A day in the life of Nora Pennington by Ellery Adams

Occupation: Proprietress of Miracle Books

I know what you’re expecting.

You’re expecting a heroine who has relocated to a quaint small-town following a messy divorce, a cheating lover, a failed business venture, or another relatable tragedy.

But I’m no heroine.

I recognize these kinds of tragedies, though. I’ve seen countless people wounded by divorce, infidelity, and failed ventures. I’ve met them, spoken with them, and tried to help them.

They come to this town—to Miracle Springs—in search of healing. They’re in the minority. Most of the people who come here have physical illnesses. They’re battling cancer or suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, or another terrible disease.

Others suffer from injuries dwelling deep in their hearts.

Emotional pains.

Secret pains.

These people enter my bookshop. It’s located in the old train station. They order a cup of cappuccino or an herbal tea and I serve it to them through the old ticket agent’s window. They browse for a spell, moving among the maze of bookshelves. There are new books, old books, and collectible books. There are cushy chairs, plump cushions, and plenty of reading lamps. There are shelf enchancers for sale: wonderful vintage items like a silverplate hand mirror with roses, a bamboo birdcage, a wind-up racecar, a child’s tea set, or a pair cast iron castle bookends.

When the newcomers have finished wandering and are ready to talk, they come to me for help, and I find them the books they need.

The locals call me a bibliotherapist. Though I have no formal training, I’ve read thousands of books. And I know pain. I’ve walked through fire. Literally. The burn scars bloom along the length of my arm and the right side of my neck and cheek like jellyfish. They’re a permanent reminder of my past. Of my other life. Of my secret.

You have one too. We all do. Our secret is our story. It is only when we share our stories that we become free.

I can put the right set of stories into a person’s hands. So if you need help and no one else has been able to understand you, to get you the way you need them to—there’s a perfect set of stories just waiting for you. I’m waiting for you. Here, inside Miracle Books. I can’t guarantee you’ll be healed, but I’ll do whatever one broken and scarred human being can do for another. I’ll listen for the sleigh bells banging against the front door. That’s how I’ll know you’ve come to find me. I’ll put the coffee on. And we’ll talk.

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You can read more about Nora in The Secret, Book & Scone Society, the firist book in the NEW “Secret, Book & Scone Society” mystery series.

From New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams comes the first in an intriguing new series set within a quirky small-town club where the key to happiness, friendship—or solving a murder—can all be found within the pages of the right book . . .

Miracle Springs, North Carolina, is a place of healing. Strangers flock here hoping the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. If none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked “comfort” scone from the Gingerbread House bakery, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That’s Nora’s special talent—prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person’s deepest pain and lighten their heaviest burden.

When a visiting businessman reaches out to Nora for guidance, she knows exactly which novels will help. But before he can keep their appointment at Miracle Books, he’s found dead on the train tracks.

Stunned, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a group of damaged souls yearning to gain trust and earn redemption by helping others. To join the society, members must divulge their darkest secret—the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place.

Determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman’s demise, the women meet in Nora’s cramped and cozy bookstore to share stories and trade support. And as they untangle a web of corruption, they also discover their own courage, purpose, and a sisterhood that will carry them through every challenge—proving it’s never too late to turn the page and start over . . .

Buy Link

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Giveaway: To enter to win a Secret, Book & Scone Society tote bag as well as a scone mix (flavor to be determined), share the title of a book that helped you through a tough time. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends November 2, 2017. Good luck everyone!

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About the author
New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sound. Having spent her adult life in a series of landlocked towns, she cherishes her memories of open water, violent storms, and the smell of the sea. She now writes full-time from her home in North Carolina, which she shares with her husband, two trolls, and three keyboard-hogging felines. Adams loves coffee, champagne, kickboxing, 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, Pinterest, and black jelly beans.

Her traditionally published series include The Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mysteries, The Book Retreat Mysteries, The Books By the Bay Mysteries, and The Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries.

Her Indie series, available as ebooks only, include The Supper Club Series, The Hope Street Series, and The Molly Appleby Collectible Series.

For more killer mysteries, visit elleryadamsmysteries.com.

All comments are welcomed.