"MAUREEN O'HARA: THE BIOGRAPHY"--from author Aubrey Malone--breakthrough biography offers the first look at the woman behind the larger-than-life persona, sorting through the myths to present a balanced assessment of one of the greatest stars of the silver screen (see my review)

 

Maureen O'Hara: The Biography

From her first appearances on the stage and screen, Maureen O'Hara (b. 1920) commanded attention with her striking beauty, radiant red hair, and impassioned portrayals of spirited heroines. Whether she was being rescued from the gallows by Charles Laughton ( The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1939), falling in love with Walter Pidgeon against a coal-blackened sky ( How Green Was My Valley, 1941), learning to believe in miracles with Natalie Wood ( Miracle on 34th Street, 1947), or matching wits with John Wayne ( The Quiet Man, 1952), she charmed audiences with her powerful presence and easy confidence.

Maureen O'Hara is the first book-length biography of the screen legend hailed as the "Queen of Technicolor." Following the star from her childhood in Dublin to the height of fame in Hollywood, film critic Aubrey Malone draws on new information from the Irish Film Institute, production notes from films, and details from historical film journals, newspapers, and fan magazines. Malone also examines the actress's friendship with frequent costar John Wayne and her relationship with director John Ford, and he addresses the hotly debated question of whether the screen siren was a feminist or antifeminist figure.

Though she was an icon of cinema's golden age, O'Hara's penchant for privacy and habit of making public statements that contradicted her personal choices have made her an enigma. This breakthrough biography offers the first look at the woman behind the larger-than-life persona, sorting through the myths to present a balanced assessment of one of the greatest stars of the silver screen.

MY REVIEW:  Maureen FitzSimons was born in Dublin, Ireland on August 17, 1920. By the time of her twentieth birthday, she had been discovered by screen great Charles Laughton, renamed Maureen O'Hara, and, as they say: "the rest is history". Author Aubrey Malone gives readers a glimpse of Maureen's life, both on-screen and in her personal world, in "Maureen O'Hara: The Biography". Cinema buffs will enjoy the author's attention to details in his descriptions of Maureen's films, costars, and the undeniable lure of show business. The FitzSimons family was extremely close--a blend of musical theatricality and athleticism. Maureen was a tomboy, always strong and adventurous, but she had also inherited her mother's musicality--she had a lovely singing voice. Appearing alongside her mentor, Charles Laughton, in "The Hunchback of Notre dame" was an invaluable learning experience for the young actress, and it was the beginning of her long career as an indelible screen presence. A statuesque beauty with glorious red hair and a delightful accent, she was also an action film star capable of poignant performances in dramas and family films such as "Miracle on 34th street" and "The Parent Trap". It was her great on-screen chemistry and lifelong friendship with John Wayne that brought out the best in both of the stars. Their acting pairing in "The Quiet Man" is one of the best screen duos of all-time. In her private life, Maureen did not find romantic happiness until her third marriage. Aviator Charles Blair had been a longtime friend of Maureen and her family, and when when both of their life circumstances changed, that friendship turned to love. She helped him run his air boat company, and they remained contentedly married for ten years until his tragic death in a plane crash. After her husband's death, she took over the running of their business and became the first woman president of a commercial airline. One of the things that Maureen O'Hara enjoyed throughout her long life was detecting an element of Irish heritage--even the smallest trace--in her costars and others she met. Seeing this beautiful lass from Dublin on film with her strength, spirit, and determination to remain true to herself and her beliefs, and reading about her extraordinary life, will make us all long for a connection to the Emerald Isle.

Book Copy Gratis University Press of Kentucky 

 

Reviews

 

"Maureen O'Hara is a significant contribution to scholars in the field and to readers for its broad scope, rich movie lore and enlightening information about O'Hara, the woman and the actress, whose career spanned a vital period in American film history." -- Mollie Gregory, author of Women Who Run the Show: How a Brilliant and Creative New Generation of Women Stormed Hollywood

"Aubrey Malone turns back the veil on O'Hara's closely guarded private life to reveal a truly fascinating, spirited and down-to-earth woman behind the glamorous movie star." -- News OK

"Capably researched yet breezily written." -- Express Milwaukee

"Much like author Christina Rice, author Aubrey Malone creates a tender and intriguing glimpse into the world of Maureen O'Hara's Golden Era...[Malone] gives an amazing and thought-provoking analysis on O'Hara's films. Standing alongside O'Hara's own autobiography, Maureen O'Hara: The Biography is wonderful." -- Journeys in Classic Film

"The writing style is outstanding and immensely captures a reader's attention and intrigues with the contents of Maureen O'Hara's glamorous lifestyle." -- The Southeastern Librarian

Aubrey Malone

 

 

 

