MARCH/APRIL 2019 BLOG(Psst! - Remember to find the hidden discount code and get 20% off any new book you order.)
WELCOME SPRING!!! AND ALL OUR READERS!!!
"Hide, oh, hide those hills of snow
Which thy frozen bosom bears,
On whose tops the pinks that grow
Are of those that April wears!
But first set my poor heart free,
Bound in icy chains by thee.
John Fletcher (1579-1625)
Hurrah for Spring! We in Phoenix have a very short winter and long spring. Some trees start getting leaves in February and flowers start being planted in March. I left the icy cold winters and chilly springs of Long Island for the desert and have never once regretted the move. It's April now and I smell citrus blossoms especially in the evenings. Hah! Love it!As I was putting together this blog I began to wonder why we call spring, spring. So I had to research where that came from. And now I have some answers. It all started in the 14th century when this season of the year was called springing time which in the 15th century got called springtime and then in the 16th century was again shortened to spring. As you probably guessed the name for this season came about because plants were springing into new life. Before the 14th century the season was simply called Lent. I also discovered April probably comes from the verb aperire meaning "to open", of course, referring to new life opening up.
I can't imagine anyone not loving spring. I know I do. The days get longer and color comes back to world. We also have a custom called spring cleaning. We open our windows to let the fresh air in and hopefully get inspired to clean our houses with gusto and hit the garden to freshen up our lawns and plants especially the flowers. We hit the nurseries for seeds, mulch, and new plants and enjoy the outdoors. We feel renewed. Spring is like a promise we can start over and make everything new again. So that brings me to write about color.
Color Me Pink (Romantic) What's Your Color?
Can't have spring without the pinks of flowers that I love but I would have never guessed in a million years I was truly a pink until
until I read the book, Color Harmony Workbook: A Workbook and Guide to Creative Color Combinations - now out-of-print but available inexpensively on-line. I had convinced myself I disliked pink after I worked with someone who pushed a nasty shade of brilliant pink on everyone that made my eyes hurt. I ended up burying that color deep within my psyche and refused to let pink have a chance to explain itself. That is until over 20 years ago, my daughter, Donna and my aid Pam had a meeting to select the colors we wanted to represent what Ruth Kern Books stood for. They immediately brought up pink. All those bad feelings about that color rose to the surface. I shrieked, "I don't even like pink." Pam and Donna were adamant that color represented not only me but my feelings about my book business. I kept saying, "I don't think so."
They scurried about gathering up samples of colors and finally the unreasonable part of my brain shut up and I got past the "pink" incident of years ago. I forced myself to look at pink in a new way. In the end, as you know, pink was victorious - a variety of shades of pink from a light pastel to darker hues. Hands down it was pink, although I was still doubtful,
Then I came upon the above book and discovered Donna and Pam had picked correctly. They knew me and my love of this business so well, they had zeroed in on pink and had refused to back off. The book I mentioned above was not an in-depth color theory book, although theory is explained briefly. Instead colors are divided into emotions and terms such as powerful, rich, dependable, calm, romantic and professional. Each term or emotion and some photos showing how the color can be used to represent calm, earthly, magical, or whatever. Of course I immediately went through every section of the book including the tips for graphic, interior, and fine art using a particular color and the color swatches to mix and match. After hours of study I was truly a pink! Why I was, was the interesting part. Pink is a romantic color that can be gentle and evocative of early spring, the text told me. Yes, I did love the colors of spring. Red, it added, is the hue that is the basis for a romantic color scheme. The eye is drawn to pink because of its red hue. But pink attracts attention where red demands it. Pink is the color of Venus, the goddess of love. That was me! A lover, not a fighter. I could never be a high power saleman. I wanted people to enjoy their book experience, to know that we are "book lovers" and a friendly business here to help them. We are eager to hear what books they love reading, that we love books too. Book lovers know what they want; they just want to deal with a place who can help them find it and that person will be honest about a book when asked. And, like me, book lovers tend to love creativity and be involved with interests.
I wanted to know more. Pinks, she said, could create a mellow, inviting intimate, comfortable and comforting atmosphere. Pinks are less showy people than reds. ( I prefer the background to being on stage. However, I do love doing presentations on books and book history since books are the center of attention. Pinks are more cautious and can be soft, tender friends. Pinks are nostalgic. Yup! That's me. For heavens sakes, why hadn't I recognized that pink was my color. Then I read this Joseph Alber's quote, "While human auditory memory is excellent - a melody is often repeatable after hearing it only once or twice, our visual memory, in particular the memory of color, is quite poor." I was intrigued and relieved by his words. Other people, many people, in fact, had a hard time selecting colors too- appropriate colors, that is. I wasn't alone in being color-selecting deficit. Although I may never be an expert, through study, I could better myself in the area of color selection and get my color confidence up where it belongs.
What's your color? love to hear about your choice. By the way, the TNNA has chosen the color Living Coral, as the color to take over 2019. They describe this color as "an animated, life-affirming shade of orange, with gold undertones." Hmm. Meanwhile, have fun perusing the below list on color.
Barbe, Karen - Colour Confident Stitching: How to Create Beautiful Colour Palettes - Whether you are a beginner or more experience, any stitching project, no matter how simple, can be enhanced by a well-chosen color palette; however, many people are nervous or even afraid of color. Barbae makes choosing and creating color palettes a fun and enjoyable part of the design process, guiding us through color theory as well as choosing and using color more instinctively. Includes five stitching projects that will encourage us to explore color and build confidence through exercise and experiment. $24.95
Brandeis, Susan - The International Thread: A Guide to Drawing, Gesture, and Color in Stitch - Communicate your ideas using line, shape, color, and texture with this reference and how-to exploration in one. Whether your particular interest is pictorial, portraiture, abstract compositions, or actual text, you can "say" almost anything with thread. More than 350 color photos translate the techniques of drawing, painting, and good composition into the word "stitch" and "Try this! projects inspire your own individual approaches. Including the role of machine stitching, this design resource, learning tool, and inspirational reference helps practitioners at all levels, whether beginning student, dedicated amateur, or professional. Take a lyrical - but logical - journey of skill building, and begin to stitch internationally and express your creative vision. $39.99
Brown, Christen - The Embroidery Book: Visual Resource of Color and Design - 149 stitches - step-by-step guide - Enjoy the tranquility of slow stitching with this step-by-step, visual guide to 149 embroidery stitches, motifs, and extras. Go beyond basic color theory-robust charts and take the guesswork out of choosing thread, silk ribbon, buttons, beads, and trims. Then take your embroidery to the next level with luxurious seam treatments and stunning stand-alone designs! This best-selling author's traditional and contemporary techniques are showcased in a colorful gallery of crazy-quilted projects. $27.95
Burr, Trish - Colour Confidence in Embroidery - I have to include this book by Trish Burr because it is all embroidery and color. She shares with us how color affects embroidery, how it can bring needlework to life and more. From color selection and blending to choosing complimentary colors and creative contrasting and shading, it highlights a variety of techniques for surface and counted thread embroidery projects. Just a look at the cover shows you she knows her color stuff. More than 200 stitched examples with DMC thread keys, plus color schemes and projects such as roses, fruits, and birds will inspire you. $34.95
C and T Publishing - Ultimate 3 in 1 Color Tool - New! Includes CMYK and RGB formulas, plus Hex numbers for web site design improved! Larger color swatches and expanded guidelines for use. 24 color cards plus an in-depth instructional guide make color planning easy. Handy, take-along sixe-refer to it at home, in your studio, or while shopping. Based on the Ives Color Wheel. $19.95C and T Publishing - The English Color Wheel - 9 inches in size - This simply easy to read rotating color-wheel will help you select
Ditto for the Mini Color Wheel - 5-1/4 inch - $4.19
C andT Publishing - Essential Color Wheel Companion - This wheel was designed by Joen Wolfrom because of popular demand. It is a durable color-accurate double-sided multi-purpose color wheel (12"x12"). One side of the wheel features 24 pure colors with 4 essential color-plan wheels for each color. The opposite side shows a arrange of each pure color's tints, shades, and tones. Pure color wedges are slotted so you can audition colors (fabrics, paint swatches, etc.) alongside of them to ensure a perfect match. $14.95
Fassett, Kaffe - Kaffe Fassett's Adventures in Color: This author has inspired thousands of people around the globe with his colorful work in fabric, knitting, needlepoint, patchwork, painting and mosaic and is considered a visionary in the use of color and pattern. With his coloring book, he shares 36 pieces of his own beautifully rendered line art plus 10 color tutorials complete with samples he created himself. Fassett's line of art ranges from Japanese kimonos, Turkish Palaces, and Ikat Robes to Chinese dragons, French coffee bowls, and Indian paisleys. This adult coloring book offers 36 coloring plates and 10 inspiring tutorials. What a way to experiment with color! $15.95
Finlay, Victoria - Color: A Natural History of the Palette - I hope this book never goes out-of-print. Victoria discovers the tantalizing true stories behind your favorite colors. For example: Cleopatra used saffron -- a source of the color yellow -- for seduction. Extracted from an Afghan mine, the blue "ultramarine" paint used by Michelangelo was so expensive he couldn't afford to buy it himself. Since ancient times, carmine red still found in lipsticks and Cherry Coke today has come from the blood of insects. She includes a quote from Picasso, "There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun." Ready to learn more? Visit with this author and her book. Get ready to understand color in this world from a new perspective. $18.00
Finlay, Victoria - The Brilliant History of Color in Art - Here she is again. Written for newcomers to the subject and aspiring young artists and even needleworkers of course, she takes us across the globe and over the centuries on an unforgettable tour through the brilliant history of color in art. Her rich narrative is illustrated in full color throughout with 166 major works of art -- most from the collections of the J. P. Getty Museum. She brings us eye-opening details. What a journey. $24.95
Khandelkar, Narayan, Victoria Findlay, Trinder, Kingston, et al. - An Atlas of Rare and Familiar Colour: The Harvard Art Museums' Forbes Pigment Collection - The Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies at the Harvard Art Museums encompasses over 2,500 of the world's rarest pigments. Museum director Edward Forbes started the collection at the turn of the 20th century, in order to preserve the early Italian paintings he had begun to collect. Over the years, the collection grew into a huge apothecary of bottles and beakers, as other art lovers and color experts donated their own pigments. This collection continues to grow, and regularly helps experts across the world to research and authenticate painting. This book examines the contained pigments and artifacts - their provenance, composition, symbology and application. It also explores the larger related fields of chromatics, the historical narrative of art and chemistry, and the innovations with which we have sought to better illustrate our aesthetic and expressive compulsions. Note: Victoria Finlay, a renown British color author, did the foreword, and whose books on color are in this list did the forward. $38.00
Pink, Tula - Tula Pink Coloring with Thread - Embroidery meets color-by-number! This book translates the phenomena of coloring books and Tula Pink's distinct style into the trending craft of hand embroidery. Included in this boo are more than20 original designs by Tula herself to be stitched and used in a variety of ways. With a complete stitch guide, you can fill in your designs however you choose. $21.99
Saito, Yoko - Yoko Saito's Japanese Taupe Color Theory: A Study Guide - This celebrated Japanese quilt artist, teacher, author and shop owner shares how she began to lay the groundwork for creating a color palette now coined as "Japanese taupes." In this book she walks you through the simplicity and complexity of taupe colors, revealing how to lay the groundwork for creating color collections to achieve the look you want. Find 20 color collections, shown in traditional and or original blocks, and step-by-step instructions on taupe color theory. Additionally she includes 37 projects with instructions include handbags, sewing items, and cushions. $37.95POTPOURRI OF NEW BOOKS
MY BOOK PICK OF THE SPRING: BOTANICAAlison Cole lauded this book so I had to investigate and fell in love with the three-dimensional embroidery of Julie Kniedl . In this lovely volume Julie has created twelve spectacular botanical pieces. All use simple stitches and a handful of techniques to create elegant and realistic interpretations of natural subjects. Each project is captured in glorious photography and detailed instructions are provided for every step. $36.00
Because of this book of three-dimensional embroidery botanical flowers I had to include this gorgeous book as well, The Golden Age of Botanical Art by Martyn Rix - Images produced in the study of plants have always held a fascination for those who love nature. This volume brings together the stories of the explorers and the professional artists who recorded for posterity the flora that they encountered on their expeditions. It delves into the sketchbook of explorers in the Himalayas and follows the voyages of those who found new worlds and specials as far apart as Russia and South America. Special features cover key figures in the botanical art world including such greats as Ehret and Bauer, as well as distinguished collections, such as that of Mutis at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Madrid. Rarely, or previously unpublished images from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and other archives from around the world reveal how these illustrations made a significant contribution to our understanding of the world and the glories of nature. The author is a botanist and has a PhD in Botany from the University of Cambridge and has made his own expeditions around the world to collect new plants for gardens. Who knows you might add new plants and flowers to your embroidery. $34.95MORE GREAT BOOKS!
Brown, Christen - Beaded Embroidery Stitching - Add dimension and luster to your sewing projects! Inspired by the magic of beads, buttons, and charms, Christen shares 8 stunning beadwork projects from brooches and bracelets to wallhangings. A handy visual guide to 125 bead embroidered and bead woven stitches categorized each stitch by style, with a second alphabetical index to keep at your fingertips. A robust project gallery will inspire crafters of all skill levels, from embroiderers and sewists to crazy quilters, mixed media artists, and jewelry makers. So put more sparkle in your stitches. $27.95
De Graaf, Rianne - Colourful Wayuu Bags to Crochet and Weave - Colorful, functional and fun - these striking crocheted Wayuu mochila bags have the best combination of features! Using the technique of tapestry crochet, there are 10 stunning bags to make, with the characteristic woven shoulder straps, and drawstring cords. Some of the bags are also embellished with pompoms and tassels. Using the traditional geometric patterns and shapes of the Colombian and Venezuelan Wayuu people, each bag is unique and you can make them in your own choice of colours. There is a comprehensive techniques section at the beginning of the book to help you get grips with tapestry crochet, and a section at the end showing you how to make the beautifully woven straps and also the drawstrings, using the Kumihimo technique. The woven straps could also easily be made on their own as trendy belts for trousers and shirts. Using very simple stitches, with easy-to-follow patterns and widely available 100% cotton yarns, these bags are too beautiful to resist. So pick up some yarn and hook and try it! Clear instructions and easy-to-follow patterns. $15.95
Lapierre, Corinne - Folk Embroidered Felt Birds - This popular author creates a charming range of 20 exquisite folk embroidered felt birds, including a swan, a hen, a goose, a partridge, an owl, a dove, a peacock and a flamingo. Wonderfully made in lovely, soft colors, the birds are filled with toy stuffing, and embellished with folk-style surface embroidery in different- colored threads. The stitches include chain, feather, fly running, blankets, French knots and satin stitch. There are also bead and sequin embellishments on some birds. The book also includes pretty hand-drawn step-by-step illustrations and there are same-size templates at the back of the book for all designs. The birds all have optional ribbon hangers for displays. $15.95
