SONIA MANZANO, SESAME STREET’S MARIA TO PUBLISH BOOKS WITH SCHOLASTIC

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18 October 2020

SCHOLASTIC ANNOUNCES MULTI-BOOK PUBLISHING PROGRAM WITH 15-TIME EMMY AWARD WINNER SONIA MANZANO

Scholastic is thrilled to announce a new four-book deal with legendary entertainer and 15-time Emmy® Award winner Sonia Manzano. Best known for playing Maria on Sesame Street for 44 years from 1971 until 2015 (for which she received an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016), Manzano is also the acclaimed children’s book author of Scholastic titles The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, which won a Pura Belpré Honor Award, and the stunning young adult memoir Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx. In this partnership, Manzano and Scholastic will launch two new middle-grade novels and two new picture books.

“As an award-winning author, multiple Emmy Award winner, activist, and actress, Sonia Manzano has been an inspiration for both children and adults for decades. I am delighted that Scholastic will be teaming up with Sonia Manzano again for the publication of four new and powerful books that are sure to engage and inspire young readers for years to come,” noted Ellie Berger, President and EVP of Scholastic Trade Publishing.

Publishing in spring 2022, this first novel, Coming Up Cuban, is a remarkable story that’s set in 1959 in Cuba right as Fidel Castro came into power. This extraordinary novel follows four children – Ana, Miguel, Zulema and Juan – and each of their wholly unique journeys of struggle and triumph. In this story, two of the kids make it out of Cuba, one of them flown out as part of a program called Operation Peter Pan and brought to Miami. Over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors were sent to the USA under this system by frightened parents who hoped to protect them from the real or rumored Castro policies. Two are left behind, where poverty and uncertainty lurk. Perfect for fans of Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Refugee by Alan Gratz, Coming Up Cuban imparts resonant and interwoven tales of children enduring trying moments in history, as they grow through these emotionally-charged experiences.

“Social upheavals affect everyone. I wanted to write a novel that examined the impact the 1959 Cuban Revolution had on four children. Through these four separate life stories, I hope our readers see how interconnected we all are, regardless of any tumultuous times we might be living in. Scholastic, with their everlasting focus on diverse books, are the perfect publishers,” said Manzano.

Manzano’s upcoming picture book Riding the Line With Mac and Millie is based on the author’s own childhood experience of learning to read while riding the subway each day with her older sister. As they traveled from their Bronx neighborhood to their school, they discovered the joy and power of reading by decoding the signs on the subways and billboards outside the windows of their rickety subway car. Her second picture book, If Miller’s Book Could Talk, is a heartwarming story of a Puerto Rican father teaching his son to read by dramatizing the voices of the many characters that emerge from the books they enjoy together. Further details about Manzano’s second middle grade novel in this publishing program will be announced at a later date.

“We’re honored to be Sonia Manzano’s publishing home,” added Andrea Pinkney, VP and Executive Editor at Scholastic. “Sonia’s narratives present history and culture in stories that resonate with readers everywhere. Her upcoming books underscore our shared mission of presenting meaningful experiences to children and building a bookshelf of beloved titles that will stand the test of time.”

ABOUT SONIA MANZANO
Sonia Manzano is a groundbreaking Latina educator, executive television producer, and award-winning children’s book author. A first-generation mainland Puerto Rican, she has affected the lives of millions of parents and children since the early 1970s, when she was offered the opportunity to play “Maria” on Sesame Street. Manzano has received 15 Emmys for writing television scripts, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Award, the Hispanic Heritage Award for Education. Her critically acclaimed children’s books include A World Together, No Dogs Allowed!, A Box Full Of Kittens, Miracle on 133rd Street, The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, and the memoir Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx. Manzano resides in New York City with her husband Richard Reagan, whom she married in 1986, and their daughter Gabriela.

BEHIND THE WORDS WITH CHRISTIN BRECHER

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Jocie McKade

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17 October 2020

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BEHIND THE WORDS WITH AUTHOR CHRISTIN BRECHER

Hi Christin, welcome to Reader’s Entertainment. Tell our readers a bit about yourself, where you’re from, where you live? Is writing your full-time job?

Hi! And thanks for inviting me to talk about my newest book, 15 Minutes of Flame.

I was born, raised and still reside in New York City, a perfect place to stir the imagination. For example, just today, while walking our dog Bandit, I passed a really nice sofa that someone had put out for trash. I wondered who had owned it and what had made them decide to get rid of it? Before I reached the corner, a dented car pulled up and a young couple hopped out and began to load it into their trunk, which had me thinking about them and this sofa’s next adventure. I love a City where you can enjoy this kind of energy.

I also have spent time living in London, Texas and California. The idea to write the Nantucket Candle Maker Mysteries, however, sprang from my life-long connection to Nantucket, a small, foggy island off the coast of Massachusetts, which is marked by its history in whaling and candle-making, its beautiful shingled houses and cobblestones, and its strong community.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing when my kids were little and we were living in London for a time. The pace of life was slower, sort of freeing, so I decided to try something which would challenge me in new ways. In no time, writing became my passion. It led me to the discovery of characters and plot twists, breathtaking libraries, and new friends. My favorite spot to write was a small library at the Victoria & Albert Museum, which, come to think of it, would be a great setting for a cozy mystery!

