Mistletoe & Mr. Right

by Sarah Morgenthaler

Publication Date: 10/6/2020

Synopsis

How the moose (almost) stole Christmas.

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can’t stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana’s determined to prove that she belongs…even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town’s hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.

And really…how hard could it be?

The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it’s not getting any easier now that his dream girl’s back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it’s clear she needs help, fast…and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It’s an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong…together.

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Review

This is a charming book with enough witty dialogue to make you laugh throughout.  From an obscene snow sculpture to a moose hunt, what better way to meet this town than through laughter.

This is the second in a series and while I haven’t read the first one (yet), this book can be read as a standalone but you would have a better introduction to the town and some of its residents including Zooey and Graham who meet in the first book.

Lana and Rick are the featured couple in this installment and they are polar opposites. Lana is a socialite that runs a global empire or at least part of the company.  Rick is a longtime resident of the town and owns a pool hall which is actually owned by Lana’s company.  But there is an attraction and chemistry between the two that cannot be denied.  They have their ups and downs in this relationship and you wonder if they will survive and end up together.

While the author may not (or may have) intended this to be a learning experience, I think Lana grew in who she is as a person and letting go of the family expectations. She has some amazing family members and then a few that are not very nice. But you have to have some tension to round out the story.

I think the only thing I didn’t like is that Lana called Rick “Dearest.”  I know it is a term of endearment but it sounded weird to me.

Overall, we give it 4 paws up.

This or That Christmas Edition

Real tree or fake tree: Even though I love the smell of real trees, I prefer fake trees for Christmas decorating.  

Hot Cocoa or Egg Nog: Hot cocoa with extra marshmallows. 

Gingerbread or Sugar Cookie: They’re both so good! If I must pick one…sugar cookies. 

Ugly sweater or matching PJs: Matching PJs, although I can appreciate a great ugly sweater.   

Ice skating or sledding: Sledding!  

Snow or No Snow: Snow. I love snowy Christmas mornings.  

About the Author

Geologist and lifelong science nerd, SARAH MORGENTHALER is a passionate supporter of chocolate chip cookies, geeking out over rocks, and playing with her rescue pit bull, Sammy. When not writing romantic comedy and contemporary romance set in far-off places, Sarah can be found traveling with her husband, hiking national parks, and enjoying her own happily ever after. Sarah is a two-time Golden Heart Finalist and winner of the NOLA STARS Suzannah award.

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The Secret on Rum Runner’s Lane: A Book Magic Mini Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Mini Mystery #1
Publisher: Lake House Press (November 10, 2020)
Print length: 104 pages

Synopsis

The Lane women are bibliomancers, but Cassie sees her divination not as a gift, but as a curse–one from which she desperately wants to escape. It turns out, though, that running from her fate isn’t as easy as she thought it would be. When a woman goes missing, and a neighbor turns up dead, Cassie turns to the books she’s always avoided to help her find the truth.

Review

This is the prequel to this new series and it had me hooked on the concept, the setting. and the characters.

This tells the story of Carrie and how she came to be in Devil’s Cove. We learn about her sister and Aunt and their gift of bibliomancy which Cassie has shunned until she realizes maybe it is something she should embrace.

I loved Carrie’s landlord, Hattie. She is quite a hoot and I can only imagine how she will be in future books.

I enjoyed the mystery and never suspected how it would turn out. The cast of characters isn’t large and you might be able to figure it out, but I know I didn’t know how it was going to end.

I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series and while you don’t have to start with this prequel (since it came out after book 1), I think it gives some good insight into Cassie and her beliefs and how she was raised.

We give this 5 paws up.

About the Author

Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of nineteen mystery books, including the brand new collaborative Book Magic mysteries, the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.

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Synopsis

From the author of THE LANE BETRAYAL comes the second novel in the Time Box saga.

Months after stealing two time machines from a madman who wants them back, the Lanes, a family of six, seek safety and contentment in 1893, the latest stop on a journey through time. While parents Mark and Mary find relief at Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition, an extravaganza of science and splendor, children Jeremy, Laura, and Ashley find romance, friendship, and thrills.

Older son Jordan, meanwhile, heads west in search of answers. Grieving the loss of a lover from 1865, he travels to Virginia City, Nevada, where he integrates himself into a storied mining community and the heart of a pretty library clerk.

Billionaire Robert Devereux could not care less. Reeling from the theft of his million-dollar devices, he sends an assassin to the past to retrieve his property and rid the world of his former business partner and his troublesome clan.

Filled with humor, heartbreak, and suspense, THE FAIR follows a modern family on the adventure of a lifetime as they navigate their way through an unforgettable year in American history.

Read for free on Kindle Unlimited

Review

This book picks up where The Lane Betrayal ends. The Lane family has traveled to 1893 and has decided upon Chicago as its destination once they arrive in that time to attend The World Fair. The sites and exhibits sound amazing and what a wonderful way to learn about other parts of the world long before the internet. Plus you can touch, feel, and taste what was being offered.

This book really focuses on the two sons, Jordan and Jeremy.  Jordan decides to head out west to recover from losing a second love in the last book. On the train, he meets a woman that is a librarian in Virginia City, Nevada. He never expected to find love again, but he does. Not with the librarian from the train, but her adopted daughter. The relationship between Jordan and Jessie is intriguing and filled with new adventures for both of them. I have to admit, women were not afraid to shoot guns back then and Jessie is no different. Those skills come in handy later in the book.

Jeremy also finds love with a high society woman, Ivy, that he meets at the fair. While they might rub each other wrong at first, it doesn’t take long for them to recognize the love they have for each other. The only downside is that she is already engaged to someone else. Plus, she is from a wealthy family and what would Jeremy have to offer that would win her parents over? I loved the adventures they had together. They meet once a week and explore the fair, other towns, beaches, and much more.

Laura Lane has a small story in this book and strikes up a friendship with Prudence O’Leary that is from Ireland and is a commercial graphics illustrator. These two become best friends quickly and Prudence has a quick wit about her. It was nice to see Laura branch out and find someone she could befriend. Granted, their friendship almost ends but not due to anything Laura or Prudence say or do, but rather at the hands of a villain. You’ll have to read the book to find out more.

I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book especially learning more about The World Fair, and from the descriptive text, I felt like I was there in a small way. The author shares notes on his research in the notes and he did not skimp on the details. The Lane’s have some information downloaded to their phones but not a lot since I’m sure they didn’t plan to arrive here before they left 2021. But that at least forwarns them of some events.

They are still not safe and are still trying to lay low to avoid detection from Robert and his desire for revenge. They are doing pretty well until a few letters are unearthed that reference one of the Lane family members. This sets Robert on their trail again and Silas, the assassin, nearly succeeds in eliminating one of the Lane family members. I won’t say which one because Silas is in for quite a surprise himself.

There are many happy moments, and a few sad ones. There is more story to tell and the third in this series should be out in early 2021. I can’t wait to discover what happens next for all of the Lane family. There are a few clues about what is to come or how their journey to the past has impacted the timeline. So many possibilities!

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

John A. Heldt is a reference librarian and the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage time-travel series. The former award-winning sportswriter and newspaper editor has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports on baseball heroes in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, he is an avid fisherman, sports fan, home brewer, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life on his blog.

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Synopsis

From the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage, American Journey, and Carson Chronicles series comes the first book in the Time Box saga.

Virginia physicist Mark Lane has a problem. Weeks after privately creating two time machines, he learns his corporate partner wants to use the portable devices for nefarious purposes. Rather than give him the chance to do so, Mark takes the time boxes and escapes to the relative safety of 1865.

For Mark, wife Mary, and their children, the adventure is a chance to grow. Mary runs a business. Jeremy, 19, and Ashley, 12, befriend escaped slaves. Laura, 22, finds her place as a nurse. Jordan, 25, falls for a beautiful widow. All hope to find peace in the past.

