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dollycas · 3 months ago

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I recently was sent the second book in this series to review. I prefer to read series books in order, so I went to Amazon to see if The Busy Body was on sale and was surprised to see it was a Prime Reading book. Prime Reading is included with Prime membership, meaning I could borrow the book for Free and return it whenever I want. I am allowed to check out 10 books, magazines, audibles, and more at a time. It is a benefit I sometimes forget about but am grateful to have. Learn more about Prime Reading HERE and other Prime perks HERE. The Busy Body: A Witty Literary Mystery with a Stunning Twist (A Ghostwriter Mystery) Traditional Mystery/Women Sleuths 1st in Series Setting - Maine Publisher ‏ : ‎ A John Scognamiglio Book (January 23, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496744535 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496744531 Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 149674456X ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496744562 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C3WVVFRF It’s a dream assignment. Former Senator Dorothy Gibson, aka that woman, is the most talked-about person in the country right now, though largely for the wrong reasons. As an independent candidate for President of the United States, Dorothy split the vote and is being blamed for the shocking result. After her very public defeat, she’s retreated to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her. Her collaborator is impressed by Dorothy’s work ethic and steel-trap mind, not to mention the stunning surroundings (and one particularly gorgeous bodyguard). But when a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer in their midst. And when Dorothy Gibson asks if you want to team up for a top secret, possibly dangerous murder investigation, the only answer is: “Of course!” The best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning stories . . . two talents, it turns out, that also come in handy for sleuths. Dorothy’s political career, meanwhile, has made her an expert at recognizing lies and double-dealing. Working together, the two women are soon untangling motives and whittling down suspects, to the exasperation of local police. But this investigation—much like the election—may not unfold the way anyone expects . . . Dollycas's Thoughts Independent candidate for President and former Senator Dorothy Gibson comes home to rural Maine after being defeated and blamed for the surprising outcome of the election. She has decided to tell her story and has invited a ghostwriter into her home. The ghostwriter admires much about Dorothy and is anxious to get to work. Then a neighbor dies under questionable circumstances and Dorothy decides to sleuth out the killer with her ghostwriter by her side. Ghostwriters are pros at asking questions and coming up with stories so becoming an amateur sleuth isn't much of a stretch. Dorothy has undercovered her share of secrets and lies in her political career and people seem to open up to her so getting information and following clues is right in her wheelhouse. Together they should make a great team much to the aggravation of the local police and Dorothy's assistant. But it could lead to the politician and the ghostwriter's demise if they aren't careful. That hunk of a bodyguard may not be around to save them when they need him. ___ I loved the unnamed ghostwriter theme. She calls herself Lady Cyrano among her friends who are really just acquaintances, associates, and colleagues. She is also estranged from her family. She likes living that way. This way she is free to pick up and go wherever her subject is, immerse herself into their lives, and "manipulate" their story for maximum engagement. But the story she is telling the readers is her story and she refuses to manipulate or strategize it. I enjoyed that the book was narrated from her point of view. The Agatha Christie inspired mystery was well-plotted but did get bogged down in places. Dorothy Gibson is a strong woman who was a little lost after losing an election where she thought she had enough support to win. Investigating the death of her neighbor and inserting herself into their world seemed strange at first but her life had a drastic change. No more campaigns, meetings, briefings, and everything related to being a Senator. The death gave her something to focus on and puzzle out. The banter, heavy on sarcasm, between Dorothy and the ghostwriter was pretty humorous at times. I appreciated the closed-room style with an eclectic group of suspects but I did figure out whodunit before the Hercule Poirot style reveal. The ending irked me. I have to be careful not to spoil it but the choice made by the main character and the way the situation was handled was cruel and fell flat for me. I also didn't appreciate the body-shaming done by the main character. At times, she came off more as a male character than a female in her actions and attitudes. I ended up liking Dorothy more than I liked the ghostwriter. While The Busy Body didn't hit it out of the park for me, the unnamed ghostwriter theme has intrigued me enough to want to read the next book in the series, Loose Lips. I want to see how the ghostwriter evolves in what looks to be a challenging assignment. I am rounding my rating up to 4 stars. Note: The story contains explicit language. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I borrowed as part of Amazon's Prime Reading program. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author Kemper Donovan is a full-time writer who is currently publishing an ongoing mystery series via Kensington Books (The Busy Body is the first in this series). Previously he published the standalone novel The Decent Proposal (HarperCollins). He is the host of the podcast All About Agatha, dedicated to all things Agatha Christie, in which guise he has appeared on BBC TV and Radio New Zealand, and written for the official Agatha Christie website at agathachristie.com. Kemper attended Stanford University and Harvard Law School, and now lives in Southern California with his husband and two daughters. Learn more at www.kemperdonovan.com, on Twitter, @allaboutagatha on Instagram, and Facebook. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Read the full article

