Winter Blogfest: Diane Billas

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win one digital copy of my young adult sapphic contemporary romance book Does Love Always Win?

 

The Holidays: A Musical Time by Diane Billas

Growing up, when everyone was prepping for the holidays by baking, shopping, and decorating, I’d be doubling down on practicing my French horn for all the holidays gigs. If you don’t know, the winter holidays are a brass lover’s dream. There are so many opportunities to play your instrument and have ALL of the gigs you ever dreamed of. I’d perform solo horn pieces during Christmas Eve services and also play in groups that would perform Christmas carols in various locations including in the streets.

A friend came over to my house during Christmas and saw the number of French horns that donned my Christmas tree and remarked, “I don’t think I realized how much French horns signified Christmas until that moment.” Granted, everyone and their brother knows I play the horn so I’d get a new horn ornament almost every year and I married a French horn player, so our number of horn ornaments probably doubled, but the holidays really is a time for music, even more specifically my instrument.

My favorite part of performing during the holidays is playing Christmas Carols at nursing and/or assisted living homes. I can always tell how much hearing music really brightened up their day and isn’t that what the holidays are really about?

I now have an 11-month-old son and I’m looking forward to having him experience the holidays with old family traditions and creating new traditions together. And of course, I want to show him how it feels to give the gift of music to others during the holidays. I can’t wait for him to have, like I did, a musical holiday experience.

 

Does Love Always Win is a sapphic coming of age young adult novel that explores coming out and understanding one’s sexual orientation.

Sam “Shorty” Daniels has a plan for her senior year, but her romantic life being a hot mess was not part of the agenda. Shorty quickly discovers she’s not attracted to her newest boyfriend and fellow marching band member Zack, despite her many hours of daydreaming of what it would be like to date him. Their previous flirting had been so intense that those feelings have to come back again, right?

When Shorty’s asked to show the snarky new girl around high school, Shorty’s instantly intrigued by Kristy’s wit, and they bond over their love of writing. They quickly become inseparable, and Shorty has a breakthrough moment realizing why none of her other relationships worked out.

Just as Shorty is about to break up with Zack, her bitter ex-boyfriend Bryan threatens to out her to the entire school and Shorty’s conservative parents. Will Shorty be able to overcome Bryan’s ridiculous blackmail scheme and get her dream girl?

 

Diane Billas is the author of the young adult sapphic contemporary romance novel DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN? and the young adult superhero LGBTQ+ novel SUPERFICIAL releasing September 2024 from Creative James Media.

Diane Billas lives in Philadelphia with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn and piano, or dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit. Diane can be found at dianebillas.com, on Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @dianebillas, and on Instagram @dianebillaswrites.

BIO

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Buy the book at the vendor of your choice via Books2Read.

Winter Blogfest: Helen C. Johannes

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a Kindle copy of “Bloodstone”.  (US only.)

 

Christmas Quiche by Helen C. Johannes

Want to use up some of that leftover holiday ham and make a dish that looks as festive as the season? My family’s spinach quiche is a year-round favorite, but the colors, flavors, and warm-the-tummy satisfaction especially suit the season.

Crust: Buy a plain pastry crust or use this recipe to make one from scratch.

1 cup flour

¼ tsp. salt

4 tablespoons shortening (plain or butter flavored)

¼ cup cold water, plus more by teaspoon as needed

Blend the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in the shortening until mixture is crumbly. Add water and blend until mixture can be formed into a ball. Roll out into a circle and press into a 9-inch pie pan, fluting the rim. Set aside.

Filling:

2-3 cups chopped fresh spinach, microwaved 1 ½ minute with 1//2 cup water and drained and set aside

1 small can of mushrooms, drained and chopped

1/3-1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped

1/3 cup chopped ham (or more if desired)

1 8 oz. (2 cups) shredded cheese (I prefer 6-cheese Italian, but any tasty blend will work)

2 tablespoons flour

½ tsp. salt

Dash pepper

3 eggs

1 cup milk

Combine cheese and flour in a medium bowl. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk. Whisk in milk and seasonings. Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms, ham, and spinach. Using a fork, blend in cheese/flour mixture. Pour everything into pie shell. Bake at 360 degrees F for 1 hour. Let stand a couple of minutes before cutting and serving. Makes 8 generous pieces of green and red and golden deliciousness.

