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.
This month’s co-hosts:
Erika Beebe https://erikabeebe.com/
Olga Godim olgagodim.wordpress.com
Sandra Cox http://sandracox.blogspot.com/
Sarah Foster http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com/
Chemist Ken http://hogwartssabbatical.blogspot.com/
January 5
question - What's the one thing about your writing career you
regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?
I regret
not getting involved in writing groups and going to conferences as soon as I
started writing. It helps dispel the solitariness of writing, keeps you up-to-date
on changes in the industry and offers you classes and information on how to
improve your craft. AND you meet people in the process whose likes, dislikes
and goals mirror your own, often developing lifelong friendships.
December reviews in no
particular order.
*Disclaimer. If I run
into an occasional typo, I ignore it and don’t factor it into my review.
THE TEXAN’S FAVOR by D. K.
Deters
This is an adroitly composed
romance set in the Old West. The
characters are well-fleshed including the secondary characters and the world
building pulls the reader into a historic Western setting. I admired Kat’s—the
female protagonist—spirt and independence. She show’s grit and courage
throughout. Abby, the little girl is a gem, as is Jake’s grandparent. Jake—the
male protagonist—is strong and tough. His weakness, Kat. I loved the fact that the author mentioned
Arbuckle’s Coffee. It was the premier coffee used in the Old West but this is
the first time I’ve seen it referred to in a fictional novel. If you love a romance filled with a lot of
romantic tension, grab your beverage of choice, kick back and enjoy the read.
Available at Amazon.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE WRIGHTS:
Justinia Wright Private Investigator Mysteries by C. W. Hawes
Hawes delivers.
These shorts are every bit
as fun as the rest of the series and perfect for the season. The stories flow
smoothly and are a joy to read.
The author has created a
fascinating set of characters with the Wright Private Investigator Mysteries,
but especially Justinia, the piano playing, cigar smoking P.I.
Recommended for readers who like
their mysteries crisp and humor dry.
Available at Amazon.
LOVE ME by Jacquie Biggar
The author had me at
Cassie’s letter to Santa.
LOVE ME is a heartwarming
story that is perfect for the season, filled with feel-goods and love.
Grace Donovan’s life hasn’t
been easy. Her husband passed and her daughter Cassie has cancer. She moves to
a small town to enroll her daughter in an experimental cancer program at the
local clinic. Cassie wants a puppy, but instead asks Santa for someone to take
care of her mom in case something happens to her.
Kyle Roberts, the school
principal, takes one look at Grace and is smitten. He offers her a job running
a childcare program. Unknown to Grace, Kyle is also the benefactor of the grant
she’s received to cover her share of the trials’ expenses.
As Grace fights the growing
attraction between herself and Kyle, their daughters become fast friends and
she discovers that miracles do indeed happen at Christmas.
Available at Amazon.
THE RAVEN AND THE PIG by Lou
Kemp
THE RAVEN AND THE PIG is a
story of magic and high adventure under the sea and above it. Jonas Celwyn
travels with Nemo, author Jules Verne, Pelaez his dark immortal brother and his
pet Qing—a unique bird—along with others, to reach and work on a new flying
machine, where disaster ensues.
The writing flows with
smooth grace and fluid sentences that capture the imagination. Such as: “The
glow of the Nautilus’ lamps illuminated the ruins, then dissipated and
the inky water enveloped everything.”
AND: “From beside him,
Verne’s eyes bounced like excited fireflies.”
AND: “A restless sea sloshed
against the window.”
This second in the Celwyn
Series will be much enjoyed by Kemp fans.
Available at Amazon.
SHATTERED by C. Lee McKenzie
Dreams are shattered when a
young skier, who plans to take part in the winter Olympics, is run down by a
snowboarder and paralyzed. Now she must
rebuild her life and make the inconceivable her norm.
The author took a difficult
subject and turned a story that could have easily been depressing and difficult
to read into an inspirational journey.
Very well written.
Available at Amazon.
THE GIRL WHO LOVED CAYO
BRADLEY by Nina Romano
Education shouldn’t be a
deal breaker in a romance but it certainly causes problems for Darbee and Cayo.
This story is a steamy
western romance set in New Mexico in the 1870’s. It’s chock full of historical
tidbits from the foods eaten, clothes worn, utensils and accessories used, to
native American customs. While Cayo and Darbee are trying to sort out their
feelings and future, the author inserts flashbacks to Cayo’s time spent with
the Apaches and how they shaped who he is now.
Recommended for history
buffs and romance readers who like heat, tension and conflict in their stories.
Available at Amazon.
