Hello Readers,
It's that time of year where we struggle to find just the right gift for picky people. Pen Dames is here to help--books! While Flossie, Barbara and I (Loretta) have written many novels in a variety of genres, we've decided to show case a few of our favorites for you. For your convenience, we have also included a buy link that will take you to our author sites. Enjoy!
Mystic adventurer who writes action-packed paranormal
fantasy romances, historical romances, and cozy mysteries. Known for conjuring
the magic with spirited stories. Fifth generation Floridian. Former library
director and teacher. Essential Energy Balancing and Reiki master. Passionate
about true love, mystical realms, mythology, astrotheology, arcane mysteries,
and hidden realities. Coffee aficionado. Family time is the best time. Loves to
hang out with myth, magic, and mayhem.
https://www.amazon.com/Wytchfae-Runes-Flossie-Benton-Rogers-ebook/dp/B07DYLXF6N/
BLURB:
Her warmth
lured him from an icy hell…
Wytchfae Kelly
O’Day’s job is to transition ghosts to the afterlife. The last thing she
expects is to fall for one of them -- sexy Viking Ingvar Hrothson. Cursed to
roam the earth as a restless spirit, Ingvar is hell bent to destroy the
sorceress responsible. His war plan doesn’t include spending time with a
bewitching flesh and blood woman like Kelly. With their attraction approaching
supernova, the couple must battle sinister forces and masters of the dark arts.
More than lives are at stake. Will hell give them a chance?
READER COMMENT:
Runes is a fantastic read. The melding of time periods is smooth. You become attached to the main characters, and you wish them to succeed in their quest. The hero and heroine are smart, attractive, and immensely likeable, and the various people and places they encounter are equally as fascinating. As a reader you feel involved in all their adventures.
EXCERPT:
Kelly
had envisioned Helle, Goddess of the Underworld, as an Elvira type, but she
turned out to be a flaxen-haired ice queen. The underworld itself seemed to
contain more ice than fire, or at least the parts Kelly saw of it during the
first half hour after she, Ingvar, and Hyge entered Helle’s domicile. Freezing,
she bundled up in her cloak so desperately that she felt more like an Arctic
pioneer than a southern gal. Then the scenery changed, glowing with the intensity
of a Technicolor movie—gleaming whites and vivid greens, blues, and reds. It
looked the opposite of the Grims’ grey abode, and it smelled like jasmine.
No
one had met her, Ingvar, and Hyge at the entrance, and they walked and explored
for some time without encountering anyone. Kelly wondered if she needed to call
out or use a spell to get Helle’s attention. Then they came to a strange sight,
a bubbling fire lake surrounded by banks of snow. In the middle of the lake and
standing on the surface of the tongues of flame stood a stunning Nordic vision.
Kelly
stopped, mesmerized. There was no doubt in her mind this was Helle, Goddess of
the Underworld.
The
woman’s eyes glowed silver. “Who are you and what do you want here?”
Ingvar
stepped forward. “Goddess Helle, I am Ingvar, a North Man. These are my friends
Kelly and Hyge. I have reason to believe my sister is here. We have come a long
way to see her and to ask for your help in restoring her to our family.”
“I
know of you, Viking. I am aware of my sister’s curse that prevented your
rightful rest. By what magic are you in my domain?”
Kelly
dipped her head in reverence. “Goddess, my magic brought us here with the help
of the Guardians of the Directions. Also, the goddess Epona is a friend of mine
and encouraged the Guardian of the Between to allow us through his portal.”
“Ahh,”
Helle’s all-business tone took on shades of curiosity. “Is Epona back with
Eshigel? I had not heard.”
Kelly
shrugged. “They are not shouting at one another.”
“Progress,
then. Follow me into my dwelling, and I will hear your appeal. I warn you, the
cost of reversing death is high.”
“Where
are all the people?” Kelly could not help asking as they followed behind Helle,
trudging through the snow toward the lake of fire.
“You
shall see. Come, do not fear the flames.” Helle lifted her hand, and the fire
abated to mere flickers.
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Barbara Cairns
JACOB JOINS THE COW CAVALRY
Blurb: It’s the last yar
of the Civil War, and fifteen-year-old Jacob Donner is chomping at the bit to
be part of it. while his father is away fighting for the Confederacy in
Virginia, Floridda-born Jacob is too young to enlist. With his herd-roundup
skills, trained dog Zoey, and trusted horse Ashes, Jacob cannot be stopped.
Encountering many adventures on the cattle trail, Jacob morphs from boy to man,
and his transition is touching, exciting to read, and impossible to put down.
