On August 23rd at the Bradley Fair Barnes and Noble in Wichita, Kansas, I had another successful SNOW: CURSED author signing. It was a pleasure to be at such a wonderful B&N book signing, with so many stellar authors there, along with making new connections with readers of all ages, genres, and interests. This is an event I will never forget and always cherish. The support of the individuals that attended blew me away. The thought that so many people are interested in my dreams and writing journey filled my heart with an indescribable joy. This signing motivated me in particular to give readers more of the SNOW SAGA, and other various novels that they have yet to experience. From each of the other writers, I learned something special. It was interesting to see how they all expressed themselves differently, yet in unique ways. Be on the lookout for upcoming author book signings from me, Willa R. Finnegan. Thanks again readers and authors for your amazing support! See you next time.

Snow can be found here: Snow

Not only was Willa at this book signing, but so was I, Mary L. Schmidt. I had four books for kids and it was a flurry of activity. Everyone was cordial, authors and buyers as well. I had the high honor of presenting Willa to a great friend of mine. She is a mom of four children, and she believes in literacy. Her children love to read. She bought all of my books, Willa’s and many other writers. Reading is so important and my friend has a heart of pure gold. She holds book reading groups in her home for kids! While I was introducing Willa, two members of Kansas Authors Club were at my table, and I wasn’t able to introduce Willa as by the time we were done taking photos with my friend and her children, they were gone. I’m sorry. Catch up next time?

Book link for Shadow, my best selling one at the signing.

Book Link

From Amazon:

Wonder of Light is officially a Trilogy. The title Wonder of Light is book 1 in the series. It is recommended to read them in order, but each novel can be read as a standalone.

I was inspired by true events to write this book; however, the story line and characters are fictional. It is a young adult romance, set in high school. It is a high school bully/adversaries-to-lovers style romance. There are depictions of violence, nothing too graphic, and profanity has been censored due to the spiritual nature of the book.

Sarah

There’s just something about Evan Simes that keeps drawing me to him. Even though he’s the opposite of me in almost every way and avoids me at every turn. He mostly keeps to himself. Especially when I’m in his presence. I don’t know what makes him so angry or resistant to my efforts to break down his walls, but he seems to want nothing to do with me. Yet I can’t help continuing to try to get through.

Evan

Belton’s bible queen, Sarah Warner, thinks she can fool me with her fake graciousness. I see through the facade. She and her popular crew are vapid pretenders hiding behind their trust funds and holier-than-thou images while looking down on those of they think are beneath them. Well enough is enough. They’re all going to pay for their sins. It’s only a matter of time before my best friend Tyler and I get our revenge.

My Review:

This novel is totally heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Older teenagers can relate to this novel as most characters are in their senior year of high school. Cheesy love stories? One or two. Abusive parental figures? Toss that into the mix. Serious illness? Fold that in gently with issues of being bullied and being saved by Jesus Christ is beautiful.

Book Link

From Amazon:

A young wife. A much older husband. Is it only the age gap that threatens to ruin their marriage?

When Margo marries Michael, she believes that her life will change forever. And it really does, only not in the way a young girl from a small country in Northern Europe thought it would.

Latvia, a dreamy land with rich historical heritage and endless beaches stretching for miles, for Margo, is a gloomy place where she would have to struggle for years to have a decent life. All she knows is her hometown – a depressing place built for the needs of the factory workers – dull commuting to the capital Riga, and a bar in the Old Town where she works, always full of loud and often unceremonious tourists.

Skipping a chance to explore her home country and the opportunities it might offer, Margo accepts Michael’s proposal and moves to a dramatically picturesque island in England.

A small, tightly-knit community, where everyone knows everyone and where nothing ever happens, is not particularly welcoming to a newcomer. Unfamiliar with local traditions and quirks, Margo often finds herself in awkward situations. Still, with each walk she takes along the coastal path on the small island she now calls home, Margo falls deeper in love with the stunning landscapes of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. Alas, with each day she spends with Michael, she realises more clearly that her marriage is falling apart.

Margo keeps asking herself why what she thought was a chance of a lifetime turned into a disaster. Will she find the answer? And will she love again after having been bitterly disappointed in marriage and relationships?

Set against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England, “Broken Chances” is a self-discovery journey with a dash of cosy mystery and clean romance.

P.S. Expect to be smitten by charming dogs and majestic horses.

My Review:

Margo is young and dreams of having a new life away from Latvia. She marries an older man twice her age, and they move to an idyllic coastal town on an island in Dorset, England. Love didn’t rule Margo’s heart and she comes to realize quickly that the man she married does not love her. He only desires her cooking per his specifications, dinner on the table at exact times, household cleaner, anything he can get her to do. Yet he shows hatred and dissatisfaction with her cooking. A man who doesn’t love her, an island town with women who take a long time to make friends with. But she does succeed. Yet her life is empty. She looks forward to the days when her husband is not at home and out working. Along comes Finley, a young and handsome man who takes a shine on Margo. Margo’s husband becomes more abusive. Margo needs to get out of this marriage. Can she? Will Margo get out and away from her abusive husband? Will she ever find her own happily ever after? And what of her mother? Is she too old to marry again? Will anyone in Dorset have the dreams they dream of? This novel has a great plot with numerous subplots.

Book Link

From Amazon:

When a young woman finds herself unknowingly accountable for the past sins of her family, she must unravel their secrets and lies to stay alive.

When her grandmother is brutally murdered in her own home, Reagan Asher leaves her corporate job and rushes to her sleepy hometown in Ohio. She has barely entered the house before a second break-in attempt is made, prompting police to believe it’s not just a random burglary. Reagan’s lifelong friend Mattie asks Aiden Rannell, her brother-in-law and an ex-Navy Seal, to lend support and protection to Reagan as she navigates the investigation.

Aiden suggests a ring that Reagan’s grandmother owned may be more valuable than anyone realizes. Considering her frugal life growing up, Reagan dismisses the idea, showing Aiden an old pink box filled with similar colorful, ornate costume jewelry she and her friends played with as children. When they find a decades-sealed container with shocking contents supporting Aiden’s concerns, Reagan begs him to help her find the origin and if it is related to her Nana’s death.

Finding clues to solve a decades old mystery proves challenging as the threats to Reagan’s life escalate. Could the discovery of a water-stained, half-torn photo found in her grandmother’s safe deposit box be significant? Her mother’s suicide? Her father’s abandonment? Unanswered questions send Reagan and Aiden across the country in search of answers, with danger never far behind. With each new revelation of deception and lies, Reagan begins to doubt everything she ever knew about her life.

My Review:

Wow. York has written a book without smooth sailing. This book grabs your attention, then takes you a ride like a roller-coaster with unpredictable twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out, you find out you don’t. The emotions are palpable, the love and loss equally palpable. The lies are numerous and, frankly, heartwrenching. Well done.

Book Link

From Amazon:

After forty disastrous dates, Elsie Goode decides she’s kissed her last frog and turns to focus on salvaging her business that’s close to bankruptcy.

New-to-town veterinarian, Dirk Lovett, prefers the company of animals—they don’t crush your heart by lying and skipping town with another man.

In a twist of fate, Mr. Purrfect veterinarian hires Elsie to plan a birthday party. Her hopes for a happily-ever-after spike, but her conniving business partner promises to sign over her half of the company—if Elsie helps her become Mrs. Dr. Lovett.

Sole ownership will save the business, so Elsie takes on a dubious matchmaking role requiring lies and deceit. Trouble is, the pet whisperer falls for Elsie.

Now she must make a choice: continue to lie and save her company or give up and tell Dirk the truth—which will destroy his heart all over again.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Rom-com Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2024

Verified Purchase

This was a nice and funny, yet disastrous, yet sad, yet loving rom-com. The story lifted my spirits. Five shiny gold stars.