D.L Finn, Author

From Finn’s Forest #29 #writingcommunity #dreams #authorlife

I know I’ve been quiet the last couple of weeks, except for the two posts I had scheduled. Haven’t made it to many blogs or promoted on social media. It all comes down to a dream I had two weeks ago.

I was having one of those vivid dreams where I was in one place and then another. Part of it, I was in downtown Sacramento crossing the Golden or Yellow Bridge. But then it all changed, and I was in a doctor’s office with two female doctors. I was sitting on the paper-lined table in the blue gown when one of the doctors looked at me and burst out laughing. She then pointed to the chart and said, “I can see you haven’t been resting like you are supposed to.” She then went on to point out a couple of issues she saw. It felt so real, I popped awake and couldn’t get it out of my head. I still can’t.

Wherever this message came from, it felt like I needed to listen. Luckily, I had just finished my first draft, and that needs to sit, so a break seemed possible. I let things go with my store as well and slowed down. Of course, for me, that meant exercising more if health is my focus. I was going to see my doctor, not to mention I had a dream, but get things checked out. But, I found out my doctor retired and sold the practise. No notice. The new doctor starts in a month. I thought about moving doctors and still might, but there went that appointment, at least for now.

I thought my family would find my dream amusing, but instead, they told me to listen to it. Dreams about my health aren’t common for me, but giving me ideas to write about are. I once had a dream about a young boy, and there were even credits at the end of it. I did take notes and will be looking for them soon.

I know dreams are where we work out our problems or attempt to make some sense of them. Unless they are just confused and disjointed, like our lives might be. They might be portals for our creativity. I also believe our bodies and perhaps a higher being might pass on a message or two.

During this downtime, I found some good advice last week. Instead of me saying I have to do something, I change it to I get to do something. That sure changed my perspective. I think my writing became I have to instead of I get to. It took a dream to remind me of what is important, in its unique way.

Still, I’m not good at just sitting. Downtime leads me to look around, and ideas for projects bubble up. I did do some painting on the outside trim last weekend, but quit when I got tired, not pushing through like I usually do. And I took a break the next day, which was Mother’s Day. We took a wonderful Harley ride by the river. I appreciated every flower and beautiful sight I saw that day. Other than that, I have taken things slowly.

When will I be back? Not sure, but know when I’m visiting your blog or reading a book, I’m doing it because I get to!

How about you? Had any dreams that got your attention or gave you an idea for a book?

Embrace your inner child by taking good care of yourself! Denise

May Book Reviews! #SallyCronin #SylviaKayRose #JanSikes #CSBoyack #writingcommunity #mustreadbooks #whattoread

Welcome! Here are the books I read and reviewed in April that are four stars or higher.

Tales From the Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces

By Sally Cronin

I loved the past Garden books with the fairies. The fairies have been gone for 200 years, leaving the Storyteller alone in his magical garden. His loneliness comes to an end when he finds a young man, Finn, who has lost everything and takes him in. From that moment, animals and more humans found their way to this beautiful sanctuary. Healing and hope take place there even though bad things are happening outside. I fell in love with all the new characters, including the crow, cat, dog, woman, musician, and boy, too. I found a sense of comfort that they could form a family unit together that went beyond the boundaries of the garden. Plus, as healing progressed, there was an opportunity for another chance at love, which I was rooting for. Although this could be read in one sitting, I forced myself to spread it out over two days, just so it didn’t end. I highly recommend this uplifting read, especially when we are surrounded by such dark news, and a reminder that magic and kindness still exist.

Squirrels: Protect Your Nuts!

by Sylvia Kay Rose

I found this book and author through a review and was taken in by the idea of killer squirrels. It is a mix of horror, some gore, and comedy. To make a cute little squirrel evil takes a lot, and within this story, it made sense. Ellie is a best-selling author needing some time alone to write her second book. She picks this quaint little town where a new peanut factory is about to open, but things start to happen. It is soon apparent that something is going on as people start dying and Ellie finds a dead body near where she is staying. Now, being a witness to a crime, she is told to stick around. While swimming, she meets Luke, a wildlife agent. There is a pull between them, even though she is engaged and has been planning a wedding. Her clueless fiancé, Marvin, shows up against her wishes. I found little to like about him, but I was rooting for Ellie to not only write her story but also survive. She becomes involved with figuring out what is happening with Luke. The humor nicely lightens the reality of the damage a squirrel can do, and it was my favorite part of the story. There were some really evil characters, like the owner of the peanut factory, Beverly, whose focus was on profit, no matter what it took. An entertaining read that not only has action, but a light romance and the results of human greed. I can easily recommend this.

Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics

By Jan Sikes, Rick Sikes, Sydney Klein, and Dianne Rich (Editor)

“Fringes, Heartstrings and Lyrics” is a beautiful collection of short stories, poetry, and lyrics. Although I loved all the stories and poetry, I found the Fringes section to be my favorite. It started with a heartbreaking story, “A Foreign World,” about an elderly couple who take a walk. What happens to them is sad, but even with that, the end offers the hope I’m always looking for. My favorite story, “Yearning for Paradise,” follows a woman and her group as they try to escape their government to what they hope will be their paradise. I remember reading this story when Ms. Sikes first wrote it and appreciating the twist she took. I have thought about it since reading it the first time, and my second read was just as impactful, if not more than, before. There was a Christmas-themed story, “Magic,” that captured my heart as a boy tries to find a Christmas tree to bring his family some much-needed magic. The poetry was the perfect way to end this collection, and it was special with her granddaughter’s and husband’s poems added in. There was so much emotion in Mr. Sikes’ poems that you could feel his passion through his words. Ms. Klein may only be fourteen years old, but her insightful words belong to an old soul. This blended well with the wonderful poems Ms. Sikes offered, including a song, which I could feel the music behind. A quick but satisfying read that I can highly recommend.

Article V

By C. S. Boyack

Jace and Destiny have been good friends for years and share a love of cryptids. Jace invests in an old trailer to use for their weekends away, trying to find proof of any cryptids’ existence. After Destiny gets off work as a janitor at a school and Jace from his union job, they take off. Their first night in the trailer had me laughing and cringing. I would have bought the biggest bottle of bleach and gotten to cleaning after. Current events were woven into the story with some truths that can keep one up at night worrying. Their innocent exploration put them in the middle of something that Destiny couldn’t let go of when she found some documents that weren’t meant to be seen. As the title of the book hints at, some bad characters are trying to make monumental changes to our government. The scary part is, when reading this, I could easily see it happening. Mixed in is Destiny, who is a child of a Cambodian refugee, worries about being deported, and Jace’s fight to keep the union from being weakened at his job. All very current concerns that I didn’t feel became political, just very real. I also appreciated the mentions from other books, along with the humor and the assassin. These were characters I loved, and I enjoyed how strong their friendship was, allowing them to explore something more. This was a page-turner, and it left me thinking long after the last page. I can highly recommend this speculative fiction where humans, not cryptids, are the scary ones.

I also read Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I left five-star ratings and enjoyed my read, but didn’t review them.

Embrace your inner child by reading a good story. Denise

New Book Release! Fringes Heartbreak and Lyrics by #JanSikes #writingcommunity #newrelease #whattoread

I’m thrilled to have Jan Sikes here today to share her latest, Fringes, Heartstrings, and Lyrics. Here is my Five-Star Review.

Thank you, Denise, for allowing me to take over your blog and talk about my new book, Fringes, Heartstrings, and Lyrics.

I’ve often talked about how stories can come from anywhere, and that is true. One night, I dreamed about a young woman sitting in her car. She suddenly dropped her head into her hands and screamed, “NO!” Then she tossed a bag onto the passenger seat. That was all I got. I had no idea who she was or what had her so torn up, but I knew it was a story. So, that wound up being a new story for this collection under the Heartstrings section. Here’s a short excerpt:

***

While she waited, Riley considered how lucky she’d been that it was Jayden who found her walking on the road that night.

She never should’ve gone to the party.

And damned sure should never have gotten in the car with a stranger.

But she did. If only her father weren’t always so strict. Most of the time, he couldn’t even stand to look at her. That hurt her to the core. She simply couldn’t be what he wanted or expected. And now, when she was so close to escaping small-town life and his suppression, this had to happen.

