Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Spotlight of Pendulum by Kent Lauder


PHOTO CREDIT:  TYPORAMA
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PENDULUM
KENT LAUDER
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF AUTHOR MARKETING EXPERTS.
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September 6, 2023

Authority Publishing

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ABOUT PENDULUM:

Synopsis (from Amazon):


Pendulum is the tale of a family at a crossroads. In this novel, Charles Ellis and his wife, Sally, manage their old family ranch in the semi-arid region of western Nevada.


After Charles experiences a health scare, his brother, Sam, returns from living back east to help his aging brother, only to find that their smoothly run system is a fragile one and going through an age-induced change.


Since Charles' and Sally's two grown children, Dan and Robin, lead urban lives, they have little interest in taking over the ranch. This leaves the Ellis' in a quandry about the future of their ranch, as they are confronted by developers who want to acquire their land and develop it with roads, businesses, and housing, and in the process, destroy the ranch, the surrounding wilderness, and possibly their lives in the process.


The ranch and the surrounding desert landscape are formidable players in this novel. Unbeknownst to the Ellis family, their roots are so woven throughout the land that they could no more be pulled from it and live than an aged tree could if yanked up by its roots.


The title, Pendulum, refers to the old grandmother clock ferried over in a covered wagon by the family's forebears; throughout the novel, the pendulum's oscillating arc offers a metaphor for the new and the renewal of life

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kent Lauder graduated from Oregon State University with a BS in engineering and business before taking over the family's plumbing firm in Burlingame, California. 


He is now retired. 


Pendulum is his first novel.

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FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 

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Author Marketing Experts Tags for Social Media:

Twitter: @Bookgal

Instagram: @therealbookgal
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PURCHASE LINKS:


 


Tuesday, November 12, 2024

The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri


We meet Allina in present day and at 86 years old when her daughter brings her home from the hospital.


While her mother was resting, Katrine went upstairs to clean up what her mother had fallen on and came across a box with papers inside and with a swastika on top. Was my mother a Nazi?


When she looks up, her mother is in the doorway  


Her mother decides that she needs to tell her daughter how they got to America and what she dealt with while she was in Germany.


We are taken back to 1938 when Allina‘s village is raided and all the residents were slaughtered.


A German officer saved Allina from it all, but she said she would rather have perished with everyone else than to go through what she had to go through.


The officer took her to "Hochland Home" which was the first Lebensborn facility where German women were required to have babies to German officers to make sure the “perfect” race was not wiped out. 


The rules and guidelines enforced by Heinrich Himmler for the women and especially the babies and children made Allina sick.  They were so strict and uncaring. 


SUNFLOWER HOUSE is a heartbreaking but enlightening read where secrets were kept for years and where the reader can’t believe it happened. 


A marvelous debut - wonderful research, pull-you-in writing, and some tender moments despite what was going on. 


Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.  All opinions are my own.





Monday, November 11, 2024

Showcase of Burn This Night by Alex Kenna and a Giveaway of a $20 Amazon Gift Card

BURN THIS NIGHT

by Alex Kenna

November 4 - December 6 

Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

The Kate Myles Detective Series


Told in alternating timelines, this gripping mystery about a PI and her quest for answers is full of twists and turns, perfect for fans of Allison Brennan and Gytha Lodge.

Struggling private investigator Kate Myles is shattered to learn her late father isn’t her biological dad. She’s still reeling when she discovers that an unknown distant relative is the prime suspect in a decades-old murder investigation. Trying to convince her to take on the case for free, an old colleague recommends her as an investigator for a recent arson murder in the same small town.

Burn This Night by Alex Kenna
After giving up on a failed acting career, Abby Coburn is starting over as a promising social work student. With her life on the right track, she’s determined to help her brother, Jacob, whose meth addiction triggered a psychotic break and descent into crime. But when Abby dies in a fire that kills two other people and destroys part of the town, the police immediately suspect Jacob.

As the Coburn family grapples with the tragedy, Kate begins unraveling the cold case but finds herself caught in the middle of an emotional minefield. Pretty soon, she discovers that this town is full of dark secrets, and as she comes closer and closer to figuring out the truth, Kate must solve both murders before she becomes the next victim.


Praise for Burn This Night:

"The twists keep coming in this devilish PI mystery . . . Lisa Unger fans will devour this."
~ Publishers Weekly

"Solid, heartfelt spadework into an alarming range of graves."
~ Kirkus Reviews

"A true page turner . . . Full of twists, turns, and suspects."
~ Book Review Crew

"Burn This Night is a fast-paced thriller that masterfully utilizes alternating perspectives to tell an absorbing, character-driven mystery. This is an electrifying read that had me engaged and on the edge of my seat until the very end!"
~ Elle Grawl, Amazon Charts bestselling author of One of Those Faces and What Still Burns

"An absorbing read told from multiple layered perspectives, Kenna ranges from finely observed domestic scenes to adept portrayals of grimy addicts living on the ragged edge. Burn This Night is smart and satisfying."
~ Adam Plantinga, author of The Ascent

"Burn This Night is an utterly-absorbing mystery. Alex Kenna skillfully weaves a tale of two women who both face emotional and physical danger as they fight for truth and family love. Kenna masterfully draws the reader into the dark exploration of the secrets hidden in small towns and the depths some will go to hide the truth. With fiendishly smart dialogue, a captivating setting and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Burn This Night is absolutely fantastic!"
~ Elise Hart Kipness, author of Lights Out

"A dark, lyrical crime novel, Burn This Night weaves a complex and twisty spell about addiction, family ties, and how sins of the past can't stay buried. Kate Myles is a great addition to LA's canon of troubled PIs—real, flawed, smart, and very human—and I can't wait to see what's next for her."
~ Halley Sutton, USA Today bestselling author of The Hurricane Blonde

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery/Thriller - Private Detective
Published by: Crooked Lane
Publication Date: November 12, 2024
Number of Pages: 256
ISBN: 9781639109371 (ISBN10: 1639109374)
Series: Kate Myles private detective series, 2
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Penguin Random House Books

Read an excerpt:

PROLOGUE

Eight Months Ago—Grace

My eyes shot open when I heard the yelping. Barney was going to wake the baby. I dove toward the old dog, grabbed his snout, and held it closed with both hands. “Shh,” I pleaded.

I lowered one hand and rubbed Barney’s back, trying to calm him. He let out a whine, and like clockwork, Liam started to cry. I closed my eyes, sucked in a deep breath, and braced myself for another late-night nursing session. My body felt heavy with milk and stress and exhaustion.

Carefully, I scooped up the howling baby, carried him over to the rocking chair, and lifted my T shirt to feed him. Liam quieted down and nestled against me. I sniffed his hair and stroked his cheek as we rocked back and forth. Part of me wanted to stay like this all night. But a bigger part of me longed to be under the covers, passed out in a warm oblivion.

I heard the shower turn on down the hall. Ted must be back from serving his warrant. A few months ago, he’d gotten smart with a lieutenant, who then started feeding him late-night assignments. These frequent absences were brutal now that I was back from maternity leave and needed sleep to function at work.

Barney whined again and clawed at the bedroom door. Clutching Liam, I rose to let the dog out of the room.

I looked down at the baby, who was asleep and making little catlike snores. With slow, deliberate steps, I made my way toward the crib and lowered him until his back rested against the fabric. But the change in angle caused his eyes to open and his lungs to inflate. Then came the cry—and Barney ran back to the bedroom, joining Liam in a horrible wailing duet. I reached out toward the dog and felt wet fur. Damn it—Barney must have peed in the house. Hot tears ran down my cheeks. What I wouldn’t give for one night’s sleep.

The door opened and Ted walked in with a towel around his waist. “I need help,” I snapped.

“What?” asked Ted, surprised by my tone.

My eyes were closed, and I was crying. But Ted couldn’t see that in the dark. He just sensed the anger in my voice. I knew it wasn’t his fault that the baby wouldn’t sleep, that the dog couldn’t hold it, and that his boss was a jerk. But I’d reached my limit, and Ted was the only living being in earshot who understood human language.

“Barney peed in the house. Take Liam so I can let the dog out before he does it again. Just try to get him back to sleep.” I placed the screaming, wriggling infant in Ted’s arms before either of them could protest.

Flipping on the hall light, I made my way to the kitchen. Barney scampered ahead of me, spinning in circles. I threw on Ted’s faded hoodie. It reeked of old sweat, but I was too tired to care. I hooked Barney’s leash to his collar, and bracing myself for the cold, I unlocked the back door and stepped outside.

