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 April 3 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!

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
 

April 3 question - How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

 

Hmm. Good question. I’ve been blogging since dinosaurs roamed the earth. You?

As far as liking it, I prefer it to Facebook. I know it’s out there for everyone to see, but blogging doesn’t have the audience it once did and it feels more intimate. Almost like messaging  your friends.

AND

March/April Reviews in no particular order.

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

 

FINDING ME, THE DEFIANT SISTERS: Book 2 by Jacquie Biggar

Renee and Izzy were as close as sibs could be till their father killed himself and Renee took off, leaving Izzy to take care of their younger brother and deal with the heartbreak of desertion from the person she trusted most in the entire world. Now Renee has come home to heal the breach. She’s determined to stay, and make a life for her and her family, even if Izzy is trying her best to run her off with hurtful words and lack of trust.

FINDING ME touches on the raw subjects of suicide and abandonment with the delicacy of feeling we have come to expect from the author. Ms. Biggar is a master at putting her finger on the pulse of acerbated emotion and she tips the scales with this tale. Her worldbuilding adds another layer to the rich fabric of this story. Once again Ms. Biggar has delivered.

Her fans will devour this latest offering. And for those who have never read her, I’m sure they too will be polishing off this story at breakneck speed. A must read for those that love new adult romance.

Available at Amazon

 

ZODIAC ACADEMY, THE AWAKENING: Book 1 by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti

Twin girls who have practically raised themselves find out they are not only fae but of royal blood.  They are taken to Zodiac Academy Where they must prove themselves to werewolves, vampires, dragons and a host of other magical creatures.

ZODIAC ACADEMY, RUTHLESS FEY: Book 2 by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti

The Celestial Heirs fight back against the powers that are trying to destroy them, specifically four male students that want to rule the fae kingdom.

ZODIAC ACADEMY, THE RECKONING: Book 3 by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti

 In this series, the girls take on their magical form. Keeping the reader, and the twins, guessing as to what they’ll become to the very end.  I’ve got to admit, I didn’t see what creature they’d turn into coming. AND if that’s not enough, Darius’s evil father uses them for his own twisted ends.

Available at Amazon

 

THE KEEPING PLACE by Mae Clair

Nicole Seabrooke is riddled with guilt about the death of her sister and the part she played in it. Ten years later when her sister’s body is found, she goes home to face the devils that drive her and solve the mystery surrounding her sister’s death.

Of the many books of Ms. Clair’s that I’ve read, this is my hands-down favorite. I was enthralled with this story and found it hard to put down.  The book keeps the tension building as it travels seamlessly back and forth from past to present, keeping the reader on edge, caught up in one era and wondering what’s happening in the other. The world building is well done, painting a backdrop that allows the reader to glide onto the page and join the characters. Characters that are flawed but relatable. And with all these threads to pull together, the pacing never falters. All in all, this is a read I highly recommend, particularly for those that love a good mystery or just an enjoyable, well-crafted tale. 

Available at Amazon

 

JUBAL STONE: U. S. MARSHAL: BLOOD TRAIL TO HELL by Casey Nash

This is the first book in a series of fifty so you can see it’s quite popular with Western readers.  In this book we meet a very young Jubal and find out how he became a U.S. Marshal. The storyline is interesting and the language authentic. My only minor grumble with the book: I would have liked to have seen more showing and less telling.

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HELL AND BACK by Craig Johnson

Book #18 takes a deep paranormal turn when Walt wanders in a different time dimension while his body lies battered and broken.

DAUGHTER OF THE MORNING STAR by Craig Johnson

In Book #17, Walt is trying to discover what happened to a missing Cheyenne girl while making sure her sister doesn’t meet the same fate. The story line continues in book 18. Like many in the series, this book contains mystical overtones.

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve gone back and started rereading Joan Smith’s Regency Romances. Has anybody else out there read her? I love her books. They are sweet, sparkling and witty. I read both e and paper, but I have Joan's books in paper and they are a gazillion years old. In fact, SWEET AND TWENTY is literally falling apart. I was going to read it, trash it and order a new copy, then I realized the only way I could get another one was too get it in e, so I hauled out the packing tape and taped it back together:) If you like regency, I highly recommend her. Just don’t pick them up, if you’re looking for steam. They’re gentle romances. 

With all the divisiveness in our world today, sometimes you just need the sweet. 

Available at Amazon

 

 

AND

Did you know, Louisa Mae Alcott, among others, wanted Mark Twain's THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN banned?

For more info:

'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' | Top 10 Censored Books | TIME.com

 

 

 

 

Did You Know

 Did you know, in ancient roman times the first month of the year was March?

For more information:

March: The Beginnings of Time in the Roman Calendar (thearchaeologist.org)

AND 🎂

 Got a birthday you'd like to share? Just shoot me a line.

AND

The incomparable Mae Clair is hosting Keeper and me today at From The Pen of Mae Clair.

 

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.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for the October 4 posting of the IWSG are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass!

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!

October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?

Now that’s a loaded question. Currently, I find it valuable for research and writing posts, etc. Could it be problematic in the future as far as AI replacing writers or using their works?  We’ll see. I’d say the potential is there, we’ll just have to see how it's handled.

 

Free Writers' Conference Oct 6-8.  Carolina Book and Writer Conference (carolinabwc.com)

AND

September/October Reviews in no particular order.

Occasional typos are not factored into my reviews.

 

THE PRICE OF ATONEMENT by Mae Clair

This is the first book in the Harbor Pointe Series of eight. So, if you enjoy this story as much as I did, you’ll have plenty to look forward to as eight different authors showcase their talents.

Leviticus Sinclair—and don’t you love this name—has committed a heinous crime and spends his time chasing down specters who are lingering on earth in the hopes of absolution when he sometimes sends, sometimes helps, them move to the other side with the aid of a pocket watch.

The one word that summed up this story for me was haunting. Both the storyline and the writing.  With a delicate touch, Ms. Clair delivers grizzly details. i.e., ‘Her eyes had become cavernous black holes, while her flesh mirrored the cobweb-gray of a crypt. The right side of her skull was partially caved in, brain matter tangled in the blood-soaked strands of hair.’ The story is told to a backdrop of a lighthouse, crashing waves and gray skies. Sure to be enjoyed by lovers of ghostly paranormal.

Ms. Clair’s considerable writing skills are on full display in this eerie tale.

Available on Amazon

 

 

SECOND CHANCES by Joe Congel

Brandon Turner has retired from the police department in New York and, with his faithful dog Max, moves to Magnolia Bluffs for some peace and quiet. His plans, buy a place on the lake and catch up on his fishing. Unfortunately, Magnolia Bluffs is becoming littered with murdered bodies. Since he doesn’t have much confidence in the local police solving the murders, Turner finds himself smack dab in the middle of the investigation and in danger to boot. Now he must find the killer before anyone else gets hurt.

In Book 17 of the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles, the author does an amazing job of linking the reader with the characters. Drawing the reader in till he feels he could walk right up to one of the Magnolia Bluffs’ citizens and buy them a cup of coffee.

Max, Turner’s four-legged companion, steals the show. Not only will you be wanting to buy the characters a cup of coffee, you’ll be wanting to give the dog a biscuit. 😊

Told in his inimitable style, this is a must read for Joe Congel fans and mystery lovers alike. If you love the Razzman, as I do, I suggest giving Brandon Turner a go.

Available on Amazon

 

DEEP IN THE FOREST WHERE POETRY BLOOMS by D.L. Finn

Reading D.L Finn’s poetry is like floating on warm waves of water. It’s just that relaxing. Her verse is deeply steeped in nature and her words bring the forest, and/or the ocean, and its inhabitants alive. 

I’m a D. L. Finn fan and love her poetry. In my humble opinion, this is her best collection yet.  Here are some examples of verse that snagged my attention:

‘Spring flowers peek through sunbeams….

Saturating the moment in a captivating bouquet,’

AND

‘Nature’s breath brings life to the world….

Awakening me from my winter’s hibernation

My bare arms absorb the sun—and the moment

Blissfully receiving the gift of spring.’

AND

‘it was that moment

I swam with ancient wisdom

and understood love’

AND

‘stirring sea

caressing my soul

with each wave’

AND

‘youthful vacation

in a timeworn body

my inner child smiles’

These are just a few of the gems in this book. If you love poetry, I think you’ll enjoy the wonderful verse found inside these pages.

Highly recommended.

Available at Amazon 

 

TRADS

 

THE GATEKEEPER by James Byrne

This is a new author for me and a new protagonist. Byrne has developed a truly unique character in Dez Limerick. One that is easy to get invested in quickly. Even though, he’s short, stocky, always smiling, cracking jokes, amateur musician and from the UK he is very reminiscent of Lee Child’s Reacher. A man that rights wrongs.

In this first book of three, he foils a kidnapping and uncovers a dangerous conspiracy. I’m very much looking forward to book two.

This one is highly recommended especially for readers who love thrillers.

 

RUN, ROSE, RUN by James Patterson and Dolly Parton

AnnieLee is both clawing her way up the ladder to country western stardom and at the same time is on the run from a past that could destroy her.

Considering who the authors are I was very an xious to read this book. It was good. Not my favorite Patterson read but good.  Dolly’s voice definitely comes through and there’s also interesting tidbits about the country western industry. Recommended for country western lovers.

 

MORTAL STAKES by Robert Parker

In this, the third in the series, Spencer has been hired to see if a big-league pitcher is throwing the game. And if he is, why?

In this read, we see more than the wisecracking P.I. when he comes face to face with hard decisions and questions his own moral code.

 

10-4, good buddy:)