The Haunting of Josie – a Book Review

Murder, ghosts, and the most dangerous seduction of all....

A 1994 novel by Kay Hooper

Kay Hooper wrote in a note to her readers in the front of this book that she always did love mystery, romance, and just a touch of the supernatural.  

In The Haunting of Josie she gives us Josie Douglas, who rents an isolated house called Westbrook. Josie has taken a year off from teaching to solve a mystery that has cast a shadow over much of her life.  As the story evolves, we learn about the mystery, but also find a bit of romance with the property's owner, Marc Westbrook, and that touch of the supernatural in the form of a special cat named Pendragon and a restless spirit who has an important message to pass on.

Synopsis

As Josie is unloading her car to move into her rental house, she meets first a large & friendly black cat with a name tag reading 'Pendragon'. A short time later she meets the owner of the house who is living in the cottage at the back of the property. 

Josie is instantly startled by her immediate positive impression of Marc Westbrook.  It must have something to do with the fact that he is “drop-dead gorgeous”. 

Marc explains that the house is named 'Westbrook' because an ancestor built the house back in the thirties and it's been in the family ever since.  As Marc & Josie get acquainted, she learns that the house  had not been lived in for a long time, since the death of his uncle, Luke Westbrook, 50 years ago, a well-known mystery writer who supposedly committed suicide. The house has recently been renovated and updated. 

On Josie's second night in the house, as she is walking from her bedroom to the bath, she is shocked by finding a man standing in the hallway. Her first thought was for how he could have possibly entered the locked house. Her next thought was that he wasn't really there; that he didn't look substantial at all. Pendragon also appeared to see this 'spirit' who reached out a hand to her, then vanished! 

With Marc's help with background on his 'uncle', a mysterious brass key that keeps appearing in different places, and enigmatic hints from the cat, Pendragon, they eventually figure out through strange coincidences that the ghostly visitor has a message that will explain this 'Haunting of Josie'. 

Summary

I have been a reading fan of author Kay Hooper for many years and own most of her books. Therefore, I know that 'Pendragon' appears several more times in a series of books by Hooper known as The Bishop Files. He is a very unique and special cat indeed. 

It was charming and a great deal of fun to discover Pendragon in this early novel by Kay Hooper, author of more than 60 books in both the Romance genre and the Mystery and Paranormal genres. And The Haunting of Josie was a fascinating way to discover Hooper's writing talents in both the romantic and the mystery, with a touch of the paranormal. Most definitely well worth reading! 

*Book Review of The Haunting of Josie, written by Wednesday Elf

+Images from Amazon and Pixabay

 The Haunting of Josie: A NovelCheck Price The Haunting of Josie - AudiobookCheck Price

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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The Shell Stitch – A Craft Review

 

She Sells Seashells......

Inspired by the sea shore, the shell stitch is lovely for many projects, either as a basic stitch for an entire item, or as a border, such as for an afghan.

The Shell Stitch in Crochet

The shell stitch is a beautiful and easy crochet stitch that you can use for a variety of projects. This stitch creates a lovely textured and scalloped design.

This stitch can be worked in rows, in rounds, or as a border on a larger project.

The shell stitch is created by working a group of 3 to 7 stitches in a single stitch or space.  When complete, the grouped stitches flair out making it look like a fan or a shell. 

There are many tutorials online, both in written form and on YouTube which will walk you through how to do the shell stitch.  Sarah Stearns of SarahMaker has an easy step-by-step tutorial that teaches you how to create the Shell Stitch. 

Examples of Projects Using the Shell Stitch

Shell Stitch Baby Afghan Pattern

Sasha of SashaPatterns has created a pattern for a lovely easy-to-do baby afghan crocheted entirely in the shell stitch. 

Sasha also has a pattern for a baby blanket with a lacy shell stitch border. 

Both patterns are available in her Etsy Shop.

Baby Sweater in Shell Stitch

The shell stitch is not just for baby blankets. This darling pattern from the pattern collection at the Etsy Digital Pattern Shop is for a baby sweater, bonnet & booties done in crochet in the shell stitch. It's a 1960s Vintage pattern to do in a pretty shell pattern with picot trim. The pattern lets you create a pretty baby layette.

