THE HAUNTING OF LAUREL COVE by 

Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary (200 pages)

4****

Blurb: When Jane Stuart returns to the Smoky Mountains and the house she inherited from her grandmother with the hope to heal from a brutal mugging, she finds herself obsessed with a local legend involving a witch and a mysterious cabin. Upon reconnecting with an old boyfriend now turned handsome environmentalist, she finds herself rekindling her attraction to Brendan McGarren and is drawn into his battle to keep Laurel Cove from becoming a rich man’s playground. As she begins to uncover family secrets pertaining to the witch and the cabin, Jane questions her own sanity. Then the threats begin. Can she trust Brendan? Will the search for the truth cost Jane her life?

Thoughts: I thought this was a good book. I had a little trouble getting into it in the beginning. It just wasn’t drawing me in, but I kept reading, and am glad I did because I was captured by the story of Cissy the witch and Jane’s fascination with her. The characters are realistic—especially Jane’s PTSD reactions. And the setting beautifully done (though I did have a couple issues with some minor things). Still, we could see the curtains blowing, the mists covering the mountains, the smell of lilacs and laurel. The author put you right there in the mountains.

The conflict was also very real between the environmentalist and the developers. And the mystery of Cissy was fascinating. I didn’t understand why Jane did some things the way she did, but that might just be me. Overall, I enjoyed the story, though I did know who the villain was halfway through.

Recommendation: a decent paranormal romance mystery. And relatively short. 

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Birthdays: William Collins (1721), Lady Morgan Sydney (1781?), Charles Finger (1869), Quentin Crisp (1908), Angelica Garnett (1918), William Denby (1922), Rod Serling (1924), Carlos Castaneda (1925), Anne Roiphe (1935), Sheila Heti (1976)

Charles Finger won the 1925 Newbery Medal for “Tales from Silver Lands”

Rod Serling won several Emmy Awards for his “Twilight Zone” scripts and was the co-author of “The Planet of the Apes”

Quote: “Coming up with ideas is the easiest thing on earth. Putting them down is the hardest.” – Rod Serling

Tip: Stop worrying about being a “good” writer and just write.

Jumpstart: All he had to do was make it through one more day. One more period. One more class. And then…

Birthdays: George Crabbe (1754), Matthew Arnold (1822), John Gruelle (1880), Feodor Stepanovich Rojankovsky (1891), Noel Streatfield (1895), Fritz Leiber (1910), Franco Lucentini (1920), Mary Higgins Clark (1927), Nicholas Meyer (1945), Gillian Cross (1945), Eric Van Lustbader (1946), Juan Felipe Herrera (1948), Lynn Munsinger (1951), Christopher Buckley (1952), Belinda Bauer (1962), Adam Haslett (1970), Stephanie Meyer (1973), Evan Osnos (1976)

Johnny Gruelle was the creator of the Raggedy Ann stories.

Feodor Stepanovich Rojankovsky won the 1956 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations of “Frog Went A-Courtin’.”

Mary Higgins Clark is best known for her mysteries.

Nicholas Meyer is best known for his novel “The Seven-Percent Solution)

Eric Van Lustbader is best known for his “Jason Bourne” series.

Quotes: “If there ever comes a time when the women of the world come together purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, it will be a force such as the world has never known.” – Matthew Arnold

“Writing is storytelling. No matter how you slice it, you’re saying ‘Once upon a time.’ That’s what writing is all about.” – Mary Higgins Clark

Tip: Stay current on publishing trends. Look at publishers’ catalogs, but remember, most of their “new” books were purchased two or three years ago.

Jumpstart: All she wanted to do was find her real parents. Find out why they’d abandoned her. Find out who she was. But nobody knew anything more than the bracelet on her wrist that said “baby doe”.

I don’t often spotlight nonfiction books, but I am this one. Have you ever seen the movie “The Princess Bride”? Then this is for you.

THE PRINCESS BRIDE: THE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK by Jenn Fujikawa 

Nonfiction, Cookbook, Movies, Pop Culture, 

5*****

Blurb: Few films have captured the hearts and imaginations like The Princess Bride. Based on the book by William Goldman, the 1987 film, directed by Rob Reiner and starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Andre the Giant, Carol Kane, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Fred Savage, and Peter Falk is as universally beloved as it is quotable. Now, for the first time, The Princess Bride Cookbook: The Official Cookbook features more than 50 recipes for dishes seen in, and inspired by, the film, including:

• Buttercup Buttermilk Scones
• Hash You Wish
• Farm Boy Breakfast
• Six-Fingered Sandwiches
• Chips of Insanity
• MLT
• The Grandson’s Soup and Sandwich
• Vizzini’s Sicilian Meatballs
• Fezzik’s Stew
• The Spaniard’s Paella
• Bread Pirate Roberts
• Twu Wove’s Kiss Cookies
• Iocane Powder Punch
• Inigo Montoya’s Taste of Revenge

Thoughts: I absolutely adore this book. Okay, I adore the movie too so this fits right in. Although there are some really good recipes in here, it’s not so much a cookbook as it is a cultural reference. There are pictures and quotes from the movie as well as the recipes. There is also a brief history of the movie. As for the recipes, you are given ingredients, clear directions, colorful pictures of some of the dishes and if they fit vegetarian, gluten-free, or other diet-specific parameters. The only thing missing from them are the nutrient values (necessary for some people). But again, this is about the movie. But I know I will definitely be adding this to my “must buy” list.

Recommendations: If you’ve ever seen the movie and enjoyed it (who hasn’t?), you cannot miss this! 

Disclaimer:  I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

These books are available as paperback books. Each contains at least three stories. All are available from The Wild Rose Press as well as other sellers.

The Wild Rose Press

SNOW KISS COOKIES TO DIE FOR by Wendy Kendall

Fiction, Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Novella (98 pages)

5*****

Blurb: First grade teacher Desiree Tucker is on the brink of winter holidays with her new, romantic boyfriend when danger encroaches on her joy. Ominous, untraceable texts buzz on her cell phone. Terrifying secret Santa gifts show up for her in the classroom. As the stalker moves closer to the prey, Desiree doesn’t know who she can trust. Her charming new man is a prime suspect. Is he a deadly stalker? If not him, who? What can she learn from the legend of the snow kiss cookie? Just when she’s starting to believe in magic again, she finds herself fighting for her life.

Thoughts: Dez is a first grade teacher with the wonderful idea of having her students do a Secret Santa project. Everyone is excited about the game until a stalker decides to play with Dez—and not in a good way. Threatening texts, stockings filled with disturbing gifts send Dez to the cops, making her suspect everyone, including her new boyfriend Leo. There are plenty of suspects in this who-done-it and the author keeps you guessing right up to the end. 

This isn’t your normal sweet Christmas story. It’s a bit dark and suspenseful, but with a satisfying ending that will leave you smiling.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a short, suspenseful romance, definitely pick this one up.

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”