Weekend Wishes

 

AND

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

What's your synonym, sentence or description for: 

Example: My grandmother was such a gadabout. Always ready to go:) 

AND by the way, I'm going to try combining Writerly Wednesdays and Did You Know Thursdays. We'll see how it goes.

Did you know, that in the 1700 and 1800s pineapples were considered a luxury in Britain (and the colonies) and that rental shops were eventually opened so that the middle class could rent them to use as centerpieces or to take to parties? If bought outright they could cost in the thousands.

For more information:The History of Pineapples—And Why They Used to Cost $8000 (mentalfloss.com)

Your Weekend Read: THE DEFIANT SISTERS DUET - BOOK 2 by Jacquie Biggar

 

Finding Me: The Defiant Sisters Duet- Book 2

Jacquie Biggar

Thank you for sharing my new release on your blog today, Sandra. It’s deeply appreciated!
A few years ago, a regular customer of my restaurant lost her husband to suicide. It shocked
our small community and devastated her family. They seemed like a happy, loving couple, so
what happened?
The same occurred to a famous, well-loved dancer called tWitch. He and his wife had three
children, the youngest only two years old. And yet, he, too, is gone.
This led me to wonder (and worry) about the children left behind. How do they handle the
loss of their father? Do they blame themselves? Each other?
The Defiant Sisters Duet is an exploration of two sisters, Renée and Izzy, affected differently
by the loss and how it eats at the family’s dynamics.

Finding Me
Izzy

My life is not like I dreamed it would be. I had the foolish fantasy of finishing high school,
going to college, making something of myself- maybe even becoming famous.
Instead, I'm the infamous kid of the father who killed himself in the family's backyard.
How's that for a legacy?

Renée

I came home for my mother's funeral, but I'm staying to mend bridges with my sister. We have
another chance, and whatever it takes, we need to come together as a family or live the rest of
our lives knowing we let our brother down.
They say pride goes before a fall, but it doesn't tell us how to avoid the scrapes along the way.

Excerpt:
“Mrs. O’Brian is getting around much better now. She’ll only need my help for another
week or two at most. I was thinking—”
“What?” Izzy swings around, eyes flashing fire. “That it’s time for you to head back to the
big city? I agree. We were doing just fine until you showed up. You’ve barely been in town a
month and already you’ve managed to hit a pedestrian, break up an engagement, and ruin my
relationship with Ben. All in a day’s work, right, Renée?”
“Don’t forget the swim in a swollen river,” I say, cringing at the venom in her voice, even
though I know it’s mostly the pain talking. Simon mentioned hearing she had split up with her
boyfriend who was coincidentally her boss. It must make for a tense workspace. I want to
console her but know she would just shut me down. We don’t have that kind of relationship
anymore. We haven’t in a long time.
Instead, I chuckle and take a seat at the table. “Wow, I feel like the evil witch in those fairy
tales we read as kids.”
“If the shoe fits…” she mumbles.

 I was known as the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese queen before we bought our restaurant in 2001, and I got a crash course in cooking for crowds, lol

My family likes to tease me for setting off the fire alarm one year while cooking Christmas morning breakfast. Not my fault; the bacon did it.

My favorite comfort food is homemade soup. Cream of potato, seafood chowder, and hamburger soup are the top three, but I like almost all of them except pickle soup- yuck!

 

Jacquie Biggar is an award-winning author of romance who has been listed on USA
Today's bestseller list. Her writing is centered around tough, alpha male characters who fall for
strong and independent contemporary women. She resides on Vancouver Island with her husband
and would love to hear from readers worldwide!

In her own words: "My name is Jacquie Biggar. When I'm not being a klutz, I'm a wife, a
mother of one, a grandmother, and a butler to my calico cat. Watching reality TV shows such as
The Voice and Amazing Race is one of my guilty pleasures. Every Monday night, you can find

me laughing at the judges shenanigans as I'm plastered to my armchair. I love hanging out with
my husband at the beach, taking pictures, and reading romance novels (what else?). I have a
slight obsession with Tim Hortons, enjoy gardening, everything pink, and talking to my friends"

Subscribe to her Newsletter and follow her on these sites:
Amazon | Website | Facebook | Newsletter
 Twitter | Pinterest | GoodReads | Bookbub

LINKS:

Amazon 

Universal Link 

TBR List 

BookBub

 

 

 

 

Did You Know

 Did you know, Former President Jimmy Carter was once attacked by a swamp rabbit.

More information at: Jimmy Carter rabbit incident - Wikipedia

 

Writerly Wednesday

 

 What's your definition, synonym or example for:

Example: Instead of getting my writing done, I futzed on the computer.

AND

 

Ketch-up Day

 

March is famous for the Ides of March and Spring. Here's what it looks like in some of the states.

 

March in North Carolina

 

 

March in South Carolina

Thanks, Randy

 

 

March in California

Thanks, Denise

March in Florida

Thanks Sonya and Shane

 

March in Illinois

Thanks, Allison

 

 AND

March in Colorado

Thanks, Julie.

What's March look like in your neck of the woods?

Your Weekend Read: MYTH STALKER

 

Coming March 26th

Myth Stalker: Wendigo Nights, by Shannon Lawrence

Warrior Muse Press

 

A late night call from her mentor sends Selina Moonstone on a mission to Canada, determined to track down a Wendigo and exterminate it.

Accustomed to facing off with the all too real creatures of Native American lore, Selina discovers the Wendigo is someone close to her, forcing her to change gears from destruction to frantic search for a cure. There's no known way to rid a person of the Wendigo spirit once it has begun the consumption of the victim's soul, a lesson she learned the hard way in her youth.

With her loved one's transition to Wendigo imminent, Selina must fight her own lifelong training as a Myth Stalker and find another way. She gathers a mismatched group of allies, including a charming Sin Eater and a conceited mercenary Cryptid hunter from her past, and embarks on a mission to find a solution before it's too late.

 

Link:

Available in paperback and e-book, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. Find the book at your favorite store using the universal link: https://books2read.com/u/4AaOJd

 

 Bio:

A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in over fifty anthologies and magazines in addition to her collections. Her nonfiction title, The Business of Short Stories, is available now and her debut urban fantasy novel is releasing March 2024. You can also find her as a co-host of the podcast Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem. When she's not writing, she's hiking through the wilds of Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings, where, coincidentally, there's always a place to hide a body or birth a monster. Find her at www.thewarriormuse.com.

 

 

1. Nachos are best when bought from a food stand. Bonus points if it’s the middle of the night.

Selina and a friend grab nachos from a local food stand here in Colorado Springs after a

strenuous assignment. While I don’t name it in the book, it’s inspired by a real stand near my

house that has THE BEST Mexican food we’ve found in our city. And it’s open 24 hours! Great for

an insomniac (or not great, depending upon how you look at it).

2. Just like humans, fish need a certain amount of protein in their diet, which they usually get from

a wide array of sources, depending upon their size, from worms and insects all the way up to

mammals. Fresh-caught fish is good for you and tasty, too! Selina’s mentor likes to catch his

own fish at a lake near his house. He even catches one each time for a friendly local mountain

lion named Rocky. Selina herself is not a big fan of fishing, but she’s happy to sup with her

mentor when he does the work.

3. Did you know the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a rule about sandwiches that they can only

be 50% bread and must have at least 35% meat? Selina has sandwiches (somewhat reluctantly)

with a certain fellow in the book. They’re portable and convenient! But I’m pretty sure some of

my sandwiches have not been within the rules.

 ~*~

I'm posting about camels in the old West at Cowboy Kisses.  If you're in the vicinity, please drop in.

Did You Know

 Did you know, flamingos can sleep standing on one leg?

 

For more information: The Real Reason Flamingos Stand on One Leg | Nature and Wildlife | Discovery

 

Writerly Wednesday

 What's your synonym, example or definition of:

Example: Politicians spout bunkum.

Ketch-Up Day

 

We have several of these guys hanging around the neighborhood.  Do you have bluebirds in your area?

How is your week going? Feeling okay? Doing anything exciting?

Same ole, same ole here. Read, write, reset.

AND.....

Frank overseeing the unloading of groceries.

Lots of rain last week.  

Added to the water that was already in it and the rain 'barrow' overflowed.

Does anyone grow rosemary? Mine blossomed this year. I've had rosemary for years, as you can tell by the size of my 'bush', and it's never flowered before. I didn't even realize they had flowers. The heavens and the climate must have aligned this year.

 

March calendar shots.

I got to see my bro and SIL from Illinois last week and on another day went out to lunch with buds. Definitely a good week. Hope yours was. 

That's all, buds.

Weekend Wishes

 

Did You Know

 

Did you know that when Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, took office at age sixty-one, it made him the oldest president that had held the office to that point.

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.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

The awesome co-hosts for the March 6 posting of the IWSG are Kristina Kelly, Miffie Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

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

March 6th question: Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?

Good question.  I’ve used AI for guest posts but I haven’t tried a synopsis. In fact, I’m not sure how to even approach that. It seems like by the time you’d given it the information, you would have written it yourself. I’m anxious to hear from folks that have used it for a synopsis and how it worked out. I feel like AI is here to stay so we might as well take advantage of it. On the other hand I hope it doesn’t put us out of business.

For those pitching: #IWSGPit March 27th.

AND: Saturday, April 13, 2024:
Beyond the Pen all-day workshop at Brier Creek Community Center, Morrisville NC
Register here!

 

                                                                                   Bookbrush Image

Four souls shrouded in darkness…

A wary vampire relying on the assistance of a young woman to guide his clan to an ancient fortress. A talking shark with no knowledge of his earlier life who befriends a girl with issues of her own. A werewolf trapped by his secret smitten with a young woman battling trust issues of her own. And an alien devoid of all emotions pledged to a Terran woman determined to keep her own feelings intact.

These souls must discover the power of love if they hope to escape the darkness surrounding them…

LINKS:

Amazon print –

Amazon eBook - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWYM915Q  

iTunes - https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6476887107

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940167675377

Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9798988625155\

Gardners - https://www.gardners.com/Search/KeywordAnonymous/eBook?Keyword=9798988625155

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206112336-in-darkness

 

February/March Reviews in no particular order.

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

 

DEPTH OF WINTER by Craig Johnson

In Book #14, Longmire is traveling deep into Mexico to save his daughter Cady, who has been kidnapped by Bidarte, a vicious drug lord and Longmire’s sworn enemy.

Available at Amazon

LAND OF WOLVES by Craig Johnson

In Book #15, While Cady is trying to recover, in Cheyenne, from her harrowing kidnapping experience, Walt is back in Absaroka County, trying to recover from near mortal wounds. But there’s no downtime from murder and once again Walt is on the job.

NEXT TO LAST STAND by Craig Johnson

In Book #16, with the help of several scooter riders in the Veteran’s Home Walt is on the trail of a murderer and art thief.

 

THE SOUL WHISPER’S DECISION by Gwen Plano

Sarah Jameson is in a deadly accident and has the rare opportunity to either join her children, who died in the accident, in the afterlife or stay on earth with her grieving husband who is already suffering from PTSD before his family is ripped from him.

This is a story geared for those who enjoy Christian Faith, Spiritual Faith, and Faith and Spirituality reading. The author’s background in counseling and religion are in evidence in this thought-provoking story.

Written in first person present.

Available at Amazon

 

 

THE WYVERN, THE PIRATE, AND THE MADMAN by Lou Kemp

Celwyn the magician, Professor Kang the automat, Bartholomew the scientist, Nemo and Jules Verne board the Nautilus for another adventure. Tara and Valentine, both vampires, round out this steampunk fantasy. The sea and the lands visited, while chasing a pirate ship, are well-described and evocative. Many decisions are made over a cup of tea and sumptuous meal. Unfortunately, while the friends are on the high seas saving folks captured by the pirates, danger is lurking at home. 

This steampunk fantasy could almost be called a steampunk opera.

Available at  Amazon

 

 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS by Jacquie Biggar

If you are looking for stories to lift your spirits, this is a heartwarming collection that is geared for Christmas but can be enjoyed all year long. The author effortlessly draws the reader into the stories and her vivid descriptions bring them to life. SILVER BELLS, MISTLETOE INN, LOVE ME, and A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS are all feel good holiday romances that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm heart when you finish. So, grab your hot chocolate, curl up on the sofa with this lovely collection and enjoy. AND Jacquie has a new release coming this month.

Available at Amazon