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architectuul · 6 years ago

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The Women Housing Architects Of Britain

Although women contributed in many ways to British architecture before the twentieth century, they officially entered the architectural profession only after the First World War. The RIBA did not admit women until 1898, when Ethel Charles (1871-1962) became a member, opening the debate on women’s role in architecture and causing a legalistic and bureaucratic resistance.

Elisabeth Scott’s competition design for the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon (1927) marked the beginning of a breakthrough for women architects. | Photo via Architecture.com - RIBA Collections

Since then, British women architects have fought to redefine their professional identity, gaining access to education and big projects and often demonstrating to be architecturally and socially innovative. Among them, a few remarkable figures worked for local authorities in London and contributed to the public good with bold, progressive and human buildings and their multidisciplinary skills. Mainly involved in housing projects and often collaborating with each other, Elisabeth Denby, Judith Ledeboer, Rosemary Stjernstedt, Kate Macintosh and Alison Smithson can be considered inspiring and unsung pioneers who played a crucial role in social architecture and in the formulation of housing policy.

Elizabeth Denby, the England's Jane Jacobs, was an urban planner, housing consultant and social reformer. | Photo via Architects’ Journal

Elisabeth Denby soon became a champion of urban renewal and a fundamental figure for the development of British housing program. Collaborating with Maxwell Fry who defined her as the leading spirit in housing in the 1930s, she designed several inner city flats where she applied her innovative ideas to respond to residents’ needs. Their Sassoon House has been defined the first modernist workers’ dwellings in Britain.

Denby contributed to the discussion about residential planning with the book Europe Rehoused.

Fry and Denby used Kensal House to put into practice Modernist ideas for social change starting at home, offering carefully-planned flats with generous kitchens, bikes storages, gardens, large balconies and nursery. | Photo by Edith Tudor Hart at RIBA Collections

Elizabeth Denby was on the RIBA Housing Group with Jane Drew, Judith Ledeboer and Jessica Albery. The result of their collaboration was a report published in 1944 where they expressed their views about the future of housing, inviting decision-makers and colleagues to opt for carefully-designed terraced houses and flats instead of inhuman high-density complexes.

Born Dutch-English, Judith Ledeboer was an architect who collaborated with David Booth and John Pickheard. She became another significant voice in housing policy. Astragal, the diarist in the Architects' Journal wrote in 1934: "In our little world Miss Denby and Miss Ledeboer wield more influence and get more work done than any six pompous and prating males". In 1941 was the first woman employed by the Ministry of Health responsible for housing. Ledeboer also advised local authorities on the reconstruction of post-war Britain and contributed to the establishment of those space standards that then became mandatory in all public housing.

Poster for a new housing estate in Poplar, which is being advertised as a paid attraction during the 1951 Festival of Britain. | Photo by Festival of Britain

Also other women architects worked for the public sector and took crucial roles in Britain’s era of social housing provision with major schemes in the 1960-70s. AA-trained, Rosemary Stjernstedt moved to Sweden to work as town planner and returned to England after Second World War, joining the London County Council in the Housing Division. There, she was the first female architect to achieve Grade I status and she became the first woman to reach senior grade I status in any British council county division in 1950.

Rosemary Stjernstedt with her fellow architects in the LCC Housing Division (1950). | Image via Guardian

Her best-known project was the Alton Estate, which she designed in the role of the team leader in 1951-55, described by Pevsner as architecture at ease. When London County Council was dissolved in 1964, Stjernstedt started working for Lambeth Borough Council under the guidance of Ted Hollamby, a committed socialist architect and planner.

Alton Estate has over 13,000 residents with the brutalist architecture inspired by Le Corbusier’s Unite d’Habitation. | Photo via The Modern House

Under Hollamby, Lambeth's architects produced several housing and welfare buildings, making the borough now nationally known for the ambition and quality of its output. In 1968, Kate Macintosh also joined Lambeth's Architects' Department where she embarked on 269 Leigham Court Road, a sheltered housing for the elderly. Responsible for some of the most innovative housing schemes commissioned by several local authorities, Macintosh believed that one of the generators of our work was the search for social justice. She was only 26 when she began designing Dawson’s Heights.

Leigham Court Road Robin London. | Photo © Kate Macintosh Archive

Among architects who contributed to London’s social housing, Alison Smithson, born Alison Gills, gave life with Peter Smithson to the New Brutalism and its interest in accommodating and adapting to the real experiences and desires of ordinary people. She worked in the architecture department of the London County Council before starting a practice with her husband in 1950.

Alison Smithson at Hunstanton Secondary Modern School, Norfolk, during its construction. | Photo © Nigel Henderson Estate If Rosemary Stjernstedt’s Alton Estate was clearly inspired by Le Corbusier’s Unite d’Habitation in Marseille, Alison and Peter Smithson brought to light new theories in antagonism to the Swiss-French master’s principles. As the only woman in Team X, a radical group formed to replace the CIAM philosophies of high modernism, Alison stressed the importance of the real social architecture needs and housing design solutions becoming internationally influential with numerous theoretical writings. Recently, the western block of their famous Robin Hood Gardens complex has been demolished opening a large debate so that now part of the building has been preserved by the Victoria and Albert Museum and was presented at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2018.

In the Robin Hood Gardens the street-in-the-sky concept took form as broad aerial walkways into the long concrete blocks. | Photo © Lorenzo Zandri 2018

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These five women are a most representative example of the extraordinary female contribution to social architecture in the United Kingdom in the post-war period when, despite the high pressure of housing needs, they proposed high quality projects designed for people. At a moment when the number of social homes being built in England is at its lowes and local authorities struggle in providing quality housing, we can learn from their experiences, projects and theories, recognising them as best practices and monitors for the current and future challenges.

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Pioneer Architects XV by Giorgia Scognamiglio and Lorenzo Zandri

#pioneerarchitects #pioneer architects #women in architecture

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wordsandpeace2u-blog · 5 years ago

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Spotlight and giveaway: The Abolitionist's Daughter

Spotlight and giveaway: The Abolitionist’s Daughter

The Abolitionist’s Daughter by Diane C. McPhail

Publication Date: April 30, 2019 A John Scognamiglio Book/Kensington

Genre: Historical Fiction

In her sweeping debut, Diane C. McPhail offers a powerful, profoundly emotional novel that explores a little-known aspect of Civil War history—Southern Abolitionists—and the timeless struggle to do right even amidst bitter conflict.

On a Mississippi…

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#Civil War #Diane C. McPhail #historical fiction virtual book tours

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therealimintobooks · 5 years ago

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Blog Tour Featuring *The Abolitionist's Daughter* by Diane C. McPhail @McPhailDiane @KensingtonBooks @hfvbt #giveaway

Blog Tour Featuring *The Abolitionist’s Daughter* by Diane C. McPhail @McPhailDiane @KensingtonBooks @hfvbt #giveaway

The Abolitionist’s Daughter by Diane C. McPhail

Publication Date: April 30, 2019 A John Scognamiglio Book/Kensington

Genre: Historical Fiction

On a Mississippi…

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#Blog Tour #Historical Fiction

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markgottliebliteraryagent · 5 years ago

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Kensington Publishing Editor-In-Chief John Scognamiglio

John Scognamiglio is a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He started his career as a file clerk in the Contracts Department at Pocket Books in 1986 while still a college sophomore before becoming a contracts assistant. After that, he worked for the assistant managing editor before landing where he always wanted to be: editorial. From 1989 to 1992 he worked as an assistant editor in Pocket Editorial. In February 1992, he joined Kensington Publishing as an editor and was promoted to Senior Editor in 1993. In 1998 he was promoted to Editorial Director of Fiction and in 2005 was promoted to Editor-in-Chief. In February 2017, it was announced that Kensington would be launching his own imprint, John Scognamiglio Books, in 2018. Among his authors are New York Times bestsellers Lisa Jackson, Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier and Kevin O’Brien.

In all of book publishing, you are one of the biggest buyers of fiction and debut fiction by volume. How do you find the time to read and what are the commonalities in your rather eclectic list of books?

I wish I could say I read all my submissions myself, but I don’t. My assistant reads for me and I also have an outside reader. Usually when a project comes in, I’ll give it to one of them (unless it’s something I decide to read. If I could, I would read every submission that comes in myself, but then nothing would get done!). I’ll usually give them a date I’d like the manuscript to be read by; it’s usually a month. When their reader’s report comes back to me, there’s a plot summary, as well as their opinion on the manuscript: good, bad or otherwise. Obviously, if they like something, I’m going to take a look at it. If it’s something they’re on the fence on, I’ll also take a look. If it’s something they feel is a pass, I’ll go by their report unless I feel they may be off the mark. But they know my list and my tastes and I trust them.

I seem to gravitate to debut authors. One reason is probably because the author has a clean slate and there isn’t any sort of bad sales history that might be problematic for our sales reps. I also like the idea of starting out with an author at square one and hopefully helping them to build a career as we go from book to book. Being an editor is a job you can do 24/7 if you’re not careful. I do a lot of my reading when I’m commuting and on the weekends. For me, when I’m reading a submission, it comes down to the author’s voice. I have to be sucked into the story as soon as I start reading. I can usually tell by the third chapter if I want to keep reading or not.

What was it like when you were working at Simon & Schuster and how did you get your start in major trade book publishing?

I was an English major at NYU. One day, during my sophomore year, one of my professors was out sick and our class was dismissed. There was a student employment office on campus and I walked over to see what sort of jobs might be available. Listed that day was a job as a file clerk at Simon & Schuster in their contracts department. I went for an interview and was hired. I used to work part-time when I had classes and full-time during the summers. I began as a file clerk and then became a contracts assistant, drafting contracts from the deal memos that the editors sent down. Of course, I always wanted to work in Editorial. After I graduated I stayed in the contracts department and I worked my way up to the managing editor’s office. The managing editor’s office is sort of the nucleus of a publishing house, where you work with many departments: art, production, contracts, editorial. So, I got an overview of everything. Eventually, an assistant position opened up in the Editorial department at Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster’s mass-market imprint, and I was hired. When I started working in publishing in the mid-1980s, mass-market was still very big. Hardcover was the other preferred format. Publishers did very little trade paperback. Now, it’s the reverse. Mass-market seems to be fading away while trade paperback is the preferred format for many readers, as well as accounts.

Working at Simon & Schuster was a challenge. There was definitely a star system in place when I worked there. By that I mean if you were an editor who had a roster of bestselling authors, then anything you brought in was given the red carpet treatment. If you were lower down on the ladder, well, good luck! It became very discouraging if you were trying to build a list of your own.

Kensington Publishing is one of the largest of the independent book publishers. What experience do you feel independent book publishing offers authors that a big five publisher cannot?

One of the joys of working at Kensington is that everybody here works together as a team and everyone’s books are important. Our authors interact with many people from many different departments, all with the same goal of making that author’s book a success.

Can you tell us about the elements you look for in a good story and is there a particular kind of book you are currently seeking?

As I mentioned earlier, it comes down to the voice. I have to be pulled into the story as soon as I start reading it. I’m a big fiction reader. 99.9% of my reading is fiction. If I read any sort of non-fiction, it’s usually a memoir or biography. I have a fondness for suspense thrillers, as well as historical fiction. Horror, too! I was a huge Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Saul and V.C. Andrew reader when I was a teen.

There are various book publishing imprints at Kensington, such as Lyrical Press, Pinnacle, Citadel, etc. What did you set out to do in creating your eponymous imprint, John Scognamiglio Books? With my imprint, we wanted to shine a spotlight on new authors and new voices. So far, most of the novels have been coming of age stories, although I did also acquire two novels of historical fiction from you!

You worked with Alan Hlad on his novel The Long Flight Home, the story of two people brought together and driven apart by World War II—later rekindled when the skeleton of a messenger pigeon, carrying a coded message, is discovered in a chimney. What was it like working with Hlad on this profoundly unique novel?