Give readers a look at a typical writing day.

My writing days change at different stages of each book. Early on, I might go for really long walks to get my imagination going. I may not type a word, but it’s a writing day. Once I land on a story I like, I spend a few hours a day fleshing out the narrative through outlines and research. Sometimes I like to write in neighborhood cafes or libraries where I know I will see friends during the day. When I’ve finally finished a first draft, I disappear into my home for days on end. I lose track of time as I tie up loose ends, find holes to fill, and discover untapped potential in my characters or story. There are parts of each stage I really enjoy, so I always know I have something to look forward to in the process.

Tell us about your latest release? Where the idea came from? Perhaps some fun moments, or not so fun moments?

I love 15 Minutes of Flame because it captures Stella’s modern life in Nantucket while also tapping into the island’s past. The story honors the zeitgeist of women who ran the island during its heyday, when the men were gone for months or even years at a time to hunt whales. Left on island, the women ran businesses, became elected officials, managed their homes, and bank books. If you are interested in learning more about these strong, smart ladies, I very much enjoyed reading Sometimes Think of Me: Notable Nantucket Women Through the Centuries by Betsy Tyler & Susan Boardman.

Could you share one detail from your current release with readers that they might not find in the book? Perhaps a juicy bit of back-story, or something only you know about a character.

Ooh, fun! Well, much of 15 Minutes of Flame takes place at an historic house, owned by a friend of Stella’s who lives off-island. The house is fictional, but I based it on a home a friend of mine purchased and renovated a few years ago on Hussy Street. While updating the structure, the contractors discovered a very old sign over the kitchen hearth, similar to the one Stella discovers in the book. This one, however, promoted eggs for sale rather than the candle sales which excite Stella in her story. Apparently, the original owners had sold their eggs from their kitchen. The builders also discovered two very old cisterns buried out back, along with many other surprises from the past. These discoveries inspired many elements in the book, as you will see!

If you could be one of your characters for a day which character would it be? Why?

I adore a character in the Nantucket Candle Maker Mysteries named Cherry Waddle. She popped up out of nowhere when I was writing the first book, Murder’s No Votive Confidence, and in each consecutive story I give her more to do. Cherry is one of the Candleers, a group of Stella Wright’s most loyal candle students. She and her crafty pals are of an older generation, but Cherry is very young at heart. In fact, she’s often the first to tout the advantages of social media, which keeps her connected to her grandchildren. She never lets age get in the way of living, and believes that staying busy keeps her young. At this point in the series, she now works as a sale associate in Stella’s store, the Wick & Flame. I am drawn to Cherry because, like a good cozy female character, she jumps in when someone needs her with a warm and courageous manner.

All writers are readers. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I love this question. When I decided to start writing, I actually began by reading from a writer’s perspective. I was in London, so I started with Agatha Christie, but my reading journey took unexpected twists and turns for about three months. I read mystery, comedy, farce, classics – mostly by British writers, but not exclusively. I read with an eye for pace, dialogue, character development, and all of the magic that goes into telling a good story. I now work with a couple of authors, and I love reading their works-in-progress. Like mystery sleuths ourselves, we roll up our sleeves to figure out what is working and what isn’t so that the novel comes to life.

Do you have a secret talent readers would be surprised by?

Since March, I’ve learned to sew. I was on Nantucket Island when Covid hit, and Nantucket, Let’s Get Sewing! put out a call for materials and sewers to make face masks. I spent a night cutting fabric to donate. I showed up the next day to drop off my contributions, and was surprised when the woman on deck handed me an old sewing machine and suggested I give it a try. It took me several, humbling attempts to get the hang of it (I had a lot of bobbin-threading setbacks), but eventually I was making masks! I also now feel vindicated that all of the swatches of fabric I’ve kept in shopping bags for years finally came in handy.

Your favorite go to drink or food when the world goes crazy!

Lately, I’ve been a fan of the following afternoon snack: A lightly salted rice cake, topped with pesto, crumbled goat cheese and a dash of balsamic glaze. It’s very satisfying and keeps me going until dinner. This little treat is also so pretty, I feel like I’m giving myself a present!

Here’s a look at Christin’ latest release 15 MINUTES OF FLAME

As Stella Wright’s Nantucket candle store thrives, her knack for solving mysteries burns equally bright—especially when a Halloween haunted house uncovers evidence of a centuries-old murder…

When Stella’s friend inherits a creaky, abandoned home in Nantucket, she knows it’s the perfect setting for the town’s annual Halloween fundraiser. A deserted, boarded-up building on the property—once used as a candle-making shop—adds to the creepy ambiance. But as Stella explores the shack’s dilapidated walls, she discovers a terrible secret: the skeleton of a Quaker woman, wrapped in blood-soaked clothing and hidden deep within a stone hearth . . .

While police investigate, Stella wastes no time asking for help from friends with long ties to Nantucket’s intricate history. The key to the murder may lie within a scorching 18th century love triangle that pit two best friends against one another over a dubious man. But before the case is solved, another life will be claimed—leaving Stella to wonder who in Nantucket is friend, and who is foe.

YOU CAN PURCHASE — 15 MINUTES OF FLAME AT:
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/36W7iLS
B&N: http://bit.ly/37OxUj6
KOBO: http://bit.ly/2OlWwYH
Google Play: http://bit.ly/31i26Aw
BAM: http://bit.ly/2Oj63zy
INDIEBOUND: http://bit.ly/2vKyoIT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The publication of Murderʼs No Votive Confidence and Murder Makes Scents has been incredibly exciting. In addition to spending my days crafting stories, Iʼve enjoyed getting to know the readers of the Nantucket Candle Maker Mysteries through book events and social media—check out my events page for photos of all the fun! We’ve had a great time talking about Stella Wright, Nantucket, and mysteries. Thanks, all, for making my series’ debut so much fun.

Learn more about Christin and her books at:

Facebook

Instagram

www.christinbrecher.com

QUICK LOOK: DUMB AND DUMBER: HOW CUOMO AND DE BLASIO RUINED NEW YORK

By

Jocie McKade

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17 October 2020

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A new release from author Matt Palumbo

Thanks to the policies of Andrew Cuomo and Bill de Blasio, the glory days of the Empire State and the Big Apple are long behind them.

In America’s early days, most immigrants entered America through New York. For many, New York was synonymous with America and the American dream itself—a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. Now, for the first time ever, people are fleeing New York by the millions. Plagued by high taxes, big government, excessive regulations, and other obstacles to liberty, there are few reasons for one to want to remain in the state under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership. And in New York City, which houses nearly half of the state’s population, Mayor Bill de Blasio has been doing everything in his power to accelerate the decline and bring the city back to its pre–Rudy-Giuliani days.

Matt Palumbo is the Dan Bongino Show’s “resident fact checker” and author of The Conscience of a Young Conservative. He is also the co-founder of Unbiased America.

New Fall Cozy Mysteries from Kensington Books

By

Jocie McKade

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17 October 2020

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Eat, Drink and Be Wary — A Cook-Off Mystery #4 by Devon Delaney

The New England Fall Food Fest has begun, and for competitive cook Sherry Oliveri, it’s a chance to take home a prize—and take down a killer . . .

Sherry’s hoping her Savory Shrimp Lettuce Cups will impress the judges, and she’s invited her brother, Pep, to serve as her sous-chef. The good news is that she takes first place in her category, the bad news is that it’s easier to win when your toughest competition is dead . . .

After contestant Fitz Frye is found with a fishhook in his neck, Pep’s strange behavior doesn’t help his case when the police consider him top suspect. While Pep sits through a shakedown, Sherry searches near and far for the real culprit—before another deadly course is served . . .

Includes Recipes from Sherry’s Kitchen!

YOU CAN PURCHASE EAT, DRINK AND BE WARY at:
Multiple retailers

Murder at Queen’s Landing — A Captivating Historical Regency Mystery – A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery #4 by Andrea Penrose

A bright new star in British Mystery that fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Rhys Bowen, and Amanda Quick will love, Andrea Penrose transports readers to Regency England with the story of Lady Charlotte Sloane and the Earl of Wrexford who must untangle a dangerous web of secrets and lies that will call into question how much they really know about the people they hold dear—and about each other…

The murder of a shipping clerk…the strange disappearance of trusted friends…rumors of corruption within the powerful East India Company…all add up to a thrillingly dark mystery…

When Lady Cordelia, a brilliant mathematician, and her brother, Lord Woodbridge, disappear from London, rumors swirl concerning fraudulent bank loans and a secret consortium engaged in an illicit—and highly profitable—trading scheme that threatens the entire British economy. The incriminating evidence mounts, but for Charlotte and Wrexford, it’s a question of loyalty and friendship. And so they begin a new investigation to clear the siblings’ names, uncover their whereabouts, and unravel the truth behind the whispers.

As they delve into the murky world of banking and international arbitrage, Charlotte and Wrexford also struggle to navigate their increasingly complex feelings for each other. But the clock is ticking—a cunning mastermind has emerged . . . along with some unexpected allies—and Charlotte and Wrexford must race to prevent disasters both economic and personal as they are forced into a dangerous match of wits in an attempt to beat the enemy at his own game.

YOU CAN PURCHASE MURDER AT QUEEN’S LANDING AT:
Multiple Retailers

A Pretty Deceit — A Verity Kent Mystery #4 by Anna Lee Huber

In the aftermath of the Great War, the line between friend and foe may be hard to discern, even for indomitable former Secret Service agent Verity Kent, in award-winning author Anna Lee Huber’s thrilling mystery series.

Peacetime has brought little respite for Verity Kent. Intrigue still abounds, even within her own family. As a favor to her father, Verity agrees to visit his sister in Wiltshire. Her once prosperous aunt has fallen on difficult times and is considering selling their estate. But there are strange goings-on at the manor, including missing servants, possible heirloom forgeries, and suspicious rumors—all leading to the discovery of a dead body on the grounds.

