The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.
Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!
My 56 for this week is from
A Monster Calls
by Patrick Ness
Genre: YA Fantasy
My 56 from the hard cover.
Conor glanced again at the monster’s massive arms and legs, and its raggedy, toothy smile, at its overwhelming monstrousness.
The story, said the monster, is not yet finished.
Read on if you want to know more.
My Review
This was an unexpected surprise. I was anticipating a horror story. Instead, I got a story of bravery, loss, hope, and a journey to acceptance.
Conor’s under attack. Not from the monster of his dreams. From an ancient one. It wants something from Conor and wreaks havoc, terrorizing him and threatening those around him. It wants the truth and will not stop until Conor gives it to him.
I spotted this book on a blog. I was curious when she mentioned it being something other than what it sounded like, and I wanted to see the illustrations. I was lucky when I discovered the library had a copy available and drove to get it straight away.
Not so much horror as a journey, the monster was terrifying, but the journey was more so. Especially for Conor.
He must face and accept what’s coming. So much for such a young boy. Conor rages against it. Stands up to the monster. Acts out in terrible ways. But he can’t outrun what must happen.
My 21 year old son read this book and described it as magical, majestic.
I read it in one sitting, taking in the wonderful illustrations, relishing every word, and feeling every emotion.
One for all ages. A light in the darkness.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.
But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…
This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
Braking for Bodies:
A Cycle Path Mystery Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Publisher: Berkley (April 5, 2016) Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages ISBN-13: 978-0425268957 E-Book ASIN: B011IVP3ME
.
My Review
Not having read any books in this series, I’m jumping in mid stream. That didn’t stop me from enjoying this book. Sure, it would be better to meet the characters from the beginning. I’ll fix that when I grab the first book.
Wow. This book takes off and never slows down. Evie Bloomfield rushes from one thing to the next, trying to clear her friend’s name after she’s accused of murdering Peep. He’s the scum bag who came to Mackinac Island to blackmail Fiona. No surprise he’s found dead, killed by a bottle of virgin olive oil, no less. Said bottle last seen in Fiona’s hand.
From here on, things take a turn for the hilarious. The Corpse Crusaders, a group of guests at The Grand Hotel, think this is a parlor game and they are all up in the investigation, seeking clues, tampering with crime scenes, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Evie and sexy local policeman Nate Sutter let them believe this, figuring to solve the murder with none the wiser, and they don’t want something like murder to ruin the upcoming Lilac Festival, a big draw for the island.
There’s a couple of scenes where Evie needs to get rid of the Corpse Crusader’s so she drops hints that Nate has the answers. I can just imagine his face when they start pestering him. She’s such a pistol.
I tell ya, following Evie around the island was exhausting. She’s either pedaling a bike all over the place or stealing Nate’s horse. And she’s not the best at sleuthing. From braking into and out of jail, to destruction of property and aiding and abetting a fugitive, my head was spinning. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this much mayhem. And so many laughs.
About stealing Nate’s horse. I’ve been to Mackinac Island a few times, and cars aren’t allowed there. You can walk, rent a bike, or ride a horse or in a carriage. It’s such a difference from the traffic noise. And the cafes and shops are delightful.
I kind of felt for the poor girl. Evie is so busy running the bike shop, helping to pull together Nate’s mothers wedding after everything falls apart, and saving her best friend from spending the rest of her life in jail, she doesn’t even have time to do her laundry. She’s running around the island in dirty clothes and her hair, well, you can imagine. Yet, she never flinches. Never loses her sense of humor. I’d “kill” for a friend like her.
An island community is a lot like a small town. Most people know each other, at least by sight. The islanders are taking bets on when Nate and Evie will hook up. It added one more fun plot to this book. I placed my own bet. Now to see if I’m a winner.
A laugh riot from beginning to end. This is a cozy series you won’t want to miss.
4 Stars
~~~~
Synopsis
Evie Bloomfield puts the pedal to the metal—in the latest Cycle Path mystery from the national bestselling author of Geared for the Grave.
Moving from Los Angeles to small, picturesque Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop might seem crazy, but Evie knows it’s the best decision she’s ever made. That’s not to say she’s gotten rid of all her stress; after all, the upcoming Lilac Festival has everyone in town riding in circles.
But things really go downhill when a ferry full of tourists—including Evie’s friend Fiona’s former boss, the editor of a sleazy rag in LA—arrives on the island. No one knows why Peephole Perry came all the way to Mackinac, but things aren’t looking good for Fiona when Peep is found dead. Now Evie has to gear up and get a grip on the truth if she wants to clear her friend’s name…
Author Duffy Brown
While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy Brown longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. Today she conjures up who-done-it stories for Berkley Prime Crime and has two series, the national bestselling Consignment Shop Mysteries set in Savannah and the Cycle Path Mysteries on Mackinac Island.
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Publisher: Berkley (April 5, 2016) Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages ISBN-13: 978-0425282809 E-Book ASIN: B011IUSQXI
My Review
I’ve read another book in this series and was looking forward to seeing old friends and getting to know some new characters.
The story takes place in Michigan and that’s a big plus as I grew up there. Always fun to see if you recognize any of the locations.
It was so fun getting to know Clyde. She, yes, Clyde is a woman, is quirky, tough, sometimes naive, and very impetuous. She keeps you on your toes and sometimes you’ll want to shake her. LOL
It’s almost time for the Zombie Fun Run. Clyde waited too long to start getting in shape and wishes she’d chosen to be one of the zombies instead of a runner now. Hopefully she won’t be the only one struggling when the zombies come after them.
She also has some unexpected guests to contend with too. Clyde’s sister, Grace has shown up, along with her husband. Grace hasn’t set foot in Crystal Haven in many years, shunning the town and it’s claims of paranormal talent.
Clyde’s radar is telling her something bad is coming, and sure enough, someone is found dead during the zombie race. All the way dead.
With startling secrets revealed, there ‘s a plethora of suspects to choose from. Time to put the special talents to work and find the killer before more bodies turn up.
What a fun story. I love the paranormal element. It would be fun to live in a town where everyone plies their abilities. All those shops with the unusual wares to peruse. I could pick up some special teas and get my fortune told on any given day.
I’m huge on stories driven by genuine characters, and their are plenty here. The author throws in some ringers so the mystery isn’t easily solved. There’s some romance, not too much, just enough to make you smile. And something’s always about to happen.
Welcome to Crystal Haven. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the visit as much as I did.
4 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
Psychic Clyde Fortune and her zany family are back in the fourth in the national bestselling series from the author of A Fright to the Death. Former cop and novice psychic Clyde Fortune finds herself in a race for justice when a Zombie Fun Run turns deadly…
All of Crystal Haven, Michigan, is psyching up to participate in a Zombie Fun Run organized by Clyde’s nephew Seth, but Clyde is fretful about the undead festivities. For one thing, her sister, Grace, has unexpectedly returned to town after fifteen years. For another, Clyde has the nagging feeling that something is about to go wrong…
When one of the zombie runners is found murdered and then Grace disappears, Clyde realizes her grim premonition is dead-on. Now, she and her police detective boyfriend Mac must find a ghoulish murderer before someone points the finger at Grace. And when a tangled web of family secrets and old grudges combines with a mysterious case of stolen diamonds, even someone as quick-witted as Clyde might not be able to outrun a killer…
~~~~~
Author Dawn Eastman
Dawn Eastman lived in Michigan for many years, in a house full of animals, unusual people, and laughter. She now lives in Iowa with her family and one extremely bossy small dog. She is the national bestselling author ofThe Family Fortune Mystery Series, which features psychics, animal communication, quirky characters and murders.
I love books that have animals as characters in them. And after reading the description, I had to share this one.
And just look at that fun cover. Cracks me up!
Check it out.
Read the excerpt.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Synopsis
After two divorces, Sandi Walker, entrepreneur extraordinaire, is on her own and loving it. As a devout animal lover, she has made a success of the only gourmet pet food bakery in Midland, Texas. She’s also a pet foster parent and has fifteen assorted abused and unwanted animals at home. When a golden-colored stray dog with an abundance of personality appears at her door, she can’t refuse him and she can’t keep from falling in love with him. She names him Waffle and gives him a permanent home.
General Manager of the Flying C Ranch, Nick Conway, has searched for months for his lost dog, Buster. Giving up on ever finding him, he looks for a new dog and finds a puppy at a pet grooming shop. While he went to the shop to see a puppy, he also encountered a beautiful redheaded woman he can’t put out of his mind. Little does he know that she found Buster in an alley and has now claimed him as her own. Sparks fly between Sandi and Nick when he steals Buster and sues her in court for custody. It will take a mouthy parrot, a sitting judge, the matchmaking skills of the Domestic Equalizers and Cupid himself to resolve this conflict.
~~~~~
Excerpt
Close to sputtering, all Sandi could manage was, “I love Waffle and he loves me.”
“Look, I apologize for coming across wrong. I got overexcited when I realized I’d found my dog.” His deep voice almost became a purr. Sexy and seductive. “I know that women who are alone tend to get involved with their pets, especially if they don’t have much social life or kids to take care of and—
“What? You know nothing about me. About my life.”
“Now don’t get upset. I asked the woman who gave me this puppy about you. She told me you’re divorced and don’t have any kids, so you give all your love to animals.”
Such a rage raced up Sandi’s spine her head might explode and her eyes might burst from their sockets. She squelched the powerful urge to grab her head with both hands in case that very thing happened. She would kill that Prissy dead, dead, dead the very next time she saw her. “Prissy Porter discussed me and my personal life with you?” Her voice had become as shrill as a harpy’s. “Why, in all my life, I’ve never—”
“Now, calm down.” Nick patted the air with his palm. “I didn’t mean to upset you. What I mean is, you said you were in love with a parrot, too. What that says to me is you throw that “love” word around pretty freely. Maybe you need a boyfriend or something.”
That was the last straw. “What?” She sank to the floor on her knees beside Waffle and wrapped protective arms around his neck. Summoning her dignity, she set her jaw and lifted her nose. “I’d like for you to leave my store, Mr. Conway.”
“But—”
“I’d hate to call the police, but I will.” She leveled a searing stare at him that said she meant business. But it was hard to be tough when she was sitting on the floor and he stood six feet tall above her. Their stares locked.
“Okay, I’ll leave,” he snapped. “But I’ll be back. Buster is my dog and you can’t refuse to give him to me.” He reached down and stroked Waffle’s head, putting only inches between her face and his. “Don’t worry, Buster,” he said to Waffle. “I’ll be back to rescue you.”
He straightened and stepped back. Waffle sprang forward. Even with all her strength, Sandi barely held him in check. She scrambled to her feet, still hanging onto his collar. “We’ll see about that. Have you ever heard possession is nine-tenths of the law?”
He glared at her. “Oh, yeah? Have you ever heard a picture’s worth a thousand words?”
~~~~~
About the authors
Dixie Cash is Pamela Cumbie and her sister Jeffery McClanahan. They grew up in West Texas during the great oil boom, an era filled with “real-life fictional” characters who cry to be written about. Pam has always had a zany sense of humor and Jeffery has always had a dry wit. Surrounded by cowboys and steeped in country-western music, when they can stop laughing long enough they work together creating hilarity on paper. Both live in Texas–Pam in the Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex and Jeffery in a small town near Fort Worth. Jeffery also writes steamy contemporary romance novels under the pen name of Anna Jeffrey.
Not one for a lot of non-fiction reading, I can honestly say, you don’t know what your missing with this book. Can’t wait to tell you about it.
Enjoy my review.
And there’s a giveaway for a chance to win your own copy. So don’t forget to enter!
Dream
Clarify And Create What You Want
by Marcia Wieder
Adult nonfiction / Selfhelp / Personal Development / Dreams
My Review
My mother always tells me not to be afraid to dream, and not to be afraid to go after that dream.
You need to reach for that dream. Nobody said it would be easy. It takes work, perseverance.
My biggest problem has always been where to begin.
I’ve listened to many motivational tapes, been to some conventions, and never got much from them. Right from the introduction, I knew I’d found something different. As I continued reading, I had a lot of “I see” moments, and “Now I get it” thoughts. That’s why I’m so excited to share Dream with you.
Marcia has over forty years of experience on her subject and her book has everything in it to find your dream and obtain it in easy to follow suggestions.
My biggest problem was how to figure out what my dream was. Next, was how to get started. Then, how to go about obtaining it.
The author has a simple formula:
Clarify your dreams.
Believe in your dreams.
Act on your dreams.
I know. You’re thinking, simple? Maybe not so simple. But not as hard as you think. This book is a wonderful guide to help you get what you want.
I’m a big list freak. I make lists for everything. Have stock in Post-It’s. And those sticky little reminders are all over the place. I didn’t just read this book. I devoured it. Read it several times. It came to me all shiny and pretty. Now it’s worn. I’ve used it like a study book and it has different colored post-it strips all over in it.
At this point in my life, I’ve been at a stand still. Not sure which way to go, but knowing something needed to change. Now, I feel I have some tools to find my path and get started. The future looks brighter than ever, and I intend to grab it and live it.
Never dull, and often exciting, Dream will get your motor running.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
Book Description for DREAM: Clarify and Create What You Want:
Do you dare to dream? If so, you are a results-oriented person. Dream is designed to help you both transform your own life and contribute to making the world a better place. Dreaming is something you do—or should do.
You were created to create, and your ability to dream is paramount and fundamental when it comes to living a dream-come-true life. Dream will help you design a life that is the highest expression of your purpose by creating dreams in every area that matters to you, both personally and professionally.
This book will help you take real steps toward creating and achieving the dreams that matter to you most. It will help you to uncover, or recover, your purpose so that you can live with purpose—and there’s nothing that will bring you greater fulfillment.
Reading this book will help you to fully understand:
• Who you really are
• How you want your life to be
• How to develop dreams that inspire you
• How to look at your life with a fresh perspective
• How to remove fear, doubt, or other obstacles
• How to implement shortcuts and the techniques you will learn
Dream will teach you exactly how to do these and so much more.
Dream University’s CEO, Marcia Wieder is a long established thought leader on visionary thinking. As Founder of The Meaning Institute, she teaches people to create and live fulfilling lives. She’s been a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, writes for Huffington Post and is the author of 14 books. She appeared often on Oprah and was featured in her own PBS-TV show called Making Your Dreams Come True.
She has taught at Stanford’s Business School and as president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, she assisted 3 U.S. presidents. She is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council and on the advisory board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
I’m sure many of you will recognize author Michael Hebler from my review posts of his Chupacabra series.
This year he’s written a new novella in a whole other genre and I’m thrilled to share lots of news about it.
Check out The Ghost Of Christmas Past.
Enjoy all of the exciting news about Michael’s new release.
Watch his Q&A.
And learn how you can get an early copy.
Release date currently scheduled for September 27th, 2016.
And read to the end for some more exciting news!
~~~
The Ghost Of Christmas Past
A Novella
by Michael Hebler
My Review
The title probably has you thinking this a retelling. Wait, though. It may start that way, but very quickly the author steers you in another direction. The focus shifts from the person being visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past to the ghost itself.
In order to save lost souls, the ghost needs its light to guide them. When the light is lost, the ghost must now go on a journey of its own. Go into the past and discover who it once was and regain its light to save Christmas.
In many places written in prose similar to Charles Dickens, it reads like a classic. As the characters are introduced, past and present, their lives deepen the story, and it tempted to skip ahead to see their stories conclusions. I resisted though.
For me to enjoy a story, I require strong, genuine characters who’s welfare means something to me. They need to have flaws, and I don’t have to like all of them or approve of what they do. But, they need to be believable and the author needs to keep them true to their personalities.
Michael’s characters could walk off the pages. I tried to picture them in my head from his descriptions and they came to life. Once that happened, I couldn’t put the book down.
I’ve read Michael’s Chupacabra thrillers and very much enjoyed them so I was curious about reading a story in a different genre.
Strong writing and atmospheric detail made this a fulfilling read and I enjoyed the direction the author chose with his tale.
The Ghost Of Christmas Past gets my highest recommendation for all readers.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
Based on Charles Dickens’ character of the same name, the first of three spirits from A Christmas Carol is the center of its own story when taken on a spiritual journey to find meaning for its existence.
The Ghost of Christmas Past has had its fire extinguished. Lost souls cannot find their way to righteousness without the Spirit’s luminescence to guide them through their shadowed memories. To rekindle its flame, the Ghost of Christmas Past must journey back to a life long forgotten. Guided by the Christmas Angel, the Spirit braves witness to how it lived as a boy in life, and learns what will become of Christmas should it fail.
~~~~~
Intended Audience
The Ghost of Christmas Past is unique. The novella has appeal to readers of all ages, nationalities, and gender. Thanks to Mr. Charles Dickens, the main character name, Ghost of Christmas Past, is already as recognizable as Mickey Mouse, and the general population has shown remarkable interest in learning the backstories of supporting characters from popular works of fiction. The most notable example would be the novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire, the backstory of the witches from Oz. The Ghost of Christmas Past will appeal to fans of drama, mystery, fantasy, Literary Fiction, the supernatural, and Christianity.
Like A Christmas Carol, The Ghost of Christmas Past is not heavily religious but a story based around a Christian holiday. In 2014, more than 52 million religious books sold in the U.S., representing an increase of over 10.5% from the previous year. (Nielsen.com: Focusing On Our Strengths: Insights into the Christian Book Market)
~~~~~
Check out this exciting news from Michael.
Never heard of Publishizer? Well, until a month ago, neither had I.
It was then that I was personally contacted by the company’s team mentor. He had seen that my novel, Night of the Chupacabra, had won an award and asked if I would be releasing another book any time soon.
“As a matter of fact, Yes,” I replied.
The mentor, Lee, then explained what Publishizer was about, how long the site had been live, and how it differed from other crowdfunding sites. Now before I continue, please note that I have no financial obligation or monetary interest in Publishizer beyond what I hope to achieve with my proposal for The Ghost of Christmas Past.
Essentially, Publishizer is a lot like Kickstarter or Go Fund Me, but for books only. They do not have to be newly released titles, but unpublished books are preferred. Publishizer went live about one year ago, and categorizes its proposals from non-fiction to a select number of genres. The simple formula Publishizer uses should be very familiar to anyone who has visited a top crowdfunding site: you donate money to help propel a project to success, and for your donation, you receive exclusive rewards that vary by the amount you donate (and trust me, I have some offerings that are very exclusive).
Upon learning of Publishizer, there were two distinctions about the service that had me sold. As any of my fellow authors can attest, when a book is pre-ordered, the feeling is akin to winning the lottery. Not only is someone interested in your story enough to purchase an advance copy, but they trust you as an author, which is priceless. Any donation made on Publishizer typically includes the reward of a pre-order (however, this is up to the author, though a popular choice). The second big perk Publishizer offers it’s authors comes at the end of your campaign if you achieve your set pre-order goal. Publishizer will blast your achievement to multiple publishers, demonstrating the amount of interest your title has accumulated. And if you reach at least 500 pre-orders, you’ll be blasted to the Big 5. I took it upon myself to investigate this aspect before joining and was surprised by how many titles were in a bidding war between at least two publishers.
For those solely interested in staying independent from publishing companies, you may not think the blast to publishing houses isn’t important. But how awesome would it be to have that kind of attention for your work? That’s about where I stand. I will never say “never” to a contract, but my previous works have done impressively well (thanks to honest reviewers and book bloggers like our dear friend, Laura) and I wouldn’t mind continuing on as an indie author/publisher.
So, please, if I stirred your curiosity about Publishizer, put your mind at rest by visiting their site. And while you’re there, please help participate in making history by supporting The Ghost of Christmas Past between March 29 and April 30, 2016. At the very least, you’ll receive a copy at the retailer rate of $5 for eBook and have it one month early.
For anyone who subscribes to my newsletter at http://www.michaelhebler.com/ , they will receive a free PDF copy of Night of the Chupacabra (Book I).
Simply visit the page. In about 10 seconds, a pop up to subscribe appears. Then subscribe with your email, which will then take you to the download page. Simple as that.
~~~~~
And some more news!
Michael has a new story releasing soon!
Let me show you!
What Adam Wants
Synopsis
Losing a child at birth is difficult, but not as difficult as when that child refuses to leave.
Days after losing her child while giving birth, Rachel, and her estranged husband, David, are haunted by the incessant cries of a baby. It is their baby, Adam, and he wants something from Rachel… something deadly.
Amazon
~~~~~
Author Michael Hebler
Prior to becoming an award-winning author of his dark fiction Chupacabra Series, Michael was a full-time international film publicist who had worked on multiple titles for Walt Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Warner Bros., Summit Entertainment, and the 2013 Academy Award-winning Best Foreign Language Film, “La grande bellezza” (The Great Beauty).
Born in the early 1970’s in Los Angeles County to a salesman and homemaker, Michael dreamed of following his passions for entertainment and storytelling by acting. It was while studying theatre arts at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, did he realize his penchant for stories were better suited on the page rather than the stage. But creating tales with suspense, laughter, and heart is not Michael’s only love. Hebler also enjoys volunteering in his local community, as well as aid in the capture/spay/neuter/release feral program.
To date, Michael’s publications include NIGHT OF THE CHUPACABRA, CURSE OF THE CHUPACABRA, and LEGEND OF THE CHUPACABRA (Books I, II, & III of the six-part Chupacabra Series) as well as his first publication, THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS, a holiday picture book for believers of any age. Michael’s fourth book in the Chupacabra Series, DAWN OF THE CHUPACABRA will be available in print and for ebook on October 13, 2015.
Welcome to my Saturday Screams where I share reviews of all things scary.
For today I have another Ellie Jordan: Ghost Trapper book to share with you. I adore this series. So fun and so scary.
But before I get to that, I have something exciting to share with you! The first book in this series is free right now on Amazon. Click on the cover below to grab your copy and get started on this series now!
And now, without further adieu….
Terminal
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #4
by J.L. Bryan
My Review
All aboard! This series takes a trip to the past. To the wild west, train robberies, and murder. What begins as a banshee threatening a family quickly becomes a show down between Ellie and her team and gun slinging ghosts.
It’s bad enough to trap ghosts in one location. Imagine a whole ghost town, and a haunted train.
I’m still loving this series and it’s characters.
The hauntings get stranger and scarier.
The romance is there. Not too much in this book as there are too many things going on for any of them to be indulging much in affairs of the heart.
And a big change might be coming soon. Ellie’s boss, the owner of the ghost trapping agency, has been acting morose, withdrawn. He’s mentioned maybe selling the agency and retiring. What will Ellie do then? She can’t see herself working for some phony ghost busting show, or bilking customers for large amounts of money. Can she keep doing this without him? Is she ready?
This installment in the series is more complex, tighter. There’s a lot of history leeching into it. There’s always some of that as the things being investigated are dead. You have to go back to the beginning of their stories to solve the current hauntings. But this was double fun. I love the old west and couldn’t be happier with how this investigation went down.
Another excellent book in the series. Still loving it.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
Ellie Jordan and her apprentice Stacey investigate a house in an elaborate planned community that was only half-built before it went bankrupt, leaving an instant ghost town with only a few residents. The entity haunting this house is a banshee that feeds on sadness and misery.
Unfortunately for Ellie, this is no simple haunting, but just one symptom of the cursed land on which the suburban community was built. The old railroad line running through the nearby woods might just be a conduit for lost souls, including dark spirits with ill intentions toward the living. Ellie soon finds herself facing one of the most complex and difficult hauntings she’s seen in her career.
And nest week I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the fifth book in this series
House Of Whispers
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #5
By J.L. Bryan
Synopsis
The luxurious Lathrop Grand Hotel is a Savannah institution that has entertained guests for more than a century and a half, offering some of the finest accommodations in the city. Famously haunted, the hotel draws tourists from around the world eager to encounter its numerous ghosts. The hotel is also known for being honeycombed with hidden doors and secret passages, enabling staff to appear and disappear quickly as they attend to the hotel’s guests.
Now some of the spirits in the Lathrop Grand have turned violent, even murderous. Ellie and Stacey must determine which ghost has become dangerous and remove it from the hotel before it can claim any more lives. They soon learn the hotel has secrets even darker than the notorious string of nineteenth-century murders that made it famous, and the powerful entities inhabiting it don’t intend to leave without a fight.
I have a lovely little story to share with you today.
Please enjoy the authors guest post.
Check out my review.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
~~~~
Author Christopher P. Stanley is here to tell us about the inspiration behind his book and about the images.
Hello!
The inspiration behind my book was a walk that I took with my infant son a few months ago. It was in mid-summer, and there were many things on my mind. From issues at work, to dealing with simply trying to keep my house clean when four children live there, I felt very distracted and was definitely not being mindful of my many blessings. I decided that I wanted to walk down to the park a mile away from where I live, and I took Sam along so that he could have a change of scenery. As we started walking, I was not really paying attention to my surroundings as I was getting stuck in my thoughts. When we were down the street a bit, I looked down at Sam to see how he was doing – and that’s when everything changed. You should have seen his face. Here was this baby boy, all of 9 months old, teaching me about wonder, joy, and mindfulness. The way he was looking up at the trees, I could see how amazed he was. And he was right! I stopped to look as well, and it was really quite extraordinary. We are fortunate enough to have many mature trees in our neighborhood, and I was overcome with their beauty and just their…dignity. As we continued along, I joined Sam in being mindful of my surroundings, and many of those questions and scenarios from the book happened on this walk. It’s truly amazing what we can experience just by paying attention.
.
Furthering my inspiration, I have always loved picture books and realized just how much they have to offer the reader. I remember getting The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base when I was about 10 years old, and I was just obsessed! As picture books were such big parts of my life, I always wanted to make my own. I made simple ones as a child, but I really started wanting to make a picture book when I was 26 years old. I had a good idea, and even wrote an outline, but never did anything with it. It really wasn’t until that walk with Sam that “The Muse” spoke to me, as it were, and I decided to actually follow through with my life-long dream of writing children’s books. So it took almost ten years, but I’m happy to report I’m following through. I’ll have another release in a couple of months, and I’ve finally started to work on my original idea from almost a decade ago. What a walk that was, huh?
The images were a lot of fun to create. My artistic medium has always been photography/digital art. For this story, I decided to capture some of the actual trees that Sam and I encountered on our walk. So over the course of a couple of months, I took pictures. Some I had Sam pose in, others I did not. The image from the cover is actually a Beech tree in my front yard! One of my favorite pages, the page with the autumn leaves, is on a street by my eldest daughter’s middle school. I turned down the street and knew right away I needed this picture for the book. So after I took the photos, I started manipulating them on my computer. Some photos took little time and effort, while others I spent a lot of time getting what I wanted. Some pictures worked beautifully while others I had to do a lot of manipulating and creating. It was definitely hard work! Overall, it took about 4 months to get them all done.
I’ve always loved trees. Loved to lie on the ground and peer up through the branches. Hear the leaves rustle in the wind. And even loved rolling in them when the trees shed their leaves for the winter.
Do you remember doing that? Do you remember being buried in a pile of leaves, breathing their earthy scent? I do to this day.
This book is like taking a walk into the past. To those younger years when everything seemed so large and miraculous.
The delightfully colorful illustrations in the story burst from the pages. It makes me want to get out some watercolors and do some painting.
One of the first things I painted with water colors was a tree. Loved drawing the sturdy trunk, adding the branches, and the smaller limbs. Then came the leaves. All shapes and sizes.
Come take a walk with Christopher and Samuel. Next time you’re outside, stop and look at the trees. See their strength and beauty.
While this picture book is intended for early readers, I’d recommend it to all ages. The beautiful illustrations and story fill you with a sense of wonder.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
This story draws inspiration from the author taking his son, Samuel, on a walk to the park. He noticed how amazed Samuel was at everything there was to see – especially the trees that towered above him. With artwork depicting these trees that forged such awe in young Samuel’s eyes, “The Tree Watcher” takes the reader along on this wonder-inducing walk.
Christopher P. Stanley grew up in Grove City, OH and had a childhood that centered around imagination, play, and exploring the outdoors (mixed in with a healthy amount of Nintendo). A large part of his, perhaps over-active, imagination is owed to books – “Where the Wild Things Are”, “Vinegar Pancakes and Vanishing Cream”, and “every single Dr. Seuss book” made up just a small sampling of the children’s books that filled him with wonder – and continue to do so to this very day!
Christopher graduated from Ohio Dominican University with a degree in Education, and has been an educator for the past 10 years in both the K-12 and Higher Education settings. He currently lives in Upper Arlington, OH with his wife, Morgan, and their four children – Rylee, Olivia, Lylah, and Samuel – who remind him every day of the magic that is childhood.
Christopher is an author and co-founder of Jump Splash Books, and he aims to highlight imagination and celebrate the joy of childhood through his stories. He co-founded Jump Splash with his childhood friend and artist Alex LeVasseur, and the name of the company encapsulates their vision – through imagination and wonder, we can find joy; even in something as simple as jumping in a puddle.
I’m such a huge fan of these authors. How could I pass up a chance to read their new mystery. It’s different from their cozies and takes place in the late 1800s.
The first thing I was going to talk about was the beginning. That first chapter had a doozy of an ending. I was all ready to tease you about Jacks, but then I read the blurb and that burst my balloon. You see, when you first meet Pinkerton’s finest agent, you have no idea Jacks is a woman, Julia Jackson. I really had no idea until a conversation revealed it. From there on, I was riveted.
Julia’s transformation begins the day of her wedding. Her husband to be is gunned down and dies in her arms. From that day forward, she’s consumed with vengeance. She’ll do whatever it takes to track down Jonathon’s killer and exact retribution. Hopefully by her own hand. So begins Julia becoming Jacks.
She goes to Pinkerton for help, but ends up with a job. He strikes a deal with her. Work for him and he’ll help her. Now she has a name to put to the face of the killer, Zeke Castle.
Sounds thrilling, doesn’t it? Boy, that first case was wild. Jacks is saddled with a green agent, Davey Hume. He’s only been an agent for a month and is overly excited to be working with the legendary Jacks. Things go boom, a gang is taken down, and Jacks’ infamy grows.
Now she has a new case, Track down the Cherokee Indian named Coyote. He kidnapped the wife and son of a railroad man associated with Pinkerton, sending grisly proof. Jacks usually works alone, but this time she’ll have company. The husband of the victims, David Boyd, the newbie Davey Hume, and their guide, Running Wolf, who will come in handy when they have to enter Cherokee territory in pursuit of Coyote.
Jacks senses something hinky about the case right away. But with Coyote’s ties to Zeke Castle, her fiance’s killer, she heads off in pursuit.
About a a quarter of the way into the book, I started to pick up on a bit of a supernatural or paranormal theme. What’s with the raven that keeps following Jacks? And those yellow eyes peering in at her from the darkness outside? Or that voice that whispers in her ear when no one can be seen? Getting creepy.
The only hitch with this book is the cover. It works as their is some mysticism in it. But I think having Jacks on the cover, maybe standing in the roadway of a western town, back to us, arm ready to draw her gun, would be amazing. She’s become a favorite character of mine and I’d like to see her in action. Just sayin.
It’s only fair I should warn you. There’s a cliff hanger ending. A big one. I have a love/hate relationship with it. Hated that the story ended where it did. Loved that there would be more. Gonna miss the whiskey drinkin, cigar smokin, gunslinging, Jacks. Curious whether Davey Hume will continue to work with her. And I’m hoping their might be something going on between her and Running Wolf.
I’ll be ready for the next story. The authors have built a strong character base and I’m excited to see where they go.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
Three years ago, Julia Jackson was a well to do young woman from Boston whose fiancé, Jonathon, was killed right before her eyes. Obsessed with finding the killer, a man whose face she saw only in a flash as he walked up and shot Jonathon, she leaves her family and her life behind. She starts a new life as ‘Jacks’ Jackson—a cigar smoking, dead eye, female Pinkerton agent…pretending to be a man.
Now Allan Pinkerton needs Jacks to find the man who kidnapped the wife and son of a railroad official, David Boyd. Their only clues are the severed finger from the man’s wife, complete with wedding ring, and a map of the Qualla boundary, the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina.
Jacks doesn’t like the way the whole thing sounds from the beginning. David Boyd isn’t important enough to target for a kidnapping. And why travel so far with two hostages?
But Pinkerton tells her that he believes the man responsible for the kidnapping worked with Jonathon’s murderer in a train robbery five years ago. Jacks agrees to go after the kidnapper with hopes of catching him before he can reach his home grounds.
Pinkerton insists that Jacks bring three men with her—Boyd, her new partner, and a Cherokee guide named Running Wolf, who’s always watching her, like he’s trying to figure it out.
Can Jacks catch the kidnapper with her secret—and her life—intact?
Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon, and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family.
I’ve read most of Bette Lee Crosby’s books and adored them. She has this southern flavor in her writing that appeals to my soul.
Memory House is the first book in the collection and enchants you right from the get go.
Ophelia is nearing 90 years old, and while she’s slowing down, she still has a lot of living to do. Searching from someone to pass her guardianship of treasures to, she waits for that someone to appear.
Ophelia can capture memories from objects. She feels their emotions, and sometimes visualizes them. She keeps the objects she comes across in her loft, keeping them alive to become others memories too. Perhaps that’s why so many of us are drawn to antiques and old things. We’re curious about them, wonder about the owners.
In walks Annie, looking for some time away after a bad break up with her boyfriend. She stumbles upon Memory House Bed & Breakfast, where a kind elderly woman welcomes her in. They quickly form a kinship and Ophelia feels that special someone has finally arrived. Now to see if she’s right.
I especially enjoyed it when Ophelia introduced her treasures to Annie. I recognized character’s the objects belonged to from some of her other books. It took me back to those beloved places and characters. A treat and such a clever idea.
Memory House a lovely read. Bette never fails to deliver engaging, step from the pages character’s that quickly become special friends to you. Her story is woven with magic. It entices, evokes your emotions, and you finish with a need for more.
I’m now reading the second book, The Loft, and it take places not too long after this book ends. Right back into this world and eagerly turning the pages.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A MEMORY TO OUTLIVE ITS OWNER?
Ophelia Browne knows the answer is yes. She knows because she’s been granted the unique gift of finding and caring for those forgotten memories. But now she’s nearing ninety, and Browne women seldom live beyond ninety.
Before time runs out Ophelia must find a successor. Someone who can take hold of the gifts and keep the memories from fading.
When broken-hearted Annie Cross shows up on the doorstep of The Memory House Bed and Breakfast, Ophelia knows she is the one. The two women forge a bond of friendship as they sip magical dandelion tea and share stories. When Annie starts to sense the memories Ophelia is delighted, but then a thread of violence begins to unravel and Ophelia fears things have gone too far.
set in Savannah and the 
on Mackinac Island.
, which features psychics, animal communication, quirky characters and murders.
