What would happen if you finally met your soul mate–but they were married to someone else?
In a novel that has become a bestselling phenomenon in Italy, a newcomer to a small town brings with her a gust of modernity, stirring up the passions and secrets of a community on the cusp of change.
Salento, Italy, June 1934: A coach stops in the main square of Lizzanello, a tight-knit village where everyone knows each other. A couple gets off: The man, Carlo, a child of the South, is happy to be back home after a long time away; the woman, Anna—his wife—is a stranger from the North. Carlo’s brother is there to meet them, and he and everyone else can’t help but notice that Anna is as beautiful as a Greek statue.
But Anna is not like the other wives. She doesn’t gossip or attend church. She reads books no one else has ever heard of. She even wears pants, just like a man, and thinks a woman should have rights just like a man.
There aren’t many options for a woman with Anna’s sensibilities, so when she learns that the post office is hiring, she leaps at the opportunity. A female letter carrier? It is unthinkable. But Anna soon becomes the invisible thread connecting the town as she delivers letters between clandestine lovers, families waiting to hear news of loved ones away at war, even helping those who can’t read.
But for some in Lizzanello, letters come too little and too late. The seamstress, who was Carlo’s first love, can’t help but look at Anna as having taken her rightful place. Carlo’s niece has put herself in a loveless marriage after an impetuous act of jealousy. And Carlo and his brother find themselves trying to cover up a recently unearthed surprise that could shatter all of their lives.
The Letter Carrier taps into the universal feeling of connection—and what happens when that connection perhaps comes at the wrong time.
I’m so excited that Clare Leslie Hall will be discussing her book. Her book was part of the Barnes & Noble Book Club a few months ago. It was one of my favorite books for this year. Below is my book review and event information.
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
It is a heartbreaking love story filled with secrets that will shatter the lives of the characters and the readers. Clare Leslie Hall is a fantastic storyteller. She captivated the readers with a story filled with so much love that tragedy was unavoidable. I fell in love with each of the characters. I felt like a member of the family watching every tragedy unfold.
The first page of this story grasped my attention. I wanted to know what exactly happened at this farm and who was murdered. Clare divided the story into five different sections. The story begins with Gabriel, followed by Bobby, Jimmy, Frank, and Grace. It then takes us to the trial, weaving through the past and present-day events. The way she drafted the story made the story unravel at the exact time the author was ready to reveal a secret or a tragedy.
Bobby, Beth’s child, is the central figure in this story. His conception, childhood, and tragedy that ultimately impacts the Johnson family will lead to a love triangle fraught with disaster, shocking readers. Losing a child is an unimaginable experience for any parent, especially when it involves witnessing such a gruesome death. Despite Beth blaming Frank for Bobby’s death, both of them showed remarkable bravery by continuing their marriage.
The story begins with the intense love affair and subsequent breakup between Beth and Gabriel. After their separation, Beth marries Frank, who has always been in love with her. Together, Beth and Frank have a son named Bobby. Bobby is passionate about the outdoors and learns everything he can about farm life. However, the family faces a tragedy when Bobby’s life is cut short.
Meanwhile, Gabriel marries and has a son named Leo. He becomes a famous author and eventually returns to his childhood home. Despite moving on, Beth and Gabriel still feel the lingering sparks from their past romance, which leads to an affair. As Beth connects with Leo, she finds herself grappling with the loss of Bobby.
As secrets unravel, an intense argument culminates in a murder. I won’t spoil the entire story but prepare to be shocked by who pulls the trigger and to witness the strong bonds of love and family throughout the narrative.
The tree featured on the cover of the book plays a significant role in the story. It is a tree that the Johnson family grew up with, where a wedding proposal took place. Unfortunately, a tragedy occurred with the eventual death of the tree and the precious life of an innocent boy. This intense love triangle, with its many secrets and tragedy, will leave you wanting more.
Event Details Please join us in welcoming author Clare Leslie Hall as she discusses and signs her newest release Broken Country!
A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK | A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is an unforgettable story of love, loss and the choices that shape our lives…but it’s also a masterfully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Seriously, that ending?! I did not see it coming.” -Reese Witherspoon.
“Stirring and mysterious…fires directly at the human heart and hits the mark.” -Delia Owens, New York Times bestselling author of Where the Crawdads Sing
A love triangle unearths dangerous, deadly secrets from the past in this thrilling tale perfect for fans of The Paper Palace and Where the Crawdads Sing.
“The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”
Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager-the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.
As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village ride and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.
A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.
Special Instructions:
-Clare will sign and personalize your copy of Broken Country
🔮✨ Welcome back to a world of magic, mystery, and mouthwatering waffles! ✨🔮
🏡 Tropes You Love: 🍽️ A charming magical bakery with enchanted treats 🔍 A curious amateur sleuth with a knack for uncovering secrets 🕵️♀️ Small-town charm… with a sprinkle of supernatural surprises 💀 A mystery brewing beneath the surface
Something whispery is in the air, and it’s not just the scent of fresh-baked waffles… 🧐
In the Southern Magical Bakery series, magic is more than just a way of life—it’s baked into every recipe. But when secrets rise like dough in the oven, our favorite sleuth will need more than a wand and a whisk to crack the case!
🧙♀️ Love the Magical Cures Cozy Mystery series? Get ready for the next enchanting chapter in this spellbinding spin-off!
📖 Pre-order Wand, Waffles, and Whispers now and return to a town where every spell, every recipe, and every mystery is a treat to uncover! → https://amzn.to/40JwbIi
Nothing brings a family together like a murder next door.
A lighthearted whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths. Gilmore Girls , but with murder.
High-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon has a lot to be proud her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire she’s built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is stuck counting otters instead of square footage—and hoping that boredom won’t kill her before the cancer does.
Then Jack—tiny in stature but fiercely independent—happens upon a dead body while kayaking. She quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. She’ll pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power. With Jack and Beth’s help, Lana uncovers a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes lurking beneath the surface of a community populated by folksy conservationists and wealthy ranchers. But as their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing they’ve always depend on each other.
Author Biography
I write crime stories about strong women. My first novel, MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT, is a New York Times bestselling mystery about a grandma, single mom, and teenage girl who come together to solve the murder of a naturalist who washes up in the Monterey Bay.
Writing has always been my joy. In college, I was an electrical engineering student by day and a slam poet by night. After a brief stint at NASA, I started designing interactive exhibits and eventually became a museum director. I wrote two books of nonfiction about creating participatory, relevant cultural institutions. Nonprofits were my “real” job; writing was on the side.
Then, my mom got sick. I quit my job to help care for her, and I found myself turning to fiction as a way to escape and find some pleasure during a hard time. My mom and I both always loved mysteries, and I decided to try to write one myself, with a detective/hero based on my mother. Now, my mom is doing better, and I’m gratefully spending my days reading, writing, and caring for my family.
I live off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz mountains. You can find out more about me at https://ninaksimon.com/
Murder’s just another scandal waiting on the porch.
Georgia “Cussy” Hollingsworth thought she’d left small-town drama behind when she traded Kentucky for city life. But when her beloved uncle dies under suspicious circumstances, she’s pulled straight back to the last place she wanted to be—right into the middle of a horse and cattle ranch she never asked for and a murder she can’t ignore.
The plan was simple: settle his affairs, sell the property, and head home. Instead, Cussy finds herself tangled in long-held grudges, whispered secrets, and neighbors who remember everything—except who had a reason to kill.
Now she’s balancing farm chores with fact-finding, dodging shady locals, and stumbling across more questions than answers. And with someone clearly trying to scare her off, Cussy has to decide: walk away, or dig in her heels and uncover the truth—before the killer makes her the next loose end to tie up.
Small town. Big secrets. And a reluctant sleuth who’s about to learn that some roots run deeper than she ever imagined.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Get your cowboy boots ready to help Cussy solve the murder of her uncle Amos. This Kentucky ranch will keep Cussy busy trying to figure out who murdered her uncle and having to manage a ranch with not much training. This new series will leave you guessing until the very end. So pack your cowboy boots ready to dance and mingle with the folks in a small town and sleuth your way into this mystery. Let’s not forget the chemistry between Colt and Cussy. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I loved how Tonya used lavender every chance she took. It’s my favorite scent.
Author Biography
Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!
The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.
A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman’s World Book Club Pick six times.
Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.
Broken Country was one of my favorite books this year. It was Barnes & Noble book club pick a few months ago. This is the perfect opportunity to meet the author and learn more about the idea behind this book.
Event Details Please join us in welcoming author Clare Leslie Hall as she discusses and signs her newest release Broken Country!
A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK | A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is an unforgettable story of love, loss and the choices that shape our lives…but it’s also a masterfully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Seriously, that ending?! I did not see it coming.” -Reese Witherspoon.
“Stirring and mysterious…fires directly at the human heart and hits the mark.” -Delia Owens, New York Times bestselling author of Where the Crawdads Sing
A love triangle unearths dangerous, deadly secrets from the past in this thrilling tale perfect for fans of The Paper Palace and Where the Crawdads Sing.
“The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”
Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager-the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.
As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village ride and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.
A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.
Special Instructions:
-Clare will sign and personalize your copy of Broken Country
Two-time divorcee Kristin Mayer moved to Wet Sands, North Carolina, to be near her sister. Her fixer-upper comes as a bargain due to an eight year old murder that stifles sales. But Kristin packs heats and she’s fine with a bygone crime. Chase Holloman is intent on protecting his grown daughter who as a child was accused of murdering their neighbor. Now, another murder has pulled her back into police crosshairs. Meeting Kristin rocks Chase’s world. Yet as Kristin plows through her home renovation, she finds mysteries deepening with every uncovered wall. Long-suppressed secrets come to life, forcing Chase and Kristin to reassess their live as bodies pile up. Can they clear Chase’s daughter and remove the obstacles between them and real love?
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Wow, this book was amazing. It had me going all the way through. I kept on thinking that the murderer was the old ladies son since she was acting weird and he kept to himself. It’s very sad how someone so ignorant and selfless could ruin so many lives. Family, too , was just a manipulation of affection and had no feelings for no one. Blaming a poor young girl of murder is horrendous. He took her mom and her friend away from her, and she took the blame for something she wasn’t capable of doing. Loved that Kristin was not scared of anyone and that she was able to protect herself and others. She was a better detective. Conan was living life with rage that his mother was murdered and put the blame on Megan. His father was a drunk who didn’t really care about his children, especially after his wife was gone. Chase was so overprotective of his daughter that he forgot that Conan needed him since he was like a father to him. I liked how Candice started the book with Conan coming from school and that his dad was a drunk who was careless. Then, it automatically zoomed into action with Conan trying to harm Megan. It really took me off guard. I thought he was a smart young man with a future, and he was heading the same way as his father. Loved that there was romance between Chase and Kristin, but it also had mystery and action. I highly recommend this book.
Author Biography
Even as a child, Candice Poarch was a dreamer and created scenes in her mind. She quickly fell in love with writing stories centered around families and romance. The quest for love is universal, she says. Being familiar with rural Virginia, she portrays a sense of community and mutual support in her novels, many of which are set in small-town America.
Candice grew up in Stony Creek, Virginia, south of Richmond, but now resides in northern Virginia. She has been married for thirty years and is the mother of three children. A former computer-systems manager, she has now made writing her full-time career.
Kali Miller has spent three years reporting fluff stories for a small-town Texas paper, waiting for the opportunity to pen the article that will launch her career to new heights. That dream has never felt further away when she suddenly finds herself out of work, forced to take a job as an executive secretary at a Las Vegas casino. But that’s exactly where Kali meets the subject of what will surely be a shocking exposé: her boss, Damion Ward, the casino’s arrogant and undeniably sexy CEO.
Watching Damion make his cold, calculating business maneuvers, Kali is positive she’s doing the right thing. But after Damion invites her to help him plan a Thanksgiving charity event, Kali begins to see another side of the man. And when she surrenders to the exhilarating tension that’s been simmering between them since day one, Kali becomes part of her own story, which she hopes will have a happy ending.
