The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.
Thanks, as always, to Alex Cavanaugh, founder and Ninja Captain extraordinaire and our awesome co-hosts.
The IWSG monthly question can be found under the IWSG Sign-up tab on the
August question: Have you ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn’t planned on writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?
Good question. These days I keep my writing in the Western genre. Since I also write paranormal I sometimes have to get creative. Basically, I wiggle my ideas into my settings.
AND…
July/August reviews in no particular order.
AGAINST ALL ODDS: Book3 of the Crossroads Trilogy by Jacqui
Murray
“Riveting.”
The saga continues.
With the help of her co-leaders and wolves, Xhosa leads her people through
lands that harbor cannibals, are riddled with wild animals, fire and ice.
Through famine and other perils, they journey to their new home.
This figure from our
distant past has learned to fight and hunt as an equal with the men of her time,
is strong, and leads with courage, strength and compassion.
Like the first two
stories, I’ve enjoyed this book immensely. When it comes to prehistory, you
can’t beat a Jacqui Murray novel.
I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED,
a short by D. L. Finn
"Words Matter."
This story is
particularly chilling when words uttered without thought take on a Twilight
Zone effect.
Evildwels—evil beings
that battle angels—have become synonymous with D. L. Finn. If you haven’t tried
this author yet, a short story is a great way to be introduced to a new writer.
Both the read and the author are highly
recommended.
EMERGING FROM SHADOWS
by Balroop Singh
These poems truly show
us an emergence from shadows, traversing from gut-wrenching lows and
uncertainty into the sunlight of joy and self-reliance. Each page is a journey
in discovery. The verse is beautifully written, leaving the reader both at
peace and inspired.
NEITHER SEEN NOR HEARD
by Alexander Pain
I am not a zombie
fan. But I am an Alexander Pain fan.
Even though he writes on a subject that I'm lukewarm on at best I really enjoy
his stories. His characters are so well-developed I'm drawn in from the first page and held to the
last. In this short an eighty-year old must keep his great-grands safe from
zombies. One of the things I enjoyed the most in this short: in one scene, his
grandsons use skateboards to outrace the zombies. I recommend this read for zombie fans and
anyone that just wants to lose themselves in a great short story.
Trads:
THE WINEMAKER’S WIFE by Kristin Harmel
An amazingly crafted
novel that blends the past with the present and held my interest. Here’s the first sentence: “The road snaked
over the lush vineyards of Champagne as Ines Chauveau sped southwest out of
Reims, clouds of dust whipping ferociously through her chestnut hair.”
SKYWARD and STARSIGHT by
Brandon Sanderson
My favorite genre, if
it’s well crafted, is YA paranormal, fantasy or sci fi. These two stories fit
the bill.
Spensa thinks she’s the
only person on earth with special powers till she meets the new boy, only to discover
he’s from another world.
These books kept me
reading much later into the night than I had planned😉
Good bud and author Sherry Morris is dipping her toes into a new endeavor. She’s creating memes and trailers for authors. She does a beautiful job and is only charging five dollars for memes and fifteen for trailers. You can get in touch with her at sherrymorris.blogspot.com
AND...
Chrys Fey has a new self-help out for writers dealing with stress, writers block and burn out.
53 comments:
Sounds like a lot of good reads again. People who write books make the world a better place! Hugs, Valerie
Love your support for other writers. You are ALL my heroes.
You are a formidable force, Sandra. You give a voice to writers just getting started as well as established writers. You make me happy to "know" you.
Hi Sandra - I've got Jacqui's book to read soon ... but so many other recommendations here ... it's great writing friends are around writing short stories, poems or novels for us to read and enjoy. Stay safe - Hilary
Many good books there Sandra especially that poetry book....must take a look.
Enjoy your day and keep well.
Yvonne.
I need to read something by Brandon Sanderson and the one you read sounds great. It's always great to try something new in our reading and writing.
Just keep on writing your Westerns.
Thanks for the list at the end!
Like the list at the end. Many of these I would not have thought to use in place of "seems/looks like."
Thanks for sharing these great books that’s a good meme.
Thank you for sharing Chrys' book.
Look at you go with reading all these books even the zombie one. I love the other words one can use and I wish I could print this out since I am terrible in finding words I don’t use much
I especially love the 50 ways thing. I'm saving that one!
That is a fabulous list! Thank you Sandra, for reviewing Emerging from Shadows, much appreciated. I've read Jacqui's and Denise's new releases and loved them.
So do those that create art:)
Hugs received and returned.
I haven't read a lot of the books you've mentioned, but I have read Jacqui's books and really enjoyed the stories. Looking forward to this next one. Glad to be participating in Chry's tour of her book this month!
I found that interesting too, Jeanie. There were words I wouldn't have thought of as substitutes.
My pleasure, Christine. They are great books and I love Sherry's memes and trailers.
As you are ours:)
My pleasure, Di:)
So many great releases. Thank you so much for mentioning my book!
And you always warm my heart and make me smile:)
You're gonna love it:)
Agreed. It's great having literary friends isn't it?
Take special care.
What a wonderful overview. Thank you! I like your pithiness.
You are a great supporter of your fellow authors.
Will do:)
You bet. Some thought went into that list didn't it, Alex?
Balroop, and D. L. Finn, both do a lovely job with verse. As do you:)
I hear ya. I'm always mind searching for a better word.
I think you'd enjoy him, Natalie. I sure did. He's got the third in the series coming out this fall I believe. I'm anxious to read it.
Right there with ya, Jamie:) That list has had some time and effort put into it.
Entirely my pleasure.
All three of you did an amazing job with your craft.
Jacqui's stories are amazing aren't they?
Good on you for participating in Chrys's tour.
Pithiness. I like it:)
Entirely my pleasure, Chrys.
Why thank you, Diane. That's very kind of you to say.
Thank you, Lee. We share a common theme of how people survive when faced with huge challenges. See you soon!
Amen.
I'm in good company, aren't I?
Oh yeah. I have yet to read one of Sandra's I don't like.
It is an excellent list. I love being included.
:)
You are indeed. Plus you help make it good company;)
There ya go, making me smile.
Thanks Balroop :) Yours and Jacqui on on my TRB list.
Thanks, Sandra, I'm in amazing company. I found more books to add to my TBR list too! Xo
As am I!
You both are amazing:)
Denise, that TBR list never shrinks does it:)
You really are a great supporter of your fellow authors.
Well done.
All the best Jan
That's kind of you to say, Jan. The buds have returned it ten fold.
Always good to wiggle in what you want lol
Heh. Heh. You bet.
Wow! An amazing list of books to add to my TBR pile! Thank you. I also liked your humorous comment that you "wiggle your ideas into your settings," not always an easy process for me. May you have a very good writing month ahead.
And we appreciate it!
I'm honored to be included!
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