Author: deanne01

I am an avid reader and reviewer. I am open for review requests please contact me at Cnnamongirl at aol dot com. I work with big name publishers and indie publishers alike. I am on launch and street teams and have MANY NetGalley and GoodReads reviews up. I love all animals and I am a vegetarian. Thank you for joining me here.

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WWW Wednesday

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived here on Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading

She’s here for the perfect Christmas escape…

When Sharmila discovers her late friend, Thomas, has gifted her the holiday of her dreams, she can’t pack her bags fast enough. Arriving in Pineford, it’s everything she’d ever hoped for and more.

But she’s in for another surprise, because Thomas has left her with one last request: if she completes his Christmas wish list of festive activities, her chosen charity will receive a big donation. Or so Sharmila thinks.

…He’s there to reclaim his family’s legacy

Little does she know, she’s set to inherit Thomas’s estate too, much to his nephew Zach’s disbelief. Determined not to see his family’s legacy left to a stranger, he’s come to Pineford to do whatever it takes to stop Sharmila from fulfilling that list.

When Sharmila and Zach meet, neither are prepared for sparks to fly. For Sharmila’s sworn off love, and Zach doesn’t trust her. But with every passing wish they find themselves growing closer. And amongst the twinkling town lights and fallen snow, Sharmila can feel her heart opening up to Zach. But when she learns he’s been keeping a secret from her, can Sharmila forgive him and get the happy-ever-after she’s always wished for this Christmas?

The Twelve Wishes of Christmas is the perfect book to snuggle up with on those cosy wintry nights. Perfect for fans of Heidi Swain and Jo Thomas.

Welcome to the little Irish village where Christmas celebrations are in full swing! Twinkling lights, cosy fires and big mugs of hot chocolate are in abundance as Shannon Kelly returns home to the Shamrock Inn. Will this be the year she finds the man of her dreams or is she destined to be forever unlucky in love?

What I’ve Recently Finished Reading

Libararian Tru Beckett, ardent defender of the printed word, is about to find out that keeping murder checked out of her beloved library is much harder than she thought…

Up Next On The Reading List

My up next list is subject to change and more than likely will 🙂

A totally captivating story about long-lost family secrets and new beginnings, that will whisk you away to the village of Sandy Cove on the gorgeous Irish coast.

Mollie Sheehan has spent much of her life striving to be a dutiful daughter and honor her father’s wishes, even when doing so has led to one heartbreak after another. After all, what options does she truly have in 1860s Montana? But providing for her stepfamily during her father’s long absences doesn’t keep her from wishing for more.

What are you thoughts on my choices this week?

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your day.

Tags WWW Wednesday

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Can’t Wait Wednesday

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.

I am really looking forward to reading Maame by Jessica George releasing Pub Date 31 Jan 2023 by St. Martin’s Press.

About the book

“An utterly charming and deeply moving portrait of the joys––and the guilt––of trying to find your own way in life.” ––Celeste Ng, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Meeting Maame feels like falling in love for the first time: warm, awkward, joyous, a little bit heartbreaking and, most of all, unforgettable.” ––Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming

Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman.

It’s fair to say that Maddie’s life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson’s. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting.

When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she’s ready to experience some important “firsts”: She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it’s not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils––and rewards––of putting her heart on the line.

Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Jessica George’s Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures—and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong.

Would you read this book?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Wednesday.

Tags Can't Wait Wednesday, Jessica George, Maame

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It’s Monday! What Are you Reading?

Post author By deanne01
Post date October 10, 2022
2 Comments on It’s Monday! What Are you Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I read last week

With the help of her gumshoe ghost, bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure sets out to clear an innocent woman of a shocking crime in this all-new entry in the “utterly charming” (Mystery Scene) Haunted Bookshop Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They’re easier to handle, they’re more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father’s passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

From Lynda Cohen Loigman, the bestselling author of The Two-Family House and The Wartime Sisters, comes a heartwarming story of two extraordinary women from two different eras who defy expectations to utilize their unique gift of seeing soulmates in the most unexpected places in The Matchmaker’s Gift.

What I’m Reading Now

The debut Christmas rom-com from new author Ruby Basu, perfect for fans of Heidi Swain, Jo Thomas and Jaimie Admans.

* * *

She’s here for the perfect Christmas escape…

…He’s there to reclaim his family’s legacy

’Tis the season for celebrating when Gia Morelli’s holidays include both a wedding and yuletide festivities. Until someone naughty delivers a most unwanted Christmas gift—murder. . .

Up Next on my Reading List

No there’s no guarantee I’ll stick with my next up to read list as I have so many lovely books to tempt me. But you can be sure I’ll be reading something.

What’s tempting you from your reading list? Let me know in the comments.

Have a marvelous Monday and thanks for stopping by.

Tags It's Monday! What are you Reading?

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Engaging Fall Cozy Mystery-A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St. James-Review

Post author By deanne01
Post date October 9, 2022
No Comments on Engaging Fall Cozy Mystery-A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St. James-Review

About The Book

Librarian Tru Beckett, ardent defender of the printed word, is about to find out that keeping murder checked out of her beloved library is much harder than she thought…

Tru Beckett succeeded in building a secret book room in her now bookless library, where book lovers from lovely Cypress, South Carolina, can rejoice in the printed word. Now she’s working hard to maintain the little library downstairs while keeping her “real job” upstairs in the bookless technology center. The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn’t steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves.

A patron of the secret book room tells Tru that there have been creepy goings-on at the library for years, especially in the basement where the secret book room is located. He’s heard rumors of a poltergeist that haunts the library, determined to scare off readers. Tru is certain it’s hogwash, but she’s at a loss to think of who might be vandalizing the beautiful books she fought so hard to protect. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it’s not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover.

My Review

A Perfect Bind is the second book in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series and my first read in this series. This author’s books are fabulous, once you start you just can’t stop. You have to keep reading til the end to see how it’s all going to play out.
Southern librarian Tru Beckett though young, is the old fashioned type and is appalled at the library she works at in Cypress, South Carolina going bookless. (Say what?) To attract more technological businesses to the town the library goes bookless using digital books and technological resources which ultimately annoys many of it’s patrons especially the older folks.
Librarian Tru “rescues” some of the books destined for the dump and sets up a secret basement book area where patrons can still check out physical books.
The main librarian is strict and by the book but she “doesn’t” know about this secret book area.
Tru’s library cat Dewey is such a big help in her library area but of course she has to sneak him in. Though she works upstairs in the technological area Tru prefers her time with the “real” books, now just not to get caught.
When her special book room is vandalized more than once with her books being tossed about and destroyed it’s more than this poor librarian’s heart can understand.
Add to that when a body is discovered outside the library the creepy going-on’s in the library start piling up. Could it possibly be that poltergeist some of the old timers are talking about.
Sleuthing librarian Tru and her smart tabby Dewey are on the case of uncovering who could have caused the trouble and why. Very engaging book. Fast paced cozy, I really enjoyed it.

Pub Date 28 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Old books among the autumn leaves under soft sunlight.

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

Mystery author Dorothy St. James was born in New York but raised in South Carolina. For the past 20+ years, she made her home on an artsy island community in South Carolina with her husband. Though writing has always been a passion for her, she pursued an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and a graduate degree in Public Administration and Urban Planning. She put her educational experience to use, having worked in all branches and all levels of government including local, regional, state, and federal. She even spent time during college working for a non-profit environmental watchdog organization.

Switching from government service and community planning to fiction writing wasn’t as big of a change as some might think. Her government work was all about the stories of the people and the places where they live. As an urban planner, Dorothy loved telling the stories of the people she met. And from that, her desire to tell the tales that were so alive in her heart grew until she could not ignore it any longer. In 2001, she took a leap of faith and pursued her dream of writing fiction full-time.

* Dorothy St. James is the alter-ego of award-winning multi-published author, Dorothy McFalls. She enjoys writing in several different genres. Her works have been nominated for many awards including: Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, Reviewers International Organization Award, National Reader’s Choice Award, CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, and The Romance Reviews Today Perfect 10! Award. Reviewers have called her work: “amazing”, “perfect”, “filled with emotion”, and “lined with danger.”

Books in this series

Do you have a favorite cozy mystery author? Will you be reading this book?

Thank you for stopping by. Have a restful day.

Tags A Perfect Bind, Beloved Bookroom Mystery, Berkley Publisher, cat, Cozy Mystery, Dorothy St James, librarian, library, series

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The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman-Review

Post author By deanne01
Post date October 8, 2022
No Comments on The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman-Review

About The Book

Named a Best Book of Fall by Parade • Buzzfeed • New York Post • GMA.com • People

“Loigman’s latest is a gem. A scrappy Jewish teenager newly arrived in 1920s New York struggles to follow her calling as a matchmaker––seventy years later, her cynical divorce-attorney granddaughter realizes she has very inconveniently inherited the family gift for matching soulmates. Both funny and moving, The Matchmaker’s Gift made me smile from start to finish.”
––Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code

Is finding true love a calling or a curse?

Even as a child in 1910, Sara Glikman knows her gift: she is a maker of matches and a seeker of soulmates. But among the pushcart-crowded streets of New York’s Lower East Side, Sara’s vocation is dominated by devout older men—men who see a talented female matchmaker as a dangerous threat to their traditions and livelihood. After making matches in secret for more than a decade, Sara must fight to take her rightful place among her peers, and to demand the recognition she deserves.

Two generations later, Sara’s granddaughter, Abby, is a successful Manhattan divorce attorney, representing the city’s wealthiest clients. When her beloved Grandma Sara dies, Abby inherits her collection of handwritten journals recording the details of Sara’s matches. But among the faded volumes, Abby finds more questions than answers. Why did Abby’s grandmother leave this library to her and what did she hope Abby would discover within its pages? Why does the work Abby once found so compelling suddenly feel inconsequential and flawed? Is Abby willing to sacrifice the career she’s worked so hard for in order to keep her grandmother’s mysterious promise to a stranger? And is there really such a thing as love at first sight?

My Review

I'll admit what first drew me to this book is it's gorgeous cover.
This is a multi-generational dual time line Jewish matchmaking story.
The perspective is of two Jewish matchmakers, a grandmother and granddaughter . After the grandmother Sarah's death Abby the granddaughter reads journals her grandmother had written about people she had helped with matchmaking. This gives her quite the insight into her grandmother's life in her younger days and helps her in her matchmaking as well.
When Sarah discovers she has a gift for matchmaking she is just a young girl, she has to hide her talent because men were the Jewish matchmakers and they charged a fee for this service.
In both timelines these women were treated cruelly, Sarah by the men who don't think she should be doing the matchmaking and Abby by her cruel female boss. These women don't let this hold them back though, they are strong and overcome the negativity thrown at them.
There is a magical realism in this book. It's fun,it's charming,it's about strong women who persevere.
I enjoyed reading about the Jewish customs and traditions and the meals sounded delicious.
There is plenty of Yiddish in the text adding to the authenticity of the story. This is my first read by this author but now I'll be on the lookout for more.
Recommended!

First published September 20, 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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About The Author

Lynda Cohen Loigman grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. She received a B.A. in English and American Literature from Harvard College and a law degree from Columbia Law School. Her debut novel, The Two-Family House, was a USA Today bestseller and a nominee for the Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards in Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Wartime Sisters, was selected as a Woman’s World Book Club pick and a Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine. The Matchmaker’s Gift, her third novel, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in the fall of 2022.

Would you read this book?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.

Tags dual time line, historical fiction, Jewish, Lynda Cohen Loigman, multi-generational, St. Martins Press, the matchmaker's gift

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A Good Dog’s Guide to Murder by Krista Davis-Review

Post author By deanne01
Post date October 8, 2022
No Comments on A Good Dog’s Guide to Murder by Krista Davis-Review

About The Book

The great Gingerbread Dog & Cat House competition has come to Wagtail, along with another murder to solve for Holly and her supersmart Jack Russell terrier Trixie in the New York Times bestselling Paws & Claws series by Krista Davis!

Visitors are arriving in droves to spend Thanksgiving in the mountains of pet-friendly Wagtail, Virginia. Many of them are bringing dog and cat gingerbread houses to enter in the contest that will be held in the new convention center. Wagtail resident Orly Biffle bequeathed the land to the town in his will, provided that they not cut down the grand old oak tree on the property. Orly’s children are mighty miffed that they didn’t inherit the prime piece of property overlooking the lake.

Holly notices that Trixie and Twinkletoes, her calico kitty, are fixated on the big oak tree. Trixie barks at it as though she thinks it’s a corpse! Just as contestants are spicing up their sweet gingerbread creations, the majestic tree drops an enormous limb. The mayor declares that the tree is dangerous and must come down. When a bulldozer churns up some roots, the tree falls over on its own accord revealing a body inside the trunk! Initially, everyone suspects this unsavory trick was Orly’s doing. But it soon becomes clear that someone is trying to keep the truth under wraps. Trixie and Twinkletoes now have to help Holly sniff out some suspects and leash a conniving killer.

My Review

This is the eighth book in the Paws and Claws mystery series.
The resident’s of Wagtail,Virginia love pets and many of the visitors to this mountainous town are bringing dog and cat gingerbread houses to be judged in the contest at the new convention center.
Cookies,cookies,cookies. Want a cookie? There are cookies galore being baked in Wagtail this Thanksgiving holiday for the great Gingerbread Dog & Cat House competition but you better make sure your cookie doesn’t have poison in it.
There is another mystery for Holly and her supersmart Jack Russell terrier Trixie to solve. We also get an insight into Trixie’s almost human way of thinking and what she wishes us humans knew. Now that is one smart dog. I’ll have to say my favorite characters are Holly’s, dog Trixie and cat Twinkletoes.
When a dying tree just has to come down a body is found inside encased in concrete.
Holly and Officer Dave do some sleuthing, going through the list of town’s folk who have disappeared and were not heard from again. The accusations begin and the suspect list continues to grow as the story goes on. Surprising ending. This series is great and I look forward to the next in the series.

Pub Date: 06 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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About the Author

New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis grew up devouring Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie and still loves a good mystery. Krista writes three mystery series.

The Domestic Diva Mysteries are set in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia. Sophie Winston loves to entertain her friends but she keeps things simple. When it comes to murder, though, this domestic diva knows how to dig up dirt. Recipes and entertaining tips included!

The Paws & Claws Mysteries take place on Wagtail Mountain, Virginia, the premier vacation destination for people who want to travel with their pets. Holly Miller and her German Oma run the family inn in Wagtail, which caters to dogs and cats. Holly’s Jack Russell Terrier, Trixie, and her long-haired calico kitty, Twinkletoes, use their superior noses to sniff out trouble.

In the Pen & Ink series, protagonist Florrie Fox runs a bookstore in Georgetown, Washington, DC by day and is an adult coloring book artist by night. The front and back covers of the Pen & Ink books can be colored!

Like her domestic diva, Sophie Winston, Krista enjoys cooking (okay, eating!) and entertaining, but she’d just as soon leave the cleaning to someone else. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with an assortment of cats and dogs.

What makes you want to read A Good Dog’s Guide to Murder? Have you read any books by this author? Let me know in the comments.

Have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Tags A Good Dog's Guide To Murder, Berkley Publisher, Cozy Mystery, Krista Davis

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Book Blogger Hop-Lost Without books?

Post author By deanne01
Post date October 7, 2022
7 Comments on Book Blogger Hop-Lost Without books?

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. There are weekly prompts to talk about.

This weeks prompt is……..

Are you lost if you don’t have a book to read?

My answer……. I am never really without a book. I always bring a physical book with me. I was reading one at the dentist office yesterday . If I on the rare occurrence that I forget a book I have digital books to read on my phone.

Let me know your thoughts on this question in the comments.

Have a beautiful day. Thanks for stopping by.

Tags Book Blogger Hop

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Book Beginnings On Friday

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings On Friday. Where participants share the opening sentence (or so) of the book they are reading this week. You can also share from a book you want to highlight just because it caught your fancy.

The Cowboy Cookie Challenge by Lori Wilde

My Book Beginning

The Heavy wooden door creaked open,bringing a blast of chilly December air.Jazzy turned to watch a lanky cowboy mosey in.Charlie sat up straighter and readjusted the maroon beret that matched the scrubs. Mmm, who do we have here?

About The Book

New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde returns to Twilight, Texas, with a delicious love story about a sexy cowboy and a love-shy nurse determined to win the Christmas Cookie Bake-off challenge.

He’s sexy, single, and he can bake!

Roan Sullivan is the answer to Jazzy Walker’s prayers. The doting single dad is also fresh off his win on a popular cooking show and a whiz at campfire cooking, so who better to help her win this year’s annual cookie bake-off? With his help, Jazzy is sure she can finally take first prize right out the grasping hands of Andi Browning, the gal who stole her fiancé right from under her nose.

A widower with a four-year-old daughter, Roan tells himself there’s a million reasons not to help Jazzy. She’s too kind, too optimistic, and could do so much better than hitching up with a curmudgeon like him. But every time she draws near, he can’t help but wonder if he could open his heart and love again.

As the holidays come closer, the magic of Twilight starts to weave its spell…and soon it’s not just the competition that’s heating up, it’s the hot sizzle between Roan and Jazzy.

Would you continue reading this book? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by have a great day.

Tags Book Beginnings On Friday, Lori Wilde, The Cowboy Cookie Challenge

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First Line Friday

Happy Friday & welcome to the First Line Friday hosted by Reading Is My Superpower It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today, I’m featuring the first line of In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel. It has such a beautiful cover and her books are so good. I’m looking forward to this book I grabbed off of NetGalley yesterday.

And the first few lines are……….

January Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

History didn’t haphazardly repeat itself in the chapters of Elise Malvern’s life. It copy and pasted in the most irritating fashion. But if one were to flip through this proverbial book,most of the pages would be blank.

About The Book

Barbour Fiction (February 1, 2023)Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages

A Gem of a Mystery Takes Center Stage

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Elise Malvern has a habit of letting people down. Her former boyfriend who hoped she’d be his bride. Her grandfather who hoped she’d take over the family’s auction company. But mostly she’s disappointed herself. What’s the point of pursuing her passion as a violinist, if she is too scared to audition for a seat in the Pittsburgh Symphony? Her internship at the elegant Heinz Hall places her in the wings of the stage, but never on it. By accident, she discovers an old stage prop. Her instincts tell her there’s more to the paste necklace than meets the eye. Whether a good idea or not, she accepts help from a childhood friend, who happens to be country music megastar–Peirson Brooks. Peirson and Elise share a history; one she doesn’t care to repeat. The more involved they become in the mystery, the more things get tangled, including her heart.

A century earlier…
Sophie Walters longs for center stage, her name on the marquee, and all that jazz, but climbing her way into an acting career is more difficult than she imagined. Having spoiled all her chances in Hollywood, she returns to Pittsburgh, accepting an insignificant role in a popular production. She watches her dreams pass by from behind the curtain at the illustrious Loew’s Penn Theatre. She finally gets the coveted spotlight, but not for her talent. No, her surge to fame is all one terrible mistake. Somehow, she’s suspected to be a notorious jewel thief known around Pittsburgh as The Mirage. The man she pleads for help is none other than the man she jilted at the altar five years before, Sterling Monroe.

Don’t miss other great books in the Doors to the Past series:
The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman
Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham
Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse
Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Behind Love’s Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels
High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt
Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik
A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma
Laura’s Shadow by Allison Pittman
Passages of Hope by Terri Haynes
In Spotlight and Shadow by Rachel Scott McDaniel
The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson

Pre-order here

Do you have a favorite book by this author? What is your first line Friday this week?

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend

Tags First Line Friday, In Spotlight and Shadow

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