Ms. E. Ann Brown is an American author and influential writer of literary fiction after retiring as a primary school educator. The author released her first book, ‘Forever Kind of Love,’ in Jan. 2023, and available on Amazon in both e-book and paperback versions.
Ms. Brown’s formal education background was in the field of education, but she considers herself a lifelong learner and has studied many other areas and interests. Brown is a spiritually oriented person who sees the world from a positive perspective and conveys her perspective in her writings.
She is a proud mother who has raised four beautiful grown children as she home-schooled them and went on to a home-school consulting business where she developed chosen curriculum plans for other families. Writing has been a natural part of her life since she was an adolescent babysitter making up stories while babysitting on the spur of the moment. She has always been a storyteller throughout her life.
When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family as she is a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. Born and lived many years on East Coast, she now resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Southern Oregon.
ASIN : B0BJ7TQYQQ Publisher : Elizabeth Alleyne (October 14, 2022) Language : English Paperback : 178 Family Life Fiction (Books) Literary Fiction~ New E-Book on Sale at $1.99
A random statement made in response to a loving question turned out to be prophetic, unknowingly. If you read the story you will find out how. You will rejoice, you will laugh, and you will cry. You will be amazed, and you will be disappointed. But isn’t that what happens in our real lives?
Bad things do happen to good people, and people of faith seem to persevere and ultimately experience a good outcome. This story has many life situations that are very challenging, but because of the love the two main characters have for each other, they were able to persevere and prevail.
After becoming empty nesters for only a short time, a surprise they never would have anticipated came to bless their lives more than they could have imagined. Sharing their life with someone else’s children because of their misfortune was heartwarming and a blessing for all concerned. Illness has a way of wiggling into our lives, often without warning, but it does not have to defeat us. These situations can end up making us stronger in faith than we were before. Happy endings are always encouraging. Read and enjoy!
What a fantastic way to start out a New Year with not one, but two new 5-Star Editorial book reviews awarded by literary book influencers Reader’s Favorite, and this is exactly how Kim Carter is celebrating her new 2023!
Her two books, now a mystery series titled “A Clara and Iris Mystery” with Book One titled “Sweet Dreams, Baby Belle” and Book Two titled “Murder Among The Tombstones”… Book Three will be released SOON titled “The Root Of All Evil” of the novel series! Let’s learn more…
For immediate release:
Kim Carter’s books receive a warm literary welcome.
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Fiction – Mystery – Historical book “Sweet Dreams, Baby Belle: A Clara and Iris Mystery Series” by Kim Carter, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742KNK86.
Book Review For Sweet Dreams, Baby Belle – Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers’ Favorite– Book One of ‘A Clara and Iris Mystery Series’
“Lizzy was a simple waitress who lived from one paycheck to the next. Her life changed when the suave cardiac surgeon, Dr. Grant Chatsworth, came into the restaurant as a customer. The two fell in love, got married, and lived the fairytale. Unfortunately, things started going downhill six months after the wedding. Grant’s affection for Lizzie died, physical and emotional abuse stepped in, and she became a prisoner in her own home. The situation worsened when she discovered that the respectable yet arrogant doctor was involved in fraudulent drug research and would go to any lengths to achieve his dream. Grant imprisoned her in his gated estate, and she was in danger with no one to help her escape.
Follow the full story by reading Sweet Dreams, Baby Belle: A Clara and Iris Mystery Series by Kim Carter. Sweet Dreams, Baby Belle is a captivating story cloaked in mystery and intrigue. This is one of the most unpredictable stories I have read. I loved the plot, storyline, and development. The characters were outstanding, and there were lessons to be learned. For one, women should not let anyone strip them of their financial independence, no matter how little they earn. Also, any relationship that intentionally isolates you from your loved ones is an impending red flag. I love to see women step up to protect a sister, as we should. Mariana, Daisy, Clara, and Iris were heroines, and Lizzie was a courageous woman. I cannot get over the twist with Antoine Rayne. The enemy does indeed live within.
Kim Carter is a fantastic storyteller, and this is a great introductory novel. Thank you for such a gripping but refreshing read.”
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Fiction – Mystery – Murder book “Murder Among The Tombstones (Book 2)” by Kim Carter, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1947140035.
