Books of Old and New

When I have time to wander through a book store, I always walk through the kids’ section. It’s a happy place filled with new worlds, adventures, and colorful covers. And, invariably, I pass a display with a few of the books I loved as a kid, myself (Cat In The Hat, Giving Tree, Cordoroy, etc). Or books I read with my girls (Mr. Brown Can Moo, How About You?, The Best Nest, I Love You More, andthe list goes on…).

You know, books that instantly transport me back to a happy time. A peaceful, contented time.

So tell me, what are some books that you adored as a child (a pre-reading child)?  And, if you’re a parent, books that your children adored?

~Elizabeth

Love You More

by Lynn Cahoon

What would you do for your child?  And if you had to choose between your child and your spouse, which one would you choose? Who do you love more?

In this thriller (LOVE YOU MORE), Lisa Gardner examines the lives of two women.  DD Warren – the detective who thinks she’s pregnant at forty with her first child and Tessa Leoni who finally found family and is now accused of killing her husband and child.

As the author, Ms. Gardner leads us through the evidence, all the while, the reader is hoping the evidence is wrong.  That the police are wrong.  Because we know who we like, and Tessa Leoni doesn’t feel like a murderer. Or does she?

While the main plot – finding a missing six year old and solving a murder is tightly written and a good mystery, the two female main characters ask a more personal question.  Can a woman be a great detective, great police officer, great anything in the career world and still be a great mom?  Or do we ultimately have to choose one world over the other?  Or worse, be mediocre at both?

Who do you love more?

This is the second DD Warren story I’ve read from Ms. Gardner and I really enjoy the character.  Especially now that I’ve seen a layer of vulnerability under the cloak of tough macho police detective.

I’m looking forward to the next book.

And I’m left wondering, can we be great at more than one thing?  Can a man serve more than one master?

 *               *               *

BIO – Growing up in the middle of cowboy country, Lynn Cahoon was destined to fall in love with a tall, cool glass of water.  Now, she enjoys writing about small town America, the cowboys who ride the range, and the women who love them. Contact her at her website – www.lynncahoon.wordpress.com

Reading, Reading, Reading

I’ve been reading a lot lately. Only it’s been my own stuff–Amish # 2, copy edits for LET IT SEW, line edits for STORYBOOK DAD, e-book prep for the old Jenkins & Burns series.

So I’m hankering an opportunity to read something else. Fortunately for me, my good friend Lynn C. (who posts in the comments from time to time and has done a few guest blogs along the way) has her first romance coming out next month–Bull Riders Brother–and she’s asked me for a blurb. While I’m thrilled to do so, I’m equally thrilled to be able to read.

In the meantime, what was the most recent book you finished? What are you reading now?

~Elizabeth

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

I’m back!

Technically, I got back from Malice Domestic on Sunday evening, but yesterday was a special day in my house and so I held off on computer work until today.

I’d like to say I have tons of pictures to post from Malice, but I don’t. I’m great about taking my camera to events and places, but horrible about using it once I’m there (this seems to be a relatively new trend with me but annoying nonetheless). Suffice it to say though, it was a fun few days.

I got to see my dear friend, Lynn D., who even gave me a crochet lesson ( I will learn this craft from her even if it takes me years). I got to catch up with longtime Malice friend, Aimee (*waves* to Aimee) who served as moderator for a panel I was in on Sunday morning. She did an amazing job crafting clever questions for us to answer and made us all look far funnier than we are. The lovely Dru Ann was there and sat at my author table along with the rest of my favorite friends and fans, and although it was too loud to engage in much conversation with her in that venue, we made up for it elsewhere.

I was stopped throughout the conference to sign books (which is thrilling) and did okay at the big group signing on Sunday morning. I met some authors I’d never met before and enjoyed talking to them all.

I made the drive to/from with the delightful Maggie Barbieri who had me laughing more this weekend than I have in a very long time and that, coupled with the above, placed this year’s event on the top of my “Favorite Malice Years” list.

So now I’m back and my head will be down the rest of the day as I finish up edits on the manuscript I finished last week. I’ll be pressing send to my editor by the end of the day (phew!).

~Elizabeth

Suggest Away

Sorry I went AWOL yesterday, but Dear Daughter # 1 and I drove to Boston Sunday night for a college tour on Monday. Home now…for a few days.

Anyway, today is a non-stop writing day for me as I (hopefully) finish up Amish # 2 before bed. Then, if all goes well, I hope to find something fun to read. I’ve finished the series I was reading and need something to tide me over before my next few must-reads hit shelves (for those who are curious, 1) Linda Castillo’s next book, 2) Emily Giffin’s next book and 3) Maggie Barbieri’s next book).

So what are you reading? I need some suggestions.

~Elizabeth

The Overhaul

I am beyond thrilled to bring a very special announcement (and request) to my most loyal readers today.

In preparation for the release of my brand new series–the Amish Mysteries–and other more varied projects in the future, my original Laura Bradford website has gone through a major (and by major, I mean major) overhaul. In fact, if you’ve been to that site in the past, you won’t recognize it all.

So, I’m hoping you’ll all head over there and check it out. All of the content on all of the pages is new, and the first chapter of HEARSE AND BUGGY is on the books page as my gift to you!

Once you’re over there, if you’d like to come back here…it’s really easy to do that. There’s a tab link right back to this site at the top of every page because the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries are still going strong!

So make my day and check out the new site. I’m so, so, so proud of the way it came out!  www.laurabradford.com

~Elizabeth

Bookstores That Bring On The Ahhhh…

I’ve got a fun question for you today. Think back to all the bookstores you’ve ever been in during your life and tell me which was your favorite and why…

I came up with this blog after realizing just how much I love to wander bookstores looking at all the titles. Toss in the sound of rain on the roof and the whole experience is even better.

~Elizabeth

Drum Roll, Please…

   It’s here!

   The sixth installment in the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries is now available!!!! Yay!!

   This first week of sales is always hugely important, so, if you’re a fan…this would be a great time to check this out. It’s a fun, fun read that introduces Leona and Margaret Louise’s mom–Annabelle–into the mix.  

 Here’s the back jacket synopsis: 

 Tori Sinclair has found a sense of home with the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle. During their get-togethers, she can relax with her sewing and listen in on Sweet Briar’s latest gossip.

 But when the town is chosen to be the setting of Warren Shoemaker’s movie, the sewing circle gets caught up in bigger drama. With dreams of stardom, everyone is hoping to be cast as an extra–which lucky Tori is. But fame has its price, as they learn when Anita Belise, the film’s leading actress, is found murdered.

When suspicion falls on a member of the sewing circle, Tori must work to uncover the truth–not only to catch a killer, but to keep their tight-knit group from being torn to shreds…

Happy Reading!!!

~Elizabeth

Book, Anyone?

I’ve got a fun “reading” type blog for all of you today. Only I need your help…with answers.

Here we go:

1) Strangest place you’ve ever read a book?

2) What’s the fastest you can read a) a cozy, b) a romance and/or c) a thriller (answer only the genre (s) you read)?

3) Ever yelled out loud at a character in a book? Why?

4) What’s the craziest thing you’ve turned down in order to keep reading?

5) Tell us other things you can do while simultaneously reading…

~Elizabeth

Books, Books, Books

What are you reading right now?

~Elizabeth