Saturday, March 30, 2024

Never Fall Again by Lynn Blackburn Giveaway!

 

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. After serving as the artist-in-residence, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home in which to grow up.

Former Marine Callum Shaw always knew he would someday join his family's construction business in Gossamer Falls. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. The beautiful artist who has hired him to build her new house is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. He's loved--and lost--someone like her before.

When Landry's pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire, it becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger--but from whom? Cal will have to risk his heart again if he has any hope of protecting them.

Pick up your copy here...


Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she's sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!

She’s currently writing the Gossamer Falls series set in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The series will include three novels and one novella and kicks off with Never Fall Again.

Unknown Threat, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award.

Lynn lives in South Carolina with her family. You can stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at her website and following her on social media @LynnHBlackburn. 

My Thoughts...
I love small towns, and suspense, and family drama. This one has it all. I really enjoyed this one. I can't wait for the next book in the Gossamer Falls series. It really didn't hurt that the small town was set in North Carolina.
I recommend this one.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Friday, March 29, 2024

Kailani's Gift by Dorina Lazo GIVEAWAY!


 A picture book celebration of family, Filipino heritage, and dance that showcases the value of patience, perseverance, and blessing others with your gifts and talents.


As Kailani watches her siblings practice a traditional Filipino dance for their grandparents' anniversary party, she longs to join them. But keeping up with the rhythm and hopping in time with the beats of the tinikling is much harder than Kailani imagined!

With Daddy's help, Kailani practices the motions of the dance step by step. But will she be able to learn the tinikling in time to surprise her Lolo and Lola?

Illustrator Lynnor Bontigao's work pairs exquisitely with Dorina Gilmore-Young's storytelling to celebrate Filipino culture and traditions. Also included is a glossary of Tagalog terms used throughout the book. 

Pick up your copy here...

Dorina chases God’s glory as a mama of three girls, foodie, runner, podcaster, and a weaver of words. With an MFA in Children’s Literature, Dorina has published four multicultural children’s books with one more releasing in Spring 2024. Her book, Cora Cooks Pancit, received the Asian American Librarian’s Association Picture Book of the Year. Dorina also has experience teaching college students, speaking in elementary schools, and coaching youth.

Dorina is passionate about raising up women from diverse backgrounds to thrive in their God-given callings. Dorina writes for (in) courage and Proverbs 31 devotional teams. Her essays have been published at Kindred Mom, For Every Mom, The MOPS blog and in more than 20 newspapers. She specializes in helping people discover God's glory through adversity and flourish in community. Her gift is delivering authentic, Biblically-sound messages that engage audiences through story. She has published two Bible studies, Glory Chasers: Discovering God's Glory in Unexpected Places and Flourishing Together: Cultivating a Fruitful Life in Christ with two coming, Create in Me a Heart of Mercy and Reclaiming Ruth. Dorina is the president of the Redbud Writers Guild and the director of the Lead Loved ministry.

Dorina is the granddaughter of Filipino-Hawaiian and Italian immigrants. Raised in Chicago, she was transplanted to Fresno, California in 1999. She considers herself a California girl now as she raises three daughters to love the cultural diversity, wonder-filled landscapes and unique food of the state. After her husband died from cancer in 2014, Dorina married a long-time friend, Shawn Young. When Dorina is not writing or traveling with her family, she’s out on the trails running and chasing God’s glory.

Connect with Dorina at www.DorinaGilmore.com, where you can sign up for her Glorygram. You can also find her as @DorinaGilmore on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.


Daughter of a Promise by Jeanne Blasberg


 Sara Gottfried M.D. is the author of the critically-acclaimed Amazon #1 bestselling book, Women, Food, and Hormones: A 4-Week Plan to Achieve Hormonal Balance, Lose Weight, and Feel Like Yourself Again (September 21, 2021). Her book is now available on sale and you can submit your receipt to SaraGottfriedMD.com to obtain bonuses and get started.

Dr. Sara Gottfried previously published three New York Times and Amazon bestselling books, The Hormone Cure, The Hormone Reset Diet, and Younger. She is a Harvard- and MIT-educated physician, speaker, yoga teacher, and author. For the past 25 years, Dr. Sara has practiced functional and precision medicine. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University, where she is Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Medicine Her unique mission to change the conversation about women's health has galvanized a large community of empowered women. Learn more at SaraGottfriedMD.com.

Pick up your copy here...


Jeanne Blasberg is an award-winning and bestselling author and essayist. Her most recent book, The Nine (She Writes Press 2019) was honored with the 2019 Foreword Indies Gold Award in Thriller & Suspense, and the Gold Medal and Juror’s Choice in the 2019 National Indie Excellence Awards, among others. Her debut novel, Eden (She Writes Press 2017), won the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Best New Voice in Fiction and was a finalist for the Sarton Women’s Book Award for Historical Fiction. Blasberg founded the Westerly Writer’s Workshop and sits on the boards of the Boston Book Festival and GrubStreet, one of the country’s preeminent creative writing centers. Her essays have been featured in Zibby Owen’s Moms Don’t Have Time To, as well as in The Huffington Post, Indagare, Grown and Flown, diyMFA, The Jewish Book Council, and many others. Blasberg also reviews contemporary fiction for the New York Journal of Books and is a 2021-22 Southampton Arts Bookends Fellow. She and her husband have three grown children and split time between New England and the American West.

She loves to hear from readers and is happy to participate in book group discussions. To learn more, follow her blog, or contact her through her website, www.jeanneblasberg.com.

This was an interesting read. I was kept engage thru most of the book. I always like coming of age reads. I am happy I was part of this tour. Thanks Suzy.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

The new Rules of Attachment by Dr. Judy Ho

 

Did you know that attachment style impacts more than romantic relationships? As it turns out, most of us are thinking about Attachment Theory all wrong, and triple board-certified clinical and forensic neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho is here to set the record straight.
 
Grounded in the science of attachment, Dr. Judy’s game-changing approach shows that our attachment style impacts every aspect of our lives: friendships, career, goal setting, and, critically, our sense of self. Moreover, we can all learn to become securely attached—no matter what attachment style we developed in childhood—meaning that we can reclaim our ability to feel safe, loved, and capable of achieving the life we’ve always wanted.
 
Through Dr. Judy’s innovative program, readers will learn to identify their attachment style, recognize their core needs and wounds, and implement evidence-based practical tools to heal their inner child as they develop the secure attachment we all need to thrive.
 
Readers will also benefit from:

  • A new attachment style quiz to identify your attachment style in all areas of life.
  • A personalized approach that allows you to start making positive change today.
  • More than two dozen transformative exercises to support your journey to healing.

 

With warmth, authority, and a bias to action, The New Rules of Attachment is a call to achieving unconditional self-love and a meaningful, joyful life.

Pick up your copy here...


Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, and published author. She penned Stop Self-Sabotage (published by HarperCollins in August 2019), a book detailing a scientifically driven six-step program which has been translated into 7 additional languages around the world. Her second book, co-authored with Max Dubrow, titled I’ll Give it to Your Straight-ish: What Your Teen Wants You to Know, was published by Flashpoint in November 2021 and contains Dr. Judy's evidence-based tips to help parents raise healthy and resilient teenagers. Dr. Judy’s third book, The New Rules of Attachment, which focuses on healing insecure attachment styles at any age to optimize well-being, career, goal attainment, and relationships with family, friends, and colleagues, will be published by Hachette Book Group in March 2024.

Dr. Judy maintains a private practice in Manhattan Beach, CA where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and expert witness work. She regularly appears as an expert psychologist on television, podcasts, radio, and contributes to other media including print and electronic periodicals. She was a co-host on the syndicate daytime television talk show The Doctors, co-host of CBS’s Face the Truth, and host of The SuperCharged Life podcast.

Dr. Judy Ho is an avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award. She teaches masters and doctoral level psychology students, hosts an active research program to improve mental health care for high-need populations, and is the chair of the Institutional Review Board at Pepperdine University. Her treatment approaches integrate the scientific principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She is a sought after keynote speaker and educator for national and local events including research, clinical, and corporate conferences and workshops for businesses, organizations, and schools.

Dr. Judy received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from University of California Berkeley and Haas school of Business, and her masters and doctorate from the San Diego State University/University of California School of Medicine’s Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA's Semel Institute. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology, and National Board of Forensic Evaluators.

Dr. Judy resides in Los Angeles, CA and enjoys snowboarding, writing music, singing, running, biking, cooking, playing video games, and dabbling in the art of flying trapeze during her time away from work. Her favorite pup is the Border Collie, and most memorable places to travel include Greece, Italy, and Sweden. 

Get this book just for the quiz to figure out your attachment style. The whole book was so interesting and easy to understand but the quiz is the best.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Abundant Grace by Will & Courtney Kassner


From the creators of Crew + Co. comes a gorgeous 40-day devotional resource that will inspire reflection and encourage Christian creatives to make Scripture reading a daily practice in their lives.

Abundant Grace, the debut devotional from Crew + Co. founders Courtney and Will Kassner, invites creative believers to meditate on and engage with Scripture daily, with devotions that are accessible, beautifully designed, and deeply encouraging. Divided into three parts—Knowing God's Grace, Trusting God's Grace, and Showing God's Grace—this forty-day devotional guides you in recognizing the small moments of grace around you and teaches you how to cultivate a grace-filled perspective in even the busiest lifestyle.

Each of the forty days pairs a full-color hand-lettered Bible verse with a thoughtful devotion that closes with either a prayer or a reflection question for helping you recognize how God’s grace works in your normal, everyday life. 

Pick up your copy here...


Courtney Kassner is the owner of the small business, Crew + Co, along with her husband, Will Kassner. Crew + Co is a faith-based business that focuses on encouraging and colorful family devotional products. Will and Courtney grew up in the Memphis area and now live close by in north Mississippi. When not at work, they love being outdoors with their three kids, growing wildflowers, and camping. You can learn more about their business at crewandco.com

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The Autoimmune Cure by Sara GotteFried

 

We know that autoimmune disease—a condition when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissue and cells—affects about one in ten Americans, or 24 million people, with prevalence increasing worldwide. But as New York Times bestselling author Dr. Sara Gottfried explains in this eye-opening new book, autoimmune disease may be even more pervasive than we realize—and its root cause may surprise you.

Conventional medicine falls short when it comes to both diagnosing and treating autoimmune disease. Many people suffer from mysterious symptoms—like severe fatigue, brain fog, aches and pains, feelings of tingling and numbness, stubborn weight gain, abdominal pain, digestive problems, hair loss, insomnia, and even anxiety—and don’t realize their immune system is at the root of their symptoms. In her precision medicine practice, Dr. Gottfried noticed a seemingly unusual pattern: many of her patients who suffer from autoimmune disease and symptoms have a history of trauma. Emerging research shows that up to 80% of patients with autoimmune disease experienced significant emotional distress before getting sick.

With The Autoimmune Cure, there is hope on the horizon for the tens of millions of people who suffer from autoimmune disease. Dr. Gottfried has created a powerful program designed to break the vicious cycle of autoimmune disease, reset your immune system, and restore your health, with advice on:

  • diet
  • sleep
  • supplements
  • breathwork
  • microbiome restoration
  • somatic therapy
  • ketamine-assisted treatment
  • microdosing psilocybin
  • MDMA-assisted therapy
The Autoimmune Cure offers a roadmap to lasting relief from autoimmune disease by addressing the root cause of the condition and healing the body, mind, and spirit.

Pick up your copy here...


Sara Gottfried M.D. is the author of the critically-acclaimed Amazon #1 bestselling book, Women, Food, and Hormones: A 4-Week Plan to Achieve Hormonal Balance, Lose Weight, and Feel Like Yourself Again (September 21, 2021). Her book is now available on sale and you can submit your receipt to SaraGottfriedMD.com to obtain bonuses and get started.

Dr. Sara Gottfried previously published three New York Times and Amazon bestselling books, The Hormone Cure, The Hormone Reset Diet, and Younger. She is a Harvard- and MIT-educated physician, speaker, yoga teacher, and author. For the past 25 years, Dr. Sara has practiced functional and precision medicine. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University, where she is Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Medicine Her unique mission to change the conversation about women's health has galvanized a large community of empowered women. Learn more at SaraGottfriedMD.com.

Monday, March 25, 2024

Spiritually, We by Sah D'Simone


 “We need each other,” says internationally bestselling author Sah D’Simone. That’s the unapologetically loving message at the heart of Spiritually, We, a moving manifesto for an increasingly “me, me, me” moment.


