Welcome to the Friday edition of the Cafe and Bookstore with recent reviews for authors on the shelves.
The first author today is Joan Hall who has received great reviews for her recent release Cold Dark Night: Legends of Madeira
About the book
New husband, new house, new town… and a new mystery to solve.
Tami Montgomery thought her police chief husband was going to be the only investigator in the family when she gave up her journalism career and moved with him to Madeira, New Mexico.
But after the historical society asks her to write stories for a book celebrating the town’s one-hundred fiftieth year, she becomes embroiled in a new mystery. If she can’t solve this one, she could lose everything. Her research uncovers a spate of untimely deaths of local law enforcement officials. Further digging reveals a common link—they all lived in the house she and Jason now share.
Tami isn’t a superstitious person, but the circumstances are too similar for coincidence. Then she unearths an even more disturbing pattern. And if history repeats itself, Jason will be the next to die.
One of the early reviews for the book
I read the prequel to this story, “House of Sorrow,” and loved that, so I was eager to read the first book in the Legends of Madeira Series. Jason and Tami Montgomery left Driscoll Lake for Jason’s new job as the town’s police chief in Madeira, New Mexico. They buy the house that was in the prequel and quickly settled into the small, mostly welcoming town. It was nice to see characters from the Driscoll Lake series, but unnecessary to have read those books to appreciate this story. I enjoyed Jason’s growth and how he approached his new job.
Tami immediately made friends and got involved in the town’s historical society that was doing a book on the town’s history. Tami, who had been a journalist, jumped right into her part of researching past police chiefs. She soon found herself looking for more answers as she dug deeper into the murder mystery of two of these chiefs. I loved the characters, and Madeira was a place I’d like to visit. Many subplots were woven in that added an extra depth to the story. Tami was a favorite character, as was the neighborhood’s stray cat, Oscar.
There was a mystery to be solved, and it appeared Jason was in danger. I had a few guesses and changed my mind more than once, but finally, by the end. I realized who it was, but not why. I love the use of legends, history, and psychic abilities mixed in with well-rounded characters and a mystery that goes back over one hundred years. This is a nicely paced read that I can highly recommend.
Also by Joan Hall
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Read other reviews and follow Joan: Goodreads – Website: Joan Hall – Blog: Joan Hall – BookBub: Joan Hall – Facebook: Joan Hall Writes – Twitter: @JoanHallWrites
The next book with a recent review is written by ovarian cancer survivor, author and retired nurse Karen Ingalls – Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Survivor.
About Outshine
When Karen Ingalls was diagnosed with Stage II Ovarian Cancer, she realized how little she knew about what was once called ”the silent killer.” As Ingalls began to educate herself she felt overwhelmed by the prevalent negativity of cancer. Lost in the information about drugs, side effects, and statistics, Ingalls redirected her energy to focus on the equally overwhelming blessings of life, learning to rejoice in each day and find peace in spirituality.
In this memoir, Karen is a calming presence and positive companion, offering a refreshing perspective of hope with the knowledge that ”the beauty of the soul, the real me and the real you, outshines the effects of cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation.”
Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is a story of survival, and reminds readers that disease is not an absolute, but a challenge to recover.
One of the recent reviews for the book
I have had the pleasure of meeting Karen Ingalls at a few of the support groups recently. I am a one year survivor of endometrial cancer. Karen has been so very helpful to myself and many other survivors as this I am sure of. She is there for any question or encouragement you may need. She is truly an inspiration to be positive and on the right path with my journey going forward. I read her book Outshine recently and find her even more amazing as she has shared her inner thoughts and own journey with us. The book is very well written and very interesting to read as she takes you through a life with Cancer and the challenges it faces for many of us. Thank you Karen for being so thoughtful, caring, inspiring and truly a wonderful human being!!! I look forward to reading more of your books in the future. Much Love to you and your family.
Other books by Karen Ingalls
All proceeds from the book sales go to gynecologic cancer research.
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Karen: Goodreads – Blog: Karen Ingalls – Twitter: @KIngallsAuthor
The final review today is for Jude Itakali for his poetry collection – CROSSROADS (Winds of love): Poetry and Prose
About the collection
In the corridors of love, at the crossroads of loneliness, we stand at our most vulnerable. As the winds of love swirl, we are often ill prepared for the portends and promises that they carry. The longing, lust, fear and deception. But also the hope, renewal and lessons of love. In this book, may we be strengthened by the memory of things we have survived, soothed with the understanding of perspective, and comforted with the hope of things yet to come.
May these poems, prose and short stories touch each of us in our own particular way.
A recent review for the book
Crossroads (Winds of Love) takes you through various corridors, which you may have visited yet missed the intense moments of exhilaration; it explores many more aspects of love, compels you to ponder and cultivate resilience. A resilient love is open to maturity but also vulnerable.
Written in a simple and straightforward style, Jude’s poetry is seeped in ecstasy of sensual love as well as yearning to find love’s freedom; loneliness and wisdom are the rewards – paradoxical? But that is love!
“Loneliness has wrapped me in its embrace, A broken heart has tamed me with wisdom.” How true!
“Once a joy, now an ache” – that is the price of love!