Surely God must hate her. True, she hadn’t given him much reason not to.

Finally, Jayden slid into the passenger seat. He’d scrubbed the grime from his hands and combed his hair.

“What’s happening?”

“My life is over.” She choked. “Over before it even started.”

He fastened his seatbelt. “Let’s go to our favorite diner. It seems to be the best place to solve problems. That is, if you’re up to driving. If not, we can go in my car.”

“I can drive.” She took the last sip of her Coke and started the engine.

BOOK BLURB:

At the edge of the world, and the center of the heart, you’ll find stories that linger.

Fringes explores dystopian futures where survival is uncertain and hope is fragile. In A Foreign World, The Forgotten, and Yearning for Paradise, humanity is pushed to its limits.

Heartstrings turns toward the warmth of love, resilience, and second chances. Stories such as A Promise Broken – A Promise Kept, She Dances with a Memory, and When Love Isn’t Enough remind us that the human spirit endures.

Lyrics captures life in poetry—moments of longing, faith, and reflection in pieces like Comes the Dawn, Society, and The Blind Man in the Night.

From chilling possibilities to comforting truths, Fringes, Heartstrings & Lyrics is a genre-blending collection of short fiction and poetry that will make you think, feel, and return again and again.

PURCHASE LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Fringes-Heartstrings-Lyrics-Jan-Sikes-ebook/dp/B0GRWQC3SH/

BIO:

Jan Sikes is a multi-award-winning author, who writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell—Not just any story, but a true story to rival any fiction creation. She brought the powerful true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.

And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres and has published many award-winning short stories and novels. She is an active blogger, a member of the Story Empire group, loves to support indie artists (both literary and musical) and is the grandmother of five beautiful souls. Find out more at http://www.jansikes.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

http://www.jansikes.com

https://www.jansikes.com/blog

https://x.com/JanSikes3

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks

https://bsky.app/profile/jksikes-author.bsky.social

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK (Author Page)

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes

From Finn’s Forest #29 #writingcommunity #authorlife #nature #reading

I had a mix-up with my book reviews post this month. I forgot to reschedule my post, so it didn’t fall when I was on vacation. That’s why it took me a week to respond! Sorry about that.

Had a great break though! We had a wonderful family Easter celebration that included an egg hunt on the Magical Trail. That did take some cleanup with all the trees we had down from the storm in February, but we got it done. We took a nice drive and walked the next day, and then ended up babysitting the youngest granddaughters that night. So we brought them to the mall, which is their favorite place to go now.

The next day, we went on a day trip to San Francisco to go to the California Academy of Science. It’s been a while, but always been a favorite place of mine to visit. I enjoyed the butterflies and aquarium as always, plus the African area with the penguins. Next, we headed over to the De Young Museum to see the special exhibit of Monet/Venice. Really enjoyed that too, plus exploring other areas. We didn’t get to end the day with the Japanese Tea Garden because they were closed, but we did have a nice picnic dinner and watch the sunset at the beach. Couldn’t have asked for a better day.

We also fit in seeing our daughter’s dance show, going to see Project Hail Mary, and relaxing. One day, we played Clue and watched the Artemis land. In between all of that were storms that gave us lots of rain, thunder, and lightning, and oddly enough, five inches or so of snow. Quite a mixture of weather from beautiful, warm, hot, even days to snow. We did find, through that rain, that there was a bit of damage to the roof when the tree fell that we’d missed. Not anything really big, but there is a hole that Jeff put some metal on the hole to stop the leak until we can get it fixed.

Looking forward to more rain and maybe another thunderstorm. Here’s a short video I took during one of the storms. It happens at 16 seconds in. I am not good at editing videos.

Now, for the pictures!

I don’t know what this is, but it was wedged in my camera…

View of San Francisco and Alcatraz from the Bay Bridge. Such a pretty day.

They were being cute. When the one wasn’t screaming…lol

Loved the butterflies. Also saw some birds and a turtle

In Golden Gate Park at the California Academy of Science and the De Young Museum

I don’t remember what he was, but I liked him.

After reading Jacqui Murray’s books, this was exciting to see!

