Book Review and Giveaway - A Golden Cage by Shelley Freydont

Book Synopsis

The author of A Gilded Grave returns to Newport, Rhode Island, at the close of the nineteenth century, where headstrong heiress Deanna Randolph must solve another murder among the social elite.

With her mother in Europe, Deanna is staying with the Ballard family, who agree to chaperone her through the summer season and guide her toward an advantageous marriage proposal—or so her mother hopes. Relishing her new freedom, Deanna is more interested in buying one of the fashionable new bathing costumes, joining a ladies’ bicycling club, and befriending an actress named Amabelle Deeks, all of which would scandalize her mother.

Far more scandalous is the discovery of a young man bludgeoned to death on the conservatory floor at Bonheur, the Ballards’ sumptuous “cottage.” Deanna recognizes him as an actor who performed at the birthday fete for a prominent judge the night before. But why was he at Bonheur? And where is Amabelle?

Concerned her new friend may be in danger—or worse—Deanna enlists the help of her intrepid maid, Elspeth, and her former beau, Joe Ballard, to find Amabelle before the villain of this drama demands an encore.

My Review
A Golden Cage is the second book in Shelley Freydont's Newport Gilded Age series.  (I enjoyed reading the first book, A Gilded Grave, last year.)

Deanna Randolph is enjoying staying at the Ballard family's "cottage" while her family is in Europe.  However, when an actor from a traveling theater troupe is found dead in the Ballard's conservatory, and a young actress goes missing, the mystery begins.  Deanna works to solve the mystery with her lady's maid and friend, Elspeth, and her former beau, Joe.  

I love how atmospheric this book is.  The historical details are wonderful, and the author does a great job at evoking the Gilded Age.  I found the glimpse of the traveling theater troupe particularly interesting.

Deanna is becoming one of my favorite mystery amateur detectives.  She is so smart and determined, and pursues solving mysteries in a time when women had very little freedom.  I really like her friendship with Elspeth, and the way they bridge class differences to work so well together.

The mystery in A Golden Cage was well plotted, and it kept me guessing until the end.

This is such a delightful read, and I recommend it highly to other fans of historical mysteries.   Anyone who misses Downton Abbey will particularly enjoy this read, with the nice interplay of upstairs and downstairs life.

Author Bio

Shelley Freydont is the author of the Liv Montgomery, Celebration Bay Festival Mysteries, (Silent Knife, Trick or Deceit),the Katie McDonald Sudoku Mysteries and the Lindy Haggerty dance company mystery series. Her Newport Gilded Age Mystery seires began in June 2015 with A Gilded Grave, followed in June 2016 with A Golden Cage. 

Shelley loves puzzles of all kinds and when not writing or reading mysteries, she’s most likely working on a jigsaw, Sudoku, or crossword.

As Shelley Noble, she’s the author of the women’s fiction novels, Beach Colors, Stargazey Point, and Breakwater Bay as well as several novellas.

She lives at the New Jersey Shore and loves to hear from readers.   

Author Links

Website www.shelleyfreydont.comm

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyFreydont

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Shelley-Freydont/e/B001HCUVP4

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ShelleyFreydont 

Purchase Links

Amazon –  B & N 

Giveaway

Win a copy of A Golden Cage - Winner’s Choice - Print or E-Book.  Giveaway ends 6/19.

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I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Abby - Meet Bella (A Rescued Pet Spotlight)

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a great week!  All is well in my world ... a nice, quiet week here.  Momma has been working hard and I have been a great helper.

Today I have a beautiful visitor for you to meet.  Bella is a 4 year old Bluetick Hound Mix.  Naturally, I love hounds!

Abby:  What is your background and how did you end up in rescue? 

Bella:  My mommy wasn't supposed to be puppy shopping, but she came to the pound anyway. Even though her mom and boyfriend (who is now my daddy) told her she didn't need a puppy while she was still in college, she was stubborn (just like me) and took me home anyway. Now my daddy can't imagine life without me, and my grandma loves me too! Mommy knew what she was doing!

Abby:  How were your first days at your new home? 

Bella:  They were a little confusing, because mommy had to pack up for college for the new semester, and I had to stay with Grandma and Grandpa while mommy got settled into her new house. But we were reunited soon enough.

Abby:  What are a few of your favorite things? 

Bella:  My favorite thing to do is eat out of the trashcan. It's so yummy! I also really like bossing around my sisters, Molly and Freckles. I win every time. Because I'm amazing!

Abby:  Do you have any tips for people who want to adopt a rescue pet? 

Bella:  Pick a pet you feel an instant connection to. Even though mommy and I are different, we always still love each other because we have a good mommy-daughter connection. I know she loves me even when I make her mad. Also, make sure you are able to take care of them. If they have a lot of energy, you need to have a fenced-in yard or go for lots of walks!

Abby:  Is there a rescue group you want to send a shout out to? 

Bella:  I was adopted from Brunswick County Animal Shelter, and they were so nice to me! (http://aps.brunswicksheriff.com/). My sisters were adopted from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, NC, and they thought those people were nice too!

Bella, thank you so much for visiting today!   I loved learning about your happy rescue story.  (I must admit I am a little jealous that you can go trashcan surfing!  I am too short for that, but it sounds like fun.)

Friends, if you would like to leave a message or question for Bella, you can leave a comment below.  I would also love to hear from you if you have a rescued cat or dog who would like to be featured here.

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Book Review and Giveaway - Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

Book Synopsis
One plucky female pharmacist + one high-society naval officer = romance-and danger

For plucky Lillian Avery, America's entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy---even if he is her brother's best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves---and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection?

Sarah Sundin brings World War II to life, offering readers an intense experience they won't soon forget. 

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1YFAtJ9 

My Review
 I had the pleasure of reviewing the first book in Sarah Sundin's Waves of Freedom series, Through Waters Deep, last year.   I've been eagerly awaiting this book, and it exceeded my expectations.

Anchor in the Storm is a lovely historical novel set during World War II.  It tells the story of Lillian Avery, a pharmacist in a time where women rarely held this job.  She is strong and resilient, and has worked hard to achieve all her life after a childhood accident left her an amputee with a prosthetic leg.

Lillian moves to Boston and finds friendship and sparks of romance with her brother's best friend, Ensign Arch Vandenberg.   When he notices a sedative problem on his ship, she realizes there may be a connection to sedatives (in large quantities) filled by her pharmacy.

The mystery in this novel is well done and kept me guessing until it began to unfold.

I loved the romance between Lillian and Arch as she learned to trust him, and as they both found greater happiness and faith. 

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and the 1940's is my favorite historical setting.  The historical details in this book were beautifully done.  I found the 1940's pharmacy particularly interesting.

The first book in this series was one of my favorite reads from 2015, and I am sure this book will make my list in 2016.  I absolutely loved it, and am already looking forward to the next book in the series.  Very highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and inspirational reads.  

Author Bio

Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep, as well as Wings of the Nightingale and the Wings of Glory series. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force. Sarah lives in California.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Giveaway

Celebrate the release of Sarah's Anchor in the Storm by entering to win her All Hands on Deck Prize Pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A signed copy of Anchor in the Storm
• Nautical tote bag lined with anchor fabric
• Anchor necklace made from copper reclaimed from the USS Constitution in Boston during restoration
• 365 Devotions for Hope by Karen Whiting
• Shine: Nautical Inspirational Adult Coloring Book
• "Hope Anchors the Soul" journal
• Set of two nautical tea towels

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on June 8th. The winner will be announced June 9th on Sarah's blog.

I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.

Did You Know Tuesday: Fun Facts About the Yo-Yo

When I was a little girl I loved little simple dimestore toys like yo-yos.  During my childhood years, yo-yos were usually manufactured by Duncan.  They often appeared as small birthday gifts from neighborhood friends, or as a party game prize.  My favorite was the glow in the dark yo-yo, like the one pictured here.

June 6 is National Yo-Yo Day.  Who knew?!   I didn't, but that is a fun holiday.

In honor of National Yo-Yo Day falling this week, here are a few fun facts:

In 1928, Pedro Flores, a businessman who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines, started the Yo-yo Manufacturing Company in Santa Barbara, California.  In 1929 this company was purchased by Donald Duncan.  In 1946 the Duncan Toys Company opened their first yo-yo factory in Luck, Wisconsin.  

In the 1950's Duncan created a light-up yo-yo.

In 1962 Duncan Toys started a new ad campaign for yo-yos and the toys became very popular.  Here is one of the ads, which included a Duncan yo-yo bundled with Lifesavers and Fruit Stripe gum:



There is a World Yo-Yo Contest held annually in Orlando, Florida.  Contestants do compulsory tricks and also perform freestyle with a yo-yo.

Duncan yo-yos are still made and come in many different models, like the Imperial, the Butterfly (I remember this from childhood), the BumbleBee, the Dragonfly, and more.

Some of the different yo-yos are better for tricks than others.  Popular yo-yo tricks include Walk the Dog, Around the Corner, and The Sleeper.

In 1968, Abbie Hoffman "walked the dog" with a yo-yo while testifying before a Congressional committee.  He was found in contempt.

Richard Nixon played with a yo-yo at the Grand Ole Opry shortly before leaving office in 1974.  Roy Acuff taught him to play with the yo-yo onstage.

A yo-yo traveled on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985.

How about you?  Did you play with yo-yos as a child?  Can you do any yo-yo tricks?   I'd love to hear your memories in the comments, below.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax

Book Synopsis

From the USA Today bestselling author of The House on Mermaid Point, a story of three women who join forces to bring a historic seaside hotel back to life.

There’s nothing that a fresh coat of paint and a few glasses of wine can’t fix  .  .  .

After losing their life savings in a Ponzi scheme, Maddie, Avery and Nikki have banded together to make the most of what they have left, using their determination, guts, and a large dose of elbow grease. It’s Maddie’s daughter Kyra who stumbles across a once glorious beachfront hotel that has fallen into disrepair. The opportunity to renovate this seaside jewel is too good to pass up---especially when they come up with the idea of shooting their own independent television show about the restoration.  What could possibly go wrong?

Everything. With the cameras rolling, Maddie’s second-chance romance with her all-too-famous new boyfriend gets complicated, Nikki’s reluctance to commit to the man who lovers her could leave her to face the biggest challenge of her life and the paparazzi continue to haunt their every move. Even the hotel seems to be against them, when their renovation uncovers a decades-old unsolved murder that just might bring their lives tumbling down all over again.

www.authorwendywax.com ● facebook.com/AuthorWendyWax  @Wendy_Wax

Author Bio
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says bestselling author Wendy Wax “writes with breezy wit and keen insight into family relations.” Her contemporary women’s fiction has been compared to that of Jennifer Weiner and Karen Joy Fowle and her books, including her Ten Beach Road novels, Ten Beach Road, Ocean Beach, and The House on Mermaid Point, A Week at the Lake, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey and others, have been featured in national media such as USA Today, Ladies’ Home Journal, CNN Online and Woman’s World.

When Ten Beach Road was published in 2011, Wendy had no intention of moving her protagonists beyond the beachfront mansion they renovated in St. Pete Beach, Florida, where the author was born and raised.  However, Wax found her own enthusiasm for her disparate characters matched by that of readers and reviewers, so when a new Ten Beach Road story began to take shape, she couldn’t resist putting aside her work-in-progress to spend more time with her intrepid DIYers.

The author of thirteen novels, Wendy currently splits her time between Atlanta, where she has lived for almost twenty years, and New York City. When not writing, she visits with readers at bookstores and book events, reads, enjoys her and her husband’s newly empty nest and catches up with her sons on the serendipitous occasions when everyone ends up in the same place at the same time.

Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a copy of Sunshine Beach.  Open to U.S. and Canada.  Giveaway ends Monday, 6/13/16.  Winner will be notified by email, and will need to respond within 48 hours.  The book will be sent by the author or her publicist.

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