Winter Takes All on the trail of a mystery

Winter Takes All

By ML Erdahl

Crystal is a newly hired wilderness guide. She’s thrilled to finally have excitement in her life as she heads into Washington State’s Cascade wilderness. It’s all so promising. She’s on the trail with a ruggedly handsome, experienced guide mentoring her on leading a private snowshoeing weekend party. Who could have predicted that before the night ended she’d be told that a “rescue operation has become a search and recover . . . It means he’s dead.”

Crystal is now caught up in more excitement than she’d expected. She’s in the midst of a puzzling murder mystery. This snowshoe weekend was a corporate celebration. The business owner wanted to treat his employees before his pending retirement. At the secluded lodge reserved for the group in the mountains, it became clear that there were tensions between employees, and with the owner. One became a deadly conflict. But which one? And why?

Crystal’s new employer has been shut down from further expeditions until the police solve the case. Crystal’s bank account will not last through a sustained investigation. She will bring the needed urgency to solve this case herself, and she shares the clues to the delight of sleuthing readers who want the chance to find the killer. Crystal investigates while consulting, and dating, the dreamy guide who was with her on the trip, Connor.

Can Crystal find the killer before it’s detected that she’s on the trail? Or will the killer stop her in her tracks? As Crystal approaches a dangerous, precipitous moment, will she have the strength and resources to prove her case, save herself, and clear her employer’s reputation?

From the variety of lively, urban Seattle, to the peaceful solitude of the Cascade Mountains, this author writes a vividly descriptive setting. His characters leap to life off the page and into the imagination, with the flavor of an engaging Agatha Christie, that has an alluring, contemporary twist. He creates an intricate puzzle, with fascinating suspects, and an amateur sleuth who’s delightful and so humorous.

Author Michael Erdahl lives amidst the trees of the Pacific Northwest, and has spent his lifetime exploring. When he’s not wandering the mountains, he’s gardening, reading, or searching for the best coffee in Seattle. You can learn more about the author at http://mlerdahl.com/

Cover Reveal - Kat Out of the Bag! A Mystery!

Look for this Mystery early in 2020!

Kat Out of the Bag

By Wendy Kendall (that's me!)

Published by The Wild Rose Press

When celebrated international purse designer, Katherine Watson, hosts a gala for her Purse-onality Museum, she never expected the next day's headline to read: 'Murder at the Gala Premiere.' But after a dead body is found during the event, that's exactly what happened.

Working to solve the murder, Katherine matches wits with local cop Jason Holmes and his K-9 partner, Hobbs. Although Holmes and Watson disagree often, they discover an undeniable attraction building between them. But they'll have to put their feelings on hold and focus on solving the murder, before Katherine becomes the killer's next knock off.

From designer bags to body bags . . . . 

Thank You artist Kim Mendoza for the cover art!

Are You Outrageous Too?

The Last Outrageous Woman

By Jessica H. Stone

Outrageous means very bold, unusual, and even startling. In The Last Outrageous Woman by Jessica H. Stone, circumstances throw together five women who decide it’s time to take destiny in their own hands and unite in the promise to fulfill each other’s secret life wish. They decide that together they can do those things that alone they have not been able to fulfill for themselves. This promise, made by five outrageous women to support each other, begins a story about a series of exciting and heartwarming adventures.

Naming five previously unspoken wishes is what starts a tour of cities around the world. From Florida to the Emerald Isle, from Tasmania to the markets of Egypt, and all the intriguing destinations visited are such a treat as described by this well-traveled author at the helm. The descriptions of these exotic settings are vivid and captivating. And with these fascinating, unpredictable characters, the actions and interactions prove to be humorous, surprising, and touching. It’s wonderful to watch how these unexpected friendships grow. And the women will lean on each other at times, because pursuing dreams this important is not always easy. There are challenges. After all, if it was easy it would already have been done.

It’s so interesting to discover what each person’s secret life wish is. What has been so important and yet so private that it was never shared with their family or friends before? These characters, each in her own way, demonstrates how bold, unusual and sometimes even startling she is, and how inspiring. These characters will have you thinking about what dream is important to you.

Author Jessica H. Stone, is also a long distance sailor who has cruised the Caribbean, navigated Puget Sound, traversed Canada’s waters, sailed the Mexican coast, wandered the Sea of Cortez and crossed the Pacific all with her border collie Kip McSnip. Over the course of sixteen years their experience led to the popular book, Doggy on Deck: Life at Sea with a Salty Dog. She continued sailing on some amazing international adventures after losing her four-legged crew. Her engaging novel The Last Outrageous Woman takes travel into a new dimension. You might also be interested in her guide book titled How To Retire on a Boat.

Visit her website at jessicahstone.com, and take a look at some of the most beautiful travel photos that may inspire trips of your own, and if you’d like to hear more from the author please enjoy this interview by Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee – A Novel Talk with Jessica H. Stone

Kindle Raffle Winners' Book Recommendations!

Announcing the winners of the Friends of the Edmonds Library Kindle Raffle! Donations from Symetra.  Thank you so much to the Edmonds Library staff for their work to make this Raffle such a success!  Congratulations! To the winners and their recommendations -

Addie Marie Jones,
Skin Deep an Interactive Coloring Book, by Screebee (Addie Marie Jones)
This book encourages all ages and all races to understand and accept diversity in a mild manner. It combines old-school with modern technology for a learn through play experience that helps build self-esteem as well as computer skills (when using the APP).

Brook Roberts,
My Stroke of Insight, by Jill Bolte Taylor
Amazing insight into what happens to the victim of a stroke

Wendy Kliment,
Shedding Our Stars, by Laureen Nussbaum & Karen Kirtley
A great read about a family who survived the Holocaust due to a decision made by German Reichskommissar named Hans CalMeyer, who very quietly saved thousands of Jews from concentration camp from behind his desk.

Cheryl Bailey,
Oil and Marble, by Stephanie Storey
Well researched historical novel about Leonardo de Vinci and Michealangelo

Christmas Knight - A Romantic Adventure Not Just For The Holidays by Pam Binder

Christmas Knight Matchmaker Café Series, Book 5
By Pam Binder

Cross the threshold of this romantic adventure without hesitation, and be propelled onto a breathtaking time travel tour between contemporary Seattle and medieval England.

 Do you have a holiday wish? Colin Edward Penrose has one. It’s a very desperate Christmas wish. He must find the woman who can break the curse that was cast in a fit of rage upon his family, by the legendary enchanter Merlin. The right woman to break the curse is mysteriously riddled to be “a woman out of time”. But time is running out. He must find her before New Year’s, or all is lost at Tintagel Castle.

Madeline Murphy is a successful lawyer working in contemporary Seattle. She often reminds herself that she doesn’t need a man and that she should be satisfied with her life. She wonders if it’s time to stop searching for the ideal man, give up on love, and commit herself fully to her father’s needs at his law firm.  Christmas Knight is an adventurous journey through time with such romantic milestones. Yet, these travelers are torn between their passionate love and the compelling, different family responsibilities they each carry.

Sometimes love needs a nudge. No better place for a nudge than the magical Matchmaker Café. The mischievous matchmaker Nessa is the integral player creating an encounter where a romantic spark may ignite. But other matchmakers are concerned when they find out what Nessa is up to, and what may come from the ripples created by her actions. The matchmakers all become involved in different and intriguing ways, hoping to save the day for love.

Is time an illusion and love the only reality? Or does the reality of the time that you live in restrict the love you can feel? Can true love transcend time? Colin and Madeline are about to find answers, at the exciting Tintagel Castle, even in the midst of battling against other struggles of 1485 and also of today’s modern world.

