Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – #Reviews – Teri Polen, Marina Osipova, Amy M. Reade and Pamela S. Wight

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to the Friday edition of the Cafe and Bookstore Update. I will be making a few changes to the blog in the coming weeks and I really want to focus on authors in the Cafe and Bookstore, their reviews and new releases. I have made a note of one or two new releases coming up but if you are in the Cafe and Bookstore and are publishing in the next month, can you please contact me (sally.cronin@moyhill.com) so that I can schedule a new book promotion for you.

If you are not there, then please let me know so I can do a promotion and add you: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore-free-author-promotion/

The first author today with a recent review is Teri Polen for her book YA horror novel, Sarah. And look out for Teri’s new book released on June 7th.. The Gemini Connection.

About Sarah

Seventeen-year-old horror fan Cain Shannon thought helping a ghost find her killers would be the supernatural adventure of a lifetime. Now, he just hopes to survive long enough to protect his family and friends from her.

A bet between friends goes horribly wrong, resulting in Sarah’s death. When she returns to seek justice against those responsible, Cain agrees to help her. But when he discovers Sarah has been hijacking his body, he realizes she wants retribution instead of justice.

Terrified of what could have happened when he wasn’t in control, Cain commands Sarah to leave his house – but exorcising her isn’t that easy. She retaliates against her murderers in bloody, horrific ways, each death making her stronger, then sets her sights on Cain. With the help of friends, Cain fights to save himself and his loved ones and searches for a way to stop Sarah before she kills again.

One of the recent reviews.

A gripping Novel for Any Age By John W. Howell on May 17, 2018

To this day I still can’t understand the difference between a YA novel and an adult scare story. Perhaps in the YA everyone keeps their clothes on. I can tell anyone who wants to listen that although Teri Polen’s Sarah is billed as a YA novel it still scares the bejesus out of you. The story is well written, and the suspense factor is such that no matter your age you will be on the edge of your seat.

The story is about the ghost of a young girl who was murdered in the house of the protagonist named Cain. He is a high school kid who plays on the varsity soccer team and has worries about his mother and sister Maddie due to the loss of his father. He has a great best pal named Finn and Eby the cat who are there when he needs them..

Now when the ghost named Sarah appears the reader immediately thinks there is going to be some heroic effort by Cain to help her find the people responsible for murdering her. In fact, this would be a cliché that would have been all too easy. Ms. Polen had none of that easy stuff. Oh no. She builds the characterizations of the ghost to a point where the reader feels threatened. Speaking of characterizations this book is rich with characters that behave much like people you have met.

Too much more said will drop a few spoilers. Let me leave you with the idea that this book is for everyone who likes an exciting story well told.

Read all the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Teri-Polen/e/B01MYOUA6V

And on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sarah-Teri-Polen-ebook/dp/B01NBIFRF4

Read more reviews and follow Teri on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16114393.Teri_Polen

Connect to Teri via her Website: https://teripolen.com/

John W. Howell is also in the Cafe and Bookstore

John Howell, Buy: http://www.amazon.com/John-W.-Howell/e/B00HMRWO6C
Blog: https://johnwhowell.com/

The next author with a recent review is Marina Osipova for A Cruel Romance.

About the book

October 1941. A small village outside Moscow. Serafima bids farewell to Vitya, a Soviet officer going to the front. With only moments left together, she places a cross around her beloved’s neck and reluctantly releases him into a cruel world where nothing is certain, especially whether she will ever see him again. Days later Germans invade her village and take over her tiny house. Serafima and her mother must comply with orders, endure abuse, and stay put or their village will be annihilated.

As World War II intertwines Serafima’s and Vitya’s life with that of a young German violinist and a Russian intellectual, their destinies are irrevocably altered. Can they rise to the challenge of agonizing moral choices and learn to forgive and love again? Praise The Cruel Romance is a tale of love, violence, and acceptance as Serafima is forced to live with what the Germans left behind.

This compelling story makes for a thrilling read in a setting and time that comes to life, pulling the reader into the vividly drawn, rarely seen world. Elisabeth Amaral, author of When Any Kind of Love Will Do and Czar Nicholas, The Toad, and Duck Soup

One of the recent reviews for the book

A Cruel Romance Indeed By DGKaye on May 27, 2018

A cruel romance indeed. And as we all know, nothing is fair in love or war.

A fast paced, unputdownable engaging read from Osipova where she takes us into the troubled, and life of hardship of Serafima, a poor Russian girl, barely yet 18 years old. Serafima is caught in the midst of WWII and a sorrowful parting with her newly flourishing love with Victor who is heading off to the Russian front to join the war. Serafima vows to wait for him, both in virtue and in her heart. The author paints vivid imagery with poignant settings and well fleshed out complicated characters in a complicated time.

Already living in a tiny village in the forest, well outside of Moscow, Serafima knows poverty and hunger well, yet never complains. Living with her emotionless mother in a tiny hut, she learns that her hardships are about to get a lot worse after two German soldiers invade and take over her tiny home, complete with her and her mother as their private slaves, where Serafima endures the brunt of mental and physical abuse.

Throughout the passing years, Serafima never stops pining for her lost love Victor. And as the war comes to an end and the Germans move out, Serafima finds herself with child. We are now drawn into the raw emotion and struggle Serafima must deal with when her child is born and her disgust for his conception overshadows any joy she should have from giving birth and ultimately, distancing herself emotionally from her own child.

When a few more years pass, still with hope her Victor will return to marry her, she receives a rude awakening one day when he does return and he spots her child. A misunderstanding from unspoken words and a lifetime of holding back the truth changes the course of Serafima’s life dramatically. Instead Serafima continues to work and make the best life she can while dismissing her undying love for Victor and learning to live with a broken heart.

Victor too never stopped loving Serafima despite their lack of reconciliation, and demonstrates how unresolved love can grow into vengeance. Life is a circle, and secrets of the past have a way of working themselves back into one’s life just as they did for Serafima, when she was faced to make peace with her past. Can she ever find love again? Will she eventually reunite with Victor? You will have to read the book to find out.

This book had me turning pages at every opportunity I could pick up the book. I will say. the ending was quite surprising, The book was beautifully written and so engaging I can’t help but give it 5 stars!

Read all the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Romance-Novel-Love-War-ebook/dp/B0794VPFRW

And Amazon UK:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cruel-Romance-Novel-Love-War-ebook/dp/B0794VPFRW

Read other reviews on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29457862-the-cruel-romance

Connect to Marina via her website: http://www.marina-osipova.com/

D.G. Kaye is also in the Cafe and Bookstore

D. G. Kaye – Buy: http://www.amazon.com/D.G.-Kaye/e/B00HE028FO
Blog: http://www.dgkayewriter.com

The next author with a recent review is Amy M. Reade with her book Murder in Thistlecross (A Malice Novel).

About the book

The emerald hills and violet valleys of Wales seem the ideal place to start over after murder—and divorce—shattered Eilidh’s life in the Scottish Highlands. But within the stone walls of an ancient castle, a family’s dark, violent past threatens much more than her newfound tranquility . . .

For the past two years, Eilidh has called the quaint Welsh village of Thistlecross home, embracing her new life as estate manager of a restored fifteenth-century castle. But the long-anticipated arrival of her employer’s three estranged sons and their wives transforms Gylfinog Castell from a welcoming haven to a place seething with dangerous secrets. When the escalating tensions culminate in murder, Eilidh must sift through a castle full of suspects both upstairs and downstairs. She can trust no one as she follows a twisting maze of greed and malice to ferret out a killer who’s breaching every defense, preparing to make Eilidh the next to die.

One of the recent reviews for the book

P. Wight A well-written gothic-type mystery set in a Welsh castle full of secrets that lead to mystery and romance April 14, 2018

A castle, a sweet woman who loves her job but needs to find some love in her life, a dysfunctional family who has its own terrible secrets, all set in the lush lovely country of Wales. Amy Reade mixes together all of these ingredients to give her readers a delicious gothic novel. I’m not one who needs to categorize books into certain genres.

I don’t generally read “gothic’ novels, but after reading this book, I wonder why not? if it’s written as seamlessly as Reade’s book is, with well-detailed characters, a main character who we root for throughout the book, some suspense and murder and “whodunit” questions, perhaps I DO like gothic novels. The writing does not rush the reader; we slowly get to know the castle that the main character manages and all of its inhabitants. There’s also a bit of downstairs/upstairs vibe, and of course a slowly simmering romance. I’ve read all of Reade’s books, and this one did not disappoint.

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Thistlecross-Malice-Novel-Reade-ebook/dp/B071L5C6C7

and Amazon US : https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Thistlecross-Malice-Novel-Reade-ebook/dp/B071L5C6C7

Also by Amy M. Reade

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Read more reviews and follow Amy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

Connect to Amy via her website: www.amymreade.com

Pamela Wight is also in the Cafe and Bookstore

Pamela S. Wight, Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Pamela-S.-Wight/e/B00AYXT6R6
Blog:https://roughwighting.net/

And congratulations to Pamela S.Wight as her book Birds of Paradise is the Award Winning Finalist in the Children’s Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction category of the 2018 International Book Awards.

About Birds of Paradise

Sweet sparrows Bessie and Bert grow up as differently as night and day. Bessie is fearful of the dangers inherent in being a bird. She’s scared to leave her cozy branch. But Bert relishes flying in the sky and pecking delicious seeds on the ground, until he loses half a tail. Bessie and Bert uncover each other’s fears and, through a newfound friendship, re-discover the delight in being birds. Charming, lustrous illustrations and light, lilting verse delight children and adults alike as they gain a new appreciation for the joyous birds in their own backyard.

