Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore Update – #Reviews – #Poetry Colleen M. Chesebro, #psychologicalthriller Lucinda E. Clarke, #Memoir Brigid P. Gallagher

Welcome to the first of the cafe updates this week with recent reviews for authors on the shelves.

The first author today is Colleen M. Chesebro with a recent review for Word Craft Prose & Poetry.

About the guide and collection

Are you ready to learn how to craft Japanese and American poetry? Consider this book the first step on your journey to learning the basics of how to craft syllabic poetry. Inside, you will discover many new forms, syllable combinations, and interpretations of the different Japanese and American forms and structures of haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, renga/solo renga, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, the cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, and shadorma poetry.

So… what are you waiting for? Let’s craft syllabic poetry together!

A recent review for the guide and poetry collection

Jul 26, 2021 Adele Marie Marie rated it five stars

Whether you already write poetry or, like me, want to learn how to create poems, then this book, Word Craft Prose and Poetry by Colleen M Chesebro is the only book you need.
The chapters are introduced with the history of the poetic form which is fascinating and useful. The author takes care to gently introduce you into the world of the form and then gives coherent examples and easily followed instructions.

I adore this workbook and will enjoy trying out all the poetry forms contained inside. 5 stars for Colleen M Chesebro as she works tirelessly to bring poetry into the mainstream showing that, if you wish, you too can write beautiful forms of poetry with words that will lift the spirit or give understanding. Truly a magical book. 

Also by Colleen M. Chesebro

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And:Amazon UK – Goodreads: Colleen at Goodreads – Website Wordcraft poetry – Author blog: Colleen Chesebro – Twitter: @ColleenChesebro

The next author with a recent review is Lucinda E. Clarke  for the psychological thriller – A Year in the Life of Belinda Brand.

About the book

Belinda Brand becomes an overnight sensation when Hollywood offers to make a film of her runaway bestseller. A confident, modern woman, she has the world at her feet – and a secret she is convinced no one will ever discover. Leah, her gentle and long-suffering stepmother will guess, but she would never betray her, or would she?

When menacing notes appear after the Awards ceremony in London and then follow her across the Atlantic, Belinda realizes someone is threatening to expose her.

As she struggles to stay calm, her best friend disappears, Belinda’s celebrity life turns into a nightmare and there is no one she can trust.

If the Brand family thought they could lead a quiet, normal life, they were wrong. Danger continues to lurk in the shadows.

A fast-paced, page-turning psychological thriller, full of surprises, twists, and turns.

For fans of Karin Slaughter, Claire McGowan, Valerie Keogh, and Liane Moriarty.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Rebecca H 5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced and fantastic!  Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 July 2021

This is the fourth book in this brilliant series of psychological thrillers. This time it’s Belinda, Leah’s errant stepdaughter who features in the starring role. Amazingly, she has written a bestselling novel and won an award. Fame beckons and soon she is winging her way to LA as the film rights to her book have been sold and she will be fêted as the author.

Ostensibly in charge is her rather devious agent Pamela, who also has her own problems.
Naturally, things were going wrong before Belinda even left London. She had been receiving threatening letters and foolishly believed that she would be safe in America, especially with her friend Rosheen for company. How wrong could she be?

This is another fast paced and well plotted story with so many twists and turns I was quite breathless! I really didn’t want to put this book down at all. Kidnappings, crooks, car chases, sleazy film moguls what a roller coaster of a tale. I loved seeing Leah making an appearance towards the end and let’s hope all’s well that ends well but … who knows with a master storyteller like Lucinda E Clarke in charge. A super series. Highly recommended.

A selection of books by Lucinda E. Clarke

Read the reviews and buy the books : Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Blog: WordPress Lucinda E. Clarke — Follow Lucinda: Goodreads – Twitter: @LucindaEClarke

The final review is for Brigid P. Gallagher for her memoir that shares her experiences and also strategies to overcome chronic illness in Watching for the Daisies.

About the book

Millions of people around the world suffer from fibromyalgia; the majority of them are women. As yet, there is no cure.

In this memoir, Brigid P. Gallagher shares her experiences on:

• The busy life she followed before succumbing to this debilitating disease
• Stopping and soul searching for answers to her vast array of symptoms
• Entering a new life of SLOW

Drawing on her knowledge and experience as a Natural Medicines therapist, she seeks out therapies to aid her healing and integrates a variety of self help techniques and lifestyle changes. She also unearths a love of solo travel including Egypt, India, Rome, Lourdes, Carcassonne and Bali…

Brigid learns many insights about LIFE on her journey, the most valuable being: “First learn to love thyself.”

In 2006, she began a new career in Organic Horticulture eventually teaching part time in schools. Although she has now retired from teaching, she continues to pursue her lifelong passion for gardening and watching the daisies.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Helen Stephenson 5.0 out of 5 stars A healing journey shared Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2021

Watching the Daisies is a gentle description of Brigid’s pursuit of both spiritual and physical healing. Throughout her healing journey she posts little tips, those insights which have been prompted by that phase of her life.

