INTERVIEW: PAT BERTRAM, AUTHOR OF DAUGHTER AM I

INTERVIEW: PAT BERTRAM, Author of DAUGHTER AM I

Q: What is your novel Daughter Am I about?

 

Daughter Am I is the story of Mary Stuart, a young woman who inherits a farm from her murdered grandparents—grandparents her father claimed had died before she was born. She becomes obsessed with finding out who they were and why someone wanted them dead.

 

  

Q: How did Daughter Am I come to be?

 

Daughter Am I was the combination of two different books I wanted to write. I’d read The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler, and the mythic journey so captured my imagination that I knew I had to write my own quest story. I also wanted to write a book telling little-known truths about the mob, so I settled on the story of a young woman going in search of her past. As Mary listens to the tales told by old-time gangsters and bootleggers—her mentors and allies—she gradually discovers the truth of her heritage.

 

 

Q: Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?

 

That is a hard question! All the octogenarian gangsters in Daughter Am I are unusual and likeable in their own way. There’s Teach, a conman who sells bullets he claims his grandpappy scavenged from the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral. There’s Kid Rags, who still works as a forger. There’s Happy, a trigger-happy ex-wheelman for the mob, whose hands shake so much he can barely aim let alone shoot. That’s only three of the octogenarians — there are seven feisty old gangsters all together. Well, six gangsters and one ex-showgirl.

 

 

Q: Where did you get the names for your characters?

 

Most of the characters in Daughter Am I are aged gangsters, and they kept the monikers they used when they were young. I patterned my gangsters after those in the 1930s movies, though in my book they didn’t actually reach their prime until the 1950s or even 60s.

 

I enjoyed coming up with the names. Some names I stole, like Kid Rags, which was the name of a 1900s gangster in Hell’s Kitchen, and others were inevitable, like the morbid wheelman named Happy, or Crunchy the ex mob enforcer who threatens to crunch anyone who bothers Mary.

 

 

Q: How much of your personal psyche, your struggle and your insecurities are hidden within the characters of your stories?

 

All my stories reflect my two particular struggles: my journey as a writer and my quest for identity, which perhaps come down to the same thing. As we grow up and then grow older, we need to discover who we are in relation to our new growth or new limitations. I think the quest for identity is one of the strongest themes in any book because it reflects two stages of life we all go through—adolescence and obsolescence.

 

 

Q: What was your journey as a writer?

 

When I was in my mid twenties, I set out to be a writer. I quit my job, gathered up paper and pens, and sat down at the kitchen table to write. I thought writing was a type of automatic writing, that I just needed to put pen to paper and words would come. Didn’t happen. When I tried to force words on the page, I discovered I had no talent for writing, so when real life got in the way, I let go of my desire to write and turned my mind to other things. About a decade ago, I had some predicaments I wanted to work through, so I decided, talent or no, I would write a book, which I did. And it was terrible! During the subsequent years, I have learned how to write, to pace a story, to write sparse but picturesque prose, but most of all, I have learned how to rewrite and edit.

 

 

Q: Do you think this book changed your life?

 

I wish I could say Daughter Am I changed my life — it would make a good story — but the fact is, it made little difference. It was the third novel I wrote. I’d already experienced the joy and sense of accomplishment completing a novel gives one, I’d already experienced the disappointment that comes from having a novel rejected, and I’d already experienced the satisfaction of being accepted by a publisher. Now, if Daughter Am I would go viral, that would change my life.

 

 

Q: Are you writing to reach a particular kind of reader?

 

I’m the reader I am writing for. There were stories I wanted to read and couldn’t find, so I wrote them. The irony of this is that I always wanted to reach a large readership, so it would have been more practical to write books that vast numbers of people would like.

 

 

Q: What words would you like to leave the world when you are gone?

 

I’ll be leaving the world my books, which are words enough, but besides that, this is how I’d like the world to see me:  ”Pat Bertram has a marvelous ability to write the longest parables in all of literature. She unglues the world as it is perceived and rebuilds it in a wiser and more beautiful way.” — Lazarus Barnhill, author of The Medicine People and Lacey Took a Holiday

 

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

Rubicon Ranch http://rubiconranch.wordpress.com/ is a collaborative and innovative crime series set in the desert community of Rubicon Ranch and is being written online by me and a few other authors of Second Wind Publishing.

 

Residents of Rubicon Ranch are finding body parts scattered all over the desert. Who was the victim and why did someone want him so very dead? Everyone in this upscale housing development is hiding something. Everyone has an agenda. Everyone’s life will be different after they have encountered the Rubicon. Rubicon Ranch, that is.

 

Who dunnit? No one knows, and we won’t know until the last chapter has been written. You can download the first book in the series free in any ebook format at Smashwords. 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/168165 

 

 

Q: Where can people learn more about your books?

 

I have a website — http://patbertram.com — where I post important information, including the first chapters of each of my books, but the best way to keep up with me, my writing, and my life on a daily basis is by way of Bertram’s Blog. http://ptbertram.wordpress.com All my books are available both in print and in ebook format. You can get them online at Second Wind Publishing, Amazon, B&N and Smashwords. Smashwords is great! The books are available in all ebook formats, including palm reading devices, and you can download the first 20-30% free!

 

by: Pat Bertram

Publisher: Second Wind Publishing LLC

Format: Paperback (304 pages)

ISBN: 9781935171195

My Take:

My deepest thanks to Pat Bertram for visiting my blog, graciously answering my questions, and introducing us to herself, DAUGHTER AM I, and her character, Mary Stuart.   Like many readers, I am always on the quest for another great read, and I found one here!  

Don’t forget to come back and check this blog for my book review of DAUGHTER AM I by Pat Bertram, coming soon.

THE VIEW FROM HERE

by Cindy Myers

Publisher: Kensington

Published: November 27, 2012

Format: Paperback (352 pages)

ISBN: 9780758277404

Origin: Publisher

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

The Colorado address held no clue. The envelope from an attorney startles Maggie Stevens, and she really didn’t need anymore surprises.  

Her husband, Carter Stevens, provided enough surprise to last her a life time and it wasn’t the good kind.  How ever can the words, “I don’t love you anymore” be kind?  His further revelations that he had someone new came as even more of a blow.  A younger woman with more money held Carter’s heart, or more accurately, Carter’s purse strings, and Carter’s future.  As the remnants of her marriage stood in boxes, ready for the next chapter, Maggie wasn’t ready for the next day.

Maggie had given up her dreams to his dreams, not that he forced her to do it, you see. However, he never minded that she did it. After twenty years of marriage and a career that was largely spent working at Carter’s business, she didn’t even have children to keep herself grounded; Carter didn’t want them. Yes, Maggie agreed, blindly.  

Finally, she dared to open the envelope waiting to see what other legal business Carter directed to her. 

The proclamation inside, nearly felled her. Maggie’s father, Jacob Charles Murphy, had passed away—leaving to Maggie his property and a mystery that still surrounded the man she had never known.   Oh, he left her a gold mine too.

No. Really.  A gold mine called The French Mistress.

Upon her mother’s passing, Maggie had gained only pictures of her father.  One was of a skinny man glowing with a newborn in his arms.  Maggie never understood how someone could look so happy but abandon the family he created, although her mother would have told a different story. She claimed the Vietnam War changed him. Even so why not visit or get to know his daughter?

Maybe now was the time to find out about Jacob Charles Murphy.  

Maggie had a best friend still in Texas but nothing else. Seeing Carter and soon to be wife around the same town was something Maggie could spare herself by going. Despite the fears and the lamenting, now was the time to leave Texas for a while. She had dreamed of traveling, although Colorado was never the destination.  After all, the change of scenery would do wonders, even if she never figured out exactly who her father was really.   And what about the mine? Is it really a gold mine or was it nothing more than a cavern in a mountain that he pretended was something more?

Maybe Maggie was out to stake her claim in Colorado. Soothing dreams of a new life, a mystery, and a comfortable lifestyle awaits her in the mountains of Colorado.  

 

My Take:

THE VIEW FROM HERE by Cindy Myers will keep you reading, seeing that Maggie gains more than what she bargains for with a few new friends, a new path, a new direction, and a new future.

Cindy Myers spins a tale that has Maggie Stevens, at the tender age of forty, finding herself.   

Previously, Maggie never took a chance or went out on her own, but even she knows that left her wanting something she never had.  The quest to find about her dad has her discover a lot more about herself, while accepting her father was flawed.   Maggie desired to know the feeling of accomplishment, the adventure of learning something new every day, and the stripping down a facade of the life she created but never liked.  Maybe, we all have a small part of the old Maggie in us, opting for comfortable and shying away from adventure.  Maybe we possess some part of the new Maggie, forging ahead with something new.   I related to Maggie Stevens, and I’m sure you will too! 

THE VIEW FROM HERE by Cindy Myers is a standalone novel!

BETRAYAL ON THE BORDER

by: Jill Elizabeth Nelson              

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense  

Published: November 27, 2012        

Format: Paperback (224 pages)      

ISBN: 9780373445165           

Origin: Publisher through NetGalley (egalley)

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

Ex-Army ranger and current apartment house maintenance worker, Maddie Jameson knew any assassin could get her any day.  However, today’s job was to be the easy kind of thing on a usual kind of day.  

Maddie’s instincts told her today was going to be anything but normal, once she realized what she’d had seen.  

However, she barely had time to react when two male figures opened the door.  On the good side, that bomb hadn’t been planted in this room, as she feared, but it was somewhere.  The bad thing was that Maddie figured today just might be her last.   It didn’t take long for her to confirm she was made, and if she survived this battle, Maddie had to go to ground. 

The news told her where the bomb did go off. A car bomb killed the reporter.  Had Chris found her?  Did he lead them to Maddie? 

This reporter was the reason that her whole unit died in Rio and her heart died too—grief over her fellow rangers, mixing with guilt and anger to consume her.  She knew the treasonous embed traded their coordinates for accolades and led them all to slaughter.

Maybe she still felt too much cause her mind became numb.  

After Maddie spoke to the police, she took a bag and cash.  They’d soon find out all about Maddie and they’d connect her to the dead reporter, in quick order.  Her army training and her gut feelings always planned ahead for a day like this.  It wasn’t the first, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.  

She was the last one still breathing and someone feared her connecting the dots.  

How little did they know? She was as damaged as the day was long. Her memory was as defective as a crashed hard drive.  Everything was gone but minor images, only flashes really, and these taunted her.  

After winding down false routes and vehicles, Maddie made it to the lot.  This car was the only thing left of her brother and it the one thing Maddie counted on for saving her life.   She engaged the engine remotely and waited.  It didn’t blow.  She was one passed test closer to her escape.  However, the car lurched and this action wasn’t by her remote.  

With gun in hand, Maddie was combat ready.  They must have figured two car bombs in one day could get them caught, and so, they improvised to put an end to Maddie’s life.  The voice was familiar but these characters would use anything to get her, especially since the car was still careening toward her.   As close to shooting as she could get, Maddie realized the voice and face matched perfectly.   If this wasn’t deadly real, this could be the poignant moment. The driver by no means was friendly and could just as easily kill her the way he did everyone else.   

Meanwhile, Chris Mason had been threatened with death two times in one day.  

These jokers messed up with the car bomb, but Maddie had incredible aim.  She could take him out in seconds.  Sadly, she hated him enough to do just that, but he needed Maddie. Whether or not she realized it, she needed him too.   As the only two survivors from the Rio operation, they were in a precarious position. Maddie didn’t turn traitor but there was no missing the fact that she believed he did. With so much that she didn’t know mixed with so much that he didn’t understand, there was only thing for certain, Chris and Maddie were more valuable dead than alive. And like it or not, to stay alive, these two would have to stay together.

Chris didn’t find that as appalling as Maddie would.  He knew that her brain injuries destroyed much of her memories, but she really did believe he was a murderer.  Now Madeline Jerrod, a.k.a. Maddie Jameson, held both of their lives in her capable hands.

Between his investigative skills and her military training, could they find out who was behind the massacre and who was the man with juice stateside who wanted them gone, without dying?  

 

My Take:

Jill Elizabeth Nelson puts romance on the line, along with truth and justice in BETRAYAL ON THE BORDER!

This author pits past against present, leaving the characters and readers exposed and vulnerable while the suspense and romance builds to a climatic ending.  Maddie’s too busy blaming herself for her unit’s demise because she had developed feelings for the only man who she believed could have betrayed them, but she never thought much past her hurt to find his motive lacking.  Even now she found him appealing, but she won’t trust him or herself.  

Meanwhile, Chris Mason kept his distance from Maddie, until now.  He’s been trying to find out who on their team turned traitor and trying to keep his traitorous heart in check.  His growing feelings were established in Rio, but he can’t get involved with one of his stories. Been there. Done that. And it didn’t end well. Shouldn’t he be happy Maddie thinks of him as a traitor?  

BETRAYAL ON THE BORDER by Jill Elizabeth Nelson is a standalone title, but you’ll want to read this author’s other titles including  LEGACY OF LIES (Steeple Hill 2010), CALCULATED REVENGE (Steeple Hill 2010), WITNESS TO MURDER (Steeple Hill 2009), and EVIDENCE OF MURDER  (Steeple Hill 2009). Or check out the other books by this author!

A BREATH OF EYRE

by Eve Marie Mont

Publisher: KTeen

Published: March 27, 2012

Format: Paperback (352 pages)

ISBN: 9780758269485

Origin: Publisher

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

Emma Townsend has dealt with much too much even before her angst-filled teen years arrived.  

She’d lost her sick mother at a young age, her father married someone who seemed to insist that an unknown medical malady reared its ugly head inside Emma, and her father barely knew she was there.  Not to mention her stepmother’s, Barbara’s, insistence that Emma was to have a sweet sixteen party—whether she wanted one or not.  For the most part, Emma let it go.  She had no friends from her sheltered, dormitory private school to speak of, so it would only mainly family in attendance. However, this lack of friends status was something Barbara harped about since she, herself, was once the belle of the ball, and she believed there was something wrong with a teen girl who had no friends.  

This friendless condition was mainly due to her educational institution.

Emma Townsend just didn’t belong at Lockwood and she was only there due to a scholarship, of sorts.  It was a way to make rich spawn seem charitable, when they were anything but that. As if to prove the point, her last roommate wasn’t returning to Lockwood.  She too was a charity student. The ringleader and her pawns made this girl’s life a living hell. They seemed to not bother much with Emma, giving her the cold shoulder rather than an all out assault. Emma learned to live with the situation, but it caused her dread every time she had to return. Picture Rapunzel with no prince charming coming to save her from the tower where she just rots. Thus was Emma’s life at Lockwood.  

Meantime, during this break and forced birthday party things became more unbearable when she found out that Gray Newman and family were invited, but Emma soothed herself into believing that they wouldn’t show.  However, their arriving SUV told her that was just wishful thinking, and now, Emma had even more trouble.  

Gray’s mother was Emma’s mother’s best friend, and Gray and Emma grew up together but grew very far apart.  He was suddenly attending Braeburn Academy a while ago, and now, he dated Miss Lockwood of the year, Else Fairchild.  If you knew Elsie, you’d know all about how she’s rich and Emma’s not, or how she’s beautiful and Emma’s not, or how her parent’s run Lockwood by proxy and Emma’s do not.  The Fairchild’s  contribute such enormous amounts of money to make sure they are over the head of the head master, Mr. Overbrook.  

Yeah, she liked Gray, but Emma knew Grey didn’t think of her like that.  In fact, she was sure Gray didn’t think of her at all.  

His sister, Anna, handed Emma a present saying it was from Gray, but Gray hastily added that it was his mother who picked it out.   This was confirmed.   Gray’s mother presented her with a book that she said was Emma’s mother’s favorite, along with the journal that Gray had given her.  Actually, it was his mother that gave both presents, really.  Not long after the uncomfortable present encounter, Emma decided to leave her own party and go swimming.  It was easy to sneak out because most people didn’t pay much attention to her, and the only one who’d seen her go was Gray, after a short, awkward conversation.

This was just what she needed, Emma thought as she lost herself in the surf and let the water take her where it would.  

Emma didn’t worry much, she was an excellent swimmer and the water seemed to bring her close to her mother.  Mostly from all the easy mornings they’d spent at the beach together, before her illness stole her away from her family.   She’d turned on her back and floated.  The water that filled her ear was mind numbing.  Noises faded to the background, and Emma became lost her own thoughts, until the surf turned nasty and nearly swallowed her whole. Emma thought it just might be easier to let it have its way. Whose voice was that? Suddenly, she realizes there’s a whole lot of living she wants to do, and the fighter in Emma was doing an epic battle just to survive the rip tide current. Would she?

 

My Take:

A BREATH OF EYRE by Eve Marie Mont is an extraordinary blending of Charlotte Brontë’s JANE EYRE with the contemporary life of a high school teen making this trendy tale a great read!   

Old and new combine through Emma Townsend, and she experiences Jane’s world only to find many of the same issues that plague her own today.  She falls in love in the past and present finding mystery, heartbreak, secrets, betrayal, and the real Emma.  Anyone who’s passed through or who are in their teen years will find they relate to Emma and many of the other characters that are navigating the high school experience.  After this satisfying end, you’ll get a sneak peek of A TOUCH OF SCARLET. 

Eve Marie Mont’s BREATH OF EYRE is a standalone novel, but you’ll want to check out her next book A TOUCH OF SCARLET coming to you from KTeen in March 2013!   

CHRISTMAS STALKING

by: Margaret Daley              

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense  

Published: October 30, 2012        

Format: Paperback (224 pages)      

ISBN: 9780373445127  

Series: Guardians, Inc.         

Origin: Publisher through NetGalley (egalley)

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

All wasn’t business as usual for Winnie’s Winfield’s assistant.  In fact, Ellie St. James wasn’t her real assistant, but this charade wasn’t Ellie’s idea, in the first place.  Harold Jefferson hired her through Guardian’s Inc, and what he say’s goes—for now.  