Aubrey Malone is an M.A. graduate in English from University College Dublin. He has been reviewing films professionally since 1972 when he wrote for “TCD Miscellany.” In 1977 he became the resident film critic for “Image” magazine and held that position until 1989. That year he became the resident film critic for “Modern woman”, a supplement of “The Meath Chronicle” and held that position until 2002. In 2002 he became the resident film critic for “The Irish Catholic” and has held that position until the present day. His reviews can be seen posted online on this website. Also, he has been a book author since 1996 and has written numerous books on the cinema: “Hollyweird” (Michael O’Mara Books, ( “I Was a fugitive from a Hollywood Trivia Factory” (Prion/Carlton), “The rise and Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley” (Leopold books), “Sacred Profanity” (ABC-CLIO), “Censoring Hollywood” (McFarland), “Maureen O’Hara: The Biography” (University of Kentucky Press), “The Defiant One: A Biography of Tony Curtis” (McFarland) “Hollywood’s Second Sex: The Treatment of Women in Films from 1900-1999” (McFarland). Forthcoming is a biography of Marlon Brando from Propertius Press. He also reviews books on the cinema for various publications and writes film features and profiles for journals and magazines as well.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/28415.Aubrey_Malone

"THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM SERIES"--from beloved author JANET DAILEY--four heartfelt holiday tales that combine the treasured seasonal traditions of small-town Branding Iron, Texas with sparkling contemporary western romance

Santa's Sweetheart

The delightful and entertaining holiday novel from the legendary author of dozens of treasured romances! This Christmas, visit the small town of Branding Iron, Texas, where it’s time for the Cowboy Christmas Ball and one irritable sheriff is about to get in the spirit of the season…and find love along the way.

Sheriff Sam Delaney is shouldering a lot as the lone lawman in the small Texas town of Branding Iron—and the widowed single father of six-year-old Maggie. Especially since Maggie’s determined that what her daddy needs this holiday season is a girlfriend. Suddenly Sam is hustled off to a meeting with Maggie’s schoolteacher—and surprised to discover the demure Grace Chapman is unexpectedly alluring. Then he’s roped into playing Santa at the annual Christmas ball, with the pretty Miss Grace by his side. It’s enough to make Sam even grumpier than usual—if not for the feelings sweet Grace stirs up inside . . 

Grace only wants to heal after her broken engagement. So why is she so charmed by the slow smile—and the surprising tenderness—of the town’s sheriff? Maybe because Grace is discovering that beneath Sam’s gruff exterior lies a heart as big as Texas, especially when it comes to the women in his life—like little Maggie. And now her… Which only has Grace hoping she’ll be Santa’s sweetheart for many seasons to come . . .
 

Holding Out for Christmas

She's all he wants for Christmas. Maybe even forever . . .

Conner Branch still hasn't stopped thinking about the sultry singer he spotted on stage during last year's Cowboy Christmas Ball. So imagine his surprise when he discovers the demure kindergarten teacher who comes home for the holidays to Branding Iron, Texas, is the very same woman. And once he's up close and personal with the mesmerizing Megan, he's downright determined to keep her by his side for good . . .

If only Conner Branch were simply the star struck cowboy she once believed him to be, Megan wouldn't have to worry about losing everything to the rugged--and wildly romantic--rancher. With Christmas in the air, it's a little too easy to imagine spending the holidays, not to mention her whole life, wrapped in Conner's loving arms. But this songstress has hopes for a big career back in Nashville. And no little holiday romance will ever get in the way of that. So what's a woman to do when she finds herself facing down a love as bold and exciting as Texas itself?


 

It's a Christmas Thing
 
The best gifts last a lifetime . . .
 
Veterinarian J.T. "Rush" Rushford isn't looking forward to Christmas. It'll be his first without his beloved four-year-old daughter, Claire. A year ago, Rush's wife divorced him for another man--then broke his heart further by revealing that Claire was her lover's child. The final blow was Rush losing all parental rights. Now he's in Branding Iron, Texas, with his mobile vet practice, just hoping to get through the season--until something like a Christmas miracle happens . . .

Turns out Claire's parents are going on an extended cruise, leaving Rush to take her for the holidays. It's bittersweet, knowing that he and Claire will have to part again, maybe forever. . . . Until a smart, not to mention beautiful, lady judge with a pregnant cat and an aging mutt takes a liking to the vet and his little girl and gets involved. With her on their side, and love in their hearts, this Christmas just might be the most joyous of all . . .


 

My Kind of Christmas

Sometimes the best surprises are right at home . . .

Returning to Branding Iron, Texas, is Travis Morgan’s last resort, and the abandoned ranch he inherited isn’t much more welcoming than the prison cell where he spent the last three years doing time for a tragic accident. Completely without funds or family, Travis finds celebrating Christmas is the last thing on his mind, but there’s no escaping the holiday spirit in this close-knit little town—not with Branding Iron’s longtime Santa retiring, and sweetly stubborn Mayor Maggie Delaney determined to find a replacement. When her no-nonsense façade slips to reveal the sensual, vulnerable woman beneath it, Travis realizes Maggie just might be as lonely as he is—and that this holiday season, love could be the gift that heals them both.