I was delighted when she turned to gardening, a skill which she shared with many children through her work.

Brigid’s family, and her various homes, are described with real love and she delights in describing all the beautiful places she has visited and people she has met.

A gentle read, with a charming guide who is continually adding to her treasure trove of healing knowledge, with a totally open mind.  

Brigid P. Gallagher, Buy: Amazon UK – and: Amazon US – Follow Brigid on : Goodreads – Blog: Watching the Daisies – Twitter: @watchingthedai1

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some books..Sally

 

 

 

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Meet the Authors 2021 -#Memoir Brigid P. Gallagher, #Paranormal #Mystery Marcia Meara, #Dystopian Terry Tyler

Over the summer I will be updating author’s details in the Cafe and Bookstore and also sharing their bios, books and recent reviews with you in this series…

Meet Brigid P. Gallagher

Brigid P. Gallagher aspired to becoming a doctor but it was not her destiny.
Instead she embarked on studies to become one of the first natural medicine practitioners in Scotland, eventually becoming a tutor for community projects, a woman’s prison, and the Open Studies and Summer Schools of Stirling University from 1993 to 1999.
In 1999, she relocated to Donegal, Ireland – the home of her ancestors. Four years later she succumbed to a mystery illness that was eventually diagnosed as fibromyalgia.

“Stopping the World” forced her to reassess her life, and creative writing became a significant aid in her recovery.

She eventually retrained in organic horticulture, worked in the glorious gardens of Glenveagh Castle, and inspired children and teachers to create organic school gardens. Brigid retired from teaching in the spring of 2016.

“Watching the Daisies – Life Lessons on the Importance of Slow” is her inspirational, self help and travel memoir. She has also contributed articles for Sixty and Me, Two Drops of Ink, The Mighty, WomELLE Magazine, plus Travel Stories and Highlights 2019.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Jane Sturgeon 5.0 out of 5 stars An autobiography woven with wisdom, kindness and loving life support…  Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2021

I loved this book and applaud Gallagher’s courage and vulnerability in sharing her life story so far. Gallagher’s ability to share with her readers is natural and highlights her instinct on how she is living her life.

It takes courage to try different things and to slow down, dropping below the hubbub of noise and activity that is all around. She shows how this enabled her to make different choices, to discover healing techniques, which unearthed her intuition and life purpose in helping others to do the same.

I loved the descriptive world travels, therapies, peoples, healing and how they are linked to nature.

Gallagher has shared a wealth of loving life support in her book and may we all uncover the gift of ‘watching the daisies’ in our lives. Thank you, Brigid.  

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – and: Amazon US – Follow Brigid on : Goodreads – Blog: Watching the Daisies –

Meet Marcia Meara

Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years and four big cats.

When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to her very favorites, snakes. The exception would be spiders, which she truly loathes, convinced that anything with eight hairy legs is surely up to no good. She does not, however, kill spiders anymore, since she knows they have their place in the world. Besides, her husband now handles her Arachnid Catch and Release Program, and she’s good with that.

Spiders aside, the one thing Marcia would like to tell each of her readers is that it’s never too late to make your dreams come true. If, at the age of 69, she could write and publish a book (and thus fulfill 64 years of longing to do that very thing), you can make your own dreams a reality, too. Go for it! What have you got to lose?

A selection of books by Marcia Meara

One of the recent reviews for Summer Magic

Gwendolyn Plano 5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely collection of poems…  Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021

My own interest in poetry led me to this collection of poems by Marcia Meara. “Summer Magic” is a poignant read, through moments both intimate and mystical. The poems capture elements of magic from childhood into adulthood, and especially through the summer months. I loved the ease with which stories were captured in verse. I loved the familiarity and natural beauty they embraced. I loved feeling at home with the author.  

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Marcia Meara on: Goodreads – Blog:Marcia Meara Writes – Twitter: @MarciaMeara

Meet Terry Tyler

Terry Tyler is the author of twenty-two books available from Amazon, the latest being ‘The Visitor’, a post-apocalyptic murder mystery set in the same world as her popular Project Renova series. She is currently at work on ‘Megacity’, the third and final book in her dystopian Operation Galton series, after which she may decide to write something a bit more cheerful. Proud to be independently published, Terry is an avid reader and book reviewer, and a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team.

Terry is a Walking Dead addict, and has a great interest in history (particularly 12th-17th century), along with books and documentaries on sociological/cultural/anthropological subject matter. She loves South Park, the sea, and going for long walks in quiet places where there are lots of trees. She lives in the north east of England with her husband.

A small selection of books by Terry Tyler

One of the recent reviews for Wasteland (Operation Galton Book 2)

forestlight 5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping reading…  Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2021

Loved this book which is the 2nd in the Operation Galton Series. A shocking glimpse into a dystopian future. A powerful corporation, a controlled society, megacities. And the wasteland, where the outcasts and free thinkers go. Great pace with twists and turns along the way. Thought provoking, disturbing and chilling too, as today’s society could easily head down this path (social media & technology controlled/manipulated soulless lives). Great plot, memorable characters, and convincing worldbuilding. Action and adventure with a gripping ending. Highly recommended.

Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon UK – And : Amazon US – Follow Terry Tyler: Goodreads – Blog: Terry Tyler Blogspot – Twitter:@TerryTyler4

 

Thanks very much for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.

 

 

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates – #Reviews #Memoir Brigid P. Gallagher , #Sci-fi Richard Dee, #Mystery Diana J. Febry

Welcome to the Monday edition of the Cafe and Bookstore with recent reviews for authors on the shelves.

The first book to receive a recent review is the memoir by Brigid P. Gallagher that shares her experiences and also strategies to overcome chronic illness in Watching for the Daisies.

About the book

Millions of people around the world suffer from fibromyalgia; the majority of them are women. As yet, there is no cure.

In this memoir, Brigid P. Gallagher shares her experiences on:

• The busy life she followed before succumbing to this debilitating disease
• Stopping and soul searching for answers to her vast array of symptoms
• Entering a new life of SLOW

Drawing on her knowledge and experience as a Natural Medicines therapist, she seeks out therapies to aid her healing and integrates a variety of self help techniques and lifestyle changes. She also unearths a love of solo travel including Egypt, India, Rome, Lourdes, Carcassonne and Bali…

Brigid learns many insights about LIFE on her journey, the most valuable being: “First learn to love thyself.”

In 2006, she began a new career in Organic Horticulture eventually teaching part time in schools. Although she has now retired from teaching, she continues to pursue her lifelong passion for gardening and watching the daisies.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Sep 18, 2020 Ronald Mackay rated it Five Star it was amazing

Watching the Daisies is a very personal account of how the author, Brigid Gallagher, brings herself, her work and all the rest of her busy life under control to the point where she is able to more fully appreciate the day and the hour – the ‘now’ of her existence.

Her elegant, straight-forward prose carries the reader through a mostly happy existence from her early life in rural Scotland to her varied professional work in Edinburgh and eventually to her more restful and more centred life in the Ireland that her mother and father left seeking opportunities in Scotland.

Readers who are unfamiliar, as I was, with the less traditional (at least for the British Isles and Ireland) approaches to spiritual and physical well-being will find much to gain from Watching the Daisies. Brigid not only explores many of them but becomes a practising professional with a flair for leadership, innovation and success.

Although plagued by a chronic and sometimes debilitating illness, this is a happy book written by a happy person who at all times is able to take as much or more control of her life than many of us in order to come to a most satisfactory peace with herself.

As inspiring as the story Brigid Gallagher has to tell are the life lessons that she draws from each chapter of her life. Any reader will benefit greatly from reading this busy yet peaceful, analytic yet satisfyingly holistic memoir.

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

Brigid P. Gallagher, Buy: Amazon UK – and:  Amazon US – Follow Brigid on : Goodreads –  Blog: Watching the Daisies – Twitter: @watchingthedai1

The next author with a recent review is Richard Dee for his latest book The Hitman and the Thief.

About the book

Assassination can be a messy business, especially if you’re having a bad day.

Dan Jones is the ultimate problem solver, the hitman for crime boss Fliss Bauer.

Fliss has a rival, Kalindra Dallin. She runs a particularly unpleasant planet. Dan is told to arrange her demise. It’s just another job; until a random event means that it all goes horribly wrong.

To save his skin, Dan is forced to try again, only this time he has to work with a partner. He doesn’t want to but it’s the only chance he’s going to get; if he wants to put things right.

Can the hitman and the thief get the job done, more importantly, can they keep each other alive?

One of the recent reviews for the book

Lecari  4.0 out of 5 stars A well-written, fast-paced sci-fi thriller with great characters  Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2020

In The Hitman and The Thief, Dan Jones is a ‘problem solver’ for his boss, Fliss, on the planet Gallix. He is sent to remove her rival, Kalindra — but the job all goes wrong when he (literally) bumps into Lydia, a thief. He and Lydia manage to escape capture. But, to redeem himself, Fliss orders him to try again, with Lydia as a partner. They must work together to remove Kalindra, once and for all.

Right from the very start, you are thrown straight into the action! From there, The Hitman and The Thief is a fast-paced sci-fi story which sucked me in immediately.

The main character, Dan Jones, is a bit of an anti-hero. He works as an assassin for the local crime lord, Fliss, solving problems where needed. He is currently seeing her right-hand woman, Hesta, who is young, smart and beautiful. We learn about his childhood and time in the military, which gives an insight into how he ended up in his current line of work. He is a very likeable character — he is smart and loyal.

There are lots of strong female characters throughout the book, which I really liked! As well as Fliss and Hesta, who we learn a bit about at the start of the book, the other main character is Lydia, the thief. At first she travels under lock and key, but over time they begin to trust each other and she becomes his friend. Lydia is very smart and fiesty — and again, despite her profession, I liked her as a character too.

The story has an interesting premise and some great world-building which kept me engaged throughout. I found the planet of Fallop very interesting. It’s described as “resource-poor, relying on cheap labour and unhealthy practices to process the raw materials and wastes that no one else would touch. It made her money, wrecked a lot of lives and the inhabitants on Fallop were treated slightly worse than animals.” As Lydia points out, other planets allowed this to happen for a reason, despite the cruelty — they enjoy the benefits and don’t want to have to deal with the factories themselves. Lydia and Dan’s discussion about the planet was interesting and something often reflected in our present day.

The Hitman and The Thief is a well-written sci-fi thriller with a fast-paced storyline. It has some interesting world-building, and I really enjoyed its female-centric cast. It was a great read that I absorbed within a couple of hours!

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

A small selection of other books by Richard Dee

Richard Dee, buy: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Website: Richard Dee’s Scifi – Goodreads: Richard Dee at Goodreads – Twitter: @RichardDockett1

The final author today is Diana J. Febry with a recent review for Trouble at Fatting House

About the book

A stand-alone Chapman and Morris Mystery.

Simon and Kate land the perfect house-sitting job in a quirky, old farmhouse.
But, when the neighbours are murdered, they discover the house has a sinister past connected to an identical killing. Following another attack, Simon disappears, and the police uncover disturbing secrets about his past.

Compelling evidence against Simon mounts, leaving Kate alone, unsure what to believe or who to trust. Is Simon the killer? Or a pawn in somebody else’s game?

As Kate closes in on the truth, she realises too late that the stakes are far higher than she ever imagined

One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads

Sep 27, 2020 Audrey Driscoll rated it really liked it –Recommends it for: Anyone who likes cozy mysteries.

This second book in the Chapman and Morris Mysteries series dives right into the action with distrust between Kate and Simon, the two main characters, followed quickly by a double murder. As house-sitters, the pair must attend to the care and feeding of a number of animals. Kate is at first largely concerned with those responsibilities, while Simon indulges his curiosity about long-held enmities in the neighbourhood and rumours of buried treasure.

Once the murders have been discovered, the action shifts into high gear, with Kate and Simon dealing with different issues that lead to miscommunication and errors that invite disaster. I have to admit I was only partially right about the identity of the murderer, but that was okay. The author furnishes enough details and supporting characters to give readers material from which to create their own red herrings. Each chapter begins with a cryptic statement by… someone, furnishing more details for the reader to think about.

The point of view is largely Simon’s but shifts at times to that of the detective leading the investigation and also to Kate. The transitions are handled well and don’t cause confusion, although I assumed at first this was Simon’s book, as it were, and was a bit surprised to see things as the professionals did. Given Simon’s ambition to be a private investigator, this provided an extra dimension to the story.

The relationship between Simon and Kate is tested as the murder investigation unfolds and complications arise. Simon’s dogs, Albert and Alfred, have a bigger role here than in the first book. Some issues remain unresolved at the end, which suggests there may be a third Chapman and Morris book in the future. Altogether, I found this textured and twisty mystery to be a satisfying read and an entertaining diversion.

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

A selection of other books by Diana Febry

Diana J. Febry, Buy: Amazon UK- And Amazon US – follow Diana on:Goodreads  –Facebook page: Diana J. Febry

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates #Reviews #Fantasy Julia Benally, #Crime Sue Coletta, #Memoir Brigid P. Gallagher

Welcome to Wednesday’s edition of the author update with recent reviews for authors in the Cafe and Bookstore

The first author with a recent review is Julia Benally for the fantasy novel Pariahs (Ilinga Book I)

About Pariahs (Ilings Book 1)

In a land of monsters and soulless creatures, there is a secluded compound terrorized by a fallen demon-killer, the Grand Apwor. He’s claimed its youngest occupant Vijeren as his son. The Grand Apwor can’t be killed, he can’t be escaped, and his punishments are severe and horrific. Somehow, he knows where Vijeren is at all times. When a law enforcer named Zhin appears like a living flame, a family war that’s been sizzling for decades finally ignites. It drags Vijeren in, revealing secrets of a long-forgotten past and a family torn asunder in recesses of lost memories. Only Zhin knows how to kill the Grand Apwor, but the answer rests on the love between a father and son–something that Vijeren doesn’t have…

One of the recent reviews for the book

Christine Marshall 5.0 out of 5 stars An action-filled monster adventure focused on family  Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2020

This book is great, just don’t read it as a bedtime story for your kids! I would have read it sooner if the summary on the back had specified that it was a high-action adventure rather than a horror story that spent lots of time in a compound with a wasteland of monsters everywhere else (no offense, but that’s how I interpreted the summary). The new vocabulary takes some getting used to but is well worth it!

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

Read the reviews and follow Julia : Goodreads

Connect to Julia via her blog: Sparrow Incarnate

The next author today is Sue Coletta with her very useful guide 60 Ways to Murder your Characters.

About the book

Looking for inspiration on how to murder your characters?

With this handy research guide, no longer will you need to search for ways to murder your characters, or stare at a blank screen while you mull over the character development of your antagonist. Many of the murder methods listed in 60 Ways to Murder Your Characters come with ways you can use them in your novel, short story, or flash fiction.

