Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Christmas Book Fair – #Romance Linda Bradley, #Paranormal Mae Clair, #Western Sandra Cox, #Stories/Poetry M.J. Mallon, #Poetry Miriam Hurdle

Welcome to the Christmas Book Fair where I will be featuring all the authors currently on the shelves of the Cafe and Bookstore.

The first author today is Linda Bradley with the romantic first book in her popular series – Maggie’s Way (Montana Bound Series book 1).

About the book

Middle-aged, Maggie Abernathy just wants to recuperate from cancer during the solitude of summer vacation after a tiresome year of teaching second grade. Maggie’s plans are foiled when precocious seven-year-old Chloe McIntyre moves in next door with her dad, John. Maggie’s life changes in a way she could never imagine when the pesky new neighbors steal her heart. With Maggie’s grown son away, her ex-husband in the shadows, her meddling mother’s unannounced visits, and Chloe McIntyre on her heels, somehow Maggie’s empty house becomes home again.

A recent review for the book on Goodreads

Nov 28, 2020 Colleen Chesebro rated it Four Stars really liked it Shelves: women-s-fiction, romance, literature-fiction, literature

Maggie Abernathy has her Michigan summer all planned out. After a bout with breast cancer, all she wants to do is to recuperate and rejuvenate. Her life as a second-grade teacher was especially difficult this year. To add to Maggie’s problems, she is also learning to navigate life alone after her recent divorce.

When seven-year-old Chloe McIntyre moves in next door with her dad, John, Maggie’s dull life takes an unexpected turn for the better.

I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. The story was predictable, but somehow, comforting. The romance that buds between John and Maggie is even sweeter because of Chloe.

Chloe’s character clearly steals the show. The child possesses a pearl of certain wisdom that women much older than her often wish for. The only child in what had to be a difficult home, Chloe steals Maggie’s heart.

Written in the first-person, I immediately connected with Maggie’s character. There is a lot going on, and Maggie discovers she must learn to overcome some of her own issues before she can truly find herself. So true to life!

The only downside was that the book ends on a cliff-hanger, and you have to purchase the next book to continue her story. I understand it’s a series, but the author hints at a happy ending for Maggie and John. As is true in most romantic fiction there are always some difficulties in a relationship. It would have been nicer for this book to end on a high note. Still, I would recommend this book because of the interesting characters. I’m debating on whether to go further in the series

Read the reviews and buy the book:Amazon US And: Amazon UK

Also by Linda Bradley

Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon US –  And : Amazon UK – Follow Linda :Goodreads – website: Linda Bradley Author – Twitter: @LBradleyAuthor

The next author with a recent review is Mae Clair for the ghostly  A Thousand Yesteryears (Point Pleasant Book 1)

About the book

“Masterful, bone-chilling fiction…one intense thriller. A Thousand Yesteryears will keep you guessing, gasping and turning the pages for more.” —New York Times bestselling author Kevin O’Brien

Behind a legend lies the truth…

As a child, Eve Parrish lost her father and her best friend, Maggie Flynn, in a tragic bridge collapse. Fifteen years later, she returns to Point Pleasant to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. Though much has changed about the once thriving river community, the ghost of tragedy still weighs heavily on the town, as do rumors and sightings of the Mothman, a local legend. When Eve uncovers startling information about her aunt’s death, that legend is in danger of becoming all too real . . .

Caden Flynn is one of the few lucky survivors of the bridge collapse but blames himself for coercing his younger sister out that night. He’s carried that guilt for fifteen years, unaware of darker currents haunting the town. It isn’t long before Eve’s arrival unravels an old secret—one that places her and Caden in the crosshairs of a deadly killer . .

One of the recent reviews for the book

Brenda Marie Smith 5.0 out of 5 stars What could be better than the Mothman, romance and murder?  Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2020

I love this book by Mae Clair! It’s a new and intriguing take on the Mothman, made all the more interesting by a compelling romance (with a second one starting to brew for other important characters), family and personal secrets, and mysterious murders. There are other supernatural elements that I feel would be spoilers to divulge. And the suspense continues to build wither life or death threats to characters we love.

It’s my first time to read a book by Mae Clair and I plan to read many more. Deft writing, fascinating plot, well-developed and realistic characters–some to love and others to hate. What could be better?

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US –  And: Amazon UK

A selection of other books by Mae Clair

 

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Follow Mae on:Goodreads – Website: Mae Clair – Twitter:@MaeClair1

The next prolific author has recently joined the Cafe with her books and here is a recent review for Silverhills by Sandra Cox, a book that I also reviewed earlier in the year and can recommend.