While Verity and her husband, Sidney, investigate this new mystery, they are also on the trail of an old adversary—the shadowy and lethal Lord Ardmore. At every turn, the suspected traitor seems to be one step ahead of them. And even when their dear friend Max, the Earl of Ryde, stumbles upon a code hidden among his late father’s effects that may reveal the truth about Ardmore, Verity wonders if they are really the hunters—or the hunted . . .

YOU CAN PURCHASE A PRETTY DECEIT AT:
MULTIPLE RETAILERS

Early Thursday: A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle!

By

Sheila English

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16 October 2020

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“Early Thursday: A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle!” tells the story of a boy’s mostly idyllic life interrupted by the wrath of Mother Nature. Author Linda S. Cunningham was 9 years old during Hurricane Audrey and her father was the director of civil defense for the local parish. Based on her recollections, she delivers a powerful and moving portrait of the days and events leading up to and following the cataclysmic storm. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D6Q6S1 “Powerfully written, this is a most impressive debut novel by an author of substance.” Grady Harp, Top 50 Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer Media Contact: For a review copy of Early Thursday: A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle! or to arrange an interview with Linda S. Cunningham, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com http://www.Book-Marketing-Expert.com or 734-667-2090.

INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN LITFIN AUTHOR OF THE CONQUEROR

By

Jocie McKade

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16 October 2020

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THE CONQUEROR BY BRIAN LITFIN

Historian and Scholar Brings Authenticity to Roman-Era Fiction

A renowned historian and theologian with over sixteen years of teaching experience at Moody Bible Institute, Bryan Litfin has penned several nonfiction works on church history and is a frequent contributor to radio and other media outlets. Having successfully pivoted to the world of fiction, Litfin is an established novelist and lends his expertise to a breathtaking new series set in the glorious yet volatile heyday of fourth-century Ancient Rome. Taking readers on an epic journey through the Roman Empire during the reign of Constantine, Bryan Litfin’s The Conqueror engages real events in an unparalleled story full of bravery, fortitude, and sacrifice.

It’s AD 312 and as Rome stands at the brink of war, Brandulf Rex and Junia Flavia find themselves on two very different battlefronts. Rex, a Germanic pagan on the Rhine frontier, must valiantly fight his way through the ranks to enlist as a spy and special forces operative in the Roman army in service to Constantine. Meanwhile in Rome, Flavia, the pious daughter of a Christian senator, finds herself up against emperor Maxentius and fighting for the life of the church in the political arena. In over her head, Flavia lands in mortal danger, and she and Rex must work together to uncover a deadly plot that threatens the empire.

As Rex and Flavia risk their very lives to unseat the evil Maxentius and forge a tenuous future for Rome, they’ll discover that bravery takes many forms. Will the barbarian warrior and the senator’s daughter live to see the empire bow the knee to Christ? Litfin skillfully weaves a vivid and cinematic page-turner that promises to transport readers onto the frontlines of the tumultuous rise of imperial Christianity—perhaps one of the most pivotal eras in all of history.

Can you provide a brief description of your new book, The Conqueror?
The plot takes place in the Roman Empire during the ancient church period, though not in New Testament times. Almost three hundred years after Christ and the apostles, the Emperor Constantine is a frontier general contemplating conversion to Christianity. But his great enemy Maxentius is entrenched in Rome, and battle looms. Constantine sends the hero of this novel ahead of him to spy on Rome. Rex is a young, powerful Germanic warrior who has joined the Roman army as a special forces operative. But upon arriving in Rome, he meets someone intriguing: a beautiful Christian girl named Flavia, a senator’s daughter. Together they work to bring down the wicked and decadent Maxentius, facing dangers and trials side by side. It all comes to a climax at the famous Battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312. The winner will determine the future of the empire. Will Constantine conquer by the sign of the cross and emerge victorious? Or will the ancient gods of Maxentius continue to hold the people in bondage to pagan religion?

This story takes place in the realm of ancient Christianity. How did your expertise in this area help you write the book? What kind of research was required?
I am deeply acquainted with the literature, archaeology, and outlook of the people of the ancient church. Most novelists have to look up things about their historical period and include them in the story. But it didn’t quite happen like that for me. This material has been my scholarly field of expertise for twenty-five years. I’ve been reading, writing, and making presentations on this stuff for a long time. I have a doctorate in it. I have also traveled extensively to Italy and throughout the Mediterranean and former imperial lands. So, when I wrote The Conqueror, I didn’t just pull from book knowledge but from a deep reservoir of familiarity with the ancient church. I think that injects a lot of realism into the story. These are not evangelical Christians wearing togas and sporting green leaves in their hair. They think and act like the ancient Christians actually did. Some of that might be surprising to modern Christians.

The Conqueror deals with Constantine, the first Christian emperor. How is Constantine a symbol of the complicated relationship between church and state?
Under Constantine, the ancient church transitioned from an age of persecution to an age of imperial patronage. Instead of being killed by the emperors, Christians suddenly found themselves being favored and having resources and influence. That can be viewed as both good and bad. Not too long after Constantine—and culminating a process that he began—the empire adopted Christianity as its official state religion and tore down the temples of the idols. Because this was the first instance of a “state church,” and because that scenario continued for many centuries afterward, Constantine has become a symbol of the union of church and state. That brought a lot of benefits to Christianity, such as theological expansion and numerical growth, not to mention the end of martyrdom. But did this more comfortable situation water down the vigor and commitment of the earliest church?

