Wednesday, December 1, 2021

IWSG Wednesday

 


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.

 In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?

For me, the most stressful thing about writing is writer’s block. It’s like a wall pops up between me and my ideas.

As far as delights, the opposite. When ideas are flowing smoothly from brain to page. I’m also pretty delighted with sales and good reviews😊 I’ll be interested to see what everyone else’s number one stresser is and how many, like myself, feel it’s writer’s block.
FYI: The awesome co-hosts for the December 1 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray! They truly are awesome.


 

November reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore it and don't factor it into my review.

 


TAKING CHANCES by Brenda Guiton

This contemporary women’s fiction is a well-written story about Emma, a woman who is only interested in casual relationships until she meets Mike Braedon. Mike is uncompromising and married to a woman whose personality is nothing like his own and while not intentional, continually irritates him.

Attracted to each other, Mike and Emma began an affair that only grows in intensity. Emma has recently broken off a relationship with a playwright who is unwilling to let her go and will go to dangerous lengths to get her back.

The author does a great job of keeping the reader wondering whether Mike will end up with Emma or stay with his wife. Suspense builds as the story progresses.

Available at Amazon

 


WHAT’S IN A NAME: Volume 2 by Sally Cronin

This book was as enjoyable as the first. In these volumes, Ms. Cronin takes a name and writes a short around the character. All of the narratives fascinating. They range from a ghost that comes back once a year to visit his beloved to a man who vanished during the war and is finally reunited with his family. All the stories are unique and have an unexpected twist, while telling a tale that warms the heart. The author excels at world building and character development. I’ve never read anything by Ms. Cronin that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. So, grab your copy and your beverage of choice, put your feet up and submerge yourself in a great read.

Available at Amazon

 


CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN by D.K. Deters

CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN is a heartwarming romance with just the right amount of mystery to keep you turning pages. Madison Knight is an antique consultant who sells a painting that is more than it appears. Through it she meets a person from her distant past and discovers that Christmas is indeed a time of love, miracles and magic.

This is the first D.K. Deters story I’ve read and I look forward to more. It was thoroughly charming.

Available at Amazon

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON THE ART OF POWER by Jon Meacham

I finally finished this book. One of the reasons I picked this particular book was because it was written by Meacham who I find endlessly interesting. He tells of a brilliant, down to earth man who loved his country and knew how to win people over to his way of thinking. A man, who like any other, had flaws and was not perfect. What I really enjoyed about this book was the little tidbits that I didn’t know. For instance: Jefferson and Adam’s were both sick at the ends of their lives and held on long enough to see the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both died July 4, 1826.

A wonderful read for those who love history and biographies.

Over two thousand reviews.

Available at Amazon

 

CAREER OF EVIL by Robert Galbraith

Okay, I’m officially hooked on this series and Robert Galbraith aka J.K Rowling. I find it hard to put down a Cormoran Strike Novel. I didn’t get much sleep while I was reading this book (Or any of the others in the series). If I woke up in the middle of the night, I’d reach for it and start reading.😊

The characters are well-developed. The settings are realistic and the storyline gripping. Highly recommended for lovers of English mysteries.

Over eleven thousand reviews.

Available at Amazon 

 

Got books? What's your favorite read this month?

 

44 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Meacham is a great writer. I've read one other book by him. Great if you are interested in non-fiction and historical characters, especially, political characters.

Romance Book Haven said...

Sounds interesting books.

Valerie-Jael said...

I am always thankful for writers, as I love reading. So I hope you all keep producing wonderful books! Hugs Valerie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - I love it when the words come together. I've only watched the Cormoran Strike tv series here ... but interesting books you've highlighted for us. All the best - Hilary

Natalie Aguirre said...

Yes, it's hard when we can't put any words on the page. Loved seeing what you're reading.

A Cuban In London said...

Great posts and thanks for your reviews. :-)

Greetings from London.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Good sales are always a plus.
Merry Christmas!

Jeanie said...

Deadlines distress me. Flow makes me smile!

Sally Cronin said...

Thank you so much Sandra for your review.. I am always delighted to be the recipient of your thoughts on my books.. and I appreciate it very much... hugs Sally

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Writer's block has halted some of my stories. Completely.

Birgit said...

