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Christmas in Evergreen

by Mary L. Schmidt

Giveaway ends December 20, 2025.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

Christmas in Evergreen

by Mary L. Schmidt

Giveaway ends December 20, 2025.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Book Link

From Amazon:

After the devastating loss of their baby, Dalia and Oliver Olson, two world-famous musicians, retreat to their new friends’ Christmas tree farm, hoping the seclusion and respite from the bright lights of the music circuit will help them heal and restore their missing intimacy.

Away from the spotlight, Dalia and Oliver, with their surviving child, begin to rediscover the rhythm of love, one tender note at a time. As guests of Chloe and Jack Twiggins, the tree farm owners, they experience the magic of the season in a home filled with Christmas joy and laughter, which helps rekindle their passion in their hearts.

Rejoice as both couples discover that miracles don’t always need divine intervention, because sometimes the lure of passionate reconnection is simply opening each other’s hearts to each other once more, during the magic of the Christmas season.

My Review:

This was a heartfelt read. It was hard to read as I’ve lost a baby and a little boy. I had empathy for both women and their husbands. A chance run in, literally, went full circle. Characters had depth. Life eventually goes on but one NEVER forgets their babies and children who sufferred and died, ever, as it nevers gets easier. One may not think about their loss as often, but the heart knows and I remember every single day.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Christmas in Evergreen

by Mary L. Schmidt

Giveaway ends December 20, 2025.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Book Link

From Amazon:

Girl misses train – catches a ride backwards in time

Journalist Zara Wiseman discovers an unexpected story for Feminine Smile Magazine when she finds herself transported back to 1910 and becomes Lady Rebecca. Initially the 24-year-old believes her quest is to save Rebecca from an arranged marriage to Sir Richard Cavendish but soon realises he’s not the true villain. As Zara unearths two deadly dark secrets, she fears Rebecca and Sir Richard’s lives could be in danger.

Torn between travelling back in time to save Rebecca and Richard and leaving her own life behind, Zara summons all her strength to fulfil her mission. With a dual timeline slipping between present day and 1910, Zara is caught in a love triangle with dishy boyfriend, Scott, and Sir Richard, the dashing and devoted gentleman.

Can Zara accomplish her mission?

Will she find her way back home?

Will she want to?

My Review:

I finished this book two days ago and I was amazed. I wanted to read it as I’ve read all of the other books this author has written and I wanted to see if she could wrtite a book with time slips. I was intrigued. The author can write about time slips very well. To be current and in the Edwardian era brought home the differences between men and women and their social standing and rights in both time periods. I can see how this book would be great for a trilogy. I felt the love and how drawn the main character was. Thanks for a great read!

It’s gold! It’s shiny! And it’s for Shadow! Shadow won! Shadow made it past the Finalist round and then Shadow won!

From William Potter:

We are pleased to announce that Shadow is a Winner in the 2025 IAN Book of the Year Awards!

After the first round of judging, Shadow was selected as a finalist in the “Animals/Pets/Nature” Category.

When judging completed, Shadow was selected as the “Animals/Pets/Nature” Category Winner.

Book Link

Book Title: A Virtuoso in America: Book Two, Adrian

Series: n/a

Author Name: Fred Raymond Goldman

Publication Date: July 30, 2025

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 272

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: n/a

Twitter Handle: @cathiedunn @marylschmidt

Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #WWII #JewishFiction #Holocaust #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/10/blog-tour-a-virtuoso-in-america-adrian-by-fred-raymond-goldman.html

Book Title and Author Name:

A Virtuoso in America: Adrian

by Fred Raymond Goldman

Blurb:

How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the life of someone you love and believe you were protecting?

Adrian Mazurek immigrated to the United States from Krakow, Poland, 14 years ago and is now a successful violin soloist and concertmaster of The Eleventh State Symphony Orchestra in New York. But despite his outward success, Adrian is inwardly harboring a shameful secret, one he has not revealed to anyone.

However, that is about to change. Adrian plans to propose marriage to Suzanne, but he knows he must tell her the truth about his past before doing so. Riddled with guilt and shame, Adrian can barely look at himself in the mirror. How can he look Suzanne in the eyes and tell her that he left his infant son, Simon, in the care of his aunt and uncle in Poland 14 years ago? If only confessing the truth to Suzanne was the most difficult part.

Adrian soon learns that Germany has invaded Poland and World War II has begun. Fearing the Germans will learn that his son is of Jewish heritage, Adrian must do something to ensure Simon’s safety. But what? And will Suzanne stand by his side or will she turn away because of his deceit?​

Excerpt 4:

Suzanne and Adrian accepted the contessa’s invitation to dinner for the first week in January. She said there were people she wanted them to meet. Adrian speculated they were people of influence who might be able to help him locate Simon. He looked forward to the dinner.

Paul met them in the lobby and rode them up to the contessa’s apartment. When they got off the elevator, Paul took their coats and led them into the parlor. A group of six surrounded the contessa. She spotted Adrian and Suzanne and came to greet them.

Adrian had the feeling he’d seen one of the men before, but he couldn’t think from where. He didn’t recognize the other guests.

The contessa introduced the three couples to Adrian and Suzanne without any explanations as to their positions. The one who looked familiar was Philip Carter. His wife was Amy. The other two couples were Samson Reed, his wife, Eloise, and William Johnston and his wife, Beverly. They were pleasant, but Adrian felt uncomfortable. Suzanne looked less so. If they were people who could be helpful in locating my family in Poland, the contessa certainly would have told me beforehand, Adrian thought. He was baffled as to the purpose of this dinner. His mind raced for answers, but he couldn’t think of any.

The dinner conversation was light and congenial but uncomfortable for Adrian. He kept wondering why the contessa had pulled this group together. Despite his discomfort, he used his charm to get through the meal.

During dinner, the wife of Samson Reed brought up Suzanne and Adrian’s wedding at Union Hall. “How did you manage that?” she said.

Suzanne smiled, “My father arranged it. He’s the Director of Development for the orchestra. He and conductor McGowan thought it would be good publicity for the symphony.” Suzanne blushed. “I must admit it was a fairy tale wedding ceremony. I’m very grateful to them.”

“I understand you’re the agent for Nick Wells,” Beverly Johnston said. “He’s deliciously handsome and talented.”

Adrian heard her husband clear his throat and place his hand on his wife’s elbow. His wife looked over to him and bit her lip. The other two gentlemen looked at each other quickly then glanced over at the contessa.

Adrian watched this with curiosity. What is going on here?, he wondered.

It wasn’t until after dinner that Adrian got his answer.

“If you don’t mind, we’d like to meet with you in the contessa’s library,” Philip Carter said to Adrian and Suzanne.

Adrian and Suzanne looked at each other. Here it comes, thought Adrian. The real reason we’re here. He took Suzanne’s hand, and they and the three men followed Paul to the library where a bar was set up. Paul left. A slight chill went through Adrian.

Mr. Carter offered Suzanne and Adrian drinks. At their request, he poured Suzanne a glass of white wine and Adrian a brandy. The others filled their glasses, and they sat in a circle of leather and upholstered chairs.

Mr. Carter unwrapped a fresh cigar. He didn’t light it.

“I like to chew on these,” he said, directing himself to Suzanne. “I hope you don’t mind. My wife says it’s a disgusting habit, and she’s right, but I can’t seem to stop.”

Suzanne nodded her approval.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to get right to the point,” Mr. Carter said. “I know you must be wondering why we’re here tonight and what you have to do with it.” He leaned forward. “The mayor has appointed me to lead a commission to root out Nazi American activities in New York. I must ask that that you keep this meeting confidential.”

Now Adrian knew why he recognized Mr. Carter. His picture had been in the newspapers with the announcement of this new committee by the mayor.

Adrian and Suzanne looked at each other and back at Mr. Carter. They nodded their agreement.

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://geni.us/6TOaPa

Author Bio:

Fred Raymond Goldman graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College) in June 1962 with a B.A. in psychology. In 1964, he earned an M.S.W. degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Most of his career was devoted to the Jewish Communal Service. He served as the administrator of Northwest Drug Alert, a methadone maintenance program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where he also became the community’s reference point for steering drug abusers to Jewish resources. The work focused on helping individuals achieve abstinence, receive counseling, and find employment.

Following this role, Fred was hired as Assistant to the Director of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore.

The final position in his professional career was with Har Sinai Congregation, a Jewish Reform synagogue in Baltimore, where he served as Executive Director for 23 years before retiring in October 2005.

