Ink and Shadows(Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4)(90)

They’d reached the cemetery gates. Morris ran his fingertips over the surface of his gold wedding band as he looked at Nora. “Connie’s my wife, and I love her. Our family can grow closer—and we can learn from our mistakes—if we stick together. Ms. Pennington, I hope we get the chance to show you a better version of us.”

Nora responded by removing her glove and holding out her hand. Though Morris seemed momentarily surprised by the gesture, he quickly reached out and shook it.

“Your family will always be welcome in my shop,” Nora said. “Because I’m a firm believer in second chances.”

She turned away then, heading in the same direction the geese had flown. The birds had a single purpose—to reach a land lush with grass.

Nora didn’t have to travel that far to have her needs met. All she wanted was a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate pecan pie. She wanted to sit in a diner booth and thaw out as she sipped coffee, ate pie, and listened to her friends talk. She wanted the syrup-scented kitchen air to restore feeling to her feet, and for the laughter bouncing off the napkin dispensers to chase the cold from her bones.

That was more than enough for Nora Pennington. An hour in a small-town diner with her friends, who were also her family.

After an hour, it would be time to go home. One of Nora’s favorite authors had released a new book, and it was on her coffee table, waiting to be read. Just thinking about that book gave her the most delicious feeling of anticipation. That gorgeous cover. Those crisp, white pages. All of those letters printed in bold, black ink. All of those words, breathing life into the story.

The time spent with that book would refuel the fire in Nora’s soul, and when she opened the shop on Monday, she’d use other books and other stories, both new and old, to ignite fires in her customers’ souls.

This is how Nora Pennington planned to make the world a better place.

Book by beautiful book.





Ink and Shadows: A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mystery Reader’s Guide 1. When Nora Pennington first meets Celeste Leopold, she’s bending over a fallen statue. What is Nora’s first impression of this newcomer to Miracle Springs?

2. Celeste’s statue is mentioned many times in the novel. In what ways is it significant?

3. CBD products have become extremely popular. Have you ever used any? What are your thoughts on these products?

4. Nora recommends several books to a man whose wife is losing her sight. What book would you add to Nora’s list?

5. The Powerful Women window display creates conflict between Nora and the Women of Lasting Values Society members. Is there a reason Nora should have changed the display? Did she make the right call by leaving it in place?”

6. It’s clear from the start that Bren Leopold is a troubled young woman, and Nora and her friends jump to several conclusions about her. Were they wrong in their thinking? Did you make similar assumptions?

7. Festival season is a busy time in the state of North Carolina. What are the biggest festivals in your neck of the woods? Have you ever traveled to attend a special festival?

8. Secrets are a central theme in Ink and Shadows. Which secret caused the most damage? Which main character was affected by an old secret?

9. Sheldon Vega provides a welcome dose of comic relief. What other attributes does he have? What would it be like to share a house with him?

10. Jed and Nora go through a rough patch in Ink and Shadows. Do you think the experience will bring them closer as a couple or drive a wedge between them? What are your thoughts on the relationship between Nora and Sheriff Grant McCabe?

11. Hester believes that Lazarus Harper deserves sympathy. June disagrees. Would you side with Hester or June?

12. Wolfgang Beck seemed to have two sides to his personality. If a man devoted to art was one side, what was the other?

13. Several different foods, handmade items, and hands-on activities are mentioned in Ink and Shadows as a way of providing comfort. Which one would mean the most to you?

14. Every chapter starts with a quote. Which one was your favorite?

15. If you could add a book to the BOOKS I’M THANKFUL FOR window display, what would it be?