Shell Stitch Used as Trim

I personally used the shell stitch to create the 'scales' on a crocheted plush toy baby dragon.  He's available in my eBay Shop

Here is the baby dragon in a close up view, looking at my 'shell' lamp! :)

Shell Stitch in Knitting

The shell stitch can also be used in knitted projects.  You create the stitch by working elongated stitches into the Stockinette stitch – the knitting stitch which is done by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side. Then the elongated stitches are twisted and working together to create the look of a small seashell.

Instructions for the Shell Stitch in Knitting are found at the website KnittingStitchPatterns.com. 

Summary

Calling all knitters and crochet crafters. Choose a pattern and try out this really beautiful stitch known as the Shell Stitch.

Pattern available on Kindle on Amazon

Related Link:

• The World of Granny Squares

*The Shell Stitch Review is written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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All That We Are - A Book Review

 All That We Are is the third book in the Wyndham Beach Series. With this book, author Mariah Stewart concludes this trilogy of lighthearted tales of love and reinvention.

Readers of books one and two in this trilogy have met the three older heroines whose lives have intersected since grade school in the charming small town of Wyndham Beach, Massachusetts. Now in their fifties, married, then divorced or widowed, they have become mothers, and now grandmothers.

Book One featured Maggie Lloyd in An Invincible Summer

Book Two featured Liddy Bryant in Goodbye Again

Now in Book Three, All That We Are, the star of the story is Emma Dean.

Synopsis

Emma Dean is the widow of Harry who died a decade ago and mother of Chris, a charming young man who pursued his dream, followed his music and today is a famous rock star.  

At this stage in her life, Emma has found fulfillment in running the Art Center in town and has been busy finalizing plans for the artist colony the Art Center will host this summer. She enjoys her peaceful and organized life in her hometown and the friendship of the two women she grew up with. Plus, she has recently been seeing a charming businessman. 

Then two surprises interrupt her life. First she accidentally finds evidence in some old papers of her husband's longtime affair she knew nothing about.

And the biggest surprise of all turns her life completely upside down when she opens her front door to discover a small, thin, 8-year-old girl with pig tails standing there. The little girl ~ Winnie ~ states that her granny in Georgia sent her on the bus to Emma “cause she said it's 'bout time you took your turn.”

The letter Winnie hands Emma states that her son, Chris Dean, is listed as the father on the child's birth certificate. Could Emma, unknown to her (and apparently to her son, Chris), be this child's grandmother? 

As Emma struggles between what was and what is, she discovers that the life she really wants may be unexpected, but is hers if she is willing to fight for it. 

Summary

Image Source: Pixabay

The story is filled with a wealth of subplots, including the artists in residence at the art center, the charming businessman who has eyes only for Emma, a beach wedding, Chris Dean's relationship with Maggie's daughter and now the possibility that Chris has a daughter he knew nothing about. 

A story of friendships, forgetting and moving forward. An enjoyable read about love, loss, and second chances. 

For More Book Reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*All That We Are was reviewed by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Visit Your Relatives Day – A Holiday Review

National Visit Your Relatives Day is celebrated yearly on May 18.

A Holiday Celebrating Family

Having recently returned from a visit to two of my grown children in two different states, along with their families, I was intrigued to discover the delightful holiday known as Visit Your Relatives Day.  And I highly recommend visiting family, both your close nuclear family  and extended family. 

So many events occur in family life – weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, new baby, graduations, etc. - each become more special when family can celebrate together.

Grandson and his G-Ma

On my recent visit, not only did I get to see my daughter and her husband in one city, but my daughter & I then traveled together to a nearby state to visit her brother and his family. The main feature of the trip was to celebrate my grandson's 21st birthday. 

In years past, families generally lived near each other, making spending time together fairly easy.  Today's lifestyles tend to take family members in many directions, with siblings and parents, aunts & uncles, cousins and grandparents living vast miles apart. Therefore, having a holiday to celebrate visiting family is a nice reminder to find ways to spend time together. 

Family Visits

With today's technology of cell phones, video calls, and the internet, it is easier than ever to 'keep in touch' with family on a regular basis with video calls and email.

But there really is no substitute for actual face to face interaction.  Physical contact with our relatives both near and far is important to our health and well-being.  It is also marvelous to be able to reconnect with each other and celebrate our memories and shared history.

Summary

Virtual communication is a long-distance treat between real-time visits, but there is really nothing that replaces an actual hug from a grandparent, holding your sibling's new baby in your arms, or being there in person to share your grandchild's birthday. 

So, on National Visit Your Relatives Day, reach out to a relative in any way you can, and always keep in touch. 

National Visit Your Relatives Day
May 18

For More Holiday Reviews, Check out ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

 The Relatives CameCheck Price Visiting FamilyCheck Price

 

*Holiday Review of National Visit Your Relatives Day is written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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I Will Find You – A Book Review

The latest suspense thriller by Harlan Coben

Storyline

As the story begins, David Burroughs is in his fifth year of a life sentence for murdering his three-year-old son, Matthew. Only one problem; he didn't do it. 

David was alone with his child that night, as his physician wife was working a night shift.  He knew he got drunk the night it happened and apparently slept through the whole thing. He woke up to discover that Matthew had been murdered. Since there was no evidence pointing to anyone else, and since David had no real alibi, he was convicted and sent to prison. 

Half a decade later, his wife Cheryl has divorced him and remarried. David has had no visitors all this time. Then, Cheryl's younger sister, Rachel, comes to see David to show him a strange photograph taken by friends of Rachel's on vacation at an amusement park. In the background is a boy who bears an eerie resemblence to David's son. It doesn't seem possible; it just can't be, yet David just knows.  Matthew is still alive. 

Somehow David has to get out of prison, search for his son and discover what really happened. To do so, he plans and successfully accomplishes a daring prison escape. 

Now David's life is on the line and the FBI is following his every move. Can David evade capture long enough to discover what really happened, save his son and clear his name? The shocking truth will be revealed in the final moments of the story. 

Summary

Another thriller by this master of suspense. I Will Find You is Harlan Coben's most recent (March 2023) novel. 

Quick Links to more reviews of Harlan Coben:

• Book Review of CAUGHT by Wednesday Elf
• TV Series Review of THE STRANGER by Lou16 aka Louanne Cox
• Book Review of WIN by Wednesday Elf
• Review of the Mickey Bolitar Series of Young Adult Books by Wednesday Elf
• The Boy from the Woods – review by Wednesday Elf
• The Woods Book Review by Wednesday Elf
• The Match – A Novel by Harlan Coben – Book Review by Wednesday Elf

*Book Review written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Goodbye Again by Mariah Stewart – Book Review

Goodbye Again is Book Two in the Wyndham Beach contemporary romance series.

Synopsis 

In Book 1 (An Invincible Summer reviewed here on ReviewThisReviews!) we met Maggie Lloyd as she moved back to the small town community of Wyndham Beach, Massachusetts. Her best friends since high school, Emma Harper and Lydia (Libby) Bryant helped her adjust to all the changes her widowhood and then her reuniting with her first love from high school, have brought.

In Goodbye Again, it is time to learn more about Libby Bryant, whose husband left her after the suicide of their daughter. 

Libby desperately needs to move on and make some positive changes in her life.  When she discovers that the long-standing bookstore in town has closed due to the elderly owner's Alzheimer condition and is for sale, Libby decides to buy the neglected bookstore and bring both herself and the shop back on track.

With a little help from her friends, she is well on her way with new paint and new ideas for the new and improved bookshop. One friend Libby has known forever, local contractor Tuck Shelby, begins to make himself indispensable. Not just in the rehab of Libby's shop, but in her life. Tuck now wants to be more than just a 'friend'. But then her ex-husband, Jim, returns with a long overdue apology, hoping for forgiveness and a chance to start over.

Summary

The book shop has rejuvenated Libby, along with the attention of two charming men.

When the shocking truth of her daughter's unexplained suicide comes out, Libby suddenly has a life-changing choice to make.

Moving on doesn't mean leaving everything behind.

Related Links:

• An Invincible Summer by Mariah Stewart (Book 1)

+Note: The third book in the Wyndham Beach Series, All That We Are will be reviewed soon. This book features the third friend of the three women the series is about ~ Emma Dean. 

For more book reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*Goodbye Again Book Review is written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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National Girl Scout Leaders Day – Holiday Review

 On April 22nd each year, we recognize the thousands of leaders who volunteer their time and experiences to girls in scouting. These leaders have been impacting the lives of girls since Girl Scouting began in 1912.

When Did Girl Scout Leader's Day Begin?

In 1982, the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Proclaimed April 22nd as Girl Scouts Leader's Day to recognize the volunteers who serve as such marvelous role models to Girl Scouts each year.  The organization selected the date of April 22 because it falls near National Volunteer Week each year. 

Eighteen girls were in the very first Girl Scout troop, led by the founder of the Girls Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low.  Her home in Savannah, Georgia is now a National historic landmark.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
History Museum in Savannah, Georgia
Image Source: Wikipedia

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

This National Historic Landmark in Savannah, Georgia, also known as the Wayne-Gordon House, is today owned by the Girls Scouts of the USA.  It was Juliette Gordon Low's birthplace and home to four generations of Gordons. The Girl Scouts purchased the home in 1953 and restored it to serve as a portal to the Girl Scouts movement. 

In 1956, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace was opened as an historic house museum, featuring many original Gordon family furnishings, including art by Juliette herself.  It was designated as Savannah's first National Historic Landmark in 1965 and is open for general tours.  

*I have toured this home twice myself during my years living in the Savannah area and it is lovely place to visit. 

Special Dates Related to Girl Scouts

• Juliette Gordon Low's birthday on October 31st is known as Founders Day for the Girl Scouts of the USA. 
• National Girl Scout Day is March 12.
• National Girl Scout Week is March 12-18
• Girl Scout Leader's Day is April 22.

Summary

So, on April 22, give a special thanks to the leader of the Girl Scout troop a girl in your family belongs to.  These volunteers all deserve our heartfelt thanks and recognition. 

Girl Scouts Faces Logo Magnet - Amazon

For more Holiday Reviews, check out

ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*Holiday Review written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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An Invincible Summer by Mariah Stewart – A Book Review

 An Invincible Summer is the first book in the Wyndham Beach Series. This contemporary women romantic fiction series revolves around three best friends since high school ~ Maggie Lloyd, Lydia Bryant and Emma Harper. The main character in Book 1 is Maggie. 

Synopsis

In An Invincible Summer, recently widowed Maggie Lloyd returns to her hometown of Wyndham Beach on the Massachusetts coast for her fortieth high school reunion. Even though it seems to have been a lifetime ago that she was there, she picks right up with her two dear friends, Lydia and Emma. The friends have a wonderful time catching up, until the night of the reunion dinner where she comes face to face with Brett Crawford and deep emotions are once again stirred.

Brett and Maggie were the town's golden couple seemingly destined for one another. But a shattering secret drove them apart those 40 years ago. 

Lydia and Emma, having left their beach community for college, returned  to Wyndham Beach where they married and each had a child.  Maggie left, married someone other then Brett, and raised two daughters in Pennsylvania. 

Just before leaving Wyndham Beach for her home in Philadelphia, Maggie learns that the home she grew up in, sold years ago after her parents were gone, is now for sale.  A few weeks later, realizing how much she has missed her Wyndham Beach community, Maggie decides it's time to put sad memories behind her by selling the Philadelphia house and buying  her old family home in Wyndham Beach. Her oldest daughter goes with her to try and forget the nasty divorce she just went through. 

Summary

Even though it is wonderful to be back in the home she grew up in, with the friends who meant so much to her, and having a chance to start over, returning home also means facing her rekindled feelings for her first love. Can Maggie and Brett get past the terrible secret that has been buried all these years and open their hearts to the future? 

An Invincible Summer is a story of timeless friendship and endless love.

Available on Amazon

For More Book Reviews on ReviewThisReviews

Click on ReviewThisBooks.com

*Book Review of 'An Invincible Summer' written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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National Scrabble Day – Holiday Review

 National Scrabble Day is celebrated each year on April 13, which is the birthday of Alfred Mosher Butts who invented this iconic board game. 

