"Overseas"--by Beatriz Williams--A passionate, sweeping novel of a love that transcends time. New York, 2007: A young Wall Street analyst, Kate Wilson learned to rely on logic and cynicism. So why does she fall so desperately in love with Julian Laurence, a handsome British billionaire with a mysterious past? What she doesn’t know is that he has been waiting for her… the enchanting woman who emerged from the shadows of the Great War to save his life.

 

Overseas

A passionate, sweeping novel of a love that transcends time.

When twenty-something Wall Street analyst Kate Wilson attracts the notice of the legendary Julian Laurence at a business meeting, no one’s more surprised than she is. Julian’s relentless energy and his extraordinary intellect electrify her, but she’s baffled by his sudden interest. Why would this handsome British billionaire "Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor” pursue a pretty but bookish young banker who hasn’t had a boyfriend since college?

The answer is beyond imagining . . . at least at first. Kate and Julian’s story may have begun not in the moneyed world of twenty-first-century Manhattan but in France during World War I, when a mysterious American woman emerged from the shadows of the Western Front to save the life of Captain Julian Laurence Ashford, a celebrated war poet and infantry officer.

Now, in modern-day New York, Kate and Julian must protect themselves from the secrets of the past, and trust in a true love that transcends time and space.

 

Reviews

 

“Outstanding…With a complicated romance, intriguing suspense, a dashing hero, a feisty heroine, and a fantastic but plausible time-travel explanation, this book will hit the mark for readers wanting something exceptional for their summer reading."—Library Journal (starred review)

 "This is a delicious story about the ultimate romantic fantasy: love that triumphs over time and common sense.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

 "A full-throated love story…With [Williams’] gift for humor, snappy dialogue and swooning romance, there's plenty to enjoy and the promise of more enjoyable escapism to come."—Kirkus

 "A sensational debut! OVERSEAS is a heady blend of wit, charm, and romantic sizzle, all wrapped around a tantalizing mystery that will constantly surprise and delight readers."—Anne Fortier, New York Times-bestselling author of Juliet

“Overseas is an irresistible combination of romance, history, and imaginative storytelling. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of World War I and the glittering lights of today’s New York financial world, Beatriz Williams creates a memorable story of a timeless love. . . . I can’t wait to see what she does next!”—Karen White, New York Times–bestselling author of The Beach Trees

 “Overseas is one of those addictive stories that grab you and don’t let go. Beatriz Williams has an amazing storytelling talent. . . . I wanted to crawl into the book and stay there.”—Lauren Willig, New York Times–bestselling author of the Pink Carnation series

 “History meets romance meets suspense! Compelling, original and wildly romantic, Beatriz Williams’ prose is stunning and the plot edge-of-your-seat gripping. OVERSEAS is an absolute triumph—I loved every page.”—Tilly Bagshawe, New York Times-bestselling author of Adored 

 

 

Beatriz Williams

 

Beatriz Williams is the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of Our Woman in Moscow, The Summer Wives, Her Last Flight, The Golden Hour, The Secret Life of Violet Grant, A Hundred Summers, and several other works of historical fiction, including three novels in collaboration with fellow bestselling authors Karen White and Lauren Willig. A graduate of Stanford University with an MBA in Finance from Columbia University, Beatriz worked as a communications and corporate strategy consultant in New York and London before she turned her attention to writing novels that combine her passion for history with an obsessive devotion to voice and characterization. Beatriz’s books have won numerous awards, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and appear regularly in bestseller lists around the world.

Born in Seattle, Washington, Beatriz now lives near the Connecticut shore with her husband and four children, where she divides her time between writing and laundry.

http://www.beatrizwilliams.com

 

"Mistletoe in Juneau"--by Dahlia Rose--heartwarming holiday romance from Hallmark and USA Today bestselling author Dahlia Rose that’s perfect for fans of Rochelle Alers and Debbie Macomber (see my review)

 

Mistletoe in Juneau

A heartwarming holiday romance from Hallmark and USA Today bestselling author Dahlia Rose that’s perfect for fans of Rochelle Alers and Debbie Macomber.

Danni’s a social media influencer who’s way out of her element. She sort-of broke up with her boyfriend-slash-manager, and she escaped her fast-paced life in New York to spend Christmas with an old friend in Juneau, Alaska. Danni takes in the beauty of the scenery and the warmth of the community…and she’s drawn to the local sheriff.

Before Declan was the sheriff, he was in the Army. An IED explosion cost him his leg…and his fiancée, who couldn’t deal with the injury. He knows Danni’s a city girl, while he loves the Alaskan wilderness. Could two very different people find what their hearts are looking for?

This feel-good Christmas romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for "Super-Simple, Amazing Chocolate Cake"

 

MY REVIEW:  "Mistletoe in Juneau" is a well-written contemporary holiday romance from author Dahlia Rose and Hallmark Publishing. The author's smooth, fluid, descriptive writing makes for a very enjoyable read. At age thirty, Brooklyn native Danni St. Peters was a social networker and media influencer on the rise. A popular video channel star, she had a legion of followers and a bright future ahead. While she always felt the lack of her family's approval, she still chose to follow her own career path. Her relationship with her producer, Austin Hammond, had evolved from pleasant and professional to something more. Austin, who was always "on", and single-minded when it came to promoting Danni's occupational opportunities and his own best interests, never really seemed to listen to Danni when she spoke her mind. An invitation from her best friend Amy to spend the holidays with Amy and her family in Alaska comes at just the right time. Amy, who is married to an Alaska State Trooper, has a young son and is expecting her second child right at Christmastime. Amy's husband, Mateo, is good friends with his fellow state trooper, Declan Mathias. As a favor to Mathias, Declan picks up Danni at the airport. A former military man who lost a leg in combat, Declan is physically fit and mentally strong, but he is uncomfortable around pretty women--his fiance had rejected him after his injury. The atmosphere is uncomfortable and the conversation between them is stilted on the way to Amy's house. Overjoyed by seeing Amy again, Danni tries to overlook Declan's gruff manner. While Declan and Danni can't help but be thrown into each other's company, they gradually get to know one another, and the initial chill begins to thaw. Amy and her family, and Declan's mother, become as busy as Santa's elves when they start matchmaking for Danni and Declan. Friendship between the two of them begins to turn into something more, but Danni has her work and obligations in New York, and Declan has some personal issues to overcome. Can the spirit of the holidays--along with some Christmas magic--show them a future as bright as all the lights on the Christmas tree? Author Dahlia Rose adds depth to this holiday tale by infusing the story line with insights into the people, culture, and traditions of Alaska. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Book Copy Gratis Hallmark Publishing

 

Dahlia Rose

Dahlia Rose is the USA Today best-selling multi genre author from Urban fantasy to Romance with a hint of Caribbean spice. She was born and raised on the Caribbean island of Barbados and now currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her life revolves around her five kids, who she affectionately nicknamed “The Children of the Corn and her husband and longtime love who is also a honorable retired Army veteran. She has a love of dark fantasy, sci-fi, and the things that go bump in the night. With over seven dozen books published Dahlia has become a reader favorite. Not only because of her writing but her vivacious attitude in talking to her fans online and at various events. Her books feature strong heroines with a Caribbean or African American culture, that is showcased in the vibrancy of her words. Books and writing are her biggest passions, and she hopes to open your imagination to the unknown between the pages of her books.

Website: www.dahliaroseunscripted.com

Blog: www.dahliaroseunscripted.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/author.dahliarose

Twitter: www.twitter.com/dahliarose1029

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/dahlia-rose

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/dahliarose

"The Tobacco Wives"--by Adele Myers--shedding light on the hidden history of women’s activism during the post-war period, at its heart, "The Tobacco Wives" is a deeply human, emotionally satisfying, and dramatic novel about the power of female connection and the importance of seeking truth--a vibrant historical debut set in 1946 North Carolina following a young female seamstress who uncovers dangerous truths about Big Tobacco

  

The Tobacco Wives

For the audience of Fiona Davis and Lisa Wingate, a vibrant historical debut set in 1946 North Carolina following a young female seamstress who uncovers dangerous truths about the Big Tobacco empire ruling the American South.

