Good morning, Gladwynn. I’m so excited to have a newspaper reporter from the Brookstone Beacon here for a visit. My great grandmother was a reporter for a smalltown newspaper, and I’d like to think I inherited some of my writing genes from her.

Thank you, Amy. The Beacon is running a series on local eateries, and I’d like to include Character Cafe.

What a wonderful publicity opportunity for us. Thank you! I’m sure you’d rather investigate crimes and dramatic events. But hey, at least maybe you will get to sample some good food on this assignment.

Liam, the editor in charge at the moment, doesn’t seem to even know my name — just calls me “new girl”. He tends to gravitate from giving me trivial filler assignments to expecting me to nose into situations that law enforcement wants me to stay out of.

I’m sure there aren’t that many criminal investigations going on in a small town like Brookstone.

You’d be surprised. I’ve only been living here with my grandmother a couple of weeks, and I’ve already investigated sabotaged brakes, threatening letters, and a jewelry heist from the 1990s. Plus, my grandmother is dating a mysterious gentleman, and she won’t even tell me his name. A granddaughter needs to make certain a man is worthy of her grandmother, you know.

[Laughs] I’ve never been in that situation, but I’d be worried too. Though from what I know of Lucinda, she’s quite savvy and can hold her own. I recall her telling me that you were dating someone yourself. How’s that going?

No. I’m NOT dating anyone. I broke up with Bennett Steele not long after I lost my librarian job where I used to live. That’s another reason I was glad this job opened up at the Beacon. I love having the opportunity to stay with my grandmother again, but I also love having space from Bennett. Now if he would only stop calling and texting me. I don’t know why he won’t just accept that it’s over. It’s not as though… [Her voice trails off.]

Do you want to talk about it?

No, thank you. I just want to forget he exists.

Well, you know how smalltown rumors spread… Several little bees told me that there are some romantic possibilities for you here in Brookstone. One seems to be a local pastor?

Oh my goodness. My grandmother is driving me crazy. She keeps finding ways to force me to spend time with Pastor Luke. She invited him over to dinner, connived to have me sit next to him on the bus trip to Sights and Sounds…

How can you mind spending time with a man so Hollywood handsome — and with that swoony Irish accent to boot? Sigh! And when he’s wearing that volunteer fireman uniform...

He’s not the only good looking unmarried man in town in uniform. I keep running into one of the grey gods — State Trooper Tanner Kinney.

I’ve only seen him from a distance. He appears very tall.  What’s he like?

He’s very serious and stern when in uniform.  He’s already said, “Why don’t you leave the police work to the police?”  to me multiple times. Not the easiest to work with. But those dark brown eyes with gold flecks of his are really something.   However, I think he’s dating someone.  He had a pretty girl with him on the bus trip to Sights and Sounds.

What a shame. Any other prospects? I heard that you’d been hanging out with Vince Giordano. I’m not usually into beards, but he keeps his so neatly trimmed. Gorgeous green eyes, broad chest, booming voice… You must enjoy your time with him.

Vince is a county prison guard by day and security for Birchwood Township some nights. Even if he were interested, he wouldn’t have time to date. He’s come to my rescue and helped me with research. I’ve nicknamed him John Cena because of his commanding voice, but I think he’s much more handsome. But, let’s stop talking about men I’m NOT dating, and focus on the Character Cafe being featured in an upcoming article.

Before we talk more, how about I put in your order. Do you see a tea and a breakfast item you’d like to try?

Ooo! I had a Raspberry Cream Scone at Brewed Awakening a couple weeks ago. I enjoyed it so much while I read Middlemarch. It’s a combination cafe and bookstore, you know. I’d love to try your version.

Good choice. You’ll have to let me know which Raspberry Cream Scone is better. Our version has a hint of almond flavoring, which I love. It’s from A Latte Food: https://www.alattefood.com/raspberry-almond-cream-scones/

I’ll also have your blueberry tea with a healthy helping of honey. Blueberry is one of my favorites.

Coming right up! I’m so excited that we have blueberry tea from my favorite tea company: https://www.harney.com/products/blueberry-green-tea-sachets-ht-tin-of-20 And it will go perfect with your lovely blue dress. I meant to tell you earlier, that your sense of style is downright adorable. I love that you always look like you could be from the 30s, 40s, or 50s. Even your hairstyles. Makes me want to experiment with some vintage looks myself.

Not everyone thinks so. I overheard a couple of ladies who work for the Beacon making fun of my hairstyle. And my mother and sisters probably wish I were more trendy.

You are an intelligent and lovely woman. You just dress however you like and own your own style. I’m so glad you are here in Brookstone.

Me too. I finally feel like I have a real life. I have friends here who care about me, real friends — and time with my grandmother. I also love the challenge of putting together clues to these mysterious happenings Liam has me investigating.

Readers, you can find out more about Gladwynn Grant and the mysterious happenings in Brookstone here: https://www.amazon.com/Gladwynn-Grant-Gets-Her-Footing-ebook/dp/B0C1KSQJXP/

A little bit of mystery, a dash of romance, and a whole lot of heart

After being laid off from her job as a librarian at a small college, Gladwynn Grant isn’t sure what her next step in life is. When a job as a small-town newspaper reporter opens up in the town her grandmother Lucinda Grant lives in, she decides to take it to get away from a lot of things – Bennett Steele for one.

Lucinda has been living alone since Gladwynn’s grandfather passed away six years ago and she isn’t a take-it-easy, rock-on-your-front-porch kind of grandma. She’s always on the go and lately, she’s been on the go with a man who Gladwynn doesn’t know.

Gladwynn thought Brookstone was a small, quiet town, but within a few days of being there, she has to rethink that notion. Someone has cut the bank loan officer’s brakes, threatening letters are being sent, and memories of a jewelry theft from the 1990s have everyone looking at the cold case again.

What, if anything, will Gladwynn uncover about her new hometown and her grandmother’s new male friend? And what will she do about her grandmother’s attempt to set her up with the handsome Pastor Luke Callahan?

Find out in this modern mystery with a vintage feel.

Lisa Robinson-Howeler is a writer and photographer from Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband and two children, her dog Zooma and her two cats Pixel and Scout. She is a former small-town newspaper reporter. She is also a wife, blogger, and a homeschooling mother. She blogs about fiction, faith, photography, and life.

To celebrate her tour, Lisa is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a7a8/gladwynn-grant-gets-her-footing-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 13

Holly’s Book Corner, March 13

Texas Book-aholic, March 14

Devoted To Hope, March 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 18

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 19 (Author Interview)

Mornings at Character Cafe, March 19

Book Looks by Lisa, March 20

An Author’s Take, March 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 22

Blogging With Carol, March 23

Pause for Tales, March 23

Lily’s Corner, March 24

For Him and My Family, March 25

Mary Hake, March 25