How are some of the issues Rex and Flavia deal with similar to those Christians face today?
The novel’s title is ambiguous. Who is The Conqueror? Constantine? Rex the kick-butt warrior? Or is it Christ himself? And what does he conquer? The Roman Empire? Or your own stubborn heart? One of the themes here is that the Lord demands submission to his will, even when it’s very hard.

Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence. For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com. can be described as one long, slow trudge toward martyrdom. Is that gloomy? Well, the Scriptures tell us to crucify the flesh, die to self, fill up in our own bodies what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. Our Savior suffered and so will we. We might not have to die for the Lord like the persecuted church, but he might ask some very hard things of us. Is Jesus really your Lord, not just in the good times when obedience is fairly undemanding but also when he asks for your all—that one thing you don’t think you can give up? That’s when the Lordship of Christ truly means something. Rex and Flavia both wrestle with those themes.

Beyond this, they deal with issues related to friendship and attraction between a believer and unbeliever. (Rex is unconverted and worships the gods.) There are also issues of when you should obey your parents and when you must plant your flag of independence, as well as spiritual doubts about whether God will deliver you when it really counts. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

In the novel, Rex serves as a speculator (a spy) in the Roman army and witnesses some gruesome things. How does faith complicate his duty as a soldier?
One issue the ancient church was wrestling with was what constitutes a “just war.” Can a Christian soldier fight in the army and kill people? Can he defend the borders against invasion? Who will stop bad men from doing violence if good men don’t oppose them with violence? Or should we always “turn the other cheek” no matter what, letting the bad guys wreak havoc? So, there is a debate between just war theory versus Christian pacifism. The ancient church was divided on this subject.

The complicating issue with Rex is that he is an unbeliever who doesn’t just witness gruesome things but actually does them—in battle and even in more ambiguous settings where it’s maybe close to murder. Yet he is being drawn to the peace and love of the gospel. He worships Thor and Hercules. Can peaceful Jesus really be the God for him? And if so, could the Christian God really forgive his bloody acts? And could Flavia love him if she knew about his violent past? It’s a major spiritual trajectory for Rex.

The Conqueror is book one in a new series. Without giving away spoilers, how do all the books in the series tie together?
I believe that by the time the third one is done, you aren’t going to have a series but a saga. The historical moment when Rex and Flavia lived was so pivotal. My plot engages this duo with all the turning points of church history at that time. (It’s about an eighteen-year span, actually.) There’s a plot about the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and finding the actual bones of St. Peter. There’s intrigue and danger down in the catacombs underground. There’s the council of Nicaea and the Arian heresy. There’s the discovery of the True Cross and the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem. There’s epic travel from Italy to Greece to Egypt to the Germanic frontier to Constantinople. There are ginormous battles in the civil war that was happening at that time that ushered Constantine into power. There’s the development of the canon of Scripture. There’s the defeat of Gnosticism. There’s the doctrine of the Trinity and the Nicene Creed. All the important church fathers of that era are in the story, like Eusebius of Caesarea and Athanasius and Ossius of Cordoba and the popes. And behind it all is the spiritual journey of Constantine, and the Roman Empire along with him, in which Rome turns from a place that persecutes Christians and makes martyrs to one that favors the church and launches it on a totally new trajectory. Rex and Flavia are right there in the midst of it all. So, of course you also see their individual evolutions from late teenagers until they’re in their mid-thirties—and all the personal struggles, joys, and travails they face together.

What do you hope readers take away from this story?
Since I am a professor, I shouldn’t admit this, but my number one reader takeaway isn’t learning about the ancient church. It’s for the reader to have an exciting time, to be colossally entertained. I think of these books as having a lot in common with adventure stories like the Indiana Jones movies. Good guys, bad guys, huge stakes, epic backdrops. The hero and heroine running hand in hand as they elude the villains and take them down. If the reader doesn’t experience that thrill, I’ve failed.

But along the way, the reader might have fun learning about how things really were in the ancient church. And I hope they will be moved by the themes, and in a small way, that my books will help them know God better, to trust Him more deeply.

And I hope that many years from now, they’ll still remember Rex and Flavia because their story stands out as such a great tale.

What are you working on next?
Book 2 is already written and ready to be edited for release in October 2021. That one is, I think, the most “swashbuckling” of the three. Lots of chasing and adventures and travel. Now I am working on Book 3. That’s the one with the Council of Nicaea plotline and the mother of Constantine (Helena) founding the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is still in Jerusalem’s Old City today. (Or at least, the Crusader version of it is there.) I’m going to grapple with some big-time theological issues that were worked out then and we still hold today. It’s going to be a great finish to the saga!

How can readers connect with you?
Email me! I’ll respond. bryan.litfin@gmail.com is my personal email address. And my web page.

Bryan Litfin is the author of the Chiveis Trilogy, as well as several works of nonfiction, including Early Christian Martyr Stories, After Acts, and Getting to Know the Church Fathers. A former professor of theology at the Moody Bible Institute, Litfin earned his PhD in religious studies from the University of Virginia and his ThM in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers. He and his wife have two adult children and live in Wheaton, Illinois. Learn more at www.bryanlitfin.com.

