Between Two Strangers by Kate White

 Struggling artist Skyler Moore is flabbergasted when she receives a suspicious phone call from a lawyer she’s never met regarding a “private matter.” As soon as she arrives at the law firm’s office, she learns she’s the recipient of a large inheritance, a life-changing sum that will allow her to realize her long-held dream of becoming a mother. But who was her benefactor, Christopher Whaley? The late man’s name means nothing to Skyler, and she has no idea why he would leave her such an enormous bequest.

Looking into his background, Skyler finally realizes they met once at a hotel bar and shared a one-night stand. But they never exchanged numbers, or even last names, and that was over a decade ago. She wonders if the inheritance is meant to be a message of some kind, but can’t imagine what it might be.

Chris’ family is confused and suspicious too, and his widow accuses Skyler of having an affair with her late husband, then threatens revenge. In order to protect herself, Skyler has to understand the reason the money was left to her. But as she digs for the truth, it becomes clear that Chris Whaley might have taken other secrets to the grave, ones that could have terrifying consequences for her....

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Between Two Strangers: A Novel of Suspense: 9780063247369: White, Kate: Books

Kate White is the New York Times bestselling author of nine psychological thrillers, including the upcoming BETWEEN TWO STRANGERS (May 16), as well as THE SECRETS YOU KEEP, THE SECOND HUSBAND, and HAVE YOU SEEN ME?, named an Amazon editors' pick in the thriller category.

In addition to writing stand-alone psychological thrillers, Kate is the author of eight Bailey Weggins mysteries. The most recent, SUCH A PERFECT WIFE, was nominated for an International Thriller Writers Award.

Kate is also the editor of the MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA COOKBOOK.

You can get updates on Kate by following her here on Amazon, signing up for her newsletter at katewhite.com, and by following her on Facebook @KateWhiteAuthor and/or Instagram @katewhite_author. If you need to contact her for a talk or book club visit (in person or virtually), or just to ask a question, simply go to "Contact" or "Speaking/Book Clubs" at katewhite.com.

She is a frequent speaker at libraries and conferences and loves to share her journey from magazine editor to suspense author.

The former editor-in-chief of five major magazines, including Cosmopolitan for 14 years, Kate is also the author of several popular career books, including THE GUTSY GIRL HANDBOOK: YOUR MANIFESTO FOR SUCCESS; I SHOULDN'T BE TELLING YOU THIS: HOW TO ASK FOR THE MONEY, SNAG THE PROMOTION, AND CREATE THE CAREER YOU DESERVE and the groundbreaking bestseller WHY GOOD GIRLS DON'T GET AHEAD BUT GUTSY GIRLS DO.

The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon

 They say life flashes before your eyes when you’re about to die. But all she could see was regret.

The people in Frankie Morgan’s life say she’s angry. Emotionally stunted. Combative. But really, who can blame her? It’s hard being nice when your clients are insufferable, your next-door neighbor is a miserable woman and the cowardly driver who killed your mother is still out living it up somewhere.

Somehow, though, she finds herself at her very first anger-management group session—drinking terrible coffee and learning all about how “forgiveness is a process.”

One that starts with a list.

Frankie is skeptical. A list of everyone who’s wronged her in some way over the years? More paper, please. Still, she makes the pointless list—with her own name in a prominent spot—and promptly forgets about it…until it goes missing. And one by one, the people she’s named start getting hurt in freak accidents, each deadlier than the last.

Could it be coincidence giving her the revenge she never dared to seek…or something more sinister?

If Frankie doesn’t find out who’s behind it all, she might be next.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: The Revenge List: A Novel: 9780778333463: McKinnon, Hannah Mary: Books

Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favour of writing. While her debut, TIME AFTER TIME, was a rom com, she transitioned to the dark side thereafter. Her suspense novels include THE NEIGHBORS, and bestsellers HER SECRET SON, SISTER DEAR, YOU WILL REMEMBER ME and NEVER COMING HOME. Her seventh book (sixth thriller), THE REVENGE LIST is scheduled for May 2023. Her eighth is a holiday romantic comedy, THE CHRISTMAS WAGER, written under the pseudonym Holly Cassidy. Hannah Mary is now working on another thriller, and a second romantic comedy as Holly Cassidy.

Hannah Mary lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband and three sons

Connect on Facebook and Instagram @hannahmarymckinnon, and on Twitter @HannahMMcKinnon. For more, visit www.hannahmarymckinnon.com 

My Thoughts...

I'm shaking my head, what did I just read. Mckinnon blew me away. This had to be the best twists and ending to any thriller yet. I highly recommend this book. You won't be able to put it down.
5 stars two times. Hands down a must read.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Since the Baby Came By Kathleen Bostrom

 This charming, playful story-in-verse introduces children to a variety of different poetic forms while walking them through all the twists and turns of welcoming a new baby into the family.

Mama is having a baby.
Everything’s starting to change.
God, can you tell me what happened?
Life is becoming so strange.

Since the Baby Came offers a unique take on a timeless topic. The heartfelt and humorous drama unfolds completely in verse, addressing the full range of emotions a young child experiences when a new baby joins the family—from surprise and confusion to feelings of neglect and jealousy to wholehearted tenderness and affection. The book also introduces young children to the playfulness and fun of various forms of poetry, from senryu to villanelle. 

Look out! It’s a diaper volcano!
Forgive me for being abrupt.
There isn’t much time to explain—OH!

That thing is about to erupt!

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Since the Baby Came: A Sibling's Learning-to-Love Story in 16 Poems: 9780593577684: Long Bostrom, Kathleen, Samuel, Janet: Books

Kathleen Long Bostrom is an accomplished author who has published over 50 books, most of them picture books for young readers. Her books have been published in over 24 languages around the world. She is a retired Presbyterian pastor who now considers her readers to be her congregation.

Kathy lives in Carlsbad, California, with her husband and little mixed-breed puppy, Sophie Grace. Her three children are all in the film business in Los Angeles. Kathy loves to read, write, walk (especially on the beach) and watch tennis.

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

 Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.

Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers' groups are sure to enjoy discussing for its many layers of meaning. Extra features include new interior illustrations from Joe Sutphin, funny footnotes, a map of the fantastical world, inventive appendices, and fanciful line art in the tradition of the original Frank L. Baum Wizard of Oz storybooks.

Pick up your copy here...

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: The Wingfeather Saga Book 1: Peterson, Andrew, Sutphin, Joe: 9780525653561: Amazon.com: Books

Hey, folks. If you're just discovering me or any of my work, it can be a little confusing because there are several facets to it. Here's the rundown:

* I write songs. I also record them and put on concerts around the US, the UK, and (sometimes) Europe.

* I write books. I've written a four-book fantasy series for young readers called the Wingfeather Saga. I also drew some of the pictures (but not the awesome ones). (WingfeatherSaga.com) I've also written a memoir about the creative life called Adorning the Dark, and another memoir about culture and creation called The God of the Garden.

*I'm one of the executive producers of The Wingfeather Saga Animated Series. You can watch season one for free over at Angel.com, and we're hard at work on season two.

* I'm the founder of the Rabbit Room, a community of songwriters, authors, and artists interested in storytelling, faith, and fellowship. We have a yearly conference called Hutchmoot, which is as strange and wonderful as it sounds. (RabbitRoom.com)

* I've been married for twenty-eight years to Jamie, and we have three sweet (grown) children: Aedan (22), Asher (21), and Skye (18), two daughters-in-law, and one extremely wonderful granddaughter. Jamie and I live in a magical place we call the Warren, just south of Nashville.

The common thread in all this is my love for Christ and his Kingdom, my belief in the power of story and art, and my need for family and community. If I had to boil it all down, I'd say this: I want to use my gifts to tell the truth, and to tell it as beautifully as I can.

