My Thoughts Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate: A WWII Tale of Political Shenanigans and Snookery (Mrs. Odboddy Mysteries) by Elaine Faber

 Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate:

A WWII Tale of Political Shenanigans and Snookery
(Mrs. Odboddy Mysteries)
by Elaine Faber

About Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate

Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate: A WWII Tale of Political Shenanigans and Snookery (Mrs. Odboddy Mysteries)
Historical Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Elk Grove Publications (October 6, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940781337
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940781334
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DJN676F3

As the war continues to rage in Europe, Election Day approaches in Newbury. Among other inequities, the Newbury City Council makes it difficult for local women to obtain business licenses even for home-bases businesses. Mrs. Odboddy decides to run for the vacant city council seat, but she has no idea what political obstacles she will face. The trouble starts, first with disasters in her home, to violence and racism against her friends, and then theft charges are filed against her!

To make matters worse, her granddaughter’s old boyfriend has returned to town declaring his unwanted, undying love. His heroic responses to multiple adverse events affecting the family make it difficult for Katherine to send him packing.

Agnes suspects her political opponent is behind all the trouble, including the state’s attempts to remove their beloved ward, Mattie. It seems that Agnes is up against a conniving opponent who will stop at nothing to prevent her winning the election. How can she prevail against such sinister deeds? Is winning an election worth it when her family is at risk?

Join Agnes as she faces overwhelming odds in her efforts to bring much needed change to Newbury.

About Elaine Faber 

Elaine is a member of Sisters in Crime (SIC), Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA), and Elk Grove Writers Guild (EGWG). She has published eleven cozy mystery novels, a humorous historical fiction series, a cozy cat mystery series, an anthology of short cat stories, a paranormal mystery, and multiple short stories published in twenty-one independent anthologies.

Three of Elaine’s “Mrs. Odboddy” fiction novels have won NCPA book awards. Her cat novels have received Cat Writers Association Excellence in Writing Certificates, and she has won numerous awards for her short stories through various venues and contests.

Elaine volunteers at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Elk Grove, CA. She lives with her husband, and Truffie, who contributes inspiration for many of her cat-related stories and novels.

Author Links:  Websitewww.mindcandymysteries.com  Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001875864349

Purchase Link – Amazon 

My Thoughts

 Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving Candidate is a fun story set in World War II time period. It’s written by Elaine Faber. This is the first book that I’ve read from this author and it won’t be my last. This is book five in the Mrs. Odboddy mystery series. 

Mrs. Odboddy is such a fun and interesting character. She’s decided to run for local office and finds out that someone is defacing her campaign photos. So she marches down to her political opponent to set the records straight. However she does make a lot of interpersonal blunders. (Which are quite comical) 

However the trouble doesn’t stop there. There’s disturbances at her home, violence, theft charges and racism. Mrs. Odboddy doesn’t back down. She really wants to get a women’s input on the Newbury City Council. All of this is happening while the war rages on. 

The author did a great job in portraying what life may have been like for people during World War II. The author captured this time period beautifully. The storyline flows nicely, the characters are engaging. 

I will definitely be keeping an eye on Mrs. Odboddy. Thank you to the author, publisher and Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 9 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW

December 10 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 12 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

December 12 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

December 14 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 15 – Connie’s History Classroom– REVIEW  

December 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 18 – Ruff Drafts – RECIPE

My Thoughts An Unexpected Catch Author: Abbey Downey

 

About the Book

Book: An Unexpected Catch

Author: Abbey Downey

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 19, 2024

Can she count on the pitcher to save her dream, or will his secret destroy their futures?

Bea Curran has forged a career as an umpire in Chicago’s semi-professional baseball league, and now she’s ready to move toward her dream of leading the women’s athletic department at Western College. With her reputation on the line, the last thing she needs is a romance with a player known for his womanizing ways. But when her women’s baseball team desperately needs help, she can’t ignore the one man who could save them.

Emmett Worland, a talented new pitcher in the Chicago City League, has been keeping a painful secret that could end his baseball career for good. While he tries to hide his worsening illness, Emmett agrees to help coach Bea’s struggling team in hopes that it will be a step toward redeeming a bad reputation he didn’t earn.

Bea and Emmett’s undeniable attraction deepens the more time they spend together, but with so much at stake, can they afford to let their hearts lead the way? Or will the shadows of the past and the uncertainties of the future destroy their chance at a happily ever after?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Abbey Downeystarted writing inspirational romance stories during naptime when her kids were babies and found she couldn’t stop. She previously published two books with Love Inspired Historical under the pen name Mollie Campbell. She also works with Spark Flash Fiction producing a quarterly digital magazine that contains love stories under 1000 words.

A life-long Midwestern girl, Abbey lives in central Indiana with her husband, two kids, and one rather enthusiastic beagle. She loves watching her kids play sports and fixing up a 1900 farmhouse with her husband.

 

 

More from Abbey

From the first record of it in the late 1700s, the game of baseball grew in popularity—and eccentricity—for decades. There have been plenty of larger-than-life characters and wild tales in the sport, but in my research for An Unexpected Catch, I was most drawn to the stories of those baseball legends many people haven’t heard of.

One of those was the inspiration for the heroine of my story. Amanda Clement became the first female umpire in baseball when she began refereeing games in a semi-professional league—at only sixteen years old! Amanda was a wildly talented athlete in her own right and was known to stand up to the rough men who played baseball in the early twentieth century without hesitation.

Like Amanda, my heroine, Bea Curran, built her career as an umpire in a man’s sport through determination and skill. She knows how to stand up for herself on the field or in other sports, but as she leaves baseball to pursue a different dream, she has to learn how to navigate new pressures to conform to the expectations those in authority place on her.

One of the hardest parts of the research I did for this book was related to the players. Lots of old baseball tales are fun and harmless enough. But then there are too many stories like “Gentleman” George Decker, a Chicago first baseman who was hit in the head by a pitch in 1897. He was denied time off to recover and was hit again not long after. His mental state declined quickly, leading to delusions and threatening behavior. He was institutionalized several times before dying in an asylum in 1909.

Decker was far from the only player to suffer from intense mental and physical health issues after a head injury. Today, we would recognize these players’ symptoms as the result of concussions. But in the early 1900s and before, little was known about brain injuries from blows to the head. These men suffered in silence while being told they were crazy, and many were either arrested or placed in asylums, torn from their loved ones instead of treated.

In An Unexpected Catch, pitcher Emmett Worland feels like baseball is all he has. When he’s forced to face the likely loss of his career thanks to post-concussion syndrome (as we call it now), he has to figure out if anything else could possibly make his life worthwhile if he can’t play. Just like many of us, he wrestles with his purpose when the path he thought he would take is irrevocably disrupted.

Thankfully, there are plenty of wonderful moments in this story to remind the characters (and us) that God blesses us even in struggles. Along with all the fun vintage baseball and historical details, readers will follow Bea and Emmett as they grow in their faith, find their way through changing circumstances, and fall in love with the person they least expected.

 

Happy reading!

Abbey

MY THOUGHTS 

An Unexpected Catch is book two in the Adventurous Hearts series that is written by 

Abbey Downey. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it will not be my last. I was drawn in within the first few pages.  

A league of their own has always been one of my favorite movies. When I saw the cover for this I was super excited. I was even more excited when I saw Bea as an umpire in the beginning of women in baseball. She’s confident and has a full knowledge of the game. She’s has the dream to manage the women’s athletic department and she can see it getting close. She’s in need of funds to help raise money for the equipment that the team needs. 

Enter  pitcher Emmett Worland. He plays in the Chicago City League. He doesn’t have the greatest reputation and finds out that if he doesn’t get his act cleaned up his grandma will take away his inheritance. 

Bea and Emmett become friends. The attraction is strong. Bea sees a different side of him that everyone else does. He helps Bea and even stands up to her when one of the alumni association tries to bully her to do it his way. 

This is a well written story. It’s a story with careful research to bring the time period to life. It’s a story of Gods forgiveness and how we can start fresh. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Inspired by Fiction, December 2

Book Looks by Lisa, December 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 3

She Lives to Read, December 4

Texas Book-aholic, December 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 8

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 9

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 10

Stories By Gina, December 11 (Author Interview)

Allyson Jamison, December 11

Connie’s History Classroom, December 12

Cover Lover Book Review, December 13

For Him and My Family, December 14

Holly’s Book Corner, December 15

Pause for Tales, December 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Abbey is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54107

My Thoughts - Seeking Simon Author: Susan Pope Sloan

 

About the Book

Book: Seeking Simon

Author: Susan Pope Sloan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 26, 2024

When a mysterious stranger claims to be her fiancé, the fight to save her land turns into a battle for her heart.

Daviana Spalding dreams of leaving Georgia in search of a place where she can prove her worth as more than a claim to land. And when a handsome and kind stranger wanders onto the farm in need of help, she can’t help but see him in those dreams too. Yet those are only daydreams…until the Freedmen’s Bureau shows up threatening to take their land, and her guest steps forward claiming to be her betrothed.

Simon McNeil is a man haunted by his past and his time in a Confederate prison, seeking redemption and a fresh start back in Alabama. But his journey home is delayed when a bout of malaria keeps him bedridden, depending on strangers for help. As Daviana nurses him back to health, Simon is drawn to her strength and beauty, and when her home is threatened, he steps in to help.

When their fake engagement becomes real, Simon and Daviana must confront their feelings for one another as they face escalating threats that could tear them apart. And when a long-lost friend returns, all their plans could come crashing down.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Born into a family of storytellers, Susan Pope Sloanpublished her first articles in high school and continued writing sporadically for decades. Retirement provided the time to focus on writing and indulge her avid interest in history. Her Civil War series begins (and ultimately ends) in her home state of Georgia with references to lesser-known events of that period. She and husband Ricky live near Columbus where she participates in Word Weavers, ACFW, and Toastmasters.

 

 

 

More from Susan

When I started the series, I thought it would stop with the end of the war, but I became intrigued with the McNeil family who lived near the Alabama-Georgia line. (My family also is scattered on both sides of that state line, but farther south.)

Troy McNeil and his brothers had fought on opposing sides, which could lead to some tense moments. Simon became the prodigal son longing to go home after a long separation. This book delves into the relationships within the McNeil family and also with their former slaves. As a Southerner who grew up in the 1960’s, I’m well aware of the cultural distinctions that existed during that time, but I also know that relationships between individuals can emerge despite those distinctions. I believe the same could have happened in the previous century.

Seeking Simon also let me bring back that rascally Rufus Spalding from Loving Lydia. Rufus was a fun character to write, but I hadn’t paid much attention to his daughter, who was destined to become Simon’s love interest. Dottie/Daviana Spalding represents many women of the Civil War, who struggled within the confines of the old socio-economic system and longed for personal significance, symbolized here by the change in her name.

I pray that reading this book will encourage those who feel insignificant and long to matter in their world and also those who are praying for a prodigal to return. My favorite line from the book is “Every prodigal runs out of road sooner or later.”

Thank you for taking a look at Seeking Simon.

MY THOUGHTS 

Seeking Simon is book four in the Rescued Hearts of The Civil War series that is written by Susan Pope Sloan. I’ve read the whole series, however you can read them as stand alones. One of the things I love about this author is the fact that she can transport readers back in time. The Civil War Era is one of my most favorite time periods and she captures it beautifully. 

Daviana and Simon’s relationship starts off as a pretend engagement. Daviana has dreams and they are on the edge of being crushed when the Freedman’s Bureau says they are taking the land. Simon, who spent time in a Confederate Prison steps forward and says he’s her finance, Daviana  is grateful for his help. 

What started off as a fib, starts to grow. Both have some hurt and ghosts they have to deal with.  Simon who was a prisoner of war has some deep scars that he tries to hide. 

The author does a great job in capturing life how it might have been post War. The South had a lot of healing to do. This book does touch on slavery, assaults and hate crimes. However the author handles it with grace. 

The book is well researched and the author is knowledgeable of the time period. The story line engages you from the beginning. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 7

Texas Book-aholic, December 8

Connie’s History Classroom, December 9

Stories By Gina, December 10 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, December 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 12

Cover Lover Book Review, December 13

Simple Harvest Reads, December 14 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Artistic Nobody, December 15 (Author Interview)

Allyson Jamison, December 15

For Him and My Family, December 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 17

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, December 18

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 19 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, December 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54112

My Thoughts - LOVING LIZZIE FINN Tamara Hughes

 

LOVING LIZZIE FINN

Tamara Hughes

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GENRE:  Historical romance

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BLURB:

Lizzie Finn grew up in a brothel, and she’s reminded of that fact every day. She dreams of finding a job and becoming independent. Only then can she be free of her aunt’s disdain. First, she must find an employer who won’t turn her away because of her past.

