So many books, so little time! I’m concentrating right now on the eight books I have to read for the Historical Novel Society. Those are due June 15th. I often start several books at a time, but I’m thinking of changing that. What do you all think? Do you completely finish one book before starting another?
My husband Doug is down in Bryson City working on our house. Here is a video of my bathroom, which is almost finished. He did a lot with a tiny space.
There’s still some painting and trim that needs to be finished, and the ugly shower curtain is only temporary. lol
I’m trying to be quite organized today and pre-schedule all of next week’s posts so I’ll update this later. I’ll also be visiting/reading/commenting on other blogs today. I haven’t had as much time to do that lately and it’s important. I love visiting my blogger friends.
BOOK HAUL
Picked up an audiobook this week.
1920s London isn’t the ideal place for a brilliant woman with lofty ambitions, but research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to beat the odds in a male-dominated field at the University College of London. She embarks on her first research study alongside the insufferably charming Dr. Michael Lee, traveling the countryside with him in response to reports of poisonings. But when Detective Inspector Green is given a case with a set of unusual clues, he asks for her assistance.
The victims, all women, received bouquets filled with poisonous flowers. Digging deeper, Saffron discovers that the bouquets may be more than just unpleasant flowers—there may be a hidden message within them, revealed through the use of the old Victorian practice of floriography. And it’s a dire message indeed, as each woman who received the flowers has turned up dead. Alongside Dr. Lee and her best friend, Elizabeth, Saffron trails a group of suspects through a dark jazz club, a lavish country estate, and a glittering theatre, delving deeper into a part of society she thought she’d left behind forever.
Will Saffron be able to catch the killer before they send their next bouquet, or will she find herself with fatal flowers of her own?
Now I’m off to catch up on reading and posting. Have a great week!
The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Billy @ Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book-related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to their own blogs.
Submitted by Billy@ramblingsofacoffeeaddictedwriter
No, I never have. However, I’ve got a cookbook with a broken spine and I’d love to learn how to repair it. I’m looking at some Youtube videos now.
Thank you to Austenprose PR for the opportunity to read and review The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray.
Book Description
The suspenseful sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, which sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby’s new wife.
Catherine and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey are not entirely pleased to be sending their eligible young daughter Juliet out into the world again: the last house party she attended, at the home of the Knightleys, involved a murder—which Juliet helped solve. Particularly concerning is that she intends to visit her new friend Marianne Brandon, who’s returned home to Devonshire shrouded in fresh scandal—made more potent by the news that her former suitor, the rakish Mr. Willoughby, intends to take up residence at his local estate with his new bride.
Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley are thrilled that their eldest son, Jonathan—who, like his father, has not always been the most socially adept—has been invited to stay with his former schoolmate, John Willoughby. Jonathan himself is decidedly less taken with the notion of having to spend extended time under the roof of his old bully, but that all changes when he finds himself reunited with his fellow amateur sleuth, the radiant Miss Tilney. And when shortly thereafter, Willoughby’s new wife—whom he married for her fortune—dies horribly at the party meant to welcome her to town.
With rumors flying and Marianne—known to be both unstable and previously jilted by the dead woman’s newly made widower—under increased suspicion, Jonathan and Juliet must team up once more to uncover the murderer. But as they collect clues and close in on suspects, eerie incidents suggest that the killer may strike again, and that the pair are in far graver danger than they or their families could imagine.
PRAISE FOR THE LATE MRS. WILLOUGHBY
“An absolute page-turner full of well-plotted mystery and hints of simmering romance…. More of the Jane Austen characters we love (as well as those we love to hate).” —Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic and Adobo
”Gray makes her endearing leads’ sleuthing both plausible and entertaining while evoking the wit and feel of Austen’s classic novels. Admirers of P.D. James’s Death Comes to Pemberley will be delighted.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)
”Absolutely delightful! Fans of Jane Austen and historical mysteries will fall in love with this series. Gray remains true to Austen’s style and intent for her beloved characters while still adding her own spin on them and their progeny—one that is both refreshing and absorbing. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby series
Book Review
The Late Mrs. Willoughby is another clever mystery set in the world of Jane Austen. The children of characters from two of Jane’s most popular novels, Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney, unite once again to solve a mystery. Who killed Mrs. Willoughby?
I loved everything about this book. The descriptions of the homes, customs, and way of life immediately transported me to a Jane Austen-inspired world. Seeing her characters revived, and with children now, is so interesting and touching. The mystery was intriguing and had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. The book is expertly written, and it always stays true to the period. Endearing touches of humor were included that made it even more special. The complexity of the relationships between characters is really well done.
