Friday, September 29, 2023

Your Weekend Read: SECOND CHANCES by Joe Congel


  I'm so pleased to share with you Joe's latest: SECOND CHANCES. If you haven't read him and enjoy crime and thrillers with a touch of humor, I highly recommend reading one of his marvelous stories.


Retired New York Police Detective, Brandon Turner wanted to move as far away from the Big Apple as possible.

Pointing a finger at a map, he ends up in Magnolia Bluff, a small town in the Texas Hill Country.

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy to retire here as he’d hoped. While exploring a park with his dog and the real-estate agent showing him the property, they discover a body. They report the death and, as far as Turner is concerned, that’s where it ends. But it’s not that simple.

This body was not the first. There were others and all the evidence points to drugs. The local police are not savvy enough to solve these crimes on their own and ask Turner for help. But the former detective has other ideas. He intends to leave his past life where it belongs… in the past. But he soon realizes that he just can’t stay away from the case. Vowing not to work with the local detective, Turner begins his own investigation, putting himself, his dog, and the woman he just met in danger.

Can Turner and the local police set aside their differences long enough to stop a potential drug ring from destroying more lives? The town’s residents are counting on it. As for Turner, he just wants to solve this case as soon as possible so he can start enjoying his retirement.

 

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: Amazon.com: Second Chances: Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles, Book 17 eBook : Congel, Joe: Kindle Store

 

My Amazon page: www.amazon.com: Joe Congel: books, biography, latest update

 

My blog Site: Joe Congel Fiction Stories

 

 


Bio:

 

Joe Congel grew up in Syracuse, NY, and currently lives in beautiful Charlotte, NC. He got his first break in the world of publishing when he illustrated the humorous book, Housetraining Your VCR, A Help Manual for Humans, published by Grapevine Publications back in the early ’90s.

A few years after Housetraining set the world on fire, Joe decided that he was better suited as a writer rather than as an artist, so he began crafting stories that allowed the reader to use their own imagination to add the visuals to the narrative.

Since he’s enjoyed reading murder mysteries and PI detective stories all his life, he felt he had a pretty good grasp on how to create an engaging character in the world of private detecting. DEAD IS FOREVER is the first book in the Razzman Mystery Crime Files series, featuring Tony Razzolito, PI. The book is set in Syracuse, NY, and Charlotte, NC, with upcoming books in the series concentrated more in and around the Charlotte area. Joe is uniquely qualified to write about both areas of the country since he lived in Syracuse for 36 years and Charlotte for the last 25 plus years.

When he’s not writing, you will most likely find him spoiling his three grandchildren.

 

 


Three Food Favorites:

Me

  1. I’m pretty simple when it comes to food. Give me a good pizza made with fresh ingredients, and I’ll do anything you ask of me. Overall favorite? Margherita – Thin crust, tomatoes, fresh garlic and basil, a quality EVOO, and of course, fresh mozzarella. Nothing better… especially if you happen to be picking one up from one of the many fabulous pizza shops in Brooklyn.
  2. Does this count? The Hershey Golden Almond chocolate bar, which is different and creamier than the regular Hershey Almond bar – Years ago, they could be found in your typical grocery store. Now, I can only seem to find them inside the official Hershey stores. Luckily, whenever I make a trip back to my hometown, I pass right through Hershey Pennsylvania, giving me the opportunity to stop at Chocolate World and gather up a couple of the multi-bar packs. This way I can bring them home and savor one whenever I want throughout the year… or whenever my doctor says it’s okay… lol.
  1. For some unknown reason I am obsessed with the quick serve restaurant, Chicken Salad Chick. Some of the best chicken salad that’s ever crossed my lips… and I don’t have to make it myself! Several flavors available, all named after women in or associated with the owner’s family. The Sassy Scotty flavor is my favorite. Probably eat there or get take out at least once a week. If you don’t have one of these restaurants in your city or town and enjoy a good chicken salad sandwich, Google them and ask them to build one in your area. If you like chicken salad, and have eaten there, you know what I’m talking about.

