The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James

Do you enjoy ghost stories only at Halloween or find that a cold winter’s night is a good time for a tall tale? Either way I have an intriguing ghost story to share with you today.

THE HAUNTING OF MADDY CLARE by Simone St. James

Ghost stories are told around the campfire late night and have a ‘got-you’ moment at the end.

Rarely does a ghost story slowly draw you in, seep into your bones, hold you captivate, and send shivers down your spine all while propelling you to want more. Author Simone St. James has accomplished this with her suspenseful debut, THE HAUNTING OF MADDY CLARE (scheduled for release March 6).

The protagonist is Sarah Piper, a lonely young woman living in 1920s London. She works for a temporary agency and has long given up any hope of happiness or family. Life as she knows it takes a dramatic change when she takes a job the agency sends her on.

Rich and handsome Alistar Gellis needs a female assistant. The charming young veteran is a ghost hunter and has a particular case that he needs a women to help with. At first Sarah refuses but soon is drawn in and agrees.

They are to investigate the ghost of 19-year-old Maddy Clare, a maid who hung herself in a barn in the rural English countryside. Maddy now haunts the barn and hates men causing havoc when a man is present. The mistress of the land wants Maddy to leave so it falls to Sarah to convince her.

The assignment gets a bit more complicated for Sarah when Gellis’ regular assistant, Matthew Ryder, shows up. Also a war veteran, Ryder has scars inside and out. He and Sarah clash as a volatile relationship between them begins to grow. Meanwhile, Maddy’s destruction increases and answers must be found before her vengeance does them all in.

The author pulls you in to this sleepy little village where the citizens have far too many secrets and are suspicious of newcomers. The desire to know what happened to Maddy grows as her powers defy reason. The Gothic atmosphere only adds to the tension and suspense.

Sarah first appears to be a timid girl, but you quickly see she is made of strong-will and determination. She is a likable protagonist that is realistic in her emotions.

THE HAUNTING OF MADDY CLARE is a fast-pace story that will leave you breathless at times. Even the cover evokes thoughts of ghosts and unexpected elements. The dramatic conclusion brings the story to a close, while leaving an opening for more adventures from these ghost hunters. A reader can hope.

Author Simone St. James’ website is www.simonestjames.com

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James, NAL Trade, @2012, ISBN: 978-0451235688, Paperback, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

If you’re a writer, do you include ghosts in your stories from time to time? If you’re a reader, do you enjoy ghosts in the books you read? Thanks for stopping by today. 

Sunday Salon: Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart

Sunday Salon is a time to relax, sip on your favorite beverage, and get comfortable with something good to read. Today I’m sharing a book that could be considered two reads in one as it’s a book about newspapers.

WORDS SPOKEN TRUE by Ann H. Gabhart

While I didn’t grow up in the newspaper business, I did venture into right out of high school and spent the next 35 years there. I think that’s one reason I was immediately drawn to author Ann H. Gabhart’s current release, WORDS SPOKEN TRUE. 

This is the story of Adriane Darcy who grew up in her father’s newspaper business. She had ink in her veins and wanted to write about news that mattered. It was 1855 in Louisville, KY, making it a bit ore challenging for Adriane than it is now.

A killer is lose in the city slashing up young women by the river and Adriane is determined to get the scoop sometimes without thought to her own safety.

Her father’s paper, the Tribune, is the leading paper in Louisville. However, a hotshot young editor, Blake Garrett, takes over a competing newspaper and begins a controversial new style of reporting. The battle for readership between the 2 papers intensifies. It doesn’t help matters that Adriane and Blake are drawn to each other despite being enemies.

To add to her problems, Adriane’s father has given his permission for her to marry Stan Jimson, the son of a powerful local businessman. She doesn’t love Stan, but his father holds the keys to the Tribune’s future. She feels loyalty to her father and the newspaper despite the loss of her own happiness.

Gabhart weaves an intricate tale of mystery, love, and loyalty amidst a backdrop of historical facts. She vividly portrays the emotions one feels when pursuing a story. She captures the drive that pushes reporters to find the truth. In addition, Gabhart shows the power newspapers once held while including bits of Louisville’s volatile political and civil unrest in the 1850s.

Adriane is a strong-willed, independent protagonist readers will fall in love with. WORDS SPOKEN TRUE is a refreshing, delightful and inspiring read.

