HER SISTER BY KAREN ROSE SMITH

 Her Sister

by Karen Rose Smith

Clare's little sister, Lynnie, was abducted twenty-seven years ago.  Now the retired detective who has never been able to let go of the cold case has a lead.  Lynnie could be alive!

Clare's neighbor, Joe, an occasional friend until now, gives her support and...wants more than friendship.

Clare's mom, Amanda, thrown together again with her ex-husband into a crisis discovers forgotten love beneath the regrets.

Clare's sixteen year old daughter, Shara, decides to run from her problems instead of facing them.

A devoted sister, a turmoiled mom and a rebellious daughter find their way back to each other in this contemporary ebook about three generations who discover love can knit their family back together again.

EXCERPT

Where is Lynnie?  Where did she go?

In her mind, five-year-old Clare Thaddeus called to her little sister—Come back, Lynnie.  Please come back.

The huge policeman crouched down in front of Clare's mother at the sofa and said in a deep, slow voice, "Mrs. Thaddeus, I know you're terribly upset.  But I need details.  We've got an hour before daylight.  If your daughter wandered outside—"

Clare's father, who'd been talking to another man in blue, glanced at her, and Clare huddled down deeper into the big green armchair.  Her dad didn't come to her but rather went to her mom, sank down beside her and wrapped his arm around her.  Then he spoke to the officer.  "Our daughter, Lynnie, is three.  She would never go outside into the dark on her own."

"Tell us again where you were last night," the policeman demanded in a not-so-nice voice.

"I worked late, preparing a brief."

"Until five a.m.?"

"Yes, until five a.m.  As I told you, I always check the girls' rooms before turning in.  Lynnie wasn't in her bed.  I woke my wife.  We looked through the whole house and then we called you."

Clare had been sleeping in her brand new room.  They'd moved in here—she studied her hand and counted her fingers—five days ago.  Boxes were still stacked down here and upstairs.  The house was okay.  There were more rooms for her and Lynnie to play hide and seek.  But she didn't like being alone in her own room at night.  She'd liked it better when she and Lynnie had slept in the same room.  She was supposed to watch her sister.  She was always supposed to look out for Lynnie.  That's what big sisters did.

Amazon BUY link: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Sister-Search-Love-ebook/dp/B00BFFJ79Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367965316&sr=1-1&keywords=Her+sister

Karen Rose Smith, Author

Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Although she was an only child, she remembers the bonds of an extended family. Since her father came from a family of ten and her mother, a family of seven, there were always aunts, uncles and cousins visiting on weekends. Family is a strong theme in her books and she suspects her childhood memories are the reason.

In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both began married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home-decorating business.  She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing romance fiction. Now she writes romances and mysteries full time. She has sold 82 novels since 1991.

Presently, she is hard at work on a three-book series for Harlequin Special Edition as well as a three-book mystery series for Kensington.

Married to her college sweetheart since 1971, believing in the power of love and commitment, she envisions herself writing relationship novels, both romance and mystery, for a long time to come!

Websites:  http://www.karenrosesmith.com/ and http://www.karenrosesmithmysteries.com/

  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Rose-Smith/113599841764?fref=ts

  

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/karenrosesmith

  

Blog:  http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com/

  

Newsletter:  http://karenrosesmith-ezine.blogspot.com/

 Thanks for stopping by!

REVIEW AND POST: JENNIFER RICHARDSON AND AMERICASHIRE

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T MISS 

IN THE COTSWOLD

By Jennifer Richardson

The Cotswolds, a picturesque network of hamlets, villages and market towns in southwest England, is known for its honey-colored stone cottages, stately homes and stunning scenery. Each year, tourists from around the world visit gardens and sip tea in just a handful of the more well-known spots. But there’s much more to the Cotswolds than gardens and tea shops. Here are my five can’t-miss activities for any visit.

Gustav Holst Way near Guiting Power

Walk: The single essential experience of the Cotswolds is to go for a walk. The idyllic scenery–rolling hills dotted with contented herds of cows and sheep–is best experienced through direct immersion. The Cotswold Wardens offer guided walks, but armed with an Ordnance Survey map you can go it alone. I’ve also documented four of my favorite Cotswold walks in Americashire: A Field Guide to a Marriage, and you can find interactive guides to them all online at www.americashire.com/bookextras.  Tip: pack a waterproof jacket and a pair of lightweight hiking boots; sneakers don’t stand a chance on this often-muddy terrain.

Favorite Sunday Roast, Naunton

Eat: The quintessential British meal is a Sunday roast, and there’s no better place to experience it than a country pub. Armed with the Sunday papers, lunch can turn into an all-day affair. Whether its lamb, beef, chicken, or pork, the meat is likely of local provenance, and will come with a slew of vegetables, roast potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding. My favorite spot is the Black Horse Inn at Naunton. Slightly more upscale offerings include the Village Pub in Barnsley and the Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach. Vegetarians will fare best at the excellent Abbey Home Farm Shop and Café. Tip: book in advance. Despite the sleepy feel of the area, pubs and restaurants fill up.

Dog-friendly Dayleford Organic

Shop: My favorite shopping experience in the Cotswolds is rummaging through the reclamation yard at Little Rissington, chock full of everything from garden ornaments (stone orbs and mushrooms are particular favorites in the Cotswolds) to antique ledge and brace doors. Not much here will fit in the overhead compartment of a plane, but you may find a brass door knocker or an antique book that will make a suitably portable souvenir. Nearby, and at the opposite end of the shopping spectrum, is a pristine set of converted farm buildings that is Daylesford Organic. Known as the Harvey Nics of the Cotswolds, Daylesford has a tasteful selection of kitchenware, gardening tools, and clothing. If all the shopping has worn you out, a spa and an excellent café are onsite to revive you. Tip: If you’re a royal enthusiast, head further south to the market town of Tetbury. Here you will find a great selection of antique shops along the High Street, as well as the Highgrove shop, named after Prince Charles and Camilla’s nearby Highgrove estate and offering a selection of tasteful memorabilia.  

When in Rome: The Cotswold’s Roman lineage includes the Fosse Way (A429), also known as the Roman Road and one of the main north-south routes through the area. Of more interest are the National Trust’s Roman Villa near Chedworth and the Corinium Museum in the market town of Cirencester (pronounced siren-cess-ter). If your timing’s right at the Villa, you will be treated to a gladiatorial display by middle-aged men (and at least one woman on my visit) of questionable fitness, in addition to some fine mosaics and, of course, tea and cakes. Tip: If your visit to England includes a stop in London, head to the British Museum where several of the Roman mosaics on display are from the Cotswolds.

Horses in the Coln Valley

Horseplay: Drive or walk around the Cotswolds and it won’t take you long to realize this is horse country. Stud farms, racehorse training facilities, jumping equipment and, depending on your timing, the Hunt are all in bountiful evidence. Equestrian-themed outings include a match at the Beaufort or Cirencester polo clubs, point-to-points, and a day at the races at the Cheltenham Racecourse.  Cheltenham Week, which includes Ladies’ Day—the Cotswoldian equivalent of the Kentucky Derby—takes place each March. Tip: Check the dates of Cheltenham Week when planning your visit to the Cotswolds. Even if you’re not attending the races, restaurants and accommodation are extremely busy during this period.

The Details

EAT

The Black Horse Inn

Naunton

+44 (0)1451 850565

http://www.theblackhorsenaunton.co.uk/

The Wheatsheaf Inn

West End, Northleach

Gloucestershire, GL54 3EZ

+44 (0)1451 860244

reservations@cotswoldswheatsheaf.com

http://www.cotswoldswheatsheaf.com/

The Village Pub

Barnsley

Cirencester GL7 5EF

+44( 0)1285 740421 

info@thevillagepub.co.uk

http://www.thevillagepub.co.uk/

Abbey Home Farm Shop and Café

Abbey Home Farm

Burford Road

Cirencester GL7 5HF

+44 (0)1285 640441

http://www.theorganicfarmshop.co.uk/

SHOP

The Cotswold Reclamation Company

Unit 2, Sandy Lane Court

Little Rissington

Gloucestershire GL54 2NF

+44 (0)1451 820 292

info@cotswoldreclamation.com

http://cotswoldreclamation.com/

Daylesford Organic Farmshop & Café

Daylesford near Kingham

Gloucestershire GL56 0YG

Telephone +44 (0)1608 731 700

http://www.daylesfordorganic.com

Highgrove Shop

10 Long Street

Tetbury

Gloucestershire GL8 8AQ

+44 (0)845 521 4342

http://www.highgroveshop.com/

VISIT

Chedworth Roman Villa

Yanworth, near Cheltenham

Gloucestershire GL54 3LJ

+44 (0)1242 890256

OS Grid Ref: 163:SP053135

chedworth@nationaltrust.org.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa/

Corinium Museum

Park St, Cirencester

Gloucestershire GL7 2BX

+44 (0)1285 655611

http://www.coriniummuseum.cotswold.gov.uk/

Hunts in the Cotswolds

http://www.cotswoldhunt.co.uk/

http://www.northcotswoldhunt.co.uk/,

http://www.beauforthunt.com/

Cirencester Polo Club

The Bothy, Cirencester Park

Cirencester, GL7 1UR

+44 (0)1285 653225

www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk/

Beaufort Polo Club

Down Farm

Westonbirt, Tetbury

Gloucestershire,GL8 8QW

+44 (0)01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk/

Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH

http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/

Still want to visit gardens and drink tea? Try these for both:

Hidcote

Highgrove Gardens

Barnsley House

National Gardens Scheme

The Author

Jennifer Richardson is an American Anglophile who spent three years living in a Cotswold village populated straight out of English central casting by fumbling aristocrats, gentlemen farmers, and a village idiot. She is married to an Englishman who, although not the village idiot, provides her with ample writing material. She currently lives in Santa Monica, California along with her husband and her royal wedding tea towel collection, but her first book, Americashire: A Field Guide to a Marriage, is based on her experience in the Cotswolds. Americashire is out now from She Writes Press, and you can purchase it here. You can find Jennifer online at:

www.americashire.com

www.twitter.com/baronessbarren

www.facebook.com/americashire

www.pinterest.com/baronessbarren

 Caroline's Review of AMERICASHIRE: A FIELD GUIDE TO MARRIAGE

My husband and I wanted children right away, so I wasn't certain how I would like Jennifer Richardson's book in which she questions whether or not she's ready for motherhood. (I most assuredly agree that those who don't genuinely want children should not have them. There are far too many bad parents in the world without adding another set.) However, I need not have worried, because Ms Richardson sweeps the reader into a picturesque life my husband and I dreamed of living some day for a long vacation. Not the depressing parts, of course, just the fun parts. ☺

First of all, I loved her descriptions of life in an English village. We had a glimpse of this life while staying with a friend in Kent on several occasions, but living for an extended stay in the Cotswolds would be so much nicer than a visit. The author's descriptions painted vivid pictures that delighted me. She doesn't poke fun at England/the English, but at all of us. We are the same people everywhere, aren't we? There are tiers of society in every village, including mine in North Central Texas. Her clever wit merely brings the eccentricities into sharp focus. 

As the book progresses and I learned of her medical problems, I sympathized with the couple. Although her wit takes the sting from the reader's view of her diagnosis, it is sad nonetheless. Does she make the right choice? I'll leave other readers to determine that for themselves. In the meantime, I recommend this book for those who love memoirs, travel books, and introspection.

Thanks for stopping by.

IT'S MAY, THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY!

April showers have
bought May flowers,
pink petunias here

Here we are, in the Merry Month of May, as it’s called in the song from the stage show “Camelot.”  What are your memories of past May celebrations? I don’t celebrate Beltane, but I celebrate many other things about May. I love the flowers the April showers have brought. Educators and students celebrate because they know school will soon be finished for this school year. Gardeners celebrate because they can enjoy their gardens before the summer heat hits.Others celebrate because vacation plans are underway for summer trips. Isn't it a great time of year?

Each year from kindergarten through second grade, I remember weaving a basket out of strips of colored construction paper and then plucking wildflowers on the way home to fill the basket. At least, I truly hope they were wildflowers and not from someone’s garden. The idea was to give the basket to my mom as a surprise. I placed it on the welcome mat, knocked, and ran around the house's corner. As if my mom wouldn’t know who’d left the lopsided paper basket filled with weeds. Yeah, I was a pretty dumb kid, but she always played along and pretended to be surprised and wonder aloud who could have left such a nice basket and flowers..That was when we lived in Southern California. I don’t remember doing more than making a card when we moved back to Texas. I suppose May 1st is too close to Mother's Day to merit much craft project time after kids leave primary grades.

May 1st is celebrated in many parts of the world as a holiday. For instance, have you ever danced around a Maypole? As a child, maybe first or second grade, my class did. Probably, it was in first grade because that teacher was near retirement age and a big fan of tradition (and a tremendously interesting person - even to a kid). Of course, at my elementary school, we did a very simplistic Maypole, but it seemed grand and exciting to me at the time.

Maypole dancing is ancient, but there's a lot of discord over just how old. The church of St. Andrew Undershaft in the City of London is named after the maypole that was kept under its eaves and set up each spring until 1517 when student riots put an end to the custom. The maypole itself survived until 1547 when a Puritan mob seized and destroyed it as a "pagan idol".

According to Wikipedia, here’s the way the real Maypole works.

Dancers perform circle dances around a tall pole that is dressed with garlands, painted stripes, flowers, flags and other emblems. The circular dance is regarded as the most common and ancient form and is thought by some to have Germanic pagan fertility symbolism, although there is a lack of evidence to support this. The circular dance is traditionally performed in the spring around the festival of May Day, but in Sweden it is during the midsummer festivities.

Dancing around the Maypole at
Barwick-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, England

Dancers gather in a circle, each holding a colored ribbon attached to a much smaller pole. As the dance commences the ribbons are intertwined and plaited either on to the pole itself or into a web around the pole. The dancers may then retrace their steps exactly in order to unravel the ribbons. This style of maypole dancing originates in the 18th century, and is derived from traditional and 'art' dance forms popular in Italy and France. These were exported to the London stage and reached a large audience, becoming part of the popular performance repertoire. Adopted at a large teacher training institution, the ribbon maypole dance then spread across much of England, and is now regarded as the most 'traditional' of May Day's traditional characteristics.

Both dance forms can be seen on the same day at the triennial maypole festival held in the village of Barwick-in-Elmet, West Yorkshire. Children of the village school perform a ribbon dance around a small maypole, and later a group of Morris dancers perform a circle dance around the main maypole.

If anyone does a Maypole dance locally, I’m unaware of it. Maybe at Scarborough Faire, but I am unsure.o I suppose that is another tradition slipping away. Not that it’s good or bad, it just seems today’s kids get cheated. Video games are fun and educational in some ways, but they don’t teach tradition or personal interaction. But I digress.

Here are some English children and their Maypole dance for you to enjoy. They were in Wheatley, Oxfordshire, England in 2008.

I hope May is a merry month for you. Even without a Maypole, you can do a little happy dance that May is here.

Here's another great thing about May - Brenda Novak's Annual Diabetes Auction. This year I donated to the Sweethearts of the West basket, which is valued at over $140.00. Anna Kathryn Lanier, a true sweetheart,  collected and posted the basket for us. My portion of the basked consists of a copy of HOME, SWEET TEXAS HOME, a fun Wanted Dead Or Alive photo frame, and a pendant watch necklace. The site has a list of the items. Whether you bid on this or something else, please bid. There are auction items to suit any taste.

http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=2481486

Thanks for stopping by!

