New Release! “House of Sorrow” by Joan Hall @JoanHallWrites #writingcommunity #IARTG #ASMSG #WhatToRead #NewRelease

Please give an extra warm welcome to Joan Hall and her latest story, “House of Sorrow! Here’s my review for this wonderful prequel:)

House of Sorrow: February 1980

Thank you for hosting me today, Denise. I’m delighted to be here, to visit with your readers, and talk about my newest release.

House of Sorrow is a short-story prequel to my upcoming novel Cold Dark Night, book one of my Legends of Madeira series. It’s the story of Ruth Hazelton, a reclusive older woman who lives in a two-story Victorian house in the fictional town of Madeira, New Mexico. Ruth reflects on her life, particularly when she and her husband Lee first moved to town.

This story began as a 350-word blog post years ago. From there it evolved to around 2,000 words. While planning Cold Dark Night, I decided Ruth’s story would be perfect for a prequel.

Most of the scenes occur in the late 1960s/early 1970s, so I used actual events in the story. I also drew on a few of my memories from that time. The part I’m sharing today takes place in February 1980.

Probably the biggest story of February 1980 was the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. I was recovering from a hospital stay and spent much of my time watching the games, saddened that Tai Babalonia and Randy Gardner wouldn’t be able to compete in pairs figure skating. I cheered Eric Heiden won five gold medals for speed skating and celebrated the “Miracle on Ice,” when the US Hockey team beat the Soviets for the gold.

 Public Domain photo of Lake Placid Olympic Medals

But while the rest of the US was celebrating, something was afoul in Madeira, New Mexico. Let’s hear more.

Excerpt:

February 16, 1980

I wish Lee would confide in me more often. Something is bothering him. I can tell by the way he acts. He’s always been the quiet one. Never wanting to burden me with his problems.

After twenty years of marriage, doesn’t he realize we’re in this together? I want to help. He’s always been there for me, but I know better than to push him. If and when he’s ready, he’ll talk.

Maybe I’m reading too much into things. He turns fifty in a few days. Could be a mid-life crisis. I’ll probably be the same way when the time comes for me.

Ruth closed the journal then went into the kitchen to check on the pot of stew. It was one of Lee’s favorites—a hearty meal perfect for a cold winter night. She lowered the burner. Looked out the window toward the driveway. There was no sign of her husband.

The clock read six-thirty. He was already half an hour late. She debated on calling the station but decided against it. She’d never been one to phone him at work unless it was an emergency.

There was nothing more to do than wait, so she went back to the living room. This time she opted for the television.

An hour later, Lee still hadn’t shown up.

“Okay. It’s been long enough. I’m calling.” Ruth started to pick up the phone when the doorbell rang.

She opened the door to find Detective Juan Garcia and another police officer who she didn’t recognize.

“Hello, Juan. Lee isn’t home, but I’m expecting him any minute. In fact, he should have been here by now.”

“May we come in?” Juan’s voice was somber. His face expressionless.

“Of course. No reason for you to wait outside. The living room is nice and warm.”

The officers entered the foyer. Ruth closed the door against the bitter cold.

“Would you like something hot to drink?” she asked.

The younger officer shook his head then glanced toward the seasoned detective.

“Ruth, why don’t you sit down?” Juan spoke softly.

Her heart plummeted. For the first time, she noticed the wording on the second officer’s badge.

Nathan Turner, Chaplain.

She sank into a chair, her hands shaking, and her stomach in knots. A million scenarios raced through her mind, searching to find an explanation for Juan’s demeanor and the presence of a chaplain.

Other than the obvious.

But in her heart, she knew. They weren’t here to see Lee. They were here to tell her about Lee.

Blurb:

Dream home or damned home?

Ruth Hazelton is over the moon when her husband Lee agrees the nineteenth-century Victorian in Madeira, New Mexico, is the perfect home for them. While he starts his new job as police chief, she sets about unpacking and decorating.

But it’s not long before Ruth needs more. She becomes a fixture in the community, making time for everyone, volunteering, hosting events—she’s every bit the social butterfly her husband is not. Through her friendships, she learns several former residents of her home met with untimely deaths. If she were superstitious, she might fear a curse, but such nonsense doesn’t faze her.

Until the unthinkable happens.

Now, as the end of Ruth’s life draws near, she must find a way to convey her message and stop the cycle to prevent anyone else from suffering in the house of sorrow.

Purchase Link

Connect with Joan:

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |   Bookbub  |  Goodreads  |  Instagram

 

April Book Reviews Part 3! @JacqBiggar @BalroopShado @startrailsIV @Sandra_Cox #IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity #WhatToRead #MustRead #IndieBooks

Tidal Falls (Wounded Hearts #1)

by Jacquie Biggar

“Tidal Falls” is a romantic thriller set in a charming small town. Sara and her daughter Jessica are on the run from her abusive husband. She feels peace she hasn’t felt in years when she settles in Tidal Falls. Nick is her neighbor who is ex-military and still carrying some wounds from his service. There is steamy chemistry between Nick and Sara, but I love the developing relationship between Nick and Jessica. A wonderful bonus character is Nick’s dog, which really shows his heart. There is enough insight to understand why the characters have the reaction they do, and my favorite part is Nick’s response to danger. This story is fast-paced, and the relationships all felt real to me. Sara harbors enough mistrust to keep her alive, and that spills into her budding friendship with Nick. As backstories unwind and current situations take front and center, I couldn’t stop reading. I am curious about a few unanswered questions yet was satisfied with the ending. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Emerging From Shadows: Poetry by Balroop Singh

by Balroop Singh

“Emerging From Shadows” is a deeply emotional collection of poetry. The words were a journey that showed the darkest of moments but extended the light of hope on the horizon. The poetry is free verse, and it swirled around the bleakness of a situation and then offered possibilities of what might be. Here are a few of my favorite passages: “When sun smiles at the horizon/Gloriously beaming its buoyant banter/A hope emanates from the dimming light/Disseminating a metaphorical message…,” “You inspire me to look at the clouds/Creative fairies step out and smile/Sober thoughts spill out to greet you/You enthrall them when you meet,” and “Smooth silvery clouds of/Myriad shapes, shifting, forming/Moving, mesmerizing, merging/Into the azure blue.” This is a book to be read slowly and will leave you thinking after reading it. If you enjoy poetry exploring those shadows we carry inside, you will want to read this.

The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon: Cheyenne Spirits (Dead Horse Canyon #1)

by Marcha A. Fox and Pete Risingsun

“The Curse of the Dead Horse Canyon: Cheyenne Spirits” is a thrilling adventure full of mystery and knowledge. This is a longer read, but I didn’t notice. I loved the Colorado setting and could relate to the mining details and the aftermath because I live in an old mining town. I’ve seen firsthand the damage it left behind. The characters immediately pulled me in, and I had empathy for Sara when she lost her husband, and almost her own life, in a car accident in a cursed area. Her memory of what occurred was gone, but that didn’t stop her from trying to find the truth. Her husband’s best friend Charlie starts a journey to unravel the mystery of what happened to his friend and exploring his culture. Although I loved both characters and their mutual support, Charlie was my favorite character and storyline. I have always had a deep interest in Native American Culture and the details and history, which would usually be too much in any other story, were perfect in this book. Sara’s relationship with her father and stepmother was realistic, and I especially loved her stepmother introducing her to something new, which tied in nicely to what was going on. Sara and Charlie’s love for Bryan pushed them into a world of greed and corruption. This is a riveting read, and it left a lot to resolve in the upcoming books, which makes me eager for their release. I highly recommend this!

Love, Lattes and Danger (Mutants #2)

by Sandra Cox

“Love, Lattes and Danger” is the second story in the Mutants series. Having read and enjoyed the first book, I was eager to continue the story. This one is told from Joel’s POV. He is a dolphin mutant with turquoise eyes, and along with his sister, was sold to a company to find underwater oil leaks. When Joel stumbles across a test-tube baby who is his, he promises to free her and find the girl he loves, or the mother. There’s a love triangle and a group that is determined to end Joel’s quest and life. The action starts immediately and doesn’t let up. This is a sweet YA sci-fi/fantasy that I easily read in two sittings. It brought a smile to my face each time they interacted with the dolphins. I look forward to reading the next book to see what happens.

I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!

Embrace that inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn

New Book Release! “Tina Lost in a Crowd” by Miriam Hurdle @mhurdle112 #ChildrenBooks #NewRealease #IndieBook #WritingCommunity

Please welcome Miriam Hurdle here today to talk about her brand new children’s book!

Tina Lost in a Crowd by Miriam Hurdle – Book Release Tour

Hi Denise, I’m delighted to be on your beautiful blog with the soothing dolphin scenes. Thank you so much for your kindness to host my Book Release Tour and allow me to share my process from pen to publication with your readers.

The Making of Tina Lost in a Crowd, Part 3

The Ideas and Messages of the Story

Did you like Aesop’s Fables? I did when I was a child. When I read them to my students, they would shout with me at the end of the fable “the moral of the lesson is…”

Other than Aesop’s Fable, most of the children’s books don’t spell out the lessons. In fact, even when the story has a message for children, it doesn’t need to make it loud and clear. The children are reading the story to have fun.

There are ideas and messages in Tina Lost in a Crowd: Tina took part in decision making for the summer activities such as swimming and a sleepover. She asked permission to invite her friend to go to the concert. She made a right decision when she and Erica got lost in a crowd which was a safety issue.

Children are smart, they read for fun, and they learn the messages on their own term. It would be interesting to have a discussion with the children after they read a book.

Blurb

Tina invited her friend Erica to attend a popular Tchaikovsky’s Spectacular concert on a summer evening with her parents. During the intermission, her dad left the seat to buy some snacks. Tina and Erica followed him wanting to use the restroom. The shoving crowd pushed them away, and they lost sight of him. It would be impossible to fight through the 18,000 people to find him or go back to Tina’s mom. What would the girls do?

This story tells about what happened to Tina and Erica after they got lost. Children can adapt to the learning from different situations they may observe or encounter. Adults could have discussions with the children about the situations to help them develop problem-solving skills. 

Purchase Links

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

 Book Review 

About the Author

Miriam Hurdle is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She published four children’s books at twenty-six years old. Her poetry collection received the Solo “Medalist Winner” for the New Apple Summer eBook Award and achieved bestseller status on Amazon.

Miriam writes poetry, short stories, memoir, and children’s books. She earned a Doctor of Education from the University of La Verne in California. After two years of rehabilitation counseling, fifteen years of public-school teaching and ten years in school district administration, she retired and enjoys life with her husband in southern California, and the visits to her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters in Oregon. When not writing, she engages in blogging, gardening, photography, and traveling.

Contact Miriam at –

Website/Blog:

Amazon Author’s Page

Goodreads

Twitter

Facebook

April Book Reviews Part 2! @SueColetta1 @SCVincent @JillWeatherholt #indieauthor#IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity #BookReviews #WhatToRead

Midnight Haiku: A Year in Contemplation

by Sue Vincent

Midnight Haiku” is a thought-provoking collection. Seven Haikus accompany a beautiful photograph. There are 365 poems, one for each day of the year. Although I read this in two sittings, this would be a perfect book to pick up each morning or evening and contemplate the daily poem—which I will be doing. The words touched my soul many times. Then, I’d have to stop to reread and absorb the meaning. There are so many images offered within seventeen syllables that are layered on top of each other. I love the idea of writing a single poem at midnight for a year when the world is quiet. Over the last couple of years, I have developed a deep respect for Haiku poems. Here are a few of my favorites: “Leading anywhere, each path is a mystery, until it is walked,” “Surrounded by gloom, still there is a patch of light, alive against the darkness,” and “Not all birds can fly, not all who fly have feathers, but all dreams have wings.” This is a collection I highly recommend for those who love poetry and those who like to ponder life’s mystery.

Pretty Evil New England: True Stories of Violent Vixens and Murderous Matriarchs

by Sue Coletta

“Pretty Evil New England” documents five women serial killers at the turn of the nineteenth century. Broken into sections, it was a fascinating insight into an era and murder. Each woman’s true story reads smoothly like a fictional tale, and the court proceedings were meticulously detailed. I learned a lot about forensic abilities and poisonings. The mindset of a woman killer over a male was not only astonishing but scary at the cruelty involved. A well-researched book that is for any true crime reader or someone who wants to understand a female killer’s mind.

A Home for Her Daughter

by Jill Weatherholt

“A Home for Her Daughter” is a dramatic romance that focuses on forgiveness. Janie has just left an abusive marriage, and she went back to her hometown with her daughter, Riley, where her brother lives. She’s inherited a business and home, but only if she can get it up and running by a certain date. The catch is she must work with an old friend and someone she used to like in school. This friend, Drew, is a widower who blames himself for his family’s death. I love how they find a way to work together, but it’s Riley that’s the shining star. She has a way of bringing people together and a contagious joy. I fell in love with the town and was cheering on each improvement made to the lodge. This story is about faith and giving two damaged people a second chance. If you enjoy sweet romantic tales that tug at your heart while offering hope, you won’t want to miss this one.

I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! 🙂 D. L. Finn

#TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 221 #SYNONYMSONLY @ColleenChesebro #writingcommunity #poem #nationalpoetrymonth

Here’s Colleen Chesbro Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge #221 Synonyms Only. The two words were chosen by Jude: Search & Lost.

I went with a Tanka this week 5/7/5/7/7.

The picture is 2020’s Christmas Star.

ALONE

The sun’s warmth vanished

Silence enters the forest

Nighttime cloaks reason

Guided only by the stars

I seek life’s veiled magic.

New Release! “The Vanished Boy” by Harmony Kent #writingcommunity #newrelease #indieauthor #IARTG #ASMSG #mustread

I’m super excited to have Harmony here today to share her latest release. I picked up my copy:)

Hi everyone. Harmony here. Thanks so much, Denise, for letting me visit with you today. I’m so thrilled to share the launch of my latest book with you all.

The Vanished Boy is a mystery suspense novel based around a teenaged boy, who’s gone missing. The book follows the mother as she trawls through her missing son’s online life and realises, to her horror, how out of the loop she’s become.

The inspiration for this novel came from watching a number of movies based on how our lives both revolve around and are influenced by the Internet and mobile devices. Although these movies covered many genres such as murder/mystery, thriller, and the supernatural, they all centred around the same theme: Apps and living life online. This led me to ponder how many of us spend our lives in digital pursuits rather than physical—both the old and the young? For many people, their actual physical lives become but a shadow compared to their online existence.

Mostly, the shift to a digital world happens slowly. It’s incremental and, too often, insidious. All of which led me to ask how well do we actually know our children? Our loved ones? Those around us? What might be going on in the shadows?

From that inspiration and questioning, this story was born. Much of life and our actions originate from the same needs and wants: to be loved and accepted, the ability to differentiate between truth and lies, and the things we do to cover our mistakes and make ourselves look better than the reality instead of owning who we are. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

BLURB:

It’s so remote out here. Anything could happen …

A missed phone call in the night is all it takes.

When Carole’s 18-year-old son goes missing, she breaks into Jayden’s laptop to try to understand his life.

All too soon, Carole discovers just how little she knew her boy.

And when one lead after another dead-ends, the distraught mother has to face the unthinkable.

Sucked into a sticky web of deceit and lies, nothing is as it seems.

When your life turns

inside out and upside down,

who would you trust?

EXCERPT:

Before she can change her mind, she hits send and slams the laptop lid closed with a sigh. As she does, she notices the battery symbol has turned to a dull red glow. A glance around the kitchen fails to produce the charging cable. Carole jogs up the stairs and walks tentatively into Jayden’s room. Its emptiness brings tears to her eyes. All at once, she can understand why bereaved parents leave their dead children’s rooms untouched year after year.

Though she needs to find the cable, Carole hates invading her son’s personal space like this. Carole doesn’t want him to come home and discover his mum’s gone through his stuff. With a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, she clenches her jaw and strides into the middle of the messy space. The chaos almost undoes her—where to start?

Carole crosses her arms and surveys the clutter. As she’s told Jay any number of times, you start right at your feet and work outward from there. ‘You can do this,’ she says to the empty room. I need the laptop so I can keep looking for Jay. He’ll understand.

At no point does Carole allow herself to think her boy won’t be coming home to complain. In auto-mum mode, Carole bends and picks up Jay’s crumpled uniform. She bundles the clothes in her arms and goes after the discarded socks and boxer shorts. After dumping them in the laundry basket in the bathroom, she goes back to Jay’s bedroom. When she’d first entered, her nose had wrinkled at the stench, but now she doesn’t pay much attention to the teen-stink that permeates the walls and carpet. Still, she’ll have to have a talk with him about his hygiene.

Author Bio 

After spending around thirteen years as an ordained Buddhist monk, living in a Zen Buddhist temple, and six years after a life-changing injury following a surgical error, Harmony Kent returned to the world at the tender age of forty.

Now, she is famous for her laughter, and has made quite the name for herself … she’s also, um, a writer … and fairly well known for that too. She’s even won a few awards. Harmony lives in rural Cornwall with her adorable husband, ever-present sense of humour, and quirky neighbours.

Harmony is passionate about supporting her fellow authors. 

Links

Website

Story Empire (co-authored)

Amazon Author Page

Twitter

Goodreads Author Page

BookBub

The Vanished Boy Sales Link 

 

 

 

 

 

April Book Reviews Part 1! @JacqBiggar @Sandra_Cox @teagangeneviene @pat_garcia#IARTG #ASMSG #WritingCommunity #bookreviews #mustread #indieauthors

Turn The Light On

by Pat Garcia

“Turn the Light On” is an unusual short story with a lot of twists. Della is a successful career woman who has been meeting a man for dinner. Yet, they don’t sit at the same dinner table or speak except through book passages. None of that matters because she is drawn to him. A well-written romantic story full of mystery and intrigue. This is a story where I could never have guessed the outcome, and I thoroughly enjoyed that!

Dead of Winter: Journey 3, The Fever Field

by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

This is the third installment of Dead of Winter, and so far, my favorite. I loved getting to know the youngest of the Deae Matres, Zasha. She has a passionate personality that drew me into her part of the story. The Deae Matres were searching for answers, which lead them to the Fever Field or a graveyard. Then the story returned to Emlyn, and I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what happened to her. I’m loving this story and can’t wait to see where the next journey goes.

Queen of Diamonds

by Sandra Cox

“Queen of Diamonds” was a lot of fun and kept me on the edge of my seat. A best-selling author, Logan, and his assistant, Kendall, spent three years working together, yet Logan didn’t really know her. Kendall had a secret life that no one knew about. She went beyond what most would do for their family. That path led her to a secret life that was completely opposite of what people thought of her. It made the book a page-turner to see what would happen next. The interaction between Kendall and Logan was entertaining, but I really loved the relationship that developed between Logan and Kendall’s family. A quick but satisfying read that kept me guessing how it would resolve itself until the very end. If you love suspenseful romance with a strong female character, this book is for you.

The Lady Said No: An Augustus Grant Mystery- Book 1 (An Augustus Grant Mystery-Prequel)

by Jacquie Biggar

“The Lady Said No” is a murder mystery, with some romance, set in Kentucky in the 1950s. Detective Augustus Grant, Gus, is sent to investigate what appeared to be a suicide of a prominent horse breeder. Rebecca, the woman Gus had left behind to become a detective, works for this family. When Gus realizes the death wasn’t self-inflicted, Rebecca is on the list of suspects. This sets up a nice inner battle between his heart and head. I loved the setting, horses, and era, although the time frame made the role of a single mother more of a struggle. I admired Rebecca’s independence and her ability to support her child alone. Then there was something charming about the Detective, and it was beneficial that most underestimated him. This is a quick read that kept me guessing until the exciting end. I really enjoyed this and hope there will be more Detective Grant books coming. I can easily recommend this book, especially if you like a cozy mystery.

I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!

Had a wonderful vacation, and I’m happy to be back! I shared a couple of pictures on Instagram and Facebook:)

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! 🙂 D. L. Finn

Stop by and Say Hi! New post at Story Empire, “Writing and Our Health!”

I’m over on Story Empire today with my latest post, “WRITING AND OUR HEALTH.” Stop by and say hello 🙂

LINhttps://storyempirecom.wordpress.com/2021/04/05/writing-and-our-health/K

Note: I’m off this week on vacation, except for this post. I’ll be quiet on social media and blogs this week, but will be back soon rested and refreshed. Have a great week!

‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge 2021 Week #43.’ @pursoot #IARTG #FlashFiction #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity #Haibun

Here’s Suzanne Burke’s ‘Fiction in a Flash Challenge 2021 Week #43.’

I went with a Haibun format this week to fit this image. It is a prose paragraph combined with a Haiku/Senryu.

Image by Iván Tamás from Pixabay

The red and orange sky covered everything in death. Three months ago, the world lost its beauty. We were celebrating my daughter’s fifth birthday the day a deadly Nano bioweapon escaped from a laboratory. Trees, crops, and fish died immediately. Food and water became scarce, and people turned on each other. Only a few of us survived, scattered throughout the world in our shelters. My family and I only had supplies to last us a few days when help arrived from another planet. These green people, who weren’t much different from us, gave us two options. Board one of the old pirate-type ships that would take us to live in our past or die here. What choice did we have? We got on the last departing boat, leaving our destruction behind. The sea breeze blew our ships forward, and then everything spun, making me dizzy until I passed out. When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the boat under a blue sky with a message tucked into my hand: Try again. Change the past to prevent that future.

Help or just a game

Destiny’s cruel repeat

Can the outcome change?