Excerpt: On the way to
Ocala, Jacob drove the wagon past inviting countryside. Lush, thick growth of
trees and foliage had him thinking of days before the war, days of traveling in
the wagon with Ma and Pa and his siblings for a picnic…not as far away as
Ocala, but the same tranquil, unspoiled rural landscape.
But soon those nostalgic memories reverted to the
present. Jacob’s mind raced. What will I find at the end of this trip?
He gritted his teeth as his attention strayed from the pastoral scenery and
focused on Pa’s curt note. Why didn’t Pa tell us more? Was it cuz he
couldn’t afford a longer telegram? When Jacob realized how fast they were
traveling, he slowed and said, “Sorry, Nellie. We have a long way to go, so
don’t want to tire y’all out.”
By the time they’d reached hallway, Jacob stopped for
water and fed some carrots to Nellie. “Good girl, Nellie. Pa will be happy to
see y’all as always.”
Jacob’s senses heightened when he thought about seeing
his father after so many years. He longed to hear his thunderous voice, which
seemed to project to the next town, especially when Pa was excited. Will he
retain that sweaty smell that he always had after a long day working in the
field? Jacob imagined his father’s usual shiny, bright eyes dulled by his
wartime experiences. Will I make Pa uncomfortable if I stare at his wooden
leg?
As Jacob neared Ocala, the miles of forest had him on
the lookout for black bears, especially those with cubs. He thought, Nellie’s
a peck a trouble when she starts a kickin’, but she’s no match for s mother
bear. No bears today, though.
Jacob had been to Ocala twice before with Pa, and then
once with the Cow Calvary. Despite the war ruins in the city, Jacob spotted the
post office in the distance. his heartbeats drummed away in his chest as Nellie
brought the wagon closer. Then Jacob turned Nellie to the side of the building.
there, standing in a grassy area under a tree stood Pa’s horse, Buck. Next to
the horse, a thin man leaned into the horse as if for support.
As Jacob trotted Nellie nearer, Jacob gazed
open-mouthed. Is that really Pa? the man in front of him had a much
longer beard than Pa’s. he wore a Confederate uniform, but it hung so loose
that it reminded Jacob of Ma wearing one of Pa’s old shirts.
Jacob pulled on the reins and tried to stop Nellie.
But the mule whinnied and pulled forward. Jacob yanked harder. “Whoa.” And
Nellie halted. Then Jacob shouted, “Pa, is that you?” He jumped off the wagon.
Nellie moved forward and whinnied again.
The man turned around slowly. In a soft voice, he
said, “Yes, Jacob. This is your ol’ Pa. It’s been a long haul from ol’
Virginny.
Readers Comments: Barbara Cairns’s latest book reveals much about the time in which he lived. It is a book rich in history, with the sounds, smells, dialect, and wants and needs of families and their young amidst traumatically changing times. I recommend it highly.
Blurb
Soured on Christmas and love, famed model Addison
James returns to the only home she ever knew, Hope Ranch, a home for foster
kids, to heal from a near-fatal accident and a broken heart. Falling in love
again is not part of Addison’s plan—not until she meets cute and motherless
six-year-old twins, and a handsome sheriff.
Sheriff Wade Grey’s philosophy for love is once burned is enough to last a lifetime. Friction sparks as he and Addison butt heads the first time they meet. Yet falling for her is so tempting.
As Christmas approaches, there appears to be hope for
love with a generous sprinkle of surprises.
Excerpt
Her
head was spinning. This was not a sensation she enjoyed. “My heart was ripped
to shreds by Rowan…he mangled my soul and then had the audacity to laugh. So,
you’ll forgive me if I’ve closed the door on my trust department. I won’t be your latest fling.”
He
snarled. “My latest…what the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh,
don’t play coy, Wade, the other night when you kissed me you called me Gracie. She must be some deep, dark
secret. Even Nell wouldn’t talk about her when I asked.”
When
he didn’t answer, Addison arched a brow. “Whoever she is, I won’t compete with
her, and I won’t let you use me to hurt her.” Her heart was knocking
against her ribs.
Casually
he lifted her hand to kiss the palm. “It’s not what you think, Addison.”
She
harrumphed. “No, it never is.”
He
stepped forward and she stepped back. The lines that bracketed his mouth might
have been carved with a knife. “Things are a bit hectic especially with Friday
being Freddie’s last day. I’ll be in touch.”
Her
lips formed into a thin smile. She strode to the porch and up the steps. She
turned back and watched the cruiser disappear down the long driveway.
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