Author Ann H. Gabhart’s website is www.annhgabhart.com

Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart, Revell/Baker Publishing Group, @2012, ISBN: 978-0800720452, Paperback, 352 Pages 

Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

BONUS NOTE: Author Ann H. Gabhart is sponsoring a contest in conjunction with the release of WORDS SPOKEN TRUE. Drop by her website at http://www.annhgabhart.com/Words-Spoken-True-Contest.html to find out how to enter and what the prizes are.

Don’t you just love the cover of this book? You can tell that’s an independent woman. What book are you reading today? Do you enjoy reading books that use newspapers, magazines or books in the plot? Thanks so much for stopping by today and have a wonderful Sunday.

Death Drops and Duchess In Love

Looking for a cozy murder mystery or a historical romance? Then you’ve come to the right place. Today I’m sharing a new cozy series that will be released next week and a romance that has been re-released as an audio book.

DEATH DROPS by Chrystle Fiedler

Finding a more natural way to improve one’s health is becoming more popular so it goes to reason that there should be a sleuth honed in the ways of holistic healing.

Author Chrystle Fiedler’s soon-to-be released, DEATH DROPS, is the first installment in her new Natural Remedies Mystery series. The series features Dr. Willow McQuade ND, a naturopathic doctor specializing in natural remedies, as the protagonist.

Taking a sabbatical from her practice in LA, Willow goes to visit her Aunt Claire in Greensport, Long Island. Claire is the owner of Nature’s Way Market and Café. She’s an activist and is also close to finalizing the ingredients for Fresh Face, a new natural age-defying formula.

Soon after Willow arrives, she returns from a walk to find Claire dead on the shop’s floor. A bottle of flower essences is found hear her body. At first the police rule it an accident, but Willow believes she’s been murdered. When poison is found in Claire’s system, the police agree with Willow but look at her as the prime suspect. Claire had recently changed her will leaving everything to Willow.

When there’s a break-in at the shop and Claire’s secret formula is stolen, Willow knows she’ll have to find the killer to clear her name. Throw in a number of ‘mishaps’ at the shop and an attempt on Willow’s life and the list of suspects begins to grow.

Willow enlists the help of former cop Jackson Spade to help solve her aunt’s murder. The attraction between the two grows as they search for clues.

Fiedler has created a delightful new protagonist and a supporting case of characters that are likable and zany. The story flows smoothly and is a quick read filled with sprinkles of humor. The plot and characters will draw you in and hold you captivated till the end. In addition, each chapter begins with a helpful natural remedy for a number of aliments.

DEATH DROPS is the beginning of a refreshing new series that will entertain and enlighten readers. If you read to relax, be sure to add this to your list.

Author Chrystle Fiedler’s website is http://chrystlefiedler.com/

Death Drops by Chrystle Fiedler, A Natural Remedies Mystery, Gallery Books, @2012, ISBN: 978-1451643602, Paperback, 288 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

DUCHESS IN LOVE by Eloisa James

At the tender age of 11, Gina was married to Camden Serrad at the direction of the groom’s father. As soon as the ceremony was over, Cam fled to Greece to pursue his love of sculpting. Gina was left to take on the duties of Duchess of Girton. She and her absentee husband corresponded for the next 12 years but never saw each other.

Reaching the age of 23, Gina decided she wanted a real husband and family. She thinks she’s found what she wants in Sebastian Bonnington, Marquess. She just has to get an annulment from Cam.

Cam wants Gina to be happy and has no interest in being a real husband. He agrees to return to England long enough to get an annulment. But neither realize the attraction they will feel once they met again.

This is a humorous look at a couple falling in love while ending their marriage. But it’s also a story about Gina’s friends and their mixed up marriages. It seems while her friends live apart from their husbands for different reasons, they too really want to live with their spouses.

The story is a fun tale filled with historical elements. Author Eloisa James has created a witty look at the lives of several couples and how they interact. The story flows smoothly with a number of twists and turns along the way. The ending, however, held a surprise outlook for one of the couples I wasn’t expecting.

Justine Eyre is the perfect narrator for this historical romance. She does an excellent job bringing the characters to life with her English accent. She gives each character their own unique voice with a particular delight to that of Maximillan. Eyre’s interruption of James’ vivid details transports listeners to a bygone era of Lords and Ladies.