Second Book Review of ‘Murder Among The Tombstones’ – Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers’ Favorite – Book Two of ‘A Clara and Iris Mystery Series’
“After I finished reading Murder Among the Tombstones, the second of the Clara and Iris Mystery Series, I found myself briefly thinking more about the incredible skill of the author, Kim Carter, than the story itself. How cleverly she hooked me in that exciting opening chapter about a young woman running from a predator in a dense forest! Then, she further reeled me in as police puzzled over why the corpse of a beautiful young woman was found gently wrapped in a pink blanket in a cemetery. All ready for what I anticipated would be a thrilling mystery murder, suddenly everything changed! A pair of delightful old biddies, Clara and Iris, whisked me into their newly acquired Private Eye office and had me in stitches with their humorous banter.
Well, what just happened was a novel approach to murder mystery writing by easing mounting tension with comic relief, not unlike what Shakespeare did in some of his tragedies. Initially, I wasn’t sure I liked this break in the plot, but these two lively seniors, with their chalk-and-cheese personalities, grew on me so much that I looked forward to their intrusions. The reserved, refined Clara was forever embarrassed by that outspoken, colorful flirt, Iris, who delighted in proving she was far from over the hill.
While Clara and Iris are trying to figure out how to run their agency and use their new iPhones, how does Carter manage to bring these two senior sleuths bang smack into the middle of the primary plot, where cops are being shot by drug-addicted felons and yet another young woman is running for her life from a serial killer? That, dear readers, is due to the remarkable writing skills of Kim Carter. It’s delightful to experience Carter bringing together such diverse characters for a unique spin on a murder mystery. Murder Among the Tombstones is an easy read, with the plot and sub-plots moving quickly thanks to the constant use of clever dialogue.
There’s an abundance of colorful characters, dramatic settings, a delightful amount of humor, and enough unexpected twists to keep the most ardent mystery fans guessing. But it’s the personalities of Clara and Iris that will have readers looking forward to the next book in this series. Enjoy!”
Now For a Special Sneak Peek of the Book Cover of Book Three “A Clara and Iris Mystery Series,” which is on this new book banner made and courtesy of Keith Marion Photography.
Kim’s new book will release in late Feb 2023 and is titled “The Root Of All Evil: Book 3 “A Clara and Iris Mystery!” Look at the very bottom right and you’ll see the COVER!
This Cat can hardly contain my literary excitement!!
Barbara, an Illinois native draws fictional stories from her vivid imagination as she ponders the ‘what if’ scenarios in everyday life. With a bit of embellishment and embroidery of the details, a new story takes shape.
Memories of family experiences also grace the pages of this anthology like the paintings on a wall, to be enjoyed and reflected upon.
Barbara spends her free time reading and playing with her tiny Yorkie, Zoe, who happens to believe she is the writer in the family, Barbara is only the assistant
~Barbara Daniels Dena
Cover Reveal Barb Dena’s New Book Release In Jan 2023! Book Banner Courtesy of Author Ivy Logan
ABOUT THE UPCOMING JAN 2023 RELEASE ~ ONE SOUL’S JOURNEY
“One Soul’s Journey” ~ is an eclectic and extraordinary collection of short stories. The ingredients ~ are imagination, a dash of real life, inspiration, and lots of love. If you’ve read and loved her first collection, “For the Soul,” this book will delight you.
Two short stories excerpts from “One Soul’s Journey”
“Stop talking to me. You know owls don’t talk. Do you want someone to hear you? People will think I am nuts, talking to you.”
“Tracy knew a man was there. She felt his eyes on her, watching her. Feeling her fluttering heartbeat return to normal and the adrenaline surge passing, the original lure of the cabin returned to niggle at her curiosity bone.”
Memories and fiction fill this collection with humor, heartwarming compassion, and spine-tingling fright from the author’s own experiences and an imagination she can barely control.
Quilts, children, and dogs have always played a large part in the author’s life. Therefore, it is not surprising to find stories of warm quilts wrapped around her tales or tails.
A trait the reader discovers in Barbara’s writing is that much like life, nothing within the covers of this book will be what one expects.
For the Soulis a delightfully charming collection of short stories about everyday life, some are real, some are fanciful interpretations, and some are Ms. Dena’s creative imagination. Ms. Dena has a knack for bringing to life everyday events with humor, wit, pathos, generosity, and love.
There are many lessons to be learned. Her characterizations are authentic and likable. She finds the extraordinary in what many might find mundane and brings it to life, so the reader sees it in a new light. I found myself relating to so many of the stories. I highly recommend For the Soul, a truly enchanting read.