Byron Greeley is determined to save his family’s business after Lizzie’s uncle falsifies the amount Byron owes on a loan from the bank. Determined to find proof of Teague’s perfidy, Byron slips into the banker’s house and rummages through the study only to be discovered by Lizzie, a red-haired beauty who utterly captivates him.

Byron offers Lizzie a job in exchange for information about her uncle, and because she believes her uncle is innocent, she agrees. When Teague discovers Lizzie and Byron’s growing affection, he threatens to destroy Byron and his family, insisting Byron is exploiting her. Is Teague’s warning well-founded? Are Byron’s feelings for Lizzie true, or is Byron using her for his own gain?

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Excerpt:

A spring in her step, Emma placed the rose gown on the bed and returned to the wardrobe. “I saw the most handsome man last night.”

Lizzie’s pulse leaped. “You did?” Had Emma seen the drunken stranger in Uncle’s study? The handsome intruder had occupied Lizzie’s thoughts all night long.

“Of course I did. He is a sight for sore eyes.” Emma returned with the green skirt and carefully lowed it over Lizzie’s head. “Dark eyes, almost black in color, with a gaze so intense he nearly stole my breath.”

Yes. Exactly. As much as she’d tried, she couldn’t get the memory of those eyes out of her head.

Emma secured the skirt and grabbed the bodice. “And his hair, the same as his eyes, black as night.”

Slipping her arms into the sleeves, Lizzie disagreed, “I would hardly call it black, more a dark brown, the color of chestnuts. Which suits him quite well.” With strong, bold features, and a lean frame … She smiled a little when she thought of him. A handsome devil to be sure.

Emma came around to face Lizzie and began to button the gown’s front. “No. I’m quite sure Felix has darker hair than that.”

“Felix?” Had that been his name?

“Yes, our new footman.”

Footman? Lizzie’s cheeks flamed, and her smile dissipated. The man she’d met last night was no footman. He’d spoken of running his family’s business. How embarrassing to be caught admiring a complete stranger. What was wrong with her?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

A small-town girl with a big imagination, Tamara Hughes had no idea what to do with her life. After graduating from college, she moved to a big city, started a family and a job, and still struggled to find that creative outlet she craved. An avid reader of romance, she gave writing a try and became hooked on the power of exploring characters, envisioning adventures, and creating worlds. She enjoys stories with interesting twists and heroines who have the grit to surmount any obstacle, all without losing the ability to laugh. To learn more, stop by her website: www.tamarahughes.com. 

You can also find her on:

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/tamarahughesauth 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tamara-hughes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamara.hughes2/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7738043.Tamara_Hughes

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/tamarahughes

Buy link for Loving Lizzie Finn: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFMQ4X1H

My Thoughts

Loving Lizzie Finn is written by Tamara Hughes. This is my first book that I have read by this author, and it will not be the last. One of the first things that drew me into this book, is the cover. The cover artist did such an amazing job and I feel that it captured Lizzie beautifully. 

Lizzie was born in a brothel. Her mother died when she was young, and she was taken in my her aunt and uncle. Her uncle has always been good to her, while her aunt holds her at arms length. Her aunt, Margaret, also loves to tell everyone where and how Lizzie grew up. This makes it impossible for Lizzie to be accepted into the high society. She has no interest in getting married. She wants to earn her own money and be independent. However, with her past no-one will hire her. 

Byron has taken over his family business due to his father's declining health. However, he has found that the loan his father has taken out has been altered, and he cannot find the original copy. He is caught by Lizzie snooping in her uncle's study - and he asks for her help. What he does not count on is how breathtaking he is. He is so consumed by her beauty. 

Lizzie agrees, because she thinks her uncle is innocent. They work together and soon you can tell that sparks are flying. Lizzie's aunt is trying to get her married off even if Lizzie does not want to. Lizzie also has been trying to help two friends from the brothel to escape. 

I loved the perfect blend of action, mystery and suspense. The author developed the story and characters well. It moves at a comfortable pace. My heart went out to Lizzie. She cannot help where she came from, only that she wants to secure her own future. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 


Content Warning: semi descriptive bedroom scene and a few swear words

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5010