From the basics, like a shotgun blast to the head to the more creative ways to commit murder on the page, this research guide will help bring your crime scenes alive.

Let’s face it. Being an author isn’t an easy endeavor. Crime writing is even harder, because we need to ensure our stories ring true. That’s why I’ve given you the exact measurements for how to dissolve a body in lye or acid, for instance. If I can help your stories ring true, then I consider it a win. Don’t let the preview fool you. There’s all kinds of information in this guide.

If you check out my blog, you’ll find endless posts on research, forensics, and police procedures. Let my passion for crime help you. One element of my psychological thriller/mystery, Marred, that readers found the most chilling were the crime scene details and forensics.

Don’t take my word for it.

One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads

Feb 28, 2020 L.S. rated it Five Stars.

At 12% in, I’d already picked the method for my next victiom. But, by the end of the book – it’s quite short – I had a handful of other options too. The author also adds links to websites for more info.

Well worth the money (99c) and it will be a resource I refer back to frequently.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

A selection of books by Sue Coletta

Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And:  Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Sue : Goodreads

Connect to Sue via her website/blog: Sue Coletta

And the final book to receive a recent review is the memoir by Brigid P. Gallagher that shares her experiences and also strategies to overcome chronic illness in Watching for the Daisies.

About the book

Millions of people around the world suffer from fibromyalgia; the majority of them are women. As yet, there is no cure.

In this memoir, Brigid P. Gallagher shares her experiences on:

• The busy life she followed before succumbing to this debilitating disease
• Stopping and soul searching for answers to her vast array of symptoms
• Entering a new life of SLOW

Drawing on her knowledge and experience as a Natural Medicines therapist, she seeks out therapies to aid her healing and integrates a variety of self help techniques and lifestyle changes. She also unearths a love of solo travel including Egypt, India, Rome, Lourdes, Carcassonne and Bali…

Brigid learns many insights about LIFE on her journey, the most valuable being: “First learn to love thyself.”

In 2006, she began a new career in Organic Horticulture eventually teaching part time in schools. Although she has now retired from teaching, she continues to pursue her lifelong passion for gardening and watching the daisies.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Eileen Moynihan 5.0 out of 5 stars This is an unusual memoir Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 April 2020

This is an unusual memoir in that it is not only a journey through life, but covers the authors actual physical journeys alongside her spiritual and knowledge journeys. Brigid Gallagher is a seeker who seeks healing for her bodily ailments, sense and guidance for her spiritual and emotional ailments, and knowledge for her intellectual needs. She is open to all knowledge and all people. She has a natural curiosity for all that life offers and draws the reader into her interesting life.

As of someone around the same age I can identify with the different singers and events she mentions.

The suggestions at the end of each chapter are helpful and thought provoking.

Read the rest of the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK

and at:  Amazon US

Read more reviews and follow Brigid on : Goodreads

Connect to Brigid via her blog: Watching the Daisies

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books to add to your reading list.. thanks Sally.

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Christmas Book Fair – #Reviews #Mystery James J. Cudney, #Memoir Brigid P. Gallagher, Children Annika Perry, #Romance Harmony Kent

Since the middle of November I have featured all the authors in the Cafe and Bookstore with a recent review and since we have a few days left, I will now share more up to date reviews that have been posted.

The first book is for book one of The Braxton Campus Mysteries (one of my recommendations for 2019) Academic Curveball by James J. Cudney.

About the book

When Kellan Ayrwick returns home for his father’s retirement, he finds a body in Diamond Hall’s stairwell.

Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family. Soon after, the college’s athletic program receives mysterious donations, a nasty blog denounces his father, and someone attempts to change students’ grades. Someone is playing games on campus, but none of the facts add up.

With the help of his eccentric nana, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff’s way. But who killed Professor Abby Monroe?

One of the recent reviews for the book

Debbie De Louise  5.0 out of 5 starsAcademic Curveball Will Throw You A Curveball with its Twists December 14, 2019

Academic Curveball is the second book I’ve read by James J. Cudney and the first of his Braxton Campus cozy mysteries. Having enjoyed his first novel, the standalone family saga Watching Glass Shatter, I was curious to see how he would handle a cozy mystery. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters in Academic Curveball were all well portrayed. I especially liked Kellan, the main character, a widower with a young daughter who was called home for his father’s retirement party as president of Braxton College. Upon his return, Kellan who is currently working for Dark Realities, a television reality crime show, plans to meet Professor Abby Monroe who has material for the second season of his show after his father’s party. Unfortunately, he never gets to do so because Abby’s dead body is found during the party by his father’s assistant Lorraine Candito.

A number of people, some close to Kellan including his own father, are suspects in Abby’s murder, but the murder weapon is missing along with two other items, one that was intended as a gift to Kellan. The motive is believed to have involved the changing of a grade for an athlete so he can compete in a game that a college scout will attend. But when another murder occurs and they find the possible weapon hidden in Kellan’s father’s desk, Kellan has even more reason to solve the case despite the warnings by the town’s female sheriff who refers to him as “Little Arywick.”

