Sharon Sala Presents Midnight! Crossroads Book 2 - A New Personal Favorite for 2026 Deserves a Short Author Spotlight...

First love. Only love. Forever love.

“Love always fills the awkward corners of a life.

A princess escaping her ivory tower. Racing toward the awaiting prince in another kingdom.

If you haven't yet read a book written by one of the best storytellers I've read, I recommend you start with today's presentation. Midnight! Although I can't remember the name of the first book by Sala that I read, I can still remember my emotional response. That response which nudges me whenever I get a notice that she has a new book available. Midnight was written for avid readers like me--you know, I'm the one that normally responds to the question of "what is your favorite book" by responding "The one I'm reading right now..." No, that's not always true, but it covers a high percentage of the books I've written about here at Book Readers Heaven where no more than 10 a year are selected as a personal favorite... And, more importantly, only a very few are selected as favorite author... Sharon Sala became a favorite author with her first book I read!

You will find that Midnight, as a romantic suspense--heavy on the renewal of the relationship between Asher and Nora--just might fulfill every single hope

Sharon wins the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award
RITA from RWA (Photo Credit: Jan Goldstoff)

you might have for every book you read. And, in doing so, Sala also ensures that every single wish you'd want to close out each book is, indeed, fully responded to... You will have NO questions in your mind about what happened to this person or that... I, quite simply, loved this book! It provided a contentment that only can be provided by a writer that writes books that they personally want to read... And does that job perfectly!

Indeed, I wasn't surprised when I discovered that Sala had been presented a lifetime Nora Roberts' Award. Roberts is also one of my favorite writers, especially with her J.D.Robb series! Plan, therefore, to find the same quality of writing as Nora when you select a book by Sharon Sala!

Now, let me share a little about this story!

Asher Kingston didn’t thrive in disorder. He needed to know what was happening, what his part in it was, and what needed to happen next, and he hadn’t had one solid day of order since the phone call from his dad, telling him about Nora. At that moment, every carefully planned aspect of his life blew up in his face. It was Brenda’s fault. She’d disrupted all of their lives when she ended hers. But it was also the wakeup call that he’d needed, and now he couldn’t imagine any aspect of his life without Nora in it. Finding out about her stalker had been a shock. Learning how she’d saved herself, then found a retreat in her ivory tower that gave her the safety and space to continue her work without giving up what she loved, turned on every protective instinct he had. He knew she wasn’t helpless. Far from it, but he wanted to be there for her when she needed it. To make that happen, they first had to put the Brandt brothers in prison, and that was uppermost in his mind as he came out of Belker’s with a bouquet of flowers. Three minutes later, he was pulling up into Nora’s driveway. He loved her. He wanted her. Every part of him ached to take her to bed. He was saying it with flowers, but if she was slow to get the message, he was willing to strip naked and let her see it for herself. He traded his Stetson for the flowers and left it in the front seat. Then he was out the door and running up the steps with the wind at his back. He knocked, waiting for the sound of her footsteps, then all of sudden, the door swung inward and there she stood. A vision in pink wearing fuzzy socks and slippers. The smile on her face was all it took to pull him over the threshold. He shut the door and laid the flowers in her arms. “Asher! I love them. I never get flowers. They’re beautiful.” “Like you,” he said. “Go put them in water so I can kiss you.” She laughed. “Come help. I’m still making messes with this one,” she said, waving the hand with the stitches. He shed his coat on the sofa and followed, got a vase from the etagere, filled it half full of water for her, then watched her put them in the water and arrange them. “The fall colors in this are just perfect. I love them, and they’ll make a nice focal point on the dining table. I’m signing a contract with a realtor tomorrow and she’s using the existing furniture for staging.” As soon as she finished the arrangement, he carried it to the dining table for her, and as he turned, he caught a wistful expression on her face. “Are you sad, darlin’… About selling the house, I mean?” She shrugged. “A little, but realistic about it, too. It’s not the same with them gone, you know? I keep thinking about the us we resurrected. That’s where my hopes are. They’re already with you.” The look in her eyes. The words she’d just said. Like turning a cog and watching it fall into place. With her there was no discord, only peace. He brushed a kiss across her lips, then cupped her face, feeling the softness of her skin against his palms. “You are my touchstone. You always were. You always will be. I will always love and protect you.” “My darling, Ash. Through no fault of your own, you are the one who was left in charge, but you’re also the one who needs to be cared for, and tended to, and loved harder…loved more. Let me be that person for you, too. I know you still have to clear the deck for your dad, but spare me enough time for this. Come to bed with me. It’s going to take the rest of our lives to catch up with what we lost. Now is as good a time as any to start refilling the well. Make love now. Make babies with me later.” Then she was in his arms, moving through the shadowed halls, and once again, into her bedroom. Inhibitions came off with their clothes. They were as frantic for the joining as they had been when they were young and crazy wild for each other, but old enough now to savor the sweet heat of building a slow fire. One that engulfed, instead of flashed. Asher was stretched out beside her, tracing the shape of her cheek, to the shallow beneath her throat, to the weight of her breasts in his hand. Watching her eyelids flutter as he rolled her nipple between his fingers. Hearing the catch in her breath when he slid his hands between her legs, then leaving a trail of kisses from her chin to her belly button. Nora’s heart was racing as he moved over her, then in her. It was the beginning, and she already wanted more. She knew what turned him on. It was her. Sex between them had always been magic. A quickening of souls as well as bodies, and this time as he began, she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him deeper. It was ecstasy, and a kind of agony as he began to move. One minute, then another and another, and she could feel it building—wanting it to go on forever, then suddenly desperate for a release. It came without warning. Shattering focus and concentration as the blood rush hit. They lay in each other’s arms until there was nothing left of the ride but the intermittent ripple of aftershocks. Asher buried his face in the thick fall of her hair, groaning softly at the thought of having to move. “God, Nora, you destroy me.” Nora looked up into his face, at the high cheekbones and stubborn chin. A mouth for laughter, and kissing. And the clear-blue color of his eyes. “I will lose sleep thinking about this, and doing without you…without this wild madness you turn on inside me, but you are so very worth the wait. I love you. And I also know you haven’t finished what you came to do.” He rolled over, taking her with him, and pulled her close as she pillowed her head upon his chest. “Yes, we do, and there’s still work to do. Reddick agreed to the press conference. Once it airs, we go on lockdown.

~~~~

I chose to share a later excerpt on purpose, although I don't think it gives enough away that I would not be saying anyway. It seems to me that those writers who declare their books as "clean" have decided to leave out the full range of emotions that the majority of people have. I often wonder why... In any event, there is much emotional angst and happiness in this book, and the setup for the story takes only a few short pages of the early chapters...

Brenda, the wife of an owner of a bar and the mother of three boys, was involved in both a sexual and criminal way with a theft that took place  many years ago. Brenda who realized they would be caught had taken the suicide way out, emptying a bottle of pills which allowed her death to occur before the police even had a chance to interview her. What she also succeeded to do, perhaps unwittingly--was ruin her family's lives in many ways.

Nora and Asher, the oldest of the sons, were already in love, but Asher had to immediately assume the role of caretaker for the younger boys, as well as maintaining the home which was attached to the bar. 

Although the thieves had been killed or caught, little was done to close the case since none would talk. Years passed and the three young boys were now grown. Asher the oldest and Gunner, the youngest, and the most emotionally impacted by his mother's betrayal, had both gone into law. The other, Dylan, now was a contractor and the only one married.  Life was moving along and the owner of the bar continued on to begin to establish and confirm that he, also, was not involved in the robbery of around $1M!

And it probably would have continued on except that death interfered... The leader of the gang who had done the robbery was dying. Nora's parents were now both gone and she had come back to town to sell the home they had lived in for most of their lives. Nora had moved, but worked out of her home, anyway, so she was able to go back, set up to keep her work going, and begin to prepare the house for sale, which would include repairs...

Readers will know the entire set of events from page 1, including the mother's lament, Brenda's cry of remorse

When Jacob slipped into bed beside her, she heard his weary sigh as he pulled up the covers and turned out the bedside lamp. He was such a good man. Oh God, oh God… What have I done to this family?

Until the other death was near, the leader of the gang called in his two sons, told them where the money was, and they soon were planning just how to proceed. The first act was for them to assume fake names, walk into the bar run by Jacob, spend some time there and finally explained they'd been looking for a bar to buy and wanted to know if Jacob was interested in selling. When he said no, they left... They brought a gun the next time they broke in. And even though they didn't plan on murder, Jacob was shot, badly, and close to death...

The entire town was in an uproar, not understanding why Jacob was attacked. Nothing was taken so it wasn't a robbery... Soon, the three boys arrived... And they weren't leaving until this entire mess, including the connection to the death of the gang leader, was cleared up and solved. Fast and furious action begins!

Highly recommended!

GABixlerReviews

A Short Story, All Apologies, by Spotlight Author Cam Rascoe - A Life Lesson

 

“For me, writing is like breathing, 

something I must do to  live;

 for I know my calling and

 purpose in this place.” 

Cam Rascoe

All Apologies 

In no relationship should the apologies always be offered by one party. None of us are perfect so we must all be at fault or mistaken on occasion. 

Everything’s their fault, taking all the blame, you accuse with no shame forever in the right, right? They love you, so they accept your inequities and emotional abuse over loving truth. If ever the nerve to protest is reached they could never tell you to your face so instead they leave for you a letter. 

In the writing they express their dissatisfaction in your actions while simultaneously professing their love for you. 

What else should they write? According to you, they don’t have the right. Are you never at fault or are you just too proud to ask for forgiveness? Is this what your love deserves or just all that you are willing to give? 

If you are always try to kill off the love, 

how in the world can it possibly live? 

Selfishly proud, 

unappreciative of the love, 

If you have to always be right, 

you may one day find yourself right… 

by yourself. 

All Apologies

--Cam Rascoe

from...

Talking About The Mocking Tree by Cam Rascoe, Spotlight Author - Inspirational Vids*

 I believe in HIM therefore, 

I believe in me. 

                                                      --Cam Rascoe

Kelly got somewhat homesick being so far away from most of her family for so long. She thought that she would add a little touch to their new house to make it feel a little more like home. Keith made all of the other decisions; she thought surely he would allow her to have this one little thing. “You know Keith I was thinking; since we haven’t put sod down yet maybe I could plant a flower garden on the small plot on the other side of the driveway.” He gave a skeptical look as she continued on.

“I miss my mama’s garden. I’m a little homesick and I wanted to have something here to make me feel a little more at home. You know I’ve got a green thumb and I’ll plant the most beautiful flowers…. Just like mama.” She looked off into the distance reminiscing on her youth and times spent in her mother’s beautiful garden. She was snapped from her fantasy by Keith’s harsh short tone. “I don’t think so.” “What, why, why can’t I plant a garden Keith.”

He didn’t have an answer as to why. It was just that it wasn’t his idea to have a garden so there would be no garden. He thought of a quick lie. “I planned on planting a tree in that lot. Our boy needs a tree to climb, not a garden of flowers to sniff.” She gave him a look of disappointment. He didn’t care. Keith continued on. “I know your mama had a garden at her house but this is our house not your mama’s. We are in a new home with new traditions and I’ll have the tree planted on Tuesday...”

We've all done it, haven't we? We form an opinion about somebody just by meeting them, seeing them, hearing them, or even by having somebody else tell us about them. Is it a natural event, or do we make a point of doing it? Some might say we are gossiping, some would call us bullies, others will say that he was such a nice guy, that we would never have thought he'd do something so...bad...

I met Cam on Facebook where I joined his group. I've watched many of his posts, not all, but sometimes they are funny, some may be a bit nasty(LOL), but all, in one way or another seem to be a bit of wisdom--something that we find we ponder, yet most of the time in just a few words, we have gained "a thought" for the day.

Cam just recently posted info on his books. First, I didn't know he was an author, so I was pleasantly surprised, and pleased. It's so nice to meet writers who have shared their words in books and, just as with his posts, in other ways... Even today, as I was beginning to talk about his book, which, I confess, I had to think about how to share... Mainly because it is a book of short stories. Which is not an easy type of book to review. If you talk about just one story, it is not comprehensive for the whole; but, it would be impossible to talk about each and every story. And, for Cam, he gives us many words from his creative mind to digest. 

And, so, I was even more amazed when I discovered that he has a series of short vids which are like a bit of sunshine--advice--or whatever topic he might have been "creatively" cogitating to cite! And he even gives each a title so if you have something you need advice on, you just might find one on his UTube site...

Now, his book... You know, I hate that Amazon does little to spotlight a book cover. In Kindle, it goes directly to begin reading, whereas when I read a book, I want to start with the cover and wonder what just might be covered. So, I'll give you a hint... Without thinking about the book title, you may not grasp the selection of stories therein...

Soooo, how does the vid about NCIS fit into this discussion. Well, I'm a fan, even though I was glad they took the early head slaps from Gibbs out... 

Well, after thinking about how to talk about an entire set of stories, I hit on the key word - Mocking or Mockery

Mockery or mocking is the act of insulting or making light of a person or other thing, sometimes merely by taunting, but often by making a caricature, purporting to engage in imitation in a way that highlights unflattering characteristics. Wikipedia

Frankly, about half way through, without the "title word" in mind, I was thinking just how many of these dark tales are there going to be? Well, it will be for the entire book. So be prepared. It was hard for me to read because, at first, I turned to the "old" warning, "Judge not, lest ye be judged..." But, then, I began to see something--for the world we are living in today, I found that we can no longer afford to allow bad action on the part of individuals... I kept thinking about how many of us these days are being forced to witness the evil, the bad actions, of so many people in our political world. 

Take for instance, the NCIS program. I'm a fan, even though I was sad to listen to the video, and still am not quite sure it is not just hype/PR... On the other hand, as we listen, we hear about the bad actions of the main character, Gibbs... And then proceed on from there... they place small spotlights on the actions of one individual in relation to another, don't they? On the outside, no viewers ever saw any of the friction... Perhaps Gibbs changed because of some criticism...or not...after all he is the star...

But really, is it any better to have the star--the leader--be the one who is doing the bad actions? I don't think so... And yet, we see many times, this is happening on a daily basis, perhaps, within your family, or your group of friends. Sometimes it might be so blatant that "everybody" see it... even at the highest level of the nation...

I admit that this is my opinion of our former president...but, then, many see him so differently... So, remember, when it is your own perspective as you read, you may find that you have no idea what is the problem presented in the story...In fact. each is written to keep you in suspense, even though Rascoe does sometime give the readers a "moral to the story..." ending...

It is clear that the writer is a people watcher...or has been able to be in so many different situations throughout his life that he has often seen, perhaps, that part of each of us that we would prefer not to be seen... That is, if we even realize how other people may see each other...

Reading the first story, about a wife who wanted to plant a garden, while the husband, who wants to control his new life, wants to plant a tree--a large tree... Well, this first story is sooo exaggerated that every reader will see that the new relationship was doomed...because of that tree. Or, speaking as the woman in the story, I kept wondering just how long she was willing to be controlled in such a way (yes, you can tell I'm single, and at my age, glad of it!) But, even then, it took years to evolve the entire result to the family... If you are intrigued by this first story, then, read on...but, beware, each story is so unique that you just may not actually see what is coming-- 

Cam is outrageous in his presentation, extraordinary in his ability to see what is actually happening in reality, even though he's not anything more than an observer. But, maybe, just maybe, he's been given a gift to see reality, and be able to talk about it to those who need to hear feedback, guidance and advice of what to do...before things have already gone too far... It takes someone who cares...yes, really cares about people, to try to help them see...their... faults... And, yes, we all have some, don't we?

Mock me, taunt me... I thought, I remember decades ago, when I was in the yard at my grandmother's house. One of my father's brothers was there with his family and my Mom was sitting with my grandmother and his family. Out of the blue, my Uncle Dale said, "Hey Fatty... (I didn't listen to what he said after that word).." I ignored him. He called again, and I ignored him. Finally, my mother said, "Glenda, your Uncle Dale is talking to you..." I turned to her and clearly said, "That is not my name..." and I walked around the house, leaving him... and the rest of the family... 

Isn't there an old saying about "not suffering fools..." 

You know, I will never forget that time, I must have been less than 10 years of age, but I was already attuned to how others related to me--or to other people... So, yes, I've been bullied, to some extent--but I never allowed the individual who was doing the bullying to "get through" to me... For whatever reason, God had already given me His love and it is strong... And I believe God also has given Cam a gift of seeing truth, reality...and the ability and willingness to speak out against those who seem to have no, or are unwilling to share sympathy or empathy...

But, I've already said it to him, I believe, God has given Cam the gift of wisdom--the wisdom to see and talk about issues more easily than most people are able to... BTW, you notice I haven't said anything more about the book... It is a book which requires readers to begin each story without knowing where it is going... You may think that he aims his stories toward men, but that will change in stories as you continue... I have to say that what he says about the women... well... some of you may recognize them, just like I did...

Gabbie's Thoughts: A couple of songs came to mind as I was reading the stories found in The Mocking Tree...  I figure you really need to hear something as little hints...and relevant to the stories you'll be reading... See if you can determine what the "theme" of the story might be from the chosen songs... It just might zap you with a - I've Got To Read That!

Take a close look at the cover of this vid...yep, you'll find some murder and mayhem and many of the stories are one-on-one between two individuals...

So what do you do if your spouse is cheating? Lots of options come to mind, don't they... You may be right at your first guess!

Are there other ways to make money and would you do them if you were too lazy to mine coal or other kinds of "labor"?

Did you notice that most of the songs I selected were from the Country Music genre... Wonder what that says? Yeah, they tend to put issues right out there for us to ponder...just like Cam's stories...

Seriously, that could be just because my memory is for mostly older songs... In any event, I wanted to say a little more given the theme of the first story, Retribution--Vengeance, Payback comes to mind... They are all words that are more and more in our lives these days. Violence has increased more in the last five years--Children are being killed in schools, worshipers are being killed in houses of worship, people are being murdered by corrupt cops...and prejudice and bias are emotions that have been stimulated and incited at the highest part of our government, with subsequent violent actions against people of other religions, races, and more... 

We need to start speaking out whenever lies are told, to bullies... and to all those who hate! Maybe Cam can help you think through what to do...in his stories--life lessons...

God Bless

Gabbie

Continuing spotlight on Sylvia Bambola, with The Daughters of Jim Farrell!

...From this perch on “their” hill, Kate saw a billowing cloud of sooty-looking smoke that made her heart plummet. The last time she saw something this large the William Penn mine had exploded, killing five. Many claimed that Pennsylvania coal country took one anthracite worker a day, through injury or death. But here, in Schuylkill County, home of the most dangerous anthracite mines in the world, she knew the number was often higher. 

When she opened the window the deafening shriek of the breaker whistle filled the room. “Is it the Sherman?” Mrs. Clayton repeated. 

Kate put her arm around the trembling woman. Only yesterday, Widow Clayton told everyone how her grandson was promoted to fire boss at the Sherman Colliery. 

“No. The smoke is further west. It’s got to be the Mattson.”

“I think you’re right,” Virginia said, wiping her wet hands on a rag. “The Miner’s Journal has been predicting trouble for weeks, ever since the railroad took over the Mattson. And a few days ago some of their coal cars were derailed and the mine boss got a ‘coffin notice’.” 

“Could just be fire damp,” said Colonel Smyth, a retired Union officer who had distinguished himself at Vicksburg. “The miners are always grumbling about the marsh gas at the Mattson.” 

“Or maybe it’s a cave in,” said Miss Rodgers, the spinster piano teacher who, some say, was once a famous stage personality. 

“Aren’t most mining accidents caused by falling roofs?”

“It’s no cave-in. And not fire damp, either,” said Clarence Thumbolt, a retired railroad man. “It’s the Mollies. Who else would send a coffin notice? It was a warning there’d be trouble. And no one can conjure up more trouble than that bunch. This is their doing, mark my words.”

“If it is, perhaps they have a reason,” returned Jasper Wright, the new dentist from Philadelphia who seldom left the boardinghouse before ten to open his office. 

“And what would you know about these troublemakers? Being an out-of-towner and all,” demanded Thumbolt. 

“I’ve been associated with these parts for more than thirty years and could tell you stories that would curl your hair. Why, just a few years back didn’t the Mollies assassinate Patrick Burns, foreman of the Silver Creek Colliery? A good man, too. Killed him because he caught them stealing from the company. And two years ago it was poor Morgan Powell. The Mollies killed him just for being a Welshman! You don’t want to get on the wrong side of that bunch. Believe me, they could bring down a whole mine if it suited them.” 

Jasper Wright jutted his chin as he secured one of the small pearl buttons of his gray waistcoat. “Sometimes bad conditions produce bad men, sometimes."

“Whatever the cause, it’s sure to be serious.” Mother said, ending the conversation. “Kate, get my ointments and some clean rags. We need to go.” “I’ll come, too,” Virginia said. 

“No, just Kate. Her stomach isn’t as queasy as yours. No telling what we’ll see. You stay and finish scrubbing the knives with brick dust, then make that sassafras solution for Charlotte.” She lowered her voice. “And see that Charlotte washes down all of Mrs. Clayton’s furniture.”

~~~

2016 READERS' FAVORITE BRONZE AWARD WINNER for Christian Historical Fiction

The Daughters of 
  Jim Farrell

By Sylvia Bambola

Many of my relatives have worked in the coal mines--one uncle, I remember, had to crawl in to his work area and stay on his knees during the time he was working... I learned from this significant historical story that they were called Monkey Holes at that time and were assigned to those less in favor... We learn that the Irish workers were often chosen for these jobs and trouble was stirring...  The Molly McGuires was a secret organization of Irish coal miners in Pennsylvania and in other areas. We learn that many of the things that happened were often blamed on the Mollies... I enjoyed having the opportunity to read about those early times in my home state...

But there is so much more complexity to the novel than expected. The basic thrust of the mystery which will be solved is that the father, Jim Farrell, of an important family, was charged and hanged for murder. His wife and daughters were forced to convert their home into a boarding house, with his wife, moving quickly to convert as many rooms as possible into living quarters for renters. Even the daughters had given up their own bedrooms. Much of the book shares about how hard they worked to maintain and provide quality service for those who now lived in their previous home.

But none of the daughters were happy in the change of their circumstances--they were now looked down upon and rejected by the elite of the town. Only Charlotte had maintained some connection since she had been involved with the son of one of the important families. But his mother made it quite clear to Charlotte that she was working to break off their arrangement! In the meantime, it took all of them to clean, cook, and serve meals.

Kate, the oldest daughter had never gotten over her father's death, nor the shame that came with the family now being social outcasts. Her mother had requested that they move on and live as best they could. But Kate wanted to find out who had actually killed the man for whom her father had hanged. And she wanted to clear the unwarranted shame from their family name. She wanted to hire a Pinkerton Detective... and was asking her sisters for money. Charlotte finally gave her the $10 she'd been saving for her trousseau but Virginia was not quite so willing to give up her savings to purchase a printing press, since she planned to start a town newspaper...

The sight of both sisters so downcast pricked Kate’s heart. Love is patient, love is kind, love doesn’t seek its own way, she heard her mother’s voice drone in her head. Oh, why was she always trying to get her way? 

Why was she so headstrong? Her sisters were right, she was a bully. That would explain why it was so easy for her to overlook their feelings: Charlotte’s broken heart and Virginia’s dashed dreams. Oh what a wretch I am. And was Mother right too? In saying Kate had allowed a root of bitterness to take hold? 

What did bitterness look like, exactly? Did it look like tall gallows, and the bound and hooded body of her father dangling at the end of a rope? She closed her eyes. Was it so wrong to seek justice? 

“I’m sorry about Mrs. Gaylord,” Kate said, opening her eyes and looking at Charlotte. “And I’m sorry about your newspaper,” she added, turning to Virginia. 

Life had been much simpler when Father was alive.

~~~

The Pinkerton Agency had already earned national attention. Kate felt they needed to go out of town for help, since the railroads, the mine owners and business owners in town seemed to be in control of everything. 

Joshua Adams arrival to town was not a happy one...First of all, he wasn't the respectable-looking older man who could be trusted and depended on... Instead, his appearance was startling to the entire family!

He carried a bulging, scruffy carpetbag and wore a brown, wide-brimmed felt hat that only countrymen or farmers wore. His black, double-breasted frock coat had sloping shoulders and opened to reveal a rumpled, beige waistcoat with notched collar. Around his neck was a black silk cravat, loosely tied. His beige trousers flared at the bottom and only partially covered his boots. Flared trousers had gone out of style years ago; so had sloping shoulders; and a farmer’s hat . .

Joshua was not the man they had expected--that they had given up their hard-earned savings to hire. None were happy, but Kate felt they had to proceed since he was assigned to their case... Then Joshua made it worse, by telling the four women that he wanted them to say he was a visiting cousin so he could work incognito. That really separated him further, since as good Christian women, they did not lie and were upset that he had even asked...

But none of them wanted to forfeit their money...The investigation began... While the life of the community continued, with the four women busily working to serve their boarders... Except, lots of different activities started affecting each of the daughters. Kate was being proposition because of her lowered status... Charlotte was afraid of never marrying into the type of social family where she was most comfortable, while Virginia started writing articles for a newspaper that upset people in town...  

Of course, the three daughters each had to deal with the romantic side of their lives... It was interesting to watch as each of them moved forward into finding their lives as women, independent, and able to make their own decisions. One character I particularly found compelling was a young boy whose hand and part of his arm had been ripped off as a breaker boy. We meet him because the only thing he could do to work was to do errands for the town's people...and one of the sisters in particular.

The investigation keeps readers guessing and relationships tend to result in dangerous or uncomfortable situation for the daughters, until one was actually kidnapped...

Bambola inserts mining terminology into the narrative with no difficulty and readers learn much about actual mining operations...and accidents that have occurred for various reasons. The Christian aspect is not as prominent in this novel as in others--but rather, inserts moral issues and decisions as they are relevant to the story itself. The murder mystery merged within the takeover of independent mines by the railroad is extensive and reveals the various ways by which criminal actions are peripheral to the dirty, dangerous, and hard work of those who actually work the mines, together with those family members who care for them and constantly pray that they will see them come home at the end of each day.

For me, this was historical fiction at its finest, combined with a mystery as well as romantic suspense. I could have been happier with a different ending, but, then, that apparently was not what God had planned for the three daughters of Jim Farrell. Read this author! She's a fantastic writer, with a different story to tell in each book. Her variety of topics brings a new adventure and I find I keep going back to read more...So, do check out all my reviews by searching on the author's name. All are definitely recommended 

Watch for my review of her first nonfiction book on Monday, with a followup article by the author...

GABixlerReviews

Epic Drama Finale for Darlene Quinn's Web Series - Webs of Perception! Out 11-13! Spotlighting the Author!

As is often the case as a book reviewer, I was able to start this wonderful series (see my reviews of the first three books), but got too busy with others to continue--a major disadvantage to opening myself to receiving requests for reviews! LOL

Webs of Power
Twisted Webs
Prequel to Webs of Power (suggested first read)

I must say that I was surprised when I had the chance to read Webs of Perception. Sure, Darlene Quinn became an award-winning author from her first book, but here I was ten years later reading the close-out novel for her series! And I was thrilled with the fantastic book she presented! It is once again well written, epic--impressively great--with a long satisfying story at 510 pages. The story in this last book hones in much more on family drama, with very little on the business end of department store management, the theme which has run throughout the series. Instead, we enter into a extraordinary suspenseful tale where the characters have been caught in a Web like no other! And we readers get to watch as, first, the web is spread wider and wider, and then torn away slowly and tortuously for those involved...

This novel clearly refers back to a tragedy from an earlier book. However, let me assure you that this last book stands free and readers can easily understand what has happened in the past...

Webs of Perception

By Darlene Quinn

...Manhattan, New York

Ashleigh Taylor gasped as an inexplicable pain sliced through her restricting her chest. Slowly taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and glanced at Conrad, seated to her left in their box seats, hoping she hadn't disturbed him. She needn't have worried. Having spoken of nothing but Hamilton in recent weeks, he was leaning forward, totally absorbed by the riveting performance.

Ashleigh had not shared the strange sense of foreboding that had overcome her shortly before they'd entered the Richard Rodgers Theater. What is there to tell? How can I put such a hollow feeling into words? But here it was again--that nearly imperceptible knowledge that something wasn't right. Ashleigh closed her eyes, and gradually her breathing returned to normal. She did her best to brush apprehension aside, but even so, she willed the final curtain call to come soon.

In the lobby, as Conrad explained why "History Has Its Eyes on You" was his favorite song, Ashleigh nodded and powered on her iPhone. "That's strange," she said, staring down at the screen.

Conrad fell silent and raised a questioning brow.

"four calls from April since intermission," Ashleigh went on. They continued to weave seamlessly through the throng of theatergoers toward the exit.

Times Square, as always, was buzzing with activity. Conrad spotted their limo to the left of the theater's entrance, and he motioned for David to remain behind the wheel while he helped Ashleigh inside. Once they were both settled, he pulled out his BlackBerry. "Whoa, I've had a couple calls from April, too." Conrad shook his head. "What could be so urgent at this hour?"

Ashleigh looked at her iPhone display. April's first call had come in at eight-forty-two. Before calling back, she checked for voice messages. There was only one. She hit play.

"Where are you, Aunt Ashleigh?" There was a moment's pause before April continued. "Sorry, I'm a bit rattled. Please call as soon as you get this message."

A lump formed in Ashleigh's throat. She heard the anxiety in April's voice. Gripping the phone, she punched in the number.

It rang only once before april picked up. Not bothering with a greeting, she asked, "Have you heard from the girls?"

"Not since they left Southampton." Why would we? Ashleigh thought, They're somewhere in the mid-Atlantic. "What's wrong?"

As she heard her own words, a sinking sensation settled in the pit of Ashleigh's stomach. They had known Paige and Mark Toddman's daughter since she was four years old. April was a mature young woman who seldom came across as rattled.

"You haven't heard? The rogue wave." Following a quick intake of breath, April

continued. "It's all over the news..."As April began to rush through the details. Ashleigh pressed the speaker button her iPhone."Hold on," Conrad broke in. His tone was calm, his words measured. "You say a rogue wave hit the Rising Star?" Ashleigh frowned. Placing her hand on Conrad's arm, she whispered, "Rogue Wave?"

"At about six thirty o'clock our time, CNN reported a seven-story wave hit the Rising Star. There are broken windows, an inch or two of water in many cabins..."

Ashleigh's throat constricted as April detailed the damage. All she cared about was the safety of their daughters. "How about the passengers?" Ashleigh blurted out.

"Thank God, there have been no deaths reported. Some passengers have minor injuries. Mostly from falls, or being hit by flying furniture and glass. The ship wasn't disabled. They think it will arrive a day late, but at least it's sailing under its own power...

Conrad smiled and kissed Ashleigh on the forehead. "Be strong, love. You know our girls. They're survivors, like their mother. They're sure to make the best of the situation and come away with a boatload of stories to tell--no pun intended. Marnie is most likely taking notes for her next short story as we speak."

Ashleigh leaned over the kissed his smiling lips. Tension eased from her shoulders. If anything had happened to any of my girls, I would know. But the newscaster's next words sent her reeling...

!!!

The Taylor twins had signed up for onsite classes on the Rising Star. Marnie was studying to become a writer, while Callie was improving her skills for a dance career. When Ashleigh and Conrad got calls about what had happened, they had been at the Richard Rogers Theater for "Hamilton." It was then that Ashleigh realized why she'd had that strange sense of foreboding.

They soon learned that a large rogue wave had overcome the ship on which their daughters had been traveling. The Rising Star had maintained control, but there had been much damage. One of their daughters had been flown by medevac to a hospital due to a head injury sustained...

She had lost her memory and the doctor's could not give any guidance on how long it would last--or whether it would be permanent...

Only one daughter, Marnie, had been in their cabin. It had been reported on the news that it appeared two individuals were missing, possibly washed overboard. But Ashleigh refused to consider the possibility that she had lost a daughter--she knew she would know it! 

It is quite easy for readers to learn what happened in the first few chapters, feel sympathy for the family, and especially the twin who had lost her memory. Not only because of the devastation of not being able to remember her life. But, also, because she was totally unable to help in telling the story of where her sister was. Ashleigh decided that she had never come back from their last stop, but there was nobody able to assure her. She asked that their friend and investigator begin a search to...find her...

I imagine that it must seem like life has stopped. One daughter didn't know her parents--did not know how to relate to them. Even her name had no meaning for her and learning she was heading for further education for her writing career felt alien. She had no idea how to even consider writing a story... 

Conrad was in the midst of a major change to their company--100 stores were to unfortunately close and he had planned to work with each as final arrangements were made. A short overview of what he planned was included in the story; however, Quinn included a final Author's Note about her research on the continued viability of department stores. I especially found this interesting since my own memory holds the delightful visits to those large elegant stores in which I felt like I was visiting another world--a world of beautiful surroundings as well as beautiful clothes and more... Quinn discusses the growth of online sales and its effect; however, I had to agree that most of us want to actually see the clothes, shoes, etc., that we consider buying and because of that both will be important for the future!

The story splits as life continues at home, while the investigation into, hopefully, finding Callie begins... I think it is important that nothing else is shared; the enjoyment of reading the book is that readers know more about what is going on than the family. We sink into what is happening and hope things turn out, but, gradually, we also begin to question--Why? What? How?

There is a tense, waiting, atmosphere running throughout the book. Even when we know part of the story, the complexity, the emotional impact of each situation is sometimes disturbing, yet exciting to watch as the plot blossoms into the reality of what has happened. 

Quinn writes with a steady fluidity that slowly reveals and pulls each item together; nothing is left hanging, although I would have liked to know a little more about life after the book closes... In fact, I realized that, though this series may be closing, I now believe that Quinn has a suspense thriller within her ability and hope that one series ending is not the end of her fantastic writing! Drama to Thriller - the challenge is given! LOL

Webs of Perception is Intriguing. It plays with our opinions of what perception is and how it plays out in our lives. The book is also fascinating, extraordinary in its simplicity. The concept may be simple, but the devastation, as well as family joy, runs the full gamut of what emotions erupt as day by day passes in this thing called Life...  

Again, this last novel is free-standing but makes a wonderful finale for the series if you've been following Darlene Quinn. Kudos to her for sharing a unique part of all of our lives, Department Stores of the past, now and the future... Highly recommended.

GABixlerReviews

Many toss the title “renaissance man or woman” around haphazardly today. However, when it comes to Darlene Quinn, it is an appropriate title. Her experiences, when interwoven, form a tapestry that emits nuggets of wisdom, caring and accomplishment that is the message that has helped others reinvent themselves for a greater lifestyle.

The Social Conscience Mentor and Coach 

A former public school teacher who also volunteered to work with at risk children in the minority community, modeling and charm coach, and Coordinator of the Long Beach Miss Universe Pageant would seem like quite an eclectic mix to begin with. This foundation helped Darlene learn to read people well, inspire them to do greater things and guide them with the love and patience necessary to build self-esteem and confidence. Darlene excelled at this and it was what caught the attention of the ivory tower at Bullock’s Department Stores, which would become her next career and a defining period of her life. Never one to settle for mediocrity, Darlene was bold! As she teaches others by saying, “When you’re looking for a job, start at the top!” she took her own advice. 

Searching for the CEO of Bullock’s and Bullocks Wilshire (their prestigious specialty store operation), Darlene sent her résumé straight to the top. Before long, she was being interviewed because of her personal development coaching, but was hired because of her teaching and management skills as the Corporate Training Director.

Bullocks Wilshire Executive Personnel Director 

Molding the management of the enterprise created a remarkable reputation for Darlene, and it wasn’t long before the competition took notice and came knocking on her door. Broadways offered her a higher position, more money and a larger operation! Being the results-oriented leader and coach she was, Bullock’s was not ready to lose their star; hence a series of events were put in motion that shuffled management in order to ensure that Darlene would stay whatever choice position she wanted. She chose Executive Director of Personnel/Organization Development for their most prestigious operation, Bullocks Wilshire! 

Setting out to fine tune the operations of Bullocks Wilshire, by starting at the top and letting it trickle down to entry level, Darlene’s astute negotiating, communications and people skills earned her the affectionate title of The Psychiatrist, for the many fires that were extinguished with positive results that improved the operation — from the President on down. Her ability to diffuse an issue with the carefulness and precision of a heart surgeon, the communication and listening skills of a wise philosopher, and the bedside manner of a pediatric oncologist made her the go to person to get anything done. As Darlene would say, “Other’s see obstacles; I see opportunities.”

The Reinvention of Darlene 

After many years, making her mark on an industry famous for high life and cut throat, leaving it better than when she arrived, it was time to move on. Deciding to help her deaf daughter through her senior year at high school and traveling with her late husband, it was time to do something else. Darlene reinvented herself into an award-winning author, writing coach, speaker and board member of several organizations in the literary arena. A consummate storyteller, she decided to write articles for Savvy Magazine about what she had learned at Bullocks Wilshire: that there are three kinds of shoppers, and in this economy, if you understand them you will prosper and not falter. This would launch a writing career that started with a poem (which Darlene thought was not very good, but which a proud father submitted to a contest that she would win) and culminated with the award-winning Webs Series: Webs of Power, Twisted Webs, Webs of Fate, and Unpredictable Webs. Conflicting Webs, the newest novel in the series was released in early 2015. Others followed. Darlene is now presenting the finale of the Webs series with Webs of Perception.

In 2011, this led The Braille Institute to not only invite Darlene as their keynote speaker, but to choose to turn Webs of Power into an audio and Braille book. They are considering converting the entire series for the vision impaired! Giving Back to the Community Again 

Today, Darlene speaks on the power of reinventing yourself, how to do it and the skills necessary to accomplish it. Also, she speaks on the three kinds of shoppers, how they affect your business and how to cater to each for maximum sales. Her ability to meet your audience where they are and help them arrive at where they want to go, makes her a sought after speaker, coach, columnist and guest blogger.

When it’s all said and done, we believe Darlene will have left her mark on society as a friend, author and mentor to many writers, professionals and those looking to enhance their lifestyle with a warm smile and gentle advice, while sharing her experience and wisdom. Her legacy will be the people she has and continues to touch, the organizations she helped improve that serve many and through her books, as well as those of many authors she mentors. www.darlenequinn.net