Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you? Keeping cool? It's averaging over a hundred degrees daily here. The poor plants and outdoor critters are panting. I keep a a bowl of water on the steps for any critter meandering by. 

Are you getting rain? Even when it's forecast here, it usually goes east or west of us. I guess I'm going to have to step up my rain dance;)

 AND

Since my interests are rather limited (heh), here's some more Eternal Garden pics:

I wanted a shot that included the crepe myrtle behind us. It's gorgeous.

 

 

Hark! What's that I hear? The pitter patter of rain drops and thunder boomers. Others must have been doing the rain dance too. 

Have a grand one, Blogger Buds. 

 

  

 

 

Weekend Wishes

 

AND For those of us that celebrate the 4th:

 

IWSG Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

  

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 July 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

Thank you! 

 

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 1 question - Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

Another good question.  I’d like to see other distributors set up programs like KU at Amazon.  It seems like it would be a benefit to both the distributors and the authors. I’ll be interested to see what other authors have to say.

 

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.

 

THE GUEST CAT by Takashi Hiraide

This was a different read for me. It was amazingly well written. The words flowed with symmetry and beauty, but it was not an HEA read.  The ending left me feeling empty and disappointed. Due I think to cultural differences and the fact that I couldn't quite wrap my head around the philosophy of the book.

Available at Amazon 

 

PORT OF CALL by MK Alexander

This is the 5^th book in the steampunk sci fi Seven Sisters series.

Milo York and his loyal crew now face their greatest challenge of all. In Book 4, they saved the Lost Colony and are heading home, but what is days for them, in actuality is a thirty-year trip.  They haven’t aged but their friends, that are left, have.  The kingdom is in upheaval, ruled by a tyrant more monster than man. Where once Milo served the crown, he now finds himself fighting against it to save the worlds of the Seven Sisters.

The author did a wonderful job of ‘out-of-this’ world building😉 and character development. My favorites being Mr. Treacle the giant cat, the bird men—Mr. Kaw in particular, and the mechanical men, especially Gideon Pi. AND he tied all the pieces together with a very satisfying ending.

Since there are several characters hopping in out and of the series, as is to be expected with so many worlds, I would recommend starting with the first book in the series THE SHIP.

A well-written, well-told tale by an author who researches ceaselessly.   Recommended for steampunk and sci fi lovers, as well as readers who just want to kick back and enjoy some great escapism. Enjoy.

Available at Amazon 

   

 JANIE’S SECRET by Sherri Hollister

This is the second in the Harrill Family Chronicles and focuses on Janie, one of three Harrill sisters, and Mike McKenzie, the chief of police, who years ago were high school sweethearts that were torn apart. Now, years later they find themselves in the middle of murder and mayhem. Even though Mike wants to pick up where they left off, Janie has a secret she doesn’t dare share and keeps Mike at arm’s length, until she decides to risk her heart…again.

The building suspense keeps the book moving at a fast pace. The characters are well-developed and allow the reader to love or hate them. And the world building is solid.

This can be read as a stand-alone, but I would suggest starting with the first in the series: WILLOW’S RETREAT.

Recommended for those who enjoy a mix of suspense and steam.

Available at Amazon 

 

STORM WARNING by James Byrne

Dez Limerick is a fascinating character. He’s considered a ‘Gatekeeper,’ because there’s no door he can’t open and keep it open as long as necessary. He’s muscled and strong but not particularly tall which in itself makes for an interesting protagonist, as most aren’t usually medium height. He’s got a quirky personality, smart and an interesting way of talking. In this particular story, a research facility in Newfoundland has gone dark and no one can get in or out. The state department needs Dez to get the door open and find out why.

It's a great edge-of-your-chair read and kept me flipping pages.  The ending is unexpected. I can’t say I liked it or didn’t like it.  It was just different.

I need a coin with Dez Limerick on one side and Jack Reacher on the other to flip to see who my favorite is, because I sure can’t decide😊. 

Available at Amazon 

 

AND

 

Did you know, Les Miserables was one of the most read books by American soldiers during the Civil War? 

 

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

 

Not much catching up to do here.  The swallowtails are back, which is always a joy.  AND my hardy hibiscus is blooming. I know. I know. Just too, too much excitement.  

So, what's going on in your neck of the woods?

 

To give you an idea of size

 

AND

 

Critter pics:

Massie

 

It's hard to get a picture of Louie, because he is always right at your feet.

 

AND

 

From California.

Thanks, Denise

 

 

 

 

 Bye, bye, June.

Have a grand one, Blogger Buds. 

 

Weekend Wishes

 YOU,

AND A VERY BELATED....

 

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

 What's your synonym, definition or sentence for:

 example: Because of all the falsiloquence going on in our world today, it's hard to know who to believe.

 

AND

Did you know, it's unlawful to have an upholstered couch on your porch in Lawrence, Kansas?

For more information: Weird Laws: Stupid, Funny & Dumb Laws in Every State 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

Hoping all the special dads out there had a wonderful Sunday. What did you do to celebrate?

Friday we hooked up with friends that we get together with once a month and go out to eat. This time one of the guys volunteered to have us at his house.  Oh my.  Great food. Great presentation.  Great fun. Below are the first two courses.

This was the first course: Peach-champagne cold soup. 

 Second course was a delicious salad.

 And from there I stopped taking pictures and concentrated on eating. 

The main course consisted of meatloaf--which I passed on. Heh--mashed potatoes and green beans  and chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert.  The only thing that wasn't fresh or made from scratch was the rolls, iced tea and ice cream.

AND

As always, a few pics from the garden.

 

 

 This Iris is either very early or very late.  Any hoo, I'm glad to see it.

AND

The critters taking over my chair:)

AND

From Kansas

Thanks, Donna

 That's all for now. Have a grand week.

Weekend Wishes

 

FYI

June 19th is: 

 AND

 

If interested, I'm posting over at Cowboy Kisses on A Cowboy's Best Friend--His Horse. 

 AND

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

 What is your synonym, sentence or example for:

 

Sentence example: Raspberries and blackberries are made up of drupelets. 

 

AND

 

Did you know, grapes can catch on fire in the microwave?

For more information: 50 Incredible "Did You Know" Facts That Will Astonish You — Best Life 

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you? What's new?

We got some rain Sunday night.  Who would have thought those crystalline droplets could fill a person with so much joy? I swear the plants and trees were smiling. The birds certainly were;)  It has been so dry here. We are still in drought conditions. My relatives in Illinois have gotten more rain than they need as has a county over from us. It's like, most days, Mother Nature gets to our area and she's all rained out.  Toes-crossed that is going to change out. What about you? What's the weather like in your area?

 

AND

The Eternal Garden

 

 

AND

Massie (and Louie's leg:)

 AND

California

Thanks, Denise :)

My buddy's husband was in the car munching on chips which attracted the birds.  Pretty cute, huh? 

Now the location of where they were at : Bodega Bay, where the famous Hitchcock thriller THE BIRDS was filmed.

 

And on that note, I will leave you:)