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.
The awesome co-hosts for the October 6 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pitt, J Lenni Dorner, Cathrina Constantine, Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, and Mary Aalgaard.
October 6 question-In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language? I’m going to have to mull this one over. Short answer, I'm a middle of the road writer when it comes to language and topics.
I’ll be interested in seeing how others answer this.
September/October in no particular order.
* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.
LIFE IS LIKE A MOSAIC by Sally Cronin
Lovely imagery.
This is such a wonderful collection of verse. There’re poems of nature and her creatures. Poems of childhood. Of aging. And even of food. There’re poems of warning and poems of fun. The one thing they all have in common is the mastery of the verse itself. The collection of words that are strung together and used to spark a reaction, usually a smile and a feeling of warmth, and slide us into the worlds that the author created.
Available at Amazon
SECRETS, LIES AND ALIBIS by Jacqui Biggar
Romantic Suspense with a Healthy Dollop of Humor
Amanda and Adam, two headstrong government agents, have a hot affair. Amanda has second thoughts and they part ways. After the split, Amanda discovers she’s pregnant. Tension builds as they try to find their way back to each other all the while in the midst of danger.
This is the first book of the series I’ve read and while it stands alone, it would be helpful to start at the beginning to get more deeply immersed in the other characters.
Biggar has a smooth writing style and does a wonderful job of drawing readers in with her characters and world-building. This is a well-told tale that will leave fans wanting more.
Available at Amazon
THINGS HE HADN’T TOLD HER by Vicky Whedbee
A heartwarming, sweet romance about two best friends who fall in love with the same woman.
Cole and Chad have been friends since the first grade. Chad has looked out for Cole all his life. Now that they're in college, the friendship is put to the test when they fall in love with the same woman and Chad must decide whether to put Cole's needs first as he's always done or for once, put himself first.
Available at Amazon
THE SORCERER’S GARDEN by D. Wallace Peach
Told in Peach’s sirenic style, this story takes on a life of its own when an unfinished story begins to write itself.
Madlyn is hired as a reader for Cody, a young man in a vegetative state. Deciding he wouldn’t be interested in romance stories, she begins reading the unfinished manuscript that Cody was writing before his accident. Entertainment turns to intrigue and intrigue to terror when she discovers herself in the story and the pages in the book take on an energy of their own. Her life begins to twist and turn between the present and past, and in both lives she finds herself in danger.
Rich in imagery, this story is a must read for Peach and/or fantasy fans.
Available at Amazon
WILLOW’S RETREAT by S. L. Hollister
Another well-done drama about small town life in the coastal South. The story is centered around a couple that love each other but who have misunderstood what the other wants for thirty years to the detriment of their marriage. All the characters are nicely fleshed-out and believable, including a mother-in-law from hell that readers will love to hate. Hate may be too strong a word but she definitely gets on nerves as she frets about what her church friends will think instead of worrying about what her family needs. She has also poisoned the youngest child against his mother which adds another layer to a complex story. A well-told tale that has just the right amount of danger and emotional tension to hold the reader’s interest. It certainly did mine.
Available at Amazon
PARANORMAL MYSTERIES by Judy and Keith
This book contains three standalone stories about a mysterious piano, a teddy bear, and a good witch who takes on a dark fairy.
All three novellas were fun but my favorite was the story of the mysterious piano and the affect it has on its new owner (a young girl) and how her abilities go from that of a beginner to a concert pianist.
The teddy bear is not your typical stuffed animal and the dark fairy does what dark fairies do:)
This book is geared for teens but I would also add the young at heart. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and recommend them for anyone looking to sink into escapism. The well-written novellas are fun, easy reads.
Available at Amazon
Read a good book lately?
Language isn't generally a deal breaker for me.
ReplyDeleteWoeful editing or gratuitous and explicit violence are both much more likely to make me close the book and walk away.
Thanks for the heads up on new to me books.
I hear ya on the deal breakers.
DeleteYOU have an amazing day:)
Lots of tempting reads here. I always have at least 2 books on the go,one fact and one fiction. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteGood on you, Val.
DeleteMe too.
Hugs received and returned.
Thanks for the book recommendations. The Sorcerer's Garden looks good to me.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie:)
DeleteDiana is an excellent fantasy writer.
Nice set of book reviews - and then I realised I've connected with several of the authors! Happy IWSG day!
ReplyDeleteJemima
That's excellent, Jemima:)
DeleteThe Sorcerer's Garden sounds twisted.
ReplyDeleteIn a good way:) It does have lots of twists and turns.
DeleteThanks so much Sandra for including me in the post with such wonderful writers... terrific reviews.. Enjoy the rest of the week..♥
ReplyDeleteYou bet. I really enjoyed your book, Sally.
DeleteI enjoyed your reviews. Middle of the road seems like a good place to be.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the reviews, Diane;)
DeleteA great bunch of reviews, Sandra, and what a happy surprise to see The Sorcerer's Garden here too. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review. I enjoyed Sally's book and also get a kick out of reading Jacquie's work. And thanks for the introduction to some new authors and their books. Thanks again for your kindness, and Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Peach fan:)
ReplyDeleteI loved Life is Like a Mosaic too. I have Secrets, Lies, and Alibis up next, I finally caught up in the series :) I felt the same way about Soccer's Garden and have Things he Hadn't Told Her on my TBR list. We've been reading simlar things. I found more to add to my Kindle too. Great reviews, Sandra xo
ReplyDeleteWe have been reading similar books:) All good ones aren't they?
DeleteThanks, bud:) xo
Wonderful reviews, Sandra. I loved Life is Like a Mosaic. Sally has a beautiful way of sharing her life with readers. And, I'm looking forward to exploring the other books you've mentioned. 😊
ReplyDeleteMosaic is my favorite Sally read:)
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Gwen.
Fantastic reviews, Sandra!! I have read a few of these and just added a few more to my wish list!! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thanks so much for stopping by.
DeleteCongratulations to all the authors. This is a great selection.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and supporting the authors, Staci:)
DeleteThat's quite a nice list, Sandra. Thanks for sharing it today.
ReplyDeleteYou bet. Thanks for stopping by, Lee.
DeleteHi, Sandra! Happy October and Autumn.
ReplyDeleteYou've got some great reviews up today. I've read several of these authors and they always deliver a good tale. Hope all is well with you!
Hey Mae! They deliver for sure:)
DeleteCongrats on your new release.
Thanks for stopping by.
Good list of books, Sandra. I'm with you on the language. I'll know when I reach the point that it bothers me. Until then, not sure. I can say, yours is always well-balanced, especially considering the characters and the times you deal with.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacqui. Back at ya:)
DeleteWonderful selection of books you've reviewed, Sandra. I've shared this on Twitter. Congratulations to each of these authors.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beem. Appreciate it;)
DeleteThat's nice you don't slam books for a few typos.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how hard we try, the little gremlins continue to slip through, don't they, Di?
DeleteGood question and thanks for sharing these reviews.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Christine:) Entirely my pleasure.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra, thanks so much for including me with these awesome authors! I see a few to add to my poor TBR list :)
ReplyDeleteAs for drawing a line; I hate sex of the sake of filling pages. If it adds to a scene, okay, but we don't need five pages to get the drift- if you know what I mean, lol
Agreed:)
DeleteGlad you found some more TBRs;)
Great reviews, Sandra.
ReplyDeleteThank you, John:)
DeleteNice reviews. Diana's book sound very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIt is for sure, Joan:)
DeleteI enjoyed all the reviews, but I want to find and read The Sorcerer's Garden based on your review.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Diana would very much appreciate that, Elizabeth:)
DeleteAlong with doing some reading, today I'm going to tackle a couple of cryptic crossword puzzles.
ReplyDeleteTake good care. :)
Cryptic crossword puzzles:) I love it.
DeleteHi Sandra - I prefer the simple profanity if necessary ... but hope the effect can be carried through by the character without being said - perhaps that's why I'm happier with a non-fiction book ... I read a few others! Thanks for these reviews ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI get it.
DeleteYou are most welcome.
Cheers,
I could not write very prejudiced words even though there are some books that have and need to be in the story, like “To Kill A Mockingbird.” The books sound good like the spies but also the fantasy one with the lady reading the man’s book to him and finding out there is more than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteBoth good stories:)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't finish To Kill A Mockingbird because I got so turned off by the constant use of the N word.