The Book of Candlelight By Ellery Adams: Review/Giveaway

Mar 14, 2020 | 2020 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of The Book of Candlelight. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

After North Carolina’s heavy April rains drive a deluge of customers into Miracle Books for warmth and even more comforting reads, Nora Pennington decides to venture out to restock her supply of popular shelf enhancers. The striking bowls Nora finds at the tobacco barn flea market are irresistible, and she finds them as memorable as their creator “Cherokee Danny.” So when Nora stumbles into Danny Amo-adawehi’s body in the river near his home, she’s devastated for what the loss means both to the art world and his wife. Having discovered a talent for using “bibliotheraphy” to ease the pain of her customers through books, Nora is unable to ignore the despair she sees in the eyes of Danny’s widow. While evidence indicates that he drowned either by accident or suicide, further attacks and acts of violence lead Nora to conclude otherwise.

Their sorrow resulting from “shameful” secrets is what first united Nora with her friends Hester Winthrop, June Dixon, and Estella Sadler. Together they are learning to move past their perceived shame, which for Nora she wears as a banner in the form of burn scars on her hands. Welcomed in flawlessly to this Secret, Book, and Scone Society is Sheldon Silverstein Vega, whose abundance of joy and creativity hides bouts of debilitating chronic pain. As they are menaced by a figure from one of their pasts and Nora continues to redefine her relationship with a man she feels she doesn’t deserve, the bond between the women grows as they continue to open up about the secrets they have shared only with one another.

I absolutely adore the women of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society who counsel one another as they face each new challenge. Estella is finding that her brash exterior scares away clients from her salon, Hester is fearful that her boyfriend will never accept her true imperfect self, and June’s estranged relationship with her son haunts her. Sheldon is the perfect addition to their supportive group as his clever wit and genius with book displays is sometimes shadowed by the pain that turns him into a cranky hermit. The appeal of bibliotheraphy is undeniable whether when used to ease tensions between a father and rebellious daughter or counsel a young widow. While one may wish that all of life’s answers could be found in between the pages, who hasn’t sought comfort and solace in a cherished book at some point in their lives? One never feels lectured to as readers are gracefully and entertainingly educated about banned books, are presented with a historical diary, or are gifted with a clever Cherokee tale. The vulnerable yet strong residents of Miracle Springs will keep readers coming back for more as their trust grows as strong as Nora’s love of books.

To enter to win a copy of The Book of Candlelight, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “candlelight,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 21, 2020. U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted when the contest is over. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Be sure to check out our new mystery podcast too with mystery short stories, and first chapters read by local actors. A new episode went up this week.

Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

You can use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

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26 Comments

  1. Sounds like a good story. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.

    Reply
  2. Loved the first two in the series and looking forward to reading this one!

    Reply
  3. The Book of Candlelight sounds intriguing. What a great setting and story. Thanks.

    Reply
  4. Sounds interesting! Count me in!

    Reply
  5. I truly love this series! Every fan of cozy mysteries should read this series!

    Reply
  6. Awesome! I would love to read this book!

    Reply
  7. LOVE Ellery and her books!

    Reply
  8. I love this series! Thank you for this chance!

    Reply
  9. I would love to read this book by a new to me author. Thank you for the chance.

    Reply
  10. This book would look great on my shelves, and in my hand. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com

    Reply
  11. That was a wonderful review of ‘The Book of Candlelight ‘ .
    Living in North Carolina believe me nothing is more true than
    those words of deluge of rain here.. ? I believe you captured the
    Author Ellery Adams in your review and she captured North Carolina.
    A marvelous passage. Can you imagine the rest of the book?

    Thanks you to Cynthia Chow for a lovely review
    Plus KRL for being such terrific hosts
    Blessings to you both for continued success ?
    Hopefully we can read many many more spectacular books ?

    Reply
  12. I’ve been wanting to start this series and would love to win a copy of The Book of Candlelight. Thanks for sharing your review and the chance to win a copy!

    Reply
  13. I’ve read lots of good things about this series! Would really enjoy reading.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  14. Ellery Adams assures readers a great book to enjoy. I would love to be able to claim The Book of Candlelight as my own. Thank you for the chance.

    Reply
  15. This is an interesting premise.
    I’ve read some of the previous
    books and enjoyed them.
    thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  16. I’d enjoy reading this book! Thank you for the chance it sounds amazing.

    Reply
  17. You can never go wrong with a book by Ellery Adams. Thank you for an insight into The Book of Candlelight. I’m looking forward to reading.

    Reply
  18. I love Ellery’s books. She is such an inventive and interesting writer. I’m sure this one is also a great read, especially during these crazy days of late. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

    Reply
  19. Thanks for a chance to add this book to my library.

    Reply
  20. Fantastic cover. Thanks for the chance.

    positive DOT ideas DOT 4you AT gmail DOT com

    Reply
  21. I would love to win this! Thanks for the chance and Happy Spring!

    Reply
  22. Beautiful book! Would love to read and review!

    Reply
  23. We have a winner!

    Reply
  24. Sounds interesting and fun to read. Thank you for the chance

    Reply

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