About the book

In the 1870s Brandon Wade is driving a herd of longhorns over the Chisholm Trail when a youth appears out of nowhere riding a magnificent black stallion and packing a deadly looking six-gun. In need of trail hands, Brandon hires the young man. Not until weeks later, during the middle of a terrible stampede, does Brandon learn that his young sharpshooter is a beautiful woman. A woman full of fire and passion who he burns to possess. A woman steeped in mystery who refuses to disclose her past. Alexandria O’Malley is on the run and must be able to disappear at a moment’s notice. When she hires on to the cattle drive, she doesn’t expect the powerful attraction between herself and her trail boss or the response of her treacherous body.

A recent review for the book on Goodreads

Oct 24, 2020 Pansy rated it Four Stars

Wiping tears – These are bittersweet tears. Yes, there is some sadness. The book is finished. But also sweetness. This was a beautiful story about finding yor destiny, if you will. The story of Alexandria and Brandon . . . Well, it had all the feels. A spectacular meet-cute. Heart stopping action. Forgive me, but I believe the inspiration for the hero and heroine were John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Talk about tempestuous emotions. Even the physical description brought those icons to mind. I think you really need to read this for yourself to get it. A wonderful story with great pacing that grabs and doesn’t let go.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A small selection of Sandra’s books

Read the reviews andbuy the books : Amazon UK –And:Amazon US- follow Sandra Cox: Goodreads – Blog: Sandra Cox Blogspot – Twitter:@Sandra_Cox

The next author is M.J. Mallon with a recent review for her poetry and prose collection, Mr. Sagittarius

About the collection

Twin brothers Harold and William love the magic of the natural world.

When Harold dies he leaves a simple memorial request.

Will his brother William and his sister Annette honour it?

Or, will the garden work its magic to ensure that they do.

A magical story expressed via an original compilation of poetry and prose with photographic images

One of the recent reviews for the collection

L. Carmichael 5.0 out of 5 stars Clever, Fun, Good Intro to Author  Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2020

Mr. Sagittarius is a collection of poems, short stories, and charming moments from a group of memorable characters. Written by M.J. Mallon, it’s not the first I’ve read from her collection, but it was time to pick up another this weekend. If you’re searching for a lovely intro to an author’s writing style and the type of stories and tales she writes, this is a great way to discover more. Mallon’s contributed to several anthologies in the past, including one she coordinated and edited herself, but this time it’s all hers!

Two brothers, twins. A sister. Relationships wrought with love, pain, concern, frustration, anger, sadness, and hope. Interspersed with lyrical poems are short, three-to-four page scenes between the family members, others who see them, and lots of beauty focused on nature and the elements. Picture a gorgeous tree in different seasons, a park bench, memories of the family members who once sat on it, and thoughts about the passing of loved ones. That’s what you’ll find here, and it’ll make you treasure your own relationships.

I most enjoyed the autumn and Halloween moments in this collection, as it’s so timely. Mallon has a wonderful way with words, and while I’m not a big reader of poetry, it’s comforting to dive into it on occasion so you can see the beautiful images around you, that you might often look too far past.

Read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon UK – And:Amazon US

Also by M.J. Mallon  NB.. This is Lockdown is now available in print.

Read the reviews and buy the books:   Amazon US –AndAmazon UK – Website:M.J. Mallon – Goodreads:Goodreads – Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon

The final author today is Miriam Hurdlewith a recent review for her award winning poetry collection Songs of the Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude

About  Songs of Heartstrings

Songs of Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude depicts a road traveled with optimism, hope and appreciation amid heartache and unpredictable circumstances. It also celebrates genuine love and fulfilling relationships.

The poetry collection includes nine themes: Songs of Nature, Songs of Dissonance, Songs of Physical Healing, Songs of Marriage, Songs of Parenthood, Songs of Tribute, Songs of Reflections, Songs of Challenge, and Songs of Inspiration. Each of these themes covers various aspects of her life experience.

The poems are inspiring to the mind, heart, and spirit. The readers will resonate with these experiences. Hurdle illustrates the poems with her photograph and watercolor paintings.

A recent review for the collection on Goodreads

Oct 07, 2020 Teagan Geneviene rated it Five stars

Songs of Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude” strikes the right chord. I need the peaceful feelings of a gentle breeze that these poems put in my mind as I read. It’s as though I smell flowers and see colors, and occasionally imagine a warm hug. I see that the author says she often thinks up her poems while gardening, and this is easy to believe. Treat yourself to something calm.

Read the reviews and buy the collection also in Spanish and Portuguese: Amazon US – And:Amazon UK  – Goodreads: Miriam Hurdle –Blog: The Showers of Blessings –  Twitter: @mhurdle112

 

Thank you for joining me today and I hope you are leaving with some gifts to share.. thanks Sally.