DUCHESS IN LOVE is a delightful audio for a weekend escape.

Author Eloisa James’ website is http://www.eloisajames.com/

Duchess in Love by Eloisa James, Performed by Justine Eyre, Harper Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-0062195982, Unabridged, Digital Download, Listening Time 12 Hours, 18 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

Have you read (or listened) to either of these? Do you enjoy finding new series or a book re-released as an audio? Thanks so much for dropping by today.

 

Author Margaret Norton On Forgiveness

February is first thought of as the month of love, but

it’s also Relationship Wellness Month and my guest today has written her memoir about broken ties and restored relationships.

Join me in welcoming author Margaret Norton here today as she makes a stop on her blog tour. She has just re-released her book, WHEN TIES BREAK, as an eBook and is offering it for 99 cents in honor of her 60th birthday. She wants to share her story with women everywhere. In addition, Margaret is hosting a blog comment contest and Twitter hashtag contest (#Celebrate 60) through Feb. 29. There will be three prizes rewarded: one 30-minute life coaching session, one eBook copy of WHEN TIES BREAK, and one paperback copy of WHEN TIES BREAK. 

Here’s how the contest works: Visitors comment on each blog in Margaret’s tour then by Feb. 28 a commenter from each blog is selected and goes into a pool with any Twitter Ids who tweeted about the contest with the hashtag #Celebrate60 for an extra entry into the contest. On March 1, three winners from the blog commenters and the Twitter users will be chosen. These three winners will be contacted to choose their prizes. Margaret will blog about the winners on her blog on March 2. 

Margaret has chosen to talk about forgiveness today.

Why would my father, prior to his death, request that my ex-husband be a pallbearer at his funeral? Did he forget that this was the man who walked out on me with one of my friends, leaving me with two small children? Their affair devastated me! It took many years to pick up the pieces. My life and the lives of my children were forever changed because of this one event. 

Many years later I came to understand that my father was trying to teach me a valuable lesson – how to forgive the unforgivable. As a minister this was what he preached and lived his whole life. It seemed so easy for him but I struggled with this for a very long time. It’s Valentine’s Week. I find myself divorced and wondering if I’ll ever find true love. I’m content with where I am and I’m happy to say that because of all my life experiences I am better at forgiveness.  These are a few things that I’ve learned:

Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. When you harbor angry feelings against someone it festers inside you like poison. Many times the other person never admits any wrong doing or never asks for your forgiveness. People react differently to hurt and some wrongs are more painful than others. It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong – people are entitled to their feelings. 

Not forgiving someone prevents you from having a fulfilling relationship with them as well as preventing you from being all you can be. You might feel like you are getting them back at someone by not forgiving but you are only hurting yourself. For the Christian, forgiveness is expected. Christ said we are to love our enemies and forgive those who mistreat us. He will not forgive us if we do not forgive others and we are to forgive someone not seven but seventy-seven times.

We should always try to forgive others but forgetting is the hard part. We can forgive the people who hurt us the deepest but often events trigger our memories. That’s normal. The memory is not a reason to remind them of how bad they hurt us but rather a reminder to us to set boundaries. 

We should forgive those who mistreat us but not allow them to continue hurting us. You can learn to forgive others while keeping them at a safe distance. Forgiveness is never easy but it is a behavior we can learn and it is always worth the effort.

It has been 23 years since my father died and I have to say that his final lesson was the most difficult to understand but also my most rewarding one. Since his death I’ve had numerous opportunities to practice forgiveness – sometimes I wonder if my life keeps repeating events so that I can master the lessons it’s attempting to teach me. As I’ve aged and started to bury family and friends, I have a better appreciation for mending and maintaining relationships. This often involves much forgiveness.

WHEN TIES BREAK, my memoir, is full of forgiveness stories. Many people tell me that it reads like fiction – probably like some of the books featured on the Thoughts in Progress website. But it’s all true.  

My purpose for writing it was to show that you really can survive horrific events in your life – even thrive. Thank you for reading my blog. I hope that I’ve inspired you to practice the act of forgiveness, not just at Valentines, but every day of the year.

Margaret, thanks so much for guest blogging. Forgiveness is a difficult lesson for us, but one we do need to practice daily. And you are so right, mending and maintaining relationships does tend to weigh more heavily on us as we age.