Christmas Knight is a delightful addition to the Matchmaker Café series by author Pam Binder. This prolific author blends historical events, characters and myths into her young adult, romance, historical, time travel, and fantasy fiction. She is an award-winning New York Times and Amazon bestselling author based in suburban Seattle. Visit her website at pambinder.com, and if you’d like to hear more from the author, please enjoy this interview by Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee – A Novel Talk with Pam Binder

The Fog Ladies - They're On The Case

The Fog Ladies

By Susan McCormick

 

An ominous suspicion creeps into the minds of the resident ladies at the Pacific Heights apartment building as they watch the fog bank inch its way over the Golden Gate Bridge. There had been a number of grave accidents in their building recently. It’s suspicious. None of the group nicknamed The Fog Ladies, are as nimble as they used to be, but they’re smart and compassionate, and determined to solve this mystery. After all, they’d called this building home for decades, and the next “accident” could be one of them. They enlist the help of Sarah James, a medical intern renting the apartment just below Frances Noonan, one of the fog ladies. And so this curious group of friends begins investigating.

Circumstances will have these ladies doubting themselves, and each other. There are complicating factors and concerns from the busy lives they lead that fascinate. These intricacies unfold and intercede upon these amateur sleuths. Gossip flies as the possible motives of other residents, their visitors, and even building maintenance people are questioned. How fun to catch little glimpses into all these interesting lives. The reader can’t help but be pulled in as a virtual friend on the team, weighing theories and judging suspects.

Many of the primary characters are seasoned seniors. This gives them such interesting personal histories and engrained personalities that are delightfully portrayed. Over their decades, they have gained perspectives and wisdom that sometimes bring compelling insights. But are they always correct? Over time have things changed, and have these ladies kept up? Do they really know contemporary human nature?

The city on the Bay is almost a character itself. San Francisco is a beautiful and yet intriguing setting that also has its own part to play in this cozy mystery story. If you like puzzling out the solution to everyday situations, The Fog Ladies is sure to give you an enjoyable challenge.

The author, Susan McCormick writes cozy murder mysteries. She is also the author of Granny Can’t Remember Me, a children’s picture book about Alzheimer’s disease. She is a doctor, and that background is seamlessly woven into the clues of her mysteries, giving authenticity and dimension to the plot. You can learn more about the author at http://www.susanccormickbooks.com

This Particular Happiness Will Fill You With Love

This Particular Happiness

A Childless Love Story

By Jackie Shannon Hollis

Choice can be a double edged sword. When couples have the opportunity to decide between them whether they will have children, it presents a dilemma when the two people in the relationship do not agree. Choosing between the love of a partner and the chance to become a parent creates tension. Someone may end up with regrets. This memoir is a poignant description of the author working through this situation with her husband. Her analytical review becomes a memorable exploration of their relationship, and also of her own life experience and what drives her desire. “Maybe this thing I called wanting a child was a distraction from a bigger need: to understand why I was here, why I was alive. My need to justify myself.”

The author’s sincere soul searching is touching and mesmerizes as it builds in its intensity. Her history is revealed as she remembers it, and how she feels it. A picture is painted of her life experiences. The resulting portrait shows wrinkles from the consequences that left strong emotions beneath the surface. As she struggles with her inner passions and unresolved issues, she tries to persuade her husband to change his mind, hoping he will not stand firm in his choice not to become a father.

In the meantime the author describes that “Life made a path around the wanting.” Despite our personal trials and tribulations, life has a habit of moving forward at a relentless pace. For this family decision, that also sets up a ticking clock which increases the urgency of an acceptance of a final decision between them. Can true happiness be found in a childless love story? Join this passionate woman on her very personal and heartfelt journey of discovery. This memoir resonates especially with couples who have faced this pull at their heart, but also it’s a revelation for those who have chosen parenthood. When these difficult struggles surface the author has a life lesson to share. “Death can come at any moment. Be present, or you will miss your life.”

Think of choosing this book for your book club. A readers’ guide is included for a lively discussion. Jackie Shannon Hollis is a lifelong Oregonian, and resides with her husband in a home her friends call the tree house.