Did you know, in the 60s the CIA launched Operation Acoustic Kitty to use cats as spies? It failed when they realized that a cat is going to do what a cat wants to do.
110 Weird, Interesting, Or Bizarre Facts
Operation Acoustic Kitty: Why the CIA's $20 Million Spy Cat Failed
Whatcha been doing?
How's your weather, Blogger Buds? Hope Isasias didn't hit you. We got about four inches of rain, so can't complain about that.
The Monarchs have arrived. Nope not the king and queen but the butterflies. They pit stop by about this time of year on their journey. There's a handful of swallowtails left but not many.
The occasional Iris is blooming. What's going on in your garden?
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Frank and The Birthday Card
Porch Pirates
That's all for today, Blogger Buds. Hopefully we'll see each other tomorrow in cyber land.
The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.
Twitter handle: @TheIWSG
Hashtag: #IWSG
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
The Awesome co-hosts for
October 7 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Liza at Middle Passages, JH Moncrieff, and Jemima Pett!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post.
These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience
or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it
inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
October 7 question - Many people are calling for writers who use AI to disclose it. Most who employ ghostwriters do not admit it - do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too? (Thanks Melissa Maygrove for the question!)
This question really made me pause. I had to think it through.
Yes, I think if other than the author is doing the writing it should be acknowledged.
It can be as simple as: My thoughts. A ghostwriter's words. Or My thoughts. AI's words.
I look forward to seeing others take on this question.
September/October Reviews in no particular order.
* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.
A fascinating blend of fantasy and German mythology.
Lora Ley, a young woman with a troubled past, has finally found her niche and is engaged to be married to the man she loves when she uncovers a startling truth: she is only half human. The other half is Nyx (a shapeshifting water spirit). With this discovery she learns of a wonderful new world that exists under water. A world of bold colors and fascinating creatures, such as Skoldt, a vegetarian brook horse and a salamander goblin named Krog. But her heritage comes with life altering decisions. She must now choose which world she wants along with which male. One is her human fiancé. One is like herself: half Nyx, half human. And if that’s not enough to contend with, an evil being wants her life and is willing to destroy both worlds to do it.
Another great tale by an author who weaves her own brand of magic.
Available at Amazon
SANDSTORM-STREET RATS OF ARAMOOR: BOOK 4
WILDFIRE-STREET RATS OF ARAMOOR: BOOK 5
What a great YA Fantasy Series. I wasn’t sure I would like this series, given that the protagonist is a thirteen-year-old boy trained to be an assassin, but he turns out to be a mercenary that doesn’t like to kill. The books are loaded with action, and twists and turns, and the characters and their world are extremely well-developed.
These are stand out reads, especially if you like YA fantasy fiction. I've been going through them like I was eating candy:)
Available at Amazon
The author’s prose fascinated me. Some were raw, some were poignant, and many were tumultuous and heart-wrenching. Each one told a short story in verse.
This is one example: ‘But MY LOVE…
Hundreds of years,
I’ve been waiting,
Waiting for you.
Thousands of days,
I’ve been watching,
Watching out for you.
Finally, I meet you.
But my love,
You don’t love me.
My heart is broken into
Hundreds of pieces,
Watching
Thousands of my tears
Floating in the howling wind.’
I thoroughly enjoyed each and every poem, and found it hard to put down. For those of you who choose to read it and aren’t familiar with the author, you will find several mentions of Candy. Candy is her beloved dog that passed. And a spoiler alert: there are several political poems and the author is very succinct in her views. That said, it’s a poetry book I strongly endorse.
Available at Amazon
Isla the sea turtle, and her little Surgeon friend Suri, discover harmful plastics in the ocean that make Suri sick. They also discover caring humans that tackle the problems of healing Suri and removing the harmful pollutants. Then, after their larger-than-life adventure, they journey home.
This is such a sweet story, and the book is filled with cute illustrations. It’s also very informative. The author sprinkles the tale with facts about sea turtles, how to remove plastics from the sea, and the importance of taking care of the earth.
The reading level is listed as teen and young adults, but I think it would be fine for youngsters to read or have read to them. A standout choice for teaching young people and young ones about kindheartedness and taking responsibility for the world around them. Kudos to the author for writing about the importance of ecology and doing it in a fun, enjoyable manner.
Available at Amazon
To keep them safe from urban crime, Greg Warner has moved his family out of the city and into bucolic rural Pennsylvania where he and his wife have found their dream home.
Things soon take a sinister twist, then turn deadly, when they find out the man who ran the abandoned asylum, that sits close to their property, was the original owner of their house. A dark-hearted individual who tortured his patients. Now, the dead cannot rest. Neither at the asylum or in the Warner’s new home where more than one person died.
Greg and his family find themselves caught up in a nightmare more terrible than anything they could have imagined.
Horror is not one of my typical reading genres 😊 but the storyline and well-fleshed-out characters drew me in. The book entertains from the beginning. And once the reader is well and truly hooked, the tension begins to mount. And the further into the story you wander the more the intensity builds, until the final horrifying crescendo.
This riveting narrative is a must read for horror aficionados. A word of caution…don’t read after midnight. You never know what’s lurking in the shadows.
Available on Amazon
The word on the streets is that a feared vampire terrorist group known as Red Agenda has plans to take out the President when he comes to Philly for a visit. Detective Bobby Reagan of the Philadelphia Police Paranormal Unit is determined not to let that happen. To add to the turmoil, he’s been partnered with a vampire. And if there’s one thing he doesn’t trust it’s vampires.
Tension mounts as time shortens. Reagan’s co-workers are being slaughtered and the vampires are staying one step ahead of the unit. But how? When he finally figures it out, the answer leaves Reagan reeling.
This isn’t a genre I normally read, but I’m so glad I did. It held my interest from page one all the way through. A must for lovers of dark fiction or for those who enjoy a tense, well told tale.
Available at Amazon
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Did you know, before publishing THE TIME MACHINE, H.G. Wells was a math teacher?
150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic]
