D.L Finn, Author

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)

It wasn’t bad luck! #blackcat #fridaythe13th #authorstory #writing #writingcommunity

It’s been almost eleven years since I self-published my first book, “Elizabeth’s War,” and there’s an interesting story behind it. This is also the first time Friday the 13th falls in February, just like eleven years ago!

Here’s the post from five years ago telling the story of what seemed like bad luck wasn’t.

It was late at night in February on Friday the 13th. My bedroom was heavy with the chill of a snowy day. I had finished reading for the night and made one last bathroom trip. As I jumped out of bed, my feet hit the cold hardwood floor. That sent me rushing through the icy room without watching where I was going. As I crossed over the bear throw rug, my left foot caught on our twenty-pound black cat, Coco. He had made it a habit to lie on top of the bear on the rug, blending in.

In what felt like slow motion movie, the cat didn’t move, but I did. My weight shifted, trying to counterbalance, and I reached out to the dresser but missed. At that moment, I knew I was going down. So, I twisted in an attempt not to land on top of the cat, who has a lot of trust in me that I won’t hurt him. That’s when I heard a loud snap and hit the ground.

Now, next to Coco, I found the only thing that hurt was my foot. Through this event, my husband was still peacefully sleeping. After several painful tries to get up, I finally called out for help.

“Why are you lying on the ground? You should get up and sleep in the bed.” My groggy husband replied.

It took him a few moments to realize that I couldn’t get up and was hurt. Once he uprighted me, I hopped on one foot to complete my task. Each jump jarred my foot painfully.

Not wanting to go to the hospital in the middle of the night, I slept with a fortress of pillows protecting my injured foot.

I didn’t sleep much.

The next morning was Valentine’s Day. The special day was spent in the ER. Sharing my story kept the hospital staff amused. My husband never left my side and reassured me that it didn’t matter where we were, if we were together. He had a good point.

Later, I left on crutches and rested through the weekend. As the days went by, I found I had too much time on my hands. I tried to fill it with TV shows, but I realized I needed something to do.

That’s when a family member suggested I publish one of my children’s books.

With all this new time on my hands, I did a lot of research. Finally, I was ready to push that button. I was published.

Once I released that first book, I haven’t stopped. I kept going forward into the writing world.

So, happy eleventh anniversary to the time I tripped over our black cat on Friday the 13th and broke my foot. What appeared to be a bad event ultimately opened the door to a whole new world for me.

NOTE: Coco is going to be thirteen this year. Luckily, Friday the thirteenth and the number have been lucky for me, including getting engaged on it.

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

#NewRelease! Balance of Nature by Jacqui Murray #writingcommunity #whattoread #mustread

I’m excited to welcome Jacqui Murray here today to talk about her latest release, “Balance of Nature.” As always with Jacqui’s books, I loved this story. My review is included.

Summary

A tribe haunted by the past. Lies that threaten the future. A reason to find the truth.

Savage Land is the third trilogy about prehistoric man in the series, Man. Vs. Nature. Savage Land explores how two bands of humans survived one of the worst natural disasters in Earth’s history, when volcanic eruptions darkened the sky, massive tsunamis crossed the ocean in crushing waves, and raging fires burned the land. Viral tribes of Neanderthals and early man considered themselves apex predators, but that crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the two-legged blight from her lands.

In Balance of Nature, Book Three of the trilogy, Yu’ung’s Neanderthal tribe hopes to settle at Gibraltar but instead find unexpected threats and lethal challenges.
Follow the courageous Yu’ung, the determined Kazeb, the mystical Shanadar, and the pawed-and-clawed Canis as they navigate a perilous world of tribal conflict, unexplained visions, and shifting loyalties. Their journey is a testament to the resilience and strength of true leadership in a sweeping saga that ultimately leads to who we are today.

My Five-Star Review

The prehistoric story continues with many characters I’ve grown to love in the other two books. After surviving everything nature had thrown at them, this story follows two resilient clans. Fierce and his mixed clan have traveled the seas and gotten rid of one problem, just to find another. Having already made contact with another surviving clan, he doesn’t get the welcome he expected. Both clans have to be careful who they trust. Yu’ung is a favorite character, a strong alpha woman who has no problem leading or supplying the clan’s needs. The friendship that developed between her and Kazeb was one of the many things that kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. The loyal Canis are close to my heart as they protect their clan. Shanadar is fascinating as he guides through wisdom and his vision, where characters from the past still guide the clan. The settings, research, and attention to detail not only educate me but make me feel like I can understand how life used to be. There is survival, family, love, and logic all mixed together perfectly. While I suggest you read the entire series to fully understand the character’s journey, it could be a standalone because they are so well-rounded, and the journey is carefully explained. I highly recommend this book and the series.

Book Trailer

https://youtu.be/b6wG54fV1_0?si=qyi5V6d-DI8o6EuD

Book information

Print, digital, audio soon available: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0G45MFBWW

Genre: Prehistoric fiction

Editor: Anneli Purchase

Author bio

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes 100+ books on tech into education, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.

Social Media contacts

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/

Blog: https://worddreams.wordpress.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher

X: http://twitter.com/worddreams

Website: https://jacquimurray.net

February Book Reviews! #NicoleSara #LindaBroday #TerryTyler #writingcommunity #mustread #whattoread

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

Rhyming Dreams

By Nicole Sara

So Shall Ye Reap: BOOK #2 of the REVENGE SERIES

By Terry Tyler

I loved the first book in the Revenge Series and couldn’t wait to read the second installment of it. In the first of two novelettes, “Average Joe,” a young man named Joe liked to travel the world. When he’s in Vienna, he gets a phone call from his good traveling companion, Ziggy. Joe soon leaves his own plans and travels to Brazil for more adventures with his friend. Their big dream was to climb Everest, but they needed some money. Ziggy offers an idea that changes everything. Joe was a character that, if I could have shouted into the pages to stop him, I would have. An unexpected twist made things far worse than I could have guessed. This story not only focused on a friendship that became self-serving but also on betrayal and survival. How Joe handled himself later in life was the best part of the story. There is more focus on friendship in “King of the Playground.” Jerry and Mikkel were not only next-door neighbors but also best friends since they were six years old. Even with their closeness growing up and beyond, Jerry wanted to be popular and as liked as his friend was, but he was always second best to Mikkel. He carried this inadequacy into life and set out to prove just how successful he could be. While Mikkel lived a charmed life in Greece, dating a beautiful model and living easily, Jerry worked long hours to attain his goal of wealth. When Mikkel comes home with his new girlfriend, they reconnect, but Jerry is clinging to that grudge, unknown to Mikkel. Jerry was a character I could like, but at the same time, I wished he had gotten past his issues and listened to his mother’s wise advice. This narrative serves as a caution: be careful what you wish for. I can’t wait for the next book in this Revenge Series. A well-written, quick read that I can easily recommend.

Served Cold: BOOK #1 of the REVENGE SERIES

By Terry Tyler

“Served Cold” is two revenge-filled novelettes. Both stories were filled with twists I didn’t see coming as the characters’ pasts are revealed, offering an unexpected insight. In the first story, The Steal, Jodie had almost everything her heart desired. She had a husband she loved, a perfect house, friends, and a town she loved living in. Only one thing remained: a prospective child to enhance her happiness. Then the town welcomes a well-liked, attractive woman’s arrival. Jodie’s perfect life takes a hit that completely shocks her. The story switches over to the new woman in town, Alana, who starts sharing her side of the story. Then, it alternates between the two women. It slowly gives the complete picture of a disturbing past. Emotion-filled characters and twists that had me changing who I was rooting for. In the second story, Lucky Star, Stevie wakes up in a strange place with no memory of how she got in the cell-like room. All she remembers is going to sleep in her own bed. The confusion only intensifies when she and others are told they can’t leave, but have to play the game—or else. I felt like I was right there with Stevie, trying to figure out what was going on. I had many theories, but I never could have guessed the outcome. This was a truly chilling story that made me very glad both stories were novelettes, and I could finish each one in a single reading. There was no way I was going to put these fast-paced stories down once I started reading them. This was a well-written collection with gripping, flawed characters that I can highly recommend and can’t wait for the next in the series!

Summer’s Heart: (Book 2 Sweet Western Romance) The McIntyres

By Linda Broday

I loved meeting the McIntyres’ family in the first book and was eager to continue their journey. Summer and Cade are still trying to find their younger twin brothers and little sister, who were placed in homes after their parents’ murder. Cade had a lead and was off to find one of their siblings when a young patient ended up where Summer worked as a nurse. His story gives her hope that they may know where her brother is, but also fills her with fear as to his safety. Before her fiancé, Sheriff Dan, could investigate, a huge snowstorm hits the town, along with a woman who arrived claiming her baby was Dan’s. This left Summer unable to trust the man she loved, but more importantly, to get to her brother. I love the determination of Summer, and especially her brother Cade, as they attempt to reunite their family. I was also rooting for Dan and Summer to work out their differences, despite what was being said. Plus, the oldest brother, Jess, who had wanted posters with his face, makes an appearance. The 1800s western setting, characters, and storm set the stage for a tension-filled, page-turning read. I highly recommend this well-written story!

UPDATES

Someone took all the books from my little library. I took that time to fix a small leak and let it dry. Later, with an armful of books, I found someone had refilled it with new books. So, I got some new reading material with A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci. I just finished it. I will rate these mainstream books but not review them, as sometimes I just need a break. I make sure to add some of my indie author friends. Good way to get new readers in my neck of the woods. Excited, this is working out so far.
I also read and rated 1984 by George Orwell. I’d thought I’d read it years ago, but that was Animal Farm on my bookshelves instead. 1984 is a book that will leave you thinking long after you finish it, or at least it did me 🙂
Watch for tomorrow’s post and guest!

Embrace that inner child with a great read! D. L. Finn (Denise)

#TankaTuesday #Poetry #Challenge No. 49 #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poem #tanka #nature

It’s been a while since I’ve participated in a Tanka Tuesday Challenge. This week, Yvette Calleiro challenges us to write a syllabic poem that focuses on mental wellness. I wrote a tanka thinking about why I needed to take my healing river walk last weekend. Yes, it helped!

It doesn’t matter where the walk is. It can be by the river, the ocean, the woods, the desert, your neighborhood, a rose garden, or a park. Just as long as you find some peace, nature, and a place to heal.

soul-numbing images
leaving behind scars and pain
poison-infused words
overwhelm my well-being
I head to the woods—to heal

From Finn’s Forest #24 #writingcommunity #nature #authorlife

It’s been a while since I’ve done a From Finn’s Forest post—last April. While the rest of the country has gotten hit with that huge icy storm, we are warm and dry. Neither extremes are good. I’m hoping for rain to return here and more normal weather across not only the states but globally. Right now, Mother Nature seems out of sorts.

Last weekend, hubby and I took a walk that we normally take in April at the river. It was a beautiful day there, and I even saw a couple of people dipping their feet in the icy, dangerous waters. That is a river you don’t want to swim in until June or later. I stayed away from the river’s water edge but enjoyed the views above it.

On my favorite walking trail that I have shared here before, I was surprised to see not only some budding plants but a few flowers blooming. The bigger surprise was the couple of little yellow butterflies. Definitely not the time of year for that. At home, my daffodils are blooming a couple of months early, and my apple tree has some buds. I worry for them if winter visits. We aren’t out of the snow months through spring, but so far it has been a warm winter.

The walk was very healing for my weary soul. Hopefully, it will offer some inspiration to my dormant muse.

