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A READER'S OPINION Powerful, engrossing, and wonderfully spectacular! In THE WINTER SEA, bestselling author Carrie McClelland departs her original plans to research her next book in France. Instead, she finds herself in Cruden Bay on the shores of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The cottage she lets is as fascinating as Slains Castle, a place with which she feels an undeniable and haunting pull. Two interesting sons, their charming father, a doctor eager to offer historical insight, and a setting so beautifully depicted I felt as though I walked along the shore with Carrie. THE WINTER SEA is essentially two stories in one, one historical and one contemporary. It's a bit of a marathon compared to her other books I've read thus far, and it's worth every second and page. The historical part of the story is in third person and follows one of Carrie's ancestors. The contemporary is in first person from Carrie's point of view, and as I've said before, this author writes first-person narrative better than anyone I've ever read . . . in my opinion. There's so much to share about this book, yet to reveal anything would almost be to reveal too much. I'm working my way through Susanna Kearsley's impressive work of fiction, books that don't fit neatly into any one genre, something I love about her work. I know what to expect, yet there are always surprises. Mariana and The Shadowy Horses are by far my favorites, though THE WINTER SEA is just as marvelous in how it's written and the superb use of detail. Susanna Kearsley continues to impress. Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 1 Heart | Reviewed by : MK McClintock BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS History has all but forgotten... In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown. Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write. But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth—the ultimate betrayal—that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her... Genre: Multi-Genre Fiction | Pub Date: December 1, 2010 (Reprint) | Page count: 544pp Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark | Format Read: Paperback | Source: From the reviewer's personal library. DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #EditorRecommended #ReviewersTopPick #5Stars

A READER'S OPINION (Second B&B Review) Young Amélie Belliveau lives with her family in Nova Scotia in her home town Acadia on Grand Pré. Little does she know that her life as she knows it will be a dream she will often look back on . . . The summer of 1755 is wrought with talks of war and the invasion of the British. During her family's fight for survival and the British onslaught, Amelia meets a young man fighting with the very army that destroyed his own country—a Scot named Connor MacDonnell. Having witnessed the English brutality firsthand, Connor tries to help Amelia at first as a friend she can trust, but soon their feelings change to a budding love. The consequences for staying at their home is deportation, and soon Amélia finds herself on a ship separated from her family. Although Connor has promised to keep her brothers safe at the expense of being a traitor to the British, he finds no hardship considering his hatred for Britain. How can one survive being separated from family and loved ones shipped to another country and manage to go back to your roots and family? This is a tale of strength, perseverance, and struggles that a young woman had to overcome and endure. The characters' struggles and strengths are truly felt, and I can't imagine going through what they did. History has shown that when stronger countries want to control and conquer peaceful countries, and forcefully take what doesn't belong to them, the result is frightening. Genevieve Graham did an outstanding job in her descriptive telling of every detail of the surroundings, as well as the feelings the people were going through. This was the first time I read a book by Genevieve Graham and it will not be the last. I definitely recommend it. Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 1 Heart | Reviewed by : Maria Rose Dariotis BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS An enchanting and poignant story about the unfailing power of love in a world turned upside down by war—from the bestselling author of Tides of Honour . Summer 1755, Acadia Young, beautiful Amélie Belliveau lives with her family among the Acadians of Grande Pré, Nova Scotia, content with her life on their idyllic farm. Along with their friends, the neighbouring Mi’kmaq, the community believes they can remain on neutral political ground despite the rising tides of war. But peace can be fragile, and sometimes faith is not enough. When the Acadians refuse to pledge allegiance to the British in their war against the French, the army invades Grande Pré, claims the land, and rips the people from their homes. Amélie’s entire family, alongside the other Acadians, is exiled to ports unknown aboard dilapidated ships. Fortunately, Amélie has made a powerful ally. Having survived his own harrowing experience at the hands of the English, Corporal Connor MacDonnell is a reluctant participant in the British plan to expel the Acadians from their homeland. His sympathy for Amélie gradually evolves into a profound love, and he resolves to help her and her family in any way he can—even if it means treason. As the last warmth of summer fades, more ships arrive to ferry the Acadians away, and Connor is forced to make a decision that will alter the future forever. Heart-wrenching and captivating, Promises to Keep is a gloriously romantic tale of a young couple forced to risk everything amidst the uncertainties of war. Genre: Historical Fiction | Pub Date: April 24, 2017 | Page count: 336pp | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Format Read: Paperback | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalFiction #2017Review #ReviewersTopPick #5Stars

