Reviewing The Brighter the Light

The Brighter the Light by Mary Ellen Taylor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Better all the time!

Mary Ellen Taylor never disappoints, and she really continues to interest readers with detailed quality writing. I’m familiar with her North Carolina settings and can easily fit myself into her stories, including the surfacing shipwreck remains and the clearing out of a family home.

The dual timelines are not usually my choice, but it’s transitioned clearly from 2022 back through family history to 1950, and it’s also helpful to have each chapter labeled with its main character.

You’ll be glad to get into this book and won’t want to put it down until finished.



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Featured Entertainers

Now available at your location and performing in Beaufort, SC, December 3, 2021.

Gullah Kinfolk full stage musical: Christmas Wish…Freedom

Aunt Pearlie Sue

Anita Singleton Prather, performing as Aunt Pearlie Sue, also delivers a full gospel choir for your event, from holiday services to weddings and receptions year-round. Any location worldwide. Just let us know your interest, and we can recommend a group and quote a fee.

Learn more here!

Reviewing Don’t Look Now

Mary Burton gets better with each new book. “Don’t Look Now” is due for release in September 2021, and you want to grab it quick. It’s a suspenseful story of a deranged killer and the detective work to stop him. The details are a bit rough and frightening, so only read it if you can bear the sex, drugs and squeamish parts.

The talented homicide detective does not want to turn lose of a case that she’s determined to solve. The Texas ranger does not want to take the case away from her either. How can a detective work after she’s blinded by an injury? How can she stop working when this killer needs to be found. All of their talents are needed to save the lives of the detective and her sister while putting down the deranged sadistic criminal.

We knew who the killer was, maybe, but did we really guess it?

Reviewing A Dark and Secret Place

Chilling and frightening, this was a compelling read.

Set in the lonely countryside outside London, a sad daughter must uncover secrets and more troubles as she deals with her mother’s unexplained suicide.

It’s a well-crafted and complex story not for the easily spooked reader.

Introducing Global Fortune 500 Speaker Craig Whelden

Major General Craig B. Whelden, U.S. Army (retired)

“Global Fortune 500” Speaker

Multiple Award-winning, #1 International Best-selling Author

Craig’s leadership journey started when he became an Eagle Scout at age 14.  Thirty years later, he was one of the youngest Generals in the United States Army.  

Combined with another nine years as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the U.S. Marine Corps, he has over 17 years at the highest levels of the U.S. military, leading thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and civilians, while serving 10 years in Europe and another 12 in the Pacific.  

Approaching retirement, he was asked “What do you want to do next?” He responded simply: 


“I want to give back decades of leadership and life lessons to the next generation.”  


Now a Global Fortune 500 Speaker and Multiple Award-winning, #1 International Best-selling Author, he is among the world’s foremost experts on:

  • Inspirational Leadership
  • Effective Communications
  • Crisis Management
  • Working in Uncertain Times
  • Goal-setting and Life Balance

A Master storyteller, he uses the lessons from his life to convey takeaways on improving a host of life, work, leadership, and interpersonal habits.  Here’s some feedback from his presentations:

“He kept us all spellbound” – Joanne M.

“Now that I’ve heard you speak, I’m even more motivated to read your book!” – Karen M

“The three people I most enjoy listening to and learning from are Tony Robbins, Stephen Covey, and Craig Whelden” – Roger C.

Amazing speaker!  Made so many points that really hit home.  Would love to hear him speak again.” – John F.

“I could listen to his stories for hours!” – Jake D.

Light at the End of the Tunnel was one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever heard.” – Larry A.

His book and his presentations have energized thousands around the world to be their very best!

Reviewing Burn You Twice

Burn You Twice by Mary Burton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Best Ever!

This is my favorite of Mary Burton’s great books! The suspense is exciting, and I couldn’t put it down.

It’s a true thriller with some troubled characters, some really frightening fires and resulting tragedies, and the bit of romance keeps the reader hoping for some soft touches. The Montana setting also adds to the interest with detailed descriptions of such powerful visuals.

We might hope to see these characters again in another episode, as a few questions remain.



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Reviewing Never Look Back

Never Look Back by Mary Burton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Better than ever!

Mary Burton has really done it this time with a book I could not wait to finish. A real page-turner!

Set in the wonderful Tennessee town of Nashville, the story features The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent Melina Shepard. She is a great character with a disturbing past. The FBI agent Jerrod Ramsey who shows up is also likeable, and while they might question working together we know exactly how they can succeed. Not one, but two seial killers must be found and stopped. Melina is in the forefront of both killers’ views as paths crisscross.

It’s a complex and well-developed plot, not as likely in the Romance genre as it is a thriller/crime story.

Read the first two in this Criminal Profiler series, or just jump right in to this one and enjoy. Don’t miss any of Mary Burton’s books. They are always good reads.



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Myrtle Beach Husband and Wife Both to Compete in World Food Championships

Walter “Rick” Geise has won a spot in the World Open Chili Championship.

He is a machinist and tool maker by trade and originally learned to cook by helping his grandmother around the kitchen. His cooking skills were also greatly influenced by his wife Andreann and her family who were in the restaurant business.

Rick met his wife in 1984 while they were both still in high school. They shared a love of fishing, the outdoors and food. Andreann’s love of food and her father started her exciting journey in foodsport. She convinced Rick  to enter his first recipe contest, in which he took judges choice. He won a cash prize, a box of assorted cheeses and bragging rights since he beat out his wife for that win. Was it beginner’s luck? He is about to prove to her it was cooking skill and not luck that won him that prize. He competes for the first time in the World Food Championships (WFC) this year. She suggested he enter Taste of America, the contest that won him his Golden Ticket to WFC.

Chef Andreann Geise will be competing in sandwich.  This year’s competition marks the fourth time that she has competed at WFC. Her best finish came in 2016 when she placed fifth with her Bacon, Shrimp & Tomato Salad on Garlic Bacon Toast in the signature round of the Bacon category.

About the World Food Championships

The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live-event culinary competition showcases some of the world’s best cooking masters competing for food, fame and fortune in ten categories: Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Chili, Dessert, Recipe, Sandwich, Seafood and Steak. In 2018, over 1,500 contestants on nearly 500 official teams from 42 American states and 12 countries competed. More than 20 million people have attended WFC or have seen it on national TV over the past seven years. The 2019 Main Event will be held in Dallas, Texas at Reunion Tower Lawn, Oct. 16-20, 2019.