High Cotton - My Review

High Cotton by Debby Mayne is a unique book in that each chapter brings a different point of view for the reader.  Each chapter is the voice of the main character—the character that is experiencing pain, joy, or growth within that particular scene.  Therefore, each chapter is titled with varying names, such as Shay, Puddin’, or Sally.  I do not believe I have ever read a book constructed in this manner, but I love it!  It was so interesting getting to know each character and how they viewed the world they were in—especially since all of the characters were a part of the same setting and family.  I can’t wait to read the next book in this series! 

Shay is the first person the reader is introduced to, and she is a single girl surround by married family members who want to see her enter the same circle.  Love has been challenging for her, but at present, she knows two guys who might be potential boyfriend material.  Yet, it is difficult to know and understand who these men really are, and what they want out life, because they seem to be constantly sending mixed messages to those around them.  As Shay tries to observe their words and actions, she must come to some sort of conclusion about which path she should follow. 

Puddin’ is married but sees herself entertaining a different role—besides wife and mother.  She wants to be challenged in a different way, and she finds a new kind of fulfillment in a bookkeeping job.  Of course, she keeps this a secret from her husband and family, and she dreads the day she must tell them about it.  Interestingly, throughout Puddin’s journey, the reader beings to understand how each character wants something different out of life.  Each character seems to be unhappy with his or her existing circumstance, and the reader must wait to see how each person will strive to find true contentment—in truth, the reader goes on the journey with them.      

If you love stories where characters find true happiness, learn something about life and themselves, because they pursue wisdom from others, then you will love this book.  I recommend checking it out!  Happy reading! 

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Litfuse for my copy. 

Some families are filled with so much love they can't help but drive each other crazy.

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family's next reunion. On the one hand, she'll get to see everyone in her mama's family--folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there'll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law's deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunions . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay's teen self, but the woman she's become doesn't know what to make of this.

Shay's contentment is challenged, and she's determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she's looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the Bucklin family is never boring.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / CBD 

Debby Mayne has published more than 30 books and novellas, 400 print short stories and articles, more than 1,000 web articles, and a slew of devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor for Long Ridge Writers Group, and a copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. 

For the past eight years, she has judged the Writers Digest Annual Competition, Short-Short Contest, and Self-Published Book Competition. Three of Debby’s books have been top ten favorites by the Heartsong Presents book club. Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4.5 stars from Romantic Times Magazine, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July 2009.

She and her husband currently live in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. To learn more about Debby, check out her social media:  
Website - debbymayne.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/DebbyMayneAuthor
Twitter - www.twitter.com/@debbymayne

First Line Fridays

I am so excited to start reading a new series by Carolyn Miller!  This series is entitled--Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope--and the first book is Winning Miss Winthrop.  I love the covers of each novel--you can already view all three books on Amazon.  :)  There are so many wonderful stories coming out this spring, and I am trying desperately hard to note every single one on my Goodreads page.  What books are you most looking forward to reading this spring? 

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  Winning Miss Winthrop

by Carolyn Miller 

And the first line is...

Gloucestershire 

May 1816

"The deeply blue Gloucestershire sky brought comfort as Catherine Winthrop emerged from the tenant farmhouse.  She drew in a deep breath of clover-scented air then turned to the farmer. 'I am sure the doctor will be able to relieve poor Anne more than I.  I'll have word sent as soon as I return.'" 

Happy reading, Happy Good Friday, and Happy Easter!  

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books  to see who else is participating! 

Leanna Crawford - Fragile Heart

Quote for the Day - Alice in Wonderland

First Line Fridays

This week I wanted to highlight one of the classics.  Classic literature has always been my favorite genre of books, and it was lovely to study these texts in college.  This particular book, Alice in Wonderland, is especially close to my heart, because I visited Christ Church in Oxford, England, which is where Lewis Carroll went to school.  As an English major and someone who loves books, taking these types of literary journeys is so wonderful!  Knowing that authors from the past walked where you are walking now is simply incredible.  It makes literature all the more wonderful! 

There are so many book spots I want to visit in the future, such as Louisa May Alcott's home in Massachusetts or Margaret Mitchell's home in Atlanta.  What literary places have you visited?  Let me know in the comments below.  :) 

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  Alice in Wonderland 

by Lewis Carroll

And the first line is...

Chapter 1

Down the Rabbit-Hole 

"Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, 'and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice 'without pictures or conversation?'" 

Happy reading and happy Friday!  

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books  to see who else is participating! 

Quote for the Day - Beauty and the Beast

First Line Fridays

At present, I have been scanning my bookshelves, because there are several books I purchased years ago that I still need to read.  The book I'm highlighting this week falls into that category.  Do you ever "lose" a book by forgetting to read it?  Of course, this is incredibly easy to do--especially, when you own hundreds of books.  :)

How often do you go back and read from you bookcases?  Have you discovered any hidden treasures that you forgot about?  Please share your findings in the comments below.  :) 

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  The Pattern Artist 

by Nancy Moser 

And the first line is...

1911 / New York City 

"'Annie Wood! I demand you wipe that ridiculous smile off your face.  Immediately.'"

Happy reading and happy Friday!  

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books  to see who else is participating! 

Lady Helena Investigates - Spotlight Book Tour

Publication Date: March 14, 2018

Aspidistra Press

eBook; 359 Pages

ASIN: B079SMGC7S

Series: Scott-De Quincy Mysteries, Book One

Genre: Historical Mystery

A reluctant lady sleuth finds she’s investigating her own family.

Step into Lady Helena Whitcombe’s world with the first novel in a series that will blend family saga and mystery-driven action with a slow-burn romance in seven unputdownable investigations.

1881, Sussex. Lady Helena Scott-De Quincy’s marriage to Sir Justin Whitcombe, three years before, gave new purpose to a life almost destroyed by the death of Lady Helena’s first love. After all, shouldn’t the preoccupations of a wife and hostess be sufficient to fulfill any aristocratic female’s dreams? Such a shame their union wasn’t blessed by children . . . but Lady Helena is content with her quiet country life until Sir Justin is found dead in the river overlooked by their grand baroque mansion.

The intrusion of attractive, mysterious French physician Armand Fortier, with his meddling theory of murder, into Lady Helena’s first weeks of mourning is bad enough. But with her initial ineffective efforts at investigation and her attempts to revive her long-abandoned interest in herbalism comes the realization that she may have been mistaken about her own family’s past. Every family has its secrets—but as this absorbing series will reveal, the Scott-De Quincy family has more than most.

Can Lady Helena survive bereavement the second time around? Can she stand up to her six siblings’ assumption of the right to control her new life as a widow? And what role will Fortier—who, as a physician, is a most unsuitable companion for an earl’s daughter—play in her investigations?

Praise for The House of Closed Doors Series

“I cannot praise Jane Steen enough for her ability to build a world that captures every essence of an era. She was able to take the singularly focused plot of an unwed teen and wrap her journey with the social, political and cultural values of the day. Within this framework the reader is given an eyewitness experience into the daily realities of homemaking, transportation, fashion, society’s value of women and those less fortunate as well historical events such as commerce, war and the Chicago fire.”

“I loved this book. It was well written and well edited. The story captured me on the first few pages and held my interest to the last page. I forced myself to close the book at midnight! Moves nicely along from scene to scene. Some of the heroine’s choices were not what I expected and when I thought I had unraveled the whole mystery, I hadn’t. Just an overall satisfying reading experience! Loved it.”

“Engrossing historical fiction that really stays with the characters (who are well-crafted) and doesn’t go for the obvious cliches. I loved Nell, the protagonist, and so many others…Martin and Tess especially. I admit I kind of wanted it to end a certain way, but the ending the author chose was a braver one for Nell, and more true to who she’d been throughout the novel. The historical backdrop was interesting, but it was the character work that really drew me in, and the mystery.”

“Extremely well written story! I couldn’t put it down, and pulled an all-nighter reading it. I was mesmerized by this story, and captivated by the depth of characterization.”

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE

Jane Steen was born in England and, despite having spent more years out of the British Isles than in, still has a British accent according to just about every American she meets.

Her long and undistinguished career has included a three-year stint as the English version of a Belgian aerospace magazine, an interesting interlude as an editor in a very large law firm, and several hectic years in real estate marketing at the height of the property boom. This tendency to switch directions every few years did nothing for her resume but gave her ample opportunity to sharpen her writing skills and develop an entrepreneurial spirit.

Around the edges of her professional occupations and raising children, she stuck her nose in a book at every available opportunity and at one time seemed on course to become the proverbial eternal student. Common sense prevailed, though, and eventually she had the bright idea of putting her passion for books together with her love of business and writing to become a self-published author.

Jane has lived in three countries and is currently to be found in the Chicago suburbs with her long-suffering husband and two adult daughters.

For more information, please visit Jane Steen’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of Lady Helena Investigates by Jane Steen! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

– Giveaway is open to US residents only.

– Only one entry per household.

– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.

– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Lady Helena Investigates

Quote for the Day

First Line Fridays

I have read several books in the Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Childs, and one day I hope to read them all.  :)  Childs actually writes several series, such as the Scrapbooking Mysteries and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries.  In fact, I just found one of those stories, Eggs in Purgatory, at a used book sale the other day.  :)  Do you enjoy reading cozy mysteries?  If so, please leave your recommendations in the comments below.  Happy reading! 

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  Plum Tea Crazy  

by Laura Childs 

And the first line is...

"Tall sailing ships, their masts and sails outlined with glowing white lights, ghosted across Charleston Harbor in a glittering parade."  

Happy reading and happy Friday!  

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books  to see who else is participating! 

1886 Ties That Bind - Spotlight Book Tour

Publication Date: November 8, 2016

Archway Publishing

Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook; 370 Pages

Series: Langford Series, Book #2

Genre: Fiction/Historical

It is 1886 as Englishman Lord Langsford travels by train to San Francisco. Newly widowed, Langsford is desperate to escape his grief, demons, and life in England. As Langsford completes the last leg of his transcontinental journey, his life unexpectedly changes once again when he crosses paths with Miss Sally Baxter, a beautiful rancher who packs a pistol in her purse.

Sally has made it her mission to find the men who robbed a train and killed her brother. Unfortunately, no one—not even the owners of the Southern Pacific Railroad—seem to care. Unable to resist her pleas, Langsford offers to help Sally and soon becomes entangled in a web of politics, corruption, and greed. As murder, threats, and attacks ensue that endanger both Sally and Langsford, influential men in both California and Washington, D.C. jockey for positions of power. Langsford, who finds himself oddly attracted to Sally, now must sort through criminals and politicians alike to discover the truth behind her brother’s death and prevent his own murder.

“Not only is this a fast-paced historical mystery, 1886 Ties That Bind offers commentary on the political and social issues that are still relevant today.” – Helga Schier, PhD, author and founder of With Pen and Paper

“Wasserman’s writing is atmospherically rich. Very strongly recommended.” – Historical Novel Society, London, critical review of 1884 No Boundaries

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | BARNES AND NOBLE

The daughter of a newspaperman, A.E. Wasserman grew up in a household filled with books and stories. At age 14, she wrote her first novella and never stopped writing.

She is the author of a new mystery/thrillers series, the first of which takes place in London: 1884 No Boundaries, A Story of Espionage and International Intrigue. The second in the Langsford Series, 1886 Ties That Bind, A Story of Politics, Graft and Greed, has just been released.

Her work, critically acclaimed as “richly atmospheric,” is being noticed by readers and critics alike, and has garnered international attention, not only in the U.S., but Europe and the U.K. as well. She recently received top honors from Writer’s Digest for her work.

After graduating from The Ohio State University, she lived in London, then San Francisco. Currently she resides in Southern California with her family and her muse, a Border Collie named Topper.

For more information, please Visit the author’s web site at www.aewasserman.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

The Central Valley, California, United States

August 1886

The passengers waited on the Delano Station platform for its arrival; some relaxed on crude wooden benches, while others stood in anticipation, ready to pick up their suitcases to board as soon as they could. The hot California sun danced on the metal rails while the motionless air under the depot’s overhang hung heavy with heat.

They saw it first, a dark dot where the rails converged. Those sitting stood in anticipation, gripping their bags with tight fists. Everyone as a unit slowly moved toward the edge of the worn wooden planks, leaving the stale shade of the overhang so they might encroach upon the edge above the gap, where shiny rails on dark ties lay embedded in gravel deep below. Not too close, for that felt dangerous, but close enough to peer up the track as the dark dot rapidly enlarged into the locomotive they expected.

The black steel mass burst forth into the station, as promised, but failed to fulfill its duty to stop. Indeed, failed to even slow. It monstered through, roaring indignation. The would-be passengers instinctively took a step back under the protection of the short roofed area and away from the now-filled gulf as the wheels spun on hidden rails. The whizzing blur of noise and black roared, followed by a dark-gray car flashing square windows as it clacked past, rapid rhythm, the wind-wake whipping onto the depot platform. Everyone stood frozen with the force of the noise and braced against the hot gust that slammed their bonnets, hats, skirts.

Then it was gone. Silence. A void—above the rails and within their senses. Quiet.

Stunned by the sudden unexpected, they all gasped in unison; a communal breath. Wide-eyed, they tried to speak as they slowly began to recognize what they had just seen fly past.

Two men standing nearest the wooden edge exchanged horrified looks. Clad in dungarees and cotton shirts, they adjusted their wide brimmed hats, and as if practiced, simultaneously turned. “Someone has to stop that train!” The second replied, “Let’s go!” They ran inside the depot sprinting toward the front door and out onto Main Street.

The rest remained on the platform. Some had dropped their valises; mothers stood with babes tight in their arms, or children held against their skirts. Husbands shielded their wives as they all began to react.

Did you see what I saw? Was that real? Were they …?

Those who spoke would finish with their hands over their mouths for what they had seen, was, in fact, unspeakable. The image burned in their minds, like the lingering light in an eye after a lamp’s extinguished wick.

The raging engine had held no engineer. Instead, draped upon the coal bin behind the cab was a body. The car flew by, a body or two leaned awkwardly on a seat, and in one case, flung with shoulders, arms and head hanging through a window, flopping with the speeding rhythm of the iron beast.

The train raged away, diminishing in size as quickly as it had emerged for its arrival.

The metal parade was a dead man’s train.

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of 1886 Ties That Bind by A.E. Wasserman! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

– Only one entry per household.

– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.

– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

1886

First Line Fridays

I read and reviewed A Stolen Heart by Amanda Cabot last year, and it was simply splendid.  So, I am so excited to read this next book in the series, which comes out the end of this month!  I already highly recommend checking it out.  :) 

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  A Borrowed Dream 

by Amanda Cabot 

And the first line is...

"It was only a dream.  Catherine Whitfield fumbled with the lamp on her bedside table, taking a deep breath as light filled the room.  There was no reason to be upset."  

Happy reading and happy Friday!  

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books  to see who else is participating!