Working with Alan was great. When I buy a book, the material has to be there. I’m not looking to rewrite/rework an author’s vision of their story. All I’m trying to do is fine-tune it and make it the best that it can be.

You also worked with Diane McPhail on The Abolitionist's Daughter, a personal narrative dealing with the struggles of imperfect souls to do right in a time of bitter conflict—a view of Southern Abolitionism, a deadly civilian clash, and the emerging role of women in a world depleted by the bloody conflict of men. What was it like working with her on this incredible historical novel?

It was the same experience as working with Alan. A pleasure. When I send an editorial letter, the goal is to work with my author. I don’t “tell” an author want to do. I make suggestions in my editorial letters, not demands.

What are you reading for pleasure right now?

The only time I get to read for pleasure is when I’m on vacation. While I’ll read a lot of magazines and newspapers when I’m working – because the articles are short and don’t take up a lot of time -- I have to give the manuscripts I’m working on my full attention. I don’t like starting a novel and then not being able to get back to it asap. I’ll be going away vacation at the end of next month so my reading pile is growing! I’ll be gone for a week and there will be travel time, so I hope to read at least four or five novels. Right now on the “coming with me” pile are: GHOSTED, by Rosie Walsh, AN UNWANTED GUEST, by Shari Lapena, NUMBER ONE CHINESE RESTAURANT, by Lillian Li, THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU, by Liv Constantine and THE SILENT PATIENT, by Alex Michaelides.

Do you have any advice you could share for hopeful writers eager to become published authors?

The hardest part of writing is getting that first draft done. Once it’s done, you have something to work with and revise. Many of my authors have told me that they find the revision process to be the most enjoyable.

Can you finish this sentence? I love reading because...

It reminds me of when I was a little boy and my mom took me to a library for the very time and introduced me to the wonderful world of books. Reading is a form of escape that you can do anywhere at any time. There’s nothing I love more than walking into a bookstore and discovering a new story to read.

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lzteach · 7 years ago

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Three wonderful book, “The Sisters of Glass Ferry” by Kim Michelle Richardson, “The Road to Bittersweet” by Donna Everhart. and “The Last Suppers” by Mandy Mikulencak and $15 gift card to Dunking Donuts, or Starbucks for one winner. WOW! Fantastic Giveaway !! Go to @Lindas Book Obsession on my FB page. 1. Like Lindas Book Obsession. 2. Follow 3. Share 4. Comment so I can tag you, Why Family and Friends are so Important this time of the year, or just comment what you like or don’t this time of year. USA only. End Christmas Eve.

I read and reviewed “The Sisters of Glass Ferry ” by Kim Michelle Richardson, and loved everything about it. My review is below.

On my to read lists are. “The Road to Bittersweet” by Donna Everhart, and “The Last Suppers” by Mandy Mikulencak. Information about the authors and books are below.

Warmest thanks to Kim Michelle Richardson , Donna Everhart and Mandy Mikulencak for their generosity and Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas (Southern style) and a Happy Healthy New Year!!

MY REVIEW OF “THE SISTERS OF GLASS FERRY” by Kim Michele Richardson

“The Sisters of Glass Ferry” by Kim Michele Richardson is an emotional and captivating novel. “The Sisters of Glass Ferry” is published by Kensington Publishing Corporation and will be out November 28,2017. The Genres for this story are Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Mystery. The timeline of the story is mostly 1952 through 1972, and though the present.There are some parts of the story that are before 1952 to explain the history and the characters. The author depicts the setting in rural Kentucky in the town of Glass Ferry, which is known as “Bourbon Town”.

The characters are describes as complex and complicated. The author describes many secrets and lies that affect the small town and characters. In this small community everyone knows each other, and there is a lot of gossip.During the time of bourbon production there was corruption and some criminal activity. It was not unusual for children to learn to shoot guns to protect themselves.

Flannery and Patsy are twins, separated by 8 minutes. Patsy is the elder of the twins, and the girls are close, but there is jealousy. Patsy being the older twin is given the family pearl necklace. Patsy is invited to the Junior Prom, and Flannery has to take her shift at work. The sheriff”s two sons come to drive Patsy to the prom. One is her boyfriend, and the other is his older brother who drives the car. Unfortunately, Patsy and her boyfriend never come home.

Every year on the twins’ birthday, Flannery’s Mom makes a special birthday cake for Patsy hoping she will be coming home. After two decades of Patsy being gone, Flannery is still looking for answers.

This is a story of heartbreak, grief, revenge, retribution and redemption. What are the secrets and lies in this town? What happened the night of the Prom? This is a story of coming of age, pressure and jealousy. I like that the author describes the problems of bullying, alcohol abuse, emotional and physical abuse, and superstitions. I also appreciate how the author discusses the importance of family, love, hope and faith.

This is an intriguing and thought-provoking story, and I would recommend it highly.I look forward to reading more of Kim Michele Richardson’s novels. I received an Advanced Reading Edition for my honest review.

*****”The Sisters of Glass Ferry” by Kim Michelle Richardson is and OKRA PICK, a December Barnes and Noble Pick and RT Top Pick

The Road to Bittersweet

by Donna Everhart (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 35 Ratings · 25 Reviews

Set in the Carolinas in the 1940s, The Road to Bittersweet is a beautifully written, evocative account of a young woman reckoning not just with the unforgiving landscape, but with the rocky emotional terrain that leads from innocence to wisdom.

For fourteen-year-old Wallis Ann Stamper and her family, life in the Appalachian Mountains is simple and satisfying, though not for the tenderhearted. While her older sister, Laci—a mute, musically gifted savant—is constantly watched over and protected, Wallis Ann is as practical and sturdy as her name. When the Tuckasegee River bursts its banks, forcing them to flee in the middle of the night, those qualities save her life. But though her family is eventually reunited, the tragedy opens Wallis Ann’s eyes to a world beyond the creek that’s borne their name for generations.

Carrying what’s left of their possessions, the Stampers begin another perilous journey from their ruined home to the hill country of South Carolina. Wallis Ann’s blossoming friendship with Clayton, a high diving performer for a traveling show, sparks a new opportunity, and the family joins as a singing group. But Clayton’s attention to Laci drives a wedge between the two sisters. As jealousy and betrayal threaten to accomplish what hardship never could—divide the family for good—Wallis Ann makes a decision that will transform them all in unforeseeable ways… (less)

Meet Donna Everhart

Donna Everhart is a USA Today best selling author of THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE, an Amazon Best Book/Debut Spotlight, Indie Next Pick for November 2016 and long listed for the Southern Book Prize, (formerly the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize)

Her next novel, THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET, January 2018, is a Publisher’s Lunch Buzz Book for Fall/Winter 2017-2018 and a 2018 Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Trio pick.

Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, she has lived close to her hometown for most of her life. For several years she worked for high tech companies, specializing in project management and product introduction. She carries a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She lives in Dunn, North Carolina with her husband, Blaine, and a tiny, heart stealing Yorkshire terrier, named Mister.

The Last Suppers

by Mandy Mikulencak (Goodreads Author)

3.89 · Rating details · 64 Ratings · 34 Reviews

“A gorgeous novel that finds beauty in the most unlikely of places.” —Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Set in 1950s Louisiana, Mandy Mikulencak’s beautifully written and emotionally moving novel evokes both The Help and Dead Man Walking with the story of an unforgettable woman whose quest to provide meals for death row prisoners leads her into the secrets of her own past.

Many children have grown up in the shadow of Louisiana’s Greenmount State Penitentiary. Most of them—sons and daughters of corrections officers and staff—left the place as soon as they could. Yet Ginny Polk chose to come back to work as a prison cook. She knows the harsh reality of life within those walls—the cries of men being beaten, the lines of shuffling inmates chained together. Yet she has never seen them as monsters, not even the ones sentenced to execution. That’s why, among her duties, Ginny has taken on a special responsibility: preparing their last meals.

Pot roast or red beans and rice, coconut cake with seven-minute frosting or pork neck stew . . . whatever the men ask for Ginny prepares, even meeting with their heartbroken relatives to get each recipe just right. It’s her way of honoring their humanity, showing some compassion in their final hours. The prison board frowns upon the ritual, as does Roscoe Simms, Greenmount’s Warden. Her daddy’s best friend before he was murdered, Roscoe has always watched out for Ginny, and their friendship has evolved into something deep and unexpected. But when Ginny stumbles upon information about the man executed for killing her father, it leads to a series of dark and painful revelations.

