This new book, due to be released on February 3, 2026, is already, in its pre-order listing on Amazon, proving to be a very popular book in the Children’s Baseball Books category, as well as Children’s Dog Books. A darling story for children ages 4 to 8 who love both baseball and dogs.
A new baseball season is about to begin. To Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje breed known as a duck decoy dog, the baseball stadium has everything a dog loves ~ hot dogs, the biggest back yard ever, and thousands of human friends. Decoy knows he is going to have the best day ever! He’s been chosen to throw out the first pitch on this baseball Opening Day and make his ‘dog dad’ (famous baseball star Shohei Ohtani) proud.
Oh No! Decoy forgot and left his lucky baseball at home. How is he going to throw out the first pitch without it? Can he run back home, get his ball and get back to the stadium in time?
Author of Decoy Saves Opening Day
This adorable debut story is written by Shohei Ohtani, MLB LA Dodger all-star, and stars his real-life pup, Decoy. Ohtani wrote this story with Michael Blank and the book was illustrated by Fanny Liem.
Summary
The well-known Japanese baseball star, Shohei Ohtani, along with his dog, Decoy, support animal rescue organizations. They hope to use the profits of their debut story to help dogs find their forever homes. Shohei and Decoy are working to help real-life animals in need.
Note: Decoy actually DID throw out the first pitch. As the first dog to ever do so, Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch to Ohtani on their shared Bobblehead night on 8/28/2024. This is no doubt the cutest pitch you will ever see. Decoy definitely steals the show! Watch the YouTube Video below:
*Book Review of "Decoy Saves Opening 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, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Among the many interests and activities which author Catherine Ryan Hyde enjoys, is that of horses. She is an avid equestrian and often posts pictures online of her horses. In addition, Catherine has featured horses in several of her books. The Language of Hoofbeats is one such book. This is my review of this fascinating and interesting novel.
Synopsis
Two of the main characters, Clementine and Jackie, each narrate the story, taking alternating chapters to tell their side of the events.
The story begins when Jackie and her wife, Paula, looking for a quiet life for their kids - a young adopted son and two teenage foster children - move in across the street from Clementine. Paula is a veterinarian and this move has brought her to a remote country area in need of another vet. Jackie is a stay-at-home mom for the kids.
Clementine is a terribly unhappy person who is so damaged by her daughter’s suicide that she cannot be civil to most people, including her husband. The husband finally cannot take her negativity any longer and he moves out about the time Paula & Jackie and the kids move in next door.
Clem has a horse named Comet who used to belong to the now-dead daughter. Comet is quite high-strung and has not been receiving very good care because Clementine is rather scared of the horse and the husband has moved out. When the foster teen Star, a quite unhappy girl herself, is drawn to and bonds with Comet and attempts to begin a friendship with the horse. Clementine, in her usual horrid fashion, resents the friendship developing between Star and the horse and chases her away from her property several times. Clem is extremely nasty to Star and also to her foster mothers, Jackie and Paula. Finally, not being able to stand the way the horse is neglected, Star steals Comet and they become lost. The real action in the story begins as Jackie and Clementine join forces to search for both Star and Comet.
Throughout the story, we also become acquainted with the other foster child, Mando, and the younger adopted son, and learn what happened to Clementine’s daughter.
Summary
From the book jacket:
When a troubled girl steals a horse, her foster moms are thrown together with their reluctant neighbor
The Language of Hoofbeats shows us the complexity of human relationships and points out how very relatable characters can sometimes be intensely flawed. But, by facing the scars they carry and the choices they have made, along with forgiving the regrets, a diverse group of people often can be transformed into a family. An extremely good read!
Click here for more reviews of books by Catherine Ryan Hyde
*Book Review of “The Language of Hoofbeats” 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, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I remember the first time our daughter brought home textbooks with an
assignment to have them covered before school the next day. For
parents who are prepared, that is not a big deal. However, since she
was our oldest child and our first experience with having a child in school,
I had no clue such a thing would be required.
I didn't, and still do not, keep paper grocery bags around. I had
always heard they would draw bugs and I had no desire to invite them into
our home. I had to think fast! I grabbed some wrapping paper and
went to work. The books had to be recovered within days because
wrapping paper is not durable enough to be pulled in and out of a backpack
without tearing. By then though, I had gone to the grocery store and
had the desired heavy paper bags.
The heavy paper bags didn't last long, but at least they survived the first
few months. That was long enough for me to find and buy some fabric
covers made specifically for covering textbooks and the daily use
required.
After that first year, I was always prepared with a variety of book covers
for our children.
As our children got older, they had textbooks that we were required to
purchase. I found them much easier to resell if they were in good
condition.
I like the book covers featured on the right because they would be easy to select a different pattern for each subject book. That is much better than having them all covered alike. For instance, I would choose the planet cover for a science book, the Legos for a math book, the map for geography or history, and save the panda for my favorite class. The other two covers are super cool and would be awesome for English or Spanish classroom textbooks.
The covers are stretchable, tear resistant, and washable!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Our Adoption Story: The Story of How We Met Our Baby, is a book for adoptive parents to fill out, so that each one can tell the story of how they met their baby.
This book has guided prompts to help the adoptive parents fill in the blanks, so that they can write their own adoption story, and also share information about their baby, such as how meeting their baby came about, things they did the day that they brought their baby home, things they did to prepare ahead of time for bringing their baby home, etc.
Some pages also include little images to help out with the written prompts, as a fun way for the parents to personalize their story.
There are also pages that include a simple picture frame to add a picture to help depict what that page is about.
The inspiration behind this book:
My husband and I became adoptive parents decades ago. It was before the internet, so most exchanges of information were done locally, and or reading magazines, finding a group, etc.
When a couple becomes adoptive parents, things can happen rather quickly. Adoptive parents can find out that they are 'expecting' their baby anywhere from a day, to weeks, or months, before their baby is ready for adoption. It can be a whirlwind to prepare and get things ready for the day, for this new bundle of life to enter their lives. Some perspective adoptive parents can also be on a waiting list that can take even longer.
We actually found out about our potential baby around a couple of weeks before the baby was to be born. We didn't know for sure which gender we were 'expecting', but we at least had an idea. We purchased baby clothes, a crib, a dresser that included a changing table on the top. We waited to see what formula the hospital was feeding our baby, before purchasing baby formula. We also purchased diapers, both cloth and disposables.
The day came and we were both excited and nervous. But all of that changed once our baby was handed to us.
We had already made an appointment with a local pediatrician; our first stop before arriving home was with with the pediatrician. There, the doctor showed us how to change the baby's diaper, take her temperature, and gave us other new parent information.
Some time after that, I joined a parenting group, where I could take our baby. The new parents could learn about being parents. That was a great learning experience; it was very helpful. I also noticed that the new moms also talked a lot about their pregnancy and birthing stories. There was no one in the group on that particular day of the week, that I could relate to. But I did hear about another adoptive mom that went to that parenting group on a different day of the week, that wanted to start a play group for adoptive parents. Yay!
There ended up being five of us adoptive moms and five babies in our adoption play group. We all had different adoption stories. And we all had a learning curve; there were many similarities to new moms of any type, learning how to be a mom, but also things that were unique to us, as adoptive moms.
After all of this, I decided to write a story, just for our child, for her to be able to read and know some basic background about our adoption experience and information about her.
I wrote our story on index cards, and included pictures from magazines to help explain whatever, and pictures of us and her as well. I wrote answers to questions that might arise, using simple words. It became a favorite book for us to read together.
After many years, the idea came to me to make something that other adoptive parents could easily fill in and personalize, so that they could share their story with their baby.
This paperback booklet measures 6 by 9 inches and is 24 pages long. It is simple to fill out, and add photographs to. It will be a lovely, informative book for when the child is young, and also a wonderful keepsake for years to come.