Here are some pictures from our pretend spring day.

This leaf floated around for a while. It reminded me of a boat fairies might use to cross the water.

I usually look for hearts in nature. Here’s one.

I’ve been taking pictures of what used to be a clear smiley face on this lichen. The smile and eyes are harder to see, but the new mustache is taking form.

The little creek above the river, we usually stop and hydrate 🙂

Embrace that inner child by reading a good book or enjoying the nature around you. D. L. Finn (Denise)

#NewRelease! “Silverhills’ Rescue” by #SandraCox #writingcommunity #whattoread #mustread

I’m thrilled to have Sandra Cox here today to share her latest book, “Silverhills’ Rescue!” It’s an amazing addition to the Silverhills stories, and my review is included.

Blurb

A marker is called in.

Brandon comes home from a trail drive to find his wife on her way to Mexico to help the mission folk that took her in. Putting herself in danger. Crossing perilous terrain, where not only the weather kills, but Comancheros and bandoleros as well. He climbs back into the saddle and heads out after her. Both of them now embarked on separate journeys that involves killers, flooded arroyos and narrow divides where one misstep means a plunge to certain death. And, if that’s not enough to challenge them, at journey’s end they’ll face the most dangerous situation of all.“This book contains plenty of grit and gunfire, but no graphic violence or explicit scenes.”

Excerpt

July, 1874

The sun hit a blood-red horizon and shot upward in a crown of tangerine brilliance, hurting the eyes, lighting the trail from the top of the canyon to the ranch house like a beacon thrown across the sea.

The early July morning a warm one.

Dust rose as a horse trotted up. Jonas, a young cowhand, reined in his sorrel gelding beside the woman who stood on the veranda. “Rider coming.”

“Is it Brandon?” Hand over her eyes, Alexandria O’Malley Wade strained to make out the narrow trail at the top of the foothill that her husband and their men would come galloping over when they returned from the trail drive. Her tan split-skirt rustled as she leaned against the smooth white-painted railing, trying to get a better view.

Jonas pushed up in his stirrups. Worn leather boots peeping from canvas chaps. “Can’t tell.”

The speck at the top of the canyon grew as it came tumbling down the trail. Her heart thumped and her breath lodged in her throat. Her fingers tingled, her excitement rose.

The speck shifted into a rider.

Anticipation heightened.

Then shriveled. It wasn’t her husband.

The horse was a pinto not the big roan Brandon rode. And even from this distance, she’d know her husband with every fiber of her being.

She heaved a deep breath and waited.

As the rider trotted closer, she slid her hand to the worn wooden handle of her 4.75-inch barrel, single-action, six-cylinder Peacemaker.

Jonas did the same.

She frowned. The pinto looked familiar, but it wasn’t one of theirs. And instead of a cowboy hat and chaps, the rider wore a sombrero along with a brightly-colored poncho.

Spying her, he yanked the sombrero off his head and waved it.

She recognized the rider and the horse at the same time. Her breath caught then whished out on a mile-wide smile.

“It’s okay, Jonas. I know him.”

Now sure there was no trouble brewing, he nodded, raised his hand to the approaching rider, and putting heels to his horse’s ribs, galloped off.

“Manuel.” She jumped off the porch and ran toward the boy who’d went in search of Brandon when she’d holed up at the mission awaiting the birth of the twins.

He leaped off his horse and grabbed her in a bearhug.

The term boy no longer applied. He was muscled and lean. A man. A young man, but still a man.

“What are you doing here? Is your family well? Sisters Sarah and Marie? Father Jon?” The questions tumbled over each other.

The smile on his face fell away.

Something was wrong. Dreadfully wrong. Stomach knotting, she took a step back and waited, dread seeping through her pores.

