Tag: BookReview

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Bonfires, Backpacks, & Brawls

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

(A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 36)

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE

USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes brings you southern and quirky characters in her mystery series. Her stories are charged with humor, friendship, family and life in small southern towns.

Get ready to pitch your tents and light the campfire for a wildly entertaining mystery with “Bonfires, Backpacks, & Brawls,” the latest page-turner in the A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series. When the peaceful plunk of fishing lures at Happy Trails Campground is replaced by the startling bang of gunshots, Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies gear up for their most adventurous case yet in the heart of Daniel Boone National Forest.
Imagine stumbling upon a body in the woods—only it’s not hunting season, and this isn’t a deer we’re talking about. This twist sends Mae and her gang on a trek through a forest thick with secrets, where every turn in the trail could be the clue they need or a dead end. The victim, a real outdoorsman with a complex web of connections to the wilderness, has left behind a trail as puzzling as a switchback path.

“Bonfires, Backpacks, & Brawls” isn’t just any cozy caper; it’s a romp through the great outdoors, complete with twists, turns, and Tonya Kappes’ signature dose of humor. Prepare to be hooked from the first gunshot to the last guffaw as Mae digs into a case that proves even the most scenic spots can hide dark secrets and dastardly deeds.

This book is the perfect campsite companion for mystery lovers looking for fun, frights, and friendship. With a backdrop as enchanting as Kentucky’s own wilderness and a story brimming with intrigue, betrayal, and, of course, a hefty helping of laughter, you won’t want to put it down. So, pack your sense of adventure (and maybe a flashlight) and join Mae and the gang as they navigate the wilds of human nature. “Bonfires, Backpacks, & Brawls” is more than a mystery; it’s an expedition into excitement, proving once and for all that where there’s smoke… there’s laughter, lies, and a darn good read. Catch your copy today and become a happy camper in the world of cozy mysteries!

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Posted in #History

The Pequot War

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A Captivating Guide to the Armed Conflict in New England between the Pequot People and English Settlers and Its Role in the History of the United States of America (Indigenous People)

If you want to discover the captivating history of the Pequot War, then keep reading…

Free History BONUS Inside!

The Pequot War (1636–1638) was a short-lived but extremely violent and bloody episode in United States history. This event represents one of the turning points in the entire history of North America, as the war changed the balance of power. The Dutch colonial authorities lost their status of being the dominant economic and political force, while the English took over this epithet. The end of the war also represented the first stage in England’s intensive expansion in that part of the world.

This historical event demonstrates the insurmountable antagonisms between two opposing cultures and perceptions. It was just the beginning of the conflicts between the European settlers and the Native Americans, as the Pequot War allowed the Puritans to have a testing ground so they could examine their military capabilities in the New World and observe the capabilities of the Native American tribes.

In The Pequot War: A Captivating Guide to the Armed Conflict in New England between the Pequot People and English Settlers and Its Role in the History of the United States of America, you will discover topics such as

  • The European Conception of the Native Americans
  • Who Were the Pequots?
  • The Massachusetts Bay Colony of New England
  • The Events That Triggered the Pequot War
  • Military Capacities, Organization, and Tactics of the Warring Parties
  • Conflict Escalation
  • Mystic River Campaign
  • The Mother of All Crimes
  • Analysis and Comparison of King Philip’s War and the Historiography of the Pequot War
  • Where Are They Today? A Look at the Pequots
  • And much, much more!

#History, , #WorldHistory, ,

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Moonlight, Marshmallows, & Manslaughter

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

(A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 35) 

Small-town cozy mystery set during a festival

Normal, Kentucky is celebrating National Wildflower Week, drawing botanists, hikers, and nature lovers to the trails of Daniel Boone National Forest. But when a renowned botanist known for controversial research is found dead beneath the moonlit sky, the peaceful festival turns deadly.

Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies are pulled into another small-town investigation when whispers of environmental disputes, land development schemes, and professional rivalries begin to surface. With suspects ranging from a developer with questionable conservation plans to an assistant whose admiration borders on obsession, it’s clear the victim’s work stirred more than scientific debate.

As Mae follows a trail of hidden motives and long-buried grudges, she discovers that danger in Normal grows quietly—and strikes without warning. With the town on edge and another festival event approaching, Mae and her friends must uncover the truth before the killer has a chance to strike again.