From start to finish, this is a captivating mystery and a great tribute to Jane Austen.
I received a free copy of this book from Vintage Anchor via Netgalley. I also received a copy via Austenprose book tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
About The Author
Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline, and Jane Austen-inspired series,A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.
I’m excited to announce that this year I will be a panelist for the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award. Below is a description of the BBNYA from their website:
“BBNYA, the Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award, is a competition for indie authors (both self-published and published by small indie presses).
The contest will be judged by a large and diverse panel of book bloggers from all around the world. The panel will put the books through several rounds of judging based on a wide set of criteria. As each round goes by, we will announce the results – until finally, we arrive at our finalists. After further intensive reviewing, we will choose our favorite and declare it the ‘’Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year!”
Our goal is to give underappreciated, lesser-known authors a chance to gain some recognition without being overshadowed by the big names, but also show the world the power of book bloggers!
The winning author will receive a whole bunch of prizes, as well as the honor, recognition, and vindication of being our winner, and the endorsement of book bloggers.”
For authors, your book has to have been published at any time prior to January 1, 2023 and if it’s a series it has to be the first book in the series. There are other requirements. The full list is here.
I hope the authors here consider entering, and the bloggers check out signing up as a panelist, if you haven’t already.
This is a picture of my Mom in 1947. She was 16. She died in 2020. Happy Mother’s Day in Heaven Mom! How I would love to chat with you just for a minute. My Mom was joined in Heaven by her sister yesterday, as my beloved Aunt Bonnie passed away. She was so full of life and will be missed so much. Those are two great mothers who set the standard for our family.
I haven’t had much time to post because I’ve been watching my three grandchildren, ages 8, 4, and 4 for three days. They go home tomorrow. I am exhausted. I haven’t even had time to read. I was trying to explain to my 4-year-old granddaughter that she can’t stay up til 10 because I go to bed at 9! She’s supposed to go to bed at 8:30 but was constantly getting up. The joys of grandmotherhood!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!
LAST WEEK
It was a quiet week. I participated in Sunday Post and reviewed Blackjack by Gail Meath
NEXT WEEK
Thursday I am participating in a blog tour for Austenprose Book Tours for The Late Mrs. Willoughby. This is the second Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery series. The son of the Darcys and the daughter of the Tilneys team up for another murder investigation in this wonderful cozy mystery series. I loved the first book, The Murder of Mr. Wickham.
BOOK HAUL
I didn’t pick up too many books last week. I was approved for the audiobook of Identity by Nora Roberts and St. Martin’s Press sent me a widget for The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy. Click on the covers below to learn more about them.
Indie Spotlight is my effort to help get the word out about Indie books. Below you can learn more about The Rebel and the Princess by Demi D. Miato.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Jack was a man who had it all: a comfortable life, a loving family, and a promising future.
Until one day, the Royal family took it all away.
But they didn’t just take everything away, they did it in a way so cruel and sickening that it completely broke him. All that was left of a once vibrant and cheerful man was a hollow shell, a walking dead with nothing but a seething anger and an unyielding desire for revenge keeping him on his feet.
But fate works in a funny way. Never in his wildest dreams would Jack have guessed that the greatest ally in his seek of revenge against the ruling family would be none other than their very own princess.
These two natural enemies form an unusual bond, united by their shared anguish and determination to fight back against the oppressive rule of the crown. They must work together, putting their differences aside and learning to trust each other, to save the kingdom from the tyranny that plagues it.
“The Rebel and the Princess” is a thrilling story of two broken individuals from opposite sides of the political spectrum who band together in their quest for justice. In a world filled with corruption and brutality, they find solace in each other and discover that hope for a better tomorrow can still exist in even the darkest of times.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An author, Poet If you don’t find me at my desk writing, you’ll probably find me on my desk dancing. “Whatever it takes” tattooed on my brain.
It’s release day for Blackjack, the fifth book in the Jax Diamond series! I’m celebrating with a review and a Q&A with Author Gail Meath. Buy links below.
* As always, I must disclose that I edit this series.
BOOK DESCRIPTION (FROM AMAZON)
A lifetime game of solitaire turns into a vicious family feud.
New York City 1923
Back in the city after a nightmare vacation, PI Jax Diamond and his courageous canine partner, Ace, just can’t catch a break when three quick and easy cases explode into a massive mess of unrelated major crimes with victims, dead and alive, piling up.
Laura Graystone’s career soars as she rehearses for her new Broadway musical. Yet, she senses something’s amiss when Jax spends more time with a new buddy aboard a steamboat than solving crimes. With the help of their friends and a mysterious stranger, Laura and Ace set out to get to the bottom of it.
It’s a whirlwind of twists and turns as Jax discovers there is far more to a family than just blood relatives. And who knows? They might help solve the biggest case of his life.
BOOK REVIEW
This is the fifth book in the Jax Diamond series, and it might be my favorite one yet. We learn a lot about Jax’s childhood in this one, and new characters arrive on the scene. Laura is performing on Broadway but still finds time to investigate, especially when she feels that Jax is in trouble. And my favorite bad guy, Orin Marino, makes an appearance, using his cash and connections to help Jax.
The characters, established and new, just shine in this book. I won’t mention the name of my favorite new character as it’s sort of a spoiler, but she is clever, accomplished, and fun. That being said, I can see right now you don’t want to cross her, either! I hope we see a lot more of her in the future. There are, as usual, a lot of “bad guys” on the scene, and some of them will surprise you. Ace, Jax’s canine sidekick, is as smart as ever and is always available to save the day. The book is set partly on a high-class, luxury 1920s steamship, and the description of that setting portrays the decadence well. The mystery is complex, nuanced, and true to the previous books. The surprises keep coming, and the reader will be captivated to the end.
This series is entertaining and addictive, but the author also always shares intriguing tidbits of history from the 1920s. It is historical mystery writing at its best.
Q&A WITH GAIL MEATH
Gail Meath is a wonderful author and friend who also lets me edit her books! I love working with her. She not only graciously agreed to do a Q&A, but didn’t complain when I sent it to her at the last minute! I appreciate her so much! See her responses below.
Bonnie: I loved the 1920s casino/steamship that was a major setting in the story. Was it based on a real ship?
Gail: I based The Cabaret on the luxurious Hudson River steamboats that used to travel between New York City and Albany (1860s-1940s), carrying the wealthiest passengers. They were truly amazing, but there wasn’t any drinking or gambling on board. Since I wanted a casino in the story, I decided to put the two concepts together.
Bonnie: Was the practice of going out into international waters so they could drink alcohol a common practice during Prohibition?
Gail: I didn’t run across any ships that took passengers into the ocean to drink and gamble legally, although I imagine someone thought about it back then. The common practice was for nightclub owners to send their own boats three miles out into the ocean across the city lines to meet up with bootlegger ships and bring the illegal alcohol back to their establishments on shore.
Bonnie: A lot of secrets are revealed in this book. Are there more secrets to come?
Gail: Funny you should ask. I’m starting on book six now, and it will be revealing a little unknown secret about each of the main characters and their friends.
Bonnie: Besides Ace, Jax, and Laura, my favorite character is Orin Marino, the criminal with a heart of gold. Do you have a favorite supporting character?
Gail: I love Orin Marino, too, and he certainly comes in handy with his ‘underground’ connections. I’ve been concentrating on the main characters’ pasts, but going forward, their other friends and a few new ones will be stepping into the limelight.
Bonnie: This is the fifth book in the Jax Diamond series. Do you have a planned number of books, and have you decided on a project after this series?
Gail: Honestly, I didn’t expect the series to continue this far, but the readers seem to enjoy them, and they’ve been so much fun to write! As for another project, I’m not sure. I have four other books started, and I may get back to one of them. Then again, I may write another cozy mystery series either going back to the 1800s about a female Pinkerton agent or leaping forward to the 1940s when Jax and Laura’s children are all grown up.
Bonnie: You have independently published at least 14 books on Amazon and have received many awards for your work. Can you think of one or two lessons learned as an Indie author that you’d like to share with our readers?
Gail:
Lesson #1 – Find a good editor. I couldn’t resist mentioning you, Bonnie, but it’s true. A book could have great characters and a great plot, but if it’s poorly edited, you’re going to lose a ton of readers. Comment from Bonnie: Awww, thank you! I appreciate you letting me be part of a great series!
Lesson #2: Something else I’m still working on is boosting my social media presence. Usually, Indie Authors’ marketing funds are limited, which limits our ability to reach a wider range of readers. Developing a strong social media presence can help tremendously, and there are a lot of great author/reader groups on Facebook.
Bonnie: What is your process when you begin writing? Do you have a favorite writing spot? Do you create an outline or just wing it? As the editor of this book, I see later drafts, but what does your beginning process look like?
Gail: My first step is thinking of a basic idea for the story, then I start researching, and I never know where that’ll take me since it opens up all kinds of other possibilities. I don’t use an outline of the story, but I do create a spreadsheet to keep track of all the characters, clues, notes for the next chapter, etc. My favorite place to write is outside on my deck, weather permitting.
Bonnie: You create your own book covers, and they are fantastic. Can you give our Indie authors some tips on creating a great cover?
