Wednesday, March 3, 2021

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:Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!

 

The IWSG monthly question can be found under the IWSG Sign-up tab on the Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog or in the newsletter.  Remember it’s optional.

 

March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choices?

 

My writing and reading genres are a hundred and eighty degree opposites. I read most genres as long as they are well-written and hold my interest, but my favorites: enthralling YA fantasies and page-turner thrillers. What I write: westerns and western romances. A bit different, hey? And to add to the oddness, while all my protagonists pack heat and are proficient with their weapons, I'm a gun control advocate, though I prefer the term gun safety advocate. Do you think my alter ego is a gun toting badass?😀

 

        AND...February/March Reviews in no particular order.

 


LIFE IS LIKE A BOWL OF CHERRIES by Sally Cronin

I've read several of Ms. Cronin's works and enjoyed each and every one, but this particular set of shorts and poetry is definitely my favorite. When it opened with a story about artificial intelligence not allowing the protagonist to order sweets because she was on a diet, I knew I was in for a treat. The characters are warm and believable. The world building spot on. Before you know it, you're in the middle of each and every story. So grab a cuppa, some cookies, put your feet up and enjoy. Amazon.

 

 


STOLEN by K.A. Woodford

This story is a remarkable blend of an edge-of-your seat crime thriller and a heartwarming romance. The author nailed police procedure and her research on the subject shines through. Her characters are well-developed and her descriptions detailed. I especially loved the epilogue. It ties the story up with a bright red bow. I'm looking forward to more page-turners by K.A. Woodford. Amazon.

 

 

 

 


NIGHT ZERO by Rob Horner

Science goes awry in this zombie thriller.

A virus is accidentally released that makes people violent and once they die turns them into the undead. While this isn’t my normal genre, I have found that the category isn’t that important as long as the story is well-written and this one definitely is. It’s obvious the author has a medical background and this knowledge adds layers to the story. NIGHT ZERO is definitely a well-crafted tale. If you like horror or zombies, get ready to keep turning pages. Just leave the light on. Amazon.

 

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48 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Thank you (as always) for waving booky temptation my way.
I am a multi-genre reader. I see no reason to limit myself.

Valerie-Jael said...

Good reviews! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

nashvillecats2 said...

Great post Sandra, I like many sort of books . Loved your reviews here today.
Take care.
Yvonne.

Hot guys said...

I giggled at the memes, lol 😜

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Sandra, your reading and writing genres are opposites :)

I read across genres and age groups!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I read outside my genre too. I enjoy a lot of different books and find that it can help me with the fantasy stories I like to write. So funny that you are for gun safety but write westerns where I'm sure guns do fit into the stories.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - definitely opposites - and I love the concept of your Westerns and romances - but am glad to see you're for gun-safety. I mostly read educative books - for relaxation probably mysteries. Stay safe - Hilary

L. Diane Wolfe said...

My first books were NA/YA and I really don't read that genre. Except the manuscripts we publish of course.

Patsy said...

I don't see a contradiction in writing about fictional gunslingers whilst wanting real people to be safe from such people. I don't think most crime writers would encourage murderers, or historical writers deny themselves all modern advantages. Fiction isn't supposed to be like real life.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yes, I do see you as a gun-toting badass!

Jeanie said...

My reading preferences are mysteries (not thrillers) and biographies. My writing tends to be more essays. Go figure!

Birgit said...

I am all for gun control and for the people who are not, I say, give them muskets since that is the type of gun that was around when that amendment was made. I love reading non fiction...about movies, actor, film history, biographies, art, architecture, mystical, and yes..disasters like the Titanic. I do love mysteries like Agatha Christie, and fantasy.

cleemckenzie said...

There's something to be enjoyed or learned no matter what you read. I like your book choices and that you write westerns.

Christine said...

Interesting question and answer! Thanks for the reviews.

D.L. Finn said...

I had to add the zombie book to my reading list. I read lots of genres, but love a good fantasy, mystery, some horror, or thriller. My characters do a lot of things I wouldn't...lol xo

Computer Tutor said...

That gun thing--must make for interesting family discussions!

J.Q. Rose said...

Your reviews are the perfect example of your wide range of reading. They all sound interesting, but I'm not a Zombie kind of girl. But, oops, maybe I should expand my genres with that one.
JQ Rose

Loni Townsend said...

One of the things that terrified me when I first started writing my books was that my parents were very conservative Christian and I thought my family would judge me for writing fantasy which had other deities. I've since gotten over the fear, but I know how you feel. :D

J.P. Alexander said...

Suerte con los libros. Y yo soy como tu leo de todo pero escribo mas romance paranormal. Te mando un beso

Diane Burton said...

Love the dichotomy between what you write and your beliefs. It's okay. Read and write on.

Sandra Cox said...

Good on you. We miss out on some great stories when we limit our genres.
YOU take special care.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm glad you got a giggle:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks!
You have a great one too.
Hugs received and returned.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Yvonne, and good on you for reading a wide range of genres.
Take special care.

Sandra Cox said...

Good on you for reading across genres and age groups, Rachna:)

Sandra Cox said...

Good on you. And I agree other genres do give rise to new ideas. And Oh yes on the guns fitting into my stories. Heh.
YOU take special care.

Sandra Cox said...

I love it! Thank you:)

Sandra Cox said...

I hear ya:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for stopping by, Patsy.
Hope your muse is sitting on your shoulder.

Magic Love Crow said...

You are a badass and I love your oddness! Thanks for the reviews! Big Hugs!

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Hils:)
Educative books are always good to read. I'm working on the presidents, though I'm only on the 3rd.
Take special care.

Sandra Cox said...

Oh, thank you! :) Heh.
You are most welcome.
Big hugs received and returned.

Sandra Cox said...

Especially when all the sibs pack:)

Sandra Cox said...

You have a diverse palate;)
I hear ya on the characters:)
xxoxoxo

Anstice Brown said...

That's so interesting that you read and write completely different genres. I suppose it's nice to have a break from the genre you are writing and escape to a completely different world.

Sandra Cox said...

You are most welcome.

Sandra Cox said...

You can't beat a great paranormal.
Hugs

Sandra Cox said...

Ha. I love the musket idea.

Sandra Cox said...

It does give me perspective:)
So glad you stopped by, Anstice.
Stay safe. Be well.

Sandra Cox said...

Of course:)

Sandra Cox said...

There is something to be learned or enjoyed no matter what you read indeed, Lee.
Thanks:)
Stay safe. Be well.

Sandra Cox said...

I hear you, Loni. One of my characters uttered the GD word and a relative asked me to remove it.

Luciana Cavallaro said...

I get why you read and write in different genres. I tried to write romance stories but it just didn't work for me, though I did read a lot in my teenage years, hence now historical fiction/fantasy is my genre.

Sandra Cox said...

Right there with ya:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Diane:)

Sandra Cox said...

Hey Cuz,
All great reads.
Thanks for co-hosting this month.
YOU take special care. Heading your way now.

Sally Cronin said...

Thanks so much Sandra for including your review here too... much appreciated. Have a great week..hugs Sally ♥

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, Sandra! I'm a little late visiting. For some reason I couldn't find your post last Wednesday. I read widely, and I enjoy westerns. Mateo's Law was lots of fun, and I plan to read more of your westerns in the future.