Happy St. Patrick's Day! A Gallery of Vintage Postcards

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I just wanted to share a little gallery of vintage St. Patrick's Day postcards from Birdhouse Books.  These cards date from 1911 - 1920.  I love the vivid greens and vintage design.

Book Spotlight, Guest Post & Giveaway: The Icing on the Corpse by Liz Mugavero

3rd in Series
Series: A Pawsitively Organic Mystery 
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (March 31, 2015) 
ISBN-13: 978-0758284822


Synopsis

Kristan “Stan” Connor is thrilled to be invited to the Groundhog Day festivities in quirky Frog Ledge, Connecticut. Her organic, home-baked pet treats are a big hit at the annual celebration, though an important guest is curiously absent . . .

When Helga Oliver, the town’s elderly historian, is found crumpled in the basement of the Historical Museum, the close-knit town is devastated. But after some tenacious digging, Stan discovers Helga was pushed down the stairs–and that this picture-perfect New England town may hide some dark secrets . . .
Stan’s dogged determination reveals Helga’s ties to an unsolved death in 1948 . . . but how does that connect to Adrian Fox, who’s just arrived in town to shoot an episode of Celebrity Ghost Hunters? Stan is going to have to be very careful in chasing down the killer–if she wants to live to see another winter . . .

Includes Gourmet Pet Food Recipes!

Guest Post

A Tour of Frog Ledge with Stan Connor

Hi! I’m Stan Connor, chief executive officer of Pawsitively Organic, a gourmet pet food business.  I’m so excited to take you guys on a tour of my home—Frog Ledge, Connecticut. I’ve been living here now for almost a year, and I know I was meant to be here. I found Frog Ledge by accident when I was driving through town with my friend Nikki during a really rough time in my life. I saw the town—saw my house, in fact—and fell instantly in love. Within two months, I said goodbye to my life in the city, bought the house and moved in, ready to start some new adventures.

I’ll start with my house. I live in a beautiful mint-green Victorian, right on the town green, which was part of the draw for me. Everyone comes to the town green. Forget the town hall! Unofficial meetings, concerts, plays, farmers’ markets, fireworks, tree lightings—it’s all happening here.

The green also has a walking path that I take advantage of daily in the nice weather, and some of us do yoga sessions out here. It’s the best place in town. The dogs in town love it too. It’s the favorite place for playdates. And there’s a gazebo, which people use as a center for events. Hint: There’s going to be a doggie wedding taking place here in The Icing on the Corpse.

Also on my street: the Happy Cow Dairy Farm (you can read about my adventures here in A Biscuit, A Casket), my friend Amara Leonard’s house, the historical society and up at the very tip of the green, the Frog Ledge Library. On the other side of the green you’ll find the War House, where volunteers dress like Revolutionary War soldiers and take you through the building that served as the strategic planning zone for the war.

Adjacent to my street you’ll find Main Street. The Town Hall is across from the library, and that’s where Jessie Pasquale, the resident state trooper, also has an office. Jessie and I have spent a lot of time together since my move to Frog Ledge. I don’t think either of us are really excited about that, but it can’t be helped. Also on the corner of Main Street you’ll find Izzy Sweet’s Sweets, my friend Izzy’s gourmet chocolate, pastry and coffee shop. This place alone is the best reason to live in Frog Ledge. If I didn’t exercise regularly, I’d be in trouble.

Heading down Main Street in the other direction, there’s the vet clinic which is under construction. My friend and neighbor Amara and her fiance are opening a brand new facility after we lost the town vet and most of the building (you’ll have to read Kneading to Die to hear all about that). This new clinic is going to be the envy of our neighboring towns, because it will combine traditional and homeopathic medicine as well as a small adoption center.

And a little further down the road, the crowing jewel of Frog Ledge: McSwigg’s, the Irish pub. I have a special place in my heart for McSwigg’s, largely because of its proprietor, Jake McGee. Yes, I’m biased, since we’re kind of dating. Alright, more than kind of, but I’ve been taking it really slow…

I’m just so happy to live here. I never thought of myself as a small-town girl, but I can’t imagine being anyplace else now. Of course, I had no idea how adventurous it would be….or how many dead bodies can pile up in such a small, picturesque town!

My latest adventure, The Icing on the Corpse, is out March 31. Hoping you’ll all want to visit Frog Ledge and check it out!  

About This Author

Liz Mugavero is a corporate communications consultant and animal lover from the Boston area, whose canine and feline rescues demand the best organic food and treats around. Her short stories have been published in the UK and Australia, and her essays have appeared in national publications Skirt! and Sassee Magazine for Women.

Author Links

http://www.lizmugavero.com 
https://twitter.com/lizmugavero http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475412.Liz_Mugavero https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Mugavero/329291780446231

Purchase Links Amazon Indie Bound B&N Book Depository

Giveaway

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Interview and Giveaway: The School of Night: The William Shakespeare Detective Agency, Book One

Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Cool Gus Publishing
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 168

Series: The William Shakespeare Detective Agency
Genre: Historical Mystery



"My name is William Shakespeare. No, not that Shakespeare; and no jests please, I’ve heard them all. I’m the other one, the ne’er do well cousin, the loafer, known to family and friends as the dunce, the one who could not recite Cicero or Horace, who could never be as good as his clever cuz, the one who has just come to Bishopsgate from Stratford with silly dreams in his head and a longing to make something more of himself than just a glover’s handyman.”

What he finds in London is Lady Elizabeth Talbot, who is willing to pass a few shillings to this blundering brawler if he will help her find her husband. Poor William does not realize the trail will lead to the truth behind the death of Shakespeare’s great rival, Christopher Marlowe - or to a lifelong love affair with a woman far above his station.

Each book tells the story of William’s adventures as England’s first gumshoe, set against turbulent Elizabethan politics; of his romantic pursuit of the impossible Elizabeth Talbot; while charting the career of his up and coming dramatist cousin, the bard of Stratford, but just Will to his family.

Buy the Book

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Interview with Colin Falconer 
What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always been fascinated with Shakespeare’s life - but writing directly about his life ... we don’t know enough about him to really write a definite tale. So making him peripheral while still a major character - that works. And I also wanted to do something that was fun. The William Shakespeare Detective Agency is a lot of fun, and still describes in great detail the times in politics and in the London theatre.

What was the research process like?

I read as much as I can get my hands on. But it’s not a history lesson. I find what I need and build it around the story. Not the other way round.

What is your daily writing schedule?

I get up at six and write till lunchtime. Most days. I have a schedule for each stage of the book and I keep to it.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor or inspiration?

Hemingway. When I was 16 I liked the idea of having four wives, going to bull fights and growing a beard. Fortunately that stage passed.

Also, the guy who invented Classics Illustrated Comics when I was 8. Most of all Basher Briggs, my English teacher when I was 15.

Who are your favorite authors?

Ken Follett. Ian McDonald Fraser. Lyndsey Davis. Hilary Mantel.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Travel. Play guitar. Do indoor rock climbing. Learn tango. Spent time with my daughters - not that easy, one’s in London, one’s in Java.

What is your next writing project?

I’m working on the sequel to ISABELLA and then i want to do books three and four in this Shakespeare series. 

About the Author

Born in London, Colin first trialed as a professional football player in England, and was eventually brought to Australia. He went to Sydney and worked in TV and radio and freelanced for many of Australia’s leading newspapers and magazines. He has published over twenty novels and his work has so far been translated into 23 languages.

He travels regularly to research his novels and his quest for authenticity has led him to run with the bulls in Pamplona, pursue tornadoes across Oklahoma and black witches across Mexico, go cage shark diving in South Africa and get tear gassed in a riot in La Paz.

He currently lives in Barcelona.

For more information please visit Colin Falconer’s website. You can also find him on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

Giveaway

The prize is one paperback, open to US only. 

Rules:
– Must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.

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The School of Night Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 16
Interview & Giveaway at View From the Birdhouse

Tuesday, March 17
Excerpt at I Heart Reading
Spotlight at Genre Queen

Wednesday, March 18
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes

Thursday, March 19
Interview at Becky on Books
Spotlight at What Is That Book About

Friday, March 20
Spotlight at To Read, or Not to Read

Monday, March 23
Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection

Tuesday, March 24
Review at It's a Mad, Mad World

Thursday, March 26
Review at Quirky Book Reviews

Friday, March 27
Review at Griperang's Bookmarks

Tuesday, March 31
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Book Review: Death Takes a Mistress by Rosemary and Larry Mild

Death Takes a Mistress is a cozy mystery by Rosemary and Larry Mild.  It is the second book in the Dan and Rivka Sherman mystery series.  

The book begins in London in 1982, where a loving single mother is murdered by her lover.  We see the baby safely placed with family friends, and then the book flashes forward to Annapolis, Maryland, in 2005.  The baby has now grown up into a bright, resourceful young woman named Ivy Cohen.  Ivy has learned that her birth father - who killed her mother - is from Annapolis, and she has travelled to Annapolis to find him.

Ivy has the good fortune to connect with Dan and Rivka Sherman, a delightful couple who own a local bookstore.  Ivy finds employment and friendship with them, and they help in her search.  Dan is able to help Ivy find her mother's old diary through a contact at Scotland Yard.  Ivy then learns more about her mother and her father as well.  She knows that her father is one of four Jewish businessmen from Annapolis.

The story takes many twists and turns as Ivy and the Shermans investigate the case.  I am an avid mystery reader, but I was kept guessing up until the end of the book.

The book is written in short chapters that focus on different characters.  There is a very large cast of characters in this book, and I would have found a listing of characters and/or a family tree (not including Ivy's parentage!) to be very helpful.

I have not read the first Dan and Rivka Sherman mystery, but this book worked very well as a stand-alone mystery.

Ivy is a warm and sympathetic character, and the Shermans - and their bookstore - were wonderful.  I enjoyed the details about the bookstore and the Dan and Rivka's weekly religious traditions.

I would recommend this book for fans of cozy mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from Maryglenn McCombs Book Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Aoleon the Martian Girl PART THREE

Book Details:

Book Title: Aoléon The Martian Girl: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Saga - Part 3: The Hollow Moon, written and illustrated by Brent LeVasseur
Category: Middle-Grade, 120 pages
Genre: Science-fiction and Fantasy

Book Description:

Spying on the Luminon, Aoléon and Gilbert uncover his plot to steal Earth’s milk cows and make the disturbing discovery that the Martian leader plans to disrupt Mars’s galact supply. The duo races to warn Aoléon’s father, Deimos, a manager at the galactworks, before the Luminon’s saboteur can act.

While still on the run, Aoléon takes her pilot’s exam so she can join the Martian intergalactic exploration fleet. However, during the test-run, something goes horribly wrong. The two are put in a life-threatening situation and only Bizwat, Aoléon’s Procyon commando friend, can save them.

Gilbert finally gets his chance to learn to skyboard, but the lesson turns into a test of skill as he and Aoléon are chased by the Royal Paladin Guard.

Will they survive?

Don't miss this exciting part 3 of 5 of the middle-grade sci-fi series Aoleon The Martian Girl.

My Review:

I have enjoyed reading and reviewing Aoleon the Martian Girl Parts One and Two.  Part Three begins at the exact point where Part Two left off.  The pace and adventure level really picks up.  The threat that Gilbert and Aoleon face is more serious and they must take greater risks.

The chapter about Aoleon's pilot test was very exciting, as Aoleon and Gilbert encountered an unexpected event during her test.  I found the way that telepathic communication worked, especially between the two friends, to be very interesting.  The description of the Draconians - and even their name - invoked concern for our brave protagonists.

It is interesting the way the books have each progressed in intensity, and the Ciakar in this book is a real threat to Gilbert and Aoleon as well.  The illustrations of the Ciakar were scary in a way that young readers will enjoy.

The writing was lively and fresh, with lines like:  "Gilbert realized this could be the end of him.  He was incredibly frightened.  If fright were a fish, his would be a whale.  Except whales are not fish.  But they're big!  And that is the point."

The illustrations in this book were once again a real standout.  The colors were rich and vivid, and the detail of the illustrations brought extra life to the story.

This book, and the others in this series, are sure to appeal to middle grade readers who enjoy an action-packed science fiction book.  I am already looking forward to reading along with Aoleon's next adventure!

Book Trailer:

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Another World - Single

Featuring Élan Noelle

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Meet the Author:
Mr. LeVasseur enjoys crafting good stories based on lovable characters designed to translate well to multiple media formats such as books, games, movies, and toys. He lives in New York when he is not commuting between Southern California and Olympus Mons, Mars. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition, and intergalactic space travel. He also enjoys various sports such as skiing, running, and exospheric skydiving.

Connect with Brent: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Aoléon: The Martian Girl

 I received this book from iRead Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.