Our Adoption Story - to be filled in by the adoptive parents. Check price.
Let me know in a comment below, if you think a similar booklet would be a good idea for adoptive parents that adopt a toddler or an older child. Thank you.
Update: Thank you for your comments. I will be designing three more adoption story books; one for toddlers, grade school children, and teens., each of which will include sections for the child to have some input.
Cheryl Paton
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
KDP is the book publishing arm of Amazon. KDP stands for Kindle Direct Publishing. This is where authors can publish their books as hardbacks, paperbacks, and or as a Kindle electronic version.
KDP has been evolving over the years. The first book that I wrote and published through KDP was written completely offline. It also wasn't KDP back then. Then I had to figure out what size to make my pages and which font they accepted (I had to change mine.)
Now people can look at charts and guidelines on KDP and find out what they need to get started.
First you need to know what kind of book you want to make; i.e. hardback, paperback, or electronic. You can only make one at a time, but then you can make it in another version afterwards. Sizes and margins can be different. Also with the electronic version, you can make clickable links for each chapter, etc.
At some point, you will have to decide on a title, and also a subtitle if you want one. Once a book is published on Amazon, the title cannot be changed.
With KDP, the minimum number of pages is 24. So if you're looking to write a 10-20 page pamphlet type book, this isn't for you. If you've got a minimum of 20 pages already, you can add other pages, such as book recommendations that are related to what you are writing, other books by you, a title page, this book belongs to, etc.
There are also maximum page number restrictions based on the type of book you're writing, i.e. paperback, hardback, or electronic. Page length can also be affected by paper selection, page size, and trim. You can check out the various requirements and restrictions by searching on your book type and the text, KDP size guidelines.
Once you are ready to start writing, you can be a brave and venturous soul and write it on your computer, like I did with my first venture. However, I recommend a book creation site that gives you the kind of flexibility you might be looking for. Do you know that you just want to create coloring books, for instance? Do you want to write text only books? Search for what works for you.
The site that I went with is Canva. Some love it and some don't. As mentioned, go for what is going to be most helpful to you.
With Canva, I can use a mix of my images along with a mix of images on the Canva site. In some books I have created, I used only my images, some have been a mix, and a couple have been Canva images only. With Canva, you are supposed to change up the images on their site some how, perhaps layer them with other images to make them look different than what is presented initially. However you do this, you want to make this be unique somehow. I use the professional version of Canva which gives me more images to choose from.
Another reason that I like Canva, is that I can easily adjust the page sizes with a couple of clicks, in case I didn't get it quite right in the beginning. Also, from Canva, I can easily download my book creation, and then upload it from my download files to Amazon. The interior of the book is downloaded and uploaded separate from the cover. The cover and the interior are two different creations on Canva, at least with physical paper books. They are also two different uploads on KDP.
With the forms on KDP, you can choose up to three categories for your book to be listed in. They used to give you up to ten options, and could then even add more. Those days have passed.
You can choose up to seven sets of keywords and or keyword phrases to help customers find your books.
You can also choose black and white only books, or ones with premium colored ink. Colored ink is more expensive to print and the price you set should allow for this additional upcharge for the printing of your book.
KDP gives a section to write a description that will get printed on its Amazon product page.
When writing on KDP, you can create a free author page on Amazon. Once your book is published and live on Amazon, you can create your author page. You can find it by searching for the phrase, Amazon Author Central.
When writing on KDP, you can also create and run ads for your book(s) on Amazon. These are paid ads and there are quite a few options to choose from. I recommend doing searches on YouTube for guidance and for how to videos there.
I have done some ads from time to time. For me, I prefer to do some blogs about the books instead. I also prefer shopping on Amazon when there are a lot less ads to maneuver through.
So would I recommend writing on KDP to self publish on Amazon? That depends on your goals. Authors that write on KDP are not suppose to publish those same books elsewhere. Amazon does have an option for certain types of books to be available through book stores. The main thing is that they must have text as part of their makeup. So no coloring books unless they also include words. These books can be included in a book store's web site offerings; but you may need to contact the individual book store if you would like them to carry it as an option on their shelves. Our local Barnes and Noble has a book stand dedicated to local authors.
For me, I am glad that I write through KDP. I went the old school way before the internet became available, and almost had an interested publisher for one of my children's books. It was a very long process. Also for me, although I have some text type books, I now prefer creating more artsy type books, and prefer to spend my time creating more designs, than writing cover letters, etc.
I hope that you have found some helpful information here. If you think of a question that I didn't cover, ask it in a comment below, and I will help you if I can.
Here is a link for my Scrapbook Paper options which is on my blog. Scrapbook Paper by Cheryl Paton. These are sorted by category.
Cheryl Paton
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and Tracy Chevalier is among the authors in this genre that I enjoy reading. Her careful research and delightful way of pulling you into the story make her books real page turners. At the Edge of the Orchard was a fascinating tale that I found myself unable to put down.
Book Summary
James and Sadie Goodenough leave their home in Connecticut to head out west. When they get to Ohio their wagon gets stuck in the muddy 1830's black swamp area. They decide to claim some land in this area and settle down to growing apple trees. If they plant 50 trees within 3 years, they can claim the land for their own. James is enthralled with apple trees, that remind him of his home in Connecticut, while Sadie is more interested in the apple jack that they can produce. She can use it as an alcoholic retreat from the tough times that visit them, including deaths of a child to illness in many years. Their children are helpers on their farm from a very early age.
The next part of the book skips to 15 years later when the youngest son Robert is wandering through the Gold Rush in California. He is haunted from his past and the family he left behind when he was only 9 years old. He does find some peace working with a naturalist and helping him to gather saplings and seed of the majestic redwoods and sequoias to send to gardeners in England.
I found the book to be very interesting and really appreciate the care the author takes in describing the historical settings in the novel. The characters are delightful, and you find yourself pulled into their lives.
I have read several of Tracy Chevaliers books in the past and have never been disappointed.
About the Author
Tracy Chevalier was born and grew up in Washington DC. After attending Oberlin college in Ohio, she moved to London in the mid 1980's. Her first novel was Virgin Blue in 1997 followed by The Girl with the Pearl Earring in 1999. She is currently working on her 12th book.
She does a lot of research for each book and one thing she likes to do is put herself in some of the situations she writes about. She tried painting for one book, stitching for another and for At the Edge of the Orchard she spent some time among trees, including the redwoods and sequoias in California.
Link to Book on Amazon
At the Edge of the Orchard, along with Tracy's other books can be found on Amazon. Here is the link: At the Edge of the Orchard
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
In this latest book by Teri M Brown, she departs from her usual historical novels and gives us a very personal view into a major challenge in her life. Can you imagine riding 3500 miles across the country on a tandem bike? Well, that is exactly what Teri did and along the way she discovered some amazing things about herself. Although this is about her personal adventure, it has so much to offer to each of us as we meet life's challenges and create adventures of our own.
Book Summary
The book gives us a look at the challenges and successes that the author had during her cross-country tandem cycle ride with her husband. She accomplishes this through "10 Little Rules" that she feels helped her through the journey. She leaves room at the end of each of the rules for the reader to reflect on how this rule could affect the readers life.
I loved the book and found it very inspiring. Here are just a few of the key points I took away from the book.
Open Your Mind--don't always look for differences but rather look for common ground.
Setbacks--in any challenge you will have setbacks, you need to persevere and realize life is not in a straight line.
Enjoy the Downhills--sometimes we need to relax and enjoy the good times instead of always looking for the next challenge ahead.
Focus on the Now-stay in the present and it is much easier to get through.
Never Quit on a Bad Day--things will look up if you just give it time.
Continue to Dream--Hope and Dreams make your challenges come true.
There are many more insightful thoughts in the book, but I will leave them for you to discover as you read the book. You can purchase it on Amazon at10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure .
Author Interview
I always like getting to know a bit about the author. Teri graciously agreed to answer my questions in an interview format. Here are my questions and her answers.
1.First of all, would you tell our readers a bit about your background.
I didn’t begin writing fiction manuscripts until 2017, and my first book, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, launched in January 2022. However, I was not completely new to writing. I started my own business in 2000 helping small companies with their online presence by writing website copy, newsletters, and even email campaigns.
Although I wanted to write fiction, I was too afraid. At the time, I was living in an emotionally abusive relationship, and I couldn’t handle more rejection. However, when I finally left that relationship in 2017, the words started flowing from me and haven’t stopped.
Since the first book, I’ve also written An Enemy Like Me (Jan 2023) and Daughters of Green Mountain Gap (Jan 2024). As of February 14th, 2025, my fourth book, 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure, launched.
2.I found this book to be very inspiring. What motivated you to share this adventure with your readers.
My husband and I chose to ride across the United States on a tandem bicycle to raise money for Toys for Tots. But that was not my only reason. After getting out of that bad relationship, I didn’t feel like I had any worth, value, or anything to contribute. I decided I wanted some kind of adventure that would prove to the world that I wasn’t done living. It turns out that I was the one who needed that lesson!
As we rode mile after mile for 3102 miles, I began to heal. I also began to see life lessons in the journey we were on. Because I love to mentor others, especially women and teens struggling to find their worth, I felt my experiences could be helpful to others – and 10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure was born.
3.I have noted that this is your fourth book and the first three were written after the Double-Butted Adventure featured in this book. In what way did your adventure inspire you to write the books?
I’m so glad you asked this question because the answer is “in all ways!” Let me explain.
As we were finishing up the last half-mile of our journey, my husband pointed up a hill to a flag. He told me it was the flag to the Marine Corps Memorial where we would end our ride. I started to cry. Then laugh. Then cry again.
At that moment, I realized something staggering. I, Teri M Brown, non-athlete, had successfully ridden across the United States on a tandem bicycle. I could do anything I put my mind to. It wasn’t a matter of “if I could do something.” Instead, it was a matter of “what did I want to do?” I knew the answer. I wanted to be an author.
As soon as we got home, I got to work. Fourteen months later, I held my first novel in my hand.
4.What is the main thing you would like your readers to remember from this book?
You don’t have to be something special or extraordinary to do something big and bold and adventurous. Everything you need to succeed is already inside. All you have to do is want it and then start working toward the goal.
5.Do you have any plans in the works or future books?
I’m currently finishing up a children’s book called Little Lola and Her Big Dream with illustrations by Lorri D Perini. I hope to have this out by early summer. I’m also working on a humorous contemporary novel about a woman going through menopause. Finally, I have an idea for another historical fiction, though it seems to have a mystery or suspense flair to it!
6.Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for our Review This readers. Is there anything else you would like them to know about your books?
Although I cross genres – historical fiction, short stories, flash fiction, children’s books, creative non-fiction, and contemporary humor – all my books have one thing in common and that’s strong characters. I tell everyone I love to introduce readers to characters they’d love to invite to lunch.
If you enjoy character-driven fiction, I’d love to connect. Head on over to my website at www.terimbrown.com. There, you can connect with me on social media, join my twice-monthly newsletter, listen to my podcast Online for Authors and pick the next book on your TBR, purchase signed copies of my books, and/or reach out on my contact page.
Reviews of Other Books by Teri M Brown
Here are reviews of other books by this author on Review This.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I love cats from way back. I had even started doing drawings from photos of our cats over the years, before the internet was even a thing. I had hopes and dreams that our lovey kitties would be the stars in a coloring book.
Years later, after having gotten a computer, and having learned how to do drawings on my computer, I finally got around to creating the book of my dreams. I named it, I Love Cats Coloring Book.
I published it through KDP - Kindle Direct Publishing, which is a subsidiary of Amazon. This is my review.
The print quality of both the cover and the interior turned out great. The only colors are on the cover.
The coloring pages are printed on the top side of each page and a background page of cats on gray is printed on the reverse side of each page. The gray does not show through to the top page, and it does a good job of reducing and or preventing bleed through to the next coloring page.
As with my other coloring books, there are two pages to test out your coloring media in the back of the book. There you can try out blending techniques, color coordinating, and whether or not the chosen media will bleed through to the next page or not.
This book is more than a coloring book. It has cute little sayings that go along with each picture. I like the added interest; it gives the book a more heartfelt feeling to it and also some humor.
The pages have a good weight to them and are perfect for coloring. If you are purchasing this for children, then I recommend these colored pencils by Prang. In this set, the core is 3.3 mm thick, making them thicker than some of the others, so they should hold up better for the kids: Prang 3.3 mm colored pencils.
Instead of burnishing with the colored pencils themselves, (laying down lots of color on top of already colored areas), I recommend less pressure and using paper blending stumps to rub over the initial layers. Then color on top of that layer. That helps to spread the colors out better, and it's easier to lay new or more color down on top, and is less damaging to the paper: Blending Stumps. This pack also includes an artist eraser which is also less damaging to the paper. It also includes a sandpaper pencil sharpener.
If you want to get one color off of the blending stump, you can just rub it on a scrap sheet of paper to rub off any excess color. This will make your blending look more like the color that you want it to be, in the picture.
Overall, I am pleased with how the book turned out and highly recommend it to other cat lovers, of any age.
As an Amazon affiliate, Cheryl Paton earns income on qualifying purchases made through links on this page at no additional cost to the purchasers.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
When I noticed another book series written by Colleen Coble, I immediately
downloaded it to my
Kindle. Until I started writing this review, I had not realized Tidewater Inn (The
Hope Beach series) was published back in 2012, which means it was published
before the Sunset Cove series that introduced me to Colleen Coble
books.
Once again, I was not disappointed by this combination mystery and
romance. As a matter of fact, just like the first Colleen Coble book I
read, "The Inn at Ocean's Edge", I was drawn into the story and ended up staying up really late one night
to keep reading.
For me, it was a good thing I was already a Colleen Coble fan before I
started reading "Tidewater Inn" since it starts with a young woman's
abduction from a beach by two men in a boat. That is a horrifying
occurrence and would make me put down most mystery books immediately.
But, I trusted the author to not put me through an unbearable
story.
I don't like to read, or see, explicit details or scenes of
crimes. Since I was already familiar with Colleen Coble's writing, I
knew that was not her style. Her stories are strong enough on their
own that they don't need graphic details for her books to make the
bestsellers lists.
As I said, the story begins with Nicole Ingram being abducted from the
beach. What I have not already told you is that her best friend and
business partner, Libby Holladay, was helplessly watching via a
webcam. It all happened so fast, that calling 911 didn't stop the
crime. Nicole was grabbed, injected with something, and dragged into a
boat in a matter of moments.
It was hours before Libby could get from Virginia Beach to Hope
Beach. When she did arrive, she found she was soon the sheriff's #1
suspect because the webcam recording had been erased. He believed
Libby had orchestrated her business partners abduction, most likely murder,
and erased the video to protect the kidnappers.
Libby had no way of knowing if Nicole's abduction was a convenient
opportunity for human traffickers or if it was somehow related to Nicole's
discovery that Libby was the heir to Tidewater Inn.
Furthermore, Libby had no idea that her father had not died when she was 5,
as her mother had told her, or that her father had 2 other children, younger
than Libby. Her half-brother believed that he had inherited Tidewater
Inn and was already brokering a deal to sell it for millions of
dollars. That kind of money certainly might be worth murder.
But, why would he kill Nicole instead of Libby?
___________
To find out why Nicole was abducted, if she is dead, or why Libby's father
disappeared from her life decades ago, you will need to read the book.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
St. Louis Gateway Arch Photographed by Mary Beth Granger
While walking around at a craft and vendor fair at our church, I came across a booth with a local author. The first thing that caught my eye was a book with a photo of the Arch in St. Louis. I always enjoy reading books that have locations I am familiar with and having grown up in the area, I have always been fascinated with the Arch. As I stopped and talked to the author, Ellen Parker, I found that she wrote romance books that are mixed with mysteries or historical fiction. All of these are topics I enjoy reading. When I got home, I downloaded one of her books that depicted the Arch on the cover and started reading.
The book I read was Stare Down and I enjoyed it so much that I emailed the author and asked if she would do an author interview with me. She graciously accepted and you will find her interview in this post.
If you would like to read Stare Down or any of her books, they are available on Amazon. Here is a link to Stare Down. https://amzn.to/3XVZs2f
Book Summary
If you enjoy an intriguing romance with a murder mystery thrown in, then this is a book you will enjoy. Author Ellen Parker does a great job of combining a budding romance and a murder all in one book with a setting in St. Louis.
Detective Maylee Morgan and surgeon Dave Holmes first meet on the running trails in a park in St. Louis and are instantly attracted to each other. They know little about each other after their first meeting but are interesting in finding out more. They soon find out that they are neighbors in an apartment where Dave has recently moved. All is progressing along when Dave's boss is found dead and Dave does not have an alibi. When Maylee shows up to question suspects Dave finds out that she is a detective and memories of the past haunt him as he now sees her as a lady with a gun.
Will Maylee and Dave get together, will the murder be solved? This is one you must read to find the answers.
Author Interview
1) Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I was raised on a small Wisconsin dairy farm in a household filled with books and magazines.
My parents and older brothers all enjoyed reading and it was natural that I developed the habit early. My education and first career placed me in hospital laboratories.
2) What made you choose writing as a second career?
I’ve enjoyed reading a variety of materials and when my children were little, I made up stories for them. When computers, with spellcheck, came along, I decided to try my hand at writing
romance and discovered I liked creating the stories.
3) How did you choose which genre to write about?
I like the happy, positive ending to a romance story. My mother and I traded books back and
forth in later years, and I like the idea of being able to share between the generations. But I also like a little mystery or suspense, so my first books fall under the large grouping of romantic suspense. Or, as I sometimes tell people – romance with a touch of suspense.
4) I am intrigued by the title of this book. What made you decide on Stare Down?
Growing up, did you get into staring contests with siblings or friends? I decided the quirk would be a good device for a detective – useful with a sibling, a date, or a criminal suspect.
5) When you write, do you have the storyline and outcome decided before you start writing, or does it come to you as you are writing?
I need to know the ending of story before I begin writing. Usually, I know several incidents which are going to happen. But characters often show a mind of their own and surprise me along
the way.
6) You really make your characters come alive in your books. What is your secret?
Thank you for the compliment. I try to put a little bit of a problem in every character’s background. And even the villain needs to have one good facet to his life.
7) What do you want the reader to take away from this book?
I would like the reader to feel hopeful and satisfied that this couple, Dave and Maylee, are going
to be sharing a good life together. I think the ‘lesson’ would be that with time and effort a person can overcome large obstacles – Dave’s great trauma early in his life will make adjustments by both Dave and Maylee necessary.
I hope you have enjoyed this review and interview and will add Ellen Parker to your list of authors to read. I know I am looking forward to reading more of her books.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Joe Pickett is the new, unassuming game warden in a remote area of Wyoming. He is a quiet man and not your typical hero. Joe is publically introduced to his neighbors in Saddle String as a push-over after a poacher holds him at gunpoint - with Joe's gun. The "bad guys" consider him to be easy-to-manage and believe he'll fall in line with the how-it's-done-here mentality of the town and surrounding public lands. But Joe is a game warden who follows the rules, and expects everyone else to follow the rules too, even if he has to give his life to protect the wildlife. In this review, I will tell you a bit more about Joe and the characters of Saddle String.
Photo Credit: By Bob Wick of the Bureau of Land Management (public domain)
Joe Pickett, Season 1
As a young boy, Joe decides he wants to become a game warden. The outdoors is his sanctuary and he has a caring spirit.
Joe Pickett season 1, episode 1 opens almost immediately with a life or death situation during Joe's normal game warden business. Ote Keeley is a local outfitter and hunting guide. He needs his hunting license to make a living and support his family be he's also a poacher and Joe catches him in the act. During the confrontation, Ote taunts Joe for having arrested the Governor for fishing without a license.
"I didn't know he was the Governor". Joe responded. But it wouldn't have made a difference if he had known. Rules are rules. And unlike Joe's predecessor, Vern, Joe doesn't cut deals or do favors. He doesn't follow Vern's suggestion to focus on ticketing the tourists and looking the other way for the residents.
During the confrontation, Ote takes Joe's sidearm and holds him at gun point. Even at gunpoint, Joe doesn't back down from his plan to write him up for poaching. Fortunately, they come to a sort of truce and no one dies. Not on that day.
Later, Ote's body is found, shot dead with an arrow, in Joe's yard. Joe is trying to figure out why Ote would have come to his home on horseback, with an arrow in him. While law enforcement immediately arrests a suspect - surprisingly, they don't arrest Joe for the murder - Joe begins researching the crime from the game warden perspective. Ote was killed with an illegal arrow tip.
As the murder count increases, people seem to be falsely accused, evidence disappears, and Joe knows he's missing a piece of the puzzle. But will he, his wife, and children live through the investigation or should he give up his job and turn a blind eye to it all?
This story is a modern western murder mystery in a gorgeous mountainous setting. There were so many characters who were unlikeable in this one small town that I couldn't guess who was exactly at fault.
Characters:
Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman) and his wife, Marybeth (Julianna Guill) are trying to raise their children in a peaceful and safe setting. Marybeth was a lawyer until she made the conscious decision to stay home and raise her children - rather than be the stressed, absent parent that busy lawyers often are. Her mother Missy (Sharon Lawrence) frequently berates Marybeth for this choice, for being a game warden's wife, and for choosing a simple life. Interesting that Missy feels like she's in the position to judge anyone about their life choices.
Ote Keeley (Benjamin Hollingsworth) is the "degenerate" married to April Keeley (Vivienne Guynn) and they have children. Even though Ote died at the very beginning of the series, we think about him alot. And April incites both disgust and empathy.
Nate Romanowski (Mustafa Speaks) is the prepper/recluse who is immediately arrested for the murder of Ote based solely on one incident they had in the past (Ote killed one of Nate's birds of prey) and because Nate owns a bow. Nate comes across as frightening and perhaps manipulative. He asks Joe to find the truth and Marybeth ends up being his lawyer for the murder trial.
There is a huge cast. And far too many to list. There are the rich folks, poor folks, law-abiding folks, schemers, very strange-but-harmless folks, and the killers. Most all of law enforcement and politicians are questionable and either lazy/inept or trying to redirect.
I enjoyed Joe Pickett, Season 1 so much that I binge-watched it one weekend. I immediately began recommending it to others. I love thriller/mysteries that are set in amazing settings. The elk, bison, and mountains are all peaceful eye-candy. The clash between the good guys, bad guys, and flawed guys is the cherry on top.
The Joe Pickett series written by C.J. Box
This tv series is based on the books written by C.J. Box. I have book 1 in my kindle and haven't read it yet only because I've been so engrossed in several of W. Michael Gear's historical fiction series. After discovering the Joe Pickett tv series by accident, you can know that I will begin reading the C.J. Box books next. Especially since there are many books in the written series and only 1 and 2 and the television series.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