McWhinney, Jenny - Hedgerow Sewing Suite: Haberdashery Bag and Thread Holder; Hedgehog Pincushion and Knitting Needle Case - Start stitching right away with iron-on transfer designs. Sew four delightful zakka-style projects to help corral sewing and knitting supplies, including a sewing bag with an adorable spool tree motif, a drawstring thread holder adorned with little colorful spools, a hedgehog-themed pincushion, and a knitting needle holder. The PatternPlus pack includes instructions, iron-on transfers, patterns and motifs for all four projects, so you can easily mark your designs and get stitching. $22.95
Montano, Judith Baker - Judith Baker Montano's Essential Stitch Guide - Globally recognized needlework expert Judith Baker Montano shares 180 stitches and 70 combinations in this improved and updated second edition. Featuring even more traditional embroidery stitches, silk ribbon stitches, and crazy-quilting combinations, this beautiful handbook has an updated section of free-form inspiration for improvisational work. With full-color illustrations and advice for lefties, the essential reference goes far beyond the basics. $26.95
Pierce, Val - Knitted Rabbits - have fun with these 20 cuddly bunnies to knit with easy patterns that cover fluffy bunnies to finger puppets. Using a mix of yarns and weights, from fluffy and textured to cottons and naturals, Val leads us through all that is needed to create different looks and how to maximize bunny personality. The patterns are suitable for beginners and more advanced knitters, with techniques ranging from easy basic stitches to more decorative ideas. Includes neat photos of these different bunny characters. $14.95
Popova, Tatiana - The Textile Artist: The Seasons in Silk Ribbon Embroidery - Our author, a leading embroiderer in the world, includes 20 beautiful designs, techniques and inspiration along with her teaching you the essential techniques and stitches you need, including traditional ribbonwork and thread embroidery, as well as new ways of working that she has developed herself to make silk ribbon embroidery easier. The second part of the book is devoted to 20 stunning projects inspired by the seasons, each accompanied by numerous step-by-step photos, diagrams and instructions. These include vibrant floral arrangements as well as romantic and whimsical designs such as hearts, owls and posies, and there are ideas for seasonal gifts such as an Easter wreath, a Wedding Day heart and a Christmas star. Then of the designs feature full-size images to can and print on your fabric before embroidering. Book works for those new to ribbon and the experienced embroiderer. $26.95
Quail Studio - A Beginner's Guide to Intarsia Knitting - Learn how to create bright and colorful knits using the intarsia method of color knitting. It guides you effortlessly through the process of choosing colours, preparing yarn bobbins and working out yarn quantities through the basic intarsia techniques such as joining new colors and working from charts. At the end of the book there is a great collection of 11 gorgeous projects including a fox-themed cushion, an eye-catching chevron scarf and a show-stopping star blanket all designed with the beginner in mind. Whether you prefer vibrant, multi-colored knits or more muted tones, this easy-to-follow book will teach you all you need to know to crate contemporary colorwork. $15.95
Ranae, Natalie - Macramé at Home: Add Boho-Chic Charms to Every Room with 20 Projects for Stunning Plant Hangers, Wall Art, Pillows and More - This author will guide you step-by-step to create stunning designer art pieces to adorn any space with boho vibes. From contemporary plant hangers to elegant wall hanging to practical home accents such as pillows, rugs and floor poufs, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to get an impressive result with your very first project. The 20 projects include detailed photos and instructions for every step, and each project features a variation at the end that changes the look, for a total of 40 potential designs. Featuring a practical guide to common knots and patterns, no other DIY macramé book offers this much variety and instruction for designer pieces. $19.99
Schaefer, Kim - Whimsical Wool Applique - Cozy up to wool applique with fifty colorful garden blocks to mix and match! Best-selling author Kim Schaefer shares seven easy fusible applique projects to teach you embroidery basics or to bring your hand stitching to the next level. Layer luscious butterflies, birds, and flowers of wool on top of cotton fabric, then add the embroidered finishing touches to whimsical quilts, pillows, and home décor projects. Finish seven cheerful hand applique wool projects like wall quilts, table toppers, pillows and more. $24.95
Shaw, Kathy Seaman - Stunning Stitches for Crazy Quilts - You don't have to be a master embroiderer to create beautiful crazy-quilts seams! With 480 seam designs to inspire you, you'll learn to stitch with uniform spacing for a professional appearance. Line everything up perfectly with five pages of full-size stitch templates and dozens of step-by-step illustrations. Then dress up embroidery thread with sparkly beads, buttons, sequins, and silk ribbon embellishments for endless creative combinations! $29.95
Vaine, Janice - Hand Embroidery: Stitches at-a-glance - A great reference guide that features a complete step-by-step how-to for 30 favorite stitches. Backstitch, stem stitch, and dozens of stitch options and long with tips and techniques. Needle and thread charts for handy reference. Book size is: 4x6 inches. $8.50
Wasilowski, Laura - Joyful Stitching: Transform Fabric with Improvisational Embroidery - Dive into Laura's delightful world of embroidery and learn how to create small, free-form embroidery pieces that are alive with color and texture. With instructions for 21 embroidery stitches and 6 projects, all in Laura's signature colorful, whimsical style, you'll transform a flat, plain surface into a joyful, design-packed art piece. Stitch on wool, felt, or silk, and enjoy the simple pleasure of slow-stitching. Includes a gallery of display ideas. $19.95
THE TALE OF TWO BOOKS
Not too many years ago two great needlepoint stitch books were published by Dream House Ventures: Stitches ala Carte and Stitches ala Carte: Book II -The Lost Stitches by Lynda Richardson. I had carried them, of course, but with so many new books coming and going, even though they were best sellers by word of mouth, I lost track of them until one of our book friends asked for them. Shame on me! But I went looking for them and discovered that Lynda was very ill but her husband was in the process of getting a distributor for them. Now there is a distributor. Hoorah! So Lynda's classic stitch books have come available again and I am carrying them. I'm so sorry for Lynda's serious illness but thrilled her books will speak to who she is.
I would like to share what she wrote about needlepoint that has stuck with me since I first read it. She said she was at a National Needlearts Show and standing with a group of women bemoaning the rise of knitting and fall of needlepoint. Another woman passing by heard their remarks. She commented, "In 20 years that scarf you knitted will be in the rag bag; but that needlepoint piece you stitched will become a family heirloom." Whoever that woman was I applaud her. Someday your needlepoint will become became of someone's else's family history. And I hope these two wonderful books by Lynda will be too.
Stitches a'la Carte - Book I - This book is 5 1/2 x 9 inches in size and is spiral-bound so you can lay the book open to the graph you want. Speaking of graphs they are large and the stitch patterns come with names like: Garden Maze, Counting Stars, Stars and Bars, and more - in fact 63 stitches in all plus her little stories sprinkled throughout. $30.00Since her first book was so well received and she was begged to write a second book, she finally decided to do it and loved the process.
Stitches a'la Carte - Book II - The Lost Stitches - Lynda used her beloved first book as her guide for her second book. Again, large graphs, same-size book and spiral-binding. I love the stitch pattern names - Apple Pie Crust, Dance Steps, Leaded Windows, and more - again 63 stitches in total. I've enjoyed her little stories, again sprinkled throughout. $30.00BEADING AROUND THE WORLD - JOIN THE FUN!
Beadventures gives you the chance of learning beading with great beading experts while experiencing the world. How cool is that! Below I've included several trips they are doing this year:
Cruise the Midnight Sun to Alaska - Anchorage Workshops with Laura McCabe - June 9th - 16th 2019 - Experience the beauty of Southeast Alaska by cruising with Holland America out of Vancouver, B.C., Canada. After disembarking from the ship,
you'll travel by rail to Anchorage for a week's stay where you'll learn about Alaska under the midnight sun. You'll then join local beaders for three workshops with the incredibly talented, Laura McCabe. I was in Holland during the midnight sun and loved it!
Malta and Sicily Italy - September 9th - 22nd 2019 - They write, "Those who went on our Beadventure to Sicily in 2016 and had such a great time asked to do it again. Internationally renown bead artist Sabine Lippert again will be part of this great trip, along with Maggie Meister, Beadventures' expert on everything Italy. You'll visit Malta and Sicily, two beautiful islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Wish I had the time to go!For more information go to: www.beadventures.com or give them a call at: 907-258-2331. Their website is gorgeous!
MYSTERY CORNER
Adams, Ellery - Murder in the Reading Room (Book Retreat Mystery) - Storyton Hall, Virginia is a paradise for book lovers who come from all for literary getaways. But manager Jane Steward is temporarily leaving for another renown resort in hopes of solving a twist-filled mystery. Jane's boyfriend is missing and she thinks she may find him at North Carolina's historic Biltmore Estate. Officially, she's there to learn about luxury hotel management, but she's also prowling around the breathtaking buildings and grounds looking for secret passageways and clues. One of the staff gardeners promises to be helpful, that is, until his body turns up in the reading room of his cottage, a book on his lap. When she finally locates the kidnapped Edwin, his captor insists that she lead him back to Storyton Hall, convinced that it houses Ernest Hemingway's lost suitcase, stolen from a Paris train station in 1922. But before they can turn up the treasure, the bell may toll for another victim. $7.99
Buckley, Julia - Death Waits in the Dark (Writer's Apprentice Mystery) - It's summertime, and Lena and Camilla are busy working away while a town vandal runs amok. Things get even more complicated when Jane Wyland pays Camilla a not-so-friendly visit and gives her an ultimatum; reveal Camilla's husband Jane's family secret, or she will. Lena assures Camilla are busy working away while a town vandal runs amok. Things get even more complicated when Jane Wyland pays Camilla a not-so friendly visit and givens her an ultimatum: reveal Camilla's husband James's family secret, or she will. Lena assures Camilla that nothing will come of the woman's threats, since the family has no secrets to hide. When Jane Wyland is later found dead, they're convinced that whatever secret she was planning to expose led to her death. With Lena's assistance, Camilla is determined to solve the case before the finger points at her. $7.99
Carlisle, Kate - Buried in Books (Bibliophile Mystery) - Brooklyn has it all covered. She's triple-checked her wedding to-do list, and everything is on track for the upcoming ceremony with the love of her life, security expert Derek Stone. Not everyone has been as lucky in love as Brooklyn. Her old library college roommates Heather and Sara lost touch twelve years ago when Sara stole Heather's boyfriend. Brooklyn was caught in the middle and hasn't seen her former besties since their falling-out. When they both arrive in town for the annual librarians' convention and then show up at her surprise bridal shower, Brooklyn is sure drama will ensure. But she's touched when the women seem willing to sort out their differences and gift her rare copies of The Three Musteteers and The Blue Fairy Book. Brooklyn's pre-wedding calm is shattered when one of her formerly feuding friends is found murdered and Brooklyn determines that one of the rare books is a forgery. She can't help but wonder if the victim played a part in this fraud, or if she was targeted because she discovered the scam. With a killer and con artist on the loose, Brooklyn and Derek -- with the unsolicited help of their meddling mothers -- must catch the culprit before their big day turns into a big mess. $7.99
Chien,Vivien - Murder Lo Mein (Noodle Shop Mystery) - Lana Lee's stake in her family Chinese restaurant is higher than ever now that she's manager. So when she enters Ho-Lee into Cleveland's Best Needle Contest, Lana makes it her business to win -- at all costs. But when a local food critic receives a threatening note in a fortune cookie and is later found dead, face-down in a bowl of lo mein, all bets are off. Now, along with her sweet-and-sour boyfriend Detective Adam Trudeau, Lana decides to take matters into her own hands and dig into the lives of everyone involved in the contest. But when she receives an ill-fated fortune, Lana realizes that in order to save the reputation of her restaurant, she needs to save herself first. $7.99
