Description
A simple request opens up a savory mystery.
Hannah never imagined her high school service project with the elderly would draw her into another mystery. Mrs. Tedesco, a lonely widow who loves to bake, has just one simple request — that the teen retrieve her cookbook from her old house. Easier said than done. The house has been ransacked and the coveted cookbook is nowhere to be found. Eager to help the woman, Hannah and her sister, Tamar, are driven to locate the cookbook and uncover its secrets. But the teens aren’t the only ones seeking the cookbook’s hidden treasures, and the other side is playing for keeps.
Mrs. Tedesco’s Missing Cookbook is available for at a special introductory price of just $0.99. Click here to get your copy. To celebrate the release, the first book in the series – The Mysterious Package – will be free on Amazon from April 25-29, 2017.
About the Authors
Christa Nardi and Cassidy Salem are both accomplished mystery writers. Christa Nardi has penned the successful Cold Creek mystery series. Cassidy Salem is the author of the Adina Donati, Accidental Sleuth mystery series. Christa Nardi is and always has been an avid reader. Her favorite authors have shifted from Carolyn Keene and Earl Stanley Gardner to more contemporary mystery/crime authors over time, but mystery/crime along with romance and scifi/fantasy are her preferred choices for leisure reading. Christa Nardi is a pen name for a real life professor/psychologist from the Northeast. Cassidy Salem has always been an avid reader. She is especially fond of mysteries (both cozy and traditional) and police procedurals. Over the years, her favorite mystery authors have included Agatha Christie, Caroline Keene, Mary Higgins Clark, and Janet Evanovich. Cassidy also enjoys reading historical fiction focused on American and world history, as well as the classics.
Faith Blum has a new book! She wrote, edited, and published a short story in just three short days and you can now get it for free! Read on to learn more about it.
About the Book
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
About the Author
Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family. She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.
Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you enjoyed this book, go to her website to sign up for her Monthly Newsletter so you can get an email with fun facts, giveaways, and so much more every month. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her.
Giveaway
Excerpt
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Tour Schedule
Rowena Emerson studied her longtime friend, Evan Barnes, and tried to judge by his expression if he’d be game for a new scheme. It was hard to tell; he had come home from the war a mysterious stranger, with only glimpses of his former playful self who had always been ready for a new lark.
She chuckled at his raised brows. His departure for the war had put an end to most of her pranks. Losing her friend and cohort, not to mention her heartbreak at his absence, had taken the joy out of many of her favorite pastimes. She’d settled for more mundane activities in his absence. Now that he was back, she could finally breathe easy.
Evan lifted a dark brow. “You want my mother to marry your papa?”
Donna Hatch
ebook, 126 pages
April 18th 2017 by Mirror Press
From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean & Wholesome Romance, comes the Timeless Romance Singles line.
THE MATCHMAKING GAME: A brand new historical romance novella from bestselling author Donna Hatch.
Rowena’s childhood friend, Evan, has returned home from war a handsome, but mysterious stranger. In an effort to bring happiness to her father, not to mention uncover the Evan she remembers from their youth, Rowena seeks to unite their parents. Who better to match a lonely widow and widower together than their adoring children? Her matchmaking game could help their parents find happiness and draw out her childhood friend buried beneath Evan’s new reserve … or it could break more than one heart.
– 1 winner will receive a print copy of Heart Strings by Donna Hatch (US only)
About the Book
Title: Magelica’s Voyage to the Land of the Fairies
Illustrator: Nathan Heinze
Publication Date: April 2017
Publisher: Magelica Inc.
Number of Pages: 35
Recommended Ages: 5 to 10
Summary: Five Star Readers Favourite and Story Monster approved! New Magelica’s Voyage to the Land of the Fairies is finally out! Its the third children’s book in the Magelica trilogy. Put on your magical necklace and join Magelica and her friends as they discover that fairies are real and that love is the most powerful magic of all!In this very special adventure, rainbows light up the sky as Magelica and Prince Will embark on an extraordinary voyage to uncover the mystery of her past. Empowered on her quest by her chosen mother, Magelica and her friends follow the secret scroll to the Land of the Fairies. As they make their way through the forest, fear gets in the way and their courage is tested.
Take a peek inside…
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Other books in the series…
Author: Louise Courey Nadeau
Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Publisher: Magelica Inc.
Number of Pages: 48
Recommended Ages: 5 to 10
Summary: Who ever heard of a girl being hatched from an egg the colour of sapphires? Magelica doesn’t know where she came from or who she really is. But when she’s transported to the Isle of Dreams in a flying bathtub, she launches into an adventure of discovery, and learns that wonderful things can happen when she uses her imagination, believes, opens her heart and trusts in love. Come fly with her and discover for yourself the power of imagination, gratitude, believing in yourself, and love! In this special first voyage, fantasy, adventure, magical illustrations, empowering messages, and a wonderful cast of enchanting characters come together as Magelica takes young girls and the special people in their lives on a fun, inspiring voyage about making your life magical.
* Available in English / French / Spanish *
Author: Louise Courey Nadeau
Publication Date: May 27, 2015
Publisher: Magelica Inc.
Number of Pages: 48
Recommended Ages: 5 to 10
Summary: When Magelica dreams of the prince lost on a deserted island, she realizes that it could lead to his rescue. She returns to the Isle of Dreams to tell Queen Raya what she knows. Can they save Prince Will before it’s too late? Will the power of laughter and love be enough?
* Available in English / French / Spanish *
About the Author
Louise Courey Nadeau, born and raised in Montreal, Canada, wife and mother to two girls and two boys is the creator and author of Magelica’s Voyage, Magelica’s Voyage: The Rescue and Magelica’s Voyage to the Land of the Fairies; an adventure/fantasy trilogy about a young girl on Earth who suddenly grows wings at the age of 12 and sets out on a voyage to discover who she is and where she comes from. Empowered by her Chosen Mother to follow her heart, Magelica and her fun and wacky friends learn that following your dreams is no easy task! Called upon to connect peoples and worlds, and bring balance and harmony, Magelica discovers that the greatest enemy is fear, but realizes that it is no match for courage, believing in herself, and love, the most powerful magic of all.
Author, mother, wife, Founder and CEO of Magelica Inc., former marketing and advertising executive, a tireless fundraiser for many charities, a painter, and gardener, Louise’s passions keep growing. Louise’s dream is to create a bond with children and their caregivers around the globe, and make a real difference by entertaining them with exciting stories that stimulate their imagination, and help them discover the power of their own magic. Books are just the beginning. She is simply getting started!
“Through life’s trials and tribulations, I always believed I could. With the Magelica book series, my own beliefs, courage, determination and resolve have been tested over and over. Believing I can, has kept me going! My goal is for young girls to be empowered to grow up strong, positive and powerful, and for young boys to have the self-confidence to support girls in their goals, thereby creating a new gender balance for a new generation. “The children of today, will grow up to be the parents of tomorrow. By inspiring them now, the ripple effect will eventually change the world.”
“Magelica’s Voyage is inspired by my life, my family, and the special people and places I love”, says Courey Nadeau. “All of the characters in the story, including Magelica are reflections of the person I am- the wacky part, the funny part, the philosopher, the teacher, the caretaker, the chosen mom, the giver, and of course the dreamer. What would Magelica do, I often ask, and I get the answer. When you fly with Magelica, the possibilities are endless and there is magic all around.”
To learn more about Louise Courey Nadeau please visit Magelica’s Voyage website at Magelica.com. You can also follow Magelica on FB, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Magelica books and necklaces are available on amazon.com and at selected retailers.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
Book Blast Giveaway
Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or $50 PayPal cash prize(winner’s choice) Giveaway ends: April 26, 11:59 pm, 2017
Title of book and/or series: Halayda (Star-Fae Trilogy book 1)
Brief summary of the story:
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| Sparkly Forest |
Her fate is life. His fate is death. With Faerie in the balance, Sylvie and Taylan must stand together before reality as they know it is destroyed.
