Hi 🙂
Today I’m over on Story Empire with my post “WRITING AND PRE-RELEASE CHECKLIST.” I’d love for you to stop by and say hello!
Month: June 2022
A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour Day Nine! @BeemWeeks #whattoread #bookrelease #booktour #writingcommunity
Hi!
Today is Day Nine of A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour! I’m visiting Beem and would love for you to stop by and say hello.
A Voice in the Silence Day Nine
Please offer Beem your support too. He is not only a remarkable author and friend but also someone who always offers their support.
Some updates and a poem! #writingcommunity #readersoftwitter #poetry #tanka #updates #bookrelease #rafflecopter #giveaways #blogtours
Hi!
It’s been busy around here releasing my new book! Tomorrow is the last blog stop for this tour. Thank you to everyone who followed along and a huge thanks go out to all the blog post hosts. I kept it small this time, so I didn’t put my usual call out for hosts.
Positive reviews have been coming in, so I can stop holding my breath now. I’m thrilled people are enjoying meeting Charlie, Jane, Ben, and, of course, Drea.
- I’m trying something I haven’t done in a while thanks to Jan’s post on Story Empire I’m running a giveaway on Rafflecopter for the release. I’m giving away Amazon Gift Cards. It’s been a while, but I think I remembered how to do it 🙂 This runs from June 23rd to July 7th.
LINK:
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/dacd5ce07/?
- I am also going to try a paid blog tour on July 29th for a day blitz and see how that goes. More on that later. This was another idea from one of Jan’s marketing posts on Story Empire.
- Yesterday I joined my daughter for our first book signing at a local art show in Sacramento. I have been avoiding this for as long as I could—my daughter doesn’t take no for an answer 🙂 It was a wonderful time and I was blessed to meet a lot of amazing people. A little girl bought Tree Fairies, and when her mom explained to her I wrote it, her eyes grew so big! Those are moments you can’t get from behind a computer. All the good advice from fellow authors helped! That candy dish full of See’s lollipops was a hit. Thank you!
- I was going through my books and found a stack of indie paperbacks I’d hadn’t read yet. So, I have been catching up with them. Some of them had been in the stack for a long time.
Now for the poem.
I entered a poerty contest over on Word Craft Poetry Blog. I wrote 12 poems with the “Dreams” theme in mind, and narrowed it down to one for my tanka prose entry. Here was one of the poems I wrote that day but didn’t use in the contest:
golden sun rises
nightmares darkness dissipates
the light shines on dreams
healing beams caress my soul
heavenly message of hope
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn
A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour Day Eight! @Virgilante #bookrelease #whattoread #booktour #writingcommunity
Hi!
Today is Day Eight of A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour! I’m visiting Craig and would love for you to stop by and say hello.
A Voice in the Silence Day Eight
Please offer Craig your support too. He is not only an impressive author and friend but an all-around amazing individual.
A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour Day Seven! @JoanHallWrites #bookrelease #booktour #whattoread #writingcommunity
Hi!
Today is Day Six of A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour! I’m visiting Joan and would love for you to stop by and say hello.
A Voice in the Silence Day Seven
Please offer Joan your support too. She is not only an incredible author and friend but an extraordinary person too.
A Voice in the Silence Bog Tour Day Six! @HowellWave #bookrelease #booktour #whattoread #writingcommunity
Hi!
Today is Day Six of A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour! I’m visiting John and would love for you to stop by and say hello.
A Voice in the Silence Day Six
Please offer John your support too. He is not only a wonderful writer and friend but a terrific multifaceted person.
A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour Day Five! @JanSikes3 #bookrelease #blogtour #whattoread #writingcommunity
Hi!
Happy Summer! Today is Day Five of A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour. I’m visiting Jan and would love for you to stop by and say hello.
A Voice in the Silence Day Five
Please offer Jan your support too. She is not only a stunning writer and friend but a supportive and amazing human being.
