Mailboat III is Here at Last!

Reading The Captain's Tale!

Author Danielle Lincoln Hanna has done it again with her amazing murder suspense series, Mailboat.  Mailboat III The Captain's Tale is in bookstores now and it is my favorite of the series so far.  In this third of the Mailboat Suspense Series, I found myself getting answers to much awaited questions from Book II, but once again, our author leaves her readers hanging on to the edge of their seats as you follow along in the lives of Captain Tommy, Ryan, Monica and Bailey.  

Don't miss the chance to meet Danielle in Lake Geneva, Madison, Milwaukee Wisconsin or Chicago on her book signing tour this month June 8-23. Check out where she will be on the Events page of her web site Danielle Lincoln Hanna.  You can also order paperback copies of all of the Mailboat books in the series on Danielle's page or Amazon.  

The Captain's Tale is the "perfect" summer read! I've placed my order of several copies to place in my Little Free Library to share with neighbors and friends in our neighborhood.  It will have your book club buzzing so get on board today!

  

Exciting New Book of the Summer!

Photo courtesy of DanielleLincolnHanna

 Please meet Danielle Lincoln Hanna, an author friend of mine who has just completed her new suspense mystery called  Mailboat Book One.  The story is based in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. I was privileged to have been asked to be an early reader for Mailboat Book One.  It's the first time in years I have read an entire book of over 200 pages in one night.  I couldn't put it down and I recommend it as one of the best reads of the Summer. 

The book opens with Bailey Johnson who is employed for the Summer on the historic Lake Geneva Mailboat as a mail jumper on Geneva Lake. Bailey'a job is   jumping off the boat as it is moving to deliver the mail in the mailbox at the end of each lakefront mansion pier.  One day after tumbling into the lake, Bailey discovers a dead body under the water which is only the beginning of this suspense and action packed mystery. 

Mailboat One becomes available Monday, August 1st on Amazon.  In the meantime, please check out Danielle's webpage at daniellelincolnhanna for a sneak preview of Mailboat Book One.  Click on My Books at the top of Danielle's page, and download a free sample of Mailboat Book One.  You can also check out Danielle's Twitter page @DanielleLHanna.  I plan on ordering several copies to place in and share in my Little Free Library at my home.  

Here's an exciting opportunity to meet Danielle in Lake Geneva on the actual Mailboat which also happens to be celebrating it's 100'th birthday this year.  

Saturday, August 20th at 9am meet at lakegenevariviera on the beautiful shores of Geneva Lake for an actual Mailboat cruise, have lunch with Danielle in downtown Lake Geneva, hear how Danielle was inspired to write her suspense thriller by her visit a couple of years ago to Lake Geneva.  And you will receive an autographed copy of Mailboat Book One.  There are only five tickets available so please go to http://daniellelincolnhanna.com/mailboat-cruise-with-the-author for more information.  Ticket's are $100.00 pp.  

Have a great weekend and happy reading!  

Reflecting on the Seasons - It's Suddenly Summer

Our second home is in a Midwest location that suddenly transitions from serene Winter and Spring to bustling with crowds everywhere Summer!  Two weeks ago we could get a table at any restaurant without a problem and sometimes were the only couple or family in the entire restaurant.  Memorial Day weekend brings visitors to the area by the droves, arriving by train, car and a handful of private aircraft.  Two weeks ago, I was one of a dozen customers at our local supermarket.  Today, the parking lot and check out aisles were jammed with people frantically looking for food and drink to feed the many family members and friends they were having up once they had opened their cabins and lake homes for the Summer season.  Many part time home owners here close up their homes for the Winter, only enjoying them in the Summer months.  We have a 4 season home and for 19 years this year enjoy each and every season.  Naturally the Summer months bring the joy of boating, grilling, the walktalkandgawk path around lakegenevawi, the many festivals.  Neighbors venture out of their homes from a long Winter's hibernation to rediscover the joys of living in the same community and catch up on what we have all been doing the past few months.   

Doesn't it seem we have just taken down our Christmas trees and decorations?  The lakes ice gradually melting, the pier companies barges suddenly appear placing piers around the 21 mile lake in their rightful homes.  My Lillies of the Valley show their beautiful and fragrant faces in our backyard woods every May, and then it's here.  Summer!  

I find myself shopping for foods to grill instead of slow cooker meals.  The outdoor furniture comes out of storage, cleaned off and placed in it's rightful places on the patio.  In the Midwest, our seasons seem shorter, and some years it seems Spring has gone missing and the days of gentle rains are fewer, being replaced with severe storms and weather warnings.  Often I am asked why I live in the Midwest and why not make the move where weather and temperatures are predictable.  As appealing as it sounds, I would find it hard to give up the anticipation of changing colors in the Fall, the coziness I feel when watching the snow fall with a cup of hot cocoa in my hand in the Winter, and waiting and watching for the pier company to put in the piers on the lake, knowing Summer is around the corner.  

Hello Summer! 

Do you have a favorite Season? 

Girls Weekend at Lake Geneva Cooking School

I recently hosted girls weekend at our lake house.  As a Christmas gift, I had given gift certificates to lakegenevaschoolofcooking, owned and run by Chef John Bogan.  His cooking classes are an experience of a lifetime!  Chef John greets you with a delicious bellini cocktail made with peach nectar and chilled Prosecco. The class we choose was titled "Tuscany". We idulged in hot, aromatic Parmigiano Popovers as Chef John had us introduce ourselves to our fellow cooking partners.  We partnered up and each had a course to prepare.  As you can see from the menu above, we were in for quite a delicious dinner!  

We had our own cooking island to chop, dice, bread, saute, and season.  Meanwhile, there is dance music playing, wine drinking, singing and bogeying to the music.  

After each course is completed, baked, cooked, and/or chilled, we were seated at our formal dining tables and (yes, more wine)!  Each group serves the others as we anxiously waited to see who's group was the tastiest.  Winning wasn't as important as the memories you will take home from this truly unique and delightful experience.  

Chef John and I share the same thoughts that good food and conversation bring families and friends together.  Anyone taking one of Chef John's classes leaves with a feeling of family that will stay with you always.  

Thank you Chef John and we can't wait to return to another class.  At the top of my list is the Summer Thursday morning Farmers Market class, where Chef John takes the class to the Lake Geneva Farmers Market to hand pick locally grown fruits and vegetables.  See you then!

I love Autumn!

                                                AUTUMN IS A SECOND SPRING WHERE
                                                         EVERY LEAF IS A FLOWER       "Albert Camus"                                         


September and October opens up a new portfolio of brilliant color and reintroduces new venues of family fun.  I will post a couple of links soon for some of my favorite fall activities.  Years ago my family discovered one of Lake Geneva's premier resorts, The Grand Geneva,  has a horse stable that features fun activities throughout the year.  They have added an incredible corn maze for the family to enjoy as well as The Haunted Hayride which has become a "must do" for us each fall.  SO much fun but has definitely gained popularity over the years so I strongly suggest getting there early as the wait can be long.  They have a big bonfire going at all times for you and your family to gather around and makings for s'mores can be purchased at the refreshment stand.  It certainly helps pass the time while you wait your turn for the awesome haunted hayride!  By the way, Dan Patch Stables accepts no credit or debit cards.  Cash and personal checks only!  Put it on your calendar and let me know what you think!http://danpatchstables.com/  ......... Till next time!

Local Points of Interest

In our family room at the lakehouse, I keep a large basket with updated local magazines, menus from the restaurants in the area, coupons, maps, and articles from places of interest that we think our guests would enjoy.  I always try to include the newspapers from the area which lists Friday Fish Fry locations (a must do in Wisconsin or Minnesota), where you can rent boats, kayaks or jet-skis or names some fun places to shop!

The Waterfront in Delavan, WI - Great Fish Fry

The Village Supper Club in Delavan, WI