Wednesday, September 2, 2020

IWSG Wednesday

 

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 Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog.  Remember it’s optional.

September question: If you could choose any author, living or dead, to be your Beta reader who would it be and why?

Another great question.  First let me say, I’m very happy with my Beta readers😊 That said if I were to choose any author it would be Suzanne Collins.  She brings an immediacy to her writing that draws the reader in and pares down her wordage till every word counts. Her stories are lean, mean and hard hitting. Well maybe not mean😊 but definitely lean and hard hitting.


AND…

 

August/September reviews in no particular order.

 


INTO DARKNESS by Rob Horner

This is the continuing saga of the Richard girls and their fight against evil. The sisters possess the uncanny ability to see and recognize demons. Demons that are out to destroy them. They can also see the white light  surrounding the angels that have come to protect them. Each day is a challenge, but especially when the youngest is facing a life and death surgery that will put the entire family at their most vulnerable. Will good triumph or does evil win out?

Order here

 



A WHITE CAT FOR CHRISTMAS: Life and Love in Alaska by Cherime MacFarlane

The author had me at rescue

A white kitten. A hunky hero. And a feisty heroine.

A kitten rescue is intertwined with a crispy-fresh Christmas romance. This feel good short is one of a series set in scenic Alaska. It’s a stand alone HEA.  Grab your hot tea, coffee or wine, put up your feet and enjoy.

Order here




ROMANCE REKINDLED: A Far Haven Tale by Diane Burton

This was the first book I've read by this author and I found it totally charming.  The story was well written. The characters developed and the world--in this case town--building spot on. It was a warm, feel good read that I just slid right into. I have been reading mysteries, thrillers and sci-fi and  found this to be a lovely change.  The story pulled me in and made me feel I had been picked up and set back down in the middle of the story. Kudos to the author on a job well done and a story well told.

Order here

 



VAN DYNE’S ZUVEMBIES by C. W. Hawes

Paranormal meets horror.

Pierce Mostyn is part of a deep undercover government investigative team that investigates monsters that most of the human populace don’t even know exist. The cunning creator of most of the horrors they track: Valdis Damien Van Dyne.  This time he’s created a black brew that turns young women into zombie-like killers.  It’s a race against the clock for Mostyn to learn the secret and shut down the plant before the brew is released into the water of large cities and creates an apocalypse.

I was curious about the brew and would like to learn more about how it was made and what in it turns the young women, though this is the first book of this series I’ve read so this may have been touched on in one of the previous stories or may be touched on in another.

Order here

 



Trad:

THE GUARDIANS by John Grisham

This story is about a small handful of attorneys who do nothing but pro bono work for those who are in prison for crimes they didn’t commit, most on death row. The story centers around Cullen Post who is not only an attorney for the innocent but also an Episcopal minister. It’s an easy, well-written read.  Here’s my favorite paragraph:

“What are you getting at, Frankie?” I snap. “I’ve already confessed. I had a long night, too much to drink, too much to eat, a rather nasty cigar, and I slept on the porch like a dead man until a really big cat pounced on my chest at three in the morning and scared the hell out of me. How was I to know it was his rocker? Neither of us could go back to sleep. So, Yes, I have some cobwebs. My eyes are leaking. I’m covered with cat hair. And I feel like death warmed over. There.”






 


38 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Huge thanks for the reviews.
I have nothing for them to Beta Read, but can think of a number of authors I would love to be able to talk to/interact with, including Barbara Kingsolver and Neil Gaiman. And a whole lot more.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'd love to write a book that actually NEEDED a beta reader. For me it would be Sue Grafton. I always loved her style of writing and her tight plots.

You chose some great books and several sound interesting. I like the tension questions, too. Seems that happens far too often in some books I read.

Valerie-Jael said...

Great idea for writers to stick together and encourage each other. Have a wonderful day, hugs, Valerie

nashvillecats2 said...

Great reviews Sandra, those books should keep us busy during the next few months.
Yvonne.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

A White Cat For Christmas sounds like a great escape.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Suzanne Collins is a great choice. I first discovered her when I read her Gregor the Overlander series, which is just as good as The Hunger Games.

Love the advice on keeping the tension up.

Christine said...

Thanks for these reviews!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm good at not letting my characters get along.

Birgit said...

These books sound good and so nice of you to showcase them. You can’t have characters all like one another and get along because that would be boring.

Jeanie said...

I always find these interesting, even if I don't have anything brewing at the moment!

Chrys Fey said...

Suzanne Collins is an excellent choice.

A White Cat for Christmas...awwww!

Sandra Cox said...

Glad to hear that, Jeanie.

Computer Tutor said...

Good post as usual. I haven't read a single one of the books you reviewed! But they sound good. I don't need more in my TBR, girlfriend.

Sandra Cox said...

I blush to admit I haven't read anything by Barbara Kingsolver or Neil Gaman. I need to rectify that.

Sandra Cox said...

Sue Grafton is an excellent choice. She would have a lot of insight wouldn't she?

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Val.
Hugs received and returned.

PJ Colando said...

Suzanne Collins - appropriate for your genre. Great choice!

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Yvonne:)
Yes indeed:)

D.L. Finn said...

Great choose for a Beta reader:) Like you I love my Beta readers and would have a hard time picking anyone else. I love your reviews, what a great selection of books. Of course I saw cat and Christmas and rushed out to put that on my TBR list. Xo

Sandra Cox said...

Anything with cats, right?:)
Diane's was fun too.

Sandra Cox said...

Interesting timing, mentioning Gregor, I've been thinking about starting that series. Thanks;)

Sandra Cox said...

My pleasure, Christine.

Sandra Cox said...

You are indeed:)

Sandra Cox said...

Ha. Ha Oh come on. Bring it up to 101:)

Sandra Cox said...

Indeed. Though, wouldn't it be nice in real life?

Sandra Cox said...

She's amazing isn't she?

Indeed:)

Sandra Cox said...

She's royalty in the writing world;)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for stopping by, PJ:)

Sandra Cox said...

Heh. I'm visualizing you rushing out to put another book on your TBR:)
Yes, Collins is amazing and yes, we love our Betas:)
xoxo

Diane Burton said...

Thank you so much for the shoutout for Romance Rekindled. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. You made my day!

R's Rue said...

Adding to TBR

cleemckenzie said...

The hardest part is making those characters suffer and suffer. Yet, it has to be done!

Sandra Cox said...

It's a wonderful read, Diane. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up anything with your name on it:)

Sandra Cox said...

Excellent:)

Sandra Cox said...

It is painful.

Fundy Blue said...

Suzanne Collins is an excellent writer ~ great choice, Sandra! Thanks for all the review about a varied group of books. Take care!

Pat Hatt said...

Sounds like a winning beta partner.

Gotta keep that tension going indeed.

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for the reviews.

All the best Jan