Thursday, January 5, 2017

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan

Book Synopsis
The New York Times bestselling author of A Whisker of Trouble returns as secondhand shop owner Sarah Grayson and her rescue cat, Elvis, get caught up in a case of she said, she said…. 

When Sarah Grayson opened a secondhand shop in the quaint town of North Harbor, Maine, she was expecting peace and quiet. Then she was adopted by a rescue cat named Elvis and a kooky trio of senior sleuths known as Charlotte’s Angels. Now she has nine lives worth of excitement…

Sarah’s friend and employee Rose is delivering a customer’s purchase when the quick errand becomes a deadly escapade. Rose arrives just in time to see the customer murdered by his wife, but before she can call the police, she is knocked out cold. When she wakes up, no one believes her, especially after the woman claims her husband is very much alive and has left her for someone else—and has a text message and empty bank account to prove it.

Despite her convincing story, Sarah is sure something is fishy—and it’s not Elvis’s kitty treats. Sarah, Elvis, and the Angels are determined to unravel this mysterious yarn, before the feral killer pounces again…

Author Bio
Sofie Ryan/Sofie Kelly is the pseudonym of author and mixed-media artist, Darlene Ryan. Sofie/Darlene lives on the east coast with her husband and daughter. In her spare time she practices Wu style tai chi and likes to prowl around thrift stores. And she admits to having a small crush on Matt Lauer. 

Webpage

Purchase Links:

Pre-order at: Amazon.ca Amazon Barnes&Noble Books•A•Million Chapters IndieBound

Giveaway
(3) Print Copy - Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan - U.S. ONLY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

17 Fun Facts About Me for 2017

Happy New Year!

These fun fact lists are becoming a tradition here (see my lists for 2015 and 2016), so I couldn't resist a new one for 2017!

1.  My 3 core beliefs:  Christianity, pet rescue, vegetarianism.
 
2.  I love soul food.
 
3.  I love classic country music:  Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson . . .
 
4.  I do a good Wicked Witch of the West imitation.
 
5.  I went on my first camping trip at 6 months old.
 
6.  No scary movies, books, or tv shows for me;  they give me bad dreams!
 
7.  However, I love a good mystery.  Favorites include cozy mysteries, the Masterpiece Mystery! series, Columbo, and of course Nancy Drew.
 
8.  When I first learned to drive, I failed the driving test (twice!) because I couldn't parallel park.  Ironically, I have lived my entire adult life in the city with on-street parking.  Now I am a parallel parking pro!
 
9.  I love classic Disney.  My favorite animated Disney movie is Lady and the Tramp.  My favorite live action Disney is The Ugly Dachshund (of course!).
 
10.  I love polka dots!
 
11.  My favorite colors to wear:  green, red, pink.
 
12.  I prefer milk chocolate.
 
13.  I love cafeterias - the more old fashioned, the better.
 
14.  I don't like hats (never have!) but love to wear hoodies. 

15.  Tulips are my favorite flowers.

16.  I love 1950's - 1960's instrumental pop songs.
 
17.  I love trains!  I would love to take a long trip on Amtrak.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Abby and I are planning to take a blog break until the New Year.  We'll be back with book reviews and giveaways, retro posts and nostalgia, and - of course - Dear Abby on Fridays!

Thank you so much for reading and interacting here.  Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season!

Dear Abby: Merry Christmas, With Vintage Dog Illustrations

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season to you!  Momma and I are planning to take a blogging break for a couple of weeks, but I wanted to share a few vintage dog photos (all with a festive Christmas theme).

This Calling All Girls magazine cover from 1958 features a very helpful dachshund wrapping gifts with her person.


I love this very looooooooong dachshund on a cute vintage Christmas card.


This dachshund is helping two children shop.  (And he even has a cute sweater!)


This cute little terrier dog is helping Santa Claus make a Christmas list.


This 1940's vintage Christmas card is red, white, and blue -- and three little terriers wave American flags.


A cute little dog delivers Christmas cards in this illustration.


Scotties on parade!  What is not to love about this?  Scotties were big in 1940's illustrations, so this is probably a 1940's era Christmas card.
 

I hope your holidays are happy and bright!  I've enjoyed visiting with you this year, and look forward to catching up again in 2017!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo


Thursday, December 15, 2016

Book Review - The Wonders of Creation Holy Bible (NIV): Illustrations to Color and Inspire

Book Description

The NIV Wonders of Creation Holy Bible explores the wonders of our created world though detailed black-and-white illustrations—each one ready to be filled with the hues of your imagination. From amazing Eden-esque gardens to the creatures God made, this Bible features over 50 ready-to-color pages alongside the full text of the New International Version (NIV) translation.

My Review

The Wonders of Creation Holy Bible is a beautiful book.  It is a lovely hardcover Bible with the New International Version translation.  I really love the cover art, which features both black and white patterns and bold splashes of color.

What makes this Bible very unique are 50 pages of illustrations to be colored.  Each page features a key Bible verse.  The illustrations are detailed, and anyone who enjoys coloring will find them both relaxing and a good way to meditate on the featured Bible verses.

The book opens flat, for ease of reading and for coloring.   It also has a presentation page, and would make a great gift!   It has a ribbon bookmark.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to combine Bible reading and creativity!

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers.