Dear Friends,
I hope you are having a good summer and staying cool! I am staying busy with my summer plan to relax. I have planned my naps and time in front of the fan strategically. It's been pretty perfect so far!
I thought you might enjoy a few dachshund memes. I have been helping my Momma with the Doxieposse Pals page on Facebook and these are a few memes we found and shared there. (Also, if you love dogs, please come join us! We have a lot of fun.)
"I ate your keys so you never have to leave me again." (This sounds like a great idea!)
"Shine bright like a dachshund."
"I'm into fitness - fitness whole stack of pancakes into my mouth." (Now I LOVE this picture, and those pancakes too!)
On a similar theme - "Did I just hear the fridge open?"
"I thought there would be bacon in here."
"So you're telling me the ball was in your hand the whole time?" (Now that seems like a trick or something!)
I hope you enjoyed these memes and hope they gave you a smile. Have a wonderful weekend! I look forward to talking to you again soon.
Love,
Abby xoxoxo
Book Synopsis
Oceans and decades apart, two women are inextricably bound by the secrets between them.
Japan, 1957. Seventeen-year-old Naoko Nakamura’s prearranged marriage
to the son of her father’s business associate would secure her family’s
status in their traditional Japanese community, but Naoko has fallen
for another man—an American sailor, a gaijin—and to marry him
would bring great shame upon her entire family. When it’s learned Naoko
carries the sailor’s child, she’s cast out in disgrace and forced to
make unimaginable choices with consequences that will ripple across
generations.
America, present day. Tori Kovac, caring for her dying father, finds a
letter containing a shocking revelation—one that calls into question
everything she understood about him, her family and herself. Setting out
to learn the truth behind the letter, Tori’s journey leads her halfway
around the world to a remote seaside village in Japan, where she must
confront the demons of the past to pave a way for redemption.
In breathtaking prose and inspired by true stories from a devastating and little-known era in Japanese and American history, The Woman in the White Kimono illuminates
a searing portrait of one woman torn between her culture and her heart,
and another woman on a journey to discover the true meaning of home.
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My Review
The Woman in the White Kimono is the story of two women who are far apart in both time and distance ... yet their connection draws them together. Tori Kovac is taking care of her dying father when she discovers he had a secret life as a young military man. In 1957 he was involved with a young Japanese girl named Naoko. Tori is determined to find Naoko and to solve the mystery of her father's past.
I love dual-storyline novels that give a glimpse of the past and present at one time. The author, Ana Johns, does an especially fine job with the dual storyline here. The story is told in alternating chapters -- Tori in the present time and Naoko in 1957 Japan. The characters are well developed and I was immediately drawn into their stories, wanting to know more.
Tori's father is another character in the novel, especially as he is seen so differently by these two women -- his first sweetheart, Naoko, and his daughter Tori. Tori describes him:
"I adored him.
A man who drank fruit brandy like his Slovak father, swaggered like John Wayne and spun colorful yarns like no one else.
Although, with most of his stories, it was difficult to discern their truth. 'What is truth but a story we tell ourselves?' Then he'd wink, tap my nose and leave me to dissect fact from fantasy. Something I was still doing" (p. 18).
Part of what made this book so intriguing is the element of storytelling and myth, by both Tori's father Jimmy (Hajime) and Naoko. There is also a strong element of history and tradition in Naoko's telling of life in 1957 Japan.
The descriptions of Japan were so beautiful and evocative -- I could picture the places the author described so vividly.
Naoko faced heartbreaking prejudice and barriers as a young Japanese woman in love with an American military man; these struggles intensify when it is discovered that she is pregnant. The chapters that detail her time in the maternity home were heart-rending.
I found The Woman in the White Kimono a compelling read about a rarely discussed moment in history, and a fascinating story of two very different women's lives. I recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who also has an interest in Japan. It is a beautifully written book.
Author Bio
ANA JOHNS worked over twenty years in the creative arts field, as
both a creative director and business owner, before turning her hand to
fiction. Born and raised in metro Detroit, she now resides in
Indianapolis with her family. The Woman in the White Kimono is her first
novel.
Connect with Ana
Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a copy of The Woman in the White Kimono. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form, below. Giveaway is open to U.S. entrants only. The giveaway ends midnight, June 13. The winner will be contacted by email and will need to respond within 48 hours or another name will be drawn. Good luck!
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Book Synopsis
In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret.
At
least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her
hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the
death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead
is a dead body.
Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy,
Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that
truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life
of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.
My Review
Living Lies is a mystery set in small town Georgia. Lane Kent is a young widow; she returns to her hometown with her young son. She runs a diner, deals with family politics (literally - her father is running for office), and struggles with depression. When she finds the dead body of a girl in the woods, she becomes involved in a mystery that brings her into close contact with deputy Charlie Lynch, who is also new to town. They work together to solve the mystery before more lives are lost.
I wanted to read this novel because I enjoy mysteries, and I was curious about the small town Georgia setting. I am from Georgia and tried to place the fictional town from clues in the story. I wonder if the author was inspired by Richmond Hill, Georgia, because of several references in the novel - the Ogeechee River, Ways Station, a little Henry Ford history.
This was a real stay-up-late read for me. I read it in record time because I really wanted to know what happened in the mystery. This book has elements of both a traditional mystery and a romantic suspense novel. I felt the author did an especially good job of blending these two genres.
Lane was a strong protagonist, especially as she is seen moving through her own stuggles with depression and the difficulties of being a young widow. She pushes through to really try to help others, not just by solving the mystery, but also helping an older veteran friend who is dealing with PTSD. I really liked the relationship between Lane and Charlie, which began slowly as friendship and evolved into a romance as they worked together.
The small town atmosphere was especially appealing and well done. I loved the way the author evoked a sense of place with descriptions.
There was even a cute, sometimes naughty, little terrier dog (Charlie's dog Bane) in the book!
I recommend Living Lies for readers who enjoy traditional mysteries, romantic suspense, and small town settings. I look forward to reading future mysteries by this author.
Author Bio
Natalie Walters
is a military wife who currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier
husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been
published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online.
Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans
and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races,
and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past.
Book Synopsis
An intrepid 1930s Manhattan
socialite uncovers deadly secrets during an assignment to the Hamptons
in this riveting historical cozy mystery for readers of Victoria
Thompson, Anne Perry, and Rhys Bowen.
Westhampton, 1938. To the dismay of her
well-to-do family, Elizabeth “Biz” Adams is quickly establishing herself
as a seasoned photographer over at the Daily Trumpet. Growing more
confident in her decision to pursue a career, Elizabeth is thrilled when
she and her reporter sidekick, Ralph Kaminsky, are sent to Long Island
to cover the story of a young maid found dead in one of the glamourous
summer homes in the devastating aftermath of the Great New England
Hurricane—also known as the Long Island Express.
At first it’s assumed that the young
woman was caught in the terrible storm, but when a suspicious wound is
found on the side of her head, the police suspect murder. The maid’s
death becomes even more tragic when it’s discovered she was pregnant,
and with Elizabeth and Kaminsky at the scene of the crime, the Daily
Trumpet scoops all the other papers in town.
The young woman’s boyfriend emerges as
the likeliest suspect. But as Elizabeth follows the story, she begins to
wonder whether someone in the household of the maid’s employers might
be responsible—someone who’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth about
the baby’s paternity hidden. . . .
My Review
Murder, She Uncovered tells the story of Elizabeth Adams, a press photographer in 1938 New York City. She becomes involved in solving the murder of a maid who died under mysterious circumstances on Long Island. A second case opens up, and she also works to solve that mystery. In between she juggles time in two very different worlds - with her potential love interest, a police detective, and with her society friends and family.
I wanted to read this mystery because it is both a cozy mystery and a historical mystery. I am fascinated by New York history (like the Bowery Boys podcast) and the 1930's NYC setting really appealed to me.
I am absolutely delighted to discover this series! This was my first read in the series, but I intend to go back and read the first book. I also greatly look forward to the next book, which looks like it might involve the 1939 New York World's Fair from the cover art.
The author did an exceptional job with period details. There are so many little details I loved, like Elizabeth waiting to read the new popular novel Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, a reference to the new movie Bringing Up Baby, her mother listening to the Chase and Sanborn hour on the radio. There are details about old fashioned restaurants and nightclubs, and a fun scene where Elizabeth tries pizza - a food that is new to her. There is even a chapter set in Luna Park amusement park in Coney Island!
I really liked Elizabeth and her independence and determination. Her career as a photographer in the 1930's was fascinating. She also has an uncanny knack at unraveling mysteries! I liked Sal Marino, her boyfriend, as well. The difference in their backgrounds made their relationship especially interesting.
The mystery was well written and fast paced. It kept me guessing right up to the resolution, with several viable suspects.
