June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 44
September 14, 2021
~ TAKEOVER TOUR THE FEARLESS MISS DINAH ~
Welcome to the Takeover Tour for The Fearless Miss Dinah by Laura Rollins, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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Title: The Fearless Miss DinahSeries: Daughters of Courage
Author: Laura Rollins
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: August 25, 2021
Genre: Regency Romance (Wholesome/Clean)
In his mind, nothing is more important than the plan. In her mind, ruining the plan would even better.
Being foisted upon a man due to a misunderstanding is hardly the love match Miss Dinah Mulgrave envisioned for herself when she first arrived in London. Dinah’s situation only grows more tenuous when she meets his extended family—all living under one roof and all inclined to dislike her. Not only that, but her new husband, who is little more than a stranger, declares he is uninterested in romance or love. Ever.Lord Henry Stanton resigned himself to bachelorhood years ago and hardly sees how being forced to wed will change that. He may no longer hold the title ‘bachelor’, but he certainly doesn’t think having another individual living in his home along with his large family is reason to change his life or who he is. And that’s all Dinah will ever be to him—another family member under his roof.
Dinah, however, is equally bent on their relationship being more. And as her sister and cousin have proved, one does not gainsay a Mulgrave. Not even one’s own husband.
As the third stand-alone novel in a new series by author Laura Rollins, The Fearless Miss Dinah continues the Daughters of Courage series. This charming story is a light-hearted, clean and wholesome romance set in the Regency era (think: a clean Bridgerton). All books in this series have their own Happily-Ever-After and can be read apart but are best enjoyed in proper order.
🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷 PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBubMORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Rollins has always loved a heart-melting happily ever after. It didn’t matter if the story took place in Regency England, or in a cobbler’s shop, if there was a sweet romance, she would read it.
Life has given her many of her own adventures. Currently, she lives in the Rocky Mountains with her best friend, who is also her husband, and their four beautiful children. She still loves to read books and more books; her favorite types of music are classical, Broadway, and country; she loves hiking in the mountains near her home, and she’s been known to debate with her oldest son about whether Infinity is better categorized as a number or an idea.CONNECT WITH LAURA: Website | Facebook | Instagram 🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷🌸🌹🌷 TOUR GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will receive a paperback copy of The Audacious Miss Eliza (Daughters of Courage #1) and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 15, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 22, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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September 12, 2021
~ MMGM QUILTS OF 50 STATES FEATURE ~
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ABOUT THE BOOK {FROM GOODREADS]:
There is no book quite like Quilt of States—the unique combination of handmade quilts with the voice of each state heard through the writing of one of the state's librarians to illustrate the coming together of the United States of America.Using one of the only two original American folk art forms—quilting (jazz is the other)—Adrienne Yorinks demonstrates her amazing talent for using quilts not only as art, but as information sources. Her work illustrates the history of our country and is accompanied by the words of librarians from every state in the Union.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR {FROM AMAZON.COM}:
Adrienne Yorinks is an accomplished illustrator and fabric designer. She has illustrated many childrens and adult books with her quilts. In addition to her work on books, she designs fabrics for a textile company in New York City.