Now for a bit of background on Margaret. She is a writer, speaker, personal life coach, and It Works! distributor. She blogs about her life at http://healthy-n-fitgranny.com. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her grand kids, reading, traveling, photography, and dancing. 

For more on Margaret and her writing, visit her at www.whentiesbreak.com, find her on Twitter and Facebook.

WHEN TIES BREAK is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Here’s a brief summary of the book: The day of my father's funeral, my brother expelled me from the family as my other family members stood by and did nothing. He was right about one thing. I had made some bad choices for which I would pay dearly. Divorce, abuse, abortion, death, bankruptcy, sibling rivalry, adultery, drug addiction, low self-esteem - some people suffer from one or several of these in their life; others deal with them daily. What makes the story in WHEN TIES BREAK different, exceptional, and inspirational is that the author has lived through each one of these challenging problems. Through God's help and her own courage and perseverance, Margaret not only thrived after loss but came out on top with a new energy, a renewed spirit, and a greater sense of worth. 

Do you forgive easily or do you find it a difficult task? Thanks so much for stopping by today.

 

Author James Hutchings Looks At Copyright Issues

 

I always enjoy introducing ‘new-to-me’ authors to

y’all so I’m delighted to add author James Hutchings to that list and welcome him here today.

As the author of the eBook, NEW DEATH AND OTHERS, James has a different take on copyright issues. 

Many writers, whether published or just starting out, are very nervous that someone else will steal their work, whether that be another writer using their ideas in their own stories, or someone making pirated copies of their books. When I put out a collection of my writing, I specifically gave permission for anyone at all to copy my ideas, or even to cut and paste whole stories. I also contacted the Pirate Party, a worldwide network that wants to lessen copyright, and told them that I was giving anyone permission to put my eBook on file-sharing sites. In this post I hope to show why I went against common wisdom.

Creative Commons 

I used a free service called Creative Commons. Creative Commons is useful for people who want to give the general public permission to use their work, but with restrictions. In my case I didn't mind people using my work for non-profit purposes, such as posting on a blog, but I didn't want to allow anyone to make money off it. Similarly I wanted anyone who used it to give me credit. I could have just listed these things myself. However I'm not a lawyer, and perhaps I would have worded it wrong so that someone could twist what I said to do more than I meant. Also I could have been unclear about what I was allowing and what I wasn't allowing. Sure, someone could email me and ask, but the whole purpose of having a written statement is so that people don't have to ask.

Creative Commons has a series of different licenses, which give permission to do different things. They're all legally 'tight', and they're all summarized in plain language. So all you have to do is go to their site and answer a series of questions, to get to the license that does what you want. In my case I used the Attribution Non-Commercial License.

Why? 

That's what I did. But why? Common sense would suggest that I'm giving something away for free that I could be selling. However I believe that, in the long run, I'll be better off. The main reason is that I've seen how many people are, like me, trying to get their writing out there. Go to Smashwords and have a look at the latest eBooks. Then refresh the page 10 minutes later, and you'll probably see a whole new lot. 

The problem that new writers face isn't that people want to steal your work; it's getting anyone to show an interest in your work at all. If someone passes on a pirated copy of my work, it might get to someone who's prepared to buy it - and that someone would probably have never heard of me otherwise. Even if they don't want to pay for what they read, I might come out with something else in the future, and perhaps paying 99 cents for it will be easier than hunting it down on a file-sharing site.

Science fiction writer Andrew Burt tells the story of someone who disliked his book, and to get back at him decided to put a copy on a file-sharing site. The effect was that he got a small 'spike' in sales immediately afterwards.

I also have some less selfish motives. Many people would assume that the purpose of copyright is to protect authors and creators. Leaving aside the fact that someone else often ends up with the rights (how many Disney shareholders created any of the Disney characters? How many shareholders in Microsoft have ever written a line of code?), that doesn't seem to have been the intention in the past. The US Constitution says that Congress has the power "to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." Note that protecting 'intellectual property' isn't mentioned. The authors of the Constitution seemed to see the point as getting ideas out there where people can use them: almost the exact opposite of keeping them 'safe' and 'protected'.

The original idea of copyright seems to have been a sort of deal: you have an idea, and we want you to get it out into the world where it will do some good. To encourage you to do that, we'll give you a monopoly on its use for a limited time. After that, anybody can use it (it will enter the 'public domain').

