When We Meet Again by Kristin Harmel #XOXperts

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Reecaspieces


Overview 

Emily thinks she’s lost everything…until a mysterious painting leads her to what she  most in the world. The new novel from the author of international bestsellers The Sweetness of Forgetting and The Life Intended shows why her books are hailed as “engaging” (People), “absorbing” (Kirkus Reviews) and “enthralling” (Fresh Fiction).

Emily Emerson is used to being alone; her dad ran out on the family when she was a just a kid, her mom died when she was seventeen, and her beloved grandmother has just passed away as well. But when she’s laid off from her reporting job, she finds herself completely at sea…until the day she receives a beautiful, haunting painting of a young woman standing at the edge of a sugarcane field under a violet sky. That woman is recognizable as her grandmother—and the painting arrived with no identification other than a handwritten note saying, “He always loved her.”

Emily is hungry for roots and family, so she begins to dig. And as she does, she uncovers a fascinating era in American history. Her trail leads her to the POW internment camps of Florida, where German prisoners worked for American farmers…and sometimes fell in love with American women. But how does this all connect to the painting? The answer to that question will take Emily on a road that leads from the sweltering Everglades to Munich, Germany and back to the Atlanta art scene before she’s done.

Along the way, she finds herself tempted to tear down her carefully tended walls at last; she’s seeing another side of her father, and a new angle on her painful family history. But she still has secrets, ones she’s been keeping locked inside for years. Will this journey bring her the strength to confront them at last? 

Review

Emily receives a painting in the mail. She reaches out to her estranged father for answers. They travel to Germany to research and hopefully mend their relationship. 

This story just keeps weaving a great tale from start to finish. The mystery behind the painting, Emily’s past choices, and her grandmother’s previous life all meld together and really create a fabulous story. And when Emily and her father travel to Germany, it clouds up the saga, but do not worry, they find the answers right here in the USA. 

Emily is a wonderful, loyal, and flawed person. She has made many mistakes and she holds on to a large amount of anger at her father.  I love a flawed character that is also strong and smart. Emily fits this to a “T”.  She is smart enough to know she needs to move on and quit holding onto past transgressions.

I enjoyed learning about the history of WWII POW camps in the USA. I knew there had been several among our borders, I just did not realize how they worked or functioned. This was an added plus. 

This is a multilayered tale which takes the reader on a great ride. Between the story with Emily and the story about her grandmother’s past, this novel never stops. I was captivated from chapter one till THE END!
I received this novel from Simon and Schuster as part of #XOXperts.
                                        


                                                          


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Sweet Thank You Cards 

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Reecaspieces


These were so easy.  I needed several for my daughter so, I needed and assembly line product. This worked great. 

Thanks for stopping by!

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The Cavendon Luck by Barbara Taylor Bradford 

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Reecaspieces


OVERVIEW

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a captivating epic saga of courage and honor, following the aristocratic Inghams and the loyal Swann family who have served them for centuries.

It is 1938 in England, and Miles and Cecily Ingham have lead the family in bringing the Cavendon estate back from the brink of disaster. But now, with the arrival of World War II, Cavendon Hall will face its biggest challenge yet. It is a challenge that will push the Inghams and Swanns to protect each other and the villagers, and reveal their true capacity for survival and rebirth.

Told with Bradford’s deft, evocative prose and featuring a beloved cast of characters, The Cavendon Luck is a story of intrigue, romance, sorrow, and joy that readers won’t soon forget. 

REVIEW

This a a family saga full of every emotion imaginable. Through many challenges and sorrows, this family overcomes and continues to thrive. 

I have not read a Barbara Taylor Bradford book in years. I have enjoyed many of her books. However, this one fell a little short. This novel started a little slow for me, picked up nicely, then bogged down in the middle. The time period is one of my favorites so, that helped. I enjoyed the mystery which floated throughout the read. Kept me very much intrigued. 

There are many characters in this read. Maybe, if I had read the other books first, I would’ve had a better feeling for them. I did tend to get lost with who was who, probably my fault. 

The story did keep me interested till the very end. I did feel there was a lot of useless information not needed to tell the story. That being said, it is still a good read.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review 


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Friday Afternoon and Other Stories by T.D. Johnston BOOK SPOTLIGHT 

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Reecaspieces


Friday Afternoon and Other Stories

“…is a tour de force that will stay with you for a very long time.” – Warren Slesinger, award-winning author, poet, and retired senior editor of the University of South Carolina Press

 

Beaufort, SC-March 2016—Friday Afternoon and Other Stories, the debut collection of short stories from storyteller T.D. Johnston, is a vibrant volume of variously flawed characters wobbling down the road of human existence – building tension as they go. Johnston’s compassion for his characters is compelling and crucial to understanding people much like ourselves—proving that true suspense derives from moral choices. 

Each of the 12 stories in the Friday Afternoon collection explores a wide range of both subject matter and genre, with masterful attention to the old-age elements of tight and nuanced writing.

 ”To read a T.D. Johnston story is to plunge head first into the world of unforgettable characters, 3-D experiences, and stunning surprises.”—Marjorie Brody, award-winning author and Pushcart Prize nominee, author of Twisted

 

T.D. (Tim) Johnston’s short stories have appeared in numerous acclaimed magazines and anthologies, including Hobart, Mulberry Fork Review, Literary Juice, Rod Serling Books’ inaugural anthology, Submitted for Your Approval, and Short Story America anthologies of contemporary short fiction, where he serves as Publisher and Editor. He serves on the Board of Governors of the South Carolina Academy of Authors. Tim lives in Beaufort, South Carolina, with his wife, Stacey, twin daughters Brooke and Taylor, and son Nick.  

Battersea Books, is an original imprint of Short Story America. This is Battersea’s first title release. Battersea Books publishes fiction, poetry and historical non-fiction. http://www.shortstoryamerica.com

Friday Afternoon and Other Stories 

Forthcoming in May 2016, 208 pages, hardcover and e-book, $25.00

ISBN: 978-0-9882497-7-6

http://www.tdjohnston.com    

Purchase Here

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The Rebel Within by Lance Erlick- BOOK SPOTLIGHT plus #giveaway 

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Reecaspieces


The Rebel Within

By Lance Erlick

Genre: YA science fiction

Sixteen-year-old Annabelle Scott lives under the iron rule of a female-dominated régime that forces males to fight to the death to train the military elite. When pressed into service as a mechanized warrior to capture escaped boys, Annabelle stays true to herself by helping some escape. Her defiance endangers everyone she loves and thrusts her to a place of impossible life and death decisions.

Author Bio

Lance Erlick writes action-packed, science fiction thrillers. In the Rebel series, Annabelle Scott faces a crisis of conscience when she is forced to become a warrior to enforce laws she believes are wrong. The Regina Shen series takes place after abrupt climate change leads to Collapse and a new society under the World Federation. As an outcast, Regina must fight to stay alive and help her family while she avoids being captured.

 

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLanceErlick 

http://www.LanceErlick.com

 On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Y64ujJ 

ON B&N: http://bit.ly/1VSl3Ds 

On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1ZCCGFj

 

The author is hosting an ebook giveaway during his book blitz!

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/70954c79125

 

 

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The Secret Language of Stones by M.J. Rose

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Reecaspieces


OVERVIEW


As World War I rages and the Romanov dynasty reaches its sudden, brutal end, a young jewelry maker discovers love, passion, and her own healing powers in this rich and romantic ghost story, the perfect follow-up to M.J. Rose’s “brilliantly crafted” (Providence Journal) novel The Witch of Painted Sorrows.

Nestled within Paris’s historic Palais Royal is a jewelry store unlike any other. La Fantasie Russie is owned by Pavel Orloff, protégé to the famous Faberge, and is known by the city’s fashion elite as the place to find the rarest of gemstones and the most unique designs. But war has transformed Paris from a city of style and romance to a place of fear and mourning. In the summer of 1918, places where lovers used to walk, widows now wander alone.

So it is from La Fantasie Russie’s workshop that young, ambitious Opaline Duplessi now spends her time making trench watches for soldiers at the front, as well as mourning jewelry for the mothers, wives, and lovers of those who have fallen. People say that Opaline’s creations are magical. But magic is a word Opaline would rather not use. The concept is too closely associated with her mother Sandrine, who practices the dark arts passed down from their ancestor La Lune, one of sixteenth century Paris’s most famous courtesans.

But Opaline does have a rare gift even she can’t deny, a form of lithomancy that allows her to translate the energy emanating from stones. Certain gemstones, combined with a personal item, such as a lock of hair, enable her to receive messages from beyond the grave. In her mind, she is no mystic, but merely a messenger, giving voice to soldiers who died before they were able to properly express themselves to loved ones. Until one day, one of these fallen soldiers communicates a message—directly to her.
So begins a dangerous journey that will take Opaline into the darkest corners of wartime Paris and across the English Channel, where the exiled Romanov dowager empress is waiting to discover the fate of her family. Full of romance, seduction, and a love so powerful it reaches beyond the grave, The Secret Language of Stones is yet another “spellbindingly haunting” (Suspense magazine), “entrancing read that will long be savored” (Library Journal, starred review). 

Review 

I have been a huge fan of M.J Rose for a few years now. Her writing is just magic…yes that is a play on words.  The novels I have read by her are about the dark arts or about mystical realms. Not usually my genre, however M.J. Rose keeps me captivated. The way she takes me through many experiences with interwoven history is pure enchantment. 

Opaline is a jeweler in WWI. She takes stones, personalizes them, makes amulets then hears messages from the dead soldiers. Until the one soldier who becomes a part of her world.

The characters are so real for me in this novel (even the ghost).  Opaline’s fears, loves, and excitements all charmed me and just made the image of her so complete. The setting is another magical arena. Opaline helps many a grieving woman with these amulets. When she helps a Russian aristocrat, it opens her eyes about many things! I wanted to hear more about Russian Revolution,  maybe in the next novel. 

The story takes some weird turns for me. This is the only reason for the 4 stars. Most people who read fantasy would not think it is weird. It was a turn off for me but, like I said earlier, I was so wrapped up in the characters and the setting, it was just a bump in the road! 

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.



Purchase Here 

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Resolution by Danny Joyce – BOOKSPOTLIGHT plus GUEST POST BY DANNY THE DOG!!!

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Reecaspieces


It is 1896 in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The largest gold strike in the annals of human history has just been made; however, word of the discovery will not reach the outside world for another year.

By happenstance, a fifty-nine-year-old Huck Finn and his lady friend, Molly Lee, are on hand, but they are not interested in gold. They have come to that neck of the woods seeking adventure.

Someone should have warned them, “Be careful what you wish for.”

When disaster strikes, they volunteer to save the day by making an arduous six hundred mile journey by dog sled in the depths of a Yukon winter. They race against time, nature, and man. With the temperature hovering around seventy degrees below zero, they must fight every day if they are to live to see the next.

On the frozen trail, they are put upon by murderers, hungry wolves, and hostile Indians, but those adversaries have nothing over the weather. At seventy below, your spit freezes a foot from your face. Your cheeks burn—your skin turns purple and black as it dies from the cold. You are in constant danger of losing fingers and toes to frostbite.

It is into this world that Huck and Molly race.

They cannot stop. They cannot turn back. They can only go on. Lives hang in the balance—including theirs.

Andrew Joyce Author

Amazon
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Resolution Huck Finn’s Greatest Adventure

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written four books, including a two-volume collection of one hundred and forty short stories comprised of his hitching adventures called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS (as yet unpublished), and his latest novel, RESOLUTION. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his dog, Danny, where he is busy working on his next book, YELLOW HAIR.

My name is Andrew Joyce and I write books for a living. Recca has been kind enough to allow me a little space on her blog to promote my new novel RESOLUTION: Huck Finn’s Greatest Adventure. I think it’s a good book, but what do I know? Anyway, I’m kinda shy about tooting my own horn. So I think I’ll turn things over to my dog, Danny. He always has a bad attitude and usually does not speak highly of me. But please understand that we co-exist as the old Soviet Union and the United States co-existed. We tolerate each other. So without further ado, here’s Danny the Dog.

Andrew took me away from chasing the neighborhood cats to help him out here. For a person that works with words for a living, he has very little to say in real life. He wants me to tout his book for him, but I don’t think I will. Instead, I think I’ll tell you about our latest adventure. We’re always having adventures, and I like to write about them. And what I write about is 100% true.

I am fearless. I am Danny the Dog and—to be redundant—I fear nothing. I chase squirrels, chickens, raccoons, ducks, and of course, cats. However, there is one thing that kind of gets to me, and that is thunder. I don’t know why that is. Andrew once told me I should go to a doggie psychiatrist and have a past-life regression. He said maybe in a past life I had a run-in with Thor, the god of thunder. Did I ever tell you that Andrew is an idiot?

Usually I have very little to do with him. I take him for a walk a couple of times a day. I allow him to feed me and give me treats, but for the most part, he goes his way and I go mine. However, when it thunders, I want to be as close to him as possible. He’s always on the computer. He went nuts a few years ago and threw the television out the window and he hasn’t replaced it yet. So there he sits, staring at the computer screen day after day. He tells me he’s trying to write, but I know better. He’s waiting for someone to email him, but no one ever does. Anyway, back to me.

So, when it thunders, I crawl up on his lap and come between him and his precious computer. But I have to hand it to the old reprobate, he stops what he’s doing, puts his arm around me and tells me not to worry.

As soon as the storm passes, I jump down and go back to ignoring him and he goes back to whatever he was doing, probably on a dating site begging some poor female to go out with him. (They never do.)

The accompanying picture was taken during the height of a thunderstorm. I want you all to know that I usually don’t look so forlorn. Now if you will excuse me, there’s a mother duck and her babies swimming by our boat and I have to go and bark at them. After all, this is my turf and I must defend it to the last bark . . . because I am fearless.

