Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Christmas Book Fair – Jena C. Henry, Patricia Salamone, Mae Clair and Adele Marie Park

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

With so many authors to feature before Christmas I am going to do a very brief weekly update later in the day so that I can fit another book fair into the schedule.

The first author with a series of books that would make a wonderful gift for those about to retire, or those who have retired and are looking to get up to mischief. The Golden Age of Charli: RSVP is the first book in the series by Jena C. Henry.

About the book

Charlotte McAntic spent her thirties, forties, and even fifties in peace and harmony aligning her marriage, mortgage, careers, and children. As she stumbles into a new phase of life—also known as the Golden Years—Charli cannot help but wonder where the gold and her husband, Pud, are hiding.

Pud is happily cruising down the retirement path that, for him, leads straight to the golf course. While Charli spends her days at home cleaning out closets and the basement, she yearns to gaze deeply into Pud’s blue eyes and remember all the reasons why she fell in love with him thirty years ago. Unfortunately, the only thing Pud is eying is the next fairway. Knowing there is more to savor in retirement than silver-hair shampoos, senior discounts, and hernia surgery, Charli embarks on a quest to do whatever it takes to spend retirement in the embrace of the man she loves. But is it too late for happily ever after?

In this humorous novel, a high-energy wife and her solid guy must learn to adjust to a new chapter in their lives and find their way back into each other’s hearts after their retirement begins with a jolt.

One of the excellent reviews for the book

Julie Gardner A charming and hopeful read! August 16, 2017

While reading The Golden Age of Charli: RSVP, I moved from wanting Charli to be my aunt, to wanting Charli to be my best friend, and finally to wanting to BE Charli when I retire someday. I found the main character to be delightful, warm, honest and fun; and I appreciated her life’s motto – “press on” – and admired her determination to deepen her relationships with her husband (the newly-retired and golf-loving Pud) and with her many nieces and nephews. I also found myself drooling over the author’s abundant descriptions of food, wine, and cocktails – an unexpected and delicious part of this book!

One month from now, my youngest will be heading off to college, so I ended up relating more than I expected I would to Charli’s empty-nest pursuits. Although my husband and I are far from retirement, I still felt a kinship with Charli, and I look forward to reading the next books in Jena Henry’s charming series!

Also in the series

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Jena-C.-Henry/e/B014PLDN12

and on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jena-C.-Henry/e/B014PLDN12

Read more reviews and follow Jena on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14254103.Jena_C_Henry

Connect to Jena via her website/blog: http://www.jenabooks.com/

Another author who has written a book that would be perfect for those who are of Italian extraction who might be visiting relatives in Italy at some point.. Patricia Salamone is the author of The Italian Thing an entertaining account of a family reunion in Italy with all its unexpected and glorious memories.

About The Italian Thing

Join me in my hilarious recount of how I explored my heritage during a more-than-memorable trip to Sicily. I detail our adventures and misadventures as my husband and I visited our relatives in Naro. I share how we got to know the locals, their customs and lifestyle, and how everyone seemed to think that “everything will be fine” no matter what troubles they were in. During those weeks, we went through culture shock despite the fact that we are both Italian. In the end, it was “the Italian thing” in all of us that made ours an unforgettable trip!

One of the recent reviews for the book

hilarious memoir, thoroughly enjoyable! By Jaye Dawes on July 29, 2017

I have always wanted to visit Italy, such a timeless and beautiful country with so many interesting places to visit.

Reading “The Italian Thing” will be like going there and seeing the country through someone else’s eyes, I thought, expecting to find a country I was already familiar with. I was looking forward to the trip of a lifetime and the book did not disappoint. It was well written, full of all the wonderful scenery and architecture I have come to expect of the country.

However “The Italian Thing” isn’t about the country, not really, it is about the people and family. About the lives they live and the glorious food they eat.
“Everything will be fine” is the Italians hilarious answer to everything, and is the key to understanding their very different way of life.

I loved the touches of humour, the very descriptive narrative, and the loving but feisty relationship between Pat and Mike. Who were out of their depth, and up to their eyes in food of every delicious description. How they came home weighing less than before is remarkable!

Read all the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Salamone/e/B00E6ZLPY0

And on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Italian-Thing-Patricia-Salamone-ebook/dp/B00EL0AGIG/

Read other reviews and follow Patricia on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7515864.Patricia_Salamone

Connect to Patricia via her Blog: https://the-italian-thing.com/

The next author is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Mae Clair with her latest release published in July, A Desolate Hour, Book Three of the Point Pleasant Series. Perfect for lovers of paranormal, folklore thrillers with a touch of romance.

About A Desolate Hour

For generations, Quentin Marsh’s family has seen its share of tragedy, though he remains skeptical that their misfortunes are tied to a centuries-old curse. But to placate his pregnant sister, Quentin makes the pilgrimage to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, hoping to learn more about the brutal murder of a Shawnee chief in the 1700s. Did one of the Marsh ancestors have a hand in killing the chief—the man who cursed the town with his dying breath?

While historian Sarah Sherman doesn’t believe in curses either, she’s compelled to use her knowledge of Point Pleasant to uncover the long-buried truth. The river town has had its own share of catastrophes, many tied to the legendary Mothman, the winged creature said to haunt the woods. But Quentin’s arrival soon reveals that she may have more of a stake than she realized. It seems that she and Quentin possess eerily similar family heirlooms. And the deeper the two of them dig into the past, the more their search enrages the ancient mystical forces surrounding Point Pleasant. As chaos and destruction start to befall residents, can they beat the clock to break the curse before the Mothman takes his ultimate revenge? . . .

The most recent review for the Point Pleasant series.

A superb end to an outstanding series! By Natalie Ducey on August 31, 2017

A superb end to an outstanding series! Author, Mae Clair, crafts another brilliant story in this third and final book in the Point Pleasant series. Once again, Clair seamlessly weaves folklore, paranormal, suspense, thriller, and a little romance in this highly engaging story. The character development is exceptional and the pace is intense! We are introduced to Quentin Marsh, a past resident who returns to Point Pleasant looking for answers and possible family ties to a centuries-old curse. He becomes acquainted with many of my favourite characters in the series, including Sarah. Sarah Sherman’s character, introduced earlier in the series, takes on a pivotal role in its conclusion. A researcher/historian, and skeptic of curses, she is integral in unveiling Point Pleasant’s dark mysteries. Her role takes on more than that of a researcher. She is part of the mystery.

Clair masterfully takes us on a riveting journey, piecing together the past, unveiling legends cloaked by time. In true form, Clair never falls to engage all our senses. We are immersed in the small town of Point Pleasant and the looming, ominous feel of the TNT site. We can smell the sultry air; it’s moist to the skin. The mysterious existence of the Mothman is forever present, and the potency of a centuries-old curse is penetrating.

Clair has delivered an exceptional series, and I highly recommend it. Much like the first two books in the series, A Thousand Yesteryears and A Cold Tomorrow, I believe A Desolate Hour can stand alone as well, but I suggest that you treat yourself to the full series or you’ll be missing out on two fantastic reads.

Again, a superb end to an outstanding series!

Read all the reviews so far and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Desolate-Hour-Point-Pleasant-ebook/dp/B01MDPY2A5

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desolate-Hour-Mae-Clair/dp/1601837828

A selection of other books by Mae Clair

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Mae-Clair/e/B009I61ND0

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mae-Clair/e/B009I61ND0

Read more reviews and follow Mae on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6468716.Mae_Clair

Connect to Mae via her website: https://maeclair.net/

Another author that I would like to showcase before Christmas is Adele Marie Park and her book released earlier in the year, Wisp

About Wisp

Edra; a world where magic flourishes and where dark secrets are concealed by those who rule. Secrets which can get the innocent killed without a thought.

When the body of an elf is discovered in a treacherous area of the city, Wisp a young Law Enforcer is assigned the case. He soon realises the case is far from simple. As soon as he finds one thread another one leads him to unravel a tapestry woven from lies, secrets, corruption and evil. When friendship turns to love, Wisp`s life, as he knew it will completely change.

What started out as a murder case ends in a grisly battle which Wisp and his companions seem to have no chance of winning.

A review for Wisp.

Colleen M. Chesebro Enter the world of Edra where magic becomes survival 23 March 2017

Meet Wisp, a law enforcer in the land of Edra, where magic is encouraged to flourish and is often needed for sheer survival. A mages council rules Edra compared to the neighboring area of Finah, who prefers humans to control their resources. After a bloody civil war, many years ago, the two lands exist beside each other in a fragile peace.

Wisp is a marsh fairy (YES! Can you believe it?) with raven hair and pointy ears pierced with silver earrings. Marsh fairies are rare and possess special powers. Wisp keeps his real identity under wraps, known only to his superiors. Abandoned as a child, the “Senior” Law enforcement officer raised him ensuring his survival.

In a desolate area filled with putrefying rubbish, Wisp comes across the body of a High Elf, a member of the Thorns, who was a high-ranking council member found murdered in the circle. The elf’s throat had been brutally cut. Wisp sets out to solve the murder not realizing he is to play an integral part in solving the mystery.

Wisp meets Finn Redhaven, the lover of the murdered elf, Sammiel Thorn, and feels an immediate attraction to him. Wisp and Finn fall in love and discover a wealth of magical abilities enabled by their relationship. And, they are going to need all the help they can get to battle the evil that has descended on Edra.

As fantasy novels go, Wisp stands out to me in its originality and political intrigue. Ms. Park creates a world where love is considered to be one of the greatest powers of all. I enjoyed that the two main characters were male and embraced their love and desire for each other, which was a refreshing approach to solving a mystery in a magical land. The reader discovers along with Wisp the extent of his abilities which I anticipate will increase over time.

I’ve added Wisp to my list of favorite fantasy novels. I loved the story and the characters. The ending is a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next volume to find out what happens to Wisp and Finn. Hopefully, Ms. Park won’t keep us in suspense for long

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisp-Adele-Park-ebook/dp/B01MXYQ2E4

And Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Wisp-Adele-Park-ebook/dp/B01MXYQ2E4

Anthologies contributed to by Adele – Ghostly Writes are currently FREE on her author page.