Month: January 2024

From Finn’s Forest #8 #writingcommunity #animals #writing #settings #skunks #smells

Hi 🙂

It’s been a while seen we’ve explored the forest. Today’s topic is skunks. How do skunks connect to writing? When you are writing a story and you want it set in the forest, how do you make it feel real? Do you research it or take a walk and use your observations? I do both and animals are included in that.

I like to use what I see, feel, hear, and taste, especially if the blackberries are ripe, but what about smell? When wildflowers bloom they add a sweet scent, the leaves that have fallen to the ground start to mold and add a mustiness to that setting, but there is another smell—skunk.

They are cute little creatures as they waddle along the forest floor. They are rarely seen because they sleep in their dens during the day. At night, they look for food, insects, small rodents, mushrooms, fruit, pet food, and garbage. We keep water out in the dryer months for all the animals and skunks always show up for that.

Last night I opened my window around midnight for some fresh air. A familiar scent floated in my room, and quickly I realized what it was. I jumped out of bed and shut my window, but the damage had been done. My room now smelled like a skunk. Rose spray did little to cover it.

Why was a little skunk wandering around on a cold damp night after a good soaking rain earlier? And what was it doing under my window? On a hunch, I looked up skunk mating season. Yes, this is the beginning of the season and they are out looking for their mate.

Window shut and a pillow over my head, eventually I went back to sleep, but not after remembering all the times our escaped dog had hunted a skunk down and got sprayed in the face. I was an expert at mixing up skunk wash and the sooner that yellow oil got washed off the better.

Why skunks? Because they can make an interesting layer in a story set in a forest or anywhere they live. What if the family dog got out and was sprayed? Poor James had to drag himself out of bed and wash the dog. Then the next day James would be exhausted after losing a night’s sleep. His important job interview didn’t go well, and it didn’t help that the skunk smell still clung to him. Or what if a skunk was out during the day and came at you? Rabies? What if you were sleeping, and the smell woke you up to find that there was a forest fire approaching? If it hadn’t been for that skunk smell… it saved your life.

What to do if you see one in real life? Back slowly away. No sudden movements. Try to get at least ten feet away or out of their spray zone. And if you are walking your dog, don’t let them chase it or you will have to bathe your dog later and deal with that smell until it goes away.

Yes, even the smelliest of creatures can make their way into a story. How about you? Any skunk stories or similar experiences?

Next week is book reviews!

Embrace your inner child. Take a walk amongst the trees and just be. D. L. Finn

New Release! “The Soul Whisperer’s Decision” by Gwen Plano @gmplano #newrelease #mustread #writingcommunity

I am so excited to have fellow author and friend, Gwen Plano, here today to celebrate the release of her latest, The Soul Whisperer’s Decision. It was one I couldn’t put down and read in one evening. Here is my review: LINK

BLURB:

Sarah Jameson, a nurse at County Central Hospital, survives an accident that kills her two young children. While comatose, she travels into the heavenly realm where she visits with her precious little ones. She is given a choice – return to her husband, Jack, or remain with her children in their celestial home.

Jack was not in the fated automobile. Though he heard the crash and ran to help, there was nothing he could do. He suffers the loss of his children, fears the potential demise of his wife, and wonders about his own sanity. His struggle with PTSD from his military years has returned and at times, he cannot distinguish between the present and the past.

An accident tragically changed the lives of this young family, but out of sorrow emerges unexpected blessings.

 

BACKSTORY:

I have a special interest in the Near-Death Experience phenomenon. Since the 1980s, I’ve read original research of accounts, and I’ve also read numerous books by survivors. Though I’ve not experienced an NDE, I’ve had several inexplicable experiences of a loving presence at times of great duress.

For ten years, 2002 – 2012, I was an administrator at a college near Camp Pendleton in California. I worked directly with the Marine veterans and, to a lesser degree, veterans from the other branches of the military. I quickly discovered that almost all the Marines suffered PTSD and/or physical injuries from their service in Iraq or Afghanistan. I became their advocate and tried to provide a ‘safe’ place for the veterans to meet, hang out, and process. To this day, my experience with the veterans remains the highlight of my thirty years in Higher Education.

