Showing posts with label D. L. Finn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label D. L. Finn. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

IWSG Wednesday 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 

 

April/May Reviews in no particular order.

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

 

BADLANDS by Jacqui Murray

BADLANDS is the second in Ms. Murray’s Savage Lands Trilogy. In it, prehistoric man takes on nature in all her fury and survives.

While Yu’ung’s tribe led by B’o, Yu’ung’s hunting partner, and Shanadar, a rather unique young man😊, journey to a safer land, Yu’ung and Ocha, the proto-wolf, accompany Old One, the tribal elder, on his final journey.

Danger is faced on all fronts by the split tribe. Stalked by predators both two-legged and four-legged, they race to stay ahead of nature, whose rumblings are loud, long, and life-threatening.

Once again, the author delivers a fascinating fictionalized version of man’s history, wrapped in fact. A must read for Jacqui Murray fans—of which I am one—and for those who love prehistoric fiction or just enjoy a good tale.

Available at Amazon

 

 

TAXMAN by MK Alexander

This is a short fiction about the dangers of trying to improve on democracy, especially where money, politicians and special interests are concerned. The author takes a simple idea for revising the tax code and leaves the reader wondering, what if….

A well-written, thought-provoking read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLARD FILLMORE: AMERICA’S 13TH PRESIDENT (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRESIDENTS SECOND SERIES) by Dan Santow

I enjoyed learning about our 13th President. I knew very little about him. Let me rephrase. I knew nothing about him. 😊

My take aways: He grew up very poor, had little schooling, and pulled himself up by the bootstraps. He read everything he could get his hands on and bought himself a dictionary to familiarize himself with every word he came across that he didn't know. AND he belonged to the Unitarian church, which I didn't realize had been established in the 1800s.

To summarize, I found the book well-written, interesting and salient.

Available at Amazon

 

MURDER SHE GLAMPED by April Nunn Coker

This is book 34 of 34 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles and take place at a camp resort near Magnolia Bluff. As frequently happens in the Magnolia Bluff vicinity, people are getting murdered and it’s happening on Mamie’s watch while she temporarily manages the campsite.

There are plenty of interesting characters to go round in this latest addition of the Chronicles, including two cute dogs and a hedgehog. Christian Cozy Mystery Readers and Christian Romance Readers will especially enjoy this one.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

 

SCANDAL BROTH, M’LADY RIDES FOR A FALL, FORTUNES OF THE HEART, LADY HARRIET TAKES CHARGE, SIR SHAM, ESCAPADE, GEORGIANA, MISS OSBORNE MISBEHAVES by Marian Devon

I had a Marian Devon reading fest. In my humble opinion, no one wrote Regency Romance like Marian Devon. The best in her genre, bar none. When I’m depressed or have jangling nerves from reading too many thrillers, I turn to these old friends. They are light, frothy, humorous and always well-written. Highly recommended if you are looking for fun escapism.

On a personal note, I always love to hear about authors who taught at community colleges. This one taught at Central Piedmont.

Available at  Amazon

 

SAND CITY MURDERS by MK Alexander

This is the first of the Tractus Fynn Mystery Series

Tractus is a polite, well-spoken, time-traveling detective who soft and hard jumps back and forth through time in pursuit of the murderous Mortimer.  He makes friends with Patrick Jardel (again), a small-time reporter with an excellent memory, and enlists his aid in the hunt for Mortimer.

Solving the murders hinge on shoes…or lack thereof.

Besides creating distinctive and well-developed characters, the author excels at world building, making the reader feel they are strolling down the streets of Sand City right beside its citizenry. The mystery is woven into Jardel’s daily life as he tries to solve multiple murders in a timeline that keeps changing. 

Recommended for folks that like their mysteries intertwined with small town goings-on or just enjoy a well-told tale.

Available at Amazon

 

And

 

Are you journaling or writing poetry on the back of a motorcycle like Denise does? There's all sorts of uses for this beautiful notebook. You can find it at the Gratitude Store.



And

Did you know, the term green-eyed monster came from Shakespeare?

150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic]

 


 

 


 

Friday, June 28, 2024

Your Weekend Read: SOUNDS IN THE SILENCE

 


Thank you for having me over to visit today, Sandra 😊 to talk about my latest release, Sounds in the Silence!

My reading pleasure, Denise. I loved this story.

 

I’m always intrigued by the creative process behind an author’s story ideas. So, today I’ll share where Sounds in the Silence’s idea originated.

Back in 2020, I wrote a poem for Suzanne Burke’s ‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #21 NEW Image Prompt.


 

With a picture of an old house, I wrote a haibun poem.

THE TRUTH

Wood slats replace the glass in my childhood home. Rocks and years stripped away its beauty. Long ago, this empty house was full of life. People traveled great distances to attend lavish parties. Our family was admired and respected, until I disappeared. They hung my beloved husband for a crime he didn’t commit. Only I knew the truth. No one heard my ghostly protests. Someday we’ll be reunited, but only after people finally learn what really happened.

the house isn’t haunted

I only want to be found

murderer with me

When I posted it on my blog I got several comments, including Sandra, suggesting I make it a story. So, when I participated in NaNoWriMo the next month, I wrote the rough first draft of this story. Then it waited patiently for me to get back to.


 

Blurb

A dual timeline where murder has consequences 40 years later for the living—and deceased.

Maria and Logan Davis stumbled upon the perfect old house by a secluded lake—a prime candidate for their dream inn. They knew a renovation was involved but didn’t expect a persistent ghost that pleaded to be found. Determined, Maria delved into the mystery, only to uncover a haunting love story and murder from the Roaring Twenties. Yet, the young couple’s curiosity shifts to fear when they realize someone has taken a dangerous interest in their barn. With time ticking away, they must unravel the secrets of their home’s past before it’s too late.

 

Amazon

 


Fun Finn Facts

1.      My favorite children’s books were A Wrinkle in Time, The Hobbit, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.

2.      I do believe in ghosts and the unseen around me.

 


Author Bio

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.

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