 

What if looking at the face of the man you loved meant death?

Years ago, warrior Durren Drakkonwehr was cursed by a mage. Now feared and reviled as the Shadow Man, he keeps to himself, only going to town to trade rare bloodstones—petrified dragon’s blood—for supplies. Though he hides his face, he can’t hide his heart from the woman who haunts his dreams…
Needing bloodstones for a jewelry commission, Mirianna and her father journey across the dreaded Wehrland where the beast-men roam. When their party is attacked, only the Shadow Man can save them. Strangely drawn to him, Mirianna offers herself in return for her father’s rescue.
Living in the ruined fortress with the Shadow Man, Mirianna slowly realizes that a flesh-and-blood man—not a fiend—hides there in hoods and darkness. But are love and courage enough to lift the curse and restore the man?

 

Helen C. Johannes writes award-winning fantasy romance inspired by the fairy tales she grew up reading and the amazing historical places she’s visited in England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany. She writes tales of adventure and romance in fully realized worlds sprung from pure imagination and a lifelong interest in history, culture, and literature. Warriors on horseback, women who refuse to sit idly at home, and passion that cannot be denied or outrun—that’s what readers will find in her books.

Blog

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Winter Blogfest: Dana Hammer

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win one free copy of Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Brother Problem. 

 

The Nightmare of Caroling by Dana Hammer

Its Christmas season, so naturally, a lot of blog posts are going to be about Christmas, the holidays, winter, etc. This is good news for me, because my new book, Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Brother Problem, takes place in December, and there are a lot of holiday themes going on in it. Yay for serendipitous promotion opportunities!

One of these holiday themes is Christmas caroling; specifically, a new character in the book HATES caroling. His name is Dion Isaacs, and he is the reincarnation of the Greek god, Dionysius. While doing research on Greek mythology, and Dionysius in particular, I learned that Christmas caroling (like lots of Christmas stuff) was first a pagan practice, where worshippers sang songs to and about Dionysius. So now, Dionysius hates Christmas caroling, because it reminds him of everything hes lost, and how nobody worships him anymore. Christmas songs make him fly into a rage, and he hates carolers as if they are all personally insulting him.

Now, I dont relate to Dion much. Hes an extrovert who loves parties and makes a lot of rash decisions. But on this one thing we can agree. BecauseI also hate Christmas caroling.

Before all the Grinch and Scrooge comparisons start flowing, let me just say that this isnt some war on Christmasthing. I love baking cookies and the Nutcracker and driving around looking at lights and I even like sending Christmas cards. But carolingjust no.

First of all, I dont like unexpected guests, at all, and that includes family members and close friends. If you dont give me a heads up before you come to my house, you will not be met with a warm welcome. I will not put my bra on for you. I will not feed you. I will not stop reading my book, or doing my chores, or watching my movie, just because you happened to show up on my doorstep. You need entertaining? Thats a you problem. You dont like my incense or my dog licking you or the temperature I keep my home? Well, you should have called to prepare me so I could make adjustments for you. But you didnt. So.

This is my attitude with people I know and love, and carolers are typically neither.

There are also weird social demands associated with receiving carolers. You have to stop what youre doing and GO OUTSIDE IN THE COLD. AT NIGHT. Not only do I need to put on a bra, I need to put on boots and a coat. And then I have to juststand there, listening to songs, that, frankly, arent that great. I know theyre traditional, and some of them are nice to listen to, but even the most beautiful song in the world sounds awful when youre freezing and annoyed and have other things you need or want to be doing.

Ive heard that some people love carolers and will even make them hot chocolate or cider and bring it out to them. I cannot discourage this practice strongly enough. If you like carolers, by all means, go listen to them, and clap, and say thank you (when you can get a word in edgewise.) But do not feed them. Do not give in to their demands for figgy pudding and shit. It only strengthens them and keeps them going in hopes of finding new and better treats.

In addition, its just a bad idea to hang out outdoors in cold weather, and we should all be ashamed of ourselves for condoning the practice. Thats how you freeze to death. Its just irresponsible when you think about it. There is a time and place for Christmas songs, and its indoors.

