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.
The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the
IWSG are Kim
Elliott, Melissa
Maygrove, Chemist
Ken, Lee
Lowery, and Nancy
Gideon!
May 4 question - It's the best of times; it's the worst of
times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer
lows (the crappy times)?
Writing for me is a matter of emotional extremes.
From the thin-aired heights of the top of the summit to the throw yourself off
a cliff lows. Okay, I exaggerate but you get the idea. What causes these
extremes: Besides when a story idea sparks in my brain, my highs are when I get
good reviews and my books are selling. On the opposite end of the spectrum,
when the story sparks flicker out, my books don’t sell and I get nasty reviews
pretty much sums up my lows.
April/May
reviews in no particular order.
EYE OF FIRE, second in the
Dragon Soul Quartet by D. Wallace Peach
Another well-told tale in D.
Wallace Peach’s lyrical fashion.
The story of the dragons and
the folks that meld with them continues, this time flanking out in to include areas
far from their homeland. There are several characters in this story that are
challenged to lead people and right wrongs.
After the dragons are freed
from their chains in Taran Leigh, Earlin must lead the village in search of a
new myth. Morgen, a sea captain, must face unpalatable truths and decide
whether he will do something about it or continue to plead ignorance and ignore
it. His sister Meriel must also decide whether to go home or take up the fight
for the dragons.
Archer is a new character
introduced at the end, who hunts those who hunt the dragons. I expect to see this intriguing character
more in the third book of the series.
A word of caution, the
reader needs to stay on his/her toes, there are a lot of characters in this
series. Luckily, the author has put a character index in the back so if you get
confused you can always refer back to refresh yourself on a particular
character and what their role is.
As always, D. Wallace Peach
creates a world full of color, wonder and magic in a voice reminiscent of
poets.
Available at Amazon.
And speaking of poets....
HUES OF HOPE, poetry by
Balroop Singh
Weaves words into magic.
Ms. Singh has once again sprinkled
fairy dust on her words, and with a deft touch, turned them into magic. Her
poetry has color, texture, deep emotion and touches on feelings we’ve all
experienced. Nature and family are lovely, recurring themes. This book relaxes
and takes the reader to a more positive realm. Highly recommended.
Available at Amazon.
BETWEEN THE VINES (Keystone
Couples) by Staci Stoilo
The is the second story in
the Keystone Series I’ve read, third in the series, and I found it every bit as well written as the first.
The stories sparkle with wit and humor. The heroines are feisty and the heroes
strong. For those that love a romance
with a vineyard for the backdrop this is definitely your read.
Available at Amazon.
GRUMPY OLD TRICKSTER GODS: A
GRUMPY OLD GODS ANTHOLOGY, including Ronel Janse van Vuuren
This fun anthology is about
retired trickster gods that come out of retirement to have fun with one more
trick or two. The gods range from the Goddess of Thieves to the God of Sleep.
Ronel Janse van Vuuren zeroes in on the Goddess of Mischief in BLAZE OF GLORY. If
you like political satire, you’ll probably appreciate BASTILLE DAY by Carlton Herzog.
There’s something for everyone in this entertaining anthology.
Available at Amazon.
GHOSTLY INTERFERENCE by Jan
Sikes
This story is about Jag Peters
who is focused on his karma and Rena Jett who has grown up in foster care and
known nothing but heartache. And then there’s Sam Jett, her brother, only he’s
dead.
Both Jag and Rena have
problems they are trying to work through that throw up roadblocks to a
relationship. Rena’s includes trust issues.
Regardless of their
differences in ideology and background they are drawn to each other. And a certain
ghost is doing his best to insure they surmount the obstacles in their way and
have a happy ever after.
The story has a fun, unexpected
twist near the end. This a must read for Jan Sikes fans.
Available at Amazon.
.
TWILIGHT’S ENCORE, Wounded
Hearts Book 3 by Jacquie Biggar
Ty Garrett and Katy Fowler
were high school sweethearts. Too young to handle the intensity of their
emotions when Katy moves away with her family their relationship blows up.
Now Katy is back and
planning to marry someone else. Besides emotional upheaval for the former
lovers someone is out to sabotage the Fowler’s historic theater that Ty is renovating
and to harm Katy herself. Now, not only is love on the line, but Katy’s life.
Ms. Biggar has excelled not
only at building the world of Tidal Falls but of bringing her characters’ emotions
to life. In Ty’s case, his seethe like a boiling caldron that is always ready
to spill over and scald whoever is crossing his path, in particular Katy.
TWILIGHT’S ENCORE is another winner for Ms. Biggar.
Available at Amazon
AND
So far, the winners of the I 💙 Books Bracelets are:
Laura Walda
D. Wallace Peach
Alex Cavanaugh
MATEO'S BLOOD BROTHER a sequel to MATEO'S LAW is now out.
They were friends, close as brothers. Then they weren’t.
Mateo
and Jesse are cautiously working their way back to friendship when Jesse
discovers the unthinkable. Delilah, the sultry shifter who’d had affairs with
both men, is still alive. The tumble she took over a mountain ridge—a fall that
nearly killed Mateo—should have finished her.
Now,
there’s no choice but for the two men to work together to take down a she-devil
straight from hell. As the stakes escalate
and the hunt becomes more intense, another wolf appears on the scene. Always
where Jesse’s at. Always when he’s in trouble. Jesse is divided between ending Delilah, a new
love interest, discovering the identity of a certain brown wolf and staying
alive.
Available at Amazon:
https://tinyurl.com/MateosBloodBrother
AND
I'm visiting with Alex today.
