Tag Archives: mysteries

Sarah Addison Allen to sign at Turn the Page on Saturday – Herald Mail Media: Life

Sarah Addison Allen to sign at Turn the Page on Saturday – Herald Mail Media: Life.

Great bookstore on main street Boonsboro MD.  More than books are available virtually and in person.  Check out the website at:  TTPBooks.com.

Nora Roberts’ Book Signing February 7th, 2015 at Boonsboro Maryland

 

Me in JD Robb T-Shirt

 

JDRobb T shirt Front JDRobb T shirt Back

Nora Roberts Book Signing Today http://ttpbooks.com/category/VB.html in Boonsboro MD at Ttpbooks.com.“Obsession In Death” to be signed by JD Robb. More than books at Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe I’m attending virtually.

Nora Roberts’ Book signing November 1st, 2014 at Boonsboro Maryland

Loved the Piper too - special for this book signing event.  He is a Piper for Hire contact him at celtic4m@hotmail.com

Loved the Piper too – special for this book signing event. He is a Piper for Hire contact him at celtic4m@hotmail.com

Once again the team that makes the Nora Roberts’ book signing events a success delivered.

The first in line (I’m told) arrived around 6:30 a.m. I arrived at around 8:30 a.m. or so on Saturday, November 1st.  Here’s picture of how many were in line at that time:

Altitude at 1500 feet in Boonsboro made air feel colder to this Minnesotan

Meeting the authors and the great fans in line made the wait in line an adventure well worth braving the cold.

I met many lovely people in the line. First was Becky pictured with me here:

Nora Roberts' Book Signing Event Novemember 1st

We tweeted this picture from the line and an author RT and mentioned great fun

She took a picture of me too – I got my coat on an a trip to Harper’s Ferry with my friend Eva on October 31. Well worth the investment – perfect fall coat.

Harper's Ferry, Eva, Civil War sites

Coat from Harper’s Ferry visit – thanks much Eva for a wonderful day on October 31 enjoyed every moment

I also met Denise and Jennifer – this is a picture I took of them in line before I met them later right before signing with the authors:

Friends, Book Signing Event, Boonsboro Maryland, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe, Nora Roberts

Denise and Jennifer waiting for the Nora Roberts’ book signing event tickets

After we got our tickets we were assigned a group and a time to return for the book signing. I took advantage of the great shops in Boonsboro and went shopping at Gifts Inn Boonsboro to start its right next door to Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe and here are some highlights of what I found in that excellent shop:

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They also had hand painted silk scarfs, ear rings, hand made pottery by Turn the Page Bookstore Cafe Manager Janeen Solberg

Here’s what I bought:

Harper's Ferry

Hat from Harper’s Ferry Free Trade Shop

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olde-Homestead/234966193272631

Shelf for coats found at Olde Homestead great place to shope in Boonsboro MD

https://ttpbooks.com/ Nora's book bag holding all the books I bought and authors signed.  The stuffed animal is from the Free trade store at Harper's Ferry

https://ttpbooks.com/ Nora’s book bag holding all the books I bought and authors signed. The stuffed animal is from the Free trade store at Harper’s Ferry

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olde-Homestead/234966193272631 purchases

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olde-Homestead/234966193272631 purchases hanging ornament good reminder

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olde-Homestead/234966193272631 purchases

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olde-Homestead/234966193272631 purchases wreath for Fall hand made by a local artist

https://www.facebook.com/giftsinnboonsboro lovely picture card of Antietam Battle ground road

https://www.facebook.com/giftsinnboonsboro lovely picture card of Antietam Battle ground road

https://ttpbooks.com/ Wonderfully unique cards

https://ttpbooks.com/ Wonderfully unique cards

https://ttpbooks.com/ Wonderfully unique cards

https://ttpbooks.com/ Wonderfully unique cards

https://www.facebook.com/giftsinnboonsboro beautifully crafted pottery made and signed by Janeen Solberg

https://www.facebook.com/giftsinnboonsboro beautifully crafted pottery made and signed by Janeen Solberg

https://ttpbooks.com/ "Blood Magick" Nora Roberts signed my copy:)

https://ttpbooks.com/ “Blood Magick” Nora Roberts signed my copy:)

https://ttpbooks.com/ "Blood Magick" Nora Roberts signed my copy:)

https://ttpbooks.com/ “Blood Magick” Nora Roberts signed my copy:)

I hope if you ever get the chance you’ll attend a Nora Roberts’ Book Signing event – Boonsboro is a great place to shop, see the Civil War sites (Harper’s Ferry is just 18 miles away) and climb South Mountain and see the beginning of the Appilacian North Trail and the Washington monument that resides in Maryland here are some sights to see:

 

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Here’s the best for last – my pictures with the authors my thanks to each and everyone for all the smiles, chatting about the books, Facebook posts, and genuinely enjoying the experience of meeting their fans:

Anne Barton on the left - I'll be getting her book soon

Anne Barton on the left – I’ll be getting her book soon

Cara Connelly thanks the smile and the signature

Cara Connelly thanks the smile and the signature

https://marieforce.com/ Love Marie's smile and her writing is excellent too:)

https://marieforce.com/ Love Marie’s smile and her writing is excellent too:)

http://donnakauffman.com/ I've read Donna's books for many years good to meet her in person

http://donnakauffman.com/ I’ve read Donna’s books for many years good to meet her in person

Brenda Novak's husband took this picture

Brenda Novak’s husband took this picture

Book Signing, Kristan Higgins

Kristian is a lovely lady so glad she was at the book signing with Nora at Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe

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A new author, Patricia Donohoe - writing about an ancestor from the Civil War fasinating story

A new author, Patricia Donohoe – writing about an ancestor from the Civil War fascinating story. Enjoyed our talk as she signed my book.

Nora Roberts and I great moment for me - I love all her books and her ability to bring characters to life.

Nora Roberts and I great moment for me – I love all her books and her ability to bring characters to life. My thanks to Laura – Nora’s PR & Social Media expert thanks for a great picture.

Thanks everyone at Boonsboro MD – you all made me feel welcome like an old friend.  This post took more time than I thought it would so my review of “Blood Magick,” Nora Roberts latest best seller, will follow next week.  Peace.

Recommend JD Robb’s Survivor In Death

I’m traveling to Boonsboro, Maryland for the November 1st book signing event at Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe see this link for further details:   http://ttpbooks.com/category/VB.html

I’ve been listening to the In Death Series on digital audio and just completed book 20 in the series.
SURVIVOR IN DEATH AUDIO (select for prices)

This title is available via this link:  http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1AUDIOJDRa20

Summerset shines in this continuing story of the crime busting, Lieutenant Eve Dallas.  10 year old Nixie Swisher finds solace with Summerset when Lieutenant Dallas needs to keep her safe in the fortress Roarke built.
JD Robb writes several moving and vivid scenes in “Survivor In Death”.  The most memorable was the trip to the morgue to take Nixie to say goodbye to her murdered family.  Every time I read this section of the book I cry.  It reminds me so much of those I’ve said goodbye to as a child and adult.  The crowning scene though is when Nixie goes back to Lieutenant Eve and Roarke’s house and sits with Summerset.  Brings tears to my eyes just remembering the moment between them. Take some time today and experience these touching scenes.  This story is also a great Fall book – I love how Peabody describes the falling leaves and how bare the trees are after all the leaves have gone before the first snow falls.  So true to the mid-west and New York too. May you find comfort for any loses you’ve experienced as you read “Survivor In Death”. Peace.

Recommend JD Robb’s Festive In Death

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I recommend “Festive In Death”, by J.D. Robb.

Trina needs to tag Eve in this story when a friend finds herself in a situation that demands the services of a murder cop.

J.D. Robb delivers in this fresh In Death tale of double crossing lovers and a conniving personal trainer.

I didn’t figure out who did the murder until the very end.  The journey to finding the murderer is brilliantly interwoven with Christmas shopping, and preparing for the annual gala thrown at Lieutenant Dallas and Roarke palatial home.

J.D. Robb  is an artist painting a word picture with fantastic dialog and narration that is completely engrossing.  The world and characters that make up the In Death series is maintained and consistent with each new release.  Festive In Death develops Trina in a new way without taking away from the core players that all fans love so well.

Susan Ericksen, In Death narrator in the audiobooks, does an excellent job bringing each character to life with her voice inflection and flowing delivery of the script.  I purchased my copy with my iPhone at the iTunes store.  Listening to the reading is like attending a play.  Every move, feeling and expression is represented during the telling.

I appreciate both the hard copy and the audiobook each have their own gifts to bring to the story and reader.

Thank you J.D. Robb for writing another best seller that stays true to the beautiful characters you have created over the years.  I also appreciate the signed copy – you know how to treat your fans and I’m happy to be one.

Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe http://ttpbooks.com/ is also something I’m grateful for – offering book signings both on site and virtually.  I know it takes a lot of work to track all the orders and get them safely to their destinations.  Thanks to one and all.

Peace,

In Death Series Fan,

Melissa Blanchard

 

Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe Book Signing News

IMG_0207_2Festive In Death, JD Robb, Murder Mysteries, Women Dectives, New York

Thanks to JD Robb for delivering another great murder mystery and for signing my copy.  I appreciate all you do for your fans.

I’ll be at the November 1st signing. Saving my money but I did get a signed copy of Festive in Death loving the story so far. Eve rocks. Thanks JD Robb for the writing and the signing and Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe for hosting and mailing out all the virtual copies you all are the best brick and mortar business going and you never forget a customer order. I appreciate your dedication to customer service. See you in November along with Eva Cutter Coppersmith a great lady I met at the July 13th signing event in 2013. Love all of Nora Roberts & JD Robb fans. Peace.

 Post below quoted from my Facebook News Feed:

We had a wonderful event yesterday! Thank you to all the authors who signed with us and for the fans who came out to meet them! Our next signing will be on November 1st and we have another great line up. You will get to meet Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins, Brenda Novak, Marie Force, Cara Connelly, Anne Barton and local author Pat Donohoe. We hope you can make it!

“The Witness” by Nora Roberts

 

The Witness by Nora Roberts

Why read “The Witness” by Nora Roberts?

Consider a young girl, Elizabeth, finds out her Mother didn’t give birth to her for love but to make the best out of a sperm donor’s DNA.  Elizabeth finds herself at 16 a college student that has never been on a date nor has she ever been shopping with friends.  She has an opportunity to have a day shopping with a girl from her old high school and forging fake ID’s for them to go out to a popular club.

Elizabeth soon finds herself running for her life.  What comes next will change her life in ways she would have never dreamed possible.

Will this naive girl survive into womanhood?  If so, what sort of life will she have?

All this and more will be answered by Nora Roberts as the story unfolds.  You’ll discover what happened to Elizabeth, her Mother and the Federal Agents assigned to protect Elizabeth or is it to prosecute?

“The Witness,” kept me guessing.  It is a snapshot of a girl left on her own with no guidance and the trouble that finds her.  A Mother’s love is important and this story shows why on so many levels.

The adult Elizabeth finds she still has things to learn about finding and keeping love between a man and a woman too.  She has to find the courage and wisdom within herself to pursue the man of her dreams while staying safe from the men from her nightmares.

Nora brings all the characters in this book to life from the shy and bookish Elizabeth to the sterile, demanding and unfeeling Mother you’ll find those you love and those you will love to hate in this adventure of the heart.

There are very few writers that could bring a character like Elizabeth to life, but Nora Roberts does it beautifully.  From the style of Elizabeth’s hair to the experience of wearing her first pair of heals, you will not be disappointed.  This is a definite re-read for me.  So much detail needs to be savored.

I hope you pick up “The Witness” by Nora Roberts and see for yourself what makes this coming of age story a suspenseful drama full of mystery and hope.  You can get the book in the following formats at the links below:

http://www.audiobookstanddl.com/9B656443-488B-4EA1-813A-6E319CB89573/10/119/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=9C9FA007-8C8F-4C14-A40E-19C9E8FDCAE4

http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1WITNESS

If you buy with the second link you can ask to have it signed by the author and its on clearance for $10.00.

I also enjoyed the audiobook performance by Julia Whelan.  She brings out all the emotions of the characters in her voice tone and reading style. Lovely job, Julia, thank you.

“Beyond Bridalveil Fall (Dwellers of Ahwahnee)” by Sheryl Seal

BeyondBridalveilFall_

I found this book on Twitter when Sheryl Seal (@sherylseal) tweeted the cover art.  It is amazingly beautiful.  When I found out it is the cover art of a book I knew I had to read it.

What’s so special about “Beyond Bridalveil Fall (Dwellers of Ahwahnee)”?  It takes us on journey into the spiritual part of our being.  Into that part of us that makes us part of the universe.  Sheryl also introduces us to the consequences of unharnessed emotion and the price we all pay when we fail to control our thoughts and feelings.

“Beyond Bridalveil Fall (Dwellers of Ahwahnee)” shows us why it is so important that we get to know our inner selves.  Sheryl delves into what makes us human and unique.  She demonstrates how important it is to be straight with ourselves and others.

Any young adult to senior citizen (rated G for wholesome family reading) will find “Beyond Bridalveil Fall (Dwellers of Ahwahnee)” engaging and inspiring.  Sheryl writes from the heart and pens imagery like the cover art that moves us to try and capture all the beauty that is around us.

“Beyond Bridalveil Fall (Dwellers of Ahwahnee)” is fantasy that has roots in reality.  All that experience life will find moments from Oria journey to womanhood that connect with their soul.  Keep on writing Sheryl Seal you have a gift that speaks to the heart.

I purchased my copy for iPad Kindle on Amazon at this link:

Paper back copies are also available.

Adding these 2 to my must read list:

Oria Falls 3rd

 

 

“Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts

Shadow Spell Front CoverShadow Spell Inside Front CoverShadow Spell Signature PageShadow Spell Back Cover2Shadow Spell Back FlapShadow Spell Back Jacket

Why do I recommend, “Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts?

First, “Shadow Spell” is a mystery that spans the centuries.  Nora does an excellent job connecting the Autumn of 1268 with the Autumn of 2013.  Eamon and Connor are kindred spirits finding common ground in the spiritual world.

Second, I find “Shadow Spell an intriguing study of old and new Ireland from the landscape to the customs.  Especially how each family unit made their income then and now.  Nora’s description of the tourism of modern Ireland makes me want to visit there and see for myself.

Finally, “Shadow Spell” speaks to the heart.  The importance of family in the good and bad times.  Learning how to work through disagreements within the family both those of the blood and those created through love and understanding.  Nora let me see how love grows through sharing and caring.

I hope you find the story of “Shadow Spell” as inspiring and enlightening as I have.  I’m looking forward to reading “Blood Magick” by Nora Roberts, hopefully to be released in October of 2014.  I’m hoping Cabhan gets what he deserves in this final installment.  I feel it will take spiritual strength and heart that extends back to the year 1268.

I purchased the novel “Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts online via Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe at this link http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=COD2

Requesting signed books is still possible. Please follow the instructions on the website carefully to be sure to get the book signed as you request, see this link for further information https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/facebook-posting-from-turn-the-page-bookstore/

The site is safe and secure – I’ve been using it since August 2013 with great success. I visited Boonsboro, MD last July and am also able to say the staff and store are both friendly and helpful in customer service and layout.

Audio is also available via ttpbooks.com but I didn’t realize until after I purchased the audiobook on iTunes via Brilliance Audio see this link:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/shadow-spell-book-two-cousins/id824435002

The narrator, Allan Smyth, has a lovely accent which adds to the feel of traveling to Ireland.  Nora’s excellent descriptive writing does the rest.  I enjoyed listening as I did my daily walks and working on preparing my meals.  Allan’s ability to bring emotions to life with his tone of voice brought depth to the battle scenes.

Thank you Nora Roberts, for giving us this story of family that spans the centuries in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy with Book 1, “The Dark Witch” reviewed at this link:  https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/dark-witch-book-one-of-the-cousins-odwyer-trilogy-by-nora-roberts/ and Book 2, “The Shadow Spell” and Fall release of “Blood Magick”.

You deliver with every book and I appreciate all you share from the romance, to the family love that is of blood and spirit.  I appreciate the signature as well.  I did “Imagine” and found acceptance and love.  Peace.

 

 

 

“The Collector,” by Nora Roberts

Front Cover The CollectorInside Covers Art The CollectorSignature page The CollectorBack Flap Credits The CollectorBack Cover The CollectorBookSpine

 

“The Collector,” by Nora Roberts surprises, entertains and inspires. Lila is charming with how she makes the most out of all situations. She’s always willing to help out which, in one case, may get her into some trouble.

I don’t want to give away any of the treasures you must uncover for yourself, so not much about the details of the story here. This is a murder mystery romance. It’s also an adventure, comedy and drama.

Laughter, crying and anger are the emotions I experience as I read “The Collector”. Nora is very good at pulling the emotions out of me. She also writes page turners I’m unable to put down – home run with this book. Descriptions of the settings are out of site from downtown New York – street level and a bird’s eye view from the 14th floor window – to Italy. Beautiful scenes of the people, city and rural landscape. Nora took me there for an afternoon better than any movie.

The hard cover book is pictured above with cover and without. Note the back flap is hard to read so I’ll give the credits here:

Jacket design by Richard Hasselberger
Jacket photograph of city
Copyright Sandra Kreuzinger/Getty Images
Photograph of the author Copyright Bruce Wilder [Personal note from me – thank you Bruce Wilder for an excellent picture of Nora – love the scene you chose to frame your subject.]
penguin.com
G.P.PUTNAM’S SONS
a member of
Penguin Group (USA)

“The Collector” book is well crafted and very beautiful with burgundy shades and gold lettering on cover and spine. A great edition to any library shelf. Mine also has a signature from the author virtually via the link: http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=COLLECTOR_HC

Getting a personalized copy of your own is still an option, just follow the link above and be sure to read my post at this link: https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/facebook-posting-from-turn-the-page-bookstore/
Where you’ll learn all the best practices to get your signed copy anywhere in the world that mail is able to reach.

I also purchased the audiobook from iTunes at this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-collector-unabridged/id852344791

Julia Whelan is an excellent narrator. Her accents and vocal artistry identified each character for me. Every inflection of Julia’s voice convey the emotions of the characters. I enjoy listening to Julia and will again I hope. Nora’s excellent dialog and seamless narratives did the rest.

I hope you all find “The Collector,” as entertaining and adventurous as I do. Now I’m off to read, “Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts. I’m loving the Cousins O’Dwyer’s trilogy so far. Thank you Nora Roberts for delivering with “The Collector”.