Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you?  

On this end we are unsettled. Once again, cancer has raised its vicious head with the youngest grand. Hence my hiatus, awhile back.  I needed some mental health days. So, if I'm not here on a normal posting day (and I miss my fair share of Tuesdays:) or if I'm slower than usual at replying to comments, please bear with me.

Now on to more happy news. My SIL and BIL stopped in for a brief visit.  It was great seeing them. It had been awhile.

AND

This is a sweet potato a friend of ours grew. Isn't it a hoot? It weighed over six pounds. Birthing size! He planted six plants and ended up with over a hundred pounds of sweet potatoes. I don't know what his secret is:)

 AND

Pictures from the Smokies

Thanks, Julie.

 

 

AND

From a California window

Thanks, Denise:) 

 

 

AND

In the garden: Sunset and critters

 

I've never seen a moth quite like this one. It has a horn on its back. David, do you know what it is?

 Don't you love walking sticks?

That's it for now. Have a great one, friends. Let us know what you've been up to. 

Your Weekend Read: MIRACLES AND GHOSTS PAST

 Please welcome dear friend and fellow author D.L. Finn.

Thank you, Sandra, for having me on your beautiful blog today to share the release of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two! I’m beyond grateful for your constant support and friendship.

“Christmas Rescue” was originally in my first Christmas Collection. I pulled it because it wasn’t going anywhere. When I came back to it later, it all came together. Opal’s had a bad year. Her mother died, and her boyfriend broke up with her, leaving her in heavy debt. The worst part was that he took their dog too. All she could do was quit school and start working to pay off the debt. Not feeling her usual Christmas spirit, she still plans to host her aunt, uncle, and cousins as her mother would have. She needs some supplies on Christmas Eve. A big storm is coming, and she finds people are already home, but in one dark parking lot, she isn’t alone.

 

BLURB:

Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.” She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.

 

EXCERPT FROM: Christmas Rescue, 1975

This Christmas Day, she’d paste on a smile, but inside lurked the Grinch before his heart grew three sizes. If time could pause, she would have the chance to breathe and dream again, but time and bills continued to march forward, unfazed even by the world’s Grinches.

 

“Perhaps life is meant to be endured, not enjoyed.”

 

Opal immediately felt guilty, knowing her mom would disapprove of that statement. But Opal’s mom wasn’t there to hear it after her fatal heart attack. It was going to be her first Christmas without her mom, who had been her best friend.

 

Still, she attempted to be positive in memory of her mom. “I know I have this house and my bartending job. But if I sold the house and got an apartment, I could finish getting my teaching degree. Which means I’d leave my childhood home and all the memories that come with it.” Opal sighed and wiped away a single tear. “I miss you, Mom, and you were right about many things—including Sam.”

 

That name repulsed her like a gory horror movie. With a shudder, she thrust away thoughts of her ex. She picked up a silver bell that had fallen off the Christmas tree and put it on an empty branch. The silver bell swung and stilled. She turned her back to the colorful tree to prepare the house for her guests, but the small silver bell started ringing like it was atop a church.

 

“Either an angel got their wings, or my walking jiggled the bell.”

 

Opal leaned toward the latter. She placed her mom’s porcelain nativity scene on the fireplace mantel. Her youngest niece, Lisa, was obsessed with the nativity. Lisa was convinced the angel was real and was watching over them. The sweet girl was always on her best behavior around it.

 

Even surrounded by all this good cheer, regret wouldn’t allow her to forget. It overshadowed everything. Three months after her mom died, her ex-boyfriend moved across the country with her inheritance and Beauty, the sweet pup she still missed. All Sam left behind were maxed-out credit card bills. Unfortunately, she was the primary cardholder; he had been able to charge with no responsibility for any of the debt. This had alarmed her mom, but Opal was in love, or thought she was, and didn’t listen. After her mom passed, Opal continued with her bad decisions, which included adding Sam’s name to her savings account after he pointed out it made sense since they were getting married. She thought that was his proposal, but no ring followed, just a breakup.

 

Universal Purchase Link

 

FUN FINN FACTS

1.      My favorite Christmas songs are: O Holy Night, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, Happy Christmas (War is Over), Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow, Little Town of Bethlehem, Christmastime is Here, It’s beginning to look like Christmas, White Christmas, I’ll be Home for Christmas, The Christmas Song, Little Saint Nick, A Holly Jolly Christmas….I could go on. I couldn’t pick just one or two!

2.      I start Christmas shopping in July or August.

 

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, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

 

YouTube
Amazon Page
D.L. Finn blog
Pinterest
Instagram
Facebook
Bookbub
Bluesky
Twitter/X 
D. L. Finn’s Gratitude Store

 

To celebrate the release, I will be giving away three Amazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomly pick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. Good Luck!

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

 What's your sentence, definition or synonym for:

 My sentence: The bank robber absquatulated from the scene of the crime.

 AND

Did you know that before aspirin was marketed, willow bark was used as a painkiller?

Sources: 

https://funfactsabout.net/plant-facts/

Crafting Aspirin from Willow Bark: An Ancient Pain Relief Remedy

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

I'm taking this week off, my friends. Store up your news and let me know how you're doing when I get back.

Weekend Wishes

 

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

What is your synonym, definition or sentence for: 

My sentence and definition: Catfishing is an online scam similar to bait and switch. 

For more information on catfishing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catfishing

 

 AND

  

Did you know, that in Holland during the 1600s, tulips were worth more than gold and brought about a crash in the Dutch economy?

Sources:

30 Facts About Plants You Didn't Know Until Now 

50 Interesting Plant Facts | Fun Facts About

 

 

Weekend Wishes

 

* If you see a suspicious redirect on this blog, please ignore it, in case it's malware. I've had a larger number of views than normal and a couple of folks had problems leaving comments.  I'm hoping it's nothing but my SIL, who is kind enough to handle 'technical difficulties' for me is going to check it out.  We'll keep you apprised. 

IWSG AND Did You Know

 

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 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!
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

 

September 3 question - What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, story bible, or creating outlines\beats?

I use AI extensively for my research.  I've found Co-Pilot to be very helpful AND I use GPChat when I'm blogging an informational post. But as far as my book writing goes, that's all me.

August/September Reviews in no particular order.

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

 

BUNGLE by Paul Stanton

So cute.

This is such a cute story about a Smileymoo that has a very unlucky day.

The story line is fun and well written. The illustrations are great and compliment the story. All in all, a lovely little read.

Bungle is a book for youngsters that will make adults smile.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

 

 

WHEN SECRETS BLOOM by Patricia Furtenberg

Set in Transylvania in the 1400s, this story is a lovely blend of history and mysticism. The research that went into writing this book shines throughout this fictional tale of a woman who fought by the side of Vlad Dracula while caring for the wounded.  

Kate Webber, now no longer fights at Vlad sides, but practices healing in Kronstadt, where the jealous and mean-spirited turn against her. Moise, a Jew apprenticing at a print shop, has encountered problems of his own, and now Kate and Moise both find themselves in danger.

Using a delicate, almost poetic, writing style, the author delivers a solid story. A must read for those who love medieval historical fiction and a strong female protagonist. 

Available at Amazon

 

 

BAD LANDS by Preston & Child

Nora Kelly Book 5

Once again, FBI agent Corrie Swanson and anthropologist Nora Kelly come together to solve the bizarre and painful death of an unknown woman that has all the earmarks of suicide.

And then another body shows up.

Discovering what really happened will put them both in danger.

As always, the authors deliver a can’t-put-the-book-down read.

My only complaint, the torture and torture scenes are way too realistic. At least for this reader.

Available at Amazon 

 

JAMES BUCHANAN: America’s 15^th President (Encyclopedia of Presidents Second Series) by Allison Lassieur

The author did a good job of putting forth the salient points of Buchanan's life without pontificating. The work also speaks to the civil unrest in the country at that time. Buchanan would have stood a better chance of success if the nation hadn't been on the brink of secession and ultimately war.

My takeaway, while in office, he concentrated too much on the legal aspect, instead of the humane.

I recommend this read for those interested in history, young people and adults alike.

Available at Amazon 

 

INFECTED by Terry Tyler

SFV-1 is a virus with zombie-like effects. The story revolves around the rapid takeover of the virus as we follow the lives of three separate characters and the effect the deadly disease has on their lives. Cat, who is on a remote island when the outbreak begins. Norah, too absorbed in her work to realize what’s going on around her. And Lion, a marketing consultant who is enjoying a much-needed vacay that takes a turn into horror.

This isn’t my normal read, but the author did an amazing job on this story, holding my interest throughout. Her writing skills checks all the boxes.  Excellent world-building and character development. Descriptions that are graphic without being over the top. And tension that continues to mount as the story progresses, leaving the reader to wonder if the world will survive. To be continued in Book 2. 

Highly recommended for dystopian fiction readers or those who just enjoy a well-told tale.

Available at Amazon 

 

AND

 

Did you know, Argentinian author Jorge Luis Borges, made a living writing advertisements for yogurt .

150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic]