Are you afraid of the dark? Not the regular dark. The pitch black dark. Yes? Well so is nine-year-old Harry when his older brother Randy locks him alone in the dark basement. Oh, and did I mention the fire-breathing furnace? But that isn’t the end. Harry vows to get even and teach his older brother a lesson that he will never forget. Pitch Black Dark is a fun, light-hearted, (only a tiny bit scary) short story that late elementary and early middle school age kids will love.
Also by Steven K.
The Virginia Mysteries – Adventures with a twist of history Book 1 – Summer of the Woods Book 2 – Mystery on Church Hill Book 3 – Ghosts of Belle Isle Book 4 – Secret of the Staircase Book 5 – Midnight at the Mansion
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Won this book from GoodReads. I could relate to this book. I had a creepy basement just like the one discussed in this book, and I know how it feels when someone turns the lights off while you’re in that creepy space. I am scared of the dark and totally understand the fear you get and how your imagination tries to make out figures in the dark. Randy was such a bully, and he deserved the fear he got. Sometimes you have to put people in their place. I bet he learned his lesson. Great short book to teach kids not to be bullies, that what comes around goes around.
Author Biography
Won this book from GoodReads. I could related to this book. I had a creepy basement just like the one discussed in this book and I know how it feels when someone turns the lights off while your in that creepy space. I am scared of the dark and totally understand the fear you get and how your imagination tries to make-out figures in the dark. Randy was such a bully and he deserved the fear he got. Sometimes you have to put people in there place. I bet he learned his lesson. Great short book to teach kids not to be bullies that what comes around goes around.
MISTLETOE IN MAINE (Holiday Brides Book 3) A single mom takes her kids on vacation in Maine and meets a handsome innkeeper, a young widower with a teenage son. A winter wonderland love story about faith and new beginnings.
MISTLETOE IN MAINE A third bestselling Holiday Brides novella on Kindle! #1 Hot New Release in Single Women Fiction A Bestseller in Humor (Top 10) A Bestseller in Single Women Fiction (Top 10) A Bestseller in Contemporary Romance (Top 100)
MISTLETOE IN MAINE Believe in magic…
Single mom Carol Baker has the goal of providing an old-fashioned, white Christmas for her two kids. She’s been divorced and the kids’ dad, sadly, hasn’t been the most attentive father. So, Carol takes her crew to New England, hoping for a happy holiday and a chance to make her small nuclear family feel whole. Little does she know that a series of mishaps and adventures will land her in the handsome innkeeper’s arms, and cause her to rethink the meaning of faith.
With his only child headed to college, innkeeper Paul Love plans to sell his establishment and take an early retirement in Montreal, where he can live out the solitary life of a bachelor. Though his son and mom have other plans, including a surprise visit from Paul’s old high school sweetheart, Beth. But it’s hard to focus on Beth, when an offbeat brunette from Virginia captures his imagination. After so much time alone, can Paul open himself up to a little Christmas magic? What’s more, can he convince Carol to believe, as well?
A sweet, traditional PG-rated romantic comedy. Standard novella-length, approximately 25,000 words.
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
This was a short story but very romantic. Love that both adults were able to find love again. It’s tough to raise kids all on your own and try to make them happy. I love that both characters were Beatles fans. I love the Beatles. It was wonderful that she decided to choose Maine to vacation and found wonderful adventures.
Author Biography
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird writes heartwarming contemporary stories filled with love, laughter, and happily ever afters. Visit her website to learn more about Ginny and her books. http://www.ginnybairdromance.com
A young girl’s creativity merges with her natural surroundings as she encounters real and imaginary pond dwellers in MAGIC CIRCLES by Massachusetts native, Cindy Mock. As the days and seasons pass, our serene and visionary protagonist observes the changes in her backyard pond while also creating intrigue by introducing imaginary creatures and scenarios. It’s a truly delightful tale, brought vibrantly to life by the expressive watercolor illustrations of Heekyung Hur. “On the pond in my backyard, the lily pads are surfacing. It is getting warmer outside. Sunfish are making their white, round nests in the muck. Spring ducklings are hatching.”
My Review: 5 out of 5 stars
Won this book from GoodReads. It was the cutest book ever. Loved that it took place at a pond with ducks, fishes, and thoughts of being a mermaid surrounded by turtles. There are a few ponds by my house that I love to go walk and take pictures of all the birds, turtles, and water lilies. It just feels like home. It’s peaceful seeing all the animals and fishes giving life to a pond that you could go and find peace in. The book cover was lovely, and so were the illustrations. Perfect book to read to children, especially if they love the out doors and have an imagination. I love that the story went through the different seasons, and the changes really made the pond seem more magical.
Author Biography
Cindy Mock grew up near Cape Cod and lives in the area now with her husband and three girls, as well as a beagle and pomeranian. Growing up, Colors, her cat, was her faithful companion as they explored their surroundings together. The house where she grew up has remained in the family, so she still visits the family pond, taking her children to fish and skate there. Ms. Mock enjoys swimming and tennis.
Embark on an exciting adventure with Maya and Filippo as they travel around the globe on board the Fun Princess, a cruise ship full of surprises. Discover their fascinating ports of call, join them in activities at sea and explore the remarkable world they create for themselves through their thoughts and feelings.
The ship takes the kids to Juneau. Maya and Filippo see Mendenhall Glacier and learn about melting ice, bears, fish and flowers. They discover how feeling grateful brings wonderful things into their lives and they are in for a big surprise!
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Totally loved this book. I read the book to my boyfriend as I was reading it myself for the first time. Loved the illustrations they made me laugh. The bear and crab were waving. The dolphin was clapping in the water. It was educational, and I learned a lot from this book. You get to learn that koalas aren’t bears and don’t really drink because of the plants they eat. Bears in Alaska hibernate all winter. Excellent book for children. Thanks for letting me read your book.
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
FabulousReader4Ever 