One of the reviews for the book

Lauren Eastman Heartwarming Story of Love, Life and Partnership! May 8, 2017

This beautifully written and illustrated story is my son’s favorite new book, and a truly delightful story by Pamela Wight! The lesson about staying close to the nest while being able to spread your wings, is tied to the importance of friendship and being safe to try new things with the right person by your side. A reminder to us all to enjoy the unique elements that make us who we are, and appreciate the influence of others who enhance our lives with the gift of companionship and love. A great mother’s day gift to a mom with young children, or one whom you’d like to thank for her guidance and care.

Read the reviews and buy the book on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Paradise-Pamela-S-Wight/dp/0998460613/

Head over and check out Pamela’s celebration of her achievement: https://roughwighting.net/2018/06/01/the-finalist/

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you have enjoyed the selection of authors and their reviews… Thanks Sally

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Spring Showcase – Micki Peluso, Judy Penz-Sheluk, Annika Perry, Jemima Pett, Toni Pike, Teri Polen, Allie Potts, Debra Purdy-Kong, Vashti Quiroz- Vega, Amy M. Reade

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to spring….. and there might be a hint of colour in the garden, as daffodils push their way to the surface, but there is plenty of colour on the shelves of the bookstore that I thought I would share with you over the next week or so.

If you are looking for you next book to read then look no further than these talented authors and over 600 books currently on the shelves.

Instead of the usual Cafe and Bookstore updates on Friday and Monday.. I will be featuring a number of authors each day with their updated reviews.

I will give you their listing which also includes a link to buy the books but also discover others that they have written but are not listed. You will also find a link to their website or blog to find out more information, and as you can imagine… they write great posts too.

Here is the next ten featured authors from the Cafe and Bookstore with their recent reviews.

Micki Peluso, Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Micki-Peluso/e/B002BLZ7JK
Blog: http://mallie1025.blogspot.ie/

An extract from one of the recent reviews for The Whippoorwill Sang

Grappling With Sorrow and Reuniting as a Family after a Shocking Bereavement

By MarethMBotha on March 2, 2018

“Memories” I looked forward to reading this book, because my sister and my brother-in-law had lost four friends in one night to the acts of a drunken driver. This accident left six orphans behind, and my sister and my brother-in-law would forever remember their anniversary, the 20th of September, as the day two sets of good parents lost their lives to a drunken driver.

This is a book which needs to be read by anyone who ever had the audacity to get in behind a wheel and drive under the influence of alcohol. There is just no excuse and hopefully more and more countries will enforce legislation to impose maximum sentence on those who think it’s okay to destroy others’ lives in such a callous manner.

I loved that the author had the courage to write her story. She has a wonderful engaging style of writing, clear crisp dialogues and writes with brutal honesty when describing her feelings throughout the book.

If you have not had a chance to read this memoir, I encourage you to do so. Especially the second half of this account will stay with you for a long time!

Judy Penz Sheluk, Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Judy-Penz-Sheluk/e/B00O74NX04
Blog: http://www.judypenzsheluk.com/

Please visit Amazon or Judy’s blog to view all her books

An extract from a recent review for A Hole in One..

Kathleen C.“ A Hole in One” earns 5/5 Murderous Back Swings…Clever and Fun! March 9, 2018

Emily Garland has landed on her feet after her previous bouts with murder and mayhem, and in the process, she has gained a new friend and partnership in Lount’s Landing’s delightful antique shop. Arabella Carpenter, eager to move on from her life’s left turns, opened up The Glass Dolphin antique shop, and with her new friend and partner taking on the advertising and promotions, success might be more than just a pipe dream. The ladies are sponsoring the Hole in One prize at the charity golf tournament, but instead they get involved in another murder mystery. The victim is Arabella’s ex-husband’s estranged father, having been out of the picture for twenty-five years, and when motive, means, and opportunity seem established, he becomes a serious “person of interest.” From there I couldn’t put the book down…

Judy Penz Sheluk has penned an excellent follow up to her first Glass Dolphin Mystery, and although you can start here, I highly recommend you not forget book one, “The Hanged Man’s Noose.” As a beginning or as a prequel, it is excellent, too.

Annika Perry, Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0789KZVF8/
Blog https://annikaperry.com

One of the recent reviews for the collection

Mark Charlton The Storyteller Speaks reader review. 4 March 2018

I think this book is a good read. Annika Perry is a perceptive observer of the human condition, and has a gift of harnessing the humdrum minutiae of everyday existence and bringing it to life in short, concise, well told stories. She also includes the occasional entertaining poem and limerick to further demonstrate her talents and add to the variety. As a bonus, Ms Perry includes notes at the end of the anthology, explaining her motivation for writing the stories, many of which, directly or indirectly, are borne out of her own experiences.

Jemima Pett, Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Jemima-Pett/e/B006F68PVE
Blog http://jemimapett.com

Please visit Amazon to view all of Jemima’s books.

A recent review for The Princelings of the North on Goodreads

Jan 31, 2018 Victoria Zigler rated it Five Stars

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since I heard it was going to be coming out, and was not disappointed! This book is an excellent addition to this series. The plot is entertaining and exciting, while the characters are interesting and believable (yes, I know they’re guinea pigs, but there’s no reason a guinea pig can’t be a believable character).

Toni Pike, Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Toni-Pike/e/B009I70E8Y
Website www.tonipike.com

One of the recent reviews Holy Spear of Magus

Deborah Wall McGraw Holy Spear of Magus delivers February 20, 2018

The Holy Spear of Magus is the latest in the story of Fletcher and his battle with a hateful subgroup within the Catholic Church. By now, we know many details of the protagonist and the various villains so the story is more interesting when you start with volume 1 and work through them. This one takes them to several interesting spots around the world in the search for the holy spear. That is one of my favorite parts of mystery books: the details of foreign places. An very satisfying escape.

Teri Polen, Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Teri-Polen/e/B01MYOUA6V
Website: https://teripolen.com/

An extract from a recent review for Sarah

writester A Spine-Tingling Tale You Won’t Want to MissFebruary 5, 2017

Teri Polen’s SARAH is the stuff that will keep you up at night. It’s the perfect blend of lighthearted teenage banter and blood-curdling horror elements. Shades of the television show Supernatural will keep fans of theWinchester brothers engrossed from the beginning through the last spine-tingling word of the epilogue.

Cain starts out as an affable teenage boy who too soon has become the man of the house because of the untimely death of his father. The addition of his best friend Finn creates a dynamic duo—the two clearly are as thick as biological brothers and their interactions are so enjoyable. Cain has typical teenage problems—love, academics, sports—until his life changes for the worse.

I love a good ghost story, and SARAH is one of the best ones I’ve read in a while. I blew through it—it was such an easy and exciting read that I finished it in one afternoon. But I’m left fervently wishing for a sequel, because I don’t want to say goodbye to these characters. If you like horror, you’ll love SARAH. It’s a must read.

Allie Potts, Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Potts/e/B00H2VUFUA
Blog: http://www.alliepottswrites.com

One of the reviews for Watch and Wand

The Watch and the Wand is the second book in the Gene Assist Series, a dystopian tale dabbling in genetic engineering. The science is intriguing and complex and it’s possible to see nano technology invading our lives in the not too distant future.

This book starts after the breakdown of society and 15 years after the conclusion of book one: Fair and Foul. Stephen’s dull life comes to an end when he meets Bean, a girl on the run from the dangerous Watch. With Bean, he sets off into the unknown world where nothing is quite what it seems.

This story has quite a few twists and turns. Potts toys with the reader, setting up mysteries and slowly revealing the answers, and often leaving the characters’ motives and agendas hidden. In particular, Bean was hard to read, and for a long time, I wasn’t sure I trusted her. Stephen and Bean are the strongest characters, three dimensional and consistent throughout. Dialog is realistic, the pace zips along, and the action scenes are exciting.
I didn’t read the first book, Fair and Foul, and wished I had. I would recommend starting there as Potts doesn’t bog down the reader with much backstory in book 2 (primarily because Stephen is in the dark about what’s going on outside his experience and he’s the pov character). I would have liked to know more about how the challenges in the world developed. Great sci-fi story for YA readers and up.

Debra Purdy Kong, Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Debra-Purdy-Kong/e/B000APLEFU

Website: www.debrapurdykong.com

Please visit Amazon to view all of Debra’s books

A review for Deadman Floating

Tami Rustad In this fun, quick read January 26, 2018

In Deadman Floating, Debra Purdy Kong introduces us to her likeable protagonist, Evan Dunstan, who is butting heads with his superiors in his current role as campus security officer, while en route to his dream job in municipal policing. Interfering somewhat with Evan’s professionalism is his pursuit of a potential girlfriend, which is what causes him to fail to report his discovery of the body of a miserable and frequently inebriated campus maintenance worker. Obviously an unfortunate accident—or, maybe not!? In this fun, quick read, the first in the Evan Dunstan Mystery series, Purdy Kong tightly weaves a twisty plot that will hold the reader’s attention to the very end.

Vashti Quiroz- Vega, Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Vashti-Quiroz-Vega/e/B00GTXG5W4
Website/Blog: https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/

An extract from the most recent review for The Fall of Lilith

An epic-story, which will make you reconsider what you thought you knew about angels, demons, and everything in between. By OlgaNM on March 18, 2018

I have seen this book described as “epic” and I agree, not only for its length (it is two books in one) but also for its topic. It does talk about all things in Heaven and Earth, near enough, from the creation of the angels and the battle of good and evil to the fall of the angels and their revenge plans once on Earth (that don’t bode well for humanity).

The author’s writing style in this book is reminiscent of the Bible, although the story is told from quite a different point of view, and it deviates from the narrative most Christians are familiar with (I am intrigued to know how the story will resonate with readers not familiar with the Christian tradition, although the world building is detailed enough for anybody to be able to follow the events). I am not a big Fantasy reader, mostly because I am not that fond of lengthy descriptions (I admire authors who do it well), although this story has the added interest of providing a major variation on a story many of us are familiar with. As typical of the genre, there is plenty of telling (in fact, all the characters are storytellers, and we get to hear the angels’ voices often, narrating their own adventures, or even fictional ones, like a fascinating story Lilith narrates in book 1), and beautiful descriptions of Floraison, the part of Heaven inhabited by the angels, of the angels, and also of the creation of Earth, and of Earth itself in book 2.

Amy M. Reade, Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2
Blog: www.amreade.wordpress.com

One of the recent reviews for Murder in Thistlecross

Iris Chacon Amy Reade Rejuvenated Gothic Fiction March 20, 2018

With its engaging heroine, sinister castle, and shadowy intrigues, Murder in Thistlecross is a true gothic suspense novel, but not of the Victorian era as one might expect. Reade places the gothic elements seamlessly into contemporary Wales, essentially creating a new genre: the modern gothic mystery. One gets so happily immersed in the spooky mystery that the occasional appearance of a cellphone is a surprise as well as a reminder that what once was old has been made new again. I enjoyed the believability of a gothic mystery that seemed as if it could really happen today. I Also felt I had enjoyed a vacation in the beautiful Welsh countryside.

Thank you for dropping in today and it would be great if you could share the authors and their books on social media. Thanks Sally

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Jack Eason, Janice Spina, Amy M. Reade, John W. Howell and C.S. Boyack

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to the Friday edition of the Cafe and Bookstore update with news of recent releases and reviews from some of the authors in the bookstore.

The first author with a new review for his book Race Against Time is Jack Eason.

About the book

In 2012, many otherwise rational people had convinced themselves that because the Mayan calendar stopped at December 21st of that year, that we were about to enter the biblical end of days. But it didn’t happen. Why are we still alive? Read the archaeological adventure Race Against Time for one possible explanation.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Bob Van Laerhoven – Belgian novelist An adventure story that also is instructive 7 February 2018

“Race against time” is an outstanding example of how an author can turn extensive archaeological knowledge into a superb adventure story, chock-full high-caliber entertainment. With the abrupt ending of the Mayan Calendar in 2012, and the prediction that the Solar System will be annihilated in that very year, as a starting point, Jack Eason tells a gripping tale that spans the world, that is often funny but at the same time suspenseful, and that is populated by characters we love to love or to hate. At the end, when the reader thinks that everything will collapse, Eason provides an ingenious, surprising end. An adventure story that also is instructive, a mix of genres that also is a fast-paced and highly entertaining yarn….Eason succeeded in forging all these elements seamlessly together.

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Race-Against-Time-Jack-Eason-ebook/dp/B01LW4MBTF

and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Race-Against-Time-Jack-Eason-ebook/dp/B01LW4MBTF

A small selection of other books by Jack Eason

Discover all of Jack Eason’s books and read the reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Eason/e/B003MEA7AY/

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Eason/e/B003MEA7AY

Follow Jack and read other reviews on Goodread: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4026249.Jack_Eason

Connect to Jack via his website: https://havewehadhelp.wordpress.com/

Then next author with a recent review is children’s author Janice Spina for her book Davey and Derek Junior Detectives Book 3.

About the book

Davey & Derek Donato are twins who love adventures and enjoy being junior detectives. In Book 3 of this series their help is enlisted to find an ivory figurine that has been taken from the local museum.

There are many suspects and danger is not far from the boys as they learn more magic and use their skills to find those responsible for the theft.

Their Aunt Gigi is close by to lend a hand and at the same time help the twins hone their magical gifts.

A recent review for the book

Robbie Cheadle An action packed magical adventure February 24, 2018

This is book 3 in the Davey & Derek junior detective series and it is the best one we have read to date. Michael loves these two adventurous boys and the addition of some real magic in their lives really added to his enjoyment of the tale. Magic wands and books in the hands of 11-year old boys really captivated him and my Dad has made him a wand out of wood, painted metallic blue, so that he could have one too.

Davey and Derek learn the history and story of Aunt Gigi’s ivory elephant and discover some of this figurines magic. They are concerned for the safety of this figurine when they hear that a similar type of figurine has been stolen from the local museum. Certain local boys seem to be implicated in the crime and when a school peer asks the twins to help solve the case, Davey and Derek are thrilled to oblige. The boys embark on an exciting adventure to unwind the clues relating to the case, with some help and some confusion being provided by their magic books birthday gifts.

I would recommend this book for middle school children. My rating is five out of five stars.

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Davey-Derek-Junior-Detectives-Book-ebook/dp/B01K3FA3RG

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Davey-Derek-Junior-Detectives-Book-ebook/dp/B01K3FA3RG

A small selection of children’s books by Janice Spina

Also as J.E. Spina

Discover all of Janice Spina’s books, read the reviews and https://www.amazon.com/Janice-Spina/e/B00HNET4HG

and on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janice-Spina/e/B00HNET4HG

Find more reviews and follow Janice on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7222888.Janice_Spina

Connect to Janice via her website: https://jemsbooks.wordpress.com

Now time for a brand new release from Amy M. Reade….Murder in Thistlecross (A Malice Novel)

About the book

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Thistlecross-Malice-Novel-Reade-ebook/dp/B071L5C6C7

and Amazon US : https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Thistlecross-Malice-Novel-Reade-ebook/dp/B071L5C6C7

Also by Amy M. Reade

One of the recent reviews for Highland Peril on Goodreads

Jan 23, 2018 Anna rated it was amazing

Another brilliant read from Amy M. Reade. There is a reason why she is my favourite author – not one of her books has disappointed me. She writes in a format that makes me feel that I’m standing in the room with the characters. The description of everything is so brilliant that I can clearly see everything in the room or in the area. The suspense is written in a way that instead of everything being spelled out there is room for my mind to imagine a greater suspense. You care about her characters because they are so well written. I highly recommend picking up one of her books!

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Read more reviews and follow Amy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

Connect to Amy via her website: www.amymreade.com

Now for an update in the first of the John J. Cannon books My GRL by John W. Howell.

About My GRL

John J. Cannon, a successful San Francisco lawyer, takes a leave of absence from the firm and buys a boat he names My GRL. John is unaware his boat has been targeted by a terrorist group to be used to destroy a symbol of America’s greatness. John’s first inkling of trouble is when he wakes up in the hospital and learns he was found unconscious next to the body of the young woman who sold him the boat in the first place. John now is the only one standing between the terrorists and the success of their mission.

One of the recent reviews for the book.

The resolution was believable and thrilling. By Mary A. Adler on January 28, 2018

Although I usually don’t enjoy books written in the present tense, John Cannon’s wry humor and engaging voice drew me into this exciting story. Howell’s particular strength is his ability to take the reader through completely unfamiliar territory and make it come alive.

The scenes on the boat were engrossing and exciting. Howell ratchets up the tension until it seems impossible for his protagonist to survive, and yet the resolution was believable and thrilling.

I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/My-GRL-John-W-Howell-ebook/dp/B06VY4V2FC/

and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-GRL-John-W-Howell-ebook/dp/B06VY4V2FC

Also by John W.Howell

Buy all of the John Cannon Series and find our more about John W. Howell: https://www.amazon.com/John-W.-Howell/e/B00HMRWO6C

and on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-W.-Howell/e/B00HMRWO6C

Read more reviews and follow John on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7751796.John_W_Howell

Connect to John via his website: http://www.johnhowell.com

And now the final author with news. C.S. Boyack with his novella, The Hat released last month.

About The Hat

Lizzie St. Laurent is dealing with many of the struggles of young life. She lost her grandmother, and her living arrangements. Her new roommate abandoned her, and she’s working multiple jobs just to keep her head above water.

She inherits an old hat from her grandmother’s estate, but it belonged to her grandfather. This is no ordinary hat, but a being from an alternate dimension. One with special powers.

Lizzie and the hat don’t exactly hit it off right away, but when her best friend’s newborn is kidnapped by a ring of baby traffickers, Lizzie turns to the hat for help. This leads her deep into her family history and a world she’s never known.

Lizzie gives up everything to rescue the babies. She loses her jobs, and may wind up in jail before it’s over. Along the way, she and the hat may have a new way of making ends meet.

Humorous and fun, The Hat is novella length. Wonderful escapism for an afternoon.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Magic, witches, ghouls and wild escapades By Jan Sikes on February 23, 2018

Lizzie St Laurent is heartbroken that her grandmother died and she got nothing from the estate. In anger, she grabs a box out of the back of a moving truck vacating her grandmother’s antique shop. Once she finally settled in with a glass of wine and opens it, she is shocked to find a fedora hat. She quickly discounts it and continues grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother. But, the hat is a living entity attached to her family through Lizzie’s grandfather and generations before him. And while it takes her a little time to adjust to it, they turn out to be quite the team.

From playing the upright bass, which Lizzie had never touched in her life, to rescuing kidnapped babies, the Hat takes Lizzie on quite the journey. I loved this novella from C.S. Boyack. It has so many different elements and plot twists that it always kept me guessing. The ending couldn’t have been more perfectly executed. If you like off-the-wall stories with elements of supernatural, ghouls, witches and a Hat that can perform all sorts of magic, you’ll love this story.

A selection of other books by C.S. Boyack

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/C.-S.-Boyack/e/B00ILXBXUY

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/C.-S.-Boyack/e/B00ILXBXUY

Read more reviews and follow C.S. Boyack on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9841203.C_S_Boyack

Connect with Craig via his blog: http://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you have found more members for your every eager TBRs… thanks Sally

Smorgasbord Sunday Interview – The Ultimate Bucket List – Owls and Learning Greek by Amy M. Reade

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to the Sunday Interview and the theme is The Ultimate Bucket List.