Not a great picture, but our poor little hummingbird sat through the snow. Didn’t leave the feeder all day.

Embrace your inner child by exploring! Denise

April Book Reviews! #JoyNealKidney #MarshaIngrao RobbleCheadle #MiriamHurdle #YvettePrior #PeteSpringer #CindyGeorgakas #MarshaIngra #CarolAnnTayloro #GeoffLePard #EJAshmore #sharonmarchisello #writingcommunity #mustread #bookreviews

Welcome! Here are the books I read and reviewed in March that are four stars or higher.

Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression

By Joy Neal Kidney

“Leora’s Dexter Stories” brought a time to life that I heard about through my great-grandparents. This follows the Wilson family through the Great Depression, showing how a family with seven children moved from house to house and navigated a time when many families did without. Based on Ms. Kidney’s family history, there is so much detail lovingly researched, and the added insights with pictures and letters. My family came from Missouri and lost the family farm during this time. I heard many stories growing up about my great-grandparents losing their home, sleeping in a car or camping, as they called it, and their quest to find a better life. I found the same hope in this book, plus it gave me a new appreciation of everything my family and this family went through. The extreme temperatures, scarcity of jobs, government help, and what really shone through was how the family took care of each other. It was heartbreaking when illness would run through a family, and the loss of babies. But the strength and never giving up is something many of us come from. Even with some help, they took matters into their own hands by growing food, hunting, canning, and sewing. I appreciated the attention given to the kids getting a high school diploma, too. A beautiful family memoir that I found hard to put down. It touched me on many levels, and I can highly recommend it.

Story Chat Digest Where Stories Meet: An Anthology of Short Stories & Poems (Story Chat Series Book 3)

by Marsha Ingrao and various authors

I really enjoyed the second Story Chat and was eager to read the third one in the series. Again, I wasn’t disappointed with the mixture of stories and poems from all over the world. It offers many insights, perspectives, and genres. The book was divided into sections, each with a unique introduction that, like the stories, was very entertaining. I found it hard to narrow down favorites as I felt many emotions while reading. There was one that not only lingered but touched my heart. “As Old as We Feel” by Cathy Cade is about an older woman who feels like a prisoner in a place that is taking care of her. Although she puts on a brave face for her son, inside, she just wants her life to finally end. Heartbreaking. I have always dreaded getting to that point in my life, and this brought up all my fears in a well-told story. But that’s just one of the many that I loved. Another thing that is special about this collection is the questions for readers at the end, and some comments from the beta readers on the longer short stories. It is a perfect read, no matter how much time you have to read, and I can easily recommend this collection.

This Is How We Eat: Stories About Food, Culture and Connection

By Yvette Prior and other authors

“This is How We Eat” is a wonderful collection of personal stories, poetry, and fiction, all focusing on the theme of food. Seventeen authors approach this with a different point of view. I found myself nodding a few times when eating disorders came up; I dealt with that in my teens. This not only covers our relationship with food but also the history, family, and social traditions that go with it. Some authors were familiar to me, but I was introduced to new ones, which I always enjoy. I learned a lot about several authors through their food stories and recipes. On the other side, I was equally entertained by the fiction and poems. At the end of the book, the editor summarizes each story beautifully and gives each one a limerick. I won’t pick a favorite; each one was unique and a special treat. I can easily recommend this anthology!

The Art Of Spirit Capture

by Geoff Le Pard

Everything seems to be going wrong for Jason. He is still recovering from a failed relationship, his brother is in an induced coma after an accident, and he was just laid off from his job. This is when unexpected news comes: his aunt, whom he hasn’t seen in years, has passed. After sorting through what’s left of his time with his ex, he heads to a meeting with the lawyer to see what’s going on. Not only did he and his brother inherit the house and all that comes with it, including a dog, but someone from his childhood, Charlotte or Lotti, is working with the lawyer. He plans to stay a few days, and Lotti will help him go through everything. Yet, there seems to be something she is withholding from him, plus there are things his uncle made, Captures, that everyone is interested in. He has many things to work through now, including what to do with his life, this house and dog, and what is the mystery behind the Captures and the town’s untrust of him. Jason has limited memories of his times stayed with his aunt and uncle. He now has trust issues and doesn’t like to be the one making the decisions, but his brother may or may not recover to help. Jason is a kind character who wants to do right by everyone and feels an attraction for a woman now who seems to treat him as a little brother. Many side stories are going on, including his ex and her boyfriend, his childhood, a strange neighbor, and what is behind his uncle’s project. I like the relationship he develops with not only Lotti but the pup that came with the house. This is a very unique read that blends family, drama, relationships, a bit of romance, personal growth, mystery, and paranormal. Although a longer-than-normal read, you barely notice, and I can easily recommend it.