I found Murder, She Uncovered to be an absolute delight from start to finish. I enthusiastically recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries and historical mysteries -- and especially to other readers who love both genres. Five stars!
Author Bio
Mystery writing lets Peg indulge her
curiosity under the guise of “work” (aka research). As a kid, she read
the entire set of children’s encyclopedias her parents gave her and has
been known to read the dictionary. She put pen to paper at age seven
when she wrote plays and forced her cousins to perform them at Christmas
dinner. She switched to mysteries when she discovered the perfect
hiding place for a body down the street from her house.
When she’s not writing, she spends her
time reading, cooking, spoiling her granddaughter and checking her
books’ stats on Amazon.
A former Jersey girl, Peg now resides in
Michigan with her husband and Westhighland white terrier, Reg. She is
the author of the Sweet Nothings Lingerie series
(written as Meg London), the Gourmet De-Lite series
, the Lucille series
, the Cranberry Cove series, 
and the Farmer’s Daughter ser
ies.
Book Synopsis
Overworked and underappreciated, single mom Amy Byler needs a break.
So when the guilt-ridden husband who abandoned her shows up and offers
to take care of their kids for the summer, she accepts his offer and
escapes rural Pennsylvania for New York City.
Usually grounded and mild mannered, Amy finally lets her hair down in
the city that never sleeps. She discovers a life filled with culture,
sophistication, and—with a little encouragement from her friends—a few
blind dates. When one man in particular makes quick work of Amy’s heart,
she risks losing herself completely in the unexpected escape, and as
the summer comes to an end, Amy realizes too late that she must make an
impossible decision: stay in this exciting new chapter of her life, or
return to the life she left behind.
But before she can choose, a crisis forces the two worlds together,
and Amy must stare down a future where she could lose both sides of
herself, and every dream she’s ever nurtured, in the beat of a heart.
Purchase Links
My Review
Amy Byler is a single mom in a small town in Pennsylvania. She works as a teacher and librarian at a prestigious prep school. Her time and energy is stretched very thin. When her ex-husband reappears and wants to take the kids for the summer, Amy has the opportunity to go stay with her best friend from college in New York City. She has a chance to rediscover the person she was when she was young and single. This summer away changes her life.
The Overdue Life of Amy Byler is such a fun book. There are elements of The Devil Wears Prada (a best friend who is a powerful editor of a fashion magazine), Sex and the City (single life in New York City), and also a really good rom-com (hot male librarian with a meet cute story).
Amy ends up being profiled by her friend's magazine as being on a Momspringa -- like the Amish Rumspringa, where young Amish people go off into the "English" world for a while to decide if they want to be Amish or not. The Momspringa storyline is a hoot! It includes a makeover, a popular spinning class, and blind dates in the city arranged by the magazine.
The heart of the story, though, is the conflict Amy feels about her love for her children (and how much she misses them) vs. her new romance with Daniel (the hot male librarian) in NYC. Amy wants to have it all but doesn't know how that can happen.
The writing is lots of fun! It includes excerpts of her daughter's summer journal, Amy's first person telling of her summer adventure, and texts back and forth between Amy and her friends. This is a lively book -- I read it over the course of a few days (in every spare moment because I wanted to get back to it!) but it would be a great vacation read.
There is an innate intelligence to the book because Amy is a librarian, her love interest is also a librarian, and there is a lot of book chat. For instance, Amy describes her need to clear the air: "I prefer the air a bit hazier. ... Not as thick as a Bleak House fog, but more like a Great Expectations mist" (p. 211).
Did I mention the humor in this book? There are whole chapters that are just laugh out loud funny -- and I am not someone who usually laughs out loud!
I highly recommend The Overdue Life of Amy Byler for a beach read, a weekend read, or a perfect literary pick me up. Five stars for summer fun!
Author Bio
Kelly Harms is an author, a mother, and a big dreamer. She lives in
Madison, Wisconsin, with her sparkling son, Griffin; her fluffy dog,
Scout; and her beloved Irishman, Chris. Before this midwestern life, she
lived in New York, New York, and worked with many of her author-heroes
as an editor at HarperCollins and then as a literary agent. When she’s
not lost in a book that she’s either writing or reading, you can find
her on the water, in the water, or near the water. Say hello anytime at www.kellyharms.com.
Connect with Kelly
Giveaway
Win a copy of this book. Entry through Rafflecopter below. U.S. only. Giveaway ends at midnight 5/30. Winner will be contacted by email and needs to respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be contacted.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
