Synopsis

 

Her electrifying idea could change the world.

Lindsey Harper Crowe is trying desperately to do right by her family’s 100-year-old energy business, yet everyone says she’s wrong.

She’s despoiling the planet, according to her woke daughter, Missy, who has been protesting outside company headquarters. She’s ruining the iconic company, says her bitter ex-husband, Robbie, who desperately wants his old job back. She’s under investigation by the
FBI for price gouging, along with other fossil fuel-based companies in the U.S. Ruthless hedge fund manager Harold “Hacksaw Harry” Crenshaw says she should just give it all up and go back to her old life of shopping and day-drinking.

Undaunted but increasingly desperate, Lindsey resolves to fight back with the help of a jaded PR veteran, Marty McGarry. Together they conceive a high-risk scheme to forge a new identity for her and her business. Their gambit? Create a public demonstration of fusion energy, based on the process that powers the sun and the stars, by lighting the flame on the Statue of Liberty.
If it fails, she could lose it all. But if it succeeds, she could be hailed as America’s Green Goddess.

This amusing and insightful telling of the saga of Lindsey, the Crowe family, and their historic company takes satirical aim at upper-class guilt, trendy socialism, corporate cynicism, climate politics, and Washington corruption.

 

 

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About the Author

 

Jon Pepper is a novelist and consultant based in New York City.

His latest novel, Green Goddess, is the third in his Fossil Feuds series, centered on the wealthy Crowe family’s New York-based energy empire as it struggles to adapt to modern times. Intra-family warfare, executive rivalries, crosstown competitors, and climate activists threaten to bring it all down. The Crowe family’s battles are sometimes petty, sometimes mean, but they’re also lively, amusing, and deeply human.

A native of Michigan, Jon won numerous awards as a national writer and business columnist for The Detroit News. He subsequently became the president of a media firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and an executive for two Fortune 100 companies before starting his own strategic communications agency, Indelable, in New York.

The first book in the series, A Turn in Fortune, focuses on insecure company chairman Robbie Crowe’s jealous rage over press acclaim for his highly successful CEO Walker B. Hope. A showdown looms; Crowe Power is big, but it isn’t big enough for the both of them.

Heirs on Fire, released in 2020, follows Robbie Crowe’s fight for respect and recognition while dealing with an estranged wife, a manipulative mistress, a takeover threat, and a possible revolt in his storied family. The New York Post called it “a clever corporate satire.” Kirkus Reviews recommended “Heirs on Fire” and said it was “wickedly funny.”

Lindsey Harper Crowe, the first woman leader in the company’s long history, is under pressure from climate activists, a hedge fund manager, and a business rival in Green Goddess. She needs to either find or convincingly fake common cause with her critics, or she could lose the business. In recommending Green Goddess, Kirkus Reviews said the book was “a rollicking ride … as humorous as it is astute.”

Jon’s career as a journalist, executive, and entrepreneur gave him a front-row seat in the corner suites, estates, private jets, and first-class hotels where the business elite dwell. With an eye for human quirks and vanities, Jon captures the multiple dimensions of life in executive suites with entertaining accuracy.

“I’ve always loved good satires about the business elite and the various pressures that guide decision-making for better and for worse,” Jon says. “The goal of my books is to immerse readers in that world, make them laugh, and make them think.”

Jon and his wife Diane, who designed the covers of his books, reside in Manhattan.

 

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Southern Living graciously invites you to enjoy the latest annual compilation of top-rated recipes from the editors of Southern Living magazine—now in full colorFor decades, Southern Living Annual Recipes has collected every recipe from an entire year’s worth of Southern Living magazine in a single complete volume, creating an indispensable companion for devoted readers and an inspiring discovery for all who know and trust the authority that Southern Living magazine brings to great Southern cooking. Inside, the editors at Southern Living magazine share beautifully photographed, step-by-step recipes for regionally inspired dishes, from quick and easy meals to family favorites, as well as special-occasion treats. Along with the go-to Southern recipes cooks crave—delicious Sunday suppers, mouthwatering desserts, regional favorites, and traditional holiday meals—readers will find helpful tips and creative menus from the legendary Southern Living Test Kitchen. A special bonus section presents a surprise selection of reader-favorite recipes that cannot be found anywhere else.

 

 

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My Thoughts

 

Since joining Abrams Dinner Party, I have been exposed to many new recipes spanning a range of cuisine types. I also love to stretch my skills, so I never oppose to these opportunities.

I have received the Southern Living Annual Recipe book for several years now, and I am always amazed at the number of dishes available in the book. And the photos help me visualize the dishes and what they should look like. I might not always follow a recipe to the letter, but knowing what the finished product should look like always helps.

While I haven’t had time to dive into every single page of this book, my mouth is already watering at the photos of the various dishes that I have perused. I have a feeling I will be bookmarking a lot of these recipes to try over the coming year.

The contents are divided by month and pull in ingredients that are in season or fit with the season. There is everything from salads to main courses to desserts.

My goal is try at least 1 recipe per month starting in 2023. Here is my initial thoughts:

January – Creamy Chicken Sausage and Kale Soup
February – Sesame Crusted Chicken Breasts with Sugar Snap Pea Salad or Chipotle Maple Chicken Thighs with Candied Acorn Squash (or both!)
March – Fire roasted Tomato and Beef Ragu or Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry
April – Garlic Oregano Chicken with Grilled Leeks and Lemon
May – Creamy Baked Eggs with Leeks and Spinach or Bacon and Egg Tarts with Goat Cheese
June – Blistered Cherry Tomatoes with Red Pepper Feta Spread
July – Peach Cream Kuchen (a Texas favorite in the Hill Country!)
August – Chipotle Chicken Tacos & Chipotle Shrimp Tacos (2 separate recipes)
September – Applesauce Snack Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
October – Smothered Pork Chops with Rice and Sweet Potato Topped Southwestern Cottage Pie
November – Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Pie Squares
December – Cheesy Chorizo Stuffed Chilies and many options for my annual sweet treat exchange!

As you can see, this barely scratches the surface of all the included goodness in this book.  I can see this as a book I will use over and over.

If you like trying new recipes, pick up a copy for yourself and try your hand the deliciousness inside.

 

 

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.

 

 

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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.

 

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FIND THE MOON

By Beth Fehlbaum

 

Young Adult / Social Issues / Family Issues

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Pages: 298 pages

Expected Publication Date: January 10, 2023

 

 

 

 

For as long as she can remember, Kylie Briscoe’s been searching for the moon even though she has no idea why it soothes her. Placed in an impossible situation by her mother, Kylie cries for help. It brings rescuers and a new life, but it feels more like a death sentence when she is separated from her three-year-old sister Aliza, the only person Kylie’s ever really loved.

Now she’s in tiny Patience, Texas, with her eccentric potty-mouthed grandmother, ever-patient stargazing grandfather, an uncle who reminds her a lot of a cop who terrified her during a drug bust, a herd of Norwegian Dwarf goats, their “guard donkeys,” and three canine roommates occupying Kylie’s former nursery.

When the authorities make a mistake that could cost her everything, Kylie must decide whether to tell the truth-all of it in order to save herself and her sister.

 

 

 

 

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This young adult novel might resonate with many people, young and old, that dealt with issues growing up, including bullying, absent parents, drugs, and neglect.

Kylie Jean, Kylie to her friends, has endured a lot in her young life. Her mother was mostly an absentee mother, which left Kylie to help raise her younger sister, Aliza, on her own. When an event goes south at their trailer, Kylie and Aliza manage to escape the life they were living. However, the choice to leave and get help comes with a price. Aliza’s biological father takes custody of her but not Kylie. Kylie discovers she has grandparents that have been searching for her for 13 years. I can’t imagine being kept from family that wanted to love and protect you from those that may not know better, even if it is your own mother.

This novel is Kylie’s journey to discovering who she is without her sister and overcoming some of the incidents in her life prior to living with her grandparents. She doesn’t trust anyone, and you can’t blame her, considering her life for the last 13 years. She was just trying to survive. It was a struggle with her grandparents because they just wanted to love her but didn’t realize how much of an impact events in her life kept her on edge. Because she doesn’t trust anyone, she finds herself mixed up with one of the other students at her new high school. It isn’t a good situation, but at least she recognizes it and does seek help.

It was hard watching what Kylie was going through, knowing so many people have walked that same path. But she was surrounded by a loving family, which I think helped her in the end.

I would be remiss in not mentioning the goats! Her grandparents raise and breed goats, and one of Kylie’s jobs was to socialize the new kids. That has to be a lot of fun! And there are three dogs. A book is always better with a dog in it, in my opinion.

This book touched my soul, and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beth Fehlbaum is the author of the young adult novels Find the Moon, Big Fat Disaster (on the Spirit of Texas-High School Reading List, 2014-2015), Courage in Patience, Hope in Patience (A YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers), and Truth in Patience. With Dr. Matt E. Jaremko, Beth co-wrote the creative nonfiction book, Trauma Recovery: Sessions with Dr. Matt. She is a high school English teacher.

Authenticity, calling out hypocrisy, and finding one’s voice are frequent themes in Beth’s work, and they are absolutely essential themes in her life, as well. Beth has a B.A. in English, a minor in secondary education, and an M.Ed. in reading. Beth is in-demand as an author-panelist, having presented/appeared at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, the American Library Association’s annual conference, YALSA, N.C.T.E./ALAN, and numerous YA book festivals. She’s a member of The Author’s Guild, SCBWI, Romance Writers of America, and the Texas Federation of Teachers.  She loves doing school visits and meeting teens, teachers, and librarians!

Beth lives in the woods of East Texas in a house on a slice of family acreage. The home was built by her family over one very hot, humid summer, a task she wishes never to repeat again. This sanctuary-of-sorts is lined by pine trees, and the woods are inhabited by raccoons, possums, and feral cats. All of these creatures appear to consider Beth, their cat-food-providing goddess. There is no place she would rather be.

 

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AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY!

 

Pre-order a copy of Find the Moon and enter the author’s giveaway!

 

Three lucky winners will win a $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed set of THE PATIENCE TRILOGY,

 

and a signed copy of BIG FAT DISASTER.

 

Ends 12/30/2022.

 

Visit Beth’s website for more information and to enter!

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Andi’s step-mother is a real piece of work!

But is Ruby a murderer?

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent/amateur sleuth, puts aside her resentment of her father’s widow and books a 60th birthday cruise to Cancun for Ruby and three friends. Never does Andi imagine the cruise will lead to the murder of a has-been lounge singer—or that Ruby will be the main suspect.

Flirting with more than danger after arriving in Mexico, Andi connects with the charming local sheriff, Manual Rodriquez. After an embarrassing night involving the sheriff, too many margaritas, and a Mariachi band, a chance to check out an eyewitness to the murder leads her to Las Vegas.

In Vegas, a mysterious meeting in the Bodies Exhibition, a body preserving in the prep-room, and an evasive owner of a dance studio, give Andi clues to help Ruby. But when Andi is mercilessly drugged and locked in a storage room, she realizes dear old step-mom isn’t the only one in jeopardy.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This was a fun new cozy series for me to start recently…especially since it is set in warmer weather (FL, Mexico, and Las Vegas) while I am freezing here in Texas right now.

Andi Anna has quite an unusual name, and if you say it fast, you might think of a certain film series starring Harrison Ford. The funny thing is that she was really named after her father, just a more feminine name. Andi and her sister have an ex-stepmother, Ruby, that has found herself in a bit of a pickle and has landed in a Mexican jail. Andi seems to be the only one that can go down and help her, and she discovers that maybe she likes investigating things. It doesn’t hurt that there is a handsome Mexican police detective named Manny that has taken an interest in Andi, and Andi in him.

I really enjoyed the multiple locations, trying to solve the mystery, and watching sparks fly between Andi and Manny. There are some red herrings, but a few clues are fairly obvious. However, the main clue eluded me until the end. What a surprise as the killer was revealed.

This book may be on the shorter side, but it is filled with nonstop action, and the race is on to discover the killer before more people die.

The 2nd book is due out at the end of February 2023, and I can’t wait to see what Andi is up to next. I think we haven’t seen the last of Ruby quite yet.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Author, Mary Cunningham, grew up on the northern side of the Ohio River in Corydon, Indiana. Her first memories are of her dad’s original bedtime stories that no doubt inspired her imagination and love of a well-spun “yarn.”

Through the author’s horrifying stint as a travel agent, The Andi Anna Jones mysteries sprang to life. The adult/mystery series gives extra meaning to the phrase, “Write what you know.” Cunningham has several published books, including a five-book middle-grade fantasy, women’s lifestyle/humor book, and a sports/military brat biography about a UConn/WNBA basketball player.

She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Sisters In Crime, Atlanta Chapter, International Thriller Writers, Inc., and the Carrollton Writers Guild.

When she gives her fingers a break from the keyboard, she enjoys golf, swimming, and exploring the mountains of West Georgia, where she makes her home with her husband.
 

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Author Amazon Page

 

 

A delicious and delightful narrative history of pie in America, from the colonial era through the civil rights movement and beyond

From the pumpkin pie gracing the Thanksgiving table to the apple pie at the Fourth of July picnic, nearly every American shares a certain nostalgia for a simple circle of crust and filling. But America’s history with pie has not always been so sweet. After all, it was a slice of cherry pie at the Woolworth’s lunch counter on a cool February afternoon that helped to spark the Greensboro sit-ins and ignited a wave of anti-segregation protests across the South during the civil rights movement. Molasses pie, meanwhile, captures the legacies of racial trauma and oppression passed down from America’s history of slavery, and Jell-O pie exemplifies the pressures and contradictions of gender roles in an evolving modern society. We all know the warm comfort of the so-called “All-American” apple pie . . . but just how did pie become the symbol of a nation?

In Sweet Land of Liberty: A History of America in 11 Pies, food writer Rossi Anastopoulo cracks open our relationship to pie with wit and good humor. For centuries, pie has been a malleable icon, co-opted for new social and political purposes. Here, Anastopoulo traces the pies woven into our history, following the evolution of our country across centuries of innovation and change. With corresponding recipes for each chapter and sidebars of quirky facts throughout, Sweet Land of Liberty is an entertaining, informative, and utterly charming food history for bakers, dessert lovers, and history aficionados alike. Ultimately, the story of pie is the story of America itself, and it’s time to dig in.

 

 

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Review

 

Pies? History? Where does one even start with that fantastic combination?

Anyone that knows me knows I love a good pie. I may not be able to bake them (or not well), but I do enjoy eating most pies. So when I was offered this book, I couldn’t wait to dive in and learn the history of how some pies came about and the part that they play in our country’s history.

There are 11 pies featured in this book: apple, pumpkin, molasses, sweet potato, pecan, chiffon, mock apple pie, Jell-o pie, bean pie, quiche, and tofu cream pie. Now, I’m sure you are looking at that list and recognize some but not all. That was me too. But as I dove into each chapter, I learned so much about how these pies came into existence. Some are more recent additions, like the Jell-o pie, and others have ties to events that divided us as a country, from racism to gender barriers.

While most of this book is the history of pies, never fear; there are recipes included. There is an all-butter pie crust recipe and at least one recipe from each of the 11 categories. I even know a blogger that made one of the pies crustless, and it looked divine.