 

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Writerly Wednesday

What's your synonym or sentence for gull (or gulled)?
There are several meanings for this word. This is a verb example: He gulled me into buying swampland.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

It's Ketch-Up Day

 

Did you have a good weekend? Week going well so far?

We are perking along. The HH is going to have back surgery in December. And speaking of, he surprised me with these. Pretty cute, hey?


 
AND

I saw this in the grocery store and thought of former blogger, Ro. She loved/loves cheeseburgers. Aren't they a hoot?



AND 

I found these empty nests in the yard. Had no idea they were there till after the fact.

This one I found on the ground.


 This one was hiding in the butterfly bush and is quite hard to see.

AND

We still have butterflies, which bring me quiet joy.


AND

A few last summer flowers.



AND 

Maisy


 

AND

From New York

Thanks, Jacob.


 AND last but not least a correction. Remember this pic? I said it was from Virginia. It was actually from California.  I was confused.😕

Have a great one, friends.






 



Friday, September 22, 2023

Your Weekend Read: DEEP IN THE FOREST WHERE POETRY BLOOMS by D.L. Finn

 

I'm thrilled to share a new release from good friend and author D.L. Finn. I love her poetry and if you haven't tried it, you are in for a treat.


Thank you for having me over to visit your amazing blog, Sandra 😊 Today I’m going to share a couple of poems, the video, and a chance to win a gift card.

 


Blurb

Embark on a captivating journey with D. L. Finn as she guides you through the intricate landscapes of free verse and symbolic poetry. Hike with her through the magical forest, feel the wind on your face riding on the back of a Harley, or bask on the warm Hawaiian shores. Her search for life’s magic invites the reader to traverse through the four seasons in part one. Emotions, observations, and stories weave through part two’s texture. Whether the words explore a sunset, healing, or magic, each poem flows through moments where poetry blooms.

Video

https://youtu.be/nL2zD1dRakA

Excerpts

From Spring

MUSES

 

My brown dog and striped cat Rest comfortably by me.

They are my loving muses. Their peaceful presence Captures my soul's prose And delivers it into existence.


From Free Spirit

ABUNDANCE

 

Surrounded by abundance.

Staring eyes see nothing.

Sweet scent of spring goes unnoticed.

The sun's warmth, tries to thaw frozen souls

Birds croon good news, no one hears it.

Earth offers wisdom, we live in an icy vacuum

Our senses have become numb.

Until that day.

When one brave soul steps outside that cave

And finally sees where they are.

Heavenly exquisiteness makes them cry.

And opens their once-closed heart and mind.

 


From Poetry Stories and Some Truth: Told through haibuns

The Bookcase

The dusty-book aroma filled me with happiness. The old house was mine now, including this exquisite library. My hand brushed over some of the great classics Treasure Island, Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, and Little Women. I sneezed and continued to rescue the collection from its grimy lair. There would be hours of reading seated by a roaring fire. I breathed in gratitude, knowing all my dreams had come true. Then, I ran across a book that would not budge. A heavy tug revealed what was hidden.

 

the bookcase a door

a stale room with one rare book

Gutenberg Bible

 

AMAZON UNIVERSAL ORDER LINK

 


FUN FINN FACTS

1.       I played Scrabble for the first time this year, thanks to my husband’s suggestion. Now I’m addicted and got a new board set for my husband and my 40th Wedding Anniversary.

2.       I’ve collected rocks and crystals since I was a little girl. There are so many around the house that it takes me several trips to put them all on my front deck to give them a nice full-moon bath.

Giveaway

To celebrate my latest release, I will randomly choose a winner from the comment section for one $5 Amazon Gift Card. 


D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

 

D.L. Finn Links:

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Bookbub

Facebook

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D.L. Finn blog

Amazon Page

YouTube