RT Recap - Grand Finale

The Giant Book Fair is the jewel in the crown of the RT Booklovers' Convention.  I swam through the crowds to meet Sara Flynn, the pen name of Meg Tilly.  From Amazon,

She may be best known for her acclaimed Golden Globe-winning lead performance in the movie Agnes of God. However, Meg Tilly is taking on an exciting new persona these days, as debut romance novelist Sara Flynn.

Set on an island in the Pacific Northwest, SOLACE ISLAND tells the suspenseful story of a woman, dumped by her business partner/fiancé during her bachelorette party, who discovers a rewarding new career, romance and threats on her life in an idyllic vacation community. Two more Sara Flynn romances set on Solace Island will follow.

Tilly has three grown children and resides with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. She is currently at work writing that second Solace Island novel.

I chatted with Sara for a few minutes - she is a fan of Lorraine Heath!  I purchased SOLACE ISLAND and look forward to posting a review in the future.

On Sunday morning, as I was exiting the hotel, I spotted Charlaine Harris.  I thanked her for her son's service in the Army.  Outside, as I waited for my cab, I offered to share it with Helen Hardt.  From Goodreads, 

#1 New York Times bestselling author Helen Hardt's passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family.

She then noted E.L. James was standing next to us.  Not one to waste an opportunity, I introduced myself to the author of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.  We chatted about her home in England. I mentioned that my mother hailed from Torquay in Devon.  E.L. paused and replied, "Oh, I had a night in Torquay."  Perhaps we can expect a book in the future about Torquay ...

Thank you, RT Booklovers' Convention, for an action packed week in Atlanta!  

For this week of recaps, I am giving away a sampling of books and swag from RT. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about beaches - do you have a favorite?

2. Comments are open through Monday, May 15, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Tuesday, May 16.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Babbacombe Beach in Torquay - Nicknamed the English Riviera

Aloha to THE CORONER - another BBC drama set in Devon, UK

I've escaped to Maryland Public Television (MPT) for British dramas, including THE CORONER. From BBC,   

Jane Kennedy is a high-flying solicitor; after another failed relationship, she returns to take up the post of Coroner in the small South Devon seaside town of Lighthaven she left as a teenager. She finds herself working with Davey Higgins, the boy who broke her heart and is now the local Detective Sergeant for the South Dart Police. Jane and Davey investigate any sudden, violent or unexplained deaths in the fictional world of Lighthaven, based originally on Salcombe in the South Hams district of South Devon. Kennedy is assisted by Clint Holman in the Coroners Office. Her mother Judith, her mother's boyfriend, pub owner, Mick Sturrock and Kennedy's 15-year-old daughter Beth also feature in the single episode stories.

THE CORONER offers a murder mystery along with a side of family antics in 45 minutes.  It's lighthearted in comparison to US dramas, such as Law & Order.  In fact, the plots mirror some of the classic tropes from L&O.  But the gorgeous backdrop of Devon's countryside and coastline makes THE CORONER a pleasant escape from reality.

Torquay, Devon

My maternal grandmother hailed from Devon and I have pleasant memories visiting her in Torquay. The cast jumps right into local culture with making tea while interviewing witnesses, meeting for a pint at the Black Dog pub to review the case notes, and enjoying Scrumpy once the mystery is solved. THE CORONER whets my appetite for Devonshire clotted cream and Cornish pasties - here's a link to a delicious recipe.

Episodes feature an locally made ice cream, salsa dancing, and skydiving.  So, what's your favorite ice cream?  Have you tried salsa dancing or skydiving?  I love Cookies and Cream Ice Cream.  Salsa dancing looks intriguing but I have too left feet. Skydiving?  Never.  Why jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, February 5, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Monday, February 6.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Cornish Pasty

Aloha to Hannah Dennison and A KILLER BALL AT HONEYCHURCH HALL - Book Review

When antique dealer Kat Stanford stumbles upon the partially mummified body of a young woman in an abandoned wing at Honeychurch Hall, suspicion falls on those who had been living there many years ago. And it appears that the deceased had been murdered. Given her mother Iris’s checkered past, Kat is not surprised to learn that Iris knew the victim.

Meanwhile, the unexpected appearance of former lothario Bryan Laney sets female hearts aflutter. Despite the passing years, time has not dampened his ardor for Iris, but the feeling is not reciprocated.

With stories of hidden treasure and secret chambers, past and present collide. As Kat becomes embroiled once more in her mother’s mysterious and tumultuous bygone days, she comes to realize that life is never black and white, and sometimes it is necessary to risk your own life to protect the lives of the ones you love.

Teversal Manor in Nottinghamshire

It inspired Wragby Hall in LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER

Image by Alan Heardman (link)

“A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it.” ― D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley's Lover

Kat Standford settles into the carriage house at Honeychurch Hall in the third book of this British cozy mystery series. She left behind her TV career as an antiques appraiser, her not so divorced boyfriend, and London's face paced lifestyle to reinvent herself in the Devon countryside. In the first two books, she discovers her mother's connection to Honeychurch Hall. the ancestral home to an earl struggling to keep the estate in the black.

