Spotlight: SHIBBY MAGEE by Carrie Kabak

When their bold and brassy mother, Vera Coffey, disappears after declaring she was born into Ireland’s Traveller community, a traditionally nomadic ethnic minority, Shibby and her twin sister Dorah are left behind in a settled family already cracking at the seams. Under the iron rule of their rigidly prejudiced grandmother, the girls grow up on opposite tracks: Dorah, brash and arrogant; Shibby, bruised and unmoored.

As Shibby stumbles into adulthood, she’s drawn to men who either abuse or discard her. Though she finds stability in the fast-paced chaos of a restaurant kitchen, a question continues to gnaw: is her future in the rooted life of the settled, or on the open road to God only knows where?

With the steadfast support of a chosen few—Alice Duffy, housekeeper turned surrogate mother; Moochie de Barra, an affectionate stand-in for an emotionally absent father; and Kitty Dooley, who embodies the fierce pride and harsh realities of Traveller life—Shibby begins to confront hard truths about cultural identity, family, and what she desperately needs to find where she truly belongs.

In the tradition of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, and Donal Ryan’s The Queen of Dirt Island, Shibby Magee is a warm yet incisive Irish tragicomedy about a woman shaped by childhood abandonment and social prejudice as she struggles toward dignity, love, and self-possession.

Richly drawn, multidimensional characters and evocative storytelling, with thoughtful exploration of identity, family, and belonging—Bev Saludo, Goodreads reviewer

Carrie Kabak has a true gift for descriptive prose—every scene is sensory, textured, and alive. Funny, tender, and completely immersive… I stayed fully invested in Shibby’s journey from beginning to end—Theresa Von Colln, Goodreads reviewer

Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SHIBBY-MAGEE-Carrie-Kabak-ebook/dp/B0GK52NYRB/

Blog Tour: HOOK, LINE, AND MURDER by GG Calpo

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. GG Calpo will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What does Meg, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!

When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?

Read an Excerpt:

The day was beautiful, with clear skies and a mild snap in the air. It was cold yet warm with the right amount of heat from the sun, making it the perfect spring day. Motorboats and sailboats dipped in and out of the water, out by Poet’s Bay. And at the edge of the harbor were the fishermen, alone or in groups of two or three, a rod in their hands and their tackle boxes opened beside them. We rounded the corner, almost done with our walk, when we saw mothers dragging their children away and fathers covering the eyes of the children in their arms. Pushing against the stream of parents scrambling away were others whose eyes were fixed on the man by the harbor’s edge. A man on whose fishing line dangled a catch with, what I thought were, red fins and a red tail swaying lazily around the hook.

Red? In the salt waters of Poet’s Bay? As I stood there trying to figure out what I was seeing, Barbara shoved her way into the crowd. I followed, my curiosity getting the better of me. Murmurs of “Good morning” and “Good to see you, Mrs. B” trailed behind me, changing to “You sure you want to see this, Mrs. B?” and “I wouldn’t go any further if I were you, Mrs. B.” We fetched up to the front and looked down on the ground before us while the fisherman beside us puked his guts out.

It wasn’t a fish he had caught

Instead, on the ground was a hand. Just a hand. Nothing else.

About the Author:

A retired CPA and lawyer, GG Calpo now writes cozy mysteries and urban fantasies. She blends her experiences as a Filipino American immigrant with the everyday stories of life around her. She spends her time reading, crocheting blankets and sweaters for her five grandchildren, watching mystery TV shows and taking long walks in her neighborhood. She resides in Central New Jersey, with her husband and two corgis, Whiskey and Nugget.

Website: http://www.ggcalpo.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/gg.calpo
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gg.calpo
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/194657776-gisella

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2YT1P7B
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hook-line-and-murder-gg-calpo/1148773282
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hook-line-and-murder/id6755481320

 

Review: HOLIDAY FLIRTS by Lisa Scott

 

“Who knew a kids’ Halloween party could be so scary for a single woman tucked in the corner with a hot stranger?”

 

What happens when a woman gets locked in a dressing room on Black Friday? A woman gets homesick for Christmas. A New Year’s resolution to give up guys. There’s something great in every one of them.

 

Flirty, fun, and witty! Each story has a fun holiday theme. Such lovable stories! Want more of them!

 

Rating: 5 stars

Review: ROYAL TWIST by Rich Amooi

 

The royal break-up between Prince Oliver and Princess Veronica continued to take the world by storm. Who will be the next man in Veronica’s life? It certainly wouldn’t be a man that broke her heart years ago and was trying to win her back. Nope, she wouldn’t give Prince August the chance at all. To escape his unwavering charm, Veronica flees to Africa and August chases her. It was sweet and entertaining watching August trying to get into Veronica’s good graces during this wild and exotic adventure.

 

Witty and charming! What fun it was seeing the guys chasing the girls all around town. Funny moment when Veronica and August get arrested for indecent exposure. August was such a savior to Veronica. A hilarious and exotic adventure! Sweet and romantic! Great read!

 

Rating: 5 stars

Review: ROYAL CRUSH by Rich Amooi

 

What does a royal prince do when he wants to sabotage his arranged wedding? Hire the worst wedding planner in the world to ruin it.

 

I loved this premise. Funny how the paparazzi chased Grace out of the restaurant instead of the prince in disguise. Boy, she must be a viral disaster. Still, Grace sees the royal wedding as her second chance and she would swear not to blow it. If only she could convince the mean and overbearing queen of that.

 

Funny and witty! Grace was so lovably awkward when it came to being in the presence of royalty. Turns out that Grace really wasn’t the disaster that the prince was hoping for. She was really a good planner with a great talent and a big heart. Still, there were some comical mishaps that certainly make you chuckle.

 

“Even the coldest of queens could not resist a cute puppy.”

 

Grace and Oliver had such a sweet connection. With his charm, humor, generosity, and easygoing nature, Grace easily got a royal crush on Oliver, who was bound to marry a princess and was destined to be king. What happens when Grace finds out the truth of why she was really brought in?

 

A real fairytale love story! A fun and delightful read!

 

Rating: 5 stars