Monday, November 29, 2021

~ GREAT ESCAPES WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES THROUGH ~

 ~ GREAT ESCAPES BLOG TOUR STOP ~
--  'WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES THROUGH'  --
AUTHOR KATHLEEN BAILEY
~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight + Excerpt,
and Author Guest Post~
 

 

Where the Light Shines Through: An Olivia Penn Mystery by Kathleen Bailey

About Where the Lights Shines Through

 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series  
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rhino Publishing LLC (November 30, 2021)  
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 330 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1956270027  
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1956270020 Paperback ‏ : ‎ 330 pages  
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1956270019 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1956270013  
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09H9G1ZWF 
 

 Castle meets Clue in this fun, fast-paced, fresh take on the cozy mystery.

Olivia’s syndicated advice column is about solving problems … not murders. But when she returns to her hometown of Apple Station in Virginia to visit her dad, she has five days to expose a killer or fall prey as the next victim.

Olivia had planned for a week of rest and relaxation before her move to New York for a promotion and a chance to pursue her publishing dreams. Within hours of arriving home, her world changes forever with the death of someone dear. A promise to a grieving mother leads her to uncover secrets from the past that put her life in danger, leaving her at a crossroads. Does she risk investigating further or settle for the security of the life that awaits? Will she chase after what she thinks she wants or listen to what her heart needs?

With the support of friends and family, a tenuous alliance with the lead police detective, and the bravery of an intrepid beagle, she races to protect her dad, rescue an unlikely ally, and bring a murderer to justice.

When all seems lost, will Olivia summon the strength and courage she needs to see where the light shines through?

Join the journey in the first novel of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. If you grew up reading Nancy Drew, you’ll love this cozy mystery that entertains with heart and humor amid a charming cast of characters set in a small Southern town.

Escape to enjoy a captivating, heartwarming story that will inspire you to be the hero of your own life.

EXCERPT:

This selection is the inspiration behind the cover design.

 

He walked back to the house, leaving Olivia alone to make her visit. After her mother died, she spent countless quiet hours in the cottage, surrounded by her mother’s books and writings, to ease her grief. She had not been inside, though, for nearly a year. The interior remained unchanged—her father never wanted to move a thing. Her mother’s glasses lay on the desk in the same spot she last placed them. One of the four bookcases housed collections of her mother’s writing, while the other three sheltered an ample, diverse library. A glider chair bided its time by the front window, waiting for a willing partner to sit a spell and share in the sun’s radiant warmth.

She read the spines of her mother’s binders, each one labeled by form, genre, theme, location, or season. Fall: Poetry, Short Suspense, Tasmania—1995. The case was full of them. She selected a volume titled Memories, Olivia, and flipped to a random handwritten page.

Olivia,

Today, you were a most enchanted child. As Daddy and I sat on the porch enjoying a fine evening, you saw your first firefly. With you sitting on my lap, one of our little summer friends came to rest on your arm. You gazed at it, and when it glowed, your eyes widened. You looked at us in amazement! When the glow disappeared, your smile left, and you turned sad. When the glow returned, your face beamed as if you had discovered something magical. Daddy and I laughed, and then we carried you to the backyard where hundreds of fireflies danced in the night sky. You pointed to as many of the lights as you could until you fell asleep. May you always be looking for your lights. Even the darkest of night skies can never extinguish the glow of the smallest light.

Love,

Mom

About Kathleen Bailey

 

Kathleen Bailey is the author of Where the Light Shines Through, the first novel in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days obsessively plotting and sleuthing in Virginia. When she is not incognito, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers.  

Author Links Webpage: https://kathleenbaileyauthor.com/

 

 

Let's Celebrate!

Happy National Stay Home Because You’re Well Day (November 30)! Did this day sneak up on you again this year? Or are you like me and never knew such a day existed? We all are quite familiar with having to take sick days, but what about taking a wellness day? I know … who among us can take a day off from our “real life” jobs/lives just because we’re well. I’m not seeing alot of hands up. The spirit behind the unofficial “holiday,” though, reminds us we need to enjoy moments of ease daily and not just when we’re feeling ill.

This is exactly what Olivia is doing as her journey begins in Where the Light Shines Through. Olivia is a syndicated advice columnist living and working in Washington, D.C. She is moving to New York to accept a promotion and pursue her publishing dreams. Before doing so, though, she makes a trip back to her hometown of Apple Station, Virginia, to visit her dad and spend a week of rest and relaxation, catching up with her friends and enjoying the town’s spring festival. One planned highlight of her trip is the planting of her father’s annual summer garden.