Book Three brings a black mark in the family's history - Kat finds the decaying body of an American heiress who disappeared during a summer ball at Honeychurch Hall over three decades ago. As Kat uncovers clues to the murder, she also learns more about her mother's checkered past from carnival child to accountant's wife to romance author.   

Dennison promotes the preservation of historic houses by incorporating key events of the English Civil War into the plot. Likewise, she gives us a glimpse of how the aristocracy protect their legacy. The mystery brings lords, ladies, and commoners together as they relive the glory days of the estate while touching upon class distinctions.  Finally, Dennison draws upon pop culture - Downton Abbey, Antiques Roadshow, and Fifty Shades of Grey (along with Lady Chatterley's Lover) - to explore themes of family discord, community spirit, and even the sexual revolution with a touch of humor.

(Teversal Manor in Nottinghamshire was passed to the Carnarvon family through marriage.  The Carnarvon family's ancestral home is Highclere Castle, the filming location of Downtown Abbey).

A KILLER BALL AT HONEYCHURCH HALL can be read as a stand alone novel.  However, I recommend reading the books in order to appreciate the ongoing humor.  I recommend this book for those who appreciate manor homes, English history, British culture, and honorable heroes from an era gone by.

I purchased a copy of A KILLER BALL AT HONEYCHURCH HALL since I enjoyed Book 1, MURDER AT HONEYCHURCH HALL, and Book 2, DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL. 

Dartmoor Clapper Bridge
Image by Wigulf (link)

I am giving away British swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. What would you wear to a costume ball?  The American heiress "borrowed" an Egyptian costume.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Hannah and her books at hannahdennison.com.

Aloha to Hannah Dennison and DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL - Book Review

When the body of a transport minister is discovered in the grounds on the Honeychurch Hall estate, suspicion as to his unusual demise naturally falls on the residents. After all, who could possibly want a high-speed train line and rolling stock depot built in their front yard?

News of the murder soon reaches our heroine Kat Stanford’s nemesis Trudy Wynne. A ruthless tabloid journalist and the ex-wife of Kat’s discarded lover, Trudy is out for revenge. She is also interested in exposing—and humiliating—Kat’s mother Iris, who is secretly the international bestselling romance writer Krystalle Storm.

As the body count begins to build, Kat becomes inextricably embroiled in the ensuing scandal. Is the minister’s death the result of a local vendetta, or could it be connected to her mother’s unusual past?

Saltram House still stands in Devon.
It served as a movie location for Sense and Sensibility.
Public Domain (link).

Principles are like prayers. Noble of course. But awkward at a party. - Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Downton Abbey

The denizens of Little Dipperton have principles.  They are taking a stand against the proposed high speed railroad, "Save seconds in travel, loose a 1000 years of history".  The project would destroy their village, devalue their property, and detract from the grand house that has ruled over their area, Honeychurch Hall.  While the earl escapes to London, the villagers vow to take back their heritage.   They call upon Kat Stanford, a reality TV star from Fakes and Treasures, to lead them in this endeavour.  Kat reluctantly accepts the challenge, only to find herself entangled in another mystery set in Devon countryside.   

DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL is the second novel in the series.  Dennison offers a brief recap of how Kat, an antiques appraiser, relocated from London to Devon - it involved her widowed mother with a secret career as a romance author.  Although Kat intended to return to London, her stubborn mother and the new mystery keeps her in Little Dipperton.  Kat is also drawn to the manor house, Honeychurch Hall, forging a bond with the dowager countess, Lady Edith, and the heir apparent, 7 year old Master Harry.

DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL follows the predictable path of a cozy mystery - false leads, outlandish theories, and zany characters.  Yet Dennison adds depth with details of modern life in a historical village.  Dennison also mixes Litte Dipperton's centuries old legend with realty TV, tabloid journalism, and Downton Abbey to create an entertaining read.  I could help but laugh (and sympathize) as as Kat tries to appease her mother, the villagers, Lady Edith, Master Harry, and Sir Maurice, the local ghost.

DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries, English country life, and, of course, Downton Abbey.   Although it can be read as a stand alone novel, I recommend reading book 1, MURDER AT HONEYCHURCH HALL, to enjoy the back story of Kat and the cast of colorful characters.

I purchased DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL as I enjoyed the first book.  I also love Devon.

Vintage image of Bradfield House, Uffculme, Devon
Public Domain (link)

I am giving away a copy of DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYHALL CHURCH to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about you favorite "ghost story".  

In the book, Sir Maurice led the Royalists to ambush the Roundheads during the English Civil War.   He has a special chair in the local pub next to the great hearth.  The villagers do not move the chair nor sit on it.  When a newcomer moves the chair and sits on it, the villagers predict doom and gloom.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 6, 10 pm in Batlimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Hannah and her books at hannahdennison.com.   

Check out my interview with Hannah at this link and my review of MURDER AT HONEYCHURCH HALL at this link.