Nora Pennington first appeared in The Secret, Book & Scone Society and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Nora.
What is your name?
Nora Pennington
How old are you?
Early 40s
What is your profession?
Librarian-turned-bookstore owner.
Do you have a significant other?
I’m dating a paramedic named Jedidiah Craig. He makes me laugh, which is all I’m looking for right now.
Any children?
No. I didn’t think I wanted any. Until I did. But I think that ship has sailed now.
Who is your best friend?
I have four best friends. June, Hester, and Estella. Together, we’re the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. We read, eat, chat, and do small things to make our town a better place.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
I live in a tiny house, so I don’t really have room for a pet. I like animals, and I’ve thought about having a bookstore pet, but some customers have pet allergies, and I don’t ever want to keep a reader from my books.
What town do you live in?
Miracle Springs, a small town in western North Carolina.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I bought an old caboose, and had it converted into a tiny home. I live on a hill above the train tracks, and the sound of whistles and the rumble of passing trains is a part of my daily soundtrack.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
In the winter, I like to read in my living room. I have a tiny wood-burning stove (it was actually made for a boat), and it makes the space cozy and warm. I spend Sunday afternoons on the sofa, drinking cinnamon tea and reading.
Favorite meal and dessert?
Breakfast for dinner.
Favorite hobby?
Reading, of course!
Favorite color?
Blue.
Favorite author?
Too many to list, but I’ll name a few. Tolkien, Austen, Hemingway, Christie, Fitzgerald, Wharton, Mary Stewart, Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Alice Hoffman, Neil Gaiman.
Favorite vacation spot?
Wherever my current read takes me. I can’t escape physically, so I rely on books for my escape, which is why I’ll pick up a beach read any time of the year.
Favorite sports team?
I don’t follow sports. I’m too busy reading.
Are you a morning or a night person?
Morning.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Amateur. I work with Sheriff Grant McCabe, the ladies of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, and my new employee, Sheldon Vega.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Most of my days have such a lovely beginning. I enter my bookstore, greet the sleepy books on the shelves, and get the coffee brewing. Next, I unpack the book-shaped pastries, which are still warm from Hester’s bakery oven, and arrange them in a case. Now, the whole shop smells of coffee and pastries. I turn on lights, unlock the door, and wait for customers. The rest of the day flies by as I recommend books, bag books, and order books. Occasionally, a customer will need special help, and I’ll lead them to the reader’s circle so they can tell me why they’re hurting. I’ll listen, and then, I’ll give them a list of books to help them heal. It’s my brand of bibliotherapy. Because I believe in the healing power of books.
To see examples of the my bibliotherapy topics and recommended reads, visit elleryadamsmysteries.com/bookrx
Giveaway: In The Book of Candlelight, Nora comes across the story of the Red Bird and its importance to the Cherokee Tribe. The bird, also known as the cardinal, symbolizing everlasting love and loyalty. For one lucky reader, this Tervis Cardinal mug will keep your beverages warm all winter and cool all summer. To enter, post a comment telling us how you make your winters cozier. Giveaway limited to U.S. residents. Leave a comment below for your chance to win. Contest ends January 31, 2019. Good luck everyone!
The Book of Candlelight is the third book in the “Secret, Book, & Scone Society” cozy mystery series, released January 28, 2019.
In the new Secret, Book, and Scone Society novel from New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams, the rain in Miracle Springs, North Carolina, has been relentless—and a flood of trouble is about to be unleashed . . .
As the owner of Miracle Books, Nora Pennington figures all the wet weather this spring is at least good for business. The local inns are packed with stranded travelers, and among them Nora finds both new customers and a new friend, the sixty-something Sheldon, who starts helping out at the store.
Since a little rain never hurt anyone, Nora rides her bike over to the flea market one sodden day and buys a bowl from Danny, a Cherokee potter. It’ll make a great present for Nora’s EMT boyfriend, but the next day, a little rain turns into a lot of rain, and the Miracle River overflows it banks. Amid the wreckage of a collapsed footbridge, a body lies within the churning water.
Nora and the sheriff both doubt the ruling of accidental drowning, and Nora decides it’s time for the Secret, Book, and Scone Society to spring into action. When another body turns up, it becomes clearer that Danny’s death can’t be blamed on a natural disaster. A crucial clue may lie within the stone walls of the Inn of Mist and Roses: a diary, over a century old and spattered with candle wax, that leads Nora and her friends through a maze of intrigue—and onto the trail of a murderer.
Purchase Link
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About the author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Ellery Adams, has written thirty-five mystery novels and can’t imagine spending a day away from the keyboard. Ms. Adams, a Native New Yorker, has had a lifelong love affair with stories, food, rescue animals, and large bodies of water. When not working on her next novel, she read, bakes, goes to Burn Boot Camp, and spoils her three cats. She lives with her husband and two children (aka the Trolls) in central North Carolina.
For more information on her books, reader’s guides, and bibliotherapy lists, please visit elleryadamsmysteries.com.
All comments are welcomed.
I am so excited to read this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy.
Love the mug! Cardinal is the state bird of Ohio and I live in Ohio. This book sounds so so good and I’d love to read it! Thank you for the chance.
I’m under layers of blanket, practically building a fort…..lol!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…
I like to snuggle up under a warm blanket and a cup of flavored coffee next to a window with a clear view of my surroundings, night or day and read and then read some more.
My favorite thing to do on a cold winter morning is to stay under my electric blanket and read a good book, a luxury I now have since retiring from my day job. If my husband is home he’ll bring me coffee in bed… hopefully in my new mug!
To make my winter cozier I enjoy making a variety of soup or chili for our meals I also enjoy snuggling under the covers on my bed and reading a cozy mystery. This time lets me get away from the outside disturbances and center myself again.
I love changing to my cozy jammies as soon as I get home from work everyday! Also, drinking hot tea and eating yummy soups. I would love to add this book to my collection of Ellery’s books! Thanks for the chance!
We live in Central Texas but we do have chilly (sometimes very cold) winters. I keep small blankets on the back of my living room and tv room comfortable chairs and sofas. They are always handy to use while enjoying a large cup of hot tea and a good book. I’m looking forward to reading Book of Candlelight. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series.
I make my winter experience cozier by enjoying a cup of tea or cocoa along with a cozy mystery while sitting in front of the fire snuggling with my pup.
I like to curl up with a warm blanket, a sleepy cat, and a good book- like this one.
Winter means fluffy socks, flannel shirts, hot tea and wonderful books.
I have several warm cozy blankets I leave laying around and drink hot drinks like hot cocoa and cappuccino! And definitely love reading while I’m being cozy!
I put the heat on high, enjoy soothing tea and surround myself with books and cozy blankets.
I use space heaters and hot chocolate to make the winter cozier. Good books help, too. I just started the first book in this series. Really interesting so far.
I make my winters cozier by snuggling on the couch under a blanket with my husband and our cat. I also make lots of soups and stews. This is a wonderful series – thank you so much for the giveaway!
To keep cozy in the winter, I make sure we have lots of throws and chai tea lattes available, as well as a fire in the fireplace. I’ve really enjoyed this series and am looking forward to reading The Book of Candlelight and spending time with Nora and her friends in Miracle Creek. My Grandfather loved cardinals, and whenever I see one, it makes me think of him.
I drink hot coffee, curl up with a warm, cozy hand knit or crocheted afghan with my kitty and a good book. This is such a wonderful series.
I love this series–Nora is such an interesting character. I wrap up in lots of quilts or afghans with hot chocolate or chai. I try to read but generally fall asleep once I get warm.
Making it home from work and getting into jammies, cuddling up with a book and snuggling in with a quilt and a thick robe in my favorite chair and ottoman. I love all these posts and must thank my space heater (R2D2) even in Florida at this time of year! This is one of my favorite Dru posts as the idea of a Caboose home, breakfast for dinner, an authors list with Christie and Mary Stewart, the cozy readers comments, and such a lovely, lovely typical day warmed the cockles of my heart. I don’t need the cup but am happy someone here will receive it as it seems there are some true cardinal lovers here. Look forward to hunting down this tempting story! Thank you!
I am halfway through listening to this audio book and my favorite way to stay cozy this winter in the Pacific Northwest, where it is damp and chilly, is to sit in a comfortable chair with a knitting project while listening to Nora’s story. I loved reading the bio and noticed that Nora says she has 4 friends but then lists only June, Hester and Estella – isn’t that only 3 friends? Is there another close friend on the horizon that I’ll meet by the end of this book? Maybe a 5th person will join the Secret, Book and Scone Society. Now I’m even more intrigued!
When it turns cold here it is a damp chill. I’m lucky enough to have a gas fireplace in our family room. I flip the switch and enjoy the flames and the warmth burning off that chill. I love the premise of this series!
I keep warm in winter with a blanket and hot tea or chocolate. And a book, of course!
I wrap up in one of my blankets and sit on my recliner with the TV on reading my latest book find. Cozy is just another word for peace of mind.
I keep cozy staying in the warm house with a blanket and a good book and watch the winter weather out the window.
Steps to a better winter? Stay home if possible! Soft cozy comfy clothes and socks/slippers required. A cuddly throw in every good reading spot. A tea kettle warm and ready for tea, cocoa, or cappuccino. A fully stocked reader AND stack of books. Pretty birds and nature to watch outside from the warmth and comfort of my nest! (And here in Central Illinois that means lots of cardinals.) No interruptions except when hubby lets you know supper is ready! Ahhhh!😍
Warm drinks, piles of quilts, and my coonhound piled in is pretty cozy.
I snug in with a cozy mystery.
I like to have a hot cup of tea and cuddle under a blanket and read or watch movies. I also like to crochet with some nice soft yarn.
Can’t wait to read this one! Winter is more cozy with flannel pjs, a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows and maybe some Irish Creme and a good book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Winters cozier…a fire going, comfort food of chicken and dumplings, fuzzy slippers and a good book with your puppy dog snuggling against you!
The book, the entire series, and Ellery Adams’ complete backlist are utterly amazing!!!!!
My winters are cozier by wearing my favorite sweater, using the fleece blanket that I have draped on the sofa, drinking hot tea, reading lots of books, and enjoying the garden that provides some beauty in spite of some bare trees.
I read and snuggle in my homemade lap cozies. I also do counted crossstitch and I knit Afghans!
I curl up in bed with my down comforter and read my books!
I have an electric throw blanket on my couch that is the perfect companion on cold nights
One thing I like about the cooler weather is having my cat sit on my lap acting as my heating pad!!
I make winters copied by seeing blankets for loved ones. And drinking coffee while reading books!
My winters are kept cozy with hot chocolate and cozy mysteries.
Here in Southeast Texas our winters aren’t too cold. But on our few cold days I like to drink some hot chocolate with cinnamon and read.
I live in Arizona, so I don’t have to cozy up my winter very often … but when it’s rainy and windy, I like Egyptian Licorice Tea, homemade craisin-and-white-chocolate scones, and my really old pajamas with owls on them. (By the way, I love that Nora lists Mary Stewart as a fave author. I grew up on This Rough Magic and Nine Coaches Waiting.) 🙂
I used to bake a lot during the winter, but these days, no one can or will eat anything sweet. So instead, I make a nice hot cup of tea, cozy under a blanket, and snuggle up with a good book. It’s been a mild winter here, but when the winds howl and the temps drop, I put on a fleece robe I’ve had for years. It’s incredibly warm, especially when paired with the above mentioned blankets. Thank you for the chance.
**** WINNER ****
Tervis Cardinal mug is Jacki Robertson
Congratulations!