That ought to get you started. For a more in-depth look at what I do, visit Andrew-Peterson.com. Thanks!

Stella the Brave by Emily Hussem

A fresh reminder for school-age kids that Jesus will help them be brave any time they feel anxious.

It isn’t easy to go to a new school and make new friends. But kids will discover through Stella the Brave that they can count on Jesus for courage in any situation. As young readers follow Stella through her first day at school in a brand new city, they will relate to her fears, struggles, and triumphs. They will recognize through her constant prayers that Jesus can be the friend who always provides strength to conquer each day’s obstacles… and that there’s a lot to rejoice in along the way!

Pick up your copy here...

Stella the Brave: Emily Wilson, Nathalia Rivera: 9781648708336: Amazon.com: Books

 Emily Wilson Hussem is an author, speaker, YouTuber, wife and mom who shares her faith online and travels the world sharing her witness of faith at conferences and events across the globe. Emily’s social channels (@emwilss) have a combined follower count of over 250,000. Her YouTube channel alone has over 130,000 subscribers and tens of millions of views. She writes, speaks, and creates videos on femininity, faith, and relationships, and her books, videos, and talks have inspired and encouraged women of all ages.

Background

Emily was encouraged by her third grade teacher to get up and sing in front of the whole church at the age of 7. With continued support from her high school choir teacher, she started leading music regularly. She planned to become a sports broadcaster and earned a degree in broadcast journalism at ASU, but after reading On the Dignity and Vocation of Women (Mulieris Dignitatem), she felt a powerful call to use her education in speaking and presenting to spread the Gospel.

After working for two years as a full-time high school campus minister, Emily made the transition to full-time traveling ministry beginning in 2013. She has spoken, hosted, and played music at dozens of national and international youth, young adult, and women’s events in two dozen states and numerous countries, including FOCUS, Life Teen, Steubenville, NCYC, ICYC conferences, the Australian and Swiss Youth Festivals, and many more. She has presented at universities around the Nation including the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Florida, George Mason University, University of California, Berkeley and dozens more.

The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths

 When builders discover a human skeleton during a renovation of a café, they call in archeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway, who is preoccupied with the threatened closure of her department and by her ever-complicated relationship with DCI Nelson. The bones turn out to be modern—the remains of Emily Pickering, a young archaeology student who went missing in 2002. Suspicion soon falls on Emily’s Cambridge tutor and also on another archeology enthusiast who was part of the group gathered the weekend before she disappeared—Ruth’s friend Cathbad.

As they investigate, Nelson and his team uncover a tangled web of relationships within the archeology group and look for a link between them and the café where Emily’s bones were found. Then, just when the team seem to be making progress, Cathbad disappears. The trail leads Ruth a to the Neolithic flint mines in Grimes Graves. The race is on, first to find Cathbad and then to exonerate him, but will Ruth and Nelson uncover the truth in time to save their friend? 

Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                   The Last Remains: A Mystery (Ruth Galloway Mysteries, 15): Griffiths, Elly: 9780358726487: Amazon.com: Books

 

Thank you for visiting my Amazon author page! I'm the author of two crime series, the Dr Ruth Galloway books and the Brighton Mysteries. Last year I also published a stand-alone, The Stranger Diaries, and a children's book, A Girl Called Justice. I have previously written books under my real name, Domenica de Rosa (I know it sounds made up).

The Ruth books are set in Norfolk, a place I know well from childhood. It was a chance remark of my husband's that gave me the idea for the first in the series, The Crossing Places. We were crossing Titchwell Marsh in North Norfolk when Andy (an archaeologist) mentioned that prehistoric people thought that marshland was sacred ground. Because it's neither land nor sea, but something in-between, they saw it as a bridge to the afterlife; neither land nor sea, neither life nor death. In that moment, I saw Dr Ruth Galloway walking towards me out of the mist...

I live near Brighton with Andy. We have two grown-up children. I write in a garden shed accompanied by my cat, Gus.

The Lie Maker by Linwood Barclay

 

Your dad’s not a good person. Your dad killed people, son.

These are some of the last words Jack Givins’ father spoke to him before he was whisked away by witness protection, leaving Jack and his mother to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives as best they could.

Years later, Jack is a grown man with problems of his own. He’s a talented but struggling author, barely scraping by on the royalties from his moderately successful first book. So when the U.S. Marshals approach him with a lucrative opportunity, he’s in no position to turn them down. They’re recruiting writers like Jack to create false histories for people in witness protection—people like Jack’s father.

The coincidence is astonishing to Jack at first, but he soon realizes this may be a chance to find his dad. Only there’s one problem—Jack’s father hasn’t made contact with his handlers recently, and they have no idea where he is. He could be in serious danger, and Jack may be the only one who can find him.

But how will he find a man he’s never truly known? A man who has done terrible things in his lifetime and made some deadly enemies in the process—enemies who wouldn’t think twice about using his own son against him.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: The Lie Maker: A Novel: 9780063276246: Barclay, Linwood: Books

Linwood Barclay is a former columnist for The Toronto Star and the author of several critically acclaimed novels, including Too Close to Home and No Time for Goodbye, a #1 Sunday Times (UK) bestseller. He lives near Toronto with his wife.

What the Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman

 Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door in a chilling story of murder and intrigue set in a well-to-do DC suburb.

Sometimes the darkest acts occur in the most beautiful houses…

When Alexis and her husband Sam buy a neglected Cape Cod house in an exclusive DC suburb, they are ecstatic. Sam is on the cusp of making partner at his law firm, Alexis is pregnant with their second child, and their glamorous neighbors welcome the couple with open arms. Things are looking up, and Alexis believes she can finally leave her troubled past behind.

But the neighborhood’s picture-perfect image is shattered when their neighbor Teddy – a handsome, successful father of three – is found dead on the steep banks of the Potomac River. The community is shaken, and as the police struggle to identify and apprehend the killer, tension in the neighborhood mounts and long-buried secrets start to emerge.

In the midst of the turmoil, Alexis takes comfort in her budding friendship with Teddy’s beautiful and charismatic widow, Blair. But as the women grow closer, the neighborhood only becomes more divided. And when the unthinkable truth behind Teddy’s murder is finally uncovered, both Blair and Alexis must reexamine their friendship and decide how far they are willing to go to preserve the lives they have so carefully constructed.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Physical gift cards from your favorite brands: Gift Cards

Melissa Adelman was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, a first-generation American with parents from Haiti and Chile. When she is not traveling the world for her job as an international development economist, her favorite place to be is at home, an old house full of surprises just outside D.C. Melissa lives with her husband, two energetic little boys, and long-suffering shih tzu. She holds a Ph.D. and B.A. in economics from Harvard University and has authored several policy papers and research volumes. What the Neighbors Saw is her first novel.

MY Thoughts...

What in the world did I just read. I never saw any of this coming. This is a book that will have you shaking your head.
Run and get a copy.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Heaven Scent by Kristi Copeland

 

Through a heartfelt interview, the bandmembers of Heaven Scent share stories of love, loss, and forgiveness, allowing them to reminisce and revisit their roots.

Best friends Charlie, Alli, and Sara share an intense love of music and one common dream: to be rock stars. Determined to transform their ordinary life, they form a band—Heaven Scent.

After booking a gig at their smalltown dive bar, Heaven Scent skyrockets to local fame, and residents from surrounding towns flock to their shows. Negative influences often follow success, though. Charlie’s jealous family members’ constant humiliation threatens to crack the band’s presumed unbreakable bond. But pandemonium ensues when the drummer betrays the band and sends their aspirations plummeting out of control.