Scrabble Game

The game of Scrabble is based on the crossword puzzle and anagrams and was originally called Criss Cross. It was developed by an architect named Alfred M. Butts in 1931. The game was later redesigned and renamed Scrabble. First sold in Great Britain in 1954, this popular game is now found in three out of every five American homes. The games range from a Junior Edition to the standard game, a deluxe game and even travel-sized games. 

Scrabble is a word game played by two to four players. You score points by placing tiles, that each contain a letter, on a game board which has a grid of squares. Many of the letters are worth one point, while certain letters are worth more points. There are extra-point squares on the board for doubling or tripling a letter or a whole word.

Scrabble is a fun game for kids through adults. A board game that is a family friendly strategy word game. It also makes a great party game.

A Personal Scrabble Game Story

We were playing Scrabble one evening at the home of friends. Hubby Bob had a 7-letter word which would have given him 50 bonus points, in addition to the points he would earn from his letters. Playing all 7 letters in a single turn is called a BINGO. There were three places on the Scrabble Board where he could have played his Bingo on a Triple-Word Score, giving him 3X the points. 

Believe it or not, there were 3 players ahead of Bob before his next turn and, naturally, we each took those triple-word places ~ not having a clue that Bob had this 7-letter word. 

Bob's word was BAZOOKA, which would have scored him 22 points for the points on the letter tiles, times 3 for the triple-word space, PLUS the 50-point bonus for a total of 106 points! 

B3+A1+Z10+01+01+k5+A1=22 

Of course now there was no place left on the board to play. Obviously, it was a big disappointment not to be able to play such a great word, but Bob eventually did play KAZOO for 18 points. The rest of us DID hear about it for several minutes as the game continued. And it became a favorite story every time we'd get together to play games. LOL.

Summary

So, on April 13, or any day, get out the Scrabble game and have a wordy good time! 

More Scrabble-Related Reviews:

• 5 Fun Scrabble Decoration Ideas by Brite-Ideas
• Games Day by Wednesday Elf

National Scrabble Day

April 13

*National Scrabble Day Holiday Review written by Wednesday Elf

A Variety of Scrabble Games

& 

 Hasbro Scrabble Deluxe Edition (Amazon Exclusive)Check Price Scrabble Board Game, Word Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Fun Game for 2-4 Players, Classic Crossword GameCheck Price Scrabble Score Sheets: Scrabble Game Book Pad, 120 Sheet Score Card Notebook, Record Your Scrabble Games!Check Price WS Game Company Scrabble Deluxe Travel EditionCheck Price

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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A Holiday Review of Read a Road Map Day

Take a step back in time and use a paper road map to plan a trip. Read a Road Map Day is celebrated on April 5 each year.

Almost everyone has a GPS these days, even on our cell phones, which gets us to our destinations quickly, in the shortest manner. This works great for finding locations when needed.  But is your trip about a destination, or would you like to go on a journey?

Road maps are more than just directions to a destination.  They help us plot a fun journey and allows us to have a pleasant experience.  By getting off today's superhighways, we can identify and discover small and interesting towns or historic sites. 

How to Celebrate Read a Road Map Day

On April 5th, the designated day for 'Read a Road Map Day', get out your Rand McNally Road Atlas, your state map or a map of your city and take a Day Trip or a weekend trip to someplace you haven't been. 

Or just use a spinner and let it find you a direction to take, get in your car and begin driving. Your map will show you what is ahead in the direction you are going. Stop in one of the next small towns you go through and see what you can find. Perhaps a local diner that has been there forever will be the perfect place to stop for lunch. Maybe a statue in the town square will give you a bit of history of the place. 

There are many interesting sites (and sights to see) that can be found on road maps. City maps often show the location of art museums, historic sites, and parks & lakes in your own town. Go visit one or more on a weekend. Take the family and expand your children's horizons. Depending on the size of your town, I'll bet there are many places you have never visited. And a state map has a wealth of information for going on a sightseeing road trip. What does your state have to offer? Have you ever visited your State Capital, for instance?

Summary

So use April 5 – the date of the holiday Read a Road Map Day – and go get a city, state or national map to decide on an interesting way to have an adventure or simply a fun Daycation.  

Related Link:

• Rand McNally Road Atlas Review

+All Images courtesy of Pixabay.com 

*Read a Road Map Day review written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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