Gail: Thank you for the compliment! For covers, I subscribe to a stock photo site where I can download licensed images, then I use Adobe Photoshop to play around with it, make changes, add text, etc. The best way to start is by looking at other books in your genre on Amazon to get an idea of the style – styles are ever-changing! I’m also in an Indie Cover Project group on Facebook where both authors and designers give you valuable input.
Thanks, as always, Gail for answering my questions! I think readers are going to love this next installment in the Jax Diamond series.
Yesterday was the Kentucky Derby. My Dad loved to go to the track when I was a kid in Cincinnati, which is right across the river from Kentucky. He used to always say that we should only bet what we can afford to lose, and I’ve kept that philosophy to this day. I bet $140 yesterday on many various combinations of horses and ended up hitting on an exacta (that’s choosing the first two horses in order of finish) and I won $330 on that, and another $16 on a $2 win bet for the winning horse, Mage. So I came out ahead for the day. The Kentucky Derby always makes me think of my Dad, who passed in 2019. I usually only bet a few times a year, and usually only on Triple Crown races.
The first two days of the week were sad ones as I went to visit my wonderful aunt who is home on hospice and expected to pass away. I’m glad I got to say goodbye.
It’s quiet here in the house because Doug is in Bryson City doing more home renovation. But on Friday I’ll have all three of my grandkids for four days and I’ll be wishing for quiet. lol.
I can now post the reviews I did earlier this year for the May edition of Historical Novels Review, the Magazine of the Historical Novel Society. I’ll be posting three of them next week:
I’ll also be posting a review of Gail Meath’s newest book in the Jax Diamond series, Blackjack. It releases on May 10th.
BOOK HAUL
*West Heart Kill was Read Now on Netgalley yesterday. I’m not sure if it still is. It’s supposed to be a unique approach to a murder mystery.
Indie Weekend is my attempt to help Independent Authors with the task of marketing. Indie authors have to do it all, from cover design to editing, promotion, and more. If I can help even a little bit by sharing their wonderful books with others, I’m happy to do it.
Please share this review with your social media followers as well so we can spread the word about great Indie books as far as possible.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Bill Harrison chronicles his journey from bumbling music student to successful professional bass player in late twentieth-century Chicago. Told with a mixture of wry humor and hard-won insight, Making the Low Notes gives readers an insider’s peek into the prosaic life of a working musician. Harrison describes periods of camaraderie, disappointment, pain, and joy as he toils in venues as divergent as bowling alleys, jazz clubs, recording studios, hotels, orchestra pits, and concert halls. He shares the stage with jazz greats, including Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Clark Terry, Bunky Green, and Max Roach. Along the way, the bassist struggles to reconcile the dissonance between his desire to be heard and his impulse to hide silently in the shadows.
BOOK REVIEW
Making the Low Notes is the story of professional bass player Bill Harrison and his over 40-year career in music. This is not the glamorous tell-all you might get from a rock star. This is a story about the hard work it takes for most people to make a career in music, with its extreme ups and downs. Harrison speaks of his efforts to “stitch together a sustainable living” by playing in such varied places as bowling alleys, churches, and Broadway, and it truly is an up-and-down existence. Besides playing in gigs and theatrical productions, he started his own live music company and a business that created play-along tracks for music students. He also personally taught students to play the bass. He even delved into acting.
Besides the financial side of things, Harrison details the physical toll that being a bass player took on his body. But among the high notes are the facts that he also worked with many famous musicians and played in the orchestra for the Broadway musical Wicked.
The many anecdotes about the life of a working musician are interesting to read. This is a more realistic and unglamorous look at a way of life that many have romanticized. Only a small percentage make millions. Only a comparative few have their faces known. It was refreshing to see a different side of it. Making the Low Notes will be released on June 6, 2023.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
*If you read the book, please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books. Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.
*Please click on the “share” buttons below and share these books with your Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress followers. A little bit of help from all of us will help Indie authors go a long way!
The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Billy @ Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book-related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to their own blogs.
The original question for this week was: “Have you ever been told you have an excessive number of books and what was your reaction?” Since I haven’t ever been told that I changed it to “Do you have an excessive number of books?”
Answer: Any book blogger will tell you they have a lot of books. We are sent books in every format and we have more books than most people. Are they excessive? I have several bookshelves full of print copies, including signed copies that I collect, plus so many ebooks on my Kindle app I couldn’t even tell you. The only ones I feel are excessive are the ones I don’t think I’ll read ever again and are not collector’s books. Eventually, I will give those away or remove them from my Kindle app.
How about you? Do you have an excessive number of books?
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