For This Very Purpose

By E.J. Ashmore

“For This Very Purpose” is a Christian/Religious, historical story set in Egypt during the time of Moses. The narrative is told from two opposing points of view: Eliza, a Hebrew slave, and Seti, the oldest son of a wealthy Egyptian family. Sixteen-year-old Eliza and her younger sister work under Seti’s mother. She has fallen for the spoiled oldest son, Seti, who is studying to become an Egyptian priest like his father. Eliza doesn’t have an easy job, but it’s better than making bricks, especially for her little sister. In her time at the house, Eliza has fallen for the son who barely acknowledges her except to tease her. Seti lives in his wealthy status and gives little thought to the slaves, but he does start to question things, including his faith in his gods. He is engaged and feels his future is secure. But Moses/Moshe returns, and the ten plagues begin. I loved seeing the pre-exodus through the eyes of Eliza and Seti, because it gave me a different perspective on a well-known biblical event. The setting was rich, and I could envision their daily lives. I think my favorite character was Eliza. She showed strength beyond her age, even though she still did things she shouldn’t have as a teen would do. She always chose those she loved over her own well-being. Love is a strong theme woven throughout. If you enjoy Biblical stories, I found this to be a page-turner, even though I knew many of the outcomes. I can easily recommend this story!

Trap, Neuter, Die (DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue #1)

By Sharon Marchisello

DeeLo has moved from Los Angeles to Pecan Point in Georgia, where her mother and niece live, to start over. She has a new job and boyfriend, but also ended up with a DUI and forty hours of community service. She chooses to work with a cat rescue. Catherine runs the operation, and the first night they go trapping cats to fix, vaccinate, and release, they find a business owner’s cat wandering and a murder victim. A cop appears and tells them to leave without taking a statement. This triggers DeeLo’s curiosity, and luckily, she works in the perfect place: a law office where her boyfriend is the attorney. Besides the murder, she is also drawn into changing an old law that prohibits releasing feral cats back where they were found after being fixed. When the police arrest Catherine for releasing the cats, DeeLo steps up to defend the cats and the woman who had been nothing but unpleasant to her. There are several suspects as the information is slowly revealed. I changed my mind a couple of times, but couldn’t guess the reason. I found the cat rescue information and how laws had to be changed very interesting. I have captured and released a couple of feral cats who lived in our area, and I never thought it could be illegal in some places to do that. This story covers many bases, including a cozy murder mystery, cats, redemption, relationships, and doing the right thing. I can easily recommend this, especially if you love cats or animals.

Embrace your inner child this spring by reading a great book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

From Finn’s Forest #28 #writingcommunity #authorlife #rockcollection #freelancejobs

I love living in the forest, but the cost to do so has risen recently. With all the recent wildfires throughout the state, many have lost their homeowner’s insurance and had to depend on the state’s fair plan. Luckily, we are still under our regular insurance, but our premiums have risen steadily. Still not as bad as I’m hearing some people pay, but along with all the other increases, it has led me to look for some extra income.

I have always been open to doing freelance work as a writer. I know some options are fading away with AI, but I still thought I’d try a couple of popular job sites. I reworked my resume, and my daughter polished it up for me. Next, I researched where a writer could earn some extra income and found a couple of websites to get started.

I went in with an open mind and was looking for part-time jobs that used skills I’ve learned over the years as a writer. My focus was on beta reading, proofreading, writing blogs, and even being a virtual assistant. I decided on a website that didn’t charge as much and was recommended for writers. Seemed simple, I created a page and got to looking. Not open to paying a monthly fee, I had an option to purchase something like points to apply for jobs instead of paying the monthly fee.

