The Eves A Story of Storytellers

 The Eves

By Grace Sammon

Jessica Barnet is in the midst of renovating her Washington DC row house, and her shattered life is also in need of rejuvenation. It appears she's hit bottom, devastated by family loss, stalled in her drive and ambition, and seeking solace in glasses of vodka. Wallowing in her misery, Jes tells herself and those around her truths that she wants to believe. Thanks to her dear friend Sonia, Jes is introduced to the ladies of The Eves who each have real life stories that a writer like Jes can absorb, and tell the world. What lessons may she even learn for herself?

These older women are committed to living their final years in community at The Eves, a sustainable farm on the cliffs of Chesapeake Bay. These colorful women can reach back in time over 100 years even as they wrestle with the very real question of what story they will leave to the future. These women are not done living, not at all. There is still more to their stories yet to come. They have much to give, including joy. As Jes researches their stories-in-progress, she begins her own transition. In that journey, she is influenced by an intergenerational group of women and men who give her maps she can use to guide her way out of hiding to a new future.

Clues surface regarding the honest truth of Jes' life. Digging into the depths, surprises that are buried are found. Transitioning within her life, Jes must find a way to reconcile the life she dreamed of, and her life in reality. That is an amazing story, exciting in the telling.

Author Grace Sammon presents a beautiful novel of a group of people thrown together by circumstance, and giving to each other the gift of understanding and compassion, and more. The Eves is truly Jes' story from despair, yet it is also the stories from others that pave a way toward hope, if Jes will listen.

Grace Sammon is an author, entrepreneur, educator, and speaker. She has started and managed two for-profit and two not-for-profit companies, and she has travelled to thirty-five states and eight foreign countries. Grace is utilizing skills built up over decades as she re-invents herself with this award-winning fourth book and debut novel The Eves and with a return to one of her early loves, radio with her new show, The Storytellers. Find out more about the author at gracesammon.net.

A Fatal First Act Brings Reader Bravos

 

A Fatal First Night

By Kathleen Marple Kalb

It's opening night at the New York City Opera in 1899 and breathless anticipation overflows into the aisles among the chattering audience waiting for the curtain to go up. Backstage all are taking their positions, readying themselves for a memorable performance. When the final curtain falls, so does one of their own as the actors find a murder victim in his dressing room. It looks like the killer has been caught in the act, but opera star Ella Shane is not so certain. She will search for the real killer, determined to solve this mystery despite the danger. Will she go too far and take her final bow?

Ella Shane is herself an intriguing character with a rocky and difficult past. No opera diva, Ella is in the business for the music, the stories, the work, and the theater. Loving a challenge, she plays all parts of interest regardless of society's expectations. Fencing is one of her many talents, and skills. She's also en garde as she romantically parries with a certain English aristocratic man. Their interests grow, but there is a concerning question of trust that has them alternating their lunges, and putting them occasionally en garde. Can they work out their differences? In the meantime Ella pursues her own investigation of the stage mystery. More lives are at stake, possibly her own.

The clues revealed are an exciting trail to an ominous group of suspects. As Ella delves into the mystery, she has a delightful array of friends who support and aid her. In her final acts, she must stop the guilty killer. Despite her drive to solve the murder, and work out her romantic entanglements, still the show must go on for this dynamic protagonist.

Historic New York of 1899 teems with life, the sights and scenes and society of a rollicking city on the verge of a new century. The author's talented writing puts you at this time and place, in the midst of an exciting plot. Her skill at creating characters that are engaging, who you'd like to know and be friends with, creates a captivating story, and series.

Author Katherine Marple Kalb has created a fun, historical mystery series. This book is the first, and the newest in the series is A Fatal Overture. Find out more on the website katherinemarplekalb.com, and hear more from the author herself on YouTube's A Novel Talk with Katherine Marple Kalb.

Read About Love in The Price of Secrets

 The Price of Secrets

                           By Jacquie May Miller

After you finish this touching book, get ready to hug your loved ones, treasure your times together, and celebrate when they are near. Years ago when Jamie was on her way to college in California, she was exiled from her family by her mother. Jamie's grievous insult, as perceived by her mother, was to become pregnant without a husband. Jamie left and isolated from all her family and friends she showed the courage to have her baby. Eventually she found the love of her life and they raised her son together. Now she's tragically lost her husband, and her mother has passed away. Can she go home again? Can she introduce her adult son to his biological father? Can she determine which of the two men is his father?

After her sudden disappearance twenty-five years ago, Jamie knows that her appearance at her high school reunion will be a shock to many friends, and to those she was once so close to. Not everyone is pleased to see her, yet some are thrilled and entranced. What will be the reaction from the two men who may be an unsuspecting father? One of them has no children. The other has a daughter. How will this development impact their families? How will they react to Jamie and will they want to meet her son Justin? Meeting his biological father is a life altering event for Justin. What is ahead now for him and the plans he had?

Author Jacquie May Miller shares a dramatic story of family, love, and fateful destiny. She's talented at revealing in great effect how the ripples from one person's life and decisions impact the lives and actions of other people. Repercussions multiply across this cast of characters. The reader is engaged and enraptured by life's consequences and different characters' reactions. What is The Price of Secrets, and who pays that price? When courage is shown, can Jamie take destiny into her own hands and redirect it?

Author Jacquie May Miller was chosen as the featured writer in a literary journal produced at Washington State University where her short story, Bernie’s Choice, was published in 2013. The Price of Secrets is Jacquie's first published novel, a work of women’s fiction. You'll also want to visit Jacquie's May Daze, a blog exploring the value of friendship, family and life’s little surprises at www.jmaydaze.com.

Readers Flock To When Starlings Fly As One

 

When Starlings Fly As One

By Nancy Blanton

Merel is serving maid to Lady Carey in Ireland, as tensions erupt between the Irish and the English in 1642. Leaders on both sides do all they can to inspire and appeal to followers in this fight. Both countries have so much to gain, and potentially everything to lose. Within the castle of Rathbarry, Merel has made a few dear friendships, and one first love. She's sketched the beauty outside the castle walls, including the massive groups of starlings. Some say the birds represent the devil's desire, some say they represent courage. When Rathbarry feels the affects of war, Merel will discover whether desire or courage can prevail. In a moment of truth Merel will have to decide whether she can wait for someone to rescue her, or if she needs to act for herself and for those she cares about.

Merel is no stranger to tragic events. She lost both her beloved parents ina terrible drowning when the boat the family traveled on sank. Merel was fortunate to be saved, yet her life was changed forever. Now she lived the life of a lady's maid. She did like the lady, until another lady stole her away to Castle Rathbarry. Surrounded by the enemy, cut off from any help, hope is hard to come by. Merel is resilient, but can she find the strength to serve her lady and carve out a life of her own choice? At risk are also her dear new friend Jayne, who also serves the English lady as she keeps quiet about her Irish roots, and her love David who is one of the English fighting men. Merel also strikes up a friendship with Elinor the hardworking castle cook. The castle is led by Sir Arthur Freke, but is he up to the challenge?

Closest to Merel's heart is Tynan, who cares for the animals in the castle stable. Their love for each other is intense, but during these tumultuous times they are torn apart by duty, by orders, and by the enemy. They have so much in common, yet there are also incidents that divide them.

Award winning author Nancy Blanton's intense historical research creates a forceful drama, shedding light on aspects of human nature that transcend any period of time. The author highlights events, military strategies, and the emotions of those caught up in this lifetime. Other books in the series of historical novels are also set in 17^th century Ireland. Nancy Blanton's vision is for a literate world that values, shares and learns from the stories of generations that went before, and honors them by living with respect and compassion, refusing to repeat the mistakes of the past so that things like human brutality, greed-driven wars and preventable famines no longer exist. Check out the the website nancyblanton.com for more information about the author. Hear more from the author herself on the YouTube podcast A Novel Talk with Nancy Blanton.

Check Into Murder At The Galvez

 

Murder At The Galvez

A Sydney Lockhart Mystery

By Kathleen Kaska.