The Santa Anas blew hard, and I shivered as cold air soaked through the hoodie’s weave. I could hear the Jeffrey pines rustle in the wind. Thrusting my hands into the central pocket, I rubbed them together for warmth.

A smoky odor hung in the air—maybe the residue of a neighbor’s barbecue dinner. But the wind should have blown away the scent by now.

Barney tugged at his leash. I let him drag me toward the street. Now that we were outside, he wouldn’t be satisfied without a walk, and it might clear my head as well.

The sky was lighter than I’d expected. Idlewood doesn’t have streetlights. It’s a conscious decision to preserve the log-cabins-in-the-woods feel of the place. Darkness adds to the storybook charm, and it can be hard to find your way on moonless nights. But the sky had an orange-gray glow that reminded me of LA smog. Maybe it was later than I thought, almost morning.

Barney tugged on his leash, half-dragging me up the road toward the intersection. He seemed agitated, and I wondered what had gotten into him. As we passed the Hernandez’s place, our footsteps activated the motion sensor, and the automatic light above their garage snapped on with an electric hum.

I noticed something floating in the air. Tiny particles, like gray snow or dryer lint. The flecks danced in the air, and Barney snapped at one as it fluttered toward his jaws. The smell of smoke was growing stronger.

Oh my god.

Clutching Barney’s leash, I ran the rest of the way to the cross street, which cut straight to the mountain. High in the pines, I saw an orange glow—luminous against the dark sky. My vision tunneled, and all I could see was the fire on the hillside. The light was near Abby’s cabin. But I couldn’t tell how near.

I grabbed my phone and scanned my recent calls, but it had been weeks since I’d spoken to my sister, and her name didn’t pop up. I pulled up my contact list and clicked on her name. After four rings, a cheerful recording prompted me to leave a message. Maybe she’s already fled. No, Abby would’ve called if she were awake. She might hate me, but she’d warn me about a wildfire.

I called back, praying that her cell wasn’t on silent. Come on Abby, answer the phone. When I heard the prerecorded message again, I started to panic. I left a voicemail: “Abby, it’s Grace. There’s a fire by your cabin—you need to leave now!”

The orange glow was getting bigger as the Santa Anas blew the flames toward Idlewood. It was how I’d always imagined an erupting volcano would look, with lava flowing down its sides. I called Abby a third time, cursing under my breath. Across the street, a door opened, and an old man stepped outside, holding a little white dog. “There’s a fire!” he shouted.

I looked at him and then back at the mountain, ringing phone pressed against my ear. Dammit, Abby, pick up! “My son works at the fire station,” said the man. “They’re about to put out an alert. We have to evacuate. The whole town could burn.”

“My sister’s cabin is on the hillside, and she’s not answering,” I shouted. “Can you call your son and tell him someone’s up there?”

I heard a chime and looked down at my phone. It was a text from the fire department, ordering us to leave Idlewood. But my feet stayed planted. My sister was on that mountain, with nothing but a narrow dirt road leading down to safety. If the fire overtook the path, she’d be trapped.

“Jeffrey, it’s Pop,” I heard the old man say. “There’s a lady here whose sister has a cabin near the fire.”

Hearing those words unleashed a fresh wave of panic. Abby’s cheerful answering machine message sounded for a fifth time in my ear. “Abby, get out of there!” I screamed into the phone.

“We have to go,” said the neighbor. “This thing could spread faster than they can contain it.”

My phone chimed and I looked down at the screen, hoping to see Abby’s name, but it was a voicemail from Ted. Before I could call him back, a text flashed across my screen: FIRE—COME HOME NOW

I looked back and forth from my screen to the mountain. My sister was up there. But my husband and son were at the house. I couldn’t wait any longer. I tugged at Barney’s leash and ran home.

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Excerpt from Burn This Night by Alex Kenna. Copyright 2024 by Alex Kenna. Reproduced with permission from Alex Kenna. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Alex Kenna

Alex Kenna is a mystery writer, prosecutor, and amateur painter. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and giant schnauzer. Alex's first novel, WHAT MEETS THE EYE, was a 2023 Shamus Award Finalist for best first P.I. novel. Her second novel, BURN THIS NIGHT, is coming November 12, 2024.

Catch Up With Alex Kenna:


www.AlexKenna.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @akenna
Instagram - @alexkennabooks
Twitter/X - @AlexKenna9
Facebook

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It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 11/11/2024

                               http://bookdate.blogspot.com/

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I hope you had a great reading week.
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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
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Books Completed:

THE GIRLS OF THE GLIMMER FACTORY by Jennifer Coburn - review will be on January 29, 2025.