A lot of people don't know that copyright used to give a lot less protection than it does now, especially in the United States. In the US, it used to be that works were copyrighted for a maximum of 56 years. Today copyright in the US can last for over 100 years. In fact Congress keeps extending the time. In practice, they're acting as if they never want ideas to go into the public domain.

This is great for the owners of 'intellectual property'. But it's hard to see how this "promotes the Progress of Science and useful Arts," or how forever is a "limited time." In a sense it's a theft from the public. Anyone who publishes work has accepted the deal that the law offers, of a limited monopoly in return for making their idea known. Congress has been giving them more and more extensions on that monopoly, but doesn't require them to do anything to earn it.

It probably doesn't matter that much that Disney still owns Mickey Mouse, or that LORD OF THE RINGS is still under copyright. But remember that these laws don't just apply to the arts. Similar laws apply to science as well. So a life-saving invention could be going unused, because its owner wants too much money for it, or because it's tied up in court while two companies fight about who owns it.

Conclusion
I'm far from an expert on either the law or the publishing industry. However I hope that I've given you, especially those of you who might be thinking about publishing some writing, a different take on the whole issue of whether authors should worry about their ideas being stolen. At least I hope I've shown you that there's a different way of thinking about it, and that that way doesn't require you to just give up on making money; in fact that it might be more profitable as well as better for society.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License.

James, thanks for guest blogging today. You have definitely gave me a different prospective on copyright issues. It is sad to think there could be a life-saving invention unused due to copyright issues.

Now a little background James provided. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and fights crime as Poetic Justice, but his day job is acting. You might know him by his stage-name 'Brad Pitt.' He specializes in short fantasy fiction. His work has appeared in Daily Science Fiction, fiction365 and Enchanted Conversation among other markets. 

His eBook collection THE NEW DEATH AND OTHERS is now available from Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble. He blogs daily at Teleleli. 

What are your thoughts on copyright issues? Thanks so much for dropping by today. 

Sweet Shawlettes, Dark Rose

Here I come to you once again with books from completely different genres. Isn’t that the joy of reading though? You can be transported to so many places and learn much from the vast array of books available.

I know we all have certain genres we enjoy, but I have found interesting books when I’ve ventured into other unchartered genres. Plus, I’ve come across books I know family and friends will enjoy that I might not have known about otherwise. Even if you don’t read other genres, it’s fun to sneak a peek at what’s offered from time to time.

SWEET SHAWLETTES by Jean Moss

The cold winter months seem to be the perfect time to brush up on your knitting and crocheting. It’s a time for making great gifts for family and friends, as well as a few accessories for yourself.

Renowned knitwear designer Jean Moss has put together 25 shawlette patterns to show how to knit these delightful little frocks in her book, SWEET SHAWLETTES: 25 IRRESISTIBLE PATTERNS FOR KNITTING COWLS, CAPELETS, AND MORE.

The patterns range from necklaces to collars, cowls and capelets. The pieces are budget friendly and easy to carry with you for portable projects. There are project for all levels of knitters from beginners to experts.

Moss has compiled the patterns into four chapters each reflecting a different mood. They include: Country - nature inspired using lace, appliqué and such; Couture - style with bold color, vivid enrelac; Folk - explores knitting traditions with plaid and patchwork; and Vintage - highlights fashion through the ages from Elizabethan neck ruffs to Wuthering Heights shawls to the glam of the 50’s screen goddesses.

Each pattern features detailed illustrations, charts and schematics. There are 45 beautiful color photos showing the finished projects. In addition, instructions are included for the special stitches. A number of the patterns also show ways to re-image the project.
This delightful knitting book will a great addition to your library or a wonderful gift for a friend.

Designer Jean Moss’ website is www.jeanmoss.com

Sweet Shawlettes: 25 Irresistible Patterns for Knitting Cowls, Capelets, and More by Jean Moss, The Taunton Press, @2012, ISBN: 978-1600854002, Paperback, 144 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 

DARK ROSE by Erin Kelly

Louisa Trevelyan goes to Kelstice Lodge to restore the gardens to their Elizabethan glory, but she’s also hiding a secret.

Young Paul Seaforth has been set to Kelstice Lodge to work while awaiting a trial. He must testify against his former mentor in a murder case.

Louisa, obsessed with a former lover, finds Paul the spitting image of her lost love. She is drawn to Paul despite the fact she is 20 years older than him and Paul is drawn to her.

The couple begins a love affair, both still haunted by their past which threatens them even now. Little by little, more is learned about each one’s past adding to the tense and building to a stunning ending.

Author Erin Kelly delivers an intriguing read in DARK ROSE. It’s a thriller with a dark romance that will hold you spellbound. The story is told from alternating points of view giving the reader insights into these compelling characters.

Author Erin Kelly’s website is http://www.erinkelly.co.uk/

Dark Rose by Erin Kelly, Pamela Dorman Books, @2011, ISBN: 978-0670023288, Hardcover, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
Have you ventured outside your reading genre lately? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

The Basement, Born Wicked

Did the header catch your attention? It could be the beginning of a macabre story but it’s actually the titles of 2 audio books I have to share with you.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day today, I share 2 audios that feature different types of love. The first shows the love a serial killer has for the kill, while the second deals with young love and family love.

THE BASEMENT by Stephen Leather

A serial killer is lose in New York City kidnapping, torturing, and murdering young women.

NYPD Detectives Turner and Marcinko have a prime suspect - screenwriter wannabe Marvin Waller. Becoming more and more frustrated with his lack of success, Waller is beginning to show signs of his anger, especially toward the secretaries he encounters.

Can the detectives peel back Waller’s layers and find the truth before another woman is killed? Waller appears unphased by the cops’ attention. In fact, he seem to enjoy the banter.

Author Stephen Leather weaves his story between viewpoints of the characters. His writing flows smoothly from one character to the next causing doubt, suspicion, and speculation about the killer. The plot pulls you in. You’re sure, then you’re not, but then as you try to identify the killer.

Luke Daniels does an excellent job narrating this thriller. His tone is calm and captivating as the killer, filled with fear speaking as the victim, hard and forceful as Turner, understanding yet compelling as Marcinko, and carefree and confident as Waller. His soothing cadence adds to pull you in further and hold you spellbound till the shocking end.

THE BASEMENT is a fast-pace story that builds to a dramatic conclusion I didn’t see coming until the next victim did. It’s a captivating story.

Author Stephen Leather’s website is www.stephenleather.com

The Basement by Stephen Leather, Performed by Luke Daniels, Brilliance Audio, @2011, ISBN: 978-1455865239, Unabridged, 4 Discs, Listening Time 4 Hours, 10 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 

BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood

What would you sacrifice to save your family?

That’s the question 16-year-old Cate Cahill faces when she is left to care for her 2 sisters after her mother dies and her father stays busy with work. It’s an extremely difficult task since she and her sisters are witches and the Brotherhood is always on the alert for any signs of witchery. To make matters worse, the girls are also wanted by the Sisterhood to fulfill a prophecy.

All young Cate wants to do is be a normal girl and fall in love. Her childhood friend Paul has asked her to marry him. But, the bookseller’s son, Finn, has also caught her eye. If she doesn’t announce her intentions soon, the Brotherhood will select a husband for her and they have a couple of old widowers with children in mind.

The girls live in a New England town where women have no say in anything and the Brotherhood rules with an iron fist. Could the sisters be the chosen ones to lead the witches back to power or create a second destruction that would be the end of witches forever?

Debut author Jessica Spotswood weaves a tale of fantasy, romance, and devotion sprinkled with suspense and intrigue. The story is told from the viewpoint of a 16-year-old forced to grow up too quickly while longing to still be a teenager.

The girls’ plight is captivating. The era and circumstances are compelling. Spotswood has begun a new series for young adults that everyone will find entertaining. 

Nicole Sudhaus does a beautiful job narrating the story. Her style and mannerisms brings the teenagers to life. She gives each character their own unique voice adding depth to the story. The cadence of her voice is perfect for this tale.

BORN WICKED is a paranormal tale of witches and magic. But it’s also a story of a daughter’s keeping a promise to her dying mother, family dedication, and young love. It’s also a reminder of how fortunate females living in the US in this era are. This is a fascinating YA novel. 

Author Jessica Spotswood’s website is www.jessicaspotswood.com

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood, The Cahill Witch Chronicles: Book One, Read by Nicole Sudhaus, Penguin Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-1101539637, Unabridged Digital Download, Listening Time 8 Hours, 55 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Sending everyone virtual roses, chocolates and lots of bubbly. Thanks for dropping by.
 

Mysteries Abound

I’ve mentioned before that each month Berkley Prime Crime/Obsidian publishes an array of interesting and intriguing cozy murder mysteries.

Here are just a few of this month’s release. Drop by Berkley Prime Crime to find just about any type of cozy murder mystery you’re looking for.

TOWN IN A WILD MOOSE CHASE by B.B. Haywood

A Candy Holliday Murder Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425246177
336 pages, Paperback
$7.99 

 

Cape Willington’s annual Winter Moose Fest is in full swing when the sightings of a mysterious white moose—and rumors of a dead body found in the woods—send Candy scrambling to separate fact from fiction before she finds herself in the bullseye of a ruthless killer... 

This delightful cozy also includes delicious recipes such as ‘Sandy’s Favorite Whoopie Pies’ and the yummy ‘Melody’s Chocolate Mousse.’

This is the third installment in the Candy Holliday Murder Mystery series and is a stand alone read. The other installments include TOWN IN A BLUEBERRY JAM (February 2010) and TOWN IN A LOBSTER STEW (February 2011).

B. B. Haywood is a pseudonym of writing team Beth Feeman and Robert Feeman. They conceived the idea for the Candy Holliday mysteries while driving around the Maine countryside, stopping at different small towns throughout the state. For more information, visit http://www.hollidaysblueberryacres.com.

A FITTING END by Melissa Bourbon

A Magical Dressmaking Mystery
Obsidian
ISBN-13: 9780451236142
320 pages, Paperback
$7.99 

 

Former Manhattan fashion designer Harlow Jane Cassidy has a gift for creating beautiful dresses. But when Harlow becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation, she’ll need more than her sewing skills to unravel the mystery...

Business is booming at Harlow’s custom dressmaking boutique, Buttons & Bows, even with the presence of her great-grandmother’s ghost hanging around the shop. But thanks to the fast approaching Margaret Moffette Lea Pageant and Ball, Harlow has her work cut out for her when Mrs. Zinnia James hires her to make her granddaughter’s pageant gown. 

With the debutant ball getting the whole town of Bliss, Texas into a tizzy, Harlow knows her dress has to be perfect. But when a local golf pro is found stabbed to death with dressmaking shears, the new deputy thinks Harlow and Mrs. James conspired to commit the crime. Now Harlow has to finish the dress on time and clear her name before the next outfit she designs is a prison jumpsuit... 

This book includes a number of sewing tips, a Cassidy Family Tree, and a sneak peek at the next installment in the series, DEADLY PATTERNS, coming in October. This is the second installment in this intriguing mystery, but is a stand alone read. The first installment is PLEATING FOR MERCY (August 2011). 

Melissa Bourbon, who sometimes answers to her Latina-by-marriage name Misa Ramirez, gave up teaching middle and high school kids in Northern California to write full-time amidst horses and Longhorns in North Texas. She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with yoga and chocolate, is devoted to her family, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams. She is the author of the Lola Cruz Mystery series with St. Martin’s Minotaur, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series with NAL, and co-author (with Tonya Kappes) of The Tricked Out Toolbox. For more on Melissa and her writing, visit http://misaramirez.com/misa-ramirez-writing-as-melissa-bourbon-or-visa-versa/

CAKE ON A HOT TIN ROOF by Jacklyn Brady

A Piece of Cake Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425246221
304 pages, Paperback
$7.99 

Pastry chef Rita Lucero’s Mardi Gras party turns funereal when one of her guests is found dead after a public fight with her uncle—leaving Rita no choice but to find the real killer and clear her uncle's name... 

This fun mystery also contains yummy recipes Zydeco King Cake and Rita’s Breakfast Casserole. This is the second installment in the series, but is a stand alone read. The first installment is A SHEETCAKE NAMED DESIRE (August 2011). For more on Jacklyn and her writing, visit http://jacklynbrady.blogspot.com.

OLD HAUNTS by E.J. Copperman

A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425246207
304 pages, Paperback
$7.99 

The ghosts haunting Alison Kerby’s Jersey Shore guesthouse are sad. Maxie wants to know who murdered her ex-husband, and Paul pines for his still-living almost-fiancee. The only one who isn’t missing her ex is Alison—because The Swine just arrived on her doorstep... 

