The last of the Longwood Garden Pictures in no particular order.
The outdoor gardens have large tents set up where you can grab something to eat and/or drink. They are quite nice. They have plastic windows and in winter are heated.Since we traditionally visit the gardens the end of November, we usually take advantage of one of the tents to get out of the cold and wind.
The gardens have a four acre conservatory and their outside grounds are over a thousand acres. They offer in person and online classes and have a lovely gift shop. If you've never been there and have an opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it. For more information: Longwood Gardens
AND
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 January 8 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Beth Camp, Liza @ Middle Passages, and Natalie @ Literary Rambles!
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
January 8 question - Describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up?
Reviews in no particular order.
* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.
ENDANGERED SPECIES by Jacqui Murray
A prehistorical fiction filled with intrigue. Based on facts.
Once again Ms. Murray does a masterful job of sharing our ancestors’ history in a fictional setting filled with danger, mysticism and humanity.
The story toggles back and forth between Yu’ung, who is tasked with leading and saving her people from extinction and Jun/Shandar who is called upon to save Yu’ung and help her save her people.
There is also a fascinating canis pack whose job it is to protect Jun/Shandar.
The book is all we’ve come to expect from the author: unparalleled world building, wonderful character development—that is not limited to the main characters—and plenty of twists and turns to keep us on our toes. Also helpful is a glossary of terms and a character index.
Jacqui Murray is a master of prehistoric fiction. Her readers and fans will not be disappointed.
Kudos on another winner, Ms. Murray.
Available at Amazon
SWANGO by Lou Kemp
Swango is the sixth book in the Celwyn series where once again we hook up with Nemo, Jules Verne, Professor Kang the automat, Bartholomew, Celwyn’s friend and Tara, a vampire Celwyn is enamored of, to name a few.
This book is an introduction to a new character, Swango, who will soon be joining the series in the next installment.
Per usual, the characters are well-developed and the premise fascinating. The author has created a unique fantasy series while feeding us fun tidbits of history. She has written a one-of-a-kind tale, leaving us to speculate on what is coming next.
Available at Amazon
A GHOST AND HIS GOLD by Robert Eaton Cheadle
The author did her homework on this story. It’s a dual time line mystery sprinkled with historical facts and references.
After a drunken night with an Ouija board, Michelle Holland encounters not one ghost but three. And one of them is out to do her and her husband harm. To end the haunting, she must learn the specters’ past.
The book is gritty and brings the Second Anglo Boer War to life.
Available at Amazon
JAMES K. POLK: America's 11th President (11) (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRESIDENTS SECOND SERIES) by Sean McCollum
The book is well-written and hits on the salient points of this president. While geared for young people, I found it to be an interesting read and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to an adult.
Available at Amazon