JANET DAILEY

 

Janet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.

Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. 

In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED, published in 1976. She went on to write more than 100 novels and become one of the top-selling female authors in the world, with 300 million copies of her books sold in nineteen languages in ninety-eight countries. She was known for her strong, decisive characters, her extraordinary ability to recreate a time and a place, and her unerring courage to confront important, controversial issues in her stories.

Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.  

https://janetdailey.com/ 

"DEATH RATTLE" from ALEX GILLY--the author of "DEVIL'S HARBOR" returns with a suspenseful thriller set in a California-Mexico border town--a scorching patch of desert that is home to a migrant detention center (see my reviews)

Death Rattle

Alex Gilly's "Death Rattle" is a riveting thriller for fans of Don Winslow's"The Border"

Every life has its price...
 
A death in a migrant detention center leads officer Nick Finn and his wife, human-rights lawyer Mona Jimenez, to investigate the prison's account of what happened.
 
When Carmen Vega's boyfriend tries to kill her, she hands over all her savings to a smuggler and sets out from Tijuana in a small, leaky boat. Within sight of the California coast, the boat starts to sink, and its passengers have to be rescued by border patrol.
 
Soon, Carmen turns up dead in a privately-operated Migrant Detention Center. Nick Finn, the officer who saved Carmen from drowning, is not satisfied with the prison's account of what happened to Carmen.
 
Trouble is, the company that runs the prison is on the verge of signing a billion-dollar procurement contract with Homeland Security. And there are people in this world for whom a billion dollars is worth a whole lot more than one human life. Or even three. 

MY REVIEW:  Author Alex Gilly's first novel, "Devil's Harbor", introduced a character whom I found immensely appealing, Marine Interdiction Agent for Customs and Border Protection, Nick Finn. This time in Book Two, "Death Rattle", both Nick and his wife, human-rights lawyer, Mona Jimenez, are deep in deadly waters as the illegal immigrant, Carmen, whom Nick rescued from a sinking boat becomes Mona's client. When Carmen is murdered while in detention, neither Mona nor Nick believe the official statement regarding her death, and they set out to find the truth. Nick also has his suspicions as to why his border protection team is seeing fewer drug-smuggling runs and more illegal immigrant entry attempts. Something in the troubled sea off the California coast is definitely fishy--and it's not just what lives under the water. "Death Rattle" is a fast-paced, complex thriller with a suspenseful story line--you will become so involved, you'll want to read it all in one setting. The author's characterizations are quite compelling--Nick is a border patrol agent, and Mona defends those who illegally cross that border. They would seem to be an impossible match, yet they love each other and are still together despite all that they have been through. "Death Rattle" takes on some tough subjects and moves the rocks from which snakes, human and reptilian, slither out from under--both are equally venomous.

Book Copy Gratis Forge Books


Praise for Death Rattle:

“What’s a border noir mystery without vicious drug cartels and desperate illegal migrants? Alex Gilly obligingly provides those joys in Death Rattle which is set in a town on the California-Mexico border laughably named Paradise.”―New York Times Book Review

“Impressive....will keep readers turning the pages. Thriller fans will want to see more of Nick.”―Publishers Weekly

ALSO BY ALEX GILLY

DEVIL'S HARBOR

With heart-stopping thrills, a Walter White-esque villain, and a fascinating hero, Alex Gilly's Devil's Harbor is a thriller unlike any you have read before...

Nick Finn and his partner and brother-in-law, Diego Jimenez, are used to rough water. As Marine Interdiction Agents for Customs and Border Protection, the two hunt drug smugglers, human traffickers, and other criminals who hide in the vastness of the waters surrounding southern California.

One night, Finn and Diego track a phantom boat off the Los Angeles coast, but it disappears before they can intercept it. They find a dead body in its wake, ravaged by sharks. Their investigation into the floater stalls when Finn is accused of using excessive force following the death of a suspected drug smuggler.

Then Diego is murdered--and Finn is the number-one suspect. As he races to find the real killer and save his marriage, Finn is forced to partner with Linda Blake, the desperate captain of the Pacific Belle and mother of Lucy, a very sick little girl, to attempt the one thing he has devoted his life to stopping.

In order to clear his name and save a child's life, Finn must smuggle narcotics by sea into the United States…and avoid the net that his CBP colleagues have cast for him.

 
MY REVIEW:  Author Alex Gilly's debut fiction work, "Devil's Harbor", is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you turning the pages until you read it all the way through. Once you start reading, you'll be hooked by the perfectly imperfect protagonist and the compelling storyline. As a Marine Interdiction Agent for Customs and Border Protection, Nick Finn patrols the ocean waters off Southern California, hunting the human predators who prey upon the weaknesses and addictions of their fellow man. His partner is Diego Jimenez, the younger brother of Finn's wife, Mona. A violent encounter with a phantom boat, skulking through the night waters with its lights out, will forever change the lives of Finn and those around him. When Finn is investigated for using excessive force, Mona, a lawyer, acts for his defense. Then the unthinkable happens--Diego is murdered, and Finn becomes the prime suspect. As his troubles intensify, his recurring struggle with alcohol resurfaces--a lingering inheritance from an alcoholic father. Desperate to clear his name, save his marriage, and hold onto his life and sanity, Finn becomes involved with dangerously warped schemers who have a twisted, evil agenda all their own. Finn has served his country both in wartime and stateside. He is a good man who has made some bad choices. Is it too late to save himself, or can he pull off one more mission--the mission of a lifetime? Author Alex Gilly is also a translator, and I will say this as a reader and a film fan: "Devil's Harbor" will translate into a terrific action-adventure film with a lead character whose flaws are outshone by his inherent heroism.

Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

Reviews

 

“Gilly's debut is a real page-turner filled with thrills, chills, and unexpected surprises.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Buy it! Recommend it! Push it on anyone who loves suspense and action served with hard-boiled style! The writing is exuberant yet controlled, the plot is twisty and devious yet easily tracked, the characters are freshly imagined...The boat chases are the best since the early Bond novels, the revelations are startling, and the bourbon scenes make you thirsty.” ―Booklist (starred review)

“Devil's Harbor is a fast-paced, sophisticated thriller, filled with twists, turns and compelling characters that will stay with the reader long after they've read the exciting final pages. Alex Gilly is a writer to be reckoned with - one that knows his territory, whether it is a speedboat trapped in an offshore gale or how to aim a rifle from a pitching deck. This is a book that operates deliciously in the shadows beneath the dark Pacific waters surface and in the darker places in men's hearts. A fine debut that will keep readers up late at night.” ―John Katzenbach, internationally bestselling author

“[A] thrill-a-moment first novel...The ending is an unexpected nail-bitter that crackles with tension.” ―Publishers Weekly


ALEX GILLY




ALEX GILLY is a writer and translator who was born in New York City and has lived in Australia, Canada, France, California, and the UK. One of his translations, Thierry Cruvellier's THE MASTER OF CONFESSIONS, was longlisted for the 2015 PEN Translation Prize. Alex holds an MA in Translation and Interpreting Studies and a BA in Linguistics and Spanish and Latin American Studies, both from the University of New South Wales. In addition to his work as a translator, Alex has worked as a boating-magazine writer, editor, and copy editor. He currently lives in Sydney with his wife and son. DEVIL'S HARBOR is his first novel.

http://www.alexgilly.com/

"SANTA MONICA"-- from writing duo Cassidy Lucas--a debut novel in the vein of Liane Moriarty and Tom Perrotta, about dark secrets brought to life after the mysterious death of a handsome and charismatic trainer to the elite women in Santa Monica

Santa Monica

On the western edge of Los Angeles is the gorgeous beachside city of Santa Monica, where the sun-kissed, wealthy residents seem to inhabit real-life California dreams. When movie-star-handsome heartthrob fitness coach Zack Doheny, is found dead on the floor of his gym, the tragedy shocks the elite community, especially those who’d spent many hours each week exercising with the charismatic trainer.

As the narrative flashes back to the months leading up to Zack’s death, it quickly becomes clear that things in this coastal paradise are not as glittering as they seem. Lettie – Zack’s secret half-sister and an undocumented housekeeper for the toned, entitled women of Santa Monica – holds her brother responsible for a horrific family accident, and desperately needs his money to prevent her deportation. Regina, type-A exercise addict and entrepreneur, will do anything to get out of debt and to claim Zack for herself. And Mel – a New York City transplant who finds herself forty pounds heavier and far more cynical than the lithe women of Santa Monica – discovers an electric attraction to Zack that threatens to disrupt his bond with Regina and upend Mel’s own marriage. As these residents of Santa Monica begin to crack under the stress of their secrets, one question hangs above it all: what really happened to Zack Doheny?

As addictively suspenseful as it is sharply observed, hilarious, and compassionate, Santa Monica is the rare novel that captures readers with propulsive storytelling alongside emotional urgency, irresistible characters, ambitious themes, and a vivid sense of place.

Reviews

 

“Part riveting mystery, part incisive domestic drama, Santa Monica is a sharp look at the superficial lives of the pretending-to-be-perfect in gorgeous seaside California, expertly walking the line between satire, suspense and biting social commentary.”  (Kimberly McCreight New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia and A Good Marriage)

“Santa Monica is a juicy yet profound thriller that seamlessly glides between the sun kissed beaches and the long shadows of seemingly glamorous Southern California. Cassidy Lucas has delivered a deft page turner and a topical mystery that is fully three dimensional in every way. Santa Monica is filled with complex characters who may act but never are superficial and at its core is a deft, twisty story that’s both witty and wise about marriage, friendship, aging, and the deadly quest for perfection.” (Ivy Pochoda, author of These Women)

“Cassidy Lucas has created an engaging, satirical portrait of Santa Monica, where a vibrant cast faces a broad range of California problems—marriage and money troubles, poor body image for the haves, deportation for the have nots.” (Steph Cha, author of Your House Will Pay)

"Santa Monica is one juicy read!  Cassidy Lucas brings a rarified beach town to life with such verve and tenderness, and she isn't afraid to show its dark side, either. Compelling, sassy, and warmhearted, this book is a thrill." (Edan Lepucki, author of New York Times bestseller California)

"Oh, how this smart, juicy thriller sucked me in. A perfect escape.” (Marcy Dermansky, author of Very Nice)

Santa Monica is a deep dive into the extremes of human desire and a page-turning exploration of class, love, friendship, and marriage, while simultaneously exploring topical issues of politics and immigration. Cassidy Lucas plunges you into a world of terrifying domestic fantasy while holding her characters accountable for their flaws. A wild thriller you don’t want to miss. (Elizabeth Silver, author of Tincture of Time)

"Lucas (the pen name of Julia Fierro and Caeli Wolfson Widger) succeeds in satirizing the gilded enclave of Santa Monica while also tugging at readers’ heartstrings" (Publishers Weekly)

Cassidy Lucas
 

 

Cassidy Lucas is the pen name of writing duo Julia Fierro and Caeli Wolfson Widger. Fierro is the author of the novels Cutting Teeth, praised by the New Yorker as a “comically energetic début,” and The Gypsy Moth Summer, called “hugely engaging” by Francine Prose. Widger is the author of the novels Real Happy Family and Mother of Invention, praised by Margaret Atwood as a “pacey thriller,” and was featured on NPR’s Marketplace. Both Fierro and Widger live in Santa Monica with their families. Santa Monica is their first book together. Their second novel, The Canyon, set in Topanga Canyon on the westside of Los Angeles, will be published in 2021.
  

http://www.cassidylucas.com/

"The Legend of All Wolves Series"--from author Maria Vale--wildly imaginative paranormal romance tales--wolves and humans--and those somewhere in-between--the Great North Pack of Upstate New York and the men and women of the "civilized" world around them

 The Last Wolf

For three days out of thirty, when the moon is full and her law is iron, the Great North Pack must be wild.

If she returns to her Pack, the stranger will die.
But if she stays…

Silver Nilsdottir is at the bottom of her Pack’s social order, with little chance for a decent mate and a better life. Until the day a stranger stumbles into their territory, wounded and beaten, and Silver decides to risk everything on Tiberius Leveraux. But Tiberius isn’t all he seems, and in the fragile balance of the Pack and wild, he may tip the destiny of all wolves…

Reviews

 

"Debut author Vale has created a paranormal community in the modern world, and it's a standout...a dense, gooey chocolate cake in page form. A wonderfully descriptive paranormal romance that breathes some much-needed life into the subgenre." - Kirkus Reviews

"As Vale begins her The Legends of All Wolves series, her outstanding worldbuilding makes this sensuous tale of life and love in the Pack, a werewolf society, well worth reading. Spellbound readers will watch for the next installment, A Wolf Apart." - Booklist, STARRED review

" Vale has created a world unlike any other that is full of mythical creatures and unlike any other stories I have read. I highly recommend THE LAST WOLF to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance that really stands out long after you read the last page." - Fresh Fiction

"The dark, rich world of Vale's debut novel is instantly engaging, and will hold plenty of draw for fantasy and sci-fi readers, as well as readers of paranormal romance. Her wolf shifters have history and depth, and the individual members are all well crafted and compelling in their own right...the rich characters and their powerful connections make this book a fascinating one that offers a good deal of promise for future books in this world." - RT Book Reviews

"Cleverly conceived and thoughtful story...The unique, believable world-building, flashes of humor, and Old Norse references make this exceptional debut of a promising series a solid choice for all paranormal readers and collections. " - Library Journal

"The dark, rich world of Vale's debut novel is instantly engaging, and will hold plenty of draw for fantasy and sci-fi readers, as well as readers of paranormal romance. Her wolf shifters have history and depth, and the individual members are all well crafted and compelling...the rich characters and their powerful connections still make this book a fascinating one that offers a good deal of promise for future books in this world." - RT Book Reviews

"a terrific world filled with hierarchy, devotion and rituals...a[n] enchanting unusual story." - With Love For Books

 

 

A Wolf Apart

Can a human truly make room in her heart for the Wild?

Thea Villalobos has long since given up trying to be what others expect of her. So in Elijah Sorensson she can see through the man of the world to a man who is passionate to the point of heartbreak. But something inside him is dying...

Elijah Sorensson has all kinds of outward success: bespoke suits, designer New York City apartment, women clamoring for his attention. Except Elijah despises the human life he's forced to endure. He's Alpha of his generation of the Great North Pack, and the wolf inside him will no longer be restrained...

She sizes me up quickly with eyes the color of ironwood and just as unyielding.
"Thea Villalobos," she says, and it takes me a moment to get my breath back.
Thea Villalobos. Goddess of the City of Wolves.

 

Reviews

 

"A feral and fearsome romance that works for its happy ending." - Kirkus Reviews

"A brilliant job of developing werewolf culture ... Vale's nuanced exploration of werewolf concepts elevates this work above others in the genre." - Publishers Weekly

"enthralling and exciting... The intricate culture and social mores of the Pack elevate Vale's series. " - Booklist

"enthralling from the start!" - Harlequin Junkie

"A wealth of sharply etched detail, snippets of pack history and lore, and a colorful supporting cast add another layer to this remarkable, strangely believable world." - Library Journal

"kept me on the edge of my seat...a great fascinating story" - With Love For Books

 

Forever Wolf

Legend says his eyes portend the end of the world...or perhaps, the beginning...

Born with one blue eye and one green, Eyulf was abandoned by his pack as an infant and has never understood why, or what he is...

Varya is fiercely loyal to the Great North Pack, which took her in when she was a teenager. While out on patrol, Varya finds Eyulf wounded and starving and saves his life, at great risk to her own.

With old and new enemies threatening the Great North, Varya knows as soon as she sees his eyes that she must keep Eyulf hidden away from the superstitious wolves who would doom them both. Until the day they must fight to the death for the Pack's survival, side by side and heart to heart... 

 

Reviews

 

"An impressive accomplishment." --New York Times

"lyrical and mesmerizing, the written embodiment of the wild depth where the Great North Pack resides...Prepare to be rendered speechless."--Kirkus Starred Review

"In addition to thrilling paranormal-romance fans,Vale's latest will also delight readers who enjoy exquisite world building in any genre.--ALA-Booklist Starred Review

"Tender, heart-wrenching...a fierce, fulfilling addition to this mesmerizing series."--Library Journal Starred Review

 

Season of the Wolf

In a world of danger and uncertainty, the Alpha has enough to worry about without him...

For Alpha Evie Kitwanasdottir, things are never easy. The Great North Pack has just survived a deadly attack. Evie is determined to do whatever is necessary to keep her Pack safe, especially from the four Shifters who are their prisoners.

Constantine lost his parents and his humanity on the same devastating day. He has been a thoughtless killer ever since. When Constantine is moved to live under Evie's watchful eye, he discovers that taking directions and having a purpose are not the same thing.

Each moment spent together brings new revelations to Constantine, who begins to understand the loneliness of being Alpha. He finds strength and direction in helping Evie, but there is no room for a small love in the Pack, so Constantine must work harder than ever to prove to Evie he is capable of a love big enough for the Great North Pack itself.

 

Reviews

 

"Vale is a rare writer... A must read." - Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review

"Series fans will be satisfied." - Publishers Weekly  

 

Maria Vale 

 

  

Maria Vale is a logophile and a bibliovore and a worrier about the world. Trained as a medievalist, she tries to shoehorn the language of Beowulf into things that don't really need it. She currently lives in New York with her husband, two sons and a long line of dead plants. No one will let her have a pet.

Her first book, The Last Wolf, was chosen by Library Journal and Amazon as a Best Book of 2018 and was a Rita finalist in the Paranormal Romance and Best Debut categories.

Her second book, A Wolf Apart, was chosen by Publishers Weekly as a Best Book of 2018, while Forever Wolf was chosen by Booklist and Kirkus as a Best Book of 2019.

https://www.mariavale.com/

From author Nina George--two charming, atmospheric French tales of romance, life, second chances, books, and food (with recipes)--"The Little Paris Bookshop" and "The Little French Bistro" (see my reviews)

The Little Paris Bookshop

“There are books that are suitable for a million people, others for only a hundred. There are even remedies—I mean books—that were written for one person only…A book is both medic and medicine at once. It makes a diagnosis as well as offering therapy. Putting the right novels to the appropriate ailments: that’s how I sell books.”

Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.

After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.

Internationally bestselling and filled with warmth and adventure, The Little Paris Bookshop is a love letter to books, meant for anyone who believes in the power of stories to shape people's lives. 

MY REVIEW:  A lovely literary journey traveled through waters and words, "The Little Paris Bookshop" is a charming, poignant read from author Nina George. Monsieur Perdu is a bookseller extraordinaire. He doesn't just sell books--he prescribes them--after diagnosing just the cure for what ails the book seeker. His magical, medicinal matchmaking of book and reader is uplifting and life-changing, and the doctor is long overdue for a dose of his own medicine. After twenty years, a chain of events will propel Monsieur Perdu to seek out the woman who broke his own heart. Along the way, he will collect an assortment of comrades, experience new adventures, and finally come to terms with his own very personal issues. Nina George writes with warmth and spins an atmospheric tale that will appeal to romance readers, food lovers, and armchair travelers. Recipes are included, as well as a special selection of emergency remedy reads from Monsieur Perdu's Literary Pharmacy.

