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 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.