When I wrote The Soul Whisperer’s Decision, I sought to illuminate the struggles of those who have experienced extreme violence. And, as well, I tried to show the healing power of love. None of us can erase our past or another’s, but by our choices, we can carve a hopeful future for ourselves and others.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon:   https://bit.ly/488Ziay

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/48aWmdu

 

BLOG: www.gwenplano.com ( https://bit.ly/48AKRvE )

2023 Books Read And Plans For 2024! #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread

Hi:)

Here are the 97 books read in 2023. I might have missed a couple I couldn’t find on Goodreads and there is a repeat for some strange reason. I figure it all balances out to the same number given. Yes, I count my books because I do read them once again when published. A couple are from NetGallery too.

 

My writing plans for 2024?

I am currently working on a dual timeline set in 1924 and 1965 set in the same house. It’s a paranormal mystery with two loving couples. This was one of my NaNoWri stories that I’ve been wanting to get back to. A lot of research has gone into this story.

My other project is a Christmas novelette and a short story collection. This I will push to get out in time for the holidays.

I still plan to read 75 plus indie stories and review them. When I will read outside indie, I take a break from reviewing.  I’ll keep posting here at least once a week but will set aside my planned changes or additions that I’m not ready to start.  There is still my once a month post over on Story Empire too. I may or may not continue Books That Changed Me seasonal posts of my top books read and will be taking some Do-Nothing days here and there for self care.

I will be watching to make sure I don’t burn myself out like I did at the end of last year.

I was quiet for a while last week as my internet was down. With no cell signal either at our house it require I drive down the mountain and try to catch up on my cell phone for as long as I can. Fingers crossed they fixed it and it won’t repeat another outage. It felt like old times getting my information from TV and phone calls…lol

What’s your writing plans for the year?

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

January Book Reviews! @NAGrangerAuthor @SueColetta1 #whattoread #writingcommunity #mustreads #bookreviews

Death by Pumpkin: A Rhe Brewster Mystery (Rhe Brewster #3)

By N.A. Granger

“Death by Pumpkin” is the third in the Rhe Brewster Books. Although this is the first I’ve read of this series, I found it very easy to follow along and get to know the characters. Rhe is a nurse and works for the police department while being a widowed mom. The story starts out with an unusual death and Rhe involved in the investigation. Soon it becomes apparent there is more to this and an unknown danger lurking. While Rhe struggles with being a mom, nurse and working to be an investigator, she questions her love life and feelings. There are many exciting parts and twists, including an airplane ride where it was obvious there was a lot of research put into it. I love Rhe’s character and her caring but inquisitive side while being a protective mother to her son and good friend and relative. She focused on not only solving a crime but protecting her brother-in-law and friend Sam’s job. This is a wonderfully written cozy whodunit that weaves in relationships, making it a page turner. I will definitely be reading more Rhe Brewster stories and can easily recommend this one.

Blessed Mayhem (The Mayhem Series #2)

By Sue Coletta

I have read and loved a couple of the newer Mayhem stories and now I’m going back to the beginning to watch it all unfold. Even knowing what happens down the road, this story still had me on the edge of my seat because I had no idea how relationships progressed. Shawnee works for the police department and is dating a detective, but in secret, she is a Robinhood-type cat burglar. This gets her into trouble when she runs across a body and the killer, Mr. Mayhem. Now, Shawnee is forced to confront her past and try to stay alive. It is strange to root for a burglar and serial killer, but I couldn’t help it because they had so much depth and layers that I understood them. Although there are brutal deaths, humor is mixed in perfectly balancing that out. My favorite characters, besides Shawnee and Mr. Mayhem, are the Crows, especially Poe. I am on to book three even more curious and can highly recommend “Blessed Mayhem.”

These are the last two books reviewed in 2023. Next week, I’ll share how many books read in 2023 and any special plans for this new year.

Embrace your inner child by reading good books in 2024! D. L. Finn

New Release! “Sheriff Tyree” by Sandra Cox @Sandra_Cox #westernromance #cowboy #newrelease #mustread #writingcommunity

I’m thrilled to have fellow author and friend, Sandra Cox, visiting today to talk about her latest release, Sheriff Tyree. I had the pleasure of being a beta reader but want to read it again when it’s released before writing my review. Yes, it’s definitely worth a second read.

Blurb:

Keeper Tyree has a reputation of being the toughest, most fearsome bounty hunter in Kansas. Now he’s sheriff of El Dorado.

Description:

There’s a new sheriff in town.

Instead of chasing bounties all over the state, Keeper Tyree has taken the job of sheriff of El Dorado.

Everything is going well. He’s tamed the town and now he doesn’t have to knock more than a few heads together a day, and has no more than one or two occupants in the calaboose at a time. Then a stranger comes to town. A stranger bent on vengeance and the man he wants to bring down is Keeper.

Mitchell Jordan holds Keeper personally responsible for his daddy being hung. He believes in an eye for an eye and he’s out to even the score. A family member for a family member.

Keeper is fearless, except where his loved ones are concerned. They’re his one weakness and there’s nothing he won’t do to keep them safe. No matter which side of the law he has to come down on. There’s no right or wrong, there’s just taking care of his own. And now they’ve been threatened.

Jordan leads Keeper out of El Dorado down a winding trail of danger and deceit, and that trail won’t end till one of them is lying boots up six feet under.

Character foodie facts

Keeper loves his coffee.

Pie goes down easy too.

He’s liked peaches since he was a younker.

Bio:

Sandra, who also writes as S. Cox, is an animal lover and avid gardener. She spent a number of years in the Midwest chasing down good Southern BBQ. By the time she moved to North Carolina where Southern BBQ is practically a staple, she’d become a vegetarian.

She and her husband are ruled by a dog and several cats. An award-winning author, her stories consist of all things Western and more.

Sandra can be found at http://www.sandracoxwriter.com

OR http://www.cowboytrivia.blogspot.com

OR https://sandracox.blogspot.com

 

Sheriff Tyree Buy Link:

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK

New Release! The Room At The End by @harmony_kent Harbor Pointe Series Book 8 #harborpointeseries #writingcommunity #whattoread

Hooray! Tomorrow is the release day for the eighth and final book of the exciting Harbor Pointe Inn Series. If you haven’t picked up your copy there is still time. I am sharing the blurb and my review here today.

Blurb

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

When guilt-ridden Mia checks in to a suicide hotel, but can’t go through with the final act, vengeful ghosts gather to torment her.

Set in the near future, the post-war world is in turmoil.

Mia Hawthorne suffers an emotional breakdown, following the death of her wife, and loses everything to a corrupt government.

In an ironic twist of fate, the government suicide department, The Last Sanctuary, allocates a desperate and destitute Mia to the very hotel and family heirloom which she has so recently lost.

On her first day at the Lighthouse Inn, beset with painful memories, doubts, and questions, Mia finds herself coming face to face with angry ghosts, who gather to goad and torment her.

Lost and alone, can Mia find enough strength and purpose to avoid her final, frightful fate?

Possible Trigger Warnings:

This novella contains many references to suicide and suicidal thoughts. It also references off-page bereavement and off-page female to female marriage.

Some references to violence are mentioned, but remain vague and mostly off-page.

No profanity is used.

If any of these are likely to trigger you, please use your discretion when purchasing/reading this book.

My Review

“The Room at the End” is the last installment of the Harbor Pointe Series that explores the future. Mia is despondent after her wife’s death and losing her family business. She lives in a post-war world run by AI technology and the very rich. There is a suicide department in this corrupt government that pays for a person’s room so people can end their lives. Mia ended up at the very place she lost, where she will now end her life. Ghosts are waiting to add to her torment. What a cold, cruel ending for this woman, but a tiny part of her fought the idea of dying. Then enters a sweet puppy, Ollie, that she cares for. Yet, even with second thoughts, she’s expected to go through with her death. A very bleak future, that I hope never happens, is painted so elegantly by Ms. Kent. A well-written novelette with an outcome I didn’t expect. This is a tale that I won’t forget. I highly recommend this!

UNIVERSAL AMAZON LINK

Harmony Kent is an award winning multi-genre author. Her publications include:

The Battle for Brisingamen (Fantasy Fiction) AIA approved

The Glade (Mystery/Thriller) AIA Approved/BRAG Medallion Honouree/New Apple Literary Awards Official Selection Honours 2015

Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips for Authors (Writing/Editing) New Apple Literary Awards Top Medallist Honours 2015

Finding Katie (Women’s Fiction)

Slices of Soul: Book 1 in the Soul Poetry Series (Contemporary Poetry)

Life & Soul: Book 2 in the Soul Poetry Series (Contemporary Poetry)

Interludes 1 & Interludes 2 (Erotic Short Stories)

Moments (Short Stories and Poetry)

Jewel in the Mud (Zen Musings)

Backstage (Erotic Romance)

FALLOUT (Apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic Dystopia) BRAG Medallion Honouree

The Vanished Boy (Psychological Thriller)

As well as being an avid reader and writer, Harmony also offers reviews and supports her fellow authors. Harmony works hard to promote and protect high standards within the publishing arena. She is always on the look out for talent and excellence, and will freely promote any authors or books who she feels have these attributes. Harmony lives in Cornwall, England.

Resonance (Home)

twitter: @harmony_kent

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/HarmonyK

harmonykent@gmx.com

A huge thanks for following along and being a part of the Harbor Pointe Inn Series 🙂

Comments closed today. I am still on a grandma duty break. Next week’s post will be my final two reviews for 2023.

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

New Release! A Death at the Inn by @JoanHallWrites Harbor Pointe Series Book 7 #harborpointeseries #writingcommunity #whattoread

Yay! Happy New Year 🙂 Today is another reason to celebrate—or the release of the seventh book of the Harbor Pointe Series. I am sharing the blurb and my review here today.

Blurb

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

Suicide, accident, or murder?

After an argument with her fiancé, up-and-coming actress Leah Myers booked a room at the Harbor Pointe Inn. Near the end of her stay, someone found her body at the bottom of the nearby cliff. The police ruled her death a suicide.

Five years later, four people from Leah’s past visit the inn on the anniversary of her death. Her fiancé, her brother, her psychologist, and her close friend, Adele, who was a guest at Harbor Pointe the night Leah died.

Deputy Brad Sherman, assistant to the lead detective, has always believed something was amiss with the investigation. When he learns Leah’s former acquaintances are staying at the inn, he decides to look at the old case file.

The four guests soon learn each other’s identity and begin to discuss the events leading up to Leah’s demise. But someone doesn’t want them to know the truth. When Adele confesses she is haunted by the possibility she saw something important that fateful night, it puts her in grave danger.

Now it’s a race against time before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

My Review

Leah’s passing was ruled a suicide at Harbor Pointe Inn five years ago. Four people head to the inn on the death anniversary—without each other’s knowledge. Leah’s best friend, Adele, who had been there when it happened, was still trying to make sense of it. Leah’s fiancé, Daryl, carried the guilt of their fight and not going with her, while her psychiatrist, who felt she could have prevented it, was joined by Leah’s grieving brother. Questions are raised as the group slowly gets to know each other. Here, facts surface. Even a local deputy felt the investigation had been rushed. But as they creep closer to the truth, their lives may be in danger. I love a well-written whodunit, and this definitely was that. The group slowly pieces together what happened with the addition of twists and surprises. The imagery and depth of characters added an extra layer to an already good mystery. It kept me guessing until the end. I can easily recommend this murder mystery.

UNIVERSAL AMAZON LINK

 

Joan Hall has always enjoyed reading or listening to stories about inexplicable events, so it’s not surprising she writes mystery and romantic suspense. A lover of classic rock music, songs often serve as the inspiration for her books.

When she’s not writing, Joan likes to observe the night skies, explore old cemeteries, and learn about legends and folklore. She and her husband live in Texas with their two cats. Learn more about Joan at her website, http://JoanHall.net.

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