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:)
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