Elliott, Lauren - Prologue to Murder (Bookstore Mystery) - Gossip columnists love a bold-faced name -- but "Miss Newsy" at Boston's Greyborne Harbor's local paper seems to specialize in bald-faced lies. She's pointed a finger of suspicion at Addie after librarian June Winslow never makes it home from a book club meeting. And when June's body's found at the bottom of a steep flight of stairs, Addie's not only dealing with a busybody, but a dead body. It's a good thing the guy she's dating is the police chief. But both the case and her love life get more complicated with a lanky blonde reporter from the Los Angeles shows up. She's trying her hardest to drive a wedge between the couple .. as if Addie doesn't have enough problems dealing with angry townspeople. Despite the rumors, Addie doesn't know a thing about the murder -- but she plans to find out. And the key may lie in a book about pirate legends that June published. Now she just has to hunt down the clues before she becomes a buried treasure herself. $7.99
Griffo, J.D. - Murder in Tranquility Park ( Ferrara Family Mystery) - Since Alberta Scaglione inherited her spinster aunt's Cape Cod collage she's been enjoying the good life in Tranquility with her black cat, Lola. When she and her friend, Jinx, stumble across a hidden treehouse and a dead body they take a detour into solving a murder. $7.99
Ehrhart, Peggy - Knit one, Die Two (Knit and Nibble Mystery) - Knit and Nibble's numbers are growing! In addition to a litter of adorable kittens, the knitting club just welcomes their newest member, Caralee Lorimer, who's learning to knit for her upcoming role in A Tale of Two Cities. According to the amateur actress the behind-the-scenes drama at the theater is getting downright catty, and Caralee wants a reckoning for Arborville's pretentious suburbanites. Her claws are out, and just like her character in the play, Caralee is ready to name names. But before she can finish snitch stitches, Caralee is killed in a suspicious theater accident. Someone thinks they've staged a perfect murder, but Pamela and her knit and Nibblers are ready to pounce on the real killer -- before it's curtains for anyone else! $7.99
Sennefelder, Debra - The Hidden Corpse (Food Blogger Mystery) - Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcee Hope Early is trying to find her recipe for success as a food blogger -- but murder keeps getting in the mix. When Hope's elderly neighbor perishes in a house fire, she can't help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn't even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone. But it turns out she wasn't alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire. $7.99
Wait, Lea - Thread on Arrival (Mainely Needlepoint Mystery) - Ike Hamilton is a part of the Haven Harbor community just like anyone else, though he's fallen on hard times and has to make do on disability checks and deposit bottles. Most of the locals do what they can to help him out, and needlepointing partners Angie and Sarah are happy to see him at the annual Blessing of the Fleet, honoring all those lost at sea over the centuries. But when harmless Ike is stabbed, suspicion quickly falls on a troubled teenage boy who's new in town. Angie's convinced that young Leo is innocent -- but if her didn't do it, who did? Turns out Ike may have appeared simple-minded, but he knew a few secrets that someone might have murdered him to keep quiet. Angie sets out to trace Ike's bottle-collecting route to find to find out what he witnessed -- and for this killer, there may be no redemption. $7.99
Next issue will be out by May 12th 2019 and feature lots of new books and out-of-print books. Please remember to join us. Have your drink of choice (mine's tea) and a snack to enjoy while you peruse our blog!If this was your first visit, I'd like to introduce you to our book business of over 26 years. During this time we set up bookshops for the ANG and EGA seminars and a variety of other needlework organizations as well as doing this blog.
Can't find a certain book? Please give us a call and we'll try to find it for you whether it is in or out-of-print.
Call us Monday through Saturday at: 602-943-0738. If you get the dreaded message please don't be shy about leaving a message. I'll get back to you ASAP. Or you can e-mail me at rkern3@mindspring.com. Or mail your order to: Ruth Kern Books 7235 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021.
MOST IMPORTANT! Remember to look for the discount code hidden somewhere in this blog that gives you a 20% discount on any new book your order from this blog or the previous ones.
COME BACK AND VISIT US AGAIN!!
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