Reading and Reviews (Heistand and Gallant)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'll share my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook at night for the last hour of my day. 

I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. Besides Romantic Suspense and mystery, I read crime and law novels, once in a while a true story, WWII historicals, romance, and mainstream character driven books.

Here are some of the books I've read recently or in the not-too-distant past. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author.

Crumbs of Defeat (A Cookies and Kilts Mystery Book 4) by Jo A. Heistand 

April first. The annual bake-off contest in Beaudin Trace, Missouri. Oven temperatures and entrants' tempers are hot enough to bake most anything. And everyone there thinks if one particular participant would leave, things would cool off.

Evidently, someone's wish is overheard, for the contentious contestant is found post-contest, sprinkled with cupcakes and ready for her postmortem.

The death yields a mix of suspects, all capable of cooking up the murder. The problem is, who was stirred up enough to do it?

To prove herself innocent of killing Tiffany, bakery shop owner Kate Dunbar investigates. But she quickly wonders if the bake-off was the conclusion in a series of risky events, and if her own elimination is just around the corner.

 MY REVIEW: 

This is a cozy with a cast of characters who make it fun for Kate to investigate the murder of Tiffany, an obnoxious wannabe chef. Reg was my personal favorite. The setting is fun too. The Mississippi River, a dog bakery, and a culinary school all play roles. Unfortunately, Kate is among the list of possible murderers for the police. Her amateur sleuthing is a quest to prove her innocence. 

This was my first read of this series, although it is the fourth book. I feel if I’d read the prior books, a couple of the characters would be more complete. Kate’s relationship to the sheriff was vague. But the read was entertaining. Lovers of cozy mysteries will enjoy the story. 

 

Final Witness (Truth and Lies Book 2) by Jannine Gallant 

The face of a killer could be the final picture he takes…

As a photojournalist, Nash Quintrell travels the world, capturing striking images of ordinary people in extraordinary situations. He certainly never expected to snap a photo of the assassin who shot the nation’s first woman president on her Inauguration Day. Discovering his pictures hold important clues to identifying the men behind the attacks on several high-profile figures is a shock. But they also provide the key to rekindling a relationship with the woman he once loved and pushed away.

When FBI Special Agent Tempest English sees Nash in the inauguration crowd, camera in hand, she has no choice but to approach him. Her mission is to catch a killer, and she’ll take whatever help she can get, even if the last thing she wants is to work with the man who dumped her years before. Nash may have broken her heart, but fate throws them together again, and his photos are the best lead she has.

In an effort to unmask the powerful players behind the conspiracy, Nash and Tempest must track a ruthless band of homegrown terrorists. Infiltrating their circle risks not only their lives, but a future together neither imagined was possible. 

MY REVIEW:

I’m like a broken record when it comes to Jannine Gallant’s books. Just plug in a different title and the praises are the same. Isn’t this a timely read too, with political intrigue and a female president? There’s a story of intrigue and conspiracy with homegrown terrorists. And then there is the romance. Photojournalist Nash and FBI Agent Tempest make a fiery couple solving the crime and revisiting their love story. Romantic Suspense readers are sure to flip the pages of this satisfying book with a smile on their faces.

Stitching a Dream by Ellen Parker

TODAY'S GUEST: ELLEN PARKER

I'm so happy to welcome Ellen Parker back to Discover... Enjoy!

A Visit to the Bakery

In May of 1851, ten days after I arrived in the village of Elm Ridge, Illinois, I gathered my courage and set out for the Deutsch bakery on Walnut Street. I found the business easy enough, the location on a corner and the painted sign with a loaf of bread guided me to the front door.

My son, Joseph, limped beside me, his hand wrapped around three of my fingers. Sunlight highlighted his straight, copper-red hair—the only outward gift from his father. “Who are we going to see?”

Good question. The previous time I’d seen the man I hoped to find was in the autumn of 1845—mere hours before my brother forced the Deutsch baker to leave St. Louis. I glanced into my son’s wide, brown eyes. “A friend from a long time ago—before you were born.”

A moment later, I opened the shop door. Mouth-watering scents of sugar, nutmeg, and cherry enveloped the both of us. I was tempted to remain still, quiet, and savor the air. But my sense of purpose returned and after a quick assessment of the tall, middle-aged woman behind the counter holding an embroidery hoop and a blonde girl-flirting-with-womanhood in an apron, I found my voice. “Good afternoon.”

Both women turned friendly, curious gazes on me as I closed the shop door. “Is this the bakery of Mr. Bernard Keil?”

“Ja. Herr Keil is not here.” The older women set her embroidery aside. “I am Frau. Have you come to buy a treat for your son?”

