For those of you who follow Teresa’s insightful reviews, she has a new one up: 3 1/2 Sparklers for: The Making of Home: The 500 Year Story of How Our Houses Became Our Homes by Judith Flanders
Month: July 2020
Two New Reviews
Teresa has written an excellent 4 Sparkler review of “The Business of Being a Writer” that you’ll find on her page.
And my 4 Sparkler review of “The Turkish Affair” is on the romance page.
Enjoy!
Guest Author: D. V. Stone
Hi, Vicky, thanks so much for having me here today. I want to share with you a thought on inspiration. The why could be the most poignant source of inspiration. All around us, the world is full of pain, loss, and sorrow. Over ten years ago, this hit close to home. My dear sister, to who Rainbow Sprinkles is dedicated, called me. The tragedy in her voice broke my heart as she told me her husband was dead. At forty years of age, he had a heart attack and died. There’s much more to the story, but this is not a to bring you down type of sharing. What I want to say is she never gave up. She kept looking for rainbows in her own life. Yes, there were many storms, but instead of letting them blow her around, she held fast to her kids and weathered them. Though Gloriana Jones is in no way biographical, my sweet sister is the inspiration for a story about heartache and loss, but ultimately she finds her happily ever after. My sister has found her way and is in a long-term relationship with her own Nathan James.
After the storm come the rainbows.
Rainbow Sprinkles
Blurb
Retired and widowed Gloriana Jones is forging on with the plans she and her late husband dreamed of—bringing joy and happiness, one ice cream cone at a time, to Lake Unami. But bad weather is drowning her dream. A trip to Upstate NY is bittersweet for Nathan James. He is excited to see his first granddaughter but without his wife he’s lonely. When his car breaks down, he heads to the only light he can see, an ice cream shop. With aid from a heavenly source, electricity sparks, but will the two weather the summer storms and find love a second time? Or will their hopes and dreams melt away?
Excerpt
“Do you mind if I wait until the tow truck gets here?” He plucked the wet shirt away from his chest with the long fingers of one tanned hand. “It must be electrical, even the radio stopped working.”
“No, you’re welcome to hang around as long as you need.” Gloriana riffled through a cardboard box under the counter, pulled out an extra-large t-shirt, and tossed it to him. “Here you go. The restroom is through there.”
Mr. Gorgeous beamed a perfect toothy smile. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
When he disappeared into the hallway, and the door clicked shut, Gloriana fanned her face. What the hot fudge was wrong with her? “Coffee. Make coffee.”
Bio
Hi, my name is D. V. Stone. I am a multi-genre author of two independently published books. Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar is a fantasy romance. Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake is a mid-grade paranormal. Recently, Rock House Grill was released by Wild Rose Press. I also host Welcome to the Campfire and A Peek Through the Window, both weekly blogs. Here’s a little more about me.
Born in Brooklyn, D.V. Stone has moved around a bit and even lived for a time on a dairy farm in Minnesota before moving back east. Throughout her wandering, she always considered herself a Jersey Girl. She met and married the love of her life, Pete—a lifelong Jersey Man, and moved this time to Sussex County. They live with Hali, a mixed breed from the local shelter and their cat Baby.
You can find out more about D. V. by following her on Social Media
Pinterest Bookbub Goodreads Newsletter
Blogs
Welcome to the Campfire Blog Peek Through the Window
Other Books by D. V. Stone
Rock House Grill – One man’s choices. One woman’s Impact
Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar – One foolish thought. One brutal act. Instead of a peaceful alliance––war.
Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake – A Mid-grade paranormal
Contributing Author: Australia Burns
New Reviews
I’m still playing catch-up with my requests, but here are the latest:
Under Romance:
Blueberry Swirl Waltz – a 5 Sparkler 1950s sweet romance
Bella Cigna – Only 3 Sparklers for this interesting romance
Unconventional Beginnings – 3 Sparklers for this introduction to the Black Swan series
Prey for Love – 4 Sparklers for this LGBTQ romance.
Under Fantasy:
Curse of the Blacknoc Witch – 3 Sparklers for this YA fantasy.
Guest Author: Alice Renaud
Music for a Merman, a Sea of Love novel
Blurb
Rob Regor knew that humans were trouble. All the shape shifting mermen of the Morvann Islands knew it. And human women were double trouble… especially when they were lying on the road in front of a digger.
Rob has a mission. Go to the mainland. Work as a policeman. Spy on humans. Report back to his father, the head of the Regor Merman Clan. It should be easy. Until he has to arrest Charlie. Rob can’t fight his attraction to the sexy eco-warrior, and it puts him on one hell of a collision course with his family and his Clan. Will he break the rules – or break her heart, and his?
Love ‘em and leave ‘em, that was Charlie’s motto. It had served her well until now. But Rob is different… Can she open up her heart to Rob – when a secret buried in her past surfaces and changes her completely?