In retirement, Fred pursued his interests in hiking with The Maryland Hiking Club, exploring nature, and volunteering at The Irvine Nature Center, where he guided schoolchildren on nature hikes and assisted in the Center’s nature store.

Writing had been an interest since childhood, though Fred did not pursue it seriously until retirement. Beginning with children’s books, he became a member of the Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Association. Among the works he wrote were Vera and the Blue Bear Go to the Zoo, Never Bite an Elephant (And Other Bits of Wisdom), The Day the School Bus Drivers Went on Strike, If You Count, and The Day the School Devices Went on Strike. Although these works were never published, Fred hopes that if the CONCERTO books gain recognition, opportunities for these earlier works may follow.

The journey of writing the CONCERTO companion books began after Fred noticed a note on the local library bulletin board announcing the formation of a writer’s group led voluntarily by a local author. Joining the group with nine others, he learned the essentials of writing—maintaining the protagonist’s point of view, building tension toward a climax, rewriting, and developing complex characters with flaws, peculiarities, and unique personalities.

Over four years, Fred devoted significant time to writing, researching, rewriting, and submitting the manuscript. Originally one book titled The Auschwitz Concerto, the project was later divided into two volumes and self-published. For a time, the title The Box was also considered.

Encouragement from the teacher and fellow writers in the group played a pivotal role in shaping the novels, as Fred also contributed to the successes of others through critique and support.

In the Author’s Notes, Fred explains the purpose of making the books available to the public. Before embarking on the project, he knew little about the Holocaust beyond its staggering toll of nine million lives and its place as one of history’s darkest chapters. In writing the novels, he not only gained deeper knowledge of history and human suffering but also developed a heightened awareness of current issues that demand attention. As he notes, what affects one group of people has the potential to affect all of us.

Author Links:

Author Page on Publisher’s Website: https://www.historiumpress.com/fred-goldman

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Fred-Raymond-Goldman/author/B0C2QMBZ9X

Book Link

From Amazon:

Karen’s Nine, a short story, is a sharp, witty tale of a woman whose relentless drive turns every obstacle into an opportunity — and every relationship into a challenge.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2025

Format: Kindle

I found this short story to be both hilarious and sad at the same time. Do men really fall for the things the main character did and portrayed herself as? Karen has a complicated life, and that is what makes life worth living, especially if it came with a fat bank account.

Book Link

From Amazon:

The dark things wait for you to close your eyes…

Emma Beckham is bothered by a repetitive nightmare until, at the recommendation of a friend, she starts seeing dream healer Maya Grecco. Maya’s innovative approach to taking charge and changing dream structure greatly benefits most people and Emma is no exception. But what happens when disturbing dreams aren’t allowed to play out as intended? Maya finds herself exploring this question with Emma when a growing number of her past clients suddenly begin to experience increasingly worse nightmares, including herself. Can the two desperate women work together to discover how to undo the damage that has been unintentionally created…or are each of them doomed to the deadly fate being dreamt by the other?

My Review:

Oftentimes, we might have frightening and scary dreams that leave us screaming. Sometimes, we wonder about dreams with paranormal content. Can one actually die while in a dream? If they do, can they potentially die in real life? If you wonder about any of the things I wrote, read this short story.

Book Link

From Amazon:

The suspects are called to order in this Fiona Quinn Mystery!
Fiona is summoned to jury duty selection; however, when Judge Clarence Kiss discovers she is married to homicide detective Nathan Landry, he dismisses her immediately. That very night Judge Kiss is murdered in his chambers. It doesn’t take long for the tapestry of a clandestine and twisted life to be exposed. As the layers of deceit peel away, the clues lead Fiona and Nathan back to the murder of a ballerina; the very first case they solved together. While the investigation moves forward there seems to be an endless list of suspects, but are they truly related to the long-deceased ballerina or is something more sinister at play?

My Review:

I loved this book and was happy to see it show up in my TBR list. Fiona just can’t stay away from murders. Fiona show up for jury duty and the judge, Judge Kiss, dismissed her due to her being married to a police detective, Nathan Landry. Fiona’s parents and their five Yorkies show up unexpectedly, and mayhem ensues with Fiona’s little Maltese adding to the mix. Judge Kiss is murdered and the mayhem begins.