Books That Changed Me—Summer Edition 2022! @TonyaWrites @BalroopShado @ChrissyH_07 #recommendedreading #whattoread. #booksthatchangedme #readerrecommended #writingcommunity #mustreads
On the longest day of the year, we head into a time full of childhood exploration. Summer is meant for swimming, cloud gazing, star dreaming, bike riding, BBQing, vacations, and ice cream. Most schools take a break and offer a bit of freedom from everyday life. It’s the perfect time to take a book along this wonderful journey. Each of these books sprinkles a bit of magic and some hard truths into our world. You might recognize them from previous book review posts, so there will be no reviews here today. These books deserve an extra look and a place in your summer reading. I’ve included a children’s book for those young at heart or have children to share the love of reading with. Happy Summer!
Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons
BLURB
Praise for Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons
“Prepare to fall in love with Cassie and be forever changed by her teachings.”
“The novel is a treasure and delight.”
“The story takes you on a journey and invites you to explore the secret to having your own amazing life.
“I felt joy and excitement building inside me as I turned each page.”
In the quaint Appalachian village of Divine, brooms sweep shop owners outside to trade tales of the latest Old Mountain Cassie sighting. Local lore claims Cassie holds the secret to a prosperous and joyous life…but only for seekers so destined.
Lacey Jordan’s fascination to meet the mountain sage intensifies as she eavesdrops on the latest Cassie chatter swirling around her outside Holsom’s Market. And a mystified Lacey believes if she can spend time with Old Mountain Cassie, the confusion and chaos that have plagued her life will lift.
What are these sacred and mystical lessons of Cassie’s that offer the keys to “living life amazing?”
How will Lacey ever find the mountain recluse tucked away in the woods?
Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons is an inspiring, tell-all-your-friends celebration to read. Cassie and the folks of Divine offer a special recipe for an extraordinary life. A generous portion of humor, an extra helping of insight, and a taste of mystery and romance will leave readers both fulfilled and hungry for the next story served up Mountain Cassie style.
Learn more about the author and upcoming books at: http://www.tonyawrites.com
Someone Close to Home
by Alex Craigie
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“The book is brilliant. It reads like a memoir and grips like great fiction should – beautiful characterization”
Viga Boland – Author – No Tears For My Father
Talented pianist Megan Youngblood has it all – fame, fortune and Gideon.
But Gideon isn’t good enough for Megan’s ambitious, manipulative mother, whose meddling has devastating repercussions for Megan and for those close to her.
Now, trapped inside her own body, she is unable to communicate her needs or fears as she faces institutional neglect in an inadequate care home.
And she faces Annie. Sadistic Annie who has reason to hate her. Damaged Annie who shouldn’t work with vulnerable people.
Just how far will Annie go?
‘Someone Close To Home’ is a story of love, malice and deadly menace.
Hues Of Hope: Selected Poetry
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Hues Of Hope is the collection of readers’ favorite poems from my poetry books. These poems explore the hope that lies within our heart, hope that whispers each morning to look at the horizon, hope that inspires us to look beyond the chaotic world and take the next step to vanquish the fears that try to fetter us. It promises to take us to an oasis of peace, unravels magical moments of joy, as beams of love calm our senses. It even guides us through dark alleys to show the streaks of light that shimmer through the clouds.
For the kids:
Following the Green Rabbit: a fantastical adventure
by Chris Hall
Chasing through Bluebell Woods after a strange green-furred rabbit, twelve year old Bryony and Bethany, her eight year old sister, inexplicably end up in the ‘olden times’.Life in the village where they find themselves is hard under the wicked lord of the manor. The two girls are thrown into a desperate struggle in which the evil lord will stop at nothing to hold onto his power over the village.Soon everyone’s hopes are pinned on Bryony and her new companions, Toby, who is under a ‘severe warning’ for humiliating the disliked village pastor, and Tommy, who mysteriously arrived in the village one day and can’t or won’t speak.Together they set out on a mission to bring help from a higher authority, but their journey is beset with difficulties. Will they be in time to save their friends from the hangman’s noose?A thrilling story for readers aged 10 and above, and for anyone who enjoys losing themselves in a fantastical adventure!
A Voice in the Silence Day Blog Tour Day Four! @gmplano #bookrelease #blogtour #whattoread #writingcommunity
Hi!
Today is Day Four of A Voice in the Silence Blog Tour! I’m visiting Gwen and would love for you to stop by and say hello.
A Voice in the Silence Day Four
Please offer Gwen your support too. She is not only a magnificent author and friend but a truly kind and inspiring human being.
June Book Review Part 2 and Update! @harmony_kent @Sandra_Cox @DLMJ18 #writingcommunity #whattoread #indieauthors #mustreads
The Darkness of Placata Montis
by DLM Johnson
“The Darkness of Placata Montis” is the debut romantic fantasy from DLM Johnson. I had the privilege to beta read and help format it, but was eager to dive into it as “just” a reader. I was drawn right into the dark and stormy night with a young woman, Eliana or Li, who ends up at a front door of an unknown house hoping to escape what is chasing her. The man, Graham, takes her into safety and information unfolds as to not only who he is, but Eliana. As what is called The Darkness threatens them, we are shown not only Eliana and Graham’s feelings and stories but taken on a journey to find out what this darkness is, and what it means to them and their world’s magic. Told through Eliana and Graham’s POV, it gives an insight into their motives. Eliana can see more than what is in front of her, so there are flashbacks that add to the story. I could easily imagine the setting and seeing the world through not only a fighter, but a scientist’s eyes. When the battle comes and questions are answered, it was hard to put the book down. I have to add, I am a proud author-mom, and my opinion might seem a bit biased, but I’m also a reader who knows what I like, and this is a story that I can recommend! I look forward to the next book in this series and other books to come.
by Sandra Cox
“Miss Redmond’s Deception” is a fun historical fiction read. Pembra and her sisters run into Captain Richard Greyston in a graveyard. I love how this scene played out. Richard believes the younger sisters to be accompanied by a spinster governess, or Pembra. Circumstances have the captain staying at the house where Pembra continues her deception from the night before the next morning at breakfast. Yet, in a fun twist, they end up fake engaged. Their attraction is immediate, even though Pembra is determined to fight it, and their banter is a lot of fun. Richard has a reputation with the ladies and Pembra wants no part of a man like that. Pembra is a strong character who lives her life as she wants, while Richard is equally stubborn, but knows what he wants, too. There is a charming country setting, a local man with bad intentions, and a sweet and protective rescue dog that added even more depth to the story. A quick-paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Polish Your Prose
by Harmony Kent
“Polish Your Prose” is a reference guide that every writer needs. This doesn’t tell you how to write but how to clean up what you’ve written. There are three parts, and it’s laid out so you can locate the information needed. Many topics are covered, including these chapters, Show no Tell, Filter Words, Sentence Construction, and Common Spelling Mistakes. Part three talks about on giving and receiving reviews and offers a checklist for editing. This is simple and easy to follow with plenty of guidance to help when doing the dreaded edit of your book. I have a copy sitting on my shelf for easy access and reminders of things I need to work on. I can easily recommend this book.
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!
UPDATE
We had a quiet and relaxing vacation. We stayed close to home and enjoyed our grandson’s 8th grade graduation, our son visiting from Oregon, our oldest granddaughter’s 12th birthday and our 39th Wedding Anniversary to start off the week. We also took a day trip to Reno for a late anniversary celebration. I did win a bit on a Leprecaun Slot Machine that called to me—well enough to cover the gas.
With these highs came a low, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Sara on our anniversary. We were lucky to have her for thirteen and half years, but it was time to let her go to run in the forest with Hermie, who we lost three years ago. I know they are chasing bears and watching over us.
I don’t think I will try to catch up with all the things I missed last week, but I am back now. This will be a very busy week. I have a full schedule for the blog tour starting today and my Newsletter is out. Plus, there is a Books That Changed Me Summer Edition tomorrow. I will keep you updated here with the tour 🙂
One more thing, I was thrilled to come back to those great reviews for A Voice in the Silence. It uplifted my spirits!! Thank you all xo
Embrace your inner child with a huge hug by reading a great book! D. L. Finn