And so, when Dion yells at my protagonist for her insensitive singing, know that I did not write this to make you hate him on the contrary! I wrote this because hes a fallen god, and when songs were sung to him, it was on a sunny Greek island, where there was no chance of frostbite. Hes just a lonely dude who misses the good old days, when people had sensible ideas about what should be done in the dark and the snow.

I hope if you check out my book, youll forgive him for his crankiness in this regard. You will be much less willing to forgive him for his other misdeeds.

 

There’s a new god in town, and his name is Dion. The reincarnation of the Greek god Dionysius, he has fallen on hard times after the failure of his wine business. Now he’s living at Athena’s house, partying, making messes, and generally disrupting everyone’s lives. Can Fanny get Dion under control, before he does something dangerous? Of course she can. She’s Fanny Fitzpatrick.

 

Dana Hammer is a playwright, screenwriter, short story writer, and novelist. Her screenplay, Red Wings, has been optioned by EMA Films, and her adult horror-comedy novel, The Cannibal’s Guide to Fasting, was released in September, 2022 by Cinnabar Moth Publishing. Her middle grade novel, My Best Friend Athena, was published by Cinnabar Moth in 2023, with a sequel coming February 6th, 2024. She was a Writer in Residence Hypatia in the Woods, in summer of 2022. She has received over seventy awards and honors for her writing, few of which generated income, all of which were deeply appreciated. Her works have been and will be published in many anthologies, journals, and magazines. Two of her one-act plays will be produced in 2024 by The Wayward Artist, and a few more of her one act plays have been produced by Force of Nature Productions. Many of her plays have received staged readings.

Website

https://www.amazon.com/Fanny-Fitzpatrick-Brother-Problem-Hammer/dp/1962308014
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144280278

Winter Blogfest: Marianne Arkins

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $5 Amazon GC. 

Christmas Traditions by Marianne Arkins

I love traditions.  Growing up we had them for every holiday. For Christmas Eve we were allowed to open one package, and it was always new pajamas (that we then wore for sleeping and Christmas morning, of course). We also always got one ornament from my mom, and then when we turned 18, our ornament box was turned over to us so we could have stuff for our own trees in our own homes.

I’ve tried to continue some of those traditions with my own daughter, though her father had some say in things, so it wasn’t always possible.  That said, she always got to open one gift on Christmas Eve and she always got one ornament (still does, actually, even though she’s 24 years-old).

And it’s always ham for Christmas. Period. Never turkey or prime rib or any other type of meat.  Ham.  I put my foot down on that choice.  For me it’s not Christmas without a ham. And potatoes.  My dad used to make his famous (to me, at least) Portuguese stuffing, but my mom and I were the only ones who liked it and, though I tried making it my first Christmas after I was married, it just wasn’t a hit.  I haven’t made it in years…it’s probably the chicken gizzards (yes, really) that folks had an issue with, lol.

Some of the traditions have fallen by the wayside these days.  But we still open a gift on Christmas Eve.  And we still have ham.  Even when it’s just my adult daughter and I celebrating.  It just wouldn’t be Christmas without it.

What are some of your holiday traditions?

 

Liv is out to prove her high society fiancé is cheating on her. Can she do it without breaking a nail—or falling in love with Mike, the mechanic?

Olivia “Liv” Leigh, wealthy socialite and spa owner, suspects her fiancé of cheating on her. Drastic steps are required to discover whether appearances are deceiving. And if those steps require a bit of stalking, a change of appearance, a hippo-sized dog named Spike, and sacrificing her manicure to clean house for a sexy-but-sloppy man whose neighbor is determined to break several of the strangest Guinness World Records, why should that be a problem?

Mike Peck, a happily single auto mechanic, is more than content sharing his bachelor pad with piles of laundry, dirty dishes, and a sneaky ferret. But when a half-crazed woman in a bad wig shows up on his doorstep, what’s a nice guy to do?

Why, invite her in, unknowingly help her in her search for the truth and, in the process, fall head over heels with a woman who’s never been less his type.

