Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Connie Archer Joins us talking about her new book!

It has been a pleasure to interview Connie Archer, the author of an incredible new series A Spoonful of Murder. Coming to a bookstore near you on August 7th, 2012.

Thank you Connie for being here with us today!!

Tell us about yourself Connie.

I was born in Boston and grew up there. I atteneded Northwest University where I majored in biology for the first few years, and later switched my major to English Literature. Even though most of my time was spent in the city, I've traveled all the New England States and know them very well. Years ago I relocated to California and now live in Los Angeles, so writing a series in Vermont has been a delight. I can imagine country roads without traffic, romantic snowstorms and idyllic small towns.


What inspired you to write a Spoonful of Murder and how did the Hero/Heroine come about?


Lucky Jamieson is a young woman at a crossroads in life. She had left Snowflake, Vermont to attend college in Madison, hoping to escape her smalltown roots. When she learns that her parents where killed in a car accident and that she has inherited their soup shop,  By the Spoonful, she returns home. Fearful now, and unsure of her quick decision, she must commit to the path she has chosen and make a go of the business.I think those terrible twists and turns of fate are something everyone can relate to-- the choices we make, the road taken and the road not taken.


I've always been a devotee' of all sorts of mysteries, but the village mystery holds a particular appeal. During a very long winter in Boston, one of my Aunts gave me a box of paperback Agatha Christie. I spent many snowbound days devouring them. The village mystery allows us to leave behind the world of computers, emails, deadlines, and the high pitched whining of wireless networks to escape into a fantasy world that no longer exsists in the 21st Century, perhaps not even in Vermont.



What kind of Research did you do for this book?


Spoonful of Murder didn’t require a great deal of research, although I did spend quite a bit of time updating myself about recent developments in industry and agriculture, population figures, and so on, in Vermont.  In Spoonful, the town of Snowflake has been affected by the economy, as has the rest of the country, but Lucky’s business is dealt a terrible blow when the body of a winter tourist is found frozen in the snow behind her restaurant.  Can she survive the fallout and get the Spoonful operational and successful again?


A Broth of Betrayal, the second book in the soup shop series, required a bit more research.  This book is set in the summer against the backdrop of the celebration of the Battle of Bennington, a battle crucial in the Revolutionary War, which took place on August 16, 1777.  Since my knowledge of early American history in Vermont was sketchy at best (being a Massachusetts native), I needed to familiarize myself with the details of that battle. 

 
Can you tell us a little about what is next in this series?

Snowflake is an old town with deeply buried secrets.  In A Broth of Betrayal two men fall victim to a murderer and a woman close to Lucky Jamieson disappears.  Lucky is certain the missing woman holds the key to the mystery and she must rescue her to unmask the murderer. 

The third book is untitled as yet, although several titles occasionally come to me and I must remember to jot them down before they disappear into the void. 

In book three, a band of travelers arrives in Snowflake to work at the town’s Harvest Festival.  One of the travelers has been searching for years for his lost love, while another man is found murdered by the side of the road.  Is the dead man connected to an old crime, as a retired investigator claims, or is he simply a random victim?  Lucky must do everything she can to solve the crime.  If she doesn’t succeed, a teenage girl’s life could be forever altered. 



What is the Best and worst thing about writing?


The worst thing about writing is sitting at the keyboard in the wee hours and suffering from frozen brain.  The best thing about writing is when a creative flow hits, your fingers fly over the keyboard, you realize you’ve left your body, entered another dimension and produced 2,000 words. 


The best thing about writing is reaching that point when the manuscript is ready to be sent to the publisher.  The button has been pressed and the computer can be shut down.  The worst is waiting for an editor’s remarks, comments and criticisms.  You only hope they like the book! 


  Connie Archer is the author of the soup lover’s mystery series set in Snowflake, Vermont. 
 
Spoonful of Murder, the first in this series from Berkley Prime Crime will be released on August 7, 2012. 



Visit her website at http://www.conniearchermysteries.com/ or at Facebook.com/ConnieArcherMysteries. 




 

One Moment, One Morning

I recently read One Moment , One Morning by Sarah Rayner and found it to be a truly amazing book.

Book Review: A man’s sudden death touches off seismic shifts in the lives of three women, wife-turned-widow Karen, neighbor Anna, and teacher—and closeted lesbian—Lou, in this affecting weeper about friendship and family. Rayner (Getting Even) takes a random tragedy on a morning commuter train from Brighton to London and parses it over the hours of six days plucked from half a year, dissecting the women’s emotional unraveling and eventual rebirth as stronger mothers, lovers, friends. The aching loss heaped swiftly upon Karen and her two young children, Molly and Luke, is reason enough to cry, but their search for solace turns from maudlin and mundane to insightful and fresh thanks in part to the pleasing retrospective flashbacks of this family’s life. “It’s his failings that made him who he was,” Karen confesses in her plaintive eulogy. And while Karen rebuilds her fractured family, best friend Anna contemplates the end of an abusive relationship with a charming drunk, and Lou finally trusts her heart enough to come out to a family she vastly underestimates. Rayner sets up a tricky emotional minefield for these vulnerable women, but deftly guides them to a place of power and truth.

My Review:  What a difference a few moments in your life can make. Where things once made sence there is now confusion, where there was happiness, sadness has taken its place. For Karen , this was her life at that moment on the 7:44 am train. Her and her husband Simon where on the train to go and sign the papers for the purchase of a new house.When just minutes into the train ride Simon gets sick and dies of a heart attack. It is at the moment that Karen's life will be changed forever,as well as lives of many others.

Karen's friend Anna and a lady named Lou where on the train that morning.Lou witnessed the events taking place and tried to help while they went for the nurses to come but it was to late, it happened so fast. As the train made its way to the nearest stop to allow the passengers to exit , the nurses tried all the could as Karen watched her husband die.

It is at the time when Anna hails a cab to get to work and meets Lou.They share a cab and their lives are changed as well. Anna is called by Karen to let her know what has happened and that is when she realizes she was on that train. Anna introduces Lou to Karen in hopes that Lou can help Karen make some sense of why Simon had to die.

This is a story about Love , tragedy  healing and friendship. One moment can change your course of the day. Pick this book up today , you will be touched by it.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Author Promotion Week

Hey Everyone! It's Author Promotions week for August 7th Release Book Release Day and there are some great reads coming to a book store near you. If you don't have them on your list,stay tuned you are in for a treat!!!! Coming this week are Interviews with The Authors, I had the chance to interview some amazing Ladies. You don't want to miss this. Oh yeahm there might even be a giveaway!!!!! No come on you all love getting free things as much as I do!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

August 7th

Look what will be hitting the shelves at a bookstore near you on August 7th! Are they on your list? They are on mine!!

You wont want to miss these great reads!!!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Christmas In July

It's Christmas in July!!! What book is your favorite Christmas read? Leave a comment  for a chance to win a gift card to Barnes and Noble!

Friday, July 20, 2012

TBR Pile

Ok readers, How many books are in your TBR Pile and what are the first 3 books? Leave me a comment and join my blog for a chance to win!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Summer Romance Books

So yesterday I was at our Barnes and Noble and came across the Romance section, normally , I admit I go for cozy mysteries/mystery/thriller but was interested in some good summer romance reads.

It just so happened that I was on Date night with my love and maybe I was being pulled to that section for a reason. We always have a fun time on our date days1 Not sure why I was in that section at that time but I believe there is a reason for everything.

So tell me what are some summer romance reads that you have found? Lets get this started, leave a comment!!!

Monday, July 16, 2012

For A Great Cause!

For Kindle:  Lets show some support for the cause!

A MUST-READ BOOK FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

“Just 1.8% of women-owned businesses generate more than $1 million in annual revenues, compared with 5.3% of all U.S. firms.” – Wall Street Journal/Small Business, March 2012.
Lynn Bardowski is one of those exceptional women business owners. Known as the Million $ Party Girl, Lynn is a risk-taking,
working Mom, who discovered her inner Visionista when she was least expecting it; overcoming mommy guilt, fear, and failure to become a multimillion-dollar revenue-generating entrepreneur.
As a business coach, sales trainer, and national speaker, Lynn has mentored thousands of women entrepreneurs—leading with her heart and teaching how to think BIGGER and manifest abundance.
Her 10 Success Secrets, shared with passion and purpose, will give you practical advice to get from here to there. Lynn’s desire for you to be super successful is apparent on every page. Her insightful and down-to-earth storytelling will inspire you to take action and make your dreams come true!
Lynn’s vision, “To empower a gazillion women to discover their glow,” was her motivation for sharing the lessons learned over the last twenty-two years as a direct sales
entrepreneur. Come and get your glow on!
Learn more about Lynn: www.milliondollarpartygirl.com



Lynn Bardowski, just released her new eBook called "SUCCESS SECRETS OF A MILLION $ PARTY GIRL".. Today and Tuesday 25% of the profits will go to SERV, a group that helps survivors of domestic violence!! Lynn has been crazy successful as a business woman and mentor. It's the best $4.99 you may ever spend.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

New to Blogging

I haven't been blogging for long and am looking for ideas. What do you want to see here on my blog? Leave me a comment below and if I use your idea there will be a prize!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

 

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (Media Tie-In)

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Graham-Smith 4/3/2012

Overview

When Abraham Lincoln was nine years old, his mother died from an ailment called the "milk sickness." Only later did he learn that his mother's deadly affliction was actually the work of a local vampire, seeking to collect on Abe's father's unfortunate debts.

When the truth became known to the young Abraham Lincoln, he wrote in his journal: henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become learned in all things—a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose."

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for reuniting the North with the South and abolishing slavery from our country, no one has ever understood his valiant fight for what it really was. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time—all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War, and uncovering the massive role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

My Review:

Thrilling, Suspenseful and page turning. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book but it turns out that you get drawn into with in the first few pages and can’t put it down for fear you may miss something good if you do. For me it was a very interesting book and kept my attention right to the end.

I like how Seth gives the facts about Lincoln’s life , that to me made for a good review of history that you rarely think about and adding the vampires just made the book more interesting. At times I had to stop and remind myself that this is a work of fiction and not truth.

If you like History then you should really check out this book, for that alone it was worth the read and vampires are way cool too.


Monday, July 9, 2012

Book Release Day July 10th

So Tomorrow is Book Release Day for Deborah Harkness, Her 2nd book in the All Souls Trilogy called Shadow of Night.

Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.
Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.

I haven't read the Discovery of Witches yet but it is on my TBR list and am excited to read this series.My TBR list is very long now and I am sure it will only get long!!! Have you read this series? What are your thoughts on it?

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Winners of the Contest!

WINNER WINNERS!!!!! Yep you read that right! The contest to name my blog has ended and there were many names to choose from.We finally picked the new name and have two,yep two winners. My new blog name is Shelley's Book Case and my two winners are Dru Ann L Love and Michelle Tobin-Martinez. CONGRATS to you both. Send me a message with your home address and Aug 7th Release book you want!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Goodreads!

Goodreads Quote of the Day:

Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve.

Carol Shields

Friday, July 6, 2012

contest

I have been thinking and I would like to change my blog name to something better than it is. right now it is called Shelley reads and reviews. So a little contest is in order. I will chosse the one I like best and that person will get there choice of a new release for August 7 book releases. The choices for the prize are.. Blood, Bath and Beyond by Michelle Rowen, Allergic to Death by Peg Valenti Cochran, A witch before dying by Heather Blake, When the Cookie Crumbles by Victoria Lowell,Sour Apples by Sheila Connelly. Now the prize is something I will purchase on release day and send to you. Good Luck!

Killing Bridezilla


Killing Bridezilla by Laura Levine 6/1/2012
I recently read Killing Bridezilla and I must say that it was Hilarious! If you havent read it make it a must read!!

My Review :

Jaine Austen's Writing Job has been next to nothing and her bank account doesnt look much better either. So when Patti Marshall wants to meet with her about writing her wedding vows, Jaine is hesitant, she remembers how nasty Patti was to her in high school. But when Patti offers Jaine three thousand dollars to do it, she reluctantly says Yes. 
Patti is presistant and wants the vows to be Shakespears Romeo and Juliet the Balcony scene relived at her wedding,Jaine sets out to do her best to perfect them for her.
When Patti is killed in what looks to be an accident falling off the Balcony.Jaines snooping around to find out what happened gets her into more trouble that what she signed up for. Will she find the killer or be the next victim. 


Kirkus Review

The $3,000 fee charged by freelance writer Jaine Austen (Shoes to Die For, 2005, etc.) doesn't begin to compensate for the psychic travail of working for a bitchy high-school classmate. Patti Marshall sat at the popular table in the Hermosa High cafeteria. Jaine, on the other hand, is best remembered for her swan dive into the principal's lap at the prom. But at the urging of her MasterCard bill, Jaine agrees to write the wedding vows for Patti's lollapalooza of a wedding to Dickie Potter, a former nerd who turned out kinda sexy. A dozen rewrites later, Patti returns to her original theme: a reworking of Shakespeare's balcony scene. Only someone has tampered with this balcony, and Patti tumbles lawnward, where she's impaled on a specially imported statue of Cupid. Suspicion naturally falls on Normalynne Potter, the wife Dickie kicked to the curb for Patti. But there are plenty of other possibilities: Cheryl Hogan, the bridesmaid Patti nixed as too fat; Dickie's protective mom Eleanor; even Veronica Hubbard, the caterer who endured Patti's complaints that the fish was too "fishy" and the lamb chops were too "lamby." And Jaine aims to confront them all, even as she's ducking the unwanted advances of Walter Barnhardt, a former Hermosa High nerd who turned out kinda nerdy. A better ratio of clues to red herrings would be nice, but Jaine's inner monologues are worth the price of admission to this sad, funny stroll down memory lane.

Get the book today and be ready for to Laugh Out Loud!!!!!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4TH!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!




 Hope you have a wonderful and safe day!!!!!!!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay



    Red Velvet Revenge  
(A Cupcake Bakery Mystery #4) 
 by Jenn McKinlay 
7/3/2012

    

Book Review:

From the New York Times bestselling author...
It may be summertime, but sales at Fairy Tale Cupcakes are below zero--and owners Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are willing to try anything to heat things up. So when local legend Slim Hazard offers them the chance to sell cupcakes at the annual Juniper Pass rodeo, they're determined to rope in a pretty payday!
But not everyone at the Juniper Pass is as sweet for Fairy Tale Cupcakes as Slim--including star bull-rider Ty Stokes. Mel and Angie try to steer clear of the cowboy's short fuse, but when his dead body is found face down in the hay, it's a whole different rodeo.
With a vengeful murderer on the loose, the ladies are quickly realizing that while they came to save their business, they may have to save themselves--and that's no bull.
INCLUDES SCRUMPTIOUS RECIPES
                                         

My Review:

  Jenn McKinlay has done it again with her new book Red Velvet Revenge book 4 in the cupcake bakery mystery series! Cupcakes , a Rodeo and murder, what more could you ask for to start off your summer.
  Mel and Angie have arrived in Juniper Pass on an offer that would surely wrangle up business for them. Selling Cupcakes at a Rodeo brings them more than what they have whipped up. When the star of the rodeo Ty  is murdered things take a whole new twist for the girls. Will Mel and Angie find the murderer in time to save the Rodeo  and thier business or will it melt away!  Red Velvet revenge is a definite must read this July! Pick it up , Jenn does not disappoint!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Tomorrow !

Hey everyone Tomorrow is Book Release Tuesday and this post is to promote my friend Ellery Adams new book Called Pies and Prejudice.She and her family are dealing with a loss of a loved one now and can't promote her book , so I and many other have been doing that for her. Please go to your book store tomorrow and pick up your copy! You will love it!! Show her some love. And keep the prayers coming to the family there!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

What I am reading now!

Today I am reading Killing Bridezilla by Laura Levine. I am on chapter 6 and it is Hilarious!!!!  It's a Jaine Austen Mystery and it really does make you LOL!!!!

If you haven't read it yet, Check it out it is fun!

Here is a brief bit on it!


Jaine's accepted her share of  lame gigs to pay the bills, but rewriting Shakespeare's got to be an all time low. The Fiasco begins with a call from Jaine's high-school nemesis uber rich, uber witch Patti Devane. It seems Patti will soon  be sashaying down the isle with another former classmate from Hermosa High, and she'd like the exchange of vows to evoke Romeo and Juliet...except without the "downer" of an ending..

Ok so that is all you get. add this book to your list! come on you know you want to!!!

Coming Very soon to a Bookstore near you

It's almost here, yes thats right, July 3rd and there are so many books coming out I am sure your TBR pile will grown in leaps and bounds. Believe me when I say that it will be worth it! In our line up there is  Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams, Murder on a Half Shelf by Lorna Barrett, Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn Mckinlay, Plotting at the PTA by Laura Alden, Beef Stolen Off by Liz Lipperman, Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair, In a Witch's Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell, A Sinister Sense by Allison Kingsley, Criminal by Karen Slaughter, Lethal Outlook by Victoria Laurie, How to dine on Killer Wine by Penny Warner. Lets show some love to these Ladies and get there newest books on Tuesday!!!!!!!!

First in Series- Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann B. Ross

Happy Monday! This week's First in Series is Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann B. Ross Released on August 22, 2000. Seri...