Billionaire Robert Devereaux has other ideas. Shortly after Mark’s betrayal, he sends an assassin to 1865 to retrieve his property and set matters straight.

Filled with romance, suspense, and history, THE LANE BETRAYAL follows a modern American family as it tries to find security and contentment in the final weeks of the Civil War.

Free if you have Kindle Unlimited

Review

If you are looking for a master storyteller when it comes to time travel novels, then look no further than this author. Time travel can be a tough topic to write about because there are so many possibilities when it comes to the “how” of time travel. I have read multiple books by this author and each time, I have found a new book to love.

In this series, the Lane family is on the run from Mark’s boss and the company he worked for because they wish to do “evil” with the devices he created. He thought they were going to be able to disappear but things didn’t go quite as planned. They did end up in 1865 but not without some potential repercussions from the present in the form of a hired gun.

I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book and felt like I was right in the middle of things in DC during the Civil War and Lincoln’s time in office. I felt that the author stayed as true to the facts of the time as he could but wove in a tale that enhanced what was happening in our country during the Civil War. There is also love and romance, friendship, and betrayal. I enjoyed the thoughts of the Lane and how they couldn’t imagine the President just walking around the town with very little protection. But it was a different time back then and I feel like some people were a bit more refined. There are still plenty of rapscallions to make it interesting.

I also enjoy how the story is told from various viewpoints. I find that it pulls me into the story even more as I see the situation from various character’s thoughts and experiences.

We give this book 5 paws up and I am about to start in on the second book in this series, The Fair, so look for a review very soon.

About the Author

John A. Heldt is a reference librarian and the author of the critically acclaimed Northwest Passage time-travel series. The former award-winning sportswriter and newspaper editor has loved getting subjects and verbs to agree since writing book reports on baseball heroes in grade school. A graduate of the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa, he is an avid fisherman, sports fan, home brewer, and reader of thrillers and historical fiction. When not sending contemporary characters to the not-so-distant past, he weighs in on literature and life on his blog.

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Synopsis

It’s vintage Poppy McAllister when the gluten-free baker and B&B owner tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery . . .

When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood–he’s filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.

But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he’s been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

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Review

This series always makes me laugh and drooling over the competition for Poppy’s heart by Tim and Gia.  I think I have mentioned I am Team Gia all the way, but will he do what it takes to win her heart?  We do get to find out at the end of the book which one she chooses, but there is a bit of twist when she informs the lucky guy that he is her love. Let’s just say it was a bit of a jaw-dropper for me but that is all I’m going to say and you will need to read the book to learn who she has chosen.

Aunt Ginny and her gaggle of friends are still a hoot and they discover a new interest….but I’m not telling you what that is either because it is quite comical how Poppy learns of this interest. There are some other antics this gang is up to and I like how everything is drawn out over the length of the book and not all at once. I am still quite surprised by what they can come up with to get into a bit of trouble.

The mystery portion was quite intriguing because quite a few potential murderers are discovered and any one of them could have done it. I enjoyed trying to decipher the clues but in the end, I had no idea who killed Vince. There are some very unlikeable characters, Vince included, and I hope that a certain character gets what is coming to him. No hints so as not to spoil anything.

Overall, I have really loved this series and the author leaves me on the hook breathlessly awaiting the next installment for the answer to the twist regarding Poppy’s love life, a new adventure, and more delicious recipes to try.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

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Mia and Nattie:

One Great Team!

by

Marlene M. Bell

Genre: Children’s Picture Book (K-3rd Grade) / Farm Animals

Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing

Date of Publication: October 4, 2020

Number of Pages: 34 pages

Scroll down for Giveaway!

Nattie’s mouth was a little crooked. Her legs were a bit shorter than usual, and one horn was too straight, like a unicorn’s horn.

But Mia thought Nattie was perfect.

On a visit to her grandma’s farm, eight-year-old Mia discovers a newborn, orphaned lamb outside in the cold and takes her to the laundry room, naming her Nattie. As she tries to nurse the lamb back to health, Mia discovers that Nattie is different from the other lambs and struggles to fit in with them like Mia does with other kids her age.

When her grandmother says she will sell Nattie to a neighbor, Mia must come up with a plan to keep her friend around — one that will show the family just how special Nattie truly is.

This book is the perfect example of what happens when someone (or something) is abandoned and how others step in to assist and take care of that someone. It teaches a very timely lesson to children (and adults) that all things, big and small, are important no matter what they look like or how they came to into this world.  Sometimes great things come in small packages.

Mia is a wise young lady and recognizes that Nattie needs some help. Nattie has been abandoned by her mother and Mia sets out to take care of her to make sure she endures. Mia is determined that Nattie finds her place in the world and on the farm. Mia doesn’t let the possibility of Nattie leaving the farm to chance, she sets out to prove that everyone and everything has a purpose and value. I love that she doesn’t give up and proves to her grandmother that Nattie has a purpose on the farm and should not be sold just because she is lacking in certain areas.

I loved the illustrations, they are realistic, colorful, and whimsical and will be sure to delight any reader.

One additional bonus, this is based on a true story of a lamb named Natalie that the author raised much like Mia and Nattie. I enjoyed reading Natalie’s story and how this book came to be, it is a sweet story and one you should read, if not to your child, then at least to yourself.

This book will make the perfect gift and there is a bonus that there is a stuffed lamb that looks just like Nattie that would make a great addition.

We give this book 5 paws up and recommend it to anyone with a young child. I can’t wait to share this book with my great-niece.

MARLENE M. BELL is an award-winning writer, artist, and crazy sheep lady who resides in beautiful East Texas. Her renown sheep photographs grace the covers of many livestock magazines where she also writes newsy articles about raising sheep from her hands-on experience.

Based on true events from the Bell’s ranch, Marlene offers the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! It’s a touching story of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb. Marlene is also the author of the award-winning Annalisse international mystery series, with the third book, Calico Raven to be released in 2021.

Marlene shares her life with her husband and dreadfully spoiled horned Dorset sheep: a large Maremma guard dog named Tia, and cats, Hollywood, Leo, and Squeaks. The cats believe they rule the household—and do.

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 THREE WINNERS

GRANDPRIZE (US only):

Signed copy of Mia and Nattie, Nattie Plush, Nattie Mousepad, and a Nattie pendant

2^ND PRIZE (US only): Signed copy of Mia and Nattie

3^RD PRIZE  (US only): Signed copy of Mia and Nattie

Giveaway ends at midnight, CST, 11/25/2020

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Christmas Eve Promise: Time Travel Novel (Christmas Eve Series, Book 4)

by Elyse Douglas

Publisher: Broadback (September 2020)

Category: Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christmas

Synopsis

Eve and baby Colleen are traveling to Ohio for the Christmas holidays to spend time with Eve’s parents.

After a few days in Ohio, they all plan to fly to Florida in Eve’s father’s private airplane. Patrick will meet them there after he completes exams for his forensic psychology degree.

Nothing goes as planned. The day Patrick is to leave for Florida, he receives a shocking telephone call from one of Eve’s cousins. Sobbing, she tells him a terrible tragedy has occurred. It stuns him and shakes him to his heart’s core.

His life shattered, Patrick knows he has but one chance: he must use the time travel lantern to return to the past in order to prevent the current tragedy.

But once again, the time travel lantern has a mind of its own, and Patrick is hurled back to a time where he must confront a strange, unfamiliar world and learn why the lantern transported him there.

When Patrick comes face-to-face with a mysterious, beautiful woman who looks and acts like Eve, and whose name is Eve, Patrick is haunted.

He recalls the promise he and Eve had made to each other on Christmas Eve the previous year—no matter what happens; no matter if they’re separated; no matter what time or place they find themselves in; no matter what obstacles they must face, they will always find each other, help each other, and love each other for all time.

The Christmas Eve Promise is a journey about the enduring promise of hope and the infinite, unbreakable bonds of love.

Praise for the Christmas Eve series

“The Christmas Eve Letter is a beautiful, poignant story. It is well written and will have you turning the pages eagerly.  All of the characters are well thought out, and believably written, together with the well-constructed scenery, that has you feeling as if you yourself have just stepped into the past. The story is unique and moving. It will hold you long after you turn the last page. A perfect Christmas tale of love and hope.”-Whispering Stories

“This book is the perfect vehicle for a movie, and I can only hope that there will be more in the series. This novel is truly as close to perfection as the reader could imagine! 5 Stars!”–My Devotional Thoughts Blog and Reviews

“I enjoyed the new characters, an update on characters from the first book, and the possibility for more books. If you enjoy time travel-themed novels you will love these books!”–StoreyBook Reviews

“I am most impressed that this book did so well as a stand-alone novel. Kudos to the author! If you are looking for a good Christmas book with time travel, give this a go!”–Carole’s Bookshelves

“I love this whole story, and I especially love Patrick and Eve’s romance and all of the adventures that they go on together. Eve is exactly my kind of character. I still can’t stop thinking about the feeling that it gave me and the arc that the characters went on. Everyone really developed a lot in this story and it was so rewarding as a long-time reader to watch that happen. It feels like every new book in this series just keeps getting better and better and I love these characters more and more. Every time a new one comes out I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
The Christmas Eve Secret is my favorite in the series so far, but if you have not read the first two books I would recommend doing that as soon as possible! If you enjoy romance, time travel, mystery, and great writing, I promise that you won’t regret dipping a toe into this series.”–Cuzinlogic

Review

If you are a fan of time travel novels, you must pick up this series, but make sure to start with the first book to follow the characters and the events that happen! I love it and the concept of time travel is mind-boggling.

What would you do to undo a tragedy that happens and you know that you have a lantern to go back in time and potentially change the situation? Would you go back? That is the dilemma that Patrick is faced with in the present and he decides to take a chance. He lands in 1925 and isn’t quite sure why he landed in this time, but he will soon find out. Along with the adventures and solving how and why Patrick meets Eve’s doppelganger. This definitely throws him for a loop, but he thinks back to the previous year when he and Eve made the promise to each other that they will also look for each other since they are soulmates. I even appreciated the storyline with Sarah Finn, a homeless woman in 1925 that calls Patrick “Buster Boy.”  You couldn’t help but love her despite her crotchety ways.

This novel has it all for me – romance, adventure, and a little bit of suspense/mystery. I had a hard time putting this book down because I couldn’t wait to find out what came next. I loved the appearance of several characters from the previous books and their role in helping Patrick in the past. There is even a conversation with Tesla who created the lanterns. I have to say that Tesla is quite the odd duck. I don’t know if he was like that in real life, but he is very science-oriented and only cares about what he is currently working on and not his past inventions.

We give this book 5 paws up and who knows if Patrick and Eve will have any more adventures with the lantern, but if they do, I will be ready and waiting to read that novel.

About the Author

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a master’s degree in English Literature. She has enjoyed several careers as an English teacher, an actress, and a speech-language pathologist.

Douglas has worked as a graphic designer, a corporate manager, and an equities trader. He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years.

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Giveaway

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While I enjoy all sorts of adult beverages, cocktails really are my preferred form of alcohol. I suppose it is all of the potential flavor combinations and the hard liquor industry has really stepped up its game with all of the different flavors that have been introduced.

With that being said, I was thrilled to receive this book from Abrams Books as part of the Abrams Dinner Party. This is my 3rd year with them and discovering new dishes and beverages has made life just a little bit better, especially in this crazy 2020.

This book is more than just cocktail recipes, it is also history from each state of drinks, famous bars, and so much more. It would be so easy to get lost in this book for days just with the interesting tidbits about states that I have never visited and even learning a few things about the state where I currently reside.  I of course flipped to the Texas section to see what was there. I was totally surprised to not find the Margarita. That is just a staple here, IMHO.