Reading FOR THE SOUL by Barbara Daniels Dena, I had to keep reminding myself that she and I were not related. Some of her stories could have been my stories. It was as if she reached into my past and pulled out beautiful memories that had been long forgotten. Barbara’s book gave me hours of enjoyment and a lifetime of memories. I highly recommend you fall in love with this book.
Barb Daniels Dena is a Best-selling American Author of her funny and eclectic book debut, “For the Soul: A Collection of Short Stories,” which was released in August 2021. Almost a memoir, this unique collection of inspiring short stories of ‘good ole fashioned living,’ along with many past and present memories and life experiences that tug on the heart, warming stories wrapped in fictional tall tails and humor delighting readers worldwide. The book is available on Amazon Books, Kindle, and many fine online book sites.
Barbara began writing at an early age as a lover of “Make-Believe.” Today, her writing has developed from memories of family experiences, various compilations of events in her life, and her love of animals. She is willing to admit that her vivid imagination plays a role in her stories.
Barbara is an Illinois native who has lived in many places; as Barb says, like a free-spirited “Gypsy,” she has lived and worked in Illinois, Washington, Idaho, and Georgia, but Ultimately, comes home settling back in the Quad Cities area of Illinois.
She is a proud mother of two grown children. She was a business owner, ran a Temp Agency, transitioned into her passion for floral design, and opened, owned, and ran several floral shops. Her favorite flower is the “Casablanca Lily.” Her favorite color is Red, and when she isn’t writing, Barbara spends her free time oil painting and enjoys quilting, knitting, and reading.
Her favorite book is “Death Be Not Proud” by John J. Gunther. Her first love will always be playing with her fur baby; a little Yorkie named Zoe. She continues to write from her cozy nook as she gazes over a pond full of geese and ducks. On many days it is more gazing than writing.
The author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Fiction – Literary book “Pearly Everlasting” by Claudia Ricci, currently available athttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNW9R185.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
~Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite ~ Dec. 2022
“Pearly Everlasting is a work of fiction in the literary style and family drama subgenre. The work is best suited to the mature adult reading audience owing to its potentially distressing subject matter and the inclusion of explicit language and sexual situations. Penned by Claudia Ricci, this harrowing and heartfelt interpersonal drama follows the meeting of protagonists Salvia Fischetti and Morgan Pochyrus. A painter wracked with guilt and a biker poet find more than just their artistic souls connecting as they battle to save an infant from a terrifying illness, and what develops is a series of emotional challenges that will bring them both closer to one another, and closer to the healing they’ve always desired.
Claudia Ricci has a keen sense of character that lends itself to this style of storytelling, so much so that you begin to feel that you know Salvia and Morgan personally within just a few pages of meeting them. I enjoyed the close narration and craftwork in the dialogue, which gives each character their distinct parlance but never loses the artsy stylistic edge that reminds you of the beauty of the author’s wordplay.
Plot-wise, there’s much to enjoy, with a slow-burning start that contextualizes Salvia’s great loss and deep pain. There are some heart-breaking parallels drawn and difficult moments later that echo back perfectly to the opening chapters to leave readers feeling satisfied with the journey of growth and healing that’s taken place.
I would not hesitate to recommend Pearly Everlasting to fans of artistic and literary writing that also digs deep into human emotion and connection.”
You can learn more about Claudia Ricci and “Pearly Everlasting” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/pearly-everlasting where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
Readers’ Favorite LLC Media Relations Louisville, KY 40202 800-RF-REVIEW support@readersfavorite.com https://readersfavorite.com
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OTHER NOVELS By Best-Selling Author Claudia Ricci
Brand New Book Release of Pearly Everlasting E-book On Sale For Only $2.99!
By some extraordinary coincidence, my new novel, Pearly Everlasting, is coming out in the very same week that my beautiful new grandson, Monte, arrived in Denver! As I sat down to try to figure out what to say about this, my fourth book, I remembered two words that my chiropractor said to me this week: Baby Love.
There is nothing like the love a mother feels when her baby, usually purply blue and slippery, is placed for the first time on her chest. There is nothing like the outpouring of love that explodes from mom and dad to family and friends after that baby is born!
Well, so, you could say this book has at its core Baby Love. Because it is Baby Love in the end that captures the protagonists and wraps them in a blanket of redemption.