Sheila’s Book Review: Oh My Ghost! Halloween Word Search Puzzle Book by Jenna Kims

By

Sheila English

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I love a good word search and with this Halloween theme I was excited to give it a try!

There are several puzzles with sub-themes all tied to Halloween. It says it’s for ages 9 and up, but check it out first. Some of the words are not easy to spell, let alone understand. Which brings us to the reason this isn’t a 5 star review when I do love it.

I wish the author had had the foresight to include the definitions of the words they used. So many of the words are unique. Many I had never heard of and I’m very well read. It would have been fun to have those in addition to the answers to the puzzles.

It’s still fun to play and if you love word searches you’ll enjoy this book.

Falling in Love with Fall with CHRISTIN BRECHER

By

Jocie McKade

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15 October 2020

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Special Feature — Falling in Love with Fall

COZY IN THE FALL BY CHRISTIN BRECHER

As the author of the Nantucket Candle Maker Mysteries, I value all things cozy. Cozy sights, scents, feelings. Towns, pets, characters, puzzles… right on down to cozy murders!

If someone asked me for a list of adjectives to define “cozy,” the word autumn would be at the top of my list. I’m a New Englander, so I don’t think my year would feel complete without the joys of this season. I love its long shadows, how the light mingles with the wind in ways I can simultaneously see and feel. I am always awed by the trees whose bright colors streak across the landscape after having given us their shade on hot summer days. And although I haven’t been a traditional student in decades, that intangible back-to-school feeling of excitement and anticipation returns to me each year, as if new possibilities lay ahead that I might not even know to expect right now. All conspire to bring an extra spring to my step.

These days on Nantucket, the spirit of the fall is making its way through Main Street and to people’s front doors. This morning, I found at The Corner Table Café, where I have spent hours writing and eating one too many blueberry muffins (and chocolate chip ones for that matter), the most beautiful display of the fall harvest. My latest book, 15 Minutes of Flame (#3), takes place during Halloween, when Stella is helping the island’s Girl Scouts organize their Halloween Haunts fundraiser. I think she and the Troop would love Corner’s ghost-like pumpkins!

If you have visited Nantucket in the fall or have read Murder Makes Scents (#2), you will also know about the island’s Cranberry Festival. With music, delicious food, a gorgeous setting, and more cranberries than you can imagine, it is a truly special outing, matched only by my annual apple picking trips in upstate NY. This year the Cranberry Festival was cancelled, but I’ll be back next year. Is there anything more beautiful than these colors?

Another thing I love is visiting the beach on a sunny but crisp autumn day, when the water is sparkling and the waves are roaring. “Sweater-beach-days” don’t get the attention they should! Once I even stepped very out of character to do the Turkey Plunge over Thanksgiving – no sweater, but I did keep on my wool hat. Bottom line, thick socks on the sand are the best!

I hope this fall you rediscover all of the season’s joys and can find time to enjoy the little things. From my house to yours, I wish you cozy days ahead.

Check out Christin’s latest release 15 MINUTES OF FLAME

As Stella Wright’s Nantucket candle store thrives, her knack for solving mysteries burns equally bright—especially when a Halloween haunted house uncovers evidence of a centuries-old murder…

When Stella’s friend inherits a creaky, abandoned home in Nantucket, she knows it’s the perfect setting for the town’s annual Halloween fundraiser. A deserted, boarded-up building on the property—once used as a candle-making shop—adds to the creepy ambiance. But as Stella explores the shack’s dilapidated walls, she discovers a terrible secret: the skeleton of a Quaker woman, wrapped in blood-soaked clothing and hidden deep within a stone hearth . . .

While police investigate, Stella wastes no time asking for help from friends with long ties to Nantucket’s intricate history. The key to the murder may lie within a scorching 18th century love triangle that pit two best friends against one another over a dubious man. But before the case is solved, another life will be claimed—leaving Stella to wonder who in Nantucket is friend, and who is foe . . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I was born, raised and still reside in New York City, a perfect place to stir the imagination and witness lifeʼs every day stories. I attended Connecticut College where I studied art history, Italian and theater, then tackled the other side of my brain through a masters at the Columbia Business School. I began my career in television production at the A&E Network, HBO and PBS before moving into business development and marketing at Time Incorporated.

Where does writing fit into that brief resume? I took the plunge and put pen to paper while I was living in London for a time with my husband and children. It was often rainy, we had a fireplace, there was a really lovely garden across the street. The setting was the definition of COZY. In no time, writing became my passion. It led me to the discovery of characters and plot twists, breathtaking libraries, writer-friendly cafes, and friends who share my desire to puzzle out stories and motives.

The idea to write the Nantucket Candle Maker Mysteries sprang from my life-long connection to Nantucket, a small, foggy island off the coast of Massachusetts, which is marked by its history in whaling and candle-making, its beautiful shingled houses and cobblestones, and its strong community.

Learn more about Christin by visiting her website.

There’s a Book for That: The Supreme Court

By

Jocie McKade

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15 October 2020

0

This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee is conducting confirmation hearings for President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. If confirmed, Barrett would fill late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat and the high court would have a 6-3 conservative majority. With the public so engaged this election year, we’re highlighting books about the highest court in the land – its history, landmark cases, personalities, and its crucial role in American democracy.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Jane Sherron de Hart RUTH BADER GINSBURG: A LIFE by Jane Sherron de Hart

Written in cooperation with RBG herself, this is the first full life—private, public, legal, philosophical—of the 107th Supreme Court Justice: one of the most profound and profoundly transformative legal minds of our time.

DECISIONS AND DISSENTS OF JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG: A SELECTION

The trailblazing Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her own words. Her most essential writings on gender equality and women’s rights, reproductive health care, and voting and civil rights, now available in a short, accessible volume as part of the new Penguin Liberty series.

Without Precedent by Joel Richard Paul WITHOUT PRECEDENT: CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MARSHALL AND HIS TIMES by Joel Richard Paul

This is the astonishing true story of how a rough-cut frontiersman – born in Virginia in 1755 and with little formal education – invented himself as one of the nation’s preeminent lawyers and politicians who then reinvented the Constitution to forge a stronger nation. Without Precedent is the engrossing account of the life and times of this exceptional man, who with cunning, imagination, and grace shaped America’s future as he held together the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the country itself.

Supreme Inequality by Adam Cohen SUPREME INEQUALITY: THE SUPREME COURT’S FIFTY-YEAR BATTLE FOR A MORE UNJUST AMERICA by Adam Cohen

Supreme Inequality holds to account the highest court in the land, and should shake to its core any optimistic faith we might have in it to provide checks and balances. Tracing the last five decades of Court history, examining campaign finance, voting rights, unions, corporations, and the justice system, and allowing us to see how many of our country’s greatest issues are the direct result of Nixon’s judicial decisions.

First by Evan Thomas FIRST: SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR by Evan Thomas

Based on exclusive interviews and access to her Supreme Court archives, this is the intimate, inspiring, and authoritative biography of America’s first female Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor.

The Essential Scalia by Antonin Scalia THE ESSENTIAL SCALIA: ON THE CONSTITUTION, THE COURTS, AND THE RULE OF LAW

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in his own words: the definitive collection of his opinions, speeches, and articles on the most essential and vexing legal questions, with an intimate foreword by Justice Elena Kagan.

Showdown by Wil Haygood SHOWDOWN: THURGOOD MARSHALL AND THE SUPREME COURT NOMINATION THAT CHANGED AMERICA by Wil Haygood

An authoritative biography of the first African American Supreme Court justice—one of the giants of the civil rights movement, and one of the most transforming Supreme Court justices of the twentieth century.

Supreme Court Decisions by SUPREME COURT DECISIONS by Richard Beeman, Jay M. Feinman

The Supreme Court is one of America’s leading expositors of and participants in debates about American values. Legal expert Jay M. Feinman introduces and selects some of the most important Supreme Court Decisions of all time, which touch on the very foundations of American society. These cases cover a vast array of issues, from the powers of government and freedom of speech to freedom of religion and civil liberties. Feinman offers commentary on each case and excerpts from the opinions of the Justices that show the range of debate in the Supreme Court and its importance to civil society. Part of the Penguin Civics series.

The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin THE NINE: INSIDE THE SECRET WORLD OF THE SUPREME COURT by Jeffrey Toobin

In this gripping and definitive account of the modern Supreme Court, acclaimed journalist Jeffrey Toobin pulls back the curtain on one of the least well-known – and most important – forces shaping contemporary America.

The Most Dangerous Branch by David A. Kaplan THE MOST DANGEROUS BRANCH: INSIDE THE SUPREME COURT’S ASSAULT ON THE CONSTITUTION by David A. Kaplan

In the bestsellling tradition of The Nine and The Brethren, David A. Kaplan, the former legal affairs editor of Newsweek, takes us into the secret world of the Supreme Court. Never before has the Court been more central in American life. It is the nine justices who too often now decide the controversial issues of our time—from abortion and same-sex marriage, to gun control, campaign finance and voting rights. Kaplan shows how too often the nine justices subvert the role of other branches of government—and how we’ve come to accept that at our peril.

FOR YOUNGER READERS

Brown v. Board of Education by Susan Goldman Rubin BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION: A FIGHT FOR SIMPLE JUSTICE by Susan Goldman Rubin

Award-winning author Susan Goldman Rubin tells the stories behind the ruling and the people responsible for it. Illustrated with historical photographs, this well-researched narrative account is a perfect introduction to the history of school segregation in the United States and the long struggle to end it. An epilogue looks at the far-reaching effects of this landmark decision, and shows how our country still grapples today with a public school system not yet fully desegregated.

CITIZEN BABY: MY SUPREME COURT by Megan E. Bryant, Daniel Prosterman; Illustrated by Micah Player

What makes the Supreme Court so supreme? Citizen Baby will consider the evidence and rule on what many consider to be the most powerful branch of government. Children and adults alike will enjoy learning about the highest court in the land in this adorable, informative board book.

