that I should be grateful for everything that I have that was created by those who came before me. The author does a beautiful job of depicting the life these pioneers forged, their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams. There is symbolism throughout the book, and it will mean something different to each reader.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Myra Hargrave McIlvain, a sixth-generation Texan, is a storyteller who has written Texas historical markers (yes, real people write those things lining Texas highways), articles for newspapers and magazines such as Texas Highways, and six nonfiction books about famous and infamous Texas characters and places.

McIlvain found her real love when she wrote her first historical fiction. All her tales take place in Texas during major periods of its history. However, The Knotted Ring was inspired by an old family story, and in her search to understand what may have happened, she imagined their lives set in a time that she knew well––the establishment of the first Anglo colony.

McIlvain views history as the story of a people; the people she knows best have made Texas home.

 

 

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Posted in 4 paws, excerpt, Historical, mystery, Review on February 22, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

A ghost’s antics, a harrowing moose chase, a hypnosis session, and smuggled booze lead to spilled secrets and betrayal, but do they also lead to murder?

At a hot springs retreat in Montana, whiskey-swigging Maude, the nearly eighty-year-old chef, longs for the glory days when the retreat hosted martini-sipping celebrities instead of long-haired hippies who refuse to wear deodorant. Brooke, feisty, adventurous, and a bit reckless, proposes a reunion at the retreat with her best friends to get away from the chaos of her life with teenagers and the emotional aftermath of her postponed wedding. One of those friends, Tracy, has devoted her life to her children and her husband despite her excruciating boredom. But a long-held secret could cost her the most important friendships in her life. Haunting the place is a ghost who, in life, dealt with tragedy by turning to prostitution which led to her murder over 100 years ago at the very place they all are staying.

What Happens in Montana explores friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness with blunt truth and witty insights. Together, these friends learn to navigate empty nests, infidelity, deception, and poltergeists. Most importantly, they learn their friendship is strong enough to get them through it all.

 

 

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Review

 

This story blends friendship with a hint of mystery and a ghost!

Four women decide to take a weekend getaway to a hotel in Montana, in need of much repair. At least parts of it. But what they don’t anticipate is finding their true selves, uncovering some secrets, and making new friends.

This story is told from multiple points of view. This can get distracting, but it helps, especially when Simone, the ghost, is telling her story. I really enjoyed learning about her life and why she died and was stuck at this hotel. I really liked Maude. She has been at the hotel/retreat center for thirty years. That is a long time in one spot, but she loves it there and has a connection with Simone. She may not know why Simone is there or what she needs to move on, but she still feels a connection to her. Then, there are the four women who came to this retreat to reconnect. While they had met as younger women, they were spread out across the country now. There are secrets that come to light, and it is amazing how revealing those secrets freed the women up to be themselves and not in fear of the secret being revealed before the right time.

I enjoyed the story and can appreciate how this weekend away might impact their lives. There is a sideline story about Maude’s daughter who died and how Brooke reminds her of that daughter. But we are left hanging as to what happened to the daughter and how it impacted her marriage. I would have liked to have known more about that scenario. There is also a lothario at the hotel, Max. Let’s just say that Max is not who you think he is, and luckily, no one is hurt in their interactions with him.

This was a fun read, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

I glanced at the bird-like woman who sat across from him and wondered how she kissed him with that facial hair. Didn’t it smell like whatever he ate? Or scratch her face? Didn’t errant hair ever tickle her nose and make her sneeze? Maybe they had been together so long that they didn’t really kiss much anymore. Just a peck hello and goodbye. I supposed I could handle facial hair if that was my only interaction with it.

“Hello, I’m Maude, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Can I get you anything to drink besides water?”

“Water is fine for me. Dear, what would you like?”

“Oh, I’d like sparkling water. One of those flavored ones, if you have it. Not one that has calories or sugar or anything. Just the essence of lime or tangerine or whatever. Do you know what I mean?” She looked at me with big, pleading eyes. I saw such hunger in those eyes. Lord, this woman needed a huge steak and a baked potato with butter and sour cream. Then she needed a good bottle of wine to go with it and a German chocolate cake to finish it all. This woman didn’t look as though she had been properly nourished and decades. But what I saw most in her eyes was that she had not allowed herself to live. She imposed such restrictions on her life – what to eat, what to wear, what friends to have, what church to attend, what car to drive, what words to say – that she forgot what she wanted. She forgot how to live. She was just going through the motions. She might as well already be dead.

I wanted to tell her to forget calories, forget working out at least five days a week, forget always needing to be a size zero, forget what others think, forget keeping her house perfectly in order, for surely this woman’s house was always in order, and throw all caution to the wind. Eat an entire gallon of ice cream while binge watching Grace and Frankie. Stay in your pajamas till noon and dance to Uptown Funk with the volume so loud the neighbors will call the police. Hike to the top of Boulder peak at dawn to watch the sunrise regardless of the animals you might encounter. Tell your husband to shave that nasty dead rat on his face and kiss him like you did when you were a teen teenager. Just don’t live like life will last forever.