In this bold call to action, Sah maps how contemporary spirituality has become an increasingly self-centered project, only exacerbating the loneliness that plagues modern life. Brilliantly illuminating not only 
why connection is a fundamental piece of a deep spiritual practice, but how to connect with others authentically, Spiritually, We is the essential field guide to deepening friendships, building community, and ultimately healing not only yourself but the whole damn world.

Drawing on the insights and tools he has developed as both teacher and student―as well as the expertise of researchers, journalists, and healers across diverse fields―Sah holds nothing back as he invites us to release an “us vs them” mindset, cultivate radical compassion, and creatively transform our struggles into opportunities for awakening.

Full of Sah’s trademark candor and sass, 
Spiritually, We is the wake-up call for our times, a deeply felt and necessary reminder that you aren’t alone, that you aren’t meant to be alone, and that it is side by side with others where true wisdom flourishes.


Sah D'Simone is a spiritual revolutionary, mystic, artist, award-winning filmmaker, and the internationally best-selling author of Spiritually Sassy: 8 Radical Steps to Activate Your Innate Superpowers. He is well-known for hosting the top-rated Spiritually Sassy Show podcast and The Big Celebrity Detox on UK Channel 4, and for creating the Somatic Activated Healing (SAH) Method™.

Sah's profound expertise is rooted in a decade of experiential Buddhist practice, his extensive retreat experiences in India and Nepal, and his professional training in contemplative psychotherapy.

As a kinesthetic learner, Sah has danced into trance states since 2015, developing a deep understanding of the body-mind connection. This kinesthetic learning process inspired the formulation of his unique and critically acclaimed Somatic Activated Healing Method.

His trauma-informed approach is informed by his grassroots work in orphanages, homeless shelters, and rehab centers in Indonesia, Nepal, India, and the US. Sah provides support to the patients of Cedars Sinai Hospital (the #2 hospital in the US) as a member of their Spiritual Care Chaplain team. Sah's remarkable contributions to homeless youth in Venice Beach, CA, earned him the CARE award from the city and county of Los Angeles. He is also a guest teacher at Columbia University.

Despite his impressive professional journey and achievements, what truly defines Sah is his courage and resilience. From a young age, his life has been marked by battles with depression, anxiety, and addiction; yet, his unwavering will to keep living and helping others truly signifies his luminary impact in the fields of spirituality and trauma healing.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

I am Extraordinary by Stephen Curry


 In his sophomore picture book, NBA superstar Stephen Curry encourages kids to embrace the differences that make them extraordinary!


It’s the first day of school for Zoe, a young girl with hearing loss who dreams of playing on her school’s soccer team. But, self-conscious of her hearing aids, Zoe is too nervous to try out. With the help of and perspectives from new friends, what begins as a bumpy, anxiety-filled start for Zoe, soon transitions into an eye-opening experience about what it means to be different—and what it means to be extraordinary. I Am Extraordinary teaches kids how to look inside themselves to find self-acceptance and the confidence to achieve any goal.

Pick up your copy here...


Stephen Curry (born March 14, 1988, AkronOhio, U.S.) American professional basketball player who led the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to championships in 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2021–22 and to the best regular-season record in league history (73–9) in 2015–16.

Curry grew up immersed in basketball as the son of 16-year NBA veteran sharpshooter Dell Curry. The younger Curry learned the intricacies of the game from his father. His keen shooting and high “basketball IQ” were not enough to persuade college coaches to overlook his wiry frame and unremarkable 6-foot (1.8-metre) height. He did not receive scholarship offers from major college basketball programs and attended Davidson (North Carolina) College, which had an enrollment of fewer than 2,000 students. He quickly made his mark, however, averaging 21.5 points per game as a freshman to lead all first-year players in the country. Curry became a national sensation during his sophomore season, when he led 10th-seeded Davidson on an improbable run to the Elite Eight of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s top-division basketball championship

The Art of You by James McCrae


 From conscious creativity leader James McCrae comes a guide to reclaim creativity as a sacred path to healing; awaken your sense of wonder, execute your craft, and reclaim the artist within.


Whether an accountant or a writer, you are an artist whether you realize it or not. You create your life in each passing moment. The question is, are you creating with conscious intention or creating by default?