Aided by his sassy grandmother, Nana D. and his old school friend Connor who is dating both his sister Eleanor and his college girlfriend Maggie, Kellan sets out to find the person responsible for the murders. Although I had a funny feeling about the character who the killer ended up being, I didn’t know the identity of the murderer until it was unveiled . . . and then it all made sense. What surprised me even more was the cliffhanger at the end of the book that was totally unexpected. I won’t reveal any spoilers, but I love double twists. This one was done exceptionally well. I can’t wait to read the second book where it should be explained. My only criticism of this book was that the plethora of characters were introduced close together which made it somewhat difficult to keep them all straight initially. Otherwise, I highly recommend this series to those who like academic settings, a variety of interesting characters including a male protagonist, and cozy mysteries with lots of subplots and twists.

In addition to being a talented writer, Cudney also has a terrific WordPress blog called This is My Truth Now.

A selection of other books by James J. Cudney

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And on Amazon UK: Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow James: Goodreads

Connect to James via his blog:  This is my Truth Now

And the next book to receive a recent review is the memoir by Brigid P. Gallagher that shares her experiences and also strategies to overcome chronic illness in Watching for the Daisies.

About the book

Millions of people around the world suffer from fibromyalgia; the majority of them are women. As yet, there is no cure.

In this memoir, Brigid P. Gallagher shares her experiences on:

• The busy life she followed before succumbing to this debilitating disease
• Stopping and soul searching for answers to her vast array of symptoms
• Entering a new life of SLOW

Drawing on her knowledge and experience as a Natural Medicines therapist, she seeks out therapies to aid her healing and integrates a variety of self help techniques and lifestyle changes. She also unearths a love of solo travel including Egypt, India, Rome, Lourdes, Carcassonne and Bali…

Brigid learns many insights about LIFE on her journey, the most valuable being: “First learn to love thyself.”

In 2006, she began a new career in Organic Horticulture eventually teaching part time in schools. Although she has now retired from teaching, she continues to pursue her lifelong passion for gardening and watching the daisies.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Balroop Singh 4.0 out of 5 stars Exudes positivity December 17, 2019

Watching the Daisies by Brigid P. Gallagher is an autobiography that recounts various experiences of dealing with grief, depression and healing through spirituality, natural medicine and self help techniques like electro-crystal healing and color therapy. She even obtained a diploma in Electro-crystal Healing and color therapy that she acquired at the International Association of Color Therapists. I am amazed at how much a person could learn in one life time despite the misfortunes that she had faced and how much could she absorb in the name of faith in crystals, feathers, feng shui and herbs! The traditional healing methods were put together by her to deal with her mental and physical pain.

Brigid’s story exemplifies how life flows and passes by if we accept its trails and change our direction accordingly. On the way she became stronger and discovered her true self. Her love for music, travel and gardening kept her spirits high. Written in a detached style, without any emotional touches despite the distress that she keeps to herself, she doesn’t pause to dwell on her misery. She conveys many profound lessons in a subtle way – be positive and face life boldly.

Read the rest of the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK

and at:  Amazon US

Read more reviews and follow Brigid on : Goodreads

Connect to Brigid via her blog: Watching the Daisies

And now the lovely children’s book by Annika Perry.  Perfect for 3 – 6 year olds – Oskar’s Quest.

About the book

Oskar is afraid of adventures. Yet one day he finds himself on a mysterious island which needs his help.Join Oskar on this unexpected and magnificent quest, where he finds not only courage but so much more…“It’s light, extremely enjoyable and very gripping.” Esther Chilton – author & editor.Perfect for ages 3 to 6.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Miriam 5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure and courage 5 December 2019

Annika Perry has produced a children’s book that totally captured my heart. I have fallen in love with Oskar, who on his brave pursuit finds courage of heart and acts With bravery that bewilders himself. He is the Star but there are other wonderful and strong charachters there.

And we mustn’t forget about the frightening Drang who in the end totally surprises us all. Any child – or grown up child will fall for him too in the end.

Let us fly with Oskar on his magnificent quest. Annika doesn’t disappoint, there is gold dust on every page as the story develops.

Head over to read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK

And: Amazon US

Also by Annika Perry

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK

And: Amazon US

Read more reviews and follow Annika: Goodreads

Connect to Annika via her blog: Annika Perry

The reviews are in for award winning author Harmony Kent. for her Christmas release– Oh Baubles: A Christmas Romance Novella.

About Oh Baubles

After a tragic accident one Christmas, Charlene loses her husband and her leg.

Scarred and damaged, the losses leave her lost and reeling, and a long recovery lies ahead of her.

When John, a hot young physiotherapist, comes into her life with his ripped abs and good-god good-looks, she can’t imagine he’d give somebody like her a second glance.

Then she falls for him.

Can Charlene overcome all obstacles to gain back her life and find true love once more?

Find out in this fun-filled, clean Christmas romance novella from award-winning author Harmony Kent.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Mae Clair 5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and Lovely! December 10, 2019

This is a short, enchanting story sure to warm the heart. Charlene, a young widow, requires physical therapy due to a tragic accident in her past. She feels an immediate connection with John, her PT, but can’t believe he’d spare a second glance for her. Although this is a romantic story, I really enjoyed seeing the progression in Charlene’s character from beginning to end. The author delivered that change—and the build up of romance—in a believable manner. Watching Charlene transform as the book progresses is like watching a beautiful butterfly emerge from a cocoon. With its holiday setting, Oh, Baubles makes a charming novella for the holidays, but it will leave you with a warm feeling any time of year. Lovely!

A selection of other books by Harmony Kent.

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK

And on: Amazon US

Read more reviews and follow Harmony: Goodreads

Connect to Harmony via her website: Harmony Kent

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books under your arm..thanks Sally.

Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Christmas Book Fair -#Romance Linda Bradley, #FamilyDrama Mary Crowley, #Adventure Audrey Driscoll, #Memoir Brigid P. Gallagher

Welcome to this year’s Christmas book fair where I will be sharing the books of all the authors on the shelves of the Cafe and Bookstore with their most recent review in the last six months. I will be selecting authors at random so that there is something for everyone in the post.

The first book today which would make romance lovers very happy is Maggie’s Montana which is the third book in the Montana Bound Series by Linda Bradley.

About the book

Maggie Abernathy, best friend Judy, and Judy’s two young sons travel cross country to visit John McIntyre and daughter Chloe at their Montana ranch. Maggie’s convinced herself that she’s only making the trip to fulfill her promise to visit Chloe, but once there she can’t help but fall in love with the horses, the land, the ranch, and the Montana ways of life. With Chloe’s loving antics, Winston’s gift, and a handful of wranglers showing her the ropes, will Maggie have the heart to say goodbye?

One of the recent reviews for the book and series on Goodreads

Sep 03, 2019 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

A Second Chance at Life

A trip to Montana with Judy, Harry and Walter turns into the adventure of a lifetime. Chole and John are settled in at the ranch and there’s so much to enjoy. Winston lets Maggie know that she has a place in their life if she’ll take the chance. Will Maggie find the strength and courage to move forward towards a new home and relationship? Recommend Series.

Also by Linda Bradley

Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And on : Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Linda on : Goodreads

Connect to Linda via her website: Linda Bradley Author

The next author is Mary Crowley who has two books set in Ireland that would make wonderful gifts..Her first novel A Sweet Smell of Strawberries has a recent review..

About the book

Imagine, a warm summer’s morning with the Sweet Smell of Strawberries wafting through the air, tantalising your senses….

For Sarah Connolly, this invokes beautiful memories of her son Jack. A talented athlete destined to represent Ireland in the Olympics and loved by everyone who knew him. While out training early one morning, the sixteen-year-old was killed when Desmond Shanahan lost control of his car. Jack’s death crushing Sarah, as her only child, he was the very essence of her life.

Losing a child in tragic circumstances, leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, a sense of unjust…..

Now, five years after the tragedy, Desmond’s early release from prison leaves Sarah feeling let down by the justice system and she makes sure he knows this. Even if it means losing friends in her quest to remind the close community of Kilmer Cove, of Desmond’s guilt. What Sarah fails to realise is nothing will bring back her son.

However, Sarah is not alone in her angst over Desmond’s release, and a web of lies soon becomes untangled over the events which lead to Jack Connolly’s death.

Can Sarah find it in her heart to forgive Desmond?

A Sweet Smell of Strawberries takes in a beautiful Irish setting along the coastline of Donegal and The Wild Altlantic way. A story of love, heartache and retribution which makes you realise no one is perfect!

One of the recent reviews on Goodreads

Oct 21, 2019 Eleanor Murphy rated it it was amazing

Great Read, I loved this book. It is a story of love and loss with twists to keep you intrigued throughout, immediately pulling you in to the characters who are very relatable and believable. I could imagine sitting in the Cove listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shoreline. I’ve never been to Donegal but I definately plan to visit after reading this book.

Also by Mary Crowley

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK

And on : Amazon US

Read more reviews and follow Mary on: Goodreads

Connect to Mary via her blog: Mary Crowley WordPress

Now time for some action and adventure courtesy of Audrey Driscoll with a recent review for  Book 4 of the Herbert West Series – Hunting the Phoenix.  I am sure the complete series would make a great gift for anyone.

About the book

Journalist Alma Halsey chases the story of a lifetime to Providence, Rhode Island and finds more than she expected – an old lover, Charles Milburn, and an old adversary, renegade physician Herbert West, living under the name Francis Dexter. Fire throws her into proximity with them both, rekindling romance and completing a great transformation.

More Details: Middle-aged and cynical, journalist Alma Halsey looks back on the missed chances in her life with bitterness and regret. Revisiting her home town of Arkham, she comes into possession of a letter that changes everything. So what if it’s not addressed to her, but to her old flame, librarian Charles Milburn? Suddenly she’s chasing down a big story, and maybe she’ll reconnect with Charles as well.

