The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

There’s just something about books by Mary Kay Andrews that always makes me think of summer, sun and fun new characters I’m going to meet. Well, it’s that time of year again and the author has a new book from St. Martin’s Press out today, THE NEWCOMER.

THE NEWCOMER has everything you want in a summer read from the master of the genre: a charming beach town setting, quirky cast of supporting characters, family drama, murder mystery, a hint of romance, and a hardworking, plucky female protagonist you can’t help but root for. Already called "the perfect summer read" by Authorlink, and "sure to be a summer favorite!" by Suspense Magazine, THE NEWCOMER is an IndieNext pick for May and bound to be one of the season's hottest reads.

Letty Carnahan is in trouble. She’s on the run from New York City; she has her four-year-old niece, Maya in tow, and her sister was found dead in the entry hall of her glamorous townhome. Letty believes she knows who did it: her sister’s awful, money-grubbing ex-husband, Eli Wingfield.

Letty can’t forget her sister Tara’s insistence: “if anything bad ever happens to me–It’s Eli. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”

But run where? The only clue Tara has left behind is a faded magazine story about a sleepy mom-and-pop motel on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Certain that the police and Tara’s ex are hot on her trail, Letty leaves her own life behind without a backwards glance, knowing she will somehow get justice for Tara, and sets out for her destination–The Murmuring Surf.

The Surf, as regulars call it, is the winter home of a close-knit but quarrelsome group of retirees and snowbirds who regard this newcomer and her adorable niece with suspicion and more than a little curiosity. There’s a No Vacancy sign swinging from the neon motel marquee, but the motel’s longtime owner Ava DeCurtis takes Letty in, offers her a room and eventually a job, much to the disapproval of Ava’s cynical son Joe, a local police detective whose every instinct tells him that Letty is a dangerous fugitive, possibly even a kidnapper and murderer.

As Letty tries to settle into her new life and help heal Maya’s trauma, she’s preoccupied as her late sister’s troubled past and connection to the motel are revealed, all while trying to deal with the attractive detective’s unwelcome advances. Is Joe a would-be suitor? Or a cop determined to betray her confidence and put her behind bars?

Meet the Author: Mary Kay Andrews

Photo by Bill Miles

MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 novels (including Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladies’ Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook, The Beach House Cookbook.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.

Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by twelve more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.

She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels, and both available to rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. In between cooking, spoiling her grandkids, and plotting her next novel, Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I can’t wait to listen to the audio version of this book. Don’t you just love a good “beach read” and all the fun characters that go with it? Doesn’t this sound like a fun book?

The Beach House Cookbook {+ Giveaway}

◊ THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by Mary Kay Andrews

◊ Hardcover: 272 pages

◊ Genre: cookbooks, food and wine, south

◊ Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (May 2, 2017)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 1250130441

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1250130440

SYNOPSIS:

          You don’t have to own a beach house to enjoy Mary Kay Andrews’ recipes. All you need is an appetite for delicious, casual dishes, cooked with the best fresh, local ingredients and presented with the breezy flair that make Mary Kay Andrews’ novels a summertime favorite at the beach.

From an early spring dinner of cherry balsamic-glazed pork medallions and bacon-kissed Brussels sprouts to Fourth of July buttermilk-brined fried chicken, potato salad, and pudding parfaits to her New Year’s Day Open House menu of roast oysters, home-cured gravlax, grits 'n’ greens casserole, and lemon cream cheese pound cake, this cookbook will supply ideas for menus and recipes designed to put you in a permanently carefree, coastal state of mind all year long.

If you’re on the hunt for casual dishes that delight the taste buds this summer, look no further than THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by March Kay Andrews.

This Southern author knows the way to enjoy the season with dishes featuring fresh, local ingredients. Sharing numerous recipes and menu ideas, the author will have you enjoying a coastal state of mind regardless of where you reside.

From a delicious Tomato Pie to tasty Tybee Fish Tacos and Boy Howdy Baked Beans, you’ll find a wide variety of recipes to please the hunger crowds at your outdoor gatherings or family around the dinner table. Don’t forget the Red Rooster Cocktails or Frozen Lemon Granita to top off a meal.

The recipes are presented in an easy-to-read and follow method. The book is jam packed with beautiful color photos displaying the mouthwatering dishes (as well as a few coastal scenes). This cookbook will quickly become a favorite summer go-to for those perfect meals. It will also make the perfect gift for any occasion.

The author adds her Southern flare to the menus for a tantalizing touch. This book is filled with recipes to enhance your summer dining, as well as throughout the year.

The Beach House Cookbook by Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin’s Press, @2017, ISBN: 978-1250130440, Hardcover, 272Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks to the lovely Meg @ Tandem Literary, I have a print copy of THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK by Mary Kay Andrews to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, June 2

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Do you have a favorite summertime recipe that you go back to year after year but only prepare it during those warm months?

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The Beach House Cookbook

I’m always delighted to read that New York Times mega-bestselling novelist and "Beach Read Queen" (CNN), Mary Kay Andrews has a new book out ….. even if it is a cookbook.

The author released her first ever cookbook, THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK: Easy, Breezy Recipes with a Southern Accent, yesterday (May 2) from St. Martin's Press.

Publishers Weekly has called this gorgeous book, "a true primer on Southern cuisine." You don't need to own a beach house to enjoy the author's recipes. All you need is a year-round appetite for delicious, casual dishes cooked with the best fresh, local ingredients. The book's 16 carefree, crowd-pleasing menu plans are designed around holidays and occasions ("Low Country Boil," "After a Day at the Beach," "Game Day Dinner," "Lazy Weekend Brunch"), but the 90+ delectable recipes can be mixed and matched to highlight your favorite apps, sides, mains, desserts, and beverages.

The author joins us today to answer some questions for me. Be sure to keep your eyes open as in a few days or so I’ll have a review of this tantalizing cookbook and a giveaway for you (thanks to Meg @ Tandem Literary).

Now join me in welcoming the author. Mary Kay welcome to Thoughts in Progress.

I have to ask the age-old question, what compelled you to write a cookbook?

Mary Kay:

My husband and I love to cook and entertain, especially at our Tybee Island beach house, which is a restored 1932 cottage on the ocean just outside Savannah. I've always had foodie elements in the plots of my novels, and readers had been asking for a cookbook, so it seemed like a natural transition.

What was the most fun element of writing this cookbook? What was the worst part of the process?

Mary Kay:

It was lots of fun--and definitely a learning experience, choosing, refining and testing family favorites and new dishes. I hired a seasoned recipe tester/food writer to help with the book, and boy did I learn a lot! The worst part was the weight I gained testing all those desserts!

What was the first cookbook you ever owned?

Mary Kay:

As a child, somebody gave me a Betty Crocker Kids Cook book. And as an adult, I received two copies of Joy of Cooking when I got married in 1976. I still use Joy as a reference.

Any advice to someone who is thinking about writing a cookbook?

Mary Kay:

Really think through what kind of a book you want to publish and work towards achieving that vision. In my case, I wanted a cookbook that would reflect my philosophy of life--fun, fresh, fast family favorite recipes that anybody could tackle. Relatable recipes that feature ingredients easily sourced at a vacation type grocery store, and yes--convenience foods like pre-made pie crust, purchased ice cream sandwiches and cocktail sauce. Hire the best professionals to help. The best decision I made was to hire the dream team--a food photographer, recipe tester and food writer, and photo stylist/creative director, all of whom had worked together on half a dozen other cookbook projects.

What can readers look forward to next from you?

Mary Kay:

I'm hard at work on next summer's beach book, a novel featuring an intergenerational cast of characters and an old, unsolved mystery set on a remote barrier island off the coast of Georgia.

Mary Kay thanks for joining us today and sharing this insight into how your cookbook came about.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Mary Kay Andrews

MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 24 novels, including The Weekenders, Beach Town, Save the Date, Ladies' Night, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues.

A former features writer for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she finds an outlet for her passion for cooking, entertaining, and decorating with vintage finds at the homes she shares in Atlanta and Tybee Island, Georgia, with her husband, Tom, and their two grown children, Katie and Andy, as well as grandchildren Molly and Griffin. THE BEACH HOUSE COOKBOOK is her first cookbook.

For more on Mary Kay and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thanks for stopping by today during Mary Kay’s visit. Don’t forgot to keep an eye out for my review and the giveaway coming soon. What was the first cookbook you ever owned?

6 Fun Christmas Books {+ Awesome #Giveaway}

Just in time for Christmas, you have a great opportunity to win six Christmas books by six bestselling authors! There's enough here to keep some for yourself and to share the love by gifting some to your friends and family!

Thanks to the lovely Meg at Tandem Literary I have this awesome giveaway to offer you. See the end of the post for more giveaway details.

But first, let me tell you what books are included in the giveaway and then a bit about each. You can enter to win a copy of A LOWCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Mary Alice Monroe, CHRISTMAS BLISS by Mary Kay Andrews, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by Debbie Macomber, WINTER STORMS by Elin Hilderbrand, CHRISTMAS IN PARIS by Anita Hughes, and A SHOE ADDICT’S CHRISTMAS by Beth Harbison.

A LOWCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Mary Alice Monroe

In A LOWCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe explores the story of a wounded warrior and his younger brother who discover the true meaning of Christmas in this timeless story of family bonds.

          As far as ten-year-old Miller McClellan is concerned, it’s the worst Christmas ever. His father’s shrimp boat is docked, his mother is working two jobs, and with finances strained, Miller is told they can’t afford the dog he desperately wants. “Your brother’s return from war is our family’s gift,” his parents tell him. But when Taylor returns with PTSD, family tensions darken the holidays.

          Heartbreak and financial stress threaten to destroy the spirit of the season until the miraculous gift of a service dog leads Taylor, his family, and their community on a healing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas.

You can connect with author Mary Alice Monroe on Facebook.

CHRISTMAS BLISS by Mary Kay Andrews

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and Savannah was breezy. But there's trouble afoot - and it's heading toward Weezie.

Seems BeBe's been holding a big secret back that would make Santa's reindeer stop dead in their tracks.

Can these two best friends wriggle out of these twists? Will they do it in time to ensure CHRISTMAS BLISS?

Return to the wonderful world of Mary Kay Andrews' Savannah with Christmas Bliss.

You can connect with author Mary Kay Andrews on Facebook.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by Debbie Macomber

Continuing in a festive annual tradition, Debbie Macomber returns with a new original holiday novel full of romance and cheer—and the magical prospect of finding love in the most unexpected places.
 

Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that’s the last straw. She’s going to break through Cain’s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.

To track her progress, Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her first attempts to humanize Cain are far from successful. Julia brings him homemade Christmas treats and the disagreeable grinch won’t even accept them. Meanwhile, Julie’s blog becomes an online sensation, as an astonishing number of people start following her adventures. Julia continues to find ways to express kindness and, little by little, chips away at Cain’s gruff façade to reveal the caring man underneath. Unbelievably, Julia feels herself falling for Cain—and she suspects that he may be falling for her as well. But as the popularity of her blog continues to grow, Julia must decide if telling Cain the truth about having chronicled their relationship to the rest of the world is worth risking their chance at love.

You can connect with author Debbie Macomber on Facebook.

WINTER STORMS by Elin Hilderbrand

Gather under the mistletoe for one last round of caroling with the Quinn family in this heartwarming conclusion to Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling Winter Street Trilogy.

Some of the stormy weather of the past few seasons seems to have finally lifted for the Quinns. After a year apart, and an ill-fated affair with the Winter Street Inn's old Santa Claus, Mitzi has returned to rule the roost; Patrick is about to be released from prison; Kevin has a successful new business and is finally ready to tie the knot with Isabelle; and best of all, there's hopeful news about Bart, who has been captured by enemy forces in Afghanistan.

That doesn't mean there aren't a few dark clouds on the horizon. Kelley has recently survived a health scare; Jennifer can't quite shake her addiction to the drugs she used as a crutch while Patrick was in jail; and Ava still can't decide between the two lovers that she's been juggling with limited success. However, if there's one holiday that brings the Quinn family together to give thanks for the good times, it's Christmas. And this year promises to be a celebration unlike any other as the Quinns prepare to host Kevin and Isabelle's wedding at the inn. But as the special day approaches, a historic once-in-a-century blizzard bears down on Nantucket, threatening to keep the Quinns away from the place--and the people--they love most. Before the snow clears, the Quinns will have to survive enough upheavals to send anyone running for the spiked eggnog, in this touching novel that proves that when the holidays roll around, you can always go home again.

Connect with author Elin Hilderbrand on Facebook.

CHRISTMAS IN PARIS by Anita Hughes

Anita Hughes's Christmas in Paris is a moving and heartwarming story about love, trust, and self-discovery. Set during the most magical week of the year, the glorious foods and fashions of the most romantic city in the world are sure to take your breath away.

Isabel Lawson is standing on the balcony of her suite at the Hotel de Crillon as she gazes at the twinkling lights of the Champs-Élysées and wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake. She was supposed to be visiting the Christmas tree in the Place de la Concorde, and eating escargots and macaroons with her new husband on their honeymoon. But a week before the wedding, she called it off. Isabel is an ambitious Philadelphia finance woman, and Neil suddenly decided to take over his grandparents' farm. Isabel wasn't ready to trade her briefcase for a pair of rubber boots and a saddle.

When Neil suggested she use their honeymoon tickets for herself, she thought it would give her a chance to clear her head. That is until she locks herself out on the balcony in the middle of winter. Thankfully her neighbor Alec, a French children’s illustrator, comes to her rescue. He too is nursing a broken heart at the Crillon for the holidays. With a new friend by her side, Isabel is determined to use her time in the "city of lights" wisely. After a chance encounter with a fortune teller, and a close call with a taxi, she starts to question everything she thought was important.

You can connect with author Anita Hughes on Facebook.

A SHOE ADDICT’S CHRISTMAS by Beth Harbison

From the author of the beloved bestseller Shoe Addicts Anonymous comes a heartwarming twist on a classic tale filled with holiday cheer.

Noelle is not a fan of the holidays and to make matters worse, she is at a crossroads in her life when it seems that love and adventure are no longer possible. When she stays late at her job in a department store on a snowy Christmas Eve she accidentally gets locked in after closing.

She isn’t too concerned about the prospect of spending the night in the store…until a woman appears out of nowhere and tells Noelle that she’s her guardian angel. Soon Noelle finds herself camped out in the shoe department facing several “ghosts” of Christmases past, present, and future...Will visiting the holidays of yesterday and tomorrow help Noelle see the true spirit of Christmas? And will the love she has longed for all her life be the best surprise gift of all?

You can connect with author Beth Harbison on Facebook.

Thanks to the lovely Meg at Tandem Literary I have all six of the books above to giveaway to one lucky winner. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only (so sorry international visitors) and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.” The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you read any of the books listed above? Are you familiar with all or some of these authors? Do you have a Christmas book you’d recommend to us?

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