Instead, I said, “Sure. We have lime, grapefruit, and coconut sparkling water.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Kim McCollum graduated from Barnard College as a Japanese major and headed to work on Wall Street. Many miserable all-nighters and the birth of her first child led her to stay home to raise her children. Eventually, she pursued her passion for writing. An excerpt from this novel appeared in The Copperfield Review Quarterly, and her short stories have appeared in The Dillydoun Review, Beyond Solace, and Fiction on the Web. She lives in Bozeman, MT, with her husband, Brian, and their blended menagerie of five kids, two dogs, and seven spoiled chickens. What Happens in Montana is her first novel.

 

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Posted in 4 paws, Cozy, Giveaway, mystery, Recipe, Review on February 22, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Minotaur Books (February 20, 2024)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Jin grew up literally hanging onto Mom’s apron strings in their magical bakery in the quaint town of Pixie, California. Her mother’s enchanted baked goods, including puffy pineapple buns and creamy egg tarts, bring instant joy to all who consume them. Felicity has always been hesitant in the kitchen herself after many failed attempts, but a takeout meal gone wrong inspires her to craft some handmade fortune cookies.

They become so popular that Felicity runs out of generic fortunes and starts making her own personalized predictions. When one customer’s ill-fated fortune results in his murder, Felicity’s suspiciously specific fortune has the police focusing on her as the main culprit. Now Felicity must find a way to turn her luck around and get cleared from suspicion.

 

 

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Recipe

 

~Auspicious Almond Cookies~

 

Makes about 24 cookies, or 2 dozen

Ingredients:

1 ⅓ cups sifted all-purpose flour

⅝ cup white sugar

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

½ cup butter

1  egg

1 ½ tsp almond extract (1 tsp if less almond flavor is desired)

24 almond slices (sliced almonds)

 

Directions:

  1. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together into a bowl. Cut in the butter (VERY important, don’t skip this) until mixture resembles cornmeal. Add the almond extract and half of the egg. Mix well. The dough will appear to be too crumbly in the beginning, but if you mix it long enough, it will get the right consistency (that’s why you only need half an egg).
  2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
  3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Set them 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Press down with your thumb to flatten each cookie slightly. Place an almond slice in the middle of each cookie.
  4. Combine the other half of the egg and ½ tbsp water to make a light egg wash glaze. Cover the tops of the cookies with the glaze using a basting brush. You can adjust the amount of glaze used on each cookie depending on how much almond cookie shine you want.
  5. Bake in oven until the edges of the cookies are golden brown, about 15 to 18 minutes.

 

Note: They taste even better the second day because the almond flavor has set in.

 

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This new series was a lot of fun to read, and the mystery left me hanging until the end because I had no idea who the killer could be, and there were not a lot of suspects to choose from! I did not suspect the killer since no motive was ever really established until it was revealed.

Felicity is coming into her own in the bakery her mother owns. They are a magical family and everything her mom bakes is infused with joy. It took Felicity a while to find her grove, but she finally does with fortune cookies. I thought it was neat that she could write fortunes specifically for a person. It takes her some time to uncover how to do it and control it.

I really liked her best friend, Kelvin, and her godmother, Alma. These are two characters that add character to the story. Kelvin is her partner in crime, and they find themselves in some sticky situations. There is even a bunny that appears, Whiskers, that might have magical abilities too. Only time will tell.

Not everything is smooth sailing for Felicity and her mom. Certain situations put them in a bit of a pickle. It causes a few hiccups for the bakery. Luckily, all works out in time.

I think this could be a good series, I look forward to reading more and depth added for the characters with more background.

We give this 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jennifer J. Chow writes cozies with heart, humor, and heritage. Her newest series is the L.A. Night Market Mysteries. The first book, Death By Bubble Tea, was nominated for both an Agatha Award (Best Contemporary Novel) and a Lefty Award (Best Humorous Mystery). It hit the SoCal Indie Bestseller List multiple times and was one Aunt Agatha’s Best of Cozies 2022, Kings River Life Staff Favorites of 2022, and one of the 2022 Bestsellers at Bel Canto Books. It’s been featured in Book Riot, BookBub, Bustle, CrimeReads, Goodreads, and Mystery Scene Magazine. The New York Times Book Review said of the novel: “Yale and Celine’s growing loyalty to each other, coupled with the warmth of Chow’s prose, adds extra depth, just like the tapioca balls nestled in a glass of bubble tea.” Jennifer currently serves as President on the board of Sisters in Crime and regularly blogs at chicksonthecase.com. She is also an active member of Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America.

 

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Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Posted in 4 paws, fiction, Historical, Review on February 14, 2024

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Home.
For over three hundred years, that’s what the Hamilton family has called a shrinking swath of farmland in the Appalachian foothills of South Carolina.