The dividing incident forces the remaining bandmembers to make the hardest decision of their lives—fight tooth and nail for freedom or succumb to a normal, boring, smalltown life.

Pick up your copy here...

Heaven Scent: Copeland, Kristi: 9781737633990: Amazon.com: Books

All my life, writing, sharing experiences through story-telling, and intensive research has interested me. Finally, with my first novel, all of these loves have been combined to give my readers an experience through the written word.

Like so many of my favorite books have done for me, I sincerely hope to connect with you through my writing. A simple communication style brings words off the page to a vision in your mind.

Everywhere I look, I see someone begging me to write about them. Even my husband’s dreams inspire ideas about new books! Join me as I create scenarios that could happen to anyone…and probably have. Maybe me, maybe you.

Overflowing Joy Journal

 

Little gems of joy are embedded in every single day! Uncover yours and write them down in this blissfully colorful inspirational journal, which is filled with comforting Scriptures from various translations of the Bible and delightful hand lettering to inspire your daily bible journaling. All inspired by Maghon Taylor author of Happy Hand Lettering whose mission to spread happiness through my handwriting.

Pick up your copy here...

Overflowing Joy: An Inspirational Journal for Celebrating Every Day: Maghon Taylor: 9781648709036: Amazon.com: Books

Maghon Taylor (founder of allshewrotenotes.com) is on a mission to spread happiness through her handwriting. Maghon is the author of Happy Handlettering and Betty Confetti. Her life motto is “Work Hard, Stay Sweet, Trust God, Love Deep.” She’s taught thousands of people through her online classes and penmanship parties, and her colorful art can be found on gift shop shelves nationwide. In 2021, she opened her first studio storefront in Gibsonville, North Carolina. Maghon is giving God the glory every day alongside her husband (and middle school sweetheart), Chris, and their sweet son, Vance.

The House on Prytania by Karen White

 

Nola Trenholm may not be psychic herself, but she’s spent enough time around people who are to know when ghosts are present, and there are definitely a few lingering spirits in her recently purchased Creole cottage in New Orleans. Something, or someone, is keeping them tethered to this world. And not all of them are benign. 

But with the sudden return of Sunny Ryan, Beau Ryan’s long-lost sister, Nola has plenty to distract her from her ghostly housemates. Especially when the tempting—yet firmly unavailable—Beau, wanting to mete out justice to those he blames for Sunny’s kidnapping, asks Nola for a favor that threatens to derail her hard-won recovery and send her hurtling backward. He asks her to welcome Michael Hebert back into her life, even though Michael is the reason for Nola’s bruised heart. Beau is convinced that Michael’s powerful family was behind Sunny’s disappearance and that Michael is the key to getting information the police won’t be able to ignore—if Nola is willing to risk everything for which she’s worked so hard. 

Torn between helping Beau and protecting herself, Nola doesn’t realize until it’s almost too late why the ghosts are haunting her house—a startling revelation that will throw her and Beau together to fight a common enemy. Assuming Nola can get Beau to listen to what the spirits are trying to tell him, because ignoring them could prove to be a fatal mistake...

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: The House on Prytania (A Royal Street Novel): 9780593334621: White, Karen: Books

I grew up being a voracious reader and it was a natural step to turn my interest to writing. I have published 28 award-winning and bestselling novels including my latest release, THE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS ON TRADD STREET, published by Penguin Random House in October, 2019. This is the 6th book in the Tradd Street series, to be followed by the final book, THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET, scheduled for publication on November 2, 2021. My next book, THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON, will be published on April 20, 2021.

I write what others have termed "grit-lit"--southern women's fiction, as well as a contemporary paranormal mystery series (The House on Tradd Street is the 1st book in the series) set in Charleston, South Carolina.

I have also written three collaborations with bestselling authors Lauren Willig and Beatriz Williams. The most recent, ALL THE WAYS WE SAID GOODBYE, was published my William Morrow in January, 2012. We are hard at work on book #4, scheduled for publication in September, 2022.

I have two grown children (one of whom appears in several of my books under the alias of Meghan Black), and live near Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and two of the cutest Havanese dogs, Quincy and Sophie Belle. Readers may recognize Quincy as General Lee in the Tradd Street series.

Happy reading!

For more about me and my books, please visit my website at www.karen-white.com or connect on social media: Facebook: Facebook.com/karenwhiteauthor, Twitter: @KarenWhiteWrite, Instagram: @KarenWhiteWrite and Pinterest: KarenWhiteBooks.

100 Pass-along Notes to Spread Happiness Giveaway

 

A delightful addition to DaySpring’s popular Prayers to Share Series, these notes make it effortless to spread contagious happiness to the world around you. It is the perfect way to share the joy that is ours in Jesus!

Prayers to Share: 100 Pass-Along Notes to Spread Happiness makes it simple and fun to encourage family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances with bold reasons to rejoice in the Lord during the busyness of life. Complete with Bible Verses, inspirational positivity affirmations, and thoughtful prayers from Maghon Taylor, these prayer cards will inspire everyone around you to celebrate the abundant happiness, we have in God. These pages make it easy, just tear and share a prayer.

Pick yours up here...

Prayers to Share: 100 Pass-Along Notes To Spread Happiness: Maghon Taylor: 9781648709029: Amazon.com: Books

Maghon Taylor is on a mission to spread happiness through her handwriting. She is a joyful wife, fun mama and owner of All She Wrote Notes, an award winning calligraphy and hand lettering studio based in Elon, North Carolina.

Since 2013, Maghon's cheerful collection of colorful gifts has spread smiles all across America with their encouraging words and uplifting messages. Maghon believes wholeheartedly that our talents are meant to be shared and she has taught more than 10,000 students to reignite their creativity with her traveling lettering workshops and her online classes. She is also the author of Happy Hand Lettering and Betty Confetti.

A seasoned artist and calligrapher, Maghon’s work has been featured on many publications such as Southern Weddings, Inspired By This, Wedding Chicks and Southern Bride and Groom. She has partnered to letter items and host events with national retailers such as Michael's, West Elm, Neiman Marcus, Kendra Scott, Anthropologie, Mary Square and Swoozies, as well as dozens of local businesses across North Carolina and the South.

She finds immense joy in spreading positivity on all her platforms and motivates more than 50,000 women daily to turn their mistakes into confetti, a metaphor she applies not only to her business, but also her life. Maghon has had the honor of sharing her entrepreneurship journey from the stage at dozens of creative conferences and on many podcasts meant to inspire those on a similar path.

Her life motto is Work Hard, Stay Sweet, Trust God and Love Deep and she strives to live out these words daily. When she's not doodling the day away with colorful markers, she loves swinging on her front porch, cheering for Carolina Basketball and golfing with her boys.

Maghon is living her dream every day alongside her husband and middle school sweetheart Chris, their sweet son, Vance and their wild and crazy goldendoodles, Teddy Confetti and Gracie.

Dad and the Recycling-Bin Roller Coaster By Taylor Calmus

 A loving dad goes a little over-the-top as he tries to DIY the best day ever for his kids in this funny, tender, vibrantly illustrated picture book from the viral video star behind Dude Dad and A Dude's Guide to Baby Size.

When Mom heads out for a day of shopping and self-care, Dad knows it's "the perfect opportunity for a spectacular, build-tastic, super-Dad plan." Eager for his three kids to have the best day ever, Dad throws himself into build after build—from a leaf-blower-powered rocket ship to an ice cream truck with sherbet shooters—each more elaborate than the last. But one after another, the kids (including the unusually well-spoken baby) decline to play with Dad's creations. Feeling dejected, Dad starts to put away his tools, but then his kids are finally able to tell him what they really want . . . to play with him!

Pick up your copy here...

Dad and the Recycling-Bin Roller Coaster: Calmus, Taylor, Kaban, Eda: 9780593194430: Amazon.com: Books

Taylor Calmus is Colorado based video creator. He has an online channel called Dude Dad where her makes sketches, DIY, and vlog videos all about family life. He also stars in Magnolia Network's Super Dad, in which he helps other dads make their kid's backyard dreams a reality.

Taylor is originally from the rural community of Howard, SD but also spent 10 years living in Los Angeles. There he was in numerous TV shows, commercials, and has regular appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

My Thoughts...                                                                                                  The illustrations are so fun and adorable, This is a very cute book and a great message.

A Vineyard Season by Jean Stone

 

There’s no place like home. Especially when home is an island paradise in full bloom . . .

With her wedding only weeks away, Annie should be grateful to be back on Martha’s Vineyard, running her cozy Inn and crafting her artisan soaps. But her recent trip to L.A. to see her bestselling novels turned into films has her fantasizing about a life in California. Annie knows her fiancé, John, would never relocate—the small-town police officer’s whole life is here. And Annie is looking forward to the imminent birth of a baby in her own extended family. Yet somehow she can’t stop imagining . . .

Then John’s older daughter is diagnosed with a serious illness, rocking their world and sending John off-island to tend to her, alongside his ex-wife. When Annie’s newfound celebrity attracts a stranger into her midst with a secret that could wreak havoc on her half-brother Kevin’s life, Annie is faced with a choice that will test their relationship. With the distance between her and John growing deeper every day, suddenly Annie is questioning everything—including her ties to the only place she has ever dared to call home . . .

Pick up your copy...

A Vineyard Season (A Vineyard Novel): Stone, Jean: 9781496737670: Amazon.com: Books

I enjoy writing about the types of challenges in life that are faced by "everyday" women—and showing how they turn their struggles into wisdom in order to overcome obstacles. Each book also includes a bit of a mystery and a touch of love "just for fun." I also have written under the name Abby Drake.

My first novel, SINS OF INNOCENCE, was published by Random House in 1994, and was named an amazon.com ebook bestseller in 2016, which was very exciting! A few of my early Vineyard novels appeared on the USA Today bestseller list.

My 20 novels have been published around the world in various languages. My latest series is from Kensington Books and takes place on Martha's Vineyard (where I live): the first titles are A VINEYARD CHRISTMAS and A VINEYARD SUMMER. Both are available in print, large print, as ebooks, and as audio books.

For more information, check out my website at www.jeanstone.com, my blog at www.jeanstonemv.com, or follow me on FaceBook, Twitter, or Instagram. And let me know what you think!

And thanks for "stopping by" to learn more about my books.

—jean

The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 Callie Dixon had the world by the tail . . . until it all slipped away. Fired from her dream job after making a colossalmistake, she's escaped to her aunt's home on Cape Cod for time to bounce back. Except it isn't a home, it's an ice cream shop. And time isn't going to help, because Callie's bounce has up and left. There's a reason she made that mistake at work, and she's struggling to come to terms with it.

Things go from bad to worse when Callie's cousin Dawn drags her to a community class about the secret to happiness. Happiness is the last thing Callie wants to think about right now, but instructor Bruno Bianco--a curiously gloomy fellow--is relentless. He has a way of turning Callie's thoughts upside down. Her feelings, too.

Bruno insists that hitting rock bottom is the very best place to be. But if that's true, how is it supposed to help her figure out what--or who--has been missing from her life all along?

Pick up your copy here...

The Secret to Happiness (Cape Cod Creamery): Fisher, Suzanne Woods: 9780800739485: Amazon.com: Books

Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story.

Readers are invited to stop by Suzanne's website at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

My Thoughts...

 I dream of going to Cape Cod, after reading Fishers books it's like I have been there. The writing and the descriptions are so real. This series has been Fishers best. She does contemporary so well.

I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait for Fishers next book.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.