Truth, justice, mercy—none of these are as simple as Ginny once believed. And the most shocking crimes may not be the ones committed out of anger or greed, but the sacrifices we make for love. (less)

Meet Mandy Mikulencak

Mandy Mikulencak has been a writer her entire working life. First, as a journalist then as an editor and PR specialist for two national nonprofits and a United Nations agency. Today she lives in the mountains of Southwest Colorado with her husband, Andy. Her first book, Burn Girl, has been honored with a 2016 Westchester Fiction Award. Her next book, The Last Suppers, will be released Dec. 26, 2017, from Kensington Publishing’s new hardcover imprint, John Scognamiglio Books. http://www.mandymikulencak.com

“Christmas Southern Treats Giveaway” on Lindas Book Obsession on FB. USA ends Christmas Eve. “The Sisters of Glass Ferry” by Kim Michelle Richardson. “The Road to Bittersweet” by Donna Everhart, and “The Last Suppers” by Mandy Mikulencak. USA only Ends Christmas Eve. Go to Lindas Book Obsession on FB. Like, Follow, Share and Comment Why Family and Friends are so important this time of the year?OR What do you like or don’t like at this time of the year? Good Luck! Three wonderful book, "The Sisters of Glass Ferry" by Kim Michelle Richardson, "The Road to Bittersweet" by Donna Everhart.

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bargainsleuthbooks · 2 years ago

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Such Good Friends: A Novel of Truman Capote & Lee Radziwill by Stephen Greco #ARC #NewBooks #May2023Books #BookReview #NetGalley

There's a new book coming out about the relationship between Truman Capote and one of his "swans," Lee Radziwill, otherwise known as Jackie Kennedy's younger sister. #LeeRadziwill #TrumanCapote #InColdBlood #JackieKennedy #BlackandWhiteBall #BookReview

On a Thursday morning in May 1961, a well-mannered twenty-one-year-old named Marlene enters the Fifth Avenue apartment of Lee Radziwill to interview for the position of housekeeper and cook. The stylish wife of London-based Prince Stanislaw Radziwill, Princess Lee is intelligent and creative, with ambitions beyond simply jet-setting. But to the public, she is always First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s…

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#Audrey Hepburn #Bill Paley #Black and White Ball #Book Review #Breakfast at Tiffany&039;s #Gore Vidal #Historical Fiction #In Cold Blood #Jackie Kennedy #jacqueline kennedy #John Scognamiglio Books #Kensington Books #Lee Radziwill #May 2023 Books #New Books #Prince Stanislaw Radziwill #Truman Capote

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markgottliebliteraryagent · 6 years ago

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Author of Historical Fiction Alan Hlad

A Publishing Journey by Alan Hlad

My publishing journey was incubated by childhood experiences. My mother, an artistic woman and voracious reader, instilled in me a passion for music, reading, and writing. She bought me loads of books, and she would often sit patiently with me as I read aloud, fumbling through sentences. When I was eight-years-old, Mom created an enduring experience for me on a cold Thanksgiving afternoon. She and my father were preparing dinner while a medley of Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, and Engelbert Humperdinck albums spun on a stereo, and I was getting in the way by playing in the kitchen. To keep me occupied, Mom retrieved an old typewriter, paper, and a bottle of White-Out, and she asked me to write a story. Over the next hour, I typed—using two fingers—a poorly constructed tale. But when my relatives arrived for dinner, I managed to sell my literary masterpiece, damp with correction fluid, to my Uncle John for twenty-five cents. I have my mother to thank for this wonderful memory. And as I look back, I think I could have gotten a better deal if I’d had an agent.

Influenced by an entrepreneurial father—who owned two small grocery stores, claimed to have walked uphill both ways to school, and believed that his military service was a cakewalk when compared to working on his parents’ farm—I chose a path to study business at Bowling Green State University. But during college, I didn’t abandon my passion for writing; I used my elective courses to enroll in literature and creative writing classes. When graduating, I made a list of my top two dream careers. The first was to someday become an author, and a distant second was to own my own business. But when faced with the reality of paying my own bills, I gratefully accepted a job with a large property & casualty insurance company.