 

Marianne is originally from California but currently living in the lovely state of Utah with her daughter, two dogs, two cats and one adorable foster hamster. She can’t imagine a world without romance or not having stories rattling around in her brain. There are nights when she dreams a complete story and watches it acted out in her head. Those are the times she wakes up and grabs for a notepad to jot down the important parts – without turning on the light – and hopes it’s coherent in the morning.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Buy the book at Books2Read.

Winter Blogfest: Wendy Kendall

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of the book Kat Out of the Bag, OR another of the author’s books if the winner would prefer another book instead.

Xmas Legend of Turkey Purses by Wendy Kendall

There was an ancient town of Myra, now called Demre, located in the country of Turkey. From this town there comes an ancient Christmas legend of The Three Purses –

A noble man had lost his fortune. He could no longer afford food and clothing for his family of three daughters. His daughters were of an age to marry, but the father could not afford their dowries. The family grew desperate. 

Saint Nicholas, the bishop of Myra heard about the plight of this family and decided to rescue them. He did not want to approach the nobleman and offer him help, as he knew that such an approach would be politely turned down. He made up his mind to help anonymously and secretly.

One night St. Nicholas visited the house and threw a silken purse filled with gold on the eldest daughter’s bed. The next morning when she found it, the family was overjoyed and bought some food and clothes for themselves. The eldest daughter could now marry. 

A second night, St. Nicholas threw another silken purse of gold on the bed of the second daughter. The family was delighted, and she also married. 

The nobleman wanted to track down their secret patron. He hid beneath window, the third night and waited. When St. Nicholas came to throw the third silken purse of gold, the nobleman leaped out and thanked him for his kindness. St. Nicholas requested the nobleman not reveal his good deeds to anyone. He told him it was his duty to help the needy.

As this story evolved it was told that St. Nicholas passed silken purses of gold through the kitchen chimney which landed in the stockings of the daughters. The stockings were kept under the chimney for drying.

St. Nicholas, came to be known as Santa Claus. St. Nicholas/Santa is a generous person, known for his charity and benevolence.

What bag are you wishing for this holiday season?

Here are four contemporary Turkey’s purse designers – 

Güneş Mutlu founded handbag brand Mehry Mu in 2009. Mehry Mu was created from Mutlu’s love of fabrics. Eastern design is very much part of the brand’s aesthetic, and influences from colorful Istanbul and Morocco.

Sisters Beste and Merve Manastır founded Manu Atelier in 2014 to promote handicrafts and pay tribute to their father, who is a renowned leather goods craftsman.

Sanayi 313 launched in 2015. The label offers a ready-to-wear line designed by Serena Uziyel; every piece is handmade by skilled artisans, in processes that can take around 100 hours. Uziyel previously worked for luxury brands including Alberta Ferretti before teaming up with interior architect Enis Karavil, who set up Sanayi 313 in Istanbul.

Meb Rure founded Mlouye in 2015 in Turkey and has excellent quality and design at its heart. The Lantern bag was inspired by a classic lampshade and is made of smooth, sturdy Italian leather. The label’s sculptural bags are connected to Rure’s background in industrial design.

Pursuing a Killer

Her must-have creations made Katherine Watson the purse designer for fashionistas, influencers and celebrities on both coasts. Tiring of fame, she’s giving back to her Washington State hometown by launching the Purse-onality Museum, a one-of-a-kind collection of historical purses. But at its glittering gala opening, Kat’s best friend and town mayor, Brenda, is found strangled by a Chanel-style purse chain. And with investigating officer Jason Holmes and his K-9 Hobbs uncovering a stack of circumstantial evidence against hapless Historical Society employee Michael, Kat is determined to cut to the truth.

As Kat clashes with likely suspects, she also finds plenty of murderous motives from which to pick and choose. Faced with bitter political and personal rivalries, decidedly unfashionable secrets and an exclusive selection of lies, she’ll have to stop a cunning killer before they knock off another innocent victim.