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MORE ABOUT THE BOOK {FROM AMAZON.COM}:
From School Library Journal:
Grade 3-8–The United States is stitched together chronologically in this stunning book that features a quilted spread for each state. Yorinks enlisted a librarian from each state to contribute a short entry to point up a few significant facts that add to the tapestry of the emerging nation. Readers will learn, for example, that in 1732, James Oglethorpe wanted to establish a refuge for debtors and a slave-free state, but despite his best intentions, Georgia soon began using slave labor. Also, President Abraham Lincoln wanted Nevada to become a state for two reasons–most residents favored the Union and opposed slavery, and Nevada's silver could help pay for war expenses. A Historical Introduction and A Note from the Author/Illustrator explain the artist's process in selecting contributors to the book and in choosing appropriate fabrics for each state. An appendix of State Facts includes the date each entered the Union along with state symbols, a fun fact, and its claim to fame. The quilted representations are not only artistically intricate and beautiful, but also informative. A handsome book to linger over and learn from.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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MY REVIEW: September is National Sewing Month, so I wanted to post about a sewing book for children sometime this month. The only problem is that I have already posted about all of the sewing books I own and all of the ones I knew of in our library system. Until . . . I found this National Geographic book in the catalog when I narrowed my search to 'quilts' in the Children's collection. Success! As you read in the 'About the Book' section above the author, Adrienne Yorinks, dreamed up a collaboration with 50 librarians from across America. She would design and make the quilts while a librarian from each state would write a small history of the state he/she represents. I feel that this collaboration was a great success! Each state's blurb includes the date it became a state of the Union, the state capital, and a brief history of the state. The quilt square the author designed includes a fabric outline of the state with the capital marked with a blue ✩ and fabric pictures of important landmarks of the state, animals and crops from the state, etc. For my home state of California, the author included an orange slice, palm tree, grapes, artichokes, golden poppies, and a first-generation desktop computer--you know, the ones with the huge monitor on a platform? For Louisiana, she included a bottle of hot sauce, pelicans, magnolia flowers, strawberries, a trumpet, and a Mardi Gras mask. Colorado is represented by a dairy cow, a mountain lake scene with elk, a green apple, and that same first-generation desktop computer as was in the California quilt square. Besides being a lot of fun to look through, I learned a lot from this book about the history of our nation's 49 states other than California. There are also several quilted maps of the United States of America as it grew and changed over the years until our 50th state, Hawaii, was added in August, 1959.
Back matter features a text listing of 'State Facts' shown in alphabetical order and including the date of statehood, state slogan/nickname, state tree, state flower, state bird, fun fact, and a state claim to fame. Each contributor has a thumbnail bio preceding the note from the author/illustrator. In her note, the author/illustrator includes details of how she made the quilt squares.
Along with all of the great information about the states that is documented here, I think this book would be a fun 'I Spy' type of activity book for small groups of children to work on together.
Highly-recommended for librarians, classroom teachers, families, and children who enjoy learning about history. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸📘📘📘✂️✂️✂️🧵🧵🧵 Writing news from June:
The sixth episode in my children's story collection, 'Banjo and More Anytime Stories for Children', has been released on Kindle Vella.
'Kelly's Cooking School' is a mathematics-themed story where two siblings learn how to be geometers in the kitchen. This story includes a simple, original food recipe for families to work on together.
🌞🌟 Link for 'Banjo and More Anytime Stories for Children' is:
https://www.amazon.com/Banjo-More-Anytime.../dp/B0999N5XKM/
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Find the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog.
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September 9, 2021
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ASPEN CROSSROADS ~
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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~ -- 'ASPEN CROSSROADS' -- AUTHOR JANINE ROSCHE~Post Includes: Book Spotlight + Excerpt,Author Bio & Giveaway~ 🍁🍂🌄🐎💙🍁🍂🌄🐎💙🍁
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Aspen Crossroads
Series: A Whisper Canyon Romance #1
Author: Janine Rosche
Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Genre: Western Romance
Few in the community of Whisper Canyon have actually met Jace Daring, a handsome recluse who lives at Aspen Crossroads, the farm at the edge of town. But that doesn’t stop the rumors about the multiple women who live with him. He must protect the truth–that his farm-to-table restaurant will provide new livelihoods for women rescued from human trafficking–or he risks the safety and futures of those relying on him. But he can’t do it alone.
Haven Haviland has always been everyone’s safe place to fall until one mistake closes her counseling practice and leaves her open to the town’s gossip. Trusting men has gotten her in trouble before. However, accepting Jace’s job offer to mentor the rescued women seems like the perfect way to right her wrongs.