Much of the description of the father-daughter garden, from the drawn-out map that Olivia’s dad makes to the mythology of the habaneros, stems from my own life. For me, planting a garden with my dad was a day of wellness I looked forward to every year. Though it was back-breaking work, often in ninety-degree heat, I wouldn’t trade those days and memories for anything. Planting those seedlings every year would bear fruit (and vegetables!) in all the days that followed, as watching the garden flourish brought much joy to my dad’slife.

Though we can’t always take an entire day for ease (though we should try for one occasionally), we can spend a few moments daily to support our own wellness. Allow yourself some humanity. Savor your coffee or tea, enjoy the sun shining through the window, or curl up and read a cozy!

Today, I’m celebrating my book’s birthday, and so I’m going to be sure to approach the day with ease. I will walk by the garden where I have so many fond memories of my dad, grateful for those days of wellness.

What are you going to do today to support your wellness?

Happy reading!

* * *

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Monday, November 22, 2021

~ 2021 BLACK FRIDAY FICTION SALE ~

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 ~ 2021 BLACK FRIDAY KINDLE EDITION FICTION SALE ~
🌟 BEGINNING AT 12:00AM PST on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH &
 🌟 ENDING AT 12:00AM PST on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH  🌟
 

My Contemporary Christian & Clean Wholesome Romance Books:
 
 


My Historical WWII Clean Wholesome Romance Short Story:
 

My Historical Middle-Grade Adventure for Children Ages 7 - 11:
 

 
🠞🠞 ALL OF MY BOOKS ARE ALWAYS FREE WITH YOUR KINDLE UNLIMITED SUBSCRIPTION!
 
🠞🠞 TO ACCESS A DIRECTORY OF OVER 250 CLEAN INDIE BOOKS THAT ARE ON SALE FOR $.99 DURING THIS PERIOD, FOLLOW THIS LINK:
 
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~ REVELL READS DEADLY TARGET REVIEW ~

~ REVELL READS BLOG TOUR STOP ~
--  'DEADLY TARGET'  --
AUTHOR ELIZABETH GODDARD
~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight +
Link to Excerpt Courtesy of the
Publisher, Author Bio & Review~
   
 

 
 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

This cold case has suddenly warmed up.
She only hopes they won't get burned.


Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her life in a boating accident and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job to care for her mother in Montana. At least there Erin is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.

Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's certainly good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.

As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.

What people are saying about Present Danger:

"Thrilling."--Publishers Weekly

"The pacing is perfect; continuous, mind-boggling action, with plenty of time for unfinished business."--Interviews and Reviews

"Present Danger starts with a bang and never lets up."--Rachel Dylan, bestselling author of the Capital Intrigue series

 

LINK TO EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels, including Present Danger, Deadly Target, and the Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold over 1 million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.elizabethgoddard.com.

 

MY REVIEW:

 

If I were asked to use only one word to describe this book, I would use the word, 'complicated'.
 
The characters are complicated, and the relationships between the characters are complicated. The settings are complicated, and the plot is very complicated. All of these complex elements add up to give readers a suspenseful, enjoyable thrill ride from page one to the final sentence.
 
The lead woman in this story, Erin Larson, and her mother, Celia, are harboring secrets from their respective pasts. Deep, dark secrets which are agonizingly exposed as the story moves on from one stressful event to another. 

Nathan Campbell is a stand-up guy who works as a police detective in a small-town in Montana. He is loyal, dedicated, and determined in his search to figure out who and what are behind the traumas which seem to be befalling everyone around him . . . 

Through the support and encouragement of a few good friends, Erin and Nathan unravel the whole hidden story reaching back to events from years ago and leading up to the present.

The faith element in this novel was strong with examples of prayer and spiritual thoughts of the characters sprinkled throughout the story. The book is completely clean in language and content.

Highly-recommended to fans of Christian/clean romantic suspense, Christian/clean thrillers, Christian/clean romance, and Christian/clean psychological thrillers.

I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher through the Revell Reads Blogger Program. All of my comments and opinions shared here are solely my own.




