I love to read, always have. From fiction to sci-fi, young adult and non-fiction, my pile grows. And I couldn’t be happier.
For these holidays I thought I would send out some suggestions from authors I have met through my writing groups including APSS, the Association of Publishers for Special Sales. These folks are dedicated writers, storytellers and I have learned so much from them about the craft of writing. So today, my note is brief. Enjoy the varied genres and brief descriptions. Remember all comments are appreciated.
1. Murder beyond the Precipice: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction
Penny Goetjen: National award-winning author Penny Goetjen is a self-proclaimed eccentric, known for writing late into the night, transfixed by the allure of flickering candlelight. Fascinated with the paranormal, she usually weaves a subtle, unexpected twist into her stories. When her husband is asked how he feels about his wife writing murder mysteries, he answers with a wink, “I sleep with one eye open.”
Young Adult Fiction, Inspiration, Motivationhttps://www.amazon.com/Storm-
Book Blurb: The Storm is about a teen struggling with life in a violent and frustrating world. He’s trying to do what he can, but he’s angry about the hand life has dealt him. Then, out of the blue, his estranged and mysterious Granddaddy stops by to see him. They go for a walk in the park, and for one stormy and magical afternoon, Granddaddy talks about being a former WWII fighter-pilot, about his past, his famous friends, and about how he escaped a meaningless life.
3. At the Garden’s Gate: Non-Fiction, Meadows, Sustainability, Wild Edibles, Medicine Wheel: A Memoir
Judith Dreyer, is an international author, speaker, and educator. Her first book, At the Garden’s Gate, seeks to inspire us to look at our land spaces differently and ask important questions?
“Beautiful and thoughtfully written, At the Garden’s Gate traces a woman’s inner journey as she creates a wildflower meadow. The meadow becomes a teacher, a metaphor for life and a calling. Tucked within the pages of this magical book are threads of gold; poems, quotes, meditations, and ceremonies one can use in one’s own garden. And also sound and practical instructions for creating a wildflower meadow.” Rosemary Gladstar, author
and herbalist from her wildflower meadow in Vermont
http//:www.judithdreyer.com/blog
4. Asylum, a dark suspense saga: Fiction
Kathryn Orzech, Connecticut native, and seasoned world traveler writes mystery, suspense, and thrillers set in New England “and other exotic locations.” An avid film fan and news nerd, interests include history and geopolitics, society and culture, science and parapsychology, leaving few subjects off her literary table.
http://dreamwatch.com/dreamwatch-press/asylum-a-dark-suspense-saga/
Book Blurb: On an innocent day in 1899 while her father travels abroad, twelve-year-old Maggie Delito unwittingly witnesses a shocking scandal. The next day, she’s dragged from her family’s estate and locked in an asylum to ensure her silence. Beneath the noted asylum’s polish of respectability, a wicked villainy hides in dank shadows—and Maggie fears she will be its next victim.
Seventy-five years later, Laura Delito inherits more than assets when her prestigious family’s mysterious past comes knocking. After sacrificing an independent career on the brink of success, she assumes control of Delito’s failing jewelry business while daring to expose its ghosts—a strange old woman, cryptic messages, and a rare antique key that might unlock the truth. As she pursues clues from the Northeast to North Africa, she fails to see danger looming close to home.
5. Roots2Wellness: Non-Fiction, Health and Healthy Eating, Self Help, Inspirational
Janet Verney: Janet Verney is certified in Integrative Health and specializes in Women’s Wellness. As The Wellness Designer, she creates fun and educational programs for women around the world. Janet is passionate about living a rich and full life through delicious food and an abundant
lifestyle!connect@roots2wellness.com
Book Blurb: Roots2Wellness is one woman’s story of overcoming a serious, chronic health condition. It takes you on a journey from a point of pain, sadness, and torment to living in wellness, love, and passion which changed the course of her life and can change yours…forever.
So let go of that negative chatter in your mind, and get started on changing the course of your life forever. From altering thought patterns to choosing the correct foods, ROOTS2Wellness delivers many routes to healing, digging to the places deep inside where wellness begins. Whether you’re overwhelmed by feelings of fear or caught in a downward spiral of poor health, this inspirational read contains everything you need to begin taking action—and to enjoy the bloom of vibrant health that can only come from nourishing your roots.
6. Christmas Shadow: Fiction, Paranormal Romance and Suspense
CarynMoyaBlock@gmail.comBook One of the Shadow Walker-Lycan Hybrid Second Generation Romance Series
Caryn Moya Block: In January of 2012, Caryn Moya Block began her writing career with the debut of Alpha’s Mate which won the “Global E-book Award for 2012” in contemporary romance. She was also named one of the “Top 50 Indie Authors for April 2012” from E-Reader Reviews. Her novel, A Siberian Werewolf in Paris, was chosen as a paranormal category finalist in the 2014 RomCon.com Readers’ Choice Awards.
Caryn continues to write, giving her readers five different series to choose from: The Shadow Walkers Romance Series, The Witch Guardian Romance Series, and the very popular, Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series. She has just begun the second-generation character books with The Volkov Family Chronicles Series and The Shadow Walker- Lycan Hybrid Second Generation Series. CarynMoyaBlock@gmail.com and http://carynmoyablock.com/
Book Blurb: Aleksei Sokolov, a Shadow Walker-Lycan Hybrid, is trying to protect his best friend, Daven McCloud. He installs an Isanti security system in Daven’s Beverly Hills estate and assumes his identity. Stepping into Daven’s shoes puts him directly in the path of a killer, but it also puts him in the path of Sheridan Harbrook, who has been contracted to decorate Daven’s estate for Christmas.
When she meets with the man she believes is Daven, she can’t help but be surprised at how different he is when he doesn’t have a starlet on his arm. Feeling that she’s misjudged him, she lets him kiss her goodnight, even though the evening was strictly business.
She likes the man and one kiss tells her she could more than like him. But as their relationship progresses, danger surrounds them both. Will involving herself with a client put her in the crosshairs of a murderer and will this Christmas be her last?
7. LIke A Tree: Jean Shinoda Bolen: International BestSeller: Non- fiction, Archetypes, Trees, Women’s Rights: One of my goals over the past couple of years is to keep track of all the books I read. I enjoy going back over them at the end of the year. We have amazing choices for our book tastes.
Jean Shinoda Bolen’s Book, Like a Tree, touched my heart. She draws a parallel between women and the deforestation of our trees. Backed by research, myth and archetypal forces, she takes us on an incredible journey that has its heart in compassion, community and the desperate need for women and trees and its forest ecosystems, to be valued once again.
I hope you enjoyed the possibilities presented here. Great books for a snowy winter’s day. Please share and comment. It’s appreciated. Happy Holidays. Judith
Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN, Writer, Speaker, and Workshop Presenter, Master Gardener.
At The Garden's Gate - Available Online! Purchase Now | Find on Amazon
Have you read the new novel “The Windsome Tree” A Ghost Story” by Eileen Albrizio. It was the most unique story I’ve read in a long time. Not an “in your face” horror story, but a story that I could really relate to, with strong characters and real-life emotional situations. I met the author at a signing event.
Thank you Janet for your comments. No I haven’t read that one yet but thanks for the tip. Enjoy.
Thank you, Judith, for featuring Asylum as a Gift Guide Great Book. Happy Holidays to you and your readers!
You are welcome. happy Holidays.