My Five-Star Review

I have loved the Silverhills series and was excited to see a new story. All the familiar characters are back. When someone from the past arrives seeking help, Alexandra is ready to jump in and assist. Brandon is still away tending cattle, but there are many to watch their twins. She sets out with Manuel and a hand, Charlie, to help the people at the mission who helped her. It’s a long journey, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. I love these characters, and especially Alex. She is strong, kind, stubborn, and willing to put her life on the line for those she cares for. The setting is so beautifully described that it makes me feel like I’m riding along with them. The pace is fast as they go from one situation to another. There was more than once when I thought: Oh no, how will they survive this? Plus, there was a lovesick horse and a desperate puma in the mix. This well-written western was hard to put down, and I can highly recommend it.

Amazon Purchase Link

Author Bio

Sandra, who writes as both S. Cox and Sandra 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 four cats and a dog. 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

OR https://www.pinterest.com/scoxauthor/

OR https://www.bsky.app @scoxauthor

OR Amazon.com: Sandra Cox: books, biography, latest update

January Book Reviews! #sandracox#YvetteCalleiro #ColleenChesebro #RobbieCheadle #mustread #writingcommunity

Here are the books I read and reviewed in December that are four stars or higher. Plus, included are the 76 books read in 2025!

Silverhills’ Rescue

By Sandra Cox

I have loved the Silverhills series and was excited to see a new edition. All the familiar characters are back. When someone from the past arrives looking for help, Alexandra is ready to jump in and help. Brandon is still away tending cattle, but there are many to watch their twins. She sets out with Manuel and a hand, Charlie, to help the people at the mission who helped her. It’s a long journey, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. I love these characters, and especially Alex. She is strong, kind, stubborn, and willing to put her life on the line for those she cares for. The setting is so beautifully described that it makes me feel like I’m riding along with them. The pace is fast as they go from one situation to another. There was more than once when I thought: Oh no, how will they survive this? Plus, there was a lovesick horse and a desperate puma in the mix. This well-written western was hard to put down, and I can highly recommend it.

The One Redeemed (Chronicles of the Diasodz)

By Yvette M Calleiro

I have read and loved the entire Diasodz series and was thrilled to find out there would be a new addition to it. I was immediately drawn into Drake’s journey in the afterlife, which reminded me of the many chances in life that I might not have taken, although not to the same level as Drake did. “The One Redeemed” made it easy to empathize with a cruel and heartless character in the past and root for his soul’s current success. Redemption, love, and taking responsibility were the intended outcomes, but first Drake had to work through jealousy, power, lies, ruthlessness, and vengeance. Although this is a solo path for Drake to walk, he has a guide, and the Goddess was there for him, along with his past. I love the surprise twist at the end and the choices made. This is a unique story that is not only well-written and engaging but also has a beautiful spiritual message woven into it. It is not necessary to have read the rest of the series, as the reflections recap how Drake got to the point he did, but having read the series, it was great to revisit the Diasodz world. I can highly recommend this entertaining and thought-provoking tale!

Sunflower Tanka: A 2025 Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka

By editors & poets: Colleen M. Chesebro, Robbie Cheadle, and other contributors

This is the second edition of the Sunflower Tanka, and this year’s theme was dreams. Normally, I would list all the poets, but this year there were an amazing fifty-four, and too many to include. I am a fan of symbolic poetry and the tanka format. A favorite is tanka prose, but in reading this, I fell in love with the garland tanka and will be giving it a try. I enjoyed meeting each poet, some I knew, others were new to me. They were from all around the world and really added to the depth and perspective of this collection. There is no way I could narrow it down to just a couple of my favorites or outstanding examples; everything I read was good. I loved the different takes on dreams that wove through my emotions as I read. There were many I’d have to stop and reread to appreciate the beautiful images created. This could easily be one of my favorite collections, showcasing so many poetic voices. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves poetry!

Note: I took a small break from reading in December, and then I decided to reread a couple of books. One was my usual holiday read, “A Christmas Carol,” and the other was “The Stand.” Both are very worthy of another read!

2025 Books Read:

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