At this season 20 years ago, I had just finished a grueling four-month treatment for Hodgkin’s Disease, a type of lymphoma that – very thankfully – is curable. I suffered enormously that year during chemo – an experimental treatment that involved five IV cancer drugs each week for 13 weeks – followed by eight weeks of radiation. But as my oncologist said at the end, “I was a poster child” for triumphing over the disease. I am continually and forever grateful for my good health.
Not long afterward, my very good friend Karen Jahn said to me, “So now you’ve proved it, Claudia, you can get through anything!”
I looked at her and felt my breath catch. I felt my stomach sink. “No,” I said, shaking my head back and forth. “Absolutely not. I know for sure that’s not true. There’s one thing I just cannot imagine how I would get through…losing one of my three children.”
And so, I suppose it was this deep fear that led me to write my fourth novel, Pearly Everlasting. The main character, Sal – short for Salvia, an Italian name that means “safe, secure, healthy” — loses her teenage daughter Sofie in a car accident. Sal, who feels responsible, sprang to life in my imagination with a wound so deep that she begged me to stay with her, to keep her company in her lonely struggle to overcome her endless grief.
When the story opens, it’s been four years since Sofie’s passing, but memories are everywhere and they always land Sal in an ocean of tears.
I know that my fictional character is just that. A character in a book. I know, too, that there are many, many fine non-fiction books written by parents who have lost their adored children. Books that can help others deal with this unspeakable grief.
I don’t pretend to think my book falls into that category. It’s just a story. A story with a very redemptive ending. But sometimes I have wondered, do I have the right to produce a fictional account of one woman’s unspeakable sorrow? When I haven’t had to endure that sorrow myself?
And then I hear and see Sal, and she is whispering to me, “Yes, please, this story is important, vital,” because it shows how life can go on in unexpected ways after the gut-wrenching loss of a loved one.
With that in mind, I offer readers Pearly Everlasting, which follows Sal into an unexpected relationship with a young woman who is pregnant. And also, into a relationship with a man – poet Morgan Pochyrus — who is also grieving the loss of a friend. Guilt reigns for both Sal and Morgan.
Light emerges in the book, however, as the two of them are forced to care for an infant with a life-threatening illness. It makes me feel good to know how the characters land at the end.
I hope you will give it a try! ~Claudia Ricci
Order the paperback or ebook from Amazon. Or email me at claudiajricci@gmail.com if you want a signed copy. And you can read the first chapter on Amazon by going here.
Hello and Welcome, Readers, Friends, and New Visitors,
I am delighted and honored to introduce our newest author to our literary family of fantastic authors, Ms. Claudia Ricci.
Claudia and I have been friends and have been connected for a long time through mutual friends and social media. She currently has three published novels and a brand-new release coming in a few weeks titled “Pearly Everlasting.”
So, as a special treat for all of the readers and friends who visit, I talked her into letting me share her cover for the new book! I have to admit, this woman has been on fire since we began working together. I’ll be sharing all her literary news with you as well. Let me start by sharing who this fabulous woman is as an artist and writer and share some of her current books with you too. But first?
The Book Cover Reveal For Author Claudia Ricci’s “Pearly Everlasting.”
“ABOUT THE NEW NOVEL UPCOMING RELEASE of PEARLY”
Telling stories that heal has come to be very important to me. “Pearly Everlasting,” a novel I started writing many years ago, tells the story of Salvia Fischetti, a painter tortured by guilt over her daughter’s death. Morgan Pochyrus is a biker poet consumed by guilt over secrets in his past. The pair’s unlikely meeting—and valiant attempts to save an infant facing a life-threatening illness —lead both characters toward healing in an unexpected way.
About The Author Claudia Ricci
Claudia Ricci, Ph.D., is an American Author, an influential and seasoned writer of literary fiction, and an accomplished painter.
Claudia is a former writer for The Wall Street Journal and a prize-winning reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. She published her first novel, Dreaming Maples, in 2002 after being nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Seeing Red, her second novel, was released in January 2011, and Sister Mysteries came out in 2018. Her new book will be released in the Fall of 2022 titled ‘Pearly Everlasting.’ All of her novels are available on Amazon and featured as her subsequent titles on fine literary sites.
Ricci’s short fiction has been published in numerous literary magazines nationwide, including Alaska Quarterly Review, North Dakota Quarterly, Bayou, Yemassee, Barkeater, The Adirondack Review, The MacGuffin, and Another Chicago Magazine. Her non-fiction writing has appeared in The New York Times, Business Week, Parents magazine, the Huffington Post, and The Washington Post.