I got right on that, reading the job posts, qualifications, and applying. Soon, I got an interview via Zoom. Here’s where I found out the job descriptions don’t match what they really wanted. Basically, it was a job to review websites. Never got an answer to whether I could write my own reviews or if it was provided. I was told I was overqualified, and I should watch for when they needed virtual office assistance or writers.

The next reply I got was from a woman who basically wanted the same thing. She asked me to screenshot that I had an Amazon account, which I didn’t. Then she wanted me to post reviews she had written for her books…I told her I would not do that. She did not like my answer. These are the people who make us look bad on Amazon.

Then I saw a job where I could take pictures of their products. I could do that in the forest. Good fit, huh? No, they wanted me to buy their products; they couldn’t send them for some reason I didn’t understand. But they would reimburse me for the purchase and my time, later. That was another no thank you.

Yet, I kept trying. I avoided what I now recognized as pay-for-review jobs and buy-and-review jobs. Next, I was approached for a job to talk for two hours and record it. The company claimed they needed to train their AI in cars with my accent. That didn’t appeal to me either. Plus, my writer’s mind was suspicious about what they were really doing with that recording.

The proofreading jobs or beta readers were still sounding promising, but looking deeper into them, they wanted not only someone to beta read but also to edit it too. One person wanted it done in a day…lol A few of these I didn’t hear back from, probably because I wasn’t willing to work for way under minimum wage.

What was left? Writing blog posts. One seemed like a fit, but getting deeper into this one, they wanted a person to write a set weekly amount of blogs that would have to be researched, which would mean doing about ten a day. This was for Facebook. I’m not a fast writer, and I take research seriously. With that job, they offered bonuses for a certain number of likes your post got, and the pay was decent. I didn’t want to put that kind of time into a part-time job, so I moved on.

Still having some points to use, I applied for a job that required me to have a pet to test toys on. When filling out the paperwork, they asked if I had an issue with electric shock toys for my cats. Yes, in fact I do.

So my venture into job websites didn’t go as I had hoped. I will do it the old-fashioned way, by going directly to websites or applying in person. I had heard from my kids that online jobs were almost impossible to get. They have had to find them in person.

Lesson learned. Now I look at any review even more critically. Those posts on Facebook I already knew were for likes, even historical ones, but it was worse than I thought. They even allowed AI posts. I won’t be posting fake reviews, or buying some strange person’s produce, or talking for two hours for pay. And guess what, you have to earn reviews at the job website, so you even get looked at by the so-called better jobs. They recommend you start with these jobs.

A very eye-opening and strange experience for me. They seem not to be looking for experience but people to take advantage of.

NOTE: I will be off next week on vacation 🙂 Be back on April 14th with my Book Reviews.

Now on to my heart-shaped rock collection!

Embrace your inner child by collecting rocks! D. L. Finn (Denise)

From Finn’s Forest #27 #writingcommunity #authorlife #nature #forestliving

It was a beautiful weekend here, so we took advantage of this summer preview. Out on the Magical Trail, there were many trees down, especially the cedars. We have cleared a couple of paths to walk, but we have more to go. Along with the trees, part of our main deck took a beating and is in the process of being repaired.

But our weekend wasn’t all work; we took a break and walked by the river. The flowers are starting to bloom, but maybe a week or two from full bloom. The butterflies were in abundance. They weren’t really cooperative when I tried to take their pictures. They’d fly right off. Luckily, I brought my long-range camera lens and was able to still capture some butterflies in the distance and a couple with my cell phone, too.

Still warm here, but not as hot as last week. No rain this week again, but maybe next. I’ll take April showers bring May flowers.

Next week, I’ll be talking about my strange adventures looking for some freelance work on a popular job website. Also, going to share my collection of heart-shaped rocks.

Here are some pictures from the Magical Trail and our river walk.

At first, I saw an angel on this heart-shaped rock on the Magical Trail. Now I see other things too.

Now on to the river. The poppies are starting to bloom.

Poison oak and poppies share space. I gave the poison oak a wide berth! There was a lot of it on the sides of the trail.

