If you celebrate, how were your holidays?
Ours were surprisingly nice. I say surprisingly, because it was the first time we spent Christmas alone in over forty-five years. But everyone touched base with us and we had a lovely, relaxing day. I sure hope you did as well.
As threatened, promised more Longwood Garden photos:
Orchids
The HH is motoring around the house with his walker. Still no twisting, lifting or bending. One thing on the plus side of the ledger. We currently don't have to worry about meals. As previously mentioned, the daughter and SIL brought in homemade soups AND one of the HH's sisters sent soup AND our insurance is supplying a couple of weeks worth of meals.
AND my walking buddy brought me a bottle of homemade wine to help ME motor around the house. Hehe.
What about you? What's going on in your neck of the woods?
As threatened promised, more Longwood pics.
And....
Drawings courtesy of my grandson:)
And...
And last but not least, critter pictures.
Well, we are home from the hospital. Day of surgery, we got there at 6:30 a.m. and he got to his room about 7:00 p.m. He under went spinal fusion so it's going to take awhile to pop back. So far, the surgery has every appearance of being a success. And each day marks another day of healing.The daughter and SIL drove from Philly and delivered homemade soups. It was a lightning trip since they had to be back at work Monday, but it was wonderful to see them.
On another note:)
While in Philly for Thanksgiving, as mentioned, we went to Longwood Gardens. Here's some pics. (Many more to come. Heh.) These are a few of the Christmas trees we saw. Pretty, huh?
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.
Twitter handle: @TheIWSG
Hashtag: #IWSG
The awesome co-hosts for the December 6 posting
of the IWSG are C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose, Jennifer Lane, and Jacqui Murray!
Every month, we announce a question that members
can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice,
insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in
your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something
to say.
Remember, the
question is optional!
December
6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book reviews do
you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed
about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?
J. Q. Rose has a new release
“well-organized, easy-to-understand writing guide”
“Biblical references with prompts are excellent”
“topic aimed at women from a Christian perspective”
“content engages the reader to recognize the power of her own stories”Buy links:
Universal link eBook
https://books2read.com/u/bx6qJo
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLL1ZGDZ
November/December Reviews in no particular order.
Disclaimer: The occasional typo is not factored in to my reviews.
Taila is a young woman who wants to make a difference. When she arrives at the inn, she has no idea just how much of a difference she is going to make…
With her usual delicate touch and impressive descriptions, Ms. Peach has taken a difficult topic and brought a sobering reality to fantasy as she transports a young black woman back to the days of slavery in the fourth book of the Harbor Pointe series. I was very nervous while reading this story, not knowing what Taila might encounter, but the author handled the situation deftly and didn’t put the reader into any untenable situations, which could have been easily done given the subject matter. It was an engrossing story with a positive ending and as with all of Ms. Peach’s stories a well- told tale.
Here are just a few of Ms. Peach’s prose that enticed this reader.
‘The deck pitched to starboard on a rogue wave.’
‘A gray scratch of foggy Oregon coast lapsed in and out of view, its barren sea stacks rising from a froth of breakers like Africa’s bull elephants.’
‘His grip tightened on the rail, knuckles bloodless and tendons strung like rigging under a heavy strain.’
Once again, D. Wallace Peach has produced a winner. THE SEAS OF TIMES is a great addition to the series.
Available at Amazon
A haunting time travel YA
He’s only seventeen, but Jonah Guthrie has had his share of trouble. His dad has been accused of embezzlement and disappeared. He has issues at school. His sister Allie is a pain and his aunt Margaret, who is now their guardian, moves them from New Hampshire to the dying town of Rattlesnake, Nevada—a place as sinister as its name—where they’ve inherited a house that’s fallen into disuse and a silver mine that’s defunct. And if that’s not enough to deal with Jonah discovers the house comes with its own ghost.
The ghost is a beautiful young woman named Catherine who needs his help. Jonah is drawn to her as she is to him. To help her he must find a way to clear her uncle’s name. A task that’s not only difficult, but dangerous as well.
Both young people are trying to come to grips with family scandals. One in the present. One over a hundred years ago.
I found myself enthralled with this story from beginning to end. The author deftly weaves the strands of past and present into an intriguing mystery that leaves the reader wondering what’s going to happen next.
Ms. McKenzie’s tales never fail to entertain and Rattlesnake is no exception.
Available at Amazon
A book to add to your Christmas reads.
On a mission, the devil visits London Christmas Eve. He has a specific list of folks he wants to call on and his reasons for doing so may surprise you.
As we saunter through London with the devil, we meet the lost and the hopeless, the degenerate, and those that have knowingly sold their souls. We are also reminded that Lucifer was once an angel.
While we stroll, the author tosses us historical tidbits of the city that add a layer to the story. Then as Christmas Eve ends, so does this Christmas tale or so we think. But the author has one more surprise waiting for us before the story reaches its conclusion.
I found this read to be delightful. It held my attention from beginning to end. The voice was unique and gave a nontraditional twist to Satan.
If you are mining for a new book, this one’s a definite gem. I’ll be keeping a look out for more stories by this author in the future.
Available at Amazon
In the Harbor Pointe Series, it is now 1967 and best friends Lacey and Sandy are heading to the Pointe for a getaway vacation, unaware of the terror that awaits them as a killer lurks in the shadows.
Once the two friends arrive at the Inn, the reader is reconnected to characters from Book 2. The author handles the reconnection in a seamless manner, capturing the endearing qualities of the previous characters.
Besides believable characters, Ms. Finn’s descriptions are rich and highly visual. And as an added bonus she gives the reader information about sea life. IE How to tell the age of a sand dollar—by counting its rings—in one of her visuals.
The story is full of unforeseen twists and surprising turns that keep the reader on his/her toes. All in all, a grand addition to the Series.
Available at Amazon