Home.
That’s the failing tobacco farm where Walter and Maggie Hamilton choose to raise their three children. Walter has big plans to make the farm more profitable, but his plans are interrupted by World War II and family heartbreak. Walter returns from the war a changed man, and finds Maggie, too, has changed; neither of them for the better. But at least their family is together at…

Home.
More than anything, that’s where their eight-year-old son, Jimmy Hamilton, wants to be. However, after an unspeakable tragedy, he’s sent away from the only life he’s ever known—to live with a kindly uncle in North Carolina, far from…

Home.
That’s where Jimmy is finally going to be, unless fate has plans of its own…

A Song that Never Ends is the first installment of the Hamilton Place series, an epic family saga extending from the Great Depression to present day. Through war and peace, love and loss, triumph and tragedy; follow the Hamilton family on their journey from a run-down farm in South Carolina, through the jungles of Vietnam, to the top of the world in New York City, and beyond the gardens of stone at Arlington.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

This is the first of two books in a series that primarily depicts life during WWII and Vietnam. It follows the Hamilton family and how they survive life after tragedy. The family is dysfunctional and handles things differently. It was an interesting look into this family, discovering their personalities and how they handled certain situations.

While the story focuses on Maggie and Walter, the parents, the son Jimmy/James, has a large role in this book. He is whip-smart, and they send him to live with his Uncle Howard after a death in the family. It is here that he begins to flourish. I loved watching him learn more about himself and the world around him. It was lacking at home with his family, primarily due to his older brother and the affection their mother gave to him. It was obvious that Maggie had her favorites.

While there is tragedy for several characters, it is a study of family life during this turbulent time, how they handled the war, family, and more.

I did feel a little disconnected from the book and the characters until I was further into the story. I think it really picked up for me when Jimmy went to live with his Uncle and observed how he changed during this time. My heart broke for Jimmy because each week, he would write a letter to his parents, and his mother would send it back “addressee unknown.” These letters will play a huge part in the second book, so they aren’t lost.

The book does have a little bit of a cliffhanger that left me wanting so much more. I am glad I had the next book ready to read because I needed to know how the story ended.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Mark A. Gibson is a physician who practices Cardiology in the mountains of rural North Georgia. He was raised on a small farm in upstate South Carolina—the last postage-stamp sized sliver of a much larger parcel granted to the family by a land grant from King Charles II in 1665—and may or may not have once gotten in trouble for digging up his mom’s calla lily bed in search of the family’s long-lost charter.

Dr. Gibson graduated from the Citadel in Charleston, SC, with a BS in Biology. Afterward, he received his medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. He received his Internal Medicine training through the University of Tennessee Medical System and Cardiology training through the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. He served for eight years on active duty with the US Air Force before leaving the military for private practice.

Although a cardiologist by profession, Dr. Gibson is a dreamer by nature. He is a self-styled oenophile who enjoys travel and fine food. In his spare time, he builds sandcastles and dreams of distant shores.

Roses in December represents Dr. Gibson’s second offering to the world of literature and the conclusion of his Hamilton Place Series. All previous publications have been of the professional, peer-reviewed, medical variety and make for lovely sleep aids.

 

Amazon * X (Twitter)

 

 

Giveaway

 

Win author-signed copies of A SONG THAT NEVER ENDS and ROSES IN DECEMBER (Hamilton Place)

(USA only)

(ends Mar 1)

 

A SONG THAT NEVER ENDS (Hamilton Place) by Mark Gibson Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

 

Posted in 4 paws, Book Release, Review, romance, women on February 13, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Sometimes you have to run away to find yourself.

Reeling from the sudden loss of her older sister―her only family―Addie May flees Los Angeles without a plan or a destination, and ends up in Georgetown, Texas. Lost and alone, she’s taken in by some kind local ranchers, and there she meets farm hand Zac Ryan, who starts to cut through the grief and pain and show Addie that she has something to live for.

But the small town holds more than just a fresh start for Addie. Fate has brought her face-to-face with a piece of her past, and she can no longer ignore the parts of herself she thought she’d left behind. Without knowing what’s on the horizon, Addie must find the strength to move towards her dreams. Because healing happens when you let love in, and life happens when you start living it.

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

This book blends romance, friendship, and family strife. The author hits just the right note on all three, which will draw you into the lives of the characters and potentially take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Addie is grieving for the loss of her sister. We don’t know how she died until much later in the book, and once certain details are revealed, her attempt to disappear makes sense. Addie runs from her home in California to Texas and Georgetown at that. Knowing that the author lives in another country, I always wonder how well they will portray a smaller town in Texas and how closely the town resembles fact. While I think it might be off just a little bit, since Georgetown is a little larger than portrayed in the book, it isn’t too far off.

The friendship between Addie and Zac grows over time. There is an attraction between the two, but it takes time to grow into a full-blown relationship. But I like that because many times, relationships are rushed. This one meanders, much like Texas folks.

There are several twists and turns, and fate has stepped in to give Addie more than she ever bargained for. To share any of that would spoil the book, so you will have to pick it up and read it for yourself.

This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I can say that it truly did delight. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Tay Marley wears many hats: bibliophile, entrepreneur, wife, mother, and featured Wattpad author. Her whirlwind journey on Wattpad began in 2017 and led to one hundred thousand dedicated followers, a five-part series, and three stand-alone books, including her breakout story, The QB Bad Boy and Me, which have amassed over forty-one million reads. She resides in New Zealand with her husband. When she isn’t writing about confident women and their love interests, she’s teaching her three small children how to be the leads in their own epic tales.

 

Goodreads * X (Twitter) * Instagram

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