If we were to visit Kyure as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Make sure you go to Sabellyn on a solstice or equinox day! At each change of season, the fae visit the city and hold lavish celebrations to honor the peace treaty between Faerie and the mortal world. Sabellyn is usually pretty drab, but on these days it comes alive with color and magic.
What dangers should we avoid in Kyure?
If you venture into Faerie, make sure you have a trustworthy guide. There are plenty of stories about mortals going there for adventure or a fling with a fae lover and never returning. When you’re in Sabellyn, stay away from the high-ranking alchemists—unless you want to risk becoming a science experiment.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Kyure?
Depends where you go! Each fae people has a favorite food: spiced river weeds for naiads, rich chocolates for Maithe, raw venison for the Wild Hunt (I recommend skipping that last one). The food on Sabellyn is a lot more practical and less interesting (just ask Taylan for his opinion on oatmeal).
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Kyure?
The fae have developed an intricate, elegant sword-fighting style, and they also incorporate magic into their weapons and fighting techniques. On their own, humans are no match for the fae in battle. They’ve spent centuries developing weapons that can effectively counter the fae, though, resulting in excellent firearms and an arsenal of lethal alchemical potions.
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| Faerie Hounds |
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Kyure?
Most people in Sabellyn travel on foot or by horse-drawn carriages, or by train or river barge if they’re venturing beyond the city. If you’re traveling in Faerie, you’re walking, unless you can get a ride from a pooka (horse shifter) or a lift from a faerie who’s willing to transport you through the elements. Be careful, though—they’re likely to ask for a favor in return, and that rarely ends well!
A dice game called Ruj is popular in Faerie, especially among the lower classes.
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| Sabellyn |
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Kyure as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
Days and months have different names, but seasons are the same, and years are the same length. The biggest holidays are solstice and equinox days, when the fae and mortal realms come together. The people of Sabellyn also celebrate a few holidays honoring scientific progress and the founding of the city-state, but their celebrations tend to be low-key for the sake of practicality. The fae, on the other hand, will use any occasion as an excuse for a lavish party.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Kyure? Please describe what it involves.
There are no organized religions , but people fervently adhere to certain philosophies. The fae seek pleasure above all things. The “religion” of Sabellyn is progress, and the people of the city-state see scientific advancement and cultural refinement as their highest ends.
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| Taylan Ashkalabek, King of Faerie |
What is the political or government structure in Kyure? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Faerie is always ruled by a monarch, who is the highest magical as well as political power. The current king is Taylan Ashkalabek, who has been in power for 1200 years. He is a capable leader who does his best to govern his unruly realm, but his people see him as a killjoy as best and a traitor at worst. Sabellyn is officially governed by an elected Ruling Council, but its true rulers control the city-state from the shadows.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
A lot of the world-building were influenced by my real-world experiences and interests. I’ve been interested in Celtic folklore and balladry for years, so it was a natural choice to base my faeries on the traditional Irish, Scottish, and Welsh sorts (although I took a lot of liberties!). Subtle traces of Arab and Turkish languages and cultures sneaked in too, thanks to the time I spent in the Middle East. The locations were mostly just wish fulfillment, though!
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
None explicitly. My first goal is always to tell a good story. Some subtle commentary on culture worked its way into the world-building, though. There are two contrasting societies in Kyure: the amoral, pleasure-seeking fae and the straight-laced, progress-driven humans. Both of these cultures go extremes and reap the consequences.
Author Biography:
Sarah Delena White was raised by wolves in an alternate dimension. She writes eclectic speculative fiction that reworks mythology with a fine balance of poetry and snark. She’s an experienced world traveler who loves to weave world folklore and ancient concepts into vibrant, original story worlds. She is also the Benevolent Firebird (acquisitions editor) for Uncommon Universes Press. When she’s not writing or editing, she can be found making jewelry, singing Irish ballads, drinking tea, and working a variety of odd jobs. She can be bribed with dark chocolate.
The eBook is also available from Barnes & Noble, Kobo, 24 Symbols, and Apple iBooks.
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Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!