 

 

 

Sunday, November 21, 2021

~ MMGM JOHN MUIR BIOGRAPHY ~

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~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY BIOGRAPHY FEATURE ~
--  'JOHN MUIR:  MY LIFE WITH NATURE'  -- 
AUTHOR JOSEPH CORNELL
~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight,
Author Bio & Review~
 

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ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:

John Muir's remarkable adventures and attunement with nature are told in his own words, edited for a young audience. His joyous enthusiasm for nature comes through powerfully. The book includes "explore more" activities.

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MORE ABOUT THE BOOK {from the author's website}:

This unique “autobiography” of John Muir is told in his own words, brimming with his spirit and his adventures. The text was selected and retold by naturalist Joseph Cornell, author of the classic Sharing Nature with Children. The result is a book with a aliveness, a presence of goodness, adventure, enthusiasm, and sensitive love of each animal and plant that will give young adults an experience of a true hero. It is a book that expands your sense of hope, adventure, and awareness. Adults will be just as fond of this book as young readers. Cornell includes numerous “explore more” activities that help the reader to understand and appreciate Muir’s many wonderful qualities. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from the author's website}:

From his earliest years, Joseph Cornell felt a sensitive attunement with the mysteries and beauties of nature. As a boy, he spent much time exploring the marshes, orchards, and mountains near his home in northern California. During the early 1970s, he designed his own Bachelor of Science degree program in nature awareness at California State University at Chico.


The nature awareness methods featured in Cornell’s Sharing Nature Book Series are used by millions of parents, educators, naturalists, and youth and religious leaders all over the world. Mr. Cornell’s second book, Listening to Nature, has inspired thousands of adults to deepen their relationship with nature. 

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service selected his first book, Sharing Nature with Children®, as one of the 15 most influential books—published from 1890 to today—that has connected children to nature. Other authors honored in the exhibit include Rachel Carson and Ernest Thompson Seton. 

Cornell’s highly effective outdoor learning strategy, Flow Learning, was featured by the U.S. National Park Service as one of five recommended learning theories, along with the work of Maria Montessori, Howard Gardner, John Dewey, and Jean Piaget. 

Joseph Cornell is the founder and president of Sharing Nature Worldwide, one of the planet’s most popular and influential environmental education programs. He is the honorary president of Japan Nature Game Association that has 10,000 trained Sharing Nature leaders and 224 regional associations. Japan’s national elementary science curriculum promotes Sharing Nature experiences as a way to help students “get close to nature” and “love nature.”

Mr. Cornell has received many international awards for his Sharing Nature books and work. He has received the prestigious Countess Sonja-Bernadotte Prize in Germany for his vast influence on environmental education in Central Europe, and the Honorary Award from the Hungarian Society for Environmental Education for his "service as a role model for educators worldwide." In 2011 Cornell was selected as one of the “100 biggest opinion leaders committed to the Environment” by the French organization, Anges Gardiens de la Planète.

Joseph frequently travels and speaks to groups in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the South Pacific. The National Association for Interpretation said that Cornell’s books “sparked a worldwide revolution in nature education” and “his expertise, irrepressible enthusiasm, blend of knowledge and warmth creates an atmosphere for learning that is very contagious.” 

https://www.sharingnature.com/joseph-bharat-cornell.html

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MY REVIEW:

This informative book is chock full of information about the inspiring naturalist, John Muir. I had the good fortune to visit the home of John Muir and his wife and daughters in Martinez, California, many years ago. It is a beautiful farmhouse with peaceful surroundings. This book gives an in-depth view into this unique man and his impact on conservation in our nation.

The majority of the chapters are a biography of John Muir taken from the naturalist's own writings. The author mentions in his 'Note From the Author' preceding the text of the book informs readers: 

"To stay true to the spirit of Muir as clearly and fully as possible, I have told his story as if he were alive, using his own words and colorful expressions as often as possible." (pg.4)

The book also includes many of Muir's sketches and journal entries. There are a lot of historical photographs of the naturalist on his many adventures as well as photographs of Yosemite and Mt. Shasta, his wife and daughters, and members of the Sierra Club which he co-founded in 1892.

The back matter of the book entitled, 'Explore More', includes extension activities to get youngsters motivated to examine nature and think like John Muir did regarding nature and conservation. There is a list of his longer journeys around the world along with a world map that plots out these trips. There is a chronology of John Muir's life and a Further Reading list.

Highly-recommended! I borrowed this book from the children's collection at the local public library.

 

🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃 

🦃🦃 HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!  🦃🦃

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~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~

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