When the mayor’s campaign to clean up Whisper Canyon targets Aspen Crossroads, the restaurant comes under fire, dangers from the women’s pasts are awakened, and Haven’s sins are exposed for all to see. Jace would sacrifice himself to save Haven and the women under his care, but his efforts might not be enough. And in the end, it might not be the women most in need of saving after all. 🍁🍂🌄🐎💙🍁🍂🌄🐎💙🍁 EXCERPT:
Haven placed the chick in his hands, his rough skin catching slightly on hers. Following her father's advice, she looked the man straight in the eye to let him know she could hold her own. Not that the guidance had worked for her so far. Here she was, unemployed with no job prospects, covered in salmonella, and debating custody arrangements for a chicken.
"Thanks, miss. I'll take good care of her."
"Audrey."
His forehead wrinkled. "Thanks, Audrey."
"No, I'm not Audrey. The chick is Audrey. Hepburn."
Confusion turned to amusement. "How about Audrey Henburn?" His eyes pierced hers. She couldn't tell their color in this light, but they crinkled at the corners and warmed her straight through. An image of the two of them sitting beneath a tree as the chicks hopped around their legs appeared in her head, but she quickly dismissed it. Her judgment, or lack thereof, was troublesome these days. A man, especially one like this, was the last thing she needed.
"That'll do." She stepped away from him and searched for words as he loaded Audrey into the box with the others. "Make sure the others are nice to her."
"I have a strict no-bullying policy in my coop. I even have a friend that knits sweaters for them. Audrey will get the nicest one."
The reality of his words jabbed Haven right in the gut. "Tell your friend to make Audrey a pretty black one. Maybe add a string of pearls."
"Will do." He had a great smile.
Haven spun on her heels and ducked out of the tent before she made more of a mess in her life.
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PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub
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Prone to wander, Janine Rosche finds as much comfort on the open road as she does at home. This longing to chase adventure, behold splendor, and experience redemption is woven into her Madison River Romance and Whisper Canyon series. When she isn’t writing or traveling, she teaches family life education courses to college students, takes too many pictures of her sleeping dogs, and embarrasses her four children and husband with boy band serenades. Learn more online at janinerosche.com, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
CONNECT WITH JANINE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 🍁🍂🌄🐎💙🍁🍂🌄🐎💙🍁 TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a Society 6 Mountain Morning Tote, Live By Faith Journal, & “Stay Home or Go Roam” Hoodie from the soon-to-be-released Love Wander Read apparel collection!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 7, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 14, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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September 2, 2021
~ HALLOWEEN SEWING PATTERN SALE ~
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🎃 My three Halloween sewing pattern books for teens and adults are on sale for just $.99 in the Kindle Store from Thursday, September 2nd, until Wednesday, September 8th! {This is 75% off of the normal price!}
It's never too early to begin preparing for some autumn fun by stitching up some festive projects for kids or your home!
🎃 Find all of these books on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/June-McCrary-Jacobs/e/B00E7YV522
🎃 The books include Imperial and Metric measurements so they are user-friendly for sewers/crafters around the world. Downloadable patterns are included for the puppets and beanbags.
🎃 These books and and all of my books on Amazon are always free with Kindle Unlimited.
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August 31, 2021
~ TAKEOVER TOUR UNDERCURRENTS OF SECRETS ~
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~ TAKEOVER TOUR ~ -- 'UNDERCURRENTS OF SECRETS' -- AUTHOR RACHEL SCOTT McDANIEL~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio & Giveaway~🚢⚓️❤️💌️🚢⚓️❤️💌️🚢
Welcome to the Takeover Tour for Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Undercurrent of SecretsSeries: Doors to the Past
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Release Date: September 1, 2021
Genre: Dual Timeline / Romance
Two women, a century apart, are bound by a haunting secret aboard a legendary steamboat.
As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.
A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin.
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
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PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBubMORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms. Her work is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency. Rachel resides in Ohio with her husband and two children.
CONNECT WITH RACHEL: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a print copy of Undercurrent of Secrets and a $15 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 1, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 8, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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August 29, 2021
MMGM RETRO FICTION FEATURE MARY POPPINS
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~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY RETRO FICTION FEATURE ~-- 'WALT DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS' --AUTHOR GEORGESS MCHARGUE 🪁🌂🥄🧹👒🐧🦆🪁🌂
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ABOUT THE BOOK {from Amazon}:
Walt Disney's Mary Poppins [based on the Walt Disney motion picture] story adapted by Georgess McHargue, with photographs from the motion picture, illustrations by Betty Fraser and Craig Pineo (Golden Press, New York). This book is a companion to the movie. A must-have for fans of Mary Poppins. Based on the Walt Disney motion picture.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:
Georgess McHargue was author of 35 books for children and young adults, some focused on archaeology, myth, and history.
She was born in New York City, the only child of Mac and Georgess (Boomhower) McHargue. She was often referred to as “Little G,’’ and, until her death, “G.’’ At 10 months, she posed for Squibb Cod Liver Oil. She was precocious and a storyteller, even in kindergarten. “The world as I knew it was entirely predicated on words - their use and misuse, their dissection, accumulation and glorification,’’ she wrote in an autobiography for one of her publishers.
Ms. McHargue graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard in 1963 with a major in history and literature. She went to New York and got a job in publishing with Golden Press for two years and then, “spent three months traveling around Greece and Italy honing her language skills,’’ she wrote.
Back in New York, she worked as trade-publisher for Doubleday & Co. for five years. “I was active in local and national political campaigns, civil rights organizations and a variety of now-defunct peace and feminist groups,’’ she wrote. “I was splashed with yellow paint at a demonstration on lower Fifth Avenue and partially gassed in front of the Washington Monument.’’
She was nominated for a National Book Award for her first book in 1968, “The Beasts of Never,’’ and wrote many reviews over the years for The New York Times Book Review.
Georgess love of horses remained strong throughout her life. In a poem she wrote, “When I Go,’’ Ms. McHargue expresses her love for them.
It begins, “When I go, I will go with the horses/Look for me where the long manes/and the long grass are tossing together’’ and ends, “Do not look for me among the twittering birds./When I go I will go with the horses.’’
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MY THOUGHTS:
My favorite movie when I was a young girl was 'Mary Poppins'. To this day, Julie Andrews is one of my all-time favorite actresses and vocalists. She is lovely in every way. I still have my set of 45 records with songs from this movie which I received for my seventh birthday! As an adult, I received a video tape of the movie in one of those fancy Disney video boxes they used to make. I still have the video, too. I also have several 'vinyl' records of her music including a Christmas album.
You can imagine the thrill I felt when I found the book I'm featuring today on the Children's Fiction table at a friends of the library book sale several years ago. The cover price is 69 cents; the price written on the inside cover from the library sale is 25 cents! Although the cover is a bit tattered (which I think is a good thing because it proves this was a well-loved book), the book is in excellent condition.
The cover of the book I have is a little bit different than the cover image I'm sharing here. Mine has a lavender background and a hand-illustrated frame around the oval photo of Julie Andrews in character as Mary Poppins. The illustrations surrounding the photo include pigeons, her straw hat, flowers, the umbrella she is holding in the photo, and a pocket watch—all clues to what lies inside the covers of the book.
The book begins with a synopsis of 'The Production' and short biographies of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Next, the publishers present full-page color photographs from the movie. The narrative throughout the book is interspersed with illustrations of scenes from the movie and photographs from the movie.
The still photos from the movie which include Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, and the children—Jane and Michael Banks—capture the on-screen chemistry between Bert the chimney sweep and Mary the nanny perfectly. It was magical way back then, and it remains so in this book.
The book ends with 'The Cast' and 'Credits' listed just as it would have appeared on the end of the film.
Of course, there are many memorable scenes depicted from the movie in this book. But as an adult, I am certain nothing can surpass the feeling I had as a young girl sitting in an old-time, full-sized movie theater and watching the beauty, charm, and magic of this story play out on the big screen.
The next book on my TBR list to request from our public library system will be the first Mary Poppins book written by P.J. Travers and originally published in 1934. When I accomplish that goal, I will post another 'Retro Fiction Feature' spotlighting that book.
Question: Do you have a favorite movie from your childhood that was adapted from a book? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment on this blog post. Thanks.
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Find the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog. 🪁🌂🥄🧹👒🐧🦆🪁🌂
August 25, 2021
~ GREAT ESCAPES CAJUN KISS OF DEATH ~
Cajun Kiss of Death: A Cajun Country Mysteryby Ellen ByronAbout Cajun Kiss of Death
Cajun Kiss of Death: A Cajun Country Mystery[image error]
Cozy Mystery7th in Series Publisher : Crooked Lane Books (August 10, 2021) Hardcover : 320 pagesISBN-10 : 164385738X ISBN-13 : 978-1643857381Digital ASIN : B08N6SMX1J
The next shot from Cupid's bow may be fatal in USA Today bestselling, Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron's hearty and delightful seventh Cajun Country mystery.
In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine's Day has a way of warming the heart, despite the February chill. But the air at Crozat Plantation B&B turns decidedly frigid when celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson checks in. And when the arrogant Phillippe--in town to open his newest Cajun-themed restaurant--perishes in a fiery boat crash, Maggie Crozat's dear friend JJ lands in very cold water.
Did JJ, proprietor of Junie's Oyster Bar and Dance Hall, murder Phillippe because he feared the competition? Might Maggie's mother, Ninette, have bumped off the chef for stealing one of her cherished recipes? Or was the culprit a local seafood vendor, miffed because Phillippe was somehow able to sell oysters for a remarkably reasonable price, despite an oyster shortage?
Maggie had planned to devote her February to art lessons in New Orleans, a present from her sweetheart, Bo. But now she has to focus on helping her friend and her mother cross a murder charge off the menu. Meanwhile, Maggie receives a series of anonymous gifts that begin as charming but grow increasingly disturbing. Does Maggie have an admirer--or a stalker? And are these mysterious gifts somehow related to Phillippe's murder?
Blood may be thicker than water, but this case is thicker than gumbo. And solving it will determine whether Maggie gets hearts and roses--or hearse and lilies--this Valentine's Day.
CHARACTER POST – NINETTE CROZAT CAJUN KISS OF DEATH Cajun Country Mysteries
I’m Ninette Crozat, wife to Tug, mother to Maggie. We run Crozat Plantation Bed and Breakfast, the Crozat’s ancestral home in Pelican, Louisiana – town motto, “Yes, We Peli-CAN!” I do the B&B’s cooking for our guests, providing meals that focus on local Cajun dishes. Many of the recipes have been handed down in myfamily through decades – even centuries. Which is why I have to restrain myself from doing bodily harm to a certain “star” chef, Phillipe Chanson.
I’m considered by many to be an excellent cook. I give all the credit to my heirloom recipes, which I tightly guard. But along comes this “celebrity chef“ who flat-out charmed me into making him my famous calas rice balls. Why, that man went and figured out the secret ingredient in my recipe so he could serve my calas in his fancy new Pelican restaurant, Chanson’s Cajun Kitchen! I swear, I could kick myself for falling for his act. But who on earth steals a recipe from a fellow chef? A lot of big-time chefs, I’ve learned, because most recipes aren’t legally protected from theft, don’t ask me why.
All I ever needed in life was a loving husband and daughter, a respectable home and business… and my recipes.There’s an old saying – I’m so mad I could chew nails and spit spikes. That’s how I feel about the lack of respect that Mister Big Shot Chef Phillipe Chanson has showed me and my family. That man better watch his back! I know how to work a knife.
Oh, dear. I better calm down before I get myself into trouble.
About Ellen Byron
Ellen’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won the Agatha award for Best Contemporary Novel and multiple Lefty awards for Best Humorous Mystery. She writes the Catering Hall Mystery series, which are inspired by her real-life, under the name Maria DiRico. Ellen is an award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like WINGS, JUST SHOOT ME, and FAIRLY ODD PARENTS. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.
Author Links:
Newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-dirico
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23234.Ellen_Byron
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19130966.Maria_DiRico
Purchase Links - PenguinRandomHouse - Amazon - B&N -
TOUR PARTICIPANTS:August 16 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST August 16 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW August 16 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT August 17 – The Book's the Thing – SPOTLIGHT August 17 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT August 18 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW August 18 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW August 19 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW August 19 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW August 20 – The Book Diva's Reads – SPOTLIGHT August 20 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW August 21 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT August 21 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT August 22 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW August 22 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW August 23 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW August 23 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT August 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW August 24 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW August 25 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT August 25 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW August 26 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEWAugust 26 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CHARACTER GUEST POST August 27 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT August 27 – Reading Is My SuperPower – RECIPE August 28 – ThisIsMyTruthNow – REVIEW August 28 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT August 29 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT August 29 – Dear Reader – REVIEW Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! 
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August 24, 2021
~ GREAT ESCAPES RAILROADED 4 MURDER ~
Railroaded 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery)by J.C. Eaton 🚆🚃🚞🛤🚆🚃🚞🛤🚆🚃🚞🛤 About Railroaded 4 Murder
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While planning her wedding, Sophie “Phee” Kimball gets sidetracked by the murder of a model train enthusiast . . .
Phee’s marriage to Marshall Gregory promises to be the wedding of the year in Arizona’s Sun City West—that is, if you ask her mother Harriet. But before she can walk down the aisle, it looks like she has to solve one more murder. At a model train exhibit, Phee, Harriet, and their beloved Chiweenie, Streetman, discover the body of Sun City West’s railroad club president, with an incriminating tap shoe near his lifeless corpse.
Wilbur Maines may have loved model trains but apparently he was not a model husband. There are rumors of affairs with hot-to-trot hobbyists the Choo-Choo Chicks. The police suspect his wife—and Harriet’s friend—Roxanne, who dances with the Rhythm Tappers, but Phee’s mom is convinced they’re on the wrong track. Before the poor woman is railroaded into spending the rest of her life behind bars, Phee, Harriet, and the book club ladies will need to do some fancy footwork, infiltrate the dance group, and find the real culprit before the killer leaves the station . . .
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Finding the Perfect Means and Method for Murder (On paper!)
By: Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp, writing as J. C. Eaton
Not too gory, not too gruesome, not too bloody. That’s the mantra we follow when we’re stuck trying to figure out how our next murder victim will be knocked off. We’re cozy mystery writers, after all, and our intent is to keep readers laughing and guessing whodunit, not staying up all night with horrific nightmares.
Since method and means go hand-in-hand, (i.e. knives or daggers for stabbing), the usual parings have always been available for writers. They include: strangulation (ropes, scarves, long stockings, wires and anything that can be wound or tied; poisoning (Whoa! There are actual books written about this but we’ll stick to the familiar ones like arsenic and anti-freeze); blunt-force trauma (hammers, paperweights, books, golf clubs, you-name-it); shooting (any type of firearm but we’ll stop at cannons);and suffocation (pillows are quite popular).
Unfortunately, this list has been used over and over again by crime and mystery writers to the point of being hackneyed. So what’s a writer to do? We’ve got to establish a victim somehow. But that doesn’t mean we have to buy into the same old list. And while we’re stuck as far as method goes, we’ve got a wide-open field in the means department.
Coming up with unique and different ways to commit murder on paper, has been an exciting challenge for us and one that we never tire of. The more outrageous, the more fun for us, and hopefully for our readers. Here’s a sneak peak at our antics:
In Dressed Up 4 Murder (The Sophie Kimball Mysteries), we used the lovely and decorative Sago Palms. Every part of those plants is toxic. And we mean every single part. So, grounding them up and putting them into food was a no-brainer. Psst! If you look closely at the cover, you’ll see them!
In Botched 4 Murder (The Sophie Kimball Mysteries), we used a bow and arrow. On a golf course no less! It gave new meaning to the golf term Fore! But this was no warning shot. (Check out the book cover).
One of our favorites was a pair of scissors that belonged to a woman who had passed away two decades ago. Try finding out the murderer in that one! Broadcast 4 Murder (The Sophie Kimball Mysteries).
Our latest novel, Railroaded 4 Murder, points to a tap shoe! So watch out if anyone in your family decides to take up tap dancing. Talk them into ballet instead. In this novel, we wove two threads for one murder. Was it someone from the Sun City West Model Railroad Club who wanted to get rid of their president? Or was it his tap-dancing wife who had enough of his philandering? And was it a tap shoe after all? You’ll need to read the book to find out!
Bottom line – Watch what you eat, drink, wear, plant, or drive, because murder weapons aren’t always what you think. Especially when it comes to cozy mystery writers like us.
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About J.C. Eaton
J.C. Eaton is the wife and husband team of Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp. Ann spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. She has eight published YA time travel mysteries and over a decade of experience writing nonfiction for Jones Publishing and Madavor Media trade magazines. When James retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife. Nonfiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte, along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy.
Author Links:Website: www.jceatonauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/
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Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound
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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:August 24 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEWAugust 24 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPTAugust 24 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT August 25 – Novels Alive – AUTHOR INTERVIEW August 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEWAugust 25 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POSTAugust 26 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT August 26 – Baroness' Book Trove – REVIEW August 26 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT August 26 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST August 27 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPTAugust 27 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT August 27 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT August 28 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW August 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT August 28 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW August 29 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT August 29 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW August 30 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW August 30 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT August 30 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT🚆🚃🚞🛤 🚆🚃🚞🛤 🚆🚃🚞🛤
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!
August 19, 2021
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE GROVE OF MAPLES ~
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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~ -- 'IN A GROVE OF MAPLES' -- AUTHOR JENNY KNIPFER~Post Includes: Book Spotlight + Excerpt,Author Bio & Giveaway~ 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁
Welcome to the Blog Tour for In a Grove of Maples by Jenny Knipfer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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Title: In a Grove of Maples
Series: Sheltering Trees #1
Author: Jenny Knipfer
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: July 1, 2021
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction
Misunderstandings and tempers get the better of them when difficulties and troubles arise. Just months after they wed, Edward leaves pregnant Beryl in the midst of the coming winter to tend the farm and animals while he goes to be a teamster at a northern Wisconsin logging camp.
Will Beryl and Edward walk into the future together to build their house of dreams in the grove of maples, or will their plans topple like a house of sticks when the winds of misunderstanding and disaster strike?
Readers of Christian historical fiction, Historical fiction, Women’s fiction, and Christian historical romance will be endeared to this slice of late 19th-century farm life. 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁
EXCERPT:
Beryl fell in love. A little, log cabin squatted in the shade of a few trees. A stone outbuilding and a small, log barn stood opposite the house a hundred feet or so away. In between the log cabin and the stone building, a red-handled water pump spiked up from the earth.
Peace settled in Beryl as she took in the reward for their endeavors. Behind and to the right of the barn, cleared, fallow land waited for them to grow crops. A grassy clearing spotted with daisies, yellow rocket, and Queen Anne’s lace lay to the south of the house. The woods skirting the area housed evergreens, pines, oaks, birch, aspen, and maple trees. One particular grouping of maple trees caught Beryl’s eye. On impulse, she grabbed Edward’s hand and ran as best she could through the long grass.
“Whoa! Slow down.”
He laughed, and she joined him. Soon, they stood together in the shelter of a grove of maples, young like them. The palm- sized, pointed, green leaves danced in the gentle breeze.
Beryl leaned against Edward’s chest. “It’s like something out of a fairy story.”
The trees almost formed a complete ring, like they had been planted by design.
“Yes. It’s the perfect place to build our home.” Edward gazed back at the cabin. “A real house. A house of planed boards with siding.”
“The cozy cabin will do nicely for now.”
She turned his face to hers. The stubble at his jawline scuffed against her hand. Their eyes met, and a shared joy was strung between them, like a gossamer thread of spider silk. Edward lowered his lips to hers as the sun flamed pink behind them.
“Promise me something?” she softly pleaded.
He wrapped his arms fully around her. “What?”
“Promise we’ll be happy.”
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PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub
MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES[image error][image error] [image error][image error]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenny Knipfer lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.
Spending many years as a librarian in a local public library, Jenny recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability. Her education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions.Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set.
She deems a cup of tea and a good book an essential part of every day. When not writing, Jenny can be found reading, tending to her many houseplants, or piecing quilt blocks at her sewing machine.
Her new historical fiction, four-part series entitled, Sheltering Trees, is set in the area Jenny grew up in, where she currently lives, and places along Minnesota’s Northern Shore, where she loves to visit. She is currently writing a four-part novella series entitled: Botanical Seasons.
CONNECT WITH JENNY: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 16, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 23, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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August 17, 2021
~ BLOG TOUR STOP THE DECORATING CLUB ~
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~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~ -- 'THE DECORATING CLUB' --AUTHOR SUSAN M. MEYERS~Post Includes: Book Spotlight + Excerpt,Author Bio & Giveaway~🏠🔩🏡🔨💒🔧🏠🔩🏡🔨💒🔧
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Decorating Club by Susan M. Meyers, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Decorating Club
Author: Susan M. Meyers
Publisher: Just Food For Thought, LLC
Release Date: February 1, 2021
Genre: Women's Fiction
EXCERPT:
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HELP!
I’m being held captive by a kidnapper named Fear.
What he looks and sounds like is a mystery that’s unclear
All I know is, he’s captured my mind, heart and soul
And I have fallen deeply under his control.
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“So what’s your vision for this room, besides just
adding those two pieces of furniture? Would you like
some custom curtains, have you given any thought to
accessories and lighting?” Sarah questioned. “No, I don’t
care. I have no sense of style; I’m good with whatever you
decide,” said Tricia.
“Whoa, Tricia, wait a minute,” Sarah began. “While
that may or may not be true, that was not part of the deal.
I explained to all of you in the beginning that I believe a
home should tell a story of the people who live there. I
agreed to help, but not by reflecting my story in your
home. It has to be your story!” Sarah re-emphasized.
“Well, my story is sad. In fact, I’m sorry I wasted all of
your time. Let’s forget it. I have to run now anyway—off
to my stupid job, where I’ll be for like the next hundred
hours or so!” Tricia whined.
“What a hypocrite!” Brittany snipped. “You stand on a
soapbox saying the rest of the world is paralyzed by fear,
causing us not to live the lives we were intended to live.
Yet there you are, running off to a job you clearly hate just
because you’re obviously too afraid to do something
about it. I’m sick and tired of hearing you make belittling
comments about others, when it’s you, Tricia, who
should be taking a long hard look in the mirror!”
“Oh boy, here we go again,” thought Sarah as she
watched closely to see who was going to throw the first
punch.
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PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Meyers is an optimist who believes the world would be better served if everyone were more aligned with their greater purpose. The challenge as she sees it is not only to serve one’s purpose but also to adapt as it changes from time to time.
While Susan has worn many hats throughout her life, serving as CEO of her children’s business, 3 Sisters and a Brother, LLC is the role of which she is most proud. It began in the family’s basement when they were just 12, 12, 10, and 7 and soon expanded into two storefronts; within less than eight years, it became a well-known brand in the local community.As time passed and each of the children began to take flight, Susan and her family made the decision to close the business. With each of her four children off pursuing their own individualized dreams and careers, Susan had to deal with a new title; unemployed CEO; as well as the closed doors that it represented for her more personally.
Finding herself questioning her own purpose and determined to regain it, Susan invested her time looking for answers. It soon became clear that none of the information she found talked to her concerns or even spoke the same language.
Eventually, Susan was reminded of what she already knew and in the hope of helping others facing similar challenges, was moved to write The Decorating Club. Today, Susan makes her home with her husband and youngest daughter in Fairfield, CT. For more information, visit www.susanmmeyersauthor.com.
CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $50 HomeGoods gift card, $10 Dunkin' Donuts gift card, The Decorating Club travel mug & retractable measuring tape!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 17, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 24, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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