Maddie Sykes is a burgeoning seamstress who’s just arrived in Bright Leaf, North Carolina—the tobacco capital of the South—where her aunt has a thriving sewing business. After years of war rations and shortages, Bright Leaf is a prosperous wonderland in full technicolor bloom, and Maddie is dazzled by the bustle of the crisply uniformed female factory workers, the palatial homes, and, most of all, her aunt’s glossiest clientele: the wives of the powerful tobacco executives.

When a series of unexpected events thrusts Maddie into the role of lead dressmaker for the town’s most influential women, she scrambles to produce their ornate gowns for the biggest party of the season. But she soon learns that Bright Leaf isn’t quite the carefree paradise that it seems: A trail of misfortune follows many of the women, including substantial health problems. Although Maddie is quick to believe that this is a coincidence, she inadvertently uncovers evidence that suggests otherwise.

Maddie wants to report what she knows, but in a town where everyone depends on Big Tobacco to survive, she doesn’t know who she can trust—and fears that exposing the truth may destroy the lives of the proud, strong women with whom she has forged strong bonds.

Shedding light on the hidden history of women’s activism during the post-war period, at its heart, The Tobacco Wives is a deeply human, emotionally satisfying, and dramatic novel about the power of female connection and the importance of seeking truth.

 

Reviews

 

“The Tobacco Wives is a sweep-you-away story with a lush North Carolina setting and a courageous woman at its center. What more do we want from a story than this? Myers’s prose is stitched together as beautifully as the fancy dresses her protagonist Maddie Sykes sews for the elite women of this tobacco town. The question at the heart of this novel trembles with power—what happens when what we know is right conflicts with what we are being told is true? Myers’s story will resonate long after you turn the last page; powerful and authentic, The Tobacco Wives is unforgettable." -- Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah 

“Myers brilliantly seduces us with her setting—a North Carolina town of beautiful socialites, opulent dresses, and elegant soirees—before revealing a terrible secret that threatens the entire community. This is a story of courage, of women willing to take a stand in the face of corporate greed, and most definitely a tale for our times.” -- Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

"The future in Bright Leaf seems bright for Maddie Sykes and for the local tobacco wives who can’t get enough of Maddie’s glamorous gowns. But beneath the idyllic surface lie dangerous underpinnings and a choice that will test one young woman’s spirit, forcing her to weigh the relative value of profits and people. A beautifully rendered portrait of a young woman finding her courage and her voice."  -- Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

“Adele Myers brings mid-century North Carolina vividly to life in her impressive, beautifully detailed debut novel, The Tobacco Wives, a suspenseful coming-of-age story of a brave young woman’s search for dangerous truths obscured by corporate deceit and betrayal.” -- Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Resistance Women

“With an atmosphere so thick you could blow it out in smoke rings, Adele Myers vividly conjures post war North Carolina, where ladies wear matching hats and gloves and no one questions the supremacy of the all-powerful tobacco leaf—except one young woman, trying to find her place in the world, torn between conflicting loyalties. A thoroughly immersive and engaging read!” -- Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of Band of Sisters

"The Tobacco Wives is a perfect example of the kind of historical fiction I love best: a story firmly grounded in the past that still feels powerfully resonant today. In Adele Myers's capable hands, post-WW2 North Carolina--the tobacco capital of the South--comes alive in technicolor, with all the glamour of Southern society, as well as a hidden underbelly of dangerous secrets and lies. We're along for the satisfying journey as Maddie Sykes--a plucky 16-year-old who has faced more loss than anyone deserves--learns what she's made of and tries to summon the courage to stand up to people who could make or break the rest of her life. A powerful debut and coming-of-age story rich in pitch-perfect dialogue and detail, The Tobacco Wives will transport you to Big Tobacco's golden age just as it begins to unravel--and remind you that we all have the power to stand up and fight for the things that are right."  -- Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars

“A sparkling debut… Historical fiction fans will be pleased.” -- Publishers Weekly

 

 

Adele Myers

 

 

Adele Myers grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, and has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently works in advertising and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, son, and their rescue dog Chipper. The Tobacco Wives is her first novel.

https://www.adelemyersauthor.com 

"The Pilot's Daughter"--by Meredith Jaeger--the glitzy days of 1920s New York meet the devastation of those left behind in World War II--inspired by a true Jazz Age murder cold case that captivated the nation, and the fact that more than 72,000 Americans still remain unaccounted for from World War II--a page-turning exploration of the stories we tell ourselves and of how well we can truly know those we love (see my review)

I

The Pilot's Daughter

n the final months of World War II, San Francisco newspaper secretary Ellie Morgan should be planning her wedding and subsequent exit from the newsroom into domestic life. Instead, Ellie, who harbors dreams of having her own column, is using all the skills she's learned as a would-be reporter to try to uncover any scrap of evidence that her missing pilot father is still alive. But when she discovers a stack of love letters from a woman who is not her mother in his possessions, her already fragile world goes into a tailspin, and she vows to find out the truth about the father she loves--and the woman who loved him back.

When Ellie arrives on her aunt Iris's doorstep, clutching a stack of letters and uttering a name Iris hasn't heard in decades, Iris is terrified. She's hidden her past as a Ziegfeld Follies showgirl from her family, and her experiences in New York City in the 1920s could reveal much more than the origin of her brother-in-law's alleged affair. Iris's heady days in the spotlight weren't enough to outshine the darker underbelly of Jazz Age New York, and she's spent the past twenty years believing that her actions in those days led to murder.

Together the two women embark on a cross-country mission to find the truth in the City That Never Sleeps, a journey that just might shatter everything they thought they knew--not only about the past but about their own futures.

Inspired by a true Jazz Age murder cold case that captivated the nation, and the fact that more than 72,000 Americans still remain unaccounted for from World War II, The Pilot's Daughter is a page-turning exploration of the stories we tell ourselves and of how well we can truly know those we love.

MY REVIEW:  Author Meredith Jaeger's superlative storytelling skills are once again on display in "The Pilot's Daughter"--a thrilling historical fiction tale based upon a real-life unsolved murder case from the Jazz Age of the 1920's. As WWII draws to a close, San Francisco newspaper secretary Ellie Morgan dreams of being a featured writer with her own column. When word comes that her military pilot father is missing in action, her instincts and intuition tell her that he may still be alive. As her mother retreats into a world of withdrawal from reality, Ellie begins her own investigation into her father's disappearance. When her father's belongings are finally returned to the family, Ellie discovers a packet of letters from a woman named Lillian, someone who had been very important to her father for a very long time. Her father had been a commercial pilot before the war. Were his frequent absences from home due not just to his flight schedule, but also a part of a secret double life? Shaken by this unwanted discovery, Ellie turns to her beloved Aunt Iris for comfort and answers. However, Iris has secrets of her own, and her answers are not what Ellie expected to hear. Hoping that her past would remain hidden, Iris must now face what she had left behind in New York twenty years ago, and part of that past is the fact that she knew Lillian. Together, Ellie and Iris will embark on a memorable and revelatory road trip that will forever change their lives. When all is revealed, will there be forgiveness and hope for a fresh start? "The Pilot's Daughter" is a compelling "history with mystery" page-turner featuring two appealing female characters who will capture the hearts of readers as they bravely make their way toward the truth.

Book Copy Gratis Dutton Books

Praise for The Pilot's Daughter

"Jaeger’s latest is a beautifully rendered ode to New York City, as well as an engrossing family drama. In Ellie and Iris, she’s created two compassionate, conflicted heroines whose search for the truth resonates in all the best ways. Stirring and powerful."—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

"Wow, wow, wow. What a page turner. The Pilot’s Daughter is the story of two women over two timelines, and the combined secrets that haunt them. I gasped. I cried. I cheered. The Pilot’s Daughter is one of the few books that truly earns the descriptor ‘unputdownable’. Iris and Ellie’s stories will stay with me for a long time." —Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister

"Meredith Jaeger proves, yet again, that she is a brilliant storyteller. Layered with drama and danger, The Pilot’s Daughter is historical fiction at its finest. Jaeger masterfully alternates between 1945 San Francisco, where a talented and determined young woman struggles to find her place in a man’s world, and New York City’s glamorous Ziegfeld Theater, circa 1923, where a riveting, decades-old mystery is finally unraveled. The Pilot’s Daughter is a timeless, multigenerational masterpiece that will leave you breathless, hopeful, and deeply satisfied. A triumph of hope and love, forgiveness and empowerment, Jaeger weaves a beautifully rendered tale of romance and redemption that will linger long after the last page is turned. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of history and mystery, look no farther than Meredith Jaeger’s The Pilot’s Daughter. You won’t be disappointed!"—Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List

"Shifting effortlessly between two time periods, Jaeger weaves a poignant and suspenseful tale, building a layered mystery while she draws us deep into the deliciously glitzy and often dangerous world of Jazz Age New York. But it is the tender and endearing bond between Ellie and Iris that is the beating heart of this propulsive novel—their connection so heartfelt and authentic that makes it easy to root for both women as they journey to find answers—and forgiveness. I won’t soon forget Ellie or Iris, and though I raced through the pages to the satisfying end, I did so conflicted—I so didn’t want to give up their company!"—Erika Montgomery, author of A Summer to Remember

"Meredith Jaeger's two previous novels sparked my love affair with historical fiction. The Pilot's Daughter once again showcases her remarkable talent in creating stunning worlds that are so enticing you'll never want to leave. Blending fact and fiction and alternating timelines between the glittering backdrop of the Ziegfeld Follies and the devastating reality of those left behind in World War II, The Pilot's Daughter takes us on an enthralling journey of two women determined to live by their own rules despite the strict societal expectations placed on them. Expertly written with compelling characters and an intriguing mystery begging for answers, this luminous, captivating story inspires, entertains, and completely satisfies." —Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman on the Edge

"With a delectable mastery of not just one time period, but two, Meredith Jaeger spins a tantalizing tale of two determined women searching for the truth. Jaeger moves effortlessly between the glittering Jazz Age and the final months of World War II in this richly detailed, propulsive, absorbing read that brings early twentieth century New York to life on the page. From the glamour of the Ziegfeld Follies, to the despair of a daughter whose father is missing in action, Jaeger transports us back in time and straight into the hearts of two conflicted women--Ellie, and her aunt Iris--as they untangle the threads of a complicated past--and an uncertain future. You won't want to put The Pilot's Daughter down until you reach the satisfying end."—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
 
"I've long been a fan of Meredith Jaeger, and her latest, THE PILOT'S DAUGHTER, is her best work yet. Ambitious Ellie is looking for clues that her missing father, a WWII pilot, is still alive. But amid her search, she discovers he may have harbored a dark secret. Ellie's search begins to intermingle with the scandalous history of her aunt Iris, whose former experience as a showgirl brings us straight into the heart of the 1920s Jazz Age--rife with its own unsolved mystery. In this layered tale of mystery and discovery, Jaeger masterfully develops the characters of two brave women who ultimately find closure by way of determination, self-empowerment, and forgiveness. "—Sarah Penner, New York Times Bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary

“The Pilot’s Daughter is a captivating, richly detailed historical novel, following Ellie’s journey as she travels to New York with her aunt Iris to attempt to find out what happened to her missing pilot father in WWII. Meredith Jaeger artfully weaves the glittering but also dark Jazz Age of Iris’s New York, with Ellie’s search for answers there during WWII. An emotional and gorgeously woven story of strong women, fighting for the truth and ultimately, for themselves. I could not put this book down!”—Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of In Another Time and Half Life

"Jaeger has crafted heroines worth rooting for in Ellie, a resourceful young journalist and Iris, a danseuse, who ignore the conventions of the day and strike out on their own journeys only to uncover a link between their family and a cold murder case that rocked the nation. An engrossing and addictive read with glimmering details of the jazz age and the war years, The Pilot's Daughter is one of my favorite books of the year!"—Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author of The Next Ship Home and Meet Me in Monaco
 
“From the first chapter of Meredith Jaeger’s The Pilot's Daughter, I plunged into a mystery that wouldn’t let me go until the final page. But it’s the two troubled heroines—Ellie and Iris—who pulled me into the heart of this rich, multigenerational family drama. Readers will enjoy the vicarious journey to both 1920s Manhattan and 1940s San Francisco, as they root for Ellie and Iris along the way. And they'll keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.”—Laura Morelli, USA Today bestselling author of The Night Portrait and The Stolen Lady

"Packed with dark family secrets, the drama and glitz of the Ziegfeld Follies, and a World War II mystery, The Pilot’s Daughter is Meredith Jaeger at her best."—Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott

 

Meredith Jaeger

 

Meredith Jaeger is the USA Today bestselling author of THE PILOT'S DAUGHTER, BOARDWALK SUMMER and THE DRESSMAKER'S DOWRY. She's a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised by a Swiss father and an American mother. A graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, Meredith wrote her debut novel, THE DRESSMAKER'S DOWRY, while working for a San Francisco startup.

THE PILOT'S DAUGHTER has been called "unputdownable" (NYT bestselling author Sally Hepworth) "stirring and powerful" (NYT bestselling author Fiona Davis) and "historical fiction at its finest" (NYT bestselling author Lori Nelson Spielman).

Meredith lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, daughter and crazy rescue dog. Follow her on Instagram @meredithjaegerauthor  

http://www.meredithjaegerauthor.com

 

"The Council of Animals"--by Nick McDonell--a captivating fable for humans of all ages—dreamers and cynics alike—who believe (if nothing else) in the power of timeless storytelling

  

The Council of Animals

“‘Now,’ continued the cat, ‘there is nothing more difficult than changing an animal’s mind. But I will say, in case I can change yours: humans are more useful to us outside our bellies than in.’”

Perhaps.

After The Calamity, the animals thought the humans had managed to do themselves in. But, it turns out, a few are cowering in makeshift villages. So the animals―among them a cat, a dog, a crow, a baboon, a horse, and a bear―have convened to debate whether to help the last human stragglers . . . or to eat them.

Rest assured, there is a happy ending. Sort of.

Featuring illustrations by Steven Tabbutt

 

Reviews

“The book's overall effect . . . beautifully obliterates pigeonholes. The echoes of Animal Farm are many, but here, the main target of social critique is far larger than totalitarianism. . . . As an anthropomorphic folktale, The Council of Animals is concise, clever, and wonderfully conceived. As an allegory of the human condition, it's even better.”―Jason Heller, NPR

Both wildly imaginative and surprisingly funny, with (mostly) endearing characters, this thinly veiled metaphor offers what feels like an appropriate outcome. Tabbutt’s drawings of the animals add to the whimsy and interest of the tale by McDonell (An Expensive Education; The Bodies in Person), which readers of all ages will enjoy. Highly recommended.”―Library Journal

“McDonell's clever, lively prose and snappy pacing propels readers onward. The Council of Animals has the feel of a fable, both a romp with sweetly goofy animal characters and a serious and clear-eyed story about the real world and its dangers. . . . Thought-provoking, captivating, funny, instructive: this is a book for readers who have ever yearned for a little extrahuman wisdom and cheer.”―Shelf Awareness

“The Council of Animals is a delightful fable full of wit and wisdom. Nick McDonell has dreamed up an ingenious mythology for his animals and he portrays them with the charm of Milne or Carroll. McDonell has the rare ability to combine irony with empathy and deliver satire with grace. The result is a timelessly entertaining tale that readers will find inspiring and irresistible."―Simon Rich, author of New Teeth and Ant Farm

"This tale’s ratio of wit to wildness is positively golden. Its subtle logic and frank and tender mischief have somehow left me with the feeling of having witnessed a wake and christening combined―and I’m so very glad I attended."―Helen Oyeyemi, author of What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours

 

Nick McDonell

 

Nick McDonell, born in 1984, is a writer of novels, journalism, and political theory. He studied literature at Harvard and international relations at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford. His fiction has been published in twenty-two languages and appeared on bestseller lists around the world. A film adaptation of his first novel, Twelve, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. His academic work on nomadism―The Civilization of Perpetual Movement―was published in 2016. As a reporter for the London Review of Books, Time, TheNewYorker.com, and Harper’s, Nick has embedded with the United States Army and Marines, the Afghan Special Forces, the African Union Mission to Darfur, and the Iraqi Special Forces. Nick’s book, The Bodies in Person: An Account of Civilian Casualties in American Wars, was published in 2018. Nick is a cofounder of the Zomia Center for the Study of Non-State Spaces, which supports scholarly and humanitarian projects around the world. 

http://www.nickmcdonell.com/

HAPPY 96TH BIRTHDAY TO THE INCOMPARABLE ANGELA LANSBURY!!!--Beauty and the Beast | Angela Lansbury Live Performance

"A Letter to Three Witches"--by Elizabeth Bass--In the sleepy college town of Zenobia, New York, the only supernatural trace on display is the name of Gwen Engel’s business—Abracadabra Odd Job Service. But Gwen’s family has some unusual abilities they’ve been keeping under wraps—until one little letter spells big trouble…

 

A Letter to Three Witches

Bewitched meets Practical Magic in this bubbly, quirky romantic comedy with an enchanted twist from acclaimed author Elizabeth Bass. When romance problems cause their powers to go berserk, a trio of witches whose family was banned from practicing magic risk getting in serious trouble with the Grand Council of Witches. Can they get their magic—and their love lives—in order before it’s too late?  

In the sleepy college town of Zenobia, New York, the only supernatural trace on display is the name of Gwen Engel’s business—Abracadabra Odd Job Service. But Gwen’s family has some unusual abilities they’ve been keeping under wraps—until one little letter spells big trouble…
 
Nearly a century ago, Gwen Engel’s great-great-grandfather cast a spell with catastrophic side-effects. As a result, the Grand Council of Witches forbade his descendants from practicing witchcraft. The Council even planted anonymous snitches called Watchers in the community to report any errant spellcasting…
 
Yet magic may still be alive and not so well in Zenobia. Gwen and her cousins, Trudy and Milo, receive a letter from Gwen’s adopted sister, Tannith, informing them that she’s bewitched one of their partners and will run away with him at the end of the week. While Gwen frets about whether to trust her scientist boyfriend, currently out of town on a beetle-studying trip, she’s worried that local grad student Jeremy is secretly a Watcher doing his own research.
 
Cousin Trudy is so stressed that she accidentally enchants her cupcakes, creating havoc among her bakery customers—and in her marriage. Perhaps it’s time the family took back control and figured out how to harness their powers. How else can Gwen decide whether her growing feelings for Jeremy are real—or the result of too many of Trudy’s cupcakes?

 

                    

 

Elizabeth Bass

 

Elizabeth Bass writes women's fiction under her own name, and as Liz Freeland is the author of the Louise Faulk historical mystery series from Kensington Books, beginning with Murder in Greenwich Village (June 2018). She also wrote many romances under the pseudonym Liz Ireland.

Elizabeth grew up outside a very small town in East Texas. The first loves in her life were animals and Humphrey Bogart. Had it not been for a father who kept the house full of books and some tireless elementary school teachers, she could have happily remained an illiterate rabbit caretaker addicted to black-and-white films on the late late show.

She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she writes, freelance edits, and still manages to find time for an old movie on most days.

http://elizabeth-bass.com