Claudia earned her Ph.D. in English (Teaching, Writing, and Criticism) from the University of Albany, SUNY, in 1996. She taught English, journalism, and creative writing at the University for 14 years and did a year-long teaching sabbatical at Georgetown University in 2009. Claudia is not writing she enjoys reading good books, traveling, canoeing, and painting. She and her husband reside in North Egremont, Massachusetts. (Her paintings can be viewed at https://www.claudiariccipaintings.com.)
Literary News & 5-Star Editorial Book Review & Press Release Awarded By Reader’s Favorite For Claudia’s New E-Book Release of “Seeing Red”…
For immediate release:
The authors’ new book receives a warm literary welcome.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the most significant book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
“Reviewed By Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite“
Seeing Red by Claudia Ricci is a work of literary fiction that revolves around the life of a woman named Ronda. Ronda’s youth and her evolution as a promising dancer start Ricci’s novel off. Ronda’s story begins to really take flight following a date she had as a college teenager with her professor, which started with some cinnamon and ended sometime later with Ronda having a baby. Fast forward, and Ronda is an adult with an incredible son and a husband lugging his suitcase out the door because Ronda is pregnant again. Also, it’s not his, and she’s having an affair, but that’s actually the best part. Ronda is in the midst of her own personal Renaissance and has her own suitcases to lug. Things come full circle when the “How long?” her husband shouts is the exact same phrase she shouts herself, and that’s when we really see Ronda live for what she loves. To dance.
Claudia Ricci is an exceptionally talented author who has the ability to elicit a long groan and a surprised laugh from a reader in the same breath. Ronda is fully fleshed and authentic; she is a likable character; through this, we see the pure gold of Ricci’s prose in Seeing Red. It’s probably the most amusing dialogue; the acerbic voice of the narrative that can turn painful moments into cleverly worded quips is a bonus. I’m confident there was a ‘Meet Virginia’ pun, but I was devouring the story so fast I may have just hoped for it. As for ancillary characters, nobody is given mercy in Ricci’s witty portrayal, but it’s interesting that we don’t begrudge the character for their failings. Ronda is perfectly imperfect. Ronda’s way of dealing with problems is to run, often into the arms of the unworthy, but don’t mistake this for a romance novel.
Seeing Red is a coming of age for those of us who are coming of age in a different way, and it’s beautiful to witness the drive of a person who persists even when she’s told, “Lo Siento Pero no es possible.” Very highly recommended.”
You can learn more about Claudia Ricci and “Seeing Red” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/seeing-red/4 where you can read reviews and the author’s biography or with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
Readers’ Favorite LLC Media Relations Louisville, KY 40202
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Cat sure hopes you have enjoyed learning all about my dear friend and fellow author, Claudia Ricci.
You can connect with Claudia through her social media, or I highly suggest you visit her website and her fantastic blog! I know you will thank this CAT later after you do!
And all her novels make a great Holiday Gift idea too!
Hello and Welcome, Avid Readers, Are You Looking for some Fantastic Reads?
You won’t go wrong by purchasing and reading these sweet reading treats written by many of the fine authors we represent at ‘Lyon Literary Services.’ Cat loves sharing books and ‘The Why’ you should read them when they have these exceptional editorial book reviews like the ones below. With the Holiday Season almost here, they would make great gifts too. and all books are available on Amazon, and most are within Kindle Unlimited Membership! …Enjoy!
The Shaman and the Mafia is a work of fiction in the mystery subgenre. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Elizabeth Upton.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The Shaman and the Mafia is a work of fiction in the mystery subgenre. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Elizabeth Upton. The book follows former nun Marietta Collins as she is dragged into the aftershock of a tragic murder when her friend Joseph is killed in what looks like a mob hit. As Marietta becomes romantically involved with both Joseph’s brother and the FBI agent investigating the death, the past refuses to stay buried for all involved as the FBI hunts the mafia boss believed to have ordered the hit whilst the police search for the killer directly.
While the mystery of Joseph Gleason’s murder lies at the center of this novel and provides the core narrative around which the characters gather, the significant contribution to the story the death makes is to act as a catalyst for an in-depth and intriguing character study of those involved in Joseph’s life.