I stress over my grammar and if I can even write something that doesn’t sound like a turnip wrote it hence why I have not begun my mom’s bio. I’m not sure even how to start. Should I write 8t just with my mom in thoughts or should I try to painstakingly research everything? Oh well. The books you read sound quite good and I wonder why J.K. chose a male name for her series.

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing, even bloggers get writer's block.

Computer Tutor said...

I never would have guessed you got writer's block! What an awakening.

cleemckenzie said...

It is pretty scary when you want to write, but you can't. I know you're not alone because I have those times when nothing comes. However, it seems you've overcome that blockage and moved on! Congratulations.

Sandra Cox said...

Indeed. He excels at political figures, doesn't he, Elizabeth?

Sandra Cox said...

They are:)

Sandra Cox said...

What a lovely comment. Thanks, Val.
Hugs received and returned.

Sandra Cox said...

Me too, Hils:)
I'd love to see the Cormoran series. The books are wonderfully done.
Take special care.

Sandra Cox said...

It is for sure, Natalie.
Thanks:) Who are you reading these days?

Sandra Cox said...

You bet. Thanks for stopping by:)

Sandra Cox said...

For sure. Merry Christmas, Alex:)

Lee said...

All my good ideas seem to pop into my brain as soon as I turn the bedside light off, readying for sleep!!! Thank goodness I've learned how to write in the dark! I have notebooks at the ready always in my partly opened top drawer...of the bedside cabinet, that is!! :)

Sandra Cox said...

Entirely my pleasure, Sally. I'm a fan-friend;)

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

Writer's block is a problem with a lot of writers. I had it for two weeks not too long ago. But if you keep writing regardless of how bad the content turns out, it will pass soon enough.

Sandra Cox said...

Don't ya hate it when that happens?

J.P. Alexander said...

Hay buenos libros te mando un beso y a mi me da bloqueo cuando siento que trama se me vuelve floja pero aun asi trato de seguir. Te mando un beso

Nick Wilford said...

"A wall between me and my ideas." Yeah, I do believe that writer's block is not a lack of ideas but not having the mental space to let them out. Sometimes it's a sign that we need to work on something else or adjust something to remove a particular stress from our life... anyway, it's not fun!

D.L. Finn said...

Great reviews, Sandra. I found a couple to add to my TBR list! What stresses me the most with writing is promoting my books when I'm finished.

Kalpana said...

What a wonderful bunch of reviews. Each one had the desired effect. I wanted to read it. Happy IWSG day.

Sandra Cox said...

Oh yeah, grammar and turnips are always a writing issue:)
I believe when Rowling took a male pseudonym it was to distance herself as far from the name of Rowling as possible and let the series stand on its own merit.

Sandra Cox said...

I think it must be contagious:) Heh.

Sandra Cox said...

It happened this summer. I thought my brain was leaking. Heh. Knock on wood, it seems to have passed. But it did worry the bejesus out of me;)

Sandra Cox said...

Thank goodness. But you're right. It's scary while it's going on.

Sandra Cox said...

Of course:) Those notebooks on the bedside table are pretty darn handy, aren't they, Lee?

J.Q. Rose said...

Knock on wood I haven't hit the wall of writer's block...and hope I never do. I have had some problems with characters, but dang it, I don't let them boss me around! Mostly. Am I the only one who did not know about Rowlings writing with this pseudonym. Duh. I hate to admit it. Great reviews. I will check some of these books out, for sure.

Sandra Cox said...

Agreed;)

Sandra Cox said...

Good on you for writing through it, J.P.
Hugs,

Sandra Cox said...

'Not having the mental space to let them out.' I like it!;)

Sandra Cox said...

Haha. That TBR list of yours is groaning under the weight.
I sure agree with the promoting being stressful.
scoxoxox

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Kalpana. I appreciate hearing that.

Sandra Cox said...

Good on you for never hitting writer's block, Janet! And funny about not letting your characters boss you around:)
I didn't know Rowling's pseudonym either, till I started reading the series.

Diane Burton said...

I didn't write about what stresses me--wrote about it too many times in the past, rather I wrote about what delights me. Writers' block is a great stressor for me, too. How about months-long block? Yeah, that's stress. Hope you work thru yours soon.

Sandra Cox said...

Knock on wood. I think I have....It's nasty isn't it, Diane.I'm heading over to see what delights you:)

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