 “My business is with your husband. Will he return soon?” A wife. I should not be surprised. I lifted my gaze toward the top of the wall and searched for enough Deutsch words to remain polite.

The older woman gripped the rim of the sales counter and leaned forward. “Who are you?”

“Yes, I suppose you have a right to know.” I released Joseph’s hand and smoothed my best dress’ green skirts. I can say this—I have whispered the words every night for weeks before I fall asleep. “Tell Bernard…tell Herr Keil…Polly Black from St. Louis recently arrived in Elm Ridge and works at Mrs. Clark’s dress shop.”

The baker’s wife paled to match fine muslin.

For one instant, I feared the woman would faint. However, the blonde woman grasped her elbow and steadied her.

“Frau Keil, are you ill?” Stepping forward, I glimpsed my son approaching the glass case of cookies and turnovers.

The baker’s wife shook her head, looked toward the floor, and gathered a deep breath.

“It is the surprise of the thing.” The older woman found her voice. “Herr Keil has spoken of you. I will tell my husband where you may be found.” She glanced toward the boy. “What is the name of your son?”

I reached out and touched Frau Keil’s hand. “Joseph—my son’s name is Joseph. I do not mean to cause you trouble.”

“Not trouble.”

What does she see as she inspects me? I checked my gown and bonnet before I left the dress shop. She will not find stains or tears. Does she see the foolish girt? Or the practical woman I pray I have become? One of my mother’s favorite sayings crept into my brain and lingered.

Reputation is a woman’s fragile cloak—she best keep it mended.

****

Blurb:

Prepare for consequences when you love your neighbor. 

In 1851, Polly Black arrives in Elm Ridge, Illinois with little more than her sewing skills, her young son, and the persona of a widow. To preserve her reputation, she needs to tread lightly when a recent widower, a powerful man who knows she never married, courts her. A new shop opens across the way, and the owner’s friendly face is a welcome sight for both Polly and her son. 

Born and raised in a Pennsylvania Deutsch community, Kurt Tafel moves to Illinois for adventure and an opportunity to run his own cobbler shop. He’s not an immigrant, but is he American enough to act on his feelings for the intelligent and pretty seamstress? 

Bio for Ellen Parker:

Raised in a household filled with books, it was natural that Ellen Parker grew into an avid reader. Writing is her second career and she enjoys spinning of story which appeals to multiple generations. She encourages her readers to share her work with mother or daughter – or both.

Ellen currently lives in St. Louis. When not guiding characters to “happily ever after” she’s apt to be reading, walking, or gardening. You can find her on the web at www.ellen-parker-writes.com. Or:   https://www.facebook.com/ellen.parker 

Links for Stitching a Dream: 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh 

Nook: https://bit.ly/3Ri8RNX 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4ec8PRB

 

Reading and Reviews (Ligon and Evanovich)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'll share my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook at night for the last hour of my day. 

I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. Besides Romantic Suspense and mystery, I read crime and law novels, once in a while a true story, WWII historicals, romance, and mainstream character driven books.

Here are some of the books I've read recently or in the not-too-distant past. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author.

Polly's List by Kim Janine Ligon

CJ Reynolds couldn't wait to escape his hometown. He's loving his bachelor life as a software developer in California. So much so that he hasn't been back in years to see the grandmother who raised him.

Mikal Benson believes her small town is perfect for raising her son, Will, alone. When Mikal finds her neighbor, Polly Rogers, sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood, barely clinging to life, she calls Polly's grandson - CJ Reynolds - and insists he must come home. Now!

From her coma, Polly whispers three words that change everything. Did she fall or was she pushed? CJ, Mikal, and Will form an unlikely team coming together to discover the truth as danger engulfs them and love transforms them into a family.

My Review:

I’m a big fan of character driven stories. Ms. Ligon shines with her characterizations of Polly, her grandson CJ, Mikal, and Will. The last is a child, and although I think children are particularly difficult to write realistically, the author pulls it off. I really enjoyed not much liking CJ in the beginning. He didn’t pay enough attention to Polly over the years. When he finally comes home, and Polly is in a coma, we watch as his personality is revealed to us in more depth. This is a mystery that unfolds and keeps you guessing. It’s entertaining and enjoyable. Recommended.

Tricky Twenty-two by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum might not be the world’s greatest bounty hunter, but she knows when she’s being played. Ken Globovic (aka Gobbles), hailed as the Supreme Exalted Zookeeperof the animal house known as Zeta fraternity, has been arrested for beating up the dean of students at Kiltman College. Gobbles has missed his court date and gone into hiding. People have seen him on campus, but no one will talk. Things just aren’t adding up, and Stephanie can’t shake the feeling that something funny is going on at the college—and it’s not just Zeta fraternity pranks.
 
As much as people love Gobbles, they hate Doug Linken. When Linken is gunned down in his backyard it’s good riddance, and the list of possible murder suspects is long. The only people who care about finding Linken’s killer are Trenton cop Joe Morelli, who has been assigned the case, security expert Ranger, who was hired to protect Linken, and Stephanie, who has her eye on a cash prize and hopefully has some tricks up her sleeve.

My Review:

I took a break from Stephanie Plum novels as they tend to feel the same. Eventually, you get enough. But I came back and read Tricky Twenty-two and enjoyed it for all the same reasons I always do these books. Funny and entertaining.

Life's Adventures

A few months back, I had an idea for blogging that would be an ongoing journal of "The Life of an Author." I had no idea if anyone would be interested. At book fests, I'm often asked questions about my writing process or what it's like to write a book, so I thought, well, maybe. So, I started journaling, but it didn't last long. I've started and stopped journals so many times in my life. I have trouble finding the time to journal when I'm so busy writing books and promoting. But I'll share my first entry anyway. If anyone sees this and states a smidgen of interest, I might be compelled to take it up again. Or not. 

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 

Woke at 5 a.m. and since it was the 4^th time I'd awakened since 9 p.m. the night before, I put the covers over my head and waited until I could smell the coffee brewing at the programmed time of 5:25. Once the aroma drifted in, I did my stretches, fixed the pillows on my bed for sitting up, and turned up the heat. Once I had coffee and cream in my mug, I went back to bed and fired up my laptop. Checked personal email 28 messages (a sale at JC Pennys, return email to sister-in-law, and deleted all the junk mail). Checked business email. 22 messages. Answered 3. Filed away 3 for later attention. Scanned 2 author loop messages. Scanned a blog. Deleted all the junk mail. Checked and replied to personal Facebook page. Checked and replied to author Facebook page. Did the same for my BrendaSue page and my editor page. Scanned the feeds for all four and commented on a dozen posts. I reheated my half cup of coffee in the microwave. Skimmed Twitter, otherwise known as X. Looked at the Twitter notifications and liked or shared. Checked my book ranking on Amazon. Checked royalty reports on KDP. 

Put drops in eyes. Think I’m tired. 

Amigo was shooting me daggers at 7:30. I dressed in two layers of clothes and walked 1.5 miles with
the dog in 30-degree temps. 

Back home, I peeled out of one layer, poured another cup of java and hit the living room chair with computer in lap. Made a hotel reservation for Feb 28 and Mar 1 for the book event I am doing in Tombstone, Arizona. Saw a note on my calendar that I should reread David Gaughran’s notes on newsletters. I know I won’t have time so I move it to the weekend. I checked email and FB again. Made comments and replies. Shared a post on FB. Mom called and distracted me for 15 minutes. Brought up my blog, Discover... and started a column about Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder. FDW woke up, and we decided to do cold cereal for breakfast. Bad decision. I’m was already cold. 3^rd cup of hot coffee. 

Brushed teeth, showered, made bed, cleaned up breakfast dishes. FDW left to do grocery shopping. 

I finished the blog and post. Shared it on FB and Twitter. Mom called so I closed the laptop and took a lunch break. I was hungry for Mexican, but we were so out of food I couldn’t even make nachos. I settled for spinach salad topped with some leftover hamburger and tomatoes with chili powder and garlic. I then hunkered down and got chapter twenty-two of Reading, Writing, and Murder finished. Sent it off to my co-author, Joyce Proell. 

Amigo threw up on the leather couch so I cleaned that up. 

I saw on my calendar I was supposed to call and schedule a mammogram. I called, and they put me on hold, so I gave up and added it to tomorrow's list. Completed a character interview for a blog tour for Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder in March. Sent it to co-author for opinions. Checked email and FB and followed up. 

FDW got home with groceries so I put those away for the next half hour. 

While FDW napped, I made a page for Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder (CCM) on Book Funnel. Then I joined a group promotion on BF for the book. 

Changed my mom’s address online with 2 places she asked me to take care of on her last phone call. I called her again to update her that I'd done as asked. 

While proofing, I discovered a mistake in both the eBook and the print book of CCM. I had to make corrections and uploaded them yet again to Amazon. 

FDW got up from his nap, and I reminded him to check the pipes under the sink that like to loosen and leak from time to time. 

I dusted the surfaces in living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. 

Checked email and FB for the last time. Followed up. Checked rankings on Amazon and royalty reports on KDP. 

Watered all the plants outside while FDW whipped up a delicious dinner. I sat down to a grilled steak, asparagus, potatoes, and red wine. My work day done, we watched a movie.