In this interview series I would love to know what your top TWO items are on your bucket list and if you have not written one yet, then perhaps it is time to get your thinking caps on.

Here is more about how you can participate: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/new-sunday-show-interview-series-the-ultimate-bucket-list-a-test-run-with-sally-cronin/

Today my guest is author Amy M. Reade who shares the top two items on her ultimate bucket list. Both are well worth being at the top of the list and let’s hope by putting it ‘out there’ in this post it will happen.

I was so excited when I read about Sally’s idea to talk about bucket lists. I’ve been giving mine a lot of thought—in fact, I have a “Bucket List” Pinterest board with lots of photos of exotic places I’d love to visit.

But just this morning I read a blog post with a poem about owls, accompanied by some beautiful photos of these birds of prey. And I got thinking—that’s what I want to see. An owl.

And I want to see it in or near my own backyard. I don’t want to see one at a zoo or on television or on the internet or anywhere else but my own neighborhood. My neighborhood is quite wooded, so it shouldn’t be that hard. Right?

Have you ever read Owl Moon by Jane Yolen? It used to be one of my favorite books to read to my children, and they heard it so often I think it became a favorite of theirs, too. In the story a young girl and her father go owling and the takeaway for owl watchers is this—you can’t do much other than hope an owl will come.

Sally asked people to write what steps they could take to achieve their bucket list dreams and the truth is I don’t know what steps to take. Aside from sitting outside at night, perfectly still, and hoping with all my might, is there anything else I should be doing? Perhaps people can share their suggestions in the comments because this bucket list item is going to be something I need some help doing.

Hopefully Amy will be seeing owls flying through her back garden soon but in the meantime here are some facts on owls with some observations….

My second bucket list item that doesn’t appear on Pinterest is to learn to speak Greek.

Somehow I think this will be easier than spotting an owl, but don’t quote me on that. I’m fascinated by the Greek language because it evokes an ancient wisdom and a culture that have largely been lost to us in modern times. When I think of the amazing scientific discoveries and the mind-bending philosophy that came from the ancient Greeks, I find myself just itching to have a better understanding of the language. I took Latin in high school for four years and loved every minute of it. I loved being able to read centuries-old texts in their original language. And I can only imagine that learning Greek would be even better, and probably more challenging.

Before you say, “You know modern Greek is not the same as what the ancient Greeks spoke, right?,” rest assured that I do know that. But I also believe that learning to speak Greek will bring me just a little closer to having a better understanding of history, philosophy, and language in general.

So here’s my plan: the BBC has a page (archived) on its website devoted to teaching people very basic Greek. Since free is good, I’ve also found some apps and YouTube channels that introduce beginners to the Greek alphabet and conversational Greek phrases.

My desire is to be able to say more than just “Where is the cheese?” or “I’d like red wine” (though these two phrases should serve me very well for many of my needs), so once I’ve learned some of the basics I expect to have to shell out some money for better lessons with more in-depth content.

I should mention that I’ve never been to Greece and I’m not sure I’ll ever get there. This can be good and bad—good in the sense that a native speaker may never hear me and thus not be offended by my feeble attempts to converse, and bad in the sense that I may never be able to immerse myself in a culture that speaks Greek fluently (communities in the United States that hold Greek festivals may be the closest I come to that). But I do hope that one day I can confidently say “Opa!” and know what I’m talking about.

Good luck Amy with learning Greek and here is something to get you started.

My thanks to Amy for sharing her two top items on her bucket list and I am sure you join me in wishing her every success in achieving them.

About Amy. M. Reade

USA Today Bestselling author Amy M. Reade writes women’s contemporary and gothic fiction. Her books have been compared to authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Phyllis Whitney, and Victoria Holt. Amy’s standalone novels feature vivid descriptions of exotic and fascinating locations, such as the Thousand Islands region of New York State, Charleston, South Carolina, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Most recently, she has been working on The Malice series, set in the United Kingdom.

A former attorney, Amy found that writing was her true calling. She loves cooking, reading, and travel.

Books by Amy M. Reade

The most recent review for Amy’s latest release Highland Peril

An excellent, well-paced mystery with an historical flavour By MeandtheMutts on September 26, 2017

The adventure in the Highlands starts with a prologue, which befits the historical element needed to tell this tale. Here the true story of the removal of the Honours of Scotland from Dunnottar Castle are told, albeit with a tasty twist that then spawns the rest of the book. While the prologue is quite factual and descriptive, the slow start proves effective when the story switches to a first person narrative set in modern times. The marked change in technique jolts the reader into the lives of Sylvie and Seamus, man and wife, and owners of a small Scottish gallery where they craft and sell Seamus’s paintings & Sylvie’s photographs – all inspired by the stunning landscapes surrounding Cauld Loch.

When a painting – that has been sitting quietly in Seamus’s gallery for many years – garners interest from two buyers, all sorts of questions arise. Why now? Why this painting? But it is only when the purchaser is later found dead following a car crash that all sorts of conspiracies come to the fore. The “accident” brings the police to their door and from hereon the Carmichaels’ lives are plunged into danger – both physical and marital. The author unites the two threads effortlessly, making the reader want to know a)who killed the buyer? b)where is the painting now? and c)will Sylvie & Seamus survive the ordeal – or rather, will their marriage?

Happily, the author immerses the reader fully into Scottish life, using British terms like ‘trousers’ and ‘mobile phones’ to keep the characters relevant and true. (Although I did spy a ‘sidewalk’ and the use of ‘bills’ as money too – but this says more about me being pernickety than anything else). The scenery is painted – pardon the pun – with great skill and diligence, worthy of any material the Scottish Tourist Board might issue. I challenge any reader to not be enchanted by the imagery and want to immediately book a trip themselves.

The story moves at a good pace, it will keep you turning the pages – or scrolling – and there are many twists and turns ahead. The questions are neatly resolved by the end, but you will undoubtedly feel the need to read more by this author. It is a rare talent to combine history and mystery with contemporary settings, characters and situations. I could see these characters in a soap opera, they have great appeal but are thoroughly down-to-earth and believable. I loved the historical flavour and felt it made for an addictive plot.

Another great story from Amy M. Reade and one I’d recommend to any mystery reader with a love for history and Scotland.

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Read more reviews and follow Amy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

Connect with Amy via her website and social media links:

Website: www.amymreade.com
Blog: www.amreade.wordpress.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amreadeauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/readeandwrite
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/amreade

Thank you for dropping in today and if you would like to participate in this series then please contact me on sally.cronin@moyhill.com for details.

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore Update – Amy M. Reade, Seumas Gallacher and Nicholas Rinth

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to the Friday cafe and bookstore update and we have some great new books to add to the shelves. The first is Highland Peril by Amy M. Reade which was published on 5th September.

About Highland Peril

Trading the urban pace of Edinburgh for a tiny village overlooking a breathtaking blue loch was a great move for budding photographer Sylvie Carmichael and her artist husband, Seamus—until a dangerous crime obscures the view . . .

Sylvie’s bucolic life along the heather-covered moors of the Highlands is a world away from the hectic energy of the city. But then a London buyer is killed after purchasing a long-lost Scottish masterpiece from Seamus’s gallery—and the painting vanishes. As suspicion clouds their new life, and their relationship, Sylvie’s search for answers plunges her into an unsolved mystery dating back to Cromwellian Scotland through World War I and beyond. And as she moves closer to the truth, Sylvie is targeted by a murderer who’s after a treasure within a treasure that could rewrite history . . . and her own future.

An early review of the book

Great Read! By New York Army Mom on September 5, 2017

Another 5 Star hit from Amy M Reade. The prologue set me off! Intrigue might be a good word to describe it. After reading those first few pages, I could not wait to get into the story. And the story did not disappoint. It was beautifully written, filled with edge of your seat events. And if you think you know what will happen next, think again!

Having read all of Amy’s books, I think I have a good feel for who the murderer is going to be. Expect the unexpected is what I tell myself! But lo and behold, I was wrong as usual. The characters were beautifully developed to give the reader a sense of their emotions; sadness, happiness, disappointment, not to mention helplessness.

Of course Amy never disappoints when it comes to descriptions, which is something I love. The food, the language, the countryside smells, everything a reader needs to be right there with the characters! I have a new favorite Amy M. Reade book and I highly recommend!

Head over and check the book out: https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Peril-Malice-Novel-Reade-ebook/dp/B01N9GF9WF

Also by Amy M. Reade

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Follow Amy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

Find out more about Amy Reade and connect via her website: www.amymreade.com

Our next author with a new book on the shelves is Seumas Gallacher with a move from his thriller series starring Jack Calder…Those of us who follow Seumas on Facebook have enjoyed his all too rare poetry posts and so this collection has been published due to popular demand. A Few Poetry Stops in a Life’s Journey was published on August 31st.

About the collection.

An innovative collection of poems with prefaced stories on the genesis of each piece. An established author’s reflections in verse on parts of a journey through a life and career.

And here is an early review for the collection.

I loved the format of this collection and the way each … By S. M. Wragg on 6 September 2017

I loved the format of this collection and the way each poem is grouped according to subject matter:- reflection, humour, love or, the more general, ‘the madness of man,’ making the book easy to dip into and providing plenty of material to suit a particular mood or occasion. Each is introduced by a brief resume from the author about his life at the time of writing and what prompted him to write it, creating a fascinating potted biographer along the way and increasing anticipation of what is to follow.

For example, as in, ‘The Night Rain,’ a poem in which it adds an extra layer to know that these are the thoughts of a sixteen year old boy, recovering in hospital from an operation and far from home and family:- ‘See the moonbeams, lonely, shine in puddles forming on the ground, reflecting, for no-one, a silvery water-line.’

The book encompasses a life-time, past and present, youth and age, innocence and experience, from the light and tender, ‘To Weep is not a Shame’, to the sense of loss in ‘At Home’, or to the reflective, ‘A Thought or Two on Memories’, a looking back on life in ‘the quiet times/with no one else around’. But all the poems touched my emotion in some way. I particularly liked, ‘Thoughts on a Wild Thing’ and the ‘kindly evening breeze’ that brings a refreshing coolness to the young couple walking home, flushed from the dance. The movement and emotion of the dance, ‘the coil of tousled hair and cheeks, flushed with fast and furious flurry’, is carried on throughout the poem, as in the dancing ‘leaf-laden birches’ and it’s just a sweet and innocent poem.

‘Golden Moments’, a moving tribute to enduring love, is just beautiful, the deep feelings expressed contrasting strongly with the despair of, ‘I asked the Wind’, which is about the hopelessness experienced when a love affair turns sour, leaving one partner bereft.

Of the more general poems, ‘To the Flowers of Tiananmen Square’, stood out for me. We probably all remember the iconic image of the young, flag-bearing student, bravely facing down the tank, but reading this poem, made me remember how I felt at the time, too and catches at the mood exactly. I was also touched by, ‘How many more migrants must we lose?’

The reality of the tragic loss of life really hit home as the voice of the narrator switches from father to child, re-enforcing the senseless waste of a child’s life.

In the preface, Seumas Gallacher talks of the little attention he feels he’s paid to the rhythm, balance and metre of his poetry but on reading his collection, I could only think that this really doesn’t matter. Each poem has its own flow and is expressive of an honest and vivid emotion, carrying the reader along with it with its own force. I think he has a true poet’s heart.

Here is the link to buy the collection: https://www.amazon.com/FEW-POETRY-STOPS-LIFES-JOURNEY-ebook/dp/B0759V7L3J

and:https://www.amazon.co.uk/FEW-POETRY-STOPS-LIFES-JOURNEY-ebook/dp/B0759V7L3J

Also by Seumas Gallacher

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/seumas-gallacher/e/B005DVJY8U

and at Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/seumas-gallacher/e/B005DVJY8U

Connect to Seumas via his website: http://seumasgallacher.com/

And another collection of poetry, Sitting in Silence was published on September 2nd by Nicholas Rinth.

About Sitting in Silence.

Sitting in Silence is a collection of poetry and prose birthed during the idle instances of life that allow for noiseless introspection. It’s about the struggles of love, of loss, and of the unsuspecting experiences in between that make life worth living—and worth scorning.

From a beginning filled with bitter ruminations, to an ending that embraces reality and its sufferings, Sitting in Silence is a reminder to accept what the world hurls in your path, and to let those hardships shape you into something better.

You can buy the collection here: https://www.amazon.com/Sitting-Silence-Nicholas-Rinth/dp/0998821683

Also by Nicholas Rinth

The most recent review for Heartstone – The Drowned Tower

The Practitioners Institute of Magic picks one child as the “Chosen” and just like any other institute By S. J. Main on June 19, 2017

The drowned tower is the first fantasy novel in the Heartstone Series written about a girl named Sylvie. Sylvie possesses magical powers and works for the Zenith Council by doing their biddings. The Drowned Tower is at the Eastern Branch of the land, which is called, Ferus Terria. The Practitioners Institute of Magic picks one child as the “Chosen” and just like any other institute, it teaches kids to enhance their magical abilities.

Things begin to change when an Elder comes to Ferus Terria. He has a mission and is seeking for people with best abilities. Sylvia is sent to the drowned tower. Those with special blood that have magical powers live in the drowned tower. The Nebbin are called the non-magic folks that live nearby. As Sylvie gets sent to the tower and begins her schooling she begins to make friends and have a better understanding of how the system works. Her path and background are revealed and she has to make some tough decisions about her future.

Everything begins to unravel while she is there and that is where the excitement begins. I particularly liked Sylvie’s personality. Although she was a girl, there was nothing girly about her. Her spirit was strong and her will was even stronger. The story had epic battles and much backstory, creating a well-balanced foundation for any future sequel.

I found the literature standard and the lyrical storytelling to be strong. The plot may not be as novel and unique, however, the picturesque descriptiveness of the book is in my opinion, the reason why this book is special.

I recommend this book to Sci- Fi/ Fantasy lovers and people that like to read on magical encounters.

Buy all the books: https://www.amazon.com/Nicholas-Rinth/e/B071CPG7WM

Read more reviews and follow Nicholas on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16594647.Nicholas_Rinth

Connect to Nicholas Rinth via her blog: https://nrinth.wordpress.com/

Thank you for dropping by and perhaps today you might just check to see if you are in the Cafe and Bookstore and if you are missing a new book that has been published recently let me know at sally.cronin@moyhill.com so that I can include in the next update and add to the shelves.

If you are not already in the bookstore then why not join the other 200+ authors and enjoy regular updates of your work.

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Sue Coletta, Janice Spina and Amy M. Reade

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

Welcome to the first of the updates this week with two new books on the schelves and a discounted book offer. First a new release by the crime thriller writer Sue Coletta with the Mayhem Series crossover novella – Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Hacked.

About the book

Shawnee Daniels wrongly assumes she’s being punished for innocently hacking the Police Chief’s photos. Okay, maybe not-so-innocently, but someone had to expose him for the dog that he is. When she arrives at the mandatory computer seminar, the FBI enlists her help in stopping a serial killer who’s remotely hacking vehicles while the owners are behind the wheel.

Why he’s targeted these people remains a mystery. None of the victims frequent the same places, some don’t even live in the same state. The only commonality is they all drive Fords.

When Detective Levaughn Samuels is taken hostage—his life teetering on the edge of a high-speed chase—there’s nothing Shawnee won’t do to save him, no line she won’t cross. And when her BFF shows up unannounced with problems of her own, she only complicates matters.

Can Shawnee stop the killer before she loses the only man she’s ever loved? Or will the ride of his life end in death?

One of the early reviews for the book

Hacked – An honest, no holds barred review. Miss it miss out. By Kirsty Southwell on July 8, 2017

I honestly thought after reading the description of this book that I wouldn’t understand the technicalities of it and that might put me off. But once the journey began I was gripped from start to finish. The explanations of how the hacks were being performed simply blended in with the storyline. I think I read this book most of the time with my heart in mouth and my blood pumping at the same speed that the cars were travelling at. Will Shawnee save her love in time, before he too flies over a cliff or crashes into a tree? Will the hacker be caught to prevent more of these terrifying murders…….the reveal of who the hacker is will have your jaw hitting the floor and your heart melting at the same time.
I cannot fault Sues work. Her attention to detail, how she crafts each character into an imaginable reality, people we care about!

So, if you want a ride on the seat of your pants read, heart stopping, fear inducing as well as tear inducing. This the one for you. I can assure you, if this is the first book you’ve read by this author you will want to read more. This is a novella, but her novels are just as gripping. So get your car keys and rev up for this 5 star pageturner!

Read the other reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Forces-Operation-HACKED-Novella-ebook/dp/B073RSR5JD

Also by Sue Coletta

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Sue-Coletta/e/B015OYK5HO

Read more reviews and follow Sue on Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14078869.Sue_Coletta

Connect to Sue Coletta via her website/blog: www.suecoletta.com

The next new book is prolific children’s books and mystery writer Janice Spina... the fifth case for Davey & Derek Junior Detectives with the Case of the Sad Mischievous Ghost.

About the book

Twins Davey and Derek Donato, junior detectives by their own design, are enlisted by two new characters, Abby Rizzo and her cousin Holly, sixth graders, to assist them in finding and capturing the spooky beings that haunt their house.

When the boys visit Abby’s house they discover that this old Victorian house holds many secrets and shocking revelations for all. This house appears to be haunted by multiple stubborn specters. When one of the apparitions appears to Abby and Holly and presents them with two books that reveal the identity of one of the specters, the girls feel compelled to help the ghosts find their way to the other side. Once the girls share this new information with the twins, Davey and Derek, find that they may need the assistance of their Great Aunt Gigi to handle these mischievous phantoms.

Buy the new Junior Detectives adventure: https://www.amazon.com/Mischievous-Ghost-Davey-Junior-Detectives-ebook/dp/B072QBJ7LC

A selection of other books by Janice Spina.

The latest review for Janice’s short story collection An Angel Among Us.

Coincidence, fate or maybe an intervention from the other side? By P.S. Winn on June 23, 2017

This is a collection of several short stories that bring heart touching messages to all of us. I found the first story the most beautiful, but all of the stories will bring a smile of tenderness and a warm feeling to your heart. The author did a great job bringing together amazing short stories that are a pleasure to read.

Discover all of Janice Spina’s books, read the reviews and buy:https://www.amazon.com/Janice-Spina/e/B00HNET4HG

Find more reviews and follow Janice on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7222888.Janice_Spina

Connect to Janice via her website: https://jemsbooks.wordpress.com

Finally Amy M. Reade is offering her book House of the Hanging Jade for just 99c until the end of the month.

About the book

A dark presence had invaded the Jorgensens’ house. On a spectacular bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, something evil is watching and waiting . . .

Tired of the cold winters in Washington, D.C. and disturbed by her increasingly obsessive boyfriend, Kailani Kanaka savors her move back to her native Big Island of Hawaii. She also finds a new job as personal chef for the Jorgensen family. The gentle caress of the Hawaiian trade winds, the soft sigh of the swaying palm trees, and the stunning blue waters of the Pacific lull her into a sense of calm at the House of Hanging Jade–an idyll that quickly fades as it becomes apparent that dark secrets lurk within her new home. Furtive whispers in the night, a terrifying shark attack, and the discovery of a dead body leave Kailani shaken and afraid. But it’s the unexpected appearance of her ex-boyfriend, tracking her every move and demanding she return to him, that has her fearing for her life

Two of the most recent reviews for the book

An enjoyable read with a wonderful setting By Carrie on February 18, 2017

I always enjoy a lighter read when I travel, and this fit the bill. Great setting of Hawaii, yummy scenes about food, and enough mystery to keep me guessing. I enjoyed the fluent writing style and the wonderful descriptions, particularly of the Hawaiian landscape and the culinary delights. There are heavier themes of marital strife, adultery, and stalking though, so the book has ample literary heft. Made my plane ride fly by.

The book’s dramatic tension builds deliciously By Kindle Customer on January 19, 2017

The author captures the beautiful locale of the book, Kohala on the Island of Hawaii, with her crystalline prose and lovingly articulated imagery. Though she lives in New Jersey, she writes convincingly in the first person as a young Polynesian woman working as a personal chef. Her descriptions of the local, Asian fusion cuisine are so authentic, I can practically taste items on the menu. The book’s dramatic tension builds deliciously as well. This book is fun to read while portraying issues of fidelity and violence in personal relationships. I highly recommend it.

Download your copy at the offer price of 99c: https://www.amazon.com/House-Hanging-Jade-Amy-Reade/dp/1601835590

Also by Amy M. Reade

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Follow Amy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

Find out more about Amy Reade and connect via her website: www.amymreade.com

If you would like to join Amy, Janice and Sue on the shelves of the Bookstore here is the link: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore/

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore Update – Amy M. Reade and C.S. Boyack

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to the Friday edition of the Cafe Update and the first author is Amy M. Reade who has an offer on one of her books at the moment… The House on Candlewick Lane is just 99c until July 2nd.

About The House on Candlewick Lane

Art historian Dr. Greer Dobbins thought her ex-husband, Neill, had his gambling addiction under control. But in fact he was spiraling deeper and deeper into debt. When a group of shady lenders threatens to harm the divorced couple’s five-year-old daughter if he doesn’t pay up, a desperate Neill abducts the girl and flees to his native Scotland. Though the trail seems cold, Greer refuses to give up and embarks on a frantic search through the medieval alleys of Edinburgh—a city as beguiling as it is dangerous. But as the nightmare thickens with cryptic messages and a mysterious attack, Greer herself will become a target, along with everyone she holds dear.

Two of the latest reviews for the book

A Fullfilling Pageturner By P. Wight on June 25, 2017

I’ve read and enjoyed several of Amy Reade’s books, and The House on Candlewick Lane is my favorite one yet. I hesitated at first; I like books of suspense but get fearful of those that include child abductions. But Reade’s book focuses more on the parent involved with the search for her child, who is kidnapped, yes, but by an ex-husband who loves his daughter yet takes her for some unknown reason. The main character, Greer, is well-developed as a fearful loving mom who searches desperately for her child. The search leads her to Edinburgh, where the ex-husband was raised, and the setting is perfect for this fast-moving mystery/thriller and, dare I say, love story. A fulfilling page-turner that I’m so glad I read.

Page-Turning Suspense! By Allison Chase on June 19, 2017

When Greer Dobbins’s daughter is kidnapped by her estranged husband, Greer stops at nothing to get her back, even traveling halfway across the world to find her. I loved the Scottish setting, which brought back memories of my own trip there years ago, and was excited to read this book for that reason alone, but it was the nonstop suspense that kept me turning pages all weekend long. With a cast of interesting and well-developed characters, the author had me suspecting just about everyone, and she did a fabulous job of keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Greer’s fears for kidnapped daughter are palpable, and the danger she herself faces feels real and immediate. I almost felt as though I was in Greer’s place, living out her nightmare, but also rejoicing along with her as well. So well done!

Read all the reviews and buy the book for 99c: https://www.amazon.com/House-Candlewick-Lane-Malice-Novel-ebook/dp/B01FBZXR3K

More reviews on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33228655-the-house-on-candlewick-lane

Also by Amy M. Reade

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Follow Amy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

The next author with a recent review is C.S. Boyack for his YA Fantasy book Will O’ the Wisp.

About the book

There is something evil up Bergamot Holler, and it’s been targeting the Hall family for generations.

Patty Hall is fifteen years old. She loves stargazing, science fiction, and all things related to space exploration. This leaves her perfectly prepared for the wrong problem.

Patty is afraid her mother will send her to a care facility if she tells her what she’s seen. If she doesn’t figure things out soon, she’s going to join her father in the Hall family cemetery plot.

Patty has to come to grips with her own physical handicap, face the wilderness, and an ancient evil all alone if she’s going to survive.

Will O’ the Wisp is suitable for young adults. It involves elements of suspense, and is set in the mid 1970s.
One of the recent reviews for the book

Another Great Book from C.S. Boyack By Author Don Massenzio on June 3, 2017

It’s another mashup of genres in Will O’ the Wisp. If I were to take To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee), The Body or It (Stephen King), Any Harry Potter book, and a script from the TV show Stranger Things and throw them in a blender, it would make the smoothie that is this book and it would be a very tasty smoothy.

Boyack does an excellent job of telling the story from the point of view of Patty, a teenage girl, making it much more believable than other well-known authors that have attempted to write from the young adult perspective (John Grisham, Harlan Coben).

His main character is flawed, yet displays an enviable strength that ultimately has her taking a life and death situation into her own hands and dealing with it.

I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy any of the previously mentioned authors in my mashup description. The book has a classic storytelling feel with great period writing from the 1970s and a story that appeals to contemporary tastes. Another great read from C.S. Boyack.

Read all the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Wisp-C-S-Boyack-ebook/dp/B00UPH6BNS

Also by C.S. Boyack

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/C.-S.-Boyack/e/B00ILXBXUY

Read more reviews and follow C.S. Boyack on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9841203.C_S_Boyack

Connect with Craig via his blog: http://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com

Thanks for dropping by today and your sharing of the post is much appreciated… Sally

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore Author Update – Amy M. Reade, S.C. Richmond and Regina Puckett

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Welcome to the first of the author updates this week. This is an opportunity for authors on the shelves to share their news about great reviews, offers on their books and new releases. I do check on every author regularly but it does help if you drop me an email to keep me updated.. Help me showcase your work.. sally.cronin@moyhill.com

The first author today is Amy M. Reade and her recently released book The House on Candlewick Lane (A Malice Novel) published in February 2017 and already receiving excellent reviews.

About the book

But as the nightmare thickens with cryptic messages and a mysterious attack, Greer herself will become a target, along with everyone she holds dear.

If ever a book deserved five stars By Patricia Gligor on February 28, 2017

The House on Candlewick Lane” by Amy M. Reade immediately drew me in and made me wish I could read it cover to cover in one sitting. I really can’t say enough good things about the book. The characters are unique and well developed and I quickly came to care about them, especially the main character, Greer. The plot was intricate and kept me guessing to the very end. And the author’s descriptions of the setting in Scotland made me want to visit there.

If ever a book deserved five stars, this is it! I highly recommend “The House on Candlewick Lane.”

A great read! By New York Army Mom on February 7, 2017

The House On Candlewick Lane by Amy M Reade. Set in Scotland, Amy gives her reader a great look at the language and food of Scotland. One of my favorite things about Amy’s writing is the way she describes everything; From the characters, to the setting, to the plot! The reader gets to go along for the ride with the characters, in the streets and even in the kitchen! In addition, every chapter ends with a comment that pushes you on to the next chapter! This is an author you will want to get to know! And you will definitely get to do so in this story! She weaves herself through the pages beautifully.

Don’t stop at the end, there’s a glossary defining the many Scottish terms and teasers for her other books! And if you want to get to know Amy better click the link to the latest news about Amy M. Reade. Very Interesting! I don’t want to give anything away, I will just say that I would like to see this house on Candlewick Lane! And the cover… beautiful!

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/House-Candlewick-Lane-Malice-Novel-ebook/dp/B01FBZXR3K

Also by Amy M. Reade

Secrets of Hallstead House has over 370 reviews and the other books are also very well regarded. Buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Find out more about Amy Reade and connect via her website: www.amymreade.com

Another recent release at the end of the year is a collection of short stories In The Spotlight and other Stories by S.C. Richmond.

About the collection

A collection of short stories about human nature, covering all genres. Love, revenge, horror, magic, loneliness and imagination.

The Reviews

In the Spotlight & Other Stories by S C Richmond By Alysa on 2 Jan. 2017

In the Spotlight & Other Stories is a foray into short story writing by S C Richmond. I enjoyed them immensely, in just one sitting. The plots twist and turn, and the genres are different enough from each other to make the book exciting to any fiction reader.
I’m hoping there will be more anthologies to follow from this up and coming author, although I loved both of her full length novels, this adds spice with variety to her repertoire.
It seems the author can’t go wrong. I would recommend this (and her other works) to any reader. A fantastic read.

Fabulous By Glastonburypixi on 8 Feb. 2017

Brilliantly written short stories each one sending the reader through a variety of emotions and ending with a twist. I have read ‘The Community’ and ‘Pictures of deceit’ also by the very talented SC Richmond and I can honestly say they are amongst the few books that I would definitely read again. I’m very much looking forward to the next novel

Buy the collection: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spotlight-Other-Stories-S-Richmond-ebook/dp/B01N6MO2V

Also by S.C. Richmond

Read the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/S-C-Richmond/e/B01C6Q0O1K

Find out about S.C. Richmond and connect via her blog: https://scrichmondblog.wordpress.com

The last update for the day is for author Regina Puckett and her book I Close My Eyes released earlier this year.

About the book

The last thing The Duke of Greystone wants is a wife, until The Lady Jane Blackmore seeks out his quiet corner of Earl Braxton’s ballroom. But there she stands, attempting to shut out the rest of the world by simply closing her eyes, but the duke understands better than most that life is never that simple.

The last thing Jane wants is a husband, until she opens her eyes to find the scarred and much too handsome stranger secluded in her chosen quiet corner. Why can’t the obstinate man understand she just needs a brief moment of solitude before returning to face her tormentors? But no matter how many times she tells him to go away, he remains. So is it her fault that her father misunderstands the young duke’s intentions?

Whilst marriage isn’t on Phillip—as she learns the duke is called—or Jane’s mind, when society’s trials and tribulations come, they soon become each other’s touchstone, and by it discover that joy is tantalisingly within their grasp, although others seem intent on thwarting their every wish.

One of the most recent reviews

Reluctant Duke Finds His Duchess By Marion Marchetto, author of The Bridgewater Chronicles on April 6, 2017

Take one duke who is reluctant to marry and continue his ducal line; add another duke’s daughter whose every social appearance ends in disaster due to her seeming clumsiness. Place both in a quiet corner of the Earl of Braxton’s ballroom where the lady (Jane Blackmore) seeks to shield her ruined gown behind some large potted ferns unaware that she is not alone. She closes her eyes to escape the venue and mentally retreats to the one place she loves above all others – a cottage by the sea. Her brief respite is interrupted by the Duke of Greystone who is captivated by the winsome miss. Now add in a jealous young woman and a vengeful stepmother and you have a terrific romantic story awaiting your reading pleasure.

I Close My Eyes follows the usual storyline of happiness after overcoming personal trials and tribulations. The characters are endearing or vengeful, depending on their role, and the ending is one you won’t want to miss.

Author Regina Puckett wastes little time on superfluous description as her story is concisely woven. If you enjoy historical romance, don’t miss this one!

Read all the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Close-My-Eyes-Regina-Puckett-ebook/dp/B01MUCMBR

A selection of books by Regina Puckett.

Discover all the books, read the reviews and buy the books: http://www.amazon.com/Regina-Puckett/e/B004S3ORSG

Connect to Regina via her blog: https://reginapuckett.wordpress.com

Thank you for dropping by today and it would be great if you could share these author updates with your connections. Thanks Sally

Don’t forget if you are in the Bookstore you can enjoy regular updates about new releases, great reviews and offers.

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Amy M. Reade, Olga Núñez Miret and Gigi Sedlemayer.

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

Welcome to Friday’s Cafe and Bookstore update and today three authors who are either celebrating a new release or terrific reviews. Amy M. Reade, Olga Núñez Miret and Gigi Sedlemayer.

USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and gothic women’s fiction Amy Reade has just released The House on Candlewick Lane, the first book in the Malice series, which currently consists of three books. Each book has a different main character, but you’ll find some characters that drop in throughout the series (some more than others). The second book in the series is called Highland Peril and will be out in the fall. The third book, with a working title of Death Comes to Thistlecross, will be out next year.

About The House on Candlewick Lane

It is every parent’s worst nightmare. Greer Dobbins’ daughter has been kidnapped—and spirited across the Atlantic to a hiding place in Scotland. Greer will do anything to find her, but the streets of Edinburgh hide a thousand secrets—including some she’d rather not face. Art historian Dr. Greer Dobbins thought her ex-husband, Neill, had his gambling addiction under control. But in fact he was spiraling deeper and deeper into debt.

When a group of shady lenders threatens to harm the divorced couple’s five-year-old daughter if he doesn’t pay up, a desperate Neill abducts the girl and flees to his native Scotland. Though the trail seems cold, Greer refuses to give up and embarks on a frantic search through the medieval alleys of Edinburgh—a city as beguiling as it is dangerous. But as the nightmare thickens with cryptic messages and a mysterious attack, Greer herself will become a target, along with everyone she holds dear.

Two of the early reviews

Incredible book that captures you from the start! By Kathleen Charon on February 7, 2017

I am a huge fan of Ms. Reade’s books! I enjoy her narrative style and her descriptions pull me into the world that her characters inhabit. This book is every parent’s nightmare and chronicles Greer’s search for her missing daughter. I was so caught up in the story that I couldn’t put it down. Although I read an advanced copy, I had to purchase it because I enjoyed it so much. Don’t start until you have the time to read straight through! It will captivate you. I cannot wait for her next book!

A great read! By New York Army Mom on February 7, 2017

Read all the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/House-Candlewick-Lane-Malice-Novel-ebook/dp/B01FBZXR3K

Also by Amy M. Reade

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2

Connect to Amy via her website: www.amymreade.com

Olga Nunez Miret has received a wonderful review from Christoph Fischer for her latest book Escaping Psychiatry 2. The Case of the Swapped Bodies.

About Escaping Psychiatry 2. The Case of the Swapped Bodies

A woman shot dead. No enemies, no motive, only a story about how she swapped bodies with another woman found on her computer. The other woman in the story, the owner of the swapped body, goes into labour and won’t talk.

When FBI Agent Dave Dean asks psychiatrist/writer Mary Miller for her assistance, she doesn’t know that The Case of the Swapped Bodies is not the only mystery in Port Haven. A hit and run, an armed robbery gone wrong and questions about family traditions, priorities and legacies come into play and complicate matters. The line between fact and fiction is more tenuous than anybody realised and suspense is on the menu.

This is the third book in the Escaping Psychiatry series and it poses new challenges for Mary Miller. And not all the challenges are professional ones. How do you carry on when you’ve survived the unthinkable?

The review from Christoph Fischer for the book

“Escaping Psychiatry 2. The Case of the Swapped Bodies” by Olga Núñez Miret was a real treat and almost a surprise. I like Olga’s sharp and psychologically charged writing the best and knew this would be good.I was not prepared, however, for the extremely clever plot.

At first there is the confusion of a woman waking up in a different body and in a different life. Then she establishes contact with the woman currently in her own body. That in itself is a great premise and the conversation between the trapped women would have been more than enough for one successful book.

Olga doesn’t stop there but now introduces more complexity as the case is being handled by both, the police, and our series heroine, psychiatrist Mary.Despite a heavy workload I couldn’t resist the book and kept reading at every opportunity to get to the bottom of this psychological thriller. My curiosity got the better of me and all I can say is that the denouement doesn’t let you down.

A clever idea, perfectly executed with sharp writing, excellent characters and a lot going for it. Maybe the author’s best so far. Highly recommended.

https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/review-escaping-psychiatry-2-the-case-of-the-swapped-bodies-by-olga-nunez-miret/

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Psychiatry-Case-Swapped-Bodies-ebook/dp/B01NBGH9G1

A selection of books by Olga Núñez Miret

Discover all the books,read the reviews and buy: https://www.amazon.com/Olga-Núñez-Miret/e/B009UC58G0

Connect to Olga via her website: http://www.authortranslatorolga.com

Gigi Sedlmayer has received a new review for Come Fly with Me the first book in the Talon Series from Akrum Menacker.

About Come Fly with Me.

Talon, come fly with me is a delightful middle grade story set in Peru with a family of condors and missionary Australians.

Is it possible for condors to understand humans?

Suspend your beliefs and watch how an under-size girl, Matica, finds friends with a family of condors, after being rejected by the Indians because of her size.

There are beautiful descriptions of the flight of the condors, and more so when Talon is cared for by Matica. The language suits this age group and does not talk down to the reader.

This is a great inspirational story for everyone. It will lift you up and make you believe in adventures, friendships, acceptance in a whole new light.

Come and take the journey that is called Matica’s life. It is filled with rejections, heartbreaks, growth and loneliness, but through it all, it will make you feel stronger.
Talon, Come Fly With Me is the first book in this series and you will be blown away!!!
In a world full of pain this story gives ones hope

Akrum Menacker’s review

Have you ever felt like you would never fit in? Of course you have, we all have at one point or another. But for some this is not simply being awkward socially, but much more. For 10 year old Matica, the problem is a physical one. She is not growing. Despite her age and having a younger brother, Matica has the body of a much younger child which has made her life a real challenge as far as making any friends in the little village in Peru where her parents are missionaries trying to help the local tribe. The tribe finds Matica’s situation strange and tend not to associate with her, making her more lonely than ever.

However, Matica does have knack for making friends. In this case its a pair of condors, which seems to fascinate the local villagers. But they are even more surprised when the bond between the undersized girl and the huge birds becomes so strong that when their egg is threatened by poachers they allow her to watch over and care for it. Soon the egg hatches and Talon is born. The villagers are more impressed than ever by the young girl as she helps raise the young condor, becoming an expert on the birds and soon Matica finds herself no longer the source of curious glances but a bit of a celebrity. But her true love for family and her condors never takes a backseat to this new status. Her dedication to both her families is unwavering and continues to grow just as quickly as Talon who is soon big enough and strong enough to take flight. But is he powerful enough to grant Matica’s most secret wish?

Aimed at preteens, this is a story that can be enjoyed by any age. As I said at the beginning of this review, we’ve all felt out of place and thought we’d never find where we truly belong. Matica’s journey is a tale that everyone can relate to. Sometimes its not finding where YOU fit in, but making a place for yourself in the world and watch it start swarming towards you.

This is such a wonderful tale, I have not problem giving it the 5-Star rating it deserves. I’m even more delighted to know that this is only the first installment. As of the writing of this review, there are four more books in the series. Needless to say, I’ll be adding them to my library and more reviews will come with time.

And now I will take my hat off to the author Gigi Sedlmayer, may she, Talon, Matica and the rest of this fine cast soar high and far for many years to come.
https://akrummenacker.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/my-review-of-talon-come-fly-with-me/

Read all the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Talon-Come-Fly-Gigi-Sedlmayer-ebook/dp/B00J2643PG

Also by Gigi Sedlmayer

Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Gigi-Sedlmayer/e/B003U8G4WC

Connect to Gigi via her website: http://gigised.com/

If you are in my virtual Cafe and Bookstore you can enjoy regular updates on your new books and reviews.

If you are not yet in the bookstore.. Why not?

Full details and the authors on the shelves is here:

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore/

Thank you for dropping in and it would be great if you could spread the word about these outstanding authors.. thanks Sally

Smorgasbord Open House – USA Today Bestselling Author – Amy M. Reade.

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

My guest today, USA Today Bestselling author Amy M. Reade, writes women’s contemporary and gothic fiction. Her books have been compared to authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Phyllis Whitney, and Victoria Holt. Amy’s novels feature vivid descriptions of exotic and fascinating locations, such as the Thousand Islands region of New York State, Charleston, South Carolina, and the Big Island of Hawaii.

A former attorney, Amy found that writing was her true calling, and is currently working on a new project, a series set in Edinburgh, Scotland. She loves cooking, reading, and travel. You can visit her website, http://www.amymreade.com where, in addition to information about her books and appearances, you will find a contact form, suggested playlists to go along with her novels, and notes and recommendations on wines.

Amy’s latest book was published in late April and is already receiving terrific reviews.

About House of the Hanging Jade
A dark presence had invaded the Jorgensens’ house. On a spectacular bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, something evil is watching and waiting . . .

A stunning thriller! By Crystal Gomez on April 27, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition

This was an absolutely stunning thriller! With a captivating storyline, perfect dialogue and extremely complex characters, I was eagerly absorbed into reading this story late into the night. There were tons of twists and turns being revealed throughout the whole story, and it was a blast trying to figure out the culprit in the book. The author’s knowledge and descriptions of all the different food also definitely had me devouring this book as quick as I could! I absolutely enjoyed reading this thrilling book and can’t wait to see what else the author has written!
*I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Other Books by Amy Reade

One of the great reviews for the book
Outstanding! Could not put it down! By Kathleen Charon on April 29, 2015

I have just finished the Ghosts of Peppernell Manor and literally could not put it down! It is exactly the type of book that I love…..a little bit gothic with the old house and it’s secrets, mysterious death and clean romance. I got exactly what I expected and I enjoyed every minute of escape that this book gave me. I was not able to solve the mystery before the reveal so that was enjoyable for me as well. Overall, a fantastic read!

A review for Hallstead house

This reminded me quite a bit of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca By Gina Kelly on July 17, 2014

This reminded me quite a bit of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca in that it starts with a young girl in a large house with some dark secrets. Macy is a live-in nurse for an elderly woman, but as soon as she gets to the secluded house, she finds a cold welcome and the distinct feeling she isn’t wanted. I found the mystery to be a good one. Being alone on an island limited the number of people who could be behind the bad deeds, but I still didn’t guess the culprit or motive until the very end. The setting was also very well done. What put me off a bit was the extensive exposition and backstory. Some of it felt like info dump and slowed things down considerably. If the side stories had been trimmed down, I would have enjoyed this mystery even more.

Buy all the books.
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/amy+m+reade?_requestid=239322
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=Amy%20M.%20Reade%20&ac=1&acp=amy%20m
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/amy-m.-reade/id972561593?mt=11
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Amy+M.+Reade
Kensington Publishing: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/29480
Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/

The Blogger
Amy has a terrific blog- https://amreade.wordpress.com/ – and you will find interviews, guest blogs, book recommendations, recipes and articles on wine. Later on in the post you will find a delicious recipe that will give you a good idea of the food ideas you will find on the blog.

Here is a link to one of her recent author interviews with Phyllis Moore
https://amreade.wordpress.com/2016/03/22/meet-phyllis-moore/

I am now going to hand over to Amy to find out more about her life and work through the questions she has chosen to answer.

Welcome Amy and who would you like to meet from the past who you would like to have a conversation with. What would you tell them about their behaviour that you admired or disapproved of?

If I could meet anyone from the past, I would choose Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I would want to know all about living in Paris in the early twentieth century- where she liked to go for fun, where she lived, which restaurants she liked to visit, how people dressed.

I would also ask her about her own writing, since as I understand it she was a very good writer whose work was always considered less important than that of her husband.

I’d also want to know about all her friends in Paris- I’d ask about Ernest and Hadley Hemingway, Picasso, Gertrude Stein and, of course, F. Scott.

What I know about Zelda Fitzgerald comes, of course, from the things I’ve read about her. And from that basis of knowledge, I’ve learned that she wasn’t too different from any other person, living or dead. She had her problems, just like everyone else. And one of her problems was the constant struggle to maintain her “self.” I would tell her that I admire her determination and desire to forge and keep her own identity despite living in the overarching shadows of her husband and their friends. I would tell her that her writing and her dancing were good for her. I would tell her that someday doctors would find effective treatments for the mental illnesses she faced and that I’m sorry she had to spend so much of her life fighting her own demons.

Which is your favourite leisure pastime?

It’s a toss-up between reading and cooking, and since I discuss cooking in Question #4, I’ll tell you about my favourite books and authors.

I’ve had a number of favourite authors, beginning with Carolyn Keene of Nancy Drew fame, continuing with James Herriot, and bringing us up to the present with Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, Phyllis Whitney, and M. C. Beaton. My favourite author at any given time depends on my mood.

I’m currently reading four books: Murder in the South of France by Susan Kiernan-Lewis, White Nights by Ann Cleeves, Trials Elsewhere by Robin Isard, and The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. It’s not like me to read four books at once- normally I’m a one-at-a-time reader, but things got a bit out of control and I’ll be back to my normal habits as soon as I finish this quartet!

Who is the best actor or actress you have ever seen on television or film and tell us why.

I don’t even have to think about this one. The answer is Cary Grant. I have yet to see a movie starring Cary Grant that I don’t love. Why is he my favourite? I think it’s because his comedic timing is perfect. Whether he’s raising an eyebrow or clearing his throat at just the right moment, or delivering a line in his characteristic tongue-in-cheek manner, he gets it just right and I don’t think he learned that from a director. I think that was just his way.

Incidentally, the two movies I watch over and over again are “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” and “The Bishop’s Wife.” Cary Grant plays opposite Myrna Loy and Loretta Young, respectively. During the Christmas season, “The Bishop’s Wife” is my favourite movie. During the rest of the year, it’s got to be “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.”

If you cook do you have a signature dish that everyone loves to eat? Can we have the recipe?

I love to cook. Baking is my speciality, though as I get older all the baking I do becomes more obvious on my hips and thighs. I’m going to give you two recipes: one is my signature dish, Parmesan Chicken (not to be confused with Chicken Parmesan) and the other is Rhubarb Cake, a dessert which my whole family loves (and it’s easy—not even from scratch! Shhh…).

*Cook’s Disclaimer: neither of these can in any way be considered healthy*

Parmesan Chicken

1 c. seasoned bread crumbs
½ c. grated Parmesan cheese
½ c. melted butter
2 t. Dijon mustard
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
½ t. salt (optional)
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

In a shallow bowl combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese; mix well. In another shallow bowl combine butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; mix well.

Dredge chicken through butter mixture, then through bread crumb mixture.

Place chicken in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Pour remaining butter mixture over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, basting with butter mixture once or twice.

Serves 6.

Rhubarb Cake

1 pkg. (18 ½ oz.) yellow cake mix and ingredients to make it
5 c. diced rhubarb
1 c. sugar
1 c. heavy cream

Mix cake as directed on the package. Pour batter into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

Sprinkle rhubarb over batter. Sprinkle with sugar. Pour cream over the top. DO NOT MIX THE LAYERS.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Whilst we enjoy both of those delicious offerings..tell us about your work in progress, plans for your blog in the next year any special events that are coming up that are very special to you.

My work in progress: I have been contracted by my publisher to write a three-book series set in the United Kingdom. Right now I’m working on Book 1, and although I have a working title for it, we haven’t come up with an official title yet. Otherwise I’d share it with you now! The three books will be in the same genre as my first three novels- women’s fiction with a gothic feel to them. I’m very excited about writing these books, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of writing the first in the series. It’s set mostly in Edinburgh and I have a field trip planned for research!

My blog: My goal this year is to increase the number of authors I have on the blog either guest posting or participating in interviews. It’s been a good year so far, and I enjoyed having you on the blog, Sally.

Upcoming events: By the time this posts, I will have attended Malice Domestic in Bethesda, MD, US. It’s a convention bringing together writers and fans of traditional and less traditional cozy mysteries, as well as agents and editors.

I’m also planning on participating in a river cruise (a one-day affair) on the St. Lawrence River during the summer with a couple other authors. Since that’s the area where I grew up, I’m very excited about that.

I also have two other author/fan festivals planned for this year: the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival in Suffolk, VA, US, and Bouchercon, in New Orleans, LA, US. It’s going to be a busy year!

Thanks very much for including me in the Open House, Sally. I have enjoyed the experience and will be happy to respond to any questions or comments your readers might have.

Connect with Amy via her website and social media links:

Thanks to Amy for sharing her interests, books and recipes.. no need to cook lunch today. As always delighted to receive your feedback and please feel free to share Amy’s interview around the usual haunts.. Enjoy the rest of Sunday.. Sally