Book Review - Death Takes A Mistress

Death Takes A Mistress: A Dan & Rivka Sherman Mystery

By: Rosemary and Larry Mild
Illustrated By: Marilyn Drea
Publisher: Magic Island Literary Works
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 978-0-9838597-5-8
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: December 6, 2014

After twenty-three years of living in England without a biological parent, Ivy Cohen has still not given up on finding the man who murdered her mother all those years ago. In addition, there is a possibility that the man who murdered her mother is also her father. Ivy does know from her mother’s diary entries that she was involved in an affair with a married man and when that affair ended the alleged killer fled to Annapolis, Maryland to engage in a new family business. With not much more than a picture of her mother and entries in a diary Ivy still feels a tie to the parent she was never able to know or talk to. Even after growing up with two loving people who stood in as Ivy’s parents she is determined to travel to Maryland from England to find the answers she has been seeking all of her life.

When Ivy finally arrives in Maryland her plan is to make it her permanent home. She finds a job at a local bookstore where the owners, Dan and Rivka Sherman, are sympathetic to her search and agree to help in any way they can. With a few calls to Scotland Yard Dan is able to get a full copy of the diary of Ivy’s mother and the hunt for clues begins. They soon discover that there are many people who could be the murderer when they finally find the family that the murderer is a part of. With the small size of Annapolis, it is easy for Ivy to talk with and get close to this particular family and she quickly gets to work inquiring and waiting for details that could help lead to the murderer. However, it does not take long before Ivy realizes that this quest for justice could be much more dangerous than she thought but she is determined to continue the search for answers no matter the consequences.

Going back into the past and describing the original murder that became a cold case was intriguing
and I was hooked early on when starting this book as the first few chapters were filled with suspense. However, I did feel that after the initial suspense it took a little while for the story to get going again as Ivy was trying to figure out the potential suspects. Towards the end of the book the excitement did pick back up and I was reading as fast as I could just to find out who the true murderer was. This is when I really appreciated the writing of Rosemary and Larry Mild as they had me easily thinking that I knew who the culprit was and then suddenly out of nowhere new information was given to the reader that turned everything upside down. When I’m reading a mystery I love when authors are able to do that with their writing and throw something at me that I was not expecting.

Quill says: This is an intriguing mystery that starts and ends with appealing and exciting suspense.

Book Review - Goldie Takes a Stand

Goldie Takes a Stand: Golda Meir’s First Crusade (Kar-Ben Favorites)

By: Barbara Krasner
Illustrated by: Keley Garrity-Riley
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing
Publication Date: August 2014
ISBN: 978-1467712019
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: December 2014

Goldie Mabowehz was a nine-year-old girl who was the president of the “American Young Sisters Society.” Of course being self-appointed worked very well for Goldie. Very well indeed and all the other girls clustered around her would probably agree, including her little sister Clara and her best friend Regina. There were problems to be solved and Goldie was just the girl to get things done. The problem was textbooks. “The kids in our school didn’t have enough money to buy them,” she explained to the Sisters.

Many of the kids like Hymie had tattered books and that annoying Jennie leaned over her desk to peek at Frieda’s. Goldie figured out the math and if all the members could bring in a whole “three cents a week,” that would do it. Now that was enough to buy either a loaf of bread or a quart of milk so that was a lot! Goldie was going to work in Mama’s store to get her share and would charge everyone a little extra. Mrs. Garfinkel was not very happy when Goldie asked extra for those eggs. Stomp, stomp! Out the door she went. Not a penny more from her.

Things weren’t looking up for the American Young Sisters Society because no one managed to raise that three cents. Goldie put her pointer finger to her chin and began to think. “We’ll hold a public meeting, a fundraising gala,” she told the girls, “and collect from everyone at one time.” They began to make posters, Frieda was going to do the invitations, and Lillian would create a “list of important people.” Sarah was wondering just where the big event could be held. Goldie was a big thinker, but could she think big enough to get those textbooks?

This is a charming story about Goldie that will delight young readers. Of course Goldie Mabowehz is none other than Golda Meir. Even as a young girl she had great leadership qualities. This fictionalized tale, based on real events, had a great flow and will draw in even the most reluctant readers. Goldie’s generosity and empathy toward others will resonate with the young reader. The artwork, a mix of gouache and collage, had a nice period feel. In the back of the book is a brief vignette about Goldie’s life, including pictures, a bibliography, and additional recommended websites to explore.

Quill says: This is a wonderful look at young Goldie (Golda Meir), a girl who knew how to get things done!

Book Review - Mr. Samuel's Penny

Mr. Samuel's Penny: An Elizabeth Parrot Landers Mystery

By: Treva Hall Melvin
Publisher: The Poisoned Pencil
Publication Date: November 2014
ISBN: 9781929345045
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: December 9, 2014

Treva Hall Melvin spins a delightful tale through the eyes and adventures of fourteen-year-old Elizabeth ('Lizbeth) Landers one particular summer in the sleepy, southern town of Ahoskie, North Carolina.

It is the summer of 1972 and just like the summer before and the one before that, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth ('Lizbeth) Landers and her younger sister, Lena, have arrived to spend it with their Auntie Alice and Uncle Frank. Nothing much ever happens in Ahoskie that would cause reason to raise one's eyebrows. This is, until Joseph Samuel drives his car off the bridge and into the Ahoskie River; with his baby girl, Emma, in the back seat...

'Lizbeth is a precocious fourteen-year-old New York city girl. When her family moved to the City, they determined Ahoskie and the southern comforts of Auntie Alice and Uncle Frank was a more befitting setting for 'Lizbeth and her sister Lena to wile away the long and lazy days of summer. 'Lizbeth has an interesting hobby. She collects pennies - not just any pennies, but wheat pennies. The coveted and grand master of them all is the rare 1909 Lincoln wheat penny and it just so happens that when Samuel's lifeless body is raised from the churning waters of the river, he is clutching such a rarity. Samuel has left a trail of unanswered questions in his passing: Was the 'accident' really an accident? What will become of his beloved wife, Violet? What about his lumber yard business? Will his brother Benjamin carry on the legacy? Then there's cantankerous "Ms. McMeanie" - like a dog with a bone and the 'bone' is the lumber yard business she's convinced should be hers. Indeed, the summer of '72 would be anything but sleepy for 'Lizbeth Landers now that she has a mystery to solve.

Treva Hall Melvin has done a marvelous job in writing a murder mystery for young adults. While the story is not limited to the YA mystery genre, the overall story appeals to this particular audience. Her main character, Elizabeth ('Lizbeth) Landers is charismatic as much as she is a teenager in the throes of her teen 'wonder years.' Melvin assigns just enough sass to her young protagonist to keep the story moving forward. She isn't disrespectful, but Melvin is sure to write passage upon passage of nuance toward the age-old theory of: '...seeking forgiveness is certainly easier than asking for permission.' Ms. Melvin has developed a uniqueness to each character and adeptly blends them as a community of personalities that work well together. 'Lizbeth's dialogue is spot-on in that the reader can easily connect with the many 'growing pains' of a fourteen-year-old girl. This is a terrific 'chapter book' for pre-teen and young adults. It has a solid plot, engaging conversation and a tempo that flows from beginning to end. Well done Ms. Martin. I look forward to your next book.

Quill says: The whereabouts of Mr. Samuel's Penny is a mystery that will keep you turning the pages until you find out what has become of it.

Book Review - Little Miss Muffitt

Little Miss Muffitt: Guardian of My Heart: A Tribute to All Those Special Dogs Who Capture Our Hearts and Stay Forever

By: Rose Miller
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Publication Date: September 2014
ISBN: 978-1457531149
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: December 3, 2014

Dobermans! Lots and lots of Dobermans. Add in several German Shepherds, a couple of Giant Schnauzers, some cow dogs of various abilities and one very special Miniature Schnauzer and you have the makings for a wonderful dog memoir that will have all animal lovers glued to the pages.

Rose Miller, who has already authored two animal books about her other favorite four-legged friends (mules and Tennessee Walking Horses), pours all her energy and love into this memoir about the dogs who have shared their hearts with her. After giving the reader a brief overview of her early life so that we can understand her underlying love of dogs, Miller jumps right into her story by recounting her early attempts at dog ownership. One of her first dogs was Thunder, a Collie/German Shepherd cross who was trained by Miller to help bring in their farm’s cows at milking time. While Thunder loved running cows, this was a major ‘no-no’ for farmers who needed their dairy herds to be kept calm so as not to ‘drop their milk.’ Thunder’s boundless energy also came to blows with the farm’s pet peacock Peep.

Miller found herself finding a more suitable home for her dog and then began a search for a new dog. She settled on an Australian Blue Heeler, a breed known for their cow sense. Unfortunately, Heather, the new dog, needed to be kept busy all the time and her high energy level was getting her into trouble. Heather soon found herself at a new home with a rancher who knew just how to put all that pent-up energy to use.

Finding herself once again without a dog, Miller knew she had to carefully select an animal of just the right breed and temperament to fit into her farm’s lifestyle. Dobermans were recommended to her by a horse friend and after researching the breed, she began to look for the perfect dog. Miller's search led her to Falcon, a young male who easily settled in at the Millers' home. This handsome dog was soon joined by Quazar, a beautiful female Dobie. So begins the author’s love affair with this noble breed.