Being a bodyguard isn’t an easy job, but when the target of your watch doesn’t even know you’re her bodyguard, the job gets even harder.  Now, she stood in front of Harold Jefferson trying to explain why she went into full combat mode, pulled her Glock on Colt Winfield, and wrestled with him on the floor, and why this all happened in front of her client who wasn’t to know about this arrangement.   She had threaded her way out of the sticky situation, through evasive maneuvers, but now, her gun sat in Winnie’s safe unavailable for her mission.

Though displeased with the situation but also understanding of it, Harold Jefferson still refuses Ellie’s  request to level with her client but did consent to bring Ellie another weapon. Still, it wasn’t her finely tuned usual friend and ally like her weapon, but it will have to do.

However, Ellie wondered.  

Could these threats be more personal in nature instead of being about Winnie’s company, Glamour Sensations, going public or her new line of products, Endless Youth? 

The next evening Colt and Winnie Winfield must be told everything, when someone cuts through the estate’s fence to steal the guard dogs and may still be on the property, but Ellie’s first unwanted guest is one major problem.

As if she’s a meal time ticket a mountain lion’s stare cuts through Ellie to combine with his striking pose, this cat creates a problem that has her pinned in place.   Thanks to Colt the predator leaves, but is another two-legged one still stalking this property?  Or is the next predator already close to home?

My Take:

CHRISTMAS STALKING elevates suspense and kicks adrenaline and romance into high gear!

Margaret Daley creates a satisfying romance with two parties who are reluctant participants but who are bound together by necessity and held together by love.  While Ellie St. James comes to care about Winnie like a grandmother, Winnie’s grandson, Colt, loves Winnie like a mother.  Winnie Winfield raised Colt and he’ll fiercely protect her, but he’s willing to give Ellie the lead in most situations, knowing she’s more qualified.  However, all things are just not negotiable.  Meanwhile, Ellie St. James is a heroine with a military background and that background only adds to her built-in trust issues. Without much family to call her own, she’s been able to take care of herself, but will she ever be able to let another take the lead?  Not to mention, this heroine and hero both have put work at the forefront of their lives leaving little room for much else.  Does either want anything to change?

CHRISTMAS STALKING is about the love of family and the common bonds that keep us all tethered, but it’s also about learning to trust, trusting too much, trusting too fast, and trusting too soon. 

Margaret Daley’s CHRISTMAS STALKING is a standalone title, but you’ll want to read the other titles in the Guardian’s, Inc Series:  HIDDEN IN THE EVERGLADES (Love Inspired September 2011), PROTECTING HER OWN (Love Inspired Suspense June 2011), and CHRISTMAS BODYGUARD  (Love Inspired Suspense December 2010). Or check out the many other books and series titles by this author!

TIES THAT BIND

by Marie Bostwick

Publisher: Kensington

Published: May 1, 2012

Format: Paperback (352 pages)

ISBN: 9780758269287

Series: Cobbled Court Quilts

Origin: Publisher

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

Margot Matthews tries again, even though the last holiday gathering quickly soured, but maybe on neutral ground, this Christmas celebration might be different.   She understands Mari’s reluctance, but at least her estranged sister agrees to come for the day.  

Now, Margo doesn’t need anymore issues but issues and pressure is all Margot seems to find.  

The quilt shop is bustling and the church board is selecting a new interim pastor to replace their beloved pastor, who is convalescing and taking a sabbatical dictated by a recent heart attack.  However, when her lack of a dating partner moves a friend to volunteer Margot’s time to greet, meet, and assist the new pastor, Margot nearly implodes.  Thankfully, out of what would have been an embarrassing situation relief comes, as the new pastor is Phillipa, not Phillip, and she and Margot easily become friends.  

Another newcomer arrives in New Bern, Connecticut yelling out to Margot, but his voice fails to float above the noisy wreck he drives.   Margot meets Paul Collier and his teenage son, James—who clearly doesn’t want to be in this town.  After giving the man directions,  Margot tells the family about the holiday church services and the other holiday activities New Bern has to assist the family in obvious transition.

However, the next family to be in tumult and transition is Margot’s.  While her father blusters about her sister’s tardiness to this year’s celebration, no one expects what happens next.

The police call and tell the family to get to the hospital.  

While Mari knew she wouldn’t survive, she hoped her daughter Olivia, who could still talk to her, would.  Mari set out to make sure her sister, Margot, would raise her daughter.  Her last few moments of life were spent scribbling this wish on a piece of scrap paper while they were still pinned in the car.

Who knew that Mari’s last wish would be the thing to tatter the Matthews family into smaller shreds?  Soon, a horrid custody battle ensues in a case where there clearly will be no winner. 

 

My Take:

Marie Bostwick’s TIES THAT BIND is a tale that shows just how easily family dysfunction can worsen in tragedy but also how friendship and faith can increase during these traumatic times, but this read demonstrates the power of love too. 

This author creates a charming environment that Margot embraces after leaving a faulty career in a place she didn’t like.  The quilters and the town had made Margot one of their own, and this resilient place always has room for newcomers.  In this story, Margot comes into her own both in her family standing and in life.  From public humiliation to trail by fire, Margot finds the strength to just be her.   She takes up the fight to raise Olivia inside this wonderful town. However, Margot also realizes that sometimes, you must give up something or someone to make the right choices. 

TIES THAT BIND by Marie Bostwick is a standalone novel, but you’ll want to check out the other books in the Cobbled Court Quilts series: A SINGLE THREAD (Kensington 2008), A THREAD OF TRUTH (Kensington 2009), A THREAD SO THIN (Kensington 2010), and THREADING THE NEEDLE (Kensington 2011).

POSTCARDS FROM CEDAR KEY

by Terri DuLong

Publisher: Kensington

Published: October 30, 2012

Format: Paperback (352 pages)

ISBN: 9780758268662

Series: Cedar Key

Origin: Publisher

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

Berkley Whitmore moves to Cedar Key to solve a mystery—the one that taunts her from childhood days and haunts her memory, while stoking her fears and feelings of abandonment.  

It’s something her mother or grandmother never discussed and tried to pretend like it really never meant anything, but to Berkley, it meant weeks of fear culminating with her being ripped out of her environment and brought to Salem to live with her grandmother.  Sure, eventually, her mother returned, but to a child of tender years, her mother’s brief hiatus was almost a lifetime of fear.  

Now, Berkley has relocated her chocolate shop from Massachusetts to Cedar Key, but teeters between an enjoyment of life on the small Florida island, fear that she’ll never discover her mother’s secret, or feelings of dread over what she might just discover about her mother.  For Berkley well knows that her quest to clear up the hazy past could have massive implications on her present that may stretch beyond to her future.  Since her mother and grandmother passed and her father died in the war, Berkley is alone minus a distant aunt who never visited her or her mother and her grandmother.  

However, those postcards that she’s found among her mother’s belongings has Berkley’s soul knowing what she has to do, but doing it wasn’t as easy as it appears.  It was too simple to open the shop and move into the apartment upstairs, but the question of who could know something about her mother enters into every interaction, every chance meeting, and every encounter. Many times, Berkley had come close to forgetting about the unanswered questions, the major gash that they tore through her life and the windstorm of emotions the past caused, but she cannot.  

Although, despite the introductions to many life long islanders, it doesn’t seem that anyone knew her mother, Jeanette Whitmore.  

Meanwhile, Berkley meets an Englishman, Saxton Tate, whom lives on the island and whose sweet sounding, accented voice stirs all the right places, but Berkley knows she’s a woman who is best on her own.  She has never done well in relationships so why even entertain the notion? It seems this gentleman has other ideas. 

 

My Take:

POSTCARDS FROM CEDAR KEY by Terri DuLong is a story about family secrets, new friends, moving away from the past, accepting the present, and finding a future.

The author sprinkles a tale with candy and crystals mixes in the problems of the heart, family issues and creates a character in Berkley Whitmore to whom anyone of us can relate.   Terri DuLong reintroduces us to many of the islanders from past Cedar Key stories, but she incorporates newcomers whom I hope will spur more titles in the Cedar Key series!   

Terri DuLong’s POSTCARDS FROM CEDAR KEY is a standalone novel, but you’ll want to check out the other books in the Cedar Key series: SUNRISE ON CEDAR KEY (Kensington 2011), CASTING ABOUT (Kensington 2010), and SPINNING FORWARD (Kensington 2009).

ALMOST HOME

by Debbie Macomber, Cathy Lamb, Judy Duarte, and Mary Carter

Publisher: Zebra

Published: (Reprint) August 7, 2012

Format: Paperback (442 pages)

ISBN: 9781420131048

Origin: Publisher

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

In WHALE ISLAND by Cathy Lamb, you’ll meet three zany women as they spy on one’s former boyfriend.  Chelese Hamilton didn’t need the skylight to give way under her and Brenda’s weight and she didn’t need to see one fine-looking Aiden Bridger from the Washington Review waiting on her porch either.  However,  most of all, she didn’t need Chief O’Connaghey at her door while the dashing Mr. Bridger was here to learn all about her frequent mishaps.  As if this situation couldn’t get any worse, this man discovered she was the author who won the book award and this one award would wreck her life.    

Judy Duarte writes the QUEEN OF HEARTS and introduces Jennifer Kramer, who used to be the high school homecoming queen who married her king.  Problem was that her king chose gambling over his wife and daughter and left her with a mountain of debt.  Working at the local newspaper, as an advice columnist, Jennifer meets Marc Alvarado, and she couldn’t believe he just offered her part-time employment too.  However, Marc is keeping secrets and wonders how Jennifer will feel once she knows the truth. 

While THE HONEYMOON HOUSE by Mary Carter heralds Amanda soon after she cancelled her wedding to Pete, did she do the right thing?  You’ll also discover Amanda’s best friend, Kate, who meets Andy while she’s on a mission.  It’s a search and destroy romance mission, since the wedding is off and her best friend, Amanda, can’t face the wedding that never happened in the place where the bride and groom were to spend their first month together. Who knew some guy would mistake her presence as a break in?  And yes, she did go far and beyond the original goal by setting up those beautiful photos, but who knew Andy was a photographer.   Why in the world did he swear her to secrecy about those amazing photos?

THE MARRYING KIND by Debbie Macomber ushers Katie Kern back into Jason Ingrim’s field of vision.  She’s a vision that hasn’t aged much in the ten years since they ended a marriage that barely had been.  Jason is in San Francisco for his wedding—to Elaine.  He told himself to just walk away and not think about Katie, but how do you not think about what she did?  He knew his mistake, but it was too late.  She was in front of him now.  Jason needed answers to put the ghost of wedding past to bed.  Katie gave him answers, but these weren’t anything that he expected.  Talking about the past led to many surprises in the present and the next morning understanding hasn’t helped either Katie or Jason and could possibly hurt Elaine and Daddy Warbucks too.  

 

My Take:

ALMOST HOME by Debbie Macomber, Cathy Lamb, Judy Duarte, and Mary Carter is a compilation of stories about second chances, fresh starts, forgiving, and forgiveness!

These authors create incredible characters each in their own set of circumstances, seeing only what they see and knowing what they think is true but realizing later that not everything is always as it appears.  You’ll laugh and be somber and feel their pain and rejection but happy endings abound in this work by some amazing authors! 

THE DIAMOND SECRET

by: Lenora Worth              

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense  

Published: August 7, 2012        

Format: Paperback (224 pages)      

ISBN: 9780373445004            

Origin: Publisher through NetGalley (egalley)

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

Another day came to a close at Carlisle Collectibles, and Esther Carlisle tallied up the meager receipts ready to greet the evening.  

Carlisle Collectibles is a labor of love she’s inherited from her father, Jefferson Carlisle.  When Esther’s mother died, Jefferson raised her and supported them through the antique shop, and now that he is gone, Esther is following in his tradition.  After all, she owes it to him to care for it the way he did, but she has puzzled over his mind before death.    He was always obsessed over a mythical jewel, but in the end, it was all he spoke about. 

Jefferson Carlisle wasn’t much on speaking to feelings and he barely communicated much beyond the lore of antiques.  When Esther was younger she’d get lost in his tales and relish at least this type of closeness that they shared.  It wasn’t that she thought her father had no feelings, but he spoke around such things.  For a growing girl who needed to know she was loved, it was hard that he never said it.  Although, it was the lore she connected with as a child; Esther began to resent it as a young lady.  Sometimes, she even thought he’d rather go looking for something that never existed than be with her. 

She locked the door and was startled by the customer wanting entry.  He was a persistent man who wouldn’t take no for an answer.  Nevertheless, his Irish accent captivated her and she let him in.

Cullen Murphy had yet to figure out how he was going to tell her enough without telling her too much, but he was inside the store and laid out why he was there.  He wanted the Levi-Lafitte chocolate diamond, and it was clear this beautiful woman didn’t even think it was real. It seemed just the mention of this left her with a sour attitude, but as much as he would love to explore why that was, he kept in line with his mission.  As suspected, his admission to knowing and corresponding with her father, set Esther on her heels and he offered to show her Jefferson’s letters.   She still refused to let him search the store and all but escorted him to the door.

Unfortunately, she left him no choice.  Cullen simply had to manhandle her—for her own good.

They had company and these men wouldn’t care about how pretty and smart this woman appeared, they’d shoot first and toss the store looking for the gem.  He kept shoving her toward the back, ignoring the terror in her eyes and the anger in her voice.  Her stubborn streak would get them both killed, if he didn’t act.  Picking her up just as the bangs erupted, he took away her phone and brought her back further into the shadows, as the smashing of glass sounded. 

 

My Take:

In THE DIAMOND SECRET, Lenora Worth weaves a stunning romantic suspense inside a dangerous treasure hunt!

Lenora Worth captures the flavor of New Orléans and creates a good “bad” boy character in Cullen Murphy.  He’s dealt with a treacherous past but his wanderlust isn’t exactly what it appears to be.  He is hiding more than one secret and fears what Esther will think of him upon knowing the truth.  Keeping his distance is proving harder than he could have imagined and his sense of duty gains complications.  Meanwhile, Esther is giving over her life to her father’s dream in much the same way her father did to raise her, but she’s having a hard time realizing that there was more to her father than she imagined.  She’s jealous over his trust of a total stranger before her, but her emotions over this stranger is nothing she expects, since she’ll get hurt once he gets what he wants.  His promise doesn’t mean much because he’s a life long wanderer who’s ready for the next great find.

Sometimes, it takes a stranger to find the truth, but danger can be nearer than you think inside this story of greed, betrayal, and freedom. 

THE DIAMOND SECRET is a standalone title, but you’ll want to read Lenora Worth’s other Harlequin titles including THE LIFE OF RILEY (Harlequin Super Romance November 2012), ONCE IN A BLUE MOON  (Harlequin Next March 2012), and THE RELUCTANT HERO  (Love Inspired December 2011)!

KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

by: Marina Adair              

Publisher: Montlake Romance 

Published: October 16, 2012        

Format: Paperback (310 pages)      

ISBN: 9781612185859            

Origin: Publisher 

***Though the publisher provides the free book, I offer the opinion.***

My Look:

Through the loss of eleven jobs, Regan had landed a job with perks that she could only dream about . . . like a beautiful furnished home, where her daughter had her own room, and a new life in the most scenic place too.  Regan Martin landed the Ryo Wines job in St. Helena until the man who has made her life a living hell for years shows up here—in the same place, at the same time, promising more of the same.

Doesn’t everyone make mistakes?  Can’t she be allowed to move on? 

There is only one undeniably wonderful little girl who came from her mistake, whom she didn’t know was married and walked out leaving her pregnant and alone.  Her mother had died long ago and unlike the DeLuca clan, it was just her and Holly to fight this world.  Now, Regan wasn’t going to let Gabe DeLuca take away her daughter’s  home, bedroom, and special Christmas.  Not.  Anymore.  Her daughter was her life and she’d protect her like a mamma grizzly would her cubs, fierce and dangerous.

Meanwhile, he never expected to see Regan Martin here—in the same town as his sister, but he wasn’t going to admit that to her.  He played it cool.

Gabe DeLuca needed this Vixen out of here and he would double down his efforts to make it happen.   His sister, Abby, had married a cheating bastard and this brother has made it his life’s mission to protect her from anymore harm, only in part because he helped to cause the train wreck that had been her marriage.  Mostly though, he’d protect Abby because she was family and he has dedicated his life to all of them, since his parents died.  

Today, however, he tried to fight smiles, as this beleaguered woman was melting down and reining projectiles toward him and the car.  

Between her willingness to fight and her lacy undergarment playing peek-a-boo with each throw, he not only grown in his admiration but in the scope of his devilish thoughts too.  All he wanted to do was everything he couldn’t do and despite the amount of damage she did to . . . well . . .  not his car, he wanted nothing less than seeing her in the flesh, sometime soon. However, the big brother—who needed to fix his family’s ills—would deny himself the pleasure because Regan Martin would go back to where she came from, whether she wanted to or not.

My Take:

KISSING UNDER THE MISLETOE is a romance that starts with animosity and continues on to an ending that won’t disappoint! 

Marina Adair creates a cast of characters, ranging from zany to mean, with a whole lot of love throughout.  While Regan quickly earns your backing and cheers, you’ll start to fall in love with Gabe, CHICHI, and Jordan, but Isabel will take mean to a whole new level.  However, it’s Holly who will steal your heart and put Christmas and family into a fresh perspective.  

Though KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a standalone novel, you’ll be thrilled to read a sneak peek of the next St. Helena Vineyard Novel by Marina Adair . . . A SUMMER AT THE VINEYARD is coming on April 16, 2013 by Montlake Romance!  Check out this author’s Amazon.com author page at  http://www.amazon.com/Marina-Adair/e/B0084HYVSI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 for more of her titles or her website at www.MarinaAdair.com.