Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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 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?

AND

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.

CATCH A TIGER BY THE TOE by Joe Congel

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

 


LEGEND IN GREEN VELVET by Elizabeth Peters

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

 

 

AND

 

 

New Releases

BECAUSE NO ONE NOTICED by C. Lee McKenzie

(Editors' Pick)


Five juniors at Las Animas High have a long history together. They love, dislike, or tolerate each other depending on the day. Occupied with class assignments, career choices, family disharmony, and the usual teen turbulence, none of them thinks seriously of the danger lurking in their near future or how fragile and temporary life is.


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

 


MATEO'S WOMAN by Sandra Cox

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 


NOW OPTIONED FOR TELEVISION!
Every book can be read as a standalone mystery - hop in anywhere in the series!

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Amy Vansant has her cast of characters embroiled in three Halloween hijinks --- a murder, a robbery, and a ghost story!

 Available at Amazon

AND

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

 

 


 

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Ketch-Up Day

 

 

How are you? I feel like I may need an exorcist the way the weather is causing my head to spin. We dealt with drought conditions and mandatory water restrictions this summer then in the last few weeks we've had over eight inches of rain and now heavy rains, storms and tropical cyclones are heading to North Carolina at the end of the week. Though probably nothing like what Florida and the more southern coastline have experienced.  

August Calendars 

 Yes, this is true;)
This is a D.L. Finn calendar. (Thanks, Denise:) August may be my favorite picture and photo so far.
 

North Carolina skies 


 

Florida sky

Thanks, Shane. 

Reflective Kitty


 What's going on in your neck of the woods? How's your weather?


 

Friday, August 2, 2024

RELEASE DAY : MATEO'S WOMAN

 

 

Released today  Mateo’s Woman

 


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.



Chief Deputy Blair Delaney loves a loaded pizza.

Tina’s ‘special’ brownies make her mellow.

She inhales Belle’s Beans’ bear claws

And lives on Belle’s fresh brewed coffee.

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Mateos-Woman-Sandra-Cox-ebook/dp/B0D778VS5L

 


FYI: Jacqui and Denise, two amazing authors, are also helping me get the word out.

Jacqui today (Friday): worddreams.wordpress.com

Denise: Monday   https://wp.me/p88dPL-otq

 



Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also the author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Savage Land Winter 2024.

Find her at Amazon

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.

Find her at Amazon

AND