Hear About Rumors From Shanghai

 

Rumors From Shanghai

By Amy Sommers

Tolt Gross is happy to join his friends in Shanghai when he disembarks the cruise boat from Seattle. He's arrived with his friend and business partner, and they have plans for a new business venture. Shanghai in the early years of World War II was a vibrant city filled with a diverse population enjoying all the benefits of living in a city of opportunities. Rumors From Shanghai brings historical fiction to life within readers' imagination, and it's a unique perspective on the time period at the beginning of World War II. Soon Tolt comes across secret information about a war plan, devastating for people in Pearl Harbor. Can Tolt find someone in authority to alert? If he does would he, a black business man living in Shanghai be believed? How much must he sacrifice in his own life, within his relationships with friends and family, in order to make his case, in the hopes of successfully expressing warnings to save lives?

Not only is Tolt enjoying time with his friends and the challenges of his business responsibilities, he's romantically drawn to the vivacious and charming Diana. Life is good for Tolt. By day he flexes his business skills and discovers his talents in those endeavors. By night he's enjoying the social activities all around Shanghai. When he's confronted with the shocking secret plans to attack Pearl Harbor, he must distinguish between rumor and credibility, then he must decide if he will act.

Author Amy Sommers has done incredible research on the history of both Shanghai and Seattle. Through the book, the author skillfully weaves threads of historical context of both cities and creates compelling contrasts and parallels between the two. Characters live within your heart as the events of war creep into lives around the world and threaten them in different ways as society changes. Those characters who harbor devious motives are credible and thought provoking, challenging the reader too. Although you're reading historical fiction, the action is written so effectively that the reader actively engages in the race to stop an attack on Pearl Harbor.

Author Amy Sommers is a lifelong history fan, with a strong interest in Chinese culture, language, history and people. As a fluent Mandarin-speaking China-focused lawyer, in 2004 she moved to Shanghai with her husband and two young sons. Living and working in Shanghai during a period of intense legal, economic, and social change, she became intrigued by the city's pre-World War II incarnation, one that served as both a mecca and a refuge for people from all over the world to reinvent themselves. Rumors From Shanghai is her debut novel. Check out the the website amysommers.net for more information about the author. Hear more from the author herself on the YouTube podcast A Novel Talk with Amy Sommers.

Little Sister Investigates Natalie's Wood's Mysterious Death

 

Little Sister

My Investigation Into The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood

By Lana Wood

In 2011 Sheriff's department reopened the case of Natalie Wood's death that was ruled “suspicious” when she died in 1981. In 2018 the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department named her husband Robert Wagner “a person of interest” in the case. Now Natalie's sister Lana Wood has published a new memoir investigating the death of her sister. If you love a mystery, especially an alleged true crime case, you'll enjoy reading this book and the opportunity to view some evidence and come to your own conclusions.

Lana Wood's book contains revelations from a daughter growing up in Southern California life in the 1940's and 1950's in a family steered by a mother's intent and determination for a sustained connection in Hollywood. She promoted both her daughters with an inexhaustible energy, and great success. Born in 1938, Natalie's first film was in 1943, The Moon Is Down. Lana's first film was at ten years old The Searchers. This fascinating background information provides insights into the personalities of both women.

The focus of this memoir is the sudden and unexpected, tragic death of Natalie Wood during a weekend boating trip near Catalina Island. Those on the boat included Natalie and her husband Robert “R J” Wagner, Christopher Walken, and the boat's captain who worked for RJ, Dennis Davern. The author writes from her own view of her sister's marriage, the boating weekend occasion, and especially the people's actions and events following that weekend including the sheriff's investigation. There are many clues that have not been discovered until years later. There is interesting debate about why clues were buried. Excerpts from the coroner's report are included in this book.

Lana Wood has included pages filled with photos of family and friends, before and after the tragedy. Within this book, Lana's life story surrounds the mystery of her sister. As a film producer and actress, in her younger years, she's been haunted by the questions of her family's tragedy and also haunted by what she now feels may be a lack of action on her part in solving the mystery. After reviewing evidence from the reopened case, Lana Wood does show what she believes happened that night on the boat named Splendour. After reading, it's up to you to decide for yourself if Little Sister has made her case.

If You Asked Betty White

 

If You Ask Me

(And Of Course You Won't)

By Betty White

Delight yourself with an upbeat, humorous, energetic and touching read by picking up one of Betty White's books, like If You Ask Me. The author's conversational tone is irresistible. The topics she reflects on are engaging. The stories she has to tell about events in her life are heartwarming. This delightful book is a page turner, and filled with great photos of times in her life, including some personal photos of family and friends.

Betty White relates some fun tales about her Hollywood life and times, and the many stars, celebrities, actors, writers, and others working in tinsel town. Learn about the author's stagecraft, and the skills and talents amidst some of her co-stars. At the age of eighty-nine when she wrote this book, find inspiration from her reflections on body and mind while growing older. There are other subjects she shares that are also close to her heart including love, friendship, and her thoughts on her beloved anials and the animal kingdom.

Betty White's true humor and warmth light up these pages. She enjoyed and celebrated life with gratitude and wit that makes her book a joyful read. Betty White's award-winning career in television and film included iconic roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, Hot In Cleveland, The Proposal and so many more. She was widely recognized for her lifelong work for animal welfare. In her own words, learn some mindful and heartfelt insights into a life beautifully lived.

Scarlet At Crystal River, Haunted Mystery

 Scarlet At Crystal River

A Haunted Shores Mystery

By Randy Overbeck

Darrell Henshaw and his new wife Erin are on their honeymoon in Florida. So romantic! Mystery and the paranormal never take a break though, and Darrell feels someone reaching out to him from beyond this world. This is not the first calling from the beyond that Darrell's experienced, but this message is quite urgent. He debates whether to interrupt his honeymoon, potentially disappoint his dear new wife, but mystery calls to him in the desperate tones of innocent children and Darrell must investigate.

Two children appear, and disappear before Darrell when he and Erin are out enjoying the sights. They have a message, they're trying to lead him somewhere, but it's a mystery. More clues surface. Must Darrell confess to his lovely wife, when she suspects something disturbs him? Erin is a very supportive partner for Darrell, and although she is not a sensitive to paranormal activity, she reveals her own strengths and skills that contribute to solving the mystery. Once they team up in pursuit of the truth about murder, the sparks really fly.

The suspense builds as the couple inch closer to the solution to the haunted secrets. A curious clue to the identity of the two children in Scarlet at Crystal River is a unique portrait, which to Darrell appears to have special powers. It's painted by an artist Darrell and Erin meet. A fun trivia fact is that this artist is inspired by a real painter.

Author Randy Overbeck intrigues the reader with a tantalizing mystery, cleverly drawn characters, haunting paranormal activity, and a great story steeped in contemporary social issues and interests. This book is the third in the Haunted Shores Mystery Series.

Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His thrillers and novels have earned five star reviews and garnered national awards. Check out the the website authorrandyoverbeck.com for more information about the author and his books. Hear more from the author himself on the YouTube podcast A Novel Talk with Randy Overbeck.

A Maple Cookie Homecoming

 A Maple Cookie Homecoming

by Judy Ann Davis

Can you ever go home again? Julien Franklin is recently discharged from the Army and headed back to his hometown of Linden, Vermont with a new puppy he's named Mozart. He's planning to stay "for a while" and remodel his adopted parents' home. He's unprepared to see Natalie Pinkett again. She's the one he regretted had got away. Now, years later lots of life has happened to them both, changed them both. Is there any possibility they can rekindle their friendship, or even their star-crossed romance? What surprises are in store with the house remodel? Plans to stay a while be extended, or shortened as his heart will dictate.

The former high school sweethearts begin to get reacquainted over coffee and their forever favorite treat, maple cookies. Natalie is running her bookstore, and renting the rooms above it for extra money. She's returned home herself after becoming a widow. She wants to raise her daughter in her own home town. Julien is looking for a place to stay, and moves into this apartment. The pair will remain in close contact, especially since Natalie's daughter and Mozart become fast friends.

Judy Ann Davis, the author of this charming story sets a vivid scene of a small town and the details that make it unique. It's easy to see why it's a magnet for those characters who grew up there. The author creates intriguing characters and introduces the reader to them, then slowly peels away the layers and reveals more and more about their backgrounds, desires, dreams, and buried secrets. As the plot moves forward, the ripple effects of one person's life on others' lives is beautifully shown and quite thought provoking. It's such an engaging story, and it surfaces an interesting debate about possibilities, and exploring the idea of how idyllic is it if you ever go home again?

Merry Little Wishing Spritz Holiday Read

Merry Little Wishing Spritz

by Cherie Colyer

Cassie is about to lose everything. Big change threatens her present and her plans for her future. The home and the job she loves are facing a large yellow construction crane and demolition blueprints according to a prescient vision disclosed by her friend. Lakeside Books is a charming store and living above it suits Cassie just right in the idyllic town of Mystic Creek. She had a beloved history with this bookstore and Bea, the current owner. On the brink of a heartbreak, her thoughts turn dark toward the anonymous buyer. Wrath in a witch such as Cassie can be a worry, except she's bound by the magic rules, or can those rules be stretched?

Cassie and her friend just happen to have baked a batch of special cookies used to cast a wish-come-true spell. Deciding it's worth a try, Cassie casts enthusiastically and with only the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong? Just like Cassie, you'll be surprised at the answer to that.

The first surprise is the handsome new visitor to town who has a great interest in the bookstore as well. Cassie's attraction to this man grows stronger as she gets to know him better. She has her own rules to apply in this aspect of her life too. This dear witch has vowed not to date mortals. In this case, it's a tough decision to stick to, romance has a magic all its own.

It's not long before Cassie has her hands full smoothing the wrinkles caused by her good natured spell. Some of the affects are unexpected and don't seem to occur due to her actions alone. Is someone else dabbling in magic?

Author Cherie Colyer writes a delightful, winsome romance that amuses from page to page as the reader frolics through this charming witch Cassie's story. You'll want to linger over every page with its vivid descriptions, sweet humor, and characters that you'll wish were friends living in your own hometown. Spend the holidays with them in this merry little read. 

Death By Sample Size

 

Death by Sample Size

By Susie Black

How about a liberal dose of laugh out loud humor with your intriguing mystery? Here's an amateur sleuth who is wise-cracking, irreverent, and becomes determined to follow all clues and find a cunning killer. The victim was certainly no friend to Holly Schlivnik. In fact Bunny Frank really had no friends, leaving a long line of suspects in her wake. It's when Holly's friend Sonia is charged with the murder that this swimwear sales executive gets into action to help her friend. How can the police get it all so wrong? But, Holly hasn't investigated a crime before. Can she really be any help? When she rolls up her sleeves, which suspects will stand out to her? Can she convince authorities with the clues she finds? The police are not happy with an amateur on the case, and the situation could become desperate for poor Sonia behind bars.

Unlike the murdered Bunny Frank, Holly Schlivnik has lots of friends. She meets up with many of them often at The Java Jolt as they take begin their work day in the garment industry, or taking a break. They talk about the business, and about the people in the business. Holly is able to recruit some help from them, especially from Queenie Levine who, along with Holly keeps the reader laughing out loud while they dig up irresistible clues. There's plenty of opportunity for readers to analyze the clues along with the swimwear sales exec and narrow down suspects.

Miguel Martinez is the detective challenged by this amateur sleuth and her friends. There appears there's a romantic spark between the two of them, at least when confrontational sparks aren't flying between them over the case.

The details in the case about the the setting of Los Angeles, and especially about the fashion industry matches the excitement of the suspect chase and hunt for the killer. It's very interesting to learn about this business, and the unique characters enhance the plot. The author's story telling style flows beautifully through this delightful fast paced mystery.

Born in the Big Apple, Susie Black calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries. You can also hear directly from the author herself on YouTube's podcast, A Novel Talk with Susie Black