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Lisa again does a slam dunk. Those spicy sex scenes in the office will be forever engraved in my head. I don’t think an office can be appropriate with Damion around. I liked that Kali stayed around and didn’t leave even after she was on lockdown for a potential breach. What took me off my seat was that Damion was described as looking like Robert Downey Jr. I love him. Couldn’t be happier. I loved the chemistry between them. They hardly knew each other but they couldn’t take their hands and eyes off each other. I was heartbroken about what had happened to Damion’s mother. I’m glad that he felt that helping the shelter out was the right thing to do for what they did for him in the past. Kali unfortunately had an awful father and ex-boyfriend. That didn’t stop her from looking for happiness. She went to another state to find a job that she felt she could grow and love. Love comes when you least expect it. Highly recommend this book.
Author Biography
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with.
In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin’s Press. Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
I told him goodbye, and I will not call him. I know if I do, it will be my undoing, and I’ll once again be caught up in his spell. I will once again be…lost.
In her private journals, Rebecca laid bare her soul, revealing her obsession for the one man whose erotic demands captivated her imagination–and enslaved her forever. Now, with Rebecca no longer in his life he is lost, questioning everything he thought he knew about himself and about control he holds in such high regard. One women will reach out to heal him and then turn away, leaving him haunted. She is nothing he thought he wanted and somehow everything he needs. He tells himself to forget her but he cannot escape his desire for her. He has to have more…
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
I will say that the last chapter was hot and seductive. Another amazing book written by Lisa. Crystal works for Mark and is very attached to his mother. His mother gets ill and has to get operated, and Crystal is there for moral support. Mark doesn’t want to be around Crystal because she sees parts of his emotions no one has seen. He tries to put barriers up so that he isn’t looking for comfort, yet he craves it. His parents’ relationship was with many ups and downs, but if anything happened to his mother, his dad would be heartbroken. Crystal is temptation and danger to Mark. She is the one with the control, and he wants to be the master with control. She is very direct with her comments and has been having control at all times. He wants to show her who he really is. Their attraction is so intense that just a touch or a slight stare sends heat waves through their bodies. He describes it as “fire in my veins,” “it burns to kiss her, and it’s intense.” Oblivion is where Mark will take Crystal with those wild feelings. You don’t want to miss any book in this series.
Author Biography
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with.
In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin’s Press. Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Dan Garvie’s life has been haunted by the crime he witnessed as a child—narrowly escaping an encounter with a notorious serial killer. He has dedicated his life since to becoming a criminal profiler, eager to seek justice for innocent victims. So when his father passes away under suspicious circumstances, Dan revisits his small island community, determined to uncover the truth about his death. Is it possible that the monster he remembers from his childhood nightmares has returned after all these years?
With his signature shock and suspense, Alex North brings us The Man Made of Smoke. In turn emotional, introspective, and utterly terrifying, this is a story of fathers and sons, shadows and secrets, and the fight we all face to escape the trauma of the past.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
“Nobody sees, and nobody cares.”
This mind-boggling, twisted psychological thriller will captivate your mind and transport you to the darkest corner of a serial killer’s mind game. Your nightmares will become a reality. Alex North has intricately written a novel with not one but two serial killers. You won’t see what’s coming at you until it’s too late. Readers will see firsthand the living nightmare families will live after The Pied Piper arrives in town and the making of a second serial killer in revenge for the built-up guilt of losing the one person he truly cared for.
The father-son team of ex-cop John Garvie and serial killer expert Daniel Garvie will guide readers through a wild goose chase leading directly to the killer. Dan’s father goes missing and is presumed dead. Dan’s father’s investigation will guide him through all the evidence he collected before his disappearance. The supernatural will also play a huge part in piecing this investigation together. Dan will use his specialty in conversing with the murderer and his father in his head to decipher this frightening puzzle.
I enjoyed this psychological thriller. The story was well-plotted, featuring a duo of serial killers and a twisted ending. I highly recommend you get lost in this frightening serial killer novel that will leave you thinking about what you would have done if you encountered a serial killer and his victim.
Author Biography
Alex North was born in Leeds, England, where he now lives with his wife and son. The Whisper Man was inspired by North’s own little boy, who mentioned one day that he was playing with “the boy in the floor.” Alex North is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name.
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