Book Link

From Amazon:

Fiona is in total shock when her mother arrives unannounced on her doorstep. What’s going on? Why, she’s left Fiona’s father, that’s what. Yikes! Worse, a horse trainer is murdered outside his ex-wife’s home in Pittsburgh, and the trail leads directly to a Thoroughbred racetrack in the neighboring state of West Virginia. Get ready, because the suspects are mounting up and heading down the stretch. Whoa! Fiona and Detective Landry aren’t horsing around with this homicide!

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2025

Verified Purchase

This is yet another winner by Ms. McDonald. I’ve not read these books in any order whatsoever, and that’s okay! They do just fine as a standalone. The mysteries are mysterious, and the love and laughter reigns supreme. Whatever will I do when I finally do run out of books by Ms. McDonald? Surely, another book will be out by then. I have my favorite writers and she is one other!

Shadow won a Gold Pinnacle Book Award as “Best Book in the
Category of CHILDREN’S SOCIAL ISSUES”

This is a true blessing to receive.

Book Link

Book Link

From Amazon:

Can poetry be memories from a previous life?

Pain is the first book in the series Memories from another Lifetime.

Memories from another Lifetime is a collection of very personal and hauntingly beautiful poems about love, desire, heartbreak, betrayal, hurt, and denial. They go to the core of raw and visceral emotions, perhaps from another lifetime. A powerful and moving experience.

‘It is through the tears of the poet that the world shall see ever more clearly.’ – Vanita Shukla Hork, 1987

My Review:

Mary Schmidt5.0 out of 5 stars 

Painful

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2025Verified Purchase

A wonderful book of poetry written at a young age. The yearning of love, the feeling of despair, the hope of a new day, the pain and sorrow of a relationship gone awry, tempered with a favorite poem about childhood. This is poetry at its finest.

Book Title: Sister Rosa’s Rebellion, The Sixth Meonbridge Chronicle

Series: The Meonbridge Chronicles

Author: Carolyn Hughes

Publication Date: 4^th April 2025

Publisher: Riverdown Books

Pages: 446

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: n/a

Twitter Handle: @writingcalliope @cathiedunn @marylschmidt

Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #MedievalFiction #HistoricalFiction #Meonbridge #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/03/blog-tour-sister-rosas-rebellion-by-carolyn-hughes.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Sister Rosa’s Rebellion

The Sixth Meonbridge Chronicle

Carolyn Hughes

Blurb:

How can you rescue what you hold most dear, when to do so you must break your vows?

1363. When Mother Angelica, the old prioress at Northwick Priory, dies, many of the nuns presume Sister Rosa – formerly Johanna de Bohun, of Meonbridge – will take her place. But Sister Evangelina, Angelica’s niece, believes the position is hers by right, and one way or another she will ensure it is.

Rosa stands aside to avoid unseemly conflict, but is devastated when she sees how the new prioress is changing Northwick: from a place of humility and peace to one of indulgence and amusement, if only for the prioress and her favoured few. Rosa is terrified her beloved priory will be brought to ruin under Evangelina’s profligate and rapacious rule, but her vows of obedience make it impossible to rebel.

Meanwhile, in Meonbridge, John atte Wode, the bailiff, is also distraught by the happenings at Northwick. After years of advising the former prioress and Rosa on the management of their estates, Evangelina dismissed him, banning him from visiting Northwick again.

Yet, only months ago, he met Anabella, a young widow who fled to Northwick to escape her in-laws’ demands and threats, but is a reluctant novice nun. The attraction between John and Anabella was immediate and he hoped to encourage her to give up the priory and become his wife. But how can he possibly do that now?

Can John rescue his beloved Anabella from a future he is certain she no longer wants? And can Rosa overcome her scruples, rebel against Evangelina’s hateful regime, and return Northwick to the haven it once was?

~~~~~

Could a story about a medieval nunnery really be “unputdownable”?

“If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d find a tale set in a fourteenth century nunnery so unputdownable, I’d never have believed you…”

So wrote a very recent reviewer of Sister Rosa’s Rebellion. And that is exactly what I had feared when I embarked upon writing it…

The central character, Sister Rosa, had an important role in the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, and lesser ones in the other books. But I always felt I wanted to give her her own story, to find out what happened to the unhappy girl we saw in book 1… Yet how could setting a novel almost entirely in a nunnery possibly make for an engaging story? What on earth would it be about?

In fact, I didn’t have to look far for inspiration: Medieval English Nunneries, c. 1275 to 1535, a vast tome written in the 1920s by the medieval historian, Eileen Power. I’d had the book for years, but had barely looked at it, abandoning it early on for being too long, too dense and too full of Medieval English and Latin! However, when I took the trouble to read it properly, what I learned really opened my eyes. Soon enough I understood that writing a story about a medieval nunnery could surely be not only engaging, but surprising and even exhilarating.

For what I read was that some – albeit very few – medieval nunneries weren’t at all the havens of peace and prayer I might have expected them to be… Mischief of one sort or another apparently went on in a few establishments, the sort of mischief that might make for an intriguing story.

I was particularly attracted by the concept of a rogue prioress who, for whatever reason, imposed her own inappropriate or even sinful desires upon her nunnery, a place where her word was “law”, given that the nuns’ vows meant they owed her complete obedience, regardless of the worth or wisdom of her decisions. I was fascinated by the notion that the mayhem she might cause might engender such anguish amongst the nuns that some might be willing to cast obedience aside and rise up against her.

So, how could I weave this tale of a rogue prioress and her shenanigans together with a continuation of Sister Rosa’s story?

Well, I won’t spoil the story by going into details, but, in Fortune’s Wheel, Rosa – as Johanna de Bohun, daughter of the Lord of Meonbridge – left home under a cloud of misery, and entered the priory of Northwick in order to atone for what she considered her dreadful sin. Yet, by the opening of Sister Rosa’s Rebellion, Rosa has been a nun for fifteen years. and has long ago overcome her girlish anguish. She has blossomed into an industrious, devout and very happy woman, who loves her life at Northwick.

But when the old prioress dies, another nun, Evangelina, is determined to take her place, even though Rosa is undoubtedly favoured by most of the other nuns. To ensure her own election, Evangelina threatens to expose the reason Rosa came to Northwick. Rosa stands aside from the election, terrified that her past actions – which she does still consider sinful – will be laid bare, albeit she can’t imagine how Evangelina can possibly know what happened.

However, having thus allowed Evangelina’s election, Rosa is horrified when she then sees how Evangelina – the rogue prioress – is both changing Northwick from a house of prayer to one of entertainment, and misusing the priory’s funds with reckless profligacy. Rosa surely cannot simply accept the destruction of her beloved Northwick? Yet how can she act against the prioress when her vows of obedience demand her unquestioning acceptance of the prioress’s decisions?

I very much enjoyed depicting the mayhem caused by the new prioress, and the tensions that arise between her and at least some of the other nuns. However, the central story of Sister Rosa’s Rebellion concerns Rosa’s struggle to reconcile rebellion with obedience. The struggle is of course between her and the prioress, but also very much within herself.  Whether she overcomes her doubts and saves her beloved Northwick, you will of course have to discover for yourself!

But, from the reviews that Sister Rosa’s Rebellion has so far received, I do think I can say with some confidence that, yes, it’s perfectly possible for a novel about a medieval nunnery to be engaging – indeed, even “unputdownable”!

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bWaYM0

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Bio:

CAROLYN HUGHES has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.

Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!

Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she could learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.

Seven published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…

Author Links:

Website: https://carolynhughesauthor.com

Twitter: www.x.com/writingcalliope

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarolynHughesAuthor

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/carolynhughes.bsky.social

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carolyn-hughes

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Carolyn-Hughes/author/B01MG5TWH1 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16048212.Carolyn_Hughes

Book Title: The Finding

Series:  n/a

Author: Jane Hunt

Publication Date:  January 7^th, 2025

Publisher:  Historium Press

Pages:  85

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: No

Twitter Handle: @cathiedunn @marylschmidt

Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #WorldWarII #BlogTour #BookBlast #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/02/blog-tour-the-finding-by-jane-hunt.html

Book Title and Author Name:

The Finding

by Jane Hunt

Blurb: 

This poignant novella is a tale of forbidden love, resilience, and the human cost of war.

In the quiet fields of Wiltshire during World War II, Eveline, a sheltered young woman, stumbles upon a life-altering discovery: a German Luftwaffe pilot, Fritz, has crash-landed near her home. Against the backdrop of war and suspicion, her family takes the injured man in, nursing him back to health. Beneath his reserved demeanor and burned body, Eveline senses a mystery—and something stirs an unfamiliar longing within her.

As Eveline’s infatuation deepens, she faces a storm of challenges: her overbearing mother’s rigid rules, a zealous preacher’s warnings, and the scrutiny of the town’s gossips. Despite Fritz’s attempts to keep her at arm’s length Eveline’s heart defies reason, falling for the man branded as her enemy.

But Fritz harbors secrets that could shatter Eveline’s fragile world. When the truths of war and the weight of loyalty collide, Eveline must confront the reality of loving someone forbidden.

Will their bond endure the hostility of a nation at war? Or will the scars of betrayal and loss prove impossible to heal?