HOW TO TURN YOUR KIDS INTO READERS BY KELLIi

Library Lovers
Month

Among other things, February is Library Lovers Month. Surely all readers love libraries, but I hear a lot of people complain that their children won't read. That's sad, because reading and literacy is the key to success in any field. I asked Kelli from 3 Boys and a Dog to let us know how she taught her boys to love reading. Not only is Kelli an impressive blogger, you learn from her blog that she is a devoted mom, wife, and pet owner. She does all the things I wish I'd known to do when our daughters were growing up. (Needless to say, I have 20/20 hindsight. LOL) But I'll let Kelli speak for herself:

Kelli, Mom to 3 boys
and rescued dog

I am an avid reader and enjoy all things crafty like: scrapbooking, jewelry making, knitting, cross-stitching, baking, cooking, and dollhouse miniatures. I have always been a writer, so blogging just comes naturally to me. I post an average of 2 posts a day and typically have several giveaways running. Ok, I admit it… I am addicted to the internet. I have a list of over 100 sites (blogs, forums, & groups) that I visit randomly. I also frequent Stumble, Technorati, Twitter, and FaceBook.


My family has many varied interests that keep us busy at all times. We spend tons of time in the outdoors, but have to come in when it rains. In the summer, you can find us in our pool during the hottest times of the day. We also visit parks, beaches, and family regularly.

I love doing reviews and my family really likes trying new things. So far, I don’t really have a “favorite thing to review.” I have a varied audience of moms, homeschoolers, single women, and organizers and I try to review items that work for all of those groups.


And now to let Kelli tell us . . .


How to Turn Your Kids into Readers

When I was approached about writing this guest post, I was ecstatic! Well, for a total of about one day. Then, as I sat down in front of my computer, I realized that I honestly have no clue why my kids read. I can’t write a post about all the things you should or should not be doing to turn your kids into readers because my kids are already readers! All three always have been and I didn’t force it on them.


Then, I took a step back and really analyzed what I know about getting kids to read and decided that the best way to help YOU is to simply tell you how things work in my world.


1. I am a Reader!

I love to read and always have at least one book open - of course now that I have my fabulous Kindle, I can just use it. I read in the car while waiting in line somewhere, I read at the doctor’s office, I read when other people watch TV, and I even read in the bathtub.  If you want your kids to be readers, then you have to set that example.


2. I Don’t Care What They Read!

Boy reading

This is probably the biggest mistake people make when trying to get kids to read. Who cares if it is a magazine or a 5,000 word Classic book? Who cares if it is about saving the world or Betty and Veronica? I certainly don’t. Even comics and magazines are words on paper forming educational enlightenment. Find out what they like and provide it to them. Don’t force the kids to read something boring or reading will always be boring to them, which leads me to the next point.


3. I Have Never Forced It!

I have never, ever forced my kids to read. Until just recently, they didn’t have televisions or toys in their rooms. My oldest boy now does, but he still continues to read each evening.  Anyway, back on track here – since they didn’t have toys or TVs in their rooms, they didn’t have anything to do at quiet time and each of the three picked up books and read them… or looked at pictures before they were able to read.


4. I Treat it as a Privilege, Not a Punishment!

Seriously! My kids are still fairly young, but I want them to be readers for the rest of their lives. So, I have never used a book as punishment. So many parents do this. Why would someone love to read if they have only had to do it when they get in trouble? I go a step beyond and when my boys get in trouble, they lose their books!


Don’t stress and make it enjoyable. Also remember, they aren’t going to change over-night.

Kelli @ 3 Boys and a Dog is a top blogger in the mom blogging industry. She has worked with hundreds of brands and most recently has been voted number 8 at Picket Fence Lifestyle blogs. With her blog at a page rank of 4, over 5,000 Twitter followers, and many other social media achievements, Kelli is a top voice among product review bloggers. Find her at http://3boysandadog.com/

 

Reading at bedtime,
even Christmas Eve


Kelli, thanks so much for your post. You must have 48-hour days at your house to get so much done! So glad you value reading even though I don't know how you fit it into your hectic and productive life. Like you, my husband and I are avid readers and read to our children long after they were able to read their own books.

When they were young and we were tired, we'd try to skip a few paragraphs in a favorite book, they'd stop whichever of us was reader with, "Oh, no. Go back. You forgot the part about..." They are both still avid readers. Since I have my remarkable Kindle, reading is even easier. How did I survive without it? Oh, yeah, with print books. LOL

I'll leave you with a quote from Horace Mann (1796-1859)
"A house without books is like a room without windows. No man has a right to bring up children without surrounding them with books...Children learn to read being in the presence of books."