I ultimately decided to make the Periodista from Massachusetts but had to make a substitution since I couldn’t find apricot liqueur. I substituted mango liqueur. I also ended up adding a bit more lime juice to make it a little less strong. I think I have decided I am more a vodka girl, but still enjoyed this drink. Marking more drinks to make!

Periodista Recipe

1 1/2 oz white rum

1/2 oz Cointreau or Combier

1/2 oz apricot liqueur (the book mentions Rothman & Winter Orchard brand)

1/2 oz fresh lime juice

Add the ingredients to a shaker and shake with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

I am eager to try new recipes and especially to have my nephew take a look at this book. He loves making his own simple syrups and trying new drinks so I think he will enjoy this book.

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Dark River

by Avery Jenkins

Black Rose Writing, (October 15, 2020)

Mystery Thriller, Amateur Sleuth

Synopsis

Aging gray market dealer Asa Cire may not know exactly who he is or why he’s here, but he does know one thing: He’s going to find the murderer of the teenage girl haunting his visions, regardless of the cost.

Aided by Buddhist adept Tanya Ito and street-smart Neveah Arias, Asa tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the decades-old murder. His only leads are a small town drug dealer and a stolen manuscript that nobody can decipher.

Stalked by a Chinese mob that wants its manuscript back and the killer who wants to put Asa at the bottom of the river, Asa dodges disaster until he faces the brutal truth: To bring justice to the girl, he will have to die. Twice.

Praise

“A Taoist Jack Reacher”-Beta Reader

“This is a fine and lively read. The perfect way to get my mind off the damn pandemic. I read it in 2 glorious evenings. Tightly written. Fast-moving. Well-drawn, interesting and multi-dimensional characters. All the action and escapism I have come to expect from a Tom Clancy or Lee Child novel, but far more interesting, and much more spiritually satisfying. The author kept teaching me things as he entertained the hell out of me. I hope he’s busy writing the next book in the series now, because I’m hooked.”-Bob Corlett, Amazon

“This book is incredible. There were twists and turns constantly; I couldn’t put it down! I can’t recommend it highly enough for a non stop story lockdown page turner.”-Lina Holopainen, Goodreads

Excerpt

(Asa and one of his best friends, 35-year-old Tanya Ito, are having a discussion in the kitchen of her house in Nemaseck. Asa has stopped by to visit with his dog, Kuraĝa. Tanya mentions that she’s thinking of moving.)

“I noticed you haven’t had any boyfriends for a while,” I said, “but you haven’t seemed unhappy.”

“That’s just the thing, Asa. I’m not unhappy. But as my spirituality has grown, my need for others has diminished. And let’s face it, the pickings for relationships are pretty slim around here, especially at my age. I really don’t have the desire to go cougar cruising on Tinder.”

“I have little that I need, and less that I want,” she said. “I am close…close to something new. I want to be somewhere where I can nurture that, let it grow.”

Her look grew sad, and she stared at me for a minute. “What I need is a new pot, where my roots can grow out, and my leaves get green again.”

“But…” I began.

“But what about us, is that what you’re thinking?

“Well…yes,” I said.

She reached out and took my hand. “There is no us, Asa, there never was. Our times got screwed up. I was too young, and you are…” she looked out the window for a few seconds, and then back at me “I don’t know what you are, Asa. Particularly after yesterday.”

“You mean I’m too old to mean that much to you,” I said. “I get it. It was always that way.”

“No, not that,” she said, shaking her head. “Not that at all. I just don’t know who you are. Yes, you’re funny, and adventurous, and the most brilliant man I’ve ever known, but I’ve never known you.”

“I am who exactly is sitting across the table from you, Tanya,” I said. “Just as I always have.”

“That’s right,” she said, “that’s exactly it. Over the time that I’ve known you, I’ve grown older.

My waist is thicker, my thighs are thicker. I’ve aged. But you haven’t. You’re the same old man that I saw walking along the riverbank.”

“At my age, Tanya, things change slower,” I said. “Time goes faster when you’re old, but an older person walks through it more slowly.”

Her gaze on me hardened. For an instant, I had an image of her, alone, on a hilltop in a storm, wrapping her shawl around her. Then she spoke.

“Yes, Asa. And, exactly how old are you?”

“Oh, I go way back, Tanya. I–”

“Cut the crap, Asa.” Her voice was angry. “Tell me, when were you born?”

“A long time ago,” I said. “The exact–”

“Stop it, Asa! Stop it right now!”

Silence.

“Did you go to school? Where? What was your childhood like? Who were your parents?”

“I – I…” I closed my mouth. Inside, my gut was churning. I thought for a minute. It was so long ago, so terribly long ago. I closed my eyes, to pull something back that I could tell her.

I found nothing. It was empty.

I tried for a minute to push back on that emptiness, to find the earliest memory I had. And then I found it. I was on a bus, riding into Nemaseck for the first time.

“Do you have amnesia, Asa?” Tanya’s voice pulled me back to the present. “Were you injured, sick? Did something bad happen to you?”

“This is ridiculous, Tanya,” I said. Not angrily – I wasn’t angry – just firmly. “Ten years, twenty years, who cares? It’s ancient history. It. Doesn’t. Matter. Or, at least, it doesn’t to me, in which case it shouldn’t to you.”

“Why not? You’re someone I care about, cared about. You asked me all about my high school years yesterday, Asa, personal history certainly mattered then. Why don’t the rules apply to you?”

The question sat between us. “Because the rules don’t apply to me,” was what I wanted to say, but I kept my mouth shut. I looked at the table, at the empty teacups over which Tanya and I had shared so much, so much laughter, what we felt and what we knew and what we saw. In my mind’s eye, our shared history rolled out before me.

“You are not exactly who I see in front of me Asa, not at all. Yesterday, I saw a man I never met. A man who was willing to throw a corpse in a river, who calculated the odds of living and dying without a single emotion, a man who looked into the future at his own possible death and sacrificed the sanctity of another man’s death without batting an eye.”

“Yes,” I said. “For my own survival. And yours.”

“Survival against what? Against who? Who are you, Asa, really? Who are you?” I was silent. I had nothing to say.

She stood up and just looked at me, her expression a mixture of anger and affection and fear, like I was a wounded dog she had found on the street. “Until you know that, I can’t love you, Asa. Not like that, and not in any other way. I’m sorry.”

I rose from my chair, searching for words that I couldn’t find, not in any language. “I’m sorry, too,” I said. It was the best I could do. For a moment, we stood, facing each other. Woman and man. Yin and yang. Young and old. Completion, in two words, two faces, two minds. There was nothing more to say.

I turned away and opened the door. I stepped out into the rain, and the wind, and as I walked to the jeep, I finally identified what I felt inside me. It was grief. How long had it been since I had felt that, I thought. I didn’t know. All I did know is it wasn’t just raindrops running down my face. They didn’t stop for a long time.

Guest Review by Nora

A fast-paced thriller/mystery with equal parts heart and grit– ‘Dark River’ is the book that keeps on giving.

Beginning with an unexpected visit from a strange woman at the house of Asa Cire, a middle-aged man living a quiet life as a dealer of antiques and rare oddities. The woman does not tell Asa why she is there and leaves quickly, leaving him confused and bewildered.

Later that night, Asa is meditating when he receives a strange vision. Although he is not unused to seeing things like the faces of friends and places that he has been in his mind when he meditates, this time the vision is not calming but frightening. Asa sees the terrified face of a teenage girl name Elle Anderson and, through some digging the next day, he discovers that the girl was murdered in an unsolved crime twenty years earlier.

With the help of his friends, Asa takes it upon himself to solve the cold case himself, and get the justice that Elle has been denied for two decades. The heart of this story comes from Asa’s interactions with his friends and the beautiful small-town setting. Avery Jenkins absolutely nails the close-knit vibe and almost magical aspect of a small community perfectly. I really enjoyed the side characters in this book and how they impacted Asa and the main mystery. I loved Tanya, the yoga teacher and I loved the will-they-or-won’t-they possible romance between her and Asa. It really added a human element to this story that a lot of mystery/thrillers forget about.

The ending of this book took me by surprise and it was definitely one that I will be thinking about for a long time to come. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys a mystery or just a rich atmosphere and engaging characters. I give it all 5 stars.

About the Author

Dr. Avery Jenkins is a former award-winning journalist and essayist who took a 25-year break from the writing world to become a chiropractor and acupuncturist. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in the martial art of aikido and is in his final year of training to become a Daoist priest.

Dr. Jenkins lives in northwest Connecticut with his wife and two dogs of uncertain temperament. Dark River is his first novel.

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Giveaway

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Synopsis

Why does this keep happening?

A shooting at a Chicago beach leaves several dead and dozens injured. In the year before the attack, four individuals emerge as possible suspects.

An apathetic computer programmer.

An ex-college athlete with a history of head injuries.

An Army veteran turned Chicago cop.

A despondent high school student.

One of them is the shooter. Discover who and why.

Review

Parabellum opens on the crime scene – a beach littered with dead bodies. But who is the killer? Why did s/he kill all of these people? The answer is a little surprising, but looking back, perhaps not so much. Then the book flashes back a year and we meet four possible shooters – the Veteran, the Student, the Programmer, and the Ex-Athlete. During the course of the book, we learn more about these characters, their lives, what they have endured, and their hopes and dreams. What we don’t learn is their names until the very end. In fact, no one seems to have a name until the very end and then there is an onslaught of characters with names. All of the characters are male with the exception of the Ex-Athlete who is a former soccer star that has hit her head and had one too many concussions during her young life.

It felt odd to read the book and not know names, but perhaps that is to not draw any conclusions or stereotypes based on the person. I will say that all of these characters have issues of some sort. The Veteran suffers from PTSD, the Student is socially awkward and perhaps bullied a little bit, the Programmer is smart but has his own anger issues, and the Ex-Athlete has issues from the brain trauma. There are flashbacks of their life and what they have experienced and endured. Each one of them is unhappy for various reasons but will they let that unhappiness control their lives or move them forward?

This book took time for me to digest with the various characters, their flaws, their situations, and wondering when we would learn what happened at the beach. I was taken aback at the end when all of a sudden there were people with names. It took me a bit to realize that these were the people that would be affected by the incident on the beach. You will figure out that one of the characters is not involved in the killings based on the opening scene. But what about the other three? One of those three seems unlikely until we discover this character’s irrational thoughts and dreams.

I enjoyed learning about each character, their history, and what made them tick. I wonder how many people we know in our own lives are similar to them?

This is not a happy read but it does make you think about what is going on inside someone and is there anything we can do to create an alternate outcome.

We give this book 3 1/2 paws.

About the Author

Greg Hickey started writing his first novel the summer after he finished seventh grade. He didn’t get very far because he quickly realized he preferred playing outside with his friends.

Eight years later, he began to find a better balance between writing and life. He wrote the early drafts of his first screenplay Vita during his last two years of college. Vita went on to win an Honorable Mention award in the 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards script competition and was named a finalist in the 2011 Sacramento International Film Festival.

After college, he spent a year in Sundsvall, Sweden and Cape Town, South Africa, playing and coaching for local baseball teams and penning his first novel, Our Dried Voices. That novel was published in 2014 and was a finalist for Foreword Reviews‘ INDIES Science Fiction Book of the Year Award.

Today, he still loves sharing stories while staying busy with the other facets of his life. He is a forensic scientist by day and endurance athlete and author by nights, lunches, weekends and any other spare moments. After his post-college travels, he once again lives in his hometown of Chicago with his wife, Lindsay.

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