This is the third installment in the series, but is a stand alone read. The other installments include NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (June 2010) and AN UNINVITED GHOST (April 2011).

E.J. Copperman is a mysterious figure, or has a mysterious figure, or writes figuratively in mysteries. In any event, a New Jersey native, E.J. has written for such publications as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, American Baby and USA Weekend. E. J. Copperman is a pseudonym for Jeffrey Cohen. For more on E.J. and his writing, visit http://www.ejcopperman.com.

LUCIFER’S TEARS by James Thompson

An Inspector Vaara Novel
Berkley (Prime Crime)
ISBN-13: 9780425245392
352 Pages Trade Size
$15
First Time in Paperback - trade edition  

Inspector Kari Vaara has left the Arctic Circle and returned—reluctantly—to Helsinki, where headaches and sleeplessness plague him. But he must work through the pain. He has two cases on his plate: the brutal murder of a Russian businessman’s wife, and—more secretively—an investigation into an elderly Finnish national hero who may have played a darker role in World War II than the public knows. Vaara’s past has turned him into a haunted man. The questions he’s asking now may turn him into a hunted man as well... 

This is the second installment in the Inspector Vaara series. The first installment is SNOW ANGELS (February 2011).

James Thompson, eastern Kentucky—born and—raised, has lived in Finland well over a decade and currently makes his home in Helsinki with his wife. Before becoming a full-time writer, he studied Swedish and Finnish and worked as a bartender, bouncer, construction worker, photographer, rare coin dealer, and soldier. For more on James and his writing, visit http://www.jamesthompsonauthor.com.

Have you read any of these new releases or have them in your TBR stack? Have I caught your attention with a new title today? Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

RED MIST by Patricia Cornwell

Years ago when I changed from reading only true crime to include other genres such as crime fiction, Patricia Cornwell quickly became a favorite author.

Her books were filled with details of the murders, as well as the technical aspects of their resolutions. They were realistic, yet you knew good would triumph over evil in the end. They were chilling and adrenaline-packed, holding my attention from the opening paragraph till the last sentence.

As I began listening to RED MIST, her current release, it didn’t seem to fit into this category. While it was suspenseful, it was more personal-related than murder-driven.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta has traveled to Savannah to visit an inmate in the Georgia Prison for Women. The inmate is a convicted sex offender and the mother of a vicious and diabolically brilliant killer. The inmate is the one who sexually abused Scarpetta’s former deputy chief Jack Fielding when he was just a boy at summer camp. From their union a child was born. That child, Dawn Kincaid, six months earlier killed her own father (Jack) and attempted to kill Scarpetta. She is in prison, but the fallout is far from over.

From her meeting with the inmate, Scarpetta is lead to a secret meeting with Jamie Berger, a former New York prosecutor and former lover of Scarpetta’s niece, Lucy. There she also discovers her investigator, Marino, is working with Berger. Feeling betrayed, Scarpetta is pulled into helping Berger with a case involving a young woman set to be executed for killing a Savannah family nine years earlier.

Then a number of people related to the case begin to die seemingly of natural causes. This drives Scarpetta to dig deeper into the earlier deaths to find a connection. What she finds is more terrifying than she had imagined and could have an international impact.

The deeper into the story I got, the more the initial personal issues tied in with the now adrenaline-driven, heart-pounding plotline. While I didn’t enjoy the pity-party bouts Scarpetta has in the beginning of the story, it does lead to her being more driven as the plot goes on.

RED MIST may start off a bit slow for a Scarpetta book, but the pace picks up for a breathless ride at the end. The action comes fast and furious near the end as you try to put the pieces together.

Narrator Kate Burton does an excellent job bringing the characters to life. She conveys the emotions of each character giving them depth. Her cadence gives each character their own unique voice.

In the end author Patricia Cornwell with her forensic expertise did what she always does, caused me to consider the vast possibilities of terror and destruction humans are capable of. 

 
Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell, Read by Kate Burton, Penguin Audio, @2011, ISBN: 978-1611760361, Unabridged, 11 Discs, Listening Time Approximately 13 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Do you have series that you follow no matter what? Thanks so much for stopping by. Sorry that I’ve been absent from blogdom this week, hope to be back visiting with you soon.