Reporter Sydney Lockhart travels back to Galvesto, Texas to cover a story about the conference on the Pelican Island development. It's an emotional topic, but Sydney's biggest concern is avoiding the family drama surrounding her parents who live nearby, as they plan their upcoming wedding. That's a mystery of its own. Sydney checks into the Galvez hotel, an iconic and historic place where Sydney's grandfather worked, and eighteen years ago was murdered. Haunted by the unsolved murder and the family history at the Galvez, Sydney is also unnerved by mysterious phone messages telling her to get out. The reporting assignment takes an unexpected turn when the keynote speaker goes missing, and a surprise is found in the trunk of Sydney's car, a dead body. Sydney has no explanation.

Sydney must act fast to prove her innocence and to defend herself from anonymous threats. She has an assortment of suspects to investigate. Following the clues, is she crazy to think the current mystery is connected to her grandfather's death years ago? Is this intrigue years in the making? When Sydney calls on her cousin for help the results are unpredictable. Fortunately both of them have a great sense of humor, which delights readers as much as their antics discovering clues.

This book, Murder At The Galvez, is author Kathleen Kaska's third in the Sydney Lockhart series. Sydney is a dynamic character with a sarcasm and life outlook that bites and is often revealing. Juggling her extended family's reckless demands, against dire threats, Sydney is a woman of action which makes this book a fast and fascinating, fun read. Her cousin Rachel is one of my favorites in the cast, and all the suspects have their own perspectives and motives, revealed in tantalizing ways. The star of the story is the historic Galvez, and its secrets.

Author Kathleen Kaska says she began writing her Sydney Lockhart Mystery Series—set in historic hotels during the fifties, of course—to say and do things I would “never try at home.” When not writing, she spends much of her time traveling the country’s back roads and byways; bird-watching; and looking for new locales for her mysteries. Learn more about this author and all her books at kathleenkaska.com.

A Coat Dyed Black - Echoes Through The Soul

 

A Coat Dyed Black

A Novel of the Norwegian Resistance

By Don Pugnetti Jr.

A powerful story. A Coat Dyed Black is a tremendous tribute that doesn't just tug at the heart, it echoes through the soul. What a sensitive and harrowing view of human nature, fighting against the odds in a man made disaster. Bjorn Erliksen is a young man with a peaceful, idyllic life ahead of him, farming land he inherited from his father on Norway's west coast. He didn't know that another World War would erupt all over his beautiful country. As the Nazi's take over every aspect of life and demand support from civilians including taking their farm animals and harvests, fear and force pit neighbor against neighbor and trust puts all life at risk.

Norway fights back, and Bjorn joins up with the untrained, courageous young troops. They quickly lose. Having been part of the Resistance is not something to show, so Bjorn dies his army green military coat black, to hide it and to keep it, just as he hides his continuing resistance. Bjorn and many of those who fought are haunted by the question, why did we survive when others didn't?

His continuing, underground fight is inspired for his loved ones, and also for the many brave, nameless defenders who died fighting the invaders. Bjorn enters the dangerous life of a secret Norwegian commando. Their training is intense, and dangerous. Their assignments are critical, deadly and meant to find any and all ways to hinder or stop the Nazi efforts. Complacency, carelessness, bad decisions result in torture, possibly death for the secret combatant and all associated with them. Bjorn had no idea that would include his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, as the Resistance reunites them now several years later.

Author Don Pugnetti Jr. writes a story of war that brings the reader into the conflict. Not only into the battle, but into the soul's torment for what is lost, and debates over what they know they must do but never imagined they would. The triumphs, and the desperate struggles, these characters are so relatable. They are you, your brother, your sister, your friends, defending themselves against an ultimate force that's ready to destroy anything in their way on their thirst for power. You'll hope for these characters, cry for them, cheer for them.

The true history of these brave Norwegians is well researched. The facts and setting, events and people that inspired this incredible book are expertly and artfully woven throughout this fictional account. It reads as a page turner story, based on the most fascinating historic facts, people, and events. The Coat Dyed Black, carried by a character who sees the best in the human race, and the worst, and impacted by it all for a lifetime.

Don Pugnetti Jr. has had a decades long career in journalism, public relations, and public affairs, including eighteen years as a newspaper reporter and editor. He's served as policy advisor and speechwriter for a statewide elected official and has taught university level news writing and communications.

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.