From the award-winning author of THE MEMORY PAINTER comes a sweeping and suspenseful tale of romance, fate, and fortune. “Beginning as a clever mystery based on an ancient manuscript and evolving into a family epic spanning centuries, an international thriller, and a destined romance, THE FORTUNE TELLER has something for everyone. Offer it to fans of A.S. Byatt’s Possession and Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation series.”― Booklist THE FORTUNE TELLER Semele Cavnow appraises antiquities for an exclusive Manhattan auction house, deciphering ancient texts—and when she discovers a manuscript written in the time of Cleopatra, she knows it will be the find of her career. Its author tells the story of a priceless tarot deck, now lost to history, but as Semele delves further, she realizes the manuscript is more than it seems. Both a memoir and a prophecy, it appears to be the work of a powerful seer, describing devastating wars and natural disasters in detail thousands of years before they occurred. The more she reads, the more the manuscript begins to affect Semele’s life. But what happened to the tarot deck? As the mystery of her connection to its story deepens, Semele can’t shake the feeling that she’s being followed. Only one person can help her make sense of it all: her client, Theo Bossard. Yet Theo is arrogant and elusive, concealing secrets of his own, and there’s more to Semele’s desire to speak with him than she would like to admit. Can Semele even trust him? The auction date is swiftly approaching, and someone wants to interfere—someone who knows the cards exist, and that the Bossard manuscript is tied to her. Semele realizes it’s up to her to stop them: the manuscript holds the key to a two-thousand-year-old secret, a secret someone will do anything to possess. AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | INDIEBOUND | POWELL'S Add to Goodreads Genre: Fiction/Historical/Mystery | Publisher: Picador | Pages: 368pp | Paperback Publication Date: June 6, 2017 “THE FORTUNE TELLER takes you on an international thrill ride across centuries—with fascinating research and memorable characters—proving once again that Gwendolyn Womack is a magician, keeping readers turning pages with wonder and awe.”—M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author ENJOY AN EXCERPT from The Fortune Teller The Fool . . . The fireplace stood like a sentry in the room. Embers crackled and popped behind the grate, breaking the silence, and a log fell forward in a rain of sparks. The flames bent and bloomed, spreading out their warmth, but Marcel could feel only coldness. His heart slowed and beat out of time, making each breath more diffi cult to take. The glass of cognac slipped from his hand and tumbled across the carpet. Unable to call out from his chair in the study, he looked toward the door and gripped his arm. The muscles of his heart closed tightly like a fi st and squeezed until his body began to tremor. Panic consumed him as his mind rode the pain to its pinnacle. He needed to tell Theo he had found her. He needed to tell Theo what to do—to warn him the manuscript was no longer safe. He slid from his chair and tried to crawl to the phone at his desk. With a gasp, he rolled to his side and stared up at the framed photo graphs on the wall. His family looked down on him like angels. Had he failed them? His wife gazed at him with eyes full of peace. She had already made this journey. Three years ago he had watched her die— three long years. She would be waiting for him on the other side. The certainty calmed him. Relinquishing his last hold on life, his eyes glazed over and settled back onto the fire. His spirit departed like a thousand collapsing stars, leaving all his thoughts, all his secrets to burn away like paper. CONTINUE READING “What a mesmerizing journey. The suspense increases steadily throughout the novel, as Semele realizes her identity is caught up in the mysterious manuscript and that the truth of her own abilities is a secret people will kill for. Readers who enjoy the novels of Katherine Neville, Kate Mosse and Diana Gabaldon will savor this treat.” —Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown THE AUTHOR Gwendolyn Womack Originally from Houston, Texas, Gwendolyn Womack studied theater at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She holds an MFA in Directing Theatre, Video, and Cinema from California Institute of the Arts. Her first novel, The Memory Painter, was an RWA PRISM award winner in the Time Travel/Steampunk category and a finalist for Best First Novel. She now resides in Los Angeles with her husband and her son. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | GOODREADS “There aren’t enough words to adequately describe how much I love THE FORTUNE TELLER. It is a gripping and masterfully woven combination of history, mystery, fate, adventure, and family ties: a true page-turner that enthralls from the first sentence with unique characters, fascinating settings, and intriguing artifacts. Womack brilliantly illuminates how there is more at play in the world than logic can explain.” —Kelli Estes, USA Today bestselling author of The Girl Who Wrote in Silk Follow the tour on Twitter: @hfvbt @Gwen_Womack @PicadorUSA #TheFortuneTellerBookBlast DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #GuestAuthor #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #AuthororTourGiveaway

A READER'S OPINION Touches of magic and mystery are found in this time-travel romance. DRUID'S PORTAL begins when Janet, an archaeologist, working in a museum in Northumberland and trying to stop who she believes is a thief threatening the place she works and loves. It doesn't take more than a page for the action to begin and leaving the reader to imagine what will happen next. Touches of history were mixed into the story at the right moments. The author brought to life the Roman Invasion into Britain during an interesting time in history, but it wasn't overdone. I also thought the paranormal aspects were blended well to make them seem real. Daman, the villain, was a great bad guy to hate, and Trajan was a likeable and worthy hero. The spark between Janet and Trajan is there from the beginning of their meeting. Too many exclamation points and some feelings of modern behavior by the historical characters were distracting at times, but that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of this magical story. The beautiful cover and well-done synopsis drew me to this book, and I'm glad I read it. The romance was a classic tale of man meets woman, falls in love, struggles, but in the end love wins. Fans of time-travel, historical romance are sure to enjoy DRUID'S PORTAL. Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS A portal closed for 2,000 years. An ancient religion twisted by modern greed. A love that crosses the centuries. An ancient druid pendant shows archaeologist Janet visions of Roman soldier Trajan. The visions are of danger, death, and love—but are they a promise or a curse? Her fiancé Daman abandons her before the wedding, her beloved museum is ransacked, and a robed man vanishes before her eyes. Haunted by visions of a time she knows long gone, Janet teeters on the edge of a breakdown. In the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall and 2,000 years back in time, Janet’s past and present collide. Daman has vowed to drive the invaders from the shores of Britain and march his barbarian hordes to Rome. Trajan swears vengeance against the man who threatens both his loves—Janet and the Empire. Time is running out—for everyone. Genre: Time-Travel Romance | Pub Date: May 17, 2017 | Page count: 356pp | Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing, LLC Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #TimeTravelRomance

A READER'S OPINION A fun and quick read! I wanted to read something light and romantic, so I chose Ms. Brower's sweet novella, FOREVER MY EARL, and what a nice surprise! FOREVER MY EARL by Dawn Brower, is charming, well written, and so romantic that you won't be able to put it down. She nicely blended her well developed Garrick and Hannah's characters into a story of hope, dreams come true, and second chances. FOREVER MY EARL tells the journey of two broken souls who never thought they would fall in love. The first time Hannah met Garrick, she knew he was hers for eternity. Unfortunately, he needs to leave for war. Hannah is so sweet, but lacks confidence in herself and believes she will stay a wallflower for the rest of her life. Ten years later, Garrick comes back home from war, and was met with an unexpected surprise. He inherits the title of Earl and becomes the caregiver for his late brother's daughter, Amelia. It becomes evident that he needs a wife to help him. Since he and Hannah already feel a mutual attraction and share a beautiful chemistry, they rekindle their friendship hoping their lives will change for the best! Will Hannah’s dream come true? Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS True love is for fairy tales. At least that is what Miss Hannah Knight believes. Her formative years were filled with difficulties, but she carries one memory with her always--even through the darkest times. The summer she spent at Manchester Castle where she started to dream of a happily-ever-after in the arms of the man who holds her heart. War has left Garrick Edwards cynical. He never expected to inherit the title and become the Earl of Manchester, but his brother drank himself into an early grave leaving a daughter behind and a mountain of debt. Reluctantly,he returns to his ancestral home. When he arrives he finds Hannah there. Her letters during the war had given him hope when there was none; however he doesn't believe he deserves her love. As they rekindle their friendship they find hope they thought they'd both lost. In the bottom of their hearts they cling to that hope and start to wonder if some dreams can come true. The question is will they be brave enough to reach for them... Genre: Historical Romance | Pub Date: May 23, 2017 | Page count: 103pp | Publisher: Monarchal Glenn Press Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #5Stars

A READER'S OPINION It's utterly spellbinding! It feels so good to discover a well-written, fantastic romance filled with so much magic and passion that you can’t put it down! I hope you have lots of reading time ahead to enjoy Mary Morgan's new novel and introduction to her new series, Legends of Fenian Warriors . QUEST OF A WARRIOR is a little masterpiece and a real page turner! I am fascinated by the style of writing and storytelling of this author, and personally, I feel that she has outdone herself! Mary Morgan never ceases to amaze me! Treat yourself and be swept away to a magical and mystical realm where anything can happen. I read this wonderful adventure in one sitting and now I'm addicted to her new series! Once upon a time, Fae and humans lived in harmony, but as time passed, the bond and trust were broken. The goddesses choose the Fenian Warriors to protect the realms and aid the humans. In QUEST OF A WARRIOR, we follow Conn MacRoich, a powerful Fae warrior who is sent on a special quest to redeem himself after haven making the wrong choice. Ivy, a young woman with a special gift, is in Ireland to claim an inheritance, a bookstore and a charming Irish cottage left from her dear uncle. This is where something magical will happen to her. Because of her gift, she lives in the shadows, and this opportunity is perfect for her to start a new life. That's where Conn will appear in the same village of Glennamore, Ireland. On his final quest, his world will intertwine with Ivy O'Callaghan's world and together they will embark on a journey of passion, trust, secrets, and hope. The moment their gazes locked, they knew they were meant for each other. Conn is so mysterious and sexy that he took Ivy’s breath away. The chemistry between these two is hot! But, can they trust each other with their many secrets? Is love and happiness possible for these two beautiful souls from different worlds? Fate will weave a fine thread to protect them, but is it enough? We meet new characters and some from her previous stories such as the Dragon Knights series. I really loved Jamie, son of Adam and Meggie, because he's mysterious like Conn. I hope he gets his own story! The plot and mystery sent me on a roller coaster ride of emotions, and you might even shed a tear or giggle during some scenes. Thank you Ms. Morgan for creating this little gem! It was perfect for me. Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS "You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!" Fenian Warrior, Conn MacRoich has traveled the earth for thousands of years, guarding the realm between mortal and Fae. His deeds are legendary. Yet, one mistake will force him on a journey to fix a broken time-line. However, on Conn’s quest, he must face a human female who will eventually bring this ancient warrior to his knees. When Ivy O’Callaghan inherits her uncle’s estate, she never imagines there will be more secrets to unravel, including the one she hides from the world. With the help of a mysterious stranger, she learns to trust and step out of the shadows. However, nothing prepares Ivy when she learns Conn's true identity. As the loom of fate weaves a thread around the lovers from two different worlds, will the sacrifices they make lead them to love? Or will their secrets destroy and separate them forever? Genre: Historical Highland Romance | Pub Date: June 30, 2017 | Page count: 300pp | Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc. Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #ReviewersTopPick #HighlandRomance #ParanormalRomance #5Stars

"This is one high-octane, thrilling ride of a story! Kat Martin delivers the goods with BEYOND REASON!" —Books & Benches, Reviewer's Top Pick BEYOND REASON New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin raises chills as danger stalks a woman determined to make it in a man’s world . . . Five weeks ago Carly Drake stood at her grandfather’s grave. Now she’s burying Drake Trucking’s top driver, and the cops have no leads on the hijacking or murder. Faced with bankruptcy, phone threats and the fear of failure, Carly has to team up with the last man she wants to owe—Lincoln Cain. Cain is magnetic, powerful, controlling—and hiding more than one secret. He promised Carly’s granddad he’d protect her. The old man took a chance on him when he was nothing but a kid with a record, and now he’s the multi-millionaire owner of a rival firm. But Linc’s money can’t protect Carly from the men who’ll do anything to shut her down, or the secrets behind Drake Trucking. If she won’t sell out, the only way to keep her safe is to keep her close . . . and fight like hell. AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | INDIEBOUND Add to Goodreads Genre: Romantic Suspense | Pub Date: May 30, 201 7 | Page count: 400pp | Publisher: Zebra Q&A with KAT MARTIN Does writing energize or exhaust you? Writing definitely stirs up your juices--when it’s working. You can’t get the words down fast enough. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen all that often. And whether it’s a good writing day or not so good, the work leaves you exhausted at the end of the day. What makes BEYOND REASON special or unique to you? Can you give us a little story behind the story? I wanted to write a super macho, super sexy big guy. I wanted him to be mega-rich but different. Lincoln Cain popped into my head and he is definitely unique. 6’5” of pure male muscle, tough from his delinquent childhood and years spent in prison. He turned his life around and became a multi-millionaire in the transportation industry. Then I found Carly Drake. Carly inherited her grandfather’s trucking firm. Linc owed Joe Drake, the one person who stuck by him over the years. Joe’s death threw Linc and Carly together in a dangerous adventure. It was a really fun book to write. What did you edit out of this book? I don’t edit out a lot. I try to get it right in the first place. I tend to add to a story, not subtract. What has been your greatest pleasure in writing BEYOND REASON? Linc and Carly were such a great couple to write. Perfectly suited, once they handled all the trouble they were facing. Of course it took them a while to figure it out. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? Some books take a lot more research than others. My father was a trucker so I knew a bit about the industry. I went to a truck driving school, got a lesson in the cab, and talked to some great guys. One of their stories is in the book. I research as I go along. I usually don’t know what information I’m going to need until I’m writing the story. What advice would you give to your younger self? Probably the same advice I gave myself back then. Don’t give up. Just keep charging forward. If you take a risk, back it up with the tried and true. Do a new genre or different kind of book on the side. Keep yourself above water but try new things. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I had no idea. I just knew I wanted to make a very good living. I went to college and afterward worked in Real Estate for a while. It was great fun, but once I started writing, I knew I had found my calling. I haven’t looked back since. "As the suspense unfurls at a breathtaking pace, readers will be captivated by this tale of drug dealers, foreign terrorists, bloody violence, and hot, steamy sex, all leading to a shocking ending. Martin’s fans and newcomers alike will enjoy every moment of this thrill ride." — Publishers Weekly THE AUTHOR Bestselling author Kat Martin is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. Currently residing with her Western-author husband, L. J. Martin, in Missoula, Montana, Kat has written sixty eight Historical and Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels. More than sixteen million copies of her books are in print and she has been published in twenty foreign countries. Her last novel, INTO THE FIRESTORM, took the #7 spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. This will be the 15th novel in a row to be included on that prestigious list. Kat is currently at work on her next Romantic Suspense. Visit the author at www.katmartin.com and check our her current contest . You can also connect with Kat on Facebook and Twitter . DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #ContemporaryRomanticSuspense #AuthororTourGiveaway #GuestAuthor #AuthorInterview

From the bestselling author of the Wars of the Roses Brides series comes a humorous women's fiction novel about how to feel special even when you're not the star. MY LIFE AS AN EXTRA Chicagoan Marla Goldberg must rebuild her life at forty-one after an unexpected divorce. While adjusting to singlehood, trying to improve conditions at the radio station where she's an account executive and fit in with her successful family, she dips her toes into the daunting dating pool. Marla yearns to fulfill her long-held dream of being a full-time, working actor, yet can't quite believe, "Leap and the net will appear." Being a movie and TV show extra teaches her meaningful lessons, but she must learn what for her is the hardest lesson of all: how to feel special and valued when you’re not the star. AMAZON | Add to Goodreads Genre: Women's Fiction | Heat Level: 3 Q&A with RUTH KAUFMAN What makes My Life as an Extra special or unique to you? Can you give us a little story behind the story? Thanks for asking! MLE is special because I’ve worked as an extra on more than 70 movies and TV shows filmed in Chicago, so I know what I’m talking about. I had such a wide range of experiences, from awesome to horrible, and thought that working as an extra would make a good backdrop for a book. Set conditions/the way extras are treated can be grueling or tiring, for what I consider low pay, yet many, like me, sign up again and again (though now I mostly do speaking roles, see #5 below). There are also a lot of rules/etiquette to follow, even more in today’s social media environment. I’ve made some great friends during long hours on set. And I’ve crossed paths with many A-list, household name celebrities and directors, and it’s fascinating to see how they behave and work on set. Let’s just say some are a lot nicer than others. As they say, truth is often stranger than fiction (and I was an extra in that movie, too, in a scene with Dustin Hoffman and Will Farrell, though you can only see my hair.). What story are you working on next, and what inspired it? Up next is the sequel to MLE: My Life as a Star. Marla learns be careful what you wish for when her acting career and feelings for a hot director skyrocket. It was inspired by me wondering what happens to Marla after MLE, which doesn’t have the traditional happy ever after (HEA) ending of a true romance novel. Will she get that by the end of MLS? Stay tuned. When I read the first scene to my Romance Writers of America® chapter (verbal and written critiques are a regular part of our meetings), the amount of laughter in the right places encouraged me to go for even more humor than in MLE. And I laughed out loud many times as Marla continues her journey. But there’s also some sadness and frustration in the persistent pursuit of our dreams and the inability to control the outcomes. I hope readers enjoy that dichotomy, too. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? I’m a pantser, meaning I write by the seat of my pants instead of plotting or writing the synopsis first. I usually see a scene in my head and go from there....who are these people, why are they doing whatever they’re doing, and what happens next and why? “Author intrusion” is something we’re encouraged to avoid, so I do my best not to pull my characters’ puppet strings by saying, “Now the heroine will do this or say that.” I want to see each scene through her/his eyes, as if I’m watching a movie of their lives. On occasion, of course, I’ll step back and come up with an obstacle to put in their way and raise the conflict, or something won’t ring true and I’ll have to figure out why. I think this approach helps each character react/think/speak in his/her own way and helps readers get to know and care about them. Were there alternative endings you considered for this book? What were they and why did you change them? Yes. In fact, MLE had a more serious ending. I knew MLS would follow, and wanted to leave Marla with as much room to find happiness as I could. And it’s not a romance, so I didn’t feel the need to make sure she was walking off into the sunset with a love interest. But at the time, an agent would only take on the book if I changed the last chapter to make it more uplifting. I did, and that’s the ending I stuck with. With MLS, I just couldn’t decide if I wanted a true HEA or if I wanted to stick with what I hope is a satisfying ending, but more along the lines of women’s fiction or mainstream with romantic elements than, say, contemporary romance. So...it has two endings! I hope readers appreciate that approach. If you didn’t write, what would you do for work? I actually have another career in addition to writing, which is very fitting for MLE and the upcoming sequel. I’m an actor and voiceover talent, which makes me very sympathetic to what my main character, Marla, goes through. Perhaps some of her experiences are based on real life. Only my hairdresser knows for sure. Like Marla, I wanted to be an actress most of my life, but feared failure, aka not earning a living. Never knowing when auditions or work will come in can be frustrating, and often others control my schedule. I also spend a lot of time preparing for and traveling to auditions when I know the chance of booking the gig is often very small. But I love performing and entertaining people. I’ve had roles in independent feature films, web series, several videos for The Onion, national TV commercials and more. I’ve voiced dozens of commercials, hundreds of e-learning courses and even phone prompts (She can’t take your call right now....). Some auditions and bookings come from talent agents, but I also get quite a few on my own. If you’re interested, please visit www.ruthtalks.com. THE AUTHOR Ruth Kaufman is the author of the Wars of the Roses Brides trilogy (AT HIS COMMAND, FOLLOW YOUR HEART and THE BRIDE TOURNMENT) and MY ONCE & FUTURE LOVE. Upcoming releases include humorous women’s fiction novels MY LIFE AS AN EXTRA and MY LIFE AS A STAR, and perhaps more books with “My” in the title. Accolades include 2016 Booksellers’ Best Awards Best Historical and Best First Book winner and Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® winner. She's also an actor and voiceover talent. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AuthorInterview #WomensFiction

The Making of an Irish-American Woman in 19th Century New York “This timely novel spans centuries to bring to our attention to a topic as old as yesterday, as expedient as tomorrow—emigration. Neale's work, written with love and insight, reminds us that our neighbor is all mankind.” ~Tim Pat Coogan, Irish broadcaster, journalist, writer and author of 1916 The Easter Rising, Michael Collins and The Famine Plot THE IRISH MILLINER It is New York City and the Civil War is brewing. Norah McCabe, an Irish immigrant who escaped the Famine as a child, is now a young widow with a daughter. She is a milliner, struggling to survive in tumultuous times. Norah meets Abraham Lincoln, befriends the extraordinary African-American woman Elizabeth Jennings, and assists the Underground Railroad. She falls headlong in love with Edward M. Knox, son of the famous hat-maker Charles Knox, but he is lace curtain Irish and she is shanty Irish. Edward joins the 69th regiment and leaves for battle. Can their love endure through class differences and war? This is a story of survival, intrigue, romance, as well as, exploring the conflict of Irish immigrants thrust into a war that threatened to destroy a nation. It is about an Irish-American woman who could be any immigrant today, any woman today, seeking to create beauty and make sense of her life. AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ITUNES | KOBO Add to Goodreads Genre: Fiction/Historical/Romance | Publication Date: June 2, 2017 | Pages: 276pp | Publisher: Fireship Press “Suddenly the Civil War seems very relevant and Cynthia Neale does a great job of focusing on the role of the Irish in the conflict. And it's great fun to be in touch with her wonderful character, Norah McCabe, again!” ~Mary Pat Kelly, author of Galway Bay and Of Irish Blood Q&A WITH AUTHOR Cynthia G. Neale Does writing energize or exhaust you? When young, I oftentimes felt exhilarated and in a Muse infused state when writing, mostly late at night. Some kind of exhaustion began seeping in when the rejection letters piled up. I was inexperienced and didn’t fathom the real work involved that entailed both inspirational energy and exhaustion. When a story and characters come bounding into my life, I am thrilled. And then I am energized by dreams and the research. This is followed by procrastination that brings on a certain exhaustion. When I finally drag myself to the computer and attempt that first sentence, I feel sick and overwhelmed. Writers like to quote Red Smith (and so do I), “You simply sit down at the typewriter, open your veins, and bleed.” It’s like that in the beginning and sometimes it happens throughout the course of writing the novel. But when some of my life is poured into the story, it is a sort of bloodletting, I suppose. And then I'm immediately energized. Israel Shenker said that “Writing is an affair of yearning for great voyages and hauling on frayed ropes.” The yearning is energizing and the hauling on frayed ropes causes callouses and exhaustion. You can’t have one or the other. And when you finish that chapter and eventually the novel, you re-read it in an exhausted state with flashes of tiny lights surrounding the pages. Is that euphoria or is this the effect of exhaustion? My bet is that it’s both. Tell us a little about what else you've written. I’m old enough to have boxes of stories, as well as stories in computer files. I had positive feedback in the good ole days when big publishers like Simon and Schuster responded to queries. I was too naïve to re-work those stories and re-submit! I have a musical play titled, ‘Diamond Juba,’ based on the famous ham and bone dancer, Master Juba (William Henry Lane), an African-American dancer who competed with the Irish jig dancer, Jack Diamond, for big money. I imagined a young Irish girl meeting a young African-American boy during this time and wishing to dance like Jack Diamond and Master Juba. This idea came after my two young adult books were published by White Mane – The Irish Dresser , A Story of Hope during The Great Hunger and Hope in New York City, The Continuing Story of The Irish Dresser . Norah , The Making of an Irish-American Woman in 19th-Century New York, was published by Fireship Press in 2015. The Irish Milliner is my last novel about Norah McCabe. I’ve written two screenplays and one is based on my four novels and it’s currently being pitched to producers. I’ve also written a cookbook, Pavlova in a Hat Box , Sweet Memories & Desserts that was published a year ago. There are dessert recipes with an organic twist, art, and stories. I’m doing another cookbook with two other Celtic (Scottish) bakers called, Transatlantic Tarts , Sweet and Savory Recipes & Stories. Good ingredients in a recipe and good ingredients in a story, but with a recipe, there is immediate gratification! What story are you working on next and what inspired it? I’ve researched seven years for a novel about a Native American woman with French blood who lived during the American Revolution period in the Finger Lakes area where I grew up. I didn’t intend to write about her, for there is great difficulty in ascertaining the truthful facts about Native Americans. This is for many reasons, including their oral history and the viewpoint of European domination. I feel it is sacred to write about them and I say with some modesty it’s only because I experienced visitations with my character, Queen Catharine Montour. Her name has been preserved in the area on markers and used on businesses, etc. I grew up knowing little about her. Many years ago while visiting family, I was walking on a trail named for her. I stopped at her memorial and in my head I heard, “Write my story.” I said aloud, “No, I’m writing about Norah.” Thereafter, I had unusual encounters, such as waking up with a dried kernel of corn in my bed after reading about the “Three Sisters (corn, bean, and squash). There have been other experiences and when I finally started writing the story, Norah visited again and I had to write one more book about her and set Catharine’s aside. I think the two women have become friends, for I believe Norah actually lived, as well. The working title is Catharine, Queen of the Tumbling Waters . I’m also writing a play about Elizabeth Jennings, a real life character from The Irish Milliner . And another cookbook…screenplay… Do you read much and who are your favorite authors? My bed stand is full of books that topple over in the night. I usually read a couple of historical novels, taking turns each evening until one wins out and I finish it first. Sometimes I only read from one briefly and then read from a non-fiction or poetry book. I thought someday there would be time to re-read some of my favorite classics, i.e. George Elliott (Mary Ann Evans), Louisa May Alcott, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, D.H Lawrence, Henry Miller…even tackle Moby Dick and War and Peace for the first time. Favorite contemporary authors are Susan Vreeland, Barbara Kingsolver, Colm Toibin, Annie Dillard, and Sarah Dunant. My bed stand books: Whirligig by Richard Buxton; Portrait of a Conspiracy by Donna Russo Morin; It Happened in New Hampshire by Stillman Rogers; Poems by Robert Frost; 50 Great American Short Stories , Edited by Milton Crane; The Ballad of the Sad Café by Carson McCullers (again); Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain (again). What would you like carved onto your tombstone? Hope Dances in the Darkness and Believes in the Lover who Casts Light at our Feet would be my tombstone inscription. Many years ago while Irish dancing at a pub and peering at a famous poster of an Irish Dresser, I imagined a young girl living through the Famine and hiding inside a dresser for comfort and dreams for a better life. This is when I began doing laborious research into Famine Ireland history and eventually wrote my first novel, The Irish Dresser, A Story of Hope during the Great Hunger (An Gorta Mor,1845-1850). I queried publishers and received many rejections for a long time. I was ready to give up and go on to other writing. I was quite discouraged and one evening I turned off the lights, lit a candle, and played loud Irish music and danced barefoot. I cried and danced until I felt hope surge through me. It was within days I received remarkable signs to go on and eventually a publisher, White Mane, offered to publish the book. After it was published, I came up with this quote and write the shortened version, “Hope Dances” in my books at signings. THE AUTHOR Cynthia G. Neale is a native of the Finger Lakes region of New York and now resides in New Hampshire. She has long possessed a deep interest in the tragedies and triumphs of the Irish during the Great Hunger. This is Ms. Neale’s fourth novel. She also writes plays, short stories, and essays, and holds a B.A. in Writing and Literature from Vermont College. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS Tour Schedule | Follow on Twitter: @hfvbt @cynthianeale7 @fireshippress DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AuthorInterview #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction #AuthororTourGiveaway

A READER'S OPINION Memorable, moving, and beautifully dramatic! NAMED OF THE DRAGON by Susanna Kearsley follows the story of Lyn Ravenshaw, a literary agent suffering a heartache that has haunted her for too many years. One of her effervescent authors invites Lyn to spend the Christmas holiday in South Wales, a prospect that sounds both charming and in some ways, necessary. Lyn needs a chance to get outside of her own head and the memories holding her in pain. Upon arrival in the small village of Angle, Lyn meets a cast of fabulous characters who will forever change her life. Dreams are unleashed during the cold, restless nights, and matters are not helped when a young widow, and mother to a special boy, believes Lyn is someone else. Something else, deeper and unexpected, lurks in the shadows around Lyn. Is it the talented novelist, his brother, the kind caretaker, or the brooding playwright who is causing Lyn's heart to race a few extra beats and terrifying a young mother? The paranormal is netted within a fascinating history, and the subtle yet intense romantic elements I've come to appreciate from this author emerge at the perfect moments, both understated and beautiful. The author gives the reader's imagination leeway to draw their own final conclusions between two characters whose paths seemed destined to cross. Splendidly crafted and atmospheric, NAMED OF THE DRAGON is a must read. Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 1 Heart | Reviewed by : MK McClintock BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS A haunting tale of intrigue from New York Times bestselling author Susanna Kearsley. SOMEWHERE IN THE HEART OF LEGEND LIES THE KEY TO HER TERRIFYING DREAMS The charm of spending the Christmas holidays in South Wales, with its crumbling castles and ancient myths, seems the perfect distraction from the nightmares that have plagued literary agent Lyn Ravenshaw since the loss of her baby five years ago. Instead, she meets an emotionally fragile young widow who's convinced that Lyn's recurring dreams have drawn her to Castle Farm for an important purpose--and she's running out of time. With the help of a reclusive, brooding playwright, Lyn begins to untangle the mystery and is pulled into a world of Celtic legends, dangerous prophecies, and a child destined for greatness. Genre: Multi-Genre Fiction | Pub Date: October 6, 2015 | Page count: 336pp | Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Format Read: Paperback | Source: From the reviewer's personal library. DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #MultiGenreFiction #2017Review #ReviewersTopPick #GeneralFiction #EditorRecommended #5Stars

A READER'S OPINION Beautiful Irish story! Set in New York city in the 1860's, and at the beginning of the Civil War, THE IRISH MILLINER, written by Cynthia G. Neale, follows Norah McCabe as she struggles to survive as a milliner. She is an Irish immigrant who escaped the Famine and who is now a young widow with a daughter. Her destiny sends Edward M. Knox her way, the son of the famous hat-maker, Charles Knox. She befriends an African-American woman named Elizabeth Jennings, who battles for the same cause—the Underground Railroad. Her story is about survival during that period of time and falling in love during times of war, conflict, and hope. Norah is a courageous and fiercely independent young woman trying to do her best for both herself and her daughter. This is the continuing story of Norah, as she struggles during these difficult times. Will she survive emotionally? I hadn't noticed that Ms. Neale had written other books about Norah McCabe: The Irish Dresser , Hope in New York City , and Norah, the Making of an Irish-American Woman in 19th-Century New York . I would have preferred to have known this detail to better appreciate this book. However, Ms. Neale is a very descriptive author and I really enjoyed following Norah. Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 1 Heart | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS It is New York City and the Civil War is brewing. Norah McCabe, an Irish immigrant who escaped the Famine as a child, is now a young widow with a daughter. She is a milliner, struggling to survive in tumultuous times. Norah meets Abraham Lincoln, befriends the extraordinary African-American woman Elizabeth Jennings, and assists the Underground Railroad. She falls headlong in love with Edward M. Knox, son of the famous hat-maker Charles Knox, but he is lace curtain Irish and she is shanty Irish. Edward joins the 69th regiment and leaves for battle. Can their love endure through class differences and war? This is a story of survival, intrigue, romance, as well as, exploring the conflict of Irish immigrants thrust into a war that threatened to destroy a nation. It is about an Irish-American woman who could be any immigrant today, any woman today, seeking to create beauty and make sense of her life. Genre: Historical Fiction | Pub Date: June 2, 2017 | Page count: 368pp | Publisher: Fireship Press Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #HistoricalFiction

Every once in a while we like to spotlight books our reviewers especially liked. These all received 4 stars or higher from one of our dedicated, book-loving reviewers within the past two months. We hope you enjoy discovering great new reads! Don't miss out on discovering more great books; simply click on the tags to right and explore! Have you already read and enjoyed one of these books? Feel free to tell us about it in the comments. THE BOOKS In no particular order . . . click on a cover to read our review. A SCARLET WOMAN by Lorna Peel THE SHADOWY HORSES by Susanna Kearsley SERENITY HARBOR by RaeAnne Thayne PROMISES TO KEEP by Genevieve Graham FORBIDDEN KNIGHT by Diana Cosby NO GREATER GLORY by Cindy Nord DUPLICITY by Jane Hasledine BEYOND REASON by Kat Martin FORTY-NINER by Ken Lizzio SADIE'S HIGHLANDER by Maeve Greyson DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! #10BooksList