THE BELOVED WORLD OF SONIA SOTOMAYORbySonia Sotomayor

This adaptation for middle graders based on Sonia Sotomayor’s bestselling adult memoir, My Beloved World includes exclusive new material-an introduction and epilogue- which brings Sotomayor’s life story full circle to present day. Includes a glossary as well as informative and interesting facts about the Supreme Court and related entities.

“A lively autobiography of the third woman and the first Latina on the U.S. Supreme Court.” –Booklist, starred review

Thurgood by Jonah Winter THURGOOD by Jonah Winter; Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Thurgood Marshall—the first black justice on the Supreme Court and a giant of the civil rights movement—jumps to life in this inspiring picture-book biography from an award-winning author and six-time Coretta Scott King, four-time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator.

For more on these and related titles, visit the collection: Supreme Court

PenguinRandomHouse Press Release…

What I Love About Fall: Author Barbara Hinske

By

Jocie McKade

-

14 October 2020

0

What I Love about Fall By Barbara Hinske

The one word that best describes what I love most about fall is anticipation. I live in Phoenix, Arizona, where fall signals the welcome end of our legendarily hot summers. It’s not only the drop in temperature and the shortening of the days, but the quality of light that makes my heart soar. It’s noticeably different by October. Clouds, trees—even birds on a telephone wire—all seem to be bathed in a softer glow. My dogs and I extend our daily walk—it’s irresistible to be outside.

Fall is full of anticipation of the holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, and New Year’s Eve—all of them showstoppers in very different ways. In two short months, we run the gamut from costumes/creepy/candy, through gratitude/family/roast turkey, to fancy party clothes/good cheer/New Year’s resolutions, with a long pause for the rich religious and secular traditions surrounding Christmas and Hanukah.

I’m a homebody and celebrating these holidays involves all of the things I love best. A consummate list-maker, I’m in my element now. Planning anything—whether it be a party or a vacation—is as much fun for me as the event itself.

Guest lists and menus are attended to early on. I love to throw in a new recipe or two, so I begin my search in August, when the new crop of fall home and décor magazines hit the supermarket shelves. I’ve already tried a handful of new recipes that have been so good, I’ve included them in my regular repertoire. This year won’t see me hosting any parties, but I’ll bake breads and pies and leave them on the doorsteps of my would-be guests so that they know I’m thinking of them.

My favorite activity is decorating my home for the season. I’m one of those people who has items for every conceivable holiday, organized neatly on shelves in cabinets. My Christmas décor commands the most shelf space, but fall is a close second.

Beginning on Labor Day, I put down a layer of fall leaves, flowers, pumpkins, and gourds on almost every surface in my house. I scatter fall-themed throw pillows on the beds and upholstered furniture. All of this stays in place until the day after Thanksgiving.

On October 1, I pull out all the Halloween stuff—black cats, friendly witches, and cute ghosts. I don’t like anything macabre or scary. By mid-morning on November 1, all of this has been replaced by turkeys, cornucopias, and pilgrims.

The day after Thanksgiving is a busy one in my home, as I begin the arduous process of putting the fall décor away (all the while chastising myself for acquiring so much stuff) and hauling out the Christmas trees and decorations. I spend the long weekend eating leftovers and decorating every inch of my house for Christmas. I trim two large trees, one with heirloom ornaments that my mother made and another that I wind with garlands pre-decorated with ornaments. These garlands make the tree gloriously lush and it only takes about an hour to decorate the tree.

My husband strings as many lights on the outside of our house as the circuits will bear. He begins his process in October and is planning a bigger than usual display this year, to send out extra visual cheer.

My home is an extension of myself and I love to dress it up, throw the doors open wide, and welcome friends and family. I’ll decorate my house this year as I’ve always done to foster a sense of normalcy for my husband and me in this very non-normal time. Our spirits need boosting, too. We’ll welcome friends and family in other ways this year, keeping our traditions alive in the interim.

The novels in my Rosemont series each contain at least one holiday celebration at the fabulous stone manor home named Rosemont that is almost a character in its own right. I love writing these scenes and many of them are based on parties I’ve thrown at my own home. The seventh novel in the series, Restoring What Was Lost, will be available on Amazon on October xx.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BARBRA’S LATEST RELEASE GUIDING EMILY:

Sometimes the perfect partner has four paws…

Emily Main had it all: a high-powered career with a leading technology giant and a handsome fiancé bounding up the corporate ladder. Their island wedding and honeymoon were idyllic-until a tragic accident causes her retinas to detach.

Her well-ordered life is shattered as all treatments are unsuccessful and she slips into blindness. How will those around her cope with her tragedy? Can she rebuild her life in this most unwelcome, new normal?

Meanwhile, a black lab puppy named Garth fulfills his destiny to become that most esteemed of all creatures: a guide dog.

Guiding Emily is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and courage as Garth and Emily make their way to each other.

About the Author:

Barbara Hinske is an attorney who recently left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. Her latest novel, Guiding Emily, was conceived during a tour of The Foundation for Blind Children. She was inspired and moved by their mission and is donating half of her proceeds from the book to the Foundation. Barb is also the author of the bestselling Rosemont series and the murder mysteries in her ‘Who’s There?!’ collection. Her novella The Christmas Club was made into a 2019 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

She inherited the fiction gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. A true homebody, she is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking, and gardening.