Embrace your inner child by smelling the flowers and reading a good book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

From Finn’s Forest #26 #indieauthors #writingcommunity #bookstoread #mustreads #payitforward

This is the post I planned on sharing last week. But instead, I was not feeling well and decided to wait until this week. Some little bug or maybe even allergies got a hold of me and hasn’t completely let go. I am doing better, at least the headache and sore throat mostly went away, but that exhaustion won’t let go, and the upset stomach keeps making a comeback.

After my last book release and blog tour, I decided to do something different for my wonderful blog hosts. I bought the physical copy of their book I mentioned on my site. I enjoyed having them on my shelf for a bit, but the plan was to share them in my Little Library and find new readers for them in my area. I’ve already had takers, and I will keep adding more of these books to the shelves.

This has been a great way to help me part with some of my large book collection. Although I’ve found it a bit painful to give up some of my favorite indie authors’ books, other people deserve to be introduced to them.

Neighbors have been helping out and adding some great books, too. Of course, I can’t resist adding some to my reading list.

In the future, I’ll also add other authors from our community. I consider this my small way to pay it forward.

Here are some pictures of the Little Library over a couple of months and the books I got to add to it.

On the weather end, we went from snow to what they are calling an epic record-breaking heatwave this week. March usually offers snow, not sunny weather in the 80s. This good weather, though, has helped in the cleanup from the snowstorm. We were pleasantly surprised to see little damage to the roof after the snow melted. Just a few dings where there was no gutter. Will have the roofer see if we need to repair any of that. Jeff is already putting the fence back together, and I cleaned up the branches on the patio, and we were able to burn some of the debris last weekend. Record-breaking seems to be the norm now.

Watch for this month’s newsletter on the 20th if you are subscribed.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those who celebrate it 🙂

Embrace your inner child by reading a fantastic book and then sharing it! D. L. Finn (Denise)

March Book Reviews! #NicoleSara #CindyGeorganka #LynetteCreswell #writingcommunity #whattoread #mustread

Welcome! Here are the books I read and reviewed in February that are four stars or higher.

Rhyming Dreams

By Nicole Sara

This is a beautiful collection of poetry infused with the colors of emotion. The poems are accompanied by a meaningful quote and a photograph that paint a complete picture. I always love it when nature and feelings are intertwined, like in this collection. As I read, I highlighted many passages, but I had to narrow them down to share here. “With smooth foggy fragments on soles of thought/I breathe in the seasons, burning within/murmuring shadows/and night…”—SHARDS OF LIGHTS, “I run along deep spirals made of words/the syllables like steps,/unwinding lightly/like in a dream I float, on air and lands/roaming through mists, and sighing/silently…”—SMILING YELLOW, “some cover the silence in words,/others, the words under silence/some dress the grey into color/and others the autumn in summers…”—SOME, OTHERS, and “Don’t lose the delicate dream…/Rays draw an infinite sight/Minutes gather like dew/Fabulous carpet of light…”—DEW DREAM NOTES. I can highly recommend this and will be reading more from this poet!

The Blues and the Beautiful

By Nicole Sara

I read and loved “Rhyming Dreams” and was eager to read this collection. I wasn’t disappointed as I dove into more captivating poetry, photos, and quotes. The beautiful passages weave emotions, nature, and colors. It was a trip through the seasons of both nature and feelings. Here are just some of the poems I highlighted along the way. “I take a step/I create a remembrance/I draw a sign in the sun…/and I color the way/in a hue or another/with the choice that make or I shun…”—Multicoloured Minutes, “Shy shimmers carried afar/on wings of moments and cloud/afloat on a wave of blue thoughts,/on steps like reflections/aloud…”—Sweet Dear Memories, and “Like waves, my search unwinds through/rolling seconds/and thoughts collect dark clouds, sunny/shine/spiraling tides of coldness and blue…”—Splash. A beautiful collection that I can easily recommend!

Re-Create & Celebrate: 7 Steps to turn your Dreams into Reality

By Cindy Georgakas

“Re-Create & Celebrate” is a well-written, well-thought-out self-help book. I have done a lot of work on myself in the past, but it’s easy to fall back into bad habits. This was the perfect uplifting read for me right now. It is divided into seven steps that offer insight into the subject, a place to gain more awareness by answering questions, and a bonus: a poem. Ms. Georgakas includes her own struggles and stories along the way that add to this positive read. It not only tackles dreams but also covers the mind, body, and soul. It’s a book that will have you smiling, nodding in agreement, and probing uncomfortable feelings. If you are looking for some motivation or working on personal growth, this inspirational book is for you. I can highly recommend it.

Cat Thief: A Collection of Short Stories

By Lynette Creswell

“Cat Thief” is a collection of seven short stories, each with a different flavor. I have to admit, besides the great review for the book I found on a blog, the cover immediately pulled me in. I have a cat that looks just like the one on the cover. I’m glad I picked up this book; it kept me entertained from beginning to end. I did enjoy meeting the cat in Cat Thief, and it had a fun twist that included magical potions, but my favorite of all the stories was Glimpse into the Future. A Romany gypsy with a gift to see the future had a recurring dream where a woman was murdered. This one was a wonderful, mystical-mystery where I quickly grew to care about the well-being of these characters. Although this was a quick read that I finished in one sitting, it was satisfying. I can easily recommend this book.

NOTE: I owe Nicole Sara an apology. Last month, when I posted a review for The Blues and the Beautiful, it was the wrong collection. I was actually for Rhyming Dreams. I noticed when I went to read Rhyming Dreams and realized I’d read it. SO I fixed my reviews where they were posted, including last month’s reviews here. I included both now that my mistake has been corrected. Definitely a first for me! If you ever notice I’ve made that mistake or another, please let me know!

Embrace your inner child by reading a great book or two! D. L. Finn (Denise)

From Finn’s Forest #25 #authorlife #writingcommunity #nature #forestliving #snow

Hi! I know I’ve been quiet lately, but between doing taxes and the last storm, it’s kept me busy! I still have some catching up to do.

Last week we got winter here, or cooler temperatures, finally. Along with that came snow, our first for the season. It sounded like we’d get a foot of snow, which is doable, but instead we ended up with 34 inches or almost three feet! This was a lot for not only humans but the trees that began to embrace spring.

In the 36 years living in our house, we’ve never had a tree hit it. This storm changed that. Luckily, we were okay, and the roof seemed to survive it, not sure about the shingles, have to wait until the snow melts to see. But what took the hit was our fence and part of our gutters. My husband was home from work, so he was able to get most of the tree off the house that day. What was on the roof would have to wait, as we had other things to do, like clear the snow off the trailer and get the generator going because the power went out.

The rest of the week left me alone as my husband went back to work, and I managed to keep the wood stove going for heat and shoveled snow where I could. Finally, the weather cleared, and my husband was working, I got a nice surprise. One of my sons-in-law, his father, and his brother-in-law showed up to get the top of the tree off the house. This required a ladder to climb onto our steep roof with a chainsaw. Not a one-person job. I should mention my husband is one of those people who doesn’t usually accept help. I accepted the help for him.

My take on all of this? When bad things happen, people are there to help, like with the tree that no longer sits on our roof. Our neighbors checked in on each other. Getting gas for those who needed it for their generators, food, or to get their driveway plowed. All via our two-radio group.

Even though I felt totally alone in the dark of the morning when my husband went to work. I insisted we shut the generator off until I got up to give it a rest and save gas. But I woke up right as he left and imagined all kinds of things. He made it to work, and I waited until it was light out to restart the generator. With dawn came the realization I wasn’t really as alone as I believed. That two-way radio was there. Still, after that, there was no early morning generator shutdown.

I have a feeling that moment of pure disattachment to the world will creep into a story. Boy, the things one can think of in the dark.

Now we’re going to get rain, and soon the snow will melt away. Then back to the warm and dry weather, winter seems to be fond of this year.

We have our power back now after three days out. Not our worst storm, but it’s up there as the most memorable. I would give it a mini Snowmegdon status. Here are some pictures. We got to snowshow on my husband’s one day off this last weekend.

I think the snowperson tire expresses the piling snow best 🙂

Embrace your inner child by offering to lend a helping hand or just allowing yourself to enjoy what life offers! D. L. Finn (Denise)