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.

January 6 question - Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

 

For the most part, if my interest wanes. I like a book to grab me from the beginning and keep me turning pages. And while good descriptions and backstory are necessary to pull a reader in, I want them tight. A couple of sentences usually does it for me then I want action. I like a succinct story without wasted verbiage and want each word to count.  Do I always practice what I preach? Uh, no.

 

AND…

 

December/January Reviews in no particular order.

 

ARRANGING A DREAM by J.Q. Rose

I don’t normally read memoirs but I had the privilege of reading the author’s ARC and loved it. It held my attention the entire way through. Knowing the author and being fascinated by the flower industry kept me turning pages.  She was even kind enough to throw in free information about floral arrangements including ‘flower water buckets are always cleaned and bleached between each use’. Who knew?  ARRANGING A DREAM is a fascinating true story of a young couple on a journey to find and realize their dreams.

Amazon.

 

WHAT’S IN A NAME by Sally Cronin

This book is filled with fascinating short stories, each one based around the named character of the book. Each story is different and might revolve around a child, an adult--young to old--or even a ghost. What they all have in common is the emotion they bring to the story. The scenery is detailed and pulls you into the location and the characters are relatable. I enjoyed these stories and think you will too. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, put your feet up, relax and sink into these stories.

Amazon.

 

DOLPHIN’S CAVE by D. L. Finn

 

I’m a D.L. Finn fan and try to read everything she publishes. This is her best story yet.

The storyline is strong. It hooked and held my attention from the beginning.

The characters are wonderful. I found myself rooting for Coral, hoping she would find her parents.

The romance is subtle, just the way I like it. And her love interest is, well, lovable😊

This is a YA fantasy based around a young woman who, on the death of her parents, has a reoccurring dream that she always wakes from before she can find them. DOLPHIN’S CAVE is a YA that will appeal to adults as well. I really enjoyed this story and think you will too.

Amazon.

 

THE WICKED WITCH ANTHOLOGY by Judy and Keith

 

I thoroughly enjoyed these shorts. They were intertwined and where one left off, the other picked up. Two young brothers, William and Graham, help the good witches --the treasurer fairy, the blind fairy, the good fairy and the tooth fairy--in their travails with the wicked witch.  Now the wicked witch might be ugly and mean spirited, but she's always thinking, especially when it comes to cooking up mischief, and keeps the good fairies and the boys hopping.

These short stories are a delight. The perfect length for several nights of bedtime reading. This little book will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Amazon. 

TRAD

LONG ROAD TO MERCY by David Baldacci

This is the first in the Atlee Pine thriller series. I enjoyed it. Baldacci's characters are good, moral people that carry emotional baggage. In this story, Atlee's twin was kidnapped when she was six and Atlee never completely recovered. Now she's with the FBI and getting the bad guys. This story was scary, because it dealt with political corruptness and how peoples lives hang in the balance. If you like thrillers, I recommend this one.

Amazon.