That’s about it for now. If I hurry, I might be able to catch an old movie on TCM. My two favorite movie stars are Rin Tin Tin and Lassie.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot—go out and buy Andrew’s new book and make the old guy happy.

This is Andrew again. On behalf of Danny and myself, I would like to thank Recca for having us over. It’s been a real pleasure.

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How to Start a Book Club in 5 Easy Steps – GUEST POST BY LAURA McNeill 

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  
 

How Start a Book Club in 5 Easy Steps Laura McNeill
 

If you’re looking for a way to get together with friends and neighbors, a book club allows you to meet up, have interesting discussions, and share your favorite beach reads.

Whether you’re looking for mystery lovers, fans of the classics or just an excuse to share a glass of wine and chat about the latest romantic comedy, it’s easy to get a reading group together.

Here are five easy suggestions for starting a new book club in your area. Worried about doing it all yourself? Team up with a friend and do it together!

1. Decide on the book club’s focus

Are you a suspense lover? Adore only YA? Or do you have eclectic tastes that span all genres? Determine if you want to focus on one genre or mix it up every month. Will it be formal or relaxed? Dress up or down?

2. Invite friends

The perfect number for a book club group is between 5 and 12 people. That way, everyone can participate and have a chance to share their thoughts on the month’s book. Compile a list of e-mail addresses, start a group on Meet-Up, or post a flyer at your local indie bookstore or library.

3. Decide on a time, day, and place

For our book club, we determined that the first Tuesday of each month from 7:30 pm 9:30 pm was best for everyone to meet. For your group, send out an email asking the following:

● Time & Day – Poll everyone and ask them to choose among 3 days and times.

● Location – My book club takes turns hosting at each member’s home, with that person providing light refreshments and leading the discussion.

● A quiet coffee shop or restaurant works just as well.

4. Choose your books

For the first time the group meets, it’s okay for you to suggest the book title and prepare discussion questions. At the end of the first meeting, have everyone vote on the next 4-6 books to be read. You can always look to best-sellers list or recommendations from your local books store.

4. Email out the details

Before the first meeting, email or text members the following details:

● The name of the book

● When, where, and what time you will meet

● Let the group know of any special accommodations needed (kids’ bedtimes, pets in case anyone is allergic, etc.)

At the first meeting, assign someone (that month’s hostess?) to communicate with the group a few days before every meeting,

Though it’s not necessary, it’s been helpful for our group to have a private Facebook page. We post reminders about meetings, questions, and information for all of the members to check, and then post photos of the group after the meeting wraps up. We’ve also held-holiday themed parties, coordinating the snacks and drinks to the occasion.

Do you belong to a book club? Any other suggestions you can add?

  
 

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Psycopomp and Circumstance by Adrean Messmer BOOK SPOTLIGHT 

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Reecaspieces

Love this cover by the way!!!
Psychopomp and CircumstanceBy Adrean Messmer

Genre: Horror, New Adult

Publisher: A Murder of Storytellers

 

It starts on Facebook—an update that Nell doesn’t remember making. It’s bad enough that she’s dying and none of her friends know. Now, she’s pretty sure she’s going crazy. She sees the Sewercide Man everywhere she goes.

 

The bright, safe little town of Bandon is descending into darkness, dragging the inhabitants along for the ride. Death follows madness for those bound to the Sewercide Man’s will.

But the Sewercide Man is more than just a ghost or a monster. He is death without justice. He is destruction without remorse. He doesn’t have a plan.

 

He just wants to bring everyone home.

 

“A blend of gritty realism and dark supernatural, Psychopomp and Circumstance is Heathers meets It Follows, with a sprinkling of The Twilight Zone, all told with black humor, nihilist teen angst, and a buried need to be loved and accepted.”—Richard Thomas, author of Tribulations

 

Author bio


 

Adrean Messmer is a horror writer living in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a tiny human she put together from some spare parts and a technowizard husband. She has a cat named after a Batman villain, and a dog who’s really a magician.
When she was eight, she asked her mother to read Stephen King’s It to her as a bedtime story and her mother actually did it. So, that probably explains a lot.

 

https://twitter.com/JunkyardPoet
https://www.facebook.com/adeymess/

http://www.Splatterhouse5.com

 

 

 

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AT&T Park Easy Layout 

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Reecaspieces

I went the lazy way out with this one!! I bought an SEI layout and followed the instructions. Turned out pretty good!!


Yes I cheated!!! This is a beautiful baseball park by the way…..GORGEOUS!!! Plus we had a blast!! The guy standing with my husband in the top layout is a complete stranger…he came up and said he wanted his pic with a cardinal fan!! Too funny!! 

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Posted in Scrapbooking | Tagged , | 4 Comments