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 July 3
posting of
the IWSG are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!
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
July 3 question - What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? And which one is your all time favorite that you cannot live without and use daily or at least whenever you write?
I don’t do anything fancy just write in Word. I’ll be interested to see how others answer this and what they feel helps them.
June/July Reviews in no particular order
* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.
This Vicky Bliss series was written back in the late 80s. I enjoyed it then and I’m enjoying it now. Urged on by her boss Herr Professor Doktor Schmidt director of the National Museum, Vicky always finds herself smack dab in the middle of a dangerous mystery around priceless relics. The story definitely picks up when dashing thief Sir John Smythe enters the picture. A must read for folks that enjoy an old-fashioned romantic suspense.
SILHOUTTE IN SCARLET by Elizabeth Peters
The story picks up where THE STREET OF FIVE MOONS leaves off with Sir John plopping Vicky in another dangerous situation, involving a criminal with a deadly hobby, then uses his wiles and courage to get her out of it.
Available at Amazon
A fascinating mystery that connects the past and the present.
Present Day: Maria and Logan have bought a mansion in disrepair that they plan on turning into a Bed and Breakfast, having no idea when they sign on the dotted line that the mansion comes with a ghost.
1924: Helen is married to the love of her life Charles. They party their way through prohibition until Helen disappears and her husband is blamed for the disappearance.
Now Maria must solve the mystery of what happened to Helen.
The transition between the two different periods of time is handled smoothly and keeps the reader wondering what is happening in the other timeline. The entire book has a deliciously eerie feel to it, due in part to the author’s fabulous descriptions. For instance: ‘The chill fall night was silent under a sky so dark that the stars seemed subdued.’
This is one of Ms. Finn’s best. Enjoy it.
Available at Amazon
I'm slogging my way through the biographies of the Presidents of the United States. Mega apologies to the author, but the last one I read I found long and boring, so I tried the children's version of Harrison's life. I.E. William Henry Harrison: Ninth President of the United States (Encyclopedia of Presidents) and loved it. I learned all kinds of things about this president I didn't know. It hit the salient points in his life, and presented them in an interesting manner, without belaboring points that had no bearing.
I recommend this book for kids and adults alike.
Available at Amazon
This is a self-help designed to guide us on our journey of improvement whether it be in our professional or private lives.
Several phrases caught my eye and gives a feel to what the book is about:
“It’s not important to win the argument, learn to win the people.”
“Stay away from negative people.”
“Your future is a reflection of your performance today.”
“Forgive yourself for the blunders you make.”
“Share what you have. You always have something to give.”
“If you pray for the rain, you gotta deal with the mud too.”
I particularly enjoyed the last quote😊 It’s an easy read that will put you in a positive frame of mind. Enjoy.
Available at Amazon
AND
Did you know that the poet Percy Shelley was a vegan?
For more information:
24 Crazy Author Facts You Need to Know — On Book Street
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Category - All (smashwords.com)
28 comments:
This is a packed post. Thank you. Elizabeth Peters books are fun aren't they?
I may be afflicted with masochism in various guises, but thank goodness it has not yet bottomed out at reading the biographies of all the presidents in the United States! That really does seem like cruel and unusual punishment!
Hi Sandra - I hope you meant vegetarianism for Shelley ... anyway - interesting post - and made me look! Congratulations at your stint as an IWSG administrator ... all the best to the new publications. Cheers Hilary
I only use Word as well.
The first thing that drew my attention was the cover for your new book "Mateo's Woman" -- it's gorgeous!
Ronel visiting for IWSG day A Round-Up of Resources For Writers
I use Word too. I always love seeing what you're reading. Sounds in the Silence looks interesting.
A vegan! Good for Percy.
I love Elizabeth Peter's books. I haven't read this one, but that will soon change.
I'm with you the writing tools. I'm a minimalist.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/something-new-this-way-comes
I always write in Word because it is what I know. Easy enough, though sometimes a little frustrating!
You have a lot of company with your writer's tool. I'm an outlier! Congrats on your honor!
Nothing wrong with Word. I've seen some pretty sophisticated and complicated programs out there, and I'm sure they work great for a certain kind of writer. But sometimes, the simple thing is the best.
EC, Oh yes. Elizabeth Peters is an all time favorite.
Hils, Vegan is a close cousin to vegetarian:)
Now, David, if they only had beaks and feathers, you know you'd love reading about them:) Actually that probably would make for interesting reading:) Heh
Alex, Right there with ya. Glad Louise is on board.
Ronel, Thank you so much:)
Natalie, It's a grand read. Denise's best to-date;)
Diane, Yay Percy!;)
I had no clue there are other writing web stuff. Oh brother, my brain is done..lol. I use only word. That ghost story sounds really quite good. I marked it down. There must be some president's that are just...boring. I had no idea Shelley was a vegan. He was way ahead of his time. He's one of my favourite poets.
Lee, She's great, isn't she. FYI that's the second and third in the series but if you just type in Vicky Bliss it should bring up the first one.
Jean, I'm with ya;)
Jacqui, You had some great tools listed on your post, which comes as no surprise:)
J.S. Agreed. Thanks for co-hosting.
Gracias por laa reseñas. No sabía ese dato. Te mando un beso
Hi, Sandra! I did not know that Shelley was a vegan! I enjoyed your book reviews. I know I've read and enjoyed Elizabeth Peters way back. I agree with Ronel. The cover of Mateo's Woman is beautiful. All the best to you!
Thank you, Sandra :) Your review still has me forest dancing! Great reviews I see one I want to add to my TBR list. I'm a Words girl. Happy 4th xo
Thank you for sharing these lovely reviews. I also wrote in Word 🌞. Robbie Cheadle
The mention of National Cowboy Day caught my attention. Does it have anything to do with https://www.nationalcowboypoetrygathering.org/ ?
Birgit, The ghost story is really good and agreed Shelley was ahead of his time.
J.P. Sending you a hug:)
Louise, Isn't that fascinating about Shelley. Glad you like the book cover;) Peters never goes out of style, does she?
Denise, Love that you're forest dancing:) Which book did you pick?;)
Robbie, You're most welcome. Yay on using Word:)
Liz, Interesting. I didn't know about the poetry gathering. D.K. Deters is hosting these particular postings.
Fantastic reviews, Sandra. Of these, I've read Sounds in the Silence and loved it. Thank you for sharing and congrats to these authors!
Jan, Agreed. In my humble opinion, Silence is Denise's best yet.
Have a grand weekend and thanks for stopping by:)
An eclectic group of books, Sandra. I've read and enjoyed Denise's book, but the others are all new to me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. And I think I'd enjoy reading children's books to learn about ALL the Presidents. Lol
Looks like a lot of fantastic books here! Thanks for sharing, Sandra.
Hi Diana, Yeah, I think I'm sticking with the children's books for the rest of my presidential sojourns;)
Hey Beem, Thanks so much for stopping by.
Wow, that's quite the selection of great-sounding books! Many thanks for sharing :)
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