Spotlight of How The Hell Did I Not Know That by Lucie Frost

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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HOW THE HELL DID I NOT KNOW THAT?

 LUCIE FROST

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF KATELYNN DREYER | PUBLICIST | KAYE PUBLICITY 

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How the Hell Did I Not Know That? is a witty and honest companion, a girlfriend, if you will, for women in midlife who are struggling to find their place in the world, who are concerned about misogyny, climate change, and the industrial prison complex, just not while watching the latest episode of The Bachelor. 

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August 26th

Trinity University Press

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ABOUT HOW THE HELL DID I NOT KNOW THAT?:

After quitting her job with an awkward text to her boss, Lucie Frost planned to live out her early retirement fantasy.  Except she was lost, an empty nester with no job, no structure, no identity, and no clear purpose.

Everything changed after she binge-watched the television program 90 Day Fiancé one day, which led to a stream of answers to her question about midlife stagnation:  What do we do with our lives when our jobs or children are no longer making those decisions for us?

Her trivia-filled memoir, How the Hell Did I Not Know That?, follows the first year of Frost’s post-retirement era, a year when curiosity pulled her off the couch and into a world where she discovered how to build a fulfilling life from the smallest of wonders—things like how to un-boil an egg with urine (but why, oh why?), where the Vice President of the United States lives (something we should know?), and why the sky is blue (wait, didn’t we learn that in third grade?).

Frost shows us that women “of a certain age” need to take themselves seriously while remembering to laugh at inappropriate things and that they can find meaning in life by relying on the power of curiosity.

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PRAISE FOR HOW THE HELL DID I NOT KNOW THAT?:

"A memoir laced with humor and profanity that will draw readers in and keep them turning the pages as they learn facts about various subjects and the spirited Frost’s struggles and triumphs in navigating midlife."--Library Journal

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Photo Credit:   Siggi Ragnar

Lucie Frost retired as a lawyer and is now a humor and satire writer. She is a regular contributor to NextTribe and has written for Slackjaw, Belladonna, Points in Case, and other publications. 

She lives in San Antonio, Texas.

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This Week At Silver's Reviews

See you this week.

Spotlight of Where You Once Belonged by Lorna Graham

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TYPORAMA
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WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED

LORNA GRAHAM

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF NICOLE OF WUNDERKIND PR.

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A gripping exploration of ambition, reinvention, and the unexpected power of revisiting the past.

Part magical realism, part workplace fiction, this thought-provoking story about a hot-shot journalist returning to her college days will leave readers pondering their own "what ifs."

The novel was included on ReadwithJenna’s bookstagram as well as Dateline NBC.

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May 13, 2025

S&S/SheWritesPress

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PRAISE FOR WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED:

“This is a twisty and enthralling pick for any reader craving a crowd-pleaser packed with intrigue, mystery, feminism, and self-reflection.”–Los Angeles Wire

"A cynical TV news producer sells out her principles to rise to her network's top job, and comes face-to-face with what appears to be her idealistic teenage self."–Gizmodo

"A deftly rendered novel about reconnecting with one’s true self."

–Kirkus Indie

“Where You Once Belonged pulls you in like a beach read, makes you think like a book club pick, and delivers a whopper of a twist like the best TV magazine show. I couldn’t put it down and the ending—that’s somehow both shattering and uplifting—still haunts me.”—Andrea Canning, Dateline NBC correspondent

“Once I started reading Where You Once Belonged, I did not want to put it down. And when I did put it down (to run to the store) I was completely distracted. The action on screen in my imagination was vivid. Quite real. As soon as I finished, I handed it to my wife. And said, ‘You will love this.’”—Harry Smith, NBC & CBS News

“I couldn’t put this one down! A smart, absorbing contemporary novel with a touch of magic, Where You Once Belonged is a must-read for anyone who loves to root for the underdog. Lorna Graham has gifted her readers with an expertly paced, riveting examination of power structures, justice, and what constitutes a true happy ending. Readers will love these characters!”—L. Alison Heller, author of The Neighbor’s Secret, The Never Never Sisters and The Love Wars

"When Everleigh Page receives an invitation to return to her college sorority—despite having dropped out before graduation 20 years ago—it sets off a series of events that will make her question her decision to leave … and all of her decisions since then. Lorna Graham delivers a surprising page-turner that you won’t be able to put down!"—Juliette Fay, bestselling author of The Tumbling Turner Sisters and The Harvey Girls

“Where You Once Belonged is a brilliant tale of abandonment, betrayal, and friendship that winds back and forth in time, illuminating the ways in which a woman’s past have tragically affected her present. Mysticism lends its hand, and life-shaping misunderstandings surface­—leading to truths that bring clarity and grace. Lorna Graham’s writing is mesmerizing, empathetic, and so absorbing that readers will find this novel impossible to put down.”—Karen Uhlmann, author of Intersections

“Compelling and timely, Where You Once Belonged is a gripping story of an executive's journey back to her past and toward an awareness of her current, flawed self. As she did in her first novel, Lorna Graham uses the supernatural to excellent effect, with historical characters holding modernity to account.”—Daphne Uviller, author of This Was Not The Plan

 

“With sharp dialogue and some unconventional plot twists, Graham writes about the challenges faced by a woman chasing corporate success. Things are more complex than they seem, and getting ahead also requires delving into the past. A profound exploration of ambition, sacrifice, compromise, and (last but not least) finding love.”—Jude Berman, author of Shot

“A must-read for anyone who loves stories full of dynamic and well-fleshed-out female characters. . . . Women’s fiction, suspense, or drama readers won’t want to miss this book. . . . one of those stories that lingers with you, and prompts you to reflect on the events that shape who you are.”—Readers’ Favorite, FIVE STARS 

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ABOUT WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED:

Everleigh Page is on the cusp of greatness.

Executive producer of an award-winning primetime news magazine, she’s just been offered a role never attained by a woman at her network: president of the news division.

It will be her job to shape coverage of world events and mold the journalists of tomorrow.

Too bad in order to get here she’s sold out most of the principles she held as an idealistic young reporter.

Too bad she’s just, at the direction of her boss, fired two of her best staffers and killed an important investigative story that could save lives.

As a woman, she knows, you have to play ball to get to the top. Even if it means bending your moral code or breaking up with your boyfriend.

Sean may be the love of her life, but his large, complicated family has started taking up too much of her time.

Her younger self wouldn’t recognize her. Or will she?

When a college reunion takes a mystical twist, Everleigh finds herself defending her choices to the toughest critic in the world and confronting a crucial question: can she possibly right all the wrongs she was willing to tolerate just an hour ago?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lorna Graham is the author of The Ghost of Greenwich Village (Random House/Ballantine), Where You Once Belonged and is a writer at Dateline NBC.

She has written numerous documentaries, including Auschwitz, produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Meryl Streep, which competed at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.

 

Across numerous films, PSAs, and speeches, she’s written for Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, and Morgan Freeman.

Her debut novel, The Ghost of Greenwich Village, has been optioned by Stevie and Maureen Van Zandt's Renegade TV.

She graduated from Barnard College and lives in Greenwich Village.

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Connect with Lorna:

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Spotlight of If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

PHOTO SOURCE:

TYPORAMA
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IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY

JULIE OLIVIA

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF TARA O'CONNOR | SENIOR PUBLICIST | BERKLEY, AN IMPRINT OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE.

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This fall, cue up your 90s playlist, break out your Walkman, and curl up with a cozy blanket, your old Beanie Babies, and Julie Olivia’s Berkley debut for a delicious escape back in time.

A sweet and nostalgic small-town romance filled with plenty of classic tropes.

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September 2, 2025

Berkley Trade Original

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ABOUT IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY:

IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY can be described as Gilmore Girls meets the Pumpkin Spice Café – but a lot steamier! Set in small-town Copper Run, Vermont, in autumn 1997, Olivia’s first traditionally published novel offers readers a love story that feels like the first sip of a warm, delicious latte on a cold day.

It’s a grumpy-meets-sunshine, fish-out-of-water tale of two small-town business owners and next-door neighbors who fall head-over-heels for each other, set in a simpler time before smart phones and internet dating.

 Copper Run, Vermont, 1997: The leaves are changing colors. School is back in session.

The locals are decorating for Halloween. The most inviting scents are wafting from the bakery. And a taxicab delivers an out-of-towner and her dog to the local inn.

 

When big-city advertising executive and recent divorcee’ Michelle arrives at the bed-and-breakfast that was her mother’s retirement project, she can hardly appreciate the glories of a New England fall.

Michelle is grieving her failed marriage and the unexpected loss of her mom. With her life crumbling around her, Michelle suffers one more blow when she agrees to take a leave of absence from her job at the ad agency in Seattle to handle things at her mother’s small-town inn in Vermont.

 

Michelle doesn’t know the first thing about running an inn. So, when her very helpful, very attractive, single dad of a next-door neighbor offers to give her some hospitality lessons, Michelle agrees.

It’s not long before this stubborn city-dweller finds herself falling for small-town living… and for her hot neighbor.

 

IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY is the perfect fall read, set in a quaint village that feels a lot like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls.

It’s even led by two protagonists reminiscent of Luke and Lorelei (in this case, Luke is a grumpy female inn owner, and Lorelai is a sunshiny single dad who owns a bakery)! Olivia gifts readers a trip down memory lane in this charming, heartwarming romance.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie Olivia writes cozy love stories filled with humor, spice, and close friend groups that feel like a warm hug.

She is a roller coaster fan, avid romance reader, and rainy day enthusiast.

Before writing romance novels, Julie moonlighted as an illustrator and worked in Human Resources, in which she still maintains a SHRM-CP certification.

However, she decided writing about office romances where they break all the policies was far more enjoyable than enforcing them.

Julie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their very opinionated pets.

She loves to hear from her readers! 

Contact her at julie@julieoliviaauthor.com

**AUTHOR PHOTO AND BIO TAKEN FROM HER WEBSITE**

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ALSO FIND JULIA AT THE LINKS BELOW:

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Book Blogger - 9/5/2025

                              

Question of the Week:

Have you ever read a book with a character with the same name as you? (submitted by Snapdragon @ Snapdragon Alcove)

My Answer:

Many - I guess Elizabeth is a good name for a character.  :)

And....I loved seeing my name in print.  LOL!!

Friendly Fill-Ins - 9/5/2025

                                               

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FRIENDLY FILL-INS:

1. I define success by ______. 

2. ___________was an awkward moment. 

3. I learned to ________ when I was _______ years old.

4. I can only _______ so much _______ before I ______.

  MY ANSWERS:

1.  I define success by having people be happy at what I have helped them with.

2.  Not sure what was an awkward moment.

3.  I learned to drive when I was 15 years old.

4.  I can only work on the computer so much before my eyes get blurry.

Bees In June by Elizabeth Bass Parman

Going to be a favorite of 2025.

From the minute, you meet Sara, you will want to be with her and share her heartaches as well as her joys.

Sarah married her high school sweetheart,Tiny, but it wasn’t a sweet marriage.  He totally changed.

He always grumbled about the money that she spent so she decided to get a job.  

The job was great because she could get out of the house and bring home food for herself, her husband, and her Uncle Dixon.  She also could put away some money for a rainy day.

Uncle Dixon was wonderful, and he taught Sara that bees were magical and could help you be safe and even do some predictions.

I loved the chapters about how the bees talked about what was going on and how they talked about protecting Sara and helping her and others.

BEES IN JUNE is a very hopeful, sweet, pleasurable read.  You won’t want the book to end.

Ms. Parman’s beautiful descriptions of everything and especially the flowers that  graced Uncle Dixon‘s home added to the beauty and heartwarming theme of this book.

This book takes you to a place that feels like a hug and has characters that are genuine and gentle except for one.

I want to meet Sara, Uncle Dixon,  Ambrose, Aunt Eugene, and May Dean.

If you need an uplifting, endearing read, do not miss BEES IN JUNE.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.  All opinions are my own.