Hello, and welcome to my January 2025 Newsletter. I'm wishing you a wonderful new year. In New England, it's a favorite time of year for me. Whether bundled up taking a brisk walk or reading a great book by the fireplace, the season always feels like a new beginning. Endless possibilities abound. Who doesn't love opening up a new calendar and seeing fresh spaces to be filled or left blank for contemplation? Whatever your pleasure, I hope this new month and year finds you healthy and happy for the road ahead.
NEW BOOK
I'm very excited to announce Book #4, Murder at First Light, will be released on 1/7/25.
Lighthouses, nannies, and murder…
Life has calmed down for modern nurse midwife Maeve O'Reilly Kensington following her daughter's eventful arrival into the world. Her family has settled into a welcome routine, and Maeve is about to break new ground as the first faculty midwife at Rosemont College in the quaint New England town of Langford.
Unfortunately, her tranquility is short-lived. During an early morning row on the bay, Maeve sees a jogger stumble out of Langford's iconic lighthouse, First Light, and collapse. When he is later pronounced dead, Maeve wonders if it was a natural death or foul play. First Light had rescued many in the past but certainly didn't save this hapless soul.
When Maeve and her indomitable sister, Meg, assist a young Irish nanny caught in the aftermath of the death, they land headfirst in the world of Langford's posh "Yummy Mummies." Will the fearless M&M's crack the case? Will Maeve adapt to the college world? Life in Langford carries on…with its usual mix of midwifery and murder!
I hope you enjoy the continuing adventures of Maeve and Meg!
BOOK SIGNINGS & LIBRARY AUTHOR TALKS
January 25, 1-3 PM
BARNES & NOBLE, 96 DERBY STREET, HINGHAM, MA
January 26, 11-12 PM
BOOKLOVE (IN THE PINEHILLS), 7 VILLAGE GREEN S, PLYMOUTH, MA
February 9, 1:30-2:30
NORWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY, 64 SOUTH STREET, NORWELL, MA
February 26, 6:30-7:30
WAREHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY, 59 MARION ROAD, WAREHAM, MA
MARCH 1, 1-3 PM
DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, 77 ALDEN STREET, DUXBURY, MA
Please drop by if you are in the area and have time. I would love to say hello and discuss the Modern Midwife Mysteries with you.
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Most of you know that I am a nurse midwife. I always like to include something relevant to women's health in my newsletter. Rachel Gross of The New York Times has a fascinating article on hysterectomies and the importance of women being informed and asking questions about which organs will be removed during this surgery.
RECIPE from Murder at First Light:
MALIA'S PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP LOAF
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan.
Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt in a large
bowl. Mix eggs and both sugars until combined. Add pumpkin, oil, and milk to the eggs and sugar. Then combine with flour mixture. Do not overmix. Add in chocolate chips.
Bake 65-70 minutes until cake tester is clean.
Cool completely before removing from pan.
REVIEWS
The best gift you can give to a writer is a review. It doesn't have to be long; it can be one line. It helps an author sell books, get contracts, and encourages them to keep going. I would appreciate reviews on any of my books. Thank you so much.
Thanks for reading!
See you next time.
Christine
I have loved your first 3 books and look forward to reading your latest one!