Shades of Murder by Lauren Carr

Can you be murdered more than once and years apart?  That is the question that the police department in Spencer along with Mac Faraday had to figure out, but they didn't know Ilysa Ramsay had been murdered eight years ago and then again in her studio as she finished her final painting.  Someone knew how that could be accomplished, though.   Could as they say......a picture is worth a thousand words be a clue in the revealing of the murderer and other shady dealings?

Review and Giveaway of Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

CONTEST HAS ENDED AND THE WINNERS ARE:

WINNERS OF SUMMERLAND ARE:

 Amy

Julie

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS:

Kathy P.

CONGRATS!!!  

I have heard from all three winners and have sent their mailing address to the publisher.

           THE REVIEW

Someone knew why the accident that killed Penny Alistair happened, and that someone was Demeter Castle. Demeter knew exactly why Penny flew into a rage and drove so fast that she killed herself and seriously injured her brother, but she wouldn't divulge the information. She just couldn't tell the police what she knew.

Ms. Hilderbrand created another marvelous book with wonderful characters and amazing descriptions of Nantucket Island. The descriptions of the landscape and the town will provide a mini vacation. The characters in SUMMERLAND definitely carried the plot, and they definitely had issues....some issues that some folks may be able to identify with. As the small town of wealthy residents carried on and dealt with the most recent tragedy you will find out that Demeter had drinking issues that went undetected by her parents, Zoe and Jordan were having an affair, and that Ava never recovered from her infant son's death and withdrew from the world.

The feelings and emotions expressed by the main characters will make you flinch as well as having you feel sorry for them...you will actually feel as though you are experiencing the grief and pain along with the characters. You will also want to shake a few of them so they open their eyes and see what is happening right under their noses.

Through Ms. Hilderbrand's outstanding writing style, you will find out how each character became the person they were today, what made them tick, and why they did what they did. The book flowed so seamlessly from one character to another and from one situation to the next, that you didn't even know you were switching gears.

As the book continued, you found out more and more about the characters and the “secret” that Demeter kept in her personal life as well as her secret about the accident. You also will find out hidden things about many of the the other characters as they were emotionally healing from the accident that touched everyone on Nantucket Island. The book's premise is based on the accident and everyday situations, and the plot develops beautifully out of this tragic incident.

SUMMERLAND is another exceptional read by Ms. Hilderbrand. Your interest will not wane and you will do some intro-spection of your own as you turn the last page. The only surprise was what Demeter had told Penny to make her go berserk and crash the car...I thought it was a totally different reason that she flew off the handle. Don’t miss this great summer read that is filled with many good lessons and eye-opening facts. 5/5

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.  No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

 

Skewered Halo by Brenda Youngerman

A bad childhood, a horrible college experience, an accusation of being a murderer, a bad marriage, and then losing everything...how could one person be that ill-fated.

Diane Newsome was doomed the day she was born....her sister told her she was adopted and she better not cause any problems or her parents would put her out with the trash.  So she wouldn't get in trouble, Diane kept to herself even in her home and didn't ask for anything from her parents.  She just studied and kept out of sight.  The studying paid off, but her social awkwardness definitely didn't. 

Selkie Dreams by Kristin Gleeson

 

Maire was an only child whose mother died when she was a mere babe.  Her father was a strict parent, but he had Cook raise Maire which was wonderful for them both.  Cook had no children of her own and doted on Maire.  Maire was a curious young lady and always wondered about her mother.  There were tales that she had been a Selkie and needed to return to the sea...Maire overheard other stories as well.  Since Maire always wondered what happened to her mother, she spent a great deal of time at the seashore looking for her.  

Maire's home life was strict, and her father was trying to get her married off to an older man.  Maire wasn't in favor of this match and was thrilled when the church offered passage to Alaska to work with the Missions.  It was a hard sale to get her father to allow her to travel so far from Belfast, but in the end, she was allowed to become part of the Mission and made the long boat trip. 

Ursula's Prism by Anna Block

 

You will feel the power of this book and the essence of the author's message even after reading a few pages.  Her essence of life is compassion.  The book is a true story told to Anna by her mother, Ursula.  Ursula wanted her daughter to know what happened at that time in her life.  Everyone NEEDS to know what "really" happened.  By reading this beautifully written, heartfelt, and heart wrenching book, you will find out some of it.

You will follow the Schwartz family through the horrors of being taken from their home by the Nazi's and the humiliation of the concentration camps. We think we know the atrocities that occurred in the camps and how the Jewish people suffered and tried to escape...most being unsuccessful...but do we "really" know?  The Schwartz family's children along with four other children did escape and lived in the woods using their wits, courage, and a necklace to keep them continuing on.

Firefly Beach by Meira Pentermann

No more crunching numbers....only a serene life filled with painting and relaxing. That is what Beth thought she would find when she moved to Virginia Point Cove.

What she did find was many sad, lonely residents, a very unpleasant landlord, a jeweler who never spoke more than two words, a couple with a nosey wife, and a firefly that talked to her....yes a firefly. 

The firefly seemed to summon Beth with his wings and body turns.  He frightened Beth at first until she realized he must be trying to tell her something and to guide her to where a secret or unknown item may be.  

She was right, and what Beth was guided to was a diary of a young girl named Katherine who was the daughter of her landlord and who had disappeared thirty-six years ago.  As Beth began reading the diary, she became obsessed with finding Katherine.  She even used her painting talents to imagine what Katherine looked like. 

FIREFLY BEACH has a strong, passionate heroine that you would want for a friend, a town you that you would want to live in, a storyline that will keep you up late, a mystery that must be solved, and characters that are memorable,  loving,  and different.  

The characters also were an odd sort and pathetic in their own way, different, but quite remarkable.  Beth brought out the good in a few of the characters....a good that helped their lives become better.

I totally enjoyed this book and did stay up late reading.  

The author used flashbacks very effectively in order to keep the story flowing smoothly.  Her exceptional writing style pulled you in and kept up the intrigue.  

The book has an appealing, unique storyline with an ending that is heartwarming and one that is kept secret until the very last pages.  It was a plot with a different twist. 

The descriptions and detail were superb.  

These words truly describe the story and the characters:  incredible, outstanding, dazzling, marvelous, and touching.

You will love it.  

A huge firefly rating of 5/5. ENJOY!!! *

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Author Bio

On slow, snowy days in her Colorado home, Meira Pentermann enjoys cozying up on the couch with a novel. Naturally, snow is not a requirement; neither is the couch. In fact, she sees no reason not to indulge in reading three-hundred-and-sixty-five days a year. Apocalyptic science fiction, mysteries, and young adult titles top her Kindle list, but legal thrillers and chik-lit make an appearance now and then.

When not absorbed in writing or reading, Meira enjoys life’s little moments with her family – the love and devotion of her black lab, the quiet wisdom of her artistic twenty-one-year-old, the trials and triumphs of her petite sixth grader, and the unlimited encouragement offered by her Dutch husband.

Meira strives to write stories that deliver the unexpected. She prefers down-to-earth characters that look and behave like regular folks. The prom queen and Adonis take a backseat to reclusive, soul-searching heroines and quirky, introverted gentlemen. 

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