 

The result of Wendy Kendall’s passion for purses, mystery and romance is the intriguing In Purse-Suit Mysteries published by The Wild Rose Press. Kat Out of the Bag introduces Katherine Watson purse designer/sleuth, also published by Harlequin at Harper Collins, available February 20, 2024. As Katherine moves from designer bags to body bags, she’s uncovering clues to a murder. The prequel, Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash delves into a chilling cold case. Finalist for Best Romantic Suspense at Killer Nashville, Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For creates a tangle of mystery and love, raising suspicions about a teacher’s romantic new sweetheart. A summer romance read that will keep you on the edge of your beach towel, Cherry Shakes In The Park blends danger, divas, and frothy delights. And ribbons of love run through the holiday season romance, Heart of Christmas Cookies and Dreams. Wendy enjoys investigating the Pacific Northwest life, and she leaves a trail of her own clues as a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, and syndicated columnist.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Buy the book at Amazon.

 

Winter Blogfest: Sandra Carmel

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest.

Leave a comment for a chance to win ebook copies of Last Hope, Game for Intimacy, and Dance of Love – the complete Intertwined Love trilogy.

 

Christmas in Melbourne by Sandra Carmel

While you northern hemisphere dwellers are freezing your bits off over Christmas, in Australia, we’re often scorching hot. Though, I’m from Melbourne, which is world-renowned for its unpredictable weather. Four seasons in one day is no exaggeration. I remember one Christmas in particular, where it reached forty degrees Celsius and dropped down to seventeen in just a few short hours!

I have an Italian background; however, I’m born in Australia, and so we don’t have the standard Christmas staples when it comes to our shared feast. It’s a big, extended family affair and there can’t just be meat and veges. Oh no! Some sort of pasta, usually several options such as gnocchi and lasagna are included as well as specific Italian festive food e.g. arancini (aka rice balls with essentially a meatball in the center), and savory donuts, some with anchovies. And then, of course, there’s dessert. But not just onemultiple. From a fruit platter to cheesecake to apple slice to rum balls and cannoli. I come away almost every year, feeling like I’m about to burst.

I was going to say, ‘enough about me’ but apparently, it’s not. LOL. I can’t possibly finish this blog post without some mention of my passion—writing racy, flirty and downright dirty romance. Speaking of which, my steamy contemporary novella, Last Hope, book one of the Intertwined Love trilogy, has strong links to Christmas. It deals with some tough but rewarding challenges, physically, mentally and emotionally for Cole and Hope on their journey to love, which I feel fits with the whole spirit of the season. What better time than Christmas to inspire hope and joy? And on that note, wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable festive season, and happy and prosperous New Year.

A perilous journey to the peak of love…

Cole, a cutting-edge game software company CEO, organizes a Christmas present his long-term girlfriend, Hope, will never forget—a marriage proposal at the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge on Christmas Eve. And it ends up unforgettable all right, but not in the way he’d envisaged.

While on a mountain climbing trip, he has an accident and sustains a life-changing spinal injury, forcing him to miss their special date, leaving Hope stranded, alone and without answers. Cole struggles against his heart’s desire and cuts Hope out of his life without explanation, determined not to burden her with his disability. Can he confront his fears, pull himself back together and rekindle a relationship with the love of his life?

Sandra Carmel is a bestselling Australian author of racy, flirty and downright-dirty romance novels, novellas, short stories and poetry, who enjoys stimulating herself and others with words. An obsession with Jane Eyre, and her infatuation with Mr Rochester, were key motivators in commencing her romance writing journey. So far, she has taken the scenic route from steamy paranormal to sci-fi to contemporary, creating provocative stories that delve beneath the surface of desire. She reads and writes a lot, frequently disrupted by her ever-attentive, cheeky cats, and sinfully amorous array of book boyfriends.

Facebook | Twitter

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Winter 2023-2024 To-Read List


Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Here are ten books coming out this winter that I’m curious about. The first two have already been released, and I’ve included publication dates for the rest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn

Why I’m Interested: It’s cool to see what science fiction authors predict life could be like a few decades from now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Where the Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes

Why I’m Interested: The story sounds incredibly scary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Fallen Thorns by Harvey Oliver Baxter

Publication Date: January 1

Why I’m Interested: Honestly, the amazing cover won me over before I even read the blurb. Doesn’t it look nice annd eerie?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah

Publication Date: January 9

Why I’m Interested: It’s been far too long since I’ve read a good monster book. Now is a good time to change that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan

Publication Date: January 9

Why I’m Interested: Winter is a great time to read ghost stories in my opinion, and this one looks like it could be excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Voyage of the Damned by Frances White

Publication Date: January 18

Why I’m Interested: Many of the books on this list are horror or dark speculative fiction. A light fantasy might help even things out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Your Utopia: Stories by Bora Chung

Publication Date: February 13

Why I’m Interested: Much like I just said for #6, I’m balancing out scary stories with more hopeful ones this winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa

Publication Date: February 20

Why I’m Interested: The tropical island setting will be a nice contrast to how chilly it is where I live at this time of year. I’m also interested in the gothic horror themes of this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Ours by Phillip B. Williams

Publication Date: February 20

Why I’m Interested: The surrealism in this one sounds very interesting, especially given the 1830s through 1870s setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal Rana

Publication Date: February 27

Why I’m Interested: I, too, know what it’s like to suffer from writer’s block after a traumatic event. My hope is that this will end on a high note with the main character recovering what she has lost.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books About New Year’s Eve


Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

I’ve been a reviewer for Long and Short Reviews for a long time now. One of the many interesting things I’ve noticed over the years is how rare is it for us receive requests to review books that are set on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.

You’d think more authors would pick that setting given how festive it can be and how much can happen over the course of a few hours at a spirited New Year’s Eve party!

Here are ten books with that setting. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get more review requests that have this setting in 2024.

I haven’t read any of them yet, so do share your thoughts about them in the comments if you have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Adult by Bronson Fischer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Tripping Arcadia by Kit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. A Catered New Year’s Eve by Isis Crawford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. New Year’s Eve Murder by Leslie Meier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Dining Out with the Ice Giants by Clare O’Beara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Happy New Year’s Eve by Allie K. Adams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Countdown to a Kiss by Colleen Gleason, Holli Bertram, Mara Jacobs, and Liz Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Murder at Dublin Mensa by Clare O’Beara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. ‘Tis the Season by Robyn Carr

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set in Stores


Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

The holiday shopping season is well underway.

As we inch closer to December, stores become busier every single day with shoppers looking for gifts, decorations, seasonal food and beverages, and other items they need to make the holidays memorable.

My thoughts are with the sales associates, clerks, receivers, delivery drivers, merchandisers, and other workers who make all of this possible.

After all, there aren’t any elves out there (so far as we know 😉 ) who are  baking bread, decorating sugar cookies, delivering trucks filled with holiday items, unpacking boxes, displaying merchandise, mopping floors, dusting shelves,  running cash registers, and training new employees among countless other tasks.

People do all of that and so much more. If you’re one of them, I’m cheering you on and hoping every customer you have is a friendly one.

In recognition of all of the hard work happening behind the scenes right now, let’s talk about books that are set in stores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Pawsitively Poisonous (Witch of Edgehill, #1) by Melissa Erin Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Paddington Bear and the Christmas Surprise by Michael Bond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. The Mist by Stephen King

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. A Scone to Die For by H.Y. Hanna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The Department Store Ghost by Bill Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Mallory’s Christmas Wish (The Baby-Sitters Club, #92) by Ann M. Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Secrets of the Shopping Mall by Richard Peck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.  Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery #1) by Vicki Delany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1o. Shaun of the Dead by Chris Ryall

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Sweet Treats for Halloween


Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Happy Halloween to everyone celebrating it! I love the assortment of sweets that are available at this time of year, so I’m going to be sharing some book covers that either feature candy on them or have references to treats in their titles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1) by Roald Dahl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Bubblegum by Sari Taurez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. The Candy Cookbook: 40 Recipes for Sweet Success – to Celebrate National Candy Month by Christina Tosch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. S is for Stranger by Louise Stone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Chocolat by Joanne Harris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars by Joël Glenn Brenner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. The Art Of Choosing: The Decisions We Make Everyday of our Lives, What They Say About Us and How We Can Improve Them by Sheena Lyengar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Candy: A Century of Panic and Pleasure by Samira Kawash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Candy Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

 

 

 

What’s your favorite type of Halloween candy?