Book Copy Gratis Crown Publishers via Blogging for Books




The Little French Bistro

From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop, an extraordinary novel about self-discovery and new beginnings.

Marianne is stuck in a loveless, unhappy marriage. After forty-one years, she has reached her limit, and one evening in Paris she decides to take action. Following a dramatic moment on the banks of the Seine, Marianne leaves her life behind and sets out for the coast of Brittany, also known as the end of the world.

Here she meets a cast of colorful and unforgettable locals who surprise her with their warm welcome, and the natural ease they all seem to have, taking pleasure in life's small moments. And, as the parts of herself she had long forgotten return to her in this new world, Marianne learns it s never too late to begin the search for what life should have been all along.

With all the buoyant charm that made The Little Paris Bookshop a beloved bestseller, The Little French Bistro is a tale of second chances and a delightful embrace of the joys of life in France.

MY REVIEW:  It's never too late to find your true place in life--never to late to learn to speak definitively with your own inner voice. In "The Little French Bistro", from author Nina George, a woman in her sixtieth year begins life anew and experiences much before her own inner compass points her in the right direction. Marianne Messmann, of Germany, has been married for four decades to Lothar, a man set in his ways and devoted to his own comfort and enjoyment. On a trip to Paris, and no longer able to bear the stifling repression of their relationship, Marianne decides to take her own life in Paris in the icy waters of the Seine. When her attempt fails, she makes another radical decision and journeys to Brittany, in northwestern France, to a culture and community far different than she has known. Here she finds friends, food, and sights and sounds which stir her heart and imagination. She also finds romance with an artist, Yann, who colors her world in ways she could never have dreamed. When unfinished business from the past shows up in the form of Lothar, Marianne must search her soul and make the most profound choice of her existence: return to the known and predictable past, or take a great leap of faith for a chance of a future filled with new hope and joy.

Book Copy Gratis Crown Publishing via Blogging for Books


Nina George


 

Born 1973 in Bielefeld, Germany, Nina George is a prize-winning and bestselling author (“Das Lavendelzimmer” – “The Little Paris Bookshop”) and freelance journalist since 1992, who has published more than two dozen books (novels, mysteries and non-fiction) as well as over hundred short stories and more than 600 columns. George has worked as a cop reporter, columnist and managing editor for a wide range of publications, including Hamburger Abendblatt, Die Welt, Der Hamburger, “politik und kultur” as well as TV Movie and Federwelt. Georges writes also under three pen-names, for ex “Jean Bagnol”, a double-andronym for provence-based mystery novels.

Nina George teaches writing at Literaturbüro Unna, Alsterdamm Kunstschule, Wilhelmsburger Honigfabrik, where she coaches young people, adults and professional authors. George also moderates (bilingual) readings and works as a speaker.

www.nina-george.com  

"Just Jones: Sometimes a Thing Is Impossible . . . Until It Is Actually Done (A Noticer Book)"--From New York Times bestselling author Andy Andrews comes the return of one of our favorite fictional characters: Jones, the noticer. A mysterious elderly man with white hair and endless wisdom who always appears to show up exactly when he’s needed most.

Just Jones: Sometimes a Thing Is Impossible . . . Until It Is Actually Done (A Noticer Book)

At 3:29 a.m. on May 22, a telephone rings in Orange Beach, Alabama. Breaking the sleepy silence inside the bedroom of New York Times bestselling author Andy Andrews, a hastily whispered message heralds the news that Andy has been waiting on for seven years: Jones is back in town. Apparently, however, he is also in jail.

The old man is tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding his brief incarceration. After arriving to bail him out, Andy is shocked to discover that his trusted friend has already opened an unusual business in one of the resort town’s most high-profile shopping districts. Jones’s Five & Dime seems to always have exactly what visitors are looking for, even as their fate steadily becomes entwined with Jones’s.

As the town moves from spring to summer, a practical joker is becoming bolder and more inventive with every prank that is pulled. Could Jones be behind some of it? Why? And what will happen if he is? What’s the truth about that four-hundred-pound table in his Five & Dime? What compels certain people to gather around it every morning? And why does it look as if every person Jones meets has a secret they will reveal only to him?

With rare insight, Andy and Jones take us on a journey that proves the importance of perspective, the power of connection, and the ability we all have to make the impossible come true.

Reviews

 

'Just Jones is lightning in a bottle--pure genius on paper. If you can imagine a hilarious mystery filled with useful wisdom that is fresh and new, you've just conjured up this book. Andy Andrews is our generation's Mark Twain. Just Jones is the latest proof.' --Dave Ramsey, national bestselling author

'Just Jones is a rare accomplishment--a mystery that is at times touching but often so funny that I laughed out loud. When one wraps an awesome story around wisdom with the power to change lives . . . well, how many great books can you name like that? Just Jones is a masterpiece.' --Michael Hyatt, New York Times bestselling author

'In much the same way Andy Andrews presents on stage--making him one of the most sought-after speakers in America--in Just Jones he weaves a rollicking sidewinder of a tale that'll delight his fans anew. Get to know a troubled girl with a funny name who experiences a character arc rarely manifested in contemporary fiction.' --Jerry B. Jenkins, novelist and biographer

''A jail is also a near-perfect starting gate.' And with this bit of wisdom, Jones, whom we have come to know as the noticer, leads us into another can't-stop-reading story. Or is it a biography of the reader? Andy Andrews is the master of telling tales that end up being all about us. His newest weaving, Just Jones, is no exception. I dare you to read it! Then order a dozen copies to send to people who are longing for someone to tell them a story about themselves as they could be.' --Gloria Gaither, writer, lyricist

'Andy's work has profoundly impacted me, and his newest release, Just Jones, reminds us that just because something hasn't yet been done, doesn't mean that it can't be accomplished. After reading this book, you will not only be more convinced than ever that the only limitations on your life are the ones you put on yourself but also realize that now is the time to stop making excuses, start making a difference, and begin fully living your life.' --John O'Leary, #1 national bestselling author, podcast host, and speaker

'This latest soon-to-be-classic from Andy Andrews continues to challenge us to think about life and our current situations from different and unique perspectives. And always with the focus of helping us evolve, grow, and prosper. In addition, the story that surrounds and propels all this valuable information is one of the best (and most fun) you'll ever read.' --Steve Jacobson, CEO Fairway Mortgage

'I will share Just Jones with my family, team, and friends! It's a very engaging story that effortlessly teaches lessons and will make each of us and, therefore, the world a better place to live.' --Grant Woods, PhD, wildlife biologist and GrowingDeer.tv host 

 

 

 

 

The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective

 

A new story of common wisdom from the bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift.
 

Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people.  But like all humans on the planet, the good folks of Orange Beach have their share of problems – marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, as well as the many other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.

Fortunately, when things look the darkest – a mysterious man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up.  An elderly man with white hair, of indiscriminate age and race, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and leather flip flops carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul.  Communicating what he calls “a little perspective,” Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss.  “Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely,” he says.  “Don’t squander your words or your thoughts. Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyond measure…and they matter forever.”

Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what we can do about it.

Like The Traveler’s Gift, The Noticer is a unique narrative is a blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration.  Gifted storyteller Andy Andrews helps us see how becoming a “noticer” just might change a person’s life forever.  

 

Your chance to regroup, take a breath, and begin your life again awaits in the simple wisdom and heartwarming story of a man named Jones.

 

 "Andrews brings a track record, wordsmith skills and, best of all, an imagination."- Publishers Weekly

 

 

 

 

The Noticer Returns: Sometimes You Find Perspective, and Sometimes Perspective Finds You

 

Perspective is a powerful thing.
 

Andy Andrews has spent the past five years doing a double take at every white-haired old man he sees, hoping to have just one more conversation with the person to whom he owes his life.

Through a chance encounter at a local bookstore, Andy is reunited with the man who changed everything for him — Jones, also known as “The Noticer.”

As the story unfolds, Jones uses his unique talent of noticing the little things that make a big difference. And these little things grant the people of Fairhope, Alabama, a life-changing gift — perspective. Along the way families are united and financial opportunities created, leaving us with powerfully simple solutions to the everyday problems we all face.

Through the lens of a parenting class at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Jones guides a seemingly random group to ask specific questions inspired by his curious advice: “You can’t believe everything you think.” The questions lead to answers for which people have been searching for centuries:

- How do we begin to change the culture in which we live?
- Can we ensure a life of success and value for our children as they become adults?
- What if what we think is the end . . . is only the beginning?

What starts as an account of Andy’s everyday reality unfolds into an intriguing story revealing the extraordinary principles available to anyone looking to create a better life. 

Reviews

 

"Parents, coaches, employers, and employees...Drop what you're doing and read this book!"- Kurt Warner, Super Bowl Champion Quarterback and NFL Broadcaster

"The Noticer Returns is a magical story that will change how you look at life."- Winston Groom, New York Times Best-Selling Author of Forrest Gump

"I read everything he writes again and again. Andy Andrews is, quite simply, my favorite author."- Margaret Kelly, CEO, Remax

 

Andy Andrews

 

Hailed by a New York Times reporter as "someone who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America," Andy Andrews is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers including The Traveler's Gift and The Noticer. He is also an in-demand speaker, coach, and consultant for the world's largest organizations.

Zig Ziglar said, "Andy Andrews is the best speaker I have ever seen."

Both The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift were featured selections of ABC's Good Morning America and continue to appear on bestseller lists around the world. His books have been translated into over 40 languages.

Andy has spoken at the request of four different United States presidents, worked extensively with the Department of Defense, and regularly addresses the world's largest corporations. Arguably, there is no single person on the planet better at weaving subtle yet life-changing lessons into riveting tales of adventure and intrigue--both on paper and on stage.

http://www.andyandrews.com/