This may be Jude’s debut book but his poetry is so powerful that it draws on your emotions, stirring bittersweet memories and awakens you to “love’s deceptive light.” If you like free verse and want to understand love, this is a perfect book for you.
Read the reviews and buy the collection :Amazon US – And:Amazon UK – Follow Jude:Goodreads – Blog: WordPress – Tales Told Different – Facebook: Kirya Itakali Jude – Twitter: @jude_clutch
Wonderful authors, books, and reviews, Sally! I absolutely loved “Cold Dark Night” Thank you for sharing and congrats to the authors!
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Thanks Jan and for recommending Joan’s book… pleasure to share..hugsx
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Jude is an amazing poet, and Joan and Karen are talented writers. Congratulations to all three on the awesome reviews! 👏🤩
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Thanks Vashti and adding a boost for Jude.. enjoy your weekend..hugsx
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I’ve read and loved all of Joan’s work. So nice to see it highlighted here. Best wishes to all featured authors. Thanks, Sally.
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Thanks for adding your recommendation Staci.. have a lovely weekend..hugs
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I’ve read Cold Dark Night and really enjoyed it.
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Thanks for adding your recommendation Craig..hugsx
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Thank you for featuring Cold Dark Night, Sally. And a big congrats to Karen and Jude as well!
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Pleasure Joan.. lovely review..hugsx
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Reblogged this on Joan Hall and commented:
Hey, everone. Sally Cronin is featuring a lovely review of Cold Dark Night. Hope you take take to hop over there.
Sally is a wonderful supporter of writers and is a talented author herself. If you aren’t following her blog, you’re missing out!
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Thanks for boosting the post Joan and for your kind introduction.. delighted to share your review. Have a lovely weekend..hugsx
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I read Cold Dark Night and gave it five stars. Great to see Joan here, Sally. Congratulations to Karen and Jude as well.
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Thanks for adding your recommendation I have one of Joan’s books on my reader and must bump it up the list..hugsxx
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Might be a good idea. 😁
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xx
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Great reviews Sally. Thank you
Massive Hugs
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Thanks David.. have a lovely weekend.. hugs
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Thank you, Sally, for featuring these wonderful writers. I loved Outshine and I have Cold Dark Night on my kindle. I look forward to getting to know Jude. Congratulations all! 😊
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Thanks for adding your recommendation for Karen’s book Gwen and both Joan and Jude have wonderful reviews..♥♥
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Fantastic reviews for all three authors. I’ve read Joan Hall’s Cold Dark Night and positively loved the blend of history and mystery!
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Thanks for the boost for Joan’s book Mae and looks like a great read… hugsxx
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I loved Outshine and have Crossroads on my TBR list. Thanks for sharing my review of Joan’s great book 🙂 A great list of authors.
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks very much Michael…hugsx
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Congratulations to the authors, and thank you for sharing the information, Sally! Outshine sounds very outstanding unique. Thanks for mentioning it too. xx Michael
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Thanks Michael.. and memoirs such as Karen’s serve to comfort and inspire others who might be going through a similar experience…hugsx
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A wonderful lineup of books, authors, and reviews. Congrats to Joan, Karen, and Jude! Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs 💕🙂
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Thanks very much Harmony..hugs ♥♥
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P.S. I loved both House of Sorrow and Cold Dark Night! 😁
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Thanks for adding the recommendations Harmony hugs..♥
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Another great post under your belt, Sally. Thank you. Hugs xx
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Thanks Joy..hope all is well. all set for next Wednesday.. I am taking the car for an MOT but will be back later afternoon to boost your post…hugs xx
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I’m looking forward to some quiet time just sitting and reading for pleasure – there’s a lot of pleasure to be had! xx
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There is Alex, one of those pleasures that is good for everyone.. the author, the reader and (Amazon lol)…xxhugs
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Hi Sally, I love Jude’s poetry and enjoyed this book of his. I read House of Sorrow and must get to Joan’s book soon. Karen’s book sounds lovely and informative too.
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Thanks Robbie and boosting Jude’s poetry.. so many books so little time hugsx
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Congrats to Jude, Karen, and Joan for wonderful reviews! ❤
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Thanks Debby…have a good weekend..hugsx♥
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You too Sal ❤
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♥
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Three wonderful authors, Sally. I’ve enjoyed them all. Congrats to Joan, Karen, and Jude. 🙂
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Thanks very much for adding your boost for them..hugs ♥
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Great review shares Sally. You’re a star! 🙂
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Happy to share Marje.. enjoy your weekend..hugs♥
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And you too Sally. ❤
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September is National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, so it is my hope that every woman will read my book about ovarian cancer. I would be happy to send a complimentary copy if someone is unable to purchase it on Amazon.
Thank you, Sally, for highlighting my book. I am anxious to read Jude’s book of poetry. I have read Cold, Dark Night by Joan Hall. Congratulations to both of them.
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Thanks very much Karen and for your kind offer. In 2019 as part of the women’s reproductive system you contributed a guest post and happy enough I will schedule as part of Women’s health month in September but update with your other books etc..https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/10/08/smorgasbord-health-column-the-female-reproductive-system-outshining-ovarian-cancer-guest-post-author-karen-ingalls/
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