I'm visiting with D.L. Finn today, who kindly volunteered to help me get the word out about my new release Silverhills' Rescue.
Not only is Denise a good bud, she's also an excellent author who writes in several genres that include paranormal, middle-school, short stories and poetry. If you've never read anything by her you're in for a delightful experience.
If you're in the vicinity, pop in and say hey:)
I'm visiting Sally Cronin's Smorgasbord E Magazine blog today at New Book Spotlight. If you've never been there, you are in for a treat. She's got something to appeal to everyone. Funnies, health articles and book reviews. I highly recommend it.
She's also an author and has written fiction and nonfiction. You can find her books at Amazon.
Sally is amazingly supportive of the writing community.
Tag Line:
The crusty middle-aged rancher had only ever loved one woman. And now her daughter stood on his doorstep.
Blurb:
A young woman
shows up at the Hayes’ ranch, bringing bad news and danger.
Sage Baylor is the daughter of the only woman Reuben ever loved. Now she’s on
his doorstep, bringing with her the news her mother is dead. Shortly after her
arrival, her father, the Honorable Senator Baylor from Missouri, arrives.
That’s when bullets start flying.
Both the senator and Sage are in danger from an unknown source. When the
senator leaves, he tasks Reuben with keeping his daughter safe. Help comes from
an unexpected source in the form of an engaging young gunslinger. Between the
two men, and Reuben’s cranky ole cook, they’ll keep the Senator’s daughter
safe. No matter the peril. No matter the cost.
Excerpt:
Cattle lowed. Horses whinnied. Men whooped and lariats slapped against chaps.
The sounds carried on a thick, heavy breeze. Dust rose from hundreds of hooves, making breathing difficult. The scent of scorched fur and hide filled the air as brands came down on heaving flanks before struggling longhorns were let go.
Reuben Hayes rose in the stirrups, cupped his hands and shouted, “Henry, get that loco longhorn that’s headed for the brush.”
A lean cowboy raised a hand in acknowledgement, urged his horse into a gallop and shot off after the steer. Another rider came thundering up. This one young, still in his teens. He reined in his foam-flecked dun mare.
“Soggy wants you back at the house pronto. His words not mine, sir.” He pushed back his hat and wiped his sweating brow, unruly black curls falling over his forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Reuben’s raspy voice came out harsh as tension crawled up his backbone. Soggy would never call him back to the ranch if it weren’t dire.
“There’s a visitor waiting.”
“A visitor?” Thick, dark eyebrows, streaked with gray, rose nearly to his hairline. “Soggy told you to come and get me ‘cause he has a visitor?” He lifted his voice to carry over the bellow of frightened cattle.
“Not him, Boss. You.”
“Thanks for clarifying that, Billy.” Eyebrows that had risen now settled into an aggrieved scowl.
Billy wiped a sweaty hand on his pants and swallowed, his Adam’s apple doing a nervous dance. “It’s a young lady,” he added helpfully.
“A young lady?” Reuben’s head jerked back and he blinked in surprise.
“Yes, sir.”
“A young lady?” he repeated.
“Yes, sir. Pretty as a picture.”
For a moment a fatuous look settled over the young man’s features, making him look like a moonling calf, Reuben thought in disgust.
“Guess I’m heading back to the ranch.” Curiosity warred with irritation. It was branding time. He didn’t need to be shunting back and forth between the house and the range like a damn fool. He blew out an impatient breath, lifted the reins, then bellowed, “Levi.”
His foreman, a middle-aged man with weathered features and graying hair put heels to his bay and came galloping toward him.
“Yes, Boss?”
“I’m heading back to the house. You’re in charge.”
“Everything okay?” His foreman took off his no-frills, worn cowboy hat, wiped his forehead then settled it back on his head.
“The boss has a visitor. Pretty as a picture,” Billy interjected.
“Oh, yeah?” Levi grinned and spat a wad of tobacco.
“Wipe that smile off your face and take care of the cattle.”
Levi complied though his lips continued to twitch.
Reuben pointed a finger at Billy. “You help him.” He clapped heels to his big Appaloosa and galloped off.
Character Facts:
Reuben is as tough as old shoe leather, but he’s fair.
He rides a big Appaloosa.
No one that knows him goes out of their way to mess with him.
Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Reuben-Hayes-S-Cox-ebook/dp/B0DWQBGT88
March 31, I am visiting with prehistoric man expert, Jacqui Murray. Jacqui knows more about this era than anyone I know. She takes historical facts and wraps them in a fictional story. If you haven't tried one of her books yet, you are in for a reading treat. She has two blogs that are always chock full of information for readers, writers and teachers alike.
If you're in the vicinity, stop by and share a cyber cup of cowboys' coffee.
For more info on the coffee cowboys drank: History – Arbuckle Coffee
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 August 7 posting of the
IWSG are Feather Stone, Kim Lajevardi, Diedre Knight, C. Lee McKenzie, and Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen!
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
August 7 question - Do you use AI in your writing and if so how? Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?
I use IA for guest posts on specific topics and I have out one
audio that’s AI. What about you? Have you tried AI on audio?
July/August Reviews in no particular order
* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.
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This is book twenty-six of twenty-seven in the Magnolia Bluffs Series and the second focused on Brandon Turner retired NYPD police officer.
In book twenty-six, there’s a serial killer on the loose, in this small Texas town, that has killed two young children and has his eye on a third. Beside each victim he leaves a stuffed toy tiger and a nursery rhyme. Brandon comes out of retirement to help the Magnolia Bluffs’ police catch the killer.
If anyone but Joe Congel had written this, I probably wouldn't have read it because of the subject matter: child murder. But being a Congel fan this was not an option. The story, as expected, was a riveting tale. The author handled the subject matter with sensitivity and didn’t get bogged down with macabre details. The tension builds through the book and ends with a high-octane chase to catch the killer before he kills again AND offers some unexpected twists at the end.
If you are a murder mystery aficionado, a Congel fan or just appreciate a good tale I think you’ll enjoy this one as much as I did.
Available at Amazon
THE SILVER LEOPARD by Zoe Cass
This is a classic example of the romantic suspense genre written in the 70s.
Caroline has escaped a lonely and unhappy childhood by moving to London and developing a successful career buying and selling antiques. With her mother's death, she is called back to Scotland where danger and evil linger.
Recommended for those that enjoy classic romantic suspense.
Available at Amazon
Elizabeth Peters at her best.
This is an enjoyable read about a young American on her way to work at a Scottish archeological dig when she gets embroiled in a murder. Sprinkled throughout with laugh-out-loud moments, this is a must read for Elizabeth Peters fans.
Available at Amazon
New Releases
BECAUSE NO ONE NOTICED by C. Lee McKenzie
(Editors' Pick)
Inspired by real-life tragedy, the story unfolds in alternating points of view as the characters explore the resilience of their hearts and their ability to rebuild their lives after a shattering tragedy.
Available at Amazon
Delilah is dead.
With her demise, everyone should be safe, but something insidious is happening to Mateo’s town and to the woman he loves. People are dying and Blair is changing, taking on mannerisms that are clearly not her own. Becoming a danger to herself and others. He has no idea what is happening to the town’s people but he has an inkling of what is happening to Blair and what he’s thinking just isn’t possible. But whether it’s possible or not, he has to pry Blair from the evil that’s sunk its fangs into her. Now it's a race against time to save the woman he loves and get to the bottom of who is killing Grizzly’s citizenry. And if that’s not enough of a challenge for the shapeshifting sheriff, his future mother-in-law has come for a visit.
Available at Amazon
Available at Amazon
Did you know, Dr. Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel) was credited for inventing the term nerd?
For more information: 20 Dr. Seuss Facts - Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Dr. Seuss - Parade