While I am still making my way through each of the chapters, I am picking up nuggets of history that are fascinating and might make one think about pie in a whole new light.

Our past may not be perfect when it comes to what was represented regarding pie, but we can’t change history. We can only learn from it and endeavor to do better. I do feel like the author blames us today for what happened in the past when it came to how sugar was cultivated, what recipes were or weren’t included in cookbooks, and so forth. While it may not be right how certain people were treated 100+ years ago, we cannot change the past. Because of this perceived slant to the book, I deducted a paw and give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Rossi Anastopoulo is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in TASTE, Saveur, Food52, Bon Appetit, and Eaten Magazine. In 2019 she was the recipient of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Award for Narrative Food Writing for her piece on the bean pie and the Nation of Islam. She works as the blog editor for King Arthur Baking Company, and is based in Los Angeles.

 

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FINDING MY DESTYNEE

 

Rafter O Ranch, Book 3

 

by

 

NATALIE BRIGHT

 

& DENISE F. McALLISTER

 

 

Holiday Romance / Country Music Romance / Clean & Wholesome
Publisher: CKN Christian Publishing
Publication Date: October 18, 2022
Page Count: 245 pages

 

 

Scroll down for the Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

True heart’s desire cannot be ignored.

Destynee Olsen has always done what her mother asked, but the road to stardom could mean leaving behind a piece of her heart.

Travis Olsen tries desperately to honor his vow to support his wife. Watching their son grow up without a mother is asking too much and his resentment builds. A marriage alone and single parenting is not what he signed up for.

The line has been drawn between a woman who has been told that her destiny to be a star is more important than she is and a cowboy who refuses to destroy his wife’s dream. Destynee and Travis have to decide what’s important. Can they discover the life they were meant to have at the risk of denying their own hearts?

 

 

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Praise from Amazon Reviewers

 

“The dialog brings the story to life, and the stage scenes are intriguing and vivid as Destynee decides just how much fame is worth, and the cost to her heart and family.”

“…an emotional read about a young couple, each trying to survive their marriage. The storyline brings heartache, forgiveness, and reconciliation as God works to bring peace and contentment back to their marriage.”

“Another great read with excellent characters.”

 

 

 

 

This clean, sweet romance reminds us that what is important in life isn’t fame and fortune but family.

Travis and Destynee were married young and have a son, Wyatt. Destynee’s mother missed out on having a life in the spotlight, so she pushes Destynee in that direction. Now don’t get me wrong, Destynee has a beautiful voice, but her mother is a piece of work. She tells her what to wear, what to sing, and micromanages her entire life. She even keeps Travis away from Destynee by treating her like a young child and taking her phone away, deleting messages and calls. As you can imagine, this causes miscommunication between the couple.

On the road, Destynee begins to question if this is where she wants to be. She misses Travis and Wyatt, and the few times she is able to see them just reinforce what she is missing by traveling and performing. I think many people might question if that is the life for them, especially Destynee, who has a strong belief in family and doing what is right. I began to question how much her mother was profiting off of her daughter, especially when she won’t tell Destynee how much she was making singing or how much she was paying a publicity expert. There are many more red flags, but I can see how Destynee wouldn’t necessarily question her mother based on their relationship and her age.

Travis isn’t perfect either. He isn’t really taking care of Wyatt, but thankfully his mother is making sure that everything is ok. There are issues there that need to be dealt with to ensure a more peaceful family. Relationships are tenuous at times, but communication is what helps bring the family together during the rough patches. But they all support one another, and that is evident when Travis decides to step up his relationship. I won’t say too much because that might spoil it for you!

I enjoyed watching the characters grow. They aren’t perfect, but they learn what it takes to make a relationship and family work. They are even strengthened by their faith.

This was such a good book, and I didn’t realize it was the third in a series. I will definitely go back and check out the first two books.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas author Natalie Bright writes novels for kids and adults that combine her passion of the American West with a small-town vibe. She calls the wide-open land and endless sky of the Texas Panhandle home, which inspires her work. Her co-author is a Georgia writer and editor. Denise F. McAllister credits a love of horseback riding and 15 years in equestrian showmanship for her heartfelt connection to all things western.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natalie’s Social Media & Author Pages

 

 Website | Amazon | Facebook | Pinterest

 

Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub | LinkedIn

 

 

Denise’s Social Media & Author Pages

 

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

 

ONE WINNER!

 

Receives the full Rafter O Ranch eBook Series.

 

(US only; ends midnight, CST, 12/29/22.)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

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

 

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12/19/22	All the Ups and Downs	Excerpt
12/19/22	Carpe Diem Chronicles	Review
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12/20/22	Chapter Break Book Blog	Guest Post
12/20/22	The Clueless Gent	Review
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12/21/22	Shelf Life Blog	Author Interview
12/21/22	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
12/22/22	Book Fidelity	Guest Post
12/22/22	Rainy Days with Amanda	Review
12/22/22	Guatemala Paula Loves to Read	BONUS Promo
12/23/22	Boys’ Mom Reads!	Guest Post
12/23/22	Librariel Book Adventures	Review
12/23/22	Rox Burkey Blog	BONUS Review

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Love and danger spar in this thrilling romantic suspense novel in which hands push Marie Jessica (“MJ”) Goodrich from a rural roadway into an icy creek. The clock is ticking for her pleading friend on the other side of the ravine.

Running from flashbacks of a life-altering attack in Afghanistan, MJ takes refuge with her mother, managing Peach Blossom Orchard. But peace is elusive in a rural Oklahoma town full of secrets.

After losing his wife and children in a fatal car crash, Josh Rivers doubts he deserves a second chance at love. He can’t believe his bad luck when MJ, the woman who plagues the nightmares of his military service in Afghanistan, shows up in his hometown. She claims a driver ran down and abducted her friend Kelsey. Frustrated with the county sheriff’s investigation, MJ and Josh partner to follow clues that lead to a kidnapper who demands a bizarre ransom.

With danger increasing for everyone MJ loves, will the clock run out before they solve the mystery? Find out how MJ and Josh—swirling in a whirlwind of mystery and suspense—lean on their mutual faith to find answers, courage, forgiveness, healing … and wholesome romance.

If you like to read Christy Barritt and Colleen Coble, you’ll love Into the Fog, a keep-you-up-at-night clean romantic suspense novel that launches the Peach Blossom Orchard series.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

This romantic suspense novel had me on the edge of my seat from the first page. The author’s description of the fog has many meanings that became clearer as I read more of the book.

MJ and Josh happened to be in the same village in Afghanistan when a bomb went off. He saved MJ, but she didn’t recognize him until she heard him humming the song he hummed when trying to keep her focused on staying alive. They both have scars from the war in the form of PTSD. It doesn’t help that they are both in situations that are not of their choosing. MJ is there to assist her mother, whose memory is failing. Josh has taken over his dad’s garage but has flashbacks that make it hard to concentrate at times. Despite their reluctance to get to know one another, they find that they work well together and maybe even have a bit of romantic attraction.

The mystery of what happened to Kelsey kept me guessing throughout the book. There was more to her than just her disappearance. What was she hiding? Or who was she hiding from? You can’t hide very well in a small town where everyone knows your business, no matter how much you keep to yourself.

The story kept me engaged with plenty of action. There are also several suspicious characters. Some are red herrings, and others are not.

I believe this is going to be a series, and I look forward to venturing back into this small Oklahoma town.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Karen Randau authors fast-paced stories with intricate plots, lots of action, and a dash of romance told from the point of view of a female amateur sleuth. She lives in the mountains of Arizona with her multi-generational family.

 

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In Together at the Table, the husband-and-wife founders of Juliska, David and Capucine, share their philosophy on love and the art of living well. Sharing their family stories and traditions for celebrating life’s special moments, they delve into the soulful, the whimsical, and the delightedly imperfect art of entertaining. Their alluring mouth-blown Bohemian glassware and delicately embossed dinnerware make the perfect centerpieces for household bliss. This must-have volume contains hundreds of inspiring ideas about indulging in playful celebrations, how to reinvent the classics by mixing and matching, and the elegance that can be found in both formal and casual dining. A culmination of culture, sentiment, and tradition, Together at the Table is the perfect muse for everyone seeking joy at the table and harmony in the home.

 

 

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Review

 

I love to entertain and have to admit that I rarely set a table that is as beautiful as the ones within the pages of this book. However, it is giving me inspiration for my next dinner party to step it up a notch.

I have never heard of Juliska until now. This set me off to investigate the products they sell, and I have to admit I went down a rabbit hole looking at the various place settings, barware, and so much more. This is an entertainer’s kryptonite!

The book itself is worthy of sitting on one’s coffee table. The photos are rich in color and just might inspire you to decorate your table and make it a focal point of any event.

Not only are there a multitude of photos, but there are also tips that even the most novice decorator could incorporate. (hint, that would be me!) I have to admit that the book is somewhat overwhelming. I think the thought of having all of the items and being able to store them seems daunting. Also, setting the table for every meal seems a bit much, BUT, I can see where it could set the mood and perhaps remind us to kick back and relax and not rush through a meal.

I like that they reinforce using what you have and not being confined by what is expected. There was a meal where they used bud vases for soup, which is an interesting idea. Or that any piece of fabric can be used for a table covering.

This book is chockful of ideas for decorating, and the biggest thing to remember is to keep it personal. Nothing says love more than using items that have special meaning for you or your guests.

If you are looking to take your entertaining up a notch, this is a book that you will want to peruse for ideas and tips.

 

 

Synopsis

 

Her heart is wide open, but he’s nailed his shut.

Preschool teacher Harley Cole has always viewed life through rose-colored glasses. With a career she loves, friends she enjoys, and a home that is her haven, there’s only one thing missing—finding her soul mate. As the holidays approach, Harley is inspired to help her former high school crush rediscover his holiday joy. It’s just a good deed…until the feelings she thought were gone come rushing back.

Fire Chief Becker Lange returns home to River’s Edge with a heavy heart. His divorce has emotionally ravaged him, leaving him more confused than ever about what women want. So to protect himself from another failure, he closes his heart. And then Harley Cole makes him a flirty dare that she can help him overcome the holiday blues. Beck’s not sure he wants to, but Harley’s a hard woman to tell no.

Can the magic of Christmas and a sweet stray kitten bring these two lonely souls together?

 

 

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Review

 

This is the end of the Lange brothers trilogy. If you haven’t read the other books, The Valentine Wager or Falling for the Doctor, you’ll want to read these too. While not necessary to read in order, it will help since the characters move forward in each book.

We get to know Beck and Hayley in this new book. Beck’s life growing up wasn’t the easiest with an absentee father, but he helped his mom make the best of it for their family. He is back in town after a failed marriage which has set him back emotionally. Hayley has always had a crush on Beck and even dated his younger brother for a hot minute. I think Hayley looks at Beck as her project to try and cheer him up and see life in a new light.

This book was delightful and also a bit emotional. Hayley is dealing with her mother’s dementia, and Beck’s father comes back into the picture with a fatal illness. I could relate to Hayley and her struggles with her mother’s disease. Dementia is not a kind killer. But I loved that she made the best of the situation.

The relationship between Hayley and Beck isn’t always smooth as they both work out what they want from a relationship. Beck is more closed off than Hayley, but I enjoyed watching him blossom and realize that maybe life can be better when you are with the right person.

This was a great conclusion to the series, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. However, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled woman in her prime. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 49 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake.

 

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