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 

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.

 

STREET OF FIVE MOONS by Elizabeth Peters

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

 

SOUNDS IN THE SILENCE by D. L. Finn

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

 

 

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, NINTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRESIDENTS) by Christine Maloney Fitz-Gerald

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

 

A VENTURE TO VICTORY: 40 Lessons to Live a Victorious Life  by Shahid Pervaiz

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

 

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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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IWSG Wednesday

 

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.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Diane Burton, Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!

May 3 question - When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

Since my muse is regularly flitting off on vacay, I don't have an answer.
 

 

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.

 

 

 

BEST SERVED COLD: A Tony Razzolito PI Story by Joe Congel

 

This is the fourth in the Razzman Series and every bit as good as the first three. Once again Razz and his partner are working with the police pro bono to solve a high-profile murder of a Charlotte Wildcats ball player. Adding to the drama, the M.O. is the same as another unsolved high-profile murder and a third with even less of a connection.

The mystery between the murders deepens as the story progresses.

The author has done a wonderful job of developing relatable, likeable characters. The Razzman is a gumshoe with a bit of an ego and a heart of gold, in love with one woman and loyal to his friends. My favorite secondary character is Vinnie with his Brooklyn accent, questionable dealings and love of pizza. He is also another character who is loyal to his friends.

The world building is spot on, making it easy to lose yourself on the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina.

The story line held my interest from beginning to end.

A well-rounded enjoyable read, that I can highly recommend. Mr. Congel, when can we expect number five? 

Available at Amazon

 

 

IN THE TREE’S SHADOW By D. L. Finn

 

In this collection of paranormal shorts, the author shows her versatility as she weaves through a variety of subjects with ease. Her stories include humans, creatures and aliens; encompass Christmas gifts and monsters and many what ifs, including tales of civil war. A scary subject given today’s environment.

Out of the many offerings, I had several favorites:  The Bike. The Dolphin. This Journey. The Bench. AND End of the Road had a surprise ending that made me chuckle.

One of my favorite descriptive sentences was in It’s Only a Dream: ‘Dark blood flowed out in all directions on the beige carpet like a malicious flower.’

If you are ready to be entertained and awed, as I was, I suggest you put the coffee on, your feet up, kick back and enjoy

 Available at Amazon

 

 

CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE by Jacquie Biggar

 

An alpha male and a sassy female.

Sophia left the ranch behind, for a degree and the big city, to prove to her brothers and the man she loved she could stand on her own two feet. Now she’s back and determined to save the ranch, which the family is in jeopardy of losing.

Told with her usual warmth and style, Ms. Biggar once again explores human relationships and gives us a heartwarming tale in the process. Another winning Biggar romance.

This is the second in the Gambling Hearts series but can be read as a stand alone.

Available at  Amazon

 

 

 

 

REDEMPTION by Gwen Plano

A psychological thriller

 

A psychological thriller, this story centers around a sister and brother trying to discover who murdered their father and why. As layers are peeled away, they make shocking discoveries about him and learn heartbreaking secrets about their mother. But above all they learn about redemption.

With no unnecessary verbiage to slow it down, the author keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. Her characters are well-developed. And her world building is spot on.

REDEMPTION is told in third-person, present-tense.

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

SEVEN SISTERS, #1 in Series, by M. L. Bullock

This is the first book in the Seven Sisters Series.

Carrie Jo has a unique talent, or curse. She revisits history in her dreams. And now that she is working in a Southern antebellum mansion, the nightmarish dreams of a missing heiress are coming hard and fast.

I found the book to have an interesting premise and the way that the protagonist falls back in time in the dreams is well handled. My only complaint is that it ends on a cliff-hanger with no closure. If you want the answer, you have to buy the next book. This is just a personal nit of mine. I know a lot of authors set up their series this way. I just prefer closure with something intriguing enough to pique my interest for the next story, but that aside it’s a good read with over five thousand ratings.

Available at  Amazon

 

REVELATION OF LOVE (Influenced Book 3) by Patricia Lynne

 

Life needs the dark to balance the light. Angels and devils sit on our shoulders and influence our decisions.

When Kemuel sacrifices his angelic powers to go to earth and check on the influencers, he soon realizes that maybe not all demons are bad and that just maybe the angels are out of touch.

A fun, whimsical read. Recommended.

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMEGA QUEEN, Box Set 1-3 (Omega Queen Series) by W. J. May

 

Three best friends, a princess, a fae and a vampire, leave safety and home to fulfill a prophecy and save their world. The first three books are: Discipline, Bravery and Courage. This has been a well-received YA fantasy series. My only complaint, and complaint is too strong a word, I would have liked just a little more showing and less telling, but nonetheless an enjoyable read. Recommended.

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRADS:

 

DARK HORSE by Tami Hoag

When it comes to thrillers Tami Hoag is a master. Some of the scenes are a little more graphic than I’d like but she certainly holds my attention and makes for a read that’s hard to put down. 

A former police officer who is working as a groom and fighting her own demons, finds herself in the middle of a murder that takes places in the luxurious Palm Beach horse world. The story builds to an exciting climax as the reader and heroine try to discover the killer. 

Available at Amazon 

 

ALIBI MAN by Tami Hoag

 

Protagonist Elena Estes story picks up where Dark Horse left off. Once again there’s a murder to solve and in the process, as usual, she manages to alienate friends and foes alike. As she did in Dark Horse, Hoag stomps down on the excitement pedal and doesn’t let up until the story’s end. Another edge-of-the seat read that kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning. 

Available at Amazon

 

NIGHT PASSAGE by Robert B. Parker

 

This is the first in a series of twenty some-odd books centered around Chief of Police Jesse Stone, who cares too much and sometimes drinks too much. He’s got two addictions, alcohol and his ex-wife.

Jesse has been fired from his position on the LA police force for drinking. He applies for a position as Chief of Police in Paradise, MA. He shows up drunk for the interview and still gets the position and begins to wonder why. Instead of the easy gig—at least compared to LA—that he’d anticipated, he’s suddenly embroiled in mystery and murder and the murderer is coming next for him.

This is the first book I’ve read by Mr. Parker. As soon as I finished it, I ordered the second in the series. He’s developed an excellent character that we can root for, a flawed human with heart, courage and a backbone of steel.

Available at  Amazon

 

TROUBLE IN PARADISE by Robert B. Parker

This is the second in the Jesse Stone Series and another winner. On to book three.

Available at Amazon

 

DEATH IN PARADISE by Robert B. Parker

Every bit as good as the first two.

Available at Amazon

 

What have you been reading (or writing)? See anything that appeals?