Creativity is our true magic. To be alive is to be in a state of co-creation with the universe. But it also requires courage and commitment―especially in a culture that values conformity and trends above authentic expression. For anyone who has hit a creative wall and wants to reignite their imagination and passion, author and poet James McCrae's 
The Art of You is a powerful resource to help you access your inner magic and spark your joy in creativity.

Presented in his signature visual style, 
The Art of You helps you dissolve blockages and turn your imagination into reality. Topics in this book include:

Creativity is human nature. You don't have to make traditional art. Creative thinking can be applied to every area of your life, from business to relationships to social media content.
In a world of increasing uncertainty, creativity is more important than ever. The old social norms are rapidly shifting. Creativity helps us navigate the unknown and shape a better future.
Creativity is an equal balance of yin (being) and yang (doing). This book unlocks the full spectrum of the creative process, from cultivating intuition to launching projects, providing rituals and practices for each stage of the process.
Expression is healing. It's not only about being good at creativity. It's about creativity being good for you.
Creativity in the age of social media. Learn how to be an artist in an increasingly digital world.

"Art matters," says McCrae. "Art gives us comfort, opens our minds to new perspectives, and leaves us awestruck. Art is medicine―for ourselves, others, and the world." Here is an indispensable resource to awaken the creative power of your soul―whether you're a writer, painter, dancer, singer, or someone who wants to express your unique truth in work, life, and love.

Pick up your copy here...


James McCrae is an artist, poet, and teacher who empowers creators to live with purpose and turn imagination into reality. He is the founder of Sunflower Club, a global community dedicated to creativity as a tool for personal healing and social transformation. As a creative strategist, he has worked with top brands and startups to define and actualize their message and mission. His books include Sh#t Your Ego Says and How to Laugh in Ironic Amusement During Your Existential Crisis. James lives in Austin, Texas.

Friday, March 22, 2024

The Scandal by Nicola Marsh


 My life is like one of those cheap snow globes my twins collected when they were younger. Shiny and pretty on the outside, blurred beyond recognition when shaken.


Ever since her twin girls left home, 
Marisa has felt there’s something missing from her life. Her sprawling mansion is no longer filled with laughter and chaos, and she’s desperate to feel needed... and to be distracted from the secret she’s been hiding from her husband for all these years.

Coffee with her best friends might be the only thing holding Marisa together. But 
Claire and Elly have their own secrets. Like why Claire hasn’t been to work in weeks, or why Elly won’t tell anyone who’s buying her flowers.

When Jodi, a pregnant young girl, turns up at Marisa’s doorstep, Marisa is quick to come to her aid. She sees herself in Jodi and she knows how devoting yourself to looking after others can take up all your time in the most marvelous way.

Pick up your copy here..


USA TODAY bestselling & multi-award winning author Nicola Marsh writes page-turning fiction to keep you up all night.

She has published 80 books, sold over 8 million copies worldwide and been translated into 25 languages.

She currently writes contemporary romance and domestic suspense. You can find some of her series romance under the pseudonym Nikki North.

A physiotherapist for 13 years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two dashing young heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, barracking loudly for her beloved North Melbourne Kangaroos footy team, and her favourite, curling up with a good book!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Where they Lie by Claire Coughlan


 Some stories demand to be told. They keep coming back, echoing down through the decades, until they find a teller . . .

Dublin, 1943. Actress Julia Bridges disappears. She was last seen entering the house of Gloria Fitzpatrick, who is later put on trial for the murder of a woman whose abortion she facilitated. But it’s never proved that Gloria had a hand in Julia’s death—and Julia’s body has never been found. Gloria, however, is sentenced to life in an institution for the criminally insane, where she’s found dead a few years later from an apparent suicide, and the truth of what happened to Julia Bridges dies with her.

Until . . .

Dublin, 1968. Nicoletta Sarto is an ambitious junior reporter for the Irish Sentinel when the bones of Julia Bridges are discovered in the garden of a house on the outskirts of the city. Drawn into investigating the 25-year-old mystery of Julia’s disappearance and her link to the notorious Gloria Fitzpatrick, Nicoletta becomes immersed in the tangled underworld of the illegal abortion industry, stirring up long-buried secrets from her own past.

A beautifully atmospheric, timely thriller, Where They Lie uses a murder mystery as a lens to focus on the long struggle of women fighting to achieve autonomy and succeed in a man’s world.

Pick up your copy here...


Claire Coughlan's debut crime novel, Where They Lie, is out now with Simon & Schuster UK and from February 20th with Harper US.

Claire worked as a journalist for many years, for newspapers and magazines in Ireland. She completed an MFA in Creative Writing at University College Dublin in 2014 and subsequently received mentoring from bestselling crime novelists Tammy Cohen and Andrea Mara, through the WoMentoring scheme, and Words Ireland/Kildare County Council, respectively. She lives in County Kildare with her husband and daughter.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Midnight on Beacon Street by Emily Ruth Verona


 October 1993. One night. One house. One dead body.

When single mom Eleanor Mazinski goes out a for a much-needed date night, she leaves her two young children—sweet, innocent six-year-old Ben and precocious, defiant twelve-year-old Mira—in the capable hands of their sitter, Amy. The quiet seventeen-year-old is good at looking after children, despite her anxiety disorder. She also loves movies, especially horror flicks. Amy likes their predictability; it calms the panic that threatens to overwhelm her.

The evening starts out normally enough, with games, pizza, and dancing. But as darkness falls, events in this quaint suburban New Jersey house take a terrifying turn—unexpected visitors at the door, mysterious phone calls, and by midnight, little Ben is in the kitchen standing in a pool of blood, with a dead body at his feet.

In this dazzling debut novel, Emily Ruth Verona moves back and forth in time, ratcheting up suspense and tension on every page. Chock-full of nods to classic horror films of the seventies and eighties, Midnight on Beacon Street is a gripping thriller full of electrifying twists and a heartwarming tale of fear and devotion that explores our terrors and the lengths we’ll go to keep our loved ones safe.

Pick up your copy here...

Emily Ruth Verona received her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Cinema Studies from the State University of New York at Purchase. In 2014 she won the Pinch Literary Award in Fiction. She is a Bram Stoker Award nominee, a Jane Austen Short Story Award finalist, and a Luke Bitmead Bursary finalist. Her previous publication credits include fiction and poetry featured in several anthologies as well as magazines such as The Pinch, LampLight Magazine, Mystery Tribune, The Ghastling, and Nightmare Magazine. Midnight on Beacon Street is her debut thriller. She lives in New Jersey with a very small dog.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski


 Armed with a Crock-Pot and a pile of recipes, a grandmother, her granddaughter, and a mysterious young man work to bring a community together in this uplifting novel for readers of The Chicken Sisters.

Esther Larson has been cooking for funerals in the Northwoods of Wisconsin for seventy years. Known locally as the “funeral ladies,” she and her cohort have worked hard to keep the mourners of Ellerie County fed—it is her firm belief that there is very little a warm casserole and a piece of cherry pie can’t fix. But, after falling for an internet scam that puts her home at risk, the proud Larson family matriarch is the one in need of help these days.

Iris, Esther’s whip-smart Gen Z granddaughter, would do anything for her family and her community. As she watches her friends and family move out of their lakeside town onto bigger and better things, Iris wonders why she feels so left behind in the place she is desperate to make her home. But when Cooper Welsh shows up, she finally starts to feel like she’s found the missing piece of her puzzle.

Cooper is dealing with becoming a legal guardian to his younger half-sister after his beloved stepmother dies. While their celebrity-chef father is focused on his booming career and top-ranked television show, Cooper is still hurting from a public tragedy he witnessed last year as a paramedic and finding it hard to cope. With Iris in the gorgeous Ellerie County, though, he hopes he might finally find the home he’s been looking for.

It doesn’t seem like a community cookbook could possibly solve their problems, especially one where casseroles have their own section and cream of chicken soup mix is the most frequently used ingredient. But when you mix the can-do spirit of Midwestern grandmothers with the stubborn hope of a boy raised by food plus a dash of long-awaited forgiveness—things might just turn out okay.
Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                     Amazon.com: The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County: A Novel: 9780063319882: Swinarski, Claire: Books

Claire Swinarski is the founder of the Catholic Feminist Podcast. She's written for The Washington Post, Vox, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and many other outlets. She lives outside of Milwaukee with her husband and two kiddos.