Giving up her New York City life, Alma moves to Providence, Rhode Island and begins tracking down another man from her past – one she’s assumed to be dead for more than 15 years – none other than renegade physician Herbert West. It seems he’s living in Providence under the name Francis Dexter, and is once more engaged in nefarious doings. Once she’s gathered enough information, Alma plans to write an expose.

Things get complicated when Alma discovers that Charles Milburn is also in Providence, working for “Dr. Dexter,” and English neurosurgeon Edward Clapham-Lee is also looking for Herbert West. Everything goes wrong when the house she is living in catches fire. Seriously injured and far from home, Alma is forced to accept the hospitality of the man she has made her quarry. In Dexter’s house she finds healing, strangeness and unexpected friendships, and realizes that her real quarry is herself.

Alone with Dexter for several days, Alma has occasion to revisit her relationship with him and discover the roots of her disaffection. Soon after Charles’s return from a business trip, the three repair to Cape Cod where they celebrate their renewed friendship, until the appearance of Edward Clapham-Lee – a man as amoral and dangerous as Dexter’s former self – demands a return to Arkham for a final reckoning.

One of the recent reviews for Hunting the Phoenix.

TermiteWriter 5.0 out of 5 stars “When you write something down, it’s preserved forever.” September 21, 2019

So speaks Charles Milburn near the end, when he and Alma are contemplating writing the story of Herbert West/Francis Dexter. I can’t argue with that sentiment!

Reading this book is definitely a powerful experience. However, I think I would have enjoyed it even more and comprehended it better if I were more knowledgeable about alchemy. It’s never been a subject that interested me; I’ve always viewed it (when I thought about it at all) as a primitive footnote to the history of “real” science. But I can concede that alchemy makes an excellent “crucible” for a paranormal plot. After all, all SF writers employ futuristic fictional science in order to move their plots along; why not utilize archaic fictional science?

A noteworthy aspect of this book is the author’s skill in evocative description. She really knows how to set a scene and create a mood; furthermore characters appear, take shape, and are molded in front of your very eyes. Here are only a few examples:

From the Prologue section: “Last night I dreamed again of Provincetown in the summer of 1939, seven years ago. A silver pink sunrise off the Cape in August. The taste of peach juice on his lips, his arms holding me as he dances us out of the world. The legacies of one who was born of fire and has returned to it.”

“My thoughts dissolved into a whirl of light, colour, and sound – the strange dissonances and harmonies of the two instruments, the copper-haired child with her birdlike song, the candlelit procession from darkness to light, the Christmas tree with its suns, moons, roses and dark orbs. And in the center of it all, our enigmatic host …”

And when Alma first starts to write poetry: “I sat in my quiet, rose-scented study, scribbling in fits and starts, stalking ripples of my own emotions as the hunter stalks his prey, fishing for feelings and catching them in a net of words.” On that subject, this book contains some remarkable poetry; the author displays a fine comprehension of that literary form.

Dreams and hallucinations also play a mesmerizing role in “Hunting the Phoenix,” and the author skillfully uses flashback techniques to relate earlier events. Most loose ends from the three earlier volumes are tied up, although there are still a few things I wonder about, especially what became of the John Hocks demon, who appears near the end of v.1
I strongly recommend this book and the three previous volumes in the series, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, She Who Comes Forth.

A selection of other  books by Audrey Driscoll

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

 Amazon Canada

 Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Audrey on: Goodreads

Connect to Audrey  via her website: Audrey Driscoll

And finally today the memoir by  Brigid P. Gallagher that shares her experiences and also strategies to overcome chronic illness in Watching for the Daisies.

About the book

Millions of people around the world suffer from fibromyalgia; the majority of them are women. As yet, there is no cure.

In this memoir, Brigid P. Gallagher shares her experiences on:

• The busy life she followed before succumbing to this debilitating disease
• Stopping and soul searching for answers to her vast array of symptoms
• Entering a new life of SLOW

Drawing on her knowledge and experience as a Natural Medicines therapist, she seeks out therapies to aid her healing and integrates a variety of self help techniques and lifestyle changes. She also unearths a love of solo travel including Egypt, India, Rome, Lourdes, Carcassonne and Bali…

Brigid learns many insights about LIFE on her journey, the most valuable being: “First learn to love thyself.”

In 2006, she began a new career in Organic Horticulture eventually teaching part time in schools. Although she has now retired from teaching, she continues to pursue her lifelong passion for gardening and watching the daisies.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Amazon Customer 5.0 out of 5 stars Timely reminder to not only watch the daisies but also smell the roses! August 1, 2019

A fascinating read through all the naturopathic and alternative remedies Brigid has been involved in. Clearly a very active and intelligent person, she applied herself to learning, teaching and living the naturopathic principals. Many people will owe much to her knowledge and generosity in sharing her gifts.

Her own health problems dictated a new path and a need to slow down and take care of herself. Her new pace of life has resulted in this book on life lessons and the importance of slow. We are the happy beneficiaries. Thank you for your insights Brigid!

Read the rest of the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK

and at:  Amazon US

Read more reviews and follow Brigid on : Goodreads

Connect to Brigid via her blog: Watching the Daisies

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books under your arm.. Sally.