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3JAedg

Author Bio: 

Born in Reading UK, Jane grew up with a love of reading. She remembers taking Enid Blyton books to bed and reading them under the covers when she should have been asleep! Her love of the written word extended into the classroom where the teachers commented on her vivid imagination and length of stories—probably accompanied with a few sights when they realized the amount of time the reading would take!

On leaving school Jane spent a brief spell at college before finding employment as a Dental Nurse where she spent many happy years meeting lots of wonderful people and mixing lots of fillings. After meeting her husband, she later went on to have three children and found work as a Teaching Assistant.

Alongside a busy life, she completed a comprehensive writing course, which saw her having non-fiction work published in newspapers and magazines. But the desire to do something ‘creative’ burned ever brightly. Having recently undertaken a lot of research into her family tree, a desire to find out what life was really like for her ancestors took hold, and she developed a fascination with World War II. Heeding the advice of her late parents to ‘put pen to paper’, she decided to get a story that had been buzzing in her head for quit some time written.

The result of her endeavour was a very ‘raw’ manuscript: The Finding. With some professional help—thank you, Dee, the story evolved into a book—something she still can’t quite believe!

Author Links:

Publisher’s Author Page: https://www.historiumpress.com/jane-hunt

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jane-Hunt/author/B0DRJ7KNHK 

Book Link

5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review! 

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Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite

Clover by Mary L. Schmidt is a gentle and educational children’s picture story centered around the everyday life of bunny rabbits. Through the character of Clover, the book introduces young readers to where rabbits live, what they eat, their predators, and how they interact with other animals in natural settings like parks and backyards. The author uses rhyming text to make learning lively and memorable, helping children absorb information about rabbits’ habits in a fun way. Clover shares insights about rabbits’ favorite foods and behaviors and draws connections with familiar creatures such as squirrels. The book emphasizes the importance of respecting wildlife, understanding their needs, and even learning simple ways to help, like offering safe food for rabbits to enjoy.

The educational aspect is seamlessly woven into the narrative, encouraging an early appreciation for animals and nature. The emphasis on real-world interactions and natural behaviors gives the book meaningful grounding, while including basic care principles encourages a sense of responsibility and kindness toward animals from a young age. The story’s presentation in a rhyming, friendly voice makes it ideal for reading aloud, while the familiar backyard setting invites children to explore and notice the wildlife around them. Mary L. Schmidt succeeds in combining charming storytelling with practical lessons, creating a sweet bridge between imaginative play and environmental awareness. Clover is a thoughtful and heartwarming book that offers young readers a window into the small, busy lives of rabbits, encouraging a love for animals and an early connection to the natural world around them. As a rabbit lover, I found this book most educational and entertaining.

Book Link

From Amazon:

Two women, separated by generations, have always been close. Still, when a savvy grandma provides a home for her pregnant granddaughter after her hypocritical parents scorn her, their bond grows to a whole new level. Plus, they solve crimes, albeit unintentionally. The loose ends: How will Jordana raise her child once it’s born? Where’s the absent father? And do Jordana’s parents come to their senses in time for the birth of their grandchild? Will Grandma, a determined crusader, continue to outsmart the robberies in their senior community while protecting her granddaughter? And at what cost?

My Review:

Grandma to the rescue. Sometimes, parents can be uptight and lose respect for their newly pregnant daughter. Things get dicey when they want to send her to a home for unwed mothers and then give the baby up for adoption. What does the father have to say? Well, the father doesn’t know yet. Savvy Grandma to the rescue. Events unfold, and there are tears and laughter.

Book Link

Triggers: Abuse, rape

From Amazon:

A provocative psychological drama for readers who loved Black & Blue, Gone Girl, The Lucky One, and Safe Haven

Eighteen-year-old Liz is in her final year of high school when she meets James Macewan, an older student who is struggling academically and wrestling with his own demons. What begins as a simple tutoring assignment soon grows into her first dating relationship. Liz initially enjoys the excitement of being with James, but it does not take long before she cannot recognize who she is as an individual anymore. As James’s own life begins to unravel, he compensates by attempting to control every aspect of Liz’s existence. The situation eventually dissolves into a tale of violence and dehumanization that affects the characters’ lives forever.

J.G. MacLeod describes the fear and uncertainty that often come with the cycle of violence and allows readers to journey alongside Liz as she attempts to confront her abuser and heal from trauma.

Travel to the isolated town of Abalone Lake & experience the rush of first love, the pain of domestic violence, and the gravity of a decision that changes everyone’s lives forever.

My Review:

I wish this book had been available to me to read when I was a freshman in high school. But, it was written decades after I’d graduated from high school. Had I been able to read this book, I would have understood a lot about questions I was never able to ask of my own mother. Before my one year older sister and I started our periods, my mother handed both of us a booklet with diagrams to explain why we would have monthly periods and the old style pads to be worn with special lace panties that had elastic which would hold the pads in place. That summed up our education. No talk of boys or sex. Nothing. Had I had a book like this one, I would have understood high school and boys much better. I would have known when a boy was interested in me and maybe learned how boys should treat girls. That never happened. What happened after I graduated was the fact that I needed to escape the abuse my mother dished out every single day. Thus, I went from one bad situation into another with a man who became abusive when drinking and finally abusive when drinking or sober. Rape, I certainly learned that as well. Teenage girls need to know that they are not worthless, they do matter, and that not all men are abusive. I think my life would have turned out differently if I had access to a book like this one.

And just like that…. Book Link