Moonlight Marshmallows & Manslaughter is a Southern cozy mystery filled with small-town charm, festival intrigue, and community sleuthing—perfect for readers who love amateur detectives, quirky side characters, and mysteries rooted in place.

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Posted in #History

The Wounded Knee Massacre

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A Captivating Guide to the Battle of Wounded Knee and Its Impact on the Native Americans after the Final Clash between Federal Troops and the Sioux (Indigenous People)

If you want to discover the captivating history of the Wounded Knee Massacre, then keep reading…

Free History BONUS Inside!

The Wounded Knee Massacre is often glossed over in textbooks, talking about the event in a generalized manner. But such a generalized representation undermines the real impact and significance of the events that happened on that fateful day, making it one of the most tragic events in Native American history.

To establish the facts of what occurred, most of the details taken into account in this book while analyzing and discussing the events of the Wounded Knee Massacre are taken from the records of the American participants of the war, as well as from military records of the investigation into what happened and the subsequent trial of one of the participants of the massacre. In this book, we aim to provide the reader with a more in-depth look at the factors and major players that played a role in the Wounded Knee Massacre, as well as the significance of its aftermath.

In The Wounded Knee Massacre: A Captivating Guide to the Battle of Wounded Knee and Its Impact on the Native Americans after the Final Clash between Federal Troops and the Sioux, you will discover topics such as

  • A Short Introduction of the Lakota Tribe and the Ghost Dance Movement
  • A Brief Overview of the Relationship between the US Government and the Native American Population of America
  • A Brief Overview of the Key Players of the Wounded Knee Massacre
  • Prelude to the Wounded Knee Massacre
  • The Wounded Knee Massacre and the Truth behind the Events
  • The Military Investigation of the Wounded Knee Massacre and the Medal of Honor Debacle
  • And much, much more!

#History, , #WorldHistory, ,

Posted in #non-fiction

The World According to Tom Hanks

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Life, the Obsessions, the Good Deeds of America’s Most Decent Guy

An entertaining and insightful homage to America’s favorite movie star, from the New York Times–bestselling author of The Tao of Bill Murray.

Niceness gets a bad rap these days. Our culture rewards those who troll the hardest and who snark the most. At times it seems like there’s no place anymore for optimism, integrity, and good old-fashioned respect. Enter “America’s Dad”: Tom Hanks. Whether he’s buying espresso machines for the White House Press Corps, rewarding a jovial cab driver with a night out on Broadway, or extolling the virtues of using a typewriter, Hanks lives a passionate, joyful life and pays it forward to others. Gavin Edwards takes readers on a tour behind the scenes of Hanks’s life: from his less-than-idyllic childhood, rocky first marriage, and career wipeouts to the pinnacle of his acting career and domestic bliss with the love of his life, Rita Wilson.

As he did for Bill Murray, Edwards distills Hanks’s life story into ten “commandments” that beautifully encapsulate his All-American philosophy. Contemplating the life, the achievements, and the obsessions of Mr. Tom Hanks may or may not give you the road map you need to find your way. But at the very least, it’ll show you how niceness can be a worthy destination.

“If there is a new Mr. Rogers in our culture, it’s got to be Tom Hanks: honest, decent, trustworthy. Gavin Edwards’s book taps into what makes Hanks someone we love and someone we should emulate.” ―Morgan Neville, Oscar-winning director of Won’t You Be My Neighbor?


Editorial Reviews

Review

“If there is a new Mr. Rogers in our culture, it’s got to be Tom Hanks: honest, decent, trustworthy. Gavin Edwards’s book taps into what makes Hanks someone we love and someone we should emulate.”―Morgan Neville, director of Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

“There have been greater, weightier testaments to the art of cinema published in 2016 . . . but for sheer dopamine release, [The Tao of Bill Murray is] hard to beat.”―The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Gavin Edwards is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including The Tao of Bill Murray, Last Night at the Viper Room, Can I Say (written with Travis Barker), VJ (written with the original MTV VJs), and ‘Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy. As a longtime contributing editor for Rolling Stone, he has written a dozen cover stories for the magazine, traveled the world from Bahrain to New Zealand, and taken a city bus to the Grammys. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and their two sons.

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