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The Sam and Bump Misadventures #1
Memories and Matchsticks
There's an arsonist on the loose in rural Wilton, Indiana -- and he'll do whatever it takes to keep from being found out. Even murder.
Out of work, accident prone, and dateless, Sam McNamee packs up her belongings and her daughter to move to the Florida Keys, where she can pen love stories as S.A. Mack to ease the lingering pain of her husband's death. First, though, she has to help her dad sell his home of forty-plus years. It just might be the hardest job she's ever tackled. He's a hoarder; she's a neat freak.
The night she returns to Wilton, Sam plows into a mangy mutt on a rain-slicked country road. Bump, the dog she rescues, has a history that drags Sam and her family into a web of danger, making her father a prime suspect.
Feuds and secrets run deep in Humboldt County. Sam can't leave until the mystery of the arsons is solved. Not that she'd want to anymore, since veterinarian Clint Chastain has stolen her heart.
In Memories and Matchsticks, N. Gemini Sasson combines comedy and romance as accidental female sleuth Sam McNamee rediscovers love in a sleepy Midwestern town.
Out of work, accident prone, and dateless, Sam McNamee packs up her belongings and her daughter to move to the Florida Keys, where she can pen love stories as S.A. Mack to ease the lingering pain of her husband's death. First, though, she has to help her dad sell his home of forty-plus years. It just might be the hardest job she's ever tackled. He's a hoarder; she's a neat freak.
The night she returns to Wilton, Sam plows into a mangy mutt on a rain-slicked country road. Bump, the dog she rescues, has a history that drags Sam and her family into a web of danger, making her father a prime suspect.
Feuds and secrets run deep in Humboldt County. Sam can't leave until the mystery of the arsons is solved. Not that she'd want to anymore, since veterinarian Clint Chastain has stolen her heart.
In Memories and Matchsticks, N. Gemini Sasson combines comedy and romance as accidental female sleuth Sam McNamee rediscovers love in a sleepy Midwestern town.
334 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2014
360 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
N. Gemini Sasson
20 books176 followersFormer teacher and track coach. Runner, gardener, dog lover and sometimes farmer. Author of medieval historical fiction: The Crown in the Heather (The Bruce Trilogy: Book I), Worth Dying For (The Bruce Trilogy: Book II) and Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 15, 2022
Take your small town Americana of Wilton, add Sam and her daughter passing through to Florida and stopping in Wilton to help Sam's Dad clean up and sell his home. Just a few minor things: on the way to Dad's house Sam hits a dog,there is a fire in a house nearby (and the police believe Dad may have something to do with it) and Sam really and truly does not get along with her father. This is true small town people and activities and one of the funniest sessions is Sam having ( or attempting to)
have a conversation with Selma whose idea of the English vocabulary had me rolling with laughter!! And lest we forget Bump and all his quirks and personality who somehow manages to help Sam and her Dad come a bit closer.
have a conversation with Selma whose idea of the English vocabulary had me rolling with laughter!! And lest we forget Bump and all his quirks and personality who somehow manages to help Sam and her Dad come a bit closer.
September 15, 2024
There were times I chuckled out loud. It's just me, but as I've gotten older, I find the whole, I can't decide between this guy or that guy tiring.
June 7, 2025
Whenever I see a book that has an animal as part of the story, I need to check it out. When I first started reading this book, I was thinking what did I get myself into. But the further I got into it the harder it was to put down. It kept you guessing who are the bad guys vs the good guys . I can't wait to read the next one
August 27, 2023
Memories and matchsticks
This is the best book I've read and long long Time. It really draws you into The book. The characters were strong Scenes were simple And the villains of the worst. I can't wait for the next book to come out
This is the best book I've read and long long Time. It really draws you into The book. The characters were strong Scenes were simple And the villains of the worst. I can't wait for the next book to come out
February 26, 2023
Cute story of family love
This is the one about the woman who returns to her tiny hometown in Indiana with her daughter, in the hopes of getting her Dad into an assisted living community. She ends up finding both good and bad trouble, let's say. She learns from Bump, her dog, that family love is the most important sometimes. I admit, after reading the Faderville series, this book just couldn't compare. I guess I like her books with the dog having a perspective. I also find the tall, in-shape-but-never-exerxises-and-trips-all-over-herself main character not so believable. I didn't like the way she was often made to look like a stumbling foolish lady. I liked her as a person, I just didn't like how she was portrayed.
This is the one about the woman who returns to her tiny hometown in Indiana with her daughter, in the hopes of getting her Dad into an assisted living community. She ends up finding both good and bad trouble, let's say. She learns from Bump, her dog, that family love is the most important sometimes. I admit, after reading the Faderville series, this book just couldn't compare. I guess I like her books with the dog having a perspective. I also find the tall, in-shape-but-never-exerxises-and-trips-all-over-herself main character not so believable. I didn't like the way she was often made to look like a stumbling foolish lady. I liked her as a person, I just didn't like how she was portrayed.
August 2, 2022
I loved this story. I hated to put my Kindle down (but unfortunately have chores to tend to also), but quite often would wake up during the night and pick up my Kindle and read some more. The dog was such a lovable character in the story! The entire story of Sam's planned trip to Florida, stopping to visit her elderly father in Indiana and all the events occurring along the way - never making it to Florida. A great book to read! I've already ordered another book by this author.
December 14, 2022
Sam McNamee's unexpected encounter with a stray husky mix ball of energy turns her life upside down and sets in motion a perilous future for Sam, her family, and her new friends and neighbors. This outstanding story is filled with intrigue, humor, and romance that keeps you turning the pages. I loved it and can't wait to start on the next chapter. Really Great Characters and Really Great Read!!!!!
January 22, 2017
An enjoyable, light mystery/ romance. Very well written. It held my attention all the way through. Although somewhat predictable, the characters were strong and believable and the story was so typical of small town life.
July 2, 2019
Memories
At first I didn't realize why it was called that but now I know. I liked the characters and the book was exciting and very entertaining. Can't wait to read the next one! Hope it's as good as the first was.
At first I didn't realize why it was called that but now I know. I liked the characters and the book was exciting and very entertaining. Can't wait to read the next one! Hope it's as good as the first was.
April 2, 2020
A really great book!
I gave this book five stars. It was so well-written, and it had surprises here and there. I'm going to see what happens next in the second book of this to book series. Looking forward to it.
I gave this book five stars. It was so well-written, and it had surprises here and there. I'm going to see what happens next in the second book of this to book series. Looking forward to it.
September 7, 2021
I loved this book!!
The characters are well defined. Most are lovable and I feel the book is very well written. Towards the end I could not go to bed until I finished it. Looking forward to the next book..
The characters are well defined. Most are lovable and I feel the book is very well written. Towards the end I could not go to bed until I finished it. Looking forward to the next book..
April 24, 2022
perfect read
It had everything. A dog, a mom with baggage, a grumpy old man, a handsome vet, and a handsome fireman. No bad language, not too sexy, but a little romance and some mystery & suspense. Perfect!!
It had everything. A dog, a mom with baggage, a grumpy old man, a handsome vet, and a handsome fireman. No bad language, not too sexy, but a little romance and some mystery & suspense. Perfect!!
April 23, 2023
Great read, good story line
Just the right amount of characters. Just a hint of paranormal that just sneaks in and passed on. A grumpy dad that's lonely,a problem caught that turns out wonderful and a comfortable life begins. I greatly enjoyed this book.
Just the right amount of characters. Just a hint of paranormal that just sneaks in and passed on. A grumpy dad that's lonely,a problem caught that turns out wonderful and a comfortable life begins. I greatly enjoyed this book.
March 12, 2022
Enjoyed
A fun read. Not a lot of ugly language or graphic sex. Just a nice story. Will read more of her books.
A fun read. Not a lot of ugly language or graphic sex. Just a nice story. Will read more of her books.
May 8, 2022
Really an enjoyable read
So real and down to earth. The fact that Bump is in it had me hooked from the start. The characters are great and it was a truly enjoyable read
So real and down to earth. The fact that Bump is in it had me hooked from the start. The characters are great and it was a truly enjoyable read
November 21, 2022
I loved it!
I enjoyed it all! Talented author who can spin a story with great characters and welcoming setting. I'm so glad I chose this one and will be reading more.
I enjoyed it all! Talented author who can spin a story with great characters and welcoming setting. I'm so glad I chose this one and will be reading more.
July 17, 2023
Loved it!
Any book with a dog in it is one for me. The story was very good and keeps you reading. On to the next book.
Any book with a dog in it is one for me. The story was very good and keeps you reading. On to the next book.
December 9, 2022
free ebook
her husband died and she and her 14 yr old daughter were going to move to fl but first she had to stop at her dads house to help him get rid of all his stuff and find a smaller place where he could get the help he needed. he was having trouble with his memory
as she was almost at his house, in the pouring rain, she saw police and fire at a house that had caught fire. she hit something in the road and when she went to look it was a dog. she took it in the car to her dads house and to the vet the next day. turned out the cute vet knew her from school. and the dogs owner was dead and his relatives didnt want him
her dad got very attached to the dog and didnt want to move into the nice condo they found as they did not allow the dog
the vet asked her out on a date
she is trying to figure out who killed the man that died in the fire, as the police suspect her dad as he has a red truck, and a red truck was seen at the scene of all the arson homes
her husband died and she and her 14 yr old daughter were going to move to fl but first she had to stop at her dads house to help him get rid of all his stuff and find a smaller place where he could get the help he needed. he was having trouble with his memory
as she was almost at his house, in the pouring rain, she saw police and fire at a house that had caught fire. she hit something in the road and when she went to look it was a dog. she took it in the car to her dads house and to the vet the next day. turned out the cute vet knew her from school. and the dogs owner was dead and his relatives didnt want him
her dad got very attached to the dog and didnt want to move into the nice condo they found as they did not allow the dog
the vet asked her out on a date
she is trying to figure out who killed the man that died in the fire, as the police suspect her dad as he has a red truck, and a red truck was seen at the scene of all the arson homes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2017
Confusing, always hurting herself
This story couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Mystery, romance, psychic flashes, dog denial, violence, confusion, the end left in the air, leaving me saying what the hay? Then there was the way this character was always violently hurting herself and then being badly hurt as a conclusion to the story. She must have had four concussions in a few weeks.
This story couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Mystery, romance, psychic flashes, dog denial, violence, confusion, the end left in the air, leaving me saying what the hay? Then there was the way this character was always violently hurting herself and then being badly hurt as a conclusion to the story. She must have had four concussions in a few weeks.
November 22, 2022
An arsonist is loose in a small town in Indiana. Sam packs up her daughter and belongings to go move her Dad to a facility. On the way she hits a dog and her daughter insists they take him with them. She names him Bump. As a writer, Sam investigates the fires and murders and get in trouble herself. Fast read, flaky main character, great dog. I rate this a 4.8.
November 24, 2022
Drags out...
I couldn't read more than several chapters. The description of everything (ex. rescuing Bump) was so detailed and excessive that I had to skip on past. Some of it was pretty stupid too. It seems like the author is just trying to fill up pages. Anyway, I quit reading and will not read any more by this author.
I couldn't read more than several chapters. The description of everything (ex. rescuing Bump) was so detailed and excessive that I had to skip on past. Some of it was pretty stupid too. It seems like the author is just trying to fill up pages. Anyway, I quit reading and will not read any more by this author.
November 9, 2022
Too much Soap Opera, too little dog
Chick book with all the attendant problems. Struggled through the mom/daughter beginning, then the long ago high school gal pal events, physical battles with bullying males.
Just too long too enjoy.
Chick book with all the attendant problems. Struggled through the mom/daughter beginning, then the long ago high school gal pal events, physical battles with bullying males.
Just too long too enjoy.
August 14, 2021
A good book.
However, I did not like the ending I like happy,ever after and I,
wanted Sam and Clint to wind up together.
However, I did not like the ending I like happy,ever after and I,
wanted Sam and Clint to wind up together.
September 30, 2022
Nice read
The book was good. It held my interest. It had several twists that kept things interesting. It was a little predictable in places but not enough to ruin the story.
The book was good. It held my interest. It had several twists that kept things interesting. It was a little predictable in places but not enough to ruin the story.
November 25, 2022
I skimmed large parts of the story. Very slow paced. Excruciatingly slow.
December 17, 2022
I will read the other books as well. Can't wait to find out what happens next.
March 27, 2023
I'm looking forward to the next in this series. Being an accident-klutz myself and a dog lover, I felt a camaraderie with Sam.
April 15, 2023
This was a bit of a disturbing read. The characters and plot were good. However, the story went all over the place to keep up with all the characters. Which made it somewhat chaotic to read.
June 8, 2023
Another Good Dog Story
A good read. Well written with interesting characters and a good plot. I liked it and look forward to reading more of this authors books.
A good read. Well written with interesting characters and a good plot. I liked it and look forward to reading more of this authors books.
February 22, 2024
Entertaining and an easy read but a little too juvenile for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews