Kelly Brakenhoff's Blog, page 5

Crafting Cassandra: Five Years, One Dissertation

Ever wondered what happens when you take a pinch of Hawaiian sunshine, mix it with Nebraska cornfields, and throw in a crime scene investigation just for fun? Well, you get Death by Dissertation, a concoction I brewed up during a month-long cram session known as National Novel Writing Month back in November 2014.

April Book Club: Be Strong by Darcy Pattison

Diving into Be Strong by Darcy Pattison, you're greeted with the remarkable journey of Nancy Schon, the 95-year-old Boston artist known for her "Make Way for Ducklings" sculpture in the Boston Garden. Inspired by Robert McCloskey's classic, Schon's work brings to life the joy of interacting with art outdoors, something Pattison captures with finesse.

April Book Club: Body in 3B by Eryn Scott

If you, like me, are a fan of the crazy twists and turns of Only Murders in the Building, then Eryn Scott's Body in 3B is about to become your next must read. From the moment I laid eyes on the cover, I knew I was in for a treat—a mystery that promises suspense and a hearty dose of eccentricity, much like the TV show on Hulu.

March Book Club: Penance on the Prairies by R. L . Syme

Penance on the Prairies by R.L. Syme is like nothing we've read before. Imagine this: Vangie, a part-time pastor with a bit of a mysterious past, gets exiled to this tiny Montana town as a sort of punishment from her church superiors.

Coming Soon for Duke the Deaf Dog

Check out the latest additions to the Duke the Deaf Dog ASL Series!

February Book Club: Dying for a Daiquiri by Cindy Sample

Aloha, friends! Cindy Sample's Dying for a Daiquiri whisks us away to the Big Island of Hawaii, where the promise of a vacation for Laurel McKay attending her best friend's destination wedding quickly unravels into a mystery.

January Book Club: Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells by Bruce Hammack

Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells proves mysteries can be both engaging and devoid of the usual tropes that make you yawn. Meet Steve Smiley, a retired, blind cop turned PI, and his partner Heather McBlythe – a lawyer with keen observation skills.

A Tiny Dickens Village Grew My Grinchy Heart

In my young adult homemaking days, I turned up my nose at frou-frou things that lacked purpose or function.

December Book Club: Death by Fountain by Jennifer S. Alderson

If you're like me, you read to escape reality and live vicariously through exciting adventures. Jennifer Alderson weaves a tale that will transport you from your cozy armchair straight to the heart of Rome - complete with murder, love triangles, and gelato (because what's a trip to Italy without gelato?).

What George Bailey Taught Me About Cozy Mysteries

It’s that time of year when I snuggle up to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. You know that heartwarming tale of George Bailey, the man who learns that his existence matters more than he could have ever imagined. Did you know the town where the movie was filmed is actually the real-life Seneca Falls, New York? The local museum hosts an annual It’s a Wonderful Life festival and it’s totally on my bucket list to attend someday.