We meet the star of the book, Muffitt, several chapters into the story. At the time, Miller was looking for another Doberman to replace one who had just passed, but was disappointed to find no ads from local breeders for Doberman puppies. There was, however, an ad for a litter of Miniature Schnauzer puppies that grabbed her curiosity. Soon a little opinionated bundle of love named Muffitt entered Miller’s life and stole her heart forever.

The bulk of Little Miss Muffitt centers around the exploits of the title character, who, along with other canine friends, helps run the farm. We also meet several German Shepherds through the author’s daughter Michal, who is a K9 police officer. Several of the author’s family members make frequent appearances with their canine companions (I have to say Miller has the MOST understanding husband!). Along with the laughter and joy, the reader will share the author’s sorrow when it’s time for an elderly or ill dog to gently pass into the next life.

Having previously enjoyed the author’s book The Horse That Wouldn't Trot, I knew I was already a fan of her easy-going writing style. Little Miss Muffitt has that same comfortable, fun style that resembles one friend telling another about her pets. The distinct personalities of each dog comes through loud and clear in this book, which makes it all the more enjoyable. In addition, Miller isn’t shy about discussing her initial failures at selecting dogs and these pages can certainly help a new dog owner choose their first pet. She also shares how she learned to select just the right puppies and stories about police dogs who risk their lives every day. At 234 pages, it’s not a fast read lengthwise, but I nonetheless found it a quick read as I truly enjoyed reading about Muffitt and her friends. Thanks too, Ms. Miller, for donating the proceeds from your books to animal support groups!

Quill says: If you have ever shared your heart with a special canine friend, you will surely enjoy Little Miss Muffitt.

For more information on Little Miss Muffitt, please visit the author's website at: www.rosemiller.net

Personalized Book for YOUR Child - The Perfect Present!

This is soooooo cool!   Feathered Quill receives a ton of queries for both book reviews as well as all sorts of other things related to books.  This one piqued my interest and when I received my sample, wow!  Here's a company doing it right - not just a book with your child's name on it, but the whole book is about a child who has lost their name and he/she goes on an adventure to find their name.  Along the way, the child meets all sorts of neat animals who give the child the first letter of their name.  As the child collects the letters, his/her name appears. I received a sample with the name I picked - Nicholas.  They also sent me a book about Grace.  The stories follow the same plot but the animals are different to fit the child's name.  How cool is that?  Check them out - orders must be received by December 12 for Christmas delivery.

Here's their press release:

“It’s a Boy, It’s a Girl!” Now what will you name your new baby? Contemplating and creating baby’s name provides one of the most exciting butterfly-like feeling for many parents. Some know right away what they want to name their little one when they find out the baby’s gender, others wait until they see him or her for the first time. Take the special opportunity to give your child a personalized story book - a gift they will always treasure and grow into and truly grow from. Lost My Name is a new magical personalized book that allows for parents to read with their children encouraging enthusiasm as this story is helping them find their path, while also spelling their “name” in a playful way.

LostMy.Name/ offers a simple one-of-a-kind online book creation for ages 2 - 6. Simply type in the child’s name on their website, select boy or girl and ‘presto’ - your story will arrive taking your child on a journey that offers an educational twist from fictional animal characters that have human qualities looking to locate the missing letters in their names. 

“The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name” follows a girl named Avery who will encounter an Aardvark, a Viking, an Elephant, a Robot and a Yeti to help her find her name. In “The Little Boy Who Lost His Name” a boy named John will be helped by a Jester, an Ostrich, a Hippo and a Nabarlek to find his name. 

Each tale is entirely unique and written very creatively by a BBC comedy writer and illustrated beautifully on thick eco-friendly paper, these whimsical tales take kids on a journey all their own based upon the letters of their name - which makes every book truly different and filled with a unique and delightful cast of characters! The end result is teaching your young child how to spell his or her name letter by letter and enjoying learning.

The technology behind it is so unique that the company (led by three Dads and an Uncle) recently scored the highest investment deal in the history of the TV show "Dragon's Den" (the UK's equivalent of "Shark Tank").

Demo Video: http://www.lostmy.name/#watch-video. 

*Consumers can place orders now through December 12th to receive before Christmas. This one-of-a-kind book sells for $29.99 

Book Review - Love, Regret and Accidental Nudity

Love, Regret and Accidental Nudity: My True Stories, Unusual Circumstances, Unpredictable Outcomes

By: Mariana Williams
Publisher: Sunset Squid Publishing
ISBN: 978-1496153579
Published: March 2014
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: November 29, 2014

Mariana Williams pens her definition of ‘wince-worthy’ prose in her latest non-fiction body of work, Love, Regret and Accidental Nudity.

Ms. Williams’ story opens with her reflection of her childhood; specifically when she was twelve. Even then, she had a clear vision she was destined for the stage some day. How fortunate for her the dream would be a reality sooner than anticipated when a production of The Miracle Worker was planned to open in West Hollywood. The director was in need of some acting students to balance a few small scenes. Familiar with Helen Keller’s meeting of Annie Sullivan, Ms. Williams was convinced her big Hollywood break had arrived. Sadly, while she and her fellow extras thought they were doing a smashing job, it was Williams who was singled out during the mandatory actor’s meeting and told: ‘...you can’t be in the show if you can’t act like a normal blind kid...’ Like the seasoned actress she envisioned she would be some day, Ms. Williams swallowed her pride and stored her acting debut memory - fast forward to today and the memory has found its place as her opening chapter. Thereafter, she takes the reader on a journey of recounting the ebb and flow of her eclectic life experiences across the next 138 pages.

Ms. Williams’ witty banter throughout delivers edgy humor that even manages to surface in the chapter devoted to the passing of her beloved father—tasteful, but slanted humor just the same. She conjures memories of early motherhood and how she appeases her children by buying a bunny for each; only to arrive at a place where her backyard has turned into a rabbit kingdom because of their prolific nature. She shares insights and first-hand knowledge toward the importance of due diligence before electing ‘budget’ plastic surgery and shares the results of her decision.

I found Love, Regret and Accidental Nudity to be an extremely quick and easy read. I applaud Ms. Williams for her solid grasp of believable dialogue and each of her vignettes has a beginning, middle, and end, but I never found continuity from chapter-to-chapter. There was no build up or lead in tying one chapter to the next. Rather, there are a series of stand-alone moments in the life and times of Ms. Williams. In my opinion, regardless of whether a book is autobiographical or a work of fiction, it is the writer’s duty and responsibility to play out the premise with the unseen thread that sews all the contents together. However, I did enjoy the somewhat overarching theme of Ms. Williams’ many comedic ‘life’s moments.’

Quill says: Love, Regret and Accidental Nudity is the perfect book for a few hours of ‘downtime’ when you’re in the mood for some heartfelt laughter.

For more information on Love, Regret and Accidental Nudity, please visit the author's website at: www.marianawilliams.net

Book Review - The Winter Sea

The Winter Sea

By: Di Morrissey
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN: 978-1-250-05119-6
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: December 2, 2014

Di Morrissey accomplishes a rich, epic novel in The Winter Sea.
The place is a small fishing community on the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Italy. The time is turn of the century, 1906. The family is many generations of strong fishermen, the d’Aquino’s.

Guiseppe d’Aquino is ten and mesmerized by the sea. Fishing is in his blood and he is now old enough to accompany his father on the daily trips out into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea for their catch. It is a process of patience as much as a process of skill and Guiseppe’s job leading up to this moment was to learn both. There were nets to be cast to catch the small silvery fish that in turn, would be used to catch the larger fish—their livelihood. Guiseppe learned early on to sense the unspoken and mandatory respect of this oft formidable sea if he expected it to deliver its bounty. As he grew from boy into young man, however, Guiseppe had a wanderlust he couldn’t keep at bay. He believed he was destined to the life of a fisherman. He also believed such life beckoned him beyond the confines of the small island community.

The years continue to pass and the generations of d’Aquino’s before Guiseppe have seated the family legacy. However, Guiseppe is no longer a boy and he knows it is his time to leave. He will be the first to venture out beyond the breakwaters of the small island; his destination is America. His plan is to carry on the legacy of their fishing accomplishments to a new world. Guiseppe is clever and his vision that courses through his veins will provide him safe voyage—a vision bred into him from his father and his father’s father before him. When the first leg of his journey from the island to the mainland is derailed from complications at sea during the crossing, Guiseppe will never make it to America. Rather, his destiny eventually deposits him on the southeastern coast of Australia. It is there that the next generation of d’Aquino fishermen will make their mark. They will become a common household name among many of the Australian fishing villages in the days, months and years ahead…

Di Morrissey further affirms her title as being one of the most acclaimed international bestselling novelists in her delivery of The Winter Sea. Her adept ability to take the reader on an epic journey through the generational eyes and equally intriguing fishing tales of her fictitious d’Aquino family is tangible from the onset of the story to its bitter end. Her prose is prolific and it carries the reader forward in precise and purposeful meaning likened to the rise and fall of a fine vessel upon the sea. Her characters are rich and full of voice and each has sound purpose. Morrissey is not stingy when delivering her beautiful and full-bodied, descriptive passages that span two continents. She consistently plants seeds of desire for the reader to be there in the moment of the story. Ms. Morrissey’s voice is beyond audible and one’s heart breaks in the moment of sorrow as much as it rejoices in the moment of joy throughout this epic tale. Thank you for such an enjoyable read, Ms. Morrissey. I am a fan and truly look forward to your next novel.

Quill says: The Winter Sea will consume your heart and interest with the turn of each page and leave you with a desire to want more long beyond the proverbial ‘the end.’