Well researched and informative.  

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THE FAMILY INSIDE by Katie Garner - review will be on January 28, 2025.

A bit bizarre, but a twisty storyline.

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CROSS MY HEART by Megan Collins - review will be on January 17, 2025.

Slow at first, but worth the wait - tense and twisty.

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THE BUSINESS TRIP by Jessica Garcia - review will be on January 15, 2025.

Oh my - SO GOOD!!  You will need your thinking cap!!

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THE LOST HOUSE by Melissa Larsen - review will be on January 14, 2025.

Pretty slow until the last ten percent.   

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THE JEWEL OF THE BLUES by Monica Chenault-Kilgore - review will be on November 29.

A bit wordy, but entertaining and well-researched.

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THE CHAMPAGNE LETTERS by Kate Macintosh - review will be on December 12.

So good - It's about Veuve Clicquot, the Champagne Queen of Reims.

THE LAST FASHION HOUSE IN PARIS by Renee Ryan - review will be on December 20.

Another well-researched gem by fabulous Renee Ryan.

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THE FRENCH WINEMAKER'S DAUGHTER by Loretta Ellsworth - review will be on December 11.

SO GOOD - LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the storyline and the characters.

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WHAT THE WIFE KNEW by Darby Kane - review will be on December 10.

Another good one by Darby Kane.

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THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE by Adriana Allegri - review will be on November 12.

A marvelous debut - wonderful research, pull-in-writing, and some tender moments despite what was going on in one of the many homes in the Lebensborn Program during WWII.

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CHRISTMAS WITH THE QUEEN by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb - review will be on November 19.

Do NOT miss this one!!  Sweet characters and a great storyline

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THE MEMORY DRESS by Jade Beer - review is in the book's title.

LOVED IT!!

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Book Currently Reading:

LAST TWILIGHT IN PARIS by Pam Jenoff - review will be on February 4, 2025.

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Books Up Next:

THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict - review will be on February 11, 2025.

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NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE by Seraphina Nova Glass - review will be on February 12, 2025.

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YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED by Ande Pliego - review will be on February 13.
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EVERY PRECIOUS AND FRAGILE THING by Barbara Davis - review will be on February 18, 2025.

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COME FLY WITH ME by Camille Di Maio - review will be on February 19, 2025.

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TO SICILY WITY LOVE by Jennifer Probst - review will be on February 20.
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THE LOST PASSENGER by Frances Quinn - review will be on February 25, 2025.

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THE YOUNGER WOMAN by Cate Ray - review will be on February 26, 2025.

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BROKEN COUNTRY by Claire Leslie Hall - review will be on March 4, 2025.
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A MAP TO PARADISE by Susan Meissner - review will be on March 18, 2025.
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BEACH VIBES by Susan Mallery - review will be on March 19, 2025, 2025.

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THE FISHERMAN'S GIFT by Julia R. Kelly - review will be on March 20, 2025.
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THE LIBRARY GAME Gigi Pandian - review will be on March 21, 2025.
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THE OTHER PEOPLE by C. B. Everett - review will be on March 25, 2025.

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I WOULD DIE FOR YOU by Sandi Jones - review will be on March 26, 2025.
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THE PAGE TURNER by Viola Shipman - review will be on April 8, 2025.
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THE MATCHMAKER by Aisha Saeed - revivew will be on April 9.
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CORAM HOUSE by Bailey Seybolt - review will be on April 15, 2025.
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FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY by Jennifer E. Smith - review will be on April 16, 2025.

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TOUGH LUCK by Sandra Dallas - review will be on April 29, 2025.

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SUCH A GOOD MOM by Julia Spiro - review will be on April 30, 2025.

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THE GIRLS OF GOOD FORTUNE by Kristina McMorris - review will be on May 20, 2025.

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THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD BEACH AND BOOK CLUB by Martha Hall Kelly - review will be on May 27, 2025.

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SHAW CONNOLLY LIVES TO TELL Gillian French - review will be June 17, 2025.
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PARTY OF LIARS Kelsey Cox - review will be on July 1, 2025.

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HIGH SEASON by Katie Bishop - review will be on August 12, 2025.

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