I expected my career in corporate America to be temporary. But through persistence and hard work, I was fortunate to achieve success, and progressed through leadership roles and eventually became a senior vice president. During that time, I continued my writing endeavors by keeping a journal of my stories that I carried with me on business trips. I took snippets of free time to write on planes and in hotel rooms. Also, I took every opportunity to write business articles and volunteer for industry speaking opportunities. I was thankful for the experiences and rewards I gained through my corporate career, but I still had a deep desire to achieve the goals that I had drafted years earlier in college. Having developed a breadth of business relationships, I decided to leave the corporate ranks to establish an executive search firm. The new business grew quickly and, more importantly, being in charge of my own schedule gave me the flexibility to focus on writing. I wrote each day. I attended numerous writing conferences. I joined Akron Writers’ Group, which has been invaluable with developing writing skills. And in the autumn of 2017, I finished a historical fiction manuscript—set during the London Blitz of World War II, when British Services used homing pigeons across enemy lines—titled The Long Flight Home.

Like many aspiring authors who plan to query their manuscript, I made a list of my ideal literary agents and agencies. Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group was at the very top. I deliberated for weeks while polishing a query letter. I only have one chance to make a first impression, I told myself. And as I sent out queries, I prepared myself for inevitable rejection. But I was delighted when the story gained interest, and I was thrilled that one of the requests for a full manuscript submission was from Mark.

I didn’t expect to hear anything for months. But less than a week after sending the manuscript to Mark, I received an email from him while my wife, Laurie, and I were on a Sunday hike with our golden retrievers. The email said that he liked the story and wanted to discuss representation. I was excited to call Mark, but with spotty cell reception in a national park, as well as the fact that we had been carrying doggie waste bags for the past few miles, I thought it would be best to schedule a call. We spoke the following morning, and I was immediately impressed with Mark’s professionalism and knowledge, as well as the capabilities of Trident Media Group. Convinced that Mark and Trident were the best fit for me, I accepted his offer for representation. Less than forty-five days later, Mark arranged to sell the manuscript to John Scognamiglio for his eponymous imprint at Kensington. One year later—and six months before the release of The Long Flight Home—Mark arranged a deal for two additional books with Kensington. I’m deeply thankful and proud to have Mark as my agent, and I’m honored to have my first three novels published by John Scognamiglio at Kensington.

I often reflect on my publishing journey, which was fostered many years ago by my mother’s encouragement to read and write. At times, I wonder what might have happened if I had chosen different paths. But I don’t dwell on past choices. I like to believe that good things can happen, regardless of which routes one chooses. For me, the paths I have taken—both long and short—have helped me reach my goal of becoming an author. And for anyone who aspires to be a novelist, I encourage you to be a voracious reader, writer, and—most importantly—never give up on your dreams.

Bio

Alan Hlad is a corporate executive turned writer. He is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Literary Cleveland, and the Akron Writers' Group. Alan lives in Ohio with his wife and children. The Long Flight Home is his first novel. You can find him online at alanhlad.com, Facebook.com/AuthorAlanHlad and on Instagram @AlanHlad.

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lzteach · 7 years ago

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I read and reviewed “The Sisters of Glass Ferry ” by Kim Michelle Richardson, and loved everything about it. My review is below.

On my to read lists are. “The Road to Bittersweet” by Donna Everhart, and “The Last Suppers” by Mandy Mikulencak. Information about the authors and books are below.

Warmest thanks to Kim Michelle Richardson , Donna Everhart and Mandy Mikulencak for their generosity and Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas (Southern style) and a Happy Healthy New Year!!

MY REVIEW OF “THE SISTERS OF GLASS FERRY” by Kim Michele Richardson

*****”The Sisters of Glass Ferry” by Kim Michelle Richardson is and OKRA PICK, a December Barnes and Noble Pick and RT Top Pick

The Road to Bittersweet

by Donna Everhart (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 35 Ratings · 25 Reviews

Meet Donna Everhart

Her next novel, THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET, January 2018, is a Publisher’s Lunch Buzz Book for Fall/Winter 2017-2018 and a 2018 Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Trio pick.

The Last Suppers

by Mandy Mikulencak (Goodreads Author)

3.89 · Rating details · 64 Ratings · 34 Reviews

“A gorgeous novel that finds beauty in the most unlikely of places.” —Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Meet Mandy Mikulencak

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