Author Elizabeth Upton has created a cast of colorful characters, each of whom has had life breathed into them by her stunning prose, and it’s a treat to turn each page and find the direction in which the narrative events will push them next. I particularly enjoyed the development of Detective Riley as she is forced to confront the harsh reality of corruption in an institution she has served for years. Beautifully blending the trappings of a love story and a thriller, The Shaman and the Mafia uses the best of both genres to tell a story unlike any other, which will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.
This Is Me Trying: Navigating Through A Lifetime of Trauma is a work of non-fiction in the memoir subgenre. It is aimed at mature readers and was penned by author Wilsdaryon Prescher.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The book follows the author’s recovery from the abuse he endured in his youth, a journey made possible by the power of music. Throughout the rocky road of escaping the abuse, developing coping mechanisms that hindered more than they helped, and encountering the biases that people hold against abuse survivors, the power of music provides a tool for the author to rediscover their authentic self and move forward into adulthood.
I’m always in awe of any author penning a memoir, especially one willing to show sincere emotional vulnerability to their readers, but sometimes an author leaves nothing off the table when describing the upsetting and painful parts of their lives. Such an author is Wilsdaryon Prescher, whose willingness to frankly portray some of the most challenging situations a young person can live through is matched deftly by his skillful prose in doing justice to the depiction of those moments.
This book is an emotional journey that readers will be moved by as they experience the hardships of the author’s younger years and the rocky road to happiness that came with adulthood. Overall, This Is Me Trying is an honest depiction of the never-ending struggle toward recovery and a book that frankly depicts mental health issues and the journey to better mental and emotional well-being, wherever your starting point in life may be. Highly suggest reading!
(Book Three – John Callahan Series)By Elizabeth Upton Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge is a crime mystery romance novel by Elizabeth Upton.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge is a crime mystery romance novel by Elizabeth Upton. It’s been ten years since John Callahan had last seen his grandmother, Annabella O’Sullivan. Upon a visit to her sprawling estate in Dublin, Ireland, John is delivered a striking blow when his grandmother dies, and he is her sole heir.
His grandmother’s death and the unexpected murder of an employee force him to hire private security guards for himself and Morgan Gallagher, Annabella’s lover. Additionally, his recently inherited estate has a break-in by an armed man. Meanwhile, John starts falling for an Irish woman named Sara O’Boyle. But when one of his own employees becomes his stalker, John must find a way to protect himself and his loved ones. Who is the killer? Is John’s life in danger?
An absorbing murder mystery filled with romance, suspense, and intrigue, Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge is a cozy book to spend your evening with. Author Elizabeth Upton spins an intricate yarn full of dramatic moments that have you eagerly turning the pages in anticipation of what will happen next. The narrative will especially appeal to fans of telenovelas or soap operas, with the constant twists and turns of the plot leaving you asking for more. The characters have defining traits that pop out of the pages. John is one of the more fleshed-out characters, and his romance with Sara is one of my favorite aspects of the book. If you enjoy romance and crime stories, this is what you’re looking for.
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A Crime Story A Mother-Daughter Cozy Mystery~ By Richard E. LaMotte
A Crime Story: A Mother-Daughter Cozy Mystery by Richard E. LaMotte is a light-hearted thriller about a mother and daughter...
Reviewed by Antoinette Wessels for Readers’ Favorite
A Crime Story: A Mother-Daughter Cozy Mystery by Richard E. LaMotte is a light-hearted thriller about a mother and daughter who get stuck in a small town with a murder mystery on their way to Hollywood. Clair and Mindy decide to start investigating the unsolved murder of Samantha and write a crime story to pass the time.
They soon realize that everyone in town has their theory about what happened, but Mindy is set on uncovering the truth in memory of Samantha. It doesn’t take long for their snooping to start annoying the wrong people, and accidents start to happen. Will they be able to answer the unanswered questions, or will Samantha’s murder always stay a small-town mystery?
Richard E. LaMotte wrote A Crime Story in a way that will have anyone, even readers who don’t enjoy thrillers or mysteries, loving this light-hearted mystery immensely. It is not overly elaborate, is easy to read, and even easier to enjoy. The theme which stuck with me as a reader was the relationship between a mother and a daughter who needed to find each other again.
They grew as characters while they were investigating the murder, and through this, they could also reconnect. The pace of the story is gentle. I enjoyed the fact that the book wasn’t more than two hundred pages, but it never felt rushed.
I would recommend this book to any reader who wants a quick, enjoyable fall read with adventure and a little suspense.
Dark Secrets of the Bayou is a work of fiction in the murder mystery genre. It is aimed at all ages and was penned by author Kim Carter.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Dark Secrets of the Bayou is a work of fiction in the murder mystery genre. It is aimed at all ages and was penned by author Kim Carter. The novel follows the homecoming of attorney Tink Mabry as she visits Kane, Louisiana, with a co-worker to deal with the dilapidated homestead she’s just inherited from a family she barely knows. No sooner has she arrived than she ends up as the prime suspect in multiple murder investigations. As Tink explores her new surroundings, she realizes that the family secrets that plague her inheritance may hold the key to exonerating her, though some things are best left in the past.
Author Kim Carter has crafted a sinister and spine-tingling work of dark mystery fiction, an ideal read for a cold winter’s night. This story combined many elements and genres that I adore, from the historical references to the 19th century and the creepy, dark expanses of the Louisiana bayous, to chilling, horror, and family drama elements. The complex plot interweaves all of these factors seamlessly, delivering a smoothly-told narrative with sharp, exciting deviations in the mystery plot.
It certainly kept me guessing until the end, and the close narration of Tink and her emotional journey really got me rooting for her (and fearing for her) as the story developed. Overall, I would highly recommend Dark Secrets of the Bayou for those who enjoy a dark mystery with lots of horror elements and a spellbinding atmosphere. This was a worthy introduction to an author worth reading again and again.
365 Inspirational Guides to Grateful Living By Deborah L. Perdue
Daily Gratitude Reflections Volume 2: 365 Inspirational Guides to Grateful Living is a work of non-fiction in the new age, spiritual, and self-help subgenres.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Daily Gratitude Reflections Volume 2: 365 Inspirational Guides to Grateful Living is a work of non-fiction in the new age, spiritual, and self-help subgenres. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Deborah L. Perdue. The book lays out a year-long series of prompts to allow readers to reflect on their lives and feel gratitude for their positive things. This shift in focus away from negativity is shown to have a transformative effect on how a person perceives their life and leads to a more positive outlook and acceptance of happiness.
It often feels that cynicism is the dominating force in this world, and it is a negative mindset that seeps its way into every aspect of our lives if we give it the opportunity. Leading the charge against this force are writers like author Deborah L. Perdue who recognize that the daily practice of gratitude can push back against negativity and the adverse effect that it has on our lives. Perdue, in particular, is an outstanding practitioner in this field, demonstrated by this essential book which helps readers to take daily, manageable steps toward a lifelong change for the better.
The daily exercises on reflection and positivity are easy to pick up but provoke deep thought and contemplation about our lives, the perfect exercise for encouraging gratitude in our lives. Overall, Daily Gratitude Reflections Volume 2 follows its predecessor in giving readers an invaluable toolset for pushing their mindset in the right direction and making long-lasting changes for the better in their lives. I highly recommend it!
An Epic Historical Novel of Love and Revenge By Richard E. LaMotte
The Song of Ramon and Maria by Richard E. LaMotte is an epic romance novel set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution at the dawn of the 20th century.
Another New Release and 5-Stars for Richard!
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
The Song of Ramon and Maria by Richard E. LaMotte is an epic romance novel set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution at the dawn of the 20th century. Despite misgivings from her family, Maria Duranthon marries the love of her life, Ramon, an Indian cowboy, in the small Mexican town of Rosario. But when Ramon is drafted into the Mexican army, and Maria’s father is unexpectedly murdered, the two lovers will diverge toward very different paths in life.
After suffering a harrowing assault by a despicable captain, Maria leaves for Mexico City, realizing, to her horror, that she is pregnant. She is forced to beg on the streets until she finds refuge in the bordello of a European madame. Meanwhile, Ramon joins the revolutionaries while being hunted by the federal forces. Can Ramon and Maria find their way back to each other?
A sprawling tale of love, loss, and betrayal, The Song of Ramon and Maria never lets you take your eyes off the pages. Author Richard E. LaMotte weaves an epic yarn filled with romance, tragedy, and political intrigue that keeps you on your toes with a string of twists and turns you never see coming. This story is full of heartbreak, where our heroes sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
Ramon and Maria are two star-crossed lovers who find themselves separated from each other due to extraordinary circumstances they have no control over. If you love to read epic romance sagas or historical fiction, I can’t recommend The Song of Ramon and Maria enough.
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