Excerpt
Charlie chewed on the Welsh cake and swallowed. They were her favourite treat, but her mouth refused to register the buttery taste or the crumbly, raisin-studded texture. She finished it and stuffed the empty bag in her pocket. There’d be more Welsh cakes, more swims in the sea, more gorgeous summer days. More guys like Rob.
She wouldn’t listen to the insistent voice that told her she’d never meet another man like him.
She slipped on a patch of seaweed and threw out a hand to regain her balance. It hit a boulder covered in barnacles, and the rough surface scratched her palm. She welcomed the discomfort. It proved that she wasn’t dreaming. Instead of waking her up, the walk to the cove had increased the air of unreality that permeated the twilight. The damn song was still going round in her head. At times she even thought that she could almost grasp its meaning. It sounded a little like the old language of the Morvann Islands, but without any human words.
In fact, it didn’t sound like anything a human would produce.
She looked up at the rocks towering over her head and tapped the granite surface. This was real. So was the sky above, painted peach and cherry-red by the sunset. No, she was fine. Just a little overwrought and tired. Nothing a swim couldn’t cure. She’d be fine.
She’d be fine if it killed her.
The haunting song grew louder the closer she got to the sea. Now it seemed to be outside her head, rising from the peaceful water below to weave its magic around her. The meaning shimmered, just beyond the edge of her comprehension. It was like trying to read words reflected in a mirror. If she could only break the surface of the glass, enter the other side, she’d understand it fully.
But in some obscure way, she knew that the melody spoke of love.
Buy Links
https://books2read.com/u/mdG7Bw
Bio
Alice lives in London, UK, with her husband and son. By day she’s a compliance manager for a pharmaceutical company. By night she writes fantasy romance about shape shifting mermen, water monsters and time-travelling witches. Her first book, “A Merman’s Choice,” was published in January 2019 by Black Velvet Seductions. It is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. The second book, “Music for a Merman,” is out now and the third, “Mermaids Marry in Green” will be released later this year. Alice has also written a short story, “The Sweetest Magic of All,” included in the BVS “Mystic Desire” anthology, out now. Alice loves reading and writing stories, and sharing them with anyone who’s interested!
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceRenaudAuthorRomance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicerauthor
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-renaud-author-4219b6166/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicerenaudauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18670218.Alice_Renaud
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alice-renaud
Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Renaud/e/B07L52P17B
Find out how to make Welsh cakes, Charlie’s favorite treat!
Welsh cakes are traditional griddle cakes from Wales, my mother’s homeland and the country where my book Music for a Merman is set. My grandmother used to make them and we’d scoff them hot and buttery, straight from the oven! I still love them. They’re easy to make and perfect for baking with children.
Ingredients: 225g plain flour, 85g caster sugar, ½ tsp mixed spice, ½ tsp baking powder, 50g butter cut into small pieces, 50g lard, cut into small pieces, plus extra for frying, 50g currants (raisins), 1 egg, beaten, a splash of milk.
Tip the flour, sugar, mixed spice, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Then, with your fingers, rub in the butter and lard until crumbly. Mix in the currants. Work the egg into the mixture until you have soft dough, adding a splash of milk if it seems a little dry – it should be the same consistency as shortcrust pastry.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to the thickness of your little finger. Cut out rounds using a 6cm cutter, re-rolling any trimmings. Grease a flat griddle pan or heavy frying pan with lard, and place over a medium heat. Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, for about 3 mins each side, until golden brown, crisp and cooked through. Delicious served warm with butter and jam, or simply sprinkled with caster sugar. Cakes will stay fresh in a tin for 1 week.
Recipe from Good Food magazine, BBC website
New Reviews
I am in the midst of packing for a move so reviews may be few and far between–or like this, a bunch posted all at once when I have the time. If you want a review done, keep checking the “You want a Review” page to see when I’ll be open again, but figure not much before the end of August so I can get moved and settled in the new place. Thanks!
All of the following are under the “Romance” page. Great summer reads!
A Bid for Romance by Meredith Bond – 4 sparklers for this sweet historical.
A Trick of Mirrors by Meredith Bond – ditto
Cat Therapy by Kathy Bosman – Sorry, but only 2 sparklers for this sweet contemporary
The Story Between Us by Darlene Deluca – 5 Sparklers for this sweet romance
Two Truths and a Lie by Daryl Devore – 4 Sparklers for this fun takeoff on Robin Hood and Maid Marian
Always in my Mind by Andrea Downing – 4 Sparklers for this Vietnam War era romance
Rainbow Sprinkles by D.V. Stone – 5 sparklers for this sweet contemporary romance
Rock House Grill by D. V. Stone – 4 sparklers for this contemporary romance
The Wonder of You by Laurie Kellogg – 3 Sparklers for this 1970s era romance
An Affair of Hearts by Meredith Bond – 4 sparklers for this 1807 Historical romance
Love, Art, and Other Obstacles by Sadira Stone – 4 Sparklers for this contemporary romance (hot)
Sparkling Book Reviews 